US Justice Department scraps plan to update victim compensation rules

The US Justice Department has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have updated and codified requirements for its Victim Compensation Grant Program. This means the program will continue to operate under its existing, older guidelines.

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program provides billions of dollars in federal funding to states for victim compensation and assistance. The proposed rule aimed to modernize how these funds are managed and distributed, addressing issues like eligibility and reporting. By withdrawing the rule, the Justice Department leaves these issues unaddressed, maintaining the status quo for how victims receive aid and how states manage these funds.