(a) In accordance with § 40-38-102, whenever possible, victims of crime must have separate and secure waiting areas during all critical stages of the judicial process, and to further the availability of such separate and secure waiting areas, the district attorneys general conference shall assist in assessing whether such space exists for victims to meet with attorneys, law enforcement, counselors, and others, and to wait while attending judicial proceedings in judicial facilities throughout the state.
(b) By March 1, 2022, the district attorneys general conference shall submit a report to the chairs of the judiciary committee of the senate and the criminal justice committee of the house of representatives as to whether separate and secure waiting areas exist within each of the thirty-one (31) judicial districts along with recommendations to achieve the requirements of § 40-38-102.(c) The district attorneys general conference additionally shall determine whether grant or other funding is available to create separate and secure waiting areas or to improve such existing spaces and shall assist judicial districts in achieving the creation or improvement of such separate and secure waiting areas.
