BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 671
	By: Gonz�lez, Mary et al. (Eckhardt)
	Veteran Affairs
	5/15/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Veterans are at higher risk for developing illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than non-veterans. With mental illness affecting veterans at higher rates, suicide rates are also disproportionately high among those who have served. Veterans make up more than 16 percent of gun suicides in America, despite making up less than seven percent of the population. Over the past 20 years, the rate of veterans who have died by suicide has increased 25 percent. However, there are many resources available to our Texas veterans. H.B. 671 outlines the ways in which veterans would receive support and resources. The Texas Veterans Commission shall conduct a suicide prevention campaign for veterans by providing them with information regarding suicide prevention and establish a dedicated Internet website to disseminate this vital knowledge. This campaign aims to reduce veteran suicide and provide those who have served our country and their families with the support they need and deserve.

H.B. 671 amends current law relating to a veterans suicide prevention campaign.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Veterans Commission in SECTION 2 of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, by adding Section 434.0241, as follows:

Sec. 434.0241. VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN. (a) Requires the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to conduct a suicide prevention campaign to provide veterans with information regarding suicide prevention.

(b) Requires TVC, in conducting the suicide prevention campaign, to establish a dedicated Internet website to provide veterans with information regarding suicide prevention.

(c) Provides that TVC is required to collaborate with, and is authorized to contract with, community-based, nonprofit, or private organizations to conduct the suicide prevention campaign under this section.

(d) Authorizes TVC to solicit and accept gifts and grants for purposes of conducting the suicide prevention campaign under this section.

SECTION 2. Requires TVC, not later than March 1, 2024, to:

(1) establish the veterans suicide prevention campaign as required under Section 434.0241, Government Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) adopt any rules necessary to implement the campaign.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.