The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee advanced AB 2531 on a 6-2 vote Tuesday, sending the bill to Appropriations after a debate over how veterans would be verified for the expanded grant program.
Assemblymember Irwin said the measure would narrowly expand California’s existing uncompensated care grant program to include veterans whose federal coverage does not include abortion services. He said the bill would also require the California Department of Veterans Affairs to link veterans to abortion.ca.gov in its resources.
Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said the bill responds to a federal restriction that limited abortion care through the VA system and closes a gap for veterans who cannot get abortion or abortion counseling through VA coverage. Opponents argued the proposal uses taxpayer dollars for abortion services and raised concerns about the bill’s self-identification language.
During the hearing, committee members asked whether veterans should be required to show proof such as a DD214 or veteran medical card instead of simply identifying themselves as veterans. Irwin said the program was designed to avoid creating a major barrier for veterans, but he also said the authors were willing to look at an easier way to verify status.
The committee also discussed funding. A witness said the uncompensated care program was created in 2022 with $40 million and is now seeking another $30 million to continue for three more years. One member said county veterans service offices also need more support and cited a $14 million funding need for that program.
AB 2531 is now headed to Appropriations, where its verification language and fiscal path could draw further scrutiny.
