Section 1012.

(a) Except as provided in Section 1012.4, the home is for aged and disabled persons who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America who were discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions from service, who are eligible for hospitalization or domiciliary care in a veterans' facility in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and who are bona fide residents of this state at the time of application; and for the spouses of these persons if all of the following conditions, as are applicable, are satisfied:

(1) Space is available.

(2) Joint residency will be in the best interests of the home member, as determined by the administrator.

(3) The spouse is a bona fide resident of this state at the time of application for admission to the home and either is married to, and has resided with, the home member for at least one year, or is the widow or widower of a recipient of the Medal of Honor or a former prisoner of war (POW).

(4) The home member and spouse agree to pay the fees and charges for joint residency, or for a widow or widower, for the residency, that the administrator may establish.

(b) (1) Veterans who qualify for benefits under this chapter due to service during a time of war shall be given priority over veterans who qualify due to service during a time of peace.

(2) Veterans who qualify for benefits under this chapter who are recipients of the Medal of Honor or who were prisoners of war (POWs) shall be given priority over all other qualified veterans, regardless of the level of care required.

(c) A resident spouse may continue residence after the veteran's death.

(d) The property of the home shall be used for this purpose.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 239, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)