4076

VETOES

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 26A - Criminal Injuries Compensation Act
Section 1, 2, 5, 7, 8(a), and 12(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1981 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

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

Article 26A - Criminal Injuries Compensation Act

1.

The legislature recognizes that many innocent persons suffer
personal physical injury, PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY, or death as a
result of criminal acts or in their efforts to prevent crime or
apprehend persons committing or attempting to commit crimes.
Such persons or their dependents may thereby suffer disability,

incur financial hardships or become dependent upon public

assistance. The legislature finds and determines 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.

For the purpose of this article:

(a)  "Board" [shall mean] MEANS the Criminal Injuries
Compensation Board

(b)  "Claimant" [shall mean] MEANS the person filing a claim
pursuant to this article.

(c)  "Crime" [shall mean] MEANS an act committed by any
person [in the State of Maryland which would constitute a crime
as defined in Article 27 of the Code] IN THIS STATE WHICH WOULD
BE A CRIME UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS STATE, FEDERAL LAW, or at
common law, provided, however, that no act involving the
operation of a vessel or motor vehicle which results in injury
shall constitute a crime for the purpose of this article unless
the injuries were intentionally inflicted through the use of a
vessel or motor vehicle.

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