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Assembly committee backs bill directing CalVet study of women veterans' mental health
Summary
The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs voted to refer AB 81 to Appropriations after hearing testimony that women veterans face higher rates of PTSD, depression and suicide and underutilize benefits and services.
Assemblymember Ta, author of AB 81, told the Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs that the bill would require the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to commission an academic study on mental health among women veterans in California. "California women veterans face different challenges than their male counterparts," Assemblymember Ta said, adding that women veterans "are significantly more likely to have experienced military sexual trauma than men" and that they are "also more likely to experience PTSD and depression at higher rate."
The bill drew support from veterans service organizations and county veterans service officers. Yolanda Benson of the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers told the committee AB 81 would help tailor services, and Seth Reeb of Reeb Government Relations, representing multiple veterans organizations, said, "This study is not just timely, it's crucial. It will provide the foundation for targeted solutions that honor their service and address their unique needs."
The bill's supporters cited several concerns: women veterans are projected to make up 15% of California's veteran population by 2034, they underutilize state benefits and veterans events, and they experience higher rates of suicide, PTSD and depression than civilian women and male veterans. Supporters said the study would identify barriers to care and complement existing initiatives such as the California Veterans Health Initiative.
No witnesses registered formal opposition during the hearing. Multiple members of the public and veterans groups, including the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, spoke in support. Committee members expressed unanimous appreciation for the bill's intent and asked the author to continue working with staff.
The committee placed AB 81 on call while a quorum was established; when the committee voted the motion carried and AB 81 was re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
AB 81 will next be considered in Appropriations, where the committee indicated it will review fiscal and policy details.
Ending: The measure moves forward to Appropriations for further fiscal review and potential amendments.
