SENATE, No. 464

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JANUARY 18, 1996

By Senators LIPMAN and CAFIERO

An Act concerning voluntary contributions through gross income tax returns to support direct services to crime victims, supplementing Title 54A of the New Jersey Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1979, c.396 (C.2C:43-3.1), for grants to qualified public entities and not-for-profit organizations that provide direct services to crime victims and witnesses and that are eligible to apply for grants under subsection c. of section 20 of P.L.1991, c.329 (C.52:4B-43.1), including but not limited to member programs of the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women and rape care services and programs. The Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury shall provide each taxpayer with the opportunity to indicate the taxpayer's preference on the tax return to contribute to the fund in substantially the following manner:

    "Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund: I wish to contribute $5, $10, other amount $ to this fund."

    Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this act may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to this act, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.

    The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to this act into the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately and apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1996.

STATEMENT

    This bill provides a checkoff on the gross income tax return to permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to fund services to victims and witnesses of crimes. The Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety uses balances in the Victim and Witness Advocacy fund to make grants to qualified public entities and not-for-profit organizations that provide services to victims of crimes. The services these organizations provide include shelter, food, clothing, information, counseling and support. The organizations that have received grants in previous years have included member organizations of the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women and organizations providing rape care services and programs.

    National media attention to cases of spousal violence has highlighted the need for these services and encouraged more of the victims of domestic abuse to seek help. The contributions made by taxpayers to the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund will assist in the provision of desperately needed resources.

Provides for a checkoff for taxpayers to make voluntary contributions on gross income tax returns for crime victims.