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SJRES 3 106th Congress Senate 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 Military law Pardons Parole Parties to actions Pleas (Criminal procedure)

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.

Introduced: January 19, 1999 See on congress.gov
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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 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 27, 2000
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Apr 27, 2000
Motion to proceed considered. (consideration: CR S2966-3011; S3037)
Apr 26, 2000
Motion to proceed considered. (consideration: CR S2897-2930)
Apr 25, 2000
Cloture on motion to proceed invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 12. Record Vote Number: 86.
Apr 25, 2000
Motion to proceed considered by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2818, S2820-2832, S2835-2851)
Apr 13, 2000
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate.
Apr 13, 2000
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate.
Apr 13, 2000
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S2696)
Apr 4, 2000
By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 106-254. Additional and Minority views filed.
Oct 4, 1999
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 299.
Oct 4, 1999
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment. Without written report.
Sep 30, 1999
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
May 26, 1999
Subcommittee on Constitution, Federalism, Property. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment favorably.
Mar 24, 1999
Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-269.
Mar 23, 1999
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution, Federalism, Property.
Jan 19, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S708-709)
Jan 19, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S707-708)
Jan 19, 1999
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of crimes of 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 a 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 April 27, 2000

Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1 Republican 1
D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Mar 29, 2000
 R
Grassley, Chuck
Iowa · Jan 19, 1999
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S.J. Res. 3: A joint resolution 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-SJRES-3/
MLA
"S.J. Res. 3: A joint resolution 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-SJRES-3/.
Bluebook (legal)
S.J. Res. 3, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-SJRES-3/.
Markdown link
[S.J. Res. 3: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-SJRES-3/)
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