This law specifies that anytime the term "department" is mentioned in this chapter, it refers to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This section clarifies that when the term 'board' is used in this chapter, it specifically refers to the California Veterans Board.

This section defines the term “secretary” in the context of this code as referring to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

This law creates a Department of Veterans Affairs within the state government.

This section establishes the existence of a California Veterans Board.

The California Veterans Board is made up of seven members. These members are chosen by the Governor and must be confirmed by the Senate.

The board must consist entirely of veterans, as defined by another law. At least one member should be retired from active or reserve military service, and another must live in a California veterans home. If a sitting member doesn't meet these requirements, they can still finish their current term.

Each board member must belong to a recognized veteran service organization. At least one member needs to have significant experience or training in dealing with issues affecting female veterans, such as combat disorders, sexual trauma, and homelessness. Board members can complete their terms even if they no longer meet these requirements.

This law outlines how members are appointed to a particular board, with initial terms ending between 1947 and 1950, and future appointments lasting four years each. It specifies that a board member who lives in a California veterans home should have terms ending on January 15 of odd-numbered years. These positions rotate based on the age of the veterans' home, starting with the oldest. If a vacancy arises, the Governor must appoint someone immediately to complete the term.

This law states that board members earn $50 each day they attend board meetings or perform tasks assigned by the board. They are also paid back for any travel and other expenses related to their official responsibilities.

This section describes how the board conducts its meetings. They can hold regular meetings whenever and wherever they decide. However, special meetings can be called at any time by the chairperson or the executive officer if four board members request it. These special meetings must specifically detail what will be discussed, and they can only discuss the listed matters.

This law states that the budget for a specific board must be presented separately in the department's budget. The board has full control over how these funds are used for its operations and any other necessary activities the board decides on.

This law requires the department responsible for state veterans homes to provide a detailed budget report to the fiscal committees of the California Legislature by January 10 each year. This report must outline the expected costs for maintaining current service levels at veterans homes. It should include information like the number of residents, staffing levels, operating expenses, and revenue projections.

Additionally, the report must explain how these costs and staffing needs are calculated, and must provide charts showing changes in funding from year to year. An updated version of this fiscal report is also due by May 15 each year, providing any revised financial data and projections.

This law section explains that the California Department of Veterans Affairs takes over the roles and responsibilities previously held by various veterans' organizations within the state. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs now holds certain positions on committees previously occupied by other roles.

Additionally, it establishes the California Veterans Memorial Registry Fund, which collects donations to support a veterans registry. This money is used to manage data for the Veterans Registry and cover related administrative costs.

To be included in the Veterans Registry, an individual must have served in the U.S. military, been honorably discharged, and lived in California at some point before, during, or after their service. If someone does not meet these criteria, they can be removed from the registry.

This law outlines how the board operates. First, the board members choose one of themselves to be the chairperson, and the chairperson serves in that role as long as the board is satisfied with them. The chairperson, with the majority approval of the board, is responsible for appointing an executive officer. This officer attends all board meetings, keeps detailed records of the meetings, and manages the board's documents and papers, among other duties set by the board. Additionally, the department is required to provide the board with adequate office and meeting space free of charge, ensuring that these facilities are accessible to disabled veterans.

This law states that the California Veterans Board provides advice on the policies for how the department operates. The department must respond to any suggested policy changes from the board before the board's next meeting.

The California Veterans Board can set up advisory committees made up of veterans to give advice on matters related to the board's work. These committees are purely advisory and have no administrative power. The board picks the members and also appoints the chairperson and vice-chairperson. Members don't get paid but are reimbursed for expenses when attending meetings called by the board.

This law requires that the secretary and the board connect with the California State Commanders Veterans Council at least twice a year to discuss issues impacting veterans in California.

If a state officer or employee retaliates against another employee for reporting improper activities involving veterans programs funded by the state, they will face disciplinary action. This can include steps like adverse action as per specific government codes.

Additionally, the person who retaliated can be sued for damages by the affected employee. If their actions are proven malicious, they might have to pay punitive damages, and if they lose, they may also be responsible for the victim's legal fees.

This law states that the board has the right to see all the documents and talk to any employees within the department.

This section explains that the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs is called the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and is a civil officer role. The person in this position must be a veteran, as defined in another specific part of the government code. Additionally, any mention of the 'Director of Veterans Affairs' in legal texts should be understood as referring to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

This law states that the secretary is chosen by the Governor and can be removed at the Governor's discretion.

This section states that the yearly salary for the secretary is set out in another part of the law, specified as Chapter 6, starting with Section 11550, in the Government Code.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is in charge of the department and must follow the policies set by the board. This includes handling all duties and responsibilities assigned by law. The secretary can appoint someone to act on their behalf at meetings and can delegate tasks to employees or officials, like signing contracts or handling bond sales.

This law requires the secretary to carry out audits focused on the internal controls of the department. These audits must be performed according to guidelines outlined in another section of the government code, and the findings should be shared with the inspector general.

