Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 1-15-19

Features
State Attorney Implements New Victims’ Rights Law
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
During the November General Election, voters overwhelmingly approved a proposed amendment to ex- pand the rights of victims into the Florida Constitution. The proposed change was known as Amendment 6.
The Amendment passed with the approval of 62 per- cent of the registered voters. The new law took effect on January 8th.
As a result, Attorney Andrew Warren, State At- torney for the Thirteenth Ju- dicial Circuit, has made several policy changes to comply with the law known as Marsy’s Law.
Attorney Warren’s of- fice has updated victim noti-
ANDREW WARREN Hillsborough County State Attorney
fication procedures; updated the Victim Assistance Pro- gram resources to include the newly expanded Rights of Victims; developed and scheduled training for attor-
neys, victim advocates, and staff on the substantive changes in the law; and coor- dinated with agencies in Hillsborough County on how the requirements of Marsy’s Law affect their respective operations.
Attorney Warren said, “Floridians affirmed our commitment to supporting victims during their most vulnerable moments by en- shrining their rights in the Constitution. As the legisla- ture currently discusses how to implement statewide guid- ance on this important issue, our office has already made changes to protect survivors at every step of the process and guarantee the fairness and dignity they deserve. We are proud to be leading this charge.”
Supervisor Of Elections Accepting Applications For Scholarships
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last December, Craig La- timer, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections in- vited students to apply for col- lege scholarships. The Florida State Association of Supervi- sors of Elections (FSASE) is offering three (3) scholarships valued at $1,200 to eligible residents. The deadline to submit the application is Fri- day, March 29, 2019, 5 p.m.
The recipients must be currently enrolled or accepted as full-time students in a sen- ior college or university in Florida.
Hillsborough County resi- dents must apply through the Hillsborough County Supervi- sor of Elections Office. The Office will review all applica- tions and submit one finalist to the FSASE Scholarship Committee. The Committee will make the final selections of winners.
Some of the requirements are: students must be regis- tered to vote in Florida, and submit their applications to the County in which they are registered.
Students must be major- ing in Political Science, Public or Business Administration, Journalism, or Mass Commu-
nications.
Students must have fin-
ished two years of junior col- lege or undergraduate work and have enough credits for enrollment as a junior.
Students must have been a resident of Florida for two years before the current aca- demic year in which the appli- cation is made. Students must also demonstrate a financial need.
Students interested in ap- plying for the scholarship can find more information about the requirements at www.VoteHillsborough.org, or they can contact Ms. Gerri Kramer at (813) 367- 8827, or at gkramer@hcsoe.org.
CRAIG LATIMER Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
An Analysis:
New Victim’s Rights Law Changes Reporting News
With the arrival of the be- ginning of the New Year, many new laws go into effect. Some go without notice. But others have immediate and long term affects on society as a whole and communities in particular.
One of the new laws that went into effect on January 8th, was the New Victim’s Rights or Marsy’s Law. It was Amendment 6 on the elec- tion ballot.
In short, the law restricts the release of any information pertaining to a victim in a crime, similar to the HIPAA Rule, (Health Insurance Porta- bility and Accountability Act).
The HIPAA Privacy Rule for the first time created na- tional standards to protect in- dividuals' medical records and
other personal health informa- tion. It gives patients more control over their health infor- mation. It sets boundaries on the use and release of health records.
Now, Marsy’s Law does the same for the release of the identity of victims. The law simply states that no informa- tion that could allow someone to locate the victim can be re- leased. Simply put, law en- forcement can no longer release the names, dates of birth, addresses or telephone numbers of victims of crimes.
In addition, the law covers all victims and their families, including murder victims.
Spokespersons for both the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Tampa Police
Department said they are now prohibited from releasing such information on victims.
They have elected to err on the side of caution.
The enactment of this law comes in direct contrast with the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, which states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the govern- ment for a redress of griev- ances.”
When blanket laws are passed, there is usually little room for exceptions. The pur- pose of the law is to shield the victim from being located by anyone who wishes to harm him or her. However, the law is vague and does not exclude those with a legitimate need to obtain the information.
Legislators will attempt to redefine the law during the session. However, it is not un- foreseeable that the final opin- ion will be rendered by the courts.
The question is, ‘how will the powers-that-be reach a happy medium in the fight that is sure to come?’ Or, will this law supersede the First Amendment?
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019