Bill Text: CA AB2728 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Statewide sexual assault response team advisory council.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-05-05 - Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. [AB2728 Detail]
Download: California-2019-AB2728-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
May 04, 2020 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2728
| Introduced by Assembly Member Berman |
February 20, 2020 |
An act to amend Section 13898 of add Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 13898.5) to Title 6 of Part 4 of the Penal Code, relating to sexual assault.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2728, as amended, Berman.
County sexual assault response team (SART) program. Statewide sexual assault response team advisory council.
Existing law authorizes each county to establish an interagency sexual assault response team (SART) program for the purpose of providing a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination to effectively address the problem of sexual assault. Existing law requires each SART to, among other things, evaluate the effectiveness of individual agency and interagency protocols and systems by conducting case reviews involving sexual assault.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
This bill would require an unspecified department to establish a statewide sexual assault
response team (SART) advisory council to advocate for the establishment and advancement of SARTs in the state for the purpose of promoting swift, coordinated, competent, and efficient sexual assault intervention in every county. The bill would require the council to consist of representatives from sexual assault forensic examination teams, law enforcement agencies, county district attorneys’ offices, crime laboratories, and rape crisis centers, as specified. The bill would establish procedures for the council and require the council to, among other things, review statewide sexual assault intervention, advise county sexual assault response team programs, and make recommendations to the Legislature and appropriate state agencies.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee:Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 13898.5) is added to Title 6 of Part 4 of the Penal Code, to read:CHAPTER 12.5. Statewide Sexual Assault Response Team Advisory Council
13898.5.
(a) The Department of ____ shall establish a statewide sexual assault response team (SART) advisory council to advocate for the establishment and advancement of SARTs in the state for the purpose of promoting swift, coordinated, competent, and efficient sexual assault intervention in every county.(b) The council shall consist of representatives from sexual assault forensic examination teams, law enforcement agencies, county district attorneys’ offices, crime laboratories, and rape crisis centers who have recognized expertise and experience assisting survivors of sexual assault in the state.
(c) (1) The council shall meet quarterly, but may additionally
meet at other times as needed.
(2) The council may establish committees, rules, and procedures necessary to effectively fulfill its duties.
(3) The majority of members of the council shall constitute a quorum.
(4) Members of the council may attend council meetings in person or virtually by telephone or another electronic communications method approved by the council. Virtual attendance shall be considered attendance for the purposes of constituting a quorum.
(5) Members of the council shall not receive compensation for their service on the council, except that members may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(d) The council
shall review statewide sexual assault intervention undertaken by all disciplines, identify and assess systemic issues and trends in sexual assault intervention, advise county SART programs, and make recommendations to the Legislature and appropriate state agencies regarding any statutory, regulatory, or budgetary changes needed to promote multidisciplinary responses to sexual assault.
(a)A county may establish and implement an interagency sexual assault response team (SART) program for the purpose of providing a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination, to assess and make recommendations for the improvement of the local sexual assault intervention system, and to facilitate improved communication and working relationships to effectively address the problem of sexual assault in California.
(b)A SART program shall be established and implemented pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
