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


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.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-3)

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

Download: Texas-2017-SB27-Enrolled.html
 
 
  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
feedback