87R7063 GCB-D
 
  By: Raymond H.B. No. 2903
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an educational training 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.  TRAINING GUIDE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND
  CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. (a)  The
  commission, the Department of State Health Services, and the Texas
  Veterans Commission jointly shall produce and make publicly
  available an educational training guide for family members and
  caregivers of veterans who have mental health disorders.
         (b)  The educational training 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 Department of State Health Services 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.