Assembly passes AB 1656 to add human trafficking to “good cause” continuances The California State Assembly passed AB 1656 on Jan. 20, 2026, by a recorded floor vote of 58–0. Sponsor Assemblymember Davies said the bill would expand the definition of "good cause" for continuances to include human trafficking, preserving continuity of counsel for survivors.

The California State Assembly just passed a groundbreaking bill to protect survivors of human trafficking, ensuring they have the support they need in court.

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#CA #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalJusticeReform

Committee clarifies felony for obstructing medical or forensic care in sexual‑assault cases; adds explicit protection for coerced victims A strike‑and‑insert to House Bill 5484 was amended to clarify that victims coerced into illegal acts are not to be criminally liable; sponsors said the bill targets traffickers and abusers who prevent victims from receiving forensic or medical care.

A new bill aims to protect victims of trafficking and abuse from criminal liability while targeting those who obstruct their access to vital medical care.

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#WV #CivicAccountability #WestVirginiaVictims #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

Senator from Newton leads passage of bill allowing dissolution while pregnant in cases of violence The Senate approved a House committee substitute that allows a person to seek dissolution of marriage during pregnancy in cases involving violence, with the sponsor saying it prevents pressure to seek abortion. The bill passed by constitutional majority (29-0).

Missouri's Senate has taken a historic step by passing a bill that empowers victims of domestic violence to seek divorce during pregnancy, ensuring safety without the pressure of making urgent decisions.

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#MO #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #LegalRights #BipartisanSupport

Senate unanimously passes strengthened domestic‑violence and injunctions bill After sponsor remarks and survivor testimony in the gallery, the Senate accepted a House substitute for HB 277 that expands monitoring and penalties for repeat domestic‑violence offenses and authorizes electronic‑monitoring pilots; the bill passed 37‑0.

The Florida Senate has taken a bold step to protect domestic violence victims by unanimously passing a groundbreaking bill that enhances monitoring and penalties for offenders.

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#FL #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #LawEnforcementTools #PublicSafety

Senate advances protective-order reforms, delays effective date to 2027 Legislators amended SB 304 to allow courts to sanction falsified protective-order applications and changed the bill's effective date from May 6, 2026 to May 6, 2027; after a recall and substitution process the Senate approved a second substitute and sent it to the House.

Senate Bill 304 is set to transform the protective-order process in Utah, aiming to prevent abuse while ensuring genuine victims receive the support they need.

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#UT #LegalReform #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #SystemAccountability

Senate unanimously passes bill expanding penalties for clergy who exploit spiritual authority SB542, expanding the criminal code to permit prosecution of clergy who use spiritual authority to commit sexual misconduct against adults, passed the Senate unanimously (55–0) after supporters described gaps in existing law and urged protections for victims.

Georgia's Senate just passed a groundbreaking bill that holds clergy accountable for exploiting their spiritual authority to commit sexual misconduct against adults.

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#GA #CivicAccountability #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #GeorgiaClergy

Committee unanimously backs lifetime injunctions for aggravated harassment tied to domestic violence SB 12‑11 would allow victims to request lifetime injunctions when aggravated harassment involves domestic violence. Survivor advocates testified about victims forced to repeatedly renew orders; the committee returned the bill with a unanimous 9–0 recommendation.

A groundbreaking bill could provide lifetime protection for domestic violence survivors, sparing them from the trauma of repeated court appearances.

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#AZ #CivicAccountability #LegislativeReform #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #ArizonaDomesticViolence

House unanimously backs domestic‑violence overhaul after survivor testimony and tougher penalties CS/CS/HB 277, a broad package of domestic‑violence reforms including penalty enhancements, a GPS monitoring pilot, stronger military‑civilian protections and increased victim relocation assistance, passed the Florida House unanimously after survivor testimony and several adopted amendments.

In a historic move, the Florida House unanimously passed a transformative domestic violence bill that strengthens penalties and protections for survivors, paving the way for a safer future.

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#FL #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #CriminalJusticeReform #GPSMonitoring

Senate substitutes and advances bill to curb nonconsensual AI intimate imagery and require provenance data A substituted AI bill dubbed the Digital Voyeurism Prevention Act would ban nonconsensual AI-generated intimate images, require provenance metadata, and create civil remedies; the Senate substituted and later passed the measure under suspension after a fiscal-note adjustment.

Utah's Senate just took a bold step against digital voyeurism by advancing a bill that bans nonconsensual AI-generated intimate images, giving victims a powerful tool for protection.

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#UT #AIEthics #VictimProtection #LocalGovAI #DigitalVoyeurism

State prosecutors urge overhaul of New York's white-collar fraud statutes in hearing Prosecutors, attorneys general and district attorneys told a joint Senate hearing New York's scheme-to-defraud and related statutes are outdated and hinder prosecutions of modern, large-scale frauds; witnesses urged the "Scam Act," grand-jury reforms and new felony tiers tied to victims and scale.

Senator Myrie is leading the charge to modernize New York's outdated white-collar crime laws, arguing that current statutes are failing to hold sophisticated fraudsters accountable.

