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HJRES 64 106th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Administration of juvenile justice Armed Forces and National Security Bail Compensation for victims of crime Congress Congressional powers Constitutional amendments Courts-martial and courts of inquiry Families Fugitives from justice Juvenile courts Law Legislation Military and naval offenses Pardons Parole Parties to actions Pleas (Criminal procedure) Sentences (Criminal procedure)

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.

Introduced: August 4, 1999 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 10, 2000
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sep 24, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Aug 4, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 4, 1999
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Grants each individual who is a victim of a crime for which the defendant can be imprisoned for a period longer than one year, or any other crime that involves violence, the following rights: (1) to reasonable notice of, and to not be excluded from, any public proceedings relating to the crime; (2) to be heard, if present, and to submit a statement at all public proceedings to determine a conditional release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence and at a non-public parole proceeding to the extent such rights are afforded to the convicted offender; (3) to reasonable notice of, and an opportunity to submit a statement concerning, any proposed pardon or commutation of sentence; (4) to reasonable notice of a release or escape from custody relating to the crime; (5) to consideration of the interest of the victim that any trial be free from unreasonable delay; (6) to an order of restitution from the convicted offender; (7) to consideration for the safety of the victim in determining any conditional release from custody relating to the crime; and (8) to reasonable notice of the rights established by this amendment.

(Sec. 2) Grants the victim or the victim's lawful representative standing to assert such rights.

Provides that nothing in this amendment shall: (1) provide grounds to stay or continue any trial, reopen any proceeding, or invalidate any ruling, except with respect to conditional release or restitution or to provide rights guaranteed by this amendment in future proceedings, without staying or continuing a trial; and (2) give rise to or authorize the creation of a claim for damages against the United States, a State, a political subdivision, or a public officer or employee.

(Sec. 3) Empowers the Congress to enforce this amendment by appropriate legislation. Allows exceptions to the rights established by this amendment only when necessary to achieve a compelling interest.

(Sec. 4) Makes: (1) the right to a restitution order established by this amendment inapplicable to crimes committed before its effective date; and (2) the rights and immunities established by this amendment applicable in Federal and State proceedings, including military proceedings to the extent that the Congress may provide by law, juvenile justice proceedings, and proceedings in the District of Columbia and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

What's happening now February 10, 2000

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 64: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HJRES-64/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 64: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HJRES-64/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 64, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HJRES-64/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 64: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HJRES-64/)
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