Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 554 amends the Labor Code to establish the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program to reduce the financial barriers to postsecondary career education and training for economically disadvantaged Texans. Under the program, the Texas Workforce Commission is authorized to provide tuition assistance grants to Texas residents enrolled in qualified postsecondary career education programs at eligible proprietary schools that lead to a certificate, certification, degree, or diploma in a career field. The bill sets forth the factors the commission may consider in selecting applicants to receive grants, establishes the maximum grant amounts, and requires the commission to approve education programs that meet certain accreditation, state certification, and program offering criteria for participation in the program. The bill also sets forth grant eligibility criteria for individual applicants and provides for payment of a grant through the school to the student. Finally, the bill authorizes the commission to adopt rules to implement the program, requires the commission to deliver an annual report on the program to the legislature, and provides for the initial implementation of the program during the 2001-2002 academic year.