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#NY #LegalAccountability #NewYorkFraud #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #WhiteCollarCrimeReform

Committee moves to seal some frivolous protection‑order records amid fairness concerns HB 1108 would allow courts to seal protection‑order petitions that were never served or that a judge found frivolous or abusive; sponsors and the Unified Judicial System said sealing will prevent misuse and protect individuals from lingering public allegations.

A new bill aims to protect individuals from the lasting damage of frivolous protection-order petitions by allowing courts to seal records deemed abusive or unsubstantiated.

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#SD #JudicialFairness #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #SouthDakotaProtectionOrders

Committee backs narrow clemency publication exemption for verified survivors HB 1300 would let verified survivors of human trafficking or domestic abuse request that clemency‑publication requirements be waived to protect safety; survivors and advocates described digital publication risks and the committee advanced the bill unanimously.

A groundbreaking bill in South Dakota aims to protect survivors of human trafficking by allowing them to request exemptions from dangerous public notification requirements.

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#SD #SouthDakotaSurvivors #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #DigitalPrivacy #HumanTrafficking

Attorney general bill targets nonconsensual sexually explicit 'deepfakes'; committee advances it Senate Bill 41, introduced by the attorney general to criminalize creation and distribution of digitally fabricated sexual images of identifiable adults, passed the House Judiciary Committee 8–3 after proponents cited harms from deepfakes and opponents warned subsection for AI content may be overly broad.

South Dakota's Attorney General is pushing a bold new bill to make creating nonconsensual deepfake sexual images a felony, igniting a heated debate over privacy and AI ethics.

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#SD #AIEthics #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #DigitalPrivacy #SouthDakotaLaw

Senate committee approves bill to extend reciprocal discovery to misdemeanors, sparking talks with defense bar SB202 would require reciprocal discovery in misdemeanor prosecutions when defendants opt in and expand prosecutors' disclosure obligations; the committee passed it unanimously while defense groups asked to continue talks to refine timelines and operational details.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously advanced a groundbreaking bill that reshapes misdemeanor prosecutions, bringing them in line with felony procedures and sparking vital discussions with defense advocates.

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#GA #GeorgiaMisdemeanors #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal

Committee approves pilot for GPS monitoring, expands penalties for injunction violations A committee advanced PCS for CSHB 277 to pilot GPS electronic monitoring and victim communication in Pinellas County, increase penalties for repeat injunction violators and broaden protections for victims; survivors and law‑enforcement groups urged passage.

A groundbreaking bill in Florida is set to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims with GPS monitoring and enhanced support, but will it be enough to save lives?

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#FL #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PinellasCounty #LawEnforcement #DomesticViolence

Proposal to double Nebraska minimum auto liability limits sparks insurer pushback Senator Ashley Spivey proposed raising minimum auto liability limits to better match vehicle and medical costs; trial attorneys supported the change to protect accident victims while insurers warned of higher premiums and potential increases in uninsured drivers.

Senator Ashley Spivey's bold proposal to double Nebraska's minimum auto liability limits is igniting a fierce debate over victim protection versus rising insurance costs.

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#NE #InsuranceReform #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #FinancialRisk

Senate committee advances bill to license exotic entertainers and expand inspections to combat trafficking The Senate Public Safety Committee passed SB 1284 after extensive questioning about fees, penalties and safeguards; sponsors and ABLE Commission officials said the measure aims to identify trafficking victims and regulate previously unregistered exotic-entertainment venues.

Oklahoma's Senate just took a crucial step in the fight against human trafficking by advancing a bill that aims to license exotic entertainers and enhance venue inspections.

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#OK #CivicAccountability #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

Bill advances to bar convicted defendants from leaving county jail on bond until sentencing SB 358 would require immediate revocation or modification of bond when a defendant is convicted at trial, so the person is held without bond in the county jail until sentencing; sponsor described the bill as closing a loophole exposed in a recent Riley County case and said victims and local prosecutors supported the change.

A new bill aims to ensure that convicted defendants can't walk free after trial, closing a dangerous loophole that puts victims at risk.

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#KS #LegislativeReform #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #KansasVictims #CriminalJustice

Committee advances three measures targeting doxing and nonconsensual image dissemination The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted to advance bills criminalizing malicious doxing, narrowing liability for officials who publish public information, and expanding protections against nonconsensual dissemination of intimate images, with amendments adopted to preserve routine official duties.

New Hampshire takes a stand against online harassment with new bills targeting doxing and nonconsensual image sharing, aiming to protect victims and preserve public safety.

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#NH #CivicAccountability #NewHampshirePublicSafety #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #DigitalHarm

Senate committee hears victims urge mandatory DOC supervision for stalking convictions Witnesses and the bill sponsor told the Senate Human Services Committee HB 2510 would close a supervision gap by requiring the Department of Corrections to supervise anyone sentenced to community custody for stalking, regardless of how the case proceeded, arguing the change improves victim safety.

A new bill aims to close a critical safety gap for stalking survivors by mandating Department of Corrections supervision for all offenders, ensuring victims are protected regardless of their case's path.

