HB4753 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 37094 RLC 67212 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4753

Introduced 2/6/2024, by Rep. Kam Buckner

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
20 ILCS 3930/7	from Ch. 38, par. 210-7

Creates the Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act. Provides for the review of the case file of open unresolved murders. Defines "open unresolved murder" as any criminal activity in which death occurred more than 3 years prior to the date of the application for review of the case file under the Act, for which all probative investigative leads have been exhausted, and for which no likely perpetrator has been identified. Provides that the person or persons performing the review shall not have previously investigated the murder. Provides that only one case review shall be undertaken at any one time with respect to the same murder victim. Provides that each law enforcement agency shall develop a written application to be used for persons to request a case file review. Provides that the applicable agency shall conduct a full reinvestigation of the murder if the review of the case file concludes that a full reinvestigation of the murder would result in probative investigative leads. Provides for the compilation and publication of specified information and statistics regarding open unresolved murders by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Provides that each law enforcement agency shall employ or designate a minimum number of family liaison officers proportionate to the average number of homicides in the agency's jurisdiction within the previous 5 years of the date of employment with the maximum ratio of 40 homicides per each family liaison officer employed. Each agency may establish a lower ratio for hiring of family liaison officers. Establishes the duties and training for family liaison officers. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act to make conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning homicide victims.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Agency" means a law enforcement entity of this State or a unit of local government that is vested by law or ordinance with the duty to maintain public order and to enforce criminal laws or ordinances.

"Applicable agency" means a law enforcement agency that is investigating or has investigated the murder of the victim.

"Open unresolved murder" means any criminal activity in which death occurred more than 3 years prior to the date of the application under subsection (a) of Section 10, for which all probative investigative leads have been exhausted, and for which no likely perpetrator has been identified.

"Designated person" means (i) an immediate family member or (ii) a similarly situated person as the Attorney General shall by rule define.

"Immediate family member" means a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, sibling, spouse, child, stepchild, foster parent, or guardian of a murder victim.

"Victim" means the victim of a murder.

Section 10. Case file review.

(a) An applicable agency shall review the case file regarding an open unresolved murder upon written application by a designated person to determine if a full reinvestigation would result in probative investigative leads.

(b) The case file review shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) an analysis of what investigative steps or follow-up steps may have been missed in the initial investigation;

(2) an assessment of whether witnesses should be interviewed or re-interviewed;

(3) an examination of physical evidence to see if all appropriate forensic testing and analysis was performed in the first instance or if additional testing might produce information relevant to the investigation; and

(4) a modernization of the file to bring it up to current investigative standards to the extent it would help develop probative leads.

(c) The person or persons performing the review required by subsection (a) shall not have previously investigated the murder. This subsection (c) does not apply to law enforcement agencies located in counties or municipalities that have less than 35,000 inhabitants.

(d) The applicable agency shall confirm in writing receipt of a request made under subsection (a).

(e) Only one case review shall be undertaken at any one time with respect to the same open unresolved murder victim.

(f) No later than 6 months after the receipt of the written application submitted pursuant to subsection (a), the applicable agency shall conclude its case file review and reach a conclusion whether a full reinvestigation under Section 25 is warranted.

(g) The applicable agency may extend the limit in subsection (f) for periods not to exceed 6 months if the agency makes a finding that the number of case files to be reviewed make it impracticable to comply with said limit without unreasonably taking resources from other law enforcement activities.

For cases for which the time limit in subsection (f) is extended, the applicable agency shall provide notice and an explanation of its reasoning to the designated person who filed the written application under this Section.

Section 15. Application. Each agency shall develop a written application to be used for designated persons to request a case file review under Section 10.

Section 20. Notice. Each agency shall provide notice of the rights under this Act to designated persons as soon as is practicable after being made aware of a murder.

Section 25. Full reinvestigation.

(a) The applicable agency shall conduct a full reinvestigation of the open unresolved murder if the review of the case file required by Section 10 concludes that a full reinvestigation of the open unresolved murder would result in probative investigative leads.

(b) A full reinvestigation shall include analyzing all evidence regarding the open unresolved murder at issue for the purpose of developing probative investigative leads as to the perpetrator.

(c) The person or persons performing the full reinvestigation required by subsection (a) shall not have previously investigated the murder, except for the case file review pursuant to Section 10.

(d) Only one full reinvestigation shall be undertaken at any one time with respect to the same open unresolved murder victim.

Section 30. Consultation and updates.

(a) The applicable agency shall consult with the designated person who filed the written application under Section 10 and provide him or her with periodic updates during the case file review and full reinvestigation.

(b) The applicable agency shall meet with the designated person and discuss the evidence to explain to the designated person who filed the written application under Section 10 its decision whether to engage in the full reinvestigation provided for under Section 25 at the conclusion of the case file review.

Section 35. Subsequent reviews.

(a) If a case file review is completed and a conclusion is reached not to conduct a full reinvestigation, no additional case file review shall be undertaken for a period of 5 years, unless there is newly discovered, materially significant evidence.

(b) If a full reinvestigation is done and a suspect is not identified at its conclusion, no additional case file review or full reinvestigation shall be undertaken for a period of 5 years, unless there is newly discovered, materially significant new evidence.

Section 36. Family liaison officers.

(a) Each agency shall employ or designate a minimum number of family liaison officers proportionate to the average number of homicides in the agency's jurisdiction within the previous 5 years of the date of employment with the maximum ratio of 40 homicides per each family liaison officer employed. Each agency may establish a lower ratio for hiring of family liaison officers.

(b) The primary purpose of a family liaison officer is that of an investigator. A family liaison officer's role is to gather evidence and information from the family to contribute to the investigation and preserve its integrity. The family liaison officer shall also provide support and information, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, securing confidence and trust of families of victims of crime (primarily homicide), road fatality, mass disaster, or other critical incident, ensuring family members are given timely information in accordance with the needs of the investigation.

(c) The family liaison officer shall:

(1) establish and maintain a supportive and ethical relationship with the family, building trust, in line with local and national guidance to gathering information and evidence;

(2) act as a single point of contact between families and investigation teams when a homicide occurs to enable information to be shared which may assist in the investigation;

(3) collect best evidence to enable identification of a reported missing person (high risk of criminality or vulnerability) or identify the deceased, and consider potential future viewing requirements and postmortem with the family to further the investigation;

(4) provide information regarding additional services available for families, including providing information about open unresolved murders to support agencies, and explain criminal justice and coroner's procedures, so that they can access all available services and support;

(5) contact the family at least once every 30 days for the first 6 months the case is open then once per quarter until the case becomes inactive. The family liaison officer shall work closely with the lead investigator to obtain substantive updates on the case prior to contacting the family. The lead investigator has discretion over any information shared with the family and shall communicate with the family liaison accordingly. If the family liaison officer is contacted by the family regarding an open case at any time, the family liaison officer shall return the call within 5 business days with all relevant information regarding a police investigation, in line with the strategy of the chief investigating officer or lead investigator so that they are informed of progress;

(6) obtain victimology and family personal statements and any other material to enable the gathering of evidence and to support the investigative process;

(7) document any requests or complaints, or both, made by the family, to be forwarded for the consideration of the chief investigating officer or lead investigator;

(8) record all contact with the family to ensure compliance with this Act, the Criminal Identification Act, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act, the Missing Children Records Act, the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, and the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act to maintain the integrity of the investigation;

(9) liaise between families and the coroner or medical examiner and chief investigating officer or lead investigator in relation to the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act; and

(10) track the case files required in Section 10, the date of review of the case file, confirm the receipt of the request of the case file, provide notice to the family if an extension of review has been made, and consult with the family on the investigation of the case.

(d) A family liaison officer may not be assigned to work patrol or attached to other special units while designated as a family liaison officer.

(e) The training of all family liaison officers shall include instruction on victim-centered, trauma-informed investigation as established by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.

(f) Except in emergencies or other exigent circumstances, a family liaison officer shall exclusively investigate homicide cases.

Section 40. Data collection; annual report.

(a) Beginning 3 years after the effective date of this Act, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority annually shall publish statistics regarding the number of open unresolved murders. The statistics published under this subsection at a minimum shall be broken down by the degree of murder, the type of weapon used in the murder, the location of the murder and by agency, in addition to the criteria set forth in subsection (b).

(b) Each applicable agency annually shall submit data to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority regarding the open unresolved murders within its jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, the number of requests received under subsection (a) of Section 10, the number of extensions granted and an explanation of reasons provided under subsection (g) of Section 10, the number of full reinvestigations initiated and closed under Section 25, and the number of suspects identified, arrested, charged, and convicted for each open unresolved murder investigated by the applicable agency under this Act during the year reported. The data shall also include what cases are being solved and which cases are not being solved, identifying the age, race, and ethnicity of the victim whose case is being solved and not being solved and the cases that are being solved by exceptional means.

(c) The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor compiling the information received by the Authority under subsection (b).

Section 45. Procedures to promote compliance.

(a) Not later than one year after the effective date of this Act, the head of each agency shall adopt rules to enforce the rights of designated persons and to ensure compliance by responsible officials with the obligations described in this Act.

(b) The rules adopted under subsection (a) shall:

(1) designate an administrative authority within the agency to receive and investigate complaints relating to the provision or violation of the rights of designated persons;

(2) require a course of training for employees of the agency regarding the rights provided under this Act;

(3) contain disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or termination from employment, for employees of the agency who willfully or wantonly fail to comply with this Act;

(4) establish a process for investigations into the conduct of persons no longer employed by a law enforcement agency when a complaint is filed and a process for referrals for prosecution to the appropriate State's Attorney; and

(5) provide that the head of the agency, or the designee of the head of the agency, shall be the final arbiter of the complaint, and that there shall be no judicial review of the final decision of the head of the agency by a complainant.

Section 50. Withholding information. Nothing in this Act shall require an agency to provide information that would endanger the safety of any person, unreasonably impede an ongoing investigation, violate a court order, or violate legal obligations regarding privacy.

Section 55. Multiple agencies.

(a) If there is more than one possible applicable agency, each applicable agency shall coordinate its case file review or full reinvestigation such that there is only one joint case file review or full reinvestigation occurring at a time in compliance with subsection (e) of Section 10 or subsection (d) of Section 25, as applicable.

(b) If an immediate family member believes there was bias demonstrated in the handling of the initial case, any case file review, or any full reinvestigation by any of the possible applicable agencies, the family member may communicate that concern to the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall review the allegations made by the immediate family member to determine whether, in the interest of justice, another law enforcement agency should conduct the case file review or the full reinvestigation, as applicable.

Section 60. Applicability. This Act applies to murders occurring on or after January 1, 1970.

Section 100. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act is amended by changing Section 7 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3930/7) (from Ch. 38, par. 210-7)

Sec. 7. Powers and duties. The Authority shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:

(a) To develop and operate comprehensive information systems for the improvement and coordination of all aspects of law enforcement, prosecution, and corrections;

(b) To define, develop, evaluate, and correlate State and local programs and projects associated with the improvement of law enforcement and the administration of criminal justice;

(c) To act as a central repository and clearing house for federal, state, and local research studies, plans, projects, proposals, and other information relating to all aspects of criminal justice system improvement and to encourage educational programs for citizen support of State and local efforts to make such improvements;

(d) To undertake research studies to aid in accomplishing its purposes;

(e) To monitor the operation of existing criminal justice information systems in order to protect the constitutional rights and privacy of individuals about whom criminal history record information has been collected;

(f) To provide an effective administrative forum for the protection of the rights of individuals concerning criminal history record information;

(g) To issue regulations, guidelines, and procedures which ensure the privacy and security of criminal history record information consistent with State and federal laws;

(h) To act as the sole administrative appeal body in the State of Illinois to conduct hearings and make final determinations concerning individual challenges to the completeness and accuracy of criminal history record information;

(i) To act as the sole, official, criminal justice body in the State of Illinois to conduct annual and periodic audits of the procedures, policies, and practices of the State central repositories for criminal history record information to verify compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing such information;

(j) To advise the Authority's Statistical Analysis Center;

(k) To apply for, receive, establish priorities for, allocate, disburse, and spend grants of funds that are made available by and received on or after January 1, 1983 from private sources or from the United States pursuant to the federal Crime Control Act of 1973, as amended, and similar federal legislation, and to enter into agreements with the United States government to further the purposes of this Act, or as may be required as a condition of obtaining federal funds;

(l) To receive, expend, and account for such funds of the State of Illinois as may be made available to further the purposes of this Act;

(m) To enter into contracts and to cooperate with units of general local government or combinations of such units, State agencies, and criminal justice system agencies of other states for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Authority imposed by this Act or by the federal Crime Control Act of 1973, as amended;

(n) To enter into contracts and cooperate with units of general local government outside of Illinois, other states' agencies, and private organizations outside of Illinois to provide computer software or design that has been developed for the Illinois criminal justice system, or to participate in the cooperative development or design of new software or systems to be used by the Illinois criminal justice system;

(o) To establish general policies concerning criminal justice information systems and to promulgate such rules, regulations, and procedures as are necessary to the operation of the Authority and to the uniform consideration of appeals and audits;

(p) To advise and to make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on policies relating to criminal justice information systems;

(q) To direct all other agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to provide whatever assistance and information the Authority may lawfully require to carry out its functions;

(r) To exercise any other powers that are reasonable and necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the Authority under this Act and to comply with the requirements of applicable federal law or regulation;

(s) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties which have been vested in the Authority by the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act;

(t) (Blank);

(u) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties vested in the Authority by the Illinois Public Safety Agency Network Act;

(v) To provide technical assistance in the form of training to local governmental entities within Illinois requesting such assistance for the purposes of procuring grants for gang intervention and gang prevention programs or other criminal justice programs from the United States Department of Justice;

(w) To conduct strategic planning and provide technical assistance to implement comprehensive trauma recovery services for violent crime victims in underserved communities with high levels of violent crime, with the goal of providing a safe, community-based, culturally competent environment in which to access services necessary to facilitate recovery from the effects of chronic and repeat exposure to trauma. Services may include, but are not limited to, behavioral health treatment, financial recovery, family support and relocation assistance, and support in navigating the legal system; and

(x) To coordinate statewide violence prevention efforts and assist in the implementation of trauma recovery centers and analyze trauma recovery services. The Authority shall develop, publish, and facilitate the implementation of a 4-year statewide violence prevention plan, which shall incorporate public health, public safety, victim services, and trauma recovery centers and services; and

(y) To compile and publish information regarding open unresolved murders as provided in Section 40 of the Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act.

The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-938, eff. 1-1-18; 100-373, eff. 1-1-18; 100-575, eff. 1-8-18; 100-621, eff. 7-20-18; 100-1148, eff. 12-10-18.)