Veterans: Employment Development Department.

Existing law authorizes the Employment Development Department, within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, to perform various functions and duties with respect to job creation and retention activities. Existing law requires the department to research the needs of veterans throughout the state and develop a profile of veterans' employment and training needs. Existing law requires the department to develop a statewide plan for the equitable distribution of employment funds for veterans' employment services. Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of each county to appoint a county veterans service officer to provide veteran-related services. This bill would require the Employment Development Department, upon request of the local county veterans service officer, to provide training to the county veterans service officer and his or her staff in providing assistance to veterans applying for unemployment insurance benefits. The bill would require the Employment Development Department to coordinate with county veterans service officers for purposes of becoming familiar with the services provided by county veterans service officers. The bill would further require the Employment Development Department to establish a system to refer veterans to county veterans service officers for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits.