California 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SCR118 Latest Draft

Bill / Chaptered Version Filed 05/01/2018

                            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 118 CHAPTER 55 Relative to Crime Victims Rights Week.  [ Filed with  Secretary of State  May 01, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSCR 118, Newman. Crime Victims Rights Week.This measure would recognize the week of April 8, 2018, to April 14, 2018, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by crime, not just the victims of violent crime; and WHEREAS, The most effective aid that can be provided to victims of crime is to prevent crime from happening in the first place; and WHEREAS, Since 1981, National Crime Victims Rights Week has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims; and WHEREAS, This year, the theme for this week is Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims; and WHEREAS, The 2018 theme for National Crime Victims Rights Week emphasizes the importance of inclusion in victim services; andWHEREAS, 2018 is a landmark year for crime victims and survivors, as well as those who serve them; and WHEREAS, The respect for and protection of victims rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system; and WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and effectively participate in, the criminal justice system; and WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses; and WHEREAS, Each day thousands of victims and witnesses receive assistance from victim support organizations, victim-witness assistance centers, private service providers, and state and local governments; and WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must persist in its effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services provided to victims and witnesses; and WHEREAS, California has been an innovator in the victims rights movement, establishing the first crime victim compensation program in the nation in 1965; Womens Advocates and Haven House in Pasadena established the first shelters for battered women in the nation in 1976; and Mothers Against Drunk Driving was founded in 1980 with the establishment of a chapter in Sacramento; and WHEREAS, California citizens enshrined victims rights in the California Constitution in 1982 through the passage of Proposition 8, the Victims Bill of Rights; and WHEREAS, California citizens reaffirmed and afforded additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the Victims Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsys Law; and WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims; and WHEREAS, 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; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes the week of April 8, 2018, through April 14, 2018, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. 

 Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 118 CHAPTER 55 Relative to Crime Victims Rights Week.  [ Filed with  Secretary of State  May 01, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSCR 118, Newman. Crime Victims Rights Week.This measure would recognize the week of April 8, 2018, to April 14, 2018, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO 

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 118
CHAPTER 55

 Relative to Crime Victims Rights Week. 

 [ Filed with  Secretary of State  May 01, 2018. ] 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SCR 118, Newman. Crime Victims Rights Week.

This measure would recognize the week of April 8, 2018, to April 14, 2018, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California.

This measure would recognize the week of April 8, 2018, to April 14, 2018, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

WHEREAS, 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; and 

WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by crime, not just the victims of violent crime; and 

WHEREAS, The most effective aid that can be provided to victims of crime is to prevent crime from happening in the first place; and 

WHEREAS, Since 1981, National Crime Victims Rights Week has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims; and 

WHEREAS, This year, the theme for this week is Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims; and 

WHEREAS, The 2018 theme for National Crime Victims Rights Week emphasizes the importance of inclusion in victim services; and

WHEREAS, 2018 is a landmark year for crime victims and survivors, as well as those who serve them; and 

WHEREAS, The respect for and protection of victims rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system; and 

WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and effectively participate in, the criminal justice system; and 

WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses; and 

WHEREAS, Each day thousands of victims and witnesses receive assistance from victim support organizations, victim-witness assistance centers, private service providers, and state and local governments; and 

WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must persist in its effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services provided to victims and witnesses; and 

WHEREAS, California has been an innovator in the victims rights movement, establishing the first crime victim compensation program in the nation in 1965; Womens Advocates and Haven House in Pasadena established the first shelters for battered women in the nation in 1976; and Mothers Against Drunk Driving was founded in 1980 with the establishment of a chapter in Sacramento; and 

WHEREAS, California citizens enshrined victims rights in the California Constitution in 1982 through the passage of Proposition 8, the Victims Bill of Rights; and 

WHEREAS, California citizens reaffirmed and afforded additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the Victims Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsys Law; and 

WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims; and 

WHEREAS, 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; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes the week of April 8, 2018, through April 14, 2018, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California; and be it further 

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.