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.