<Text of section as added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., ch. 587 (H.B. 2951). See, also, § 434.029 as added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., ch. 1067 (S.B. 493).>
(a) In this section:
(1) “Commission” means the Texas Veterans Commission.
(2) “Pilot program” means the pilot program established under this section.
(3) “Veteran” means an individual who has served in:
(A) an active or reserve component of the army, navy, air force, coast guard, space force, or marine corps of the United States; or
(B) the Texas National Guard, as defined by Section 431.001.
(b) The commission by rule shall establish a pilot program for veterans to assist in mitigating the symptoms of military service-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma through the provision of a service dog.
(c) The commission shall issue a request for proposals from nonprofit corporations to provide trained service dogs and training and services to veterans who participate in the pilot program.
(d) The commission shall approve one or more nonprofit corporations to provide services through the pilot program. The commission may not approve a nonprofit corporation unless the corporation:
(1) has demonstrated experience working with veterans who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma;
(2) is authorized to conduct business in this state;
(3) is able to provide follow-up services to a veteran who participates in the pilot program and the veteran's service dog; and
(4) adheres to the standards of Assistance Dogs International.
(e) A nonprofit corporation that is approved to provide services under the pilot program shall:
(1) employ professional staff to train dogs to become service dogs for veterans participating in the pilot program;
(2) provide each veteran participating in the pilot program a fully trained service dog;
(3) instruct each veteran participating in the pilot program on maintaining the service dog's health and training;
(4) while a veteran is participating in the pilot program, ensure that regular mental health and depression assessments are conducted on the veteran; and
(5) be able to provide a veteran participating in the pilot program a new service dog if the veteran's service dog:
(A) is incompatible with the veteran; or
(B) dies or is otherwise unable to fulfill the dog's duty as a service dog before the fourth anniversary of the date the veteran received the service dog under the pilot program.
(f) All goods and services provided to a veteran as part of the pilot program, including a veteran's service dog, must be provided at no cost to the veteran.
(g) A service dog provided by a nonprofit corporation as part of the pilot program must:
(1) complete a training program accredited by Assistance Dogs International;
(2) comply with any requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.); and
(3) be evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure the dog is medically fit to serve as a service dog.
(h) The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the pilot program.
(i) Not later than October 1, 2026, the commission shall prepare and submit a report evaluating the pilot program to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the legislature. The report must include:
(1) recommendations for legislative or other action; and
(2) an evaluation of the pilot program's effectiveness, including a recommendation on whether the pilot program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
(j) The pilot program concludes and this section expires September 1, 2027.
Credits
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., ch. 587 (H.B. 2951), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2023.