3924                                                      VETOES

FOR the purpose of adding a new subtitle "Crime Victims and
Witnesses" to the criminal code; establishing a crime victim
and witness bill of rights that provides guidelines for the
treatment of and assistance to crime victims and witnesses
that provide notice to victims and witnesses of certain
rights and proceedings and requires certain information,
assistance, and services to witnesses and victims of crime
under certain conditions; specifying that failure to enforce
this Act does not create a cause of action against certain
persons; providing for printing and distribution of the bill
of rights guidelines; defining certain terms; and generally
relating to rights treatment of and services for crime
victims and witnesses.

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 760, 761, 762, and 763 to be under the new title

"VI. Crime Victims and Witnesses"
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

PART VI. CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

760. DEFINITIONS.

(A)  IN THIS PART, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)  "CRIME" MEANS CONDUCT THAT IS A CRIME UNDER THE LAWS OF
THIS STATE OR FEDERAL LAW OR WOULD BE CONSIDERED A CRIME EXCEPT
FOR THE FACT THAT THE PERPETRATOR WAS FOUND TO BE NOT CRIMINALLY
RESPONSIBLE OR NOT COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL.

(C)  "CRIME VICTIM" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SUFFERS DIRECT
OR THREATENED PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, OR FINANCIAL HARM AS A RESULT
OF A CRIME OR ATTEMPTED CRIME AND INCLUDES FAMILY MEMBERS OF A
MINOR, INCOMPETENT, OR A HOMICIDE VICTIM.

(D)  (1) "DISPOSITION" MEANS THE SENTENCING OR DETERMINATION
OF PENALTY OR PUNISHMENT TO BE IMPOSED ON A PERSON CONVICTED OF A
CRIME OR AGAINST WHOM A FINDING OF SUFFICIENT FACTS FOR
CONVICTION IS MADE.

(2) "DISPOSITION" INCLUDES DISMISSAL OF CHARGES, OR
PLEA OF GUILTY TO A CRIME CHARGED IN ANOTHER INDICTMENT OR
ANOTHER ANY OTHER DISPOSITION UNDER A PLEA BARGAIN AGREEMENT.

(E) "FAMILY MEMBER" MEANS SPOUSE, CHILD, SIBLING, PARENT,
OR LEGAL GUARDIAN.