3660

VETOES

This bill allows certain crime victims or certain other
persons to address the sentencing judge or jury before the
imposition of a sentence, allows limited cross-examination by a
defendant, and prohibits the coercion of victims by certain
persons.

House Bill 778, which was passed by the General Assembly and
signed by me on April 29, 1986, accomplishes the same purpose.
Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 311.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 311

AN ACT concerning

Victim's or Representative's Right to Address
Sentencing Judge or Jury

FOR the purpose of entitling allowing certain crime victims or
certain other persons to address the sentencing judge or
jury before the imposition of a sentence under certain

circumstances; authorizing the judge to disallow oral

presentations under certain circumstances; allowing limited
cross-examination by a defendant; prohibiting the coersion
of victims by certain persons; providing that the exercise
or failure to exercise provisions of this Act may not be
grounds for an appeal of or for a court to take certain
actions on a sentence; and generally relating to a victim's
or representative's right to address the sentencing judge or
jury.

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 643D

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Replacement Volume and 1985 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

643D.

(A) IN EVERY CASE IN WHICH A VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT IS
REQUIRED BY ARTICLE 41, SECTION 124 OF THE CODE, RESULTING IN
SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH, THE VICTIM OR A MEMBER OF THE
VICTIM'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY, OR IF THE VICTIM IS DECEASED, UNDER A