BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4514

By: Hunter

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that the state mental health program for veterans, which includes peer‑to‑peer counseling to service members and veterans and their families through local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities, would benefit from the support of Texas Veterans Commission staff. H.B. 4514 seeks to provide such support by requiring the commission to cross-train agency staff to support the mental health program for veterans.

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. 4514 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Veterans Commission to cross-train agency staff to support the mental health program for veterans developed by the Department of State Health Services.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.