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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance |
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program and the provision of employment and training services under |
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the program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Sections 33.0007 and 33.021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.0007. THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS OF SNAP |
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EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES. (a) The Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall contract with one or more third-party |
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service providers to provide supplemental nutrition assistance |
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program employment and training services. The Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall prioritize contracting with a |
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third-party service provider that: |
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(1) expands the types and varieties of those services |
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available to a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance |
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benefits; and |
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(2) has a demonstrated record of preparing individuals |
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for entry into workforce industries with a high demand for skilled |
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labor. |
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(b) In contracting with a third-party service provider, the |
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Health and Human Services Commission, shall ensure the terms of the |
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contract are designed in a manner that maximizes the state's |
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receipt of all available federal matching money for supplemental |
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nutrition assistance program employment and training services. |
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Sec. 33.021. SNAP ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED |
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IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) In this section, |
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"postsecondary educational institution" includes: |
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(1) an institution of higher education or a private or |
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independent institution of higher education as defined by Section |
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61.003, Education Code; and |
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(2) a career school or college as defined by Section |
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132.001, Education Code. |
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(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules consistent |
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with federal law to provide supplemental nutrition assistance |
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benefits to students enrolled in a postsecondary educational |
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institution. The rules must: |
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(1) identify the types of postsecondary degrees or |
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programs in which a student must be enrolled to qualify for |
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supplemental nutrition assistance benefits, including |
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participation in any work placement or unpaid internship associated |
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with a postsecondary educational institution; and |
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(2) ensure a student remains eligible for supplemental |
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nutrition assistance benefits during a break in the semester or |
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academic term of the postsecondary educational institution in which |
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the student is enrolled. |
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(c) The executive commissioner shall establish a work group |
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to provide input for the adoption of rules under Subsection (b). In |
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adopting the rules, the executive commissioner shall consider the |
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work group's input. |
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(d) The work group is composed of at least 9 but not more |
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than 13 members who are representatives of: |
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(1) postsecondary educational institutions; or |
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(2) non-profit organizations serving low-income |
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individuals. |
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(e) The executive commissioner shall ensure members of the |
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work group represent various types of postsecondary educational |
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institutions located throughout this state. The executive |
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commissioner shall appoint one work group member to serve as |
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presiding officer. |
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(f) The work group is automatically abolished on the adoption |
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of rules under Subsection (b). |
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(g) Subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) and this subsection |
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expire September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 31, 2021, the |
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executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission |
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shall establish the work group required by Section 33.021, Human |
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Resources Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) Not later than December 31, 2022, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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adopt the rules required by Section 33.021, Human Resources Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |