Amend SB 55 (house committee printing) as follows:
(1) On page 1, line 8, between "VETERANS" and the underlined period, insert "AND THEIR FAMILIES".
(2) On page 1, lines 11 and 12, strike "with mental illness" and substitute "and their families".
(3) At the bottom of page 1, add the following new appropriately lettered subsections and reletter subsequent subsections of Section 531.0992, Government Code, accordingly:
( ) The executive commissioner by rule shall develop:
(1) eligibility criteria for nonprofit and governmental entities to receive grants under the grant program;
(2) acceptable uses for grants, which must include treatment and service coordination supports that address the mental health needs of veterans and their families; and
(3) reporting requirements for grant recipients.
( ) The commission shall select grant recipients based on the submission of applications or proposals by nonprofit and governmental entities. The executive commissioner shall develop criteria for the evaluation of those applications or proposals and the selection of grant recipients. The selection criteria must:
(1) evaluate and score:
(A) fiscal controls for the project;
(B) project effectiveness;
(C) project cost; and
(D) an applicant's previous experience with grants and contracts;
(2) address the possibility of and method for making multiple awards; and
(3) include other factors that the executive commissioner considers relevant.
( ) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish the qualifications and selection process for the private entity that supports and administers the grant program. The selection process must be open and competitive.
(4) On page 2, line 3, strike "September 1, 2015" and substitute "immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015".