84R9982 ADM-F

By: Turner of Harris H.B. No. 4013

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to studies on homeless veterans and youth.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 2306, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter OO to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER OO. HOMELESS VETERANS AND YOUTH

Sec. 2306.1101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Homeless veteran" means a person who has served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the state military forces as defined by Section 437.001 and who:

(A) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including a person who is:

(i) temporarily allowed to stay in the house of another person due to loss of housing;

(ii) temporarily living in a motel or hotel;

(iii) living in an emergency shelter; or

(iv) abandoned in a hospital;

(B) has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for humans; or

(C) is living in a car, park, other public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting.

(2) "Homeless youth" means a person who is younger than 25 years of age, including a migratory child as defined by Section 1309, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6399), and who:

(A) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including a person who is:

(i) temporarily allowed to stay in the house of another person due to loss of housing;

(ii) temporarily living in a motel or hotel;

(iii) living in an emergency shelter;

(iv) abandoned in a hospital; or

(v) awaiting foster care placement;

(B) has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for humans; or

(C) is living in a car, park, other public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting.

Sec. 2306.1102. STUDY ON HOMELESS VETERANS. (a) The department, in conjunction with the Department of Family and Protective Services, the Texas Veterans Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Homeless Education Office, shall conduct a study on homeless veterans.

(b) In conducting the study, the department shall:

(1) collect data on the number of homeless veterans in this state;

(2) examine the needs of homeless veterans and the degree to which current programs are meeting those needs; and

(3) identify any sources of funding that might be available to provide services to homeless veterans.

(c) The department shall submit a report on the study to the legislature not later than December 1, 2016. The report must include a summary of the information resulting from the study and recommendations for changes in law necessary to provide services to or otherwise assist homeless veterans.

Sec. 2306.1103. STUDY ON HOMELESS YOUTH. (a) The department, in conjunction with the Department of Family and Protective Services, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Homeless Education Office, shall conduct a study on homeless youth.

(b) In conducting the study, the department shall:

(1) collect data on the number of homeless youth in this state;

(2) examine the needs of homeless youth and the degree to which current programs are meeting those needs; and

(3) identify any sources of funding that might be available to provide services to homeless youth.

(c) The department shall submit a report on the study to the legislature not later than December 1, 2016. The report must include a summary of the information resulting from the study and recommendations for changes in law necessary to provide services to or otherwise assist homeless youth.

Sec. 2306.1104. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September 1, 2017.

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, 2015.