BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 44| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: SCR 44 Author: Nielsen (R) Introduced:4/20/15 Vote: 21 SUBJECT: Crime Victims Rights Week SOURCE: Author DIGEST: This resolution declares the week of April 19, 2015, to April 25, 2015, inclusive, as Crime Victims' Rights Week. ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1)Violent crime continues to exist in California, and crime in one part of the state, or crime against one person, affects our entire sense of well-being. All Californians are affected by crime, not just the victims of violent crime. 2)Since 1981, National Crime Victims' Rights Week has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims. 3)The respect and protection of victims' rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system. Victims and witnesses of crime require special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and effectively participate in, the criminal justice system. SCR 44 Page 2 4)To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses. 5)The remembrances observed during National Crime Victims' Rights Week promote awareness of victims' issues and acknowledge the combined efforts of citizens, the government, and the criminal justice system to improve victims' services in California. This resolution declares the week of April 19, 2015, to April 25, 2015, inclusive, as Crime Victims' Rights Week. Prior legislation ACR 45 (Perea, Chapter 34, Statutes of 2011) proclaimed the week of April 10, 2011, to April 16, 2011, inclusive, as Crime Victims' Rights Week. ACR 153 (Nielsen, 2010) would have recognized the week of April 18, 2010, through April 24, 2010, as Crime Victims' Rights Week. ACR 59 (Nielsen, Chapter 33, Statutes of 2009) recognized the week of April 26, 2009, through May 2, 2009, as Crime Victims' Rights Week. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:NoLocal: No SUPPORT: (Verified4/22/15) None received SCR 44 Page 3 OPPOSITION: (Verified4/22/15) None received ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 designates April 19 through April 25 as Crime Victims' Rights Week. The resolution provides an opportunity to emphasize challenges faced by crime victims and to emphasize the ongoing struggle to establish victims' rights. We must always prioritize affording victims with the support they need to pursue justice and recovery. Crime victims and their families suffer so much in dealing with their tragedies. It can be agonizing for them to move forward with their lives. While they will not have closure, they can find justice in a better criminal justice system. To ensure balance in our criminal justice system, the Legislature needs to establish and protect fundamental rights for crime victims and their families. Prepared by:Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520 4/22/15 16:20:37 **** END ****