Amend CSHB 1528 by adding the following appropriately
numbered sections and renumbering the existing sections of the bill
accordingly:
SECTION _____. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 308 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 308. SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND
Sec. 308.001. SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND. (a) Subject to the
availability of funds, the self-sufficiency fund 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 for the following job-training purposes:
(1) developing customized job-training programs for
certain recipients of financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human
Resources Code;
(2) developing customized job-training programs for
businesses and trade unions; and
(3) sponsoring small and medium-sized business
networks and consortiums.
(b) The job-training programs described by Subsection (a)(1)
must be specifically designed to enable the recipients to find and
apply for existing jobs and will involve employers who participate
in setting curricula and standards and commit to hire graduates of
training programs.
(c) An entity that receives money from the self-sufficiency
fund for a training program must ensure that participants in the
program meet applicable state and federal work requirements.
Participants in a program funded by the self-sufficiency fund shall
be considered to be meeting the work requirements under Section
31.012, Human Resources Code.
(d) An entity that receives money from the self-sufficiency
fund for a training program shall work with employers to place
graduates of that training program in employment with wages that
are reasonably calculated to make those graduates independent of
financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, and
the food stamp program administered under Chapter 33, Human
Resources Code.
(e) The commission shall administer the self-sufficiency
fund. The executive director, or a person appointed by the
executive director who is knowledgeable in the administration of
grants, is responsible for the distribution of money from the fund.
(f) The executive director shall develop criteria to ensure
that employers and training sources work together to propose
training and employment for a specific number of clients.
(g) The funds may also be used for support services as
necessary for participants to prepare for and participate in
training activities and to make the transition from training
activities to employment.
(h) To the greatest extent practicable, money from the
self-sufficiency fund shall be spent in all areas of the state.
(i) In this section, "community-based organization" has the
meaning assigned by 20 U.S.C. Section 1201a, and its subsequent
amendments. A community-based organization participating in a
program funded by the self-sufficiency fund may be a faith-based
organization.
(j) The Texas Workforce Commission may accept donated cars
as donation to the Self Sufficiency Fund and make the cars
available to certain persons who receive financial assistance under
Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, to enable those persons to accept
and maintain employment. The commission shall develop a pilot
program for this purpose in four sites, with at least one site in a
rural area and at least one site in an urban area. This section
expires on September 1, 2001.
SECTION _____. Section 302.062(g), Labor Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(g) Block grant funding under this section does not apply
to:
(1) the work and family policies program under Chapter
81;
(2) a program under the skills development fund
created under Chapter 303;
(3) the job counseling program for displaced
homemakers under Chapter 304;
(4) the Communities in Schools program under Chapter
305;
(5) the reintegration of offenders program under
Chapter 306;
(6) a program under the self-sufficiency fund created
under Chapter 308;
(7) apprenticeship programs under Chapter 133 <33>,
Education Code;
(8) <(7)> the inmate employment counseling program
under Section 499.051(f), Government Code;
(9) <(8)> the continuity of care program under
Section 501.095, Government Code;
(10) <(9)> employment programs under Chapter 31, Human
Resources Code;
(11) <(10> the senior citizens employment program
under Chapter 101, Human Resources Code;
(12) <(11> the programs described by Section
302.021(b)(3);
(13) <(12)> the community service program under the
National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12501
et seq.);
(14) <(13)> the trade adjustment assistance program
under Part 2, Subchapter II, Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. Section
2271 et seq.);
(15) <(14)> the programs to enhance the employment
opportunities of veterans; and
(16) <(15)> the functions of the State Occupational
Information Coordinating Committee.
SECTION _____. Section 303.003(b), Labor Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The skills development fund may be used by public
community and technical colleges as start-up or emergency funds for
the following job-training purposes:
(1) developing customized training programs for
businesses and trade unions; <and>
(2) sponsoring small and medium-sized business
networks and consortiums; and
(3) providing training or internships for certain
recipients of financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human
Resources Code.
SECTION _____. (a) In this section:
(1) "Allied health profession" means a health care
profession in which a person receives special training in the
performance of supportive health care work. The term does not
include a physician, podiatrist, or dentist.
(2) "Community-based organization" has the meaning
assigned by Section 308.001, Labor Code.
(b) The Texas Workforce Commission shall use money from the
skills development fund created under Section 303.003, Labor Code,
or from the self-sufficiency fund created under Section 308.001,
Labor Code, to establish a pilot program to provide training and
internships in allied health professions to certain recipients of
financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code.
(c) To implement the program, the commission shall award
grants to community-based organizations and public community and
technical colleges that have formed partnerships with public or
private hospitals, hospital districts, or other health-related
businesses, networks, or consortiums.
(d) Not later than January 31, 1999, the commission shall
submit a report on the effectiveness of the pilot program to the
presiding officer of each house of the 76th Legislature.
(e) This section expires September 1, 1999.