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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to state mental health benefits provided to certain |
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spouses or former spouses of veterans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter J to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER J. BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES OF VETERANS |
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Sec. 434.451. APPLICABILITY. |
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This subchapter applies only |
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to the spouse or former spouse of a veteran, as defined by Section |
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2303.003, who was married for at least 10 years to the veteran while |
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the veteran served on active duty as a member of the state military |
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forces or a component of the United States armed forces, including |
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an auxiliary service of one of those branches. |
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Sec. 434.452. ENTITLEMENT TO STATE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS. |
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Notwithstanding the applicability of any other law, the spouse or |
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former spouse of a veteran to whom this subchapter applies is |
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entitled to the mental health benefits to which a veteran is |
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entitled under state law. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply to an |
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application for a state mental health benefit that is submitted by a |
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spouse or former spouse of a veteran on or after the effective date |
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of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |