1. (a) The gang crime witness protection program is established.

2. (b) The gang crime witness protection program shall be developed and maintained to assist witnesses of gang crimes with:

   1. (1) temporary living costs;
   2. (2) moving expenses;
   3. (3) rent;
   4. (4) security deposits; and
   5. (5) other appropriate expenses of relocation or transitional housing.
3. (c) The institute shall develop and maintain procedures to award funds for the purposes described in subsection (b) to an individual who witnesses a gang crime.
4. (d) The institute shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section.

5. (e) The director of the Indiana criminal justice institute may delay the implementation of this section until the earlier of the following:

   1. (1) A date set by the director.

   2. (2) The date funding becomes available by a grant through the criminal justice institute or by an appropriation from the general assembly.

      If the director of the criminal justice institute delays implementation of this section, the director shall notify each prosecuting attorney of the director's action.

As added by P.L.192-2007, SEC.2.