Amended IN Senate May 25, 2018 Amended IN Senate April 03, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1190Introduced by Senator Skinner(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Limn)(Coauthor: Senator Beall)February 15, 2018 An act to add Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 24200) to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to victim compensation, and making an appropriation therefor. compensation.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1190, as amended, Skinner. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.Existing law prohibits sterilization of a person with developmental disabilities without his or her consent, if he or she has the ability to consent to sterilization, as defined, unless a limited conservator authorized to consent to the sterilization of an adult with a developmental disability is appointed and obtains court authorization to consent to the sterilization, as specified. Existing law prohibits sterilization for the purpose of birth control in county jails and state prison facilities, as specified.Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund consisting of General Fund moneys, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law sets forth eligibility requirements and specified limits on the amount of compensation the board may award, and requires applications for compensation to be verified under penalty of perjury. Under existing law, certain property is exempt from enforcement of money judgments, including benefits from a disability or health insurance policy or program.This bill would establish the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be implemented by the California Victim Compensation Board for the purpose of providing victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979. The bill would require the board, in consultation with community-based organizations, to conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient, as defined, notify that person of the process to apply for victim compensation, and review and verify all applications for victim compensation, as specified. The bill would require the board to keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the board for the purposes of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients and administering and implementing the program, as specified. The bill would exempt victim compensation payments from, among other things, being considered taxable income for state tax purposes or being subject to enforcement of a money judgment, as specified. The bill would provide that its provisions shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of these provisions.The bill would require the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people. The bill would also require the board, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.Digest Key Vote: TWO_THIRDSMAJORITY Appropriation: YESNO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) In 1909, California passed the nations third sterilization law (Chapter 720 of the Statutes of 1909). Between 1909 and 1979, more than 20,000 Californians were sterilized, which made up more than one-third of the 60,000 men and women sterilized nationwide in 32 states during that era and more than the amount of people sterilized in the next top four states combined.(b) Californias eugenics laws, which were revised in 1913 (Chapter 363 of the Statutes of 1913) and 1917 (Chapters 489 and 776 of the Statutes of 1917), authorized medical superintendents in state homes and state hospitals to perform asexualization on patients (vasectomies for men and salpingectomies for women) identified as afflicted with mental disease which may have been inherited and is likely to be transmitted to descendants, the various grades of feeble-mindedness, feeblemindedness, those suffering from perversion or marked departures from normal mentality or from disease of a syphilitic nature.(c) California maintained 12 state homes and state hospitals that housed thousands of patients who were committed by the courts, family members, and medical authorities. Although many families, patients, and court officials signed consent forms for sterilization, that action would not meet todays criteria for consent because in some institutions sterilization was a precondition for release, and true voluntariness and autonomy was not possible in the context in which the consent forms were signed.(d) There was little to no oversight of Californias sterilization program, which was implemented during a time in United States history when many reformers believed that sterilization was an important instrument of public health protection that would reduce the number of defectives in society, result in cost savings for welfare programs, and only allow fit people to become parents. The authority granted both to state agencies and medical experts during this era meant that sterilization proceeded with little contestation or pushback from the health establishment or legal system.(e) While the law did not target specific racial or ethnic groups, in practice, labels of mental deficiency and feeblemindedness were applied disproportionately to racial and ethnic minorities, people with actual and perceived disabilities, poor people, and women. During the height of the program, between 1919 and 1952, women and girls were 14 percent more likely to be sterilized than men and boys. Male Latino patients were 23 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latino male patients, and female Latina patients were 59 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latina female patients.(f) On March 11, 2003, Governor Gray Davis apologized for Californias eugenic sterilization program. Attorney General Bill Lockyer issued an apology on the same day.(g) On June 30, 2003, the Senate of the State of California passed a resolution expressing profound regret over the states past role in the eugenics movement and the injustice done to thousands of California men and women, addressing past bigotry and intolerance against the persons with disabilities and others who were viewed as genetically unfit by the eugenics movement, recognizing that all individuals must honor human rights and treat others with respect regardless of race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic status, disability, or illness, and urging every citizen of the state to become familiar with the history of the eugenics movement, in the hope that a more educated and tolerant populace will reject any similar abhorrent pseudoscientific movement should it arise in the future.(h) While not eligible for victim compensation under the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, the State of California recognizes that further involuntary and systematic sterilization abuse occurred during the following periods:(1) Between 1965 and 1975, at least 240 women who delivered babies at the LA County University of Southern California Medical Center were subjected to nonconsensual postpartum tubal ligations. These procedures were carried out overwhelmingly on Mexican-origin mothers who were not informed that they were being sterilized, were coerced into signing sterilization forms, or were misled into giving their signatures.(2) Between 2006 and 2010, 144 female inmates in the California state prison were sterilized without proper authorization. A state audit found that the women had been sterilized without adherence to required protocol and that deficiencies in the informed consent process had occurred in 39 of these cases. As a response to this, Senate Bill 1135 (Chapter 558 of the Statutes of 2014) was signed into law in 2014, prohibiting sterilizations in the California state prison. SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 24200) is added to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program24200. (a) There is hereby established the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be administered by the California Victim Compensation Board.(b) The purpose of the program is to provide victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(c) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(1) Board means the California Victim Compensation Board.(2) Program means the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.(3) Qualified recipient means an individual who is eligible for victim compensation pursuant to this chapter by meeting all of the following requirements. requirements:(A) The individual was sterilized pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(B) The individual was sterilized while he or she was a patient at any of the following institutions:(i) Agnews State Hospital.(ii) Atascadero State Hospital.(iii) Camarillo State Hospital.(iv) DeWitt State Hospital.(v) Mendocino State Hospital.(vi) Modesto State Hospital.(vii) Napa State Hospital.(viii) Norwalk State Hospital.(ix) Pacific Colony.(x) Patton State Hospital.(xi) Sonoma State Home.(xii) Stockton State Hospital.(C) The individual is alive as of January 1, 2019.24201. (a) The board, in consultation with community-based organizations, shall do all of the following to implement the program:(1) Conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient and notify him or her of the process to apply for victim compensation. The board may use various methods to conduct outreach, including, but not limited to, modalities such as radio announcements, social media posts, and flyers to libraries, social service agencies, long-term care facilities, group homes, supported living organizations, and regional centers.(2) Review and verify all applications for victim compensation.(A) The board shall consult the records of the State Archives HIPAA-compliant eugenic sterilization database developed by the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab at the University of Michigan to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1952. 1952, inclusive.(B) The board shall consult the records of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1953 to 1979. 1979, inclusive. The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services shall make every effort possible to locate and share with the board any data pertaining to individuals sterilized in state institutions from 1953 to 1979, inclusive. This data may be contained in documents such as institutional reports, annual reports, extant patient records, superintendents files, and administrative records.(C) The board shall allow a claimant to submit evidence that proves that he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1979, inclusive. The board shall evaluate this evidence by a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether it is more likely than not that the claimant is a qualified recipient. The claimants submission of evidence does not relieve the board of its responsibility to verify an individuals identity by consulting the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).(C)(D) The board shall include an area on the application for a claimant to voluntarily report demographic information about gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.(E) The board does not have the discretion to deny compensation to any claimant who is a qualified recipient.(3) Oversee the appeal process.(b) (1) The board shall annually submit a report to the Legislature including the number of applications submitted, the number of applications approved, the number of applications denied, and the number of claimants paid, the number of appeals submitted and submitted, the result of those appeals, and the total amount paid in compensation.(2) The report shall also include data on claimants demographic information, including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as voluntarily provided on a claimants application form. The report shall also include data about the age a claimant was sterilized and the hospital where sterilization occurred, as verified by the department. All demographic information shall be reported in aggregate and the names of individual claimants shall be kept confidential.(3) The report shall also include data on outreach methods or processes used by the board to reach potential claimants.(4) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(c) (1) The board shall develop and implement procedures to receive and process applications for victim compensation under this program no later than June 30, 2019.(2) The board shall implement the outreach plan described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) beginning on July 1, 2019.24202.The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the board and shall be made available for expenditure by the board without regard to fiscal year, as follows:24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:(a)(1) At least 90 percent of the amount shall be used for the purpose of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients pursuant to Section 24203.(b)(2) Up to 10 percent of the amount may be used for the purpose of administering and implementing the program.24203. (a) (1) An individual seeking victim compensation pursuant to the program shall submit an application to the board beginning on July 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2021.(2) The board shall screen the application and accompanying documentation for completeness. If the board determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the claimant or his or her lawfully authorized representative that the application is not complete in writing by certified mail no later than seven 30 calendar days following the screening of the application. The notification shall specify the additional documentation required to complete the application. If the application is incomplete, the claimant shall have 60 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to submit the required documentation. If the required documentation is not received within 60 calendar days, the application will be closed and the claimant shall submit a new application if he or she seeks victim compensation pursuant to the program.(3) The board shall not consider an application or otherwise act on it until the board determines the application is complete with all required documentation.(4) If a claimant receives an adverse claim decision, the claimant may file an appeal to the board within 30 days of the notice of decision. After receiving the appeal, the board shall again attempt to verify the claimants identity pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24201. If the claimants identity cannot be verified, then the claimant shall produce sufficient evidence to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is more likely than not that he or she is a qualified recipient. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation of the individuals sterilization, sterilization recommendation, surgical consent forms, or relevant court or institutional records. The board shall make a determination on the appeal within 30 days of the date of the appeal and notify the claimant of the decision. A claimant who is successful in his or her appeal shall receive compensation in accordance with subdivision (b).(b) The board shall award victim compensation to a qualified recipient pursuant to the following payment schedule:(1) A claimant who is determined to be a qualified recipient by the board shall receive an initial payment within 60 days of the boards determination. This initial payment shall be calculated by dividing the funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the anticipated number of qualified recipients as determined by the board, and then dividing that dollar amount in half.(2) After exhaustion of all appeals arising from the denial of an individuals application, but by no later than October 1, 2021, the board shall send a final payment to all qualified recipients. This final payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining balance of funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the total number of qualified recipients.24204. (a) A qualified recipient may assign his or her victim compensation to a trust established for his or her benefit.(b) (1) The board shall include a provision on the application for victim compensation under this program that a claimant is authorized to designate a beneficiary for his or her victim compensation.(2) If the claimant dies during the pendency of his or her application, or after the board determines that he or she is a qualified recipient, the board shall award the victim compensation to the named beneficiary. If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, then the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(3)If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(c) An application may be made by an individuals legally authorized representative if the individual satisfies the criteria for a qualified recipient recipient, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 24200.24205.The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, shall establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people.24206.The board shall develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.24207.24205. The board shall keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to either an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application, including, but not limited to, claimant names and demographic information submitted on the application.24208.24206. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be considered any of the following:(1) Taxable income for state tax purposes.(2) Income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits or assistance under any state or local means-tested program.(3) Income or resources in determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal public benefits as provided by the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 18501).(4) Community property for the purpose of determining property rights under the Family Code and Probate Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be subject to either of the following:(1) Enforcement of a money judgment under state law.(2) A money judgment in favor of the State Department of Health Care Services for any period of time in which federal law or guidance has not been issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring the department to recover funds from the payments pursuant to this chapter for reimbursement of qualifying Medi-Cal expenditures. Following the death of a qualified recipient, both of the following shall apply as long as the federal law or guidance has not been issued:(A) The state shall not seek recovery pursuant to Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of any amount of the payment under the states Medicaid plan established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.(B) The state shall not file a claim for the payment under Section 529A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 2 of this act, which adds Section 24207 24205 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:This act strikes an appropriate balance between the publics right to access information and the need to protect personal information of survivors of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.
Amended IN Senate May 25, 2018 Amended IN Senate April 03, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1190Introduced by Senator Skinner(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Limn)(Coauthor: Senator Beall)February 15, 2018 An act to add Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 24200) to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to victim compensation, and making an appropriation therefor. compensation.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1190, as amended, Skinner. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.Existing law prohibits sterilization of a person with developmental disabilities without his or her consent, if he or she has the ability to consent to sterilization, as defined, unless a limited conservator authorized to consent to the sterilization of an adult with a developmental disability is appointed and obtains court authorization to consent to the sterilization, as specified. Existing law prohibits sterilization for the purpose of birth control in county jails and state prison facilities, as specified.Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund consisting of General Fund moneys, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law sets forth eligibility requirements and specified limits on the amount of compensation the board may award, and requires applications for compensation to be verified under penalty of perjury. Under existing law, certain property is exempt from enforcement of money judgments, including benefits from a disability or health insurance policy or program.This bill would establish the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be implemented by the California Victim Compensation Board for the purpose of providing victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979. The bill would require the board, in consultation with community-based organizations, to conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient, as defined, notify that person of the process to apply for victim compensation, and review and verify all applications for victim compensation, as specified. The bill would require the board to keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the board for the purposes of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients and administering and implementing the program, as specified. The bill would exempt victim compensation payments from, among other things, being considered taxable income for state tax purposes or being subject to enforcement of a money judgment, as specified. The bill would provide that its provisions shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of these provisions.The bill would require the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people. The bill would also require the board, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.Digest Key Vote: TWO_THIRDSMAJORITY Appropriation: YESNO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate May 25, 2018 Amended IN Senate April 03, 2018
Amended IN Senate May 25, 2018
Amended IN Senate April 03, 2018
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill No. 1190
Introduced by Senator Skinner(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Limn)(Coauthor: Senator Beall)February 15, 2018
Introduced by Senator Skinner(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Limn)(Coauthor: Senator Beall)
February 15, 2018
An act to add Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 24200) to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to victim compensation, and making an appropriation therefor. compensation.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1190, as amended, Skinner. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.
Existing law prohibits sterilization of a person with developmental disabilities without his or her consent, if he or she has the ability to consent to sterilization, as defined, unless a limited conservator authorized to consent to the sterilization of an adult with a developmental disability is appointed and obtains court authorization to consent to the sterilization, as specified. Existing law prohibits sterilization for the purpose of birth control in county jails and state prison facilities, as specified.Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund consisting of General Fund moneys, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law sets forth eligibility requirements and specified limits on the amount of compensation the board may award, and requires applications for compensation to be verified under penalty of perjury. Under existing law, certain property is exempt from enforcement of money judgments, including benefits from a disability or health insurance policy or program.This bill would establish the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be implemented by the California Victim Compensation Board for the purpose of providing victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979. The bill would require the board, in consultation with community-based organizations, to conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient, as defined, notify that person of the process to apply for victim compensation, and review and verify all applications for victim compensation, as specified. The bill would require the board to keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the board for the purposes of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients and administering and implementing the program, as specified. The bill would exempt victim compensation payments from, among other things, being considered taxable income for state tax purposes or being subject to enforcement of a money judgment, as specified. The bill would provide that its provisions shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of these provisions.The bill would require the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people. The bill would also require the board, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
Existing law prohibits sterilization of a person with developmental disabilities without his or her consent, if he or she has the ability to consent to sterilization, as defined, unless a limited conservator authorized to consent to the sterilization of an adult with a developmental disability is appointed and obtains court authorization to consent to the sterilization, as specified. Existing law prohibits sterilization for the purpose of birth control in county jails and state prison facilities, as specified.
Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund consisting of General Fund moneys, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law sets forth eligibility requirements and specified limits on the amount of compensation the board may award, and requires applications for compensation to be verified under penalty of perjury. Under existing law, certain property is exempt from enforcement of money judgments, including benefits from a disability or health insurance policy or program.
This bill would establish the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be implemented by the California Victim Compensation Board for the purpose of providing victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979. The bill would require the board, in consultation with community-based organizations, to conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient, as defined, notify that person of the process to apply for victim compensation, and review and verify all applications for victim compensation, as specified. The bill would require the board to keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the board for the purposes of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients and administering and implementing the program, as specified. The bill would exempt victim compensation payments from, among other things, being considered taxable income for state tax purposes or being subject to enforcement of a money judgment, as specified. The bill would provide that its provisions shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of these provisions.
The bill would require the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people. The bill would also require the board, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.
Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) In 1909, California passed the nations third sterilization law (Chapter 720 of the Statutes of 1909). Between 1909 and 1979, more than 20,000 Californians were sterilized, which made up more than one-third of the 60,000 men and women sterilized nationwide in 32 states during that era and more than the amount of people sterilized in the next top four states combined.(b) Californias eugenics laws, which were revised in 1913 (Chapter 363 of the Statutes of 1913) and 1917 (Chapters 489 and 776 of the Statutes of 1917), authorized medical superintendents in state homes and state hospitals to perform asexualization on patients (vasectomies for men and salpingectomies for women) identified as afflicted with mental disease which may have been inherited and is likely to be transmitted to descendants, the various grades of feeble-mindedness, feeblemindedness, those suffering from perversion or marked departures from normal mentality or from disease of a syphilitic nature.(c) California maintained 12 state homes and state hospitals that housed thousands of patients who were committed by the courts, family members, and medical authorities. Although many families, patients, and court officials signed consent forms for sterilization, that action would not meet todays criteria for consent because in some institutions sterilization was a precondition for release, and true voluntariness and autonomy was not possible in the context in which the consent forms were signed.(d) There was little to no oversight of Californias sterilization program, which was implemented during a time in United States history when many reformers believed that sterilization was an important instrument of public health protection that would reduce the number of defectives in society, result in cost savings for welfare programs, and only allow fit people to become parents. The authority granted both to state agencies and medical experts during this era meant that sterilization proceeded with little contestation or pushback from the health establishment or legal system.(e) While the law did not target specific racial or ethnic groups, in practice, labels of mental deficiency and feeblemindedness were applied disproportionately to racial and ethnic minorities, people with actual and perceived disabilities, poor people, and women. During the height of the program, between 1919 and 1952, women and girls were 14 percent more likely to be sterilized than men and boys. Male Latino patients were 23 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latino male patients, and female Latina patients were 59 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latina female patients.(f) On March 11, 2003, Governor Gray Davis apologized for Californias eugenic sterilization program. Attorney General Bill Lockyer issued an apology on the same day.(g) On June 30, 2003, the Senate of the State of California passed a resolution expressing profound regret over the states past role in the eugenics movement and the injustice done to thousands of California men and women, addressing past bigotry and intolerance against the persons with disabilities and others who were viewed as genetically unfit by the eugenics movement, recognizing that all individuals must honor human rights and treat others with respect regardless of race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic status, disability, or illness, and urging every citizen of the state to become familiar with the history of the eugenics movement, in the hope that a more educated and tolerant populace will reject any similar abhorrent pseudoscientific movement should it arise in the future.(h) While not eligible for victim compensation under the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, the State of California recognizes that further involuntary and systematic sterilization abuse occurred during the following periods:(1) Between 1965 and 1975, at least 240 women who delivered babies at the LA County University of Southern California Medical Center were subjected to nonconsensual postpartum tubal ligations. These procedures were carried out overwhelmingly on Mexican-origin mothers who were not informed that they were being sterilized, were coerced into signing sterilization forms, or were misled into giving their signatures.(2) Between 2006 and 2010, 144 female inmates in the California state prison were sterilized without proper authorization. A state audit found that the women had been sterilized without adherence to required protocol and that deficiencies in the informed consent process had occurred in 39 of these cases. As a response to this, Senate Bill 1135 (Chapter 558 of the Statutes of 2014) was signed into law in 2014, prohibiting sterilizations in the California state prison. SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 24200) is added to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program24200. (a) There is hereby established the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be administered by the California Victim Compensation Board.(b) The purpose of the program is to provide victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(c) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(1) Board means the California Victim Compensation Board.(2) Program means the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.(3) Qualified recipient means an individual who is eligible for victim compensation pursuant to this chapter by meeting all of the following requirements. requirements:(A) The individual was sterilized pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(B) The individual was sterilized while he or she was a patient at any of the following institutions:(i) Agnews State Hospital.(ii) Atascadero State Hospital.(iii) Camarillo State Hospital.(iv) DeWitt State Hospital.(v) Mendocino State Hospital.(vi) Modesto State Hospital.(vii) Napa State Hospital.(viii) Norwalk State Hospital.(ix) Pacific Colony.(x) Patton State Hospital.(xi) Sonoma State Home.(xii) Stockton State Hospital.(C) The individual is alive as of January 1, 2019.24201. (a) The board, in consultation with community-based organizations, shall do all of the following to implement the program:(1) Conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient and notify him or her of the process to apply for victim compensation. The board may use various methods to conduct outreach, including, but not limited to, modalities such as radio announcements, social media posts, and flyers to libraries, social service agencies, long-term care facilities, group homes, supported living organizations, and regional centers.(2) Review and verify all applications for victim compensation.(A) The board shall consult the records of the State Archives HIPAA-compliant eugenic sterilization database developed by the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab at the University of Michigan to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1952. 1952, inclusive.(B) The board shall consult the records of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1953 to 1979. 1979, inclusive. The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services shall make every effort possible to locate and share with the board any data pertaining to individuals sterilized in state institutions from 1953 to 1979, inclusive. This data may be contained in documents such as institutional reports, annual reports, extant patient records, superintendents files, and administrative records.(C) The board shall allow a claimant to submit evidence that proves that he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1979, inclusive. The board shall evaluate this evidence by a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether it is more likely than not that the claimant is a qualified recipient. The claimants submission of evidence does not relieve the board of its responsibility to verify an individuals identity by consulting the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).(C)(D) The board shall include an area on the application for a claimant to voluntarily report demographic information about gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.(E) The board does not have the discretion to deny compensation to any claimant who is a qualified recipient.(3) Oversee the appeal process.(b) (1) The board shall annually submit a report to the Legislature including the number of applications submitted, the number of applications approved, the number of applications denied, and the number of claimants paid, the number of appeals submitted and submitted, the result of those appeals, and the total amount paid in compensation.(2) The report shall also include data on claimants demographic information, including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as voluntarily provided on a claimants application form. The report shall also include data about the age a claimant was sterilized and the hospital where sterilization occurred, as verified by the department. All demographic information shall be reported in aggregate and the names of individual claimants shall be kept confidential.(3) The report shall also include data on outreach methods or processes used by the board to reach potential claimants.(4) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(c) (1) The board shall develop and implement procedures to receive and process applications for victim compensation under this program no later than June 30, 2019.(2) The board shall implement the outreach plan described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) beginning on July 1, 2019.24202.The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the board and shall be made available for expenditure by the board without regard to fiscal year, as follows:24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:(a)(1) At least 90 percent of the amount shall be used for the purpose of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients pursuant to Section 24203.(b)(2) Up to 10 percent of the amount may be used for the purpose of administering and implementing the program.24203. (a) (1) An individual seeking victim compensation pursuant to the program shall submit an application to the board beginning on July 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2021.(2) The board shall screen the application and accompanying documentation for completeness. If the board determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the claimant or his or her lawfully authorized representative that the application is not complete in writing by certified mail no later than seven 30 calendar days following the screening of the application. The notification shall specify the additional documentation required to complete the application. If the application is incomplete, the claimant shall have 60 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to submit the required documentation. If the required documentation is not received within 60 calendar days, the application will be closed and the claimant shall submit a new application if he or she seeks victim compensation pursuant to the program.(3) The board shall not consider an application or otherwise act on it until the board determines the application is complete with all required documentation.(4) If a claimant receives an adverse claim decision, the claimant may file an appeal to the board within 30 days of the notice of decision. After receiving the appeal, the board shall again attempt to verify the claimants identity pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24201. If the claimants identity cannot be verified, then the claimant shall produce sufficient evidence to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is more likely than not that he or she is a qualified recipient. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation of the individuals sterilization, sterilization recommendation, surgical consent forms, or relevant court or institutional records. The board shall make a determination on the appeal within 30 days of the date of the appeal and notify the claimant of the decision. A claimant who is successful in his or her appeal shall receive compensation in accordance with subdivision (b).(b) The board shall award victim compensation to a qualified recipient pursuant to the following payment schedule:(1) A claimant who is determined to be a qualified recipient by the board shall receive an initial payment within 60 days of the boards determination. This initial payment shall be calculated by dividing the funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the anticipated number of qualified recipients as determined by the board, and then dividing that dollar amount in half.(2) After exhaustion of all appeals arising from the denial of an individuals application, but by no later than October 1, 2021, the board shall send a final payment to all qualified recipients. This final payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining balance of funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the total number of qualified recipients.24204. (a) A qualified recipient may assign his or her victim compensation to a trust established for his or her benefit.(b) (1) The board shall include a provision on the application for victim compensation under this program that a claimant is authorized to designate a beneficiary for his or her victim compensation.(2) If the claimant dies during the pendency of his or her application, or after the board determines that he or she is a qualified recipient, the board shall award the victim compensation to the named beneficiary. If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, then the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(3)If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(c) An application may be made by an individuals legally authorized representative if the individual satisfies the criteria for a qualified recipient recipient, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 24200.24205.The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, shall establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people.24206.The board shall develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.24207.24205. The board shall keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to either an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application, including, but not limited to, claimant names and demographic information submitted on the application.24208.24206. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be considered any of the following:(1) Taxable income for state tax purposes.(2) Income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits or assistance under any state or local means-tested program.