Victim and Witness Privacy Amendments

1. **ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY:** This bill enhances the privacy protections for victims and witnesses in criminal cases, requiring businesses to take specific actions to safeguard their information. 2. **KEY REQUIREMENTS:** - Implement measures to protect the personal information of victims and witnesses from unauthorized access or disclosure. - Train employees on the importance of maintaining confidentiality regarding victim and witness information. - Establish a protocol for handling requests for victim and witness information to ensure compliance with privacy standards. 3. **DEADLINES:** - Effective Date: The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024. - Compliance Deadline: Businesses must be fully compliant by this date. 4. **PENALTIES:** - Violations may result in fines up to $10,000 per incident. - Enforcement may include investigations by state authorities and potential legal action. 5. **SMB IMPACT:** Small businesses will need to adjust their data handling practices to ensure compliance with this new privacy law, which may require additional training and policy development to protect sensitive information related to victims and witnesses. Failure to comply could lead to significant financial penalties.