Veterans: service advocate: correctional facilities.

Existing law establishes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to oversee the state prison system. Under existing law, the department is required to develop guidance policies relative to the release of veterans who are inmates with the intent to assist them 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. Existing law authorizes a veterans service organization to volunteer to serve as a veterans service advocate at each facility that is under the jurisdiction of the department. Under existing law, the advocate is authorized to develop a veterans economic recidivism prevention plan for each inmate who is a veteran. Existing law defines "veteran" for these purposes as a person who has been discharged from the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, the Merchant Marine, or the American Red Cross. This bill would revise the definition of "veteran" for the purposes described above by deleting the reference to the American Red Cross and including a person who has been discharged from the National Guard of any state.