Legislation helps family members pay for crime scene cleanup
“Losing a loved one at the hands of a murderer is one of the most traumatic and devastating experiences someone will go through in their life,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “The time immediately following such a horrific tragedy is absolutely crucial to their recovery.”
Currently, the law only permits the Office of Victim Services to provide compensation for counseling to the victims of a crime. It doesn’t cover the costs associated with the cleanup after a crime, such as a homicide, leaving the families to pay out-of-pocket to fix the devastation left behind after the loss of a loved one, Assemblyman Hennessey noted.
Under this legislation, the Office of Victim Services will be allowed to make an award for crime scene cleanup to a surviving family member of a homicide who was living with the victim at the time. The bill will award cleanup-related compensation to certain family members, including spouses, children and stepchildren (A.6899).
“This legislation will help the surviving family members when they need it most and allow them to grieve without reliving the tragedy. No one should ever be forced to pay for the damage that was caused during the crime,” Hennessey concluded.
