52:4B-25.2 Payment for certain victim counseling services.

1. a. In the event that a person is the victim of a firearm or stabbing injury incurred during the course of an offense described in subsection b. of section 11 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-11), and the person receives counseling in connection with the injury, the entity providing counseling services may directly bill the Victims of Crime Compensation Office for the counseling services, provided that:

(1) the counseling was provided by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or therapist, or by a peer or support counselor or other individual authorized by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to provide such counseling while under the supervision of a licensed professional;

(2) the person providing the counseling is affiliated with the hospital where the victim received treatment for the injury or is affiliated with a hospital-based or hospital-linked violence intervention program recognized by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office;

(3) the victim reported the injury to law enforcement within nine months after its occurrence or reasonable discovery, except that, notwithstanding the requirements of section 18 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-18), a report made after such time shall not be deemed to bar a claim for compensation for counseling services if the victim was admitted to the hospital for the injury and the victim consents to the hospital releasing records of the admission to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office;

(4) the victim has consented in writing to the entity directly billing the Victims of Crime Compensation Office pursuant to this section; and

(5) the victim has filed a claim with the Victims of Crime Compensation Office that is deemed eligible for counseling services pursuant to P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-1 et seq.).

Compensation to be paid for counseling services provided under this section shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection b. of this section and section 19 of P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-19).

b. The Victims of Crime Compensation Office shall establish by regulation the maximum amount of compensation that may be directly billed pursuant to subsection a. of this section, which in any case shall not exceed $1,000 in connection with a given injury.

c. An entity that directly bills for counseling services pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall not bill the victim or any other person or entity in any amount for any counseling services for which it received compensation from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office pursuant to this section.

L.2019, c.489, s.1.