Jon Kyl: “as the primary drafter of Title I of H.R. 5107, I would like to make a few comments. After extensive consultation with…”

“as the primary drafter of Title I of H.R. 5107, I would like to make a few comments. After extensive consultation with my colleagues, broad bipartisan consensus was reached and the language in Title I was agreed to. I would like to make it clear that it is not the intent of this bill to limit any laws in favor of crime victims that may currently exist, whether these laws are statutory, regulatory, or found in case law. I would like to turn to the bill itself and address the first section, (a)(1), the right of the crime victim to be reasonably protected. Of course the government cannot protect the crime victim in all circumstances. However, where reasonable, the crime victim should be provided accommodations such as a secure waiting area, away from the defendant before and after and during breaks in the proceedings. The right to protection also extends to require reasonable conditions of pre-trial and post-conviction relief that include protections for the victim's safety. I would like to address the notice provisions of (a)(2). The notice provisions are important because if a victim fails to receive notice of a public proceeding in the criminal case at which the victim's right could otherwise have been exercised, that right has effectively been denied.”