(3) Income or resources in determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal public benefits as provided by the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 18501).(4) Community property for the purpose of determining property rights under the Family Code and Probate Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be subject to either of the following:(1) Enforcement of a money judgment under state law.(2) A money judgment in favor of the State Department of Health Care Services for any period of time in which federal law or guidance has not been issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring the department to recover funds from the payments pursuant to this chapter for reimbursement of qualifying Medi-Cal expenditures. Following the death of a qualified recipient, both of the following shall apply as long as the federal law or guidance has not been issued:(A) The state shall not seek recovery pursuant to Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of any amount of the payment under the states Medicaid plan established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.(B) The state shall not file a claim for the payment under Section 529A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 2 of this act, which adds Section 24207 24205 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:This act strikes an appropriate balance between the publics right to access information and the need to protect personal information of survivors of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) In 1909, California passed the nations third sterilization law (Chapter 720 of the Statutes of 1909). Between 1909 and 1979, more than 20,000 Californians were sterilized, which made up more than one-third of the 60,000 men and women sterilized nationwide in 32 states during that era and more than the amount of people sterilized in the next top four states combined.(b) Californias eugenics laws, which were revised in 1913 (Chapter 363 of the Statutes of 1913) and 1917 (Chapters 489 and 776 of the Statutes of 1917), authorized medical superintendents in state homes and state hospitals to perform asexualization on patients (vasectomies for men and salpingectomies for women) identified as afflicted with mental disease which may have been inherited and is likely to be transmitted to descendants, the various grades of feeble-mindedness, feeblemindedness, those suffering from perversion or marked departures from normal mentality or from disease of a syphilitic nature.(c) California maintained 12 state homes and state hospitals that housed thousands of patients who were committed by the courts, family members, and medical authorities. Although many families, patients, and court officials signed consent forms for sterilization, that action would not meet todays criteria for consent because in some institutions sterilization was a precondition for release, and true voluntariness and autonomy was not possible in the context in which the consent forms were signed.(d) There was little to no oversight of Californias sterilization program, which was implemented during a time in United States history when many reformers believed that sterilization was an important instrument of public health protection that would reduce the number of defectives in society, result in cost savings for welfare programs, and only allow fit people to become parents. The authority granted both to state agencies and medical experts during this era meant that sterilization proceeded with little contestation or pushback from the health establishment or legal system.(e) While the law did not target specific racial or ethnic groups, in practice, labels of mental deficiency and feeblemindedness were applied disproportionately to racial and ethnic minorities, people with actual and perceived disabilities, poor people, and women. During the height of the program, between 1919 and 1952, women and girls were 14 percent more likely to be sterilized than men and boys. Male Latino patients were 23 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latino male patients, and female Latina patients were 59 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latina female patients.(f) On March 11, 2003, Governor Gray Davis apologized for Californias eugenic sterilization program. Attorney General Bill Lockyer issued an apology on the same day.(g) On June 30, 2003, the Senate of the State of California passed a resolution expressing profound regret over the states past role in the eugenics movement and the injustice done to thousands of California men and women, addressing past bigotry and intolerance against the persons with disabilities and others who were viewed as genetically unfit by the eugenics movement, recognizing that all individuals must honor human rights and treat others with respect regardless of race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic status, disability, or illness, and urging every citizen of the state to become familiar with the history of the eugenics movement, in the hope that a more educated and tolerant populace will reject any similar abhorrent pseudoscientific movement should it arise in the future.(h) While not eligible for victim compensation under the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, the State of California recognizes that further involuntary and systematic sterilization abuse occurred during the following periods:(1) Between 1965 and 1975, at least 240 women who delivered babies at the LA County University of Southern California Medical Center were subjected to nonconsensual postpartum tubal ligations. These procedures were carried out overwhelmingly on Mexican-origin mothers who were not informed that they were being sterilized, were coerced into signing sterilization forms, or were misled into giving their signatures.(2) Between 2006 and 2010, 144 female inmates in the California state prison were sterilized without proper authorization. A state audit found that the women had been sterilized without adherence to required protocol and that deficiencies in the informed consent process had occurred in 39 of these cases. As a response to this, Senate Bill 1135 (Chapter 558 of the Statutes of 2014) was signed into law in 2014, prohibiting sterilizations in the California state prison.
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) In 1909, California passed the nations third sterilization law (Chapter 720 of the Statutes of 1909). Between 1909 and 1979, more than 20,000 Californians were sterilized, which made up more than one-third of the 60,000 men and women sterilized nationwide in 32 states during that era and more than the amount of people sterilized in the next top four states combined.(b) Californias eugenics laws, which were revised in 1913 (Chapter 363 of the Statutes of 1913) and 1917 (Chapters 489 and 776 of the Statutes of 1917), authorized medical superintendents in state homes and state hospitals to perform asexualization on patients (vasectomies for men and salpingectomies for women) identified as afflicted with mental disease which may have been inherited and is likely to be transmitted to descendants, the various grades of feeble-mindedness, feeblemindedness, those suffering from perversion or marked departures from normal mentality or from disease of a syphilitic nature.(c) California maintained 12 state homes and state hospitals that housed thousands of patients who were committed by the courts, family members, and medical authorities. Although many families, patients, and court officials signed consent forms for sterilization, that action would not meet todays criteria for consent because in some institutions sterilization was a precondition for release, and true voluntariness and autonomy was not possible in the context in which the consent forms were signed.(d) There was little to no oversight of Californias sterilization program, which was implemented during a time in United States history when many reformers believed that sterilization was an important instrument of public health protection that would reduce the number of defectives in society, result in cost savings for welfare programs, and only allow fit people to become parents. The authority granted both to state agencies and medical experts during this era meant that sterilization proceeded with little contestation or pushback from the health establishment or legal system.(e) While the law did not target specific racial or ethnic groups, in practice, labels of mental deficiency and feeblemindedness were applied disproportionately to racial and ethnic minorities, people with actual and perceived disabilities, poor people, and women. During the height of the program, between 1919 and 1952, women and girls were 14 percent more likely to be sterilized than men and boys. Male Latino patients were 23 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latino male patients, and female Latina patients were 59 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latina female patients.(f) On March 11, 2003, Governor Gray Davis apologized for Californias eugenic sterilization program. Attorney General Bill Lockyer issued an apology on the same day.(g) On June 30, 2003, the Senate of the State of California passed a resolution expressing profound regret over the states past role in the eugenics movement and the injustice done to thousands of California men and women, addressing past bigotry and intolerance against the persons with disabilities and others who were viewed as genetically unfit by the eugenics movement, recognizing that all individuals must honor human rights and treat others with respect regardless of race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic status, disability, or illness, and urging every citizen of the state to become familiar with the history of the eugenics movement, in the hope that a more educated and tolerant populace will reject any similar abhorrent pseudoscientific movement should it arise in the future.(h) While not eligible for victim compensation under the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, the State of California recognizes that further involuntary and systematic sterilization abuse occurred during the following periods:(1) Between 1965 and 1975, at least 240 women who delivered babies at the LA County University of Southern California Medical Center were subjected to nonconsensual postpartum tubal ligations. These procedures were carried out overwhelmingly on Mexican-origin mothers who were not informed that they were being sterilized, were coerced into signing sterilization forms, or were misled into giving their signatures.(2) Between 2006 and 2010, 144 female inmates in the California state prison were sterilized without proper authorization. A state audit found that the women had been sterilized without adherence to required protocol and that deficiencies in the informed consent process had occurred in 39 of these cases. As a response to this, Senate Bill 1135 (Chapter 558 of the Statutes of 2014) was signed into law in 2014, prohibiting sterilizations in the California state prison.
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a) In 1909, California passed the nations third sterilization law (Chapter 720 of the Statutes of 1909). Between 1909 and 1979, more than 20,000 Californians were sterilized, which made up more than one-third of the 60,000 men and women sterilized nationwide in 32 states during that era and more than the amount of people sterilized in the next top four states combined.
(b) Californias eugenics laws, which were revised in 1913 (Chapter 363 of the Statutes of 1913) and 1917 (Chapters 489 and 776 of the Statutes of 1917), authorized medical superintendents in state homes and state hospitals to perform asexualization on patients (vasectomies for men and salpingectomies for women) identified as afflicted with mental disease which may have been inherited and is likely to be transmitted to descendants, the various grades of feeble-mindedness, feeblemindedness, those suffering from perversion or marked departures from normal mentality or from disease of a syphilitic nature.
(c) California maintained 12 state homes and state hospitals that housed thousands of patients who were committed by the courts, family members, and medical authorities. Although many families, patients, and court officials signed consent forms for sterilization, that action would not meet todays criteria for consent because in some institutions sterilization was a precondition for release, and true voluntariness and autonomy was not possible in the context in which the consent forms were signed.
(d) There was little to no oversight of Californias sterilization program, which was implemented during a time in United States history when many reformers believed that sterilization was an important instrument of public health protection that would reduce the number of defectives in society, result in cost savings for welfare programs, and only allow fit people to become parents. The authority granted both to state agencies and medical experts during this era meant that sterilization proceeded with little contestation or pushback from the health establishment or legal system.
(e) While the law did not target specific racial or ethnic groups, in practice, labels of mental deficiency and feeblemindedness were applied disproportionately to racial and ethnic minorities, people with actual and perceived disabilities, poor people, and women. During the height of the program, between 1919 and 1952, women and girls were 14 percent more likely to be sterilized than men and boys. Male Latino patients were 23 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latino male patients, and female Latina patients were 59 percent more likely to be sterilized than non-Latina female patients.
(f) On March 11, 2003, Governor Gray Davis apologized for Californias eugenic sterilization program. Attorney General Bill Lockyer issued an apology on the same day.
(g) On June 30, 2003, the Senate of the State of California passed a resolution expressing profound regret over the states past role in the eugenics movement and the injustice done to thousands of California men and women, addressing past bigotry and intolerance against the persons with disabilities and others who were viewed as genetically unfit by the eugenics movement, recognizing that all individuals must honor human rights and treat others with respect regardless of race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic status, disability, or illness, and urging every citizen of the state to become familiar with the history of the eugenics movement, in the hope that a more educated and tolerant populace will reject any similar abhorrent pseudoscientific movement should it arise in the future.
