By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 484
 
  (Leach)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the right of a member of the state military forces to
  retain private legal counsel and file a civil action.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 437, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 437.2131 to read as follows:
         Sec. 437.2131.  RIGHT TO CIVIL ACTION AND PRIVATE LEGAL
  COUNSEL. (a)  This section applies to a service member of the Texas
  military forces who is ordered to state active duty or to state
  training and other duty by the governor, the adjutant general, or
  another proper authority under the law of this state and who is
  entitled under Section 437.213 to the same benefits and protections
  provided to persons:
               (1)  performing services in the uniformed services as
  provided by 38 U.S.C. Sections 4301-4313 and 4316-4319; and
               (2)  in the military service of the United States as
  provided by 50 U.S.C. Sections 3901-3959, 3991, and 4011-4026.
         (b)  A service member described by Subsection (a) may retain
  private legal counsel and, notwithstanding Subchapter I, file a
  civil action in a district court in this state if the service member
  is aggrieved by a violation of or is denied a benefit or protection
  guaranteed under:
               (1)  Section 437.204;
               (2)  38 U.S.C. Sections 4301-4313 and 4316-4319; or
               (3)  50 U.S.C. Sections 3901-3959, 3991, and 4011-4026.
         (c)  The court may award to a service member who prevails in
  an action filed under this section:
               (1)  any appropriate declaratory or equitable relief;
               (2)  other appropriate relief, including monetary
  damages; and
               (3)  costs of the action and reasonable attorney's
  fees.
         (d)  This section does not limit any remedy or relief
  available to a service member under other law, including:
               (1)  a remedy or relief available under Section
  437.204(b) or Subchapter I; or
               (2)  consequential and punitive damages.
         SECTION 2.  Section 437.2131, Government Code, as added by
  this Act, applies to a service member of the Texas military forces
  ordered to state active duty or state training and other duty by the
  governor, the adjutant general, or another proper authority under
  the law of this state on or after the effective date of this Act,
  regardless of whether the date the person was initially ordered to
  state active duty or state training and other duty was before the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.