CHAPTER 7. VICTIM NOTIFICATION SERVICES
IC 11-8-7
Chapter 7. Victim Notification Services
IC 11-8-7-1
"Registered crime victim"
Sec. 1. As used in the chapter, "registered crime victim" refers to
a crime victim who registers to receive victim notification services
under section 2(a)(3) of this chapter if the department establishes an
automated victim notification system under this chapter.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.
IC 11-8-7-2
Automated victim notification system
Sec. 2. (a) The department may establish an automated victim
notification system that must do the following:
(1) Automatically notify a registered crime victim when a
committed offender who committed the crime against the
victim:
(A) is assigned to a:
(i) department facility; or
(ii) county jail or any other facility not operated by the
department;
(B) is transferred to a:
(i) department facility; or
(ii) county jail or any other facility not operated by the
department;
(C) is given a different security classification;
(D) is released on temporary leave;
(E) is discharged; or
(F) has escaped.
(2) Allow a registered crime victim to receive the most recent
status report for an offender by calling the automated victim
notification system on a toll free telephone number.
(3) Allow a crime victim to register or update the victim's
registration for the automated victim notification system by
calling a toll free telephone number.
(b) For purposes of subsection (a), if the department establishes
an automated victim notification system, a sheriff responsible for the
operation of a county jail shall immediately notify the department if
a committed offender:
(1) is transferred to another county jail or another facility not
operated by the department of correction;
(2) is released on temporary leave;
(3) is discharged; or
(4) has escaped.
Sheriffs and other law enforcement officers and prosecuting
attorneys shall cooperate with the department in establishing and
maintaining an automated victim notification system.
(c) An automated victim notification system may transmit
information to a person by:
(1) telephone;
(2) electronic mail; or
(3) another method as determined by the department.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.
IC 11-8-7-3
System update; cause of action not established
Sec. 3. (a) The department must ensure that the offender
information contained in an automated victim notification system is
updated frequently enough to timely notify a registered crime victim
that an offender has:
(1) been released;
(2) been discharged; or
(3) escaped.
(b) The failure of an automated victim notification system to
provide notice to the victim does not establish a separate cause of
action by the victim against:
(1) the state; or
(2) the department.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.
IC 11-8-7-4
Funding sources for system
Sec. 4. If the department establishes an automated victim
notification system under this chapter, the department, in cooperation
with the Indiana criminal justice institute:
(1) may use money in the victim and witness assistance fund
under IC 5-2-6-14(e); and
(2) shall seek:
(A) federal grants; and
(B) other funding.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.
IC 11-8-7-5
Rules
Sec. 5. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to
implement this chapter.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.