Strengthening Victim Compensation in Pennsylvania (SB 896)

Supporting greater access to victim compensation

Victim compensation is an important pathway for survivors to get the support they need. Compensation is a lifeline that allows crime victims to focus on recovery and is only available to victims who have no other means to cover crime costs. 

While Pennsylvania’s victim compensation program is in many ways a national leader, too many victims are still unable to access help due to restrictions written into law.

SB 896 would get more help to more victims

SB 896 would make key changes to current state law to help provide more critical victim compensation to more victims and ensure the program has adequate ongoing funding. These changes — which have been successful in several other states — include:

• Expanding the type of documentation victims can use to access compensation such as medical records and certifications from qualified health care or victim services providers
• Preventing predatory and harassing debt collection and referral to collections while a victim’s claim is pending
• Increasing the amount of crime scene clean up coverage, so that victims have additional resources to help clean the scene of their victimization