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