Michigan Legislature approves crime victim fund expansion

Eligibility for a Michigan fund that reimburses crime victims and their survivors for health care costs and funeral expenses would be expanded under a bill passed Wednesday by the legislature. Current law allows funding eligibility for limited individuals including victims and those “related by blood or affinity". The legislation refines some of the language to include those who a crime victim was a guardian or primary caregiver of. Others would include roommates and those the victim was frequently dating. The current law requires claimants to file for reimbursement within one year of the crime. Under the new legislation, victims would have five years. The bill now goes to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.