Lawmakers press GOCPP on VOCA funding, grant oversight and reimbursement timing after reorganization

The Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee examined the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy’s (GOCPP) fiscal‑2025 allowance and DLS (Department of Legislative Services) analysis Wednesday, with deep questioning about grant oversight, VOCA awards, and recent administrative changes that have affected victim‑service providers’ cash flow.

DLS recap and agency reorganization: Madeline Miller, DLS analyst, summarized that an executive order on Jan. 18 split the agency’s previous responsibilities and transferred roughly $25.9 million in operating and grant funding for the Children’s Services Unit to the Governor’s Office for Children. That transfer accounted for nearly 44% of a $59 million year‑over‑year decrease in GOCPP’s allowance. DLS also described performance issues: FY23 grant administration saw over 900 subgrants while monitor staffing fell, the share of grants in “regular status” dropped from 86% to 21%, and the office lacked auditors for most of FY23.

VOCA and CICB issues: DLS flagged three agency issues: grant oversight, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) and Fund (CICF) balance concerns, and VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding. DLS recommended withholding $100,000 pending publication of the CICB annual report and suggested additional budget language and reporting for VOCA awards and expenditures. DLS noted the FY25 plan contemplates $60 million in VOCA‑related grants (federal and state combined) and asked GOCPP whether the $60M figure includes administrative costs.

Agency response and staffing plans: Dorothy Lennig, GOCPP executive director, said the office has rebuilt capacity and recently rehired an auditor and additional staff; she said GOCPP disagreed with some DLS recommendations to restrict funds and preferred one comprehensive annual report rather than multiple new reporting requirements. On reimbursements, Lennig said GOCPP is willing to return to monthly reimbursements but reduced the cadence while the office was understaffed; she said the agency will advertise immediately for the 16 requested positions and may convert some contractual staff to regular pins.

Provider testimony and cash‑flow concerns: Victim service providers described acute consequences from GOCPP’s administrative choices. Lisa Jordan of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault said formula crisis center funding appears to have been calculated without federal dollars this year, producing an ~$841,000 shortfall to the crisis center network that must be addressed. Amanda Rodriguez of TurnAround told the committee that a shift from monthly to quarterly reimbursements for many non‑VOCA grants was communicated after awards and has forced providers to front large sums (TurnAround cited roughly $300,000 in outlays per quarter and $1.2 million total exposure), creating cash‑flow pressure that jeopardizes services. Several agencies asked the subcommittee to restore recent competitive grants and to ensure predictable, stable funding as ARPA funds expire.

What comes next: DLS recommended releasing some withheld funds if agencies provide the requested documentation; the subcommittee asked GOCPP to return with a staffing and reimbursement timeline and to provide additional materials on the CICB balance and VOCA award accounting. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.