Today's Law As Amended


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SB-156 Military and veterans: transition assistance: citizenship.(2017-2018)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Section 90 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read:

90.
 (a) By July 1, 2015, the department shall develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state. The program shall be designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning from military to civilian life in California and to complement the transition program offered by the United States Department of Defense. The program shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following California-specific transition assistance information: higher education benefits and program information, vocational training assistance, small business resources and information, health care programs and services, mental health resources and information, military sexual trauma resources and information, and housing information.
(b) The transition assistance program for veterans shall provide information to noncitizens who are leaving military service in California or who have already been discharged from military service in California on how to become United States citizens, including information on where to acquire state legal assistance.

SEC. 2.

 Section 217 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:

217.
 The California National Guard shall inform its members that it will assist noncitizen members in acquiring United States citizenship as soon as they are eligible. If a noncitizen member requests such assistance, then the California National Guard shall assist the member in filing all forms and paperwork necessary to become a United States citizen.
SEC. 3.
 This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
In order to provide assistance to noncitizens who are leaving military service in California or are members of the California National Guard in becoming citizens at the earliest time possible, it is necessary for this act to take effect immediately.