Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 250

FORMERLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 343

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 90, TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR INNOCENT VICTIMS OF CRIME.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE :

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, the United States of America suffered the tragic loss of lives and the infliction of incalculable injuries to persons in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia as a result of terrorist attacks upon our great nation; and

WHEREAS, the victims and their families have lost untold amounts in funeral, medical, counseling and other such expenses; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Delaware General Assembly endeavor to ease the suffering of the Delaware victims and their families in this time of need; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 90 of Title 11 of the Delaware Code provides for the Compensation for Innocent Victims of Crime, which Act compensates Delaware residents who are the victims of, among other crimes, terrorist acts that occur outside the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly recognizes the need to include domestic terrorism within the definition of terrorist acts so that the Delaware victims and families of the September 11 tragedy can become eligible to file a claim to receive compensation from this compensation fund.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend §9001, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by inserting the phrase "or Delaware victims of terrorist acts" after the phrase "who are victims of crimes committed within the State" and before the phrase ", and it is therefore the declared purpose of this chapter".

Section 2. Amend §9002(3)(e), Title 11 of the Delaware Code by inserting the words "or inside" after the words "committed outside" and before the words "the United States".

Section 3. Amend §9002(3)(e), Title 11 of the Delaware Code by inserting the words "or domiciliary" after the word "resident".

Section 4. Amend §9017, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by inserting the punctuation and numbering ":(1)" after the phrase "This chapter shall apply to" and before the words "all persons" and by inserting the following after the words "or thereafter within this State" and before the period at the end of the sentence:

", and (2) all Delaware residents and domiciliaries who are victims of terrorist acts".

Section 5. This Act is effective September 10, 2001.

Approved April 29, 2002