Bill
LC 899
Establishes or funds a victim advocate to guide crime victims through the justice system, coordinating with law enforcement, courts, and service providers to aid rights and access.
Overview
- Bill Number: LC 899
- Title: Provide for victim advocate
- Subject: Appropriations, Crimes, Law Enforcement
- Classification: bill
- Introduced: November 6, 2024
- Status: Draft Died in Process (LC)
- 2025-05-23: Draft Died in Process
- 2025-01-22: Draft On Hold
- 2024-11-06: Drafter Assigned
What the bill aims to do (intent)
- Based on the title and subject classification, LC 899 is intended to establish or fund a victim advocate position or program. The goal would be to provide dedicated support, guidance, and resources to crime victims, likely in coordination with state law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, and victim-services organizations.
Key provisions and changes (availability and specifics)
- Specific text and provisions are not provided in the information available here. As drafted, LC 899 would typically address:
- Creation or funding of a victim advocate role or office.
- Duties and responsibilities of the advocate (e.g., assist victims through the justice process, coordinate services, provide information on rights and resources).
- Coordination with law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim-service providers.
- Confidentiality, privacy protections, and victim rights considerations.
- Reporting requirements and oversight mechanisms.
- Any associated appropriations or budget allocations to support the advocate program.
Who would be affected
- Primary beneficiaries: crime victims and witnesses who would receive direct advocacy, information, and support.
- Government and agencies likely involved: state or local law enforcement, prosecutorial offices, courts, and state departments or agencies administering victim services and/or criminal justice funding.
- Potential indirect impacts: improved victim access to services, streamlined communication with criminal justice agencies, and potential changes to operating procedures within participating agencies.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Drafters Assigned: November 6, 2024 (initial drafting phase).
- On Hold: January 22, 2025 (indicates the bill’s drafting status paused or deferred).
- Died in Process: May 23, 2025 (the draft was not moved forward into a formal bill passage cycle).
Potential impacts and considerations
- Fiscal: If the bill includes appropriations, it would require state funding to establish and sustain a victim advocate program. Specific dollar amounts, timelines, and funding mechanisms are not provided here.
- Implementation: Success depends on defining the advocate’s role, authority, and coordination with existing victim-services infrastructure.
- Policy implications: Could influence how victims interact with the criminal justice system and how agencies allocate resources for victim support.
Next steps for interested readers
- Monitor for reintroduction or related legislation (new LC numbers may replace LC 899).
- Review the bill text when available to understand exact duties, funding levels, and reporting requirements.
- Track committee actions, fiscal notes, and agency impact statements to assess potential budgets and implementation timelines.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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