AB 2512: Task Force on California Women Veterans Health.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2016-04-06
Existing law creates the Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Veterans Board that is required to advise the department and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on policies for operations of the department. Existing law authorizes the board to create advisory committees consisting of veterans to advise the board in specific fields. Existing law requires the department, by July 1, 2015, to develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning to civilian life, that includes information about California-specific transition assistance, including health care programs and services, mental health resources, and military sexual trauma resources.
This bill would would, until July 1, 2022, create the Task Force on California Women Veterans Health Care, within the department, comprised of an unspecified number of members. 9 voting members appointed by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. The bill would require the secretary to designate an employee of the department to serve as a nonvoting representative of the department to the task force and would require the department to provide staff support to the task force. The bill would require the task force to study the health care needs of women veterans in the state, as specified. The bill would also require the task force to submit a report an annual report, commencing on or before January 1, 2020, and until January 1, 2022, inclusive, to the Governor and the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature that have jurisdiction over the department, that includes the task forces findings and recommendations. The bill would require the task force, when conducting its study and preparing its annual report, to consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care, and representatives of county veterans service officers.
Existing law creates the Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Veterans Board that is required to advise the department and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on policies for operations of the department. Existing law authorizes the board to create advisory committees consisting of veterans to advise the board in specific fields. Existing law requires the department, by July 1, 2015, to develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning to civilian life, that includes information about California-specific transition assistance, including health care programs and services, mental health resources, and military sexual trauma resources.
This bill would create the Task Force on California Women Veterans Health Care, within the department, comprised of an unspecified number of members. The bill would require the department to provide staff support to the task force. The bill would require the task force to study the health care needs of women veterans in the state, as specified. The bill would also require the task force to submit a report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature that includes the task forces findings and recommendations. The bill would require the task force, when conducting its study and preparing its report, to consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care, and representatives of county veterans service officers.
The Legislature hereby makes the following findings and declarations:
(a)Recently, each branch of the Armed Forces of the United States has opened to women combat positions that were previously closed to women.
(b)According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the projected veterans population nationwide is approximately 23,000,000, with women making up an estimated 10 percent of that population.
(c)The United States Department of Veterans Affairs estimates the percentage of female veterans will increase from approximately 9 percent in 2010 to approximately 18 percent in 2040.
(d)Females comprise approximately 80,000 of the wartime veterans.
(e)The number of women veterans will continue to increase due to ongoing combat operations in th the Middle East and Afghanistan.
(f)Women veterans often face unique challenges when transitioning from active duty to civilian life.
(g)The challenging needs facing women veterans can often be overlooked when providing services to the very large veteran population.
(h)Ensuring the availability of specialized services for physical and mental health, including treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and alcohol and substance abuse tailored to the specific needs of women veterans is essential if California is to ensure that our returning veterans receive proper care.
(i)Establishing a task force to study the health issues facing women veterans and making recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature will provide much needed information and insight.
SEC. 2.Section 73.2 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:73.2.(a)(1)There is hereby created within the department the Task Force on California Women Veterans Health Care.
(2)The task force shall be comprised of ______ members. nine voting members appointed by the secretary.
(3)Task force members shall not be compensated for their service. Task force members shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in service of the task force. receive compensation for their service, including travel or other expenses incurred to participate in task force meetings or per diem.
(b)The secretary shall designate an employee of the department to serve as a nonvoting representative of the department to the task force, and the department shall provide staff support to the task force.
(c)The task force shall study the health care needs of women veterans in the state, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)The quality of, and access to, mental health services, including services and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
(2)Inpatient treatment availability.
(3)The adequacy and availability of appropriate health care for women veterans within the federal health care system and within the state.
(4)The adequacy and quality of, and access to, services providing for the identification and treatment of military sexual trauma, including sexual harassment or abuse.
(d)The task force shall submit a report an annual report, commencing on or before January 1, 2020, and until January 1, 2022, inclusive, to the Governor and the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature, Legislature that have jurisdiction over the department, including the findings of the task forces study and recommendations to improve provision of health care services to women veterans in the state.
(e)The task force, when conducting its study and preparing its annual report, shall consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care, and representatives of county veterans service officers.
(f)This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2022, and, as of January 1, 2023, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that becomes operative on or before January 1, January 1, 2023, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed.
The Legislature hereby makes the following findings and declarations:
(a)Recently, each branch of the Armed Forces of the United States has opened to women combat positions that were previously closed to women.
(b)According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the projected veterans population nationwide is approximately 23,000,000, with women making up an estimated 10 percent of that population.
(c)The United States Department of Veterans Affairs estimates the percentage of female veterans will increase from approximately 9 percent in 2010 to approximately 18 percent in 2040.
(d)Females comprise approximately 80,000 of the wartime veterans.
(e)The number of women veterans will continue to increase due to ongoing combat operations in th Middle East and Afghanistan.
(f)Women veterans often face unique challenges when transitioning from active duty to civilian life.
(g)The challenging needs facing women veterans can often be overlooked when providing services to the very large veteran population.
(h)Ensuring the availability of specialized services for physical and mental health, including treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and alcohol and substance abuse tailored to the specific needs of women veterans is essential if California is to ensure that our returning veterans receive proper care.
(i)Establishing a task force to study the health issues facing women veterans and making recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature will provide much needed information and insight.
