HF 425

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to crime; authorizing emergency grants to victims of motor vehicle theft;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 611A.675,
subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 611A.675, subdivision 1, is amended to
read:

Subdivision 1.

Grants authorized.

The Crime Victim and Witness Advisory
Council commissioner of public safety shall make grants to prosecutors and victim
assistance programs for the purpose of providing emergency assistance to victims. As
used in this section, "emergency assistance" includes but is not limited to:

(1) replacement of necessary property that was lost, damaged, or stolen as a result
of the crime;

(2) purchase and installation of necessary home security devices;

(3) transportation to locations related to the victim's needs as a victim, such as
medical facilities and facilities of the criminal justice system;

(4) cleanup of the crime scene; and

(5) reimbursement for reasonable travel and living expenses the victim incurred to
attend court proceedings that were held at a location other than the place where the crime
occurred due to a change of venue; and

(6) reimbursement of towing and storage fees incurred due to impoundment of a
recovered stolen vehicle.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2007.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 611A.675, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Application for grants.

(a) A city or county attorney's office or victim
assistance program may apply to the council commissioner of public safety for a grant
for any of the purposes described in subdivision 1 or for any other emergency assistance
purpose approved by the council commissioner. The application must be on forms and
pursuant to procedures developed by the council commissioner. The application must
describe the type or types of intended emergency assistance, estimate the amount of
money required, and include any other information deemed necessary by the council
commissioner.

(b) A city or county attorney's office or victim assistance program that applies for a
grant for the purpose described in subdivision 1, clause (6), must make the application
on a separate form and pursuant to procedures developed by the commissioner. The
application must estimate the amount of money required for reimbursement costs, estimate
the amount of money required for administrative costs, and include any other information
deemed necessary by the commissioner. An applicant may not spend in any fiscal year
more than five percent of the grant awarded for administrative costs.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2007.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 611A.675, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

Subd. 2a.

Awards; limitations.

(a) No award may be granted under subdivision
1, clause (6), to a victim that fails to provide proof of insurance stating that security
had been provided for the vehicle at the time the vehicle was stolen. As used in this
paragraph, "proof of insurance" has the meaning given it in section 169.791, subdivision
1, paragraph (g).

(b) An award paid to a victim under subdivision 1, clause (6), shall compensate the
victim for actual costs incurred but shall not exceed $300.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2007.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 611A.675, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Reporting by local agencies required.

A city or county attorney's office
or victim assistance program that receives a grant under this section shall file an annual
report with the council commissioner of public safety itemizing the expenditures made
during the preceding year, the purpose of those expenditures, and the ultimate disposition,
if any, of each assisted victim's criminal case.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2007.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 611A.675, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Report to legislature.

On or before February 1, 1999, the council shall
report to the chairs of the senate Crime Prevention and house of representatives Judiciary
Committees on the implementation, use, and administration of the grant program created
under this section. By February 1, 2008, the commissioner of public safety shall report to
the chairs and ranking members of the senate and house committees and divisions having
jurisdiction over criminal justice policy and funding on the implementation, use, and
administration of the grant programs created under this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2007.

Sec. 6. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of public safety to fund grants awarded under Minnesota
Statutes, section 611A.675, subdivision 1, clause (6). This amount shall be added to the
department's base budget.