Bill Carrying Out Approved Victims’ Rights Amendment OK’d

The General Assembly has agreed to legislation that carries out a new amendment to North Carolina’s constitution expanding rights of crime victims.

The Senate agreed unanimously on Wednesday to changes made by the House in the measure, which provides details to implement the amendment also known as “Marsy’s Law.”

Last year, voters approved the amendment that gives crime victims a right to updates on court proceedings and to be notified if the person accused of the crime is released from custody. This year’s measure lays out which additional crimes trigger those rights and the process by which a victim can assert those rights.

While putting the proposed amendment on the ballot wasn’t subject to the gubernatorial veto, the implementing legislation does go to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk.