BILL NUMBER: AB 589INTRODUCED 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.