BILL NUMBER: AB 2490AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 2, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Butler FEBRUARY 24, 2012 An act to add Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1840) to Division 8 of the Military and Veterans Code, and 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: 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 that at 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 bill would require the assigned correctional counselor to coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and county veterans service officers 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.SECTION 1. Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1840) is added to Division 8 of the Military and Veterans Code , to read: CHAPTER 4. VETERANS IN STATE PRISON 1840. As set forth in Article 6 (commencing with Section 2695) of Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, at 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 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. 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 In State Prisons 2695. At 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 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.