BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2512
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Date of Hearing: April 27, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
2512 (Grove) - As Amended April 6, 2016
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|Policy |Veterans Affairs |Vote:|9 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill creates a nine-member volunteer Task Force on
California Women Veterans Health Care, within the California
Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), to study the health
care needs of women veterans in the state, as specified. It
requires the task force, when conducting its study and preparing
a report required in this bill, to consult with the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Department of
Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care, and
representatives of county veterans service officers.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 2512
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First-year cost to CalVet in the $330,000 range, for two staff,
and $100,000 consulting contract for a survey, ongoing annual
cost in the $200,000 range until January 1, 2020, when this bill
sunsets.. (General Fund)
COMMENTS:
Background/Purpose. Current law requires the California
Veterans Board (board) to advise CalVet and the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs on policies for operations of the CalVet and
authorizes the board to create advisory committees consisting of
veterans to advise the board in specific fields. By July 1,
2015, CalVet is required to develop a transition assistance
program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed
Forces of the United States or the National Guard, designed to
assist veterans in successfully transitioning to civilian life,
that includes information about California-specific transition
assistance, including health care programs and services, mental
health resources, and military sexual trauma resources.
There are approximately 2.3 million women veterans in the United
States, or 10% of the total number of veterans, and many women
have already served in combat zones. The proportion of women
veterans is expected to rise to 18 percent by 2040. The author
states that it is important that the state seek to ensure the
availability of specialized services, tailored to the specific
needs of women, for physical and mental health.
AB 2512 requires the task force study the health care needs of
veteran women, including:
AB 2512
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1)Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI)
2)Military Sexual Trauma, including sexual harassment or abuse
3)Alcohol and substance abuse
4)The quality and access to health services
Analysis Prepared by:Pedro Reyes / APPR. / (916)
319-2081