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Bill Summary · LC 3439

Summary: LC 3439 – Generally revise laws related to restitution

LC 3439 is a draft bill introduced on December 14, 2024, titled “Generally revise laws related to restitution.” The bill is in the drafting pipeline and has not yet released substantive text. It is classified as a bill with subject matter spanning Criminal Procedure and Remedies. The bill’s stated goal is to revise restitution-related laws, which typically concerns how victims receive restitution, how courts determine and enforce restitution, and how restitution interacts with other civil and criminal remedies.

What is known from the bill metadata

  • Bill number and title: LC 3439, Generally revise laws related to restitution
  • Introduced: December 14, 2024
  • Status in process: Draft—Draft Ready for Delivery
  • Classification: bill
  • Subject areas: Criminal Procedure; Remedies (including Law Enforcement and Torts/Liability)
  • Legislative actions (timeline to date):
    • 2024-12-14: Drafter Assigned
    • 2025-02-10: Draft in Legal Review
    • 2025-02-13: Draft in Edit
    • 2025-02-17: Draft in Assembly; Draft in Input/Proofing; Draft in Final Drafter Review
    • 2025-02-18: Draft Ready for Delivery

These actions indicate the bill is moving through standard drafting and review stages prior to formal introduction or committee consideration.

Purpose and potential scope (based on title and subject)

  • The primary aim is to revise laws governing restitution. In general, restitution reforms can cover:
    • How restitution is defined, calculated, and ordered in criminal cases
    • Standards for determining which losses are recoverable and who bears costs
    • Procedures for imposing, collecting, and enforcing restitution orders
    • Interaction between restitution and other remedies (e.g., civil damages, fines, penalties)
    • Protections and processes for victims to receive restitution
    • Mechanisms to improve compliance, accountability, and timely payment
    • Clarifications of roles for courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and probation/parole agencies

At this stage, the exact provisions and numeric details (e.g., calculation formulas, payment timelines, penalties for nonpayment) are not yet public in the available summary. The draft text will specify the precise changes.

Who and what would be affected

  • Victims: Potential changes to eligibility, notification, and access to restitution payments.
  • Defendants/Offenders: Possible modifications to restitution obligations, timelines, and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Courts and Prosecutors: Revised procedures for ordering, calculating, and enforcing restitution; potential changes to recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
  • Law Enforcement and Probation/Parole: If restitution enforcement tools are updated (e.g., wage garnishment, liens, or reporting), these agencies’ workflows may be affected.
  • Civil and Tort Context: Alignment or interaction with civil remedies and tort-related restitution, depending on the bill’s cross-reference within Remedies.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The bill is in a drafting phase with successive reviews (Legal Review, Edit, Assembly) noted in the legislative actions timeline.
  • Final text and committee assignment will determine the substantive provisions, fiscal impact, and any required implementation date.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor for the release of the full draft text to confirm:
    • Definitions and scope of restitution covered
    • How restitution amounts are calculated and adjusted
    • Payment schedules, enforcement tools, and collection procedures
    • Priority of restitution for victims and any offsets or offsets from other payments
    • Effective dates and any transitional provisions
  • Review committee analyses, fiscal notes, and public hearings once available to assess practical impact and implementation needs.

If you’d like, I can update this summary with detailed provisions as soon as the official draft text is released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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