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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to leave for certain veterans obtaining medical and mental |
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health care. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 661, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 661.923 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 661.923. MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE LEAVE FOR |
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CERTAIN VETERANS. (a) This section applies to a state employee who |
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is: |
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(1) a veteran, as defined by Section 434.023(a); and |
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(2) eligible for health benefits under a program |
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administered by the Veterans Health Administration of the United |
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States Department of Veterans Affairs. |
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(b) A state employee described by Subsection (a) is entitled |
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to leave without a deduction in salary or loss of vacation time, |
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sick leave, earned overtime credit, or state compensatory time to |
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obtain medical or mental health care administered by the Veterans |
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Health Administration of the United States Department of Veterans |
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Affairs, including physical rehabilitation. |
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(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), leave granted |
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under Subsection (b) may not exceed 15 days each fiscal year. |
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(d) The administrative head of a state agency may annually |
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grant additional days of leave described by Subsection (b) as the |
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administrative head determines appropriate for the employee. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |