By:  Van de Putte                                                 S.B. No. 1714


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of certain employment programs for 
veterans of the armed forces of the United States.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 434.007, Government Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
	Sec. 434.007.  DUTIES.  (a)  The commission shall:                      
		(1)  compile federal, state, and local laws enacted to 
benefit members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families 
and dependents;
		(2)  collect information relating to services and 
facilities available to veterans;
		(3)  cooperate with veterans service agencies in the 
state;                 
		(4)  inform members and veterans of the armed forces, 
their families and dependents, and military and civilian 
authorities about the existence or availability of:
			(A)  educational training and retraining 
facilities;                       
			(B)  health, medical, rehabilitation, and housing 
services and facilities; 
			(C)  employment and reemployment services;                                   
			(D)  provisions of federal, state, and local law 
affording rights, privileges, and benefits to members and veterans 
of the armed forces and their families and dependents; and
			(E)  other similar, related, or appropriate 
matters;                       
		(5)  assist veterans and their families and dependents 
in presenting, proving, and establishing claims, privileges, 
rights, and benefits they may have under federal, state, or local 
law;
		(6)  cooperate with all government and private agencies 
securing services or benefits to veterans and their families and 
dependents;
		(7)  investigate, and if possible correct, abuses or 
exploitation of veterans or their families or dependents, and 
recommend necessary legislation for full correction;
		(8)  coordinate the services and activities of state 
departments and divisions having services and resources affecting 
veterans or their families or dependents; [and]
		(9)  provide training and certification of veterans 
county service officers and assistant veterans county service 
officers in accordance with Section 434.038; and
		(10)  operate programs in this state to enhance the 
employment opportunities of veterans of the armed forces of the 
United States, including the employment program funded under 
Chapters 41 and 42, Title 38, United States Code.
	(b)  The programs described by Subsection (a)(10) must 
exclusively enhance the employment opportunities of eligible 
veterans, and the services provided under those programs must be 
provided by state employees.  A state employee providing services 
under Subsection (a)(10) may only provide services to veterans.
	SECTION 2.  Subsection (b), Section 302.021, Labor Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(b)  In addition to the programs consolidated under the 
authority of the commission under Subsection (a), the commission 
shall administer:
		(1)  [programs in this state to enhance the employment 
opportunities of veterans of the armed services of the United 
States, including the employment program funded under Chapters 41 
and 42, Title 38, United States Code;
		[(2)]  child-care services provided under Chapter 44, 
Human Resources Code; and
		(2) [(3)]  programs established in this state through 
federal funding to conduct full service career development centers 
and school-to-work transition services.
	SECTION 3.  Subsection (g), Section 302.062, Labor Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(g)  Block grant funding under this section does not apply 
to:               
		(1)  the work and family policies program under Chapter 
81;                 
		(2)  a program under the skills development fund 
created under Chapter 303; 
		(3)  the job counseling program for displaced 
homemakers under Chapter 304; 
		(4)  the Communities In Schools program under 
Subchapter E, Chapter 33, Education Code, to the extent that funds 
are available to the commission for that program;
		(5)  the reintegration of offenders program under 
Chapter 306;              
		(6)  apprenticeship programs under Chapter 133, 
Education Code;             
		(7)  the continuity of care program under Section 
501.095, Government Code; 
		(8)  employment programs under Chapter 31, Human 
Resources Code;            
		(9)  the senior citizens employment program under 
Chapter 101, Human Resources Code;
		(10)  the programs described by Section 302.021(b)(2)
[302.021(b)(3)];
		(11)  the community service program under the National 
and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12501 et seq.);
		(12)  the trade adjustment assistance program under 
Part 2, Subchapter II, Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. Section 2271 et 
seq.);
		(13)  the programs to enhance the employment 
opportunities of veterans; and 
		(14)  the functions of the State Occupational 
Information Coordinating Committee.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.