850-852

MILITARY AND VETERANS CODE
SECTION 850-852




850.  (a) The state shall pay a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) death
benefit to the surviving spouse of, or a beneficiary designated by,
any member of the California National Guard, State Military Reserve,
or Naval Militia who dies or is killed after March 1, 2003, in the
performance of duty.
   (b) The Military Department shall determine if the death occurred
in the performance of the member's duty, and shall issue a
certificate of benefit eligibility under this section within 20 days
of application by the surviving spouse or a designated beneficiary.
   (c) The state shall pay the death benefit within 10 days of the
receipt of the certificate of benefit eligibility from the surviving
spouse or a beneficiary designated by the service member.



851.  This chapter shall become operative upon the operative date of
an appropriation by the Legislature for the purpose of funding the
payments of military benefits, as required by this chapter.



852.   There is hereby appropriated the sum of one hundred thirty
thousand dollars ($130,000) from the General Fund to the Military
Department for the purpose of paying death benefits, as prescribed by
this chapter, to the families of members of the California National
Guard, State Military Reserve, or Naval Militia who have lost their
lives in the performance of duty, as determined by the Military
Department.