SB 396

Under current law, a person who is the victim of a crime or a close relative of

a victim of a crime may receive compensation for certain losses he or she suffers as

a result of the crime, including payment for medical treatment, replacement of lost

or damaged property, and certain economic losses, including loss of income that

occurs as a result of the crime. Under current law, a person may apply, within one

year after the crime occurs, to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for an award if the

person reported the crime to law enforcement within five days after the crime

occurred. Current law allows DOJ to grant an award after the one-year deadline for

application has passed in the interest of justice.

Under current law, DOJ may award up to $40,000 per injury or death and

generally makes the payment in one lump sum. However, DOJ may make periodic

payments in the case of a death or protracted disability.

Under this bill, a person who is a victim of certain sexual assault crimes,

including sexual assault against a child and human trafficking, may apply for an

award for compensation from DOJ for the payment of mental health services for as

long as the crime committed against him or her is prosecutable under the applicable

statutes of limitation.

Under the bill, DOJ may close its accounts relating to any victim to whom DOJ

has granted a compensation award if four years have passed since the time DOJ

made a payment to or on behalf of the victim and DOJ determines, after consulting

with the victim, that no further payments or services are warranted.