(h) While not eligible for victim compensation under the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, the State of California recognizes that further involuntary and systematic sterilization abuse occurred during the following periods:
(1) Between 1965 and 1975, at least 240 women who delivered babies at the LA County University of Southern California Medical Center were subjected to nonconsensual postpartum tubal ligations. These procedures were carried out overwhelmingly on Mexican-origin mothers who were not informed that they were being sterilized, were coerced into signing sterilization forms, or were misled into giving their signatures.
(2) Between 2006 and 2010, 144 female inmates in the California state prison were sterilized without proper authorization. A state audit found that the women had been sterilized without adherence to required protocol and that deficiencies in the informed consent process had occurred in 39 of these cases. As a response to this, Senate Bill 1135 (Chapter 558 of the Statutes of 2014) was signed into law in 2014, prohibiting sterilizations in the California state prison.
SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 24200) is added to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program24200. (a) There is hereby established the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be administered by the California Victim Compensation Board.(b) The purpose of the program is to provide victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(c) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(1) Board means the California Victim Compensation Board.(2) Program means the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.(3) Qualified recipient means an individual who is eligible for victim compensation pursuant to this chapter by meeting all of the following requirements. requirements:(A) The individual was sterilized pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(B) The individual was sterilized while he or she was a patient at any of the following institutions:(i) Agnews State Hospital.(ii) Atascadero State Hospital.(iii) Camarillo State Hospital.(iv) DeWitt State Hospital.(v) Mendocino State Hospital.(vi) Modesto State Hospital.(vii) Napa State Hospital.(viii) Norwalk State Hospital.(ix) Pacific Colony.(x) Patton State Hospital.(xi) Sonoma State Home.(xii) Stockton State Hospital.(C) The individual is alive as of January 1, 2019.24201. (a) The board, in consultation with community-based organizations, shall do all of the following to implement the program:(1) Conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient and notify him or her of the process to apply for victim compensation. The board may use various methods to conduct outreach, including, but not limited to, modalities such as radio announcements, social media posts, and flyers to libraries, social service agencies, long-term care facilities, group homes, supported living organizations, and regional centers.(2) Review and verify all applications for victim compensation.(A) The board shall consult the records of the State Archives HIPAA-compliant eugenic sterilization database developed by the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab at the University of Michigan to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1952. 1952, inclusive.(B) The board shall consult the records of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1953 to 1979. 1979, inclusive. The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services shall make every effort possible to locate and share with the board any data pertaining to individuals sterilized in state institutions from 1953 to 1979, inclusive. This data may be contained in documents such as institutional reports, annual reports, extant patient records, superintendents files, and administrative records.(C) The board shall allow a claimant to submit evidence that proves that he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1979, inclusive. The board shall evaluate this evidence by a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether it is more likely than not that the claimant is a qualified recipient. The claimants submission of evidence does not relieve the board of its responsibility to verify an individuals identity by consulting the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).(C)(D) The board shall include an area on the application for a claimant to voluntarily report demographic information about gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.(E) The board does not have the discretion to deny compensation to any claimant who is a qualified recipient.(3) Oversee the appeal process.(b) (1) The board shall annually submit a report to the Legislature including the number of applications submitted, the number of applications approved, the number of applications denied, and the number of claimants paid, the number of appeals submitted and submitted, the result of those appeals, and the total amount paid in compensation.(2) The report shall also include data on claimants demographic information, including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as voluntarily provided on a claimants application form. The report shall also include data about the age a claimant was sterilized and the hospital where sterilization occurred, as verified by the department. All demographic information shall be reported in aggregate and the names of individual claimants shall be kept confidential.(3) The report shall also include data on outreach methods or processes used by the board to reach potential claimants.(4) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(c) (1) The board shall develop and implement procedures to receive and process applications for victim compensation under this program no later than June 30, 2019.(2) The board shall implement the outreach plan described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) beginning on July 1, 2019.24202.The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the board and shall be made available for expenditure by the board without regard to fiscal year, as follows:24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:(a)(1) At least 90 percent of the amount shall be used for the purpose of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients pursuant to Section 24203.(b)(2) Up to 10 percent of the amount may be used for the purpose of administering and implementing the program.24203. (a) (1) An individual seeking victim compensation pursuant to the program shall submit an application to the board beginning on July 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2021.(2) The board shall screen the application and accompanying documentation for completeness. If the board determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the claimant or his or her lawfully authorized representative that the application is not complete in writing by certified mail no later than seven 30 calendar days following the screening of the application. The notification shall specify the additional documentation required to complete the application. If the application is incomplete, the claimant shall have 60 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to submit the required documentation. If the required documentation is not received within 60 calendar days, the application will be closed and the claimant shall submit a new application if he or she seeks victim compensation pursuant to the program.(3) The board shall not consider an application or otherwise act on it until the board determines the application is complete with all required documentation.(4) If a claimant receives an adverse claim decision, the claimant may file an appeal to the board within 30 days of the notice of decision. After receiving the appeal, the board shall again attempt to verify the claimants identity pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24201. If the claimants identity cannot be verified, then the claimant shall produce sufficient evidence to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is more likely than not that he or she is a qualified recipient. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation of the individuals sterilization, sterilization recommendation, surgical consent forms, or relevant court or institutional records. The board shall make a determination on the appeal within 30 days of the date of the appeal and notify the claimant of the decision. A claimant who is successful in his or her appeal shall receive compensation in accordance with subdivision (b).(b) The board shall award victim compensation to a qualified recipient pursuant to the following payment schedule:(1) A claimant who is determined to be a qualified recipient by the board shall receive an initial payment within 60 days of the boards determination. This initial payment shall be calculated by dividing the funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the anticipated number of qualified recipients as determined by the board, and then dividing that dollar amount in half.(2) After exhaustion of all appeals arising from the denial of an individuals application, but by no later than October 1, 2021, the board shall send a final payment to all qualified recipients. This final payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining balance of funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the total number of qualified recipients.24204. (a) A qualified recipient may assign his or her victim compensation to a trust established for his or her benefit.(b) (1) The board shall include a provision on the application for victim compensation under this program that a claimant is authorized to designate a beneficiary for his or her victim compensation.(2) If the claimant dies during the pendency of his or her application, or after the board determines that he or she is a qualified recipient, the board shall award the victim compensation to the named beneficiary. If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, then the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(3)If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(c) An application may be made by an individuals legally authorized representative if the individual satisfies the criteria for a qualified recipient recipient, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 24200.24205.The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, shall establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people.24206.The board shall develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.24207.24205. The board shall keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to either an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application, including, but not limited to, claimant names and demographic information submitted on the application.24208.24206. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be considered any of the following:(1) Taxable income for state tax purposes.(2) Income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits or assistance under any state or local means-tested program.(3) Income or resources in determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal public benefits as provided by the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 18501).(4) Community property for the purpose of determining property rights under the Family Code and Probate Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be subject to either of the following:(1) Enforcement of a money judgment under state law.(2) A money judgment in favor of the State Department of Health Care Services for any period of time in which federal law or guidance has not been issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring the department to recover funds from the payments pursuant to this chapter for reimbursement of qualifying Medi-Cal expenditures. Following the death of a qualified recipient, both of the following shall apply as long as the federal law or guidance has not been issued:(A) The state shall not seek recovery pursuant to Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of any amount of the payment under the states Medicaid plan established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.(B) The state shall not file a claim for the payment under Section 529A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 24200) is added to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
