CONTENT

The bill would amend the crime victim’s rights services Act to abolish the Criminal Assessments Commission and transfer the Commission’s powers, duties, and jurisdiction to the “Crime Victim Services Commission” proposed by Senate Bill 1212 (S-2).

The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 1212.

MCL 780.901 et al. Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bills are likely to have no fiscal impact as any savings that would be incurred from abolishing the Criminal Assessments Commission would be offset by the new cost and responsibilities to be assumed by the Crime Victims Services Commission.

The impact of the bills’ expansion of expenses that may be reimbursed is indeterminate since it is not known how many claimants would seek those reimbursements.

According to the Crime Victims Compensation Board, the cost of including grief counseling in funeral expenses awards is not expected to be significant. Currently, the average maximum award amount is well below $1,500 and increasing this to $2,000 is not expected to have a significant impact on payouts to claimants.

Also this additional cost would somewhat be offset by the limits placed on psychological counseling. Currently some claimants may be in counseling for a number of years. The bill’s limit on the number of sessions per victim and family and the limits on the hourly rates to be reimbursed would produce some savings.

Date Completed: 11-25-96 Fiscal Analyst: M. Ortiz

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.