86R15508 SRA-F
 
  By: Blanco H.B. No. 4429
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the inclusion of mental health first aid training in the
  mental health program for veterans.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 434.352(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  For the mental health program for veterans, the
  commission shall:
               (1)  provide training to peer service coordinators and
  peers in accordance with Section 434.353;
               (2)  provide technical assistance to peer service
  coordinators and peers;
               (3)  identify, train, and communicate with
  community-based licensed mental health professionals,
  community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations;
  [and]
               (4)  coordinate services for justice involved
  veterans; and
               (5)  contract with local mental health authorities as
  defined by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code, to provide to
  veterans and immediate family members of veterans mental health
  first aid for veterans training.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1001.222(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department shall develop a mental health
  intervention program for veterans.  The program must include:
               (1)  peer-to-peer counseling;
               (2)  access to licensed mental health professionals for
  peer service coordinators and peers;
               (3)  training approved by the department for peer
  service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and
  peers;
               (4)  technical assistance for peer service
  coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers;
               (5)  identification, retention, and screening of
  community-based licensed mental health professionals;
               (6)  suicide prevention training for peer service
  coordinators and peers; [and]
               (7)  veteran jail diversion services, including
  veterans treatment courts; and
               (8)  training for veterans and immediate family members
  of veterans on mental health first aid for veterans.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1001.224, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 1001.224.  ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
  each year, the department shall submit a report to the governor and
  the legislature that includes:
               (1)  the number of veterans who received services
  through the mental health program for veterans;
               (2)  the number of peers and peer service coordinators
  trained;
               (3)  an evaluation of the services provided under this
  subchapter;
               (4)  in addition to Subdivision (1), the number of
  veterans and immediate family members of veterans who received
  mental health first aid for veterans training through the mental
  health program for veterans; and
               (5) [(4)]  recommendations for program improvements.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.