SB 519: Youth offender parole hearings.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2015-10-03
Existing law generally requires the Board of Parole Hearings to conduct youth offender parole hearings to consider the release of offenders who committed specified crimes when they were under 18 years of age and who were sentenced to state prison.
This bill would change the dates by which the board is required to complete certain youth offender parole hearings. The bill would become operative only if SB 261 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2016.
Existing law generally requires the Board of Parole Hearings to conduct youth offender parole hearings to consider the release of offenders who committed specified crimes when they were under 18 years of age and who were sentenced to state prison.
This bill would change the dates by which the board is required to complete certain youth offender parole hearings. The bill would become operative only if SB 261 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2016.
Existing law generally requires the Board of Parole Hearings to conduct youth offender parole hearings to consider the release of offenders who committed specified crimes when they were under 18 years of age and who were sentenced to state prison.
This bill would change the dates by which the board is required to complete certain youth offender parole hearings. The bill would become operative only if SB 261 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2016.
(1)Existing law provides for the indemnification of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, subject to specified criteria for, among other things, submission and verification of applications, eligibility for emergency awards and compensation for specified services, and procedures for hearings with respect to the denial of awards. Existing law requires the board to publicize programs related to these provisions, including, among others, the procedures to obtain compensation from the board. Payment of claims and certain programs administered by the board are made under these provisions from the Restitution Fund, which is continuously appropriated to the board for these purposes.
This bill would require all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, East Armenian, Tagalog, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Hmong, and Khmer. The bill would prohibit the board from requiring an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)Existing law authorizes the board to compensate an individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay a crime victims funeral and burial expenses, up to $7,500, incurred as a direct result of the crime.
This bill would prohibit any regulation or policy by the board creating a maximum amount of an award pursuant to this provision for less than $7,500.
(3)Existing law requires an application for compensation to be denied if the board finds that the victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing a crime. Existing law also requires an application for compensation to be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony and is not discharged from probation.
This bill would prohibit a claim from being denied pursuant to these provisions in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor. This bill would also remove the prohibition against granting compensation to a person convicted of a felony, but not discharged from parole, if the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. By expanding the eligibility for payments from a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(4)Existing law requires the board to approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center, and to report to the Legislature if the board fails to do so, as specified.
This bill would require the board to approve or deny applications within 90 days total and modifies the reporting requirements accordingly.
(5)Existing law requires board hearings to be informal and authorizes these hearings to not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses.
This bill would require the board to allow a service animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a board hearing.
(6)Existing law requires the court to order a person who is convicted of a crime to pay restitution to the victim or victims for the full amount of economic loss, unless the court finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. Existing law provides the defendant the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution and authorizes the court to modify the amount of restitution.
This bill would authorize a victim at a restitution or modification hearing to testify by live, 2-way audio and video transmission, if that type of transmission is available at the court.
(7)By expanding the authorizations for use of moneys in the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(1)Existing law provides for the indemnification of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, subject to specified criteria for, among other things, submission and verification of applications, eligibility for emergency awards and compensation for specified services, and procedures for hearings with respect to the denial of awards. Existing law requires the board to publicize programs related to these provisions, including, among others, the procedures to obtain compensation from the board. Payment of claims and certain programs administered by the board are made under these provisions from the Restitution Fund, which is continuously appropriated to the board for these purposes.
This bill would require all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, East Armenian, Tagalog, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Hmong, and Khmer. The bill would prohibit the board from requiring an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)Existing law authorizes the board to compensate an individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay a crime victims funeral and burial expenses, up to $7,500, incurred as a direct result of the crime.
This bill would specifically require the board to consider granting an applicant an award up to $7,500, and prohibit any regulation or policy by the board creating a maximum amount of an award pursuant to this provision for less than $7,500.
(3)Existing law requires an application for compensation to be denied if the board finds that the victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing a crime. Existing law also requires an application for compensation to be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony and is not discharged from probation.
This bill would prohibit a claim from being denied pursuant to these provisions in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor. This bill would also remove the prohibition against granting compensation to a person convicted of a felony, but not discharged from parole, if the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. By expanding the eligibility for payments from a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(4)Existing law requires the board to approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center, and to report to the Legislature if the board fails to do so, as specified.
This bill would require the board to approve or deny applications within 90 days total and modifies the reporting requirements accordingly.
(5)Existing law requires board hearings to be informal and authorizes these hearing hearings to not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses.
This bill would require the board to allow a service animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a board hearing.
(6)Existing law authorizes a party to a criminal proceeding to move for a continuance upon a showing of good cause. Existing law describes good cause for purposes of that provision.
This bill would specify that good cause includes those cases involving elder abuse, as defined, when the prosecuting attorney has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress. This bill would also make technical changes to this provision.
(7)
(6)Existing law requires the court to order a person who is convicted of a crime to pay restitution to the victim or victims for the full amount of economic loss, unless the court finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. Existing law provides the defendant the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution and authorizes the court to modify the amount of restitution.
This bill would authorize a victim at a restitution or modification hearing to testify by live, 2-way audio and video transmission, if that type of transmission is available at the court.
(8)
(7)By expanding the authorizations for use of moneys in the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(1)Existing law provides for the indemnification of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, subject to specified criteria for, among other things, submission and verification of applications, eligibility for emergency awards and compensation for specified services, and procedures for hearings with respect to the denial of awards. Existing law requires the board to publicize programs related to these provisions, including, among others, the procedures to obtain compensation from the board. Payment of claims and certain programs administered by the board are made under these provisions from the Restitution Fund, which is continuously appropriated to the board for these purposes.
This bill would require all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, East Armenian, Tagalog, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Hmong, and Khmer. The bill would prohibit the board from requiring an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
This bill would expand eligibility for compensation for crime victims to include counseling to a person who is an adult witness of a crime. The bill would also expand eligibility for compensation for mental health services and relocation benefits to a person who is 65 years of age or older and sustained financial exploitation by a relative or caretaker, if there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation.
By expanding the requirements of programs administered by the board and the eligibility for payments from a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(2)Existing law authorizes the board to compensate an individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay a crime victims funeral and burial expenses, up to $7,500, incurred as a direct result of the crime.
This bill would specifically require the board when it pays a claim to compensate funeral and burial expenses to pay the amount of $7,500. to consider granting an applicant an award up to $7,500, and prohibit any regulation or policy by the board creating a maximum amount of an award pursuant to this provision for less than $7,500.
(3)Existing law requires an application for compensation to be denied if the board finds that the victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing a crime. Existing law also requires an application for compensation to be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony and is not discharged from probation.
This bill would prohibit a claim from being denied pursuant to these provisions in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor. This bill would also remove the prohibition against granting compensation to a person convicted of a felony, but not discharged from parole, if the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. By expanding the eligibility for payments from a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(4)Existing law requires the board to approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center, and to report to the Legislature if the board fails to do so, as specified.
This bill would require the board to approve or deny applications within 90 days total and modifies the reporting requirements accordingly.
(5)Existing law requires board hearings to be informal and authorizes these hearing to not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses.
This bill would require the board to allow an a service animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a board hearing.
(6)Existing law authorizes a party to a criminal proceeding to move for a continuance upon a showing of good cause. Existing law describes good cause for purposes of that provision.
This bill would specify that good cause is deemed to exist when a witness, who is the victim of the charged crime and has previously been the victim of elder abuse or certain sex crimes, cannot be present due to psychological or emotional distress resulting from that prior victimization. includes those cases involving elder abuse, as defined, when the prosecuting attorney has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress. This bill would also make technical changes to this provision.
(7)Existing law requires the court to order a person who is convicted of a crime to pay restitution to the victim or victims for the full amount of economic loss, unless the court finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. Existing law provides the defendant the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution and authorizes the court to modify the amount of restitution.
This bill would authorize a witness victim at a restitution or modification hearing to testify by live, 2-way audio and video transmission. transmission, if that type of transmission is available at the court.
(8)Existing law permits a defendant to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty in any case in which a defendant has fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation, or has been discharged prior to the termination of the period of probation, or has been convicted of a misdemeanor and not granted probation and has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court, or has been sentenced to a county jail for a felony, or in any other case in which a court, in its discretion and the interests of justice, determines that a defendant should be granted this or other specified relief and requires the defendant to be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted.
This bill would state that the dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to these provisions does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine or direct restitution. By increasing the revenues deposited into a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(8)By expanding the authorizations for use of moneys in the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(1)Existing law provides for the indemnification of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, subject to specified criteria for, among other things, submission and verification of applications, eligibility for emergency awards and compensation for specified services, and procedures for hearings with respect to the denial of awards, and publicizing of the program by the board. awards. Existing law requires the board to publicize programs related to these provisions, including, among others, the procedures to obtain compensation from the board. Payment is of claims and certain programs administered by the board are made under these provisions from the Restitution Fund, which is continuously appropriated to the board for these purposes.
This bill would require all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in English, Spanish, and Chinese. The bill would prohibit the board from requiring an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
This bill would expand eligibility for compensation for crime victims to include counseling to a person who is an adult witness of a crime. The bill would also expand eligibility for compensation for mental health services and relocation benefits to a person who is 65 years of age or older and sustained financial exploitation by a relative or caretaker, if there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation.
By expanding the requirements of programs administered by the board and the eligibility for payments from a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(2)Existing law authorizes the board to compensate an individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay a crime victims funeral and burial expenses, up to $7,500, incurred as a direct result of the crime.
This bill would require the board when it pays a claim to compensate funeral and burial expenses to pay the amount of $7,500.
(2)
(3)Existing law requires an application for compensation to be denied if the board finds that the victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing a crime. Existing law also requires an application for compensation to be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony and is not discharged from probation.
This bill would prohibit a claim from being denied pursuant to these provisions in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor. This bill would also remove the prohibition against granting compensation to a person convicted of a felony, but not discharged from parole, if the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. By expanding the eligibility for payments from a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(4)Existing law requires the board to approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center, and to report to the Legislature if the board fails to do so, as specified.
This bill would require the board to approve or deny applications within 90 days total and modifies the reporting requirements accordingly.
(5)Existing law requires board hearings to be informal and authorizes these hearing to not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses.
This bill would require the board to allow an animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a board hearing.
(6)Existing law authorizes a party to a criminal proceeding to move for a continuance upon a showing of good cause. Existing law describes good cause for purposes of that provision.
This bill would specify that good cause is deemed to exist when a witness, who is the victim of the charged crime and has previously been the victim of elder abuse or certain sex crimes, cannot be present due to psychological or emotional distress resulting from that prior victimization.
(7)Existing law requires the court to order a person who is convicted of a crime to pay restitution to the victim or victims for the full amount of economic loss, unless the court finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. Existing law provides the defendant the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution and authorizes the court to modify the amount of restitution.
This bill would authorize a witness at a restitution or modification hearing to testify by live, 2-way audio and video transmission.
(3)
(8)Existing law permits a defendant to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty in any case in which a defendant has fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation, or has been discharged prior to the termination of the period of probation, or has been convicted of a misdemeanor and not granted probation and has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court, or has been sentenced to a county jail for a felony, or in any other case in which a court, in its discretion and the interests of justice, determines that a defendant should be granted this or other specified relief and requires the defendant to be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted.
This bill would state that the dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to these provisions does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine or direct restitution. By increasing the revenues deposited into a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(1)Existing law provides for the indemnification of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, subject to specified criteria for, among other things, submission and verification of applications, eligibility for emergency awards and compensation for specified services, procedures for hearings with respect to the denial of awards, and publicizing of the program by the board. Payment is made under these provisions from the Restitution Fund, which is continuously appropriated to the board for these purposes.
This bill would require all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in English, Spanish, and Chinese. The bill would prohibit the board from requiring an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)Existing law requires an application for compensation to be denied if the board finds that the victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing a crime. Existing law also requires an application for compensation to be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony and is not discharged from probation.
This bill would prohibit a claim from being denied pursuant to these provisions in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor. This bill would also remove the prohibition against granting compensation to a person convicted of a felony, but not discharged from parole, if the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. By expanding the eligibility for payments from a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(3)Existing law permits a defendant to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty in any case in which a defendant has fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation, or has been discharged prior to the termination of the period of probation, or has been convicted of a misdemeanor and not granted probation and has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court, or has been sentenced to a county jail for a felony, or in any other case in which a court, in its discretion and the interests of justice, determines that a defendant should be granted this or other specified relief and requires the defendant to be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted.
This bill would state that the dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to these provisions does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine or direct restitution. By increasing the revenues deposited into a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.
(a)Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of Section 3051, the board shall complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who were sentenced to indeterminate life terms and who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the act that added subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 3051 by January 1, 2018.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of Section 3051, the board shall complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who were sentenced to determinate terms and who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the act that added subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 3051 by December 31, 2021. The board shall, for all individuals described in this subdivision, conduct the consultation described in subdivision (a) of Section 3041 before January 1, 2018.
SEC. 2.This act shall become operative only if Senate Bill 261 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2016.
(a)Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of Section 3051, the board shall complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who were sentenced to indeterminate life terms and who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the act that added subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 3051 by January 1, 2018.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of Section 3051, the board shall complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who were sentenced to determinate terms and who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the act that added subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 3051 by December 31, 2021. The board shall, for all individuals described in this subdivision, conduct the consultation described in subdivision (a) of Section 3041 before January 1, 2018.
SEC. 2.This act shall become operative only if Senate Bill 261 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2016.
(a)Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of Section 3051, the board shall complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who were sentenced to indeterminate life terms and who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the act that added subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 3051 by January 1, 2018.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (i) of Section 3051, the board shall complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who were sentenced to determinate terms and who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the act that added subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 3051 by December 31, 2021. The board shall, for all individuals described in this subdivision, conduct the consultation described in subdivision (a) of Section 3041 before January 1, 2018.
SEC. 2.This act shall become operative only if Senate Bill 261 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2016.
SECTION 1.Section 13952 of the Government Code is amended to read:13952.(a)An application for compensation shall be filed with the board in the manner determined by the board.
(b)(1)The application for compensation shall be verified under penalty of perjury by the individual who is seeking compensation, who may be the victim or derivative victim, or an individual seeking reimbursement for burial, funeral, or crime scene cleanup expenses pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13957. If the individual seeking compensation is a minor or is incompetent, the application shall be verified under penalty of perjury or on information and belief by the parent with legal custody, guardian, conservator, or relative caregiver of the victim or derivative victim for whom the application is made. However, if a minor seeks compensation only for expenses for medical, medical-related, psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services and the minor is authorized by statute to consent to those services, the minor may verify the application for compensation under penalty of perjury.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, relative caregiver means a relative as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 6550 of the Family Code, who assumed primary responsibility for the child while the child was in the relatives care and control, and who is not a biological or adoptive parent.
(c)(1)The board may require submission of additional information supporting the application that is reasonably necessary to verify the application and determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)The staff of the board shall determine whether an application for compensation contains all of the information required by the board. If the staff determines that an application does not contain all of the required information, the staff shall communicate that determination to the applicant with a brief statement of the additional information required. The applicant, within 30 calendar days of being notified that the application is incomplete, may either supply the additional information or appeal the staffs determination to the board, which shall review the application to determine whether it is complete.
(3)The board shall not require an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(d)(1)The board may recognize an authorized representative of the victim or derivative victim, who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized representative means any of the following:
(A)An attorney.
(B)If the victim or derivative victim is a minor or an incompetent adult, the legal guardian or conservator, or an immediate family member, parent, or relative caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(C)A victim assistance advocate certified pursuant to Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code.
(D)An immediate family member of the victim or derivative victim, who has written authorization by the victim or derivative victim, and who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(E) Other persons who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(F)A county social worker designated by a county department of social services to represent a child abuse victim or an elder abuse victim if that victim is unable to file on his or her own behalf.
(3)Except for attorneys fees awarded under this chapter, no authorized representative described in paragraph (2) shall charge, demand, receive, or collect any amount for services rendered under this subdivision.
(e)All correspondence by the board to an applicant shall be written in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, East Armenian, Tagalog, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Hmong, and Khmer.
SEC. 2.Section 13956 of the Government Code is amended to read:13956.Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person shall not be eligible for compensation under the following conditions:
(a)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by or on behalf of a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim, knowingly and willingly participated in the commission of the crime that resulted in the pecuniary loss for which compensation is being sought pursuant to this chapter. However, this subdivision shall not apply if the injury or death occurred as a direct result of a crime committed in violation of Section 261, 262, or 273.5 of, or a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of, the Penal Code.
(b)(1)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by, or on behalf of, a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing the crime. However, in determining whether cooperation has been reasonable, the board shall consider the victims or derivative victims age, physical condition, and psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers, any compelling health and safety concerns, including, but not limited to, a reasonable fear of retaliation or harm that would jeopardize the well-being of the victim or the victims family or the derivative victim or the derivative victims family, and giving due consideration to the degree of cooperation of which the victim or derivative victim is capable in light of the presence of any of these factors. An application for a claim shall not be denied pursuant to this paragraph in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor.
(2)An application for a claim based on domestic violence shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on domestic violence relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a domestic violence crime has occurred. Factors evidencing that a domestic violence crime has occurred may include, but are not limited to, medical records documenting injuries consistent with allegations of domestic violence, mental health records, or the fact that the victim has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order, or all of these.
(3)An application for a claim based on human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on human trafficking relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a human trafficking crime as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code has occurred. That evidence may include any reliable corroborating information approved by the board, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A)A Law Enforcement Agency Endorsement issued pursuant to Section 236.2 of the Penal Code.
(B)A human trafficking caseworker, as identified in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code, has attested by affidavit that the individual was a victim of human trafficking.
(4)(A)An application for a claim by a military personnel victim based on a sexual assault by another military personnel shall not be denied solely because it was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement at the time of the crime.
(B)Factors that the board shall consider for purposes of determining if a claim qualifies for compensation include, but are not limited to, the evidence of the following:
(i)Restricted or unrestricted reports to a military victim advocate, sexual assault response coordinator, chaplain, attorney, or other military personnel.
(ii)Medical or physical evidence consistent with sexual assault.
(iii)A written or oral report from military law enforcement or a civilian law enforcement agency concluding that a sexual assault crime was committed against the victim.
(iv)A letter or other written statement from a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, licensed therapist, or mental health counselor, stating that the victim is seeking services related to the allegation of sexual assault.
(v)A credible witness to whom the victim disclosed the details that a sexual assault crime occurred.
(vi)A restraining order from a military or civilian court against the perpetrator of the sexual assault.
(vii)Other behavior by the victim consistent with sexual assault.
(C)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault at issue shall have occurred during military service, including deployment.
(D)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault may have been committed off base.
(E)For purposes of this subdivision, a perpetrator means an individual who is any of the following at the time of the sexual assault:
(i)An active duty military personnel from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.
(ii)A civilian employee of any military branch specified in clause (i), military base, or military deployment.
(iii)A contractor or agent of a private military or private security company.
(iv)A member of the California National Guard.
(F)For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault means an offense included in Section 261, 262, 264.1, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code, as of the date the act that added this paragraph was enacted.
(c)An application for compensation may be denied, in whole or in part, if the board finds that denial is appropriate because of the nature of the victims or other applicants involvement in the events leading to the crime or the involvement of the persons whose injury or death gives rise to the application. In the case of a minor, the board shall consider the minors age, physical condition, and psychological state, as well as any compelling health and safety concerns, in determining whether the minors application should be denied pursuant to this section. The application of a derivative victim of domestic violence under 18 years of age or a derivative victim of trafficking under 18 years of age may not be denied on the basis of the denial of the victims application under this subdivision.
(d)(1)Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person who is convicted of a felony shall not be granted compensation until that person has been discharged from probation or has been released from a correctional institution and has been discharged from parole, if any, unless the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. In no case shall compensation be granted to an applicant pursuant to this chapter during any period of time the applicant is held in a correctional institution.
(2)A person who has been convicted of a felony may apply for compensation pursuant to this chapter at any time, but the award of that compensation may not be considered until the applicant meets the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
(3)Applications of victims who are not felons shall receive priority in the award of compensation over an application submitted by a felon who has met the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
SEC. 3.Section 13957 of the Government Code is amended to read:13957.(a)The board may grant for pecuniary loss, when the board determines it will best aid the person seeking compensation, as follows:
(1)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, including, but not limited to, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, or any prosthetic device taken, lost, or destroyed during the commission of the crime, or the use of which became necessary as a direct result of the crime.
(2)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of outpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim or derivative victim, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center as defined by Section 13837 of the Penal Code, and including family psychiatric, psychological, or mental health counseling for the successful treatment of the victim provided to family members of the victim in the presence of the victim, whether or not the family member relationship existed at the time of the crime, that became necessary as a direct result of the crime, subject to the following conditions:
(A)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000):
(i)A victim.
(ii)A derivative victim who is the surviving parent, sibling, child, spouse, fiance, or fiancee of a victim of a crime that directly resulted in the death of the victim.
(iii)A derivative victim, as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, who is the primary caretaker of a minor victim whose claim is not denied or reduced pursuant to Section 13956 in a total amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for not more than two derivative victims.
(B)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000):
(i)A derivative victim not eligible for reimbursement pursuant to subparagraph (A), provided that mental health counseling of a derivative victim described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, shall be reimbursed only if that counseling is necessary for the treatment of the victim.
(ii)A victim of a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code. A derivative victim of a crime committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code shall not be eligible for reimbursement of mental health counseling expenses.
(iii)A minor who suffers emotional injury as a direct result of witnessing a violent crime and who is not eligible for reimbursement of the costs of outpatient mental health counseling under any other provision of this chapter. To be eligible for reimbursement under this clause, the minor must have been in close proximity to the victim when he or she witnessed the crime.
(C)The board may reimburse a victim or derivative victim for outpatient mental health counseling in excess of that authorized by subparagraph (A) or (B) or for inpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling if the claim is based on dire or exceptional circumstances that require more extensive treatment, as approved by the board.
(D)Expenses for psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services may be reimbursed only if the services were provided by either of the following individuals:
(i)A person who would have been authorized to provide those services pursuant to former Article 1 (commencing with Section 13959) as it read on January 1, 2002.
(ii)A person who is licensed by the state to provide those services, or who is properly supervised by a person who is so licensed, subject to the boards approval and subject to the limitations and restrictions the board may impose.
(3)Reimburse the expenses of nonmedical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law.
(4)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.5, authorize compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victims or derivative victims injury or the victims death. If the victim or derivative victim requests that the board give priority to reimbursement of loss of income or support, the board may not pay medical expenses, or mental health counseling expenses, except upon the request of the victim or derivative victim or after determining that payment of these expenses will not decrease the funds available for payment of loss of income or support.
(5)Authorize a cash payment to or on behalf of the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services.
(6)Reimburse the claimant for the expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Reimbursement shall be made either upon verification by law enforcement that the security measures are necessary for the personal safety of the claimant or verification by a mental health treatment provider that the security measures are necessary for the emotional well-being of the claimant. For purposes of this paragraph, a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime. Installing or increasing residential security may include, but need not be limited to, both of the following:
(A)Home security device or system.
(B)Replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(7)Reimburse the expense of renovating or retrofitting a victims residence or a vehicle, or both, to make the residence, the vehicle, or both, accessible or the vehicle operational by a victim upon verification that the expense is medically necessary for a victim who is permanently disabled as a direct result of the crime, whether the disability is partial or total.
(8)(A)Authorize a cash payment or reimbursement not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) to a victim for expenses incurred in relocating, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(B)The cash payment or reimbursement made under this paragraph shall only be awarded to one claimant per crime giving rise to the relocation. The board may authorize more than one relocation per crime if necessary for the personal safety or emotional well-being of the claimant. However, the total cash payment or reimbursement for all relocations due to the same crime shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000). For purposes of this paragraph a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime.
(C)The board may, under compelling circumstances, award a second cash payment or reimbursement to a victim for another crime if both of the following conditions are met:
(i)The crime occurs more than three years from the date of the crime giving rise to the initial relocation cash payment or reimbursement.
(ii)The crime does not involve the same offender.
(D)When a relocation payment or reimbursement is provided to a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence and the identity of the offender is known to the victim, the victim shall agree not to inform the offender of the location of the victims new residence and not to allow the offender on the premises at any time, or shall agree to seek a restraining order against the offender.
(E)Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the board may increase the cash payment or reimbursement for expenses incurred in relocating to an amount greater than two thousand dollars ($2,000), if the board finds this amount is appropriate due to the unusual, dire, or exceptional circumstances of a particular claim.
(9)When a victim dies as a result of a crime, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay any of the following expenses:
(A)The medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime in an amount not to exceed the rates or limitations established by the board.
(B)The funeral and burial expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime, not to exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500).Any regulation or policy by the board creating a maximum amount of an award pursuant to this provision for less than seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) is prohibited.
(10)When the crime occurs in a residence, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay the reasonable costs to clean the scene of the crime in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Services reimbursed pursuant to this subdivision shall be performed by persons registered with the State Department of Public Health as trauma scene waste practitioners in accordance with Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 118321) of Part 14 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
(11)When the crime is a violation of Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, the board may reimburse the expense of veterinary services, replacement costs, or other reasonable expenses, as ordered by the court pursuant to Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(b)The total award to or on behalf of each victim or derivative victim may not exceed thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), except that this amount may be increased to seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) if federal funds for that increase are available.
SEC. 4.Section 13958 of the Government Code is amended to read:13958.The board shall approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within 90 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center.
(a)If the board does not meet the 90-day requirement prescribed in this subdivision, the board shall, thereafter, report to the Legislature, on a quarterly basis, its progress and its current average time of processing applications. These quarterly reports shall continue until the board meets the 90-day requirement for two consecutive quarters.
(b)If the board fails to approve or deny an individual application within 90 days of the date it is accepted, pursuant to this subdivision, the board shall advise the applicant and his or her representative, in writing, of the reason for the failure to approve or deny the application.
SEC. 5.Section 13959 of the Government Code is amended to read:13959.(a)The board shall grant a hearing to an applicant who believes he or she is entitled to compensation pursuant to this chapter to contest a staff recommendation to deny compensation in whole or in part.
(b)The board shall notify the applicant not less than 10 days prior to the date of the hearing. Notwithstanding Section 11123, if the application that the board is considering involves either a crime against a minor, a crime of sexual assault, or a crime of domestic violence, the board may exclude from the hearing all persons other than board members and members of its staff, the applicant for benefits, a minor applicants parents or guardians, the applicants representative, witnesses, and other persons of the applicants choice to provide assistance to the applicant during the hearing. However, the board shall not exclude persons from the hearing if the applicant or applicants representative requests that the hearing be open to the public.
(c)At the hearing, the person seeking compensation shall have the burden of establishing, by a preponderance of the evidence, the elements for eligibility under Section 13955.
(d)Except as otherwise provided by law, in making determinations of eligibility for compensation and in deciding upon the amount of compensation, the board shall apply the law in effect as of the date an application was submitted.
(e)(1)The hearing shall be informal and need not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses. The board may rely on any relevant evidence if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of a common law or statutory rule that might make improper the admission of the evidence over objection in a civil action. The board may rely on written reports prepared for the board, or other information received, from public agencies responsible for investigating the crime. If the applicant or the applicants representative chooses not to appear at the hearing, the board may act solely upon the application for compensation, the staffs report, and other evidence that appears in the record.
(2)The board shall allow a service animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a hearing.
(f)Hearings shall be held in various locations with the frequency necessary to provide for the speedy adjudication of the applications. If the applicants presence is required at the hearing, the board shall schedule the applicants hearing in as convenient a location as possible.
(g)The board may delegate the hearing of applications to hearing officers.
(h)The decisions of the board shall be in writing. Copies of the decisions shall be delivered to the applicant or to his or her representative personally or sent to him or her by mail.
(i)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on written request of the applicant. The board shall not grant more than one request for reconsideration with respect to any one decision on an application for compensation. The board shall not consider any request for reconsideration filed with the board more than 30 calendar days after the personal delivery or 60 calendar days after the mailing of the original decision.
(j)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on its own motion, at its discretion, at any time.
SEC. 6.Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1202.4.(a)(1)It is the intent of the Legislature that a victim of crime who incurs an economic loss as a result of the commission of a crime shall receive restitution directly from a defendant convicted of that crime.
(2)Upon a person being convicted of a crime in the State of California, the court shall order the defendant to pay a fine in the form of a penalty assessment in accordance with Section 1464.
(3)The court, in addition to any other penalty provided or imposed under the law, shall order the defendant to pay both of the following:
(A)A restitution fine in accordance with subdivision (b).
(B)Restitution to the victim or victims, if any, in accordance with subdivision (f), which shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(b)In every case where a person is convicted of a crime, the court shall impose a separate and additional restitution fine, unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record.
(1)The restitution fine shall be set at the discretion of the court and commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. If the person is convicted of a felony, the fine shall not be less than two hundred forty dollars ($240) starting on January 1, 2012, two hundred eighty dollars ($280) starting on January 1, 2013, and three hundred dollars ($300) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). If the person is convicted of a misdemeanor, the fine shall not be less than one hundred twenty dollars ($120) starting on January 1, 2012, one hundred forty dollars ($140) starting on January 1, 2013, and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(2)In setting a felony restitution fine, the court may determine the amount of the fine as the product of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) multiplied by the number of years of imprisonment the defendant is ordered to serve, multiplied by the number of felony counts of which the defendant is convicted.
(c)The court shall impose the restitution fine unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution fine. Inability to pay may be considered only in increasing the amount of the restitution fine in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution fine if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(d)In setting the amount of the fine pursuant to subdivision (b) in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the court shall consider any relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the defendants inability to pay, the seriousness and gravity of the offense and the circumstances of its commission, any economic gain derived by the defendant as a result of the crime, the extent to which any other person suffered losses as a result of the crime, and the number of victims involved in the crime. Those losses may include pecuniary losses to the victim or his or her dependents as well as intangible losses, such as psychological harm caused by the crime. Consideration of a defendants inability to pay may include his or her future earning capacity. A defendant shall bear the burden of demonstrating his or her inability to pay. Express findings by the court as to the factors bearing on the amount of the fine shall not be required. A separate hearing for the fine shall not be required.
