Law garden / Louisiana
If you're Jane Doe in Louisiana
What Louisiana's crime victim compensation law says, in plain words. Each line links to the exact sentence it comes from.
Crime Victims' Compensation (formerly Crime Victims Reparations), run by Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice (LCLE), Crime Victims' Compensation Board.
Show the law for this line: LCLE Crime Victims' Compensation Fund program page
LCLE Crime Victims' Compensation Fund program pageLA-S1
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
- $15,000the most you can ask for in totalLa. R.S. 46:1810(1), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 684
- 3 yearsto apply, from the date it happenedResume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1806(A)(1); the board extension ("or within such longer period as the board determines is justified by the circumstances") is unstruck text in the enrolled Act, LA-S14, 46:1806(A)(1)(a)
- Police reportnot the only record that countsLAC 22:XIII.303(A)(2)(c)
- $0what a forensic exam should cost youLCLE CVC Downloads page, Forensic Medical Examinations (citing La. R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(6))
What the program can pay for
The most the program can pay for all costs together is $15,000.
Show the law for this line: La. R.S. 46:1810(1), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 684
La. R.S. 46:1810(1), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 684LA-CAP-1
Awards to all claimants for one victim's injury are capped at $15,000 in total. A higher aggregate cap applies when the injury causes a permanent and total disability.
Fifteen thousand dollars in the aggregate.
Medical care
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(G)(3)and 1 more
LAC 22:XIII.503(G)(3)LA-MED-1
For outstanding medical bills, the board pays up to 70 percent of what is left after insurance and other third-party payers, within the award limits.
The board will pay up to 70 percent of all outstanding charges after any third-party payment sources up to the statutory limits.
LAC 22:XIII.503(G)(5)LA-MED-2
Medical costs the victim already paid out of pocket are reimbursed before the percentage schedule for unpaid bills is applied.
Out-of-pocket paid monies will be reimbursed to the victim prior to applying this payment schedule.
Counseling
- Mental health charges are capped at $2,500 for the life of a claim; the victim can ask for another $2,500 with documented need for long-term care.
- Doctoral-level providers (MD, PhD, PsyD) are paid up to $110 per session.
- Master's-level counselors and social workers (LPC, LCSW, LMFT and provisional licensees) are paid up to $90 per session.
Show the law for this line: LCLE CVC program page, What Expenses are Eligibleand 3 more
LCLE CVC program page, What Expenses are EligibleLA-COUNS-4
Mental health counseling related to the crime is an eligible expense.
Approved claims may be awarded compensation for the following only if they are related to the crime (Some expenses are limited): Reasonable medical and prescription expenses Dental expenses Mental health counseling
LAC 22:XIII.503(I)(2)(a)LA-COUNS-1
For the life of each claim, reimbursable charges may not exceed $2,500.
LAC 22:XIII.503(I)(6)(a)(iii)(a)LA-COUNS-2
(a). Doctoral Level Providers (e.g. M.D. PhD., PsyD.), $110/session).
LAC 22:XIII.503(I)(6)(a)(iii)(b)LA-COUNS-3
(b). Master’s Level Providers (e.g., L.P.C., L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T., P.L.P.C, P.L.C.S.W, P.L.M.F.T., D.S.W. ) $90/session.
Travel
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(H)
LAC 22:XIII.503(H)LA-TRANS-1
Travel beyond the first ambulance ride is paid only when needed medical care is not available locally and the treating physician certifies that; private mileage is paid at the state travel rate.
Transportation costs other than the initial ambulance services are reimbursable only when required medical care is not locally available. Certification is required by the physician of record that local medical care is unavailable. Allowable private vehicle mileage for out-of-town travel is reimbursed at the rate published in the current state travel regulations.
Lost pay
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(D)(4)(a)
LAC 22:XIII.503(D)(4)(a)LA-WAGES-1
Lost wages are paid at 80 percent of the victim's gross weekly wage, or 80 percent of the average weekly wage for seasonal or part-time work.
80 percent of the gross weekly wage of the victim. For seasonal or part time wages, the amount shall be calculated at 80 percent of the average weekly wage;
Moving
- Relocation reimbursement is limited to $5,000 per household of the claimant.
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(Q)(2)
LAC 22:XIII.503(Q)(2)LA-RELO-1
Reimbursement for relocation expenses is limited up to $5,000 per household of the claimant.
Temporary housing
Show the law for this line: Resume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1802 (pecuniary loss)
Resume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1802 (pecuniary loss)LA-HOUSING-1
Under the amended statute, temporary lodging or permanent relocation is a covered loss when moving right away is needed for the safety of the victim or a household member.
Temporary lodging or permanent relocation when immediate relocation is necessary for the health and safety of the victim or the victim's household member.
Child care
Show the law for this line: La. R.S. 46:1802(16)(c), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 684
La. R.S. 46:1802(16)(c), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 684LA-CHILD-1
Care of a child or dependent is listed as a pecuniary loss the program can cover under the amended statute.
Care of a child or dependent.
