85R12964 JG-F
By: Blanco H.B. No. 3556
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the mental health program for veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 434.351, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as follows:
(2-a) "Peer service coordinator" means a person who
recruits and retains veterans, peers, and volunteers to participate
in the mental health program for veterans and related activities.
SECTION 2. Section 434.352(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) For the mental health program for veterans, the
commission shall:
(1) provide training to peer service [volunteer]
coordinators and peers in accordance with Section 434.353;
(2) provide technical assistance to peer service
[volunteer] coordinators and peers;
(3) identify [recruit], train, and communicate with
community-based licensed mental health professionals [therapists],
community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations; and
(4) coordinate services for justice involved
veterans.
SECTION 3. Section 434.353(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The commission shall develop and implement methods for
providing peer service [volunteer] coordinator certification
training to peer service [volunteer] coordinators, including
providing training for initial certification and recertification
and providing continuing education.
SECTION 4. Section 1001.221, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:
(1-a) "Peer service coordinator" means a person who
recruits and retains veterans, peers, and volunteers to participate
in the mental health program for veterans and related activities.
SECTION 5. Section 1001.222(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(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
peer service [volunteer] coordinators and peers;
(3) training approved by the department for peer
service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and
peers;
(4) technical assistance for peer service [volunteer]
coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers;
(5) identification [grants to regional and local
organizations providing services under this subchapter;
[(6) recruitment], retention, and screening of
community-based licensed mental health professionals [therapists];
(6) [(7)] suicide prevention training for peer
service [volunteer] coordinators and peers; and
(7) [(8)] veteran jail diversion services, including
veterans treatment courts.
SECTION 6. Section 1001.224, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1001.224. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the department shall submit a report to the governor and
the legislature that includes:
(1) the number of veterans who received services
through the mental health program for veterans;
(2) the number of peers and peer service [volunteer]
coordinators trained;
(3) [a summary of the grants awarded and services
provided through those grants;
[(4)] an evaluation of the services provided under
this subchapter; and
(4) [(5)] recommendations for program improvements.
SECTION 7. The following laws are repealed:
(1) Section 434.351(4), Government Code;
(2) Section 1001.221(3), Health and Safety Code; and
(3) Section 1001.223, Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.