84R9982 ADM-F
By: Garcia S.B. No. 1580
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to studies on homeless veterans and youth.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2306, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter OO to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER OO. HOMELESS VETERANS AND YOUTH
Sec. 2306.1101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Homeless veteran" means a person who has served
on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the
state military forces as defined by Section 437.001 and who:
(A) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate
nighttime residence, including a person who is:
(i) temporarily allowed to stay in the
house of another person due to loss of housing;
(ii) temporarily living in a motel or
hotel;
(iii) living in an emergency shelter; or
(iv) abandoned in a hospital;
(B) has a primary nighttime residence that is a
public or private place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular
sleeping accommodation for humans; or
(C) is living in a car, park, other public space,
abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or
similar setting.
(2) "Homeless youth" means a person who is younger
than 25 years of age, including a migratory child as defined by
Section 1309, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. Section 6399), and who:
(A) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate
nighttime residence, including a person who is:
(i) temporarily allowed to stay in the
house of another person due to loss of housing;
(ii) temporarily living in a motel or
hotel;
(iii) living in an emergency shelter;
(iv) abandoned in a hospital; or
(v) awaiting foster care placement;
(B) has a primary nighttime residence that is a
public or private place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular
sleeping accommodation for humans; or
(C) is living in a car, park, other public space,
abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or
similar setting.
Sec. 2306.1102. STUDY ON HOMELESS VETERANS. (a) The
department, in conjunction with the Department of Family and
Protective Services, the Texas Veterans Commission, the Texas
Workforce Commission, and the Texas Homeless Education Office,
shall conduct a study on homeless veterans.
(b) In conducting the study, the department shall:
(1) collect data on the number of homeless veterans in
this state;
(2) examine the needs of homeless veterans and the
degree to which current programs are meeting those needs; and
(3) identify any sources of funding that might be
available to provide services to homeless veterans.
(c) The department shall submit a report on the study to the
legislature not later than December 1, 2016. The report must
include a summary of the information resulting from the study and
recommendations for changes in law necessary to provide services to
or otherwise assist homeless veterans.
Sec. 2306.1103. STUDY ON HOMELESS YOUTH. (a) The
department, in conjunction with the Department of Family and
Protective Services, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas
Homeless Education Office, shall conduct a study on homeless youth.
(b) In conducting the study, the department shall:
(1) collect data on the number of homeless youth in
this state;
(2) examine the needs of homeless youth and the degree
to which current programs are meeting those needs; and
(3) identify any sources of funding that might be
available to provide services to homeless youth.
(c) The department shall submit a report on the study to the
legislature not later than December 1, 2016. The report must
include a summary of the information resulting from the study and
recommendations for changes in law necessary to provide services to
or otherwise assist homeless youth.
Sec. 2306.1104. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires
September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. 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, 2015.