THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY GODSHALL, MICOZZIE, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, DeLUCA, HENNESSEY, SWANGER AND J. TAYLOR, FEBRUARY 3, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 3, 2011  

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,"

further providing for powers and duties of victim advocate.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 302 of the act of November 24, 1998

(P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, amended

October 2, 2002 (P.L.839, No.121), is amended to read:

Section 302.  Powers and duties of victim advocate.

The victim advocate has the following powers and duties:

(1)  To represent the interests of individual crime

victims before the board, department or hearing examiner.

(2)  To supervise the victim notification duties

presently conducted by the board.

(3)  To assist in and coordinate the preparation of

testimony by the crime victims as set forth in sections

501(c) and 502 or the submission of oral, written or

videotaped comments by crime victims prior to a release

decision.

(4)  To represent the interests of a crime victim under

section 502.

(5)  To act as a liaison with the victim notification

program director in the department to coordinate victim

notification and services for the department and the board.

The victim advocate is authorized to address the interests of

all victims before the board, department or hearing examiner

concerning any issues determined appropriate by the victim

advocate.

(6)  To act as an advocate for victims and survivors of

traffic accidents and their families by offering services

including, but not limited to, grief and crisis counseling,

assistance with preparing victim compensation claims other

than third-party legal action, connecting individuals with

other service providers and supplying emergency financial

assistance.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.