(e)The restitution fine shall not be subject to penalty assessments authorized in Section 1464 or Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 76000) of Title 8 of the Government Code, or the state surcharge authorized in Section 1465.7, and shall be deposited in the Restitution Fund in the State Treasury.
(f)Except as provided in subdivisions (q) and (r), in every case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct, the court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or any other showing to the court. If the amount of loss cannot be ascertained at the time of sentencing, the restitution order shall include a provision that the amount shall be determined at the direction of the court. The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution order if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(1)The defendant has the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution. The court may modify the amount, on its own motion or on the motion of the district attorney, the victim or victims, or the defendant. If a motion is made for modification of a restitution order, the victim shall be notified of that motion at least 10 days prior to the proceeding held to decide the motion. A victim at a restitution hearing or modification hearing described in this paragraph may testify by live, two-way audio and video transmission, if testimony by live, two-way audio and video transmission is available at the court.
(2)Determination of the amount of restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall not be affected by the indemnification or subrogation rights of a third party. Restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall be ordered to be deposited to the Restitution Fund to the extent that the victim, as defined in subdivision (k), has received assistance from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(3)To the extent possible, the restitution order shall be prepared by the sentencing court, shall identify each victim and each loss to which it pertains, and shall be of a dollar amount that is sufficient to fully reimburse the victim or victims for every determined economic loss incurred as the result of the defendants criminal conduct, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Full or partial payment for the value of stolen or damaged property. The value of stolen or damaged property shall be the replacement cost of like property, or the actual cost of repairing the property when repair is possible.
(B)Medical expenses.
(C)Mental health counseling expenses.
(D)Wages or profits lost due to injury incurred by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, while caring for the injured minor. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(E)Wages or profits lost by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, due to time spent as a witness or in assisting the police or prosecution. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(F)Noneconomic losses, including, but not limited to, psychological harm, for felony violations of Section 288.
(G)Interest, at the rate of 10 percent per annum, that accrues as of the date of sentencing or loss, as determined by the court.
(H)Actual and reasonable attorneys fees and other costs of collection accrued by a private entity on behalf of the victim.
(I)Expenses incurred by an adult victim in relocating away from the defendant, including, but not limited to, deposits for utilities and telephone service, deposits for rental housing, temporary lodging and food expenses, clothing, and personal items. Expenses incurred pursuant to this section shall be verified by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(J)Expenses to install or increase residential security incurred related to a violent felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, including, but not limited to, a home security device or system, or replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(K)Expenses to retrofit a residence or vehicle, or both, to make the residence accessible to or the vehicle operational by the victim, if the victim is permanently disabled, whether the disability is partial or total, as a direct result of the crime.
(L)Expenses for a period of time reasonably necessary to make the victim whole, for the costs to monitor the credit report of, and for the costs to repair the credit of, a victim of identity theft, as defined in Section 530.5.
(4)(A)If, as a result of the defendants conduct, the Restitution Fund has provided assistance to or on behalf of a victim or derivative victim pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the amount of assistance provided shall be presumed to be a direct result of the defendants criminal conduct and shall be included in the amount of the restitution ordered.
(B)The amount of assistance provided by the Restitution Fund shall be established by copies of bills submitted to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board reflecting the amount paid by the board and whether the services for which payment was made were for medical or dental expenses, funeral or burial expenses, mental health counseling, wage or support losses, or rehabilitation. Certified copies of these bills provided by the board and redacted to protect the privacy and safety of the victim or any legal privilege, together with a statement made under penalty of perjury by the custodian of records that those bills were submitted to and were paid by the board, shall be sufficient to meet this requirement.
(C)If the defendant offers evidence to rebut the presumption established by this paragraph, the court may release additional information contained in the records of the board to the defendant only after reviewing that information in camera and finding that the information is necessary for the defendant to dispute the amount of the restitution order.
(5)Except as provided in paragraph (6), in any case in which an order may be entered pursuant to this subdivision, the defendant shall prepare and file a disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant held or controlled a present or future interest as of the date of the defendants arrest for the crime for which restitution may be ordered. The financial disclosure statements shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed by the defendant upon a form approved or adopted by the Judicial Council for the purpose of facilitating the disclosure. A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty.
(6)A defendant who fails to file the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), but who has filed a financial affidavit or financial information pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 987, shall be deemed to have waived the confidentiality of that affidavit or financial information as to a victim in whose favor the order of restitution is entered pursuant to subdivision (f). The affidavit or information shall serve in lieu of the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), and paragraphs (7) to (10), inclusive, shall not apply.
(7)Except as provided in paragraph (6), the defendant shall file the disclosure with the clerk of the court no later than the date set for the defendants sentencing, unless otherwise directed by the court. The disclosure may be inspected or copied as provided by subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section 1203.05.
(8)In its discretion, the court may relieve the defendant of the duty under paragraph (7) of filing with the clerk by requiring that the defendants disclosure be submitted as an attachment to, and be available to, those authorized to receive the following:
(A)A report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203 or subdivision (g) of Section 1203.
(B)A stipulation submitted pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203.
(C)A report by the probation officer, or information submitted by the defendant applying for a conditional sentence pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 1203.
(9)The court may consider a defendants unreasonable failure to make a complete disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) as any of the following:
(A)A circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section 1170.
(B)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by admitting the defendant to probation under Section 1203.
(C)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by conditionally sentencing the defendant under Section 1203.
(D)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by imposing less than the maximum fine and sentence fixed by law for the case.
(10)A defendants failure or refusal to make the required disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) shall not delay entry of an order of restitution or pronouncement of sentence. In appropriate cases, the court may do any of the following:
(A)Require the defendant to be examined by the district attorney pursuant to subdivision (h).
(B)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1170, provide that the victim shall receive a copy of the portion of the probation report filed pursuant to Section 1203.10 concerning the defendants employment, occupation, finances, and liabilities.
(C)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1203, set a date and place for submission of the disclosure required by paragraph (5) as a condition of probation or suspended sentence.
(11)If a defendant has any remaining unpaid balance on a restitution order or fine 120 days prior to his or her scheduled release from probation or 120 days prior to his or her completion of a conditional sentence, the defendant shall prepare and file a new and updated financial disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant holds or controls or has held or controlled a present or future interest during the defendants period of probation or conditional sentence. The financial disclosure shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed and prepared by the defendant on the same form as described in paragraph (5). A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty. The financial disclosure required by this paragraph shall be filed with the clerk of the court no later than 90 days prior to the defendants scheduled release from probation or completion of the defendants conditional sentence.
(12)In cases where an employer is convicted of a crime against an employee, a payment to the employee or the employees dependent that is made by the employers workers compensation insurance carrier shall not be used to offset the amount of the restitution order unless the court finds that the defendant substantially met the obligation to pay premiums for that insurance coverage.
(g)The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution order, nor shall inability to pay be a consideration in determining the amount of a restitution order.
(h)The district attorney may request an order of examination pursuant to the procedures specified in Article 2 (commencing with Section 708.110) of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, in order to determine the defendants financial assets for purposes of collecting on the restitution order.
(i)A restitution order imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(j)The making of a restitution order pursuant to subdivision (f) shall not affect the right of a victim to recovery from the Restitution Fund as otherwise provided by law, except to the extent that restitution is actually collected pursuant to the order. Restitution collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be credited to any other judgments for the same losses obtained against the defendant arising out of the crime for which the defendant was convicted.
(k)For purposes of this section, victim shall include all of the following:
(1)The immediate surviving family of the actual victim.
(2)A corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity when that entity is a direct victim of a crime.
(3)A person who has sustained economic loss as the result of a crime and who satisfies any of the following conditions:
(A)At the time of the crime was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child, or grandchild of the victim.
(B)At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
(C)At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the household of the victim for a period of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a relationship listed in subparagraph (A).
(D)Is another family member of the victim, including, but not limited to, the victims fiance or fiancee, and who witnessed the crime.
(E)Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim.
(4)A person who is eligible to receive assistance from the Restitution Fund pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(5)A governmental entity that is responsible for repairing, replacing, or restoring public or privately owned property that has been defaced with graffiti or other inscribed material, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 594, and that has sustained an economic loss as the result of a violation of Section 594, 594.3, 594.4, 640.5, 640.6, or 640.7.
(l)At its discretion, the board of supervisors of a county may impose a fee to cover the actual administrative cost of collecting the restitution fine, not to exceed 10 percent of the amount ordered to be paid, to be added to the restitution fine and included in the order of the court, the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the general fund of the county.
(m)In every case in which the defendant is granted probation, the court shall make the payment of restitution fines and orders imposed pursuant to this section a condition of probation. Any portion of a restitution order that remains unsatisfied after a defendant is no longer on probation shall continue to be enforceable by a victim pursuant to Section 1214 until the obligation is satisfied.
(n)If the court finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons why a restitution fine or full restitution order should not be required, the court shall order, as a condition of probation, that the defendant perform specified community service, unless it finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons not to require community service in addition to the finding that restitution should not be required. Upon revocation of probation, the court shall impose restitution pursuant to this section.
(o)The provisions of Section 13963 of the Government Code shall apply to restitution imposed pursuant to this section.
(p)The court clerk shall notify the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board within 90 days of an order of restitution being imposed if the defendant is ordered to pay restitution to the board due to the victim receiving compensation from the Restitution Fund. Notification shall be accomplished by mailing a copy of the court order to the board, which may be done periodically by bulk mail or email.
(q)Upon conviction for a violation of Section 236.1, the court shall, in addition to any other penalty or restitution, order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim in a case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct. The court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or another showing to the court. In determining restitution pursuant to this section, the court shall base its order upon the greater of the following: the gross value of the victims labor or services based upon the comparable value of similar services in the labor market in which the offense occurred, or the value of the victims labor as guaranteed under California law, or the actual income derived by the defendant from the victims labor or services or any other appropriate means to provide reparations to the victim.
(r)(1)In addition to any other penalty or fine, the court shall order a person who has been convicted of a violation of Section 350, 653h, 653s, 653u, 653w, or 653aa that involves a recording or audiovisual work to make restitution to an owner or lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer, of a phonograph record, disc, wire, tape, film, or other device or article from which sounds or visual images are derived that suffered economic loss resulting from the violation. The order of restitution shall be based on the aggregate wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized devices or articles from which sounds or visual images are devised corresponding to the number of nonconforming devices or articles involved in the offense, unless a higher value can be proved in the case of (A) an unreleased audio work, or (B) an audiovisual work that, at the time of unauthorized distribution, has not been made available in copies for sale to the general public in the United States on a digital versatile disc. For purposes of this subdivision, possession of nonconforming devices or articles intended for sale constitutes actual economic loss to an owner or lawful producer in the form of displaced legitimate wholesale purchases. The order of restitution shall also include reasonable costs incurred as a result of an investigation of the violation undertaken by the owner, lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer. Aggregate wholesale value means the average wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized sound or audiovisual recordings. Proof of the specific wholesale value of each nonconforming device or article is not required.
(2)As used in this subdivision, audiovisual work and recording shall have the same meaning as in Section 653w.
(a)An application for compensation shall be filed with the board in the manner determined by the board.
(b)(1)The application for compensation shall be verified under penalty of perjury by the individual who is seeking compensation, who may be the victim or derivative victim, or an individual seeking reimbursement for burial, funeral, or crime scene cleanup expenses pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13957. If the individual seeking compensation is a minor or is incompetent, the application shall be verified under penalty of perjury or on information and belief by the parent with legal custody, guardian, conservator, or relative caregiver of the victim or derivative victim for whom the application is made. However, if a minor seeks compensation only for expenses for medical, medical-related, psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services and the minor is authorized by statute to consent to those services, the minor may verify the application for compensation under penalty of perjury.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, relative caregiver means a relative as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 6550 of the Family Code, who assumed primary responsibility for the child while the child was in the relatives care and control, and who is not a biological or adoptive parent.
(c)(1)The board may require submission of additional information supporting the application that is reasonably necessary to verify the application and determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)The staff of the board shall determine whether an application for compensation contains all of the information required by the board. If the staff determines that an application does not contain all of the required information, the staff shall communicate that determination to the applicant with a brief statement of the additional information required. The applicant, within 30 calendar days of being notified that the application is incomplete, may either supply the additional information or appeal the staffs determination to the board, which shall review the application to determine whether it is complete.
(3)The board shall not require an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(d)(1)The board may recognize an authorized representative of the victim or derivative victim, who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized representative means any of the following:
(A)An attorney.
(B)If the victim or derivative victim is a minor or an incompetent adult, the legal guardian or conservator, or an immediate family member, parent, or relative caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(C)A victim assistance advocate certified pursuant to Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code.
(D)An immediate family member of the victim or derivative victim, who has written authorization by the victim or derivative victim, and who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(E) Other persons who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(F)A county social worker designated by a county department of social services to represent a child abuse victim or an elder abuse victim if that victim is unable to file on his or her own behalf.
(3)Except for attorneys fees awarded under this chapter, no authorized representative described in paragraph (2) shall charge, demand, receive, or collect any amount for services rendered under this subdivision.
(e)All correspondence by the board to an applicant shall be written in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, East Armenian, Tagalog, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Mong, Hmong, and Khmer.
SEC. 2.Section 13956 of the Government Code is amended to read:13956.Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person shall not be eligible for compensation under the following conditions:
(a)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by or on behalf of a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim, knowingly and willingly participated in the commission of the crime that resulted in the pecuniary loss for which compensation is being sought pursuant to this chapter. However, this subdivision shall not apply if the injury or death occurred as a direct result of a crime committed in violation of Section 261, 262, or 273.5 of, or a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of, the Penal Code.
(b)(1)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by, or on behalf of, a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing the crime. However, in determining whether cooperation has been reasonable, the board shall consider the victims or derivative victims age, physical condition, and psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers, any compelling health and safety concerns, including, but not limited to, a reasonable fear of retaliation or harm that would jeopardize the well-being of the victim or the victims family or the derivative victim or the derivative victims family, and giving due consideration to the degree of cooperation of which the victim or derivative victim is capable in light of the presence of any of these factors. An application for a claim shall not be denied pursuant to this paragraph in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor.
(2)An application for a claim based on domestic violence shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on domestic violence relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a domestic violence crime has occurred. Factors evidencing that a domestic violence crime has occurred may include, but are not limited to, medical records documenting injuries consistent with allegations of domestic violence, mental health records, or the fact that the victim has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order, or all of these.
(3)An application for a claim based on human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on human trafficking relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a human trafficking crime as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code has occurred. That evidence may include any reliable corroborating information approved by the board, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A)A Law Enforcement Agency Endorsement issued pursuant to Section 236.2 of the Penal Code.
(B)A human trafficking caseworker, as identified in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code, has attested by affidavit that the individual was a victim of human trafficking.
(4)(A)An application for a claim by a military personnel victim based on a sexual assault by another military personnel shall not be denied solely because it was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement at the time of the crime.
(B)Factors that the board shall consider for purposes of determining if a claim qualifies for compensation include, but are not limited to, the evidence of the following:
(i)Restricted or unrestricted reports to a military victim advocate, sexual assault response coordinator, chaplain, attorney, or other military personnel.
(ii)Medical or physical evidence consistent with sexual assault.
(iii)A written or oral report from military law enforcement or a civilian law enforcement agency concluding that a sexual assault crime was committed against the victim.
(iv)A letter or other written statement from a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, licensed therapist, or mental health counselor, stating that the victim is seeking services related to the allegation of sexual assault.
(v)A credible witness to whom the victim disclosed the details that a sexual assault crime occurred.
(vi)A restraining order from a military or civilian court against the perpetrator of the sexual assault.
(vii)Other behavior by the victim consistent with sexual assault.
(C)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault at issue shall have occurred during military service, including deployment.
(D)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault may have been committed off base.
(E)For purposes of this subdivision, a perpetrator means an individual who is any of the following at the time of the sexual assault:
(i)An active duty military personnel from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.
(ii)A civilian employee of any military branch specified in clause (i), military base, or military deployment.
(iii)A contractor or agent of a private military or private security company.
(iv)A member of the California National Guard.
(F)For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault means an offense included in Section 261, 262, 264.1, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code, as of the date the act that added this paragraph was enacted.
(c)An application for compensation may be denied, in whole or in part, if the board finds that denial is appropriate because of the nature of the victims or other applicants involvement in the events leading to the crime or the involvement of the persons whose injury or death gives rise to the application. In the case of a minor, the board shall consider the minors age, physical condition, and psychological state, as well as any compelling health and safety concerns, in determining whether the minors application should be denied pursuant to this section. The application of a derivative victim of domestic violence under 18 years of age or a derivative victim of trafficking under 18 years of age may not be denied on the basis of the denial of the victims application under this subdivision.
(d)(1)Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person who is convicted of a felony shall not be granted compensation until that person has been discharged from probation or has been released from a correctional institution and has been discharged from parole, if any, unless the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. In no case shall compensation be granted to an applicant pursuant to this chapter during any period of time the applicant is held in a correctional institution.
(2)A person who has been convicted of a felony may apply for compensation pursuant to this chapter at any time, but the award of that compensation may not be considered until the applicant meets the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
(3)Applications of victims who are not felons shall receive priority in the award of compensation over an application submitted by a felon who has met the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
SEC. 3.Section 13957 of the Government Code is amended to read:13957.(a)The board may grant for pecuniary loss, when the board determines it will best aid the person seeking compensation, as follows:
(1)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, including, but not limited to, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, or any prosthetic device taken, lost, or destroyed during the commission of the crime, or the use of which became necessary as a direct result of the crime.
(2)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of outpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim or derivative victim, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center as defined by Section 13837 of the Penal Code, and including family psychiatric, psychological, or mental health counseling for the successful treatment of the victim provided to family members of the victim in the presence of the victim, whether or not the family member relationship existed at the time of the crime, that became necessary as a direct result of the crime, subject to the following conditions:
(A)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000):
(i)A victim.
(ii)A derivative victim who is the surviving parent, sibling, child, spouse, fiance, or fiancee of a victim of a crime that directly resulted in the death of the victim.
(iii)A derivative victim, as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, who is the primary caretaker of a minor victim whose claim is not denied or reduced pursuant to Section 13956 in a total amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for not more than two derivative victims.
(B)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000):
(i)A derivative victim not eligible for reimbursement pursuant to subparagraph (A), provided that mental health counseling of a derivative victim described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, shall be reimbursed only if that counseling is necessary for the treatment of the victim.
(ii)A victim of a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code. A derivative victim of a crime committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code shall not be eligible for reimbursement of mental health counseling expenses.
(iii)A minor who suffers emotional injury as a direct result of witnessing a violent crime and who is not eligible for reimbursement of the costs of outpatient mental health counseling under any other provision of this chapter. To be eligible for reimbursement under this clause, the minor must have been in close proximity to the victim when he or she witnessed the crime.
(C)The board may reimburse a victim or derivative victim for outpatient mental health counseling in excess of that authorized by subparagraph (A) or (B) or for inpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling if the claim is based on dire or exceptional circumstances that require more extensive treatment, as approved by the board.
(D)Expenses for psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services may be reimbursed only if the services were provided by either of the following individuals:
(i)A person who would have been authorized to provide those services pursuant to former Article 1 (commencing with Section 13959) as it read on January 1, 2002.
(ii)A person who is licensed by the state to provide those services, or who is properly supervised by a person who is so licensed, subject to the boards approval and subject to the limitations and restrictions the board may impose.
(3)Reimburse the expenses of nonmedical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law.
(4)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.5, authorize compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victims or derivative victims injury or the victims death. If the victim or derivative victim requests that the board give priority to reimbursement of loss of income or support, the board may not pay medical expenses, or mental health counseling expenses, except upon the request of the victim or derivative victim or after determining that payment of these expenses will not decrease the funds available for payment of loss of income or support.
(5)Authorize a cash payment to or on behalf of the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services.
(6)Reimburse the claimant for the expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Reimbursement shall be made either upon verification by law enforcement that the security measures are necessary for the personal safety of the claimant or verification by a mental health treatment provider that the security measures are necessary for the emotional well-being of the claimant. For purposes of this paragraph, a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime. Installing or increasing residential security may include, but need not be limited to, both of the following:
(A)Home security device or system.
(B)Replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(7)Reimburse the expense of renovating or retrofitting a victims residence or a vehicle, or both, to make the residence, the vehicle, or both, accessible or the vehicle operational by a victim upon verification that the expense is medically necessary for a victim who is permanently disabled as a direct result of the crime, whether the disability is partial or total.
(8)(A)Authorize a cash payment or reimbursement not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) to a victim for expenses incurred in relocating, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(B)The cash payment or reimbursement made under this paragraph shall only be awarded to one claimant per crime giving rise to the relocation. The board may authorize more than one relocation per crime if necessary for the personal safety or emotional well-being of the claimant. However, the total cash payment or reimbursement for all relocations due to the same crime shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000). For purposes of this paragraph a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime.
(C)The board may, under compelling circumstances, award a second cash payment or reimbursement to a victim for another crime if both of the following conditions are met:
(i)The crime occurs more than three years from the date of the crime giving rise to the initial relocation cash payment or reimbursement.
(ii)The crime does not involve the same offender.
(D)When a relocation payment or reimbursement is provided to a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence and the identity of the offender is known to the victim, the victim shall agree not to inform the offender of the location of the victims new residence and not to allow the offender on the premises at any time, or shall agree to seek a restraining order against the offender.
(E)Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the board may increase the cash payment or reimbursement for expenses incurred in relocating to an amount greater than two thousand dollars ($2,000), if the board finds this amount is appropriate due to the unusual, dire, or exceptional circumstances of a particular claim.
(9)When a victim dies as a result of a crime, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay any of the following expenses:
(A)The medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime in an amount not to exceed the rates or limitations established by the board.
(B)The funeral and burial expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime crime, not to exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500). The board shall consider granting an applicant an award up to seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500). Any regulation or policy by the board creating a maximum amount of an award pursuant to this provision for less than seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) is prohibited.
(10)When the crime occurs in a residence, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay the reasonable costs to clean the scene of the crime in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Services reimbursed pursuant to this subdivision shall be performed by persons registered with the State Department of Public Health as trauma scene waste practitioners in accordance with Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 118321) of Part 14 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
(11)When the crime is a violation of Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, the board may reimburse the expense of veterinary services, replacement costs, or other reasonable expenses, as ordered by the court pursuant to Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(b)The total award to or on behalf of each victim or derivative victim may not exceed thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), except that this amount may be increased to seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) if federal funds for that increase are available.
SEC. 4.Section 13958 of the Government Code is amended to read:13958.The board shall approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within 90 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center.
(a)If the board does not meet the 90-day requirement prescribed in this subdivision, the board shall, thereafter, report to the Legislature, on a quarterly basis, its progress and its current average time of processing applications. These quarterly reports shall continue until the board meets the 90-day requirement for two consecutive quarters.
(b)If the board fails to approve or deny an individual application within 90 days of the date it is accepted, pursuant to this subdivision, the board shall advise the applicant and his or her representative, in writing, of the reason for the failure to approve or deny the application.
SEC. 5.Section 13959 of the Government Code is amended to read:13959.(a)The board shall grant a hearing to an applicant who believes he or she is entitled to compensation pursuant to this chapter to contest a staff recommendation to deny compensation in whole or in part.
(b)The board shall notify the applicant not less than 10 days prior to the date of the hearing. Notwithstanding Section 11123, if the application that the board is considering involves either a crime against a minor, a crime of sexual assault, or a crime of domestic violence, the board may exclude from the hearing all persons other than board members and members of its staff, the applicant for benefits, a minor applicants parents or guardians, the applicants representative, witnesses, and other persons of the applicants choice to provide assistance to the applicant during the hearing. However, the board shall not exclude persons from the hearing if the applicant or applicants representative requests that the hearing be open to the public.
(c)At the hearing, the person seeking compensation shall have the burden of establishing, by a preponderance of the evidence, the elements for eligibility under Section 13955.
(d)Except as otherwise provided by law, in making determinations of eligibility for compensation and in deciding upon the amount of compensation, the board shall apply the law in effect as of the date an application was submitted.
(e)(1)The hearing shall be informal and need not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses. The board may rely on any relevant evidence if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of a common law or statutory rule that might make improper the admission of the evidence over objection in a civil action. The board may rely on written reports prepared for the board, or other information received, from public agencies responsible for investigating the crime. If the applicant or the applicants representative chooses not to appear at the hearing, the board may act solely upon the application for compensation, the staffs report, and other evidence that appears in the record.
(2)The board shall allow a service animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a hearing.
(f)Hearings shall be held in various locations with the frequency necessary to provide for the speedy adjudication of the applications. If the applicants presence is required at the hearing, the board shall schedule the applicants hearing in as convenient a location as possible.
(g)The board may delegate the hearing of applications to hearing officers.
(h)The decisions of the board shall be in writing. Copies of the decisions shall be delivered to the applicant or to his or her representative personally or sent to him or her by mail.
(i)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on written request of the applicant. The board shall not grant more than one request for reconsideration with respect to any one decision on an application for compensation. The board shall not consider any request for reconsideration filed with the board more than 30 calendar days after the personal delivery or 60 calendar days after the mailing of the original decision.
(j)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on its own motion, at its discretion, at any time.
SEC. 6.Section 1050 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1050.(a)The welfare of the people of the State of California requires that all proceedings in criminal cases shall be set for trial and heard and determined at the earliest possible time. To this end, the Legislature finds that the criminal courts are becoming increasingly congested with resulting adverse consequences to the welfare of the people and the defendant. Excessive continuances contribute substantially to this congestion and cause substantial hardship to victims and other witnesses. Continuances also lead to longer periods of presentence confinement for those defendants in custody and the concomitant overcrowding and increased expenses of local jails. It is therefore recognized that the people, the defendant, and the victims and other witnesses have the right to an expeditious disposition, and to that end it shall be the duty of all courts and judicial officers and of all counsel, both for the prosecution and the defense, to expedite these proceedings to the greatest degree that is consistent with the ends of justice. In accordance with this policy, criminal cases shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, any civil matters or proceedings. In further accordance with this policy, death penalty cases in which both the prosecution and the defense have informed the court that they are prepared to proceed to trial shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, other criminal cases and any civil matters or proceedings, unless the court finds in the interest of justice that it is not appropriate.
(b)To continue any hearing in a criminal proceeding, including the trial, (1) a written notice shall be filed and served on all parties to the proceeding at least two court days before the hearing sought to be continued, together with affidavits or declarations detailing specific facts showing that a continuance is necessary and (2) within two court days of learning that he or she has a conflict in the scheduling of any court hearing, including a trial, an attorney shall notify the calendar clerk of each court involved, in writing, indicating which hearing was set first. A party shall not be deemed to have been served within the meaning of this section until that party actually has received a copy of the documents to be served, unless the party, after receiving actual notice of the request for continuance, waives the right to have the documents served in a timely manner. Regardless of the proponent of the motion, the prosecuting attorney shall notify the peoples witnesses and the defense attorney shall notify the defenses witnesses of the notice of motion, the date of the hearing, and the witnesses right to be heard by the court.
(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a party may make a motion for a continuance without complying with the requirements of that subdivision. However, unless the moving party shows good cause for the failure to comply with those requirements, the court may impose sanctions as provided in Section 1050.5.
(d)When a party makes a motion for a continuance without complying with the requirements of subdivision (b), the court shall hold a hearing on whether there is good cause for the failure to comply with those requirements. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall make a finding whether good cause has been shown and, if it finds that there is good cause, shall state on the record the facts proved that justify its finding. A statement of the finding and a statement of facts proved shall be entered in the minutes. If the moving party is unable to show good cause for the failure to give notice, the motion for continuance shall not be granted.
(e)Continuances shall be granted only upon a showing of good cause. Neither the convenience of the parties nor a stipulation of the parties is in and of itself good cause.
(f)At the conclusion of the motion for continuance, the court shall make a finding whether good cause has been shown and, if it finds that there is good cause, shall state on the record the facts proved that justify its finding. A statement of facts proved shall be entered in the minutes.
(g)(1)When deciding whether or not good cause for a continuance has been shown, the court shall consider the general convenience and prior commitments of all witnesses, including peace officers. Both the general convenience and prior commitments of each witness also shall be considered in selecting a continuance date if the motion is granted. The facts as to inconvenience or prior commitments may be offered by the witness or by a party to the case.
(2)For purposes of this section, good cause includes, but is not limited to, those cases involving murder, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 187, allegations that stalking, as defined in Section 646.9, a violation of one or more of the sections specified in subdivision (a) of Section 11165.1 or Section 11165.6, domestic violence, as defined in Section 13700, a hate crime, as defined in Title 11.6 (commencing with Section 422.6) of Part 1, or elder abuse, as defined in Section 368 of the Penal Code, has occurred, or a case being handled in the Career Criminal Prosecution Program pursuant to Sections 999b through 999h, and the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress in that court or another court. A continuance under this paragraph shall be limited to a maximum of 10 additional court days.
(3)Only one continuance per case may be granted to the people under this subdivision for cases involving stalking, hate crimes, or cases handled under the Career Criminal Prosecution Program. Any continuance granted to the people in a case involving stalking or handled under the Career Criminal Prosecution Program shall be for the shortest time possible, not to exceed 10 court days.
(h)Upon a showing that the attorney of record at the time of the defendants first appearance in the superior court on an indictment or information is a Member of the Legislature of this state and that the Legislature is in session or that a legislative interim committee of which the attorney is a duly appointed member is meeting or is to meet within the next seven days, the defendant shall be entitled to a reasonable continuance not to exceed 30 days.
