§ 35-6-3 — Powers and duties of commission; ombudsman program

(a) The State Victim Services Commission shall have the following powers and duties: (1) To review the financial reports submitted pursuant to Code Section 15-21-132 concerning local victim assistance programs; (2) To assess the degree of compliance of the courts in collecting and forwarding funds authorized to be collected pursuant to Article 8 of Chapter 21 of Title 15; (3) To review and determine the extent to which county governing authorities collect funds from the courts and distribute such funds to victim services programs; (4) To assess the extent to which such funds are utilized by such victim services programs to provide direct services to victims of crimes; (5) To recommend changes in legislation that will ensure compliance in the collection, distribution, and use of victim assistance funds as needed; and (6) To recommend as necessary and advisable rules and regulations for the collection and distribution of funds by court officers pursuant to Article 8 of Chapter 21 of Title 15. (b) The commission may establish a victim services ombudsman program, provided that funds are appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose or the commission receives sufficient funds from private grants or donations to fund such program.