CHAPTER 1.5. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program24200. (a) There is hereby established the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be administered by the California Victim Compensation Board.(b) The purpose of the program is to provide victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(c) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(1) Board means the California Victim Compensation Board.(2) Program means the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.(3) Qualified recipient means an individual who is eligible for victim compensation pursuant to this chapter by meeting all of the following requirements. requirements:(A) The individual was sterilized pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(B) The individual was sterilized while he or she was a patient at any of the following institutions:(i) Agnews State Hospital.(ii) Atascadero State Hospital.(iii) Camarillo State Hospital.(iv) DeWitt State Hospital.(v) Mendocino State Hospital.(vi) Modesto State Hospital.(vii) Napa State Hospital.(viii) Norwalk State Hospital.(ix) Pacific Colony.(x) Patton State Hospital.(xi) Sonoma State Home.(xii) Stockton State Hospital.(C) The individual is alive as of January 1, 2019.24201. (a) The board, in consultation with community-based organizations, shall do all of the following to implement the program:(1) Conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient and notify him or her of the process to apply for victim compensation. The board may use various methods to conduct outreach, including, but not limited to, modalities such as radio announcements, social media posts, and flyers to libraries, social service agencies, long-term care facilities, group homes, supported living organizations, and regional centers.(2) Review and verify all applications for victim compensation.(A) The board shall consult the records of the State Archives HIPAA-compliant eugenic sterilization database developed by the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab at the University of Michigan to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1952. 1952, inclusive.(B) The board shall consult the records of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1953 to 1979. 1979, inclusive. The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services shall make every effort possible to locate and share with the board any data pertaining to individuals sterilized in state institutions from 1953 to 1979, inclusive. This data may be contained in documents such as institutional reports, annual reports, extant patient records, superintendents files, and administrative records.(C) The board shall allow a claimant to submit evidence that proves that he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1979, inclusive. The board shall evaluate this evidence by a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether it is more likely than not that the claimant is a qualified recipient. The claimants submission of evidence does not relieve the board of its responsibility to verify an individuals identity by consulting the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).(C)(D) The board shall include an area on the application for a claimant to voluntarily report demographic information about gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.(E) The board does not have the discretion to deny compensation to any claimant who is a qualified recipient.(3) Oversee the appeal process.(b) (1) The board shall annually submit a report to the Legislature including the number of applications submitted, the number of applications approved, the number of applications denied, and the number of claimants paid, the number of appeals submitted and submitted, the result of those appeals, and the total amount paid in compensation.(2) The report shall also include data on claimants demographic information, including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as voluntarily provided on a claimants application form. The report shall also include data about the age a claimant was sterilized and the hospital where sterilization occurred, as verified by the department. All demographic information shall be reported in aggregate and the names of individual claimants shall be kept confidential.(3) The report shall also include data on outreach methods or processes used by the board to reach potential claimants.(4) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(c) (1) The board shall develop and implement procedures to receive and process applications for victim compensation under this program no later than June 30, 2019.(2) The board shall implement the outreach plan described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) beginning on July 1, 2019.24202.The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the board and shall be made available for expenditure by the board without regard to fiscal year, as follows:24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:(a)(1) At least 90 percent of the amount shall be used for the purpose of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients pursuant to Section 24203.(b)(2) Up to 10 percent of the amount may be used for the purpose of administering and implementing the program.24203. (a) (1) An individual seeking victim compensation pursuant to the program shall submit an application to the board beginning on July 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2021.(2) The board shall screen the application and accompanying documentation for completeness. If the board determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the claimant or his or her lawfully authorized representative that the application is not complete in writing by certified mail no later than seven 30 calendar days following the screening of the application. The notification shall specify the additional documentation required to complete the application. If the application is incomplete, the claimant shall have 60 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to submit the required documentation. If the required documentation is not received within 60 calendar days, the application will be closed and the claimant shall submit a new application if he or she seeks victim compensation pursuant to the program.(3) The board shall not consider an application or otherwise act on it until the board determines the application is complete with all required documentation.(4) If a claimant receives an adverse claim decision, the claimant may file an appeal to the board within 30 days of the notice of decision. After receiving the appeal, the board shall again attempt to verify the claimants identity pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24201. If the claimants identity cannot be verified, then the claimant shall produce sufficient evidence to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is more likely than not that he or she is a qualified recipient. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation of the individuals sterilization, sterilization recommendation, surgical consent forms, or relevant court or institutional records. The board shall make a determination on the appeal within 30 days of the date of the appeal and notify the claimant of the decision. A claimant who is successful in his or her appeal shall receive compensation in accordance with subdivision (b).(b) The board shall award victim compensation to a qualified recipient pursuant to the following payment schedule:(1) A claimant who is determined to be a qualified recipient by the board shall receive an initial payment within 60 days of the boards determination. This initial payment shall be calculated by dividing the funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the anticipated number of qualified recipients as determined by the board, and then dividing that dollar amount in half.(2) After exhaustion of all appeals arising from the denial of an individuals application, but by no later than October 1, 2021, the board shall send a final payment to all qualified recipients. This final payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining balance of funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the total number of qualified recipients.24204. (a) A qualified recipient may assign his or her victim compensation to a trust established for his or her benefit.(b) (1) The board shall include a provision on the application for victim compensation under this program that a claimant is authorized to designate a beneficiary for his or her victim compensation.(2) If the claimant dies during the pendency of his or her application, or after the board determines that he or she is a qualified recipient, the board shall award the victim compensation to the named beneficiary. If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, then the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(3)If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(c) An application may be made by an individuals legally authorized representative if the individual satisfies the criteria for a qualified recipient recipient, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 24200.24205.The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, shall establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people.24206.The board shall develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.24207.24205. The board shall keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to either an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application, including, but not limited to, claimant names and demographic information submitted on the application.24208.24206. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be considered any of the following:(1) Taxable income for state tax purposes.(2) Income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits or assistance under any state or local means-tested program.(3) Income or resources in determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal public benefits as provided by the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 18501).(4) Community property for the purpose of determining property rights under the Family Code and Probate Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be subject to either of the following:(1) Enforcement of a money judgment under state law.(2) A money judgment in favor of the State Department of Health Care Services for any period of time in which federal law or guidance has not been issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring the department to recover funds from the payments pursuant to this chapter for reimbursement of qualifying Medi-Cal expenditures. Following the death of a qualified recipient, both of the following shall apply as long as the federal law or guidance has not been issued:(A) The state shall not seek recovery pursuant to Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of any amount of the payment under the states Medicaid plan established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.(B) The state shall not file a claim for the payment under Section 529A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.
CHAPTER 1.5. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program24200. (a) There is hereby established the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be administered by the California Victim Compensation Board.(b) The purpose of the program is to provide victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(c) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(1) Board means the California Victim Compensation Board.(2) Program means the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.(3) Qualified recipient means an individual who is eligible for victim compensation pursuant to this chapter by meeting all of the following requirements. requirements:(A) The individual was sterilized pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(B) The individual was sterilized while he or she was a patient at any of the following institutions:(i) Agnews State Hospital.(ii) Atascadero State Hospital.(iii) Camarillo State Hospital.(iv) DeWitt State Hospital.(v) Mendocino State Hospital.(vi) Modesto State Hospital.(vii) Napa State Hospital.(viii) Norwalk State Hospital.(ix) Pacific Colony.(x) Patton State Hospital.(xi) Sonoma State Home.(xii) Stockton State Hospital.(C) The individual is alive as of January 1, 2019.24201. (a) The board, in consultation with community-based organizations, shall do all of the following to implement the program:(1) Conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient and notify him or her of the process to apply for victim compensation. The board may use various methods to conduct outreach, including, but not limited to, modalities such as radio announcements, social media posts, and flyers to libraries, social service agencies, long-term care facilities, group homes, supported living organizations, and regional centers.(2) Review and verify all applications for victim compensation.(A) The board shall consult the records of the State Archives HIPAA-compliant eugenic sterilization database developed by the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab at the University of Michigan to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1952. 1952, inclusive.(B) The board shall consult the records of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1953 to 1979. 1979, inclusive. The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services shall make every effort possible to locate and share with the board any data pertaining to individuals sterilized in state institutions from 1953 to 1979, inclusive. This data may be contained in documents such as institutional reports, annual reports, extant patient records, superintendents files, and administrative records.(C) The board shall allow a claimant to submit evidence that proves that he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1979, inclusive. The board shall evaluate this evidence by a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether it is more likely than not that the claimant is a qualified recipient. The claimants submission of evidence does not relieve the board of its responsibility to verify an individuals identity by consulting the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).(C)(D) The board shall include an area on the application for a claimant to voluntarily report demographic information about gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.(E) The board does not have the discretion to deny compensation to any claimant who is a qualified recipient.(3) Oversee the appeal process.(b) (1) The board shall annually submit a report to the Legislature including the number of applications submitted, the number of applications approved, the number of applications denied, and the number of claimants paid, the number of appeals submitted and submitted, the result of those appeals, and the total amount paid in compensation.(2) The report shall also include data on claimants demographic information, including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as voluntarily provided on a claimants application form. The report shall also include data about the age a claimant was sterilized and the hospital where sterilization occurred, as verified by the department. All demographic information shall be reported in aggregate and the names of individual claimants shall be kept confidential.(3) The report shall also include data on outreach methods or processes used by the board to reach potential claimants.(4) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(c) (1) The board shall develop and implement procedures to receive and process applications for victim compensation under this program no later than June 30, 2019.(2) The board shall implement the outreach plan described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) beginning on July 1, 2019.24202.The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the board and shall be made available for expenditure by the board without regard to fiscal year, as follows:24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:(a)(1) At least 90 percent of the amount shall be used for the purpose of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients pursuant to Section 24203.(b)(2) Up to 10 percent of the amount may be used for the purpose of administering and implementing the program.24203. (a) (1) An individual seeking victim compensation pursuant to the program shall submit an application to the board beginning on July 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2021.