85R2100 KSD-D
 
  By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 154
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of
  a career and technical education workforce specialist pilot
  program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
  amended by adding Section 302.0055 to read as follows:
         Sec. 302.0055.  CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WORKFORCE
  SPECIALIST PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Career school or college" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 132.001, Education Code.
               (2)  "Public junior college," "public state college,"
  and "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by
  Section 61.003, Education Code.
         (b)  The commission, in consultation with the Texas
  Education Agency, shall establish and implement a career and
  technical education workforce specialist pilot program under which
  workforce development specialists provide career services to
  students at public high schools in designated regions of this state
  for the purpose of directing those students toward high-demand,
  skilled occupations experiencing existing or projected workforce
  shortages in this state.
         (c)  The commission, in consultation with the Texas
  Education Agency, shall designate three regions of this state, and
  the public high schools in each of those regions, to receive
  services under the pilot program and assign at least one workforce
  development specialist to provide services in each region. The
  selected regions must include at least one urban area and one rural
  area.
         (d)  Career services provided under the pilot program must
  include the provision of information, guidance, and counseling
  regarding:
               (1)  high-demand, skilled occupations in this state,
  including middle skill jobs; and
               (2)  educational and training opportunities for those
  occupations, including:
                     (A)  opportunities offered by employers, public
  junior colleges, public state colleges, or public technical
  institutes; and
                     (B)  with respect to high-demand occupations in
  the building trade, any:
                           (i)  related courses of instruction offered
  by career schools or colleges; or
                           (ii)  available apprenticeships.
         (e)  The commission may adopt rules as necessary for the
  administration of this section.
         (f)  Not later than January 1, 2021, the commission shall
  report to the legislature regarding the commission's:
               (1)  assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot
  program in directing students toward employment in high-demand,
  skilled occupations; and
               (2)  recommendations for improving the pilot program
  and expanding the pilot program statewide.
         (g)  This section expires September 1, 2021.
         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, 2017.