Bill Text: TX SB27 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to the mental health program for veterans and to the authority to establish a trauma affected veterans clinical care and research center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-3)

Status: (Passed) 2017-06-09 - Effective on 9/1/17 [SB27 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB27-Enrolled.html

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S.B. No. 27

AN ACT
relating to the mental health program for veterans and to the
authority to establish a trauma affected veterans clinical care and
research center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 74, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 74.155 to read as follows:
Sec. 74.155. NATIONAL CENTER FOR WARRIOR RESILIENCY.
(a) In this section:
(1) "Board" means the board of regents of The
University of Texas System.
(2) "Center" means the National Center for Warrior
Resiliency.
(b) The board may establish the National Center for Warrior
Resiliency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San
Antonio for purposes of:
(1) researching issues relating to the detection,
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of combat-related
post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid conditions; and
(2) providing clinical care to enhance the
psychological resiliency of military personnel and veterans.
(c) The board may solicit, accept, and administer gifts and
grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of
the center.
SECTION 2. Section 434.351, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as follows:
(2-a) "Peer service coordinator" means a person who
recruits and retains veterans, peers, and volunteers to participate
in the mental health program for veterans and related activities.
SECTION 3. Section 434.352(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) For the mental health program for veterans, the
commission shall:
(1) provide training to peer service [volunteer]
coordinators and peers in accordance with Section 434.353;
(2) provide technical assistance to peer service
[volunteer] coordinators and peers;
(3) identify [recruit], train, and communicate with
community-based licensed mental health professionals [therapists],
community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations; and
(4) coordinate services for justice involved
veterans.
SECTION 4. Section 434.353(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The commission shall develop and implement methods for
providing peer service [volunteer] coordinator certification
training to peer service [volunteer] coordinators, including
providing training for initial certification and recertification
and providing continuing education.
SECTION 5. Section 1001.221, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:
(1-a) "Peer service coordinator" means a person who
recruits and retains veterans, peers, and volunteers to participate
in the mental health program for veterans and related activities.
SECTION 6. Section 1001.222(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The department shall develop a mental health
intervention program for veterans. The program must include:
(1) peer-to-peer counseling;
(2) access to licensed mental health professionals for
peer service [volunteer] coordinators and peers;
(3) training approved by the department for peer
service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and
peers;
(4) technical assistance for peer service [volunteer]
coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers;
(5) identification [grants to regional and local
organizations providing services under this subchapter;
[(6) recruitment], retention, and screening of
community-based licensed mental health professionals [therapists];
(6) [(7)] suicide prevention training for peer
service [volunteer] coordinators and peers; and
(7) [(8)] veteran jail diversion services, including
veterans treatment courts.
SECTION 7. Section 1001.224, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1001.224. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each year, the department shall submit a report to the governor and
the legislature that includes:
(1) the number of veterans who received services
through the mental health program for veterans;
(2) the number of peers and peer service [volunteer]
coordinators trained;
(3) [a summary of the grants awarded and services
provided through those grants;
[(4)] an evaluation of the services provided under
this subchapter; and
(4) [(5)] recommendations for program improvements.
SECTION 8. The following laws are repealed:
(1) Section 434.351(4), Government Code;
(2) Section 1001.221(3), Health and Safety Code; and
(3) Section 1001.223, Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 27 passed the Senate on
March 28, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0;
May 25, 2017, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 26, 2017, House
granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2017, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31,
Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 27 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 18, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 137,
Nays 8, two present not voting; May 26, 2017, House granted request
of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 28, 2017, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor