pilot program helping veterans adjust to civilian life

The text as introduced · 572 words

89R13863 LRM-D

By: Garcia of Bexar
H.B. No. 4458

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a pilot program to assist service members and veterans

in achieving self-reliance after separation from the military.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter J to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER J. TEXAS VETERANS ACHIEVING SELF-RELIANCE PILOT PROGRAM

Sec. 434.421. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.

(2) "Pilot program" means the pilot program

established under this subchapter.

(3) "Service member" means a member of:

(A) an active or reserve component of the United

States armed forces; or

(B) the Texas military forces.

(4) "Texas military forces" has the meaning assigned

by Section 437.001.

(5) "Veteran" means a former member of:

(A) an active or reserve component of the United

States armed forces; or

(B) the Texas military forces.

Sec. 434.422. PILOT PROGRAM. The commission by rule shall

establish the Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Reliance Pilot Program

to provide services intended to help a service member or a veteran

achieve self-reliance after separating from the military. The

program must assist the following persons:

(1) service members and veterans who within the last

year separated from:

(A) an active or reserve component of the United

States armed forces; or

(B) the Texas military forces; and

(2) spouses and dependents of the service members and

veterans described by Subdivision (1).

Sec. 434.423. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED. The commission

shall solicit requests for proposals from veterans service

organizations to provide the persons described by Section 434.422

with information and education on:

(1) employment opportunities and related services;

(2) housing assistance programs;

(3) mental health services;

(4) career training; and

(5) other essential services determined appropriate

by the commission.

Sec. 434.424. EVALUATION AND CRITERIA. The commission

shall evaluate the received proposals and must approve at least one

or more veterans service organizations for funding to provide the

services described by Section 434.423. The commission may only

approve a proposal from an organization that has demonstrated in

its proposal:

(1) that it has experience working in this state with

service members or veterans or both to provide the services

described by Section 434.423; and

(2) that it has access to military bases and sites at

which the organization intends to provide the services described by

Section 434.423.

Sec. 434.425. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDED SERVICES. The

services provided under the pilot program must be provided:

(1) only to persons described by Section 434.422; and

(2) at no cost to the service member or veteran or to

the spouses or dependents of the service member or veteran.

Sec. 434.426. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission

may accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the pilot program

and may collaborate with other public or private entities for

additional funding or program expansion.

Sec. 434.427. REPORTING. Not later than October 1, 2028,

the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the

lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,

and the standing committees of the legislature with primary

jurisdiction over veterans affairs a written report that contains:

(1) recommendations for legislative or other action;

and

(2) an evaluation of the pilot program's

effectiveness, including a recommendation on whether the pilot

program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.

Sec. 434.428. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires

September 1, 2029.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.