Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
Washington, DC – Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan, bicameral Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021, legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV). The legislation will redirect monetary penalties from federal deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements into the Crime Victims Fund to increase funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs. The House of Representatives passed the legislation in March.
“The passage of our bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support victims of horrible crimes, including children, is good news for every American and West Virginian who has been supported by the Crime Victims Fund,” said Senator Manchin. “No West Virginian should have to go through this process without any support. This commonsense bill will ensure our state victim assistance and compensation programs can continue to support those in need, and I look forward to President Biden signing this bill into law.”
The VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 would:
- Direct revenues collected from deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements into the Crime Victims Fund.
- Increase the percentage that state victim compensation programs are reimbursed by the Federal government from 60 to 75 percent.
- Allow for a state to apply for a no-cost extension for VOCA assistance grants.
- Allow states to waive the matching requirement pursuant to a policy established by the state.