Governor Abbott vetoes HB 2481 (86R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 2481 as passed by the Eighty-Sixth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
House Bill 2481, as passed by the House, represented an improvement in access to specialty treatment courts for our Texas veterans. Unfortunately, a last-minute amendment was added in the Senate and would create a juvenile family drug court program that is entirely different and unrelated. This new program would authorize a court to exercise jurisdiction over an individual who has never been charged with any crime, but who resides in the home of a child subject to a case under Title 3 of the Family Code and who is suspected by the Department of Family and Protective Services of having a substance abuse problem. The lack of due-process protections is unacceptable. Next session, I look forward to increasing the ability of our Texas veterans to access treatment without this concerning program attached.
Since the Eighty-Sixth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 15th day of June, 2019.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor