Ensuring access to victim services through the crime victim penalty assessment.

HB 2457 increases crime victim penalty assessments to $2,000 for felony/gross misdemeanor cases and $1,000 for misdemeanor cases, with an additional surcharge up to $50,000 for financially able defendants. The bill directs all collected funds to a dedicated victim services fund, requiring counties to use the money exclusively for comprehensive programs supporting crime victims, including testimony assistance and restitution help. It exempts indigent defendants from payments and waives past assessments for juveniles or those unable to pay. The law amends multiple statutes to ensure funds directly support victim services without replacing existing local funding.