52:4B-18.2 Supplemental awards for rehabilitative assistance to certain crime victims.

2. a. In addition to any award granted pursuant to section 18 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-18), the Victims of Crime Compensation Agency may make one or more supplemental awards for the purpose of providing rehabilitative assistance to catastrophically injured crime victims or other persons entitled to compensation under section 10 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-10).

b. The rehabilitative assistance which the supplemental award may cover can include, but is not limited to, any of the following services not covered by the original award of compensation or by other sources provided that the agency determines that the services are reasonable and necessary:

(1) Surgical and therapeutic procedures;

(2) Rehabilitative physical and occupational therapy designed to restore an optimum function level;

(3) Prescription drugs and medical supplies;

(4) Cognitive and psychological therapy;

(5) Home health assistance;

(6) Vehicle modifications;

(7) Driver training;

(8) Wheelchair, braces, splints, crutches, walkers, shower or commode chair and any other personal adaptive equipment required to meet individual disability needs;

(9) Structural modifications to living environment designed to provide accessibility and to maximize independence;

(10) Dependent care as needed.

c. The Victims of Crime Compensation Agency is authorized to make rules and regulations prescribing the procedures to be followed in qualifying for a supplemental award. The agency is also authorized to establish a cap on the total amount of supplemental awards to be made in a year and a cap on the amount which a person may receive as a supplemental award, which personal cap shall not be less than $25,000.

d. The payment of any supplemental award granted under the provisions of this section shall be approved by the agency for payment out of funds appropriated for the administration of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-1 et seq.), the "Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971."

e. A catastrophically injured crime victim who received a compensation award prior to the enactment of this section may apply for a supplemental award pursuant to the provisions of this section. A denial by the agency of an application made pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall not be subject to appeal.

f. As used in this section, "catastrophically injured crime victim" means a person who is injured by any act or omission of another person which is within the description of the offenses specified in section 11 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-11) and who has sustained a severe long term or life long personal injury.

L.1999,c.166,s.2; amended 2007, c.95, s.20.