87R5670 BDP-D
 
  By: Romero, Jr. H.B. No. 1736
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to assisting inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal
  Justice in obtaining federal veterans disability benefits.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 501.071 to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.071.  ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING FEDERAL VETERANS
  DISABILITY BENEFITS. For purposes of assisting an inmate who is a
  veteran in obtaining federal veterans disability benefits, the
  department shall ensure that, as soon as practicable after
  receiving a request from the inmate:
               (1)  an appropriate medical or health care
  professional:
                     (A)  assists the inmate in completing a disability
  benefits questionnaire at the facility in which the inmate is
  confined or at another appropriate location; or
                     (B)  conducts any necessary examination or
  evaluation of the inmate at the facility in which the inmate is
  confined or at another appropriate location; and
               (2)  the questionnaire or other documents required for
  the inmate to receive benefits are submitted to the United States
  Department of Veterans Affairs or a veterans service organization
  chartered by the United States Congress or recognized by the United
  States Department of Veterans Affairs.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.