Bill Text: CA SB112 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: California Veterans' Bill of Rights.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From Assembly without further action. [SB112 Detail]
Download: California-2015-SB112-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: SB 112 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE JANUARY 13, 2016
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 27, 2015
INTRODUCED BY Senator Roth
JANUARY 12, 2015
An act to add Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1860) to Division
8 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 112, as amended, Roth. Veterans. Calif
ornia Veterans' Bill of Rights.
Existing law establishes within state government a Department of
Veterans Affairs. Existing law provides for a variety of state
benefits to veterans, including those relating to educational
assistance and farm and home purchases, as specified.
This bill would establish a California Veterans' Bill of Rights.
The bill would proclaim the rights of veterans in the State of
California, including, among others, that veterans have the right to
be treated with dignity , understanding, and respect, and
have the right to housing, education, job training, and physical and
mental health services, as prescribed.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) With over two million veterans, California has the
highest veteran population of any state in the union. California'
s veteran population faces disproportionately high levels of
homelessness and unemployment. Many veterans suffer from the effects
of combat injuries, and many others suffer from combat
-related psychological trauma that m anifests
itself in mental health disorders.
(b) Veterans are deserving of our highest gratitude for their
selfless service and sacrifice. sacrifice,
and are further deserving of the utmost treatment and care upon
returning home. Upon discharge, the initial period of
transition to civilian life is critical to successful reintegration,
and identifying active duty military service members who are
transitioning to civilian life in California is important to actively
increasing the standard of living for current and future veterans in
need of assistance.
(c) To that end, it is necessary that the Legislature establish a
California Veterans' Bill of Rights.
SEC. 2. Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1860) is added to
Division 8 of the Military and Veterans Code, to read:
CHAPTER 6. CALIFORNIA VETERANS' BILL OF RIGHTS
1860. There is hereby established a California Veterans' Bill of
Rights, as set forth in this chapter.
1862. Veterans in the State of California shall have all of the
following rights:
(a) Veterans shall have the right to be treated with dignity and
respect and to receive accurate, courteous, and timely service in all
of their contacts with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Affairs and any other state agency that administers
programs that serve veterans.
(b) Veterans shall have the right to receive fair and equal
treatment, irrespective of rank, position, or status, and shall be
treated with tact, comprehension, and understanding.
understanding in their contacts with government
agencies or private entities contracted with government entities to
provide services to veteran populations.
(c) Veterans shall have the right to be involved in the decisions
affecting their care and the formulation of programs and benefits
that affect their daily lives.
(d) Veterans , both current and transitioning
active duty military service members members,
who are likely to be California veterans, shall have the right
to be informed of all programs and benefits for which they are
eligible.
(e) Veterans shall have the right to file an application for
benefits at any time and shall have the right to receive a written
notice and explanation of the approval or denial of their application
for benefits.
(f) Veterans shall have the right to be provided with equal
benefits in any part of the state in which they, their spouses,
domestic partners, or their dependents reside. Geographical location
shall not determine the quality or level of service or care provided.
(g) Veterans (1)
When housed in state or local veterans housing or housing provided by
private groups contracting to receive state funds for housing
veterans, veterans shall have the right to adequate, safe, and
reliable housing.
(2) Veterans shall have the right to housing that provides
adequate and appropriate mental health and transitional support
services, including counseling, employment training, and substance
abuse treatment.
(h) Veterans shall have the right to the education and job
training they require to secure gainful civilian
employment.
(i) Veterans shall have the right to receive the physical and
mental health services they require as a result of their service.
Veterans shall have a right to receive these services free from fear
of retaliation or stigma. Physical and mental health services
shall not be negatively impacted or withheld from a person due solely
to his or her veteran status. State and local mental health
services shall not be negatively impacted or withheld from a
person due to his or her veteran status.
(j) Veterans shall have the right to refuse
receive services or benefits without fear of retaliation
or stigma. In that respect, no veteran shall be compelled to decline
services or benefits against his or her will, and every reasonable
effort shall be made to connect veterans with the services and
benefits to which they are rightfully entitled.
1864. The rights prescribed pursuant to this chapter are not
exhaustive, and nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit
the rights of veterans. Instead, the rights prescribed pursuant to
this chapter shall establish the minimum rights every veteran shall
enjoy as a resident of the State of California. When applicable,
veterans' spouses, domestic partners, and dependents shall also be
entitled to these rights.