(2) The board shall screen the application and accompanying documentation for completeness. If the board determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the claimant or his or her lawfully authorized representative that the application is not complete in writing by certified mail no later than seven 30 calendar days following the screening of the application. The notification shall specify the additional documentation required to complete the application. If the application is incomplete, the claimant shall have 60 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to submit the required documentation. If the required documentation is not received within 60 calendar days, the application will be closed and the claimant shall submit a new application if he or she seeks victim compensation pursuant to the program.(3) The board shall not consider an application or otherwise act on it until the board determines the application is complete with all required documentation.(4) If a claimant receives an adverse claim decision, the claimant may file an appeal to the board within 30 days of the notice of decision. After receiving the appeal, the board shall again attempt to verify the claimants identity pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24201. If the claimants identity cannot be verified, then the claimant shall produce sufficient evidence to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is more likely than not that he or she is a qualified recipient. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation of the individuals sterilization, sterilization recommendation, surgical consent forms, or relevant court or institutional records. The board shall make a determination on the appeal within 30 days of the date of the appeal and notify the claimant of the decision. A claimant who is successful in his or her appeal shall receive compensation in accordance with subdivision (b).(b) The board shall award victim compensation to a qualified recipient pursuant to the following payment schedule:(1) A claimant who is determined to be a qualified recipient by the board shall receive an initial payment within 60 days of the boards determination. This initial payment shall be calculated by dividing the funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the anticipated number of qualified recipients as determined by the board, and then dividing that dollar amount in half.(2) After exhaustion of all appeals arising from the denial of an individuals application, but by no later than October 1, 2021, the board shall send a final payment to all qualified recipients. This final payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining balance of funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the total number of qualified recipients.24204. (a) A qualified recipient may assign his or her victim compensation to a trust established for his or her benefit.(b) (1) The board shall include a provision on the application for victim compensation under this program that a claimant is authorized to designate a beneficiary for his or her victim compensation.(2) If the claimant dies during the pendency of his or her application, or after the board determines that he or she is a qualified recipient, the board shall award the victim compensation to the named beneficiary. If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, then the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(3)If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(c) An application may be made by an individuals legally authorized representative if the individual satisfies the criteria for a qualified recipient recipient, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 24200.24205.The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, shall establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people.24206.The board shall develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.24207.24205. The board shall keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to either an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application, including, but not limited to, claimant names and demographic information submitted on the application.24208.24206. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be considered any of the following:(1) Taxable income for state tax purposes.(2) Income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits or assistance under any state or local means-tested program.(3) Income or resources in determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal public benefits as provided by the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 18501).(4) Community property for the purpose of determining property rights under the Family Code and Probate Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be subject to either of the following:(1) Enforcement of a money judgment under state law.(2) A money judgment in favor of the State Department of Health Care Services for any period of time in which federal law or guidance has not been issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring the department to recover funds from the payments pursuant to this chapter for reimbursement of qualifying Medi-Cal expenditures. Following the death of a qualified recipient, both of the following shall apply as long as the federal law or guidance has not been issued:(A) The state shall not seek recovery pursuant to Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of any amount of the payment under the states Medicaid plan established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.(B) The state shall not file a claim for the payment under Section 529A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.
CHAPTER 1.5. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program
CHAPTER 1.5. Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program
24200. (a) There is hereby established the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be administered by the California Victim Compensation Board.(b) The purpose of the program is to provide victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(c) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(1) Board means the California Victim Compensation Board.(2) Program means the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.(3) Qualified recipient means an individual who is eligible for victim compensation pursuant to this chapter by meeting all of the following requirements. requirements:(A) The individual was sterilized pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.(B) The individual was sterilized while he or she was a patient at any of the following institutions:(i) Agnews State Hospital.(ii) Atascadero State Hospital.(iii) Camarillo State Hospital.(iv) DeWitt State Hospital.(v) Mendocino State Hospital.(vi) Modesto State Hospital.(vii) Napa State Hospital.(viii) Norwalk State Hospital.(ix) Pacific Colony.(x) Patton State Hospital.(xi) Sonoma State Home.(xii) Stockton State Hospital.(C) The individual is alive as of January 1, 2019.
24200. (a) There is hereby established the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program, to be administered by the California Victim Compensation Board.
(b) The purpose of the program is to provide victim compensation to any survivor of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.
(c) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) Board means the California Victim Compensation Board.
(2) Program means the Eugenics Sterilization Compensation Program.
(3) Qualified recipient means an individual who is eligible for victim compensation pursuant to this chapter by meeting all of the following requirements. requirements:
(A) The individual was sterilized pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.
(B) The individual was sterilized while he or she was a patient at any of the following institutions:
(i) Agnews State Hospital.
(ii) Atascadero State Hospital.
(iii) Camarillo State Hospital.
(iv) DeWitt State Hospital.
(v) Mendocino State Hospital.
(vi) Modesto State Hospital.
(vii) Napa State Hospital.
(viii) Norwalk State Hospital.
(ix) Pacific Colony.
(x) Patton State Hospital.
(xi) Sonoma State Home.
(xii) Stockton State Hospital.
(C) The individual is alive as of January 1, 2019.
24201. (a) The board, in consultation with community-based organizations, shall do all of the following to implement the program:(1) Conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient and notify him or her of the process to apply for victim compensation. The board may use various methods to conduct outreach, including, but not limited to, modalities such as radio announcements, social media posts, and flyers to libraries, social service agencies, long-term care facilities, group homes, supported living organizations, and regional centers.(2) Review and verify all applications for victim compensation.(A) The board shall consult the records of the State Archives HIPAA-compliant eugenic sterilization database developed by the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab at the University of Michigan to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1952. 1952, inclusive.(B) The board shall consult the records of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1953 to 1979. 1979, inclusive. The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services shall make every effort possible to locate and share with the board any data pertaining to individuals sterilized in state institutions from 1953 to 1979, inclusive. This data may be contained in documents such as institutional reports, annual reports, extant patient records, superintendents files, and administrative records.(C) The board shall allow a claimant to submit evidence that proves that he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1979, inclusive. The board shall evaluate this evidence by a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether it is more likely than not that the claimant is a qualified recipient. The claimants submission of evidence does not relieve the board of its responsibility to verify an individuals identity by consulting the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).(C)(D) The board shall include an area on the application for a claimant to voluntarily report demographic information about gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.(E) The board does not have the discretion to deny compensation to any claimant who is a qualified recipient.(3) Oversee the appeal process.(b) (1) The board shall annually submit a report to the Legislature including the number of applications submitted, the number of applications approved, the number of applications denied, and the number of claimants paid, the number of appeals submitted and submitted, the result of those appeals, and the total amount paid in compensation.(2) The report shall also include data on claimants demographic information, including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as voluntarily provided on a claimants application form. The report shall also include data about the age a claimant was sterilized and the hospital where sterilization occurred, as verified by the department. All demographic information shall be reported in aggregate and the names of individual claimants shall be kept confidential.(3) The report shall also include data on outreach methods or processes used by the board to reach potential claimants.(4) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(c) (1) The board shall develop and implement procedures to receive and process applications for victim compensation under this program no later than June 30, 2019.(2) The board shall implement the outreach plan described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) beginning on July 1, 2019.
24201. (a) The board, in consultation with community-based organizations, shall do all of the following to implement the program:
(1) Conduct outreach to locate any qualified recipient and notify him or her of the process to apply for victim compensation. The board may use various methods to conduct outreach, including, but not limited to, modalities such as radio announcements, social media posts, and flyers to libraries, social service agencies, long-term care facilities, group homes, supported living organizations, and regional centers.
(2) Review and verify all applications for victim compensation.
(A) The board shall consult the records of the State Archives HIPAA-compliant eugenic sterilization database developed by the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab at the University of Michigan to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1952. 1952, inclusive.
(B) The board shall consult the records of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services to verify the identity of any individual claiming he or she was sterilized during the period of 1953 to 1979. 1979, inclusive. The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services shall make every effort possible to locate and share with the board any data pertaining to individuals sterilized in state institutions from 1953 to 1979, inclusive. This data may be contained in documents such as institutional reports, annual reports, extant patient records, superintendents files, and administrative records.
(C) The board shall allow a claimant to submit evidence that proves that he or she was sterilized during the period of 1919 to 1979, inclusive. The board shall evaluate this evidence by a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether it is more likely than not that the claimant is a qualified recipient. The claimants submission of evidence does not relieve the board of its responsibility to verify an individuals identity by consulting the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(C)
(D) The board shall include an area on the application for a claimant to voluntarily report demographic information about gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
(E) The board does not have the discretion to deny compensation to any claimant who is a qualified recipient.
(3) Oversee the appeal process.
(b) (1) The board shall annually submit a report to the Legislature including the number of applications submitted, the number of applications approved, the number of applications denied, and the number of claimants paid, the number of appeals submitted and submitted, the result of those appeals, and the total amount paid in compensation.
