Texas Senate Bill SB1677

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to information about services for women veterans provided through certain state agency applications.

Impact

The legislation amends the Government Code by inserting a new section that aims to ensure women veterans are recognized in state applications, potentially leading to increased utilization of available services. By requiring state agencies to acknowledge veteran status directly on applications, the bill seeks to bridge the gap in awareness regarding additional resources that veterans might access, thus promoting better service delivery.

Summary

Senate Bill 1677 focuses on enhancing access to state services for women veterans in Texas by mandating state agencies to include specific information in their application forms. This includes a requirement to indicate whether an applicant is a veteran and to provide model language that informs them about potential additional services they may be eligible for due to their veteran status. The bill aims to simplify the process for women veterans to access various state programs, including health services and housing assistance.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 1677 appears to be supportive, with legislators acknowledging a need to improve the recognition and assistance available to women veterans. The positive response in the voting history, with significant majority approval in both the Senate and the House, suggests a collective agreement on the importance of this legislation in addressing women's access to veteran services.

Contention

While SB 1677 appears to have widespread support, there could be underlying concerns regarding the implementation of the model language and the responsiveness of various state agencies to adapt their applications. The legislature's challenge will be to ensure consistent communication and actualization of the bill's intent across all applicable state programs to truly benefit the women veterans it aims to serve.