Community colleges: veterans counselor.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state, and authorizes them to operate campuses and provide instruction to students. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a community college district to provide a counseling program. Existing law requires the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to adopt regulations to establish and maintain minimum qualifications for the hiring of certain community college faculty and staff members. This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2018, the governing board of a community college district to provide a veterans counselor at each of the district's colleges with 200 or more enrolled student veterans, as defined by the board of governors. The bill would also require the board of governors to adopt regulations to establish and maintain minimum qualifications for veterans counselors, as specified. By requiring community colleges to have a veterans counselor, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.