Plain English Breakdown
The effective date is missing from the provided source material; it may be determined later by executive action or statutory provisions.
Defending Immigrant Victims Act
This law requires police and prosecutors to give crime victims a new card explaining their rights regarding immigration relief.
What This Bill Does
- Requires law enforcement and prosecutors to tell victims about possible immigration relief options during initial contact or follow-up investigations.
- Mandates the creation of an 'Immigrant Victims Rights and Resources' card for distribution to crime victims.
- Includes information on how to consult an immigration attorney to help determine eligibility for legal help.
- Requires the Attorney General to design the new card by January 1, 2028.
- Ensures the card is available in English, Spanish, and other languages used for existing Marsy Rights cards.
Who It Names or Affects
- Crime victims who may be eligible for immigration relief
- Parents or guardians of minor crime victims
- Next of kin if a crime victim has died
- Local law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys
Terms To Know
- Immigration Relief
- Legal options that may allow certain non-citizens to stay in the country or change their status because they were victims of a crime.
- State-Mandated Local Program
- A new duty required by state law for local agencies, which may qualify them for reimbursement from the state budget if costs are determined.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not specify an effective date in the provided text.
- Reimbursement to local agencies depends on a future determination by the Commission on State Mandates regarding costs.
- The specific list of languages beyond English and Spanish will depend on current translations for Marsy Rights cards.