804                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                        CH. 455

may thereby suffer disability, incur financial hardships or become
dependent upon public assistance. The legislature finds and deter-
mines that there is a need for government financial assistance for
such victims of crime. Accordingly, it is the legislature's intent that
aid, care and support be provided by the State, as a matter of
moral responsibility, for such victims of crime.

2. Definitions.
For the purpose of this Article:

(a)    "Board" shall mean the Criminal Injuries Compensation
Board.

(b)    "Claimant" shall mean the person filing a claim pursuant
to this Article.

(c)    "Crime" shall mean an act committed BY ANY PERSON
in the State of Maryland which would, if committed by a mentally
competent criminally responsible person who has no legal exemption
or defense, constitute a crime as defined in Article 27 of the Anno-
tated Code of Maryland (1967 Replacement Volume) OR AT COM-
MON LAW, provided, however, that no act involving the operation of
a motor vehicle which results in injury shall constitute a crime for
the purpose of this Article unless the injuries were intentionally in-
flicted through the use of a vehicle.

(d)    "Family" when used with reference to a person, shall mean
(1) any person related to such person within the third degree of
consanguinity or affinity, (2) any person maintaining a sexual
relationship with such person, or (3) any person residing in the
same household with such person.

(e)    "Victim" shall mean a person who suffers personal physical
injury OR DEATH as a direct result of a crime.

3. Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

(a)    There is hereby created in the executive department a
board, to be known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, to
consist of three members, no more than two of whom shall belong
to the same political party. The members of the Board shall be
appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the
Senate. One member of the Board shall have been admitted to
practice law in the State of Maryland for not less than five years
next preceding his appointment.

(b)    The term of office of each such member shall be five years,
except that the members first appointed shall serve for terms of
five years, four years and three years respectively. Any member ap-
pointed to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of
a term shall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(c)    The Governor shall designate one member of the Board as
chairman, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(d)    The members of the Board shall devote such time as is
necessary to perform the duties imposed upon them. They shall
receive an annual salary as may be provided in the annual Budget.