HB 130 — A grant program using money from the fund

90R4124 JSC-D By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 130 relating to a grant program using money from the fund for veterans' assistance to support and expand veterans treatment court programs in this state.

SECTION 1. Sections 434.017(c) and (d), Government Code, are amended to read as follows: (c) Money in the fund may only be appropriated to the Texas Veterans Commission. Money appropriated under this subsection shall be used to: (1) make grants to address veterans' needs; (2) make grants to provide pro bono legal services to veterans, active duty members of the United States armed forces, and members of the state military forces; (3) administer the fund; [ and ] (4) analyze and investigate data received from the federal Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) that is administered by the Administration for Children and Families of the United States Department of Health and Human Services ; and (5) award grants under Subchapter L to support and expand veterans treatment court programs in this state . (d) The Texas Veterans Commission may adopt rules governing the award of grants by the commission under this section and Subchapter L . The commission shall adopt rules governing the award of grants to veterans county service offices under Subsection (c-3).

SECTION 2. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter L to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER L. GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT AND EXPAND VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PROGRAMS Sec. 434.501. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission. (2) "Grant program" means the grant program established under this subchapter. (3) "Veterans treatment court program" means a program established under Chapter 124 or former law. Sec. 434.502. GRANT PROGRAM. The commission shall establish a grant program to support and expand veterans treatment court programs operated in this state. The commission shall award grants under the program using money appropriated to the commission under Section 434.017(c). Sec. 434.503. APPLICATION. (a) A county that has established a veterans treatment court program or two or more counties that have elected to establish a regional veterans treatment court program may apply to the commission for funds under the grant program to support and expand the veterans treatment court program. (b) The application must disclose the other sources of funding for the veterans treatment court program described by Subsection (a). Sec. 434.504. CRITERIA FOR GRANTS. (a) The commission shall adopt rules establishing criteria for grant eligibility. (b) The commission shall give priority to an applicant that can demonstrate that there is specific demand for the applicant's veterans treatment court program, including by showing that the program has not been able to accept a significant number of participants into the program. Sec. 434.505. USE OF FUNDS. A grant awarded under this subchapter must be used to support and expand the operation of a veterans treatment court program and to improve the outcomes of participants in that expanded program. The capacity of the program to accept participants may be increased by adding case managers, community supervision personnel, and peer support or treatment coordination personnel to the program. Sec. 434.506. REPORT BY GRANT RECIPIENT. A grant recipient shall annually submit to the commission a report detailing the use of the funds and providing specific information sufficient to determine whether the funds increased the capacity of the applicable veterans treatment court program to accept participants into the program and improved outcomes for those participants. The report must include: (1) the number of referrals to the program, admissions to the program, and individuals unable to enter the program due to capacity limitations; (2) the number of individuals who successfully completed the program; (3) the caseloads of program personnel; and (4) any other outcome measures established by the commission. Sec. 434.507. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the results of the grant program administered under this subchapter.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.