This law establishes the position of Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs in California. This is a civil executive role, which means it is a government job focused on administering veterans affairs. The person in this position is appointed by an authority and their salary is determined by the secretary according to existing laws.

This law mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs in California to have two specific roles. First, a Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs is to be appointed to manage issues and needs related to women veterans. Second, a Deputy Secretary of Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Affairs must be appointed to focus on the administration related to minority and underrepresented veterans.

This law says that the Governor of California will appoint a Deputy Secretary of Veterans Homes to help run all veterans homes in the state. This deputy should ideally be a medical doctor with a valid license in California or an experienced hospital administrator familiar with running multiple hospitals and elderly care.

Their job is to oversee and ensure quality medical care for veterans living in these homes.

This law allows the California Department of Veterans Affairs to create, change, or cancel rules about how the Veterans' Home of California is run, following a set process. If urgent situations arise, they can make temporary rules without the usual emergency findings, which last up to a year or until new regular rules are made. An emergency can be declared if there's a risk of losing funding, needing to keep a license, a health or safety threat at the home, or urgent compliance with financial or audit recommendations.

The department responsible for veterans' homes in California must ensure that all medical and other facilities meet federal, state, and local licensing and certification requirements. This includes preparing plans to fix any issues and following standards set by various federal and state agencies.

They also need to develop and maintain clinical policies that align with community standards for best practices, such as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Medicare and Medicaid Services. Additionally, they must have policies for fire and life safety, as well as earthquake and environmental protection. The department can create regulations to carry out these responsibilities without following the usual rulemaking procedures.

This law states that the director has the authority to hire employees necessary to fulfill the department's tasks and responsibilities. The director is the only person who can appoint staff, unless otherwise specified in another section. Whenever hiring, veterans should be given preference if possible.

This law states that, unless it conflicts with the current chapter, rules from another part of the Government Code also apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs. These rules should be read as if they are part of this law. In this context, when the term 'head of the department' is mentioned, it refers to the director. However, for a specific part of those rules, it also includes the board and any board member in charge of an investigation.

The secretary can present reports and recommendations about veterans’ welfare to the board whenever they think it's needed or when the board asks for it. However, they cannot make any policy changes to veterans’ programs without first fully informing the board about how these changes will affect veterans.

The term 'program' in this section refers to specific programs for veterans, like the Veterans’ Home of California, the veterans’ farm and home purchase program, including related insurance, and education assistance programs. 'Policy change' means any proposed changes to these programs that could impact veterans' eligibility, affordability, or the programs' financial stability.

This law states that the department's records regarding contract purchasers are not available for public inspection.

If someone who considers themselves a veteran is denied benefits by a department division, they can appeal to the California Veterans Board. The board must provide a written decision by their second meeting after receiving the appeal. Appeals are considered received at the first board meeting after the appeal is delivered.

The board's decision is final unless taken to court, but they can change or modify their decision for good reasons. Generally, appeal hearings can be handled by department executives, but appeals related to the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase Act are handled by administrative law judges. These hearings should aim to be held in neutral locations, but can occur at the nearest department office if needed.

This section mandates that the California Department of Veterans Affairs must enter into an agreement giving the Department of Fish and Game control over 340 acres of land near Rector Reservoir in Napa County for open space or conservation use for 99 years. If this agreement isn't made by December 31, 1997, the Department of Fish and Game automatically gains control as of January 1, 1998. Once the agreement is effective or the automatic grant takes effect, the land is no longer considered surplus property.

This law allows the department to request permission from a specific committee in California to issue tax-exempt bonds that help finance residential rental projects.

This California law requires the department to include certain items in its strategic plan to address homelessness among veterans. The plan should review the goals and objectives to see if the current methods are effective in reducing veteran homelessness. It should also determine the number of homeless veterans in the state and how many have received housing or other benefits from state or federal programs. Once the strategic plan is developed, it must be sent to the Senate and Assembly Committees on Veterans Affairs.

This California law mandates that by July 1, 2015, a program must be developed to help veterans transition to civilian life after serving in the Armed Forces or National Guard. This program is aimed at complementing the federal transition program and must include information specific to California like education and vocational benefits, small business resources, healthcare, mental health, and housing.

Additionally, the program should provide guidance to noncitizen veterans in California on becoming U.S. citizens, including where to find legal assistance.

This law allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to require certain people, such as employees and volunteers, to have their criminal history checked through fingerprinting. This process involves sending fingerprints and related information to the Department of Justice, which will then provide a report based on state and federal criminal records.

This law allows the California Department of Veterans Affairs to accept donations, including cash and other gifts, to support veterans' transitional assistance programs in line with the state's strategic plan. Cash donations are placed in a special fund called the CalTap Endowment Fund in the State Treasury. The money in this fund is continuously available for competitive grants aimed at helping veterans transition back into civilian life.