BILL NUMBER: AB 2490	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 22, 2012
	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   to
develop guidance policies to assist 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   authorize the department 
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   in developing the policies  .
   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.  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.  
The   Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall
develop guidance policies relative to the release of veterans who are
inmates. The policies shall be developed with the intent to assist
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. In developing the
policies, the department may coordinate with the Department of
Veterans Affairs and the county veterans service officer or veterans
service organizations. 
  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.   The   Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation shall develop guidance policies relative to the
release of veterans who are inmates. The policies shall be developed
with the intent to assist 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. In
developing the policies, the department may coordinate with the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the county veterans service
officer or veterans service organizations.