By: Zaffirini, et al. S.B. No. 34

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment and operation of the Texas Women Veterans Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. TEXAS WOMEN VETERANS PROGRAM

Sec. 434.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.

(2) "Executive director" means the executive director of the commission.

(3) "Program" means the Texas Women Veterans Program.

(4) "Woman veteran" means a woman who:

(A) served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the Texas National Guard on federal active duty under Title 10, United States Code; and

(B) was discharged or released from that service under conditions other than dishonorable.

Sec. 434.152. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM; PROGRAM MISSION. (a) The Texas Women Veterans Program is established in the commission. The program is attached to the office of the executive director for administrative purposes.

(b) The mission of the program is to ensure that the women veterans of this state have equitable access to federal and state veterans benefits and services.

Sec. 434.153. COORDINATOR. The executive director shall designate a women veterans coordinator for this state.

Sec. 434.154. GENERAL PROGRAM DUTIES. The program shall:

(1) provide assistance to the women veterans of this state as provided by this subchapter;

(2) perform outreach functions to improve the awareness of women veterans of their eligibility for federal and state veterans benefits and services;

(3) assess the needs of women veterans with respect to benefits and services;

(4) review programs, research projects, and other initiatives designed to address the needs of the women veterans of this state;

(5) make recommendations to the executive director regarding the improvement of benefits and services to women veterans; and

(6) incorporate issues concerning women veterans in commission planning regarding veterans benefits and services.

Sec. 434.155. ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC AWARENESS. (a) The program shall advocate for women veterans and work to increase public awareness about the gender-specific needs of women veterans.

(b) The program shall recommend legislative initiatives and the development of policies on the local, state, and national levels to address the issues affecting women veterans.

Sec. 434.156. COLLABORATION. The program shall collaborate with federal, state, and private agencies that provide services to women veterans.

Sec. 434.157. RESEARCH; DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION. (a) The program shall monitor and research issues relating to women veterans.

(b) The program shall disseminate information regarding opportunities for women veterans throughout the network of entities with which the program collaborates.

Sec. 434.158. EDUCATION. Through conferences, seminars, and training workshops with federal, state, and private agencies, the program shall provide guidance and direction to a woman veteran who is applying for grants, benefits, or services.

Sec. 434.159. HONOR AND RECOGNITION. The program shall promote events and activities that recognize and honor the women veterans of this state and women who serve in the military.

Sec. 434.160. FACILITIES. To the extent funding is available for that purpose, the program shall provide facilities as appropriate in support of the program.

Sec. 434.161. FUNDING. On behalf of the program, the executive director may accept and spend funds:

(1) appropriated to the commission for the operation of the program; and

(2) received from other sources, including donations and grants.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.