SCS/SB 857 - This act creates the "Pretrial Witness Protection Services Fund". Under this act, the Department of Public Safety may disbursed money from the Pretrial Witness Protection Services Fund to law enforcement agencies for the purposes of providing for the security of witnesses, potential witnesses, and their immediate families in criminal proceedings or investigations. Funds shall be subject to appropriations from the General Assembly. The law enforcement agencies must submit an application to the Department of Public Safety which shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:
• A statement of conditions which qualify persons for protection;
• Precise methods the agency will use to provide protection; and
• A statement of projected costs over a specified period of time.
These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/SB 774 (2020) and SS/SCS/HB 1450 (2020).
MARY GRACE BRUNTRAGER