BILL NUMBER: AB 421	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 13, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Calderon

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2015

   An act to amend Section 87356 of, and to add Section 72620.1 to,
the Education Code, relating to community colleges.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 421, as amended, Calderon. Community colleges: veterans
counselor.
   Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under
the administration of the Board of Governors of the California
Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary
education in this state. Existing law establishes community college
districts throughout the state, and authorizes them to operate
campuses and provide instruction to students. Existing law authorizes
the governing board of a community college district to provide a
counseling program. Existing law requires the Board of Governors of
the California Community Colleges to adopt regulations to establish
and maintain minimum qualifications for the hiring of certain
community college faculty and staff members.
   This bill would  require   require, on or
before July 1, 2018,  the governing board of a community college
district to provide  in each college within the district a
veterans counselor   a veterans counselor at each of the
district's colleges with 200 or more enrolled student veterans, as
defined by the board of governors  . The bill would also require
the  Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges
  board of governors  to adopt regulations to
establish and maintain minimum qualifications for veterans 
counselors.   counselors, as specified.  By
requiring community colleges to have a veterans counselor, this bill
would impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 72620.1 is added to the Education Code, to
read:
   72620.1.   The   On or before July 1, 2018,
the  governing board of a community college district shall
provide  in each college within the district a veterans
counselor.   a veterans counselor at each of the
district's col   leges with 200 or more enrolled student
veterans, as defined by the Board of Governors of the California
Community Colleges. 
  SEC. 2.  Section 87356 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   87356.  (a) The board of governors shall adopt regulations to
establish and maintain the minimum qualifications for service as a
faculty member teaching credit instruction, a faculty member teaching
noncredit instruction, a librarian, a counselor, a veterans
counselor, an educational administrator, an extended opportunity
programs and services worker, a disabled students programs and
services worker, an apprenticeship instructor, and a supervisor of
health. 
   (b) When the board of governors adopts regulations to establish
and maintain the minimum qualifications for service as a veterans
counselor, the board of governors shall consider including at least
all of the following:  
   (1) A definition of a veterans counselor that would include a
person who has demonstrated experience of the unique social and
psychological needs of veteran students.  
   (2) The role of a veterans counselor.  
   (3) A requirement that a veterans counselor have appropriate
knowledge and experience, including, as appropriate, the following:
 
   (A) Knowledge about veterans educational benefits (GI Bill) and
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.  
   (B) Experience in designing and preparing Veteran Student
Educational Plans for community college student veterans.  
   (C) Knowledge of California Community College Student Success and
Support Programs.  
   (D) Experience in using a broad range of technology pertaining to
data collection and analysis for student success.  
   (E) Experience in developing and presenting counseling-related
workshops and orientation sessions.  
   (F) A demonstrated ability to effectively serve as a liaison and
communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and external community
veterans resource providers concerning veteran-specific issues,
learning processes, combat stress injuries, moral injuries, trauma,
traumatic brain injuries, and other disabilities.  
   (G) Knowledge of occupational opportunities and internships for
veterans, community agencies and other organizations serving students
who are veterans, issues facing veterans, and state and federal
guidelines and services to veterans.  
   (b) 
    (c)  The Legislature finds and declares that this
section does not create a state-mandated local program because
compensation of faculty will continue to be determined through the
collective bargaining process or meet and confer sessions.
  SEC. 3.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.
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