The proposed bill would amend current statutes to enhance the rights of crime victims regarding access to police reports and related materials. Specifically, it would add audio recordings to the list of materials that victims are entitled to receive at no charge from law enforcement agencies, alongside existing provisions for police reports and video recordings. Additionally, the bill would allow victims to appeal a denial of access to public records during a criminal case through a special action within the case, rather than through separate legal procedures as currently outlined. Furthermore, the bill would clarify the definition of “domestic violence offense” and make technical adjustments to existing language. It would also replace the phrase “for the protection of” with “to protect” in the context of domestic violence procedures. Overall, these updates aim to streamline the process for victims seeking access to important documentation related to their cases and ensure they are adequately informed of their rights.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-386, 13-4405, 39-121.02, 39-127, 8-384, 8-385, 13-1414, 13-3601, 8-323, 8-398, 13-4403, 13-4404, 39-129, 13-4417, 12-349
Senate Engrossed Version: 8-386, 13-4405, 39-121.02, 39-127, 8-384, 8-385, 13-1414, 13-3601, 8-323, 8-398, 13-4403, 13-4404, 39-129, 13-4417, 12-349
Chaptered Version: 8-386, 13-4405, 39-121.02, 39-127, 8-384, 8-385, 13-1414, 13-3601, 8-323, 8-398, 13-4403, 13-4404, 39-129, 13-4417, 12-349