Bill > SB2926

This bill establishes and enhances mental health services and support programs for veterans in Texas by transferring certain initiatives from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission. The bill creates a grant program to support community mental health programs for veterans and their families, with specific requirements for matching funds based on the population of the county where services are provided. The Texas Veterans Commission will be responsible for administering these grants, selecting recipients based on specific criteria such as fiscal controls, project effectiveness, and cost. The bill also expands the commission's mental health program for veterans to include peer-to-peer counseling, access to licensed mental health professionals, training, suicide prevention efforts, and veteran jail diversion services. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing the program's impact and requires the development of a comprehensive veteran suicide prevention action plan in collaboration with various stakeholders. The plan must address awareness, resource availability, mental health service access, funding, public-private partnerships, and outreach measures, with recommendations to be fully implemented by September 1, 2027. The bill ultimately aims to improve mental health support and suicide prevention services for veterans across Texas.