BILL NUMBER: AB 2490	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 2, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 25, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Butler

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2012

   An act to add  Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1840) to
Division 8 of the Military and Veterans Code, and to add 
Article 6 (commencing with Section 2695) to Chapter 4 of Title 1 of
Part 3 to the Penal Code, relating to veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2490, as amended, Butler. Veterans: correctional counselors.
   Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which
is responsible for administering various programs and services for
the benefit of veterans. Existing law also authorizes each county
board of supervisors to appoint a county veterans service officer to
perform specified veterans-related services, including assisting
veterans in pursuing claims for federal or state veterans' benefits.
   Existing law authorizes the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation to employ correctional counselors. Existing law
provides that correctional officers are peace officers, as specified.

   This bill would require that at every state prison that is under
the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
a correctional counselor shall be responsible for assisting veterans
who are inmates in pursuing claims for federal veterans' benefits, or
in establishing rights to any other privilege, preference, care, or
compensation provided under federal or state law because of honorable
service in the military. The bill would require the assigned
correctional counselor to coordinate with the Department of Veterans
Affairs and county veterans service officers or veterans service
organizations in the county in which the prison is located for advice
and assistance.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
   
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to help inmates who have served in the military to access federal and
state veterans' benefits earned from military service so that
inmates who have served in the military are better equipped to
successfully reintegrate into the community, thereby reducing costs
to the state. 
   SECTION 1.    Chapter 4 (commencing with Section
1840) is added to Division 8 of the   Military and Veterans
Code   , to read:  
      CHAPTER 4.  VETERANS IN STATE PRISON


   1840.  As set forth in Article 6 (commencing with Section 2695) of
Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, at every state
prison that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation, a correctional counselor shall be
responsible for assisting veterans who are inmates in pursuing claims
for federal veterans' benefits, or in establishing rights to any
other privilege, preference, care, or compensation provided under
federal or state law because of honorable service in the military.
The assigned correctional counselor shall coordinate with the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the county veterans service
officer or veterans service organizations, or both, in the county in
which the prison is located for advice and assistance. 
  SEC. 2.  Article 6 (commencing with Section 2695) is added to
Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, to read:

      Article 6.  Veterans In State Prisons


   2695.  At every state prison that is under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a correctional
counselor shall be responsible for assisting veterans who are inmates
in pursuing claims for federal veterans' benefits, or in
establishing rights to any other privilege, preference, care, or
compensation provided under federal or state law because of honorable
service in the military. The assigned correctional counselor shall
coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the county
veterans service officer or veterans service organizations, or both,
in the county in which the prison is located for advice and
assistance.