(i)A continuance shall be granted only for that period of time shown to be necessary by the evidence considered at the hearing on the motion. Whenever any continuance is granted, the court shall state on the record the facts proved that justify the length of the continuance, and those facts shall be entered in the minutes.
(j)Whenever it shall appear that any court may be required, because of the condition of its calendar, to dismiss an action pursuant to Section 1382, the court must immediately notify the Chair of the Judicial Council.
(k)This section shall not apply when the preliminary examination is set on a date less than 10 court days from the date of the defendants arraignment on the complaint, and the prosecution or the defendant moves to continue the preliminary examination to a date not more than 10 court days from the date of the defendants arraignment on the complaint.
(l)This section is directory only and does not mandate dismissal of an action by its terms.
SEC. 7.SEC. 6.Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1202.4.(a)(1)It is the intent of the Legislature that a victim of crime who incurs an economic loss as a result of the commission of a crime shall receive restitution directly from a defendant convicted of that crime.
(2)Upon a person being convicted of a crime in the State of California, the court shall order the defendant to pay a fine in the form of a penalty assessment in accordance with Section 1464.
(3)The court, in addition to any other penalty provided or imposed under the law, shall order the defendant to pay both of the following:
(A)A restitution fine in accordance with subdivision (b).
(B)Restitution to the victim or victims, if any, in accordance with subdivision (f), which shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(b)In every case where a person is convicted of a crime, the court shall impose a separate and additional restitution fine, unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record.
(1)The restitution fine shall be set at the discretion of the court and commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. If the person is convicted of a felony, the fine shall not be less than two hundred forty dollars ($240) starting on January 1, 2012, two hundred eighty dollars ($280) starting on January 1, 2013, and three hundred dollars ($300) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). If the person is convicted of a misdemeanor, the fine shall not be less than one hundred twenty dollars ($120) starting on January 1, 2012, one hundred forty dollars ($140) starting on January 1, 2013, and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(2)In setting a felony restitution fine, the court may determine the amount of the fine as the product of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) multiplied by the number of years of imprisonment the defendant is ordered to serve, multiplied by the number of felony counts of which the defendant is convicted.
(c)The court shall impose the restitution fine unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution fine. Inability to pay may be considered only in increasing the amount of the restitution fine in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution fine if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(d)In setting the amount of the fine pursuant to subdivision (b) in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the court shall consider any relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the defendants inability to pay, the seriousness and gravity of the offense and the circumstances of its commission, any economic gain derived by the defendant as a result of the crime, the extent to which any other person suffered losses as a result of the crime, and the number of victims involved in the crime. Those losses may include pecuniary losses to the victim or his or her dependents as well as intangible losses, such as psychological harm caused by the crime. Consideration of a defendants inability to pay may include his or her future earning capacity. A defendant shall bear the burden of demonstrating his or her inability to pay. Express findings by the court as to the factors bearing on the amount of the fine shall not be required. A separate hearing for the fine shall not be required.
(e)The restitution fine shall not be subject to penalty assessments authorized in Section 1464 or Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 76000) of Title 8 of the Government Code, or the state surcharge authorized in Section 1465.7, and shall be deposited in the Restitution Fund in the State Treasury.
(f)Except as provided in subdivisions (q) and (r), in every case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct, the court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or any other showing to the court. If the amount of loss cannot be ascertained at the time of sentencing, the restitution order shall include a provision that the amount shall be determined at the direction of the court. The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution order if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(1)The defendant has the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution. The court may modify the amount, on its own motion or on the motion of the district attorney, the victim or victims, or the defendant. If a motion is made for modification of a restitution order, the victim shall be notified of that motion at least 10 days prior to the proceeding held to decide the motion. A victim at a restitution hearing or modification hearing described in this paragraph may testify by live, two-way audio and video transmission, if testimony by live, two-way audio and video transmission is available at the court.
(2)Determination of the amount of restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall not be affected by the indemnification or subrogation rights of a third party. Restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall be ordered to be deposited to the Restitution Fund to the extent that the victim, as defined in subdivision (k), has received assistance from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(3)To the extent possible, the restitution order shall be prepared by the sentencing court, shall identify each victim and each loss to which it pertains, and shall be of a dollar amount that is sufficient to fully reimburse the victim or victims for every determined economic loss incurred as the result of the defendants criminal conduct, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Full or partial payment for the value of stolen or damaged property. The value of stolen or damaged property shall be the replacement cost of like property, or the actual cost of repairing the property when repair is possible.
(B)Medical expenses.
(C)Mental health counseling expenses.
(D)Wages or profits lost due to injury incurred by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, while caring for the injured minor. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(E)Wages or profits lost by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, due to time spent as a witness or in assisting the police or prosecution. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(F)Noneconomic losses, including, but not limited to, psychological harm, for felony violations of Section 288.
(G)Interest, at the rate of 10 percent per annum, that accrues as of the date of sentencing or loss, as determined by the court.
(H)Actual and reasonable attorneys fees and other costs of collection accrued by a private entity on behalf of the victim.
(I)Expenses incurred by an adult victim in relocating away from the defendant, including, but not limited to, deposits for utilities and telephone service, deposits for rental housing, temporary lodging and food expenses, clothing, and personal items. Expenses incurred pursuant to this section shall be verified by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(J)Expenses to install or increase residential security incurred related to a violent felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, including, but not limited to, a home security device or system, or replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(K)Expenses to retrofit a residence or vehicle, or both, to make the residence accessible to or the vehicle operational by the victim, if the victim is permanently disabled, whether the disability is partial or total, as a direct result of the crime.
(L)Expenses for a period of time reasonably necessary to make the victim whole, for the costs to monitor the credit report of, and for the costs to repair the credit of, a victim of identity theft, as defined in Section 530.5.
(4)(A)If, as a result of the defendants conduct, the Restitution Fund has provided assistance to or on behalf of a victim or derivative victim pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the amount of assistance provided shall be presumed to be a direct result of the defendants criminal conduct and shall be included in the amount of the restitution ordered.
(B)The amount of assistance provided by the Restitution Fund shall be established by copies of bills submitted to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board reflecting the amount paid by the board and whether the services for which payment was made were for medical or dental expenses, funeral or burial expenses, mental health counseling, wage or support losses, or rehabilitation. Certified copies of these bills provided by the board and redacted to protect the privacy and safety of the victim or any legal privilege, together with a statement made under penalty of perjury by the custodian of records that those bills were submitted to and were paid by the board, shall be sufficient to meet this requirement.
(C)If the defendant offers evidence to rebut the presumption established by this paragraph, the court may release additional information contained in the records of the board to the defendant only after reviewing that information in camera and finding that the information is necessary for the defendant to dispute the amount of the restitution order.
(5)Except as provided in paragraph (6), in any case in which an order may be entered pursuant to this subdivision, the defendant shall prepare and file a disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant held or controlled a present or future interest as of the date of the defendants arrest for the crime for which restitution may be ordered. The financial disclosure statements shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed by the defendant upon a form approved or adopted by the Judicial Council for the purpose of facilitating the disclosure. A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty.
(6)A defendant who fails to file the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), but who has filed a financial affidavit or financial information pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 987, shall be deemed to have waived the confidentiality of that affidavit or financial information as to a victim in whose favor the order of restitution is entered pursuant to subdivision (f). The affidavit or information shall serve in lieu of the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), and paragraphs (7) to (10), inclusive, shall not apply.
(7)Except as provided in paragraph (6), the defendant shall file the disclosure with the clerk of the court no later than the date set for the defendants sentencing, unless otherwise directed by the court. The disclosure may be inspected or copied as provided by subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section 1203.05.
(8)In its discretion, the court may relieve the defendant of the duty under paragraph (7) of filing with the clerk by requiring that the defendants disclosure be submitted as an attachment to, and be available to, those authorized to receive the following:
(A)A report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203 or subdivision (g) of Section 1203.
(B)A stipulation submitted pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203.
(C)A report by the probation officer, or information submitted by the defendant applying for a conditional sentence pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 1203.
(9)The court may consider a defendants unreasonable failure to make a complete disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) as any of the following:
(A)A circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section 1170.
(B)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by admitting the defendant to probation under Section 1203.
(C)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by conditionally sentencing the defendant under Section 1203.
(D)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by imposing less than the maximum fine and sentence fixed by law for the case.
(10)A defendants failure or refusal to make the required disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) shall not delay entry of an order of restitution or pronouncement of sentence. In appropriate cases, the court may do any of the following:
(A)Require the defendant to be examined by the district attorney pursuant to subdivision (h).
(B)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1170, provide that the victim shall receive a copy of the portion of the probation report filed pursuant to Section 1203.10 concerning the defendants employment, occupation, finances, and liabilities.
(C)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1203, set a date and place for submission of the disclosure required by paragraph (5) as a condition of probation or suspended sentence.
(11)If a defendant has any remaining unpaid balance on a restitution order or fine 120 days prior to his or her scheduled release from probation or 120 days prior to his or her completion of a conditional sentence, the defendant shall prepare and file a new and updated financial disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant holds or controls or has held or controlled a present or future interest during the defendants period of probation or conditional sentence. The financial disclosure shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed and prepared by the defendant on the same form as described in paragraph (5). A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty. The financial disclosure required by this paragraph shall be filed with the clerk of the court no later than 90 days prior to the defendants scheduled release from probation or completion of the defendants conditional sentence.
(12)In cases where an employer is convicted of a crime against an employee, a payment to the employee or the employees dependent that is made by the employers workers compensation insurance carrier shall not be used to offset the amount of the restitution order unless the court finds that the defendant substantially met the obligation to pay premiums for that insurance coverage.
(g)The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution order, nor shall inability to pay be a consideration in determining the amount of a restitution order.
(h)The district attorney may request an order of examination pursuant to the procedures specified in Article 2 (commencing with Section 708.110) of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, in order to determine the defendants financial assets for purposes of collecting on the restitution order.
(i)A restitution order imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(j)The making of a restitution order pursuant to subdivision (f) shall not affect the right of a victim to recovery from the Restitution Fund as otherwise provided by law, except to the extent that restitution is actually collected pursuant to the order. Restitution collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be credited to any other judgments for the same losses obtained against the defendant arising out of the crime for which the defendant was convicted.
(k)For purposes of this section, victim shall include all of the following:
(1)The immediate surviving family of the actual victim.
(2)A corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity when that entity is a direct victim of a crime.
(3)A person who has sustained economic loss as the result of a crime and who satisfies any of the following conditions:
(A)At the time of the crime was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child, or grandchild of the victim.
(B)At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
(C)At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the household of the victim for a period of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a relationship listed in subparagraph (A).
(D)Is another family member of the victim, including, but not limited to, the victims fiance or fiancee, and who witnessed the crime.
(E)Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim.
(4)A person who is eligible to receive assistance from the Restitution Fund pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(5)A governmental entity that is responsible for repairing, replacing, or restoring public or privately owned property that has been defaced with graffiti or other inscribed material, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 594, and that has sustained an economic loss as the result of a violation of Section 594, 594.3, 594.4, 640.5, 640.6, or 640.7 of the Penal Code. 640.7.
(l)At its discretion, the board of supervisors of a county may impose a fee to cover the actual administrative cost of collecting the restitution fine, not to exceed 10 percent of the amount ordered to be paid, to be added to the restitution fine and included in the order of the court, the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the general fund of the county.
(m)In every case in which the defendant is granted probation, the court shall make the payment of restitution fines and orders imposed pursuant to this section a condition of probation. Any portion of a restitution order that remains unsatisfied after a defendant is no longer on probation shall continue to be enforceable by a victim pursuant to Section 1214 until the obligation is satisfied.
(n)If the court finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons why a restitution fine or full restitution order should not be required, the court shall order, as a condition of probation, that the defendant perform specified community service, unless it finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons not to require community service in addition to the finding that restitution should not be required. Upon revocation of probation, the court shall impose restitution pursuant to this section.
(o)The provisions of Section 13963 of the Government Code shall apply to restitution imposed pursuant to this section.
(p)The court clerk shall notify the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board within 90 days of an order of restitution being imposed if the defendant is ordered to pay restitution to the board due to the victim receiving compensation from the Restitution Fund. Notification shall be accomplished by mailing a copy of the court order to the board, which may be done periodically by bulk mail or email.
(q)Upon conviction for a violation of Section 236.1, the court shall, in addition to any other penalty or restitution, order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim in a case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct. The court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or another showing to the court. In determining restitution pursuant to this section, the court shall base its order upon the greater of the following: the gross value of the victims labor or services based upon the comparable value of similar services in the labor market in which the offense occurred, or the value of the victims labor as guaranteed under California law, or the actual income derived by the defendant from the victims labor or services or any other appropriate means to provide reparations to the victim.
(r)(1)In addition to any other penalty or fine, the court shall order a person who has been convicted of a violation of Section 350, 653h, 653s, 653u, 653w, or 653aa that involves a recording or audiovisual work to make restitution to an owner or lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer, of a phonograph record, disc, wire, tape, film, or other device or article from which sounds or visual images are derived that suffered economic loss resulting from the violation. The order of restitution shall be based on the aggregate wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized devices or articles from which sounds or visual images are devised corresponding to the number of nonconforming devices or articles involved in the offense, unless a higher value can be proved in the case of (A) an unreleased audio work, or (B) an audiovisual work that, at the time of unauthorized distribution, has not been made available in copies for sale to the general public in the United States on a digital versatile disc. For purposes of this subdivision, possession of nonconforming devices or articles intended for sale constitutes actual economic loss to an owner or lawful producer in the form of displaced legitimate wholesale purchases. The order of restitution shall also include reasonable costs incurred as a result of an investigation of the violation undertaken by the owner, lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer. Aggregate wholesale value means the average wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized sound or audiovisual recordings. Proof of the specific wholesale value of each nonconforming device or article is not required.
(2)As used in this subdivision, audiovisual work and recording shall have the same meaning as in Section 653w.
(a)An application for compensation shall be filed with the board in the manner determined by the board.
(b)(1)The application for compensation shall be verified under penalty of perjury by the individual who is seeking compensation, who may be the victim or derivative victim, or an individual seeking reimbursement for burial, funeral, or crime scene cleanup expenses pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13957. If the individual seeking compensation is a minor or is incompetent, the application shall be verified under penalty of perjury or on information and belief by the parent with legal custody, guardian, conservator, or relative caregiver of the victim or derivative victim for whom the application is made. However, if a minor seeks compensation only for expenses for medical, medical-related, psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services and the minor is authorized by statute to consent to those services, the minor may verify the application for compensation under penalty of perjury.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, relative caregiver means a relative as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 6550 of the Family Code, who assumed primary responsibility for the child while the child was in the relatives care and control, and who is not a biological or adoptive parent.
(c)(1)The board may require submission of additional information supporting the application that is reasonably necessary to verify the application and determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)The staff of the board shall determine whether an application for compensation contains all of the information required by the board. If the staff determines that an application does not contain all of the required information, the staff shall communicate that determination to the applicant with a brief statement of the additional information required. The applicant, within 30 calendar days of being notified that the application is incomplete, may either supply the additional information or appeal the staffs determination to the board, which shall review the application to determine whether it is complete.
(3)The board shall not require an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(d)(1)The board may recognize an authorized representative of the victim or derivative victim, who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized representative means any of the following:
(A)An attorney.
(B)If the victim or derivative victim is a minor or an incompetent adult, the legal guardian or conservator, or an immediate family member, parent, or relative caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(C)A victim assistance advocate certified pursuant to Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code.
(D)An immediate family member of the victim or derivative victim, who has written authorization by the victim or derivative victim, and who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(E) Other persons who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(F)A county social worker designated by a county department of social services to represent a child abuse victim or an elder abuse victim if that victim is unable to file on his or her own behalf.
(3)Except for attorneys fees awarded under this chapter, no authorized representative described in paragraph (2) shall charge, demand, receive, or collect any amount for services rendered under this subdivision.
(e)All correspondence by the board to an applicant shall be written in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, East Armenian, Tagalog, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Mong, and Khmer.
SEC. 2.Section 13955 of the Government Code is amended to read:13955.Except as provided in Section 13956, a person shall be eligible for compensation when all of the following requirements are met:
(a)The person for whom compensation is being sought is any of the following:
(1)A victim.
(2)A derivative victim.
(3)(A)A person who is entitled to reimbursement for funeral, burial, or crime scene cleanup expenses pursuant to paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 13957.
(B)This paragraph applies without respect to any felon status of the victim.
(b)Either of the following conditions is met:
(1)The crime occurred within this state, whether or not the victim is a resident of the state. This paragraph shall apply only during those time periods during which the board determines that federal funds are available to the state for the compensation of victims of crime.
(2)Whether or not the crime occurred within the State of California, the victim was any of the following:
(A)A resident of the state.
(B)A member of the military stationed in California.
(C)A family member living with a member of the military stationed in this state.
(c)If compensation is being sought for a derivative victim, the derivative victim is a resident of this state, or resident of another state, who is any of the following:
(1)At the time of the crime was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child, or grandchild of the victim.
(2)At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
(3)At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the household of the victim for a period of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a relationship listed in paragraph (1).
(4)Is another family member of the victim, including, but not limited to, the victims fiance or fiancee, and who witnessed the crime.
(5)Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim, but was not the primary caretaker at the time of the crime.
(d)The application is timely pursuant to Section 13953.
(e)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), the injury or death was a direct result of a crime.
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no act involving the operation of a motor vehicle, aircraft, or water vehicle that results in injury or death constitutes a crime for the purposes of this chapter, except when the injury or death from such an act was any of the following:
(A)Intentionally inflicted through the use of a motor vehicle, aircraft, or water vehicle.
(B)Caused by a driver who fails to stop at the scene of an accident in violation of Section 20001 of the Vehicle Code.
(C)Caused by a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug.
(D)Caused by a driver of a motor vehicle in the immediate act of fleeing the scene of a crime in which he or she knowingly and willingly participated.
(E)Caused by a person who commits vehicular manslaughter in violation of subdivision (b) of Section 191.5, subdivision (c) of Section 192, or Section 192.5 of the Penal Code.
(F)Caused by any party where a peace officer is operating a motor vehicle in an effort to apprehend a suspect, and the suspect is evading, fleeing, or otherwise attempting to elude the peace officer.
(f)As a direct result of the crime, the victim or derivative victim sustained one or more of the following:
(1)Physical injury. The board may presume a child who has been the witness of a crime of domestic violence has sustained physical injury. A child who resides in a home where a crime or crimes of domestic violence have occurred may be presumed by the board to have sustained physical injury, regardless of whether the child has witnessed the crime.
(2)Emotional injury and a threat of physical injury.
(3)Emotional injury, where the crime was a violation of any of the following provisions:
(A)Section 236.1, 261, 262, 271, 273a, 273d, 285, 286, 288, 288a, 288.5, or 289, or subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 311.4, of the Penal Code.
(B)Section 270 of the Penal Code, where the emotional injury was a result of conduct other than a failure to pay child support, and criminal charges were filed.
(C)Section 261.5 of the Penal Code, and criminal charges were filed.
(D)Section 278 or 278.5 of the Penal Code, where the deprivation of custody as described in those sections has endured for 30 calendar days or more. For purposes of this paragraph, the child, and not the nonoffending parent or other caretaker, shall be deemed the victim.
(4)Injury to, or the death of, a guide, signal, or service dog, as defined in Section 54.1 of the Civil Code, as a result of a violation of Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code.
(5)Financial exploitation by a relative or caretaker for a victim who is 65 years of age or older and there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation. In this instance, the victim shall only be eligible for compensation for mental health services and relocation benefits.
(g)The injury or death has resulted or may result in pecuniary loss within the scope of compensation pursuant to Sections 13957 to 13957.7, inclusive.
SEC. 3.Section 13955.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:13955.5.Except as provided in Section 13956, a person who is a witness of a crime and 18 years of age or older at the time of the crime shall be eligible for counseling applicable to a victim of a crime.
SEC. 4.SEC. 2.Section 13956 of the Government Code is amended to read:13956.Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person shall not be eligible for compensation under the following conditions:
(a)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by or on behalf of a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim, knowingly and willingly participated in the commission of the crime that resulted in the pecuniary loss for which compensation is being sought pursuant to this chapter. However, this subdivision shall not apply if the injury or death occurred as a direct result of a crime committed in violation of Section 261, 262, or 273.5 of, or a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of, the Penal Code.
(b)(1)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by, or on behalf of, a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing the crime. However, in determining whether cooperation has been reasonable, the board shall consider the victims or derivative victims age, physical condition, and psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers, any compelling health and safety concerns, including, but not limited to, a reasonable fear of retaliation or harm that would jeopardize the well-being of the victim or the victims family or the derivative victim or the derivative victims family, and giving due consideration to the degree of cooperation of which the victim or derivative victim is capable in light of the presence of any of these factors. An application for a claim shall not be denied pursuant to this paragraph in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor.
(2)An application for a claim based on domestic violence shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on domestic violence relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a domestic violence crime has occurred. Factors evidencing that a domestic violence crime has occurred may include, but are not limited to, medical records documenting injuries consistent with allegations of domestic violence, mental health records, or the fact that the victim has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order, or all of these.
(3)An application for a claim based on human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on human trafficking relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a human trafficking crime as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code has occurred. That evidence may include any reliable corroborating information approved by the board, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A)A Law Enforcement Agency Endorsement issued pursuant to Section 236.2 of the Penal Code.
(B)A human trafficking caseworker, as identified in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code, has attested by affidavit that the individual was a victim of human trafficking.
(4)(A)An application for a claim by a military personnel victim based on a sexual assault by another military personnel shall not be denied solely because it was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement at the time of the crime.
(B)Factors that the board shall consider for purposes of determining if a claim qualifies for compensation include, but are not limited to, the evidence of the following:
(i)Restricted or unrestricted reports to a military victim advocate, sexual assault response coordinator, chaplain, attorney, or other military personnel.
(ii)Medical or physical evidence consistent with sexual assault.
(iii)A written or oral report from military law enforcement or a civilian law enforcement agency concluding that a sexual assault crime was committed against the victim.
(iv)A letter or other written statement from a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, licensed therapist, or mental health counselor, stating that the victim is seeking services related to the allegation of sexual assault.
(v)A credible witness to whom the victim disclosed the details that a sexual assault crime occurred.
(vi)A restraining order from a military or civilian court against the perpetrator of the sexual assault.
(vii)Other behavior by the victim consistent with sexual assault.
(C)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault at issue shall have occurred during military service, including deployment.
(D)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault may have been committed off base.
(E)For purposes of this subdivision, a perpetrator means an individual who is any of the following at the time of the sexual assault:
(i)An active duty military personnel from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.
(ii)A civilian employee of any military branch specified in clause (i), military base, or military deployment.
(iii)A contractor or agent of a private military or private security company.
(iv)A member of the California National Guard.
(F)For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault means an offense included in Section 261, 262, 264.1, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code, as of the date the act that added this paragraph was enacted.
(c)An application for compensation may be denied, in whole or in part, if the board finds that denial is appropriate because of the nature of the victims or other applicants involvement in the events leading to the crime or the involvement of the persons whose injury or death gives rise to the application. In the case of a minor, the board shall consider the minors age, physical condition, and psychological state, as well as any compelling health and safety concerns, in determining whether the minors application should be denied pursuant to this section. The application of a derivative victim of domestic violence under 18 years of age or a derivative victim of trafficking under 18 years of age may not be denied on the basis of the denial of the victims application under this subdivision.
(d)(1)Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person who is convicted of a felony shall not be granted compensation until that person has been discharged from probation or has been released from a correctional institution and has been discharged from parole, if any, unless the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. In no case shall compensation be granted to an applicant pursuant to this chapter during any period of time the applicant is held in a correctional institution.
(2)A person who has been convicted of a felony may apply for compensation pursuant to this chapter at any time, but the award of that compensation may not be considered until the applicant meets the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
(3)Applications of victims who are not felons shall receive priority in the award of compensation over an application submitted by a felon who has met the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
SEC. 5.SEC. 3.Section 13957 of the Government Code is amended to read:13957.(a)The board may grant for pecuniary loss, when the board determines it will best aid the person seeking compensation, as follows:
(1)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, including, but not limited to, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, or any prosthetic device taken, lost, or destroyed during the commission of the crime, or the use of which became necessary as a direct result of the crime.
(2)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of outpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim or derivative victim, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center as defined by Section 13837 of the Penal Code, and including family psychiatric, psychological, or mental health counseling for the successful treatment of the victim provided to family members of the victim in the presence of the victim, whether or not the family member relationship existed at the time of the crime, that became necessary as a direct result of the crime, subject to the following conditions:
(A)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000):
(i)A victim.
(ii)A derivative victim who is the surviving parent, sibling, child, spouse, fiance, or fiancee of a victim of a crime that directly resulted in the death of the victim.
(iii)A derivative victim, as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, who is the primary caretaker of a minor victim whose claim is not denied or reduced pursuant to Section 13956 in a total amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for not more than two derivative victims.
(B)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000):
(i)A derivative victim not eligible for reimbursement pursuant to subparagraph (A), provided that mental health counseling of a derivative victim described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, shall be reimbursed only if that counseling is necessary for the treatment of the victim.
(ii)A victim of a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code. A derivative victim of a crime committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code shall not be eligible for reimbursement of mental health counseling expenses.
(iii)A minor who suffers emotional injury as a direct result of witnessing a violent crime and who is not eligible for reimbursement of the costs of outpatient mental health counseling under any other provision of this chapter. To be eligible for reimbursement under this clause, the minor must have been in close proximity to the victim when he or she witnessed the crime.
(C)The board may reimburse a victim or derivative victim for outpatient mental health counseling in excess of that authorized by subparagraph (A) or (B) or for inpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling if the claim is based on dire or exceptional circumstances that require more extensive treatment, as approved by the board.
(D)Expenses for psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services may be reimbursed only if the services were provided by either of the following individuals:
(i)A person who would have been authorized to provide those services pursuant to former Article 1 (commencing with Section 13959) as it read on January 1, 2002.
(ii)A person who is licensed by the state to provide those services, or who is properly supervised by a person who is so licensed, subject to the boards approval and subject to the limitations and restrictions the board may impose.
(3)Reimburse the expenses of nonmedical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law.
(4)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.5, authorize compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victims or derivative victims injury or the victims death. If the victim or derivative victim requests that the board give priority to reimbursement of loss of income or support, the board may not pay medical expenses, or mental health counseling expenses, except upon the request of the victim or derivative victim or after determining that payment of these expenses will not decrease the funds available for payment of loss of income or support.
(5)Authorize a cash payment to or on behalf of the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services.
(6)Reimburse the claimant for the expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Reimbursement shall be made either upon verification by law enforcement that the security measures are necessary for the personal safety of the claimant or verification by a mental health treatment provider that the security measures are necessary for the emotional well-being of the claimant. For purposes of this paragraph, a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime. Installing or increasing residential security may include, but need not be limited to, both of the following:
(A)Home security device or system.
(B)Replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(7)Reimburse the expense of renovating or retrofitting a victims residence or a vehicle, or both, to make the residence, the vehicle, or both, accessible or the vehicle operational by a victim upon verification that the expense is medically necessary for a victim who is permanently disabled as a direct result of the crime, whether the disability is partial or total.
(8)(A)Authorize a cash payment or reimbursement not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) to a victim for expenses incurred in relocating, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(B)The cash payment or reimbursement made under this paragraph shall only be awarded to one claimant per crime giving rise to the relocation. The board may authorize more than one relocation per crime if necessary for the personal safety or emotional well-being of the claimant. However, the total cash payment or reimbursement for all relocations due to the same crime shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000). For purposes of this paragraph a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime.
(C)The board may, under compelling circumstances, award a second cash payment or reimbursement to a victim for another crime if both of the following conditions are met:
(i)The crime occurs more than three years from the date of the crime giving rise to the initial relocation cash payment or reimbursement.
(ii)The crime does not involve the same offender.
(D)When a relocation payment or reimbursement is provided to a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence and the identity of the offender is known to the victim, the victim shall agree not to inform the offender of the location of the victims new residence and not to allow the offender on the premises at any time, or shall agree to seek a restraining order against the offender.
(E)Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the board may increase the cash payment or reimbursement for expenses incurred in relocating to an amount greater than two thousand dollars ($2,000), if the board finds this amount is appropriate due to the unusual, dire, or exceptional circumstances of a particular claim.
(9)When a victim dies as a result of a crime, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay any of the following expenses:
(A)The medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime in an amount not to exceed the rates or limitations established by the board.
(B)The funeral and burial expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime in the amount of not to exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500). The board shall consider granting an applicant an award up to seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500). Any regulation or policy by the board creating a maximum amount of an award pursuant to this provision for less than seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) is prohibited.
(10)When the crime occurs in a residence, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay the reasonable costs to clean the scene of the crime in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Services reimbursed pursuant to this subdivision shall be performed by persons registered with the State Department of Public Health as trauma scene waste practitioners in accordance with Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 118321) of Part 14 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
(11)When the crime is a violation of Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, the board may reimburse the expense of veterinary services, replacement costs, or other reasonable expenses, as ordered by the court pursuant to Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(b)The total award to or on behalf of each victim or derivative victim may not exceed thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), except that this amount may be increased to seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) if federal funds for that increase are available.
SEC. 6.SEC. 4.Section 13958 of the Government Code is amended to read:13958.The board shall approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within 90 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center.
(a)If the board does not meet the 90-day requirement prescribed in this subdivision, the board shall, thereafter, report to the Legislature, on a quarterly basis, its progress and its current average time of processing applications. These quarterly reports shall continue until the board meets the 90-day requirement for two consecutive quarters.
(b)If the board fails to approve or deny an individual application within 90 days of the date it is accepted, pursuant to this subdivision, the board shall advise the applicant and his or her representative, in writing, of the reason for the failure to approve or deny the application.
SEC. 7.SEC. 5.Section 13959 of the Government Code is amended to read:13959.(a)The board shall grant a hearing to an applicant who believes he or she is entitled to compensation pursuant to this chapter to contest a staff recommendation to deny compensation in whole or in part.
(b)The board shall notify the applicant not less than 10 days prior to the date of the hearing. Notwithstanding Section 11123, if the application that the board is considering involves either a crime against a minor, a crime of sexual assault, or a crime of domestic violence, the board may exclude from the hearing all persons other than board members and members of its staff, the applicant for benefits, a minor applicants parents or guardians, the applicants representative, witnesses, and other persons of the applicants choice to provide assistance to the applicant during the hearing. However, the board shall not exclude persons from the hearing if the applicant or applicants representative requests that the hearing be open to the public.
(c)At the hearing, the person seeking compensation shall have the burden of establishing, by a preponderance of the evidence, the elements for eligibility under Section 13955.
(d)Except as otherwise provided by law, in making determinations of eligibility for compensation and in deciding upon the amount of compensation, the board shall apply the law in effect as of the date an application was submitted.
(e)(1)The hearing shall be informal and need not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses. The board may rely on any relevant evidence if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of a common law or statutory rule that might make improper the admission of the evidence over objection in a civil action. The board may rely on written reports prepared for the board, or other information received, from public agencies responsible for investigating the crime. If the applicant or the applicants representative chooses not to appear at the hearing, the board may act solely upon the application for compensation, the staffs report, and other evidence that appears in the record.
(2)The board shall allow an a service animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a hearing.
(f)Hearings shall be held in various locations with the frequency necessary to provide for the speedy adjudication of the applications. If the applicants presence is required at the hearing, the board shall schedule the applicants hearing in as convenient a location as possible.
(g)The board may delegate the hearing of applications to hearing officers.
(h)The decisions of the board shall be in writing. Copies of the decisions shall be delivered to the applicant or to his or her representative personally or sent to him or her by mail.
(i)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on written request of the applicant. The board shall not grant more than one request for reconsideration with respect to any one decision on an application for compensation. The board shall not consider any request for reconsideration filed with the board more than 30 calendar days after the personal delivery or 60 calendar days after the mailing of the original decision.
(j)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on its own motion, at its discretion, at any time.
SEC. 8.SEC. 6.Section 1050 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1050.(a)The welfare of the people of the State of California requires that all proceedings in criminal cases shall be set for trial and heard and determined at the earliest possible time. To this end, the Legislature finds that the criminal courts are becoming increasingly congested with resulting adverse consequences to the welfare of the people and the defendant. Excessive continuances contribute substantially to this congestion and cause substantial hardship to victims and other witnesses. Continuances also lead to longer periods of presentence confinement for those defendants in custody and the concomitant overcrowding and increased expenses of local jails. It is therefore recognized that the people, the defendant, and the victims and other witnesses have the right to an expeditious disposition, and to that end it shall be the duty of all courts and judicial officers and of all counsel, both for the prosecution and the defense, to expedite these proceedings to the greatest degree that is consistent with the ends of justice. In accordance with this policy, criminal cases shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, any civil matters or proceedings. In further accordance with this policy, death penalty cases in which both the prosecution and the defense have informed the court that they are prepared to proceed to trial shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, other criminal cases and any civil matters or proceedings, unless the court finds in the interest of justice that it is not appropriate.
(b)To continue any hearing in a criminal proceeding, including the trial, (1) a written notice shall be filed and served on all parties to the proceeding at least two court days before the hearing sought to be continued, together with affidavits or declarations detailing specific facts showing that a continuance is necessary and (2) within two court days of learning that he or she has a conflict in the scheduling of any court hearing, including a trial, an attorney shall notify the calendar clerk of each court involved, in writing, indicating which hearing was set first. A party shall not be deemed to have been served within the meaning of this section until that party actually has received a copy of the documents to be served, unless the party, after receiving actual notice of the request for continuance, waives the right to have the documents served in a timely manner. Regardless of the proponent of the motion, the prosecuting attorney shall notify the peoples witnesses and the defense attorney shall notify the defenses witnesses of the notice of motion, the date of the hearing, and the witnesses right to be heard by the court.
(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a party may make a motion for a continuance without complying with the requirements of that subdivision. However, unless the moving party shows good cause for the failure to comply with those requirements, the court may impose sanctions as provided in Section 1050.5.
(d)When a party makes a motion for a continuance without complying with the requirements of subdivision (b), the court shall hold a hearing on whether there is good cause for the failure to comply with those requirements. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall make a finding whether good cause has been shown and, if it finds that there is good cause, shall state on the record the facts proved that justify its finding. A statement of the finding and a statement of facts proved shall be entered in the minutes. If the moving party is unable to show good cause for the failure to give notice, the motion for continuance shall not be granted.
(e)Continuances shall be granted only upon a showing of good cause. Neither the convenience of the parties nor a stipulation of the parties is in and of itself good cause.
(f)At the conclusion of the motion for continuance, the court shall make a finding whether good cause has been shown and, if it finds that there is good cause, shall state on the record the facts proved that justify its finding. A statement of facts proved shall be entered in the minutes.
(g)(1)When deciding whether or not good cause for a continuance has been shown, the court shall consider the general convenience and prior commitments of all witnesses, including peace officers. Both the general convenience and prior commitments of each witness also shall be considered in selecting a continuance date if the motion is granted. The facts as to inconvenience or prior commitments may be offered by the witness or by a party to the case.
(2)For purposes of this section, good cause includes, but is not limited to, those cases involving murder, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 187, allegations that stalking, as defined in Section 646.9, a violation of one or more of the sections specified in subdivision (a) of Section 11165.1 or Section 11165.6, or domestic violence violence, as defined in Section 13700, a hate crime, as defined in Title 11.6 (commencing with Section 422.6) of Part 1, or elder abuse, as defined in Section 368 of the Penal Code, has occurred, or a case being handled in the Career Criminal Prosecution Program pursuant to Sections 999b through 999h, or a hate crime, as defined in Title 11.6 (commencing with Section 422.6) of Part 1, has occurred and the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress in that court or another court. A continuance under this paragraph shall be limited to a maximum of 10 additional court days.
(3)Only one continuance per case may be granted to the people under this subdivision for cases involving stalking, hate crimes, or cases handled under the Career Criminal Prosecution Program. Any continuance granted to the people in a case involving stalking or handled under the Career Criminal Prosecution Program shall be for the shortest time possible, not to exceed 10 court days.
(4)For purposes of this section, good cause shall be deemed to exist when a witness, who is the victim of the charged crime and has previously been the victim of elder abuse, as defined in Section 368, or a crime described in Section 290, cannot be present due to psychological or emotional distress resulting from that prior victimization.
(h)Upon a showing that the attorney of record at the time of the defendants first appearance in the superior court on an indictment or information is a Member of the Legislature of this state and that the Legislature is in session or that a legislative interim committee of which the attorney is a duly appointed member is meeting or is to meet within the next seven days, the defendant shall be entitled to a reasonable continuance not to exceed 30 days.
(i)A continuance shall be granted only for that period of time shown to be necessary by the evidence considered at the hearing on the motion. Whenever any continuance is granted, the court shall state on the record the facts proved that justify the length of the continuance, and those facts shall be entered in the minutes.
(j)Whenever it shall appear that any court may be required, because of the condition of its calendar, to dismiss an action pursuant to Section 1382, the court must immediately notify the Chair of the Judicial Council.
(k)This section shall not apply when the preliminary examination is set on a date less than 10 court days from the date of the defendants arraignment on the complaint, and the prosecution or the defendant moves to continue the preliminary examination to a date not more than 10 court days from the date of the defendants arraignment on the complaint.
(l)This section is directory only and does not mandate dismissal of an action by its terms.
SEC. 9.SEC. 7.Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1202.4.(a)(1)It is the intent of the Legislature that a victim of crime who incurs an economic loss as a result of the commission of a crime shall receive restitution directly from a defendant convicted of that crime.
(2)Upon a person being convicted of a crime in the State of California, the court shall order the defendant to pay a fine in the form of a penalty assessment in accordance with Section 1464.
(3)The court, in addition to any other penalty provided or imposed under the law, shall order the defendant to pay both of the following:
(A)A restitution fine in accordance with subdivision (b).
(B)Restitution to the victim or victims, if any, in accordance with subdivision (f), which shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(b)In every case where a person is convicted of a crime, the court shall impose a separate and additional restitution fine, unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record.
(1)The restitution fine shall be set at the discretion of the court and commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. If the person is convicted of a felony, the fine shall not be less than two hundred forty dollars ($240) starting on January 1, 2012, two hundred eighty dollars ($280) starting on January 1, 2013, and three hundred dollars ($300) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). If the person is convicted of a misdemeanor, the fine shall not be less than one hundred twenty dollars ($120) starting on January 1, 2012, one hundred forty dollars ($140) starting on January 1, 2013, and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(2)In setting a felony restitution fine, the court may determine the amount of the fine as the product of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) multiplied by the number of years of imprisonment the defendant is ordered to serve, multiplied by the number of felony counts of which the defendant is convicted.
(c)The court shall impose the restitution fine unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution fine. Inability to pay may be considered only in increasing the amount of the restitution fine in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution fine if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(d)In setting the amount of the fine pursuant to subdivision (b) in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the court shall consider any relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the defendants inability to pay, the seriousness and gravity of the offense and the circumstances of its commission, any economic gain derived by the defendant as a result of the crime, the extent to which any other person suffered losses as a result of the crime, and the number of victims involved in the crime. Those losses may include pecuniary losses to the victim or his or her dependents as well as intangible losses, such as psychological harm caused by the crime. Consideration of a defendants inability to pay may include his or her future earning capacity. A defendant shall bear the burden of demonstrating his or her inability to pay. Express findings by the court as to the factors bearing on the amount of the fine shall not be required. A separate hearing for the fine shall not be required.
(e)The restitution fine shall not be subject to penalty assessments authorized in Section 1464 or Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 76000) of Title 8 of the Government Code, or the state surcharge authorized in Section 1465.7, and shall be deposited in the Restitution Fund in the State Treasury.
(f)Except as provided in subdivisions (q) and (r), in every case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct, the court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or any other showing to the court. If the amount of loss cannot be ascertained at the time of sentencing, the restitution order shall include a provision that the amount shall be determined at the direction of the court. The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution order if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(1)The defendant has the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution. The court may modify the amount, on its own motion or on the motion of the district attorney, the victim or victims, or the defendant. If a motion is made for modification of a restitution order, the victim shall be notified of that motion at least 10 days prior to the proceeding held to decide the motion. A witness victim at a restitution hearing or modification hearing described in this paragraph may testify by live, two-way audio and video transmission. transmission, if testimony by live, two-way audio and video transmission is available at the court.
(2)Determination of the amount of restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall not be affected by the indemnification or subrogation rights of a third party. Restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall be ordered to be deposited to the Restitution Fund to the extent that the victim, as defined in subdivision (k), has received assistance from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(3)To the extent possible, the restitution order shall be prepared by the sentencing court, shall identify each victim and each loss to which it pertains, and shall be of a dollar amount that is sufficient to fully reimburse the victim or victims for every determined economic loss incurred as the result of the defendants criminal conduct, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Full or partial payment for the value of stolen or damaged property. The value of stolen or damaged property shall be the replacement cost of like property, or the actual cost of repairing the property when repair is possible.
(B)Medical expenses.
(C)Mental health counseling expenses.
(D)Wages or profits lost due to injury incurred by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, while caring for the injured minor. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(E)Wages or profits lost by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, due to time spent as a witness or in assisting the police or prosecution. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(F)Noneconomic losses, including, but not limited to, psychological harm, for felony violations of Section 288.
(G)Interest, at the rate of 10 percent per annum, that accrues as of the date of sentencing or loss, as determined by the court.
(H)Actual and reasonable attorneys fees and other costs of collection accrued by a private entity on behalf of the victim.
(I)Expenses incurred by an adult victim in relocating away from the defendant, including, but not limited to, deposits for utilities and telephone service, deposits for rental housing, temporary lodging and food expenses, clothing, and personal items. Expenses incurred pursuant to this section shall be verified by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(J)Expenses to install or increase residential security incurred related to a violent felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, including, but not limited to, a home security device or system, or replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(K)Expenses to retrofit a residence or vehicle, or both, to make the residence accessible to or the vehicle operational by the victim, if the victim is permanently disabled, whether the disability is partial or total, as a direct result of the crime.
(L)Expenses for a period of time reasonably necessary to make the victim whole, for the costs to monitor the credit report of, and for the costs to repair the credit of, a victim of identity theft, as defined in Section 530.5.
(4)(A)If, as a result of the defendants conduct, the Restitution Fund has provided assistance to or on behalf of a victim or derivative victim pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the amount of assistance provided shall be presumed to be a direct result of the defendants criminal conduct and shall be included in the amount of the restitution ordered.
(B)The amount of assistance provided by the Restitution Fund shall be established by copies of bills submitted to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board reflecting the amount paid by the board and whether the services for which payment was made were for medical or dental expenses, funeral or burial expenses, mental health counseling, wage or support losses, or rehabilitation. Certified copies of these bills provided by the board and redacted to protect the privacy and safety of the victim or any legal privilege, together with a statement made under penalty of perjury by the custodian of records that those bills were submitted to and were paid by the board, shall be sufficient to meet this requirement.
(C)If the defendant offers evidence to rebut the presumption established by this paragraph, the court may release additional information contained in the records of the board to the defendant only after reviewing that information in camera and finding that the information is necessary for the defendant to dispute the amount of the restitution order.
(5)Except as provided in paragraph (6), in any case in which an order may be entered pursuant to this subdivision, the defendant shall prepare and file a disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant held or controlled a present or future interest as of the date of the defendants arrest for the crime for which restitution may be ordered. The financial disclosure statements shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed by the defendant upon a form approved or adopted by the Judicial Council for the purpose of facilitating the disclosure. A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty.
(6)A defendant who fails to file the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), but who has filed a financial affidavit or financial information pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 987, shall be deemed to have waived the confidentiality of that affidavit or financial information as to a victim in whose favor the order of restitution is entered pursuant to subdivision (f). The affidavit or information shall serve in lieu of the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), and paragraphs (7) to (10), inclusive, shall not apply.
(7)Except as provided in paragraph (6), the defendant shall file the disclosure with the clerk of the court no later than the date set for the defendants sentencing, unless otherwise directed by the court. The disclosure may be inspected or copied as provided by subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section 1203.05.
(8)In its discretion, the court may relieve the defendant of the duty under paragraph (7) of filing with the clerk by requiring that the defendants disclosure be submitted as an attachment to, and be available to, those authorized to receive the following:
(A)A report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203 or subdivision (g) of Section 1203.
(B)A stipulation submitted pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203.
(C)A report by the probation officer, or information submitted by the defendant applying for a conditional sentence pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 1203.
(9)The court may consider a defendants unreasonable failure to make a complete disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) as any of the following:
(A)A circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section 1170.
(B)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by admitting the defendant to probation under Section 1203.
(C)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by conditionally sentencing the defendant under Section 1203.
(D)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by imposing less than the maximum fine and sentence fixed by law for the case.
(10)A defendants failure or refusal to make the required disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) shall not delay entry of an order of restitution or pronouncement of sentence. In appropriate cases, the court may do any of the following:
(A)Require the defendant to be examined by the district attorney pursuant to subdivision (h).
(B)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1170, provide that the victim shall receive a copy of the portion of the probation report filed pursuant to Section 1203.10 concerning the defendants employment, occupation, finances, and liabilities.
(C)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1203, set a date and place for submission of the disclosure required by paragraph (5) as a condition of probation or suspended sentence.
(11)If a defendant has any remaining unpaid balance on a restitution order or fine 120 days prior to his or her scheduled release from probation or 120 days prior to his or her completion of a conditional sentence, the defendant shall prepare and file a new and updated financial disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant holds or controls or has held or controlled a present or future interest during the defendants period of probation or conditional sentence. The financial disclosure shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed and prepared by the defendant on the same form as described in paragraph (5). A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty. The financial disclosure required by this paragraph shall be filed with the clerk of the court no later than 90 days prior to the defendants scheduled release from probation or completion of the defendants conditional sentence.
(12)In cases where an employer is convicted of a crime against an employee, a payment to the employee or the employees dependent that is made by the employers workers compensation insurance carrier shall not be used to offset the amount of the restitution order unless the court finds that the defendant substantially met the obligation to pay premiums for that insurance coverage.
(g)The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution order, nor shall inability to pay be a consideration in determining the amount of a restitution order.
(h)The district attorney may request an order of examination pursuant to the procedures specified in Article 2 (commencing with Section 708.110) of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, in order to determine the defendants financial assets for purposes of collecting on the restitution order.
(i)A restitution order imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(j)The making of a restitution order pursuant to subdivision (f) shall not affect the right of a victim to recovery from the Restitution Fund as otherwise provided by law, except to the extent that restitution is actually collected pursuant to the order. Restitution collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be credited to any other judgments for the same losses obtained against the defendant arising out of the crime for which the defendant was convicted.
(k)For purposes of this section, victim shall include all of the following:
(1)The immediate surviving family of the actual victim.
(2)A corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity when that entity is a direct victim of a crime.
(3)A person who has sustained economic loss as the result of a crime and who satisfies any of the following conditions:
(A)At the time of the crime was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child, or grandchild of the victim.
(B)At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
(C)At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the household of the victim for a period of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a relationship listed in subparagraph (A).
(D)Is another family member of the victim, including, but not limited to, the victims fiance or fiancee, and who witnessed the crime.
(E)Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim.
(4)A person who is eligible to receive assistance from the Restitution Fund pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(5)A governmental entity that is responsible for repairing, replacing, or restoring public or privately owned property that has been defaced with graffiti or other inscribed material, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 594, and that has sustained an economic loss as the result of a violation of Section 594, 594.3, 594.4, 640.5, 640.6, or 640.7 of the Penal Code.
(l)At its discretion, the board of supervisors of a county may impose a fee to cover the actual administrative cost of collecting the restitution fine, not to exceed 10 percent of the amount ordered to be paid, to be added to the restitution fine and included in the order of the court, the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the general fund of the county.
(m)In every case in which the defendant is granted probation, the court shall make the payment of restitution fines and orders imposed pursuant to this section a condition of probation. Any portion of a restitution order that remains unsatisfied after a defendant is no longer on probation shall continue to be enforceable by a victim pursuant to Section 1214 until the obligation is satisfied.
(n)If the court finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons why a restitution fine or full restitution order should not be required, the court shall order, as a condition of probation, that the defendant perform specified community service, unless it finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons not to require community service in addition to the finding that restitution should not be required. Upon revocation of probation, the court shall impose restitution pursuant to this section.
(o)The provisions of Section 13963 of the Government Code shall apply to restitution imposed pursuant to this section.
(p)The court clerk shall notify the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board within 90 days of an order of restitution being imposed if the defendant is ordered to pay restitution to the board due to the victim receiving compensation from the Restitution Fund. Notification shall be accomplished by mailing a copy of the court order to the board, which may be done periodically by bulk mail or email.
(q)Upon conviction for a violation of Section 236.1, the court shall, in addition to any other penalty or restitution, order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim in a case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct. The court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or another showing to the court. In determining restitution pursuant to this section, the court shall base its order upon the greater of the following: the gross value of the victims labor or services based upon the comparable value of similar services in the labor market in which the offense occurred, or the value of the victims labor as guaranteed under California law, or the actual income derived by the defendant from the victims labor or services or any other appropriate means to provide reparations to the victim.
(r)(1)In addition to any other penalty or fine, the court shall order a person who has been convicted of a violation of Section 350, 653h, 653s, 653u, 653w, or 653aa that involves a recording or audiovisual work to make restitution to an owner or lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer, of a phonograph record, disc, wire, tape, film, or other device or article from which sounds or visual images are derived that suffered economic loss resulting from the violation. The order of restitution shall be based on the aggregate wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized devices or articles from which sounds or visual images are devised corresponding to the number of nonconforming devices or articles involved in the offense, unless a higher value can be proved in the case of (A) an unreleased audio work, or (B) an audiovisual work that, at the time of unauthorized distribution, has not been made available in copies for sale to the general public in the United States on a digital versatile disc. For purposes of this subdivision, possession of nonconforming devices or articles intended for sale constitutes actual economic loss to an owner or lawful producer in the form of displaced legitimate wholesale purchases. The order of restitution shall also include reasonable costs incurred as a result of an investigation of the violation undertaken by the owner, lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer. Aggregate wholesale value means the average wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized sound or audiovisual recordings. Proof of the specific wholesale value of each nonconforming device or article is not required.
(2)As used in this subdivision, audiovisual work and recording shall have the same meaning as in Section 653w.
All matter omitted in this version of the bill appears in the bill as amended in the Senate, April 6, 2015. (JR11)(a)An application for compensation shall be filed with the board in the manner determined by the board.
(b)(1)The application for compensation shall be verified under penalty of perjury by the individual who is seeking compensation, who may be the victim or derivative victim, or an individual seeking reimbursement for burial, funeral, or crime scene cleanup expenses pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13957. If the individual seeking compensation is a minor or is incompetent, the application shall be verified under penalty of perjury or on information and belief by the parent with legal custody, guardian, conservator, or relative caregiver of the victim or derivative victim for whom the application is made. However, if a minor seeks compensation only for expenses for medical, medical-related, psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services and the minor is authorized by statute to consent to those services, the minor may verify the application for compensation under penalty of perjury.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, relative caregiver means a relative as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 6550 of the Family Code, who assumed primary responsibility for the child while the child was in the relatives care and control, and who is not a biological or adoptive parent.
(c)(1)The board may require submission of additional information supporting the application that is reasonably necessary to verify the application and determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)The staff of the board shall determine whether an application for compensation contains all of the information required by the board. If the staff determines that an application does not contain all of the required information, the staff shall communicate that determination to the applicant with a brief statement of the additional information required. The applicant, within 30 calendar days of being notified that the application is incomplete, may either supply the additional information or appeal the staffs determination to the board, which shall review the application to determine whether it is complete.
(3)The board shall not require an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(d)(1)The board may recognize an authorized representative of the victim or derivative victim, who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized representative means any of the following:
(A)An attorney.
(B)If the victim or derivative victim is a minor or an incompetent adult, the legal guardian or conservator, or an immediate family member, parent, or relative caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(C)A victim assistance advocate certified pursuant to Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code.
(D)An immediate family member of the victim or derivative victim, who has written authorization by the victim or derivative victim, and who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(E) Other persons who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(F)A county social worker designated by a county department of social services to represent a child abuse victim or an elder abuse victim if that victim is unable to file on his or her own behalf.
(3)Except for attorneys fees awarded under this chapter, no authorized representative described in paragraph (2) shall charge, demand, receive, or collect any amount for services rendered under this subdivision.
(e)All correspondence by the board to an applicant shall be written in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
SEC. 2.Section 13955 of the Government Code is amended to read:13955.Except as provided in Section 13956, a person shall be eligible for compensation when all of the following requirements are met:
(a)The person for whom compensation is being sought is any of the following:
(1)A victim.
(2)A derivative victim.
(3)(A)A person who is entitled to reimbursement for funeral, burial, or crime scene cleanup expenses pursuant to paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 13957.
(B)This paragraph applies without respect to any felon status of the victim.
(b)Either of the following conditions is met:
(1)The crime occurred within this state, whether or not the victim is a resident of the state. This paragraph shall apply only during those time periods during which the board determines that federal funds are available to the state for the compensation of victims of crime.
(2)Whether or not the crime occurred within the State of California, the victim was any of the following:
(A)A resident of the state.
(B)A member of the military stationed in California.
(C)A family member living with a member of the military stationed in this state.
(c)If compensation is being sought for a derivative victim, the derivative victim is a resident of this state, or resident of another state, who is any of the following:
(1)At the time of the crime was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child, or grandchild of the victim.
(2)At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
(3)At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the household of the victim for a period of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a relationship listed in paragraph (1).
(4)Is another family member of the victim, including, but not limited to, the victims fiance or fiancee, and who witnessed the crime.
(5)Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim, but was not the primary caretaker at the time of the crime.
(d)The application is timely pursuant to Section 13953.
(e)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), the injury or death was a direct result of a crime.
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no act involving the operation of a motor vehicle, aircraft, or water vehicle that results in injury or death constitutes a crime for the purposes of this chapter, except when the injury or death from such an act was any of the following:
(A)Intentionally inflicted through the use of a motor vehicle, aircraft, or water vehicle.
(B)Caused by a driver who fails to stop at the scene of an accident in violation of Section 20001 of the Vehicle Code.
(C)Caused by a person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug.
(D)Caused by a driver of a motor vehicle in the immediate act of fleeing the scene of a crime in which he or she knowingly and willingly participated.
(E)Caused by a person who commits vehicular manslaughter in violation of subdivision (b) of Section 191.5, subdivision (c) of Section 192, or Section 192.5 of the Penal Code.
(F)Caused by any party where a peace officer is operating a motor vehicle in an effort to apprehend a suspect, and the suspect is evading, fleeing, or otherwise attempting to elude the peace officer.
(f)As a direct result of the crime, the victim or derivative victim sustained one or more of the following:
(1)Physical injury. The board may presume a child who has been the witness of a crime of domestic violence has sustained physical injury. A child who resides in a home where a crime or crimes of domestic violence have occurred may be presumed by the board to have sustained physical injury, regardless of whether the child has witnessed the crime.
(2)Emotional injury and a threat of physical injury.
(3)Emotional injury, where the crime was a violation of any of the following provisions:
(A)Section 236.1, 261, 262, 271, 273a, 273d, 285, 286, 288, 288a, 288.5, or 289, or subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 311.4, of the Penal Code.
(B)Section 270 of the Penal Code, where the emotional injury was a result of conduct other than a failure to pay child support, and criminal charges were filed.
(C)Section 261.5 of the Penal Code, and criminal charges were filed.
(D)Section 278 or 278.5 of the Penal Code, where the deprivation of custody as described in those sections has endured for 30 calendar days or more. For purposes of this paragraph, the child, and not the nonoffending parent or other caretaker, shall be deemed the victim.
(4)Injury to, or the death of, a guide, signal, or service dog, as defined in Section 54.1 of the Civil Code, as a result of a violation of Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code.
(5)Financial exploitation by a relative or caretaker for a victim who is 65 years of age or older and there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation. In this instance, the victim shall only be eligible for compensation for mental health services and relocation benefits.
(g)The injury or death has resulted or may result in pecuniary loss within the scope of compensation pursuant to Sections 13957 to 13957.7, inclusive.
SEC. 3.Section 13955.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:13955.5.Except as provided in Section 13956, a person who is a witness of a crime and 18 years of age or older at the time of the crime shall be eligible for counseling applicable to a victim of a crime.
SEC. 2.SEC. 4.Section 13956 of the Government Code is amended to read:13956.Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person shall not be eligible for compensation under the following conditions:
(a)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by or on behalf of a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim, knowingly and willingly participated in the commission of the crime that resulted in the pecuniary loss for which compensation is being sought pursuant to this chapter. However, this subdivision shall not apply if the injury or death occurred as a direct result of a crime committed in violation of Section 261, 262, or 273.5 of, or a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of, the Penal Code.
(b)(1)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by, or on behalf of, a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing the crime. However, in determining whether cooperation has been reasonable, the board shall consider the victims or derivative victims age, physical condition, and psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers, any compelling health and safety concerns, including, but not limited to, a reasonable fear of retaliation or harm that would jeopardize the well-being of the victim or the victims family or the derivative victim or the derivative victims family, and giving due consideration to the degree of cooperation of which the victim or derivative victim is capable in light of the presence of any of these factors. An application for a claim shall not be denied pursuant to this paragraph in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor.
(2)An application for a claim based on domestic violence shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on domestic violence relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a domestic violence crime has occurred. Factors evidencing that a domestic violence crime has occurred may include, but are not limited to, medical records documenting injuries consistent with allegations of domestic violence, mental health records, or the fact that the victim has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order, or all of these.
(3)An application for a claim based on human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on human trafficking relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a human trafficking crime as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code has occurred. That evidence may include any reliable corroborating information approved by the board, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A)A Law Enforcement Agency Endorsement issued pursuant to Section 236.2 of the Penal Code.
(B)A human trafficking caseworker, as identified in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code, has attested by affidavit that the individual was a victim of human trafficking.
(4)(A)An application for a claim by a military personnel victim based on a sexual assault by another military personnel shall not be denied solely because it was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement at the time of the crime.
(B)Factors that the board shall consider for purposes of determining if a claim qualifies for compensation include, but are not limited to, the evidence of the following:
(i)Restricted or unrestricted reports to a military victim advocate, sexual assault response coordinator, chaplain, attorney, or other military personnel.
(ii)Medical or physical evidence consistent with sexual assault.
(iii)A written or oral report from military law enforcement or a civilian law enforcement agency concluding that a sexual assault crime was committed against the victim.
(iv)A letter or other written statement from a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, licensed therapist, or mental health counselor, stating that the victim is seeking services related to the allegation of sexual assault.
(v)A credible witness to whom the victim disclosed the details that a sexual assault crime occurred.
(vi)A restraining order from a military or civilian court against the perpetrator of the sexual assault.
(vii)Other behavior by the victim consistent with sexual assault.
(C)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault at issue shall have occurred during military service, including deployment.
(D)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault may have been committed offbase. off base.
(E)For purposes of this subdivision, a perpetrator means an individual who is any of the following at the time of the sexual assault:
(i)An active duty military personnel from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.
(ii)A civilian employee of any military branch specified in clause (i), military base, or military deployment.
(iii)A contractor or agent of a private military or private security company.
(iv)A member of the California National Guard.
(F)For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault means an offense included in Section 261, 262, 264.1, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code, as of the date the act that added this paragraph was enacted.
(c)An application for compensation may be denied, in whole or in part, if the board finds that denial is appropriate because of the nature of the victims or other applicants involvement in the events leading to the crime or the involvement of the persons whose injury or death gives rise to the application. In the case of a minor, the board shall consider the minors age, physical condition, and psychological state, as well as any compelling health and safety concerns, in determining whether the minors application should be denied pursuant to this section. The application of a derivative victim of domestic violence under the age of 18 years of age or a derivative victim of trafficking under 18 years of age may not be denied on the basis of the denial of the victims application under this subdivision.
(d)(1)Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person who is convicted of a felony shall not be granted compensation until that person has been discharged from probation or has been released from a correctional institution and has been discharged from parole, if any, unless the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. In no case shall compensation be granted to an applicant pursuant to this chapter during any period of time the applicant is held in a correctional institution.
(2)A person who has been convicted of a felony may apply for compensation pursuant to this chapter at any time, but the award of that compensation may not be considered until the applicant meets the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
(3)Applications of victims who are not felons shall receive priority in the award of compensation over an application submitted by a felon who has met the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
SEC. 5.Section 13957 of the Government Code is amended to read:13957.(a)The board may grant for pecuniary loss, when the board determines it will best aid the person seeking compensation, as follows:
(1)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, including, but not limited to, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, or any prosthetic device taken, lost, or destroyed during the commission of the crime, or the use of which became necessary as a direct result of the crime.
(2)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of outpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim or derivative victim, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center as defined by Section 13837 of the Penal Code, and including family psychiatric, psychological, or mental health counseling for the successful treatment of the victim provided to family members of the victim in the presence of the victim, whether or not the family member relationship existed at the time of the crime, that became necessary as a direct result of the crime, subject to the following conditions:
(A)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000):
(i)A victim.
(ii)A derivative victim who is the surviving parent, sibling, child, spouse, fiance, or fiancee of a victim of a crime that directly resulted in the death of the victim.
(iii)A derivative victim, as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, who is the primary caretaker of a minor victim whose claim is not denied or reduced pursuant to Section 13956 in a total amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for not more than two derivative victims.
(B)The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000):
(i)A derivative victim not eligible for reimbursement pursuant to subparagraph (A), provided that mental health counseling of a derivative victim described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 13955, shall be reimbursed only if that counseling is necessary for the treatment of the victim.
(ii)A victim of a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code. A derivative victim of a crime committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of the Penal Code shall not be eligible for reimbursement of mental health counseling expenses.
(iii)A minor who suffers emotional injury as a direct result of witnessing a violent crime and who is not eligible for reimbursement of the costs of outpatient mental health counseling under any other provision of this chapter. To be eligible for reimbursement under this clause, the minor must have been in close proximity to the victim when he or she witnessed the crime.
(C)The board may reimburse a victim or derivative victim for outpatient mental health counseling in excess of that authorized by subparagraph (A) or (B) or for inpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling if the claim is based on dire or exceptional circumstances that require more extensive treatment, as approved by the board.
(D)Expenses for psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services may be reimbursed only if the services were provided by either of the following individuals:
(i)A person who would have been authorized to provide those services pursuant to former Article 1 (commencing with Section 13959) as it read on January 1, 2002.
(ii)A person who is licensed by the state to provide those services, or who is properly supervised by a person who is so licensed, subject to the boards approval and subject to the limitations and restrictions the board may impose.
(3)Reimburse the expenses of nonmedical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law.
(4)Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.5, authorize compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victims or derivative victims injury or the victims death. If the victim or derivative victim requests that the board give priority to reimbursement of loss of income or support, the board may not pay medical expenses, or mental health counseling expenses, except upon the request of the victim or derivative victim or after determining that payment of these expenses will not decrease the funds available for payment of loss of income or support.
(5)Authorize a cash payment to or on behalf of the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services.
(6)Reimburse the claimant for the expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Reimbursement shall be made either upon verification by law enforcement that the security measures are necessary for the personal safety of the claimant or verification by a mental health treatment provider that the security measures are necessary for the emotional well-being of the claimant. For purposes of this paragraph, a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime. Installing or increasing residential security may include, but need not be limited to, both of the following:
(A)Home security device or system.
(B)Replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(7)Reimburse the expense of renovating or retrofitting a victims residence or a vehicle, or both, to make the residence, the vehicle, or both, accessible or the vehicle operational by a victim upon verification that the expense is medically necessary for a victim who is permanently disabled as a direct result of the crime, whether the disability is partial or total.
(8)(A)Authorize a cash payment or reimbursement not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) to a victim for expenses incurred in relocating, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(B)The cash payment or reimbursement made under this paragraph shall only be awarded to one claimant per crime giving rise to the relocation. The board may authorize more than one relocation per crime if necessary for the personal safety or emotional well-being of the claimant. However, the total cash payment or reimbursement for all relocations due to the same crime shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000). For purposes of this paragraph a claimant is the crime victim, or, if the victim is deceased, a person who resided with the deceased at the time of the crime.
(C)The board may, under compelling circumstances, award a second cash payment or reimbursement to a victim for another crime if both of the following conditions are met:
(i)The crime occurs more than three years from the date of the crime giving rise to the initial relocation cash payment or reimbursement.
(ii)The crime does not involve the same offender.
(D)When a relocation payment or reimbursement is provided to a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence and the identity of the offender is known to the victim, the victim shall agree not to inform the offender of the location of the victims new residence and not to allow the offender on the premises at any time, or shall agree to seek a restraining order against the offender.
(E)Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the board may increase the cash payment or reimbursement for expenses incurred in relocating to an amount greater than two thousand dollars ($2,000), if the board finds this amount is appropriate due to the unusual, dire, or exceptional circumstances of a particular claim.
(9)When a victim dies as a result of a crime, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay any of the following expenses:
(A)The medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime in an amount not to exceed the rates or limitations established by the board.
(B)The funeral and burial expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime, not to exceed crime in the amount of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500).
(10)When the crime occurs in a residence, the board may reimburse any individual who voluntarily, and without anticipation of personal gain, pays or assumes the obligation to pay the reasonable costs to clean the scene of the crime in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Services reimbursed pursuant to this subdivision shall be performed by persons registered with the State Department of Public Health as trauma scene waste practitioners in accordance with Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 118321) of Part 14 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
(11)When the crime is a violation of Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, the board may reimburse the expense of veterinary services, replacement costs, or other reasonable expenses, as ordered by the court pursuant to Section 600.2 or 600.5 of the Penal Code, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(b)The total award to or on behalf of each victim or derivative victim may not exceed thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), except that this amount may be increased to seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) if federal funds for that increase are available.
SEC. 6.Section 13958 of the Government Code is amended to read:13958.The board shall approve or deny applications, based on recommendations of the board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 calendar days of acceptance by the board or victim center.
(a)If the board does not meet the 90-day average standard requirement prescribed in this subdivision, the board shall, thereafter, report to the Legislature, on a quarterly basis, its progress and its current average time of processing applications. These quarterly reports shall continue until the board meets the 90-day average standard requirement for two consecutive quarters.
(b)If the board fails to approve or deny an individual application within 180 90 days of the date it is accepted, pursuant to this subdivision, the board shall advise the applicant and his or her representative, in writing, of the reason for the failure to approve or deny the application.
SEC. 7.Section 13959 of the Government Code is amended to read:13959.(a)The board shall grant a hearing to an applicant who believes he or she is entitled to compensation pursuant to this chapter to contest a staff recommendation to deny compensation in whole or in part.
(b)The board shall notify the applicant not less than 10 days prior to the date of the hearing. Notwithstanding Section 11123, if the application that the board is considering involves either a crime against a minor, a crime of sexual assault, or a crime of domestic violence, the board may exclude from the hearing all persons other than board members and members of its staff, the applicant for benefits, a minor applicants parents or guardians, the applicants representative, witnesses, and other persons of the applicants choice to provide assistance to the applicant during the hearing. However, the board shall not exclude persons from the hearing if the applicant or applicants representative requests that the hearing be open to the public.
(c)At the hearing, the person seeking compensation shall have the burden of establishing, by a preponderance of the evidence, the elements for eligibility under Section 13955.
(d)Except as otherwise provided by law, in making determinations of eligibility for compensation and in deciding upon the amount of compensation, the board shall apply the law in effect as of the date an application was submitted.
(e)(1)The hearing shall be informal and need not be conducted according to the technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses. The board may rely on any relevant evidence if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of a common law or statutory rule that might make improper the admission of the evidence over objection in a civil action. The board may rely on written reports prepared for the board, or other information received, from public agencies responsible for investigating the crime. If the applicant or the applicants representative chooses not to appear at the hearing, the board may act solely upon the application for compensation, the staffs report, and other evidence that appears in the record.
(2)The board shall allow an animal to accompany and support a witness while testifying at a hearing.
(f)Hearings shall be held in various locations with the frequency necessary to provide for the speedy adjudication of the applications. If the applicants presence is required at the hearing, the board shall schedule the applicants hearing in as convenient a location as possible.
(g)The board may delegate the hearing of applications to hearing officers.
(h)The decisions of the board shall be in writing. Copies of the decisions shall be delivered to the applicant or to his or her representative personally or sent to him or her by mail.
(i)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on written request of the applicant. The board shall not grant more than one request for reconsideration with respect to any one decision on an application for compensation. The board shall not consider any request for reconsideration filed with the board more than 30 calendar days after the personal delivery or 60 calendar days after the mailing of the original decision.
(j)The board may order a reconsideration of all or part of a decision on its own motion, at its discretion, at any time.
SEC. 8.Section 1050 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1050.(a)The welfare of the people of the State of California requires that all proceedings in criminal cases shall be set for trial and heard and determined at the earliest possible time. To this end, the Legislature finds that the criminal courts are becoming increasingly congested with resulting adverse consequences to the welfare of the people and the defendant. Excessive continuances contribute substantially to this congestion and cause substantial hardship to victims and other witnesses. Continuances also lead to longer periods of presentence confinement for those defendants in custody and the concomitant overcrowding and increased expenses of local jails. It is therefore recognized that the people, the defendant, and the victims and other witnesses have the right to an expeditious disposition, and to that end it shall be the duty of all courts and judicial officers and of all counsel, both for the prosecution and the defense, to expedite these proceedings to the greatest degree that is consistent with the ends of justice. In accordance with this policy, criminal cases shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, any civil matters or proceedings. In further accordance with this policy, death penalty cases in which both the prosecution and the defense have informed the court that they are prepared to proceed to trial shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, other criminal cases and any civil matters or proceedings, unless the court finds in the interest of justice that it is not appropriate.
(b)To continue any hearing in a criminal proceeding, including the trial, (1) a written notice shall be filed and served on all parties to the proceeding at least two court days before the hearing sought to be continued, together with affidavits or declarations detailing specific facts showing that a continuance is necessary and (2) within two court days of learning that he or she has a conflict in the scheduling of any court hearing, including a trial, an attorney shall notify the calendar clerk of each court involved, in writing, indicating which hearing was set first. A party shall not be deemed to have been served within the meaning of this section until that party actually has received a copy of the documents to be served, unless the party, after receiving actual notice of the request for continuance, waives the right to have the documents served in a timely manner. Regardless of the proponent of the motion, the prosecuting attorney shall notify the peoples witnesses and the defense attorney shall notify the defenses witnesses of the notice of motion, the date of the hearing, and the witnesses right to be heard by the court.
(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a party may make a motion for a continuance without complying with the requirements of that subdivision. However, unless the moving party shows good cause for the failure to comply with those requirements, the court may impose sanctions as provided in Section 1050.5.
(d)When a party makes a motion for a continuance without complying with the requirements of subdivision (b), the court shall hold a hearing on whether there is good cause for the failure to comply with those requirements. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall make a finding whether good cause has been shown and, if it finds that there is good cause, shall state on the record the facts proved that justify its finding. A statement of the finding and a statement of facts proved shall be entered in the minutes. If the moving party is unable to show good cause for the failure to give notice, the motion for continuance shall not be granted.
(e)Continuances shall be granted only upon a showing of good cause. Neither the convenience of the parties nor a stipulation of the parties is in and of itself good cause.
(f)At the conclusion of the motion for continuance, the court shall make a finding whether good cause has been shown and, if it finds that there is good cause, shall state on the record the facts proved that justify its finding. A statement of facts proved shall be entered in the minutes.
(g)(1)When deciding whether or not good cause for a continuance has been shown, the court shall consider the general convenience and prior commitments of all witnesses, including peace officers. Both the general convenience and prior commitments of each witness also shall be considered in selecting a continuance date if the motion is granted. The facts as to inconvenience or prior commitments may be offered by the witness or by a party to the case.
(2)For purposes of this section, good cause includes, but is not limited to, those cases involving murder, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 187, allegations that stalking, as defined in Section 646.9, a violation of one or more of the sections specified in subdivision (a) of Section 11165.1 or Section 11165.6, or domestic violence as defined in Section 13700, or a case being handled in the Career Criminal Prosecution Program pursuant to Sections 999b through 999h, or a hate crime, as defined in Title 11.6 (commencing with Section 422.6) of Part 1, has occurred and the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress in that court or another court. A continuance under this paragraph shall be limited to a maximum of 10 additional court days.
(3)Only one continuance per case may be granted to the people under this subdivision for cases involving stalking, hate crimes, or cases handled under the Career Criminal Prosecution Program. Any continuance granted to the people in a case involving stalking or handled under the Career Criminal Prosecution Program shall be for the shortest time possible, not to exceed 10 court days.
(4)For purposes of this section, good cause shall be deemed to exist when a witness, who is the victim of the charged crime and has previously been the victim of elder abuse, as defined in Section 368, or a crime described in Section 290, cannot be present due to psychological or emotional distress resulting from that prior victimization.
(h)Upon a showing that the attorney of record at the time of the defendants first appearance in the superior court on an indictment or information is a Member of the Legislature of this state and that the Legislature is in session or that a legislative interim committee of which the attorney is a duly appointed member is meeting or is to meet within the next seven days, the defendant shall be entitled to a reasonable continuance not to exceed 30 days.
(i)A continuance shall be granted only for that period of time shown to be necessary by the evidence considered at the hearing on the motion. Whenever any continuance is granted, the court shall state on the record the facts proved that justify the length of the continuance, and those facts shall be entered in the minutes.
(j)Whenever it shall appear that any court may be required, because of the condition of its calendar, to dismiss an action pursuant to Section 1382, the court must immediately notify the Chair of the Judicial Council.
(k)This section shall not apply when the preliminary examination is set on a date less than 10 court days from the date of the defendants arraignment on the complaint, and the prosecution or the defendant moves to continue the preliminary examination to a date not more than 10 court days from the date of the defendants arraignment on the complaint.
(l)This section is directory only and does not mandate dismissal of an action by its terms.
SEC. 9.Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1202.4.(a)(1)It is the intent of the Legislature that a victim of crime who incurs an economic loss as a result of the commission of a crime shall receive restitution directly from a defendant convicted of that crime.
(2)Upon a person being convicted of a crime in the State of California, the court shall order the defendant to pay a fine in the form of a penalty assessment in accordance with Section 1464.
(3)The court, in addition to any other penalty provided or imposed under the law, shall order the defendant to pay both of the following:
(A)A restitution fine in accordance with subdivision (b).
(B)Restitution to the victim or victims, if any, in accordance with subdivision (f), which shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(b)In every case where a person is convicted of a crime, the court shall impose a separate and additional restitution fine, unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record.
(1)The restitution fine shall be set at the discretion of the court and commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. If the person is convicted of a felony, the fine shall not be less than two hundred forty dollars ($240) starting on January 1, 2012, two hundred eighty dollars ($280) starting on January 1, 2013, and three hundred dollars ($300) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). If the person is convicted of a misdemeanor, the fine shall not be less than one hundred twenty dollars ($120) starting on January 1, 2012, one hundred forty dollars ($140) starting on January 1, 2013, and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) starting on January 1, 2014, and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(2)In setting a felony restitution fine, the court may determine the amount of the fine as the product of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) multiplied by the number of years of imprisonment the defendant is ordered to serve, multiplied by the number of felony counts of which the defendant is convicted.
(c)The court shall impose the restitution fine unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution fine. Inability to pay may be considered only in increasing the amount of the restitution fine in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution fine if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(d)In setting the amount of the fine pursuant to subdivision (b) in excess of the minimum fine pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the court shall consider any relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the defendants inability to pay, the seriousness and gravity of the offense and the circumstances of its commission, any economic gain derived by the defendant as a result of the crime, the extent to which any other person suffered losses as a result of the crime, and the number of victims involved in the crime. Those losses may include pecuniary losses to the victim or his or her dependents as well as intangible losses, such as psychological harm caused by the crime. Consideration of a defendants inability to pay may include his or her future earning capacity. A defendant shall bear the burden of demonstrating his or her inability to pay. Express findings by the court as to the factors bearing on the amount of the fine shall not be required. A separate hearing for the fine shall not be required.
(e)The restitution fine shall not be subject to penalty assessments authorized in Section 1464 or Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 76000) of Title 8 of the Government Code, or the state surcharge authorized in Section 1465.7, and shall be deposited in the Restitution Fund in the State Treasury.
(f)Except as provided in subdivisions (q) and (r), in every case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct, the court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or any other showing to the court. If the amount of loss cannot be ascertained at the time of sentencing, the restitution order shall include a provision that the amount shall be determined at the direction of the court. The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states them on the record. The court may specify that funds confiscated at the time of the defendants arrest, except for funds confiscated pursuant to Section 11469 of the Health and Safety Code, be applied to the restitution order if the funds are not exempt for spousal or child support or subject to any other legal exemption.
(1)The defendant has the right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of restitution. The court may modify the amount, on its own motion or on the motion of the district attorney, the victim or victims, or the defendant. If a motion is made for modification of a restitution order, the victim shall be notified of that motion at least 10 days prior to the proceeding held to decide the motion. A witness at a restitution hearing or modification hearing described in this paragraph may testify by live, two-way audio and video transmission.
(2)Determination of the amount of restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall not be affected by the indemnification or subrogation rights of a third party. Restitution ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall be ordered to be deposited to the Restitution Fund to the extent that the victim, as defined in subdivision (k), has received assistance from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(3)To the extent possible, the restitution order shall be prepared by the sentencing court, shall identify each victim and each loss to which it pertains, and shall be of a dollar amount that is sufficient to fully reimburse the victim or victims for every determined economic loss incurred as the result of the defendants criminal conduct, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Full or partial payment for the value of stolen or damaged property. The value of stolen or damaged property shall be the replacement cost of like property, or the actual cost of repairing the property when repair is possible.
(B)Medical expenses.
(C)Mental health counseling expenses.
(D)Wages or profits lost due to injury incurred by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, while caring for the injured minor. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(E)Wages or profits lost by the victim, and if the victim is a minor, wages or profits lost by the minors parent, parents, guardian, or guardians, due to time spent as a witness or in assisting the police or prosecution. Lost wages shall include commission income as well as base wages. Commission income shall be established by evidence of commission income during the 12-month period prior to the date of the crime for which restitution is being ordered, unless good cause for a shorter time period is shown.
(F)Noneconomic losses, including, but not limited to, psychological harm, for felony violations of Section 288.
(G)Interest, at the rate of 10 percent per annum, that accrues as of the date of sentencing or loss, as determined by the court.
(H)Actual and reasonable attorneys fees and other costs of collection accrued by a private entity on behalf of the victim.
(I)Expenses incurred by an adult victim in relocating away from the defendant, including, but not limited to, deposits for utilities and telephone service, deposits for rental housing, temporary lodging and food expenses, clothing, and personal items. Expenses incurred pursuant to this section shall be verified by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
(J)Expenses to install or increase residential security incurred related to a violent felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, including, but not limited to, a home security device or system, or replacing or increasing the number of locks.
(K)Expenses to retrofit a residence or vehicle, or both, to make the residence accessible to or the vehicle operational by the victim, if the victim is permanently disabled, whether the disability is partial or total, as a direct result of the crime.
(L)Expenses for a period of time reasonably necessary to make the victim whole, for the costs to monitor the credit report of, and for the costs to repair the credit of, a victim of identity theft, as defined in Section 530.5.
(4)(A)If, as a result of the defendants conduct, the Restitution Fund has provided assistance to or on behalf of a victim or derivative victim pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the amount of assistance provided shall be presumed to be a direct result of the defendants criminal conduct and shall be included in the amount of the restitution ordered.
(B)The amount of assistance provided by the Restitution Fund shall be established by copies of bills submitted to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board reflecting the amount paid by the board and whether the services for which payment was made were for medical or dental expenses, funeral or burial expenses, mental health counseling, wage or support losses, or rehabilitation. Certified copies of these bills provided by the board and redacted to protect the privacy and safety of the victim or any legal privilege, together with a statement made under penalty of perjury by the custodian of records that those bills were submitted to and were paid by the board, shall be sufficient to meet this requirement.
(C)If the defendant offers evidence to rebut the presumption established by this paragraph, the court may release additional information contained in the records of the board to the defendant only after reviewing that information in camera and finding that the information is necessary for the defendant to dispute the amount of the restitution order.
(5)Except as provided in paragraph (6), in any case in which an order may be entered pursuant to this subdivision, the defendant shall prepare and file a disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant held or controlled a present or future interest as of the date of the defendants arrest for the crime for which restitution may be ordered. The financial disclosure statements shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed by the defendant upon a form approved or adopted by the Judicial Council for the purpose of facilitating the disclosure. A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty.
(6)A defendant who fails to file the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), but who has filed a financial affidavit or financial information pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 987, shall be deemed to have waived the confidentiality of that affidavit or financial information as to a victim in whose favor the order of restitution is entered pursuant to subdivision (f). The affidavit or information shall serve in lieu of the financial disclosure required in paragraph (5), and paragraphs (7) to (10), inclusive, shall not apply.
(7)Except as provided in paragraph (6), the defendant shall file the disclosure with the clerk of the court no later than the date set for the defendants sentencing, unless otherwise directed by the court. The disclosure may be inspected or copied as provided by subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section 1203.05.
(8)In its discretion, the court may relieve the defendant of the duty under paragraph (7) of filing with the clerk by requiring that the defendants disclosure be submitted as an attachment to, and be available to, those authorized to receive the following:
(A)A report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203 or subdivision (g) of Section 1203.
(B)A stipulation submitted pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1203.
(C)A report by the probation officer, or information submitted by the defendant applying for a conditional sentence pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 1203.
(9)The court may consider a defendants unreasonable failure to make a complete disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) as any of the following:
(A)A circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section 1170.
(B)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by admitting the defendant to probation under Section 1203.
(C)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by conditionally sentencing the defendant under Section 1203.
(D)A factor indicating that the interests of justice would not be served by imposing less than the maximum fine and sentence fixed by law for the case.
(10)A defendants failure or refusal to make the required disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) shall not delay entry of an order of restitution or pronouncement of sentence. In appropriate cases, the court may do any of the following:
(A)Require the defendant to be examined by the district attorney pursuant to subdivision (h).
(B)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1170, provide that the victim shall receive a copy of the portion of the probation report filed pursuant to Section 1203.10 concerning the defendants employment, occupation, finances, and liabilities.
(C)If sentencing the defendant under Section 1203, set a date and place for submission of the disclosure required by paragraph (5) as a condition of probation or suspended sentence.
(11)If a defendant has any remaining unpaid balance on a restitution order or fine 120 days prior to his or her scheduled release from probation or 120 days prior to his or her completion of a conditional sentence, the defendant shall prepare and file a new and updated financial disclosure identifying all assets, income, and liabilities in which the defendant holds or controls or has held or controlled a present or future interest during the defendants period of probation or conditional sentence. The financial disclosure shall be made available to the victim and the board pursuant to Section 1214. The disclosure shall be signed and prepared by the defendant on the same form as described in paragraph (5). A defendant who willfully states as true a material matter that he or she knows to be false on the disclosure required by this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless this conduct is punishable as perjury or another provision of law provides for a greater penalty. The financial disclosure required by this paragraph shall be filed with the clerk of the court no later than 90 days prior to the defendants scheduled release from probation or completion of the defendants conditional sentence.
(12)In cases where an employer is convicted of a crime against an employee, a payment to the employee or the employees dependent that is made by the employers workers compensation insurance carrier shall not be used to offset the amount of the restitution order unless the court finds that the defendant substantially met the obligation to pay premiums for that insurance coverage.
(g)The court shall order full restitution unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. A defendants inability to pay shall not be considered a compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution order, nor shall inability to pay be a consideration in determining the amount of a restitution order.
(h)The district attorney may request an order of examination pursuant to the procedures specified in Article 2 (commencing with Section 708.110) of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, in order to determine the defendants financial assets for purposes of collecting on the restitution order.
(i)A restitution order imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment.
(j)The making of a restitution order pursuant to subdivision (f) shall not affect the right of a victim to recovery from the Restitution Fund as otherwise provided by law, except to the extent that restitution is actually collected pursuant to the order. Restitution collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be credited to any other judgments for the same losses obtained against the defendant arising out of the crime for which the defendant was convicted.
(k)For purposes of this section, victim shall include all of the following:
(1)The immediate surviving family of the actual victim.
(2)A corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity when that entity is a direct victim of a crime.
(3)A person who has sustained economic loss as the result of a crime and who satisfies any of the following conditions:
(A)At the time of the crime was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child, or grandchild of the victim.
(B)At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
(C)At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the household of the victim for a period of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a relationship listed in subparagraph (A).
(D)Is another family member of the victim, including, but not limited to, the victims fiance or fiancee, and who witnessed the crime.
(E)Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim.
(4)A person who is eligible to receive assistance from the Restitution Fund pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(5)A governmental entity that is responsible for repairing, replacing, or restoring public or privately owned property that has been defaced with graffiti or other inscribed material, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 594, and that has sustained an economic loss as the result of a violation of Section 594, 594.3, 594.4, 640.5, 640.6, or 640.7 of the Penal Code.
(l)At its discretion, the board of supervisors of a county may impose a fee to cover the actual administrative cost of collecting the restitution fine, not to exceed 10 percent of the amount ordered to be paid, to be added to the restitution fine and included in the order of the court, the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the general fund of the county.
(m)In every case in which the defendant is granted probation, the court shall make the payment of restitution fines and orders imposed pursuant to this section a condition of probation. Any portion of a restitution order that remains unsatisfied after a defendant is no longer on probation shall continue to be enforceable by a victim pursuant to Section 1214 until the obligation is satisfied.
(n)If the court finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons why a restitution fine or full restitution order should not be required, the court shall order, as a condition of probation, that the defendant perform specified community service, unless it finds and states on the record compelling and extraordinary reasons not to require community service in addition to the finding that restitution should not be required. Upon revocation of probation, the court shall impose restitution pursuant to this section.
(o)The provisions of Section 13963 of the Government Code shall apply to restitution imposed pursuant to this section.
(p)The court clerk shall notify the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board within 90 days of an order of restitution being imposed if the defendant is ordered to pay restitution to the board due to the victim receiving compensation from the Restitution Fund. Notification shall be accomplished by mailing a copy of the court order to the board, which may be done periodically by bulk mail or email.
(q)Upon conviction for a violation of Section 236.1, the court shall, in addition to any other penalty or restitution, order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim in a case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendants conduct. The court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or another showing to the court. In determining restitution pursuant to this section, the court shall base its order upon the greater of the following: the gross value of the victims labor or services based upon the comparable value of similar services in the labor market in which the offense occurred, or the value of the victims labor as guaranteed under California law, or the actual income derived by the defendant from the victims labor or services or any other appropriate means to provide reparations to the victim.
(r)(1)In addition to any other penalty or fine, the court shall order a person who has been convicted of a violation of Section 350, 653h, 653s, 653u, 653w, or 653aa that involves a recording or audiovisual work to make restitution to an owner or lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer, of a phonograph record, disc, wire, tape, film, or other device or article from which sounds or visual images are derived that suffered economic loss resulting from the violation. The order of restitution shall be based on the aggregate wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized devices or articles from which sounds or visual images are devised corresponding to the number of nonconforming devices or articles involved in the offense, unless a higher value can be proved in the case of (A) an unreleased audio work, or (B) an audiovisual work that, at the time of unauthorized distribution, has not been made available in copies for sale to the general public in the United States on a digital versatile disc. For purposes of this subdivision, possession of nonconforming devices or articles intended for sale constitutes actual economic loss to an owner or lawful producer in the form of displaced legitimate wholesale purchases. The order of restitution shall also include reasonable costs incurred as a result of an investigation of the violation undertaken by the owner, lawful producer, or trade association acting on behalf of the owner or lawful producer. Aggregate wholesale value means the average wholesale value of lawfully manufactured and authorized sound or audiovisual recordings. Proof of the specific wholesale value of each nonconforming device or article is not required.
(2)As used in this subdivision, audiovisual work and recording shall have the same meaning as in Section 653w.
SEC. 3.SEC. 10.Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1203.4.(a)(1)In any case in which a defendant has fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation, or has been discharged prior to the termination of the period of probation, or in any other case in which a court, in its discretion and the interests of justice, determines that a defendant should be granted the relief available under this section, the defendant shall, at any time after the termination of the period of probation, if he or she is not then serving a sentence for any offense, on probation for any offense, or charged with the commission of any offense, be permitted by the court to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty; or, if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty; and, in either case, the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant and except as noted below, he or she shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code. The probationer shall be informed, in his or her probation papers, of this right and privilege and his or her right, if any, to petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon. The probationer may make the application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by the probation officer authorized in writing. However, in any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if probation had not been granted or the accusation or information dismissed. The order shall state, and the probationer shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.
(2)Dismissal of an accusation or information pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in his or her custody or control any firearm or prevent his or her conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.
