Services for Iowa crime victims have seen devastating cuts in recent years.

Federal funding has been drastically reduced over the past year because of fewer federal prosecutions and convictions for white-collar crimes. Fines and penalties from these federal prosecutions are deposited into the Crime Victim Fund and distributed to victim service providers. Fewer prosecutions means less money to help crime victims.

This year’s budget proposals do nothing to fill the gap.

Organizations throughout Iowa provide services to victims of violent crimes, including domestic and sexual assault, human trafficking, murder, child abuse and stalking. These organizations rely on state and federal funding to help victims with counseling, finding safe and affordable housing, food assistance, employment, legal assistance and more.

The Iowa Attorney General estimates that without an increase in state funding for victim services, 5,000 fewer crime victims will get assistance over the next year, and thousands more will go without help in future years.

I believe the state should be there for Iowans who have suffered the horrors of violent crime and will push for a state budget that protects victims and helps them recover. Bipartisan bills will protect Iowans.

ABLE Trust Accounts

HF 835 expands funding opportunities for ABLE Trust Accounts and ensures the resources are used according to the beneficiary’s wishes. ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. Individuals and families can contribute to these tax-exempt savings accounts, which help Iowans living with disabilities pay for expenses that enhance their health, independence and quality of life.

Financial exploitation of adults

HF 839 aims to crack down on financial exploitation of Iowans 65 or older and dependent adults 18 or older who are unable to protect their own interests. Funding in the Administration and Regulation Budget (HF 867) will help identify, investigate and report financial exploitation, with the goal of better protecting the financial security of vulnerable Iowans.

Concealing a death

HF 282 targets those who attempt to hide a death by increasing the criminal penalty for “abuse of a corpse” to a “C” felony. A “C” felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $1,375 to $13,660. Abuse of a corpse occurs when a person attempts to conceal a crime by disguising, hiding or burying a human corpse.

State Senator Kevin Kinney represents Iowa Senate District 39, which includes Keokuk County and much of Washington and Johnson counties. Contact him at 319-631-4667. E-mail him at kevin.kinney@legis.iowa.gov.