Veterans service advocate: correctional facilities.

Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is responsible for administering various programs and services for the benefit of veterans, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to oversee the state prison system. Existing law also authorizes each county board of supervisors to appoint a county veterans service officer to perform specified veterans-related services, including assisting veterans in pursuing claims for federal or state veterans' benefits. Under existing law, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is required to develop guidance policies relative to the release of veterans who are inmates with the intent to assist veterans who are inmates 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. In developing those policies, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is authorized to coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the county veterans service officer or veterans service organizations. This bill would authorize a veterans service organization to volunteer to serve as a veterans service advocate at each facility that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The advocate would be authorized to develop a veterans economic recidivism prevention plan for each inmate who is a veteran. The bill would require, in order to assist with the development and execution of that plan, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to, among other things, provide the advocate with access, subject to restrictions, to inmates who are veterans and to existing resources, as specified, that would assist the advocate in implementing the veterans economic recidivism prevention plan. The bill would require the advocate to coordinate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and county veterans service officers, as specified. The bill would define "advocate" and "veteran" for these purposes, and would include a related statement of legislative intent.