H.B. No. 1452
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to participation in job training and employment assistance
  programs by veterans and other covered persons.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. PRIORITY OF SERVICE IN JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
  ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
         Sec. 302.151.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Active military, naval, or air service" has the
  meaning assigned by 38 U.S.C. Section 101(24).
               (2)  "Covered person" has the meaning assigned by 38
  U.S.C. Section 4215(a).  The term includes the spouse of any member
  of the armed forces who died while serving on active military,
  naval, or air service.
               (3)  "Veteran" has the meaning assigned by 38 U.S.C.
  Section 101(2).
         Sec. 302.152.  PRIORITY OF SERVICE REQUIRED.  (a)  A covered
  person is entitled to priority in obtaining services or resources
  under this subchapter. In the implementation of this section, a
  covered person may take precedence in obtaining services or
  resources under this subchapter over persons who are not covered
  persons.
         (b)  For purposes of Subsection (a), "taking precedence" may
  mean that:
               (1)  the covered person receives access to a service or
  resource before a person who is not a covered person; or
               (2)  if the service or resource is limited, the covered
  person receives access to the service or resource instead of a
  person who is not a covered person.
         Sec. 302.153.  PARTICIPATION IN STATE-FUNDED PROGRAMS.  In
  selecting applicants to receive training or assistance under a job
  training or employment assistance program or service that is funded
  wholly or partly with state money, priority of service must be given
  to a covered person who meets the minimum eligibility requirements
  to participate or enroll in the program or receive the service.
         Sec. 302.154.  PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION
  PROGRAMS. (a)  The Texas Veterans Commission shall operate
  programs funded under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 41 and 42.  The commission
  may provide services to enhance the employment and training
  opportunities of veterans, covered persons, active duty service
  members, spouses of active duty service members, and members of the
  Texas National Guard.  The services provided under this section
  must be provided by state employees.
         (b)  The Texas Veterans Commission may adopt rules necessary
  to implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 302.014, Labor Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1452 was passed by the House on April
  28, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 149, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 1452 on May 25, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0,
  1 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1452 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 21, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor