§1807. Powers and duties of board; staff

            A. The board shall administer the provisions of this Chapter and Chapter 21-A of this Title and shall be responsible, in accordance with this Chapter and Chapter 21-A of this Title, for determining all matters pertaining to applications for reparations, investigations, and determinations based upon its findings, the granting or rejecting of claims, and fixing the amounts of the grants or payments and the methods of their payment.

            B. In the performance of its powers and duties, the board shall:

            (1) Prescribe, distribute, and otherwise make available forms for use in making application for reparations and, where appropriate, recovery of restitution funds directed to the Crime Victims Reparations Fund pursuant to R.S. 15:574.4.2(C)(1)(b).

            (2) Prepare and distribute pamphlets, informational materials, and application forms, and otherwise assist in making the residents of the state aware of the provisions of this Chapter.

            (3) Receive, verify, and process applications for reparations and, where appropriate, recovery of restitution funds directed to the Crime Victims Reparations Fund pursuant to R.S. 15:574.4.2(C)(1)(b).

            (4) Hold such hearings, take such testimony, and make such investigations as are necessary with respect to any application received by it.

            (5) Make a written decision with respect to each application received by it and order payment of reparations or, where appropriate, recovery of restitution funds to victims in accordance with this Chapter.

            (6) Take such other actions and perform such other functions as are required by this Chapter or necessary to accomplish its purposes.

            (7) Develop, adopt, and promulgate rules in the manner provided in the Administrative Procedure Act and in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 46:1806(B). The rules shall contain specific guidelines which shall establish the reasonable costs to be reimbursed for all healthcare services or expenses ancillary to a forensic medical examination.

            (8) Take actions and perform other functions as are required by Chapter 21-A of this Title or necessary to perform its purposes.

            C. The board also may:

            (1) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out its business or the provisions of this Chapter.

            (2) Through its chairman or acting chairman administer oaths or affirmations to persons appearing before it, send for papers, documents, and records, and subpoena witnesses.

            (3) Appoint committees, including advisory committees.

            (4) Use the services, personnel, facilities, and information, including recommendations, estimates, and statistics, of federal agencies and those of state and local public agencies and private institutions, with or without reimbursement therefor.

            (5) Request such information, data, and reports from any federal agency as the board may require and as may be produced consistent with law.

            D.(1) The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice shall provide the office space and personnel necessary to carry out the functions of the board and effectuate the purposes of this Chapter. In addition, to the extent that funds are appropriated or otherwise available therefor, the board may employ personnel including experts required in connection with particular applications before it.

            (2) The sheriff of each parish and the criminal sheriff of the parish of Orleans shall carry out the policies, decisions, and orders of the board and shall provide the office space and personnel in their respective parishes necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Chapter.

            E. Upon request of the board, each state agency or institution shall make available, to the greatest practical extent, its services, equipment, personnel, facilities, and information, including recommendations, estimates, and statistics.

            F. The board shall maintain a current record of the laws relating to crime victims reparations in other states and territories of the United States. The board need not keep a current record of laws in other countries. Upon request, the board shall assist Louisiana residents to determine if they meet the criteria specified in R.S. 46:1802(10)(b).

            Added by Acts 1982, No. 250, §1, eff. July 17, 1982. Acts 1984, No. 844, §2, eff. July 13, 1984; Acts 1989, No. 258, §1; Acts 2015, No. 229, §4, eff. June 23, 2015; Acts 2017, No. 53, §2; Acts 2023, No. 193, §3; Acts 2023, No. 451, §2.