TITLE 17. RIGHTS OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF CRIME [679. - 680.4.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 1.
in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679. Section 679.

In recognition of the civil and moral duty of victims and witnesses of crime to fully and voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, and in further recognition of the continuing importance of this citizen cooperation to state and local law enforcement efforts and the general effectiveness and well-being of the criminal justice system of this state, the Legislature declares its intent, in the enactment of this title, to ensure that all victims and witnesses of crime are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity. It is the further intent that the rights enumerated in Section 679.02 relating to victims and witnesses of crime are honored and protected by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges in a manner no less vigorous than the protections afforded criminal defendants. It is the intent of the Legislature to add to Section 679.02 references to new rights as or as soon after they are created. The failure to enumerate in that section a right which is enumerated elsewhere in the law shall not be deemed to diminish the importance or enforceability of that right.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.01. Section 679.01.

As used in this title, the following definitions shall control: (a) “Crime” means an act committed in this state which, if committed by a competent adult, would constitute a misdemeanor or felony. (b) “Victim” means a person against whom a crime has been committed. (c) “Witness” means any person who has been or is expected to testify for the prosecution, or who, by reason of having relevant information, is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not any action or proceeding has yet been commenced.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.02. Section 679.02.

(a) The following rights are hereby established as the statutory rights of victims and witnesses of crimes: (1) To be notified as soon as feasible that a court proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed as a witness will not proceed as scheduled, provided the prosecuting attorney determines that the witness’ attendance is not required. (2) Upon request of the victim or a witness, to be informed by the prosecuting attorney of the final disposition of the case, as provided by Section 11116.10. (3) For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all sentencing proceedings, and of the right to appear, to reasonably express their views, have those views preserved by audio or video means as provided in Section 1191.16, and to have the court consider their statements, as provided by Sections 1191.1 and 1191.15. (4) For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all juvenile disposition hearings in which the alleged act would have been a felony if committed by an adult, and of the right to attend and to express their views, as provided by Section 656.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (5) Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of any parole eligibility hearing and of the right to appear, either personally as provided by Section 3043, or by other means as provided by Sections 3043.2 and 3043.25, to reasonably express their views, and to have their statements considered, as provided by Section 3043 of this code and by Section 1767 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (6) Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the crime was a homicide, to be notified of an inmate’s placement in a reentry or work furlough program, or notified of the inmate’s escape as provided by Section 11155. (7) To be notified that a witness may be entitled to witness fees and mileage, as provided by Section 1329.1. (8) For the victim, to be provided with information concerning the victim’s right to civil recovery and the opportunity to be compensated from the Restitution Fund pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13959) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and Section 1191.2 of this code. (9) To the expeditious return of property that has allegedly been stolen or embezzled, when it is no longer needed as evidence, as provided by Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 1407) and Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 1417) of Title 10 of Part 2. (10) To an expeditious disposition of the criminal action. (11) To be notified, if applicable, in accordance with Sections 679.03 and 3058.8 if the defendant is to be placed on parole. (12) For the victim, upon request, to be notified of any pretrial disposition of the case, to the extent required by Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution. (A) A victim may request to be notified of a pretrial disposition. (B) The victim may be notified by any reasonable means available. (C) This paragraph is not intended to affect the right of the people and the defendant to an expeditious disposition as provided in Section 1050. (13) For the victim, to be notified by the district attorney’s office of the right to request, upon a form provided by the district attorney’s office, and receive a notice pursuant to paragraph (14), if the defendant is convicted of any of the following offenses: (A) Assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy, oral copulation, or any violation of Section 264.1, 288, or 289, in violation of Section 220. (B) A violation of Section 207 or 209 committed with the intent to commit a violation of Section 261, 286, 287, 288, or 289, or former Section 262 or 288a. (C) Rape, in violation of Section 261. (D) Oral copulation, in violation of Section 287 or former Section 288a. (E) Sodomy, in violation of Section 286. (F) A violation of Section 288. (G) A violation of Section 289. (14) When a victim has requested notification pursuant to paragraph (13), the sheriff shall inform the victim that the person who was convicted of the offense has been ordered to be placed on probation, and give the victim notice of the proposed date upon which the person will be released from the custody of the sheriff. (15) For the victim, to be notified of the availability of community-based restorative justice programs and processes available to them, including, but not limited to, programs serving their community, county, county jails, juvenile detention facilities, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The victim has a right to be notified as early and often as possible, including during the initial contact, during followup investigation, at the point of diversion, throughout the process of the case, and in postconviction proceedings. (b) The rights set forth in subdivision (a) shall be set forth in the information and educational materials prepared pursuant to Section 13897.1. The information and educational materials shall be distributed to local law enforcement agencies and local victims’ programs by the Victims’ Legal Resource Center established pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 13897) of Title 6 of Part 4. (c) Local law enforcement agencies shall make available copies of the materials described in subdivision (b) to victims and witnesses. (d) This section is not intended to affect the rights and services provided to victims and witnesses by the local assistance centers for victims and witnesses. (e) The court shall not release statements made pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a) to the public prior to the statement being heard in court.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.03. Section 679.03.

(a) With respect to the conviction of a defendant involving a violent offense, as defined in Section 29905, the county district attorney, probation department, and victim-witness coordinator shall confer and establish an annual policy within existing resources to decide which one of their agencies shall inform each witness involved in the conviction who was threatened by the defendant following the defendant’s arrest and each victim or next of kin of the victim of that offense of the right to request and receive a notice pursuant to Section 3058.8 or 3605. If no agreement is reached, the presiding judge shall designate the appropriate county agency or department to provide this notification. (b) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall supply a form to the agency designated pursuant to subdivision (a) in order to enable persons specified in subdivision (a) to request and receive notification from the department of the release, escape, scheduled execution, or death of the violent offender. That agency shall give the form to the victim, witness, or next of kin of the victim for completion, explain to that person or persons the right to be so notified, and forward the completed form to the department. The department or the Board of Parole Hearings is responsible for notifying all victims, witnesses, or next of kin of victims who request to be notified of a violent offender’s release or scheduled execution, as provided by Sections 3058.8 and 3605. (c) All information relating to any person receiving notice pursuant to subdivision (b) shall remain confidential and is not subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code). (d) Nothing in this section precludes a victim, witness, or next of kin of the victim from requesting notification using an automated electronic notification process, if available.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.04. Section 679.04.

