HB 2754

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