San Diego County District Attorney

The District Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the public and actively engages in sponsoring and supporting public safety policy. A critical component to helping those veterans who end up in the criminal justice system is ensuring they receive support and services once they are back in the community. Many veterans return to our community suffering from mental health or post-traumatic stress issues. Our office works with the California Legislature to pass meaningful laws that will help reintegrate and support veterans as they return to civilian life.

2013 VETERANS RELATED LEGISLATION

SB 769 by Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) – Any defendant who suffered traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and/or substance abuse due to military service and who meets all terms and conditions of court-ordered treatment and successfully graduates is eligible for complete restorative relief of all rights except to own or possess a firearm.

2012 VETERANS RELATED LEGISLATION

AB 2490 by Assemblywoman Betsy Butler (D-Marina Del Rey) – Requires the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop policies to assist veteran inmates in pursuing veteran’s benefits.

AB 342 by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) – Designates the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to serve as the state liaison with the United States Department of Defense.

AB 2198 by Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) – Recalibrates reporting requirements in the annual county veterans service officers’ report to ensure these programs are maximizing support to veterans.

SB 1198 by Senator Ronald Calderon (D-Montebello) – Requires CalVet to provide veterans with information about federal veteran pensions, federal housing vouchers, and CalFresh.

AB 2133 by Assemblyman Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) – Increases from four to 15, the number of years after leaving active duty that a veteran, who is a resident of California, is eligible for priority registration for enrolling in classes at California public colleges.

AB 2478 by Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) – Expands the current exemption given to veterans from paying non-resident tuition at California Community Colleges by one year.

AB 1904 by Assemblyman Marty Block (D-San Diego) – Requires boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs to expedite the licensure process for military spouses and domestic partners of military members on active duty in California.

SB 1405 by Senator Kevin De León (D-Los Angeles) – Authorizes accountants to have their licenses placed on a military inactive status while engaged in active duty in the National Guard or armed forces.

AB 2659 by Assemblyman Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) – Allows licensed drivers of military commercial vehicles to qualify for a California commercial driver's license without additional California driving tests.

AB 1505 by Assemblyman Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) – Reinstates state veterans’ benefits that were denied solely on the basis of sexual orientation.

SB 1287 by Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) – Requires the Department of Fish and Game to issue a reduced fee sport fishing license to active military personnel who are recovering service members.

SB 1288 by Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) – Requires the Department of Fish and Game to issue a reduced fee hunting license to military personnel who are recovering service members.

AB 1550 by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) – Increases the fees required to issue, renew, and personalize specialized veterans’ license plates to fund veterans' organizations.

For full text of the bills, please visit: http://leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.