(a) A victim of sexual assault as the result of any offense specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 264.2 has the right to have victim advocates and a support person of the victim’s choosing present at any interview by law enforcement authorities, district attorneys, or defense attorneys. A victim retains this right regardless of whether he or she has waived the right in a previous medical evidentiary or physical examination or in a previous interview by law enforcement authorities, district attorneys, or defense attorneys. However, the support person may be excluded from an interview by law enforcement or the district attorney if the law enforcement authority or the district attorney determines that the presence of that individual would be detrimental to the purpose of the interview. As used in this section, “victim advocate” means a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, or a victim advocate working in a center established under Article 2 (commencing with Section 13835) of Chapter 4 of Title 6 of Part 4. (b) (1) Prior to the commencement of the initial interview by law enforcement authorities or the district attorney pertaining to any criminal action arising out of a sexual assault, a victim of sexual assault as the result of any offense specified in Section 264.2 shall be notified in writing by the attending law enforcement authority or district attorney that he or she has the right to have victim advocates and a support person of the victim’s choosing present at the interview or contact, about any other rights of the victim pursuant to law in the card described in subdivision (a) of Section 680.2, and that the victim has the right to request to have a person of the same gender or opposite gender as the victim present in the room during any interview with a law enforcement official or district attorney, unless no such person is reasonably available. This subdivision applies to investigators and agents employed or retained by law enforcement or the district attorney. (2) At the time the victim is advised of his or her rights pursuant to paragraph (1), the attending law enforcement authority or district attorney shall also advise the victim of the right to have victim advocates and a support person present at any interview by the defense attorney or investigators or agents employed by the defense attorney. (3) The presence of a victim advocate shall not defeat any existing right otherwise guaranteed by law. A victim’s waiver of the right to a victim advocate is inadmissible in court, unless a court determines the waiver is at issue in the pending litigation. (4) The victim has the right to request to have a person of the same gender or opposite gender as the victim present in the room during any interview with a law enforcement official or district attorney, unless no such person is reasonably available. It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage every interviewer in this context to have trauma-based training. (c) An initial investigation by law enforcement to determine whether a crime has been committed and the identity of the suspects shall not constitute a law enforcement interview for purposes of this section. (d) A law enforcement official shall not, for any reason, discourage a victim of an alleged sexual assault from receiving a medical evidentiary or physical examination.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.05. Section 679.05.

(a) A victim of domestic violence or abuse, as defined in Sections 6203 or 6211 of the Family Code, or Section 13700 of the Penal Code, has the right to have a domestic violence advocate and a support person of the victim’s choosing present at any interview by law enforcement authorities, prosecutors, or defense attorneys. However, the support person may be excluded from an interview by law enforcement or the prosecutor if the law enforcement authority or the prosecutor determines that the presence of that individual would be detrimental to the purpose of the interview. As used in this section, “domestic violence advocate” means either a person employed by a program specified in Section 13835.2 for the purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of domestic violence, or a domestic violence counselor, as defined in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code. Prior to being present at any interview conducted by law enforcement authorities, prosecutors, or defense attorneys, a domestic violence advocate shall advise the victim of any applicable limitations on the confidentiality of communications between the victim and the domestic violence advocate. (b) (1) Prior to the commencement of the initial interview by law enforcement authorities or the prosecutor pertaining to any criminal action arising out of a domestic violence incident, a victim of domestic violence or abuse, as defined in Section 6203 or 6211 of the Family Code, or Section 13700 of this code, shall be notified orally or in writing by the attending law enforcement authority or prosecutor that the victim has the right to have a domestic violence advocate and a support person of the victim’s choosing present at the interview or contact. This subdivision applies to investigators and agents employed or retained by law enforcement or the prosecutor. (2) At the time the victim is advised of his or her rights pursuant to paragraph (1), the attending law enforcement authority or prosecutor shall also advise the victim of the right to have a domestic violence advocate and a support person present at any interview by the defense attorney or investigators or agents employed by the defense attorney. (c) An initial investigation by law enforcement to determine whether a crime has been committed and the identity of the suspects shall not constitute a law enforcement interview for purposes of this section.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.06. Section 679.06.

(a) The county probation department shall notify a victim of domestic violence or abuse, as defined in Section 13700 or in Section 6203 or 6211 of the Family Code, or a victim of stalking, as defined in Section 646.9, of the perpetrator’s current community of residence or proposed community of residence upon release, when the perpetrator, after conviction, is placed on or being released on probation pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1203 and under the supervision of the county probation department. (b) Subdivision (a) shall only apply if the victim has requested notification and has provided the probation department with a current address at which they may be notified. (c) The district attorney shall advise every victim described in subdivision (a) of their right to request and receive notification pursuant to this section.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.07. Section 679.07.

(a) Prior to making any findings as to the manner and cause of death of a deceased individual with an identifiable history of being victimized by domestic violence, and in the presence of three or more factors listed in subdivision (b), law enforcement investigators shall interview family members, such as parents, siblings, or other close friends or relatives of the decedent with relevant information regarding that history of domestic violence. (b) Law enforcement investigators may request a complete autopsy, pursuant to Section 27521 of the Government Code, in a case where they have determined there is an identifiable history of being victimized by domestic violence and any of the following conditions are present: (1) The decedent died prematurely or in an untimely manner. (2) The scene of the death gives the appearance of death due to suicide or accident. (3) One partner wanted to end the relationship. (4) There is a history of being victimized by domestic violence that includes coercive control. (5) The decedent is found dead in a home or place of residence. (6) The decedent is found by a current or previous partner. (7) There is a history of being victimized by domestic violence that includes strangulation or suffocation. (8) The current or previous partner of the decedent, or child of the decedent or the decedent’s current or previous partner, is the last to see the decedent alive. (9) The partner had control of the scene before law enforcement arrived. (10) The body of the decedent has been moved or the scene or other evidence is altered in some way. (c) Sworn law enforcement personnel investigating a death where it has been determined that the decedent has an identifiable history of being victimized by domestic violence shall be current in their training related to domestic violence incidents, including training required pursuant to Section 13519. (d) During the pendency of the investigation and any review, family members shall have access to all victim services and support provided under this title. (e) In the event that a local law enforcement agency makes a finding that the death is not a homicide and closes the case, family members or their legal counsel shall have the right to request any and all records of the investigation currently available under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code). (f) This section does not require local law enforcement agencies to compromise an existing or open investigation and does not preempt the discretion provided to local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of death cases. This section does not impose any additional liability on a local law enforcement agency for its investigation of existing cases or its investigative conclusions in those cases. (g) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) “Domestic violence” has the same meaning as used in Section 6211 of the Family Code. (2) “Identifiable history of being victimized by domestic violence” means demonstrable past incidents of being victimized by domestic violence that may be verified by prior police reports, written or photographic documentation, restraining order declarations, eyewitness statements, or other evidence that corroborates a history of such incidents. (3) “Partner” means a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, fiance, someone with whom the decedent had a dating relationship or engagement for marriage, or the parent of the decedent’s child.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.08. Section 679.08.

(a) (1) Whenever there has been a crime committed against a victim, the law enforcement officer assigned to the case may provide the victim of the crime with a “Victim’s Rights Card,” as specified in subdivision (b). (2) This section shall be operative in a city or county only upon the adoption of a resolution by the city council or board of supervisors to that effect. (3) This section shall not be interpreted as replacing or prohibiting any services currently offered to victims of crime by any agency or person affected by this section. (b) A “Victim’s Rights Card” means a card or paper that provides a printed notice with a disclaimer, in at least 10-point type, to a victim of a crime regarding potential services that may be available under existing state law to assist the victim. The printed notice shall include the following language or language substantially similar to the following: “California law provides crime victims with important rights. If you are a victim of crime, you may be entitled to the assistance of a victim advocate who can answer many of the questions you might have about the criminal justice system.” “Victim advocates can assist you with the following: (1) Explaining what information you are entitled to receive while criminal proceedings are pending. (2) Assisting you in applying for restitution to compensate you for crime-related losses. (3) Communicating with the prosecution. (4) Assisting you in receiving victim support services. (5) Helping you prepare a victim impact statement before an offender is sentenced.” “To speak with a victim advocate, please call any of the following numbers:” [Set forth the name and phone number, including area code, of all victim advocate agencies in the local jurisdiction] “PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST THE VICTIM, BY NOTIFYING THE VICTIM ABOUT SOME, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ALL, SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE VICTIM; THE PROVISION OF THIS INFORMATION AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE A GUARANTEE OF ANY VICTIM’S RIGHTS OR OF A VICTIM’S ELIGIBILITY OR ENTITLEMENT TO ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS OR SERVICES.” (c) Any act or omission covered by this section is a discretionary act pursuant to Section 820.2 of the Government Code.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.09. Section 679.09.

(a) In the event of a death of a minor being investigated by law enforcement, the law enforcement agency that bears the primary responsibility for the investigation shall provide the victim’s parent or guardian, with the following information, if and when the parent or guardian are located: (1) Contact information for each law enforcement agency involved in the investigation and the identification of the primary contact, if known, for the particular investigation at the involved law enforcement agency. (2) The case number referencing the investigation, if applicable. (3) A list of the personal effects found with the minor and contact information necessary to permit an immediate family member to collect the victim’s personal effects collected pursuant to Section 27491.3 of the Government Code. The list of the victim’s personal effects may be withheld from the immediate family if providing information about the personal effects would interfere with the investigation being conducted by law enforcement. (4) Information regarding the status of the investigation, at the discretion of the law enforcement agency. (b) In the event that a parent or guardian is not located, the law enforcement agency that bears the primary responsibility for the investigation shall provide the victim’s immediate family, at their request, with the following information: (1) Contact information for each law enforcement agency involved in the investigation and the identification of the primary contact, if known, for the particular investigation at the involved law enforcement agency. (2) The case number referencing the investigation, if applicable. (3) A list of the personal effects found with the minor and contact information necessary to permit an immediate family member to collect the victim’s personal effects collected pursuant to Section 27491.3 of the Government Code. The list of victim’s personal effects may be withheld from the immediate family if providing information about the personal effects would interfere with the investigation being conducted by law enforcement. (4) Information regarding the status of the investigation, at the discretion of the law enforcement agency. (c) Law enforcement shall not be required to provide any information that would jeopardize or otherwise allow an individual to interfere with the ongoing investigation. This section shall not be interpreted to require law enforcement to provide investigative records generated pursuant to their investigation for inspection by a victim’s immediate family. (d) This section does not require law enforcement agencies to provide more than one copy of the information provided pursuant to this section to immediate family. (e) Law enforcement agencies providing information pursuant to this section may require any family member receiving the information to confirm their identity through a certified declaration. Any person knowingly or willingly making a false certification for a declaration pursuant to this subdivision shall be punishable by an infraction. (f) For the purposes of this section, “immediate family” means the victim’s spouse, parent, guardian, grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, and children or grandchildren who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.10. Section 679.10.

(a) For purposes of this section, a “certifying entity” is any of the following: (1) A state or local law enforcement agency, including, without limitation, the police department of the University of California, a California State University campus, or the police department of a school district, established pursuant to Section 38000 of the Education Code. (2) A prosecutor. (3) A judge. (4) Any other authority that has responsibility for the detection or investigation or prosecution of a qualifying crime or criminal activity. (5) Agencies that have criminal detection or investigative jurisdiction in their respective areas of expertise, including, but not limited to, child protective services, the Civil Rights Department, and the Department of Industrial Relations. (b) For purposes of this section, a “certifying official” is any of the following: (1) The head of the certifying entity. (2) A person in a supervisory role who has been specifically designated by the head of the certifying entity to issue Form I-918 Supplement B certifications on behalf of that agency. (3) A judge. (4) Any other certifying official defined under Section 214.14 (a)(2) of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (c) “Qualifying criminal activity” has the same meaning as qualifying criminal activity pursuant to Section 101(a)(15)(U)(iii) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act which includes, but is not limited to, the following crimes: (1) Rape. (2) Torture. (3) Human trafficking. (4) Incest. (5) Domestic violence. (6) Sexual assault. (7) Abusive sexual conduct. (8) Prostitution. (9) Sexual exploitation. (10) Female genital mutilation. (11) Being held hostage. (12) Peonage. (13) Perjury. (14) Involuntary servitude. (15) Slavery. (16) Kidnapping. (17) Abduction. (18) Unlawful criminal restraint. (19) False imprisonment. (20) Blackmail. (21) Extortion. (22) Manslaughter. (23) Murder. (24) Felonious assault. (25) Witness tampering. (26) Obstruction of justice. (27) Fraud in foreign labor contracting. (28) Stalking. (d) A “qualifying crime” includes criminal offenses for which the nature and elements of the offenses are substantially similar to the criminal activity described in subdivision (c), and the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of those offenses. (e) A “representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice” is a person who is approved by the United States Department of Justice to represent individuals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the immigration courts, or the Department of Homeland Security. The representative shall be a person who works for a specific nonprofit, religious, charitable, social service, or similar organization that has been recognized by the United States Department of Justice to represent those individuals and whose accreditation is in good standing. (f) Upon the request of a victim, licensed attorney representing the victim, or representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice authorized to represent the victim in immigration proceedings, a state or local law enforcement agency with whom the victim had filed a police report shall provide a copy of the police report within seven days of the request. (g) (1) Upon the request of the victim, victim’s family member, licensed attorney representing the victim, or representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice authorized to represent the victim in immigration proceedings, a certifying official from a certifying entity shall certify victim helpfulness on the Form I-918 Supplement B certification, when the victim was a victim of a qualifying criminal activity and has been helpful, is being helpful, or is likely to be helpful to the detection or investigation or prosecution of that qualifying criminal activity. The certifying entity shall forward completed Form I-918 Supplemental B certification to the victim, victim’s family member, licensed attorney representing the victim, or representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice authorized to represent the victim in immigration proceedings without requiring the victim to provide government-issued identification. (2) A victim who submits a Form I-918 Supplement B certification to a certifying entity does not have to be present in the United States at time of submitting the certification request or filing the petition with the government and may apply for certification while outside of the United States. (h) For purposes of determining helpfulness pursuant to subdivision (g), there is a rebuttable presumption that a victim is helpful, has been helpful, or is likely to be helpful to the detection or investigation or prosecution of that qualifying criminal activity, if the victim has not refused or failed to provide information and assistance reasonably requested by law enforcement. If the victim reasonably asserts they were unaware of a request for cooperation, their failure to cooperate does not rebut the presumption of helpfulness. (i) (1) The certifying official shall fully complete and sign the Form I-918 Supplement B certification and, regarding victim helpfulness, include specific details about the nature of the crime investigated or prosecuted and a detailed description of the victim’s helpfulness or likely helpfulness to the detection or investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. (2) If a certifying entity does not certify a Form I-918 Supplement B certification, they shall provide a written explanation for the denial of the Form I-918 Supplement B certification. The written denial shall include specific details of any reasonable requests for cooperation and a detailed description of how the victim refused to cooperate. (j) (1) A certifying entity shall process a Form I-918 Supplement B certification within 30 days of request, unless the noncitizen is in removal proceedings, in which case the certification shall be processed within 7 days of the first business day following the day the request was received. (2) A certifying agency shall process a Form I-918 Supplement B certification within 7 days of the first business day following the day the request was received if the victim asserts a qualifying family member of the victim will lose eligibility for U nonimmigrant status in 60 days or fewer because the victim’s noncitizen sibling will turn 18 years of age, the victim’s noncitizen child will turn 21 years of age, or the victim will turn 21 years of age. (k) (1) A current investigation, the filing of charges, an apprehension of the suspect who committed the qualifying crime, closing of a case, and a prosecution or conviction are not required for the victim to request and obtain the Form I-918 Supplement B certification from a certifying official. (2) A certifying official shall not refuse to complete the Form I-918 Supplement B certification or to otherwise certify that a victim has been helpful, solely because a case has already been prosecuted or otherwise closed, or because the time for commencing a criminal action has expired. (3) A certifying entity shall not refuse to complete the Form I-918 Supplement B certification and provide it to the victim, the victim’s family member, licensed attorney representing the victim, or representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice authorized to represent the victim in immigration proceedings for any of the following reasons: (A) The victim’s criminal history information. (B) The victim’s immigration history. (C) The victim’s gang membership or gang affiliation. (D) The certifying entity’s belief that the Form I-918 Supplement B petition will not be approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. (E) The victim has an open case with another certifying entity. (F) The extent of the harm the victim suffered. (G) The victim’s inability to produce a crime report from a law enforcement agency. (H) The victim’s cooperation or refusal to cooperate in a separate case. (l) A certifying official may only withdraw the certification if the victim refuses to provide information and assistance when reasonably requested. (m) A certifying entity is prohibited from disclosing the immigration status of a victim or person requesting the Form I-918 Supplement B certification, except to comply with federal law or legal process, or if authorized by the victim or person requesting the Form I-918 Supplement B certification. (n) A certifying entity that receives a request for a Form I-918 Supplement B certification shall report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, the number of victims that requested Form I-918 Supplement B certifications from the entity, the number of those certification forms that were signed, and the number that were denied. A report pursuant to this subdivision shall comply with Section 9795 of the Government Code. (o) (1) A certifying entity may certify a Form I-918 Supplement B certification for direct victims, indirect victims, and bystander or witness victims. (2) A direct victim is any person who has suffered direct harm or who is directly and proximately harmed as a result of the criminal activity. (3) (A) An indirect victim is a qualifying family member of a direct victim if the direct victim is incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, including spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, parents if the direct victim was under the age of 21, and siblings under the age of 18 if the direct victim was under 21 years of age. Indirect victims shall cooperate in the investigation or prosecution but are not required to possess information about the crime itself. (B) Indirect victim cooperation includes parents who make their children available to communicate with the certifying entity. (4) A bystander or witness victim is any individual who was not the direct target of a crime, but who nevertheless suffered unusually direct injury as a result of the qualifying crime.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.11. Section 679.11.

(a) For purposes of this section, a “certifying entity” is any of the following: (1) A state or local law enforcement agency, including, without limitation, the police department of the University of California, a California State University campus, or the police department of a school district, established pursuant to Section 38000 of the Education Code. (2) A prosecutor. (3) A judge. (4) The Department of Industrial Relations. (5) Any other state or local government agencies that have criminal, civil, or administrative investigative or prosecutorial authority relating to human trafficking. (b) For purposes of this section, a “certifying official” is any of the following: (1) The head of the certifying entity. (2) A person in a supervisory role who has been specifically designated by the head of the certifying entity to issue Form I-914 Supplement B declarations on behalf of that agency. (3) A judge. (4) Any other certifying official defined under Section 214.14(a)(2) of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (c) “Human trafficking” has the same meaning as “severe forms of trafficking in persons” pursuant to Section 7102 of Title 22 of the United States Code and includes either of the following: (1) Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age. (2) The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. (d) “Human trafficking” also includes criminal offenses for which the nature and elements of the offenses are substantially similar to the criminal activity described in subdivision (c), and the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of those offenses. (e) A “representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice” is a person who is approved by the United States Department of Justice to represent individuals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the immigration courts, or the Department of Homeland Security. The representative shall be a person who works for a specific nonprofit, religious, charitable, social service, or similar organization that has been recognized by the United States Department of Justice to represent those individuals and whose accreditation is in good standing. (f) (1) Upon the request of the victim, victim’s family member, licensed attorney representing the victim, or representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice authorized to represent the victim in immigration proceedings, a certifying official from a certifying entity shall certify victim cooperation on the Form I-914 Supplement B declaration, when the victim was a victim of human trafficking and has been cooperative, is being cooperative, or is likely to be cooperative to the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking. The certifying entity shall forward completed Form I-914 Supplemental B certification to the victim, victim’s family member, licensed attorney representing the victim, or representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice authorized to represent the victim in immigration proceedings without requiring the victim to provide government-issued identification. (2) A victim who submits a Form I-914 Supplement B declaration to a certifying entity does not have to be present in the United States at time of submitting the certification request or filing the petition with the government and may apply for certification while outside of the United States. (g) For purposes of determining cooperation pursuant to subdivision (f), there is a rebuttable presumption that a victim is cooperative, has been cooperative, or is likely to be cooperative to the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking, if the victim has not refused or failed to provide information and assistance reasonably requested by law enforcement. If the victim reasonably asserts they were unaware of a request for cooperation, their failure to cooperate does not rebut the presumption of helpfulness. (h) The certifying official shall fully complete and sign the Form I-914 Supplement B declaration and, regarding victim cooperation, include specific details about the nature of the crime investigated or prosecuted and a detailed description of the victim’s cooperation or likely cooperation to the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the criminal activity. (i) (1) A certifying entity shall process a Form I-914 Supplement B declaration within 30 days of request, unless the noncitizen is in removal proceedings, in which case the declaration shall be processed within 7 days of the first business day following the day the request was received. (2) A certifying agency shall process a Form I-918 Supplement B certification within 7 days of the first business day following the day the request was received if the victim asserts a qualifying family member of the victim will lose eligibility for T nonimmigrant status in 60 days or fewer because the victim’s noncitizen sibling will turn 18 years of age, the victim’s noncitizen child will turn 21 years of age, or the victim will turn 21 years of age. (j) (1) A current investigation, an apprehension of the suspect who committed the qualifying crime, the filing of charges, closing of a case, or a prosecution or conviction is not required for the victim to request and obtain the Form I-914 Supplement B declaration from a certifying official. (2) A certifying official shall not refuse to complete the Form I-914 Supplement B declaration and provide it to the victim, the victim’s family member, licensed attorney representing the victim, or representative fully accredited by the United States Department of Justice authorized to represent the victim in immigration proceedings or to otherwise certify that a victim has been helpful, solely because a case has already been prosecuted or otherwise closed, or because the time for commencing a criminal action has expired. (3) A certifying entity shall not refuse to complete the Form I-914 Supplement B declaration for any of the following reasons: (A) The victim’s criminal history information. (B) The victim’s immigration history. (C) The victim’s gang membership or gang affiliation. (D) The certifying entity’s belief that the Form I-914 Supplement B petition will not be approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. (E) The victim has an open case with another certifying entity. (F) The certifying entity’s belief that the victim is eligible for relief or protection under Section 679.10 or any other provision of law. (G) The victim’s inability to produce a crime report from a law enforcement agency. (H) The victim’s cooperation or refusal to cooperate in a separate case. (k) A certifying official may only withdraw the certification if the victim refuses to provide information and assistance when reasonably requested. (l) A certifying entity is prohibited from disclosing the immigration status of a victim or person requesting the Form I-914 Supplement B declaration, except to comply with federal law or legal process, or if authorized by the victim or person requesting the Form I-914 Supplement B declaration. (m) A certifying entity that receives a request for a Form I-914 Supplement B declaration shall report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2018, and annually thereafter, the number of victims who requested Form I-914 Supplement B declarations from the entity, the number of those declaration forms that were signed, and the number that were denied. A report pursuant to this subdivision shall comply with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.12. Section 679.12.

