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United States · Bill · SJRES

S.J.Res. 44 (105th)

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 April 1998

Last action

12 October 1998 · Committee

Status

By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-409. Additional and minority views filed.

Sponsors

Sen. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ], Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA], Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE], Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS], Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC], Sen. Torricelli, Robert G. [D-NJ], Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH], Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY], Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV], Sen. Gramm, Phil [R-TX], Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL], Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA], Sen. Cleland, Max [D-GA], Sen. Coverdell, Paul [R-GA], Sen. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID], Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI], Sen. Bryan, Richard H. [D-NV], Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME], Sen. Thomas, Craig [R-WY], Sen. Warner, John [R-VA], Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT], Sen. Allard, Wayne [R-CO], Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX], Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY], Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL], Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO], Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN], Sen. Faircloth, Lauch [R-NC], Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN], Sen. Smith, Bob [R-NH], Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH], Sen. Hagel, Chuck [R-NE], Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC], Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR], Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR], Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK], Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK], Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO], Sen. Grams, Rod [R-MN], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

Subjects

Rule of law

Source updated

10 August 2026

Rule of law

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of crimes of violence the right to: (1) reasonable notice of, and to not be excluded from, all public proceedings relating to the crime; (2) be heard, if present, and to submit a statement at all public proceedings to determine a release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence (grants such rights at a non-public parole proceeding to the extent they are afforded to the convicted offender); (3) reasonable notice of a release or escape from custody relating to the crime; (4) consideration for the interest of the victim in a trial free from unreasonable delay; (5) an order of restitution from the convicted offender; (6) consideration for the safety of the victim in determining any release from custody; and (7) reasonable notice of the rights established by this amendment. Grants the victim or the victim's representative standing to assert such rights. Provides that nothing in this amendment shall: (1) provide grounds for the victim to challenge a charging decision or a conviction, to overturn a sentence or negotiated plea, to obtain a stay of trial, or to compel a new trial; and (2) give rise to a claim for damages against the United States, a State, a political subdivision, or a public official. Empowers the Congress and the States to implement and enforce this amendment within their respective jurisdictions by appropriate legislation, including by enacting exceptions when necessary to achieve a compelling interest.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 1 April 1998

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 1 April 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 28 April 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-798.

    Source: Committee

  4. 24 June 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.

    Source: Committee

  5. 25 June 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 7 July 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 455.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 7 July 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  8. 7 July 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  9. 12 October 1998

    Floor

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-409. Additional and minority views filed.

    Source: Floor

  10. 12 October 1998

    Committee

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-409. Additional and minority views filed.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

6 official files

Reported to Senate (text)

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 7 July 1998

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 7 July 1998

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 7 July 1998

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 April 1998

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 April 1998

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 1 April 1998

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.

Sources

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