(2) The report shall also include data on claimants demographic information, including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as voluntarily provided on a claimants application form. The report shall also include data about the age a claimant was sterilized and the hospital where sterilization occurred, as verified by the department. All demographic information shall be reported in aggregate and the names of individual claimants shall be kept confidential.
(3) The report shall also include data on outreach methods or processes used by the board to reach potential claimants.
(4) The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(c) (1) The board shall develop and implement procedures to receive and process applications for victim compensation under this program no later than June 30, 2019.
(2) The board shall implement the outreach plan described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) beginning on July 1, 2019.
The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the board and shall be made available for expenditure by the board without regard to fiscal year, as follows:
24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:(a)(1) At least 90 percent of the amount shall be used for the purpose of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients pursuant to Section 24203.(b)(2) Up to 10 percent of the amount may be used for the purpose of administering and implementing the program.
24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:(a)
24202. (a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall become operative only upon an appropriation to the board expressly identified for the purposes of this chapter.
(2) The board shall hold any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) in a separate account, and those funds shall be used only for the program.
(b) Any funds appropriated as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be used as follows:
(a)
(1) At least 90 percent of the amount shall be used for the purpose of paying victim compensation to qualified recipients pursuant to Section 24203.
(b)
(2) Up to 10 percent of the amount may be used for the purpose of administering and implementing the program.
24203. (a) (1) An individual seeking victim compensation pursuant to the program shall submit an application to the board beginning on July 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2021.(2) The board shall screen the application and accompanying documentation for completeness. If the board determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the claimant or his or her lawfully authorized representative that the application is not complete in writing by certified mail no later than seven 30 calendar days following the screening of the application. The notification shall specify the additional documentation required to complete the application. If the application is incomplete, the claimant shall have 60 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to submit the required documentation. If the required documentation is not received within 60 calendar days, the application will be closed and the claimant shall submit a new application if he or she seeks victim compensation pursuant to the program.(3) The board shall not consider an application or otherwise act on it until the board determines the application is complete with all required documentation.(4) If a claimant receives an adverse claim decision, the claimant may file an appeal to the board within 30 days of the notice of decision. After receiving the appeal, the board shall again attempt to verify the claimants identity pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24201. If the claimants identity cannot be verified, then the claimant shall produce sufficient evidence to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is more likely than not that he or she is a qualified recipient. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation of the individuals sterilization, sterilization recommendation, surgical consent forms, or relevant court or institutional records. The board shall make a determination on the appeal within 30 days of the date of the appeal and notify the claimant of the decision. A claimant who is successful in his or her appeal shall receive compensation in accordance with subdivision (b).(b) The board shall award victim compensation to a qualified recipient pursuant to the following payment schedule:(1) A claimant who is determined to be a qualified recipient by the board shall receive an initial payment within 60 days of the boards determination. This initial payment shall be calculated by dividing the funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the anticipated number of qualified recipients as determined by the board, and then dividing that dollar amount in half.(2) After exhaustion of all appeals arising from the denial of an individuals application, but by no later than October 1, 2021, the board shall send a final payment to all qualified recipients. This final payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining balance of funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the total number of qualified recipients.
24203. (a) (1) An individual seeking victim compensation pursuant to the program shall submit an application to the board beginning on July 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2021.
(2) The board shall screen the application and accompanying documentation for completeness. If the board determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the claimant or his or her lawfully authorized representative that the application is not complete in writing by certified mail no later than seven 30 calendar days following the screening of the application. The notification shall specify the additional documentation required to complete the application. If the application is incomplete, the claimant shall have 60 calendar days from the receipt of the notification to submit the required documentation. If the required documentation is not received within 60 calendar days, the application will be closed and the claimant shall submit a new application if he or she seeks victim compensation pursuant to the program.
(3) The board shall not consider an application or otherwise act on it until the board determines the application is complete with all required documentation.
(4) If a claimant receives an adverse claim decision, the claimant may file an appeal to the board within 30 days of the notice of decision. After receiving the appeal, the board shall again attempt to verify the claimants identity pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24201. If the claimants identity cannot be verified, then the claimant shall produce sufficient evidence to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is more likely than not that he or she is a qualified recipient. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation of the individuals sterilization, sterilization recommendation, surgical consent forms, or relevant court or institutional records. The board shall make a determination on the appeal within 30 days of the date of the appeal and notify the claimant of the decision. A claimant who is successful in his or her appeal shall receive compensation in accordance with subdivision (b).
(b) The board shall award victim compensation to a qualified recipient pursuant to the following payment schedule:
(1) A claimant who is determined to be a qualified recipient by the board shall receive an initial payment within 60 days of the boards determination. This initial payment shall be calculated by dividing the funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the anticipated number of qualified recipients as determined by the board, and then dividing that dollar amount in half.
(2) After exhaustion of all appeals arising from the denial of an individuals application, but by no later than October 1, 2021, the board shall send a final payment to all qualified recipients. This final payment shall be calculated by dividing the remaining balance of funds appropriated in subdivision (a) described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 24202 by the total number of qualified recipients.
24204. (a) A qualified recipient may assign his or her victim compensation to a trust established for his or her benefit.(b) (1) The board shall include a provision on the application for victim compensation under this program that a claimant is authorized to designate a beneficiary for his or her victim compensation.(2) If the claimant dies during the pendency of his or her application, or after the board determines that he or she is a qualified recipient, the board shall award the victim compensation to the named beneficiary. If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, then the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(3)If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.(c) An application may be made by an individuals legally authorized representative if the individual satisfies the criteria for a qualified recipient recipient, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 24200.
24204. (a) A qualified recipient may assign his or her victim compensation to a trust established for his or her benefit.
(b) (1) The board shall include a provision on the application for victim compensation under this program that a claimant is authorized to designate a beneficiary for his or her victim compensation.
(2) If the claimant dies during the pendency of his or her application, or after the board determines that he or she is a qualified recipient, the board shall award the victim compensation to the named beneficiary. If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, then the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.
(3)If the claimant did not name a beneficiary, the victim compensation shall remain with the board for expenditure in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 24203.
(c) An application may be made by an individuals legally authorized representative if the individual satisfies the criteria for a qualified recipient recipient, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 24200.
The State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services, in consultation with stakeholders, shall establish markers or plaques at designated sites that acknowledge the compulsory sterilization of thousands of people.
The board shall develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a traveling historical exhibit and other educational opportunities about eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979 and the far-reaching impact they had on California residents.
24207.24205. The board shall keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to either an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application, including, but not limited to, claimant names and demographic information submitted on the application.
24207.24205. The board shall keep confidential and not disclose to the public any record pertaining to either an individuals application for victim compensation or the boards verification of the application, including, but not limited to, claimant names and demographic information submitted on the application.
24208.24206. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be considered any of the following:(1) Taxable income for state tax purposes.(2) Income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits or assistance under any state or local means-tested program.(3) Income or resources in determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal public benefits as provided by the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 18501).(4) Community property for the purpose of determining property rights under the Family Code and Probate Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be subject to either of the following:(1) Enforcement of a money judgment under state law.(2) A money judgment in favor of the State Department of Health Care Services for any period of time in which federal law or guidance has not been issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring the department to recover funds from the payments pursuant to this chapter for reimbursement of qualifying Medi-Cal expenditures. Following the death of a qualified recipient, both of the following shall apply as long as the federal law or guidance has not been issued:(A) The state shall not seek recovery pursuant to Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of any amount of the payment under the states Medicaid plan established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.(B) The state shall not file a claim for the payment under Section 529A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.
24208.24206. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be considered any of the following:
(1) Taxable income for state tax purposes.
(2) Income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits or assistance under any state or local means-tested program.
(3) Income or resources in determining the eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal public benefits as provided by the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 18501).
(4) Community property for the purpose of determining property rights under the Family Code and Probate Code.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the payment made to a qualified recipient pursuant to this program shall not be subject to either of the following:
(1) Enforcement of a money judgment under state law.
(2) A money judgment in favor of the State Department of Health Care Services for any period of time in which federal law or guidance has not been issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requiring the department to recover funds from the payments pursuant to this chapter for reimbursement of qualifying Medi-Cal expenditures. Following the death of a qualified recipient, both of the following shall apply as long as the federal law or guidance has not been issued:
(A) The state shall not seek recovery pursuant to Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of any amount of the payment under the states Medicaid plan established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
(B) The state shall not file a claim for the payment under Section 529A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 2 of this act, which adds Section 24207 24205 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:This act strikes an appropriate balance between the publics right to access information and the need to protect personal information of survivors of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.
SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 2 of this act, which adds Section 24207 24205 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:This act strikes an appropriate balance between the publics right to access information and the need to protect personal information of survivors of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.
SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 2 of this act, which adds Section 24207 24205 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
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This act strikes an appropriate balance between the publics right to access information and the need to protect personal information of survivors of state-sponsored sterilization conducted pursuant to eugenics laws that existed in the State of California between 1909 and 1979.