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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the verification of an inmate's veteran status by the |
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Texas Department of Criminal Justice. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 501.023 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.023. VERIFICATION OF INMATE VETERAN STATUS. (a) |
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In this section, "system" means the Public Assistance Reporting |
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Information System (PARIS) operated by the Administration for |
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Children and Families of the United States Department of Health and |
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Human Services. |
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(b) The department shall: |
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(1) investigate and verify the veteran status of each |
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inmate by using data made available from the system through the |
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Health and Human Services Commission; and |
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(2) use system data to assist inmates who are veterans |
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in applying for federal benefits or compensation for which the |
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inmates may be eligible under a program administered by the United |
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States Department of Veterans Affairs. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2013. |