SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) announced the passage of AB 2586 off the Assembly Floor by a vote of 66-0.

“Our veterans make so many sacrifices on this nation’s behalf and many of them end up suffering from the long-term effects of combat,” said Assemblywoman Parra. “Given this reality, it is important for us to tailor our laws in a way that helps these veterans overcome their problems and deals with their unique situations in a compassionate and equitable way.”

Under existing law, if a convicted defendant was a member of the military forces of the United States who served in combat in Vietnam and who suffers from substance abuse or psychological problems resulting from that service, the court may, under specified circumstances, order the defendant committed to the custody of federal correctional officials for incarceration for a term equivalent to that which the defendant would have served in state prison. AB 2586 would instead provide that if a person is convicted of a criminal offense and alleges that he or she committed the offense as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or psychological problems stemming from service in combat in the United States military, the court shall hold a hearing prior to sentencing to make a determination about that allegation. If the court finds that the defendant’s crime was committed as a result of one of those factors related to serving in combat, and the court places the person on probation, the bill would authorize the court to place the person into a treatment program, as specified.

AB 2586 is sponsored by the Armed Forces Retirees Association of America and co-sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America. This bill is also supported by the National Guard Association of California, the California Association of Veterans Service Officers, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, the California Society of Addiction Medicine, the Air Force Sergeant’s Association, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, the Marine Corps League, and the Legion of Valor.

AB 2586 will next be taken up in the Senate Rules Committee.