87R22206 GCB-D
 
  By: Raymond, Guillen, Morales of Maverick H.B. No. 2903
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an instruction guide for family members and caregivers
  of veterans who have mental health disorders.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.0932 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.0932.  INSTRUCTION GUIDE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND
  CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. (a) The
  commission and the Texas Veterans Commission jointly shall produce
  and make publicly available an instruction guide for family members
  and caregivers of veterans who have mental health disorders.
         (b)  The instruction guide produced under this section must
  include:
               (1)  general education about different mental health
  disorders, including instruction intended to improve understanding
  about the experience of persons suffering from those mental health
  disorders;
               (2)  techniques for handling crisis situations and
  administering mental health first aid to persons suffering from
  mental health disorders;
               (3)  techniques for coping with the stress of living
  with a person with a mental health disorder; and
               (4)  information about related services available for
  family members and caregivers of veterans who have mental health
  disorders that are provided by the commission, the Texas Veterans
  Commission, other state agencies, community organizations, and
  mental health services providers.
         (c)  The commission and the Texas Veterans Commission each
  shall publish the guide produced under this section on the
  respective agency's Internet website.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect 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, 2021.