BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2263
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Date of Hearing: May 7, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2263 (Bradford) - As Amended: April 22, 2014
Policy Committee: Public
SafetyVote: 7-0
Veterans Affairs 9-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires a staff member to serve as a veterans service
ombudsman at each facility under jurisdiction of the Department
of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). This person would be
responsible for helping inmates who are veterans by facilitating
access to county veterans service officers, and U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs and California Department of Veterans
Affairs personnel, so inmates may more effectively pursue claims
for federal veterans' benefits or any services or privileges
provided under federal or state law.
FISCAL EFFECT
Significant ongoing GF costs, likely in the range of $850,000,
assuming each prison dedicates the equivalent of one-quarter
personnel year to serve as a veterans ombudsman.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The author contends a dedicated ombudsperson would
help inmates who are veterans access services and benefits
that would greatly assist in their acclimation to the
community.
According to the author, "Recidivism rates among veterans
continue to be an issue primarily for economic reasons.
Currently the Department of Corrections has been doing a good
job of trying to provide veteran inmates with information and
forms to apply and receive VA benefits. However, the process
for qualifying for VA benefits is often burdensome for even
AB 2263
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people with a four year college degree.
"One of the major problems is that facilities do not have a
designated person responsible for assuring that veterans are
able to have access to VA benefits upon release.
2)Current state law requires CDCR to develop policies regarding
the release of veterans who are inmates. The policies shall be
developed to assist veterans who are inmates in pursuing
claims for federal veterans' benefits, or in establishing
rights to any other services or privileges under federal or
state law.
Current 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.
3)A more cost effective alternative to state staffing may be to
pursue, facilitate, and authorize the regular presence of
existing county veterans service officers in the prisons.
4)Support includes the Coalition of CA Welfare Rights
Organization, the CA Correctional Peace Officers Association,
and the CA Public Defenders Association.
5) There is no known opposition .
6)There are about 4,625 inmates who are veterans in state
prison .
Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081