Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 155
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 5-2-6.1-21.1.
Synopsis: Funeral assistance for minor victims of crime. Increases the
amount of an allowable claim from the violent crime victims
compensation fund for funeral, burial, or cremation to $10,000 if the
victim is a minor (currently limited to $5,000).
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Randolph Lonnie M
January 8, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Appropriations.
2025 IN 155—LS 6528/DI 149 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
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between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
SENATE BILL No. 155
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state
and local administration.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 5-2-6.1-21.1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.20-2024,
2 SECTION 15, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 21.1. (a) This section applies to claims filed with
4 the division after June 30, 2009.
5 (b) This section does not apply to reimbursement for forensic and
6 evidence gathering services provided under section 39 of this chapter.
7 (c) An award may not be made unless the claimant has incurred an
8 out-of-pocket expense that exceeds one hundred dollars ($100) or has
9 incurred loss of income that exceeds one hundred dollars ($100).
10 (d) Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the division may order the
11 payment of compensation under this chapter for any of the following
12 reasonable, documented expenses incurred within one hundred eighty
13 (180) days after the date of the violent crime:
14 (1) Necessary:
15 (A) medical, chiropractic, hospital, dental, optometric, and
16 ambulance services;
17 (B) prescription drugs; and
2025 IN 155—LS 6528/DI 149 2
1 (C) prosthetic devices;
2 that do not exceed the claimant's out-of-pocket expense.
3 (2) Loss of income:
4 (A) the victim would have earned had the victim not died or
5 been injured, if the victim was employed at the time of the
6 violent crime;
7 (B) the parent, guardian, or custodian of a victim who is less
8 than eighteen (18) years of age incurred by taking time off
9 from work to care for the victim; or
10 (C) the spouse of a victim incurred by taking time off from
11 work to care for the victim.
12 A claimant seeking reimbursement under this subdivision must
13 provide the division with proof of employment and current wages.
14 (3) Emergency shelter care expenses, not to exceed the expenses
15 for thirty (30) days, that are incurred for the claimant or a
16 dependent of the claimant to avoid contact with a person who
17 committed the violent crime.
18 (4) Expense incurred for child care, not to exceed one thousand
19 dollars ($1,000), to replace child care the victim would have
20 supplied had the victim not died or been injured.
21 (5) Loss of financial support the victim would have supplied to
22 legal dependents had the victim not died or been injured.
23 (6) Except as provided in subdivision (11), expenses incurred
24 for funeral, burial, or cremation of the victim that do not exceed
25 five thousand dollars ($5,000). The division shall disburse
26 compensation under this subdivision in accordance with
27 guidelines adopted by the division.
28 (7) Outpatient mental health counseling, not to exceed three
29 thousand dollars ($3,000), concerning mental health issues related
30 to the violent crime.
31 (8) Other actual expenses related to bodily injury to or the death
32 of the victim that the division determines are reasonable.
33 (9) Replacement of windows or door locks.
34 (10) Cleanup of the scene of a violent crime.
35 (11) If the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age,
36 documented expenses incurred for funeral, burial, or
37 cremation of the victim that do not exceed ten thousand
38 dollars ($10,000). The division shall disburse compensation
39 under this subdivision in accordance with guidelines adopted
40 by the division.
41 (e) The division shall obtain written verification of all losses and
42 expenses requested under this section before making an award.
2025 IN 155—LS 6528/DI 149 3
1 (f) If a health care provider accepts payment from the division under
2 this chapter, the health care provider may not require the victim to pay
3 a copayment or an additional fee for the provision of services.
4 (g) A health care provider who seeks compensation from the
5 division under this chapter may not simultaneously seek funding for
6 services provided to a victim from any other source.
7 (h) The director may extend the one hundred eighty (180) day
8 compensation period established by subsection (d) for a period not to
9 exceed two (2) years after the date of the violent crime if:
10 (1) the victim or the victim's representative requests the
11 extension; and
12 (2) medical records and other documentation provided by the
13 attending medical providers indicate that an extension is
14 appropriate.
15 (i) The director may extend the one hundred eighty (180) day
16 compensation period established by subsection (d) for outpatient
17 mental health counseling, established by subsection (d)(7) where
18 justice requires, but for a period not to exceed two (2) years.
2025 IN 155—LS 6528/DI 149