Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill establishes a framework to strengthen support for crime survivors by directing states to guarantee eight essential rights including trauma counseling, emergency financial assistance, stable housing, paid leave, debt forgiveness, legal assistance, alternative justice options, and protection from prosecution for crimes committed as a result of victimization. Importantly, these rights cannot be withheld based on factors like immigration status, criminal history, relationship to the perpetrator, or whether the survivor reported the crime to police. The bill also authorizes $5 million in grants for fiscal years 2027 and 2031 to help states survey crime survivors about their needs, experiences with available services, housing issues, and victimization rates among vulnerable populations, with findings to be publicly reported by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The legislation provides clear definitions of key terms including who qualifies as a survivor of violence and which community organizations can participate in delivering these services.
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