BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 44|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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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
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