BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
JEFF DENHAM, CHAIRMAN
Bill No: AB 589
Author: Cook
Version: As Amended June 1, 2009
Hearing Date: June 23, 2009
Fiscal: Yes
Consultant: Donald E. Wilson
SUBJECT OF BILL
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDRC) and
contracting with County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO)s.
PROPOSED LAW
Allow CDRC to contract with CVSOs in up to six correctional
locations in the state to provide services to incarcerated
veterans.
EXISTING LAW AND BACKGROUND
1. Traditionally veterans' benefits are offered to
those with an honorable discharge and those without
felony criminal records.
2. Soldiers are increasingly returning from combat
with mental health issues such as Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
3. There is a strong correlation between PTSD and
criminal behavior including domestic violence and
self-medication (sometimes done with illegal
narcotics).
4. Approximately 4,000 inmates in state prison claim
to be veterans.
5. Presently Soledad Prison has a veterans' service
program.
COMMENT
1. Veterans are finding themselves losing their
benefits from criminal behavior even if the source of
the behavior was a service-connected issue that
required treatment. In the end, the lack of treatment
causes the loss of other benefits.
2. In the case of veterans with PTSD if the underlying
cause of the activity is not addressed it is
legitimate to believe that criminal activity could or
would continue and even escalate.
3. There are also some disabled veterans that end up
in prison who because of a disability rating are
entitled to certain benefits.
4. CDCR has been cooperating with the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) for several
years in identifying persons who have honorably served
in the military.
5. CDCR indicates that during the classification
process every inmate is asked if he or she served in
the United States military and was honorably
discharged. CDCR notes affirmative responses,
although they are not required to verify or confirm
the inmate's veteran status.
6. Based on the data entered, CDCR provides lists of
potential veterans pending parole to the USDVA.
7. The USDVA provides benefits, services and programs
to assist veterans with housing, treatment,
counseling, education, and employment.
8. Parolees who are veterans are entitled to
participate in USDVA programs to improve their
opportunities for successful parole.
SUPPORT
American Legion, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
California Association of County Veteran Service Officers
OPPOSE
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None received
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