By Olivo H.B. No. 3470
76R3902 KKA-D
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 Parents as Scholars pilot program under which a person
1-10 eligible for financial assistance receives, in lieu of financial
1-11 assistance, a package of benefits designed to assist the person in
1-12 obtaining a postsecondary degree from an institution of higher
1-13 education. The benefits provided may include assistance with
1-14 payment of tuition and fees, payment of the cost of textbooks and
1-15 other educational supplies, and payment of other costs associated
1-16 with enrollment in an institution of higher education.
1-17 (b) The department by rule shall establish eligibility
1-18 criteria for the program. The criteria must:
1-19 (1) require that the person satisfy the eligibility
1-20 criteria for financial assistance;
1-21 (2) prohibit a person who possesses a bachelor's
1-22 degree from an institution of higher education from participating
1-23 in the program;
1-24 (3) require that the person seek a postsecondary
2-1 degree that the department considers likely to improve the person's
2-2 ability to obtain employment in the person's local labor market;
2-3 and
2-4 (4) be designed to result in the selection of persons
2-5 who:
2-6 (A) are currently unable, due to a lack of
2-7 skills and training, to obtain employment at a compensation level
2-8 equal to at least 85 percent of the area median income; and
2-9 (B) demonstrate the aptitude to successfully
2-10 complete the requirements for obtaining a postsecondary degree.
2-11 (c) A program participant is eligible for medical assistance
2-12 under Chapter 32 and support services under Section 31.010 in the
2-13 same manner as a person receiving financial assistance.
2-14 (d) The department by rule shall establish time limits and
2-15 other conditions applicable to a program participant, provided that
2-16 the department may not provide assistance to a program participant
2-17 for more than 48 months, and the department must require a program
2-18 participant to demonstrate satisfactory educational progress to
2-19 remain eligible for assistance.
2-20 (e) The department shall fund the program from state funds
2-21 specifically appropriated for that purpose or from other state
2-22 funds otherwise available to the department for the program. The
2-23 department shall establish and administer the program in such a
2-24 manner that money spent under the program is included in
2-25 determining the state's compliance with federal maintenance of
2-26 effort requirements under Part A, Title IV, Social Security Act (42
2-27 U.S.C. Section 601 et seq.).
3-1 (f) Not later than January 15, 2003, the department shall
3-2 submit to the legislature a report relating to the pilot program
3-3 established under this section. The report must include:
3-4 (1) an evaluation of the program's effectiveness in
3-5 improving employability of persons eligible for Temporary
3-6 Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits; and
3-7 (2) recommendations from the department concerning
3-8 termination, continuation, or expansion of the program.
3-9 (g) This section expires September 1, 2003.
3-10 SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act
3-11 a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
3-12 federal agency is necessary for implementation, the state agency
3-13 shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay
3-14 implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is
3-15 granted.
3-16 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
3-17 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-18 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-19 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-20 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
3-21 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
3-22 passage, and it is so enacted.