The bill which puts victims’ rights into practice is headed to the Governor for his consideration. Advocates for Marsy’s Law, the state constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2018 for victims’ rights, are praising lawmakers for working on the issue.
House Bill 1102 is the vehicle to put the stronger set of victims’ rights into statute.
“Voters gave crime victims a big victory in 2018 when they passed Marsy’s Law,” said Sheri Farmer, founder of the Oklahoma Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children. “It was always up to lawmakers, however, to ensure those new rights were enforced and respected. Our elected officials rose to that challenge this year by passing HB 1102.”
Lauren Layman, president of the Oklahoma Homicide Survivors Support Group, agreed.
“HB 1102 is the next step in our long struggle to ensure every victim is treated fairly. My thanks go out to legislators for working on this important legislation that will ensure we properly implement Marsy’s Law,” said Layman.
Marsy’s Law for Oklahoma State Director Kim Moyer said work will continue after the governor signs the legislation.
“This bill is an important step forward as we work to ensure that all victims of crime in Oklahoma are treated with dignity and respect throughout the criminal justice process,” said Moyer. “Now the real work begins, as judges, court clerks, prosecutors, public defenders and law enforcement officers work to make sure that these new constitutional rights for victims are respected and adhered to in all cases going forward.”
