PRINTER'S NO. 1577
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1458
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY T. DAVIS, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, D. WILLIAMS,
DRISCOLL, ROZZI, GALLOWAY, CIRESI, CONKLIN, GUENST AND
SHUSTERMAN, MAY 20, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MAY 20, 2021
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," in
administration, further providing for office and for powers
and duties of victim advocate.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 301(a) and 302 of the act of November
24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, are
amended to read:
Section 301. Office.
(a) Establishment.--There is established within the board
the Office of Victim Advocate to represent and advocate for the
interests of crime victims [before the board or department]. The
office shall operate under the direction of the victim advocate
as provided in this section.
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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 and
before other government officials.
(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) As determined by the victim advocate, to represent
and advocate for the interests of crime victims generally,
including the victims of juvenile crime.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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