2012 Indiana Code
TITLE 11. CORRECTIONS
ARTICLE 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
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 to a crime victim who registers to receive victim notification services under section 2(a)(3) of this chapter if the department establishes an automated 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 shall establish an automated victim notification system that must do the following:
(1) Automatically notify a registered crime victim when a committed offender who committed the crime against the victim:
(A) is assigned to a:
(i) department facility; or
(ii) county jail or any other facility not operated by the department;
(B) is transferred to a:
(i) department facility; or
(ii) county jail or any other facility not operated by the department;
(C) is given a different security classification;
(D) is released on temporary leave;
(E) is discharged;
(F) has escaped;
(G) has a change in the committed offender's expected date of release from incarceration;
(H) is scheduled to have a parole release hearing;
(I) has requested clemency or pardon consideration;
(J) is to be placed in a minimum security:
(i) facility; or
(ii) work release program;
or is permitted to participate in another minimum security assignment; or
(K) dies during the committed offender's period of incarceration.
(2) Allow a registered crime victim to receive the most recent status report for an offender by calling the automated victim notification system on a toll free telephone number.
(3) Allow a crime victim to register or update the victim's registration for the automated victim notification system by calling a toll free telephone number.
(b) For purposes of subsection (a), a sheriff responsible for the operation of a county jail shall immediately notify the department if a committed offender: (1) is transferred to another county jail or another facility not operated 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 prosecuting attorneys shall cooperate with the department in establishing and maintaining an automated victim notification system.
(c) An automated victim notification system may transmit information to a person by:
(1) telephone;
(2) electronic mail; or
(3) another method as determined by the department.
(d) The department shall provide the opportunity for a registered crime victim to receive periodic status reports concerning the committed offender who committed the crime against the registered crime victim, including reports stating:
(1) the committed offender's projected date of release from imprisonment;
(2) the facility where the committed offender is imprisoned; and
(3) the current security classification of the committed offender.
(e) A registered crime victim may choose to receive a status report described in subsection (d):
(1) annually;
(2) quarterly;
(3) monthly; or
(4) when triggered by an event described in subsection (a)(1).
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.147-2012, SEC.1.

IC 11-8-7-3
System update; cause of action not established
Sec. 3. (a) The department must ensure that the offender information contained in an automated victim notification system is updated frequently enough to timely notify a registered crime victim that an offender has:
(1) been released;
(2) been discharged; or
(3) escaped.
(b) The failure of an automated victim notification system to provide notice to the victim does not establish a separate cause of action 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 victim notification system under this chapter, the department, in cooperation with the Indiana criminal justice institute: (1) may use money in the victim and witness assistance fund under 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 to implement this chapter.
As added by P.L.64-2005, SEC.4.