Bill Summary: HB 5494 - Crime Victims' Rights

• Requires probation officers to notify crime victims and victim advocates when a probationer is arrested for violating probation conditions, provided contact information has been provided.

• Mandates the Court Support Services Division establish policies requiring notification of victims when a probationer is arrested for violation of probation, and provide victims notice of the first hearing date after arraignment and information on victim notification systems.

• Permits victims to appear in court and make statements for the record regarding a defendant's alleged probation or conditional discharge violation, or submit written statements that become part of the record.

• Requires courts to consider any victim statement before determining whether a probation violation occurred.

• For identity theft cases (sections 53a-129c, 53a-129d, 53a-129e) where a defendant participates in accelerated rehabilitation, grants victims access to the victim's complaint and law enforcement agency reports concerning the offense.