BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 1198
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   June 26, 2012

                       ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
                                 Paul J. Cook, Chair
                    SB 1198 (Calderon) - As Amended:  May 29, 2012

           SENATE VOTE  :   38-0
           
          SUBJECT  :  Department of Veterans Affairs: publicity of benefit 
          programs for homeless veterans

           SUMMARY  :   Requires the California Department of Veterans 
          Affairs (CDVA) to publicize information relating to the federal 
          and state benefits that are available to homeless veterans. 
          Requires CDVA to use printed material, its Internet Web site, 
          and other forms of media to distribute information about 
          available programs.   Specifically,  this bill  :  

          Requires the CDVA to publicize information pertaining to benefit 
          programs that are available to qualified homeless veterans 
          including:

               a.     Pension programs administered by the United States 
                 Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), particularly 
                 those for veterans over age 65, or permanently and 
                 totally disabled.

               b.     The United States Department of Housing and Urban 
                 Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Voucher 
                 (HUD VASH) program.

               c.     CalFresh.

           EXISTING LAW  : The CDVA makes a great deal of information 
          available to the public through various means, including an 
          annual printed Veterans Resource Book and an Internet web site. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   According to the Senate Appropriations 
          Committee, "Printed materials are estimated at $40,000-$50,000. 
          (General Fund)"

           COMMENTS  :   According to the Secretary of the USDVA, "President 
          Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness 
          among Veterans within the next five years." Estimates vary as to 
          the number of homeless veterans in the State, however, when 








                                                                  SB 1198
                                                                  Page  2

          supportive federal programs are available which aim to reduce or 
          even eliminate veteran homelessness, it seems correct to take 
          steps to publicize those programs and other programs which might 
          assist in getting homeless veterans off the streets.  However, 
          homeless veterans may have less access to media and Internet and 
          be less able to travel to offices where printed materials are 
          available than other veterans.  A suggestion for improving the 
          efficacy of this proposal is to consider the special 
          circumstances of homeless veterans and to utilize more targeted 
          methods of reaching them.

           





          REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter
          The American Legion-Department of California
          AMVETS- Department of California
          California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
          Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council 
          California State Commanders Veterans Council 

           Opposition 
           
          None on file.
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550