California Assembly Bill AB421 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: AB 421AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 13, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Calderon FEBRUARY 19, 2015 An act to amend Section 87356 of, and to add Section 72620.1 to, the Education Code, relating to community colleges. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 421, as amended, Calderon. Community colleges: veterans counselor. Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state, and authorizes them to operate campuses and provide instruction to students. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a community college district to provide a counseling program. Existing law requires the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to adopt regulations to establish and maintain minimum qualifications for the hiring of certain community college faculty and staff members. This bill would  require   require, on or before July 1, 2018,  the governing board of a community college district to provide  in each college within the district a veterans counselor   a veterans counselor at each of the district's colleges  . The bill would also require the  Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges   board of governors  to adopt regulations to establish and maintain minimum qualifications for veterans  counselors.   counselors, as   specified.  By requiring community colleges to have a veterans counselor, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 72620.1 is added to the Education Code, to read: 72620.1.  The   On or before July 1, 2018, the  governing board of a community college district shall provide  in each college within the district a veterans counselor.   a veterans counselor at each of the district's colleges with 200 or more enrolled student veterans, as defined by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.  SEC. 2. Section 87356 of the Education Code is amended to read: 87356. (a) The board of governors shall adopt regulations to establish and maintain the minimum qualifications for service as a faculty member teaching credit instruction, a faculty member teaching noncredit instruction, a librarian, a counselor, a veterans counselor, an educational administrator, an extended opportunity programs and services worker, a disabled students programs and services worker, an apprenticeship instructor, and a supervisor of health.  (b) When the board of governors adopts regulations to establish and maintain the minimum qualifications for service as a veterans counselor, the board of governors shall consider including at least all of the following:   (1) A definition of a veterans counselor that would include a person who has demonstrated experience of the unique social and psychological needs of veteran students.   (2) The role of a veterans counselor.   (3) A requirement that a veterans counselor have appropriate knowledge and experience, including, as appropriate, the following:   (A) Knowledge about veterans educational benefits (GI Bill) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.   (B) Experience in designing and preparing Veteran Student Educational Plans for community college student veterans.   (C) Knowledge of California Community College Student Success and Support Programs.   (D) Experience in using a broad range of technology pertaining to data collection and analysis for student success.   (E) Experience in developing and presenting counseling-related workshops and orientation sessions.   (F) A demonstrated ability to effectively serve as a liaison and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and external community veterans resource providers concerning veteran-specific issues, learning processes, combat stress injuries, moral injuries, trauma, traumatic brain injuries, and other disabilities.   (G) Knowledge of occupational opportunities and internships for veterans, community agencies and other organizations serving students who are veterans, issues facing veterans, and state and federal guidelines and services to veterans.   (b)   (c)  The Legislature finds and declares that this section does not create a state-mandated local program because compensation of faculty will continue to be determined through the collective bargaining process or meet and confer sessions. SEC. 3. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.