(a) The following procedures apply to known reference samples of DNA from a victim of a crime or alleged crime, and to known reference samples of DNA from any individual that were voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion, as well as to any profiles developed from those samples: (1) Law enforcement agencies and their agents shall use these DNA samples or profiles only for purposes directly related to the incident being investigated. (2) No law enforcement agency or agent thereof may compare any of these samples or profiles with DNA samples or profiles that do not relate to the incident being investigated. (3) No law enforcement agency or agent thereof may include any of these DNA profiles in any database that allows these samples to be compared to or matched with profiles derived from DNA evidence obtained from crime scenes. (4) No law enforcement agency or agent thereof may provide any other person or entity with access to any of these DNA samples or profiles, unless that person or entity agrees to abide by the statutory restrictions on the use and disclosure of that sample or profile. (5) Any part of a DNA sample that remains after the requested testing or analysis has been performed shall be securely stored and may only be used in accordance with the restrictions on use and disclosure of the sample provided in this section. (6) No agent of a law enforcement agency may provide any part of these DNA samples or profiles to any person or entity other than the law enforcement agency that provided them, except portions of these remaining DNA samples may be provided to the defendant when authorized by court order. (7) A person whose DNA profile has been voluntarily provided for purposes of exclusion shall have their searchable database profile expunged from all public and private databases if the person has no past or present offense or pending charge that qualifies that person for inclusion within the state’s DNA and Forensic Identification Database and Databank Program. (8) This section does not prohibit crime laboratories from collecting, retaining, and using for comparison purposes in multiple cases the following DNA profiles: (i) The DNA profiles from persons whose proximity or access to DNA case evidence during the collection, handling, or processing of that evidence might result in DNA contamination, including first responders, crime scene investigators, laboratory staff, or others at the laboratory, if these kinds of elimination samples are voluntarily provided with written consent for their use as quality assurance or control samples, or if the elimination samples are obtained as a condition of employment with written consent, so that the crime laboratory can assure reliable results. (ii) The DNA profiles from persons associated with the manufacturing or production of consumable supplies or reagents or positive control samples used in laboratory testing, if these kinds of elimination samples are voluntarily provided with written consent. (iii) The DNA profiles that may be incidentally encountered on consumable supplies or reagents such as plastic tubes, plastic plates, swabs, and buffers. (9) The requirement for written consent for voluntary elimination samples does not preclude a DNA testing laboratory from retaining, for use consistent with this section, the voluntary quality assurance or control samples described in paragraph (8) that were provided without written consent by persons prior to the enactment of this section, or if the laboratory is otherwise required to retain such case samples by another provision of law. (10) This section does not preclude a DNA testing laboratory from conducting a limited comparison of samples that were analyzed concurrently in order to evaluate the DNA typing results for potential contamination, determine the source of contamination when detected, and to ensure that the contaminating profiles were not misidentified as DNA profiles from putative perpetrators. (11) This section does not affect the inclusion of samples in state DNA databases as described in Section 295, the use of state DNA databases for identifying missing persons, the compliance with other provisions of law that allow the release of samples for postconviction testing, or the use of reference samples from a suspect lawfully collected in a manner that does not violate this section. (b) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) The “incident being investigated” means the crime or alleged crime that caused a law enforcement agency or agent to analyze or request a DNA sample from a victim of or witness to that crime or alleged crime. (2) An “agent” of a law enforcement agency includes any person or entity that the agency provides with access to a DNA sample collected directly from the person of a victim of or witness to a crime or alleged crime, or to any profile developed from those samples. This includes, but is not limited to, public or private DNA testing facilities. (3) A “victim” or “witness” does not include any person who is a target of the investigation of the incident being investigated, if law enforcement agents have probable cause to believe that person has committed a public offense relating to the incident under investigation. (4) A sample is “voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion” if law enforcement agents do not consider the individual to be a suspect and have requested a voluntary DNA sample in order to exclude that person’s DNA profile from consideration in the current investigation. (c) This section does not apply to evidence arising from the victim that is biological material that is not the victim’s own and is not from an individual who voluntarily provided a reference sample for exclusion, such as DNA transferred from an assailant.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.13. Section 679.13.

(a) For purposes of this section, a “certifying entity” is any of the following: (1) A state or local law enforcement agency, including, without limitation, the police department of the University of California, a California State University campus, or the police department of a school district, established pursuant to Section 38000 of the Education Code. (2) A prosecutor. (3) A judge. (4) Any other authority that has responsibility for the detection or investigation or prosecution of a qualifying crime or criminal activity. (5) Agencies that have criminal detection or investigative jurisdiction in their respective areas of expertise, including, but not limited to, child protective services, the Civil Rights Department, and the Department of Industrial Relations. (b) For purposes of this section, a “certifying official” is any of the following: (1) The head of the certifying entity. (2) A person in a supervisory role who has been specifically designated by the head of the certifying entity to issue Form I-854A certifications on behalf of that agency. (3) A judge. (4) Any other certifying official defined under Section 214.14 (a)(2) of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (c) “Qualified criminal informant” is an individual who meets the following requirements: (1) The informant must have reliable information about an important aspect of a crime or pending commission of a crime. (2) The informant must be willing to share that information with United States law enforcement officials or become a witness in court. (3) The informant’s presence in the United States is important and leads to the successful investigation or prosecution of that crime. (d) A certifying entity may apply for and may certify a Form I-854A certification for a qualified criminal informant. A qualified informant does not have to be present in the United States for certification pursuant to this section. (e) The certifying official shall fully complete and sign the Form I-854A certification and, regarding the qualified criminal informant’s helpfulness, include specific details about the nature of the crime investigated or prosecuted and a detailed description of the qualified criminal informant’s helpfulness or likely helpfulness to the detection or investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. (f) A certifying official may only withdraw the certification if the qualified criminal informant refuses to provide information and assistance when reasonably requested. (g) A certifying entity is prohibited from disclosing the immigration status of the qualified criminal informant for whom Form I-854A certification has been completed, except to comply with federal law or legal process, or if authorized by the qualified criminal informant.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.015. Section 679.015.

