All interested parties are hereby notified, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4, that the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (“the Council”) intends to consider amending the following rule:

144-4-.06 Crime Victims Compensation Board


SYNOPSIS AND EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED RULES


The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is tasked with administering the Crime Victims Compensation Program (Program) pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 17-15-1, et. seq. The Program eases the financial burden faced by eligible victims of violent crimes by providing payment for expenses related to medical bills, funeral expenses, mental health counseling and crime scene sanitization, as well as loss of income or support. Since the Program is the payor of
last resort, victims who are covered by insurance are currently required to submit eligible expenses to their insurance providers before any payments for medical and counseling benefits can be processed.


The proposed amendments to Rule 144-4-.06 provide victims of sexual assault and family violence with the ability to opt out of the Crime Victims Compensation Program (Program) requirement to submit medical and counseling expenses to their insurance providers when the victims are not the primary policyholders.


Interested persons may participate in the proposed rulemaking process by submitting their written comments to Robert Thornton, Division Director, Justice and Compliance Division, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, 104 Marietta Street NW, Suite 440, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. All written comments must be received by 9:00 a.m. on December 6, 2023. Interested persons may also participate in the proposed rulemaking by presenting comments orally at a public hearing to commence at 9:00 a.m. on December 6, 2023, at the State Bar of Georgia Conference Center, located at 104 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 on the 3rd Floor. Any interested parties who wish to attend this meeting virtually may do so by contacting Robert Thornton by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 404-657-1966. Please RSVP at least 24 hours prior to the meeting to obtain instructions to attend virtually.


Oral presentations at the hearing may be limited to five (5) minutes per person in order to afford all interested persons an opportunity to be heard. If you have a physical impairment and require assistance or have any questions regarding this notice, please contact the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.


Based upon full consideration of all written and oral comments regarding the above matters, the Council may reject or adopt the proposed rules or may make changes to the proposed rules.


The Council intends to consider adopting the rules at its meeting at 2:00 p.m. on December 8, 2023. This meeting will be held virtually. Any interested parties who wish to attend this meeting virtually may do so by contacting Robert Thornton by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 404-657-1966. Please RSVP at least 24 hours prior to the meeting to obtain instructions to attend.


Direct all correspondence to:

Robert Thornton Division Director Justice and Compliance Division
104 Marietta Street NW, Suite 440 Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone Number 404-657-1966
Email: [email protected]

 

 

Related Files