TITLE: Relating to state mental health benefits provided to certain spouses or former spouses of veterans.

SUMMARY: Relating to state mental health benefits provided to certain spouses or former spouses of veterans.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to state mental health benefits provided to certain spouses or former spouses of veterans. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter Jto read as follows: SUBCHAPTER J. BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES OF VETERANS Sec. 434.451. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only to the spouse or former spouse of a veteran, as defined by Section 2303.003, who was married for at least 10 years to the veteran while the veteran served on active duty as a member of the state military forces or a component of the United States armed forces, including an auxiliary service of one of those branches. Sec. 434.452. ENTITLEMENT TO STATE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS. Notwithstanding the applicability of any other law, the spouse or former spouse of a veteran to whom this subchapter applies is entitled to the mental health benefits to which a veteran is entitled under state law. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply to an application for a state mental health benefit that is submitted by a spouse or former spouse of a veteran on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.