This bill clarifies the interpretation of "serious financial hardship" as provided by the
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund and makes other specified changes to
provisions relating to the fund. 

House Bill 305, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May
27, 1999, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign
Senate Bill 118.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening
Governor

Senate Bill 118

AN ACT concerning

Victims' Rights - Criminal Injuries Compensation Board - Claims

FOR the purpose of providing that a resident of this State who is the victim of a crime
in another state is eligible for an award if the other state operates a criminal
injuries compensation program for which funds have not been appropriated or
made available; establishing certain time limitations for notifying a claimant,
reviewing and evaluating certain claims and decisions, and reporting certain
recommendations concerning criminal injuries compensation; establishing and
increasing the maximum amount of compensation for certain claims; prohibiting
the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board from finding that a claimant fails to
suffer serious financial hardship under certain circumstances; requiring the
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to report to the General
Assembly on or before a certain date; making stylistic changes; and generally
relating to compensation awards by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 819(c), 822, and 825
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 820(d)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments