GCC 2011 Legislative and Policy Agenda - North Carolina ...

Status of Legislative Agenda Updates, 2001 - 2009StatusItemRationaleStatusItemRationaleStatusThere is no update to report on this item.Appropriate funding for the N.C. Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification (NCSAVAN) systemSince 1997, the Governor‟s Crime Commission has been using Victims of Crime Act funding tosupport the N.C. Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification System. This system iscrucial to victims and families of victims who want some sense of security about the status andlocation of their offender who is incarcerated in any of North Carolina‟s jails or prisons.Although this program is a perfect fit for the type of service to crime victims the Governor‟s CrimeCommission wants to support, it has resulted in more than 8 million dollars in funding to support thestatewide initiative. The funding has become an obligation or responsibility solely of the Governor‟sCrime Commission. This responsibility falls on the Crime Commission despite the fact that manycriminal justice system agencies use NC SAVAN to help them comply with mandates of the Victims‟Rights Constitutional Amendment of 1999.No funding has been appropriated. Remains a legislative recommendation.NC SAVAN has not been included in the Department‟s budget, nor has any other agency included itin their budget from legislative appropriations. The NC SAVAN program is fully funded by theGovernor‟s Crime Commission through federal Victims of Crime Act and Bureau of JusticeAssistance funds.Create a study committee to review provisions of the Crime Victims’ Rights ActThe N.C. Victim's Rights Amendment, adopted in 1999 by the General Assembly, has not beenadequately implemented in the state due largely to resource issues faced by agencies charged withits implementation. A recommendation to 1) Fund ongoing training for criminal justice systemprofessionals, victim service professionals and citizens of our state on the requirements of the 1999Crime Victims‟ Rights Act and 2) Work with the General Assembly to create a study committee thatwould provide regular reports on the level of compliance and the capacity/ability to comply, isproposed by the committee.Training has not been funded regarding the requirements of the 1999 Crime Victims‟ Rights Act. TheGeneral Assembly has not created a study committee; however, an internal Crime Victims RightStudy Group/Ad Hoc committee (appointed by Chair Thomas) has been created. Study group is ledby Keith Sutton. This group will be conducting an in-depth comprehensive review of the CrimeVictims‟ Rights Act and making recommendations to GCC.26