The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Adult.” Any of the following:

“Board.” The Pennsylvania Parole Board.

“Campus police.” As defined in section 302 of the act of November 29, 2004 (P.L. 1383, No. 180),¹ known as the Uniform Crime Reporting Act.

“Claimant.” The person filing a claim under Chapter 7.²

“Commission.” The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

“Committee.” The Victims' Services Advisory Committee established in section 321.³

“Counseling services.” A mental health therapy performed by or under the supervision of a mental health care provider.

“Crime.” An act which was committed:

“Department.” The Department of Corrections of the Commonwealth.

“Direct victim.” An individual against whom a crime has been committed or attempted and who as a direct result of the criminal act or attempt suffers physical or mental injury, death or the loss of earnings under this act. The term shall not include the alleged offender. The term includes a resident of this Commonwealth against whom an act has been committed or attempted which otherwise would constitute a crime as defined in this act but for its occurrence in a location other than this Commonwealth and for which the individual would otherwise be compensated by the crime victim compensation program of the location where the act occurred but for the ineligibility of such program under the provisions of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-473, 42 U.S.C. § 10601 et seq.).

“Dispositional proceeding.” A proceeding which occurs in open common pleas court which potentially could dispose of the case. The term includes Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, pleas, trial and sentence.

“Diversionary program.” A program which is used to divert the defendant to an alternative form of disposition under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure or statutory authority. The term includes dispositions authorized by Rules 160, 176 and 314 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure and sections 17 and 18 of the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64),⁵ known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

“Family.” When used in reference to an individual:

“Financial support.” Includes the loss of court-ordered child or spousal support payments if the victim is deprived of money as a direct result of a crime.

“Injury.” Includes physical or mental damages incurred as a direct result of the crime and aggravation of existing injuries if additional losses can be attributed to the direct result of the crime.

“International terrorism.” Activities which meet all of the following:

“Intervenor.” An individual, including a law enforcement officer who is injured in the performance of the individual's duties, who goes to the aid of another and suffers physical or mental injury or death as a direct result of acting not recklessly to prevent the commission of a crime, to lawfully apprehend a person reasonably suspected of having committed such crime or to aid the victim of such crime.

“Juvenile.” An individual who is alleged or has been determined to be a “delinquent child” as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 (relating to definitions).

“Law enforcement agency.” The Pennsylvania State Police and a local law enforcement agency.

“Law enforcement officer.” A peace officer as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to definitions).

“Local correctional facility.” A jail, prison or detention facility operated by a county or jointly by more than one county and used for the confinement of individuals for safe custody. The term does not include any facility used for the detention or confinement of juveniles.

“Local law enforcement agency.” A police department of a city, borough, incorporated town or township or campus police.

“Loss of earnings.” An economic loss resulting from an injury or death to a victim of a crime or an intervenor that has not been and will not be reimbursed from any other source. The term includes the loss of the cash equivalent of one month's worth of Social Security, railroad retirement, pension plan, retirement plan, disability, veteran's retirement, loss of support payments if the payments are the primary source of the victim's income or other similar benefit, and the victim or intervenor is deprived of money as a direct result of a crime.

“Loss of support.” The loss of verifiable financial support the direct victim would have contributed to surviving dependents that is lost due to the death of the direct victim as a direct result of a crime.

“Mental health care provider.” Any of the following:

“Office.” The Office of Victim Advocate established in section 302.⁸

“Office of Victims' Services.” The Office of Victims' Services in the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

“Out-of-pocket loss.” The term includes the following losses which shall be reimbursed at a rate set by the Office of Victims' Services:

Except as otherwise provided, the term does not include property damage or pain and suffering.

“Personal injury crime.” An act, attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit an act which would constitute a misdemeanor or felony under the following:

The term includes violations of any protective order issued under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to protection from abuse) or 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 62A (relating to protection of victims of sexual violence or intimidation) or a similar protective order issued outside this Commonwealth. The term includes a crime of violence as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9714(g) (relating to sentences for second and subsequent offenses).

“Personal injury rights crime.” A personal injury crime or an act, attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit an act which would constitute a misdemeanor or felony under the following:

“Preadjudication disposition.” Any of the following:

“Prosecutor's office.” The Office of Attorney General or the office of a district attorney of a county.

“Sexual abuse.” Conduct which occurs in this Commonwealth and would constitute an offense under any of the following provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses):

“Victim.” The term means the following:

“Victim advocate.” The victim advocate in the Office of Victim Advocate within the department.