(3)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.
(4)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202.4 or direct restitution imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4.
(5)This subdivision shall apply to all applications for relief under this section which are filed on or after November 23, 1970.
(b)Subdivision (a) of this section does not apply to any misdemeanor that is within the provisions of Section 42002.1 of the Vehicle Code, to any violation of subdivision (c) of Section 286, Section 288, subdivision (c) of Section 288a, Section 288.5, subdivision (j) of Section 289, Section 311.1, 311.2, 311.3, or 311.11, or any felony conviction pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 261.5, or to any infraction.
(c)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), subdivision (a) does not apply to a person who receives a notice to appear or is otherwise charged with a violation of an offense described in subdivisions (a) to (e), inclusive, of Section 12810 of the Vehicle Code.
(2)If a defendant who was convicted of a violation listed in paragraph (1) petitions the court, the court in its discretion and in the interests of justice, may order the relief provided pursuant to subdivision (a) to that defendant.
(d)A person who petitions for a change of plea or setting aside of a verdict under this section may be required to reimburse the court for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the court not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse the county for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse any city for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the city council not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Ability to make this reimbursement shall be determined by the court using the standards set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 987.8 and shall not be a prerequisite to a persons eligibility under this section. The court may order reimbursement in any case in which the petitioner appears to have the ability to pay, without undue hardship, all or any portion of the costs for services established pursuant to this subdivision.
(e)(1)Relief shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given 15 days notice of the petition for relief. The probation officer shall notify the prosecuting attorney when a petition is filed, pursuant to this section.
(2)It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.
(f)If, after receiving notice pursuant to subdivision (e), the prosecuting attorney fails to appear and object to a petition for dismissal, the prosecuting attorney may not move to set aside or otherwise appeal the grant of that petition.
(g)Notwithstanding the above provisions or any other provision of law, the Governor shall have the right to pardon a person convicted of a violation of subdivision (c) of Section 286, Section 288, subdivision (c) of Section 288a, Section 288.5, or subdivision (j) of Section 289, if there are extraordinary circumstances.
SEC. 4.SEC. 11.Section 1203.4a of the Penal Code is amended to read:1203.4a.(a)Every defendant convicted of a misdemeanor and not granted probation, and every defendant convicted of an infraction shall, at any time after the lapse of one year from the date of pronouncement of judgment, if he or she has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court, is not then serving a sentence for any offense and is not under charge of commission of any crime, and has, since the pronouncement of judgment, lived an honest and upright life and has conformed to and obeyed the laws of the land, be permitted by the court to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty; or if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty; and in either case the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusatory pleading against the defendant, who shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 29900) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6 of this code or Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code.
(b)If a defendant does not satisfy all the requirements of subdivision (a), after a lapse of one year from the date of pronouncement of judgment, a court, in its discretion and in the interests of justice, may grant the relief available pursuant to subdivision (a) to a defendant convicted of an infraction, or of a misdemeanor and not granted probation, or both, if he or she has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court, is not then serving a sentence for any offense, and is not under charge of commission of any crime.
(c)(1)The defendant shall be informed of the provisions of this section, either orally or in writing, at the time he or she is sentenced. The defendant may make an application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by the probation officer authorized in writing, provided that, in any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if relief had not been granted pursuant to this section.
(2)Dismissal of an accusatory pleading pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in his or her custody or control any firearm or prevent his or her conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.
(3)Dismissal of an accusatory pleading underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.
(4)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202.4 or direct restitution imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4.
(d) This section applies to any conviction specified in subdivision (a) or (b) that occurred before, as well as those occurring after, the effective date of this section, except that this section does not apply to the following:
(1)A misdemeanor violation of subdivision (c) of Section 288.
(2)Any misdemeanor falling within the provisions of Section 42002.1 of the Vehicle Code.
(3)Any infraction falling within the provisions of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code.
(e)A person who petitions for a dismissal of a charge under this section may be required to reimburse the county and the court for the cost of services rendered at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors for the county and by the court for the court, not to exceed sixty dollars ($60), and to reimburse any city for the cost of services rendered at a rate to be determined by the city council not to exceed sixty dollars ($60). Ability to make this reimbursement shall be determined by the court using the standards set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 987.8 and shall not be a prerequisite to a persons eligibility under this section. The court may order reimbursement in any case in which the petitioner appears to have the ability to pay, without undue hardship, all or any portion of the cost for services established pursuant to this subdivision.
(f)A petition for dismissal of an infraction pursuant to this section shall be by written declaration, except upon a showing of compelling need. Dismissal of an infraction shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given at least 15 days notice of the petition for dismissal. It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.
(g)Any determination of amount made by a court under this section shall be valid only if either (1) made under procedures adopted by the Judicial Council or (2) approved by the Judicial Council.
SEC. 5.SEC. 12.Section 1203.41 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1203.41.(a)If a defendant is sentenced pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, the court, in its discretion and in the interests of justice, may order the following relief, subject to the conditions of subdivision (b):
(1)The court may permit the defendant to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty, or, if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty, and, in either case, the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant and he or she shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code.
(2)The relief available under this section may be granted only after the lapse of one year following the defendants completion of the sentence, if the sentence was imposed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or after the lapse of two years following the defendants completion of the sentence, if the sentence was imposed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
(3)The relief available under this section may be granted only if the defendant is not under supervision pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, and is not serving a sentence for, on probation for, or charged with the commission of any offense.
(4)The defendant shall be informed, either orally or in writing, of the provisions of this section and of his or her right, if any, to petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon at the time he or she is sentenced.
(5)The defendant may make the application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by a probation officer authorized in writing.
(b)Relief granted pursuant to subdivision (a) is subject to the following conditions:
(1)In any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if the accusation or information had not been dismissed.
(2)The order shall state, and the defendant shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.
(3)Dismissal of an accusation or information pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in his or her custody or control any firearm or prevent his or her conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.
(4)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.
(5)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202.4 or direct restitution imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4.
(c)This section applies to any conviction specified in subdivision (a) that occurred before, on, or after January 1, 2014.
(d)A person who petitions for a change of plea or setting aside of a verdict under this section may be required to reimburse the court for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the court not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse the county for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse any city for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the city council not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Ability to make this reimbursement shall be determined by the court using the standards set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 987.8 and shall not be a prerequisite to a persons eligibility under this section. The court may order reimbursement in any case in which the petitioner appears to have the ability to pay, without undue hardship, all or any portion of the costs for services established pursuant to this subdivision.
(e)(1)Relief shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given 15 days notice of the petition for relief. The probation officer shall notify the prosecuting attorney when a petition is filed, pursuant to this section.
(2)It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.
(f)If, after receiving notice pursuant to subdivision (e), the prosecuting attorney fails to appear and object to a petition for dismissal, the prosecuting attorney may not move to set aside or otherwise appeal the grant of that petition.
(a)An application for compensation shall be filed with the board in the manner determined by the board.
(b)(1)The application for compensation shall be verified under penalty of perjury by the individual who is seeking compensation, who may be the victim or derivative victim, or an individual seeking reimbursement for burial, funeral, or crime scene cleanup expenses pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13957. If the individual seeking compensation is a minor or is incompetent, the application shall be verified under penalty of perjury or on information and belief by the parent with legal custody, guardian, conservator, or relative caregiver of the victim or derivative victim for whom the application is made. However, if a minor seeks compensation only for expenses for medical, medical-related, psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related services and the minor is authorized by statute to consent to those services, the minor may verify the application for compensation under penalty of perjury.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, relative caregiver means a relative as defined in subdivision (i) (h) of Section 6550 of the Family Code, who assumed primary responsibility for the child while the child was in the relatives care and control, and who is not a biological or adoptive parent.
(c)(1)The board may require submission of additional information supporting the application that is reasonably necessary to verify the application and determine eligibility for compensation.
(2)The staff of the board shall determine whether an application for compensation contains all of the information required by the board. If the staff determines that an application does not contain all of the required information, the staff shall communicate that determination to the applicant with a brief statement of the additional information required. The applicant, within 30 calendar days of being notified that the application is incomplete, may either supply the additional information or appeal the staffs determination to the board, which shall review the application to determine whether it is complete.
(3)The board shall not require an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
(d)(1)The board may recognize an authorized representative of the victim or derivative victim, who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized representative means any of the following:
(A)An attorney.
(B)If the victim or derivative victim is a minor or an incompetent adult, the legal guardian or conservator, or an immediate family member, parent, or relative caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(C)A victim assistance advocate certified pursuant to Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code.
(D)An immediate family member of the victim or derivative victim, who has written authorization by the victim or derivative victim, and who is not the perpetrator of the crime that gave rise to the claim.
(E) Other persons who shall represent the victim or derivative victim pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
(F)A county social worker designated by a county department of social services to represent a child abuse victim or an elder abuse victim if that victim is unable to file on his or her own behalf.
(3)Except for attorneys fees awarded under this chapter, no authorized representative described in paragraph (2) shall charge, demand, receive, or collect any amount for services rendered under this subdivision.
(e)All correspondence by the board to an applicant shall be written in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
SEC. 2.Section 13956 of the Government Code is amended to read:13956.Notwithstanding Section 13955, a person shall not be eligible for compensation under the following conditions:
(a)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by or on behalf of a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim, knowingly and willingly participated in the commission of the crime that resulted in the pecuniary loss for which compensation is being sought pursuant to this chapter. However, this subdivision shall not apply if the injury or death occurred as a direct result of a crime committed in violation of Section 261, 262, or 273.5 of, or a crime of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor committed in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 of, the Penal Code.
(b)(1)An application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim or, if compensation is sought by, or on behalf of, a derivative victim, either the victim or derivative victim failed to cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing the crime. However, in determining whether cooperation has been reasonable, the board shall consider the victims or derivative victims age, physical condition, and psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers, any compelling health and safety concerns, including, but not limited to, a reasonable fear of retaliation or harm that would jeopardize the well-being of the victim or the victims family or the derivative victim or the derivative victims family, and giving due consideration to the degree of cooperation of which the victim or derivative victim is capable in light of the presence of any of these factors. An application for a claim shall not be denied pursuant to this paragraph in any case in which the victim is eligible for compensation as a minor.
(2)An application for a claim based on domestic violence shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on domestic violence relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a domestic violence crime has occurred. Factors evidencing that a domestic violence crime has occurred may include, but are not limited to, medical records documenting injuries consistent with allegations of domestic violence, mental health records, or the fact that the victim has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order, or all of these.
(3)An application for a claim based on human trafficking as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code shall not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on human trafficking relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a human trafficking crime as defined in Section 236.1 of the Penal Code has occurred. That evidence may include any reliable corroborating information approved by the board, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A)A Law Enforcement Agency Endorsement issued pursuant to Section 236.2 of the Penal Code.
(B)A human trafficking caseworker as identified in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code, has attested by affidavit that the individual was a victim of human trafficking.
(4)(A)An application for a claim by a military personnel victim based on a sexual assault by another military personnel shall not be denied solely because it was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement at the time of the crime.
(B)Factors that the board shall consider for purposes of determining if a claim qualifies for compensation include, but are not limited to, the evidence of the following:
(i)Restricted or unrestricted reports to a military victim advocate, sexual assault response coordinator, chaplain, attorney, or other military personnel.
(ii)Medical or physical evidence consistent with sexual assault.
(iii)A written or oral report from military law enforcement or a civilian law enforcement agency concluding that a sexual assault crime was committed against the victim.
(iv)A letter or other written statement from a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, licensed therapist, or mental health counselor, stating that the victim is seeking services related to the allegation of sexual assault.
(v)A credible witness to whom the victim disclosed the details that a sexual assault crime occurred.
(vi)A restraining order from a military or civilian court against the perpetrator of the sexual assault.
(vii)Other behavior by the victim consistent with sexual assault.
(C)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault at issue shall have occurred during military service, including deployment.
(D)For purposes of this subdivision, the sexual assault may have been committed offbase.
(E)For purposes of this subdivision, a perpetrator means an individual who is any of the following at the time of the sexual assault:
(i)An active duty military personnel from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.
(ii)A civilian employee of any military branch specified in clause (i), military base, or military deployment.
(iii)A contractor or agent of a private military or private security company.
(iv)A member of the California National Guard.
(F)For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault means an offense included in Section 261, 262, 264.1, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code, as of the date the act that added this paragraph was enacted.
(c)An application for compensation may be denied, in whole or in part, if the board finds that denial is appropriate because of the nature of the victims or other applicants involvement in the events leading to the crime or the involvement of the persons whose injury or death gives rise to the application. In the case of a minor, the board shall consider the minors age, physical condition, and psychological state, as well as any compelling health and safety concerns, in determining whether the minors application should be denied pursuant to this section. The application of a derivative victim of domestic violence under the age of 18 years of age or a derivative victim of trafficking under 18 years of age may not be denied on the basis of the denial of the victims application under this subdivision.
(d)(1)Notwithstanding Section 13955, no a person who is convicted of a felony may shall not be granted compensation until that person has been discharged from probation or has been released from a correctional institution and has been discharged from parole, if any. any, unless the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling. In no case shall compensation be granted to an applicant pursuant to this chapter during any period of time the applicant is held in a correctional institution.
(2)A person who has been convicted of a felony may apply for compensation pursuant to this chapter at any time, but the award of that compensation may not be considered until the applicant meets the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
(3)Applications of victims who are not felons shall receive priority in the award of compensation over an application submitted by a felon who has met the requirements for compensation set forth in paragraph (1).
SEC. 3.Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1203.4.(a)(1)In any case in which a defendant has fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation, or has been discharged prior to the termination of the period of probation, or in any other case in which a court, in its discretion and the interests of justice, determines that a defendant should be granted the relief available under this section, the defendant shall, at any time after the termination of the period of probation, if he or she is not then serving a sentence for any offense, on probation for any offense, or charged with the commission of any offense, be permitted by the court to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty; or, if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty; and, in either case, the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant and except as noted below, he or she shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code. The probationer shall be informed, in his or her probation papers, of this right and privilege and his or her right, if any, to petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon. The probationer may make the application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by the probation officer authorized in writing. However, in any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if probation had not been granted or the accusation or information dismissed. The order shall state, and the probationer shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.
(2)Dismissal of an accusation or information pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in his or her custody or control any firearm or prevent his or her conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.
(3)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.
(4)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202.4 or direct restitution imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4.
(4)
(5)This subdivision shall apply to all applications for relief under this section which are filed on or after November 23, 1970.
(b)Subdivision (a) of this section does not apply to any misdemeanor that is within the provisions of Section 42002.1 of the Vehicle Code, to any violation of subdivision (c) of Section 286, Section 288, subdivision (c) of Section 288a, Section 288.5, subdivision (j) of Section 289, Section 311.1, 311.2, 311.3, or 311.11, or any felony conviction pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 261.5, or to any infraction.
(c)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), subdivision (a) does not apply to a person who receives a notice to appear or is otherwise charged with a violation of an offense described in subdivisions (a) to (e), inclusive, of Section 12810 of the Vehicle Code.
(2)If a defendant who was convicted of a violation listed in paragraph (1) petitions the court, the court in its discretion and in the interests of justice, may order the relief provided pursuant to subdivision (a) to that defendant.
(d)A person who petitions for a change of plea or setting aside of a verdict under this section may be required to reimburse the court for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the court not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse the county for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse any city for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the city council not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Ability to make this reimbursement shall be determined by the court using the standards set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 987.8 and shall not be a prerequisite to a persons eligibility under this section. The court may order reimbursement in any case in which the petitioner appears to have the ability to pay, without undue hardship, all or any portion of the costs for services established pursuant to this subdivision.
(e)(1)Relief shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given 15 days notice of the petition for relief. The probation officer shall notify the prosecuting attorney when a petition is filed, pursuant to this section.
(2)It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.
(f)If, after receiving notice pursuant to subdivision (e), the prosecuting attorney fails to appear and object to a petition for dismissal, the prosecuting attorney may not move to set aside or otherwise appeal the grant of that petition.
(g)Notwithstanding the above provisions or any other provision of law, the Governor shall have the right to pardon a person convicted of a violation of subdivision (c) of Section 286, Section 288, subdivision (c) of Section 288a, Section 288.5, or subdivision (j) of Section 289, if there are extraordinary circumstances.
SEC. 4.Section 1203.4a of the Penal Code is amended to read:1203.4a.(a)Every defendant convicted of a misdemeanor and not granted probation, and every defendant convicted of an infraction shall, at any time after the lapse of one year from the date of pronouncement of judgment, if he or she has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court, is not then serving a sentence for any offense and is not under charge of commission of any crime, and has, since the pronouncement of judgment, lived an honest and upright life and has conformed to and obeyed the laws of the land, be permitted by the court to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty; or if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty; and in either case the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusatory pleading against the defendant, who shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 29900) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6 of this code or Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code.
(b)If a defendant does not satisfy all the requirements of subdivision (a), after a lapse of one year from the date of pronouncement of judgment, a court, in its discretion and in the interests of justice, may grant the relief available pursuant to subdivision (a) to a defendant convicted of an infraction, or of a misdemeanor and not granted probation, or both, if he or she has fully complied with and performed the sentence of the court, is not then serving a sentence for any offense, and is not under charge of commission of any crime.
(c)(1)The defendant shall be informed of the provisions of this section, either orally or in writing, at the time he or she is sentenced. The defendant may make an application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by the probation officer authorized in writing, provided that, in any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if relief had not been granted pursuant to this section.
(2)Dismissal of an accusatory pleading pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in his or her custody or control any firearm or prevent his or her conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.
(3)Dismissal of an accusatory pleading underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.
(4)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202.4 or direct restitution imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4.
(d) This section applies to any conviction specified in subdivision (a) or (b) that occurred before, as well as those occurring after, the effective date of this section, except that this section does not apply to the following:
(1)A misdemeanor violation of subdivision (c) of Section 288.
(2)Any misdemeanor falling within the provisions of Section 42002.1 of the Vehicle Code.
(3)Any infraction falling within the provisions of Section 42001 of the Vehicle Code.
(e)A person who petitions for a dismissal of a charge under this section may be required to reimburse the county and the court for the cost of services rendered at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors for the county and by the court for the court, not to exceed sixty dollars ($60), and to reimburse any city for the cost of services rendered at a rate to be determined by the city council not to exceed sixty dollars ($60). Ability to make this reimbursement shall be determined by the court using the standards set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 987.8 and shall not be a prerequisite to a persons eligibility under this section. The court may order reimbursement in any case in which the petitioner appears to have the ability to pay, without undue hardship, all or any portion of the cost for services established pursuant to this subdivision.
(f)A petition for dismissal of an infraction pursuant to this section shall be by written declaration, except upon a showing of compelling need. Dismissal of an infraction shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given at least 15 days notice of the petition for dismissal. It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.
(g)Any determination of amount made by a court under this section shall be valid only if either (1) made under procedures adopted by the Judicial Council or (2) approved by the Judicial Council.
SEC. 5.Section 1203.41 of the Penal Code is amended to read:1203.41.(a)If a defendant is sentenced pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, the court, in its discretion and in the interests of justice, may order the following relief, subject to the conditions of subdivision (b):
(1)The court may permit the defendant to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty, or, if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty, and, in either case, the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant and he or she shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code.
(2)The relief available under this section may be granted only after the lapse of one year following the defendants completion of the sentence, if the sentence was imposed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or after the lapse of two years following the defendants completion of the sentence, if the sentence was imposed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
(3)The relief available under this section may be granted only if the defendant is not under supervision pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, and is not serving a sentence for, on probation for, or charged with the commission of any offense.
(4)The defendant shall be informed, either orally or in writing, of the provisions of this section and of his or her right, if any, to petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon at the time he or she is sentenced.
(5)The defendant may make the application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by a probation officer authorized in writing.
(b)Relief granted pursuant to subdivision (a) is subject to the following conditions:
(1)In any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if the accusation or information had not been dismissed.
(2)The order shall state, and the defendant shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.
(3)Dismissal of an accusation or information pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in his or her custody or control any firearm or prevent his or her conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.
(4)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.
(5)Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not relieve a person from paying a restitution fine imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202.4 or direct restitution imposed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4.
(c)This section applies to any conviction specified in subdivision (a) that occurred before, on, or after January 1, 2014.
(d)A person who petitions for a change of plea or setting aside of a verdict under this section may be required to reimburse the court for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the court not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse the county for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse any city for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the city council not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Ability to make this reimbursement shall be determined by the court using the standards set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 987.8 and shall not be a prerequisite to a persons eligibility under this section. The court may order reimbursement in any case in which the petitioner appears to have the ability to pay, without undue hardship, all or any portion of the costs for services established pursuant to this subdivision.
(e)(1)Relief shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given 15 days notice of the petition for relief. The probation officer shall notify the prosecuting attorney when a petition is filed, pursuant to this section.
(2)It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.
(f)If, after receiving notice pursuant to subdivision (e), the prosecuting attorney fails to appear and object to a petition for dismissal, the prosecuting attorney may not move to set aside or otherwise appeal the grant of that petition.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Sep 8, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Jul 15, 2015 | From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 14). |
| Jul 16, 2015 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Aug 19, 2015 | August 19 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file. |
| Aug 28, 2015 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (August 27). |
| Aug 28, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Sep 4, 2015 | Ordered to third reading. |
| Sep 4, 2015 | Read third time and amended. |
| Sep 8, 2015 | In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. |
| Jun 18, 2015 | Referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Sep 8, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 64. Noes 14. Page 2954.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Sep 10, 2015 | Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 26. Noes 13.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Sep 10, 2015 | Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 27. Noes 13. Page 2667.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Sep 10, 2015 | Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 27. Noes 13.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Sep 15, 2015 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 9:30 a.m. |
| Oct 3, 2015 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Oct 3, 2015 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 472, Statutes of 2015. |
| Feb 26, 2015 | Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
| Jun 4, 2015 | In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. |
| Jun 3, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Jun 3, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 1303.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Jun 2, 2015 | Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 1, 2015 | From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (May 28). |
| Jun 1, 2015 | From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 1. Page 1155.) (May 28). |
| May 23, 2015 | Set for hearing May 28. |
| May 11, 2015 | May 11 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file. |
| May 1, 2015 | Set for hearing May 11. |
| Apr 29, 2015 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 29, 2015 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 823.) (April 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 16, 2015 | Set for hearing April 28. |
| Apr 6, 2015 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Mar 12, 2015 | Referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Feb 27, 2015 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 29. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2015 | Unfinished Business SB519 Hancock Concurrence | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Sep 8, 2015 | SB 519 Hancock Senate Third Reading By JONES-SAWYER | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 27, 2015 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jul 14, 2015 | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
|
| Jun 3, 2015 | Senate 3rd Reading SB519 Hancock | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 28, 2015 | Do pass as amended | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| May 11, 2015 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 28, 2015 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California Catholic Conference of Bishops | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| California Department of Justice | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| Californians for Safety and Justice | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| City and County of San Francisco | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| Crime Victims United Of California | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| Institute on Aging | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| Legal Services for Prisoners with Children | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| San Francisco District Attorney | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
| Santa Clara County District Attorney | ** Support | Sep 4, 2015 |
SB 519
Page 3
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 519
Amended: 9/4/15
PRIOR SENATE VOTES NOT RELEVANT
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 64-14, 9/8/15 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Youth offender parole hearings
DIGEST: This bill requires the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) to complete all youthful offender parole hearings by specified dates if SB 261 (Hancock) is signed into law.
Assembly Amendments delete the version of this bill that was heard in the Senate and replace it with clean-up language that extends the dates by which BPH must complete all youthful parole hearings that will be added if SB 261( Hancock) is signed into law.
Existing law:
Establishes a youth offender parole hearing which is a hearing by the BPH for the purpose of reviewing the parole suitability of any prisoner who was under 18 years of age at the time of his or her controlling offense.
Provides the following parole mechanism for a person who was convicted of a controlling offense that was committed before the person had attained 18 years of age:
If the controlling offense was a determinate sentence the offender shall be eligible for release after 15 years;
If the controlling offense was a life term less than 25 years then the person is eligible for release after 20 years; and,
If the controlling offense was a life term of 25 years to life then the person is eligible for release after 25 years.
Sets a deadline of July 1, 2015, for BPH to complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the statute that established youth offender parole hearings.
Provides that in reviewing a prisoner's suitability for parole in a youthful offender parole hearing, the BPH shall give great weight to the diminished culpability of juveniles as compared to adults, the hallmark features of youth, and any subsequent growth and increased maturity of the prisoner in accordance with relevant case law.
This bill:
Requires the BPH to complete all youthful offender parole hearings for eligible individuals serving indeterminate life terms by January 1, 2018.
Requires the BPH to complete all youthful offender parole hearings for eligible individuals serving determinate terms by December 31, 2021, and to conduct requisite consultations by January 1, 2018.
Makes these provisions operative contingent upon the enactment of SB 261 (Hancock, 2015), which expands the youth offender parole process.
Comments
According to the author, “SB 519 is a technical cleanup bill for SB 261 by Senator Hancock, which was approved by the Assembly on a bipartisan vote. The Administration has some concerns with the implementation deadlines in that bill.
“SB 519 addresses the Administration's concern by adding an additional six months to that bill's deadlines.”
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
Unknown with latest amendments.
None received
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 64-14, 9/8/15
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chau, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Levine, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, Medina, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins
NOES: Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Brough, Chang, Dahle, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Harper, Lackey, Linder, Mayes, Melendez, Patterson
NO VOTE RECORDED: Chávez, Kim
Prepared by: Mary Kennedy / PUB. S. /
9/8/15 21:55:23
**** END ****
SB 519
Page 2
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 519
(Hancock)
As Amended September 4, 2015
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE: 40-0
Committee |
Votes |
Ayes |
Noes |
Public Safety |
7-0 |
Quirk, Melendez, Jones-Sawyer, Lackey, Lopez, Low, Santiago |
|
Appropriations |
17-0 |
Gomez, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Calderon, Chang, Nazarian, Eggman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Holden, Jones, Quirk, Rendon, Wagner, Weber, Wood |
|
SUMMARY: Requires the board of parole hearings (BPH) to complete all youthful offender parole hearings by specified dates. Specifically, this bill:
Requires the BPH to complete all youthful offender parole hearings for eligible individuals serving indeterminate life terms by January 1, 2018.
Requires the BPH to complete all youthful offender parole hearings for eligible individuals serving determinate terms by December 31, 2021, and to conduct requisite consultations by January 1, 2018.
Makes these provisions operative contingent upon the enactment of SB 261 (Hancock) of the current legislative session, which expands the youth offender parole process.
EXISTING LAW:
Establishes a youth offender parole hearing which is a hearing by the BPH for the purpose of reviewing the parole suitability of any prisoner who was under 18 years of age at the time of his or her controlling offense.
Provides the following parole mechanism for a person who was convicted of a controlling offense that was committed before the person had attained 18 years of age:
If the controlling offense was a determinate sentence the offender shall be eligible for release after 15 years;
If the controlling offense was a life term less than 25 years then the person is eligible for release after 20 years; and,
If the controlling offense was a life term of 25 years to life then the person is eligible for release after 25 years.
Sets a deadline of July 1, 2015, for BPH to complete all youth offender parole hearings for individuals who become entitled to have their parole suitability considered at a youth offender parole hearing on the effective date of the statute that established youth offender parole hearings.
Provides that in reviewing a prisoner's suitability for parole in a youthful offender parole hearing, the BPH shall give great weight to the diminished culpability of juveniles as compared to adults, the hallmark features of youth, and any subsequent growth and increased maturity of the prisoner in accordance with relevant case law.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS: According to the author, "SB 519 is a technical cleanup bill for SB 261 by Senator Hancock, which was approved by the Assembly on a bipartisan vote. The Administration has some concerns with the implementation deadlines in that bill.
SB 519 addresses the Administration's concern by adding an additional six months to that bill's deadlines."
Analysis Prepared by: Sandy Uribe / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0002135
SB 519
Page 4
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 519
(Hancock)
As Amended July 16, 2015
2/3 vote
SENATE VOTE: 40-0
Committee |
Votes |
Ayes |
Noes |
Public Safety |
7-0 |
Quirk, Melendez, Jones-Sawyer, Lackey, Lopez, Low, Santiago |
|
Appropriations |
17-0 |
Gomez, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Calderon, Chang, Nazarian, Eggman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Holden, Jones, Quirk, Rendon, Wagner, Weber, Wood |
|
SUMMARY: Makes reforms to rules governing the processing of claims by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (board). Specifically, this bill:
Prohibits the board from requiring an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
Requires all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in specified languages.
Prohibits the denial of a claim for a victim who is a minor based on the grounds of failing to cooperate with law enforcement.
Provides that a felon on probation or parole is eligible for compensation for mental health counseling despite this status.
Prohibits the board from establishing policy or regulations limiting the amount recoverable for funeral expenses to less than $7,500.
Requires the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days of acceptance.
Allows an applicant to be accompanied by a service animal at a hearing to contest the denial of a claim.
Permits a crime victim to testify at a restitution hearing or a modification hearing by live, two-way audio and video transmission, if it is available at the court.
EXISTING LAW:
Establishes the board to operate the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP).
Provides than an application for compensation shall be filed with the board in the manner determined by the board.
States that, except as provided by specified sections of the Government Code, a person shall be eligible for compensation when all of the following requirements are met:
The person form whom compensation is being sought any of the following:
A victim.
A derivative victim.
A person who is entitled to reimbursement for funeral, burial or crime scene clean-up expenses pursuant to specified sections of the Government Code.
Either of the following conditions is met:
The crime occurred within California, whether or not the victim is a resident of California. This only applies when the VCGCB determines that there are federal funds available to the state for the compensation of crime victims.
Whether or not the crime occurred within the State of California, the victim was any of the following:
A California resident.
A member of the military stationed in California.
A family member living with a member of the military stationed in California.
