Pennsylvania Act 2013-14 — CRIME VICTIMS ACT - PETITIONS TO DENY PAROLE UPON EXPIRATION OF MINIMUM SENTENCE

Act text

Session of 2013

No. 2013-14

HB 492

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 petitions to deny parole upon expiration of minimum sentence.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 502(b) 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 502. Petitions to deny parole upon expiration of minimum sentence.

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(b) Appearance.--The victim or the victim's representative shall be permitted to appear in person and provide testimony before the [board or hearing examiner] panel or the majority of those board members charged with making the parole release decision or, in the alternative, the victim's or victim's representative's testimony may be presented by [conference call] electronic means as provided by the board . The testimony of a victim [before the board] or victim's representative shall be confidential. Records maintained by the department and the board pertaining to victims shall be kept separate[. Current] from other records, and these victim records, including current address, telephone number and any other personal information of the victim and family members , shall be deemed confidential.

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Section 2. This act shall take effect September 1, 2013, or immediately, whichever is later.

APPROVED--The 18th day of June, A.D. 2013.

TOM CORBETT