DE SB17

Expands the definition of "crime" to include additional offenses and any offense that is the basis for abuse, domestic violence, or sexual violence protective orders, extending victim rights protections to more individuals

Creates a formal complaint process for victims and witnesses when law-enforcement agencies fail to comply with the Victims' Bill of Rights, with mandamus as the remedy for noncompliance

Establishes new victim rights including having a victim advocate present at all proceedings, receiving information about biological evidence status and preservation, submitting a separate victim impact statement at sentencing, and protection from polygraph requirements in sex offense cases

Requires the Department of Justice to create a website with victim and witness rights information in English and Spanish, accessible formats for individuals with disabilities, and mandates law-enforcement agencies to provide electronic notifications through a DELJIS-created email mechanism

Combines funeral and burial expenses into a single $7,500 pecuniary loss category for victim compensation, removes the $6 million cap requiring excess Victims' Compensation Fund balances to be deposited into the General Fund, and strengthens annual reporting requirements for law-enforcement agency compliance