By: Campbell  S.B. No. 27
         (In the Senate - Filed March 2, 2017; March 6, 2017, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs & Border
  Security; March 21, 2017, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; March 21, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the mental health program for veterans.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  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 2.  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 3.  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 4.  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 5.  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 6.  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 7.  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 8.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
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