88R7665 EAS-D
By: Lopez of Bexar H.B. No. 2148
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on veteran deaths caused by suicide.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.
(2) "Veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section
2308.251, Government Code.
(b) The commission shall conduct a study to evaluate veteran
deaths in this state caused by suicide in the preceding five years.
The report must include, if available:
(1) the total number of veterans whose death was
caused by suicide in the preceding five years;
(2) a summary of the age, gender, and race of each
veteran described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection;
(3) a comprehensive list of the medications prescribed
to or controlled substances present in the body of each veteran
described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection at the time of the
veteran's death, as applicable, including any medication that:
(A) was labeled with a warning box included in
the prescribing information due to the drug's serious or
life-threating side effects or risks;
(B) was taken for a purpose inconsistent with the
United States Food and Drug Administration's approved use of the
medication;
(C) was a psychotropic; or
(D) was labeled with a warning regarding the risk
of developing suicidal ideation;
(4) a summary of medical diagnoses for veterans by
physicians employed by the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs that led to the physicians prescribing the medications
described by Subdivision (3) of this subsection;
(5) the number of instances during which a veteran
whose death was caused by suicide was on multiple medications
prescribed by a physician employed by the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs;
(6) the percentage of veterans described by
Subdivision (1) of this subsection who were not taking any
medication prescribed by a physician employed by the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs;
(7) the percentage of veterans described by
Subdivision (1) of this subsection with combat experience or who
experienced trauma, including military sexual trauma, traumatic
brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder;
(8) each Veterans Health Administration facility with
a notably high percentage of prescriptions per facility patient or
of suicide rates among patients treated at the facility;
(9) a description of United States Department of
Veterans Affairs policies governing the prescribing of medications
described by Subdivision (3) of this subsection;
(10) any patterns apparent to the commission based on
the review; and
(11) recommendations for further action that would
improve the safety and well-being of veterans.
(c) The commission may collaborate with any state or federal
agency as necessary to obtain the information described by
Subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Not later than March 1, 2025, the commission shall
prepare and submit to the governor and legislature and post on the
commission's Internet website a report containing the results of
the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.
SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.