SB 719

Enacts Article 3, the NC Victims of Crime Assistance Act, to GS Chapter 15B, as follows. Defines assistance fund, Commission (t he Governor’s Crime Commission), grant program, victim a person who suffered physical, sexual, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime), and victim assistance program. Creates the NC Victims of Crime Assistance Fund (Fund) as a special fund with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in GS 15B-52 to distribute grants under the NC Victims of Crime Assistance Competitive Grant Program (Program), discussed below. Tasks the Commission with administering the Fund. Establishes the Program in GS 15B-53 to award and distribute grants to public or nonprofit organizations serving residents of the State through victim assistance programs. Requires the Commission to develop guidelines and procedures for the administration of the Program, including at a minimum, the four requirements and limitations specified. Caps grant amounts at $1 million and specifies that the maximum total award amount to a grantee during a single fiscal year cannot exceed $1 million. Provides for grant application and grantee reports to the Commission as specified. Requires the Commission to annually report to the specified NCGA committee by March 1 on the Program, including the three specified matters. Specifies that if grant funds awarded cannot be paid due to insufficient funds in the Fund, payment will be delayed until sufficient funds are available and no further grant awards will be made until then.