Public Chapter 509

HOUSE BILL NO. 1767

By Representatives Maddox, Pleasant, Haley, Hargett

Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 1793

By Senators Herron, Burks

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29, Chapter 13; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to victims of crime.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-13-106, is amended by adding the following new subpart (3) to subsection (a) and by renumbering the subsequent subparts accordingly:

(3) Expenses actually and reasonably incurred as the result of the victim traveling to and from the trial of the defendant(s) alleged to have committed a compensable offense against such victim regardless of whether the victim is called as a witness at such trial;

SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-13-106, is further amended by deleting from subsection (d) the word "No" and substituting instead the language "Except as provided in subsection (a)(3), no".

SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-38-103, is amended by adding the following new subpart to subsection (a):

( ) Be compensated for expenses actually and reasonably incurred as the result of the victim traveling to and from the trial of the defendant(s) alleged to have committed a compensable offense against such victim subject to the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29, Chapter 13, Part 1, and the availability of funds in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.

SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-13-106(a), is amended by adding the following as a new subdivision to be appropriately designated:

( ) The victim's moving expenses, storage fees and fees for transfer of utility service if the move results from an assault on such victim which occurred at the victim's principal place of residence.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 1997, the public welfare requiring it and shall apply to all compensable offenses committed on or after such date.