Granting victims of certain offenses a right to be accompanied by a victim advocate

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, a victim of a crime is afforded certain rights while his or her case proceeds through the criminal justice system, including the right to be present at certain hearings, the right to make statements regarding the disposition of the case, and the right to be notified of additional proceedings after the case has been adjudicated. Current law allows a victim of certain crimes, including domestic abuse or certain acts of child abuse, harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation by a therapist, to be accompanied by a victims' advocate or counselor at criminal hearings, depositions, court proceedings, and at meetings related to the hearings, depositions, and court proceedings if the crime is a factor in a child custody case involving the victim or if the crime is a factor in the victim's ability to represent his or her own interests in the proceedings.

Under this bill, in addition to the rights he or she enjoys under current law, a victim of domestic abuse, harassment, certain sexual assault crimes, and certain crimes of child abuse (abusive conduct) has the right to be accompanied by a victim advocate of his or her choosing at any activity or event related to the abusive conduct that the victim attends, or is requested to attend by any law enforcement agency, district attorney, department of justice, department of corrections, or court.

Who's behind it

38 lawmakers are its authors⁠. 25 are Republicans and 13 are Democrats.

9 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories