NY S07992

Allows the Office of Victim Services to make emergency awards up to $3,000 for reasonable burial expenses when a crime results in a victim's death and immediate payment is needed to prevent undue hardship.

Increases the maximum burial expense award from the current level to $6,000 for victims who died on or after November 1, 1996 as a direct result of a crime.

Permits the Office of Victim Services to reduce awards by up to 50 percent if the victim's own conduct contributed to their injury or death.

Establishes that burial expense awards made by the Office of Victim Services shall be considered reasonable funeral expenses under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act and can be recovered from the victim's estate, with priority given to recovering from beneficiaries who received awards.

Takes effect 180 days after becoming law and applies to all claims filed on or after the effective date.