By Wise                                                H.B. No. 230
         77R270 JMM-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to priority status for the admission of certain veterans
 1-3     to workforce development programs.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Section 302.010 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 302.010.  PRIORITY STATUS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS. (a)  In
 1-8     accepting an applicant for job training and employment services,
 1-9     the commission and any other provider of services shall grant
1-10     priority for admission to the services to a veteran who satisfies
1-11     the requirements of this section.
1-12           (b)  To receive priority under this section, the veteran must
1-13     meet the eligibility criteria and qualifications for the specific
1-14     program and apply to the commission or services provider, as
1-15     appropriate, for priority status.  The application must include
1-16     information or be accompanied by documentation that satisfies the
1-17     commission or provider that the applying veteran served:
1-18                 (1)  on active duty and was discharged or released from
1-19     active duty with an honorable discharge or because of an
1-20     established service-connected disability; or
1-21                 (2)  as a member of a reserve component on active duty
1-22     during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign
1-23     badge or ribbon is authorized and was discharged or released from
1-24     the duty with an honorable discharge.
 2-1           (c)  The commission shall adopt rules and prescribe forms as
 2-2     necessary to administer this section.
 2-3           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-4     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-5     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-6     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-7     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.