By:  Lucio                                                        S.B. No. 1636


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the development of occupational skills training 
curriculum by the Texas Education Agency.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 29 of the Education Code is amended by 
adding new Section 29.2531 to read as follows:
	Section 29.2531.  DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS 
TRAINING CURRICULUM.  (a)  The agency shall develop occupational 
skills training curriculum aimed at assisting workers to obtain 
jobs that are available in the region.
	(b)  In developing the curriculum, the agency shall target 
workers who have limited English language proficiency.
	(c)  The curriculum developed in subsection (a) shall have 
English language skills integrated with the occupational skills 
training.
	(d)  In developing the curriculum, the agency shall use 
existing resources from Title II relating to Adult Education and 
Literacy in the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all 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, 2005.