Relating to the verification of the veteran status of inmates and prisoners.

Contracts

• Telecom & Video Visitation: Review Inmate Telephone System (ITS) and Video Visitation agreements immediately. You must negotiate a "zero-rate" or "whitelisting" provision for calls and video visits with Veteran Service Officers and Peer Coordinators.
• Private Jail Operations: If you are a private operator, issue a "Change in Law" notice to counties. You may need to request contract adjustments to cover the increased administrative labor required for the new weekly reporting and VRSS data entry.

Hiring/Training

• Intake Staff: Booking officers require immediate training on the VRSS query interface and the protocol for distributing TVC-provided postcards.
• Records Division: Staff must be trained to generate and disseminate the mandatory weekly status report to three distinct external entities (TVC, Service Officers, and Courts).

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Weekly Reporting: Implement a rigid weekly workflow to transmit veteran data to the Texas Veterans Commission, the local Veterans County Service Officer, and the presiding Court.
• Transfer Protocols: Update TDCJ transfer checklists. The specific veteran verification document must accompany the prisoner upon transfer to state custody; failure to include this may delay transfer acceptance.

Fees & Costs

• Service Absorption: Facilities must absorb the cost of postcards for benefit applications and video visitation fees for veteran service officers. These services must be provided at zero cost to the inmate.