Bill Text: NJ S1405 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Renames the "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" act the "Alex DeCroce Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" act.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-06 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S1405 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-S1405-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ANTHONY R. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
Senator JOSEPH PENNACCHIO
District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Renames the "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" act the "Alex DeCroce "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" act.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" act and amending P.L.1985, c.249 and P.L.1985, c.404.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1985, c.249 (C.52:4B-34) is amended to read as follows:
1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Alex DeCroce Crime Victim's Bill of Rights."
(cf: P.L.1985, c.49, s.1)
2. Section 4 of P.L.1985, c.404 (C.52:4B-42) is amended to read as follows:
4. The victim-witness rights information program shall:
a. Provide victims or their representatives with information about the availability of social and medical services, especially emergency and social services available in the victim's immediate geographical area;
b. Provide victims or their representatives with information about possible compensation under the "Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-1 et seq.) and of the sentencing court's authority to order restitution under chapter 43 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes;
c. Provide victims or their representatives with information about how to contact the appropriate county office of victim-witness advocacy and the appropriate county prosecutor's office;
d. Provide a 24-hour toll-free hotline telephone number for victims and witnesses to call with inquiries concerning the information and services available pursuant to this act;
e. Provide victims and witnesses with a detailed description of the rights established under the Alex DeCroce Crime Victim's Bill of Rights created by P.L.1985, c.249 (C.52:4B-34 et seq.) and Article I, paragraph 22 of the New Jersey Constitution;
f. Gather available information from victim assistance programs throughout the country and make that information available to the Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy, police agencies, hospitals, prosecutors' offices, the courts, and other agencies that provide assistance to victims of crimes;
g. Sponsor conferences to bring together personnel working in the field of victim assistance and compensation to exchange methods and procedures for improving and expanding services to victims;
h. Provide assistance to victims without charge, which assistance shall include information and advice relative to filing a claim with the board, emergency food and clothing, employment opportunities, referral to other social service agencies, and in obtaining legal advice or representation; and
i. Conduct training programs for attorneys and victim service providers.
(cf: P.L. 2007, c.95, s.32)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The late Assembly Republican leader Alex DeCroce was a driving force in the fight to protect and advance the rights of crime victims.
It is, therefore, altogether fitting and proper, to recognize the extensive, instrumental and important contribution Alex DeCroce made in ensuring that the rights of crime victims and their families are statutorily and constitutionally guaranteed and protected by renaming the "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" the "Alex DeCroce Crime Victim's Bill of Rights.
