Bill Text: CA AB2563 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Bill 2563 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Veterans: service advocate: correctional facilities.

Spectrum: Unknown

Status: (Passed) 2016-08-26 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 203, Statutes of 2016. [AB2563 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB2563-Chaptered.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 2563	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  203
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 26, 2016
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 26, 2016
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 11, 2016
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  APRIL 21, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Committee on Veterans Affairs

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act to amend Section 2695.5 of the Penal Code, relating to
veterans.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2563, Committee on Veterans Affairs. Veterans: service
advocate: correctional facilities.
   Existing law establishes the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation to oversee the state prison system. Under existing
law, the department is required to develop guidance policies relative
to the release of veterans who are inmates with the intent to assist
them 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.
   Existing law authorizes a veterans service organization to
volunteer to serve as a veterans service advocate at each facility
that is under the jurisdiction of the department. Under existing law,
the advocate is authorized to develop a veterans economic recidivism
prevention plan for each inmate who is a veteran. Existing law
defines "veteran" for these purposes as a person who has been
discharged from the United States Army, United States Navy, United
States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast
Guard, the Merchant Marine, or the American Red Cross.
   This bill would revise the definition of "veteran" for the
purposes described above by deleting the reference to the American
Red Cross and including a person who has been discharged from the
National Guard of any state.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 2695.5 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   2695.5.  For purposes of this article, the following definitions
shall apply:
   (a) "Advocate" means a veterans service organization that is
federally certified and has volunteered to serve as a veterans
service advocate pursuant to this article.
   (b) "Veteran" means a person who has been discharged from the
United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force,
United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, the National
Guard of any state, or the Merchant Marine.