Marsy’s Law legislation that would put a crime victims’ bill of rights constitutional amendment on the Kentucky ballot in November received bi-partisan passage in the Senate Tuesday.
Senate Bill 15 passed on a 31-6 vote and its sponsor, Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County, says it would allow Kentucky to join more than 30 other states that already have such rights in their constitution.
A similar bill passed both chambers last year and received approval at the ballot box, but the Supreme Court threw it out due to wording of the ballot question.
It would ensure crime victims have the right to notice of court proceedings, the right to be present in court proceedings, the right for victims to have a voice throughout the legal process, and the right to be made aware of any changes in their offenders’ custodial status.
Senator Westerfield believes those rights are appropriate and is confident the House and Kentucky citizens will agree.
Senate Bill 15 words the ballot question the way the Supreme Court has desired and the legislation now awaits a hearing from a House committee.