SRC-DPW H.B. 3324 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3324 76R13744 EBy: Gallego (Carona) Criminal Justice 5/14/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Victims of crime frequently need civil legal services in order to protect themselves or family members from additional violence, to receive protections, benefits, or services to which they are entitled, or to assist in negotiations with landlords or creditors to avoid financial collapse while they recover from the impact of the crime. While the Victims of Crime Compensation Fund (VCC fund)will reimburse crime victims or family members for certain expenses and may be used to fund state agencies that deliver or fund certain victim services, the VCC fund currently is not specifically authorized to pay for civil legal service desperately needed by many crime victims. H.B. 3324 would authorize the attorney general to use money appropriated from the compensation to victims of crime fund for grants or contracts supporting victim-related services or assistance, including support for private Texas nonprofit corporations that provide victim-related civil legal services directly to victims, immediate family members of victims, or claimants. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3324 authorizes the attorney general to use certain monies for the provision of certain services to claimants under the compensation to victims of crime fund. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 56.541(e), Code of Criminal Procedure, to authorize the attorney general to use the appropriated money from the compensation to victims of crime fund for grants or contracts supporting victim-related services or assistance, including support for private Texas nonprofit corporations that provide victim-related civil legal services directly to victims, immediate family members of victims, or claimants. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.