An Act To Provide Electronic Notification To Victims Of Crimes

LD 981 allows victims of crimes to receive electronic notifications (via email, text, or app) instead of only written mail for key updates about criminal cases. It directly affects victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and crimes involving serious physical trauma or financial loss, requiring prosecutors and corrections to seek their consent for electronic notice. Key provisions mandate that electronic notices must include details like court hearing times, sentencing opportunities, and defendant release dates, with a new automated system to handle these notifications 24/7 in English and Spanish. The bill also allocates $575,000 for developing this system, which must provide access to community support resources.