S.J.Res. 1: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.

108th Congress · introduced 2003-01-07 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2003-01-07 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

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

Plain summary

Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of violent crime the rights: (1) to reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime and of any release or escape of the accused; (2) to not be excluded from such public proceeding and reasonably to be heard at public release, plea, sentencing, reprieve, and pardon proceedings; and (3) to adjudicative decisions that consider the victim's safety, interest in avoiding unreasonable delay, and just and timely claims to restitution from the offender. Prohibits any restriction of such rights except as dictated by a substantial interest in public safety or the administration of criminal justice, or by compelling necessity.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

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

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ] · 26 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S.J. Res. 1, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims (2003-09-09); CBO cost estimate: S.J. Res. 1, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims (2003-09-09)

Cosponsors on this site

Ron Wyden (D-OR), Susan M. Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Constitutional amendment: A change to a constitution. In Texas the Legislature proposes an amendment with a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. It takes effect only if a majority of the people voting on it approve it. In Florida, an amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass.
Joint resolution: In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108sjres1.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/sjres>

Record fed-us-cong108-sjres1 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108