(a) It is the public policy of this state to protect the public from crime and violence by encouraging all persons who are victims of or witnesses to crimes, or who otherwise can give evidence in a criminal investigation, to cooperate with the criminal justice system and not to penalize these persons for being victims or for cooperating with the criminal justice system. (b) Whenever an individual who is a victim of or witness to a crime, or who otherwise can give evidence in a criminal investigation, is not charged with or convicted of committing any crime under state law, a peace officer may not detain the individual exclusively for any actual or suspected immigration violation or turn the individual over to federal immigration authorities absent a judicial warrant.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.026. Section 679.026.

(a) It is the intent of the people of the State of California in enacting this section to implement the rights of victims of crime established in Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution to be informed of the rights of crime victims enumerated in the Constitution and in the statutes of this state. (b) Every victim of crime has the right to receive without cost or charge a list of the rights of victims of crime recognized in Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution. These rights shall be known as “Marsy Rights.” (c) (1) Every law enforcement agency investigating a criminal act and every agency prosecuting a criminal act shall, as provided herein, at the time of initial contact with a crime victim, during follow-up investigation, or as soon thereafter as deemed appropriate by investigating officers or prosecuting attorneys, provide or make available to each victim of the criminal act without charge or cost a “Marsy Rights” card described in paragraphs (3) and (4). (2) The victim disclosures required under this section shall be available to the public at a state funded and maintained Web site authorized pursuant to Section 14260 of the Penal Code to be known as “Marsy’s Page.” (3) The Attorney General shall design and make available in “.pdf” or other imaging format to every agency listed in paragraph (1) a “Marsy Rights” card, which shall contain the rights of crime victims described in subdivision (b) of Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution, information on the means by which a crime victim can access the web page described in paragraph (2), and a toll-free telephone number to enable a crime victim to contact a local victim’s assistance office. (4) Every law enforcement agency which investigates criminal activity shall, if provided without cost to the agency by any organization classified as a nonprofit organization under paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, make available and provide to every crime victim a “Victims’ Survival and Resource Guide” pamphlet and/or video that has been approved by the Attorney General. The “Victims’ Survival and Resource Guide” and video shall include an approved “Marsy Rights” card, a list of government agencies, nonprofit victims’ rights groups, support groups, and local resources that assist crime victims, and any other information which the Attorney General determines might be helpful to victims of crime. (5) Any agency described in paragraph (1) may in its discretion design and distribute to each victim of a criminal act its own Victims’ Survival and Resource Guide and video, the contents of which have been approved by the Attorney General, in addition to or in lieu of the materials described in paragraph (4).

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 679.027. Section 679.027.

(a) Every law enforcement agency investigating a criminal act and every agency prosecuting a criminal act shall, as provided herein, at the time of initial contact with a crime victim, during followup investigation, or as soon thereafter as deemed appropriate by investigating officers or prosecuting attorneys, inform each victim, or the victim’s next of kin if the victim is deceased, of the rights they may have under applicable law relating to the victimization, including rights relating to housing, employment, compensation, and immigration relief. (b) (1) Every law enforcement agency investigating a criminal act and every agency prosecuting a criminal act shall, as provided herein, at the time of initial contact with a crime victim, during followup investigation, or as soon thereafter as deemed appropriate by investigating officers or prosecuting attorneys, provide or make available to each victim of the criminal act without charge or cost a “Victim Protections and Resources” card described in paragraph (3). (2) The Victim Protections and Resources card may be designed as part of and included with the “Marsy Rights” card described by Section 679.026. (3) By June 1, 2025, the Attorney General shall design and make available in PDF or other imaging format to every agency listed in paragraph (1) a “Victim Protections and Resources” card, which shall contain information in lay terms about victim rights and resources, including, but not limited to, the following: (A) Information about the rights provided by Section 12945.8 of the Government Code. (B) Information about the rights provided by Section 1946.7 of the Civil Code. (C) Information about the rights provided by Section 1161.3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, including information in lay terms about which crimes and tenants are eligible and under what circumstances. (D) Information about federal immigration relief available to certain victims of crime. (E) Information about the program established by Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, including information about the types of expenses the program may reimburse, eligibility, and how to apply. (F) Information about the program established by Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 6205) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code. (G) Information about eligibility for filing a restraining or protective order. (H) Contact information for the Victims’ Legal Resource Center established by Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 13897) of Title 6 of Part 4. (I) A list of trauma recovery centers funded by the state pursuant to Section 13963.1 of the Government Code, with their contact information, which shall be updated annually. (J) The availability of community-based restorative justice programs and processes available to them, including programs serving their community, county, county jails, juvenile detention facilities, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024, only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 2024–25 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if an appropriation is made to backfill the Restitution Fund to support the actions in this section.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 680. Section 680.

