BILL NUMBER: SB 594	CHAPTERED  10/11/07

	CHAPTER  455
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 11, 2007
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 11, 2007
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 4, 2007
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 20, 2007
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 4, 2007
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 17, 2007
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 26, 2007

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Romero
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Beall, Dymally, Huffman, Jeffries,
and Karnette)

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2007

   An act to amend Sections 14020 and 14024 of the Penal Code,
relating to witnesses.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 594, Romero. Witness Relocation and Assistance Program.
   Existing law establishes the Witness Protection Program, and
authorizes the Attorney General to reimburse state and local agencies
for the provision of specified services to witnesses.
   This bill would rename that program the Witness Relocation and
Assistance Program, and would include support, advocacy, and other
services for witnesses' safe transition into a new environment as
part of the services to be reimbursed.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 14020 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   14020.  There is hereby established the Witness Relocation and
Assistance Program.
  SEC. 2.  Section 14024 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   14024.  The Attorney General shall coordinate the efforts of state
and local agencies to secure witness protection, relocation, and
assistance services and then reimburse those state and local agencies
for the costs of the services that he or she determines to be
necessary to protect a witness from bodily injury, assure the witness'
s safe transition into a new environment, and otherwise to assure the
health, safety, and welfare of the witness. The Attorney General may
reimburse the state or local agencies that provide witnesses with
any of the following:
   (a) Armed protection or escort by law enforcement officials or
security personnel before, during, or subsequent to, legal
proceedings.
   (b) Physical relocation to an alternate residence.
   (c) Housing expense.
   (d) Appropriate documents to establish a new identity.
   (e) Transportation or storage of personal possessions.
   (f) Basic living expenses, including, but not limited to, food,
transportation, utility costs, and health care.
   (g) Support, advocacy, and other services to provide for witnesses'
safe transition into a new environment.
   (h) Other services as needed and approved by the Attorney General.