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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on veteran deaths caused by suicide. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. |
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(2) "Veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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2308.251, Government Code. |
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(b) The commission shall conduct a study to evaluate veteran |
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deaths in this state caused by suicide in the preceding five years. |
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The report must include, if available: |
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(1) the total number of veterans whose death was |
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caused by suicide in the preceding five years; |
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(2) a summary of the age, gender, and race of each |
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veteran described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection; |
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(3) a comprehensive list of the medications prescribed |
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to or controlled substances present in the body of each veteran |
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described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection at the time of the |
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veteran's death, as applicable, including any medication that: |
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(A) was labeled with a warning box included in |
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the prescribing information due to the drug's serious or |
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life-threating side effects or risks; |
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(B) was taken for a purpose inconsistent with the |
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United States Food and Drug Administration's approved use of the |
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medication; |
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(C) was a psychotropic; or |
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(D) was labeled with a warning regarding the risk |
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of developing suicidal ideation; |
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(4) a summary of medical diagnoses for veterans by |
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physicians employed by the United States Department of Veterans |
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Affairs that led to the physicians prescribing the medications |
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described by Subdivision (3) of this subsection; |
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(5) the number of instances during which a veteran |
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whose death was caused by suicide was on multiple medications |
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prescribed by a physician employed by the United States Department |
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of Veterans Affairs; |
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(6) the percentage of veterans described by |
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Subdivision (1) of this subsection who were not taking any |
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medication prescribed by a physician employed by the United States |
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Department of Veterans Affairs; |
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(7) the percentage of veterans described by |
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Subdivision (1) of this subsection with combat experience or who |
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experienced trauma, including military sexual trauma, traumatic |
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brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder; |
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(8) each Veterans Health Administration facility with |
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a notably high percentage of prescriptions per facility patient or |
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of suicide rates among patients treated at the facility; |
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(9) a description of United States Department of |
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Veterans Affairs policies governing the prescribing of medications |
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described by Subdivision (3) of this subsection; |
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(10) any patterns apparent to the commission based on |
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the review; and |
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(11) recommendations for further action that would |
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improve the safety and well-being of veterans. |
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(c) The commission may collaborate with any state or federal |
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agency as necessary to obtain the information described by |
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Subsection (b) of this section. |
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(d) Not later than March 1, 2025, the commission shall |
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prepare and submit to the governor and legislature and post on the |
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commission's Internet website a report containing the results of |
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the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action. |
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SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |