BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 258
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          Date of Hearing:  April 2, 2013

                       ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
                                Al Muratsuchi, Chair
                  AB 258 (Chávez) - As Introduced:  February 7, 2013
           
          SUBJECT  :  State agencies: veterans.

           SUMMARY  :  This bill changes the wording of how the state asks  
          those with whom it interacts about their military or veteran  
          status.  Specifically,  this bill  :  

          1)Mandates that every state agency that inquires whether a  
            person is a veteran must request that information only in the  
            following format: "Have you ever served in the military?"

          2)Specifies that this section shall apply only to a written form  
            or written publication that is newly printed on or after  
            January 1, 2014.

           EXISTING LAW  :  Does not specify the form of this kind of  
          inquiry.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  Unknown at this time.

           COMMENTS :  In 2011, the most recent data available from the  
          United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), California  
          veterans received an average compensation and pension amount of  
          $1,929.  This was less than the national average of $2,104  
          dollars.  Increasing the participation rate for California  
          veterans would benefit the veterans and the economy of the  
          State.  

          According to the author when residents are asked if they are a  
          veteran many will incorrectly answer in the negative:

               Currently California residents are simply asked, "Are you a  
               veteran?" Although a very simple question, many veterans  
               believe they are not true veterans because they have never  
               served in combat or, most commonly, because they are women.  
               In 2011 the California Research Bureau conducted a survey  
               on women, 63 of the 843 respondents (7.4%), marked that  
               they were not a veteran then included comments such as, "I  
               served in the Air Force," additionally the women stated "I  
               thought veteran benefits were only for men."








                                                                  AB 258
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               Furthermore, when the CRB held the ICV (Interagency Council  
               on Veterans) meetings in December 2011, and Jan. and Feb.  
               2012 both women in the services repeatedly stated that the,  
               "Are you a veteran?" question was insufficient for  
               identifying female veterans and men who had not served in  
               combat.

               Veterans who do not identify themselves can lose out on  
               many Federal Benefits for which they are entitled. Such  
               benefits include the GI Bill, disability compensation and  
               pension, access to free or reduced cost medical care,  
               vocational rehab, unemployment benefits, veteran home  
               loans, burial benefits, and survivor benefits.

          The bill seeks a small change which will increase veterans'  
          participation in benefits and services they have earned, aiding  
          them and the economy.  Further, it provides a reasonable  
          phase-in period to allow time for changes in digital and printed  
          materials without waste or creating a crisis.  Finally, for all  
          veterans, but with particular respect to female veterans, as  
          stated by the author:

               "It is a shame that many of our female veterans do not  
               believe they are entitled to the same benefits as their  
               male counterparts. AB 258 is a small change that will  
               positively impact our female veterans and ensure they have  
               access to the benefits they deserve."

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          American Association of University Women- California
          American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees,  
          AFL-CIO

           Opposition 
           
          None on file.
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :  John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550 











                                                                  AB 258
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