BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1029
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1029 (Frazier) - As Amended May 18, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill creates a certification program, within the Department
of Veterans Affairs (department), for charitable organizations
that provide certain specified services to veterans and their
families. Specifically, this bill:
AB 1029
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1)Defines "Certified California Veteran Servicer Provider" to
mean an entity that is certified by the Department as having
an established history of providing supportive services, as
specified, and that meets certain requirements.
2)Provides that a certification approved by the department is
valid for three years from the date the department accepts
credentials for certification, and the department may accept
current certifications and licenses from any other state
entity, agency, or department as support for certification of
a Certified Veteran Service Provider.
3)Requires the department to maintain a list of Certified
California Veteran Servicer Providers on its Internet Web site
and promulgate regulations by July 1, 2017.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Ongoing cost of approximately $100,000 (GF) to CalVet to
promulgate regulations the first year, and provide and renew the
three-year certification, decertify bad actors, and maintain a
current list of certified organizations after the first year.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. According to the author, "Veterans comprise 25% or
more of California's homeless population. Tens of thousands of
these individuals are returning from wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan with significant physical and mental injuries. The
state provides resources to veterans in the form of grants to
non-profit agencies that provide housing, mental health,
substance abuse, case management and employment services.
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However, as concern for the welfare of returning service members
has grown, so has the interest of an increasing number of
organizations to receive the small amount of grant dollars
available. These scarce grant dollars are often going to
organizations with excellent grant writers, however, the actual
organizations have no background or experience to address the
unique needs of veterans; often times, they have no actual base
of clients to serve. As a result, qualified veteran service
organizations (with long and proven histories of effectively
serving veterans) receive reduced funding and are forced to cut
services to veterans and lay off qualified staff."
Existing law contains some analogues, such as the Disabled
Veteran Business Enterprise Program, which includes a
certification by the Department of General Services that a
business meets the requirements to participate in the program.
However, there is nothing in current code that would certify a
Veteran Service Provider.
This bill creates a certification for charitable entities
serving veterans and that meet certain minimum standards. The
scope of the certification is limited to entities serving
veterans with health and mental health services, small business
assistance, employment services, and job training services.
These entities must demonstrate knowledge, experience, and
cultural competency to provide supportive services to veterans
and their families.
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Analysis Prepared by:Pedro R. Reyes / APPR. / (916)
319-2081