85R11279 YDB-D
 
  By: Lucio S.B. No. 1677
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to information about services for women veterans provided
  through certain state agency and hospital applications.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 434.212 to read as follows:
         Sec. 434.212.  APPLICATION FOR STATE AGENCY PROGRAMS,
  SERVICES, OR ASSISTANCE OR HOSPITAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) This
  section applies to:
               (1)  a state agency in the executive branch of state
  government, including a health and human services agency, that
  provides to adult women in this state a program, a service, or
  assistance, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  program, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the
  women's health program, Medicaid, the Special Supplemental
  Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and a housing
  program or service or housing assistance; and
               (2)  a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and
  Safety Code, that provides health care services to adult women in
  this state.
         (b)  A state agency or hospital described by Subsection (a)
  shall include in each application for a program, a service, or
  assistance provided by the agency or hospital to adult women:
               (1)  a space to indicate whether the applicant is a
  veteran;
               (2)  notice that on indication under Subdivision (1)
  that the applicant is a veteran, the agency or hospital will forward
  the applicant's information to the commission; and
               (3)  model language informing the applicant that she
  may be entitled to additional services because of her veteran
  status.
         (c)  On receipt of information provided under Subsection
  (b), the commission shall enter the information into a database
  established by the commission and contact the applicant to inform
  her of any additional services for which the applicant may qualify
  under state or federal law.
         (d)  The commission shall develop the model language
  required on an application under Subsection (b)(3). The language
  must include a link to the veterans website established under
  Section 434.102 or, for an online application, a hyperlink to that
  website.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 241.0075 to read as follows:
         Sec. 241.0075.  COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN APPLICATION
  REQUIREMENTS. A hospital shall comply with Section 434.212,
  Government Code.
         SECTION 3.  (a) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Texas
  Veterans Commission shall develop the model application language
  required by Section 434.212, Government Code, as added by this Act,
  and post that information on the commission's Internet website.
         (b)  Not later than January 1, 2018, each state agency and
  hospital subject to Section 434.212, Government Code, as added by
  this Act, shall modify the agency's or hospital's application for
  programs, services, or assistance as necessary to implement that
  section.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Section 434.212, Government Code, as
  added by this Act, a state agency or hospital is not required to
  include information on the application as required by that section
  before January 1, 2018.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.