Attorney General Hanaway Leads 35-State Coalition To Protect Victims of Crime
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, alongside Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, led 34 other states in a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary supporting the passage of H.R. 909, the “Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025,” which is critical to supporting victims of crime across our country.
“This legislation is about ensuring victims aren’t abandoned when they need help most. Without this action, many victim service programs simply won’t be able to keep their doors open,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “That means real people, especially in rural areas, won’t receive the medical, emotional, or legal support they desperately need.”
Crime victims rely on services funded through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Through this act, victims can access essential support such as medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages, courtroom advocacy, and temporary housing. These programs assist individuals impacted by child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and other violent crimes. Reliable VOCA funding is critical to keeping these services accessible to victims.
Historically, VOCA funding comes from monetary penalties tied to federal criminal convictions and certain prosecution agreements, which are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF). However, CVF deposits are inconsistent and have recently declined while demand for victim services has continued to grow. The proposed Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act addresses this urgent issue by redirecting unobligated funds collected under the False Claims Act into the CVF. Without such stabilization, many victim services, especially in rural areas, could face severe reductions. Timely action is critical to protect victims’ access to services.
Attorneys General from the following states joined the Missouri and Louisiana-led letter: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The full letter can be read here.
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