Public Act 100-0961 (HB5573) - Crime Victim Rights

• Expands crime victim statement rights in juvenile delinquency sentencing hearings to include cases where a juvenile is adjudicated delinquent for a violent crime after trial or pleads to a non-violent crime when originally charged with a violent crime.

• Adds new definitions to the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, including "support person," "status hearing," and expanded definitions of "sentence" and "sentencing" to include inpatient/outpatient treatment and conditional release following insanity findings.

• Requires crime victims be afforded opportunity to present written or oral statements at hearings for defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity, including determinations of need for inpatient or outpatient mental health services.

• Establishes procedures for victims' retained attorneys to assert victim rights, including standing to pursue appellate relief when trial courts deny victim rights, with prohibition on new trials as a remedy.

• Clarifies victim statement rights do not apply to defendants under 18 years old at time of offense in insanity proceedings, and adds severability clause to protect law if portions are deemed invalid.