Pennsylvania HB 2476: An Act amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3336
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2476
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY SMITH-WADE-EL, RIVERA, HILL-EVANS, GAYDOS,
McNEILL, STEELE, HOHENSTEIN AND D. WILLIAMS, MAY 4, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MAY 4, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111),
entitled "An act providing for victims' rights; imposing
penalties; establishing remedies; establishing the Office of
Victim Advocate, the Bureau of Victims' Services, the
Victims' Services Advisory Committee, the State Offender
Supervision Fund and other funds; and making repeals," in
preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "out-of-pocket loss" in section
103 of the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as
the Crime Victims Act, is amended to read:
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Out-of-pocket loss." The term includes the following losses
which shall be reimbursed at a rate set by the Office of
Victims' Services:
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(1) expenses for unreimbursed and unreimbursable
expenses or indebtedness incurred for medical care,
nonmedical remedial care and treatment as approved by the
Office of Victims' Services or other services;
(2) expenses for counseling, prosthetic devices,
wheelchairs, canes, walkers, hearing aids, eyeglasses or
other corrective lenses or dental devices reasonably
necessary as a result of the crime upon which the claim is
based and for which the claimant either has paid or is
liable;
(3) expenses related to the reasonable and necessary
costs of cleaning the crime scene of a private residence or
privately owned motor vehicle. "Cleaning" means to remove or
attempt to remove stains or blood caused by the crime or
other dirt or debris caused by the processing of the crime
scene;
(4) expenses resulting from the temporary or permanent
relocation of a direct victim [and], individuals and common
household pets, including expenses resulting from the
temporary boarding of common household pets, residing in the
household of the direct victim due to the incident forming
the basis of the victim's claim when there is an immediate
need to protect the safety and health of the victim [and],
individuals and common household pets residing in the
household, as verified by a medical provider, human services
provider or law enforcement[;]. For the purposes of this
paragraph, the term "common household pet" means a
domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish
or turtle, that is traditionally kept in the home for
pleasure rather than for commercial purposes;
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(5) expenses for physical examinations and materials
used to obtain evidence; or
(6) other reasonable expenses which are deemed necessary
as a direct result of the criminal incident.
Except as otherwise provided, the term does not include property
damage or pain and suffering.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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