All Roll Calls
Yes: 497 • No: 2
TexasHB 11489th Legislature Regular SessionHouse
Relating to the transfer of functions relating to certain veteran mental health programs and plans to the Texas Veterans Commission.
Sponsored By: Philip Cortez, Mihaela Plesa, Judith Zaffirini (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Health--RuralMental Health & Substance AbuseMilitary & VeteransState Agencies, Boards & CommissionsState Finances--Management & ControlWomenSTAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAININGSUICIDECOORDINATING COUNCIL FOR VETERANS SERVICES, TEXASHEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONHEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, U.S. DEPARTMENT OFVETERANS COMMISSION, TEXAS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Veterans commission takes over mental health services
Beginning September 1, 2025, the Texas Veterans Commission runs the transferred veteran mental health programs and funds their duties. Related contracts, obligations, property, records, and state funding move from the Health and Human Services Commission. Both agencies must plan to transfer staff whose main duties involve these programs. The program includes peer counseling, access to licensed mental health professionals, suicide-prevention training, and support for jail diversion, including veterans treatment courts. It also includes mental health first-aid training for veterans and immediate family members, plus initiatives for women and rural veterans. The commission must arrange approved training, continuing education, technical help, and specialized training for peers providing counseling. It must also identify, screen, recruit, and retain community-based licensed mental health professionals, and may hire and train professionals and adopt rules. Each December 1, it must report veterans served, peers and coordinators trained, service results, and recommended improvements. It must also verify that agencies awarding grants have policies to ensure grant requirements are followed.
Veteran suicide prevention plan due by 2027
Beginning September 1, 2025, the Texas Veterans Commission must develop a Veteran Suicide Prevention Action Plan. It must work with state and federal partners, health providers, veteran advocates, and other stakeholders. The plan must address public awareness, proactive outreach, wider access to care, affordable services, funding sources, and public-private partnerships. It must also cover trained peer support, continuing education, and suicide prevention for veterans involved in the justice system. The commission must include long-term legal, administrative, and budget recommendations and add the action plan to its strategic plan. All initiatives and reforms must be fully implemented by September 1, 2027, when the law’s action-plan provisions expire.
Veteran care grants require local matching support
Beginning September 1, 2025, the Texas Veterans Commission runs matching grants for community mental health care for veterans and their families. Grants for nonprofit and government groups depend on state funding approved for the program. Recipients must match at least 25% of the grant in counties under 100,000 people. The match is 50% in counties with 100,000 to under 250,000 people, and 100% in counties with 250,000 or more. For services covering several counties, the largest county sets the match rate. Private or local government cash and in-kind support count; state and federal funds do not. Grant-funded care must connect with transition services and other veteran supports. Competitive selection considers financial controls, project effectiveness and cost, and past grant performance. The executive director pays recipients directly, and the commission may use up to 5% of approved funding for administration. The law also requires these match rules to be read consistently with SB 897 or similar matching legislation from the 89th Legislature.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Philip Cortez
House
Mihaela Plesa
House
Judith Zaffirini
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Democratic • Senate
Penny Morales Shaw
House
Royce West
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 130 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/21/2025
Record vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/21/2025
Record vote
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 4/29/2025
Record vote
Yes: 144 • No: 0
House vote • 4/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 145 • No: 1
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Veteran Affairs
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Yes: 10 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/31/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/31/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/30/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/29/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
5/28/2025SenateText of Senate Amendment(s)
5/28/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3947)
5/28/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)
5/28/2025HouseSenate Amendments Analysis distributed
5/22/2025HouseSenate Amendments distributed
5/22/2025HouseSenate passage as amended reported
5/21/2025HouseRecord vote
5/21/2025SenatePassed
5/21/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/21/2025SenateRecord vote
5/21/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/21/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/21/2025SenatePassed to 3rd reading as amended
5/21/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/21/2025SenateAmended
5/21/2025SenateAmendment(s) offered (FA1 Blanco)
5/21/2025SenateRead 2nd time
5/21/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
5/21/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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