IN SB0009

Defendants must be present in the courtroom while victims make impact statements at sentencing, unless the defendant presents a safety risk or causes significant disruption.

If a defendant fails to appear at sentencing and is later taken into custody, the court must hold a hearing upon the prosecutor's motion where victims can make statements in the defendant's presence.

Courts retain authority to sentence defendants who are absent from the courtroom, even with these new presence requirements.

Victims have the right to be heard at sentencing, postconviction release decisions, and pre-conviction release decisions under forensic diversion programs.

Effective date: July 1, 2026.