WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                          H.B. 380

(3) Receive crisis intervention assistance, if needed, or be informed by the
appropriate criminal justice agency where crisis intervention assistance, emergency
medical treatment, creditor intercession services, or other social services and counseling
may be obtained;

(5) Be advised of the protection available, and, on request, be protected by
criminal justice agencies, to the extent reasonable, practicable, and, in the agency's
discretion, necessary, from harm or threats of harm arising out of the crime victim's or
witness's cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts;

(7) Be informed by the appropriate criminal justice agency of financial
assistance, criminal injuries compensation, and any other social services available as a
result of being a crime victim and receive assistance or information on how to apply for
services;

770.

(A)     (1) THERE IS A VICTIM AND WITNESS PROTECTION AND RELOCATION
FUND PROGRAM.

(2) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL CONTINUING, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS
NOT SUBJECT TO § 7-302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

(3) THE TREASURER SHALL SEPARATELY HOLD AND THE

COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE FUND.

(4) THE FUND SHALL BE INVESTED AND REINVESTED IN THE SAME
MANNER AS OTHER STATE FUNDS.

(5) ANY INVESTMENT EARNINGS OR FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS
RECEIVED BY THE STATE FOR VICTIM AND WITNESS PROTECTION OR RELOCATION
SHALL BE RETAINED TO THE CREDIT OF THE FUND.

(6) THE FUND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO AN AUDIT BY THE DIVISION OF
AUDITS AS PROVIDED UNDER § 2-1215 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.

(7) THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT THE FUND
FROM RECEIVING FUNDS FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE.

(B)     THE FUND PROGRAM SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE'S
ATTORNEYS' COORDINATOR UNDER ARTICLE 10, § 41B OF THE CODE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE STATE'S ATTORNEYS'
COORDINATION COUNCIL UNDER ARTICLE 10, § 41D OF THE CODE AFTER
CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF VICTIM SERVICES UNDER § 9-1705 OF
THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.

(C)     THE FUND MONEY APPROPRIATED TO THE PROGRAM SHALL BE USED TO:

(1)      PROTECT VICTIMS AND WITNESSES AND THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS
AND WITNESSES;

(2)      REIMBURSE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR
EXPENSES INCURRED UNDER THE FEDERAL WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM;

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