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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a rural veterans mental health |
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initiative within the mental health intervention program for |
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veterans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1001.202, Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by Chapter 352 (H.B. 2392), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2013, is reenacted and amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1001.202. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The |
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department shall develop a mental health intervention program for |
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veterans. The program must include: |
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(1) peer-to-peer counseling; |
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(2) access to licensed mental health professionals for |
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volunteer coordinators and peers; |
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(3) training approved by the department for peers; |
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(4) technical assistance for volunteer coordinators |
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and peers; |
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(5) grants to regional and local organizations |
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providing services under this subchapter; |
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(6) recruitment, retention, and screening of |
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community-based therapists; |
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(7) suicide prevention training for volunteer |
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coordinators and peers; and |
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(8) veteran jail diversion services, including |
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veterans courts. |
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(a-2) As part of the mental health intervention program for |
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veterans, the department shall develop a rural veterans mental |
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health initiative. |
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(b) The department shall solicit and ensure that |
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specialized training is provided to persons who are peers and who |
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want to provide peer-to-peer counseling or other peer-to-peer |
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services under the program. |
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(c) The department may adopt rules necessary to implement |
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this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |