Victims’ rights bill passes Kentucky Senate, moves to House

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)- An amendment that would add a victims’ bill of rights to the state constitution has passed in the Kentucky Senate, and will now move to the Kentucky House.

Marsy’s Law passed with a 34-1 one vote in Frankfort.

The amendment would give victims of crime equal rights to those accused and convicted.

An advocacy group, Marsy’s Law for Kentucky, thanked legislators.

“It’s about leveling the playing field, and if passed, would guarantee victims’ rights like the right to have notice of court proceedings, the right to be present at court proceedings, the right to have a voice in the judicial process, among others,” the group’s director, Ashlea Christiansen, said in a statement.

According to the group, Kentucky is one of 14 states that does not have constitutional-level protections for victims of crime.