(a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the “Sexual Assault Victims’ DNA Bill of Rights.” (b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and forensic identification analysis is a powerful law enforcement tool for identifying and prosecuting sexual assault offenders. (2) Existing law requires an adult arrested for or charged with a felony and a juvenile adjudicated for a felony to submit DNA samples as a result of that arrest, charge, or adjudication. (3) Victims of sexual assault have a strong interest in the investigation and prosecution of their cases. (4) Law enforcement agencies have an obligation to victims of sexual assault in the proper handling, retention, and timely DNA testing of rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence and to be responsive to victims concerning the developments of forensic testing and the investigation of their cases. (5) The growth of the Department of Justice’s Cal-DNA databank and the national databank through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) makes it possible for many sexual assault perpetrators to be identified after their first offense, provided that rape kit evidence is analyzed in a timely manner. (6) Timely DNA analysis of rape kit evidence is a core public safety issue affecting men, women, and children in the State of California. It is the intent of the Legislature, in order to further public safety, to encourage DNA analysis of rape kit evidence within the time limit imposed by paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 803. (7) DNA reference samples collected directly from a victim of sexual assault, and reference samples of DNA collected from any individual that were voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion, shall be protected as provided in Section 679.12. (c) To ensure that sexual assault forensic evidence is analyzed within the timeframe required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 803 and to ensure the longest possible statute of limitations for sex offenses, including sex offenses designated pursuant to those subparagraphs, the following shall occur: (1) A law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction a sex offense specified in Section 261, 261.5, 286, 287, or 289 or former Section 262 or 288a occurred shall do one of the following for sexual assault forensic evidence received by the law enforcement agency on or after January 1, 2016: (A) Submit sexual assault forensic evidence to the crime lab within 20 days after it is booked into evidence. (B) Ensure that a rapid turnaround DNA program is in place to submit forensic evidence collected from the victim of a sexual assault directly from the medical facility where the victim is examined to the crime lab within five days after the evidence is obtained from the victim. (2) The crime lab shall do one of the following for sexual assault forensic evidence received by the crime lab on or after January 1, 2016: (A) Process sexual assault forensic evidence, create DNA profiles when able, and upload qualifying DNA profiles into CODIS as soon as practically possible but no later than 120 days after initially receiving the evidence. (B) Transmit the sexual assault forensic evidence to another crime lab as soon as practically possible, but no later than 30 days after initially receiving the evidence, for processing of the evidence for the presence of DNA. If a DNA profile is created, the transmitting crime lab shall upload the profile into CODIS as soon as practically possible but no longer than 30 days after being notified about the presence of DNA. (3) This subdivision does not require a lab to test all items of forensic evidence obtained in a sexual assault forensic evidence examination. A lab is considered to be in compliance with the guidelines of this section if representative samples of the evidence are processed by the lab in an effort to detect the foreign DNA of the perpetrator. (4) This section does not require a DNA profile to be uploaded into CODIS if the DNA profile does not meet federal guidelines regarding the uploading of DNA profiles into CODIS. (5) For purposes of this section, a “rapid turnaround DNA program” is a program for the training of sexual assault team personnel in the selection of representative samples of forensic evidence from the victim to be the best evidence, based on the medical evaluation and patient history, the collection and preservation of that evidence, and the transfer of the evidence directly from the medical facility to the crime lab, which is adopted pursuant to a written agreement between the law enforcement agency, the crime lab, and the medical facility where the sexual assault team is based. (6) For the purpose of this section, “law enforcement” means the law enforcement agency with the primary responsibility for investigating an alleged sexual assault. (d) (1) Upon the request of a sexual assault victim, the law enforcement agency investigating a violation of Section 261, 261.5, 286, 287, or 289 or former Section 262 or 288a shall inform the victim of the status of the DNA testing of the rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence from the victim’s case. The law enforcement agency may, at its discretion, require that the victim’s request be in writing. The law enforcement agency shall respond to the victim’s request with either an oral or written communication, or by email, if an email address is available. This subdivision does not require that the law enforcement agency communicate with the victim or the victim’s designee regarding the status of DNA testing absent a specific request from the victim or the victim’s designee. (2) A sexual assault victim has the right to access the Department of Justice’s SAFE-T database portal consistent with subdivision (e) of Section 680.3 for information involving their own forensic kit and the status of the kit. (3) A sexual assault victim has the right to be informed of the following: (A) Whether or not a DNA profile of the assailant was obtained from the testing of the rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence from their case. (B) Whether or not the DNA profile of the assailant developed from the rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence has been entered into the Department of Justice Data Bank or the federal Department of Justice or Federal Bureau of Investigation CODIS database of case evidence. (C) Whether or not there is a confirmed match between the DNA profile of the assailant developed from the rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence and a DNA profile contained in the Department of Justice Convicted Offender DNA Database, provided that disclosure would not impede or compromise an ongoing investigation. (4) This subdivision is intended to encourage law enforcement agencies to notify victims of information that is in their possession. It does not affect the manner of or frequency with which the Department of Justice provides this information to law enforcement agencies. (e) If the law enforcement agency does not analyze DNA evidence within six months prior to the time limit established by paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 803, a victim of a sexual assault offense specified in Section 261, 261.5, 286, 287, or 289 or former Section 262 or 288a shall be informed, either orally or in writing, of that fact by the law enforcement agency. (f) (1) If the law enforcement agency intends to destroy or dispose of rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence from an unsolved sexual assault case, a victim of a violation of Section 261, 261.5, 286, 287, or 289 or former Section 262 or 288a shall be given written notification by the law enforcement agency of that intention. (2) A law enforcement agency shall not destroy or dispose of rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence from an unsolved sexual assault case before at least 20 years or, if the victim was under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged offense, before the victim’s 40th birthday. (g) Written notification under subdivision (e) or (f) shall be made at least 60 days prior to the destruction or disposal of the rape kit evidence or other crime scene evidence from an unsolved sexual assault case. (h) (1) A sexual assault victim may designate a sexual assault victim advocate, or other support person of the victim’s choosing, to act as a recipient of the above information required to be provided by this section. (2) A sexual assault survivor who is 18 years of age or older and who is undecided whether to report to law enforcement at the time of an examination may request that all medical evidence collected from them not be tested. A kit for which this request has been made shall not be tested and shall not be subject to the requirements of this section, Section 680.3, or Section 680.4, with the exception that the investigating agency in possession of the kit shall follow the requirements of subdivisions (f) and (g). (A) If this request is made at the time of the examination, the medical facility shall not submit the kit to a crime laboratory, and the investigating agency shall retain the kit until the sexual assault survivor requests testing. (B) If this request is made after the examination, the request may be directed to the investigating agency. If the kit has not yet been submitted to a crime laboratory at the time the request is received, the kit shall be retained by the investigating agency. If the kit has already been submitted to a laboratory but DNA testing has not yet begun, the investigating agency shall notify the laboratory of the request and the untested kit shall be returned to the investigating agency and retained. (C) For purposes of this section, the transfer of a sexual assault kit by a medical facility to a crime laboratory representative solely for secure transport, intake, or evidence triage on behalf of the investigating agency shall not constitute submission for testing. All such transfers shall be documented in the chain of custody record or other state-approved tracking system, and shall not affect statutory retention timelines or survivor notification requirements. (3) A sexual assault survivor who has requested that their kit not be tested may later request that their kit be tested, regardless of whether they also decide to make a report to law enforcement. (i) It is the intent of the Legislature that a law enforcement agency responsible for providing information under subdivision (d) do so in a timely manner and, upon request of the victim or the victim’s designee, advise the victim or the victim’s designee of any significant changes in the information of which the law enforcement agency is aware. In order to be entitled to receive notice under this section, the victim or the victim’s designee shall keep appropriate authorities informed of the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the person to whom the information should be provided and any changes of the name, address, telephone number, and email address, if an email address is available. (j) A defendant or person accused or convicted of a crime against the victim shall have no standing to object to a failure to comply with this section. The failure to provide a right or notice to a sexual assault victim under this section may not be used by a defendant to seek to have the conviction or sentence set aside. (k) The sole civil or criminal remedy available to a sexual assault victim for a law enforcement agency’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities under this section is standing to file a writ of mandamus to require compliance with subdivision (e) or (f).

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 680.1. Section 680.1.

The Department of Justice, on or before July 1, 2022, and in consultation with law enforcement agencies and crime victims groups, shall establish a process that allows a survivor of sexual assault to track and receive updates privately, securely, and electronically regarding the status, location, and information regarding their sexual assault evidence kit in the department’s SAFE-T database.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 680.2. Section 680.2.

(a) Upon the initial interaction with a sexual assault victim, a law enforcement officer or medical provider shall provide the victim with a card to be developed by every local law enforcement agency, in consultation with sexual assault experts, that explains all of the rights of sexual assault victims in clear language that is comprehensible to a person proficient in English at the fifth grade level, in at least 12-point font, and available in all major languages of the state. This card shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following: (1) A clear statement that a sexual assault victim is not required to participate in the criminal justice system or to receive a medical evidentiary or physical examination in order to retain their rights under law. (2) A clear statement that, under Section 1219 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a court may not imprison or otherwise confine or place in custody a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence for contempt if the contempt consists of refusing to testify concerning the crime. (3) Telephone or internet website contact information for a nearby rape crisis center and sexual assault counselor. (4) Information about the types of law enforcement protection available to the sexual assault victim, including a temporary protection order, and the process to obtain that protection. (5) Instructions for requesting the results of the analysis of the victim’s sexual assault forensic evidence. (6) Information about state and federal compensation funds for medical and other costs associated with the sexual assault and information on any municipal, state, or federal right to restitution for sexual assault victims if a criminal trial occurs. (7) A clear statement that the victim has the right to have a sexual assault counselor and at least one other support person of the victim’s choosing present at any initial medical evidentiary examination, physical examination, or investigative interview arising out of a sexual assault, and that a sexual assault counselor can be contacted 24 hours a day. (8) Information about the rate of potential evidence degradation. (9) A clear statement that if sexual assault forensic evidence will be tested, it should be transported to the crime laboratory and analyzed within the time limits imposed by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 803. (10) A clear statement that the law enforcement agency or crime laboratory will retain the sexual assault forensic evidence for at least 20 years, or if the victim was under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged offense, at least until the victim’s 40th birthday. (b) A law enforcement official shall, upon written request by a sexual assault victim, furnish a free copy of the initial crime report related to the sexual assault, regardless of whether the report has been closed by the law enforcement agency, to the victim. A law enforcement agency may redact personal, identifying information in the copy furnished to the victim. (c) A prosecutor shall, pursuant to Section 290.46, upon written request by a sexual assault victim, provide the convicted defendant’s information on a sex offender registry to the victim, if the defendant is required to register as a sex offender. (d) The law enforcement agency shall provide sufficient copies of the card described in subdivision (a) to each provider in its jurisdiction of medical evidentiary examinations or physical examinations arising out of sexual assault.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 680.3. Section 680.3.

