BILL NUMBER: AB 1509INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Fox JANUARY 14, 2014 An act to add Section 90 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1509, as introduced, Fox. Veterans: transition assistance. Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is responsible for administering various programs and services for the benefit of veterans. This bill would require, by January 1, 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state within the previous 18 months, as specified. 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 90 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read: 90. By January 1, 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state within the previous 18 months. The program shall be designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning from military to civilian life in California and to complement the transition program offered by the Department of Defense. The program shall include, but shall not be limited to, California-specific transition assistance information, California higher education benefits and program information, vocational training assistance, apprenticeship programs, military sexual trauma (MST) resources and information, and housing information.