Texas Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Access to Quality Child Care: Texas Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

114,610 active-duty service members
43,911 active-duty spouses
85,593 active-duty children
- 56,960 children in K-12
101,483 National Guard and reserve members
39,181 National Guard and reserve spouses
63,300 National Guard and reserve children
- 43,969 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2024.

Jon Arnold

South-Central Regional Liaison

South Central Region

AR, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became South Central region liaison in 2025. Prior to joining the DSLO, he served as a political-military advisor at the Air Force’s largest training wing. Earlier in his career, he was the director of constituent services for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, and he has also served as an advocate with the Army Wounded Warrior, or AW2, program. Mr. Arnold is a proud Army combat veteran, a parent of an active-duty naval officer and a graduate of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Medicaid Waivers

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/19/2015SB-169

03/30/2015SB-169

06/15/2015

Allow Service Members to Retain Their Earned Priority for Receiving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers Final Legislation

Ensures that certain military members and their spouses and dependents who maintain Texas as their state of legal residence retain their position in the queue of an interest list or other waiting list for any assistance program, including a Section 1915 (c) waiver program, provided by the health and human services agency, if the person cannot receive benefits under the assistance program because the person temporarily resides out of state as the result of military service.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Purple Star Schools Program

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/28/2019

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

Authorizes the Texas Education Agency to designate certain school districts as a Purple Star Campus that apply and qualify to take actions to assist military-connected students.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Veteran Hiring Protection

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/19/2015SB-805

03/30/2015SB-805

05/28/2015

Protection for Private Sector veterans' Hiring Policies Final Legislation

Establishes the Military Veterans' Full Employment Act by amending the Texas Government Code to permit a private employer to adopt a policy to give a preference in employment decisions regarding hiring, promotion or retention to a veteran and also gives a preference in employment with or appointment to a state agency to an individual who qualifies for a veteran's employment preference plus establishes veteran employment goals for state agencies.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Advance Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/19/2019HB 1597

05/15/2019HB 1597

05/28/2019

Advance Enrollment Final Legislation

Permits a person whose parent is in the armed forces to establish residency for admission into public school with a copy of their military orders.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Service Member Licensure and Credit

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/20/2011SB-1736

04/21/2011SB-1736

06/17/2011

Licensure and Academic Credit for Separating Service Members Final Legislation

Relating to the establishment of the College Credit for Heroes program.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Virtual School Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/26/2017

Virtual School Enrollment Final Legislation

Title 2 Public Education. Subtitle F Curriculum, Programs and Services. Chapter 30A State Virtual School Network. Sec. 30A.002 Student Eligibility. -- A student is eligible to enroll full-time in courses provided through the state virtual school network if the student is a dependent of a member of the United States military who has been deployed or transferred to this state and was enrolled in a publicly funded school outside of this state in the preceding school year.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/13/2017HB-2124

05/19/2017HB-2124

06/01/2017

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Final Legislation

In an investigation of a report of abuse or neglect, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will determine whether the person is an active duty member of the United States armed forces or their spouse and shall notify the United States department of Family Advocacy Program at the closest active duty military installation of the investigation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

In-State Tuition Continuity

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

10/01/2018

In-State Tuition Continuity Final Legislation

Spouse or child of active duty member assigned elsewhere immediately following Texas duty is entitled to pay the tuition/fees provided for Texas residents as long as the spouse or child resides continuously in Texas.\n\n

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Pro Bono Representation

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/22/2019SB 2104

04/17/2019SB 2104

06/10/2019

Pro Bono Legal Representation for Service Members and Families Final Legislation

Authorizes the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance to make grants to provide pro bono legal services to veterans, active duty and the Texas Guard.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Legal Protections for Military Families0/5 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Education

Employment

Housing

Public Accomodations

Other Protections

Veterans Treatment Court1/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Treatment

Open Selection

05/26/2015SB-1474

04/30/2015SB-1474

06/19/2015

Open Selection Final Legislation

Amends Chapter 124 of the Texas Government Code to redesignate veterans court programs as veterans treatment court programs and establishes the eligibility for participation in and administration of these programs.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Available

State Employment Protections1/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Uniform Services & Reemployment Rights Act

06/15/2007

Uniform Services & Reemployment Rights Act Final Legislation

Designates that an employer may not terminate the employment of a permanent employee who is a member of the state military forces of this state (Texas) or any other state because the employee is ordered to authorized training or duty by proper authority.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Enforcement

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

09/30/2024

Driver's License Final Legislation

Service members and their dependents living outside Texas can renew their Texas driver's licenses by mail per the instructions found at the Texas Department of Public Safety website: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/renew-or-replacing-your-dl-or-id-while-you-are-out-state.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

09/30/2024

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

Service members and dependents living outside Texas can renew their registration online or by mail. Please contact your county tax office for more information about their requirements for out-of-state registration renewal. See the following website for additional information https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/for-our-troops

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

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