House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

RE: Co-sponsorship of Legislation: Broaden the Scope, Powers and Duties of the Office of VictimIn Advocate.

In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation that would amend the Crime Victims Act to broaden the scope of the Office of Victim Advocate. The language was previously introduced as former House Bill 904 PN 969 during the 2011-12 Legislative Session.

Under current law, the scope of the Office of Victim Advocate is narrowly defined as only representing the interests of crime victims before the PA Board of Probation and Parole and the PA Department of Corrections. My legislation would clarify the Office of Victim Advocate’s role by expanding its powers and duties to not only represent, but advocate for the interests of crime victims. The Office of Victim Advocate will also support victims of juvenile crimes.
Crime victims deserve full support from the Office of Victim Advocate, and I believe this legislation will better serve our communities and the citizens throughout the Commonwealth.

Previous cosponsors: DeLUCA, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, DALEY, DAVIDSON, FABRIZIO, GOODMAN, HORNAMAN, JOSEPHS, W. KELLER, KORTZ, MANN, McGEEHAN, MURPHY, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, QUINN, SANTARSIERO, SWANGER, TALLMAN AND YOUNGBLOOD