By: Lucio, et al. S.B. No. 1698
(Thompson of Harris)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to outreach and awareness for women veterans in this
state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 434.212 and 434.213 to read as follows:
Sec. 434.212. WOMEN VETERANS REPORT. Not later than
November 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit
to the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature a report on
women veterans in this state. The report may be delivered
electronically and must:
(1) estimate the:
(A) number of women veterans in this state;
(B) number of women veterans who contact the
commission for assistance; and
(C) number of women veterans who receive
assistance from the commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, the
Department of State Health Services, and other state agencies;
(2) identify the unique problems faced by women
veterans; and
(3) recommend policy proposals, initiatives, and
funding levels to address the problems identified in Subdivision
(2).
Sec. 434.213. WOMEN VETERANS COMMUNITY OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.
The women veterans coordinator designated under Section 434.203, in
consultation with the Governor's Commission for Women, the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other appropriate
agency, shall conduct a community outreach campaign to:
(1) provide information relating to and increase
awareness of benefits and services available to women veterans;
(2) improve access to benefits and services for women
veterans;
(3) increase participation of women veterans in
programs that provide benefits and services;
(4) provide information on the significant
contributions of women veterans in this state; and
(5) provide information relating to and increase
awareness of support groups and other organizations relating to
family services, including services for women veterans who are
single parents.
SECTION 2. Not later than November 1, 2018, the women
veterans coordinator shall establish the women veterans community
outreach campaign as required under Section 434.213, Government
Code, as added by this Act, and the Texas Veterans Commission shall
adopt any rules necessary to implement the campaign.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.