1-1 By: Solis (Senate Sponsor - Van de Putte) H.B. No. 2327 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House April 30, 2001; 1-3 May 1, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on Business 1-4 and Commerce; May 10, 2001, reported favorably by the following 1-5 vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 10, 2001, sent to printer.) 1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-7 AN ACT 1-8 relating to the operation, funding, and assessment of local 1-9 workforce development boards. 1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-11 SECTION 1. Section 302.043, Labor Code, is amended by adding 1-12 Subsection (d) to read as follows: 1-13 (d) The training under this section must include training 1-14 for local workforce development board members and board employees 1-15 regarding the collection and analysis of data in the commission's 1-16 reporting and information system for performance reports. 1-17 SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended 1-18 by adding Sections 302.044, 302.045, and 302.046 to read as 1-19 follows: 1-20 Sec. 302.044. OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. The commission shall 1-21 require that local workforce development boards participate in 1-22 outreach activities provided by the commission that are designed by 1-23 the commission to allow board members and employees to become more 1-24 proficient in the administration and operation of local workforce 1-25 development activities. The commission shall adopt policies 1-26 establishing the number of outreach activities in which a board is 1-27 required to participate. 1-28 Sec. 302.045. SANCTIONS PLAN. The commission shall adopt a 1-29 detailed and understandable plan to be used by local workforce 1-30 development boards in the implementation of the sanction process. 1-31 The plan adopted under this section must include: 1-32 (1) a requirement that the commission provide 1-33 technical assistance to the boards in avoiding or responding to 1-34 sanctions; and 1-35 (2) specific provisions regarding the time in which a 1-36 board is to be allowed to address concerns and improve the board's 1-37 performance. 1-38 Sec. 302.046. PLAN REGARDING LACK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS. (a) 1-39 The commission shall adopt a plan to address the lack of service 1-40 providers in specific local workforce development areas. 1-41 (b) The plan adopted under this section must include 1-42 provisions: 1-43 (1) for offering incentives to attract exceptional 1-44 service providers and to encourage those providers to cooperate and 1-45 assist in improving the practices of other providers; 1-46 (2) relating to the imposition of sanctions by a board 1-47 against a service provider; and 1-48 (3) requiring, under certain circumstances, the 1-49 commission to assist in providing services until a provider is 1-50 designated. 1-51 SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended 1-52 by adding Section 302.064 to read as follows: 1-53 Sec. 302.064. COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL BOARDS. (a) The 1-54 commission shall collaborate with local workforce development 1-55 boards when determining the use of funds at the local level. 1-56 (b) The commission shall develop funding guidelines and 1-57 strategies allowing boards to exercise flexibility in identifying 1-58 and addressing the needs of persons who live in remote areas or who 1-59 face other barriers to employment. 1-60 SECTION 4. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. 1-61 (b) The Texas Workforce Commission shall evaluate and 1-62 adjust, if necessary, the use of the commission's full-time 1-63 employees in providing assistance to local workforce development 1-64 boards. In attempting to provide more assistance to local boards, 2-1 the commission shall emphasize providing assistance in performance 2-2 measurement, financial management, child-care services, and 2-3 contract management. 2-4 (c) The Texas Workforce Commission and the Legislative 2-5 Budget Board shall review and, if necessary, adjust the performance 2-6 measurements used for local workforce development boards so that 2-7 the measurements do not hinder the ability of the boards to perform 2-8 their duties. The performance measurements must be directed to 2-9 encourage the boards to assist clients in attaining sustainable 2-10 employment with wages that promote self-sufficiency for clients and 2-11 their families. 2-12 * * * * *