(a) For the purposes of this section, “victim” means a person who is a victim of a crime, the legal representative of such person or a member of a deceased victim’s immediate family.

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(b) At a session held by the Board of Pardons and Paroles to consider whether to grant a commutation of punishment or release, conditioned or absolute, a commutation from the penalty of death or a pardon, conditioned or absolute, to any person convicted of any crime, the board shall permit any victim of the crime for which the person was convicted to appear before the board for the purpose of making a statement for the record concerning whether the convicted person should be granted such commutation, release or pardon. In lieu of such appearance, the victim may submit a written statement to the board and the board shall make such statement a part of the record at the session.

(c) If the Board of Pardons and Paroles is prepared to grant a commutation of punishment or release, conditioned or absolute, a commutation from the penalty of death or a pardon, conditioned or absolute, to a person convicted of an offense involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person or resulting in the physical injury, serious physical injury or death of another person, it shall make reasonable efforts to locate and notify any victim of the crime for which such person was convicted prior to granting such commutation, release or pardon and shall permit such victim to appear before the board and make a statement or submit a statement as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) Upon the granting to any person of a commutation of punishment or release, conditioned or absolute, a commutation from the penalty of death or a pardon, conditioned or absolute, the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall forthwith notify the Office of Victim Services of its action.