TITLE: Relating to outreach and awareness for women veterans in this state.

SUMMARY: Relating to outreach and awareness for women veterans in this state.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to outreach and awareness for women veterans in this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 434.212 and 434.213 to read as follows: Sec. 434.212. WOMEN VETERANS REPORT. Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature a report on women veterans in this state. The report may be delivered electronically and must: (1) estimate the: (A) number of women veterans in this state; (B) number of women veterans who contact the commission for assistance; and (C) number of women veterans who receive assistance from the commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and other state agencies; (2) identify the unique problems faced by women veterans; and (3) recommend policy proposals, initiatives, and funding levels to address the problems identified in Subdivision (2). Sec. 434.213. WOMEN VETERANS COMMUNITY OUTREACH CAMPAIGN. The women veterans coordinator designated under Section 434.203, in consultation with the Governor's Commission for Women, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other appropriate agency, shall conduct a community outreach campaign to: (1) provide information relating to and increase awareness of benefits and services available to women veterans; (2) improve access to benefits and services for women veterans; (3) increase participation of women veterans in programs that provide benefits and services; (4) provide information on the significant contributions of women veterans in this state; and (5) provide information relating to and increase awareness of support groups and other organizations relating to family services, including services for women veterans who are single parents. SECTION 2. Not later than November 1, 2018, the women veterans coordinator shall establish the women veterans community outreach campaign as required under Section 434.213, Government Code, as added by this Act, and the Texas Veterans Commission shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the campaign. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.