Victims.

Existing law defines a "hate crime" as a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of actual or perceived characteristics of the victim, including, among other things, race, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Existing law creates various preconviction diversion programs for persons charged with crimes. Existing law states that restorative justice is a principal policy goal of the state in sentencing for hate crimes. This bill would, subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature, create a grant program within the Department of Justice to provide grants to community-based organizations, as defined, for the implementation and operation of restorative justice programs, as defined, that are focused on hate violence, as defined. This bill would also, subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature, create a grant program within the California Health and Human Services Agency to provide grants to community-based organizations, as defined, for the implementation of mental health services, as described, focused on the victims of, and other persons affected by, hate violence, as defined, and related hostilities.