S. 3641 is being considered on the floor under suspension of the rules and will require a two-thirds majority vote for passage. This legislation was introduced by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) on September 27, 2008. The Senate passed this bill by unanimous consent on September 27, 2008.

S. 3641 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on October 2, 2008.

S. 3641 reauthorizes funding for fiscal years 2010-2013 to provide support for victims of crime under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs, as a part of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. The programs reauthorized under this provision include:

Office for Victims of Crime of the Department of Justice, for the support of organizations that provide legal counsel and support services for victims in criminal cases for the enforcement of crime victims’ rights in Federal jurisdictions, and in States and tribal governments;

Office for Victims of Crime of the Department of Justice for enhancement of the Victim Notification System; and

Office for Victims of Crime of the Department of Justice for training for States;

United States Attorneys Offices for Victim/Witnesses Assistance Programs; and

Office for Victims of Crime of the Department of Justice for staff.

The NCVLI is supported by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime. The Office for Victims of Crime was established by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to oversee programs that benefit victims of crime. The Office provides formula and discretionary grants to States, local governments, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations.

The National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), located in Portland, Oregon, seeks to promote victims' rights, including those of underserved and marginalized victims, in the criminal and civil justice systems. The Institute provides support and promotes legal technical assistance to victims' attorneys and others serving victims. 

NCVLI was conceived in 1997 by Professor Doug Beloof to be a national resource for crime victim lawyers and victims to support the assertion and enforcement of victims’ rights in criminal and civil processes. In 1998, Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) supported the first appropriation of Congress to provide financial support for NCVLI.

Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not produced a cost estimate for S. 3641 as of October 2, 2008.