SEC. 2.Section 73.2 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:73.2.(a)(1)There is hereby created within the department the Task Force on California Women Veterans Health Care.
(2)The task force shall be comprised of ______ members.
(3)Task force members shall not be compensated for their service. Task force members shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in service of the task force.
(b)The department shall provide staff support to the task force.
(c)The task force shall study the health care needs of women veterans in the state, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)The quality of, and access to, mental health services, including services and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
(2)Inpatient treatment availability.
(3)The adequacy and availability of appropriate health care for women veterans within the federal health care system and within the state.
(4)The adequacy and quality of, and access to, services providing for the identification and treatment of military sexual trauma, including sexual harassment or abuse.
(d)The task force shall submit a report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature, including the findings of the task forces study and recommendations to improve provision of health care services to women veterans in the state.
(e)The task force, when conducting its study and preparing its report, shall consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care, and representatives of county veterans service officers.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2016 | Introduced. To print. |
| Feb 21, 2016 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 22. |
| Feb 22, 2016 | Read first time. |
| Mar 8, 2016 | Referred to Com. on V.A. |
| Apr 6, 2016 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on V.A. Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 7, 2016 | Re-referred to Com. on V.A. |
| Apr 13, 2016 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 12). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 27, 2016 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May 27, 2016 | In committee: Held under submission. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 2016 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| American G.I. Forum of California | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| American Legion- Department of California | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| American Veterans Department in California | * Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| AMVETS- Department of California | * Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| California Association of County Veteran Service Officers | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| California State Commanders Service Council | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| Military Officers Association- California Council of Chapters | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| Moms Across America Organization | * Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| National Association Of Social Workers, California Chapter | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| VFW- Department of California | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
| Vietnam Veterans Of America, California State Council | ** Support | Apr 12, 2016 |
Date of Hearing: April 27, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2512
Author:(Grove) – As Amended Ver:April 6, 2016
Policy Committee: | Veterans Affairs | Vote: | 9 - 0 |
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill creates a nine-member volunteer Task Force on California Women Veterans Health Care, within the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), to study the health care needs of women veterans in the state, as specified. It requires the task force, when conducting its study and preparing a report required in this bill, to consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care, and representatives of county veterans service officers.
FISCAL EFFECT:
First-year cost to CalVet in the $330,000 range, for two staff, and $100,000 consulting contract for a survey, ongoing annual cost in the $200,000 range until January 1, 2020, when this bill sunsets.. (General Fund)
COMMENTS:
Background/Purpose. Current law requires the California Veterans Board (board) to advise CalVet and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on policies for operations of the CalVet and authorizes the board to create advisory committees consisting of veterans to advise the board in specific fields. By July 1, 2015, CalVet is required to develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning to civilian life, that includes information about California-specific transition assistance, including health care programs and services, mental health resources, and military sexual trauma resources.
There are approximately 2.3 million women veterans in the United States, or 10% of the total number of veterans, and many women have already served in combat zones. The proportion of women veterans is expected to rise to 18 percent by 2040. The author states that it is important that the state seek to ensure the availability of specialized services, tailored to the specific needs of women, for physical and mental health.
AB 2512 requires the task force study the health care needs of veteran women, including:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Military Sexual Trauma, including sexual harassment or abuse
- Alcohol and substance abuse
- The quality and access to health services
Analysis Prepared by: Pedro Reyes / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 12, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2512 (
Author:Grove) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016
SUBJECT: Task Force on California Women Veterans Health
SUMMARY: This bill:
- Creates a volunteer Task Force on California Women Veterans Health Care, within the California Department of Veterans Affairs, comprised of nine members.
- Requires the department to provide staff support to the task force.
- Requires the task force to study the health care needs of women veterans in the state, as specified.
- Requires the task force to submit an annual report, commencing on or before January 1, 2020, and until January 1, 2022, inclusive, to the Governor and the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.
- Requires the task force, when conducting its study and preparing its report, to consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care, and representatives of county veterans service officers.
- Contains a sunset clause.
EXISTING LAW:
- Creates the Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Veterans Board that is required to advise the department and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on policies for operations of the department.
- Authorizes the board to create advisory committees consisting of veterans to advise the board in specific fields.
- Requires the department, by July 1, 2015, to develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning to civilian life, that includes information about California-specific transition assistance, including health care programs and services, mental health resources, and military sexual trauma resources.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: According to the Author:
Each branch of the military has opened combat positions to women. Many women have already long served in combat zones. There are approximately 2.3 million women veterans in the United States, or 10% of the total number of veterans. This is expected to rise to 18 percent by 2040.
Women veterans face unique challenges when transitioning from active duty to civilian life and these needs can be overlooked when providing services to the very large veterans population California has.
It is important that the state seek to ensure the availability of specialized services for physical and mental health, especially:
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Military Sexual Trauma
• Alcohol and substance abuse
It is important that these services be tailored to the specific needs of women.
The establishment of a task force to study these health issues facing women veterans will provide the needed information and insight to the Governor and the Legislature.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
American G.I. Forum of California (Sponsor)
AMVETS- Department of California (Sponsor)
Military Officers Association- California Council of Chapters (Sponsor)
American Legion- Department of California
California Association of County Veteran Service Officers
California State Commanders Service Council
National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter
VFW- Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
Opposition
None on File
Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550
Discussed in Hearing
6MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):