Sec. 434.352. DUTIES. (a) The commission and the Health and Human Services Commission shall coordinate to administer the mental health program for veterans developed under Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code.

(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.

(c) Subject to Section 434.3525, the executive director of the commission shall appoint a program director to administer the mental health program for veterans.

(d) The commission shall provide appropriate facilities in support of the mental health program for veterans to the extent funding is available for that purpose.

(e) A state agency may not award a grant to an entity for the provision of mental health services to veterans or veterans' families unless the entity demonstrates the entity:

(1) has previously received and successfully executed a grant from the state agency; or

(2) provides training on military informed care or military cultural competency to entity personnel who provide mental health services to veterans or veterans' families or requires those personnel to complete military competency training provided by any of the following:

(A) the commission;

(B) the Health and Human Services Commission;

(C) the Military Veteran Peer Network;

(D) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

(E) the United States Department of Defense;

(F) the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(G) a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed as an exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) of that code, with experience in providing training or technical assistance to entities that provide mental health services to veterans or veterans' families.

(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).

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (H.B. 19), Sec. 2, eff. June 4, 2015.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 512 (S.B. 27), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 593 (S.B. 601), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1327 (H.B. 4429), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 725 (H.B. 3821), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 407 (H.B. 1457), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.