HB2754 - Relating to a pilot program awarding grants for the provision of personalized treatment protocols for homeless veterans diagnosed with substance use disorders.

  89R10013 MPF-D     By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 2754       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a pilot program awarding grants for the provision of   personalized treatment protocols for homeless veterans diagnosed   with substance use disorders.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 49 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 49. PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS DIAGNOSED WITH   SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS           Sec. 49.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                 (1)     "Pilot program" means the pilot program   established under this chapter.                 (2)  "Veteran" means an individual who has served in:                       (A)     an active or reserve component of the army,   navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States;   or                       (B)     the Texas National Guard, as defined by   Section 431.001, Government Code.           Sec.   49.002.     ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.   (a) The commission, using available resources and in cooperation   with the Texas Veterans Commission, shall establish and operate a   pilot program to award grants for the provision of personalized   treatment protocols to at least 100 homeless veterans diagnosed   with a substance use disorder.           (b)     A grant recipient under the pilot program must be able   to provide to a homeless veteran participating in a personalized   treatment protocol:                   (1)     mental health and substance use disorder treatment   services;                 (2)     medical detoxification or medical withdrawal   services;                 (3)  supportive housing for the duration of treatment;                 (4)  partial hospitalization; and                 (5)  intensive outpatient treatment.           (c)     A grant recipient under the pilot program shall   collaborate with a local government or nonprofit organization to   connect homeless veterans participating in a personalized   treatment protocol with transitional housing resources, workforce   training, and long-term mental health and substance use disorder   treatment services that will be available to the veteran after   successfully completing the personalized treatment protocol.           (d)     The commission may award a grant under the pilot program   only in accordance with a contract between the commission and a   grant recipient. The contract must include provisions under which   the commission is granted sufficient control to ensure the public   purpose of providing treatment to homeless veterans is accomplished   and the state receives the return benefit.           (e)     The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations   to operate the pilot program.           Sec.   49.003.     RULES. The executive commissioner shall adopt   rules to implement this chapter.           Sec.   49.004.     REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2026, the   commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant   governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the   appropriate standing committees of the legislature a report that   includes:                 (1)     information on the number of homeless veterans who   were provided a personalized treatment protocol under the pilot   program; and                 (2)     an evaluation of the pilot program's   effectiveness.           Sec.   49.005.     EXPIRATION. The pilot program concludes and   this chapter expires September 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act:                (1)  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human   Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement   Chapter 49, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and                (2)  the Health and Human Services Commission shall   establish and begin operating the pilot program under Chapter 49,   Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.