| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the creation of a program to assist foster care youth |
|
|
and former foster care youth in accessing higher education, career |
|
|
information, and skills certifications. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 264.1211 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 264.1211. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM. |
|
|
The department shall collaborate with local workforce development |
|
|
boards, foster care transition centers, community and technical |
|
|
colleges, schools, and any other appropriate workforce industry |
|
|
resources to create a program that: |
|
|
(1) assists foster care youth and former foster care |
|
|
youth in obtaining: |
|
|
(A) a high school diploma or a high school |
|
|
equivalency certificate; and |
|
|
(B) industry certifications that are necessary |
|
|
for occupations that are in high demand; |
|
|
(2) provides career guidance to foster care youth and |
|
|
former foster care youth; and |
|
|
(3) informs foster care youth and former foster care |
|
|
youth about the tuition and fee waivers for institutions of higher |
|
|
education that are available under Section 54.366, Education Code. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |