ASSEMBLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3072

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 23, 2021

      The Assembly Women and Children Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3072.

      This bill requires that certain information be provided to victims of sexual assault when the victim reports the crime to law enforcement. 

      Under the bill, upon receiving a report of aggravated sexual assault or sexual assault, the Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy, the county prosecutor’s office, or any other law enforcement agency involved in the case is required to make a packet of information available to the victim in electronic or paper format that includes, but is not limited to:

· rights and laws pertaining to victims of sexual assault;

· the criminal justice process as it pertains to victims of sexual assault;

· existing medical, counseling, and mental health services available to victims of sexual assault;

· any additional services available to victims of sexual assault through the Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy;

· a telephone number that the victim may call at any time to receive updates on his or her case; and

· contact information for the appropriate county Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy. 

      Under the bill, the victim may elect to waive the right to receive the packet of information.  In addition, the bill provides that the Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy, the county prosecutor's office, or any other law enforcement agency involved in the case is not to discuss or provide information regarding crime prevention strategies with an alleged victim of aggravated sexual assault or sexual assault.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 3072 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4886 (Vainieri Huttle/Murphy/Reynolds-Jackson), which was reported by the committee on this date.