Bill Text: CA SB409 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Veterans’ homes: services: complex mental and behavioral health needs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-09-01 - September 1 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. [SB409 Detail]

Download: California-2017-SB409-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  July 20, 2017

Amended  IN  Senate  April 03, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 409

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Introduced by Senator Nguyen

February 15, 2017

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An act relating to veterans homes. An act to add Section 1012.5 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 409, as amended, Nguyen. Veterans homes: residents with complex mental and behavioral health needs. Veterans’ homes: services: complex mental and behavioral health needs.

Existing law provides for the establishment and operation of veterans’ homes at various sites, and provides for an administrator of each home, as specified. Existing law establishes the duties of the Department of Veterans Affairs with regard to the establishment and regulation of veterans’ homes.

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a survey to assess the ability of veterans’ homes to assist veterans with complex mental and behavioral health needs, and develop a plan to accommodate that population, as prescribed. The bill would require the department to submit the plan and any recommendations for future legislation necessary to achieve its objectives to the Legislature by January 1, 2019.

Existing law provides for the establishment and operation of veterans’ homes at various sites, and provides for an administrator of each home, as specified. Existing law establishes the duties of the Department of Veterans Affairs with regard to the establishment and regulation of veterans’ homes.

This bill would, on or before January 1, 2019, require the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to accommodate more veterans suffering from complex mental and behavioral health needs as resident members of the state veterans homes which operate within the Veterans’ Home of California System.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 1012.5 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:

1012.5.

 (a) The department shall conduct a survey to assess the ability of veterans’ homes to assist veterans with complex mental and behavioral health needs, and develop a plan to accommodate that population. The plan shall address factors including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) The need for increased staff, including specialized staff, to provide appropriate care and services, and to ensure the safety of both the veterans with complex mental and behavioral health needs and other residents.

(2) An evaluation of the required staffing ratios at each level of care.

(3) The ability of each veterans’ home to accommodate veterans with complex mental and behavioral health needs, considering staffing and other budgeting resources, and the objective of minimizing disruption to the existing structure and operation of the veterans’ home system. The department may elect to dedicate specific beds or units in one or more veterans’ homes for the complex mental and behavioral health needs population.

(b) On or before January 1, 2019, the department shall submit to the Legislature the plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) and any recommendations for future legislation necessary to achieve the plan’s objectives. The plan shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

SECTION 1.

(a)The Department of Veterans Affairs shall, on or before January 1, 2019, develop a plan to accommodate more veterans suffering from complex mental and behavioral health needs as resident members of the state veterans homes which operate within the Veterans’ Home of California system.

(b)On or before January 1, 2019, the department shall send a report to the Legislature detailing the plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a). This report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.