§ 12-25-18 - Program established.
SECTION 12-25-18
§ 12-25-18 Program established. – (a) This chapter shall be administered by the office of the general treasurer.
(b) The office shall administer this chapter in accordancewith the provisions of §§ 12-25-16 – 12-25-30. The treasurershall designate a program administrator.
(c) The administrator shall promulgate all rules andregulations necessary to effectuate the provisions and overall purpose of thischapter. The rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with theAdministrative Procedures Act, chapter 42 of title 35.
(d) The rules and regulations shall include, but not belimited to, an application process for victims that is easy to understand. Theprocess shall include, but not be limited to, the filing of claim forms,reference to bills and other documentation supporting the claim, and proof ofdependency, if relevant. All claims must contain a release of informationnecessary to investigate the claim.
(e) All state and municipal departments and agencies,including law enforcement agencies, as well as hospitals, physicians, and otherservice providers, shall cooperate with the office in the investigation ofclaims filed pursuant to this chapter.
(f) The administrator shall investigate each application forcompensation, verify the information contained on the application and in allsupporting documentation and award or deny compensation under this chapter. Theadministrator shall mail notice by certified mail, return receipt requested,and first class mail, stating the amount of compensation to be awarded ordenied, and the reasons for the award or denial.
(g) Within fifteen (15) days of the date of receipt of thenotice of award or denial, the applicant may appeal the administrator'sdecision, in writing, to the treasurer or the treasurer's designee. Thetreasurer or treasurer's designee shall reconsider any award of compensationfor which an appeal is received. After reconsideration of the award, thetreasurer or treasurer's designee shall affirm the award or issue an amendedaward or denial.
(h) The administrator shall notify the applicant by certifiedmail, return receipt requested, and first class mail, of the decision uponappeal within thirty (30) days of receipt of the appeal. The notice shallinclude information regarding the applicants right to judicial review of thedecision.
(i) Appeals of the treasurer's or treasurer designee'sdecision may be brought to superior court pursuant to the AdministrativeProcedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42.