First Substitute H.B. 157

Representative Jennifer M. Seelig proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
RAPE KIT PROCESSING AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Jennifer M. Seelig

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the provisions of the Utah Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the
             10      victim's bill of rights.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    provides that a victim of a sexual offense has the following rights:
             14              .    to be informed whether the DNA profile of the assailant was obtained;
             15              .    to be informed whether the DNA profile of the assailant has been entered into
             16      the Utah Combined DNA Index System;
             17              .    to be informed if there is a match between the DNA profile of the assailant and
             18      a DNA profile contained in the Utah Combined DNA Index System, provided
             19      the disclosure of this information would not impede or compromise an ongoing
             20      investigation; and
             21              .    to designate a person to receive information provided by law enforcement;
             22          .    provides that a law enforcement agency that chooses not to analyze DNA evidence
             23      in a case where the identity of the perpetrator is in doubt shall inform the victim of
             24      that decision;
             25          .    provides that a law enforcement agency shall provide written notification to a victim


             26      or the victim's designee 60 days before destroying or disposing of evidence from an unsolved
             27      sexual assault case;
             28          .    provides that the law enforcement office where the sexual offense is reported shall
             29      have the responsibility to inform the victim of these rights; and
             30          .    provides that a victim may designate a person of the victim's choosing to receive
             31      any information from the law enforcement agency.
             32      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             33          None
             34      Other Special Clauses:
             35          None
             36      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             37      AMENDS:
             38           77-37-3 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 177
             39     
             40      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             41          Section 1. Section 77-37-3 is amended to read:
             42           77-37-3. Bill of rights.
             43          (1) The bill of rights for victims and witnesses is:
             44          (a) Victims and witnesses have a right to be informed as to the level of protection from
             45      intimidation and harm available to them, and from what sources, as they participate in criminal
             46      justice proceedings as designated by Section 76-8-508 , regarding witness tampering, and
             47      Section 76-8-509 , regarding threats against a victim. Law enforcement, prosecution, and
             48      corrections personnel have the duty to timely provide this information in a form which is useful
             49      to the victim.
             50          (b) Victims and witnesses, including children and their guardians, have a right to be
             51      informed and assisted as to their role in the criminal justice process. All criminal justice
             52      agencies have the duty to provide this information and assistance.
             53          (c) Victims and witnesses have a right to clear explanations regarding relevant legal
             54      proceedings; these explanations shall be appropriate to the age of child victims and witnesses.
             55      All criminal justice agencies have the duty to provide these explanations.
             56          (d) Victims and witnesses should have a secure waiting area that does not require them


             57      to be in close proximity to defendants or the family and friends of defendants. Agencies
             58      controlling facilities shall, whenever possible, provide this area.
             59          (e) Victims may seek restitution or reparations, including medical costs, as provided in
             60      Title 63M, Chapter 7, Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse, and Sections 62A-7-109.5 ,
             61      77-38a-302 , and 77-27-6 . State and local government agencies that serve victims have the duty
             62      to have a functional knowledge of the procedures established by the Crime Victim Reparations
             63      Board and to inform victims of these procedures.
             64          (f) Victims and witnesses have a right to have any personal property returned as
             65      provided in Sections 77-24-1 through 77-24-5 . Criminal justice agencies shall expeditiously
             66      return the property when it is no longer needed for court law enforcement or prosecution
             67      purposes.
             68          (g) Victims and witnesses have the right to reasonable employer intercession services,
             69      including pursuing employer cooperation in minimizing employees' loss of pay and other
             70      benefits resulting from their participation in the criminal justice process. Officers of the court
             71      shall provide these services and shall consider victims' and witnesses' schedules so that
             72      activities which conflict can be avoided. Where conflicts cannot be avoided, the victim may
             73      request that the responsible agency intercede with employers or other parties.
             74          (h) Victims and witnesses, particularly children, should have a speedy disposition of
             75      the entire criminal justice process. All involved public agencies shall establish policies and
             76      procedures to encourage speedy disposition of criminal cases.
             77          (i) Victims and witnesses have the right to timely notice of judicial proceedings they
             78      are to attend and timely notice of cancellation of any proceedings. Criminal justice agencies
             79      have the duty to provide these notifications. Defense counsel and others have the duty to
             80      provide timely notice to prosecution of any continuances or other changes that may be required.
             81          (j) Victims of sexual offenses have [a] the following rights:
             82          (i) the right to [be informed of their right to] request voluntary testing for themselves
             83      for HIV infection as provided in Section 76-5-503 and to request mandatory testing of the
             84      alleged sexual offender for HIV infection as provided in Section 76-5-502 [. The law
             85      enforcement office where the sexual offense is reported shall have the responsibility to inform
             86      victims of this right.];
             87          (ii) the right to be informed whether a DNA profile was obtained from the testing of


             88      the rape kit evidence or from other crime scene evidence;
             89          (iii) the right to be informed whether a DNA profile developed from the rape kit
             90      evidence or other crime scene evidence has been entered into the Utah Combined DNA Index
             91      System;
             92          (iv) the right to be informed whether there is a match between a DNA profile
             93      developed from the rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence and a DNA profile
             94      contained in the Utah Combined DNA Index System, provided that disclosure would not
             95      impede or compromise an ongoing investigation; and
             96          (v) the right to designate a person of the victim's choosing to act as a recipient of the
             97      information provided under this Subsection (1)(j) and under Subsections (2) and (3).
             98          (vi) Subsections (1)(j)(ii) through (iv) do not require that the law enforcement agency
             99      communicate with the victim or the victim's designee regarding the status of DNA testing,
             100      absent a specific request received from the victim or the victim's designee.
             101          (2) The law enforcement agency investigating a sexual offense may:
             102          (a) release the information indicated in Subsections (1)(j)(ii) through (iv) upon the
             103      request of a victim or the victim's designee and is the designated agency to provide that
             104      information to the victim or the victim's designee;
             105          (b) require that the victim's request be in writing; and
             106          (c) respond to the victim's request with verbal communication, written communication,
             107      or by email, if an email address is available.
             108          (3) The law enforcement agency investigating a sexual offense has the following
             109      authority and responsibilities:
             110          (a) If the law enforcement agency determines that DNA evidence will not be analyzed
             111      in a case where the identity of the perpetrator has not been confirmed, the law enforcement
             112      agency shall notify the victim or the victim's designee.
             113          (b) (i) If the law enforcement agency intends to destroy or dispose of rape kit evidence
             114      or other crime scene evidence from an unsolved sexual assault case, the law enforcement
             115      agency shall provide written notification of that intention and information on how to appeal the
             116      decision to the victim or the victim's designee of that intention.
             117          (ii) Written notification under this Subsection (3) shall be made not fewer than 60 days
             118      prior to the destruction or disposal of the rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence.


             119          (c) A law enforcement agency responsible for providing information under Subsections
             120      (1)(j)(ii) through (iv), (2), and (3) shall do so in a timely manner and, upon request of the
             121      victim or the victim's designee, shall advise the victim or the victim's designee of any
             122      significant changes in the information of which the law enforcement agency is aware.
             123          (d) The law enforcement agency investigating the sexual offense is responsible for
             124      informing the victim or the victim's designee of the rights established under Subsections
             125      (1)(j)(ii) through (iv) and (2), and this Subsection (3).
             126          [(2)] (4) Informational rights of the victim under this chapter are based upon the victim
             127      providing the [victim's] current [address and telephone number] name, address, telephone
             128      number, and email address, if an email address is available, of the person to whom the
             129      information should be provided to the criminal justice agencies involved in the case.


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