Marsy’s Law for Kentucky Constitutional Amendment Bill (SB175) Passes House Committee

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Media Contact: Rachel Bledsoe

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MARSY’S LAW FOR KENTUCKY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL (SB 175) PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE

Legislation that would allow Kentucky voters to add victims’ bill of rights to state constitution heads to House floor

Frankfort, Ky. (March 14, 2016) – This afternoon, Senate Bill 175—Marsy’s Law for Kentucky legislation—passed the House Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs with a unanimous vote of 7-0.

Marsy’s Law for Kentucky would give Kentucky voters the opportunity to incorporate a Victims’ Bill of Rights into the state constitution. Kentucky is one of only 18 states that offer no constitutional rights for crime victims.

“Kentucky is one important step closer to a criminal justice system that guarantees victims equal constitutional rights as the accused and convicted,” said Kristena Morse, State Director for Marsy’s Law for Kentucky. “Marsy’s Law is not about hindering anyone’s rights, it’s about ensuring equality and fairness in the courtroom. That is something all Kentuckians can get behind.”

In fact, a recent poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Analzone Liszt Grove Research found that 80 percent of voters in Kentucky said they would vote in favor of the amendment should it be placed on the ballot.

“I have been working with sexual assault victims and their families for years. These men and women have already suffered at the hands of their offenders, and in many cases, have continued to suffer due to our unfair criminal justice system,” said Eileen Recktenwald, Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. “Our legislators’ overwhelming support for Marsy’s Law gives us hope that crime victims across the Commonwealth will soon have equal standing in the courtroom someday soon.”

Doug Beloof, Law Professor at Lewis & Clark Law School and founder and former Executive Director of National Crime Victim Law Institute also spoke in support of the legislation. 

Senate Bill 175 now heads to the House floor where it will be voted on by the entire Kentucky House of Representatives. Upon passage in the House, Marsy’s Law for Kentucky will be on the ballot this November.

For more information on Marsy’s Law, please visit www.marsyslaw.us.

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