BILL NUMBER: SB 1401	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  593
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 7, 2008
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JULY 15, 2008
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 26, 2008
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 19, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 27, 2008

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Simitian
   (Coauthor: Senator Cedillo)
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Salas)

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2008

   An act to add Section 399.5 to the Military and Veterans Code,
relating to health screening.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1401, Simitian. Armed Forces: traumatic brain injury and
post-traumatic stress disorder screening.
   Existing law provides for certain rights and privileges for active
members of the Armed Forces, reservists, and veterans of the Armed
Forces, including members of the California National Guard.
   This bill would require the Secretary of the California Department
of Veterans Affairs, or his or her designees, to assist an eligible
member, as defined, or veteran in obtaining an appropriate health
screening for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress
disorder, as described. A member or veteran would be eligible to
receive the assistance when he or she returns to this state after
service in specified combat zones. This bill would require the
Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, or his or
her designees, to develop a plan for outreach to eligible members
and veterans, as described, regarding traumatic brain injury and
post-traumatic stress disorder. This bill would also require the
Adjutant General, or his or her designee, to develop a plan for
outreach to eligible members of the California National Guard, who
have returned from combat and remain on duty, regarding traumatic
brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 399.5 is added to the Military and Veterans
Code, to read:
   399.5.  (a) (1) The Secretary of the California Department of
Veterans Affairs, or his or her designees, shall assist any eligible
member or veteran who returns or has returned to this state in
obtaining an appropriate health screening test for traumatic brain
injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
   (2) The eligible member or veteran must return or have returned to
this state after service.
   (b) (1) In order to effectively provide the assistance required by
subdivision (a), the Secretary of the California Department of
Veterans Affairs, or his or her designees, shall develop and
implement a plan for outreach to eligible members and veterans who
have returned from combat. The Adjutant General, or his or her
designee, shall also develop and implement a plan for outreach to
eligible members of the California National Guard who have returned
from combat and remain on duty in order to effectively provide the
service required by subdivision (a).
   (2) Each outreach plan shall provide information to eligible
members and veterans concerning traumatic brain injury and
post-traumatic stress disorder, the possible impacts associated with
traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, and the
right to screening services.
   (c) For purposes of this section, both of the following apply:
   (1) "Eligible member" means a member who served under Title 10 of
the United States Code as designated by Executive Orders Nos. 12744
and 13239 of the President of the United States.
   (2) "Member" or "member of the Armed Forces" means a member of the
Armed Forces of the United States, including the California National
Guard, who is a resident of this state.