VICTIM'S RIGHTS: PARENT OF VICTIM S.B. 628:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 628 (as introduced 10-17-13)
Sponsor: Senator Tonya Schuitmaker
CONTENT
The bill would amend the definition of "victim" in Article 1 of the Crime Victim's Rights Act as it pertains to a parent, guardian, or custodian of a victim who is less than 18 years old, to refer to a victim less than 18 "at the time of the commission of the crime".
Article 1 provides for rights of victims of a crime that either is designated by law as a felony or is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Article 1 requires various notices to be given to a victim, and gives a victim the rights to confer with the prosecutor, to be present at trial, to make an impact statement that will be included in the presentence investigation report, and to make an oral impact statement at sentencing.
Article 1 defines "victim" as an individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime, except as provided for other individuals. These include a parent, guardian, or custodian of a victim who is less than 18 years of age and who is neither the defendant nor incarcerated, if the parent, guardian, or custodian so chooses. The bill would refer to a victim "who is less than 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime".
MCL 780.752 Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.