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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 27, 2014 12:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kurt A. Masser |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | amending Crime Victims Act |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation to amend the Crime Victims Act. This legislation will provide more money for services provided to victims by raising the costs assessed against offenders. It is important to note that the fees imposed under the Crime Victims Act have not been raised by the General Assembly since 2002. According to the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the amounts set 12 years ago are simply inadequate to meet the needs of crime victims. Without additional funding, the ability to serve the needs of victims will be eroded. Such services include helping victims compose victim impact statements, accompanying victims to court proceedings, making victims aware of the status of investigations and of bail and other decisions made by judges, and providing assistance with securing restitution from the offender. Currently, those who are found guilty or are placed in a diversionary program must pay a cost of at least $60, while those who are adjudicated delinquent must pay a cost of at least $25. My legislation will raise the cost assessed on the guilty and those in a diversionary program by $50 and the cost assessed on those adjudicated delinquent by $10. Hence, under the legislation, a person found guilty of a crime will have to pay a cost of at least $110, while a person adjudicated delinquent will have to pay a cost of at least $35. If you care to co-sponsor this piece, please contact Cindy Abbott at 260-6134. |
Introduced as HB2134