BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1736

By: Romero, Jr.

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Studies show that approximately 10 percent of incarcerated adults are military veterans. An incarcerated veteran and the veteran's family are eligible to continue receiving some federal disability compensation benefits. However, the Texas Veterans Commission reports that the vast majority of these types of claims are denied due to staffing and coordination challenges associated with transportation to a location where the inmate can fill out the necessary paperwork. H.B. 1736 seeks to remedy this issue and ensure veterans receive the benefits they have earned by providing increased assistance to veterans seeking to obtain federal veterans disability benefits.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1736 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, for purposes of assisting an inmate who is a veteran in obtaining federal veterans disability benefits, to ensure that the following actions are taken as soon as practicable after receiving a request from the inmate:

·         an appropriate medical or health care professional assists the inmate in completing a disability benefits questionnaire or conducts any necessary examination or evaluation of the inmate at the facility in which the inmate is confined or at another appropriate location; and

·         the questionnaire or other documents required for the inmate to receive benefits are submitted to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or an appropriate veterans service organization.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.