By Maxey                                              H.B. No. 1160
       74R4694 KKA-D
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the creation of a statewide system of adult learning
    1-3  laboratories for clients of Aid to Families with Dependent
    1-4  Children.
    1-5        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-6        SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
    1-7  amended by adding Section 11.2093 to read as follows:
    1-8        Sec. 11.2093.  EDUCATE TEXAS PROGRAM.  (a)  The Educate Texas
    1-9  Program is created to provide adult education services to clients
   1-10  of Aid to Families with Dependent Children who are referred to the
   1-11  program under Section 31.0124, Human Resources Code.
   1-12        (b)  The Central Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education
   1-13  Coordinating Board, and the state agency charged with primary
   1-14  responsibility for job training, employment, and workforce
   1-15  development shall jointly develop a system of adult education
   1-16  learning laboratories in public schools and community colleges
   1-17  under this program to provide the following emergency services, as
   1-18  needed, to a person eligible to receive Aid to Families with
   1-19  Dependent Children:
   1-20              (1)  development of literacy in English and proficiency
   1-21  in oral and written language skills;
   1-22              (2)  preparation for a high school equivalency
   1-23  examination;
   1-24              (3)  training in parenting skills;
    2-1              (4)  training in principles of family dynamics and
    2-2  family responsibility;
    2-3              (5)  family counseling and case management;
    2-4              (6)  employment readiness training in such areas as
    2-5  work ethics and interview skills; and
    2-6              (7)  child-care services as necessary to allow a person
    2-7  to participate in the training and education services under this
    2-8  subsection.
    2-9        (c)  A person referred to the program may receive services
   2-10  under Subsection (b) for a period not to exceed one year.  During
   2-11  that period, a person must attempt to obtain a certificate of high
   2-12  school equivalency if the person does not have a certificate or a
   2-13  high school diploma.
   2-14        SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Human Resources Code,
   2-15  is amended by adding Section 31.0124 to read as follows:
   2-16        Sec. 31.0124.  REFERRAL TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.  The
   2-17  department shall determine whether a person who registers to
   2-18  participate in the job opportunities and basic skills training
   2-19  program needs and is eligible for adult education services provided
   2-20  under Section 11.2093, Education Code.  If the person is eligible
   2-21  for the adult education services, the department shall determine
   2-22  the person's needs and goals and refer the person to the
   2-23  appropriate adult education service provided under Section 11.2093,
   2-24  Education Code.
   2-25        SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
   2-26        SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
   2-27  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
    3-1  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    3-2  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    3-3  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.