Traffic Amnesty Program Rollout & Informational Sessions

As October 1^st rapidly approaches, counties and the courts are preparing to implement the Traffic Amnesty Program passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Brown on June 24, 2015. The most recent version of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Program Guidelines with additional information is available on our website as well as the court’s website.

In an effort to make sure the program is implemented with as little confusion and problems as possible, web-based training sessions for court and county staff, third party vendors, and other stakeholders will be held in September. The sessions are intended to provide an overview of the program and available resources, an opportunity for administrating entities and program stakeholders to pose questions to subject matter experts, and communicate other relevant updates.

Informational sessions are scheduled as follows:

To register for one of the informational sessions, please provide the following information to the Judicial Council’s Revenue & Collections Unit at amnesty@jud.ca.gov:

• Name of participant(s)
• Court/county/vendor/entity name
• Email address and phone number

You will receive WebEx and conference line details prior to the sessions, as well as any relevant materials.

If you have any questions regarding amnesty or the informational sessions, please submit them atcollections@jud.ca.gov.

$1.6 Million Grant Awarded to Address Backlog in Sexual Assault Evidence Kits

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced that California has been selected as an awardee of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Initiative to eliminate backlogs of untested rape kits. DOJ’s Rapid DNA Service Team (RADS) will receive $1.6 million over two years to test sexual assault evidence kits.

DOJ is one of 32 agencies in 20 states to receive a grant. The funding will support the Attorney General’s continued efforts to test kits submitted by local law enforcement agencies that have a backlog of untested kits. DOJ currently assists 46 of the state’s 58 counties in DNA analysis of sexual assault kits.

In 2011, DOJ implemented new technology that dramatically increased the speed with which sexual assault kits can be tested. The program uses automation to reduce the processing time to within 20 days, down from six months from the start of analysis. This process includes the uploading of DNA profiles into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System to search for unknown suspects. In one year, the program eliminated a long-standing backlog of untested rape kits in state-run labs, which included 1,300 DNA cases.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems

AB 56 (Quirk) – Oppose
As Amended September 4, 2015

AB 56 would establish procedural and privacy protection standards under which a law enforcement agency may use or obtain an unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

AB 56 slows public agencies’ deployment capabilities during emergency situations, such as search and rescue operations and wildfires, by requiring prior approval. Moreover, requiring permission from adjacent counties or cities would likewise hinder responses when UAS are used to provide mutual aid and assistance to other counties.

This measure also creates a new civil cause of action against persons that violate the provisions of AB 56.

AB 56 has been moved to the inactive file and made a two-year bill.

Expanding Services to Crime Victims

AB 1140 (Bonta) – Support
As Amended September 4, 2015

Assembly Bill 1140 would make various changes to the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) within the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB).

The CalVCP provides compensation for victims of violent crime who have been injured or traumatized. Among the crimes covered are domestic violence, child abuse, sexual and physical assault, homicide, robbery, and vehicular manslaughter.

AB 1140 makes significant reforms to the services provided in the Victims Compensation Program. These changes modernize the program while improving services and benefits to victims of violent crimes.

This measure is on the Assembly Floor awaiting a vote on Senate amendments. It is expected to pass off the Assembly Floor today. The Governor will have until October 11, 2015 to take action on this bill.

Traffic Amnesty Program

SB 405 (Hertzberg) – Pending
As Amended September 4, 2015

SB 405 would require a court to allow an individual to challenge a traffic infraction prior to having to post bail or pay fees. In addition, the bill makes technical clarifications to the new traffic amnesty program scheduled to begin October 1, 2015.

The Legislature has been focused on the growing costs of court penalties and fines. This is one of many bills this Legislative Session that was attempting to reform how California handles court ordered debt. Specifically, SB 405 removes the requirement that an individual must post bail or pay the civil assessment, prior to filing a request for the court to vacate the assessment. It also states that imposition or collection of a civil assessment or bail shall not prevent a defendant from scheduling a court hearing on the underlying charge.

SB 405 specifies that an assessment imposed because a person failed to appear in court, or pay a fine as ordered by the court, not go into effect until at least 20 calendar days after the court mails warning notice to the person.

The measure also disqualifies a person from the traffic amnesty program if he or she makes any payment for the violation to a collection program, as specified, in the county where the person is seeking amnesty, after September 30, 2015.

SB 405 is on the Assembly Floor awaiting a vote on Senate amendments. It is expected to pass off the Assembly Floor today. The Governor will have until October 11, 2015 to take action on this bill.

Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015

AB 953 (Weber) – Oppose
As Enrolled September 10, 2015

AB 953 would enact the Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015. AB 953 attempts to address the racial profiling issues that are occurring throughout the country, but disregards the efforts California is making in addressing these issues.

AB 953 mandates each state and local agency that employs peace officers to annually report to the Attorney General’s office data on all stops, as specified, conducted by that agency’s peace officers for the preceding calendar year.

CSAC opposes this measure because of the efforts currently underway within the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) within the Data and Research Standing Committee. This Committee assists the BSCC in addressing its legislative mandates to collect and maintain available information and data about state and community correctional policies, practices, capacities and needs including but not limited to prevention, intervention, suppression, and supervision, as they relate to both adult corrections and juvenile justice.

AB 953 was enrolled on September 10, 2015. The Governor has until October 11, 2015 to sign or veto this measure.

Imprisonment in County Jail

AB 1156 (Brown) – Pending
As Enrolled September 9, 2015

AB 1156 would eliminate discrepancies and inconsistencies in treatment between felons sent to prison and felons sent to county jail under Realignment that were not addressed in the original or subsequent legislation.

This bill applies the sentencing statutes and court rules enacted and promulgated for the Determinate Sentencing Law (DSL) to sentences imposed pursuant to criminal justice realignment.

Assembly Bill 1156 was enrolled on September 9, 2015. The Governor has until October 11, 2015 to sign or veto this measure.

Mental Health Training for Peace Officers

SB 11 (Beall) – Pending
As Enrolled September 3, 2015

SB 11 would require the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to establish a training course that is at least 15 hours on law enforcement interaction with persons with mental illness, as part of its basic training course. In addition, it requires a three-hour continuing education course on the same subject matter for all law enforcement officers.

SB11 was enrolled on September 8, 2015. The Governor has until October 11, 2015 to sign or veto this measure.

SB 29 (Beall) – Pending
As Enrolled September 4, 2015

SB 29 would require law enforcement field training officers to have training from the Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) regarding law enforcement interaction with persons with mental illness or intellectual disability.

SB 29 will mandate additional evidence-based behavioral training that is proven to reduce the negative interactions between peace officers and those suffering from a mental illness or intellectual disability. SB 29 would standardize the mental health training for peace officers.

SB 29 was enrolled on September 9, 2015. The Governor has until October 11, 2015 to sign or veto this measure.