Texas House Bill HB1457

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 1/19/23
• Out of House Committee: 4/4/23
• Voted on by House: 5/8/23
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/16/23
• Voted on by Senate: 5/19/23
• Governor Action: 6/9/23

Caption

Relating to required military informed care or military cultural competency training for certain personnel of entities that provide mental health services to veterans or veterans' families before award of a state agency grant.

Impact

The bill will amend existing provisions within the Government Code, specifically targeting state agencies that award grants for mental health services. Entities must demonstrate that their personnel have undergone the required training to ensure these veterans receive informed and culturally competent care. This enhanced standard seeks to create a more supportive environment for veterans using mental health services and has a broader goal of improving the overall effectiveness of mental health care delivery in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1457 focuses on enhancing the quality of mental health services provided to veterans and their families by mandating military informed care or military cultural competency training for personnel of entities seeking state grants for mental health service provision. The motivation behind the bill is to establish trust between healthcare providers and veterans, which can significantly influence the veterans' engagement in care and their compliance with treatment. The implementation of this training aims to ensure that service providers possess the necessary cultural understanding to effectively support veterans in need of mental health assistance.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding HB 1457 were largely supportive, with many legislators and stakeholders emphasizing the importance of military cultural competency training. Proponents, including veterans and mental health advocates, underscored how such training can lead to improved treatment outcomes and satisfaction in care among veterans. The sentiment expressed in committee meetings showed a strong desire to uphold the welfare of veterans, reflecting a unifying commitment across party lines towards improving mental health services for this population.

Contention

A notable point of contention lies in the potential resource implications for entities to comply with the new training requirement before receiving state grants. While supporters believe the training is essential and beneficial, some hesitate about the feasibility and costs associated with implementing such programs, particularly for smaller organizations. Nonetheless, proponents argue that these investments in training are critical for providing adequately tailored care to veterans, ensuring their unique needs are met within the mental health landscape.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 434. Veteran Assistance Agencies
  • Section: 352
  • Section: 352
  • Section: 352
  • Section: 352

Health And Safety Code

• Chapter 1001. Department Of State Health Services
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: 225
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: 225