SF2379: AG's Victim Rights

Updates and clarifies the rights of crime victims and the responsibilities of criminal justice and support systems. Notable changes include revisions to confidentiality for victim counselors, expansion of who qualifies as a victim counselor, modifications to protective order durations and conditions, significant tightening of sex offender registration timelines, enhanced rights and information for sexual abuse victims, further protections related to sexual assault forensic evidence handling, new procedures for mental competency hearings, changes in restitution payment prioritization, and updates to the administration of victim rights programs and definitions.

Key Points & Impacts

• Expands and clarifies confidentiality protections for communications between victims and victim counselors, including under what circumstances these may be disclosed.

• Narrows and standardizes the qualification and training requirements for victim counselors, focusing on department-approved or contracted training only.

• Allows protective orders for sexual offense victims to extend for the duration of the court's jurisdiction, with the possibility for lifetime protection and without limitation on the number of extensions.

• Shortens deadlines from five to three business days for sex offenders to register, update, or report changes in residence, employment, or student status, and adds new requirements to report vehicles and employment details.

• Mandates law enforcement to store sexual assault kits for 20 years (or the lifetime of a minor victim), with written notice to victims prior to disposal and the right for victims to request further preservation.

• Expands the list of specific victim rights and clarifies notification, including detailed rights regarding sexual assault examination kits and procedures.

• Revises procedures for mental competency hearings, including rights for independent evaluations and new criteria for handling cases where restoration to competency is not probable.

• Alters the order of restitution payments, elevating pecuniary damages and fines, and clarifies definitions and priorities for victim compensation program reimbursements.

Signed by Governor May 6, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026. Crime victim compensation program takes effect July 1, 2027.