BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 799
83R3167 MEW-F	By: Thompson, Senfronia; Miles (Whitmire)
	Criminal Justice
	5/3/2013
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The purpose of H.B. 799 is to increase the likelihood that previously incarcerated individuals, upon their release, will become contributing members to society and an asset to their community. To do so, it is crucial that they receive realistic vocational opportunities.

H.B. 799 establishes a broad range of educational opportunities in the Windham School District. Doing so will result in a larger qualified workforce, which will provide Texas employers with the most skilled and qualified employees possible.

This bill will ensure that more ex-offenders are matched with available trades in Texas communities by requiring the Windham School District to continually assess the Texas job market and provide vocational programs that will build relevant skill sets.

The Windham School District should assess Texas job markets through the Texas Workforce Commission in order to update and augment the vocational training programs offered to incarcerated individuals, which will guarantee that those individuals are released with the skills to work in occupations that will allow them to be contributing members of their communities.

H.B. 799 amends the Education Code to require the Windham School District to continually assess job markets in Texas and update, augment, and expand the vocational training programs developed by the district as necessary to provide relevant and marketable skills to students.

H.B. 799 amends current law relating to vocational training programs provided by the Windham School District.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 19.004(c), Education Code, to require the Windham School District (district) to, among other requirements, continually assess job markets in this state and update, augment, and expand the vocational training programs developed under Subdivision (1-a) (relating to requiring the district to develop certain vocational training programs) as necessary to provide relevant and marketable skills to students.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2013.