If compensation is being sought for derivative victim, the derivative victim is a resident of California, or the resident of another state who is any of the following:
At the time of the crimes was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child or grandchild of the victim.
At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the house of the victim for a person of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a previously listed relationship.
Another family member of the victim including, but not limited to, the victim's fiancé or fiancée, and who witnessed the crime.
Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim, but was not the primary caretaker at the time of the crime.
And other specified requirements.
States that an application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim failed to reasonably cooperate with law enforcement in prosecution of the crime.
Disqualifies certain individuals from eligibility, including a participant in the crime for which compensation is being sought, and persons convicted of a felony who are currently on probation or parole.
Authorizes the board to reimburse for pecuniary loss for the following types of losses:
The amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, subject to specified limitations.
The amount of out-patient psychiatric, psychological or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim, as specified, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center.
The expenses of non-medical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law.
Compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victim's injury or the victim's death, subject to specified limitations.
Cash payment to, or on behalf of, the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services.
The expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed $1,000, with respect to a crime that occurred in the victim’s residence, upon verification by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
The expense of renovating or retrofitting a victim’s residence or a vehicle to make them accessible or operational, if it is medically necessary.
Expenses incurred in relocating, as specified, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
Limits the total award to or on behalf of each victim to $35,000, except that this amount may be increased to $70,000 if federal funds for that increase are available.
Requires the board to approve or deny applications, based on recommendations by the board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 calendar days of acceptance by the board.
Requires the board, if it fails to meet the 90-day average, to report to the Legislature on a quarterly basis its progress and current average processing time.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:
Moderate administrative costs to the board to make a determination within the required 90 days of receipt of the claim, since this will increase the number of appeals. If a claim is incomplete, the board will deny the claim and the claimant will appeal the decision. The language requirement for all correspondence is consistent with current board practice.
Increased ongoing claim costs in the $200,000 (General Fund) range, $100,000 to provide mental health counseling for felons and $100,000 to reimburse qualifying minors. The $7,500 minimum reimbursement for funeral expense is the current reimbursement rate
COMMENTS: According to the author, "It should not be surprising that crime incurs all kinds of costs on its victims. In 2004, a National Institute of Justice report estimated that the nationwide costs of crime are $105 billion per year. When factoring in pain-and-suffering and reduced quality of life, that figure jumps to $450 billion. Making sure that victims are compensated by their victimizers is not only good economic policy, but morally sound.
"Providing justice and compensation to Californians who are the victims of crime are among the paramount missions of our government. The intent of SB 519 is to improve the way that the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board provides compensation for crime victims."
Analysis Prepared by: Sandy Uribe / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0001615
Date of Hearing: August 19, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
SB 519
(Hancock) – As Amended July 16, 2015
Policy Committee: |
Public Safety |
Vote: |
7 - 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill makes
reforms to rules governing the processing of claims by the California
Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (board).
Specifically, this bill:
Requires the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days of acceptance.
Provides that a felon on probation or parole is eligible for compensation for mental health counseling despite this status.
Prohibits the denial of a claim for a victim who is a minor based on the grounds of failing to cooperate with law enforcement.
Prohibits the board from establishing policy or regulations limiting the amount recoverable for funeral expenses to less than $7,500.
Requires all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in specified languages.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Moderate administrative costs to the board to make a determination within the required 90 days of receipt of the claim, since this will increase the number of appeals. If a claim is incomplete, the board will deny the claim and the claimant will appeal the decision. The language requirement for all correspondence is consistent with current board practice.
Increased ongoing claim costs in the $200,000 (GF) range, $100,000 to provide mental health counseling for felons and $100,000 to reimburse qualifying minors. The $7,500 minimum reimbursement for funeral expense is the current reimbursement rate
COMMENTS:
Purpose. According to the author, "Making sure that victims are compensated by their victimizers is not only good economic policy, but morally sound. Providing justice and compensation to Californians who are the victims of crime are among the paramount missions of our government."
SB 519 provides some reforms to the process the board uses to compensate crime victims.
Background: The California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP), administered by the board, provides compensation for victims of violent crime. It reimburses eligible victims for many crime-related expenses, such as medical treatment, mental health services, funeral expenses, home security, and relocation services.
Under current law, the board has up to 180 days to process claims. While the average time to process a claim is currently less than 60 days, some claims can take longer than 90 days due to incomplete applications, such as lack of documentation. SB 519 requires that the claim be processed within 90 days of submittal. In a 2008 audit, the Bureau of State Audits noted various instances in which the board did not demonstrate that it approved or denied the applications as promptly as it could have after receiving the information necessary to make the determination.
The committee may wish to clarify the 90-day clock begins with a complete application. Staff is concerned that the board may deny incomplete claims 90 days after receipt of the claim, only to approve the claim during the more resource intensive appeal process when all the proper documentation will be submitted.
Current law prohibits compensation for a felon until that person has been discharged from probation or is released from a correctional institution and has been discharged from parole. SB 519 provides and exemption if the compensation is solely used to fund mental health counseling.
Claims by minors are often denied due to perceived lack of cooperation with law enforcement in the apprehension of the criminal responsible for the crime. SB 519 prohibits the denial of a claim due to lack of cooperation with law enforcement if the victim eligible for compensation is a minor.
Current law limits the qualifying funeral expense benefit at $7,500. In the past, the board reduced this benefit to $5,000. SB 519 prohibits the board from adopting regulations to reduce this benefit below $7,500.
Argument in Support: According to Californians for Safety and Justice, "Through our outreach, time and again we have encountered victims and survivors of crime in need of support opportunities to heal from trauma. The overwhelming impact of serious crime is often exacerbated by the justice system process and crime victims often face challenges finding the right supports for recovery. We often hear survivors talk about how support services to heal from trauma are an ongoing unmet need. Our 2013 survey of crime victims in California, the first of its kind, found that four of the five services available to crime victims, including assistance accessing victims’ compensation and navigating the criminal justice process, were unknown to the majority of victims. SB 519 will begin to address these barriers and help more crime victims get the support they need."
Related Legislation:
AB 1140 (Bonta), pending in Senate Appropriations, revises various rules governing the CalVCP.
SB 556 (De León), on the Assembly Floor, defines "application processing time" for the approval or denial of a victim's compensation claim.
Prior Legislation:
AB 1911 (Patterson), of the 2013-2014 Legislative session, which was not set for a policy hearing, would have shortened the time period in which the board must approve or deny an application to within 30 calendar days of the date of acceptance, and also would have shortened the time period in which the board must make disbursements of funds for emergency awards.
AB 2809 (Leno), Chapter 587, Statutes of 2008, allowed a minor who suffers emotional injury as a direct result of witnessing a violent crime to be eligible for reimbursement for the costs of outpatient mental health counseling if the minor was in close proximity to the victim when he or she witnessed the crime.
AB 2869 (Leno), Chapter 582, Statutes of 2006, specified that the provisions authorizing reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses apply without respect to any felon status of the victim.
Analysis Prepared by: Pedro R. Reyes / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
SB 519
Page 6
Date of Hearing: July 14, 2015
Counsel: Sandy Uribe
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Bill Quirk, Chair
SB 519
(Hancock) – As Amended June 2, 2015
As Proposed to be Amended in Committee
SUMMARY:
Makes reforms to rules governing the processing of claims by the
California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (board).
Specifically, this bill:
Prohibits the board from requiring an applicant to submit documentation from the Internal Revenue Service, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, the Social Security Administration, or the Employment Development Department in order to determine eligibility for compensation.
Requires all correspondence by the board to an applicant to be written in specified languages.
Prohibits the denial of a claim for a victim who is a minor based on the grounds of failing to cooperate with law enforcement.
Provides that a felon on probation or parole is eligible for compensation for mental health counseling despite this status.
Prohibits the board from establishing policy or regulations limiting the amount recoverable for funeral expenses to less than $7500.
Requires the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days of acceptance.
Allows an applicant to be accompanied by a service animal at a hearing to contest the denial of a claim.
Permits a crime victim to testify at a restitution hearing or a modification hearing by live, two-way audio and video transmission, if it is available at the court.
EXISTING LAW:
Establishes the board to operate the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP). (Gov. Code, § 13950 et. seq.)
Provides than an application for compensation shall be filed with the board in the manner determined by the board. (Gov. Code, § 13952, subd.(a).)
States that, except as provided by specified sections of the Government Code, a person shall be eligible for compensation when all of the following requirements are met:
The person form whom compensation is being sought any of the following:
A victim.
A derivative victim.
A person who is entitled to reimbursement for funeral, burial or crime scene clean-up expenses pursuant to specified sections of the Government Code.
Either of the following conditions is met:
The crime occurred within California, whether or not the victim is a resident of California. This only applies when the VCGCB determines that there are federal funds available to the state for the compensation of crime victims.
Whether or not the crime occurred within the State of California, the victim was any of the following:
A California resident.
A member of the military stationed in California.
A family member living with a member of the military stationed in California.
If compensation is being sought for derivative victim, the derivative victim is a resident of California, or the resident of another state who is any of the following:
At the time of the crimes was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child or grandchild of the victim.
At the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim.
At the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the house of the victim for a person of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a previously listed relationship.
Another family member of the victim including, but not limited to, the victim's fiancé or fiancée, and who witnessed the crime.
Is the primary caretaker of a minor victim, but was not the primary caretaker at the time of the crime.
And other specified requirements. (Gov. Code, § 13955.)
States that an application shall be denied if the board finds that the victim failed to reasonably cooperate with law enforcement in prosecution of the crime. (Gov. Code, § 13956, subd. (b)(1).)
Disqualifies certain individuals from eligibility, including a participant in the crime for which compensation is being sought, and persons convicted of a felony who are currently on probation or parole. (Gov. Code, § 13956.)
Authorizes the board to reimburse for pecuniary loss for the following types of losses (Gov. Code, § 13957, subd. (a)):
The amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, subject to specified limitations.
The amount of out-patient psychiatric, psychological or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim, as specified, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center.
The expenses of non-medical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law.
Compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victim’s injury or the victim’s death, subject to specified limitations.
Cash payment to, or on behalf of, the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services.
The expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed $1,000, with respect to a crime that occurred in the victim’s residence, upon verification by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
The expense of renovating or retrofitting a victim’s residence or a vehicle to make them accessible or operational, if it is medically necessary.
Expenses incurred in relocating, as specified, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
Limits the total award to or on behalf of each victim to $35,000, except that this amount may be increased to $70,000 if federal funds for that increase are available. (Gov. Code, § 13957, subd. (b).)
Requires the board to approve or deny applications, based on recommendations by the board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 calendar days of acceptance by the board. (Gov. Code, § 13958, subd. (a).)
Requires the board, if it fails to meet the 90-day average, to report to the Legislature on a quarterly basis its progress and current average processing time. (Gov. Code, § 13958, subd. (b).)
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS:
Author's Statement: According to the author, "It should not be surprising that crime incurs all kinds of costs on its victims. In 2004, a National Institute of Justice report estimated that the nationwide costs of crime are $105 billion per year. When factoring in pain-and-suffering and reduced quality of life, that figure jumps to $450 billion. Making sure that victims are compensated by their victimizers is not only good economic policy, but morally sound.
"Providing justice and compensation to Californians who are the victims of crime are among the paramount missions of our government. The intent of SB 519 is to improve the way that the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board provides compensation for crime victims."
Background: The CalVCP provides compensation for victims of violent crime. It reimburses eligible victims for many crime-related expenses, such as medical treatment, mental health services, funeral expenses, home security, and relocation services. Funding for the board comes from restitution fines and penalty assessments paid by criminal offenders, as well as federal matching funds. (See CVGCB Website <http://www.vcgcb.ca.gov/board>.)
Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) Report: The LAO's March 2015 report, Improving State Programs for Crime Victims, made several recommendations. The LAO agreed with the Governor's proposal to restructure the VCGCB to focus solely on administering victim programs, and shifting victim programs administered by other departments to the VCGCB. The LAO also found that the board needs to develop a comprehensive strategy, which among other things should assess the appropriate number, scope, and priority of the state's existing programs, as well as conducting periodic program evaluations to see which victim programs are most effective and should be expanded in the future. (Improving State Programs for Crime Victims, supra, pp. 18-20, < http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2015/budget/crime-victims/crime-victims-031815.pdf>.)
Bureau of State Audit Recommendations: In 2008, the Bureau of State Audits conducted a review of the CalVCP. (Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board: It Has Begun Improving the Victim Compensation Program, but More Remains to Be Done, (Dec. 2008), <http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2008-113.pdf>.) One of the areas the bureau considered was how long it took the board to process applications. The bureau concluded that, at times, applications were not processed in a timely manner:
State law related to eligibility determinations for the program
requires the board to approve or deny applications, based on the
recommendation of board staff, within an average of 90 calendar days,
and no later than 180 calendar days after the acceptance date for an
individual application. For the 49 applications we reviewed, the
board’s average processing time was 76 days, which is well within
the statutory average. However, the board did not make a
determination within 180 days in two instances. We also noted
various instances in which the board did not demonstrate that it
approved or denied the applications as promptly as it could have
after receiving the information necessary to make the determination.
(Id. at pp. 30-31.)
For the 49 applications we
reviewed from fiscal years 2003–04 through 2007–08, we found that
the board’s average processing time was 76 days, which is well
within the 90‑day
average required under state law. However, we noted that in 16 of the
49 applications we reviewed, the board took more than 90 days from
acceptance to notify the applicant of its recommended decision to
approve or deny the application. Although taking more than 90 days to
approve or deny an individual application is not a violation of state
law, any unnecessary delays in processing contribute to crime victims
waiting longer than necessary to be reimbursed for out‑of‑pocket
expenses. Delays may also cause providers to become frustrated and
stop participating in the program, reducing services available to
crime victims and their families. (Id. at p. 31.)
Because the delay in disbursing payments has persisted, this bill
requires the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days,
not within an average of 90 days.
Argument in Support: According to Californians for Safety and Justice, "Through our outreach, time and again we have encountered victims and survivors of crime in need of support opportunities to heal from trauma. The overwhelming impact of serious crime is often exacerbated by the justice system process and crime victims often face challenges finding the right supports for recovery. We often hear survivors talk about how support services to heal from trauma are an ongoing unmet need. Our 2013 survey of crime victims in California, the first of its kind, found that four of the five services available to crime victims, including assistance accessing victims’ compensation and navigating the criminal justice process, were unknown to the majority of victims. SB 519 will begin to address these barriers and help more crime victims get the support they need."
Related Legislation:
AB 1140 (Bonta) revises various rules governing the CalVCP. AB 1140 is pending hearing in the Senate Public Safety Committee.
SB 556 (De León) defines "application processing time" for the approval or denial of a victim's compensation claim. SB 556 is pending hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Prior Legislation:
AB 1911 (Patterson), of the 2013-2014 Legislative session, would have shortened the time period in which the board must approve or deny an application to within 30 calendar days of the date of acceptance, and also would have shortened the time period in which the board must make disbursements of funds for emergency awards. AB 1911 was never heard by this committee.
AB 2809 (Leno), Chapter 587, Statutes of 2008, allowed a minor who suffers emotional injury as a direct result of witnessing a violent crime to be eligible for reimbursement for the costs of outpatient mental health counseling if the minor was in close proximity to the victim when he or she witnessed the crime.
AB 2869 (Leno), Chapter 582, Statutes of 2006, specified that the provisions authorizing reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses apply without respect to any felon status of the victim.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
San Francisco
District Attorney (Sponsor)
California Catholic Conference of
Bishops
California Department of Justice
Californians for
Safety and Justice
City and County of San Francisco
Crime
Victims United of California
Institute on Aging
Legal
Services for Prisoners with Children
Santa Clara County District
Attorney
Opposition
None
Analysis Prepared by: Sandy Uribe / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744
SB 519
Page 10
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 519
Amended: 6/2/15
SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/28/15
AYES: Hancock, Anderson, Leno, Liu, McGuire, Monning, Stone
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 6-1, 5/28/15
AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, Leyva, Mendoza
NOES: Nielsen
SOURCE: San Francisco District Attorney
DIGEST: This bill 1) prohibits the Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) from requiring a claimant to submit documentation from the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, or the State Board of Equalization; 2) requires that all correspondence from VCGCB to an applicant be in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, East Armenian, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Mong, and Khmer; 3) prohibits denial of a minor’s claim because the minor did not cooperate with law enforcement; 4) provides that a crime victim who has been convicted of a felony is entitled to compensation for mental health counseling, regardless of whether he or she has been released from probation or parole; 5) prohibits VCGCB from adopting regulations setting a maximum payment for funeral and burial expenses less than $7,500; 6) requires VCGCB to approve or deny an application within 90 days, not within an average of 90 days; 7) requires VCGCB to allow a claimant to be accompanied by a support animal at a hearing to contest denial of a claim; 8) provides that in a hearing to determine or modify restitution in a criminal case, the victim may testify by available two-way live audio and video transmission; and 9) provides that if a person has been granted dismissal of a conviction, or has been allowed to withdraw a guilty plea, the person still must pay a direct restitution order or a restitution fine.
Existing law:
Provides that all crime victims have the right to seek and secure restitution from the perpetrators of these crimes. Restitution must be ordered in every case without exception. Where a defendant has been ordered to pay restitution, all money, or property collected from the defendant must be first applied to satisfy restitution orders. (California Constitution Article 1 § 28(b)(13)(A)-(C).)
Requires the court to order a defendant to make restitution to the victim or victims of the defendant’s crime, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or any other showing to the court. The court shall order full restitution for the losses caused by the defendant’s crime unless the court finds and states compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so. (Penal Code § 1202.4(f).)
Establishes VCGCB to operate the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP). (Gov. Code §§ 13950 et. seq.)
Provides than an application for compensation shall be filed with VCGCB in the manner determined by VCGCB. (Gov. Code § 13952, subd.(a).)
States that except as provided by specified sections of the Government Code, a person shall be eligible for compensation when all of the following requirements are met (Gov. Code § 13955):
The person from whom compensation is being sought who is any of the following; a victim; a derivative victim; or, a person who is entitled to reimbursement for funeral, burial or crime scene clean-up expenses pursuant to specified sections of the Government Code.
Either of the following conditions is met: The crime occurred within California, whether or not the victim is a resident of California. This only applies when VCGCB determines that there are federal funds available to the state for the compensation of crime victims.
Whether or not the crime occurred within the State of California, the victim was any of the following: A California resident; a member of the military stationed in California; or, a family member living with a member of the military stationed in California.
If compensation is being sought for a derivative victim, the derivative victim is a resident of California, or the resident of another state who is any of the following: At the time of the crimes was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child or grandchild of the victim; at the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim; and at the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the house of the victim for a person of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a previously listed relationship.
Another family member of the victim including, but not limited to, the victim's fiancé or fiancée, and who witnessed the crime; or, is the primary caretaker of a minor victim, but was not the primary caretaker at the time of the crime.
Authorizes VCGCB to reimburse for pecuniary loss for the following types of losses (Gov. Code § 13957, subd. (a)):
The amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, subject to specified limitations;
The amount of out-patient psychiatric, psychological or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim, as specified, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center;
The expenses of non-medical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law;
Compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victim’s injury or the victim’s death, subject to specified limitations;
Cash payment to, or on behalf of, the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services;
The expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed $1,000, with respect to a crime that occurred in the victim’s residence, upon verification by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim;
The expense of renovating or retrofitting a victim’s residence or a vehicle to make them accessible or operational, if it is medically necessary; and,
Expenses incurred in relocating, as specified, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
Limits the total award to or on behalf of each victim to $35,000, except that this amount may be increased to $70,000 if federal funds for that increase are available. (Gov. Code § 13957, subd. (b).)
States that an application shall be denied if VCGCB finds that the victim or derivative victim failed to cooperate reasonably with law enforcement. However, in determining whether cooperation was reasonable, VCGCB shall consider the victim’s or derivative victim’s age, physical condition, and psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers and compelling health and safety concerns. These concerns include, but are not limited to, reasonable fear of retaliation or harm jeopardizing the well-being of the victim, victim’s family, derivative victim or derivative victim’s family. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (b)(1).)
Provides that a domestic violence claim may not be denied solely because the victim did not make a police report. VCGCB shall adopt guidelines to consider and approve domestic violence claims based on evidence other than a police report. The evidence may include, but is not limited to, relevant medical or mental health records, or the fact that the victim has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (b)(2).)
States that an application for a claim based on human trafficking, as defined, of the Penal Code may not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. VCGCB shall adopt guidelines that allow VCGCB to consider and approve applications for assistance based on human trafficking relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a human trafficking crime, as defined, has occurred. That evidence may include any reliable corroborating information approved by VCGCB, including, but not limited to, the following:
A Law Enforcement Agency Endorsement was issued, as specified;
A human trafficking caseworker has attested by affidavit that the individual was a victim of human trafficking. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (b)(3)):
Provides that a victim of violent crime who has been convicted of a felony may not receive compensation until released from parole or probation. Victims who are not felons have priority for compensation ahead of felons. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (d).)
Provides that VCGCB may deny a claim in whole or part if the claimant, or the victim of the crime for which a derivative victims seeks compensation, was involved in the events leading to the crime for which compensation is sought. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (c).)
Provides that VCGCB shall approve or deny applications within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 from “of acceptance” of the application by VCGCB or victim center.
VCGCB shall report quarterly to the Legislature until it has met the time requirements for two consecutive quarters.
If VCGCB does not approve or deny a claim within “180 days of the date it is accepted,” VCGCB is advised the applicant in writing of the reasons for the failure to rule on the application. (Gov. Code § 13958.)
Includes standards and consideration by the court in granting a motion for continuance of a criminal trial, including direction and guidance as to what constitutes good cause for a continuance. (Pen. Code § 1050.)
This bill:
Provides that VCGCB shall not require a claimant to submit documentation from the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, or the State Board of Equalization.
Requires that all correspondence from VCGCB to an applicant must be in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, East Armenian, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Mong, and Khmer.
Provides that if the victim is a minor, VCGCB shall not deny a claim because the minor did not cooperate with law enforcement.
Provides that a crime victim who has been convicted of a felony is entitled to compensation for mental health counseling, regardless of whether he or she has been released from probation or parole.
Provides that a victim of financial exploitation by a caretaker or relative of a person 65 years of age or older, where there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation is eligible for counseling.
Prohibits VCGCB from adopting regulations setting maximum reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses in an amount less than $7,500.
Requires VCGCB to approve or deny an application within 90 days, not within an average of 90 days, but no later than 180 days.
Requires VCGCB to allow a claimant to be accompanied and supported by an animal in a hearing to contest a staff recommendation that a claim be denied.
Provides that good cause for continuance of a criminal trial where a witness was previously a victim of elder abuse.
Provides that a witness in a hearing to determine restitution after conviction in a criminal case, including modification of an existing order, may testify by live audio and video transmission.
Provides that if a person, pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4, has been granted dismissal of a conviction, or has been allowed to withdraw a guilty plea, the person is not relieved of the duty to pay a direct restitution order or a restitution fine.
Background
The victims’ compensation program was created in 1965 - the first such program in the country - and is part of VCGCB. The program provides compensation for victims of violent crime. Funding for the program comes from restitution fines and penalty assessments paid by criminal offenders, as well as federal matching funds. The other core function of VCGCB is to review claims against the state and request payment of claims by the Legislature in annual legislation. A person must present a claim for damages against the state to VCGCB before filing a lawsuit.
The Bureau of State Audit (BSA) report in 2008 included the following highlights:
From fiscal years 2001-02 through 2004-05, program compensation payments decreased from $123.9 million to $61.6 million — a 50 percent decline. Despite the significant decline in payments, the costs to support the program increased.
Administrative costs make up a significant portion of the Restitution Fund disbursements — ranging from 26 percent to 42 percent annually.
The program did not always process applications and bills as promptly or efficiently as it could have. VCGCB staff took longer than 180 days to process applications in two instances out of 49, and longer than 90 days to pay bills for 23 of 77 paid bills.
VCGCB did not adequately investigate alternative sources of funding for victim reimbursement, such as insurance and public aid.
The program’s numerous problems with the transition to a new application and bill processing system led to a reported increase in complaints regarding delays in processing applications and bills.
Some payments in CaRES appeared to be erroneous. Although board staff provided explanations for the erroneous payments, the fact that they were unaware of these items indicated an absence of controls that would prevent erroneous payments.
VCGCB lacks the necessary system documentation for CaRES.
There are no benchmarks, performance measures, or formal written procedures for workload management.
In 2010, BSA found that the program had partially corrected five of the problems noted in the audit and corrected five others. The BSA urged VCGCB to continue correcting the problems noted in the report. For example:
VCGCB reduced administrative costs, but processing times for claims had increased.
VCGCB increased collections, but it had not determined whether outreach programs had been successful and satisfaction with the program had increased.
VCGCB implemented better training program for employees who examined claims submitted by crime victims.
VCGCB developed an inventory monitoring system and set performance benchmarks. The monitoring should improve identification and understanding of eligibility requirements.
VCGCB training does include an emphasis on alternative funding sources.
VCGCB did complete a chapter on appeals of denials in its manual.
VCGCB did improve its use of the CaRES computer system. However, claims were still more quickly processed in the local agencies with which the board contracts.
The Legislative Analyst (LAO) recently issued a report that recommend major changes to the entire program. At this point, a bill has not been introduced to implement the LAO recommendations. It does appear that changes made in this bill to the existing operation of the program could be integrated into any re-organization of VCGCB and its functions.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Yes Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Victim benefits: Major increase in CalVCP payments, potentially in excess of $4 million (Special Fund) annually due to the expanded eligibility criteria and revised payment provisions of this bill.
VCGCB administration: One-time costs to VCGCB for resource needs potentially in excess of $150,000 (Special Fund*) for programming changes necessary to the automated claims processing system. Ongoing increased administrative workload for claims processing of increased applications.
Federal fund impact: Potential future increases in annual federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funds of 60 percent reimbursement for state funds used to compensate victims to the extent the annual cap on VOCA fund obligations is adequately raised or removed. Additionally, VOCA grant awards are based on state expenditures from prior years, so any potential increases to the VOCA grant award would not be received until 2018-19.
San Francisco District Attorney (source)
California Catholic Conference
Californians for Safety and Justice
Crime Victims United of California
Institute on Aging
Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
Santa Clara County District Attorney
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
According to the author:
“In 2004, a National Institute of Justice report estimated annual nationwide costs of crime at $105 billion in medical expenses, lost earnings, and victims’ services. Adding standard amounts for pain and suffering and reduced quality of life, those costs explode to $450 billion. Ensuring that crime victims are compensated for what perpetrators do to them is not only sound economic policy, but also morally sound.
“In March 2015, the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended that the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (board) be drastically reorganized. This was not the first time a state agency identified problems with the board. In 2008, the California State Auditor noted that frequently the board delayed payments to victims beyond the required 90 day time. In one instance, the board paid the victim 255 days after the application was filed. Delays in disbursing payment persist seven years after the Auditor’s report was released.
“The board communicates with applicants solely in written English. Applicants who do not speak English or are illiterate are unable to respond to board requests, including for more information on their application. This lack of accommodation adds to application processing time.
“Over 50% of denials are based on the applicant’s failure to ‘cooperate’ with law enforcement, meaning the victim did not file a police report. This requirement disproportionately affects minors, as it is common for a minor to not file a police report so to avoid retaliation or because he or she was suffering from post-traumatic stress.
“Finally, the board’s current regulations set maximum funeral expenses at $5000, although the average funeral now costs between $7000 and $10,000. This bill would prohibit board regulations setting maximum funeral and burial expenses below the statutory maximum of $7,500.
Prepared by: Jerome McGuire / PUB. S. /
6/2/15 22:16:54
**** END ****
SB 519 (Hancock) Page 4 of 4
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular Session
SB 519 (Hancock) - Victims of crime
|
|
Version: April 6, 2015 |
Policy Vote: PUB. S. 7 - 0 |
Urgency: No |
Mandate: No |
Hearing Date: May 28, 2015 |
Consultant: Jolie Onodera |
SUSPENSE FILE. AS AMENDED.
Bill Summary:
SB 519 would make various changes to the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP), including but not limited to expanding eligibility for compensation and revising processing standards. This bill would also provide that a witness in a hearing to determine restitution after conviction in a criminal case, including modification of an existing order, may testify by live audio and video transmission.
Fiscal Impact (as approved May 28, 2015):
CalVCP benefits: Major increase in CalVCP payments, potentially in excess of $4 million (Special Fund*) annually due to the expanded eligibility criteria and revised payment provisions of this measure.
CalVCP administration: One-time costs to the Board for resource needs potentially in excess of $150,000 (Special Fund*) for programming changes necessary to the automated claims processing system. Ongoing increased administrative workload for claims processing of increased applications.
Federal fund impact: Potential future increases in annual federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funds of 60 percent reimbursement for state funds used to compensate victims to the extent the annual cap on VOCA fund obligations is adequately raised or removed. Additionally, VOCA grant awards are based on state expenditures from prior years, so any potential increases to the VOCA grant award would not be received until 2018-19.
*Restitution Fund
Background:
The CalVCP, which is administered by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (Board), provides compensation for victims and derivative victims (including spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, legal guardians, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren) who suffer physical or emotional injury, or the threat of physical injury, as a direct result of a violent crime. Crimes covered by the program include domestic violence, child abuse, sexual and physical assault, homicide, human trafficking, robbery, and vehicular manslaughter.
Subject to specified eligibility criteria, CalVCP compensates eligible victims for various crime-related expenses that are not covered by other sources. Services covered include medical and dental care, mental health services, income loss, funeral expenses, home security, rehabilitation and relocation. Funding for the program is provided by the Restitution Fund, which derives its revenue from restitution fines and orders, diversion fees, and penalty assessments levied on persons convicted of crimes and traffic offenses. CalVCP also receives federal grant monies from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). VOCA funds come from penalties paid by offenders convicted of federal crimes.
