History

The Maryland General Assembly established the Maryland State Board of Victim Services and the position of Victim Services Coordinator in 1988. The Board was created to monitor, assess, coordinate, and make recommendations to improve state and local services for crime victims.

The Board's mission is to help ensure that all crime victims in Maryland are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion throughout the criminal justice process.

Maryland Victims of Crime Fund

In 1991, the Maryland General Assembly established the Maryland Victims of Crime (MVOC) Fund, administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The Maryland State Board of Victim Services administers grants from the fund.

The MVOC Fund is supported by court fees assessed to certain defendants. These funds are awarded as grants to organizations that provide services and support to crime victims throughout Maryland.

Legal Services for Crime Victims Fund

In 2007, the Maryland General Assembly expanded the MVOC grant program by creating the Legal Services for Crime Victims (LSCV) Fund.

The LSCV Fund uses unclaimed restitution collected under § 17-317(a)(3)(i) of the Commercial Law Article to provide annual grants for legal services that help protect the rights of victims of crime and delinquent acts, as authorized by Maryland Criminal Procedure § 11-919(c)(2).

Expansion of the VINE Program

In 2008, the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, in partnership with the Maryland State Board of Victim Services, received federal funding to expand the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) program.

The expansion made it possible for crime victims to receive information about and register for notifications related to individuals on parole or probation who are supervised by the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation.