BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2575

By: Button

International Relations & Economic Development

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2019, a workforce diploma pilot program was established by the Texas Workforce Commission to address the workforce demands of our state and to improve access to a high school diploma for the many adult Texans who are without such a diploma. C.S.H.B. 2575 seeks to reauthorize eligibility criteria for providers to participate in the program and outline the specific services providers must provide to eligible students.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2575 amends the Labor Code to specify that, for eligibility to participate as a provider under the workforce diploma pilot program, a public, nonprofit, or private entity that is accredited by a regional accrediting body must be working in partnership with an entity authorized to grant a high school diploma, in addition to fulfilling the other eligibility requirements. The bill postpones the expiration date of the workforce diploma pilot program from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2027.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2575 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

Whereas the introduced expanded eligibility to participate as a provider in the workforce diploma pilot program to include a public, nonprofit, or private entity that is working in partnership with an entity authorized to grant a high school diploma, the substitute specifies that, for eligibility to participate as a provider in the program, a public, nonprofit, or private entity that is accredited by a regional accrediting body must be working in partnership with an entity authorized to grant a high school diploma, in addition to fulfilling the other eligibility requirements.