85R25510 SMT-D     By: Blanco, Guillen H.B. No. 1973     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1973:     By:  Button C.S.H.B. No. 1973       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to employment and referral services for veterans and   military service members.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Sections 302.0033 and 302.00335 to read as   follows:          Sec. 302.0033.  OPERATION WELCOME HOME PROGRAM.  (a)  The   commission shall establish and administer the Operation Welcome   Home program to expedite the entry of veterans and military service   members into the workforce through the use of enhanced employment   services.  In establishing the program, the commission shall build   partnerships between military transition centers and local   workforce development boards to ensure the availability of   employment services, including services related to:                (1)  education;                (2)  career technical training; and                (3)  entrepreneurship.           (b)  The commission may award grants to state, local, or   private entities that perform activities related to the purposes of   this section.          (c)  The commission shall administer the program using money   previously appropriated to the commission or received from federal   or other sources.          (d)  The commission may adopt rules as necessary for the   administration of this section.          Sec. 302.00335.  TEXAS VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. (a)   The commission, in consultation with the Texas Veterans Commission,   shall establish a Texas Veterans Leadership Program.          (b)  The mission of the program is to serve as a resource and   referral network connecting veterans with the resources and tools   they need to lead productive lives and enjoy the full benefits of   the society they have willingly served.          (c)  The program shall collaborate with local workforce   development boards to provide services to veterans under this   section. The program may collaborate with other federal, state,   county, municipal, and private agencies to provide services to   veterans under this section.          (d)  The program shall employ veterans to serve as veteran   resource and referral specialists. A veteran resource and referral   specialist shall:                (1)  seek out veterans in need of services;                (2)  serve as a resource and referral agent, directing   veterans to resources tailored to veterans' needs;                (3)  make referrals and coordinate with other programs   of the commission, the Texas Veterans Commission, and other   federal, state, county, municipal, and private agencies that   provide services for veterans relating to:                      (A)  employment;                      (B)  education and training;                      (C)  medical care;                      (D)  mental health and counseling; and                      (E)  veterans benefits; and                (4)  coordinate the services of volunteer veterans   familiar with the obstacles faced by veterans to assist in   mentoring and serving veterans.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.