85R2887 JCG-F
By: Howard H.B. No. 629
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to leave for certain veterans obtaining medical and mental
health care.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 661, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 661.923 to read as follows:
Sec. 661.923. MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE LEAVE FOR
CERTAIN VETERANS. (a) This section applies to a state employee who
is:
(1) a veteran, as defined by Section 434.023(a); and
(2) eligible for health benefits under a program
administered by the Veterans Health Administration of the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) A state employee described by Subsection (a) is entitled
to leave without a deduction in salary or loss of vacation time,
sick leave, earned overtime credit, or state compensatory time to
obtain medical or mental health care administered by the Veterans
Health Administration of the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs, including physical rehabilitation.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), leave granted
under Subsection (b) may not exceed 15 days each fiscal year.
(d) The administrative head of a state agency may annually
grant additional days of leave described by Subsection (b) as the
administrative head determines appropriate for the employee.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.