BILL NUMBER: AB 1568INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Committee on Veterans Affairs (Salas (Chair), Cook (Vice Chair), Huber, Lieu, V. Manuel Perez, Saldana, and Yamada) MARCH 16, 2009 An act to add Section 722 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1568, as introduced, Committee on Veterans Affairs. Veterans: benefits. Existing law requires every state and local public agency to render the service or provide the benefits and assistance it provides to the public to every veteran on the same basis as to any other eligible person. Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which basic health care services are provided to qualified low-income persons. Existing law permits a county board of supervisors to appoint a county veterans services officer. This bill would declare legislative intent to implement the Public Assistance and Reporting Information System (PARIS) interstate-federal match to allow the department to identify veterans enrolled in the Medi-Cal program who could receive medical benefits through the federal Veterans Health Administration that would either replace or supplement Medi-Cal benefits. The bill would require the department to work in conjunction with designated state and local entities in utilizing the PARIS to identify veterans enrolled in the Medi-Cal program, and to assist them in obtaining federal veterans' health care benefits. The bill also would require the department to work in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a plan for the dissemination of PARIS match results, and to establish outreach standards and performance criteria for county veteran services offices that receive information regarding veterans identified by the PARIS. Because the bill would impose increased duties upon county veterans services officers, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 722 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read: 722. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to implement the Public Assistance and Reporting Information System (PARIS) interstate-federal match to allow the State Department of Health Care Services to identify veterans enrolled in the Medi-Cal program who could receive medical benefits through the federal Veterans Health Administration that would either replace or supplement benefits available from the Medi-Cal program. (b) The State Department of Health Care Services shall work in conjunction with the State Department of Social Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, county welfare departments, and other state agencies and departments, as needed, in utilizing the federal PARIS to identify veterans enrolled in the Medi-Cal program, and to assist them in obtaining federal veterans' health care benefits. (c) The State Department of Health Care Services shall work in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs to do both of the following: (1) Develop a plan for the dissemination of PARIS match results to county veteran services offices (CVSOs). (2) Establish outreach standards and measurable performance criteria for CVSOs that receive information regarding veterans identified by the PARIS. SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.