81R24540 ALB-F

By: Isett H.B. No. 2745

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2745:

By: Eissler C.S.H.B. No. 2745

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a certification program to provide job skills training.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by adding Chapter 312 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 312. TEXAS READY TO WORK CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Sec. 312.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Certification program" means the Texas Ready to Work Certification Program established under this chapter.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Workforce Commission.

(3) "Program participant" means an individual eligible under Section 312.002 to participate in the certification program.

Sec. 312.002. CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall develop and establish a certification program to provide job skills training to:

(1) individuals receiving unemployment benefits under Chapter 207; and

(2) individuals identified by the commission as individuals who will soon enter the workforce.

(b) The commission shall:

(1) identify occupations appropriate for inclusion in the certification program; and

(2) develop a set of basic skills for each included occupation.

Sec. 312.003. CERTIFICATION PROGRAM ASSESSMENTS. (a) The commission shall develop or adopt an assessment methodology to determine a program participant's level of proficiency with each of the skills identified under Section 312.002(b)(2).

(b) The commission shall determine appropriate facilities and settings at which to conduct an assessment under this section.

Sec. 312.004. INSTRUCTIONAL CURRICULUM. (a) The commission shall develop or adopt an instructional curriculum that targets the skills in which a program participant is not proficient, as measured by the assessment under Section 312.003.

(b) The commission shall provide Internet-based instruction to assist each program participant in achieving proficiency in the skills targeted under Subsection (a).

(c) After receiving instruction under Subsection (b), a program participant may take a post-instructional assessment.

Sec. 312.005. CERTIFICATE; PORTFOLIO. The commission shall provide to each program participant who successfully demonstrates proficiency in the skills identified under Section 312.002(b)(2):

(1) a Texas Ready to Work certificate; and

(2) a portfolio that describes in detail each of the skills in which the program participant is proficient as determined by the post-instructional assessment under Section 312.004(c).

Sec. 312.006. RULEMAKING. The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to administer the commission's duties under this chapter.

Sec. 312.007. FUNDING. The commission is required to implement this chapter only if the commission receives funds for the purpose of establishing the certification program from:

(1) the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

(2) a legislative appropriation;

(3) gifts, grants, or donations; or

(4) any other lawful source.

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, 2009.