H.B. No. 39 amends Section 193.006 of the Health and Safety Code to enhance the collection and reporting of data related to veteran deaths in Texas. The bill mandates that when a death certificate is filed for a person to whom this section applies, the department will submit deidentified information regarding the manner of death (if by suicide or homicide), age, race, sex, and occupation to the Texas Veterans Commission. This replaces the previous requirement for the state registrar to notify the commission.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new requirement for the Texas Veterans Commission to prepare and submit an annual report by December 1 each year. This report will include aggregated data from the previous year, an evaluation of that data, and any recommendations for legislative or other actions. The initial report is due by December 1, 2027, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 193.006 (Health and Safety Code 193)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 193.006 (Health and Safety Code 193)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 193.006 (Health and Safety Code 193)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 193.006 (Health and Safety Code 193)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 193.006 (Health and Safety Code 193)