S.B. 75 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 75
By: Zaffirini
Economic Development
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is responsible for administering the
Child Care and Development Block Grant, which is flexibly operated through
TWC's network of 28 local workforce development boards.  S.B. 75 requires
TWC to provide technical assistance to local workforce development boards
on the implementation of child-care programs financed by employers for
low-wage employees and to provide information to employers regarding tax
incentives available to employers for the provision of child-care
services.  This bill additionally requires local workforce boards to
provide 30-day notice in writing prior to terminating a recipient's child
care subsidy. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

SB 75 amends the Labor Code to require TWC to provide assistance to each
local workforce development board, regarding implementation of child-care
programs financed by employers.  TWC is required to assist employers in
establishing pretax payroll deductions for child-care costs,  encourage
employers to increase employer financed child-care benefits for low wage
employees and provide employers with information regarding tax incentives
available to employers that provide child-care services.  

SB 75 amends the Labor Code to require TWC to direct local workforce
development boards to notify recipients of state or federally financed
child-care services of any termination of the program no later than the
30th day before the program is terminated.  A board may provide notice
later than 30 days before termination of the program if providing the
notice would interfere with the board's duty to serve a certain number of
children or require an excess expenditure of funds.  A board is not
required to provide notice if services are terminated as a result of fraud
or a sanction imposed by the commission.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.