HB114 - Relating to the transfer of functions relating to certain veteran mental health programs and plans to the Texas Veterans Commission.

      H.B. No. 114         AN ACT   relating to the transfer of functions relating to certain veteran   mental health programs and plans to the Texas Veterans Commission.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:   ARTICLE 1.  TRANSFER OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR VETERANS          SECTION 1.01.  The heading to Subchapter H, Chapter 434,   Government Code, is amended to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER H. [ STATEWIDE COORDINATION OF ] MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM   FOR VETERANS          SECTION 1.02.  Section 1001.222, Health and Safety Code, is   transferred to Subchapter H, Chapter 434, Government Code,   redesignated as Section 434.3515, Government Code, and amended to   read as follows:          Sec.  434.3515   [ 1001.222 ].   MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR   VETERANS: ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS [ GENERAL POWERS   AND DUTIES ]. (a) The commission [ department ] shall develop and   administer a mental health [ intervention ] program for veterans.   The program must include:                (1)  peer-to-peer counseling;                (2)  access to licensed mental health professionals for   peer service coordinators and peers;                (3)  training approved by the commission [ department ]   for peer service coordinators, licensed mental health   professionals, and peers;                (4)  technical assistance for peer service   coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers;                (5)  identification, retention, and screening of   community-based licensed mental health professionals;                (6)  suicide prevention training for peer service   coordinators and peers;                (7)  veteran jail diversion services, including   veterans treatment courts; and                (8)  coordination of mental health first aid for   veterans training to veterans and immediate family members of   veterans.           (b)  [ (a-1) ]  As part of the mental health [ intervention ]   program for veterans, the commission [ department ] shall develop :                 (1)   a women veterans mental health initiative ; and [ . ]                 (2)   [ (a-2) As part of the mental health intervention   program for veterans, the department shall develop ] a rural   veterans mental health initiative.           (c)  [ (b) ]  The commission [ department ] shall solicit and   ensure that specialized training is provided to persons who are   peers and who want to provide peer-to-peer counseling or other   peer-to-peer services under the program.          [ (c)     The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary   to implement this subchapter. ]          SECTION 1.03.  Sections 434.352(b) and (f), Government Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (b)  For the mental health program for veterans, the   commission shall:                (1)  provide training to peer service coordinators and   peers in accordance with Section 434.353;                (2)  provide technical assistance to peer service   coordinators and peers;                (3)  identify, train, and communicate with   community-based licensed mental health professionals,   community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations;                (4)  coordinate services for justice involved   veterans;                (5)  coordinate local delivery to veterans and   immediate family members of veterans of mental health first aid for   veterans training; and                (6)  employ and train mental health professionals to   assist [ the Health and Human Services Commission ] in the   administration of the program.          (f)  The commission [ and the Department of State Health   Services ] shall [ jointly ] verify that each state agency authorized   to award a grant subject to the requirements of Subsection (e) has   adopted policies to ensure compliance with Subsection (e).          SECTION 1.04.  Section 1001.224, Health and Safety Code, is   transferred to Subchapter H, Chapter 434, Government Code,   redesignated as Section 434.354, Government Code, and amended to   read as follows:          Sec.  434.354   [ 1001.224 ]. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than   December 1 of each year, the commission [ department ] shall submit a   report to the governor and the legislature that includes:                (1)  the number of veterans who received services   through the mental health program for veterans;                (2)  the number of peers and peer service coordinators   trained;                (3)  an evaluation of the services provided under this   subchapter; and                (4)  recommendations for program improvements.          SECTION 1.05.  Subchapter H, Chapter 434, Government Code,   is amended by adding Section 434.355 to read as follows:           Sec.   434.355.     RULES. The commission may adopt rules to   administer this subchapter.     ARTICLE 2.  TRANSFER OF TEXAS VETERANS AND FAMILY ALLIANCE GRANT   PROGRAM          SECTION 2.01.  Subchapter G, Chapter 547, Government Code,   is transferred to Chapter 434, Government Code, redesignated as   Subchapter J, Government Code, and amended to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER J [ G ]. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL   HEALTH PROGRAMS ASSISTING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES          Sec.  434.421   [ 547.0301 ].   DEFINITIONS [ DEFINITION ]. In this   subchapter :                 (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.                 (2)     "Executive director" means the executive director   of the commission or the executive director's designee.                   (3)  "Matching [ , "matching ] grant program" means the   matching grant program established under this subchapter.          Sec.  434.422   [ 547.0302 ]. MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM. To the   extent funds are appropriated to the commission for that purpose,   the commission shall establish a matching grant program to support   community mental health programs that provide services and   treatment to veterans and their families.          Sec.  434.423   [ 547.0303 ]. MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED.   (a) The commission shall ensure that each grant recipient obtains   or secures contributions to match a grant awarded to the recipient   in amounts of money or other consideration as required by Section   434.424 [ 547.0304 ] or 434.425 [ 547.0305 ].          (b)  The money or other consideration obtained or secured by   the commission may, as the executive director [ commissioner ]   determines, include cash or in-kind contributions from private   contributors or local governments but may not include state or   federal funds.          Sec.  434.424   [ 547.0304 ]. MATCHING GRANT CONDITIONS: SINGLE   COUNTIES. For services and treatment provided in a single county,   the commission shall condition each grant provided under this   subchapter on a potential grant recipient providing funds from   non-state sources in a total amount at least equal to:                (1)  25 percent of the grant amount if the community   mental health program to be supported by the grant provides   services and treatment in a county with a population of less than   100,000;                (2)  50 percent of the grant amount if the community   mental health program to be supported by the grant provides   services and treatment in a county with a population of 100,000 or   more but less than 250,000; or                (3)  100 percent of the grant amount if the community   mental health program to be supported by the grant provides   services and treatment in a county with a population of 250,000 or   more.          Sec.  434.425   [ 547.0305 ]. MATCHING GRANT CONDITIONS:   MULTIPLE COUNTIES. For a community mental health program that   provides services and treatment in more than one county, the   commission shall condition each grant provided under this   subchapter on a potential grant recipient providing funds from   non-state sources in a total amount at least equal to:                (1)  25 percent of the grant amount if the county with   the largest population in which the community mental health program   to be supported by the grant provides services and treatment has a   population of less than 100,000;                (2)  50 percent of the grant amount if the county with   the largest population in which the community mental health program   to be supported by the grant provides services and treatment has a   population of 100,000 or more but less than 250,000; or                (3)  100 percent of the grant amount if the county with   the largest population in which the community mental health program   to be supported by the grant provides services and treatment has a   population of 250,000 or more.          Sec.  434.426   [ 547.0306 ]. SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS;   APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS. (a) The commission shall select grant   recipients based on the submission of applications or proposals by   nonprofit and governmental entities.          (b)  The executive director [ commissioner ] shall develop   criteria for evaluating the applications or proposals and the   selection of grant recipients.  The selection criteria must:                (1)  evaluate and score:                      (A)  fiscal controls for the project;                      (B)  project effectiveness;                      (C)  project cost; and                      (D)  an applicant's previous experience with   grants and contracts;                (2)  address the possibility of and method for making   multiple awards; and                (3)  include other factors that the executive director   [ commissioner ] considers relevant.          Sec.  434.427  [ 547.0307 ].  USE OF GRANTS AND MATCHING   AMOUNTS. A grant awarded under the matching grant program must be   used for the sole purpose of supporting community mental health   programs that:                (1)  provide mental health services and treatment to   veterans and their families; and          [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]