(a) The Department of Justice shall perform the following duties concerning the investigation and prosecution of homicide cases:
(1) Collect information, as specified in subdivision (b), on all persons who are the victims of, and all persons who are charged with, homicide.
(2) Adopt and distribute, as a written form or by electronic means, to all state and governmental entities that are responsible for the investigation and prosecution of homicide cases, forms that will include information to be provided to the department pursuant to subdivision (b).
(3) Compile, collate, index, and maintain an electronic file of the information required by subdivision (b). The file shall be available to the general public during the normal business hours of the department, as well as on the OpenJustice Web portal, and the department shall at least annually update the information required by this section, which shall also be available to the general public.
The department shall perform the duties specified in this subdivision within its existing budget.
(b) Every state or local governmental entity responsible for the investigation and prosecution of a homicide case shall provide the department with demographic information about the victim and the person or persons charged with the crime, including age, gender, race, and ethnic background.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 418, Sec. 10. (AB 2524) Effective January 1, 2017.)