84R21874 LEH-D
By: Menéndez, et al. S.B. No. 1305
(Minjarez)
Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1305: No.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a rural veterans mental health
initiative within the mental health intervention program for
veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1001.202, Health and Safety Code, as
added by Chapter 352 (H.B. 2392), Acts of the 83rd Legislature,
Regular Session, 2013, and amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1001.202. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The
department shall develop a mental health intervention program for
veterans. The program must include:
(1) peer-to-peer counseling;
(2) access to licensed mental health professionals for
volunteer coordinators and peers;
(3) training approved by the department for peers;
(4) technical assistance for volunteer coordinators
and peers;
(5) grants to regional and local organizations
providing services under this subchapter;
(6) recruitment, retention, and screening of
community-based therapists;
(7) suicide prevention training for volunteer
coordinators and peers; and
(8) veteran jail diversion services, including
veterans courts.
(a-2) As part of the mental health intervention program for
veterans, the department shall develop a rural veterans mental
health initiative.
(b) The department shall solicit and ensure that
specialized training is provided to persons who are peers and who
want to provide peer-to-peer counseling or other peer-to-peer
services under the program.
(c) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to
implement this subchapter.
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, 2015.