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AN ACT
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relating to employment and referral services for veterans and |
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military service members. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 302.0033 and 302.00335 to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 302.0033. OPERATION WELCOME HOME PROGRAM. (a) The |
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commission shall establish and administer the Operation Welcome |
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Home program to expedite the entry of veterans and military service |
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members into the workforce through the use of enhanced employment |
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services. In establishing the program, the commission shall build |
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partnerships between military transition centers and local |
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workforce development boards to ensure the availability of |
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employment services, including services related to: |
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(1) education; |
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(2) career technical training; and |
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(3) entrepreneurship. |
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(b) The commission may award grants to state, local, or |
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private entities that perform activities related to the purposes of |
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this section. |
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(c) The commission shall administer the program using money |
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previously appropriated to the commission or received from federal |
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or other sources. |
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(d) The commission may adopt rules as necessary for the |
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administration of this section. |
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Sec. 302.00335. TEXAS VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. (a) |
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The commission, in consultation with the Texas Veterans Commission, |
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shall establish a Texas Veterans Leadership Program. |
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(b) The mission of the program is to serve as a resource and |
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referral network connecting veterans with the resources and tools |
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they need to lead productive lives and enjoy the full benefits of |
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the society they have willingly served. |
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(c) The program shall collaborate with local workforce |
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development boards to provide services to veterans under this |
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section. The program may collaborate with other federal, state, |
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county, municipal, and private agencies to provide services to |
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veterans under this section. |
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(d) The program shall employ veterans to serve as veteran |
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resource and referral specialists. A veteran resource and referral |
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specialist shall: |
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(1) seek out veterans in need of services; |
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(2) serve as a resource and referral agent, directing |
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veterans to resources tailored to veterans' needs; |
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(3) make referrals and coordinate with other programs |
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of the commission, the Texas Veterans Commission, and other |
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federal, state, county, municipal, and private agencies that |
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provide services for veterans relating to: |
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(A) employment; |
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(B) education and training; |
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(C) medical care; |
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(D) mental health and counseling; and |
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(E) veterans benefits; and |
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(4) coordinate the services of volunteer veterans |
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familiar with the obstacles faced by veterans to assist in |
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mentoring and serving veterans. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 696 was passed by the House on April |
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26, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 135, Nays 4, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 696 was passed by the Senate on May |
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22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |