Sponsored by:
Senator NILSA I. CRUZ-PEREZ
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Clarifies that compensation may be paid for expenses related to service animals required due to injuries resulting from crime against victim.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning victim compensation for expenses related to service animals and amending P.L.1971, c.317.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 12 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-12) is amended to read as follows:
12. The agency may order the payment of compensation under this act for:
a. expenses actually and reasonably incurred as a result of the personal injury or death of the victim, including out-of-pocket losses which shall mean unreimbursed and unreimbursable expenses or indebtedness reasonably incurred for medical care or other services necessary as a result of the injury upon which such application is based[,] ;
b. loss of earning power as a result of total or partial incapacity of such victim[,] ;
c. pecuniary loss to the dependents of the deceased victim[,] ; and
d. any other pecuniary loss resulting from the personal injury or death of the victim which the agency determines to be reasonable.
As used in subsection a. of this section, "other services" shall include expenses involved in procuring or providing treatment to a service animal, as defined by the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" (42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq.) and any regulations promulgated pursuant to that act, if a service animal is required by the victim based on the injuries sustained as a result of the crime.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.95, s.16)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill specifically provides that crime victims may be awarded compensation for those expenses related to procuring or providing treatment to a service animal when a service animal is required by the victim due to injuries sustained by the victim as a result of the crime.
Under the bill, a "service
animal," as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, is any dog
that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an
individual
with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.