Increased compensation proposed for crime victims

Crime victims would receive more reparations under a bill heard by the Judiciary Committee March 4.

LB354, introduced by Omaha Sen. John McCollister, would amend the Nebraska Crime Victim’s Reparations Act by increasing the maximum compensation amount from $10,000 to $25,000, unless job retraining or similar employment-related rehabilitative services are necessary. The bill also would cap compensation for medical expenses at $20,000, limit the amount for funeral expenses to $10,000 and limit the amount for related costs to $5,000.

The bill also would:
• permit only the names of victims and witnesses to be disclosed on any public court documents;
• add a third public member to the Nebraska Crime Victim’s Reparation Committee; and
• repeal the requirement that a victim’s compensation claim be notarized.

McCollister said the bill is designed to benefit victims of crime in the state and help protect their privacy.

Toni Jensen of the Nebraska Coalition for Victims of Crime testified in support of the bill. Currently, crime victims seeking financial reparations in Nebraska face barriers such as rejected claims and delayed payment, she said. Citing the case of an assault victim who was denied medical expenses, Jensen said many victims feel abandoned by the state.

“She felt unsupported and condescended throughout a process that often loses sight of the person behind the claim,” Jensen said.

Rhonda Rolles, director of the Douglas County Victim Assistance Division, also spoke in favor of the bill. Many victims struggle financially, she said, and compensation for funeral expenses and lost wages helps keep families intact and debt-free.

“These victims are not profiting from being compensated,” Rolles said.

Shawn Renner, representing Media of Nebraska Inc., testified in opposition to the bill. He said the bill’s provision regarding name disclosure is unclear regarding what information would be public record.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.