83R2906 JRR-D
 
  By: Farias, Lucio III H.B. No. 634
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the verification of an inmate's veteran status by the
  Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 501.023 to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.023.  VERIFICATION OF INMATE VETERAN STATUS. (a)  
  In this section, "system" means the Public Assistance Reporting
  Information System (PARIS) operated by the Administration for
  Children and Families of the United States Department of Health and
  Human Services.
         (b)  The department shall:
               (1)  investigate and verify the veteran status of each
  inmate by using data made available from the system through the
  Health and Human Services Commission; and
               (2)  use system data to assist inmates who are veterans
  in applying for federal benefits or compensation for which the
  inmates may be eligible under a program administered by the United
  States Department of Veterans Affairs.
         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, 2013.