Existing law provides specified rights to victims of crime, including, for victims of domestic violence or abuse, as defined, the right to have a domestic violence advocate and a support person of the victim’s choosing present at any interview by law enforcement authorities, prosecutors, or defense attorneys. Existing law also requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, county sheriff, or director of the local department of corrections to give notice not less than 15 days prior to the release from the state prison or a county jail of any person who is convicted of specified crimes, including domestic violence, of any change in the parole status or relevant change in the parole location of the convicted person.

This bill would require the county probation department to notify a victim of domestic violence, abuse, or stalking, as specified, of the perpetrator’s current community of residence or proposed community of residence upon release, when the perpetrator is placed on or released on probation, as specified, if that victim has requested such notification. The bill would also require a district attorney to advise these victims of their right to request and receive such notification. By increasing the duties of county probation departments and district attorneys, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

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.