Morrison measure that would strengthen crime victims’ rights advances

DEERFIELD - As part of an initiative from the Illinois Attorney General, State Senator Julie Morrison is sponsoring a measure that would strengthen rights of crime victims and provide additional resources to medical facilities performing forensic examinations.

"It's an honor to work with the Attorney General's office on such impactful legislation that would strengthen the rights of crime victims and provide additional resources to medical facilities," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

The measure works to strengthen rights of crime victims and provide additional resources to medical facilities performing forensic examination.

To achieve this, the measure first would allow hospitals to use teleSANE systems during sexual assault forensic examinations. The teleSANE system is a tele-health program that allows a medical provider at one hospital to instruct a medical provider at a second hospital during the course of a forensic examination.

Additionally, it would allow victims of crimes and their attorneys to inspect and make copies of law enforcement records maintained by law enforcement agencies that relate to a minor who has been investigated, arrested or taken into custody.

It also would expand the definition of "court proceeding" to include determinations by the court, removing previously set conditions of pretrial release and determinations by the court that continued detention of the defendant is necessary. The measure also would ensure that a crime victim is not excluded from any part of the trial unless a motion is made by the defendant stating with specificity the reason exclusion is necessary to protect a constitutional right of the party.

Lastly, the measure would clarify who is eligible to apply for participation in the address confidentiality program and makes technical changes to what is required to be included in an applicant. It expands the list of reasons why the Attorney General may cancel a participant's participation in the program to include instances in which the participant cannot or is unwilling to maintain the confidentiality of their address, fails to respond to requests for verification or fails to reapply - preserving the programs integrity to make sure that the program is available to those who need it.

Senate Bill 3048 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

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