Victims' rights bills get House approval

The Alaska House of Representatives passed the last of five bills in a victims' rights package Wednesday and the measures now await action by the Senate.

The most recent to gain House approval, House Bill 349, is designed to promote honest testimony by criminal defendants.

"Alaska's current law prevents courts from challenging the credibility of defendants," said Rep. Ralph Samuels, R-Anchorage, the bill's sponsor. "This hinders the truth-finding process. the jury should know when a defendant takes the stand and changes their story."

The House earlier approved HB 348, sponsored by Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak/Mat-Su, which would require police and prosecutors to tell victims of crime about the Alaska Office of Victims Rights. The Legislature created the office in 2002, and Stoltze's bill addresses the belief that many victims are not aware of OVR's existence until after their case has gone through the justice system.

"It is time victims be given the same amount of attention as crime suspects," Stoltze said. "It is a proactive step."

Also part of the package is HB 397, sponsored by Rep. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, which would close a loophole in the current law requiring defense attorneys or defense investigators to get consent from the parents of minors whom they want to question, whether the interview is tape-recorded or not. Currently, parental consent is only required for interviews that are recorded.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Eagle River/Anchorage, HB 398, would allow municipalities throughout the state to create Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams. The teams would analyze facts surrounding domestic abuse fatalities in hopes information collected might aid in policy-making and help reduce domestic violence.

The final piece of the package, HB 357, sponsored by Rep. Samuels, requires criminals to pay restitution in all cases where a victim has suffered financial loss. Restitution currently is ordered at the discretion of the presiding judge.