Clothing and bedding
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(M)(1)
LAC 22:XIII.503(M)(1)LA-CLOTH-1
Reasonable replacement of clothing, bedding, or property taken as evidence or ruined by the investigation or lab testing is covered.
Expenses associated with the collection and securing of crime scene evidence are limited to: a. reasonable replacement costs for clothing; b. bedding; or c. property seized as evidence or rendered unusable as a result of a criminal investigation or lab test.
Crime scene cleanup
- Cleaning the victim's residential crime scene is capped at $2,500.
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(O)(2)
LAC 22:XIII.503(O)(2)LA-CLEAN-1
Expenses submitted for cleaning the residential crime scene of the victim may not exceed $2500.
What it does not pay for
Property damage or loss, like a stolen or broken phone, is not reimbursed. Items seized as evidence or ruined by the investigation are a separate covered expense.
Show the law for this line: LCLE CVC program page, What Expenses are Eligible
LCLE CVC program page, What Expenses are EligibleLA-EXCL-1
Reimbursement for property damage or loss is not an eligible expense.
Attorney fees to prepare an application or represent the victim are not reimbursed unless they come from a hearing the board ordered.
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(B)(1)
LAC 22:XIII.503(B)(1)LA-EXCL-2
The board does not reimburse victims for fees charged by an attorney to prepare an application or represent the victim in any way unless the fees result from a hearing ordered by the board.
The forensic exam
You should not get a bill for a sexual assault forensic exam.
Show the law for this line: LCLE CVC Downloads page, Forensic Medical Examinations (citing La. R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(6))and 2 more
LCLE CVC Downloads page, Forensic Medical Examinations (citing La. R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(6))LA-EXAM-1
Louisiana law says a sexual assault survivor cannot be billed, directly or indirectly, for a forensic medical exam. The provider or facility sends the claim to the compensation program instead.
Under Louisiana law, a victim cannot be billed directly or indirectly for a forensic medical exam.
LCLE Forensic Medical Exam Reimbursement, Policy and ProceduresLA-EXAM-2
The program's provider instructions say the patient's health insurance should not be billed for the forensic exam; the program is the primary payer.
The patient’s health insurance should not be billed. Our program is the primary payer for healthcare services rendered in conducting a forensic medical exam.
La. R.S. 40:1216.1(A)(5)LA-EXAM-3
No hospital or healthcare provider may directly bill a survivor for the healthcare services that make up the forensic medical exam.
No hospital or healthcare provider shall directly bill a survivor of a sexually oriented criminal offense for any healthcare services rendered in conducting a forensic medical examination
The provider should not bill your insurance for it either.
Show the law for this line: LCLE Forensic Medical Exam Reimbursement, Policy and Procedures
LCLE Forensic Medical Exam Reimbursement, Policy and ProceduresLA-EXAM-2
The program's provider instructions say the patient's health insurance should not be billed for the forensic exam; the program is the primary payer.
The patient’s health insurance should not be billed. Our program is the primary payer for healthcare services rendered in conducting a forensic medical exam.
The program pays the forensic exam directly to the examining provider and the facility, not the survivor. The board rule caps the provider payment at $600 and the facility payment at $1,000.
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.503(A)(3)
LAC 22:XIII.503(A)(3)LA-EXAM-4
Payments for forensic medical examinations shall not exceed $600 for the healthcare provider, and $1,000 for the healthcare facility.
Police report
A police report is not the only way to qualify. Other records can count, like a forensic exam or medical or counseling records.
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(2)(c)and 1 more
LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(2)(c)LA-REPORT-1
An adult victim does not have to report the crime to law enforcement to apply; other reasonable documentation of the crime is accepted instead.
An adult victim of a criminal offense is not required to report the crime to any law enforcement officer in order to file an application.
Resume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1806(A)(2)LA-REPORT-2
An application needs reasonable documentation of the crime, which can be a law enforcement report, court records, an attestation from a healthcare provider who examined the injury, or an attestation from the provider or coroner who did a forensic medical exam.
(a) A report from law enforcement, rather than a police report. (b) Court records pertaining to the crime, rather than evidencing the criminal prosecution. (c) An attestation from a healthcare provider who conducted an examination of the personal injury suffered by the victim. (d) An attestation from a healthcare provider or coroner who conducted a forensic medical examination on the victim.
An adult victim does not have to report the crime to law enforcement to apply; other reasonable documentation of the crime is accepted instead.
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(2)(c)
LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(2)(c)LA-REPORT-1
An adult victim of a criminal offense is not required to report the crime to any law enforcement officer in order to file an application.
An application needs reasonable documentation of the crime, which can be a law enforcement report, court records, an attestation from a healthcare provider who examined the injury, or an attestation from the provider or coroner who did a forensic medical exam.
Show the law for this line: Resume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1806(A)(2)
Resume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1806(A)(2)LA-REPORT-2
(a) A report from law enforcement, rather than a police report. (b) Court records pertaining to the crime, rather than evidencing the criminal prosecution. (c) An attestation from a healthcare provider who conducted an examination of the personal injury suffered by the victim. (d) An attestation from a healthcare provider or coroner who conducted a forensic medical examination on the victim.
