Title GV, Government Code

Sec. 434.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. (2) "State electronic Internet portal" has the meaning assigned by Section 2054.003. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 69, Sec. 1, eff. May 16, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd …

Sec. 434.102. VETERANS WEBSITE. (a) The Department of Information Resources shall establish and maintain on the state electronic Internet portal a veterans website. The website must allow veterans to access information on state and federal veterans benefits programs. (b) A state …

Sec. 434.103. COMMISSION FORMS. Commission forms shall contain: (1) the veterans website address maintained under Section 434.102; and (2) the commission's toll-free telephone number. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 69, Sec. 1, eff. May 16, 2003.

Sec. 434.104. BENEFITS BOOKLETS. (a) Not later than February 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall create an electronic state veterans benefits booklet. The commission shall make a printable version of the booklet available to: (1) each veterans county service office…

Sec. 434.105. ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO NEWSLETTER OR SERVICES. The commission, with the assistance of the executive director of the Department of Information Resources, may develop and implement a program that uses appropriate computer hardware and software and required training prog…

Sec. 434.107. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The commission shall implement a policy requiring the commission to use appropriate technological solutions to improve the commission's ability to perform its functions. The policy must ensure that the public is able to interact with the commissio…

Sec. 434.108. DIRECTORY OF SERVICES. (a) The commission shall collaborate with and assist the Department of State Health Services and the Health and Human Services Commission in compiling and maintaining the directory of services established under Section 161.552, Health and Safe…

Sec. 434.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Council" means the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services. (2) "Servicemember" has the meaning assigned by Section 161.551, Health and Safety Code. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1112 (S.B. 1796), Sec. 1, eff…

Sec. 434.152. TEXAS COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR VETERANS SERVICES. The Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services is established to: (1) coordinate the activities of state agencies that assist veterans, servicemembers, and their families; (2) coordinate outreach efforts that e…

Sec. 434.153. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. The council is composed of the director or executive head of the following entities, or that person's designated representative: (1) the Texas Veterans Commission; (2) the Veterans' Land Board; (3) the Texas Military Department; (4) the Healt…

Sec. 434.154. COORDINATING WORKGROUPS. (a) The council may, by majority vote, establish the following coordinating workgroups to focus on specific issues affecting veterans, servicemembers, and their families: (1) health; (2) mental health; (3) employment; (4) higher education; (…

Sec. 434.155. PRESIDING OFFICER. The executive director of the Texas Veterans Commission shall serve as the presiding officer. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1112 (S.B. 1796), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.

Sec. 434.156. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least annually and at the call of the presiding officer. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1112 (S.B. 1796), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.

Sec. 434.157. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. (a) The council is administratively attached to the Texas Veterans Commission. The Texas Veterans Commission may provide administrative support and resources to the council as necessary to enable the council to perform its duties. (b) A state…

Sec. 434.158. REPORT BY COUNCIL. Not later than October 1 of each even-numbered year, the council shall submit a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and chairs of the appropriate committees of the legislature detailing the work of…

Sec. 434.201. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. (2) "Executive director" means the executive director of the commission. (3) "Program" means the Texas Women Veterans Program. (4) "Woman veteran" means a woman who: (A) served on…

Sec. 434.202. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM; PROGRAM MISSION. (a) The Texas Women Veterans Program is established in the commission. The program is attached to the office of the executive director for administrative purposes. (b) The mission of the program is to ensure that the women …

Sec. 434.203. COORDINATOR. (a) The executive director shall designate a women veterans coordinator for this state. (b) The coordinator or the coordinator's designee shall serve as a liaison between state and federal agencies and organizations that provide benefits and services to…

Sec. 434.204. GENERAL PROGRAM DUTIES. The program shall: (1) provide assistance to the women veterans of this state as provided by this subchapter; (2) perform outreach functions to improve the awareness of women veterans of their eligibility for federal and state veterans' benef…

Sec. 434.205. ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC AWARENESS. (a) The program shall advocate for women veterans and work to increase public awareness about the gender-specific needs of women veterans. (b) The program shall recommend legislative initiatives and the development of policies on the l…

Sec. 434.206. COLLABORATION. The program shall collaborate with federal, state, county, municipal, and private agencies that provide services to women veterans. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 325 (H.B. 867), Sec. 1, eff. June 4, 2015.

