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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to outreach and awareness for women veterans in this |
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state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 434, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 434.212 and 434.213 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 434.212. WOMEN VETERANS REPORT. Not later than |
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November 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit |
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to the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature a report on |
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women veterans in this state. The report may be delivered |
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electronically and must: |
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(1) estimate the: |
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(A) number of women veterans in this state; |
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(B) number of women veterans who contact the |
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commission for assistance; and |
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(C) number of women veterans who receive |
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assistance from the commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, the |
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Department of State Health Services, and other state agencies; |
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(2) identify the unique problems faced by women |
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veterans; and |
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(3) recommend policy proposals, initiatives, and |
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funding levels to address the problems identified in Subdivision |
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(2). |
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Sec. 434.213. WOMEN VETERANS COMMUNITY OUTREACH CAMPAIGN. |
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The women veterans coordinator designated under Section 434.203, in |
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consultation with the Governor's Commission for Women, the United |
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States Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other appropriate |
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agency, shall conduct a community outreach campaign to: |
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(1) provide information relating to and increase |
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awareness of benefits and services available to women veterans; |
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(2) improve access to benefits and services for women |
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veterans; |
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(3) increase participation of women veterans in |
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programs that provide benefits and services; |
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(4) provide information on the significant |
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contributions of women veterans in this state; and |
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(5) provide information relating to and increase |
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awareness of support groups and other organizations relating to |
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family services, including services for women veterans who are |
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single parents. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than November 1, 2018, the women |
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veterans coordinator shall establish the women veterans community |
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outreach campaign as required under Section 434.213, Government |
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Code, as added by this Act, and the Texas Veterans Commission shall |
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adopt any rules necessary to implement the campaign. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |