The bill proposes changes to the current law regarding the security of government witnesses and their immediate families in criminal or civil proceedings or investigations. The language of the bill has been updated for clarity and inclusivity. The term "violation of" has been replaced with "violating," and gender-specific language such as "his" has been changed to "the witness's." Additionally, the bill specifies that the director of the department of public safety may continue to provide security for as long as the danger exists, and clarifies the director's authority to purchase, rent, or modify housing facilities for witness protection with the concurrence of the attorney general. The bill also allows the director, with the attorney general's concurrence, to contract with any government to obtain or provide facilities or services for witness protection.

Furthermore, the bill allows the director of the department of public safety to condition the offer of protection on the reimbursement of costs to the state by a government, either in whole or in part. This provides a mechanism for cost recovery associated with the maintenance and protection of witnesses under the state's witness protection program. The bill maintains that any appropriations for witness protection shall be administered by the department of public safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-196