Crime victim compensation: relocation expenses: pet costs.

Existing law generally provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes, including a cash payment or reimbursement not to exceed a specified amount to a victim for expenses incurred in relocating, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim. Existing law requires the board to be named as the recipient of funds upon expiration of the victim's rental agreement if a security deposit is required for relocation. This bill would authorize "expenses incurred in relocating" as described above to include a pet deposit and additional rent required if the victim has a pet. The bill would also require the board to be named as the recipient of funds upon expiration of the victim's rental agreement if a pet deposit is required for relocation. By expanding the authorization for use of continuously appropriated funds, this bill would make an appropriation. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 13957 of the Government Code proposed by AB 900, AB 1865, and AB 1939 to be operative only if this bill and any or all of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.