PRINTER'S NO. 291
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
377
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MCGARRIGLE, ARGALL, TEPLITZ, FONTANA, VULAKOVICH,
SCHWANK, BAKER, RAFFERTY, MENSCH, HUGHES, COSTA, YUDICHAK,
BROWNE AND WILLIAMS, FEBRUARY 3, 2015
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111),
entitled "An act providing for victims' rights; imposing
penalties; establishing remedies; establishing the Office of
Victim Advocate, the Bureau of Victims' Services, the
Victims' Services Advisory Committee, the State Offender
Supervision Fund and other funds; and making repeals," in
crime victims, further providing for victims' rights.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 201(3) and (12) of the act of November
24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act,
amended June 28, 2002 (P.L.496, No.85), are amended and the
section is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
Section 201. Rights.
Victims of crime have the following rights:
* * *
(2.1) To not be excluded from any criminal or juvenile
proceeding in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 6336 (relating to
conduct of hearings), unless the court, based on the record
before it , determines that testimony by the victim would be
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at the
proceeding. Before making a determination, the court shall
make every effort to permit the fullest attendance possible
by the victim and shall consider reasonable alternatives to
the exclusion of the victim. The reason for any exclusion
shall be clearly stated on the record.
(3) To be accompanied at all criminal and all juvenile
proceedings in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 6336 [(relating
to conduct of hearings)] by a family member, a victim
advocate or other person providing assistance or support.
* * *
(12) To be notified of the details of the final
disposition of the case of a juvenile consistent with 42
Pa.C.S. § 6336(f) [(relating to conduct of hearings)].
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20150SB0377PN0291 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16