Bill > HB49

This bill establishes new protections for confidential testimony given during executive sessions of the Board of Pardons and Parole Committee, specifically focusing on testimony from victims or their family members. The legislation creates a new criminal offense of unlawfully posting recordings of these confidential testimonies, with potential penalties of up to $500 in fines, six months in jail, or both. The bill allows victims or their family members to testify in executive (closed) sessions and provides strict confidentiality procedures for such testimony. Only specific individuals, such as the defendant, their legal representative, the victim, or the victim's legal guardian, can request copies of these confidential testimonies, and even then, they must obtain a court order after meeting specific legal requirements. The testimony can only be viewed under a protective order that prevents copying or distributing the information, and any unauthorized disclosure is punishable by law. Notably, the bill is named "The Maggie Grace Act" and aims to protect victims' privacy and prevent potential harassment or unauthorized sharing of sensitive testimonial information during pardon or parole hearings.