AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE VICTIMS COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not explicitly listed in the provided text, though standard practice suggests effectiveness upon signature unless otherwise specified.

HB293: Adding Hate Crime Characteristics to Victim Compensation Definitions

This law updates Delaware rules so that acts with hate crime characteristics count as crimes eligible for victim compensation.

What This Bill Does

• Amends Title 11 of the Delaware Code regarding the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.
• Adds any act containing the characteristics of a hate crime to the list of defined crimes under Section 9002.
• Uses the definition of a hate crime found in Section 1304 of the same title.

Who It Names or Affects

• Victims who apply for compensation through the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.

Terms To Know

Victims Compensation Assistance Program

A state program that provides financial help to people harmed by crimes defined in Title 11 of the Delaware Code.

Hate crime characteristics

Features of an act as defined in Section 1304 of the Delaware Code.

Limits and Unknowns

• The official text does not specify a separate effective date, only that it was signed by the Governor.
• The source material does not explain how much money is available for these new claims or specific examples of qualifying acts beyond referencing Section 1304.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE VICTIMS COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
This Act adds any act that contains the characteristics of a hate crime to the definitions of crimes for the purposes of the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Morrison & Sen. Lockman & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Osienski, Griffith, K. Johnson, Lambert, Wilson-Anton, Snyder-Hall, Berry, Bush, Cooke, Gorman, Romer, Harris; Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Hoffner, Cruce

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 293

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE VICTIMS COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 9002, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 9002. Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter:

(6) “Crime” means any of the following:

i. Any act that contains the characteristics of a hate crime as defined in § 1304 of this title.

SYNOPSIS

This Act adds any act that contains the characteristics of a hate crime to the definitions of crimes for the purposes of the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.