Sec. 2. (a) As used in this section, "victim" means a person who has suffered direct harm as a result of a violent crime (as defined in IC 5-2-6.1-8).
(b) The parole board shall submit to the governor its recommendation regarding an application for commutation of sentence, pardon, reprieve, or remission of fine or forfeiture. Before submitting its recommendation, the parole board shall do all of the following:
(1) Notify:
(A) the sentencing court;
(B) the victim of the crime for which the person was convicted (or the next of kin of the victim if the victim is deceased or incompetent for any reason), unless the victim has made a written request not to be notified; and
(C) the prosecuting attorney of the county where the conviction was obtained.
(2) Conduct an investigation, which must include the collection of records, reports, and other information relevant to consideration of the application.
(3) Conduct a hearing where the petitioner and other interested persons are given an opportunity to appear and present information regarding the application. The hearing may be conducted in an informal manner without regard to formal rules of evidence.
(c) The notice to a victim or the next of kin of a victim that is sent under subsection (b)(1) must comply with the requirements for notices to victims that are established under IC 11-13-3-3.