1Amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111),
2entitled "An act providing for victims' rights; imposing
3penalties; establishing remedies; establishing the Office of
4Victim Advocate, the Bureau of Victims' Services, the
5Victims' Services Advisory Committee, the State Offender
6Supervision Fund and other funds; and making repeals,"
7further providing for petitions to deny parole upon
8expiration of minimum sentence.

9The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10hereby enacts as follows:

11Section 1. Section 502(b) of the act of November 24, 1998
12(P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, amended
13October 2, 2002 (P.L.839, No.121), is amended to read:

14Section 502. Petitions to deny parole upon expiration of
15minimum sentence.

16* * *

17(b) Appearance.--The victim or the victim's representative
18shall be permitted to appear in person and provide testimony
19before the [board or hearing examiner] person or body making the 
20parole release decision or, in the alternative, the victim's

1testimony may be presented by conference call to the person or 
2body. The testimony of a victim [before the board] shall be
3confidential. Records maintained by the department and the board
4pertaining to victims shall be kept separate[. Current] from 
5other records and these victim records, including current
6address, telephone number and any other personal information of
7the victim and family members, shall be deemed confidential.

8* * *

9Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.