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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the mental health program for veterans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 434.351, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as follows: |
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(2-a) "Peer service coordinator" means a person who |
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recruits and retains veterans, peers, and volunteers to participate |
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in the mental health program for veterans and related activities. |
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SECTION 2. Section 434.352(b), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) For the mental health program for veterans, the |
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commission shall: |
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(1) provide training to peer service [volunteer] |
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coordinators and peers in accordance with Section 434.353; |
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(2) provide technical assistance to peer service |
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[volunteer] coordinators and peers; |
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(3) identify [recruit], train, and communicate with |
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community-based licensed mental health professionals [therapists], |
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community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations; and |
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(4) coordinate services for justice involved |
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veterans. |
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SECTION 3. Section 434.353(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) The commission shall develop and implement methods for |
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providing peer service [volunteer] coordinator certification |
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training to peer service [volunteer] coordinators, including |
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providing training for initial certification and recertification |
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and providing continuing education. |
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SECTION 4. Section 1001.221, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows: |
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(1-a) "Peer service coordinator" means a person who |
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recruits and retains veterans, peers, and volunteers to participate |
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in the mental health program for veterans and related activities. |
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SECTION 5. Section 1001.222(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The department shall develop a mental health |
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intervention program for veterans. The program must include: |
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(1) peer-to-peer counseling; |
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(2) access to licensed mental health professionals for |
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peer service [volunteer] coordinators and peers; |
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(3) training approved by the department for peer |
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service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and |
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peers; |
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(4) technical assistance for peer service [volunteer] |
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coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers; |
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(5) identification [grants to regional and local
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organizations providing services under this subchapter;
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[(6) recruitment], retention, and screening of |
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community-based licensed mental health professionals [therapists]; |
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(6) [(7)] suicide prevention training for peer |
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service [volunteer] coordinators and peers; and |
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(7) [(8)] veteran jail diversion services, including |
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veterans treatment courts. |
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SECTION 6. Section 1001.224, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1001.224. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of |
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each year, the department shall submit a report to the governor and |
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the legislature that includes: |
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(1) the number of veterans who received services |
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through the mental health program for veterans; |
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(2) the number of peers and peer service [volunteer] |
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coordinators trained; |
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(3) [a summary of the grants awarded and services
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provided through those grants;
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[(4)] an evaluation of the services provided under |
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this subchapter; and |
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(4) [(5)] recommendations for program improvements. |
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SECTION 7. The following laws are repealed: |
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(1) Section 434.351(4), Government Code; |
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(2) Section 1001.221(3), Health and Safety Code; and |
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(3) Section 1001.223, Health and Safety Code. |
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SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |