SB 484 - Grand Jury Reform Summary

• Establishes a streamlined property-only investigatory grand jury process for specific crimes including corruption, medical assistance fraud, election law violations, bribery, money laundering, and human trafficking, requiring only a panel finding that investigation is necessary without the standard showing of exhausted normal investigative procedures.

• Extends the maximum initial investigatory grand jury investigation period from six months to nine months, with up to two extensions of six months each, and changes application deadlines from "within" to "not later than" specified days for findings and motions.

• Requires investigators to provide summoned witnesses with written notice of their rights including whether they are a target of the investigation, right to counsel, right to appointed counsel if indigent, and privilege against self-incrimination, and prohibits summoning targets who invoke privilege through counsel.

• Adds protections allowing witnesses to file motions to quash subpoenas without fees and establishing grounds for judges to quash or modify subpoenas, including when compliance would be unduly burdensome or the primary purpose is harassment.

• Mandates appointment of counsel at state expense for indigent persons summoned to grand jury proceedings and requires annual reporting to the Governor and General Assembly on applications filed and approved.