BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3729

By: Farias

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that the family unit is one of the most important aspects of an individual's support network; however, family members are not sufficiently involved in the veterans court program. H.B. 3729 seeks to more thoroughly address the needs of veterans by better integrating familial support systems into the veterans court program.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 3729 amends the Government Code to add the inclusion of a participant's family members who agree to be involved in the treatment and services provided to the participant under the program to the essential characteristics that constitute a veterans court program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.