88R812 JTZ-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 63
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an instruction guide for family members and caregivers
of veterans who have mental health disorders.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.0932 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.0932. INSTRUCTION GUIDE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND
CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. (a) The
commission and the Texas Veterans Commission jointly shall produce
and make publicly available an instruction guide for family members
and caregivers of veterans who have mental health disorders.
(b) The instruction guide produced under this section must
include:
(1) general education about different mental health
disorders, including instruction intended to improve understanding
about the experience of persons suffering from those mental health
disorders;
(2) techniques for handling crisis situations and
administering mental health first aid to persons suffering from
mental health disorders;
(3) techniques for coping with the stress of living
with a person with a mental health disorder; and
(4) information about related services available for
family members and caregivers of veterans who have mental health
disorders that are provided by the commission, the Texas Veterans
Commission, other state agencies, community organizations, and
mental health services providers.
(c) The commission and the Texas Veterans Commission each
shall publish the guide produced under this section on the
respective agency's Internet website.
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, 2023.