SB 155 amends Indiana’s violent crime victims compensation statute to increase funeral, burial, or cremation assistance when the victim is a minor. Under current law, the maximum allowable claim for these expenses is $5,000; the bill creates a separate category for victims under 18 and raises that cap to $10,000. The change applies to claims filed after the effective date of July 1, 2025.
The bill leaves the rest of the compensation framework intact, including eligibility rules, documentation requirements, and existing limits for other covered expenses such as medical care, counseling, child care, lost income, and scene cleanup. It specifically amends IC 5-2-6.1-21.1, which governs awards from the violent crime victims compensation fund, and directs the division to continue disbursing funeral-related compensation under its adopted guidelines.
Impact
SB 155 would directly increase the maximum state compensation available for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses when the victim of a violent crime is a minor, shifting that cap from $5,000 to $10,000. This would affect the administration of the violent crime victims compensation fund by expanding potential payouts for qualifying claims involving children and teenagers, while not changing the general structure of the fund or the eligibility standards for other categories of reimbursement. The bill would amend IC 5-2-6.1-21.1 and take effect July 1, 2025.
Sentiment
The bill’s caption and structure suggest a sympathetic, narrowly targeted measure intended to provide additional financial relief to families of minor victims of violent crime. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the proposal appears likely to be viewed favorably as a victim-support measure with a limited and specific fiscal impact.
Contention
The main policy issue is the higher reimbursement cap for funeral-related expenses when the victim is under 18, which could raise costs to the violent crime victims compensation fund. Any concern would likely center on fiscal exposure, fairness relative to adult victims whose cap remains $5,000, and whether the increase should be limited to minors rather than applied more broadly. No specific objections, amendments, or opposing viewpoints are included in the provided history.