BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 842

By: Bell

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In Texas, public schools are the primary means by which adolescents and young adults gain access to the knowledge base and skills that will prepare them for future employment and for higher education. However, a growing number of business and industry representatives have expressed concern that students are not given enough opportunity to develop occupational knowledge and job skills. Interested parties contend that the lack of this opportunity may leave Texas students underserved and compound the projected shortages of qualified applicants in certain occupations. In addition, some school districts in Texas have expressed concern regarding rigidity within Texas education laws that prohibits the districts from expanding opportunities for students to explore career and technical education programs that may lead to high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage occupations.

C.S.H.B. 842 seeks to give school districts the flexibility to expand career and technical education opportunities for students. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 842 amends the Education Code to require a college credit program implemented by a school district, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, to provide a career and technical student the opportunity to earn credit for a single course or activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours, necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree concurrently toward both the student's high school diploma and postsecondary academic requirements, if the course or activity is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 842 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 28.009, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1)  A program implemented under this section must provide a career and technical student the opportunity to earn the credit necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree concurrently with the student's high school diploma.	SECTION 1.  Section 28.009, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1)  A program implemented under this section must provide a career and technical student the opportunity to earn credit for a single course or activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours, necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree, concurrently toward both the student's high school diploma and postsecondary academic requirements, if the course or activity is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for that purpose.
SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 3.  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, 2013.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.