TRENTON, N.J. — Acting Gov. Tahesha Way on Monday signed legislation aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO), by requiring the agency to publish an annual report on compensation awards issued to crime victims in New Jersey.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Sen. Benjie Wimberly, requires the Attorney General to direct the executive director of the VCCO to submit an annual report to the governor and Legislature. The report would summarize key data related to compensation awards, including the number of applications received, granted, and denied, along with reasons for those outcomes, award amounts, demographic information, services provided, and funding received.
“Victims of crime deserve not only access to support but confidence that the systems designed to help them are working as intended,” said Ruiz (D-Essex/Hudson). “This legislation ensures that lawmakers, advocates, and the public clearly understand how victim compensation is being awarded and where improvements may be needed.”
“Accurate and consistent data is essential for effective public policy,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic). “By codifying the VCCO’s annual reporting practice, we can shine a light on how well the program is serving victims, identify gaps, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively to help those in need.”
While the VCCO has issued reports in the past, the most recent publicly available report was for Fiscal Year 2020. Supporters say the legislation makes annual reporting a formal, ongoing responsibility, ensuring a regular and reliable tool for evaluation.
The report will be based on the state fiscal year and must be completed within six months following the end of each fiscal year. It will also be published on the official website of the Department of Law and Public Safety, making the data accessible to the public.
The bill, S-2223, was introduced following a 2022 hearing of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee, which examined the disproportionate impact of human trafficking on marginalized communities and the need to improve access to victim services.
