BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2563 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 29, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS Jacqui Irwin, Chair AB 2563 (Committee on Veterans Affairs) - As Introduced February 19, 2016 SUBJECT: Veterans: service advocate: correctional facilities SUMMARY: Revises the definition of "veteran" in Section 2695.5 of the Penal Code by deleting the reference to the American Red Cross and including a person who has been discharged from the National Guard of any state. EXISTING LAW: 1)Establishes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to oversee the state prison system. 2)Requires CDCR to develop guidance policies relative to the release of veterans who are inmates with the intent to assist veterans who are inmates in pursuing claims for federal veterans' benefits, or in establishing rights to any other privilege, preference, care, or compensation provided under federal or state law because of honorable service in the military. AB 2563 Page 2 3)Authorizes a veterans service organization to volunteer to serve as a veterans service advocate at each facility that is under the jurisdiction of the department. 4)Authorizes the advocate to develop a veterans economic recidivism prevention plan for each inmate who is a veteran. 5)Defines "veteran" for these purposes as a person who has been discharged from the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, the Merchant Marine, or the American Red Cross. FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown COMMENTS: Assembly Bill 2263 (2014) added Sections 2695.1, 2695.2, 2695.3, 2695.4, and 2695.5 to the Penal Code, relating to veterans. Section 2695.5 applied the following definition: "Veteran" means a person who has been discharged from the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, the Merchant Marine, or the American Red Cross. The term veteran commonly applies to a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. The American Red Cross is not a military organization. The National Guard is a military organization. It is the general intent of this bill to assist former military members who are incarcerated as they may be eligible for benefits not available to those who have not undertaken military service. It has been the policy of this state to include the AB 2563 Page 3 National Guard explicitly where appropriate to clarify that its members are included. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support None on File Opposition None on File Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550