BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1029 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 1029 (Frazier) - As Amended May 18, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy | Veterans Affairs |Vote:| 8 - 1 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Page 2 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. AB 1029 Page 3 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. AB 1029 Page 4 Analysis Prepared by:Pedro R. Reyes / APPR. / (916) 319-2081