Section 9738 - Victim impact statements(a) General ruleNotwithstanding any other statute, rule or provision of law to the contrary, in the trial of a defendant accused of an offense, including an offense subject to sentence under section 9711 (relating to sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree), a court shall not order the exclusion of any victim of the offense from the trial on the basis that the victim may, during the sentencing phase of the proceedings: (1) make a victim impact statement or present any victim impact information in relation to the sentence to be imposed on the defendant; or(2) testify as to the effect of the offense on the victim or the family of the victim.(b) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "victim" shall mean a "victim" as defined in: (1) 18 Pa.C.S. § 1106 (relating to restitution for injuries to person or property); or(2)18 Pa.C.S. § 3001 (relating to definitions).Amended by P.L. TBD 2018 No. 145, § 2, eff. 10/24/2018.Amended by P.L. 2014 No. 105, § 8, eff. 8/31/2014.1997, June 25, P.L. 293, No. 28, § 2, imd. effective.