House Bill No. 49, known as "The Maggie Grace Act," seeks to improve the confidentiality of records from hearings held by the Board of Pardons and the committee on parole. The bill makes it unlawful for individuals to knowingly obtain and share audio, written, or visual recordings of testimonies from victims or their families during executive sessions, with exceptions for the defendant, their legal representatives, and the victim or their next of kin who may request copies. Violators could face fines of up to $500 or imprisonment for up to six months. The legislation also allows victims or their families to present testimony in executive sessions upon request, ensuring their voices are heard privately and establishing that such testimonies are confidential and not subject to public records laws.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new protocols for disclosing victim testimony, allowing courts to issue written orders for disclosure if a requestor provides clear and convincing evidence, while implementing a five-day protective order to limit access to the testimony. Violations of these provisions are classified as contempt of court, and the bill clarifies that certain individuals, including the defendant and their legal representatives, are exempt from restrictions on obtaining testimony. The legislation retains existing laws regarding executive sessions but expands the reasons for entering such sessions to include victim testimony, ultimately aiming to enhance confidentiality and protect sensitive information while ensuring victims and their families have a voice in the parole process.

Statutes affected:
HB49 Original: 44:1(B)(8)
HB49 Engrossed: 15:4(B)(2), 15:2(D)(9), 42:17(A)(10), 44:1(B)(8)
HB49 Reengrossed: 15:4(B)(2), 15:2(D)(9), 42:17(A)(10), 44:1(B)(8)