85R4933 MCK-D
By: Alonzo H.B. No. 1007
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of veterans resource centers at
certain institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. VETERANS RESOURCE CENTERS
Sec. 434.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.
(2) "Higher education regions" means the higher
education regions in this state established by the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 434.452. VETERANS RESOURCE CENTERS. The commission
shall administer a veterans resource center in at least one
institution of higher education in each region specified in Section
434.453 to:
(1) provide a centralized place for veterans to find
assistance and information while enrolled at an institution of
higher education;
(2) deliver innovative, cost-effective programs to
attract veterans and family members of veterans to attend public
institutions of higher education;
(3) enable institutions of higher education to create
veteran-friendly environments;
(4) encourage veterans to take advantage of government
educational programs; and
(5) assist veterans in applying to public institutions
of higher education.
Sec. 434.453. LOCATIONS OF CENTERS. The commission shall
operate 15 veterans resource centers throughout this state with at
least one veterans resource center located in each of the following
higher education regions:
(1) High Plains Region;
(2) Northwest Texas Region;
(3) Metroplex Region;
(4) Upper East Texas Region;
(5) Southeast Texas Region;
(6) Gulf Coast Region;
(7) Central Texas Region;
(8) South Texas Region;
(9) West Texas Region; and
(10) Upper Rio Grande Region.
Sec. 434.454. DUTIES OF INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Each institution of higher education that has a veterans resource
center shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the
commission. The memorandum of understanding must require the
institution of higher education to provide and bear the cost of the
following:
(1) office space on the campus of the institution of
higher education that is accessible to persons with disabilities
and complies with any applicable federal and state law; and
(2) office equipment, telephone equipment and
service, computer equipment, and Internet access.
Sec. 434.455. PROGRAM MANAGER. The commission shall employ
a program manager to administer the veterans resource center
program. The program manager shall:
(1) provide leadership, training, support, and
overall management of the veterans resource center program;
(2) evaluate the effectiveness of veterans resource
centers in identifying the services required by veterans to
optimize the success of veterans and their families in obtaining a
college education and in providing those services;
(3) supervise the regional veterans resource
counselors;
(4) prepare an annual budget;
(5) monitor the outcomes of the veterans resource
center program;
(6) using data provided by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, produce an annual report on veterans'
attendance at public institutions of higher education;
(7) apply to private organizations and foundations for
grant funding or other support that complements the objectives of
the program; and
(8) perform any other task required by the commission.
Sec. 434.456. REGIONAL VETERANS RESOURCE COUNSELORS. (a)
The commission shall employ a regional veterans resource counselor
for each higher education region to oversee the veterans resource
center or centers located in the region.
(b) A regional veterans resource counselor shall maintain
an office at a veterans resource center at an institution of higher
education located in the higher education region served by the
counselor.
(c) Each regional veterans resource counselor shall:
(1) visit each institution of higher education located
in the higher education region served by the counselor;
(2) work with those institutions of higher education
described by Subdivision (1) to:
(A) create a hospitable and supportive
environment for veterans;
(B) enhance awareness of and encourage
participation in veterans educational programs and in commission
programs providing other services to veterans, including
employment and claims assistance services;
(C) develop programs providing ancillary
assistance to veterans based on the unique needs of veterans and
their families;
(D) ensure that veterans successfully complete
their education; and
(E) promote the establishment of a student
veterans group on each campus in the region;
(3) work with local, state, and national veterans
groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American
Legion, to promote educational opportunities and benefits to the
veteran population in the higher education region;
(4) work with local workforce development boards to:
(A) ensure that veterans counselors are aware of
available nontraditional educational opportunities, including
on-the-job training programs and apprenticeships; and
(B) advise employers in the region of potential
opportunities to create on-the-job training programs for veterans;
(5) work with education services officers at military
installations to encourage active duty members of the armed forces
of the United States and veterans to use federal and state
educational benefits;
(6) create and manage publicity campaigns in concert
with the commission and institutions of higher education in the
higher education region to promote the use of education benefits
under the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of
2008 (38 U.S.C. Section 3301 et seq.), the tuition exemption
program for veterans and their dependents under Section 54.341,
Education Code, and any other education benefit for veterans or
their dependents under federal or state law;
(7) support programs to assist combat veteran students
in readjusting and reintegrating into a noncombat environment;
(8) maintain statistical information regarding
demographics of veterans assisted, application success, program
completion rates, dropout rates, and reasons for success or
failure, as appropriate; and
(9) perform other activities, as assigned by the
commission, to enhance the educational opportunities of veterans
and their family members in the higher education region and
throughout this state.
Sec. 434.457. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The commission may
adopt rules to implement this subchapter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.