By:  Zaffirini                                                            S.B. No. 67



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the role of the Texas Workforce Commission in 
addressing housing needs of certain recipients of financial 
assistance.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is 
amended by adding Section 302.0036 to read as follows:
	Sec. 302.0036.  HOUSING RESOURCES FOR CERTAIN RECIPIENTS OF 
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.  (a)  The commission, in cooperation with 
local workforce development boards, shall, for a recipient of 
financial assistance participating in an employment program under 
Chapter 31, Human Resources Code:
		(1)  identify unmet housing needs and assess whether 
those needs are barriers to the recipient's full participation in 
the workforce and attainment of financial stability and 
self-sufficiency; and
		(2)  develop a service plan that takes into 
consideration the recipient's unmet housing needs.
	(b)  The commission by rule shall develop and implement a 
program through which a recipient identified under Subsection (a)  
as having unmet housing needs is referred by the commission or local 
workforce development board to agencies and organizations 
providing housing programs and services and connected to other 
housing resources.  To provide those referrals and connections, the 
commission shall establish collaborative partnerships between:
		(1)  the commission;                                                   
		(2)  local workforce development boards;                               
		(3)  municipal, county, and regional housing 
authorities; and        
		(4)  sponsors of local housing programs and services.                  
	(c)  The commission shall ensure that commission and local 
workforce development board staff members receive training 
regarding the programs and services offered by agencies and 
organizations with which the commission establishes partnerships 
under Subsection (b) and other available housing resources.
	SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2003, the Texas 
Workforce Commission shall develop and implement the program 
required by Section 302.0036(b), Labor Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.