BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4429

By: Blanco

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns about the rate of mental health disorders and suicide among veterans. It has been suggested that mental health first aid training can help veterans improve awareness of where and how to seek treatment. H.B. 4429 seeks to improve veteran awareness of mental health treatment, decrease stigma, and ultimately save lives by including mental health first aid in the Texas Veterans' Mental Health 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. 4429 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Veterans Commission, for the mental health program for veterans, to contract with local mental health authorities to provide to veterans and immediate family members of veterans mental health first aid for veterans training.

H.B. 4429 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) mental health program for veterans to include training for veterans and immediate family members of veterans on mental health first aid for veterans. The bill requires the DSHS annual report regarding the mental health program for veterans to include the number of veterans and immediate family members of veterans who received such training through the program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.