2000-01-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 2011
SB 202                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 202 BY THE SENATE 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.                                                        
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Public Safety.             
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 18:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
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.                                    
                                                                               
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                       
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor