Section 13897.2 Of Chapter 11. Victims’ Legal Resource Center From California Penal Code >> Title 6. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 11.
13897.2
. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall grant an award
to an appropriate private, nonprofit organization, to provide a
statewide resource center, as described in Section 13897.1.
(b) The center shall:
(1) Provide callers with information about victims' legal rights
to compensation pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13959)
of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and, where
appropriate, provide victims with guidance in exercising these
rights.
(2) Provide callers who provide services to victims of crime with
legal information regarding the legal rights of victims of crime.
(3) Advise callers about any potential civil causes of action and,
where appropriate, provide callers with references to local legal
aid and lawyer referral services.
(4) Advise and assist callers in understanding and implementing
their rights to participate in sentencing and parole eligibility
hearings as provided by statute.
(5) Advise callers about victims' rights in the criminal justice
system, assist them in overcoming problems, including the return of
property, and inform them of any procedures protecting witnesses.
(6) Refer callers, as appropriate, to local programs, which
include victim-witness programs, rape crisis units, domestic violence
projects, and child sexual abuse centers.
(7) Refer callers to local resources for information about
appropriate public and private benefits and the means of obtaining
aid.
(8) Publicize the existence of the toll-free service through the
print and electronic media, including public service announcements,
brochures, press announcements, various other educational materials,
and agreements for the provision of publicity, by private entities.
(9) Compile comprehensive referral lists of local resources that
include the following: victims' assistance resources, including legal
and medical services, financial assistance, personal counseling and
support services, and victims' support groups.
(10) Produce promotional materials for distribution to law
enforcement agencies, state and local agencies, print, radio, and
television media outlets, and the general public. These materials
shall include placards, video and audio training materials, written
handbooks, and brochures for public distribution. Distribution of
these materials shall be coordinated with the local victims' service
programs.
(11) Research, compile, and maintain a library of legal
information concerning crime victims and their rights.
(12) Provide a 20-percent minimum cash match for all funds
appropriated pursuant to this chapter which match may include federal
and private funds in order to supplement any funds appropriated by
the Legislature.
(c) The resource center shall be located so as to assure
convenient and regular access between the center and those state
agencies most concerned with crime victims. The entity receiving the
grant shall be a private, nonprofit organization, independent of law
enforcement agencies, and have qualified staff knowledgeable in the
legal rights of crime victims and the programs and services available
to victims throughout the state. The subgrantee shall have an
existing statewide, toll-free information service and have
demonstrated substantial capacity and experience serving crime
victims in areas required by this act.
(d) The services of the resource center shall not duplicate the
victim service activities of the Office of Emergency Services or
those activities of local victim programs funded through the Office
of Emergency Services.
(e) The subgrantee shall be compensated at its federally approved
indirect cost rate, if any. For the purposes of this section,
"federally approved indirect cost rate" means that rate established
by the federal Department of Health and Human Services or other
federal agency for the subgrantee. Nothing in this section shall be
construed as requiring the Office of Emergency Services to permit the
use of federally approved indirect cost rates for other subgrantees
of other grants administered by the Office of Emergency Services.
(f) All information and records retained by the center in the
course of providing services under this chapter shall be confidential
and privileged pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 950)
of Chapter 4 of Division 8 of the Evidence Code and Article 4
(commencing with Section 6060) of Chapter 4 of Division 3 of the
Business and Professions Code. Nothing in this subdivision shall
prohibit compilation and distribution of statistical data by the
center.