HB4458 - Relating to a pilot program to assist service members and veterans in achieving self-reliance after separation from the military.

  89R13863 LRM-D     By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 4458       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a pilot program to assist service members and veterans   in achieving self-reliance after separation from the military.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter J to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER J. TEXAS VETERANS ACHIEVING SELF-RELIANCE PILOT PROGRAM           Sec. 434.421.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.                 (2)     "Pilot program" means the pilot program   established under this subchapter.                 (3)  "Service member" means a member of:                       (A)     an active or reserve component of the United   States armed forces; or                       (B)  the Texas military forces.                 (4)     "Texas military forces" has the meaning assigned   by Section 437.001.                 (5)  "Veteran" means a former member of:                       (A)     an active or reserve component of the United   States armed forces; or                       (B)  the Texas military forces.           Sec.   434.422.     PILOT PROGRAM. The commission by rule shall   establish the Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Reliance Pilot Program   to provide services intended to help a service member or a veteran   achieve self-reliance after separating from the military. The   program must assist the following persons:                 (1)     service members and veterans who within the last   year separated from:                       (A)     an active or reserve component of the United   States armed forces; or                       (B)  the Texas military forces; and                 (2)     spouses and dependents of the service members and   veterans described by Subdivision (1).           Sec.   434.423.     SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED. The commission   shall solicit requests for proposals from veterans service   organizations to provide the persons described by Section 434.422   with information and education on:                 (1)  employment opportunities and related services;                 (2)  housing assistance programs;                 (3)  mental health services;                 (4)  career training; and                 (5)     other essential services determined appropriate   by the commission.           Sec.   434.424.     EVALUATION AND CRITERIA. The commission   shall evaluate the received proposals and must approve at least one   or more veterans service organizations for funding to provide the   services described by Section 434.423. The commission may only   approve a proposal from an organization that has demonstrated in   its proposal:                 (1)     that it has experience working in this state with   service members or veterans or both to provide the services   described by Section 434.423; and                 (2)     that it has access to military bases and sites at   which the organization intends to provide the services described by   Section 434.423.           Sec.   434.425.     REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDED SERVICES. The   services provided under the pilot program must be provided:                 (1)  only to persons described by Section 434.422; and                 (2)     at no cost to the service member or veteran or to   the spouses or dependents of the service member or veteran.           Sec.   434.426.     GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission   may accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the pilot program   and may collaborate with other public or private entities for   additional funding or program expansion.           Sec.   434.427.     REPORTING. Not later than October 1, 2028,   the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the   lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,   and the standing committees of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over veterans affairs a written report that contains:                 (1)     recommendations for legislative or other action;   and                 (2)     an evaluation of the pilot program's   effectiveness, including a recommendation on whether the pilot   program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.           Sec.   434.428.     EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires   September 1, 2029.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.