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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a report on the quality and status of health care for |
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veterans at veteran facilities operated in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 434.007, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 434.007. DUTIES. The commission shall: |
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(1) compile federal, state, and local laws enacted to |
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benefit members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families |
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and dependents; |
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(2) collect information relating to: |
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(A) services and facilities available to |
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veterans; and |
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(B) the status and quality of health care in |
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veteran facilities operated in this state by this state, the |
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federal government, or a private entity; |
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(3) not later than December 1 of each even-numbered |
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year: |
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(A) publish and make available to the public a |
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report on the status and quality of health care in veteran |
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facilities described by Subdivision (2)(B); and |
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(B) submit the report to both houses of the |
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legislature and the governor; |
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(4) cooperate with veterans service agencies in the |
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state; |
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(5) [(4)] inform members and veterans of the armed |
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forces, their families and dependents, and military and civilian |
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authorities about the existence or availability of: |
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(A) educational training and retraining |
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facilities; |
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(B) health, medical, rehabilitation, and housing |
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services and facilities; |
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(C) employment and reemployment services; |
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(D) provisions of federal, state, and local law |
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affording rights, privileges, and benefits to members and veterans |
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of the armed forces and their families and dependents; and |
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(E) other similar, related, or appropriate |
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matters; |
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(6) [(5)] assist veterans and their families and |
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dependents in presenting, proving, and establishing claims, |
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privileges, rights, and benefits they may have under federal, |
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state, or local law; |
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(7) [(6)] cooperate with all government and private |
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agencies securing services or benefits to veterans and their |
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families and dependents; |
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(8) [(7)] investigate, and if possible correct, |
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abuses or exploitation of veterans or their families or dependents, |
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and recommend necessary legislation for full correction; |
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(9) [(8)] coordinate the services and activities of |
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state departments and divisions having services and resources |
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affecting veterans or their families or dependents; and |
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(10) [(9)] provide training and certification of |
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veterans county service officers and assistant veterans county |
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service officers in accordance with Section 434.038. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |