BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair SB 1198 (Calderon) - Department of Veterans Affairs Amended: As Introduced Policy Vote: VA 7-0 Urgency: No Mandate: No Hearing Date: April 30, 2012 Consultant: Maureen Ortiz This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Bill Summary: SB 1198 requires the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) to publicize information relating to the federal and state benefits that are available to homeless veterans. The bill requires CDVA to use printed material, its Internet Web site, and other forms of media to distribute information about available programs. Fiscal Impact: Unknown, likely in excess of $150,000 annually General Fund. Printed materials are estimated at $40,000-$50,000. Using other media such as television and radio PSA's could exceed $1 million. Background: Many state and federal benefits are currently available to homeless veterans, and SB 1198 specifically requires the CDVA to publicize the availability of those programs including the following: a) Veterans pension programs administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs including benefits for veterans who are 65 years of age or older, or are permanently and totally disabled. b) The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher program (Public Law 110-161) and any programs that assist homeless veterans in securing rental housing. c) The CalFresh program which is federally funded and administered by the State Department of Social Services. Proposed Law: SB 1198 requires the CDVA to publicize information pertaining to benefits that are available to veterans by using SB 1198 (Calderon) Page 1 all of the following methods: a) Printed material including flyers and posters that can be provided to county veterans service offices, homeless shelters, Veterans Affairs hospitals, and other public and private entities that are in contact with homeless veterans. b) Posted on the department's Internet Web site. c) Any other media under which promotional material or information is currently distributed regarding the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act. d) Any other method that the department determines would publicize and create awareness to homeless veterans about the benefit programs available to them. SB 1198 requires the department to publicize information that veterans who are not eligible for loans under the CalVet Home Loan Program may be eligible for housing assistance under the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Voucher Program. In addition, SB 1198 requires the information to inform veterans about how they can receive assistance from a county veterans service office in obtaining these benefits. Staff Comments: Currently, on the Department of Veterans Affairs Internet Web site is a CalVet Newsletter for April 2012. Within this newsletter are several articles regarding various programs that currently exist for veterans as follows: 1) An article promoting Veteran Homes, 2) Information regarding a program called Freedom Dogs, a nonprofit organization located in San Diego that pairs wounded warriors with specialty service dogs, 3) Information relating to the health of women veterans, 4) The Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program which provides a monthly benefit to surviving spouses and dependent children of service members who die as a result of active military service, SB 1198 (Calderon) Page 2 5) The availability of veterans cemeteries, 6) Courses for veterans and their families who are struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disease, 7) Telehealth technology information which will help veteran patients connect with health care providers, 8) The Iraq Star Foundation which provides free aesthetic surgery for soldiers wounded in the Iraq and/or Afghanistan wars, 9) Free swim programs for injured veterans at CSU, San Bernardino, as well as information on several other topics including mortgage foreclosures, marriage retreats for returning veterans, sleep disorders, educational benefits, and the Heroes Work Here program which provides jobs for veterans through the Walt Disney Company.