(a) (1) If the existence of a nuisance is established in an action as provided in this article, an order of abatement shall be entered as a part of the judgment in the case, directing the removal from the building or place of all fixtures, musical instruments and movable property used in conducting, maintaining, aiding, or abetting the nuisance, and directing the sale thereof in the manner provided for the sale of chattels under execution, and the effectual closing of the building or place against its use for any purpose, and that it be kept closed for a period of one year, unless sooner released. If the court finds that any vacancy resulting from closure of the building or place may create a nuisance or that closure is otherwise harmful to the community, in lieu of ordering the building or place closed, the court may order the person who is responsible for the existence of the nuisance to pay damages in an amount equal to the fair market rental value of the building or place for one year to the city or county in whose jurisdiction the nuisance is located. The actual amount of rent being received for the rental of the building or place, or the existence of any vacancy therein, may be considered, but shall not be the sole determinant of the fair market rental value. Expert testimony may be used to determine the fair market rental value.
(2) While the order remains in effect as to closing, the building or place is and shall remain in the custody of the court.
(3) For removing and selling the movable property, the officer is entitled to charge and receive the same fees as he or she would for levying upon and selling like property on execution.
(4) For closing the premises and keeping them closed, a reasonable sum shall be allowed by the court.
(b) The court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) against any and all of the defendants, based upon the severity of the nuisance and its duration.
(c) Except as otherwise specified by subdivision (d), one-half of the civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Restitution Fund in the State Treasury, the proceeds of which shall be available for appropriation by the Legislature to indemnify persons filing claims pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 13959) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and one-half of the civil penalties collected shall be paid to the city in which the judgment was entered, if the action was brought by the city attorney or city prosecutor. If the action was brought by a district attorney, one-half of the civil penalties collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered.
(d) In cases involving human trafficking, one-half of the civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Victim-Witness Assistance Fund to be available for appropriation by the Legislature to the California Emergency Management Agency to fund grants for human trafficking victim services and prevention programs provided by community-based organizations. The community-based organizations shall have trained human trafficking caseworkers, as defined by Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code. The other one-half of the civil penalties shall be paid to the city in which judgment was entered, if the action was brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor. If the action was brought by a district attorney, the one-half of the civil penalty shall, instead, be paid to the treasurer of the county in which judgment was entered.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 254, Sec. 3. (AB 2212) Effective January 1, 2013.)