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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a pilot program awarding grants for the provision of |
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personalized treatment protocols for homeless veterans diagnosed |
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with substance use disorders. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 49 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 49. PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS DIAGNOSED WITH |
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SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS |
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Sec. 49.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Pilot program" means the pilot program |
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established under this chapter. |
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(2) "Veteran" means an individual who has served in: |
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(A) an active or reserve component of the army, |
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navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States; |
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or |
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(B) the Texas National Guard, as defined by |
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Section 431.001, Government Code. |
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Sec. 49.002. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF PILOT PROGRAM. |
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(a) The commission, using available resources and in cooperation |
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with the Texas Veterans Commission, shall establish and operate a |
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pilot program to award grants for the provision of personalized |
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treatment protocols to at least 100 homeless veterans diagnosed |
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with a substance use disorder. |
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(b) A grant recipient under the pilot program must be able |
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to provide to a homeless veteran participating in a personalized |
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treatment protocol: |
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(1) mental health and substance use disorder treatment |
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services; |
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(2) medical detoxification or medical withdrawal |
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services; |
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(3) supportive housing for the duration of treatment; |
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(4) partial hospitalization; and |
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(5) intensive outpatient treatment. |
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(c) A grant recipient under the pilot program shall |
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collaborate with a local government or nonprofit organization to |
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connect homeless veterans participating in a personalized |
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treatment protocol with transitional housing resources, workforce |
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training, and long-term mental health and substance use disorder |
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treatment services that will be available to the veteran after |
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successfully completing the personalized treatment protocol. |
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(d) The commission may award a grant under the pilot program |
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only in accordance with a contract between the commission and a |
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grant recipient. The contract must include provisions under which |
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the commission is granted sufficient control to ensure the public |
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purpose of providing treatment to homeless veterans is accomplished |
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and the state receives the return benefit. |
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(e) The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations |
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to operate the pilot program. |
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Sec. 49.003. RULES. The executive commissioner shall adopt |
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rules to implement this chapter. |
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Sec. 49.004. REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2026, the |
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commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the |
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appropriate standing committees of the legislature a report that |
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includes: |
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(1) information on the number of homeless veterans who |
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were provided a personalized treatment protocol under the pilot |
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program; and |
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(2) an evaluation of the pilot program's |
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effectiveness. |
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Sec. 49.005. EXPIRATION. The pilot program concludes and |
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this chapter expires September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act: |
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(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement |
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Chapter 49, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and |
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(2) the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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establish and begin operating the pilot program under Chapter 49, |
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Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |