HB 5986 Summary

• Expands the definition of "victim" to include persons who suffer financial injury from automobile theft, specifically the payment of towing and storage fees to recover a stolen vehicle.

• Adds a new section 5b making insurers eligible to receive payment for the actual cost of towing and storage fees paid on behalf of victims to recover stolen automobiles.

• Creates a new category of "financial injury" defined as the payment of towing fees or storage fees to recover an automobile, which is exempt from the standard $200 minimum out-of-pocket loss requirement.

• Modifies Section 4(1) to include insurers as eligible claimants for awards under the crime victim compensation program.

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment into law.