BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 39
89R31246 EAS-D	By: Lopez, Ray et al. (Parker)
	Veteran Affairs
	5/16/2025
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2020, the U.S. Government Accountability Office uncovered serious discrepancies in the Department of Veterans Affairs' reporting on veteran suicide, with both overcounts and undercounts affecting the accuracy of critical data. Research and data surrounding causes of death for veterans, particularly suicide, is disputed. The lack of accurate and comprehensive data on veteran suicides makes it difficult to understand the underlying causes and trends, which in turn hinders the development of effective prevention strategies. Texas is more than capable of compiling a comprehensive database that can be used to better evaluate the effectiveness of current programs and support services designed to help the veteran community and prevent veteran suicides.

H.B. 39 is intended to help the state better understand and respond to veteran deaths through data-driven policy.

H.B. 39 requires the Texas Department of State Health Services to provide the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) with deidentified information from death certificates when a veteran's death is caused by suicide or homicide. The data must include the individual's manner of death (if suicide or homicide), age, race, sex, and occupation.

Beginning September 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, TVC must compile and publish a report on its website that includes aggregated data from the previous year, an evaluation of that data, and any recommendations for legislative or other action. This report must also be submitted to the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over veterans affairs.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.H.B. 39 amends current law relating to information and data regarding the incidence of veteran deaths in this state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 193.006, Health and Safety Code, by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e), as follows:

(d) Requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), rather than the state registrar, when the death certificate of a person to which Section 193.006 (Information Relating to Veterans) applies is filed with the vital statistics unit, to submit to, rather than notify, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) deidentified information on the person's manner of death, only if the death was by suicide or homicide; age; race; previous use of psychotropic drugs, only if that information is reasonably available to DSHS; sex; and occupation.

(e) Requires TVC, not later than September 1 of each year, to prepare and submit to the standing committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over veterans affairs and the information TVC receives under Subsection (d) for the preceding year, an evaluation of that data, and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

SECTION 2. Requires TVC, not later than December 1, 2027, to prepare and submit the initial report required by Section 193.006(e), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.