By Deshotel                                           H.B. No. 1934
         77R7170 PB-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to training conducted by the Texas Workforce Commission in
 1-3     certain life skills that enhance employment opportunities.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Section 302.010 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 302.010.  LIFE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM. (a)  In this
 1-8     section,  "life skills training" means training that is
 1-9     specifically designed to improve or enhance the ability of a person
1-10     receiving the training to obtain or retain a position of
1-11     employment.  The term includes training in:
1-12                 (1)  preparation for participating in a job interview;
1-13                 (2)  personal health and hygiene skills;
1-14                 (3)  money management;
1-15                 (4)  management of work and family responsibilities,
1-16     particularly as regards child care;
1-17                 (5)  working as a member of a team in a job
1-18     environment;
1-19                 (6)  self-advocacy;
1-20                 (7)  community employment resources; and
1-21                 (8)  returning to the workforce after a period of
1-22     unemployment.
1-23           (b)  The commission by rule shall establish and administer a
1-24     life skills training program to assist persons who are seeking
 2-1     employment.  The commission shall post a notice regarding the
 2-2     program in each employment office operated by the commission under
 2-3     Chapter 307. The notice must include the telephone number of the
 2-4     commission through which a person interested in the training may
 2-5     obtain more information from the commission.
 2-6           (c)  Notwithstanding any other law, the commission may fund
 2-7     the life skills training program through the money received by the
 2-8     commission for operation of the smart jobs fund program.
 2-9           SECTION 2. (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c)
2-10     of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
2-11           (b)  The Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt rules as
2-12     required by Section 302.010, Labor Code, as added by this Act, not
2-13     later than November 1, 2001.  The life skills training program
2-14     required by Section 302.010, Labor Code, as added by this Act,
2-15     shall begin not later than January 1, 2002.
2-16           (c)  This Act takes effect only if legislation proposed by
2-17     the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, relating to
2-18     transferring the operation, funding, and administration of the
2-19     smart jobs fund program from the Texas Department of Economic
2-20     Development to the Texas Workforce Commission, is passed and
2-21     becomes law.  If that proposed legislation does not pass and become
2-22     law, this Act has no effect.