PRINTER'S NO. 1091
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
175
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BURNS, MILLARD, HILL-EVANS, LONGIETTI, KINSEY,
READSHAW, NEILSON, FRANKEL, KIRKLAND AND McCLINTON,
MARCH 26, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 26, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of the Statewide Automated Victim Information
and Notification program and related State programs
authorized by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency to protect and support crime victims in this
Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
and the Office of Victim Advocate are charged with the
protection of Pennsylvania crime victims, including ensuring
their rights to a fair hearing and notice of offender release or
escape under the Crime Victims Act; and
WHEREAS, There is a civic and moral duty of victims of crime
to fully and voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement and
prosecutorial agencies; and
WHEREAS, Victim cooperation with State and local law
enforcement efforts continues to be an important component in
the investigative and judicial processes; and
WHEREAS, All victims of crime are to be treated with dignity,
respect, courtesy and sensitivity; and
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WHEREAS, The Statewide Automated Victim Information and
Notification (SAVIN) program provided more than 2.8 million free
updates on perpetrators' custody status in the 2017-2018 fiscal
year; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania crime victims, including victims of
domestic violence and sexual abuse, should be afforded every
opportunity to continue to live peacefully following their
exposure to crime and should be offered timely notice of an
offender's release, escape or transfer from a correctional
facility; and
WHEREAS, The rights extended to victims of crime in the Crime
Victims Act are to be honored and protected by law enforcement
agencies, prosecutors and judges in a manner no less vigorous
than the protections afforded criminal defendants; and
WHEREAS, Victims, witnesses, advocates, policymakers, prison
administrators, wardens, law enforcement officials, prosecutors,
judges and business and industry representatives use the SAVIN
program and have a right to know about a proposed shift in its
operations; and
WHEREAS, Those individuals have a right to question whether
changes in the SAVIN program will continue to ensure timely and
seamless access to notification of offender release or transfer
and access to a call center staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year, with employees trained in victim sensitivity; and
WHEREAS, Those observers believe that an operational shift in
the SAVIN program merits an investigation to determine if
Pennsylvania is appropriately affording victims the crucial
services they are owed; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of
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the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification
program and related State programs authorized by the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to protect and
support crime victims in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include the following:
(1) an evaluation of the SAVIN program and its
administration by applicable agencies, offices and
organizations;
(2) an evaluation of any planned modifications to the
SAVIN program, including how the changes would alter the
program in comparison to other states' victim notification
systems;
(3) a solicitation of feedback and input from the Office
of Victim Advocate, members of the General Assembly, victims,
witnesses, county victim witness advocates, policymakers,
prison administrators, wardens, law enforcement officials,
prosecutors, judges and business and industry representatives
regarding proposed changes to the SAVIN program; and
(4) an analysis of comparable victims programs and
statutes in other states, including the administration and
funding of those programs;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
submit a report containing its findings and recommendations
regarding the study to the Governor and the House of
Representatives within six months of the adoption of this
resolution.
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