House adopts committee of conference report restoring victims’ rights in youthful‑offender proceedings

The House adopted the committee of conference report on House Bill 642, which revisits how victim‑impact statements are handled in youthful‑offender proceedings and makes technical cross‑reference corrections in the statutes.

The committee reverted several passages back to House language and clarified that victims have the right to attend and present a victim‑impact statement at both the youthful‑offender status hearing and the disposition hearing. The committee also added cross‑references to streamline the statutory direction about what the court must do.

The committee of conference reported the changes as unanimous and the House adopted the report on voice vote. Members said the revisions clarify the victims’ role in the process while preserving procedural safeguards for youthful‑offender hearings.

Next steps: the report was adopted and the bill proceeds in the legislative process.