Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Victim Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Victim Compensation Board requests additional legal staff after appeals‑processing mandate
Summary
The Victim Compensation Board told the committee it needs ongoing legal resources to meet an appeals deadline created by a court order; the agency also warned that restitution fund revenue has fallen and that some trauma‑recovery grants face reduced funding.
The Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) told the Senate subcommittee it needs ongoing funding for its legal division to meet new appeals requirements that include in‑person hearings and a statutory or court‑ordered six‑month timeframe for processing claimant appeals.
Executive Officer Linda Gledhill said CalVCB reimburses victims of violent crime up to a $70,000 maximum and that in fiscal year 2023–24 the agency processed about 40,000 applications and paid roughly $47,000,000 in awards with a 77.2% approval rate. Gledhill said the board seeks $4,400,000 ongoing to expand legal resources and address a workload increase tied to a litigation outcome (Mothers Against Murder Court case) that requires in‑person hearings and timelier appeals processing.
Funding context and constraints: CalVCB’s revenue relies on a mix of the Restitution Fund (fines and penalties), a General Fund transfer, and federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. Gledhill said Proposition 47‑related savings that previously supported trauma‑recovery center grants have declined, and CalVCB expects smaller grant pools in the coming cycle; the board faces choices about reducing awards or not renewing some trauma‑recovery center grants.
Equity questions: Senator deRaza asked about denial rates and racial disparities; Gledhill said demographic reporting is voluntary and that denials most often hinge on statutory disqualifications such as non‑cooperation with law enforcement or being complicit in a crime.
Ending: CalVCB asked the committee to consider the $4.4 million request to meet appeals obligations; the committee asked for follow‑up materials and noted broader questions about VOCA and restitution fund forecasts.
