88R3163 GCB-D
By: Bailes H.B. No. 4185
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a pilot program to award grants for personalized
treatment protocols for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic
stress disorder.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 49A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 49A. VETERANS PILOT PROGRAM TO AWARD GRANTS FOR
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER TREATMENT PROTOCOLS
Sec. 49A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Pilot program" means the pilot program
established under this chapter.
(2) "Veteran" means an individual who has served in:
(A) an active or reserve component of the army,
navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States;
or
(B) the Texas National Guard, as defined by
Section 431.001, Government Code.
Sec. 49A.002. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) The commission, using available resources and in cooperation
with a nonprofit veterans organization, shall establish and operate
a pilot program to award grants for the provision of a personalized
treatment protocol to at least 250 veterans diagnosed with
post-traumatic stress disorder, including treatment-resistant
post-traumatic stress disorder.
(b) A personalized treatment protocol provided to a veteran
under the pilot program must be:
(1) administered at the veteran's home; and
(2) designed to reduce neuroinflammation and
replenish deficient or insufficient brain chemistry to an optimal
level.
(c) The commission may award a grant under the pilot program
only in accordance with a contract between the commission and a
grant recipient. The contract must include provisions under which
the commission is granted sufficient control to ensure the public
purpose of providing treatment to veterans is accomplished and the
state receives the return benefit.
(d) The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations
to operate the pilot program.
Sec. 49A.003. RULES. The executive commissioner shall
adopt rules to implement this chapter.
Sec. 49A.004. REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2028, the
commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant
governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate
standing committees of the legislature a report that includes:
(1) information on the number of veterans who were
provided a personalized treatment protocol under the pilot program;
and
(2) an evaluation of the pilot program's
effectiveness.
Sec. 49A.005. EXPIRATION. The pilot program concludes and
this chapter expires September 1, 2029.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission shall
establish and begin operating the pilot program under Chapter 49A,
Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.