Sec. 434.207. RESEARCH; DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION. (a) The program shall monitor and research issues relating to women veterans. (b) The program shall disseminate information regarding opportunities for women veterans throughout the network of entities with which the program c…

Sec. 434.208. EDUCATION. Through conferences, seminars, and training workshops with federal, state, county, municipal, and private agencies, the program shall provide guidance and direction to a woman veteran who is applying for grants, benefits, or services. Added by Acts 2015, …

Sec. 434.209. HONOR AND RECOGNITION. The program shall promote events and activities that recognize and honor the women veterans of this state and women who serve in the military. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 325 (H.B. 867), Sec. 1, eff. June 4, 2015.

Sec. 434.210. FACILITIES. To the extent funding is available for that purpose, the program shall provide facilities as appropriate in support of the program. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 325 (H.B. 867), Sec. 1, eff. June 4, 2015.

Sec. 434.211. FUNDING; GRANTS. On behalf of the program, the commission may: (1) accept and spend funds: (A) appropriated to the commission for the operation of the program; and (B) received from other sources, including donations and grants; and (2) provide matching grants to as…

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…

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…

Sec. 434.214. APPLICATION FOR STATE AGENCY PROGRAMS, SERVICES, OR ASSISTANCE. (a) This section applies to 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 …

Sec. 434.251. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. (2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1193 (S.B. 1158), Sec. 5, eff. September…

Sec. 434.252. VETERAN EDUCATION EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION AWARD NETWORK. (a) The commission by rule shall establish an award program under which institutions of higher education may receive recognition from the commission for excellence in providing education and related services to…

Sec. 434.253. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The commission may adopt rules as necessary to administer this subchapter. In developing rules under this section, the commission shall consult with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and institutions of higher education. Added by Ac…

Sec. 434.301. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. (2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1193 (S.B. 1158), Sec. 5, eff. June 14, …

Sec. 434.302. VETERANS EDUCATION COUNSELORS. The commission shall employ veterans education counselors. The veterans education counselors shall: (1) work with institutions of higher education and any existing veterans programs at those institutions to: (A) create a hospitable and…

Sec. 434.303. SUPPORT FROM INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Each institution of higher education shall cooperate with the commission to provide information, as permitted by law, related to student veterans at the institution, provide access to veteran resource centers or other s…

Sec. 434.304. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subchapter. In developing rules under this section, the commission shall consult with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and institutions of higher education. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd …

Sec. 434.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. (2) "Peer" means a person who is a veteran or a veteran's family member. (2-a) "Peer service coordinator" means a person who recruits and retains veterans, peers, and volunteers t…

Sec. 434.3515. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR VETERANS: ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. (a) The commission shall develop and administer a mental health program for veterans. The program must include: (1) peer-to-peer counseling; (2) access to licensed mental health profession…

Sec. 434.352. DUTIES. (a) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 713 (H.B. 114), Sec. 4.01(1), eff. September 1, 2025. (b) For the mental health program for veterans, the commission shall: (1) provide training to peer service coordinators and peers in accordance with Section…

Sec. 434.3525. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible for appointment under Section 434.352(c), an individual must: (1) have at least a master's degree in a recognized mental health field; (2) be licensed in this state to practice a mental health profession; (…

Sec. 434.353. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION. (a) The commission shall develop and implement methods for providing peer service coordinator certification training to peer service coordinators, including providing training for initial certification and recertification and providing co…

Sec. 434.354. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each year, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature that includes: (1) the number of veterans who received services through the mental health program for veterans; (2) the number of peers an…

Sec. 434.355. RULES. The commission may adopt rules to administer this subchapter. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 713 (H.B. 114), Sec. 1.05, eff. September 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER I. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION INITIATIVE

Sec. 434.401. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. (a) The commission and the Department of State Health Services shall include as a part of the mental health program for veterans described by Section 434.352(a) an initiative to encourage local communities to conduct cross-sector collaborati…

Sec. 434.421. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. (2) "Executive director" means the executive director of the commission or the executive director's designee. (3) "Matching grant program" means the matching grant program establi…

Sec. 434.422. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM. To the extent funds are appropriated to the commission for that purpose, the commission shall establish a matching grant program to support community mental health programs that provide services and treatment to veterans and their families. A…