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H 8155Criminal Procedure

Criminal Procedure - Criminal Injuries Compensation

This bill increases the maximum emergency relocation payment for victims of violent crime from $5,000 to $8,000.

Signed into law38 Yea0 Nay0 Not voting
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the Rhode Island laws regarding the "Emergency fund for victims" within the Criminal Injuries Compensation chapter. Specifically, it increases the maximum amount of money that can be awarded to a victim of a violent crime for emergency relocation expenses. The previous limit of $5,000 is raised to $8,000. This emergency compensation is intended to ensure the safety of the victim. The bill maintains that any emergency funds awarded are deducted from the victim's final compensation award, which has a total cap of $25,000.

For younger readers

Sometimes people get hurt because of a crime and they are not safe in their own homes anymore. When this happens, the government has a special fund to help pay for them to move to a safe place. Before, the government could only give a person $5,000 to help with moving. This new rule changes that amount to $8,000. This helps make sure that people who are in danger have enough money to find a new, safe home.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Victims of violent crimeOffice of Criminal Injuries CompensationLandlordsMoving companiesFamilies of victims
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Increases financial support for victims of violent crime, acknowledging rising housing and moving costs to ensure vulnerable individuals can afford to relocate to safety.
  • Strengthens the social safety net by providing more immediate liquidity to those in crisis, potentially preventing homelessness for victims fleeing violence.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the welfare of the community by prioritizing the physical safety and recovery of individuals traumatized by violence.
  • Does not increase the total compensation cap of $25,000, meaning that using more money for relocation reduces the funds available for other needs like medical bills or lost wages.
  • Retains the repayment clause which forces victims to pay back the emergency money if they are later found ineligible, which could financially devastate low-income individuals.
  • The increase to $8,000 may still be insufficient to cover first, last, and security deposits in the current expensive housing market, falling short of a comprehensive housing solution.
For Conservatives
  • Supports the victims of violent crime by ensuring they have the means to escape danger, aligning with a law-and-order priority of protecting citizens from criminals.
  • Maintains fiscal restraint by keeping the overall compensation cap at $25,000, ensuring the total liability to the state per victim does not technically increase.
  • Preserves strict oversight by keeping the "clawback" provision that requires victims to repay the funds if they are found ineligible, protecting against fraud and waste.
  • Expands the scope of government handouts by increasing the cash amount available for immediate disbursement by a state agency.
  • Leaves the awarding of funds to the "sole discretion" of a program administrator, which could be viewed as granting too much power to an unelected bureaucrat.
  • Increases the immediate cash-flow burden on the state budget, even if the long-term cap per person remains the same.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 2 additions · 2 deletions

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 12-25-21.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-25 entitled "Criminal Injuries Compensation" is hereby amended to read as follows: 12-25-21.1. Emergency fund for victims.

(a) The office may award emergency compensation under this chapter for the: (1) Burial expenses of a victim who dies as a direct result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter; (2) Cost of the crime scene clean up; (3) Relocation expenses; and (4) Compensation for modifications to a victim’s residence necessary to ensure safety.

(b) The award for emergency compensation shall be awarded at the sole discretion of the program administrator. The administrator may promulgate rules and regulations to administer the provisions of this section.

(c) An award for emergency compensation for burial expenses shall not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

(d) An award for emergency compensation for crime scene clean up shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(e) An award for emergency compensation for relocation costs shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) eight thousand dollars ($8,000).

(f) An award for expenses associated with reasonable modifications to the victim’s residence necessary to ensure victim safety shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall not be awarded in addition to an award for emergency compensation for relocation costs. Further, any ongoing costs or expenses associated with maintaining or monitoring any modification made pursuant to this subsection shall be borne exclusively by the victim.

(g) The award for emergency compensation for burial expenses, crime scene clean up, and relocation costs shall be deducted from the final award. In the event the victim is not eligible for an award, the victim shall repay the amount of the emergency award to the fund.

(h) Any payments made for the emergency compensation shall be deducted from the final award. In no event shall the final award exceed the maximum award of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.