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SPONSOR: |
Lundstrom |
DATE TYPED: |
|
HB |
921 |
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SHORT TITLE: |
Crime Stoppers Act |
SB |
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ANALYST: |
Maloy |
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APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
||
FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
|
|
|
|
|
See Narrative |
Recurring |
General
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
No
Responses Received From Administrative Offices of the District Attorneys or The
Department of Public Safety.
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Creation of the
Council:
The
bill provides that the members shall be selected and appointed by the Governor,
and that they shall serve 2-year terms
The
bill establishes the powers and duties of the council as follows:
·
Advise and assist in the creation and
maintenance of local crime stopper programs.
·
Certify local programs for the purposes
of confidentiality of records, privileges and immunities set forth the in Crime
Stoppers Act.
·
Encourage the media to promote function
of the local programs.
·
Facilitate training for local
programs.
The
bill expressly provides that the council shall not take part in the receipt of
reports or tips regarding criminal activity.
Confidentiality of
Reports to the Crime Stopper Programs:
1.
A defendant seeks to use the report
because it includes exculpatory evidence, or
2.
In a civil suit, where a plaintiff,
having been exonerated criminally, asserts that the denial of access to the
report would leave him without the ability to offer proof that a legal injury
was suffered through the wrongful acts of another.
Immunity for Persons Filing Reports:
·
The crime stoppers programs have become well
known throughout
· The local programs will undoubtedly benefit from some centralized direction from a state council. This will aid the programs in becoming more effective and efficient. Which, in turn, will aid law enforcement in the enforcement of laws and the capture of criminals.
· The confidentiality (protection of identity of persons filing reports) and the immunity granted to individuals filing good faith reports is critical. Revealing the identity of those contacting the programs with information and liability for erroneous reports would undoubtedly deter individuals from participating in the program.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
There is no
appropriation contained within HB 921.
However, there is a provision providing for the payment of the Council’s
per diem and mileage expenses. This will
be a recurring expense to the General Fund.
SJM/njw