By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 68
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to providing postemployment strategies for certain
recipients of financial assistance to achieve self-sufficiency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 302.0025 to read as follows:
Sec. 302.0025. EMPLOYMENT PLAN AND POSTEMPLOYMENT
STRATEGIES. (a) The commission shall ensure that an individual
employment plan developed for a recipient of financial assistance
participating in an employment program under Chapter 31, Human
Resources Code, includes specific postemployment strategies to
assist the recipient in making a transition to stable employment at
a wage that enables the recipient and the recipient's family to
maintain self-sufficiency.
(b) The individual employment plan must:
(1) consider a recipient's individual circumstances
and needs in determining the recipient's initial job placement and
direct the recipient to a job that, as appropriate, offers:
(A) on-the-job training and opportunities for
advancement; and
(B) a work schedule that provides adequate time
for the recipient to pursue educational and training opportunities
outside of the recipient's employment;
(2) identify a target wage that enables the recipient
and the recipient's family to maintain self-sufficiency;
(3) provide specific postemployment goals and include
methods and time frames by which the recipient is to achieve those
goals; and
(4) refer the recipient to additional educational and
training opportunities.
SECTION 2. Section 302.010(a), Labor Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The commission by rule shall develop guidelines under
which local workforce development boards provide postemployment
services to a recipient of financial assistance participating in an
employment program under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code. The
guidelines must require local workforce development boards to
develop strategies for improving a recipient's potential for job
retention and wage advancement as a component of the postemployment
services.
SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.