2005 California Government Code Sections 3400-3405 CHAPTER 9.8. PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER MEDAL OF VALOR ACT

3400.  This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Public
Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act.
3401.  The following definitions govern this chapter:
   (a) "Board" means the Medal of Valor Review Board.
   (b) "Public safety officer" means a person serving a public
agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law
enforcement officer, or emergency services officer, as determined by
the Attorney General.  "Law enforcement officer" includes a person
who is a corrections or court officer or a civil defense officer.
3402.  The Governor annually may award, and present in the name of
the State of California, a Medal of Valor of appropriate design, with
ribbons and appurtenances, to one public safety officer who is cited
by the Attorney General, upon the recommendation of the Medal of
Valor Review Board, for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call
of duty.  In exceptional circumstances, the Governor may award more
than one Medal of Valor in a year.  The Public Safety Medal of Valor
shall be the highest state award for valor awarded to a public safety
officer.
3403.  (a) There is established a Medal of Valor Review Board, which
shall be comprised of representatives of the organizations named in
subdivision (b) and shall conduct its business in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter.  The members of the board shall serve
without compensation or reimbursement for travel, per diem, or other
expenses.  The board shall minimize travel and expenses and utilize
technology to the greatest extent possible by teleconferencing,
digital transmission of data, electronic mail, and other
communication methods.
   (b) The board shall consist of a representative, or his or her
designee, selected by each of the following organizations:
   (1) The California Peace Officers' Association.
   (2) The California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
   (3) The California State Firefighters' Association.
   (4) The Peace Officers Research Association of California.
   (5) The California Police Chiefs' Association.
   (6) The California Association of Highway Patrolmen.
   (7) The California State Sheriffs' Association.
   (8) The California Union of Safety Employees.
   (9) A group, selected by the board, that represents emergency
medical technicians and paramedics.
   (c) The term of a board member shall be four years.
   (d) Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall not affect
the powers of the board and shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment.
   (e) The chair of the board shall be elected by a majority of the
members of the board at the first official meeting of the board at a
time and place designated by the Attorney General.
3404.  (a) The board shall conduct its first meeting not later than
90 days after the appointment of the last member appointed of the
initial group of members appointed to the board.  Thereafter, the
board shall meet at the call of the chair of the board.  The board
shall meet not more than once each year.
   (b) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a
quorum to conduct business, but the board may establish a lesser
quorum for conducting hearings scheduled by the board.  The board may
establish by majority vote any other rules for the conduct of the
board's business, if the rules are not inconsistent with this chapter
or other provisions of law.
   (c) The board shall recommend candidates for the Medal of Valor
from among the applications received by the board.  Not more often
than once each year, the board may present to the Attorney General
the name or names of those it recommends as candidates for the Medal
of Valor.  In a given year, the board shall not be required to
recommend any candidates but may not recommend more than five
candidates.  The Attorney General in extraordinary cases may increase
the number of candidates in a given year.  The board shall set an
annual timetable for fulfilling its duties under this chapter.
   (d) The board may hold one annual hearing, sit and act at a
designated time and place, administer oaths, take testimony, and
receive evidence as the board considers advisable to carry out its
duties.
   (e) Witnesses requested to appear before the board may be paid the
same fees as are paid to witnesses pursuant to the Code of Civil
Procedure.  The per diem and mileage allowances for witnesses shall
be paid from funds donated to the board.
   (f) The board may secure directly from any state department or
other state or local agency information as the board considers
necessary to carry out its duties.  Upon the request of the board,
the head of a department or agency may furnish information to the
board.
   (g) The board shall not disclose any information that may
compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation or is otherwise
required by law to be kept confidential.
3405.  (a) The board is authorized to receive donations which shall
be used to pay any costs associated with holding its annual meeting
and having witnesses.  If no donated funds are available to the
board, the board may not hold hearings and have witnesses.
   (b) The costs of production of the medals shall be funded from
existing resources within the Department of Justice.