HCS SB 194 -- RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS

SPONSOR:  Engler (Kraus)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Crime
Prevention and Public Safety by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute repeals a provision that allows a person
convicted of a nonviolent class C or class D felony to petition
the court for early release after serving 120 days' imprisonment.
Notification of crime victims is required when the offender has
applied for, or been assigned to, a drug or alcohol treatment
program.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that crime victims have a right to be
notified of any criminal justice proceeding involving their
cases, such as when the offender has a parole hearing.  Senate
Bill 5 enacted in 2003 created a procedure to allow the early
release of some nonviolent offenders, but the notification of the
victims of those crimes was overlooked.  The bill will require
that the victims of these nonviolent crimes be notified when a
court has granted early release to a nonviolent offender or when
a court admits the offender into a drug or alcohol treatment
program.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Engler; Representative Page;
and Office of the Attorney General.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm