JKM C.S.H.B. 3259 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
C.S.H.B. 3259
By: Coleman
4-20-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 
Federal welfare reform establishes time-limits for recipients of public
assistance and requires them to find employment.  Unfortunately, many of
these recipients lack the skills to obtain employment with a sustainable
wage, a key element to permanent self-sufficiency.  In addition, health
care is faced with a growing need to train allied health professionals to
provide care in the cost controlled managed care setting.  The combination
of these two demands provides opportunity to meet the two needs with one
solution. 


PURPOSE

This bill would require the Texas Workforce Commission to establish a
pilot program to provide training and apprenticeships in allied health
professions to certain recipients of financial assistance. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Subsection (a) defines "allied health profession".  Subsection
(b) directs the Texas Workforce Commission to use money from the skills
development fund under Section 303.003, Labor Code, to establish pilot
programs to provide training and apprenticeships in allied health
professions to recipients of financial aid under Chapter 31, Human
Resources Code.  Subsection (c) directs the commission to award grants to
public community and technical colleges that have formed partnerships with
certain health-related entities.  Subsection (d) directs the commission to
submit a report on the program to the 76th Legislature no later than
January 31, 1999. Subsection (e) provides an expiration date for this
section. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 303.003 (b), Labor Code, to allow community and
technical colleges to use the skills development fund as start-up and
emergency funds for providing training and apprenticeships in allied
health professions for certain recipients of financial assistance. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  -CSHB 3259 defines "allied health profession", rather than
"allied health professionals", leaving the definition open to include
nurses.  CSHB 3259 addresses how the program will be implemented in
SECTION 1, rather than in SECTION 2 as in HB 3259.  CSHB 3259 adds
Subsection (b) to direct the Texas Workforce Commission to use money from
the skills development fund under Section 303.003, Labor Code, to
establish pilot programs to  provide training and apprenticeships in
allied health professions to recipients of financial aid under Chapter 31,
Human Resources Code.  CSHB 3259 adds Subsection (c) to direct the
commission to award grants to public community and technical colleges that
have formed partnerships with certain health-related entities.  CSHB 3259
adds subsection (d) to direct the commission to submit a report on the
program to the 76th Legislature no later than January 31, 1999.  CSHB 3259
adds subsection (e) which  provides an expiration date for this section. 

SUBSECTION 2.  HB 3259 amended Chapter 302, Subchapter A, Labor Code, by
adding Section 302.004 which required the commission to establish a pilot
program and laid out specific requirements for awarding contracts,
adopting rules, and qualifications of participants;  CSHB 3259 addresses
the implementation of the program in SECTION 1.  CSHB 3259 amends Section
303.003(b), Labor Code which provides for use of skills development fund
for start-up or emergency funds for training.