Amend CSHB 3426 by adding the following appropriately
numbered SECTIONS to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS
of the bill as appropriate:
SECTION ____. Section 434.007, Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 434.007. DUTIES. 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:
(A) services and facilities available to
veterans; and
(B) the status and quality of health care in
veteran facilities, other than veterans homes, operated in this
state by this state, the federal government, or a private entity;
(3) not later than December 1 of each even-numbered
year:
(A) publish and make available to the public a
report on the status and quality of health care in veteran
facilities described by Subdivision (2)(B); and
(B) submit the report to both houses of the
legislature and the governor;
(4) cooperate with veterans service agencies in the
state;
(5) [(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;
(6) [(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;
(7) [(6)] cooperate with all government and private
agencies securing services or benefits to veterans and their
families and dependents;
(8) [(7)] investigate, and if possible correct,
abuses or exploitation of veterans or their families or dependents,
and recommend necessary legislation for full correction;
(9) [(8)] coordinate the services and activities of
state departments and divisions having services and resources
affecting veterans or their families or dependents; and
(10) [(9)] provide training and certification of
veterans county service officers and assistant veterans county
service officers in accordance with Section 434.038.
SECTION ____. Chapter 164, Natural Resources Code, is
amended by adding Section 164.0052 to read as follows:
Sec. 164.0052. COLLECTING INFORMATION; REPORT. (a) The
board shall collect information relating to the status and quality
of health care provided to veterans in this state through all
veterans homes operated by the state or by a private entity under
contract with the state to provide the care.
(b) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
the board shall publish a report on the status and quality of health
care provided through veterans homes to veterans in this state
based on the information collected under Subsection (a). The board
shall submit the report to both houses of the legislature and the
governor.