H.B. No. 2951

	AN ACT
	relating to the establishment of a service dog pilot program for
	certain veterans.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 434.029 to read as follows:
	Sec. 434.029.  SERVICE DOG PILOT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN
	VETERANS. (a)  In this section:
	(1)  "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.
	(2)  "Pilot program" means the pilot program
	established under this section.
	(3)  "Veteran" means an individual who has served in:
	(A)  an active or reserve component of the army,
	navy, air force, coast guard, space force, or marine corps of the
	United States; or
	(B)  the Texas National Guard, as defined by
	Section 431.001.
	(b)  The commission by rule shall establish a pilot program
	for veterans to assist in mitigating the symptoms of military
	service-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain
	injury, or military sexual trauma through the provision of a
	service dog.
	(c)  The commission shall issue a request for proposals from
	nonprofit corporations to provide trained service dogs and training
	and services to veterans who participate in the pilot program.
	(d)  The commission shall approve one or more nonprofit
	corporations to provide services through the pilot program.  The
	commission may not approve a nonprofit corporation unless the
	corporation:
	(1)  has demonstrated experience working with veterans
	who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic
	brain injury, or military sexual trauma;
	(2)  is authorized to conduct business in this state;
	(3)  is able to provide follow-up services to a veteran
	who participates in the pilot program and the veteran's service
	dog; and
	(4)  adheres to the standards of Assistance Dogs
	International.
	(e)  A nonprofit corporation that is approved to provide
	services under the pilot program shall:
	(1)  employ professional staff to train dogs to become
	service dogs for veterans participating in the pilot program;
	(2)  provide each veteran participating in the pilot
	program a fully trained service dog;
	(3)  instruct each veteran participating in the pilot
	program on maintaining the service dog's health and training;
	(4)  while a veteran is participating in the pilot
	program, ensure that regular mental health and depression
	assessments are conducted on the veteran; and
	(5)  be able to provide a veteran participating in the
	pilot program a new service dog if the veteran's service dog:
	(A)  is incompatible with the veteran; or
	(B)  dies or is otherwise unable to fulfill the
	dog's duty as a service dog before the fourth anniversary of the
	date the veteran received the service dog under the pilot program.
	(f)  All goods and services provided to a veteran as part of
	the pilot program, including a veteran's service dog, must be
	provided at no cost to the veteran.
	(g)  A service dog provided by a nonprofit corporation as
	part of the pilot program must:
	(1)  complete a training program accredited by
	Assistance Dogs International;
	(2)  comply with any requirements of the Americans with
	Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.); and
	(3)  be evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure the dog is
	medically fit to serve as a service dog.
	(h)  The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations
	to fund the pilot program.
	(i)  Not later than October 1, 2026, the commission shall
	prepare and submit a report evaluating the pilot program to the
	governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
	representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the
	legislature.  The report must include:
	(1)  recommendations for legislative or other action;
	and
	(2)  an evaluation of the pilot program's
	effectiveness, including a recommendation on whether the pilot
	program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
	(j)  The pilot program concludes and this section expires
	September 1, 2027.
	SECTION 2.  The Texas Veterans Commission shall adopt rules
	to administer the pilot program established under Section 434.029,
	Government Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after
	the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 2951 was passed by the House on May 6,
	2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 137, Nays 0, 1 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 2951 was passed by the Senate on May
	22, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED:  _____________________
	Date
	_____________________
	Governor