Bill > SB249

This bill amends the Crime Victims Act to establish new guidelines for law enforcement agencies when releasing the identification of murder victims. Specifically, the bill requires law enforcement to make a reasonable effort to contact the surviving family members of a murder victim before publicly releasing their identification. There is an exception that allows law enforcement to release the victim's identification without notifying the family if doing so is necessary for the investigation of the murder. The term "direct victim" appears to refer to the person who was murdered, and "intervenor" likely means someone who was involved in the incident but was not the primary victim. The bill, which will take effect 60 days after passage, is named "Tara's Law," suggesting it was likely motivated by a specific case or tragedy involving a victim named Tara. The purpose seems to be to provide some measure of dignity and compassion to families by giving them the opportunity to be informed before their loved one's identity is made public and to protect the integrity of murder investigations.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=249