By: Ellis, West S.B. No. 1492
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
1-1 relating to the provision of job training for AFDC recipients.
1-2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-3 ARTICLE 1. SELF SUFFICIENCY FUND
1-4 SECTION 1.01. Chapter 303, Labor Code, is amended by adding
1-5 Section 303.005 to read as follows:
1-6 Section 303.005 Self-Sufficiency Fund
1-7 (a) To achieve the purposes of this chapter, a
1-8 self-sufficiency fund is created to develop training for recipients
1-9 of public assistance.
1-10 (b) The self-sufficiency fund may be used by public
1-11 community and technical colleges and community based organizations
1-12 as start-up funds for the following job-training purposes:
1-13 (1) developing customized training programs for
1-14 businesses and trade unions; and
1-15 (2) sponsoring small and medium-sized business
1-16 networks and consortiums.
1-17 (c) Money from the skills development fund may not be used
1-18 to pay the training costs and other relate costs of an employer who
1-19 relocates the employer's worksite from one location in this state
1-20 to another in-state location.
1-21 (d) The executive director, or a person appointed by the
2-1 executive director who is knowledgeable in the administration of
2-2 grants, is responsible for the distribution of money from the
2-3 skills development fund.
2-4 (e) The executive director shall develop criteria to ensure
2-5 that employers and training resources work together to propose
2-6 training and employment for a specific number of clients.
2-7 (f) The funds may also be used for support services
2-8 necessary for recipients to participate in training activities.
2-9 (g) It is the intent of the legislature that, to the
2-10 greatest extent practicable, money from the self-sufficiency fund
2-11 shall be spent in all areas of this state.
2-12 ARTICLE 2. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RECIPIENTS OF FINANCIAL
2-13 ASSISTANCE
2-14 SECTION 2.01. SECTION 31.010, Human Resources Code, is
2-15 amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (f) to
2-16 read as follows:
2-17 (c) Support services include:
2-18 (1) education, using public or private schools as
2-19 necessary;
2-20 (2) child care;
2-21 (3) transportation assistance;
2-22 (4) work skills and job readiness training;
2-23 (5) instruction in job search techniques; [and]
2-24 (6) job placement; and
2-25 (7) job retention assistance.
3-1 (f) In providing work skills and job readiness training, the
3-2 department shall:
3-3 (1) emphasize training for sustainable-wage jobs;
3-4 (2) promote understanding of nontraditional work
3-5 opportunities for recipients; and
3-6 (3) offer micro enterprise development and
3-7 self-employment assistance in rural areas and other areas where
3-8 jobs are scarce.
3-9 ARTICLE 3. EFFECTIVE DATE; EMERGENCY
3-10 SECTION 3.01. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
3-11 SECTION 3.02. The importance of this legislation and the
3-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.