By: Hunter (Senate Sponsor - Menéndez) H.B. No. 3821

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 10, 2021; May 12, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; May 21, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 21, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3821 By: Perry

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to employing and training mental health professionals for the mental health program for veterans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 434.352(a) and (b), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The commission and the Health and Human [Department of State Health] Services Commission shall coordinate to administer the mental health program for veterans developed under Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code.

(b) For the mental health program for veterans, the commission shall:

(1) provide training to peer service coordinators and peers in accordance with Section 434.353;

(2) provide technical assistance to peer service coordinators and peers;

(3) identify, train, and communicate with community-based licensed mental health professionals, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations;

(4) coordinate services for justice involved veterans; [and]

(5) coordinate local delivery to veterans and immediate family members of veterans of mental health first aid for veterans training; and

(6) employ and train mental health professionals to assist the Health and Human Services Commission in the administration of the program.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

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