By: Price H.B. No. 3756
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to state mental health benefits provided to certain
spouses or former spouses of veterans.
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. BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES OF VETERANS
Sec. 434.451. APPLICABILITY.
This subchapter applies only
to the spouse or former spouse of a veteran, as defined by Section
2303.003, who was married for at least 10 years to the veteran while
the veteran served on active duty as a member of the state military
forces or a component of the United States armed forces, including
an auxiliary service of one of those branches.
Sec. 434.452. ENTITLEMENT TO STATE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS.
Notwithstanding the applicability of any other law, the spouse or
former spouse of a veteran to whom this subchapter applies is
entitled to the mental health benefits to which a veteran is
entitled under state law.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply to an
application for a state mental health benefit that is submitted by a
spouse or former spouse of a veteran on or after the effective date
of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.