AB 2548 Information-CalVet Board-Women Members

[boardman]

BILL REQUIRING A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA VETERANS BOARD TO HAVE
KNOWLEDGE OF WOMEN VETERANS ISSUES SIGNED INTO LAW
AB 2548 by Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) was signed into law by Governor Brown on
August 27. AB 2548 would require one member of the California Veterans Board to have substantial training,
professional knowledge, or experience in the issues faced by female veterans.
The California Veterans Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the
Senate who serve as advocates for veterans and working to ensure and enhance the rights and benefits of
California veterans and their dependents. All members of the board are required to be veterans, and certain
members are required to have met specific criteria with regard to their background, education, training,
experience, or expertise. Veterans may appeal any decision made by a division of the CDVA, such as issues
pertaining to state benefits, denial of a home loan, student waiver, etc to the Veterans Board.
California is home to roughly 2.0 million veterans. Women make up eight percent of the veteran population in
California totaling nearly 167,000. With a steady rise in women enlistments in the armed services over the past
decade, women veterans are returning home as mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters with a myriad of issues
that make it far more difficult to re-engage as a civilian than their male counterparts.
Women veterans are at a higher risk than their male counterparts for developing mental health conditions
ranging from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Research has
indicated that women are twice as likely to develop PTSD and experience longer lasting symptoms as their male
counterparts.

According to Assemblywoman Mitchell, “AB 2548 will insure that the needs and experiences of our women
veterans in California will be taken into account during policy discussions that influence the CDVA’s ability to
meet the needs of today’s female veterans.”
AB 2548 was supported by every veterans group active in California legislation:
¬ American Legion, Department of California
¬ AMVETS, Department of California
¬ California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
¬ California State Commanders Veterans Council
¬ Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California
¬ Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
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