S.B. No. 2926 proposes the transition of certain veterans' mental health initiatives from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission. The bill introduces a new grant program aimed at supporting community mental health programs that provide services and treatment to veterans and their families. The Texas Veterans Commission is tasked with establishing this program, ensuring that grant recipients secure matching contributions from non-state sources, and disbursing funds directly to these recipients. The bill also outlines specific criteria for grant applications, including the evaluation of fiscal controls, project effectiveness, and previous experience with grants.

Additionally, the bill amends existing provisions related to the mental health program for veterans, removing the requirement for coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and expanding the program's scope to include various support services such as peer-to-peer counseling and suicide prevention training. It mandates the development of a comprehensive action plan to prevent veteran suicides, which must be implemented by September 1, 2027. The bill also repeals certain existing provisions related to mental health services for veterans, streamlining the administration of these services under the Texas Veterans Commission.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 434.352 (Government Code 434)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 434.352 (Government Code 434)