Petition OK’d For North Dakota Victims’ Rights Measure

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that they believe will bolster the rights of crime victims in North Dakota can begin collecting signatures to try to bring their proposal to a public vote next year.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger says he has approved the petitions for circulation. Supporters of the idea need to collect about 27,000 signatures to get it on the ballot in the state's primary election in June or the general election in November.

Backers say the proposal is patterned after "Marsy's Law," which California voters approved in 2008 after the murder of a college student.

The measure would, among other things, ensure crime victims are protected against alleged perpetrators and that victims have information about court proceedings and parole hearings.