BILL NUMBER: AB 589	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cook

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act to add Section 3073.5 to the Penal Code, relating to
veterans.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 589, as introduced, Cook. Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation: contracts: county veterans service officers:
incarcerated veterans.
   Existing law requires a county veteran service officer to assist
every veteran of any war of the United States and the dependents of
every deceased veteran in presenting and pursuing any claim the
veteran may have against the United States and in establishing the
veteran's right to any privilege, preference, care, or compensation
provided for by the laws of the United States or of this state.
   This bill would allow the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation or a local law enforcement agency to contract with
county veterans services officers in the county where the state or
local correctional facility is located to assist an incarcerated
honorably discharged veteran and the veteran's dependents in
presenting and pursuing any claims, as specified, and in establishing
the veteran's and dependent's right to any privilege, preference,
care, or compensation provided for by the laws of the United States
or of this state. This bill would authorize the department or local
enforcement agency to, pursuant to the contract, compensate a county
veterans service officer for the assistance provided.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 3073.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
   3073.5.  (a) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or a
local law enforcement agency may contract with county veterans
service officers in the county where the state or local correctional
facility is located to assist an incarcerated honorably discharged
veteran and the veteran's dependents in presenting and pursuing
claims as the veteran and dependent may have against the United
States arising out of war service and in establishing the veteran's
and dependent's right to any privilege, preference, care, or
compensation provided for by the laws of the United States or of this
state. The department or local enforcement agency may, pursuant to
the contract, compensate a county veterans service officer for the
assistance provided.
   (b) For purposes of this section, "incarcerated veteran" includes
any veteran described under Section 1170.9.