By:  Zaffirini, Shapleigh                                         S.B. No. 75 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to child-care services for certain low-wage employees.               
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is 
amended by adding Sections 302.0042 and 302.0043 to read as 
follows:
	Sec. 302.0042.  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN CHILD-CARE 
PROGRAMS.  (a)  The commission shall provide technical assistance 
in each local workforce development area established under Section 
2308.252, Government Code, regarding the implementation of 
child-care programs that are financed by employers for low-wage 
employees.  As part of the assistance provided under this section, 
the commission shall:
		(1)  provide appropriate information and assistance to 
employers as necessary to aid working poor subsidy recipients to 
establish pretax payroll deductions for child-care costs, as 
authorized under employee benefit cafeteria plans under 26 U.S.C. 
Section 125; and
		(2)  encourage employers to increase employer financed 
child-care benefits to low-wage employees.
	(b)  In providing assistance to employers under Subsection 
(a)(2), the commission shall develop and provide to affected 
employers information regarding any tax incentives available to 
employers for the provision of child-care services.
	Sec. 302.0043.  NOTICE REGARDING TERMINATION OF CERTAIN 
CHILD-CARE SERVICES.  (a)  The commission shall direct each local 
workforce development board to notify a working poor subsidy 
recipient who resides in that board's local workforce development 
area and who receives child-care services from a child-care 
services program financed through state or federal funds of any 
termination of the program.
	(b)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the 
local workforce development board shall provide the notice in 
writing to the recipient not later than the 30th day before the 
scheduled date of termination of the affected child-care services 
program.  The notice must include information regarding other 
child-care services programs under which the recipient may be 
eligible for services.  If providing notice on or before the 
deadline specified by this subsection would interfere with the 
ability of the local workforce development board to comply with its 
duties regarding the number of children to be served or would 
require the expenditure of funds in excess of the amount 
appropriated to the board, the board may provide the notice on the 
earliest date on which it is practicable for the board to provide 
notice.
	(c)  This section does not apply to a recipient whose 
child-care services are terminated as a result of fraud or a 
sanction imposed by the commission.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.