You asked for a summary of HB 5296, “An Act Concerning a Sexual Assault Services Trust Fund,” favorably reported By the Judiciary Committee.

This bill creates a separate, nonlapsing Sexual Assault Services Trust Fund. Money in the account, including investment earnings, must be provided to the Department of Public Health to fund sexual assault crisis services that are available to sexual assault victims. The funds cannot be substituted for federal or state funds available for this purpose.

The account is funded with $ 150 of a new $ 151 fine on anyone convicted of, or who pleas guilty or no contest to, risk of injury to a minor or a sexual assault crime. The clerk of the court keeps the remaining one dollar to defray court administration costs.

The bill is effective July 1, 2004.

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