Apr. 26, 2022
HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by state Rep. Sheryl M. Delozier (R-Cumberland) that would give crime victims legal standing in court has passed the House.
“My
House Bill 2464 expands Pennsylvania’s Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights to assure that victims would have the ability to stand in court and assert their own rights. This would be accomplished via court orders directing that their rights be honored as intended by law. The bill does not change the rights victims have; it gives them recourse when their rights are ignored. Up until this point, there has been no remedy, but this bill would provide that,” said Delozier.
Currently, crime victims are beholden to the prosecutors handling their cases or the agencies supervising their offenders. It is up to these people to honor the victims’ protections. This statute would be a part of Marsy’s Law, which Delozier has been a long-time spokeswoman for. Marsy’s Law is a constitutional amendment to guarantee crime victims’ rights. At the time the constitutional amendment was being deliberated, more than 1.7 million Pennsylvanians voted in approval, but it was ultimately set aside due to a technicality with the ballot question.
“While I have not given up my advocacy for a constitutional amendment, the urgency of supporting our crime victims could not be higher. This bill cannot wait. I hope that my Senate colleagues act quickly and send it to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk for his signature,” Delozier added.
Questions about this legislation or any other state government related issue can be directed to Delozier’s office at 717-761-4665.
Representative Sheryl Delozier
88th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Katelin Morrison
717.260.6502
Kmorrison@pahousegop.com
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