BILL NUMBER: AB 930	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 16, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Irwin and Atkins
    (   Principal coauthor:   Assembly Member
  Mathis   ) 
    (   Coauthors:   Assembly Members 
 Brough,   Brown,   Frazier,   and
Salas   ) 

                        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 amended, 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.   California Military Department, which
includes the office of the Adjutant General, the California National
Guard, the State Military Reserve, the California Cadet Corps, and
the Naval Militia.  Existing law provides for educational and
housing assistance for veterans.
   This bill would authorize the  Adjutant General 
 California Military Department  to establish a Work for
Warriors program, to provide direct placement job services to service
members, veterans,  and military families.  
military families, and other related populations.  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.   department to accept federal funding
to supplement this program, and to adopt regulations, rules, and
guidelines as are necessary to implement the 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
  3,900  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
  $750  (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   250  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   The California Military Department
 may establish a Work for Warriors program to  serve
  provide direct placement employment services to 
unemployed and underemployed service members, veterans,  and
military families in California.   California Military
Department Youth program graduates, military families in California,
and other related populations.  
   (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) 
    (b)  The  Adjutant General  
department  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.  
   (c) If the department establishes a Work for Warriors program, the
department shall adopt such regulations, rules, and guidelines as
are necessary to implement the program.