BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1058
By: West, Royce
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Many veterans struggle with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder and, as a result, have trouble reintegrating into family and work life upon returning from combat.
As proposed, S.B. 1058 requires the Department of State Health Services to develop and implement a program to aid veterans and their immediate families in the reintegration process.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subchapter U, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER U. SERVICEMEMBER COUNSELING
Sec. 161.551. DEFINITIONS. Defines “active duty” and “servicemember.”
Sec. 161.552. REINTEGRATION COUNSELING PROGRAM. (a) Requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to develop and implement a statewide reintegration counseling program (program) to be available for servicemembers and their immediate families and to make certain counseling services available for a certain period of time as set forth in this subsection.
(b) Requires DSHS to seek input from the Texas National Guard regarding the content of the program.
SECTION 2. Requires DSHS to develop and implement the program under Section 161.552, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the Act’s effective date.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.