By: Lucio, Campbell S.B. No. 1677
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information about services for women veterans provided
through certain state agency 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. (a) This section applies to 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.
(b) A state agency shall include in each application for a
program, a service, or assistance provided by the agency to adult
women:
(1) a space to indicate whether the applicant is a
veteran; and
(2) model language informing the applicant that she
may be entitled to additional services because of her veteran
status.
(c) The commission shall develop the model language
required on an application under Subsection (b)(2). 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. (a) Not later than December 1, 2017, 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 March 1, 2018, each state agency subject
to Section 434.212, Government Code, as added by this Act, shall
modify the agency's application for programs, services, or
assistance as necessary to implement that section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.