(a) Each law enforcement agency that has investigated a case involving the collection of sexual assault kit evidence from a victim shall, within 120 days of collection, create an information record for the kit on the Department of Justice’s SAFE-T database and report the following: (1) If biological evidence samples from the kit were submitted to a DNA laboratory for analysis. (2) If the kit generated a probative DNA profile. (3) If evidence was not submitted to a DNA laboratory for processing, the reason or reasons for not submitting evidence from the kit to a DNA laboratory for processing. (b) After 120 days following submission of sexual assault kit biological evidence for processing, if a public DNA laboratory has not conducted DNA testing, that laboratory shall provide the reasons for the status in the appropriate SAFE-T data field. If the investigating law enforcement agency has contracted with a private vendor laboratory to conduct DNA testing on kit evidence, the submitting law enforcement agency shall provide the 120-day update in SAFE-T. The process described in this subdivision shall take place every 120 days until DNA testing is complete, except as provided in subdivision (c). (c) (1) Upon expiration of a sexual assault case’s statute of limitations, or if a law enforcement agency elects not to analyze the DNA or intends to destroy or dispose of the crime scene evidence pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 680, the investigating law enforcement agency shall state in writing the reason the kit collected as part of that case’s investigation was not analyzed. This written statement relieves the investigating law enforcement agency or public laboratory of any further duty to report information related to that kit pursuant to this section. (2) A record of a kit collected prior to January 1, 2016, that is created in SAFE-T pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 680.4 is excluded from the 120-day update requirement. (d) The SAFE-T database shall not contain any identifying information about a victim or a suspect, shall not contain any DNA profiles, and shall not contain any information that would impair a pending criminal investigation. (e) The SAFE-T database shall, on or before July 1, 2022, allow a survivor of sexual assault to track and receive updates privately, securely, and electronically regarding the status and location of the survivor’s sexual assault evidence kit, as provided in Section 680.1. (f) On an annual basis, the Department of Justice shall file a report to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code summarizing data entered into the SAFE-T database during that year. The report shall not reference individual victims, suspects, investigations, or prosecutions. The report shall be made public by the department. (g) Except as provided in subdivision (e), in order to protect the confidentiality of the SAFE-T database information, SAFE-T database contents shall be confidential, and a participating law enforcement agency or laboratory shall not be compelled in a criminal or civil proceeding, except as required by Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83, to provide any SAFE-T database contents to a person or party seeking those records or information. (h) The requirements of this section shall only apply to sexual assault kit evidence from a victim collected on or after January 1, 2018, and to sexual assault kit evidence from a victim required to be entered into the SAFE-T database pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 680.4.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 680.4. Section 680.4.

(a) Each law enforcement agency, medical facility, public crime laboratory, and any other entity that receives, maintains, stores, or preserves sexual assault evidence kits shall participate in an audit of all untested sexual assault kits in their possession pursuant to this section. (b) No later than July 1, 2026, each law enforcement agency and public crime laboratory subject to subdivision (a) shall create a record in the SAFE-T database, pursuant to Section 680.3, for every victim sexual assault kit in their possession that has not had DNA testing completed as of July 1, 2026. (1) If a medical facility submitted selected evidence samples directly to a crime laboratory under a rapid turnaround DNA program, and those samples have been taken through the DNA testing process, the entire sexual assault kit shall be considered tested for the purposes of this section. (2) A kit that has only undergone biological screening shall not be considered tested for the purposes of this section. A tested kit is one that has been taken, at minimum, through the DNA quantitation process, and either of the following: (A) If the DNA quantitation results indicate that there is no DNA foreign to the victim, or the foreign DNA is of insufficient quality and quantity for DNA typing to provide genetic information about an alleged perpetrator, analysis can stop at DNA quantitation, and the kit shall be considered tested for the purposes of this section. (B) If the DNA quantitation results indicate that DNA typing may provide genetic information about an alleged perpetrator, and the DNA is of sufficient quantity and quality to be successfully typed, the analysis shall continue through DNA typing for the kit to be considered tested for the purposes of this section. (3) The SAFE-T database shall only contain records for sexual assault evidence kits collected from victims. Sexual assault evidence kits collected from suspects shall also be subject to the audit pursuant to this section, but they shall not be entered into the SAFE-T database. The following information shall be reported separately by each entity in a format prescribed by the Department of Justice: (A) The total number of untested suspect sexual assault kits in their possession. (B) For each suspect kit, the following information: (i) The date the suspect kit was collected. (ii) The date the suspect kit was picked up by a law enforcement agency, for each law enforcement agency that has taken custody of the kit. (iii) The date the suspect kit was delivered to a crime laboratory. (iv) The reason the suspect kit has not been tested, if applicable. (4) Sexual assault evidence other than evidence collected in kits, including clothing and bedding, DNA reference samples collected from suspects and consensual partners, and kits collected under circumstances where no sexual assault is alleged or suspected to have occurred, are not subject to this audit and shall not be entered into the SAFE-T database or reported for this audit. (c) No later than July 1, 2026, each medical facility and other non-law enforcement entity subject to subdivision (a) shall report to the Department of Justice, in the format prescribed by the department, all of the following: (1) The total number of untested sexual assault kits in their possession that were not submitted to a law enforcement agency or public crime laboratory because the victim chose not to report the assault to law enforcement at the time of collection, and had not chosen to report the assault to law enforcement by the time of the audit. (2) For untested sexual assault evidence kits in their possession where the victim chose to report the assault to law enforcement: (A) The total number of untested sexual assault kits in their possession. (B) For each kit, the following information: (i) The date the kit was collected. (ii) The name of the medical facility, law enforcement agency, public crime laboratory, or other entity from which the kit was received. (iii) The date the kit was received by the entity. (iv) The reason the kit has not been submitted to a law enforcement agency or public crime laboratory. (C) This reporting requirement does not apply to untested kits that have been recently collected and are temporarily being stored pending release to a law enforcement agency or public crime laboratory. (d) The Department of Justice shall, by no later than July 1, 2027, prepare and submit a report to the Legislature summarizing the information received pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c). (e) The report required by subdivision (d) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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