BILL ANALYSIS SB 1127 Page 1 Date of Hearing: June 29, 2010 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS Paul J. Cook, Chair SB 1127 (Oropeza) - As Amended: May 18, 2010 SENATE VOTE : 35-0 SUBJECT : Veterans: information to family members. SUMMARY : Requires the California Department of Veterans Affairs to make available to family members of veterans returning from active duty user-friendly Internet resources that provide information on the signs of pertinent ailments from various conflicts and printed material regarding those ailments at any public function of the department. EXISTING LAW: Requires CDVA to aid and assist California veterans and their families and to administer the California Veterans Homes. FISCAL EFFECT : No cost was identified by Senate Appropriations Committee. COMMENTS : According to the author, who cites several recent studies, returning war veterans can often have problems reintegrating to society. In the modern era, American society witnessed the problem of reintegration in the early 1980s when it was discovered that many of the people on skid row were Vietnam Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Traditionally it is the Federal Government's responsibility to take care of veterans, but as more and more unseen ailments such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury are affecting veterans who are being discharged without diagnosis and without notification to the federal Veterans' Administration (VA). As a result of unseen and undiagnosed ailments these veterans then fall through the cracks of the VA health system and land on county mental health systems, which according to the funding in that county, may or may not cover that particular ailment. Veterans from our current conflicts are falling into homelessness faster than their Vietnam counterparts because of the inability to integrate back into civilian life. SB 1127 Page 2 When these conditions go untreated some veterans turn to drugs and alcohol and can often lose what few benefits they have. The loss of these benefits only continues the downward spiral. When veterans return home undiagnosed and outside of the VA system, their family is often the only asset left to help get these veterans help. On Monday, May 23, 2009 the Administration announced the launch of the Network of Care for Veterans web site. In an effort with other departments the California Department of Veterans Affairs combined efforts to provide assistance for deserving veterans who have served. Though the Network of Care, Californians can show their support for those who serve and have served their state and nation. The administration has said, "Fighting in a war is a life-changing experience. A veteran can leave the battlefield but leaving behind the pain, the anguish and the terrible memories is much more difficult and much more challenging to do." County mental health directors widely recognize the needs of returning soldiers and their families, and in their community mental health plans have included programs and resources to meet those needs. They used Mental Health Services Act funds to develop a public-private partnership to develop what they labeled convenient, easy-to-use online resource specific to the needs of veterans and service members, the Network of Care. It's a one-stop resource for access to community mental health services in all 58 of our California counties. And it's not only for veterans; it's for their families too. The Veterans Network of Care was referenced in the veto message of AB 716 of 2009, as a public/private partnership that provides social service, mental health, employment, medical and educational links for veterans and active duty personnel, as well as their families. The committee may wish to suggest amendments directing the California Department of Veterans Affairs to update their website with a prominently displayed link to the Veterans Network of Care. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION : SB 1127 Page 3 Support None on file. Opposition None on file. Analysis Prepared by : Eric Worthen / V. A. / (916) 319-3550