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May 2022 Legislative Updates

 




MOCADSV has recently done an excellent job of summarizing the legislative changes agreed on during the last session. The Omnibus Bill was passed with support from both party lines and included were several changes pertaining to sexual assault. 

Among these changes, highlights include: 

*The Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights was edited to be more concise in presenting victims their rights and expectations from all parties involved. 
*The "rape shield" law expanded to cover victims from being questioned on prior sexual activity throughout the entire judicial process of the assault proceedings. Before, this was just during the actual trial. 
*Improvements to keeping victim contact information and other personal information like employer information out of trial proceedings for an increase in victim privacy. 
*Changes will now allow video conference for civil court proceedings making legal proceedings potentially more comfortable for victims. 

All changes made during this session are scheduled to be implemented August 28th, 2022. 

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