Findings show that the majority of State compensation programs have been enacted within the past 5 years. A total of 30 States now have such programs. Over the last 3 years, the total budgets of the programs have steadily increased. The average budget for a program in 1978 totaled about $1,234,100, while in 1980, this amount had increased to $1,652,400. While the programs are generally unique in most policies and practices, certain characteristics are similar across programs. Most programs have a specified maximum possible award, which ranges from a minimum of $5,000 to an unlimited amount. Also, over half the programs require some minimum loss the victim must incur before the application will be approved. Typically, the required minimum losses are between $100 and $200. Seventy percent of the programs provide for the granting of an emergency award, and virtually every program makes hospital and medical expenses eligible for reimbursement. Every program has a determined time limit within which victims must file for an award under the program. All but four of the programs exclude awards for pain and suffering. A principal problem characterizing the programs is the low percentage of eligible victims applying to the programs. This indicates the need for some kind of public awareness program. Tabular data and 11 references are provided.