BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 114
89R26346 LRM-D	By: Cortez; Plesa (Zaffirini)
	Veteran Affairs
	5/16/2025
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, veterans' mental health services in Texas are broadly administered by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). HHSC, however, is not fully equipped to address the specific needs of veterans, including community-based mental health programming and the use of professionals with specialized, veteran-focused training. H.B. 114 would transfer administration of veterans' mental health services to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), streamlining oversight and aligning service delivery with the agency's specialized expertise in veteran services. The bill would authorize TVC to manage grants for community mental health services, set match requirements based upon county population, and work with state and federal partners to create a veteran suicide prevention plan. Accordingly, H.B. 114 would ensure veterans and their families receive more coordinated, accessible, and effective mental health care.

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

C.S.H.B. 114 amends current law relating to the transfer of functions relating to certain veteran mental health programs and plans to the Texas Veterans Commission.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is rescinded in SECTION 1.02 (Section 434.3515, Government Code) and SECTION 4.01 (Section 1001.222, Health and Safety Code) of this bill.

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Veterans Commission in SECTION 1.05 (Section 434.355, Government Code) of this bill.

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is transferred to the Texas Veterans Commission in SECTION 2.01 (Section 434.429, Government Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

ARTICLE 1. TRANSFER OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR VETERANS

SECTION 1.01. Amends the heading to Subchapter H, Chapter 434, Government Code, to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR VETERANS

SECTION 1.02. Transfers Section 1001.222, Health and Safety Code, to Subchapter H, Chapter 434, Government Code, redesignates it as Section 434.3515, Government Code, and amends it, as follows:

Sec. 434.3515. New heading: MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR VETERANS: ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. (a) Requires the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), rather than the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), to develop and administer a mental health program, rather than a mental health intervention program, for veterans. Makes a conforming change.

(b) Redesignates existing Subsection (a-1) as Subsection (b). Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

Deletes existing text of Subsection (a-2) requiring DSHS, as part of the mental health intervention program for veterans, to develop a rural veterans mental health initiative.

Deletes text of existing Subsection (c) authorizing the executive commissioner of HHSC (executive commissioner) to adopt rules as necessary to implement this subchapter.

SECTION 1.03. Amends Sections 434.352(b) and (f), Government Code, as follows:

(b) Deletes existing text requiring TVC, for the mental health program for veterans to employ and train mental health professionals to assist the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in the administration of the program.

(f) Deletes existing text requiring TVC and DSHS to jointly verify that each state agency authorized to award a grant subject to the requirements of Subsection (e) (relating to prohibiting a state agency from awarding a grant to an entity for the provision of mental health services to veterans or veterans' families unless the entity demonstrates certain actions) has adopted policies to ensure compliance with Subsection (e).

SECTION 1.04. Transfers Section 1001.224, Health and Safety Code, to Subchapter H, Chapter 434, Government Code, redesignates it as Section 434.354, Government Code, and amends it to make a conforming change.

SECTION 1.05. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 434, Government Code, by adding Section 434.355, as follows:

Sec. 434.355. RULES. Authorizes TVC to adopt rules to administer this subchapter.

ARTICLE 2. TRANSFER OF TEXAS VETERANS AND FAMILY ALLIANCE GRANT PROGRAM

SECTION 2.01. Transfers Subchapter G, Chapter 547, Government Code, to Chapter 434, Government Code, redesignates it as Subchapter J, Government Code, and amends it, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER J. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ASSISTING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Sec. 434.421. New heading: DEFINITIONS. Redesignates existing Section 547.0301 as Section 434.421. Defines "commission" and "executive director."

Sec. 434.422. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM. Redesignates existing Section 547.0302 as Section 434.422 and makes no further changes.

Sec. 434.423. MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED. Redesignates existing Section 547.0303 as Section 434.423 and makes conforming changes.

Sec. 434.424. MATCHING GRANT CONDITIONS: SINGLE COUNTIES. Redesignates existing Section 547.0304 as Section 434.424 and makes no further changes.

Sec. 434.425. MATCHING GRANT CONDITIONS: MULTIPLE COUNTIES. Redesignates existing Section 547.0305 as Section 434.425 and makes no further changes.

Sec. 434.426. SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS; APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS. Redesignates Section 547.0306 as Section 434.426. (a) Makes no changes to this subsection.

(b) Requires the executive director of TVC, rather than the executive commissioner, to develop criteria for evaluating the applications or proposals and the selection of grant recipients. Makes conforming changes.

Sec. 434.427. USE OF GRANTS AND MATCHING AMOUNTS. Redesignates Section 547.0307 as Section 434.427 and makes no further changes.

Sec. 434.428. DISTRIBUTING AND ALLOCATING APPROPRIATED MONEY. Redesignates existing Section 547.0308 as Section 434.428 and makes a conforming change.

Sec. 434.429. Redesignates existing Section 547.0309 as Section 434.429. Requires TVC, rather than the executive commissioner, to adopt rules necessary to implement the matching grant program.

ARTICLE 3. TRANSFER OF VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION ACTION PLAN

SECTION 3.01. Amends Chapter 434, Government Code, by adding Subchapter K, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER K. VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION ACTION PLAN

Section 434.451. DEFINITION. Defines "commission."

SECTION 3.02. Transfers Section 547.0004, Government Code, to Subchapter K, Chapter 434, Government Code, as added by this Act, redesignates it as Section 434.452, Government Code, and amends it, as follows:

Sec. 434.452. VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION ACTION PLAN. (a)-(d) Makes no changes to these subsections.

(e) Provides that this subchapter, rather than section, expires September 1, 2027.

ARTICLE 4. REPEALER; TRANSITIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 4.01. Repealer: Section 434.352(a) (relating to requiring TVC and HHSC to coordinate� to administer the mental health program for veterans), Government Code.

Repealer: the heading to Subchapter I (Mental Health Services for Veterans), Chapter 1001 (Department of State Health Services), Health and Safety Code.

Repealers: Sections 1001.221 (Definitions) and 1001.225 (Limitation on Grants), Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 4.02. (a) Provides that, on the effective date of this Act, certain powers, duties, functions, programs, activities, obligations, contracts, property and records are transferred from HHSC to TVC.

(b) Requires HHSC and TVC to establish a plan for the transfer of personnel whose functions predominantly involve a power, duty, function, program, or a activity transferred under this Act.

SECTION 4.03. Effective date: September 1, 2025.