BILL NUMBER: AB 2177	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 17, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Maienschein

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2016

   An act  to add Section 13835.9 to the Penal Code, 
relating to victims of crime.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2177, as amended, Maienschein. Victims of crime: federal
Victims of Crime Act.   Act funding: advisory
committee.  
   Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to make
available various funds to programs that provide supportive services
to the victims of crime.  
   This bill would establish the Victims of Crime Act Funding
Advisory Committee, composed of 17 specified members who are
appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. The bill
would require the office to seek the recommendation of the committee
regarding the distribution of funds received by the state pursuant to
the federal Victims of Crime Act, also known as VOCA, before make a
distribution, of any kind, of those funds. The bill would
specifically require the committee to comply with Bagley-Keene Open
Meeting Act.  
   Existing law encourages the Department of Justice to utilize
federal Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) funds to implement provisions of
law relating to the Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program. 

   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation regarding the transparency of the Office of Emergency
Services' distribution process for federal Victims of Crime Act grant
funding. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    Section 13835.9 is added to the 
 Penal Code   , to read:  
   13835.9.  (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall seek the
recommendation of the Victims of Crime Act Funding Advisory
Committee, established by this section, regarding the distribution of
funds received by the state pursuant to the federal Victims of Crime
Act, also known as VOCA, before make a distribution, of any kind, of
those funds.
   (b) (1) The Victims of Crime Act Funding Advisory Committee is
hereby established within the Office of Emergency Services and shall
be composed of the following 17 members who are appointed by, and
serve at the pleasure of, the Governor:
   (A) One member who represents law enforcement.
   (B) Eight members who have been a victim of a crime.
   (C) Eight members who represent the interests of organizations
that specialize in providing services to the victims of crime.
   (2) The committee shall elect a chairperson from its membership.
   (3) The members shall serve without compensation.
   (4) The committee shall comply with the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting
Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1
of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation regarding the transparency of the Office of
Emergency Services' distribution process for federal Victims of Crime
Act grant funding.