Bill Text: CA AB930 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Work for Warriors program.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-11-30 - Died on Senate inactive file. [AB930 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB930-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 930	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Irwin and Atkins

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2015

   An act to add Section 980.7 to the Military and Veterans Code,
relating to veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 930, as introduced, Irwin. Work for Warriors program.
   Existing law establishes the office of Adjutant General in the
California Military Department, as the commander of all state
military forces. Existing law provides for educational and housing
assistance for veterans.
   This bill would authorize the Adjutant General to establish a Work
for Warriors program, to provide direct placement job services to
service members, veterans, and military families. The bill would
authorize the Adjutant General to accept federal funding to
supplement this program and to enter into a memorandum of agreement
with other state agencies. The bill would authorize the Employment
Development Department to enter into an interagency partnership with
the Adjutant General for purposes of the Work for Warriors program.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) Established in 2012 with a grant from the Speaker of the
Assembly, the California Military Department's Work for Warriors
program provides direct-placement employment services to California's
veterans, military spouses, and dependents.
   (2) The most successful program of its kind in the nation, the
Work for Warriors program has placed more than 3,600 veterans in new
careers.
   (3) Due to the downsizing of the United States Armed Forces, the
number of veterans entering the workforce is increasing. The Work for
Warriors program is a key resource for veterans leaving active duty
and transitioning to private sector employment in California.
   (4) Based on its high success rate and low cost per placement, the
Work for Warriors program is the most effective veterans' job
placement program in the country. At present, there are nearly
120,000 service members eligible for assistance from the Work for
Warriors program residing within the state. This number nearly
doubles when estimating spouses' job placement services and triples
when considering dependent job placement. Already the lowest cost
program in the country, with a per-placement cost of $400 (compared
to other veteran employment programs that cost $10,000 per
placement), the Work for Warriors program is the most efficient and
cost-effective program available.
   (5) Over 200 leading businesses in the state are partnered with
the Work for Warriors program. These companies understand the benefit
of hiring a veteran, as they receive employees that are disciplined,
selfless leaders.
   (6) Subject to the availability of funding, the Employment
Development Department may resource and partner with the Work for
Warriors program to supplement the state's existing veteran
employment programs.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to codify the California
Military Department's Work for Warriors program and establish an
interagency relationship between the program and the Employment
Development Department to better serve California's veterans as they
transition from military to civilian life.
  SEC. 2.  Section 980.7 is added to the Military and Veterans Code,
to read:
   980.7.  (a) (1) The Adjutant General may establish a Work for
Warriors program to serve unemployed and underemployed service
members, veterans, and military families in California.
   (2) The program shall provide direct-placement job services to all
of the following:
   (A) The California Military Department.
   (B) The Army.
   (C) The Navy.
   (D) The Air Force.
   (E) The Marine Corps.
   (F) The Coast Guard Reserve.
   (G) Veterans recently separated from active duty.
   (H) Military spouses.
   (I) Graduates of California National Guard Youth Programs.
   (J) Dependents of veterans.
   (3) The Adjutant General may accept federal funding to supplement
the Work for Warriors program. The Adjutant General may appoint a
director and other service members and employees, permanent or
temporary, to operate the program.
   (b) (1) The Adjutant General may enter into a memorandum of
agreement with other state agencies, including, but not limited to,
the Employment Development Department, to operate the Work for
Warriors Program.
   (2) The Employment Development Department may enter into an
interagency partnership with the Adjutant General for purposes of the
Work for Warriors program.