BILL NUMBER: AB 699	CHAPTERED  07/28/99

	CHAPTER   194
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 28, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   JULY 27, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   JULY 15, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   JULY 15, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 29, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 20, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 5, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Wiggins
   (Coauthors:  Senators Baca, Chesbro, and Johannessen)

                        FEBRUARY 24, 1999

   An act to amend Section 1012 of, and to add Section 1012.4 to, the
Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 699, Wiggins.  Veterans' home:  nonresident veterans:
outpatient services.
   Existing law provides for the establishment and operation of the
Veterans' Home of California, Yountville, for aged and disabled
veterans who are eligible for hospitalization or domiciliary care in
a veterans' facility in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and who are bona
fide residents of this state at the time of application.  The home is
under the management and control of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
   This bill would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to
arrange by contract or any other form of agreement with the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of (1)
authorizing veterans, collateral dependents, or other beneficiaries
authorized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, who
are not residents of the Veterans' Home of California, Yountville, to
receive outpatient medical services at that home, (2) establishing
rates for reimbursement from the federal government to the State of
California for outpatient services rendered by the Veterans' Home of
California, Yountville, to those patients, and (3) allowing
outpatient care and reimbursement, as prescribed, at the veterans'
home located at Barstow, California, and any veterans' home
constructed on or after January 1, 2000.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature that any agreement
entered into between the California Department of Veterans Affairs
and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, as authorized
under Section 1012.4 of the Military and Veterans Code, as added by
this act, should not result in increased net costs for the state.
  SEC. 2.  Section 1012 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended
to read:
   1012.  (a) Except as provided in Section 1012.4, the home is for
aged and disabled persons who served in the armed forces of the
United States, who were discharged or released from active duty under
honorable conditions from service, who are eligible for
hospitalization or domiciliary care in a veterans' facility in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs, and who are bona fide residents of
this state at the time of application; and for the spouses of these
persons if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
   (1) Space is available.
   (2) Joint residency will be in the best interests of the home
member, as determined by the administrator.
   (3) The spouse is a bona fide resident of this state at the time
of application for admission to the home and is married to, and has
resided with, the home member for at least one year.
   (4) The home member and spouse agree to pay the fees and charges
for joint residency which the administrator may establish.
   (b) Veterans who qualify for benefits under this chapter due to
service during a time of war, shall be given priority over veterans
who qualify due to service during a time of peace.
   (c) A resident spouse may continue residence after the veteran's
death.
   (d) The property of the home shall be used for this purpose.
  SEC. 3.  Section 1012.4 is added to the Military and Veterans Code,
to read:
   1012.4.  Notwithstanding Section 1012, the department may arrange
by contract or any other form of agreement with the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs to do both of the following:
   (a) Authorize veterans, collateral dependents, and other
beneficiaries authorized by the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs, who are not residents of the Veterans' Home of California,
Yountville, to receive outpatient medical services at that home.
   (b) Establish rates for reimbursement from the federal government
to the State of California for outpatient services rendered by the
Veterans' Home of California, Yountville to veterans who are
authorized under subdivision (a).
   (c) The outpatient services and reimbursement procedures
authorized under subdivisions (a) and (b) may be established for the
veterans' home located in Barstow, California, and any veterans' home
constructed within the state on or after January 1, 2000.