Senate Bill 490 halted amid concerns over compensation for wrongly convicted individuals

As California's legislature approaches a critical deadline for bill approvals, the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) meeting on May 15, 2025, spotlighted significant legislative changes impacting victim compensation. Among the key discussions was Assembly Bill 1,100, which proposes substantial revisions to existing victim compensation statutes. This bill is currently on the suspense file in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is set for review later this week.

Another notable bill, Assembly Bill 379, aims to allocate grants to community organizations that provide direct services in areas heavily affected by human trafficking. This bill has undergone two amendments, adjusting criminal penalties related to prostitution and trafficking, but maintains CalVCB's role in managing the grant process.

In contrast, Senate Bill 490, which sought to reform the claims process for wrongfully convicted individuals, faced significant pushback. The bill has been held in the Senate Public Safety Committee and will not advance this session. Concerns were raised by Joseph Trujillo, Executive Director of Loyola Law School's Project for the Innocent, who criticized the board's involvement in the bill's drafting. He emphasized that the proposed changes could undermine the fairness and neutrality essential to CalVCB's role in compensating the wrongfully convicted.

Trujillo's remarks highlighted the potential negative implications of SB 490, including extended timelines for objections to claims and limitations on considering new evidence. He urged the board to reaffirm its commitment to impartiality, especially in light of its power to rectify injustices faced by those wrongfully convicted.

The meeting underscored the ongoing dialogue around victim compensation in California, with board members and the public expressing concerns about legislative proposals that could impact the integrity of the compensation process. As the legislative session progresses, the board's decisions and advocacy will be closely watched, particularly regarding their commitment to neutrality in the face of proposed changes.