BILL ANALYSIS Ó
ACR 107
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Date of Hearing: March 27, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Paul J. Cook, Chair
ACR 107 (Eng, Cook) - As Introduced: February 13, 2012
SUBJECT : PTSD Awareness Day
SUMMARY : ACR 107 would educate the California public about the
causes, symptoms, and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) and its impact on our United States Armed Forces
veterans.
Specifically, this resolution : would recognize June 27, 2012, as
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.
EXISTING LAW : United States Senate Resolution 541, 2010,
designates June 27, 2010 as National Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder Awareness Day. US Senate Resolution 541 urges the
United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Defense to continue working to educate servicemembers, veterans,
the families of servicemembers and veterans, and the public
about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic
stress disorder. It also respectfully requests that the
Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of the resolution to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown, however, this bill is a resolution and
is not keyed fiscal.
COMMENTS : According to the author:
1. The incidence of PTSD in members of the military is
rising because hundreds of thousands of soldiers are
exposed to traumatic life-threatening events.
2. According to the National Institute for Mental Health,
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure
to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical
harm occurred or was threatened.
3. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs estimates
that as many as 95 percent of veterans returning from
combat in Iraq and Afghanistan have some form of PTSD.
ACR 107
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4. Although the Department of Defense and the Department of
Veterans Affairs have made significant advances in the
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and the
symptoms of PTSD, many challenges remain.
5. This resolution is intended to educate the public about
the struggles faced by our service men and women returning
home.
In 2005 the United States Department of Veterans Affairs noted a
30% increase in PTSD claims in recent years. It also estimated
that 830,000 Vietnam War veterans suffered symptoms of PTSD. A
2011 study from Georgia State University and San Diego State
University found that rates of PTSD diagnosis increased
significantly when troops were stationed in combat zones, had
tours of longer than a year, experienced combat, or were
injured. Military personnel serving in combat zones were 12.1
percentage points more likely to receive a PTSD diagnosis than
their active-duty counterparts in non-combat zones. Those
serving more than 12 months in a combat zone were 14.3
percentage points more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than
those who served less than one year. Experiencing an enemy
firefight was associated a 18.3 percentage point increase in the
probability of PTSD, while being wounded or injured in combat
was associated a 23.9 percentage point increase in the
likelihood of a PTSD diagnosis.
In California there is an estimated veteran population of
1,972,000, with more expected due to the drawdowns in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The United States currently recognizes June 27th as
National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day, and this
resolution would bring California, which holds 8.7% of the
nation's veterans, up to date with the federal measure.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
The American Legion-Department of California
AMVETS- Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Opposition
ACR 107
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None on File
Analysis Prepared by : Jenny Callison / V. A. / (916) 319-3550