Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends criminal justice laws.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a court to order a hearing and to dismiss a petition that alleges that a child between the ages of 14 and 18 committed an offense which would be considered a felony if committed by an adult, and for such child to be transferred to the court of general jurisdiction and prosecuted under the general law (Sec. A).

• Specifies that an exception to the above highlight exists if a petition alleges that any child has committed an offense which would be considered first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, forcible rape, rape in the first degree, forcible sodomy, sodomy in the first degree, first-degree robbery, or has committed 2 or more prior unrelated offenses which would be felonies if committed by an adult (Sec. A).

• Prohibits commissioned and civilian personnel who are employed by the municipal police force established under this section from being subject, throughout their employment, to a residency requirement of retaining a primary residence in a city, as long as the primary residence is located within a one-hour response time, beginning August 21, 2020 (Sec. A).

• Specifies that the above highlight will expire on August 31, 2023 (Sec. A).

• Specifies that only commissioned and civilian personnel who are hired after August 31, 2023, by the municipal police force established under this section, can be subject, throughout their employment, to a residency rule no more restrictive than a requirement of retaining a residence for a total of 7 years, and then allowing them to maintain a primary residence outside the city as long as the primary residence is located within a one-hour response time (Sec. A).

• Prohibits a public safety employee of any city from being subject, through their employment, to a residency requirement of retaining a primary residence, as long as the primary residence is located within a one-hour response time (Sec. A).

• Defines “public safety employee” as a person trained or authorized by law to render emergency medical assistance or treatment, including firefighters, ambulance attendants, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, dispatchers, registered nurses and physicians, and persons who are vested with the power of arrest for criminal code violations (Sec. A).

• Specifies that a statement made by a witness that is otherwise inadmissible, is admissible as evidence in a criminal proceeding in the courts to prove the truth of the matter asserted if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant engaged in or acquiesced to wrongdoing, with the purpose of preventing the witness from testifying in any proceeding and the witness fails to appear (Sec. A).

• Establishes the Pretrial Witness Protection Services Fund in the Department of Public Safety for witness protection services (Sec. A).

• Authorizes the Department of Public Safety to authorize expenditures for law enforcement agencies to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of witnesses and victims whenever testimony from such a witness or victim would place the life of such person in jeopardy (Sec. A).

• Specifies that a person commits the offense of unlawful transfer of weapons if they knowingly sell, lease, loan, give away, or deliver any firearm to a person under the age of 18 years without the consent of the child’s custodial parent or guardian (Sec. A).

Full Bill Text