BILL NUMBER: AB 2263INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bradford FEBRUARY 21, 2014 An act to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 2696) to Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 to the Penal Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2263, as introduced, Bradford. Veterans service officers: correctional facilities. 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. This bill would require a parole agent to be appointed as a veterans service officer at each facility that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The veterans service officer would be responsible for assisting inmates who are veterans in pursuing claims for veterans' benefits, as specified. The bill would require the veterans service officer to coordinate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and county veterans service officers, 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. 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 those inmates are better equipped to successfully reintegrate into the community, thereby reducing costs to the state. SEC. 2. Article 7 (commencing with Section 2696) is added to Chapter 4 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, to read: Article 7. Veterans Service Officers 2696. At each facility that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, there shall be a parole agent who is appointed as a veterans service officer. For purposes of this article, "veterans service officer" means the parole agent appointed pursuant to this section. 2696.1. The veterans service officer is responsible for assisting inmates who are veterans 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 is authorized to appoint inmates who have served in the military to assist with these responsibilities. 2696.2. The veterans service officer shall coordinate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in order to provide inmates who are veterans with the most efficient access to earned veterans' benefits. 2696.3. 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.