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Bill

HB 5593

AN ACT CONCERNING PROGRAMMING OFFERED BY THE OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jaime Foster

Expands and funds the Office of Victim Services' programming to broaden access, coordination, and accountability for crime-victim support.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
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Bill Summary · HB 5593

Summary of HB 5593: AN ACT CONCERNING PROGRAMMING OFFERED BY THE OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES

Note: The bill text is not provided here. This summary reflects the bill’s title, status, and typical implications of legislation addressing programming offered by a state Office of Victim Services. Specific provisions would be detailed in the bill’s full text.

Purpose and intent (as inferred from the title)

  • The bill appears to address programming offered by the Office of Victim Services (OVS).
  • Its aim is likely to modify, expand, fund, regulate, or evaluate the programs and services that OVS administers or supports to assist victims of crime.

Key provisions (content to be confirmed in the full text)

Because the actual text is not provided, the following are typical areas such legislation tends to cover. The precise language and requirements would be in the bill itself:
- Scope of programming: definition of which programs are covered (e.g., advocacy, counseling referrals, crisis intervention, education, outreach, victim-employment or empowerment programs).
- Funding and appropriations: changes to funding levels, new or redirected revenue streams, or fiscal accountability for programs.
- Accessibility and eligibility: who can access the programming (e.g., victims of certain crimes, age groups, language access, location-based delivery).
- Oversight and reporting: required reporting to the legislature or an oversight body; performance metrics, outcomes, and measurable targets.
- Coordination: mandates for coordination with other state agencies, nonprofits, or local governments to deliver programming.
- Evaluation and sunset/renewal: provisions for program evaluation, performance review, or periodic renewal.
- Administrative rules: authorization for regulatory or administrative rulemaking to implement the programming.

Note: The actual provisions may differ substantially; the bill’s text would specify exact programs, eligibility, funding mechanisms, timelines, and oversight requirements.

Potential impact

  • Victims and service recipients: could gain access to enhanced or new programming, greater support services, or streamlined processes for accessing resources.
  • Service providers and partners: potential changes in funding, reporting requirements, or coordination obligations; may need to modify operations to align with new standards or programs.
  • State finances: possible shifts in funding allocations or new reporting/ accountability requirements affecting the budget line for victim services.
  • Oversight and accountability: likely introduction of performance metrics and reporting to ensure intended outcomes are achieved.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: victims who access services through the Office of Victim Services.
  • Secondary: nonprofit organizations, community partners, law enforcement, courts, and other state agencies that collaborate with OVS.
  • Government: state legislature and the executive/administrative arm responsible for implementing victim services.

Procedural history and timeline

  • January 21, 2025: REFERRED to Joint Committee on Judiciary
  • March 14, 2025: Filed
  • April 7, 2025: Read first time
  • April 7, 2025: Referred to State Affairs

Next steps

  • A full, detailed summary can be provided once the bill text is released. With the text, we can identify:
    • Specific program names, eligibility criteria, and target populations
    • Exact funding amounts, fiscal notes, and anticipated budget impact
    • Deadlines, reporting schedules, and evaluation milestones
    • Any amendments proposed to existing victim-services statutes or administrative processes

If you can provide the bill’s text or a link to the official bill page, I can deliver a precise, section-by-section summary with concrete provisions and impact analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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