AB 2879

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law requires every person or agency dealing with crimes or criminals to maintain records for the correct reporting of statistical data and to report statistical data to the Department of Justice when requested by the Attorney General. Subject to the availability of adequate funding, existing law requires the Attorney General to direct local law enforcement agencies to report information related to hate crimes to the Department of Justice. This bill would require a law enforcement agency to complete a supplemental hate crime or hate incident report form for each suspected hate crime or hate incident. The bill would require that the form indicate the type of bias motivation and any other identifying information to assist in the prosecution of the hate crime. By creating new reporting requirements for local law enforcement agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.