Pennsylvania Act 2014-150 — CRIME VICTIMS ACT - REVICTIMIZATION RELIEF

Act text

Session of 2014

No. 2014-150

SB 508

AN ACT

Amending the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), entitled "An act providing for victims' rights; imposing penalties; establishing remedies; establishing the Office of Victim Advocate, the Bureau of Victims' Services, the Victims' Services Advisory Committee, the State Offender Supervision Fund and other funds; and making repeals," providing for revictimization relief.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act, is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 1304. Revictimization relief.

(a) Action.--In addition to any other right of action and any other remedy provided by law, a victim of a personal injury crime may bring a civil action against an offender in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain injunctive and other appropriate relief, including reasonable attorney fees and other costs associated with the litigation, for conduct which perpetuates the continuing effect of the crime on the victim.

(b) Redress on behalf of victim.--The district attorney of the county in which a personal injury crime took place or the Attorney General, after consulting with the district attorney, may institute a civil action against an offender for injunctive or other appropriate relief for conduct which perpetuates the continuing effect of the crime on the victim.

(c) Injunctive relief.--Upon a showing of cause for the issuance of injunctive relief, a court may issue special, preliminary, permanent or any other injunctive relief as may be appropriate under this section.

(d) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "conduct which perpetuates the continuing effect of the crime on the victim" includes conduct which causes a temporary or permanent state of mental anguish.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

APPROVED--The 22nd day of October, A.D. 2014.

TOM CORBETT