Proposed Law:
This bill would make various changes to the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP), including but not limited to expanding eligibility for compensation and revising processing standards.
Provides that the board shall not require a claimant to submit documentation from the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, or the State Board of Equalization.
Requires that all correspondence from the board to an applicant must be in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Provides that an adult who witnesses a crime is eligible for reimbursement for counseling.
Provides that if the victim is a minor, the board shall not deny a claim because the minor did not cooperate with law enforcement.
Provides that a crime victim who has been convicted of a felony is entitled to compensation for mental health counseling, regardless of whether he or she has been released from probation or parole.
Provides that a victim of financial exploitation by a caretaker or relative of a person 65 years of age or older, where there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation is eligible for counseling.
Provides that an eligible claimant shall be granted reimbursement for burial expenses in the amount of $7,500, rather than reimbursement not exceeding $7,500.
Requires the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days, not within an average of 90 days, but no later than 180 days.
Requires the board to allow a claimant to be accompanied and supported by an animal in a hearing to contest a staff recommendation that a claim be denied.
Provides that good cause for continuance of a criminal trial where a witness was previously a victim of elder abuse.
Provides that a witness in a hearing to determine restitution after conviction in a criminal case, including modification of an existing order, may testify by live audio and video transmission.
Provides that if a person has been granted dismissal of a conviction, or has been allowed to withdraw a guilty plea, the person is not relieved of the duty to pay a direct restitution order or a restitution fine.
Related Legislation:
SB 556 (de Leon) 2015 would require VCGCB to annually post on its website its progress and current average time of processing applications, as defined. This bill was ordered to Second Reading on the Senate Floor pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
AB 1140 (Bonta) 2015 would revise various rules governing the CalVCP. This bill is pending hearing in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
Prior Legislation: SB 847 would have expanded eligibility for compensation from the CalVCP to victims who have suffered emotional injury resulting from the crime of financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult. This bill would have provided for reimbursement for financial counseling for victims of financial crimes against elderly or dependent adults, as specified. This bill was held on the Suspense File of this Committee.
Staff Comments:
The VCGCB has indicated the following potential fiscal impacts associated with the provisions of this measure:
Translation of Correspondence with Victims: The Board indicates the requirement to have all correspondence to an applicant written in English, Spanish, and Chinese will not incur additional workload, as the Board is currently in the process of completing this activity.
Elder Financial Abuse: Adult Protective Services estimated that approximately 13,000 cases of elder financial abuse were reported in Fiscal Year 2013-14. Assuming approximately 4,000 of the individuals in these cases would benefit from victim compensation services, at an average payment of $2,250 per claim, adding elder financial abuse as an eligible crime could result in $9 million in additional program payments.
Funeral-Burial Limit: Requiring the Board, when it pays a claim to compensate funeral and burial expenses, to pay a flat amount of $7,500, would increase payments. Approximately 1,600 claims for reimbursement were paid in FY 2013-14, which are currently capped by Board action at $5,000. If the payment was raised to $7,500, the annual payment increase would be approximately $4 million.
Mental Health Counseling for Felons: The program has denied reimbursement of expenses to approximately 90 applicants per year due to their felon status. As this provision only authorizes reimbursement of mental health counseling, the total payment increase would likely be no more than $100,000 per year.
Adult Witnesses of Crime: Approximately 40 minor were eligible for benefits as witnesses of crime in 2014. It is unknown how many adults might qualify under a similar provision. As this bill only authorizes reimbursement of mental health counseling, the Board estimates total payment increases would likely be no more than $100,000 per year. Staff notes, however, that the number of adults that could apply under the expanded eligibility requirements of this provision are unknown, and future costs could be significantly greater.
Lack of Cooperation by Minors: No data was available at the time of this analysis for minors that have been denied for lack of cooperation with law enforcement. Many minors that receive benefits are derivative victims through their relation to an adult victim, and minor status is currently considered as a mitigating factor for lack of cooperation. However, entirely removing the requirement that a minor direct victim cooperate with law enforcement would likely result in an increase in payments.
Application Processing: According to the Board, applications must be processed in an average of under 90 days and the actual average last year was 59 days. The Board indicates that revising the requirement to a maximum of 90 days for every individual application could result in additional delays to approve payments. As an example, should an application contain insufficient information to make a determination, should the Board be required to make a decision at that point, an increase in denied applications could result. To the extent more information becomes available post-denial, the applicant would be required to use the appeals process, possibly delaying the application much longer than if it had remained in pending status.
The expanded eligibility and benefit classifications will increase administrative costs. The Board estimates limited-term staffing will be required to complete significant programming changes to the automated claims processing system. Additionally, claims processing resources may be required to accommodate the increased number of applications. Program applications and outreach material would also need to be revised and reprinted.
The CalVCP has statutorily been specific to compensation for violent crimes. As the provisions of this measure would extend compensation to victims of non-violent crime, staff notes that expanding compensation for expenses related to non-violent financial crimes could create future cost pressure on the Restitution Fund to compensate non-elderly/dependent adults who have similarly suffered as victims of financial crimes.
In FY 2013-14, of the $83.3 million in claims paid out to victims, $65.0 million was paid through direct payments to victims and $13.4 million was paid through compacts with local agencies. The Governor’s Budget projects a Restitution Fund balance of $80.4 million for FY 2014-15 and $67.5 million for FY 2015-16. Staff notes that while the Fund is projected to have a considerable balance, the Fund continues to operate at a deficit due to declining penalty assessment revenues.
Author amendments (as adopted May 28, 2015):
Add additional languages that correspondence by the board to an applicant must be provided.
Prohibit any regulation or policy creating a maximum award less than $7,500 for funeral and burial expenses.
Make other technical changes.
Committee amendments (as adopted May 28, 2015):
Delete CalVCP payments for elder financial abuse and adult witnesses to crimes.
Provide that victims may testify via live audio/video feed if that option is available at the applicable court.
Delete Sections 10, 11, and 12 of the bill.
-- END --
SB 519 (Hancock) Page 4 of 4
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular Session
SB 519 (Hancock) - Victims of crime
|
|
Version: April 6, 2015 |
Policy Vote: PUB. S. 7 - 0 |
Urgency: No |
Mandate: No |
Hearing Date: May 11, 2015 |
Consultant: Jolie Onodera |
This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.
Bill Summary:
SB 519 would make various changes to the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP), including but not limited to expanding eligibility for compensation and revising processing standards. This bill would also provide that a witness in a hearing to determine restitution after conviction in a criminal case, including modification of an existing order, may testify by live audio and video transmission.
Fiscal Impact:
CalVCP benefits: Major increase in CalVCP payments, potentially in excess of $13 million (Special Fund*) annually due to the expanded eligibility criteria and revised payment provisions of this measure, most significantly due to the expansion to victims of elder financial abuse and raising the funeral burial limit amount.
CalVCP administration: One-time costs to the Board for resource needs potentially in excess of $150,000 (Restitution Fund) for programming changes necessary to the automated claims processing system. Ongoing increased administrative workload for claims processing of increased applications.
Federal fund impact: Potential future increases in annual federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funds of 60 percent reimbursement for state funds used to compensate victims to the extent the annual cap on VOCA fund obligations is adequately raised or removed. Additionally, VOCA grant awards are based on state expenditures from prior years, so any potential increases to the VOCA grant award would not be received until 2018-19.
Testifying via live audio/video: Unknown, potentially significant costs (General Fund*) to trial courts to the extent the bill creates a mandate on the courts to provide this service at victim request.
*Restitution Fund
**Trial Court Trust Fund
Background:
The CalVCP, which is administered by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (Board), provides compensation for victims and derivative victims (including spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, legal guardians, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren) who suffer physical or emotional injury, or the threat of physical injury, as a direct result of a violent crime. Crimes covered by the program include domestic violence, child abuse, sexual and physical assault, homicide, human trafficking, robbery, and vehicular manslaughter.
Subject to specified eligibility criteria, CalVCP compensates eligible victims for various crime-related expenses that are not covered by other sources. Services covered include medical and dental care, mental health services, income loss, funeral expenses, home security, rehabilitation and relocation. Funding for the program is provided by the Restitution Fund, which derives its revenue from restitution fines and orders, diversion fees, and penalty assessments levied on persons convicted of crimes and traffic offenses. CalVCP also receives federal grant monies from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). VOCA funds come from penalties paid by offenders convicted of federal crimes.
Proposed Law:
This bill would make various changes to the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP), including but not limited to expanding eligibility for compensation and revising processing standards.
Provides that the board shall not require a claimant to submit documentation from the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, or the State Board of Equalization.
Requires that all correspondence from the board to an applicant must be in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Provides that an adult who witnesses a crime is eligible for reimbursement for counseling.
Provides that if the victim is a minor, the board shall not deny a claim because the minor did not cooperate with law enforcement.
Provides that a crime victim who has been convicted of a felony is entitled to compensation for mental health counseling, regardless of whether he or she has been released from probation or parole.
Provides that a victim of financial exploitation by a caretaker or relative of a person 65 years of age or older, where there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation is eligible for counseling.
Provides that an eligible claimant shall be granted reimbursement for burial expenses in the amount of $7,500, rather than reimbursement not exceeding $7,500.
Requires the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days, not within an average of 90 days, but no later than 180 days.
Requires the board to allow a claimant to be accompanied and supported by an animal in a hearing to contest a staff recommendation that a claim be denied.
Provides that good cause for continuance of a criminal trial where a witness was previously a victim of elder abuse.
Provides that a witness in a hearing to determine restitution after conviction in a criminal case, including modification of an existing order, may testify by live audio and video transmission.
Provides that if a person has been granted dismissal of a conviction, or has been allowed to withdraw a guilty plea, the person is not relieved of the duty to pay a direct restitution order or a restitution fine.
Related Legislation:
SB 556 (de Leon) 2015 would require VCGCB to annually post on its website its progress and current average time of processing applications, as defined. This bill was ordered to Second Reading on the Senate Floor pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
AB 1140 (Bonta) 2015 would revise various rules governing the CalVCP. This bill is pending hearing in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
Prior Legislation: SB 847 would have expanded eligibility for compensation from the CalVCP to victims who have suffered emotional injury resulting from the crime of financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult. This bill would have provided for reimbursement for financial counseling for victims of financial crimes against elderly or dependent adults, as specified. This bill was held on the Suspense File of this Committee.
Staff Comments:
The VCGCB has indicated the following potential fiscal impacts associated with the provisions of this measure:
Translation of Correspondence with Victims: The Board indicates the requirement to have all correspondence to an applicant written in English, Spanish, and Chinese will not incur additional workload, as the Board is currently in the process of completing this activity.
Elder Financial Abuse: Adult Protective Services estimated that approximately 13,000 cases of elder financial abuse were reported in Fiscal Year 2013-14. Assuming approximately 4,000 of the individuals in these cases would benefit from victim compensation services, at an average payment of $2,250 per claim, adding elder financial abuse as an eligible crime could result in $9 million in additional program payments.
Funeral-Burial Limit: Requiring the Board, when it pays a claim to compensate funeral and burial expenses, to pay a flat amount of $7,500, would increase payments. Approximately 1,600 claims for reimbursement were paid in FY 2013-14, which are currently capped by Board action at $5,000. If the payment was raised to $7,500, the annual payment increase would be approximately $4 million.
Mental Health Counseling for Felons: The program has denied reimbursement of expenses to approximately 90 applicants per year due to their felon status. As this provision only authorizes reimbursement of mental health counseling, the total payment increase would likely be no more than $100,000 per year.
Adult Witnesses of Crime: Approximately 40 minor were eligible for benefits as witnesses of crime in 2014. It is unknown how many adults might qualify under a similar provision. As this bill only authorizes reimbursement of mental health counseling, the Board estimates total payment increases would likely be no more than $100,000 per year. Staff notes, however, that the number of adults that could apply under the expanded eligibility requirements of this provision are unknown, and future costs could be significantly greater.
Lack of Cooperation by Minors: No data was available at the time of this analysis for minors that have been denied for lack of cooperation with law enforcement. Many minors that receive benefits are derivative victims through their relation to an adult victim, and minor status is currently considered as a mitigating factor for lack of cooperation. However, entirely removing the requirement that a minor direct victim cooperate with law enforcement would likely result in an increase in payments.
Application Processing: According to the Board, applications must be processed in an average of under 90 days and the actual average last year was 59 days. The Board indicates that revising the requirement to a maximum of 90 days for every individual application could result in additional delays to approve payments. As an example, should an application contain insufficient information to make a determination, should the Board be required to make a decision at that point, an increase in denied applications could result. To the extent more information becomes available post-denial, the applicant would be required to use the appeals process, possibly delaying the application much longer than if it had remained in pending status.
The expanded eligibility and benefit classifications will increase administrative costs. The Board estimates limited-term staffing will be required to complete significant programming changes to the automated claims processing system. Additionally, claims processing resources may be required to accommodate the increased number of applications. Program applications and outreach material would also need to be revised and reprinted.
The CalVCP has statutorily been specific to compensation for violent crimes. As the provisions of this measure would extend compensation to victims of non-violent crime, staff notes that expanding compensation for expenses related to non-violent financial crimes could create future cost pressure on the Restitution Fund to compensate non-elderly/dependent adults who have similarly suffered as victims of financial crimes.
In FY 2013-14, of the $83.3 million in claims paid out to victims, $65.0 million was paid through direct payments to victims and $13.4 million was paid through compacts with local agencies. The Governor’s Budget projects a Restitution Fund balance of $80.4 million for FY 2014-15 and $67.5 million for FY 2015-16. Staff notes that while the Fund is projected to have a considerable balance, the Fund continues to operate at a deficit due to declining penalty assessment revenues.
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SB 519 (Hancock ) Page 8 of 8
SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Senator Loni Hancock, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 519 Hearing Date: April 28, 2015
Author: |
Hancock |
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Version: |
April 6, 2015 |
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Urgency: |
No |
Fiscal: |
Yes |
Consultant: |
JM |
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Subject: Victims of Crime
HISTORY
Source: San Francisco County District Attorney
Prior Legislation: AB 2685 (Cooley) - Ch. 508, Stats. 2014
AB
2809 (Leno) - Ch. 587, Stats. 2008
AB 2869 (Leno) - Ch. 582,
Stats. 2006
AB 2413 (Spitzer) - Ch. 571, Stats. 2006
AB 105 (Cohn) - Ch. 539, Stats. 2006
SB 972 (Poochigian) - Ch. 238, Stats. 2005
SB 631 (McPherson) - Ch. 223, Stats. 2004
SB 1423 (Chesbro) - Ch. 1141, Stats. 2002
AB 2898 (Bowler) - Ch. 1077, Stats. 1996
Support: Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
Opposition: None known
PURPOSE
The purposes of this bill are to 1) prohibit the victims compensation and Government Claims Board (the “board”) from requiring a claimant to submit documentation from the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, or the State Board of Equalization; 2) require that all correspondence from the board to an applicant must be in English, Spanish and Chinese; 3) provides that an adult who witnesses a crime is eligible for reimbursement for counseling; 4) prohibit denial of a minor’s claim because the minor did not cooperate with law enforcement; 5) provide that a crime victim who has been convicted of a felony is entitled to compensation for mental health counseling, regardless of whether he or she has been released from probation or parole; 6) provide that a victim of financial exploitation of an elder person by a relative or caretaker is eligible for counseling, as specified; 7) require reimbursement for burial expenses in the amount of $7,500, rather than reimbursement not exceeding $7,500; 8) require the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days, not within an average of 90 days;19) require the board to allow a claimant to be accompanied by a support animal at a hearing to contest denial of a claim; 10) provide that good cause for continuance of a criminal trial includes cases where a witness was previously a victim of elder abuse or a sex crime; 11) provides that a witness in a hearing to determine or modify restitution in a criminal case may testify by live audio and video transmission; and 12) provide that if a person has been granted dismissal of a conviction, or has been allowed to withdraw a guilty plea, the person still must pay a direct restitution order or a restitution fine.
Existing provisions in the California Constitution state that all crime victims have the right to seek and secure restitution from the perpetrators of these crimes. Restitution must be ordered in every case without exception. Where a defendant has been ordered to pay restitution, all money, or property collected from the defendant must be first applied to satisfy restitution orders. (California Constitution Article 1 § 28(b)(13)(A)-(C).)
Existing law requires the court to order a defendant to make restitution to the victim or victims of the defendant’s crime, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or victims or any other showing to the court. The court shall order full restitution for the losses caused by the defendant’s crime unless the court finds and states compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so. (Penal Code § 1202.4(f).)
Existing law establishes the Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB or board) to operate the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP). (Gov. Code
§§ 13950 et. seq.)
Existing law provides than an application for compensation shall be filed with VCGCB in the manner determined by the board. (Gov. Code § 13952, subd.(a).)
Existing law states that except as provided by specified sections of the Government Code, a person shall be eligible for compensation when all of the following requirements are met (Gov. Code § 13955):
The person from whom compensation is being sought who is any of the following; a victim; a derivative victim; or, a person who is entitled to reimbursement for funeral, burial or crime scene clean-up expenses pursuant to specified sections of the Government Code.
Either of the following conditions is met: The crime occurred within California, whether or not the victim is a resident of California. This only applies when the VCGCB determines that there are federal funds available to the state for the compensation of crime victims.
Whether or not the crime occurred within the State of California, the victim was any of the following: A California resident; a member of the military stationed in California; or, a family member living with a member of the military stationed in California.
If compensation is being sought for a derivative victim, the derivative victim is a resident of California, or the resident of another state who is any of the following: At the time of the crimes was the parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child or grandchild of the victim; at the time of the crime was living in the household of the victim; at the time of the crime was a person who had previously lived in the house of the victim for a person of not less than two years in a relationship substantially similar to a previously listed relationship;
Another family member of the victim including, but not limited to, the victim's fiancé or fiancée, and who witnessed the crime; or, is the primary caretaker of a minor victim, but was not the primary caretaker at the time of the crime.
Existing law authorizes VCGCB to reimburse for pecuniary loss for the following types of losses (Gov. Code § 13957, subd. (a)):
The amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim, subject to specified limitations;
The amount of out-patient psychiatric, psychological or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim, as specified, including peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center;
The expenses of non-medical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by state law;
Compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victim’s injury or the victim’s death, subject to specified limitations;
Cash payment to, or on behalf of, the victim for job retraining or similar employment-oriented services;
The expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed $1,000, with respect to a crime that occurred in the victim’s residence, upon verification by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim;
The expense of renovating or retrofitting a victim’s residence or a vehicle to make them accessible or operational, if it is medically necessary; and,
Expenses incurred in relocating, as specified, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
Existing law limits the total award to or on behalf of each victim to $35,000, except that this amount may be increased to $70,000 if federal funds for that increase are available. (Gov. Code § 13957, subd. (b).)
Existing law states that an application shall be denied if VCGCB finds that the victim or derivative victim failed to cooperate reasonably with law enforcement. However, in determining whether cooperation was reasonable, VCGCB shall consider the victim’s or derivative victim’s age, physical condition, and psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers and compelling
health and safety concerns. These concerns include but not limited to, reasonable fear of retaliation or harm jeopardizing the well-being of the victim, victim’s family, derivative victim or derivative victim’s family. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (b)(1).)
Existing law provides that a domestic violence claim may not be denied solely because the victim did not make a police report. The board shall adopt guidelines to consider and approve domestic violence claims based on evidence other than a police report. The evidence may include, but is not limited to, relevant medical or mental health records, or the fact that the victim has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (b)(2).)
Existing law states that an application for a claim based on human trafficking, as defined, of the Penal Code may not be denied solely because no police report was made by the victim. VCGCB shall adopt guidelines that allow the board to consider and approve applications for assistance based on human trafficking relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a human trafficking crime, as defined, has occurred. That evidence may include any reliable corroborating information approved by the board, including, but not limited to, the following:
A Law Enforcement Agency Endorsement was issued, as specified;
A human trafficking caseworker has attested by affidavit that the individual was a victim of human trafficking. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (b)(3)):
Existing law provides that a victim of violent crime who has been convicted of a felony may not receive compensation until released from parole or probation. Victims who are not felons have priority for compensation ahead of felons. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (d).)
Existing law provides that the board may deny a claim in whole or part if the claimant, or the victim of the crime for which a derivative victims seeks compensation, was involved in the events leading to the crime for which compensation is sought. (Gov. Code § 13956, subd. (c).)
Existing law provides that the board shall approve or deny applications within an average of 90 calendar days and no later than 180 from “of acceptance” of the application by the board or victim center.
The board shall report quarterly to the Legislature until it has met the time requirements for two consecutive quarters.
If the board does not approve or deny a claim within “180 days of the date it is accepted,” the board is advise the applicant in writing of the reasons for the failure to rule on the application. (Gov. Code § 13958.)
Existing law includes standards and consideration by the court in granting a motion for continuance of a criminal trial, including direction and guidance as to what constitutes good cause for a continuance. (Pen. Code § 1050.)
This bill provides that the board shall not require a claimant to submit documentation from the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, or the State Board of Equalization.
This bill requires that all correspondence from the board to an applicant must be in English, Spanish and Chinese.
This bill provides that an adult who witnesses a crime is eligible for reimbursement for counseling.
This bill provides that if the victim is a minor, the board shall not deny a claim because the minor did not cooperate with law enforcement.
This bill provides that a crime victim who has been convicted of a felony is entitled to compensation for mental health counseling, regardless of whether he or she has been released from probation or parole.
This bill provides that a victim of financial exploitation by a caretaker or relative of a person 65 years of age or older, where there is a reasonable fear of continued exploitation is eligible for counseling.
This bill provides that an eligible claimant shall be granted reimbursement for burial expenses in the amount of $7,500, rather than reimbursement not exceeding $7,500.
This bill requires the board to approve or deny an application within 90 days, not within an average of 90 days, but no later than 180 days.2
This bill requires the board to allow a claimant to be accompanied and supported by an animal in a hearing to contest a staff recommendation that a claim be denied.
This bill provides that good cause for continuance of a criminal trial where a witness was previously a victim of elder abuse.
This bill provides that a witness in a hearing to determine restitution after conviction in a criminal case, including modification of an existing order, may testify by live audio and video transmission.
This bill provides that if a person, pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.43, has been granted dismissal of a conviction, or has been allowed to withdraw a guilty plea, the person is not relieved of the duty to pay a direct restitution order or a restitution fine.
RECEIVERSHIP/OVERCROWDING CRISIS AGGRAVATION
For the past eight years, this Committee has scrutinized legislation referred to its jurisdiction for any potential impact on prison overcrowding. Mindful of the United States Supreme Court ruling and federal court orders relating to the state’s ability to provide a constitutional level of health care to its inmate population and the related issue of prison overcrowding, this Committee has applied its “ROCA” policy as a content-neutral, provisional measure necessary to ensure that the Legislature does not erode progress in reducing prison overcrowding.
On February 10, 2014, the federal court ordered California to reduce its in-state adult institution population to 137.5% of design capacity by February 28, 2016, as follows:
143% of design bed capacity by June 30, 2014;
141.5% of design bed capacity by February 28, 2015; and,
137.5% of design bed capacity by February 28, 2016.
In February of this year the administration reported that as “of February 11, 2015, 112,993 inmates were housed in the State’s 34 adult institutions, which amounts to 136.6% of design bed capacity, and 8,828 inmates were housed in out-of-state facilities. This current population is now below the court-ordered reduction to 137.5% of design bed capacity.”( Defendants’ February 2015 Status Report In Response To February 10, 2014 Order, 2:90-cv-00520 KJM DAD PC, 3-Judge Court, Coleman v. Brown, Plata v. Brown (fn. omitted).
While significant gains have been made in reducing the prison population, the state now must stabilize these advances and demonstrate to the federal court that California has in place the “durable solution” to prison overcrowding “consistently demanded” by the court. (Opinion Re: Order Granting in Part and Denying in Part Defendants’ Request For Extension of December 31, 2013 Deadline, NO. 2:90-cv-0520 LKK DAD (PC), 3-Judge Court, Coleman v. Brown, Plata v. Brown (2-10-14). The Committee’s consideration of bills that may impact the prison population therefore will be informed by the following questions:
Whether a proposal erodes a measure which has contributed to reducing the prison population;
Whether a proposal addresses a major area of public safety or criminal activity for which there is no other reasonable, appropriate remedy;
Whether a proposal addresses a crime which is directly dangerous to the physical safety of others for which there is no other reasonably appropriate sanction;
Whether a proposal corrects a constitutional problem or legislative drafting error; and
Whether a proposal proposes penalties which are proportionate, and cannot be achieved through any other reasonably appropriate remedy.
COMMENTS
1. Need for This Bill
According to the author:
In 2004, a National Institute of Justice report estimated that the annual nationwide costs of crime are $105 billion in medical expenses, lost earnings, and victims’ services costs. When factoring in usual court-awarded amounts for pain and suffering as well as reduced quality of life, those costs explode to $450 billion. Ensuring that crime victims are monetarily compensated for what perpetrators do to them is not only sound economic policy, but also morally sound.
In March 2015, the Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report outlining ongoing issues with the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) and recommended that it be drastically reorganized. But this was not the first time a state agency noted that there were problems with the Board.
In 2008, the California State Auditor released a report criticizing the Board. The Auditor noted that frequently, the Board took longer than the statutorily required 90 day time period to disburse payments to victims. In one instance, the Board did not disburse payment until 255 days after receiving the victim’s application. This delay in disbursing payment persists 7 years after the Auditor’s report was released.
In addition, the Board communicates with applicants solely in written English. Applicants who do not speak English or are illiterate are unable to respond to Board requests, for instance, for more information on their application. This lack of communication accommodation also adds to application processing time.
Over half the time, for an application was denied, the reason stated was the applicant did not “cooperate” with law police because he or she failed to file a police report. This requirement, in particular, disproportionately affects minors. Often, an applicant who is a minor does not file a police report with good reason: in many of the cases, the applicant either did so to avoid retaliation by the perpetrator, or was suffering from post-traumatic stress because of the crime.
In addition, under current law adult witnesses to a crime are not entitled to compensation. Even though a witness may not have been a crime victim per se, the trauma of having to witness and experience the crime—especially if it involves sexual assault or homicide—can be extreme. For instance, an individual may be witness to a gruesome drive-by shooting which results in a death, but not be entitled to compensation because he or she was not the victim.
Current law also does not reflect current funeral costs. Under the Board’s current regulations, a victim’s family is entitled to up to $5000 for funeral expenses. However, the average funeral now costs between $7000 and $1000, which would force a victim’s family to pay for a large sum of the costs.
2. Purpose and History of the Victims of Crime Program (VCP)
The victims’ compensation program was created in 1965, the first such program in the country. VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime. It reimburses eligible victims for many crime-related expenses. Funding for the board comes from restitution fines and penalty assessments paid by criminal offenders, as well as federal matching funds.
The other core function of the board is to review claims against the state and request payment of claims by the Legislature in annual legislation. A person must present a claim for damages against the state to the board before filing a lawsuit.
3. Audit of the VCP
The Bureau of State Audit (BSA) report in 2008 included the following highlights:
From fiscal years 2001-02 through 2004-05, program compensation payments decreased from $123.9 million to $61.6 million — a 50 percent decline. Despite the significant decline in payments, the costs to support the program increased.
Administrative costs make up a significant portion of the Restitution Fund disbursements — ranging from 26 percent to 42 percent annually.
The program did not always process applications and bills as promptly or efficiently as it could have. Board staff took longer than 180 days to process applications in two instances out of 49, and longer than 90 days to pay bills for 23 of 77 paid bills.
The board did not adequately investigate alternative sources of funding for victim reimbursement, such as insurance and public aid.
The program’s numerous problems with the transition to a new application and bill processing system led to a reported increase in complaints regarding delays in processing applications and bills.
Some payments in CaRES appeared to be erroneous. Although board staff provided explanations for the erroneous payments, the fact that they were unaware of these items indicated an absence of controls that would prevent erroneous payments.
The board lacks the necessary system documentation for CaRES.
There are no benchmarks, performance measures, or formal written procedures for workload management.
In 2010, BSA found that the program had partially corrected five of the problems noted in the audit and corrected five others. The BSA urged the board to continue correcting the problems noted in the report. For example:
The board reduced administrative costs, but processing times for claims had increased.
The board increased collections, but it had not determined whether outreach programs had been successful and satisfaction with the program had increased.
The board implemented better training program for employees who examined claims submitted by crime victims.
The board developed an inventory monitoring system and set performance benchmarks. The monitoring should improve identification and understanding of eligibility requirements.
Board training does include an emphasis on alternative funding sources.
The board did complete a chapter on appeals of denials in its manual.
The board did improve its use of the CaRES computer system. However, claims were still more quickly processed in the local agencies with which the board contracts.
It appears that the BSA has not issued a progress report or update on the program since 2010.
4. Legislative Analyst’s Report
As noted in the author’s statement, the Legislative Analyst issued a report on the board. LAO did recommend major changes to the entire program. At this point, a bill has not been introduced to implement the LAO recommendations. It does appear that changes made in this bill to the existing operation of the program could be integrated into any re-organization of the board and its functions.
5. Related Bills
AB 1140 (Bonta) and SB 556 (DeLeon), which is on consent before the committee, both propose changes related to victim compensation and the board’s operations.
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1 Existing law requires the board to report quarterly to the Legislature until it has met the time requirements for two consecutive quarters. This bill retains the reporting requirement. (Gov. Code § 13958.)
2 Existing law requires the board to report quarterly to the Legislature until it has met the time requirements for two consecutive quarters. This bill retains the reporting requirement. (Gov. Code § 13958.)
3 This is commonly called “expungement,” although the conviction is not truly expunged, Numerous consequences still flow from the conviction after relief has been granted under Section 1203.4. For example, a person convicted of a felony may not own a firearm and the conviction must be disclosed in connection with various applications for government employment and licensure.
Discussed in Hearing
Senate Floor
Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Senate Floor
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):