SAN FRANCISCO – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assemblymember Catherine Stefani’s bill, AB 1213, the Restitution First Act, into law. Sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, the law prioritizes restitution to victims ahead of fines, fees, or other debts owed by people convicted of crimes.
According to the press release, the legislation “ensures that victims of crime are paid first and are made whole financially… before any other fines, fees as well as other debts are paid.”
The bill passed the Legislature with unanimous support and no opposition throughout the process. The broad approval, the press release noted, “demonstrates there is strong bipartisan support for common-sense legislation that puts victims first.”…