BILL ANALYSIS �
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
SB 1198 (Calderon) - Department of Veterans Affairs
Amended: As Introduced Policy Vote: VA 7-0
Urgency: No Mandate: No
Hearing Date: May 24, 2012 Consultant: Maureen Ortiz
SUSPENSE FILE. AS PROPOSED TO BE AMENDED.
Bill Summary: SB 1198 requires the California Department of
Veterans Affairs (CDVA) to publicize information relating to the
federal and state benefits that are available to homeless
veterans. The bill requires CDVA to use printed material, its
Internet Web site, and other forms of media to distribute
information about available programs.
Fiscal Impact:
Printed materials are estimated at $40,000-$50,000.
(General Fund)
Background: Many state and federal benefits are currently
available to homeless veterans, and SB 1198 specifically
requires the CDVA to publicize the availability of those
programs including the following:
a) Veterans pension programs administered by the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs including benefits
for veterans who are 65 years of age or older, or are
permanently and totally disabled.
b) The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher program
(Public Law 110-161) and any programs that assist homeless
veterans in securing rental housing.
c) The CalFresh program which is federally funded and
administered by the State Department of Social Services.
Proposed Law: SB 1198 requires the CDVA to publicize information
pertaining to benefits that are available to veterans by using
all of the following methods:
a) Printed material including flyers and posters that can
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be provided to county veterans service offices, homeless
shelters, Veterans Affairs hospitals, and other public and
private entities that are in contact with homeless
veterans.
b) Posted on the department's Internet Web site.
c) Any other method that the department determines would
publicize and create awareness to homeless veterans about
the benefit programs available to them.
SB 1198 requires the department to publicize information that
veterans who are not eligible for loans under the CalVet Home
Loan Program may be eligible for housing assistance under the
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Voucher Program. In
addition, SB 1198 requires the information to inform veterans
about how they can receive assistance from a county veterans
service office in obtaining these benefits.
Staff Comments: Currently, on the Department of Veterans Affairs
Internet Web site is a CalVet Newsletter for April 2012. Within
this newsletter are several articles regarding various programs
that currently exist for veterans as follows:
1) An article promoting Veteran Homes,
2) Information regarding a program called Freedom Dogs, a
nonprofit organization located in San Diego that pairs
wounded warriors with specialty service dogs,
3) Information relating to the health of women veterans,
4) The Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program which
provides a monthly benefit to surviving spouses and
dependent children of service members who die as a result
of active military service,
5) The availability of veterans cemeteries,
6) Courses for veterans and their families who are
struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disease,
7) Telehealth technology information which will help
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veteran patients connect with health care providers,
8) The Iraq Star Foundation which provides free aesthetic
surgery for soldiers wounded in the Iraq and/or Afghanistan
wars,
9) Free swim programs for injured veterans at CSU, San
Bernardino, as well as information on several other topics
including mortgage foreclosures, marriage retreats for
returning veterans, sleep disorders, educational benefits,
and the Heroes Work Here program which provides jobs for
veterans through the Walt Disney Company.
Committee Amendments: Delete the requirement for distribution
through media forms.