Bill Text: TX HB755 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the creation of a women veterans mental health initiative within the mental health intervention program for veterans.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-02-23 - Referred to Defense & Veterans' Affairs [HB755 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB755-Introduced.html
  84R2702 LEH-D
 
  By: Menéndez H.B. No. 755
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a women veterans mental health
  initiative within the mental health intervention program for
  veterans.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1001.202, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by Chapter 352 (H.B. 2392), Acts of the 83rd Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2013, is reenacted and amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 1001.202.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (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
  volunteer coordinators and peers;
               (3)  training approved by the department for peers;
               (4)  technical assistance for volunteer coordinators
  and peers;
               (5)  grants to regional and local organizations
  providing services under this subchapter;
               (6)  recruitment, retention, and screening of
  community-based therapists;
               (7)  suicide prevention training for volunteer
  coordinators and peers; and
               (8)  veteran jail diversion services, including
  veterans courts.
         (a-1)  As part of the mental health intervention program for
  veterans, the department shall develop a women veterans mental
  health initiative. 
         (b)  The department shall solicit and ensure that
  specialized training is provided to persons who are peers and who
  want to provide peer-to-peer counseling or other peer-to-peer
  services under the program.
         (c)  The department may adopt rules necessary to implement
  this subchapter.
         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, 2015.
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