House passes Rep. Marszalkowski’s bill that exempts court fees for crime victims
STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed legislation (2023-H 5900) sponsored by Rep. Alex D. Marszalkowski (D-Dist. 52, Cumberland) that would exempt crime victims seeking restitution from having to pay certain court fees.
“Victims of crimes should not have to pay court fees to regain stolen property or to acquire justice and restitution for the crime perpetrated against them. This bill will rectify an unfair aspect of our justice system that revictimizes crime victims who are simply attempting to get what is rightfully theirs,” said Representative Marszalkowski.
The bill would amend the current requirement of paying an initial filing fee and process costs when the victim of a crime is still owed restitution at the expiration of the criminal case. If the victim seeks to enforce the civil judgment entered at the time of disposition, the bill would allow a waiver of subsequent filing fees and service costs at the discretion of the court.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
