Existing law generally provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law sets forth eligibility requirements and limits on the amount of compensation the board may award, and requires the application for compensation to be verified under penalty of perjury. Existing law authorizes the board to deny an application for a claim, in whole or in part, if the board finds that denial is appropriate because of the nature of the victim’s or other applicant’s involvement in the events leading to the crime, or the involvement of the person whose injury or death gives rise to the application. Existing law requires the board to publicize the existence of this program for the indemnification of victims of crime and the procedures for obtaining compensation under the program. Existing law requires every local law enforcement agency to inform crime victims of the existence of victim centers, and in counties where no victim center exists, to provide application forms to victims who desire to seek compensation pursuant to the program. Existing regulatory law requires each local law enforcement agency to designate a Victims of Crime Liaison Officer who shall devise and implement written procedures whereby victims are notified of these provisions and respond to inquiries from interested persons concerning procedures for filing a claim for compensation.

Existing law defines a shared gang database for purposes of the eradication of criminal activity by street gangs as a database in which a person may be designated as a gang member, associate, or affiliate, including the CalGang system, operated pursuant to federal law.

This bill, the Healing for All Act of 2017, would annually require every law enforcement agency to provide the board with the contact information of the Victims of Crime Liaison Officer. Because the bill would require local agencies to perform additional duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would annually require the board to make available one hour of training on victim compensation to the Victims of Crime Liaison Officer.

The bill would require the board to conduct outreach to local law enforcement agencies about their duty pursuant to these provisions. The bill would require that the board’s outreach and training affirm that neither access to information about victim compensation, nor an application for compensation, shall be denied solely on the basis of the victim’s or derivative victim’s membership in, association with, or affiliation with, a gang or on the basis of the victim’s or derivative victim’s designation as a suspected gang member, associate, or affiliate in a shared gang database. The bill would also require that the board’s outreach and training affirm that neither access to information about victim compensation, nor an application for compensation, shall be denied on the basis of the victim’s or derivative victim’s documentation or immigration status.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.