Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 343 adds a chapter to the Labor Code to create a self-sufficiency fund to develop job training for certain Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients. The fund, to be administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, is created as an account in the general revenue fund for use by public community and technical colleges, community-based organizations, and state extension agencies to develop customized job-training programs in which the TANF recipients will be provided job training by certain entities. The act requires an entity receiving money from the fund for a job-training program to work in conjunction with employers to employ graduates in positions in which the graduates will earn wages sufficient to enable them to become independent of TANF and food stamp program assistance. The act requires the commission to adopt rules to determine which TANF recipients are eligible to participate in the programs and requires money from the fund to be spent in all areas of the state.