BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 846

By: Van de Putte

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties report that the suicide rate among veterans, active duty service members, and members of the Texas National Guard is alarming. Such parties contend that it is vital to assist government officials who regularly come in contact with veterans, such as veterans county service officers, in recognizing suicide warning signs and obtaining help for an affected veteran.   S.B. 846 seeks to assist the Texas Veterans Commission in improving veteran county service officers' suicide prevention skills.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 846 amends the Government Code to remove a requirement that the members of the Texas Veterans Commission approve the course materials, training curriculum, and examinations for veterans county service officer certification and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation before the commission is authorized to distribute the materials and administer examinations. The bill requires the commission to coordinate with the Department of State Health Services to incorporate a suicide prevention component as part of the accreditation training and examination for a veterans county service officer.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.