RS 46:1847

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RS 46:1847

§1847. Comprehensive victims' services system; legislative findings; intent; purpose

A. The legislature hereby recognizes that the state of Louisiana has created numerous rights and duties to be afforded to crime victims, witnesses, and designated family members. The legislature further recognizes the challenges of fulfilling those rights and duties through numerous law enforcement and other state and local entities.

B. Accordingly, the legislature hereby finds and declares that, in order to ensure to the greatest extent possible that the rights and duties afforded to crime victims and witnesses are upheld, the state of Louisiana is committed to the creation, consolidation, and coordination of a comprehensive victims' services system. This system shall provide the information and services described in the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights and R.S. 46:1844 to crime victims and witnesses at all relevant points throughout the life cycle of a case moving through the criminal justice system in a timely, consistent, and easily understandable manner.

This system shall be created and administered by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (the department), which shall coordinate with and provide assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies utilizing the systems, processes, standards, and guidelines implemented by the department. The department shall create this system in conjunction with the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board (ICJIS) and all such component parts of this system shall be created in conformity with the requirements set forth in R.S. 15:1228.10.

The system shall be created and in operation no later than July 1, 2026.

C. The legislature recognizes that the creation and implementation of a comprehensive victims' services system requires the input, coordination, and cooperation of relevant stakeholders responsible for providing services to crime victims and witnesses and urges relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively to create and implement this comprehensive victims' services system as expeditiously as possible.

Acts 2025, No. 370, §2, eff. June 20, 2025.