With the legislative year in full swing, I wanted to update you on some of my bills focused on enhancing public safety in our communities. My legislation to improve protections for crime victims and provide prosecutors more tools to crack down on human trafficking have passed out of key policy committees in the State Assembly and are moving forward.
AB 88: Enhance Crime Victims’ Participation in Judicial System
This bill prohibits the Board of Parole Hearings from requiring more than 15 days’ minimum notice that a victim, victim’s next of kin, member of the victim’s family, victim’s representative, counsel representing any of these persons, or victim support persons must give of their intention to attend a parole suitability hearing. The bill also provides crime victims a means of having their opinion heard on a petition of resentencing, even if the defense and prosecution both agree to waive the hearing.
AB 89: Notify Crime Victims of Parole Hearings
This bill will require a District Attorney to notify crime victims and their family members if they will not be sending a representative to attend a parole hearing. Legal representation at these hearings is paramount in ensuring that dangerous criminals remain behind bars and away from our communities.
AB 1739: Vertical Prosecutions Grant for Sex Trafficking Cases
This bill provides more resources to local District Attorney offices to combat human trafficking and support victims. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Emergency Services to create grants for prosecutors to use “vertical prosecution” in human trafficking cases, which would, conditional upon appropriation by the Legislature, provide funding to up to 11 counties to use a system in which the same prosecutor handles all stages of the human trafficking case, saving the victim from being traumatized by having to deal with multiple prosecutors and allowing that prosecutor to develop expertise in these cases.
AB 1739: Vertical Prosecutions Grant for Sex Trafficking Cases
This bill provides more resources to local District Attorney offices to combat human trafficking and support victims. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Emergency Services to create grants for prosecutors to use “vertical prosecution” in human trafficking cases, which would, conditional upon appropriation by the Legislature, provide funding to up to 11 counties to use a system in which the same prosecutor handles all stages of the human trafficking case, saving the victim from being traumatized by having to deal with multiple prosecutors and allowing that prosecutor to develop expertise in these cases.
Working Hard For Safer Communities
I will continue to keep you updated as these bills move in and out of committee. I am committed to keeping the promise I made when I was elected as your Assemblywoman to work hard every day and make the communities that we love, safer for all.
