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AN ACT
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relating to participation in job training and employment assistance  | 
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programs by veterans and other covered persons. | 
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       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | 
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       SECTION 1.  Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended by adding  | 
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Subchapter G to read as follows: | 
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SUBCHAPTER G.  PRIORITY OF SERVICE IN JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT  | 
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ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS | 
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       Sec. 302.151.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter: | 
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             (1)  "Active military, naval, or air service" has the  | 
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meaning assigned by 38 U.S.C. Section 101(24). | 
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             (2)  "Covered person" has the meaning assigned by 38  | 
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U.S.C. Section 4215(a).  The term includes the spouse of any member  | 
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of the armed forces who died while serving on active military,  | 
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naval, or air service. | 
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             (3)  "Veteran" has the meaning assigned by 38 U.S.C.  | 
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Section 101(2). | 
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       Sec. 302.152.  PRIORITY OF SERVICE REQUIRED.  (a)  A covered  | 
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person is entitled to priority in obtaining services or resources  | 
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under this subchapter.  In the implementation of this section, a  | 
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covered person may take precedence in obtaining services or  | 
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resources under this subchapter over persons who are not covered  | 
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persons. | 
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       (b)  For purposes of Subsection (a), "taking precedence" may  | 
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mean that: | 
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             (1)  the covered person receives access to a service or  | 
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resource before a person who is not a covered person; or | 
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             (2)  if the service or resource is limited, the covered  | 
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person receives access to the service or resource instead of a  | 
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person who is not a covered person. | 
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       Sec. 302.153.  PARTICIPATION IN STATE-FUNDED PROGRAMS.  In  | 
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selecting applicants to receive training or assistance under a job  | 
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training or employment assistance program or service that is funded  | 
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wholly or partly with state money, priority of service must be given  | 
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to a covered person who meets the minimum eligibility requirements  | 
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to participate or enroll in the program or receive the service. | 
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       Sec. 302.154.  PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION  | 
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PROGRAMS.  (a)  The Texas Veterans Commission shall operate  | 
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programs funded under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 41 and 42.  The commission  | 
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may provide services to enhance the employment and training  | 
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opportunities of veterans, covered persons, active duty service  | 
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members, spouses of active duty service members, and members of the  | 
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Texas National Guard.  The services provided under this section  | 
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must be provided by state employees. | 
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       (b)  The Texas Veterans Commission may adopt rules necessary  | 
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to implement this section. | 
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       SECTION 2.  Section 302.014, Labor Code, is repealed. | 
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       SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives  | 
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as  | 
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this  | 
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this  | 
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. | 
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______________________________ | 
______________________________ | 
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   President of the Senate | 
Speaker of the House      | 
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       I certify that H.B. No. 1452 was passed by the House on April  | 
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28, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 149, Nays 0, 1 present, not  | 
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.  | 
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No. 1452 on May 25, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0,  | 
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1 present, not voting. | 
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______________________________ | 
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Chief Clerk of the House    | 
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       I certify that H.B. No. 1452 was passed by the Senate, with  | 
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amendments, on May 21, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays  | 
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0. | 
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______________________________ | 
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Secretary of the Senate    | 
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APPROVED: __________________ | 
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                Date        | 
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         __________________ | 
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              Governor        |