Las Vegas Victims’ Fund committee extends comment period

By Nicole Raz Las Vegas Review-Journal

7 years ago

Scott Nielson, chairman of the Las Vegas Victims Fund committee, listens to survivors at the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. It was the second town hall that day so the committee could hear out the community on how to distribute the funds. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

Yvonne Justice, a Route 91 Harvest festival survivor, speaks to the Las Vegas Victims Fund committee at the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. It was the second town hall that day so the committee could hear out the community on how to distribute the funds. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__rae

People affected by the Oct. 1 Las Vegas shooting now have until 10 a.m. Monday to offer feedback on the proposed guidelines for how funds should be distributed.

The comment period was originally intended to close Friday.

Las Vegas Victims’ Fund committee chairman Scott Nielson said he received a copy of a letter Thursday that was sent to Nevada’s congressional delegation commenting on the draft protocol and requesting that the comment period be extended.

“The committee is appreciative of the comments received thus far from many interested parties and it’s important to us that as many voices as possible be heard,” Nielson said in a statement Friday.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit Las Vegas Victims’ Fund is overseen by a 17-member committee. The committee released a draft proposal Nov. 15.

As proposed, families of the deceased and people who suffered permanent brain damage or permanent paralysis resulting in continuous home medical aid would receive the highest level of payment out of the fund, the draft guidelines say.

People who were physically injured and first admitted to a hospital within 48 hours of the shooting for at least one night between Oct. 1 and Jan. 31 would receive the next level of funding, according to the draft.

People can provide feedback and input relating to the protocol by email to comments@lasvegasvictimsfund.org and by mail to Las Vegas Victims’ Fund, P.O. Box 551111, Las Vegas, NV 89155-1111.

Nielson said the committee has received around 200 comments by mail and email combined so far.

A final protocol will still be adopted on or by Dec. 15, he said.

Contact Nicole Raz at nraz@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512. Follow @JournalistNikki on Twitter.