83R5108 VOO-D
 
  By: Farias H.B. No. 2564
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a grant program administered by the Texas Veterans
  Commission using money from the fund for veterans' assistance for
  entities that provide home-based health care services to veterans
  in certain rural counties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 434.0172 to read as follows:
         Sec. 434.0172.  GRANTS FOR HOME HEALTH SERVICES.  (a)  The
  Texas Veterans Commission shall identify rural counties with a
  large population of veterans who are at least 45 years of age who
  may qualify for benefits from the United States Department of
  Veterans Affairs Home Based Primary Care program but who are unable
  to access home-based health care services because of the rural
  nature of the county in which the veterans live.
         (b)  The Texas Veterans Commission by rule shall develop and
  administer a program to award grants using money from the fund for
  veterans' assistance to entities that offer services to assist
  disabled or homebound veterans to remain living in their own
  residences in the counties identified under Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than December 31, 2013, the Texas
  Veterans Commission shall identify counties under Section
  434.0172(a), Government Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than June 1, 2014, the Texas Veterans
  Commission shall adopt rules and implement the grant program under
  Section 434.0172(b), Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.