87R5670 BDP-D
By: Romero, Jr. H.B. No. 1736
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to assisting inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice in obtaining federal veterans disability benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 501.071 to read as follows:
Sec. 501.071. ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING FEDERAL VETERANS
DISABILITY BENEFITS. For purposes of assisting an inmate who is a
veteran in obtaining federal veterans disability benefits, the
department shall ensure that, as soon as practicable after
receiving a request from the inmate:
(1) an appropriate medical or health care
professional:
(A) assists the inmate in completing a disability
benefits questionnaire at the facility in which the inmate is
confined or at another appropriate location; or
(B) conducts any necessary examination or
evaluation of the inmate at the facility in which the inmate is
confined or at another appropriate location; and
(2) the questionnaire or other documents required for
the inmate to receive benefits are submitted to the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs or a veterans service organization
chartered by the United States Congress or recognized by the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.