Maryland Criminal Procedure Section 11-802

      (a)      The General Assembly finds:

            (1)      that many innocent persons suffer personal physical or psychological injury or die because of crimes or delinquent acts or in their efforts to prevent them or apprehend persons committing or attempting to commit them;

            (2)      that these persons or their dependents may as a result suffer disability, incur financial hardships, or become reliant on public assistance; and

            (3)      that there is a need for government financial assistance for these victims.

      (b)      The policy of the State is that help, care, and support be provided by the State, as a matter of moral responsibility, for these victims.