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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 19, 2017 08:39 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tina M. Davis |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Broadening the Scope, Powers, and Duties of the Office of Victim Advocate (Re-Introduction) |
| In the near future, I will be re-introducing legislation – former House Bill 2414 of the 2015-2016 Legislative Session – to broaden the scope of the Office of Victim Advocate (OVA). Established in 1995, OVA works to provide victims of crime with notifications, support and advocacy services. Victim assistance coordinators at OVA work with local advocates at community based victim service programs and also with advocates in County District Attorneys’ Offices to ensure that all victims of crime who have requested post-sentencing services, receive the compassionate and individual attention and advocacy that they require. Under current law, 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. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB574