2000-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1960
HB 295                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 295 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act amending the definition of 'personal injury' for awards by            
the Violent Crimes Compensation Board to include emotional                     
harm."                                                                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary and       
Finance Committees.                                                            
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Public Safety, 1/21/00                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18, 2000, appears              
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
I am transmitting a bill amending the definition of "personal injury" for      
awards by the Violent Crimes Compensation Board to include                     
emotional harm.                                                                
                                                                               
                                                                               
Current state law defines "personal injury" for purposes of violent            
crime compensation as including only actual bodily harm.  This                 
definition is inconsistent with federal law, however, which recognizes         
emotional harm as a personal injury and ties federal funding to                
programs that cover these mental health needs.                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
For many victims, the emotional harm suffered as a result of                   
victimization is far more significant than actual bodily harm.  This is        
particularly true for victims of sexual assault and abuse.  And in other       
cases, such as dependants of homicide victims, no physical injury has          
been suffered at all, but emotional harm is certainly present.  Victims        
should be eligible for compensation for treatment for emotional harm;          
this bill will allow for that compensation.                                    
                                                                               

2000-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1961
HB 295                                                                       
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                       
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"