State Representative Bob Cupp (R-Lima) recently announced the introduction of the HB 610, the Ohio Crime Victim Bill of Rights. The Ohio Crime Victim Bill of Rights statutorily implements the enhanced rights of crime victims contained in the “Marsy’s Law” Crime Victims Amendment to the Ohio Constitution, which Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved in November, 2017.

”The Ohio Constitution requires that a victim of crime shall have their rights protected in a manner no less vigorous than that of a person accused of committing the crime,” said Cupp.  “With this bill, these constitutional protections for crime victims will be fully enabled with workable statutory provisions to achieve justice for victims.”

The main goals of HB 610 are to ensure that crime victims are able to understand, exercise and enforce the various rights accorded to them by the Ohio Constitution, and to fill in some of the details to assist law enforcement officials and the courts in applying the rights of crime victims in criminal justice proceedings.

The main provisions include:

• Requiring a “Marsy’s Card” to be provided to victims of a crime at the earliest contact with law enforcement

• Protecting victims against public disclosure of personal information

• Enhancing the right of victims to be heard in court proceedings

• Requiring prompt notification to crime victims when the accused is released from or escapes incarceration, and

• Providing a mechanism to petition appellate courts when necessary to enforce a crime victim’s rights.

 HB 610 is in large part the work of the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center.  Consideration was also given to input from the Ohio Judicial Conference, Ohio Prosecuting Attorney’s Association, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, and the Columbus City Attorney’s Office, and others.

“House Bill 610 is the implementing legislation for the mandate of the amazing 83% of Ohioans who passed our Marsy’s Law Victim Rights Constitutional Amendment,” added David Voth, Executive Director of Crime Victim Services in Allen and Putnam Counties. “Our constitutional concepts providing victims’ the right to safety, privacy, and participation will be defined in practical and understandable ways in House Bill 610.”

HB 610 will soon be referred to the House Rules and Reference Committee for assignment to a standing House committee for hearings.