BILL NUMBER: AB 2263	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bradford

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 2696) to Chapter
4 of Title 1 of Part 3 to the Penal Code, relating to veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2263, as introduced, Bradford. Veterans service officers:
correctional facilities.
   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.
   This bill would require a parole agent to be appointed as a
veterans service officer at each facility that is under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The
veterans service officer would be responsible for assisting inmates
who are veterans in pursuing claims for veterans' benefits, as
specified. The bill would require the veterans service officer to
coordinate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and county veterans service
officers, as specified.
   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 those inmates are
better equipped to successfully reintegrate into the community,
thereby reducing costs to the state.
  SEC. 2.  Article 7 (commencing with Section 2696) is added to
Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, to read:

      Article 7.  Veterans Service Officers


   2696.  At each facility that is under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, there shall be a parole
agent who is appointed as a veterans service officer. For purposes
of this article, "veterans service officer" means the parole agent
appointed pursuant to this section.
   2696.1.  The veterans service officer is responsible for assisting
inmates who are veterans 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 veterans service
officer is authorized to appoint inmates who have served in the
military to assist with these responsibilities.
   2696.2.  The veterans service officer shall coordinate with the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs in order to provide
inmates who are veterans with the most efficient access to earned
veterans' benefits.
   2696.3.  The veterans service officer shall coordinate with the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the county veterans service
officer in the county in which the facility is located for advice,
assistance, and training, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the
program.