E4B5B0C4CF423D6C872587E500750274 Hearing Summary

Senators Gardner and Fields, co-prime sponsors, presented amendments to Senate Bill 049, concerning update the "Victim Rights Act."  This bill was brought before the committee as a "for action only" agenda item.   The bill was previously heard on February 9. 2022. 

The bill sponsors distributed and explained Amendment L. 001 about sequestration (Attachment A). 

Senator Gardner distributed and presented Amendment L. 002 regarding notification responsibilities (Attachment B).  

Committee members discussed community corrections and probation infrastructure to send out victim notifications. 

Senator Gonzales explained and distributed Amendment L. 003 concerning district attorney responsibilities (Attachment C). 

Committee took a break to print out and review amendments.

The committee returned to order. 

Senator Gonzales explained Amendment L. 006 about the sentencing hearing (Attachment D).  The bill sponsors urged a no vote on the amendment and discussed the importance of victim witness statements.  Senator Gonzales withdrew the amendment. 

Senator Gonzales distributed and presented Amendment L.012 about protections for privileged records (Attachment F). 

Committee members discussed subpoenas. 

Senator Lee distributed and presented Amendment L.010, which adds a right to restorative justice (Attachment G).  The bill sponsors expressed concerns about adding restorative justice to criminal proceedings.  Other concerns were raised about redundancy in statutes and lack of stakeholder input on this topic. 

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.