Bill Text: PA HB423 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Further providing for powers and duties of victim advocate.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 7-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-03 - Referred to JUDICIARY [HB423 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HB423-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 389
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 423 Session of2011
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.
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