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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of information regarding health care and |
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other benefits for veterans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 434.019 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 434.019. INFORMATION ABOUT VETERANS BENEFITS. The |
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Texas Veterans Commission shall attend each transition assistance |
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program conducted by the United States Department of Defense in the |
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state. At each transition assistance program, the Texas Veterans |
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Commission shall: |
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(1) distribute the application for health benefits |
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from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and |
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(2) answer questions regarding health care and other |
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benefits available to veterans of the United States armed forces. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter U, Chapter 161, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 161.553 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.553. VETERANS HEALTH CARE BENEFITS. (a) The |
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department and commission shall disseminate through the Texas |
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Information and Referral Network information regarding the health |
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care benefits available to veterans of the United States armed |
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forces through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. |
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The information must include: |
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(1) the process for applying for health care benefits, |
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including copies of any forms necessary to apply for benefits; and |
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(2) contact information for the Texas Veterans |
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Commission, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and |
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veterans hospitals in the state. |
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(b) The Texas Veterans Commission shall cooperate with the |
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department and commission in preparing and maintaining the |
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information that is made available through the Texas Information |
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and Referral Network. |
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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. |