85R11279 YDB-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1677
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information about services for women veterans provided
through certain state agency and hospital applications.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 434.212 to read as follows:
Sec. 434.212. APPLICATION FOR STATE AGENCY PROGRAMS,
SERVICES, OR ASSISTANCE OR HOSPITAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) This
section applies to:
(1) a state agency in the executive branch of state
government, including a health and human services agency, that
provides to adult women in this state a program, a service, or
assistance, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
program, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the
women's health program, Medicaid, the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and a housing
program or service or housing assistance; and
(2) a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and
Safety Code, that provides health care services to adult women in
this state.
(b) A state agency or hospital described by Subsection (a)
shall include in each application for a program, a service, or
assistance provided by the agency or hospital to adult women:
(1) a space to indicate whether the applicant is a
veteran;
(2) notice that on indication under Subdivision (1)
that the applicant is a veteran, the agency or hospital will forward
the applicant's information to the commission; and
(3) model language informing the applicant that she
may be entitled to additional services because of her veteran
status.
(c) On receipt of information provided under Subsection
(b), the commission shall enter the information into a database
established by the commission and contact the applicant to inform
her of any additional services for which the applicant may qualify
under state or federal law.
(d) The commission shall develop the model language
required on an application under Subsection (b)(3). The language
must include a link to the veterans website established under
Section 434.102 or, for an online application, a hyperlink to that
website.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 241.0075 to read as follows:
Sec. 241.0075. COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS. A hospital shall comply with Section 434.212,
Government Code.
SECTION 3. (a) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Texas
Veterans Commission shall develop the model application language
required by Section 434.212, Government Code, as added by this Act,
and post that information on the commission's Internet website.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2018, each state agency and
hospital subject to Section 434.212, Government Code, as added by
this Act, shall modify the agency's or hospital's application for
programs, services, or assistance as necessary to implement that
section.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 434.212, Government Code, as
added by this Act, a state agency or hospital is not required to
include information on the application as required by that section
before January 1, 2018.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.