AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE, INC.
Summary
HB 5170 is an appropriations bill that would allocate an unspecified amount of General Fund money to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for a grant-in-aid to Survivors of Homicide, Inc. The stated purpose is to help the organization continue providing mental health services and supportive counseling to families coping with the loss of a loved one to homicide, while also addressing a potential loss of funding.
The bill does not create a new regulatory program or amend substantive criminal law; instead, it makes a targeted state funding appropriation for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. If enacted, it would direct state resources to a nonprofit service provider that supports homicide survivors, likely affecting DMHAS grant administration and the organization’s ability to deliver counseling and related support services.
Impact
The bill would appropriate state funds from the General Fund to DMHAS for a grant to Survivors of Homicide, Inc., thereby affecting state budget allocations rather than changing statutory rights or obligations. Its practical impact would be to sustain or expand trauma-informed counseling and support services for families affected by homicide, and to preserve funding for a nonprofit provider serving that population.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest generally supportive sentiment, as the bill’s stated aim is to preserve services for grieving families and mitigate a potential funding loss. No committee transcript or recorded vote is available, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or debate in the provided record.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the bill requires an unspecified appropriation from the General Fund, which may raise questions about the amount, source, and budget priority of the funding. Any disagreement would likely center on state spending levels and whether this grant should be funded relative to other appropriations, rather than on the underlying purpose of supporting homicide survivors.