By Olivo H.B. No. 3470 76R13412 KKA-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the creation of a Parents as Scholars pilot program for 1-3 certain persons eligible to receive TANF benefits. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 31.045 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 31.045. PARENTS AS SCHOLARS PILOT PROGRAM. (a) 1-8 Subject to available funding, the department shall by rule 1-9 establish a student financial aid pilot program to be entitled the 1-10 Parents as Scholars pilot program. A person eligible for financial 1-11 assistance who participates in the program shall receive, in lieu 1-12 of financial assistance, a package of benefits designed to assist 1-13 the person in obtaining a postsecondary degree from an institution 1-14 of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. 1-15 The benefits provided may include assistance with payment of 1-16 tuition and fees, payment of the cost of textbooks and other 1-17 educational supplies, and payment of other costs associated with 1-18 enrollment in the institution. 1-19 (b) The department by rule shall establish eligibility 1-20 criteria for the program. The criteria must: 1-21 (1) require that the person satisfy the eligibility 1-22 criteria for financial assistance; 1-23 (2) prohibit a person who possesses a bachelor's 1-24 degree from any public or private institution of higher education 2-1 from participating in the program; 2-2 (3) require that the person seek a postsecondary 2-3 degree that the department considers likely to improve the person's 2-4 ability to obtain employment in the person's local labor market; 2-5 and 2-6 (4) be designed to result in the selection of persons 2-7 who: 2-8 (A) are currently unable, due to a lack of 2-9 skills and training, to obtain employment at a compensation level 2-10 equal to at least 85 percent of the area median income; and 2-11 (B) demonstrate the aptitude to successfully 2-12 complete the requirements for obtaining a postsecondary degree. 2-13 (c) A program participant is eligible for medical assistance 2-14 under Chapter 32 and support services under Section 31.010 in the 2-15 same manner as a person receiving financial assistance. 2-16 (d) The department by rule shall establish time limits and 2-17 other conditions applicable to a program participant, provided that 2-18 the department may not provide assistance to a program participant 2-19 for more than 48 months, and the department must require a program 2-20 participant to demonstrate satisfactory educational progress to 2-21 remain eligible for assistance. 2-22 (e) The department shall fund the program from state funds 2-23 specifically appropriated for that purpose or from other state 2-24 funds otherwise available to the department for the program. The 2-25 department may accept gifts and grants from public or private 2-26 sources to be used to fund the program. The department shall 2-27 establish and administer the program in such a manner that money 3-1 spent under the program is included in determining the state's 3-2 compliance with federal maintenance of effort requirements under 3-3 Part A, Title IV, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 601 et 3-4 seq.). 3-5 (f) Not later than January 15, 2003, the department shall 3-6 submit to the legislature a report relating to the program 3-7 established under this section. The report must include: 3-8 (1) an evaluation of the program's effectiveness in 3-9 improving employability of persons eligible for Temporary 3-10 Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits; and 3-11 (2) recommendations from the department concerning 3-12 termination, continuation, or expansion of the program. 3-13 (g) This section expires September 1, 2003. 3-14 SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act 3-15 a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a 3-16 federal agency is necessary for implementation, the state agency 3-17 shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay 3-18 implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is 3-19 granted. 3-20 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 3-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 3-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 3-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 3-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 3-25 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 3-26 passage, and it is so enacted.