SCR 36: Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-04-29
Current Status:
Passed
(2025-04-29: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 45, Statutes of 2025.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
This resolution declares April 6 to April 12, 2025, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California, recognizing victims of crime and the people and agencies who help them. It highlights the theme “Kinship” and calls attention to improving services, information, and access to compensation for crime victims.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
This measure would recognize April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week.
This measure would recognize April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week.
This measure would recognize April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week.
WHEREAS, Violent crime continues to exist in California, and crime in one part of the state, or crime against one person, affects our entire sense of well-being; and
WHEREAS, Violent crime has been trending upward since 2014, with increases in 7 of the past 10 years and the states violent crime rate is up by 15.4 percent compared to 2019; and
WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by crime, not just the victims of violent crime; and
WHEREAS, The most effective aid that can be provided to victims of crime is to prevent crime from happening in the first place; and
WHEREAS, Since 1981, National Crime Victims Rights Week has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims; and
WHEREAS, This year, the theme for this week is Kinship which asks friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals how we can help crime victims; and
WHEREAS, This years theme of Kinship is a call-to-action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, Kinship is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections and increases access to services, rights, and healing. Kinship is where victim advocacy begins; and
WHEREAS, The respect for, and protection of, victims rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and effectively participate in, the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses; and
WHEREAS, Each day, thousands of victims and witnesses receive assistance from victim support organizations, victim-witness assistance centers, private service providers, and state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must persist in its effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services provided to victims and witnesses; and
WHEREAS, California has been an innovator in the victims rights movement with the establishment of the first shelters for battered women in the nation created by Womens Advocates and Haven House in Pasadena in 1964, the first crime victim compensation program in the nation in 1965, and the founding of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980 with the establishment of a chapter in Sacramento; and
WHEREAS, California citizens enshrined victims rights in the California Constitution in 1982 through the passage of Proposition 8, the Victims Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, California citizens reaffirmed and afforded additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the Victims Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsys Law; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims; and
WHEREAS, The remembrances observed during National Crime Victims Rights Week promote awareness of victims issues and acknowledge the combined efforts of citizens, the government, and the criminal justice system to improve victims services in California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes the week of April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Violent crime continues to exist in California, and crime in one part of the state, or crime against one person, affects our entire sense of well-being; and
WHEREAS, Violent crime has been trending upward since 2014, with increases in 7 of the past 10 years and the states violent crime rate is up by 15.4 percent compared to 2019; and
WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by crime, not just the victims of violent crime; and
WHEREAS, The most effective aid that can be provided to victims of crime is to prevent crime from happening in the first place; and
WHEREAS, Since 1981, National Crime Victims Rights Week has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims; and
WHEREAS, This year, the theme for this week is Kinship which asks friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals how we can help crime victims; and
WHEREAS, This years theme of Kinship is a call-to-action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, Kinship is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections and increases access to services, rights, and healing. Kinship is where victim advocacy begins; and
WHEREAS, The respect for, and protection of, victims rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and effectively participate in, the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses; and
WHEREAS, Each day, thousands of victims and witnesses receive assistance from victim support organizations, victim-witness assistance centers, private service providers, and state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must persist in its effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services provided to victims and witnesses; and
WHEREAS, California has been an innovator in the victims rights movement with the establishment of the first shelters for battered women in the nation created by Womens Advocates and Haven House in Pasadena in 1964, the first crime victim compensation program in the nation in 1965, and the founding of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980 with the establishment of a chapter in Sacramento; and
WHEREAS, California citizens enshrined victims rights in the California Constitution in 1982 through the passage of Proposition 8, the Victims Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, California citizens reaffirmed and afforded additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the Victims Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsys Law; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims; and
WHEREAS, The remembrances observed during National Crime Victims Rights Week promote awareness of victims issues and acknowledge the combined efforts of citizens, the government, and the criminal justice system to improve victims services in California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes the week of April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Violent crime continues to exist in California, and crime in one part of the state, or crime against one person, affects our entire sense of well-being; and
WHEREAS, Violent crime has been trending upward since 2014, with increases in 7 of the past 10 years and the states violent crime rate is up by 15.4 percent compared to 2019; and
WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by crime, not just the victims of violent crime; and
WHEREAS, The most effective aid that can be provided to victims of crime is to prevent crime from happening in the first place; and
WHEREAS, Since 1981, National Crime Victims Rights Week has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims; and
WHEREAS, This year, the theme for this week is Kinship which asks friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals how we can help crime victims; and
WHEREAS, This years theme of Kinship is a call-to-action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, Kinship is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections and increases access to services, rights, and healing. Kinship is where victim advocacy begins; and
WHEREAS, The respect for, and protection of, victims rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and effectively participate in, the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses; and
WHEREAS, Each day, thousands of victims and witnesses receive assistance from victim support organizations, victim-witness assistance centers, private service providers, and state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must persist in its effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services provided to victims and witnesses; and
WHEREAS, California has been an innovator in the victims rights movement with the establishment of the first shelters for battered women in the nation created by Womens Advocates and Haven House in Pasadena in 1964, the first crime victim compensation program in the nation in 1965, and the founding of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980 with the establishment of a chapter in Sacramento; and
WHEREAS, California citizens enshrined victims rights in the California Constitution in 1982 through the passage of Proposition 8, the Victims Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, California citizens reaffirmed and afforded additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the Victims Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsys Law; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims; and
WHEREAS, The remembrances observed during National Crime Victims Rights Week promote awareness of victims issues and acknowledge the combined efforts of citizens, the government, and the criminal justice system to improve victims services in California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes the week of April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims Rights Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2025 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 45, Statutes of 2025. |
| Apr 29, 2025 | Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State at 2 p.m. |
| Apr 24, 2025 | In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 1282.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Apr 21, 2025 | From committee: Be adopted. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 21). |
| Apr 7, 2025 | Referred to Com. on RLS. |
| Apr 3, 2025 | In Assembly. Held at Desk. |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 641.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Mar 19, 2025 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| Mar 10, 2025 | Introduced. Referred to Com. on RLS. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2025 | SCR 36 Seyarto Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 21, 2025 | Be adopted. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Rules |
Passed |
|
| Apr 3, 2025 | Senate 3rd Reading SCR36 Seyarto et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
Date of Hearing: April 21, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
, Chair
SBPCA Bill Id:
Author:() – As Ver:March 10, 2025
SENATE VOTE: 39-0
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY: Recognizes the week of April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in California. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Violent crime continues to exist in California, and crime in one part of the state, or crime against one person, affects our entire sense of well-being.
- All Californians are affected by crime, not just the victims of violent crime. The most effective aid that can be provided to victims of crime is to prevent crime from happening in the first place.
- Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims.
- This year, the theme for this week is “Kinship,” which asks friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals how we can help crime victims. This year’s theme is a call-to-action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime.
- California citizens enshrined victims’ rights in the California Constitution in 1982 through the passage of Proposition 8, the Victims’ Bill of Rights. California citizens reaffirmed and afforded additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law.
- Each year, the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims.
- The remembrances observed during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week promote awareness of victims’ issues and acknowledge the combined efforts of citizens, the government, and the criminal justice system to improve victims’ services in California.
FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SCR 36 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 36
Author: Seyarto (R), et al.
Introduced: 3/10/25
Vote: 21
SUBJECT: Crime Victims’ Rights Week
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This resolution recognizes April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Violent crime continues to exist in California, and crime in one part of the state, or crime against one person, affects our entire sense of well-being.
- The respect for, and protection of, victims’ rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system.
- Victims and witnesses of crime require special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and effectively participate in, the criminal justice system.
- California citizens reaffirmed and afforded additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law.
- Each year, the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims.
- The remembrances observed during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week promote awareness of victims’ issues and acknowledge the combined efforts of citizens, the government, and the criminal justice system to improve victims’ services in California.
This resolution recognizes the week of April 6, 2025, to April 12, 2025, inclusive, as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in California.
Related/Prior Legislation
SCR 128 (Seyarto, Resolution Chapter 80, Statutes of 2024).
ACR 123 (Seyarto, Resolution Chapter 65, Statutes of 2022).
SR 24 (Umberg, 2021) – Adopted in the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 3/19/25)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/19/25)
None received
Prepared by: Sofia Pachon-Mendez / SFA / (916) 651-1520
3/19/25 15:14:26
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