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