BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1615
88R19643 MM-F	By: Button et al. (Birdwell)
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	5/4/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerns have been raised about missed opportunities and the underutilization of public-private prekindergarten partnerships, a need for increased availability of educated child-care workers, and an underrepresentation of the child care workforce on local workforce development boards.

As a result, H.B. 1615 requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to formally establish and administer a prekindergarten partnership program to assist eligible private child-care providers in partnership with local school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. While these partnerships are currently authorized, there is limited information on the programs due to the lack of a streamlined process. The bill also codifies a professional development scholarship program for current and prospective child-care workers. The program gives scholarships for child development associate credentials or associate's/bachelor's degrees in early childhood education or related fields. Lastly, the bill adds the child-care workforce to the list of required representation on local workforce development boards.

H.B. 1615 amends current law relating to strategies to increase the availability of child-care and prekindergarten programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, by adding Sections 302.0051 and 302.0063, as follows:

Sec. 302.0051. PREKINDERGARTEN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. (a) Requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to establish and administer a prekindergarten partnership program to assist child-care providers who meet the definition of an eligible private provider under Section 29.171 (Eligible Private Providers), Education Code, in partnering with local school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide the prekindergarten classes required under Section 29.153 (Free Prekindergarten for Certain Children), Education Code.

(b) Requires TWC, using existing funds, to coordinate with the Texas Education Agency to develop joint strategies to expand the availability of prekindergarten partnership programs.

Sec. 302.0063. CHILD-CARE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. (a) Defines "program."

(b) Requires TWC, from funds appropriated for the purpose, to establish and administer a professional development scholarship program (program) for current and prospective child-care workers.

(1) earning:

(A) a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or

(B) an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or another related field from a public or private institution of higher education; and

(2) participation in a registered child-care apprenticeship program.

(d) Authorizes the program to be used to pay for other ancillary costs for child-care workers who are enrolled in an educational program or apprenticeship program described by Subsection (c), including:

(1) books and supplies;

(2) release time or stipends to attend classes;

(3) costs related to the examination for the CDA credential;

(4) travel to attend classes or attend a hands-on practicum training; and

(5) stipends for mentors or master teachers who provide hands-on training at a child-care program.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2308.256(a), Government Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that a local workforce development board is composed as follows:

(1)-(2) makes no changes to these subdivisions; and

(3) representatives of certain entities, including the child-care workforce. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Repealer: Section 2308.256(g) (relating to requiring at least one of the members of a board to have expertise in child care or early childhood education), Government Code.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2023.