CHAPTER 7. VICTIM NOTIFICATION SERVICES

IC 11-8-7
    Chapter 7. Victim Notification Services

IC 11-8-7-1
"Registered crime victim"
    Sec. 1. As used in the chapter, "registered crime victim" refers toa crime victim who registers to receive victim notification servicesunder section 2(a)(3) of this chapter if the department establishes anautomated victim notification system under this chapter.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.

IC 11-8-7-2
Automated victim notification system
    Sec. 2. (a) The department may establish an automated victimnotification system that must do the following:
        (1) Automatically notify a registered crime victim when acommitted offender who committed the crime against thevictim:
            (A) is assigned to a:
                (i) department facility; or
                (ii) county jail or any other facility not operated by thedepartment;
            (B) is transferred to a:
                (i) department facility; or
                (ii) county jail or any other facility not operated by thedepartment;
            (C) is given a different security classification;
            (D) is released on temporary leave;
            (E) is discharged; or
            (F) has escaped.
        (2) Allow a registered crime victim to receive the most recentstatus report for an offender by calling the automated victimnotification system on a toll free telephone number.
        (3) Allow a crime victim to register or update the victim'sregistration for the automated victim notification system bycalling a toll free telephone number.
    (b) For purposes of subsection (a), if the department establishesan automated victim notification system, a sheriff responsible for theoperation of a county jail shall immediately notify the department ifa committed offender:
        (1) is transferred to another county jail or another facility notoperated by the department of correction;
        (2) is released on temporary leave;
        (3) is discharged; or
        (4) has escaped.
Sheriffs and other law enforcement officers and prosecutingattorneys shall cooperate with the department in establishing andmaintaining an automated victim notification system.
    (c) An automated victim notification system may transmitinformation to a person by:        (1) telephone;
        (2) electronic mail; or
        (3) another method as determined by the department.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.

IC 11-8-7-3
System update; cause of action not established
    Sec. 3. (a) The department must ensure that the offenderinformation contained in an automated victim notification system isupdated frequently enough to timely notify a registered crime victimthat an offender has:
        (1) been released;
        (2) been discharged; or
        (3) escaped.
    (b) The failure of an automated victim notification system toprovide notice to the victim does not establish a separate cause ofaction by the victim against:
        (1) the state; or
        (2) the department.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.

IC 11-8-7-4
Funding sources for system
    Sec. 4. If the department establishes an automated victimnotification system under this chapter, the department, in cooperationwith the Indiana criminal justice institute:
        (1) may use money in the victim and witness assistance fundunder IC 5-2-6-14(e); and
        (2) shall seek:
            (A) federal grants; and
            (B) other funding.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.

IC 11-8-7-5
Rules
    Sec. 5. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 toimplement this chapter.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.