This Senate resolution confirms the appointment of Hilary Sykes to the Crime Victims Compensation Board in Kentucky, a body that provides financial assistance to victims of crime. The measure validates Sykes's selection by Governor Andy Beshear to replace Amy Leenerts for a term ending on July 1, 2027, after determining she meets the necessary legal requirements. Upon Senate approval, the resolution officially allows Sykes to assume her role on the board, which helps administer compensation funds for eligible individuals. This action is an administrative step that formalizes a governor's executive appointment rather than altering the board's funding or eligibility rules.
This bill amends Kentucky law to clarify how courts handle property restitution for individuals convicted of crimes involving taking, injuring, or destroying property. It allows courts to order restitution or damages within 90 days of sentencing if a verified petition is filed, ensuring defendants in custody are brought to court to present any defenses. The amendment specifies that if a defendant agrees to a restitution amount, the court can enter judgment immediately, but if they disagree, a jury must determine the property value or damages. The bill also clarifies that failing to use this court process does not prevent victims from pursuing separate civil lawsuits for their losses.
This bill amends Kentucky law to correct technical errors in the state's restitution process for property crimes. It clarifies how courts can order restitution or damages from people convicted of taking, injuring, or destroying property within 90 days of sentencing. The changes specify procedures for filing petitions, bringing defendants into court, and determining restitution amounts through agreement or jury trial. These provisions do not alter the underlying criminal penalties but refine the administrative steps for recovering property or compensation.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 503 to provide a justification for the use of physical force or deadly physical force by a defendant operating a motor vehicle while fleeing the immediate area of an obstruction of a highway or public passage; amend KRS 525.015 to expand the elements of obstructing an emergency responder; provide enhanced penalties; allow restitution to an agency for the reasonable costs of an emergency response; amend KRS 525.140 to expand the elements of obstructing a highway or other public passage; provide enhanced penalties; allow restitution to an agency for the reasonable costs of an emergency response; create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to establish a civil cause of action for recovery of damages caused by obstructing an emergency responder or obstruction of a highway or other public passage; amend KRS 413.140 to provide a 1-year statute of limitation for the cause of action for recovery of damages caused by obstructing an emergency responder or obstruction of a highway or other public passage; amend KRS 503.085 to conform.
Amend KRS 337.415, relating to court-ordered appearances by employees, to define terms; prohibit employers from discharging or retaliating against an employee who is a crime victim when the employee takes leave to attend proceedings associated with the prosecution of the crime; require an employee to give an employer reasonable notice to take leave when practicable; provide guidelines for use of paid leave; require the employer to maintain confidentiality of records and communication with employee crime victim; create a civil cause of action for improper discharge, discrimination, retaliation, and failing to maintain confidentiality; amend KRS 337.990 to establish a civil penalty for employer violations.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 411 to establish a cause of action for a person who was wrongfully convicted of a felony in the Commonwealth; specify amounts of damages that may be awarded to claimants; establish the wrongful conviction compensation fund.
Amend KRS 532.025 to include abuse of a corpse of the victim of kidnapping or murder by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse, or sexual contact as an aggravating circumstance; provide that the Act may be cited as Angela's Law.
Amend KRS 337.415 to define "crime," "immediate family," and "victim"; prohibit employers from discharging or retaliating against an employee who is a crime victim when the employee takes leave to attend proceedings associated with the prosecution of the crime; require an employee to give an employer reasonable notice to take leave when practicable; provide guidelines for use of paid leave; require the employer to maintain confidentiality of records and communication with employee crime victim; create a private right of action for improper discharge, discrimination, retaliation, or failure to maintain confidentiality; amend KRS 337.990 to establish penalties for violations by an employer.
Amend KRS 15.760 to allow Commonwealth's attorneys to employ as victim advocates individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field or a high school diploma and 2 years of experience; require victim advocates to enroll in training provided by the Attorney General's Office of Victims Advocacy within 30 days of hire; amend KRS 69.350 to allow county attorneys to employ as victim advocates individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field or a high school diploma and 2 years of experience; require victim advocates to enroll in training provided by the Attorney General's Office of Victims Advocacy within 30 days of hire.
Amend KRS 529.160 to allow a person charged with or convicted of certain offenses to petition the court in which the charges were filed to vacate the judgment of conviction, expunge all records of the offense, or both, when the person's participation in the offense is determined to be the result of being a victim of human trafficking; restore voting rights to a person whose felony conviction is vacated; RETROACTIVE.
