1Amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111),
2entitled "An act providing for victims' rights; imposing
3penalties; establishing remedies; establishing the Office of
4Victim Advocate, the Bureau of Victims' Services, the
5Victims' Services Advisory Committee, the State Offender
6Supervision Fund and other funds; and making repeals,"
7further providing for petitions to deny parole upon
8expiration of minimum sentence.

9The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10hereby enacts as follows:

11Section 1. Section 502(b) of the act of November 24, 1998
12(P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, amended
13October 2, 2002 (P.L.839, No.121), is amended to read:

14Section 502. Petitions to deny parole upon expiration of
15minimum sentence.

16* * *

<-1(b) Appearance.--[The victim or the victim's representative]
2Notwithstanding any provision of 61 Pa.C.S. (relating to prisons
3and parole), the victim or the victim's representative, at his
4or her election, shall be permitted to appear in person before
5the board [or hearing examiner] or, in the alternative, the
6[victim's testimony may be presented by conference call] victim
7or victim's representative may elect to present testimony by
8electronic means as provided by the board. The testimony of a
9victim or victim's representative before the board shall be
10confidential. Records maintained by the department and the board
11pertaining to victims shall be kept separate. Current address,
12telephone number and any other personal information of the
13victim, victim's representative and family members shall be
14deemed confidential.

<-15(b) Appearance.--The victim or the victim's representative 
16shall be permitted to appear in person and provide testimony 
17before the [board or hearing examiner] panel or the majority of 
18those board members charged with making the parole release 
19decision or, in the alternative, the victim's or victim's 
20representative's testimony may be presented by [conference call]
21electronic means as provided by the board. The testimony of a
22victim [before the board] or victim's representative shall be
23confidential. Records maintained by the department and the board
24pertaining to victims shall be kept separate[. Current] from 
25other records and these victim records, including current
26address, telephone number and any other personal information of
27the victim and family members, shall be deemed confidential.

28* * *

29Section 2. This act shall take effect <-in 60 days September 
301, 2013, or immediately, whichever is later.