Deadline to apply
Apply within 3 years of the date it happened.
Show the law for this line: Resume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1806(A)(1); the board extension ("or within such longer period as the board determines is justified by the circumstances") is unstruck text in the enrolled Act, LA-S14, 46:1806(A)(1)(a)
Resume Digest of Act 684 on La. R.S. 46:1806(A)(1); the board extension ("or within such longer period as the board determines is justified by the circumstances") is unstruck text in the enrolled Act, LA-S14, 46:1806(A)(1)(a)LA-DEADLINE-1
Applications must be filed within three years of the date of the crime; this replaced the earlier one-year limit. The board can allow more time when the circumstances justify it.
Changes the time period for filing from one year to three years and provides this period begins from the date the crime is committed.
Keeping your name and address private
Louisiana's Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Secretary of State, gives relocated victims of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking a substitute address to use for state and local government services, and forwards their first-class, certified, and registered mail. Applicants call the ACP and apply with a certified application assistant.
Show the law for this line: Secretary of State, Address Confidentiality Program page, program description and How to apply
Secretary of State, Address Confidentiality Program page, program description and How to applyLA-ACP-1
The ACP provides relocated victims of abuse, sexual assault or stalking with a substitute address to use in place of their actual address when they apply for or receive state or local government services (e.g., driver's license, voter registration, public school records, etc.).
Public agencies, including the crime victims compensation board by name, may not publicly disclose the name, address, contact information, or identity of sex offense victims. The victim can waive this.
Show the law for this line: La. R.S. 46:1844(W)(1)(a)
La. R.S. 46:1844(W)(1)(a)LA-RECCONF-1
all public officials and officers and public agencies, including but not limited to all law enforcement agencies, sheriffs, district attorneys, judicial officers, clerks of court, the Crime Victims Reparations Board, and the Department of Children and Family Services or any division thereof, shall not publicly disclose the name, address, contact information, or identity of crime victims who at the time of the commission of the offense are minors under eighteen years of age or of victims of sex offenses
How to apply
Mail Crime Victims' Compensation Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement PO Box 3133 Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Show the law for this line: LCLE CVC program page, For More Information
LCLE CVC program page, For More InformationLA-SUBMIT-1
You can mail the application to the Crime Victims' Compensation board office at LCLE in Baton Rouge.
Or Write to: Crime Victims’ Compensation Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement PO Box 3133 Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Mail the board's office
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(1)
LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(1)LA-SUBMIT-2
Applications for an adult victim of a sexually oriented offense are sent directly to the board office.
Applications involving an adult victim of a sexually-oriented criminal offense are sent directly to the board’s office.
Mail you Parish Claim's Investigator or the CVR Board Office
Show the law for this line: Application instructions page (form revised Feb 19, 2025)
Application instructions page (form revised Feb 19, 2025)LA-SUBMIT-3
The form says to mail the original application, police report, and itemized claims to the parish claim investigator or the board office.
Please mail the original application, along with the Claim Investigator Review, the complete police report, newspaper articles (if available) and any claims (including claim forms and itemized invoices) to you Parish Claim’s Investigator or the CVR Board Office.
Phone 888-684-2846
Show the law for this line: LCLE Crime Victims' Compensation Fund program page
LCLE Crime Victims' Compensation Fund program pageLA-S1
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
If you need money soon
The board can make an emergency award of up to $1,000 while an application is pending, if a final award is likely and the claimant would face undue hardship; it is deducted from the final award.
Show the law for this line: La. R.S. 46:1813(B), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 684
La. R.S. 46:1813(B), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 684LA-EMERG-1
An emergency award shall not exceed one thousand dollars.
Good to know before you apply
The crime must happen in Louisiana, or the victim must be a Louisiana resident hurt in another state that has no compensation program they qualify for.
Show the law for this line: LCLE CVC program page, Residency
LCLE CVC program page, ResidencyLA-RES-1
The crime must occur in Louisiana or the crime must involve a Louisiana resident who becomes a victim in another state that does not have a crime victim compensation program for which the victim would be eligible.
The fund is the payer of last resort and pays crime-related out-of-pocket costs that insurance and other sources do not cover.
Show the law for this line: LCLE CVC program page, Recoveries from Other Sources
LCLE CVC program page, Recoveries from Other SourcesLA-COLL-1
The Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund is regarded as the “payer of last resort.” It is a secondary source that pays for certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the crime that the victim has no other way to pay.
For sexual offense claims, the victim can choose whether or not to file with private insurance or Medicaid.
Show the law for this line: LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(5)
LAC 22:XIII.303(A)(5)LA-COLL-2
the victim has the discretion to choose whether or not to file for private insurance or Medicaid coverage.
Share this page
If you're Jane Doe in Louisiana: you can ask for up to $15,000, and you should never get a bill for a forensic exam.
Anyone can post this card. It says nothing about the person who shares it, and this page keeps no record of who opens it.
When you are ready
Tend can check your own costs against this law on your device. It never asks what happened, and nothing leaves your device unless you send it.