California Assembly Bill AB2490 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2490AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Butler FEBRUARY 24, 2012 An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 2695) to Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 to the Penal Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2490, as amended, Butler.  Veterans service officers: correctional facilities.   Veterans: correctional counselors.  Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is responsible for administering various programs and services for the benefit of veterans. Existing law also authorizes each county board of supervisors to appoint a county veterans service officer to perform specified veterans-related services, including assisting veterans in pursuing claims for federal or state veterans' benefits.  Existing law authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to employ correctional counselors. Existing law provides that correctional officers are peace officers, as specified.  This bill would require  a parole agent to be appointed as a veterans service officer   that  at  any facility   every state prison  that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation  a correctional counselor shall be responsible for   assisting veterans who are inmates in pursuing claims for federal veterans' benefits, or in establishing rights to any other privilege, preference, care, or compensation provided under federal or state law because of honorable service in the military  .  The veterans service officer would be responsible for assisting veterans who are inmates in pursuing claims for veterans' benefits, as specified.  The bill would require the  veterans service officer   assigned correctional counselor  to coordinate with  the United States Department of Veterans Affairs,  the Department of Veterans Affairs  ,  and county veterans service officers , as specified   or veterans service organizations in the county in which the prison is located for advice and assistance  . 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. It is the intent of the Legislature to help inmates who have served in the military to access federal and state veterans' benefits earned from military service so that inmates who have served in the military are better equipped to successfully reintegrate into the community, thereby reducing costs to the state. SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 2695) is added to Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, to read: Article 6. Veterans  Service Officers   In State Prisons  2695. At  any facility   every state prison  that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,  there   a correctional counselor  shall be  a parole agent who shall be appointed as a veterans service officer   responsible for assisting veterans who are   inmates in pursuing claims for federal   veterans' benefits, or in establishing rights to any other privilege, preference, care, or compensation provided under federal or state law because of honorable service in the military. The assigned correctional counselor shall coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the county veterans service officer or veterans service organizations, or both, in the county in which the prison   is located for advice and assistance  .  2695.1. The veterans service officer shall be responsible for assisting veterans who are inmates in pursuing claims for federal veterans' benefits, or in establishing rights to any other privilege, preference, care, or compensation provided under federal or state law because of honorable service in the military. The veterans service officer shall be authorized to appoint inmates who have served in the military to assist with these responsibilities.   2695.3. The veterans service officer shall coordinate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in order to best access earned veterans' benefits.   2695.4. The veterans service officer shall coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the county veterans service officer in the county in which the facility is located for advice, assistance, and training, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.