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#WA #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalJusticeReform

Panelists split over whether to add a guideline reduction for pre‑sentencing rehabilitation Defenders, practitioners and some advisory groups favored recognizing and incentivizing documented pre‑sentencing rehabilitation; DOJ and victims' groups warned of uneven access, anchoring effects, and risk of diminished victim interests. Commissioners asked for data and careful drafting to avoid double counting with §3553(a) variances.

A heated debate is unfolding over proposed guideline reductions for pre-sentencing rehabilitation, with advocates pushing for fairness while critics warn of potential risks and disparities.

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#US #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #VictimProtection #EquityInRehabilitation

Panel advances bill barring early termination of probation for dangerous crimes against children amid fierce testimony HB 29‑66, which would prohibit courts from shortening probation for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children, drew extensive victim and survivor testimony and was given a do‑pass recommendation after members debated retroactivity, judicial discretion, and resource implications.

A controversial bill aimed at preventing early termination of probation for dangerous crimes against children has sparked intense debate, revealing deep divisions over victim protection and judicial discretion.

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#AZ #JudicialDiscretion #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal

Committee backs bill to limit polygraph use on sexual‑assault victims The committee voted to send HB89 to the floor after testimony from law‑enforcement veterans and prosecutors that polygraphs can produce trauma responses that mimic deception. Supporters said the bill protects victims and clarifies that polygraph results should not be used to advance charges when admissible evidence is lacking.

A new bill in Utah seeks to limit polygraph tests on sexual assault victims, aiming to protect them from trauma-induced inaccuracies in investigations.

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#UT #TraumaInformed #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #CriminalJusticeReform

Committee advances bipartisan bill to update parole board procedures The committee gave SB43 a do‑pass recommendation to update the adult parole statute for people serving life sentences, add evidence‑based factors, authorize per diems for closed hearings and protect victim scheduling; sponsor said the governor intends to sign the revised bill.

A bipartisan bill making significant updates to New Mexico's adult parole board procedures has just cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressing crucial victim protections and evidence-based decision-making.

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#NM #LegislativeReform #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal

Committee advances bill requiring full service of sentences for trafficking offenses SB 12-60 would require child and human traffickers to serve their full sentences (no earned credits); the sponsor framed it as prioritizing victims and the measure passed committee 6-2 after questions about Department of Corrections consultation and disciplinary consequences.

Senator Hines' groundbreaking bill SB 12-60 demands that child and human traffickers serve their full sentences, prioritizing victims and sparking intense debate in the committee.

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#OK #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #HumanTraffickingAwareness #CriminalJusticeReform

Judge sentences Michelle Cormier to 5 years for possession, defers manslaughter adjudication and places her on 10‑year probation After remorseful testimony and competing arguments from defense and the victim’s family, the court sentenced Michelle Cormier to five years in the institutional division on a possession conviction and deferred adjudication on an enhanced manslaughter count, imposing 10 years of probation with strict zero‑tolerance conditions.

In a tense courtroom showdown, Michelle Cormier received a five-year sentence for possession while being granted a second chance with a deferred manslaughter adjudication and strict probation conditions.

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#TX #TexasCourts #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #ProbationRehabilitation

A new bill in Nebraska aims to require those under domestic violence protection orders to surrender firearms within 48 hours, sparking intense debate over safety and implementation challenges.

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#NE #GunControl #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

USSC proposes restructuring 2B1.1 loss table and new enhancements for non-economic victim harm The Commission's proposal would restructure loss-table ranges in section 2B1.1 and add bracketed specific-offense characteristics, including a potential +2/ +3/ +4 enhancement for substantial non-economic harm; Commission presented victim-harm data and proposed guidance on the sophisticated-means enhancement.

Major changes are coming to the US Sentencing Commission's economic crime guidelines, potentially reshaping how we address non-economic harms to victims.

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#US #LegalReform #EconomicCrime #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #UnitedStatesSentencingCommission

Bill to limit repeated trials for misdemeanor victims advances to further review HB 15‑47 would require defendants to elect a jury appeal early for certain misdemeanors to avoid victims testifying twice; sponsors cite trauma and fairness, opponents cite cost and court logistics; committee voted interim study to collect implementation data.

A new bill in New Hampshire could change the way misdemeanor trials are handled, aiming to protect victims from reliving their trauma while stirring debate over costs and court logistics.

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#NH #NewHampshireVictims #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #BipartisanLegislation

Judiciary committee unanimously backs amendment clarifying Utah registry obligations for out-of-state offenders The House Judiciary Committee unanimously adopted and recommended a substitute to HB 123 that clarifies that people who move to Utah must comply with Utah’s offender-registry requirements even if their prior state did not require registration; supporters said it remedies judicial misinterpretation, while opponents questioned the scale of the problem.

Utah's House Judiciary Committee has unanimously backed a crucial amendment to clarify offender-registry rules for newcomers, aiming to enhance public safety and eliminate judicial ambiguity.

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#UT #VictimProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JudicialClarity