House Advances Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act

The House of Representatives passed the **Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act** (H.R. 909) on October 24, 2023, a significant bipartisan effort aimed at enhancing support for victims of crime. Cosponsored by **Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander** and **Congressman Chris Pappas**, the legislation seeks to secure a consistent funding stream for the Crime Victims Fund, which benefits numerous advocacy and support programs nationwide.

This bill mandates that specific civil penalties collected from fraud cases against the federal government be allocated directly to the Crime Victims Fund. The fund plays a crucial role in financing child advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and various victim assistance programs across all 50 states, including New Hampshire.

Congresswoman Goodlander emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “The Crime Victims Fund has for decades supported the life-saving and life-changing work of victim assistance programs across our state… Our commonsense bipartisan bill will ensure that no victim of crime faces a closed door or an endless waitlist for help.”

Key Provisions of the Bill

The **Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act** introduces several important measures to bolster the resources available for crime victims:

1. **Stable Funding Source**: The bill reinforces the Crime Victims Fund by directing additional funds into it through 2029. This stability is crucial, especially in times of increasing demand for victim services.

2. **Fraudsters Contribute**: By requiring civil penalties from fraud and false claims cases to be deposited into the fund, the legislation creates a system where those who exploit government resources contribute to the support of victims.

3. **Comprehensive Victim Support**: The Crime Victims Fund covers various essential services, including compensation, counseling, shelter, and legal assistance for crime victims.

4. **Nationwide Program Protection**: The fund supports a wide array of federal, state, and local programs designed to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other violent crimes.

5. **Non-Taxpayer Funding**: The fund is financed through fines and penalties paid by offenders, emphasizing that taxpayer money is not used to support these critical initiatives.

Congresswoman Goodlander’s Commitment

Congresswoman Goodlander has a long-standing commitment to advocating for the people of New Hampshire. Before her election to Congress, she served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, where she worked towards bipartisan solutions to support vulnerable communities.

The passage of the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act marks a significant step in ensuring that essential support services remain available for those affected by crime. As the legislation moves forward, it reflects a collective commitment to prioritizing the needs of victims in the legislative agenda.

For those in need of support, resources are available through local organizations such as **Bridges Domestic and Sexual Violence Support**.