By: Lucio S.B. No. 1463
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of information regarding health care and
other benefits for veterans and their family members.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 434.019 to read as follows:
Sec. 434.019. INFORMATION ABOUT VETERANS BENEFITS. The
Texas Veterans Commission shall, to the extent possible:
(1) attend each transition assistance program
conducted by the United States Department of Defense in the state;
and
(2) at each transition assistance program:
(A) distribute the application for health
benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(B) answer questions regarding health care and
other benefits available to veterans of the United States armed
forces.
SECTION 2. The heading to Section 531.093, Government Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 531.093. SERVICES FOR SERVICEMEMBERS AND FAMILY OF
SERVICEMEMBERS [MILITARY PERSONNEL].
SECTION 3. Subsection (b), Section 531.093, Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(b) The executive commissioner shall ensure that each
health and human services agency adopts policies and procedures
that require the agency to:
(1) identify the following individuals
[servicemembers] who are seeking services from the agency during
the agency's intake and eligibility determination process:
(A) servicemembers;
(B) spouses of servicemembers;
(C) spouses of deceased servicemembers; and
(D) dependents of deceased servicemembers; and
(2) direct the individuals identified under
Subdivision (1) [servicemembers seeking services] to appropriate
service providers, including the United States Veterans Health
Administration, National Guard Bureau facilities, and other
federal, state, and local service providers.
SECTION 4. Subchapter U, Chapter 161, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 161.553 to read as follows:
Sec. 161.553. VETERANS HEALTH CARE BENEFITS. (a) The
department and commission shall ensure that each individual who
calls the Texas Information and Referral Network is informed that
individuals who are servicemembers, spouses of servicemembers,
spouses of deceased servicemembers, or dependents of deceased
servicemembers may be entitled to medical and other benefits from
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the National
Guard Bureau, and other federal, state, and local service
providers.
(b) The Texas Information and Referral Network shall
provide the name and contact information of each entity that
provides benefits to which an individual described by Subsection
(a) may be entitled.
(c) The Texas Veterans Commission shall cooperate with the
department and commission in preparing and maintaining the
information relating to referrals that is provided through the
Texas Information and Referral Network, as provided by this
section.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.