2. a. The Victims of Crime Compensation Office shall establish a victim counseling service which shall identify and develop sources to provide counseling to victims as defined in P.L.1971, c.317. The service shall provide assistance to victims without charge, including information and advice relative to filing a claim with the board, emergency food and clothing, employment opportunities, referral to violence intervention programs and other social service agencies, and in obtaining legal advice or representation. The service shall be conducted at locations within the State as the office deems advisable.
b. The office is authorized to appoint personnel for the service as may be necessary to carry out its functions. Appointments made pursuant to this subsection shall be within the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the agency for this purpose.
c. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2007, c.95).
d. The office may also identify and develop sources to provide mental health counseling to victims, and provide victims with information as may be appropriate through its victim counseling service.