BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1270
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 6, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 1270 (Torrico) - As Introduced: February 27, 2009
Policy Committee: Public
SafetyVote: 7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Victims Compensation and Government
Claims Board (board) to provide timely processing of
applications, to adopt written procedures and timeframes for
approving or denying applications, and to adopt specified
procedures for communicating with entities to verify required
information.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor absorbable costs to the board to adopt written procedures.
According to the board, the requirements posed by this bill are
consistent with current board plans in the wake of a critical
report by the State Auditor.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale. In December 2008, the State Auditor, in a report
critical of the board's procedures and ability to make timely
payments to crime victims, made a series of recommendations to
improve the Victim Compensation Program (VCP), including the
need for written procedures and a comprehensive plan for
priorities.
2)The VCP , as administered by the board, provides compensation
to crime victims, eligible family members, and other specified
persons who are injured or threatened with injury, as
specified. The VCP, which functions as the provider of last
resort, includes medical and mental health services not
AB 1270
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covered by insurance.
3)A December 2008 report by the State Auditor on the VCP was
sharply critical of the board. Entitled, Victim Compensation
and Government Claims Board: It has begun Improving the Victim
Compensation Program, but More Remains to Be Done, the report
noted that despite a decrease in payments to crime victims
from 2001-02 - due to fluctuations beyond the board's control
in the Restitution Fund - administrative costs to support the
program increased significantly. Administrative costs are
projected to be 27% of Restitution Fund expenditures in
2009-10.
In addition, although the board generally complies with state
laws and regulations for determining whether applicants are
eligible for program benefits, the report found the board does
not always process applications and bills as promptly or
efficiently as possible.
4)In its response to the auditor, the Board concurred with the
balance of the auditor's recommendations.
Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081