SRC-AXB S.B. 343 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 343
By: Ellis
Human Services
6/10/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

The federal Personal Responsibility Act of 1996 requires Texas to provide
work participation requirements for its approximately 88,000 public
assistance recipients.  Among the federal welfare law definitions of
eligible work activities are community service programs and vocational
education programs.  This bill creates a self-sufficiency fund designed to
assist certain colleges, communitybased organizations, and state agencies
to develop a job-training program. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 343 creates a self-sufficiency fund to develop a
job-training program, and requires fund recipients to assist program
graduates in finding employment that will help them become financially
independent. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Workforce Commission in
SECTION 1 (Section 309.004, Labor Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Title 4B, Labor Code, by adding Chapter 309, as follows:

CHAPTER 309.  SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND

 Sec.  309.001.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "community-based organization" and
"fund." 

Sec.  309.002.  SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND.  Creates the self-sufficiency fund
(fund) as an account in the general revenue fund for use by certain
organizations to develop customized job-training programs (programs).
Authorizes fund monies to be used for pre-employment preparations.
Requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to administer the fund.
Provides that distribution of fund monies is the responsibility of the
executive director, or an appointee knowledgeable in grant administration.
Requires fund money to be spent in all areas of Texas. 

Sec.  309.003.  JOB-TRAINING PROGRAMS.  Sets forth requirements of
fund-financed programs.  Requires fund recipients to work with employers to
find jobs for program graduates that provide compensation which allows them
to become independent of state financial assistance. 

Sec.  309.004.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.  Authorizes the Texas Workforce
Commission to adopt rules which determine who is eligible to participate in
job-training programs. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.