Indiana § 5-2-6-23 - Sexual assault victims assistance fund

§ 5-2-6-23. Sexual assault victims assistance fund

Sec. 23. (a) As used in this section, "division" refers to the victim services division of the Indiana criminal justice institute.

(b) As used in this section, "rape crisis center" means an organization that provides a full continuum of services, including hotlines, victim advocacy, and support services from the onset of the need for services through the completion of healing, to victims of sexual assault.

(c) As used in this section, "trauma informed sexual assault services" refers to:

(1) victim centered care;

(2) acute medical care; or

(3) forensic medical services;

provided by advanced medical providers for trauma sustained as a result of sexual assault. Trauma informed sexual assault services address the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of sexual assault victims for the duration of their lifespan.

(d) The sexual assault victims assistance fund is established within the state general fund. The division shall administer the fund to provide financial assistance for any of the following:

(1) To establish and maintain rape crisis centers.

(2) The enhancement of services provided by existing rape crisis centers.

(3) The development, implementation, and expansion of trauma informed sexual assault services.

(e) Money in the fund shall be distributed by the division. Before making a distribution, the division shall seek direction from a statewide nonprofit sexual assault coalition as designated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under 42 U.S.C. 280 et seq. If no statewide nonprofit sexual assault coalition exists, the division may make distributions without seeking direction. The fund consists of:

(1) amounts transferred to the fund from sexual assault victims assistance fees collected under IC 33-37-5-23;

(2) appropriations to the fund from other sources;

(3) grants, gifts, and donations intended for deposit in the fund; and

(4) interest accruing from the money in the fund.

(f) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. The division shall designate ten percent (10%) of the appropriation made each year to the statewide nonprofit sexual assault coalition as designated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for administration.

(g) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public money may be invested.

(h) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.

As added by P.L.104-2008, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.1-2009, SEC.15; P.L.7-2015, SEC.4; P.L.77-2016, SEC.1; P.L.30-2019, SEC.14.