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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the expansion of applied workforce learning |
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opportunities in this state, including through the establishment of |
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the Texas Industry Internship Challenge. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 302.0028 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 302.0028. APPLIED WORKFORCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES; |
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TEXAS INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP CHALLENGE. (a) The commission, in |
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partnership with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board, shall develop and implement |
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strategies to: |
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(1) significantly increase the number of, and |
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participation by students in, applied workforce learning |
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opportunities, including paid internships, externships, and |
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apprenticeships, offered by employers in high-demand industries |
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and occupations to students enrolled in high schools or public or |
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private institutions of higher education in this state, including |
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opportunities offered during the summer; and |
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(2) facilitate the uniform award by high schools and |
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public or private institutions of higher education of academic |
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credit to students for the successful completion of those |
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opportunities, where appropriate. |
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(b) In carrying out its duties under Subsection (a), the |
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commission shall establish the Texas Industry Internship Challenge |
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under which the commission develops and administers a centralized |
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electronic Internet portal through which, in a streamlined, |
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responsive, and user-friendly manner: |
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(1) employers may post information regarding applied |
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workforce learning opportunities described by Subsection (a); and |
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(2) students enrolled in high schools or public or |
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private institutions of higher education in this state may access |
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information regarding and apply for those opportunities. |
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(c) The commission, the commissioner of education, and the |
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Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as |
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necessary for the administration of this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |