Redding Today

Senator Brian Dahle's bill, SB 1267, aimed at protecting the rights of victims of serious or violent crimes, recently received unanimous support and passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee. In expressing his gratitude for the bill's advancement, Senator Dahle stated, "I’d like to thank the chair and committee for moving this bill forward. Policymakers in California must do more to protect victims. Too often, they are left behind due to radical criminal justice reforms in our state. This critical measure will safeguard the rights of victims and establish a system that offers adequate protection for them." The bill seeks to amend the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) notification requirements to provide important updates to victims.

Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire highlighted the significance of the bill, stating, "Traumatic experiences and exposure to violence can leave lifelong impacts on individuals and communities. SB 1267 is an important step to help keep our community members who have experienced the trauma of victimization informed and on the path of healing."

The CDCR 1707 form, a tool for victims and their families to request notifications regarding offenders under CDCR's jurisdiction, has faced challenges due to changes in post-conviction considerations over the years. Victims in violent cases that resulted in life sentences before the creation of the form have not been notified. SB 1267 aims to address these gaps by automatically opting in such individuals for notifications.

In 2008, Proposition 9 (Marsy’s Law) was approved by California voters, leading to the creation of the CDCR 1707 form, the state's first mandated victim notification process. The passage of SB 1267 through the Senate Public Safety Committee marks a significant step towards enhancing victim rights protection in California.

Following its successful passage in the committee, SB 1267 is now set to be reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill is part of Senator Dahle's efforts to ensure that victims of serious crimes are adequately informed and supported throughout the criminal justice process.