AB 59

This bill adds intentional damage to a building by means of fire or explosives

to the types of injury that may be compensated under the victim compensation

program.

Under current law, the Department of Justice administers a program that

compensates victims and their relatives for economic loss due to personal injury or

death that results from the commission of a crime. Allowable expenses include loss

of income, medical treatments, replacement value for property held for evidence, and

certain other types of expenses that are not paid by insurance or paid for by the

perpetrator of the crime. Under current law, a person may not receive an award

under the victim compensation program unless the victim suffered personal injury

or death as a result of the crime, and the allowable expenses to be paid do not

generally include property damage as a result of the crime. Current law limits the

amount to be paid for each personal injury or death to $40,000.

Under the bill, if a building is intentionally damaged by means of fire or

explosives, the owner of the building may receive compensation from the victim

compensation program. The amount of the award is equal to the difference between

the amount paid by insurance and the cost of necessary repairs or the fair market

value of the building, whichever is less. The bill maintains the $40,000 cap on an

award from the victim compensation program for damage to a building.