AB 540

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law requires the court to order criminal defendants to pay restitution to the victim or victims as well as a fine. Existing law authorizes the collection of the restitution fine and fee by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if the person is under the jurisdiction of the department, or the county collection program if the person is, or was, under the county's jurisdiction. Existing law also makes any portion of a restitution fine or restitution fee enforceable by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, as specified. Restitution is enforceable by the victim as a judgment. This bill would require a person, organization, or company that enters into a contract to pay a person, who has been convicted of a crime and who is required to pay restitution, for the rights to his or her story, information relating to the crime for use by the company in an entertainment product, as defined, or consulting fees for the production of an entertainment product, to notify specified entities, including the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, of the amount to be paid.