** REVISION **
SENATE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:    Veteran Affairs & Military Installations 

TIME & DATE:  1:30 PM, Monday, July 16, 2012 

PLACE:        Temple, TX 
CHAIR:        Senator Leticia Van de Putte 

The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations will meet on Monday, July 16, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room of the William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home, located at 1424 Martin Luther King Jr. Lane, Temple, TX. The committee will take invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

·                Review the benefits claims process for filing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through the Texas Veterans Commission's Claims Representation and Counseling program and make recommendations to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Coordinate with the Senate Finance Committee to identify and maximize funding options, reduce claims backlogs, and increase the benefits received by Texas veterans.

·                Evaluate the status of mental health services for veterans and Texas Military Forces. Include an assessment of peer counseling programs, "aftercare" provided for units within their local communities following a trauma within the group, and efforts to address the secondary mental health and substance abuse issues caused by post traumatic stress disorders and other combat-related disorders.

·                Update on Mental Health section of the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services, authorized by SB 1796, 82nd Regular Legislation Session.

Witnesses are asked to provide testimony and exhibits in electronic format no later than Wednesday before the hearing. Public witnesses are requested to limit oral remarks and are welcome to submit written testimony of any length and content, electronic format preferred. If submitting written testimony, please provide 10 copies with your name on each.

** See Committee Coordinator for previous versions of the schedule **