BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 441

By: Bernal

International Relations & Economic Development

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In Texas, a number of adults do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent, which can impede pursuit of additional education and better paying jobs. Obtaining a certificate of high school equivalency may lead to improved opportunities, but the cost of high school equivalency assessment exams can be prohibitive for those of limited means. C.S.H.B. 441 seeks to address these concerns by requiring the Texas Workforce Commission to pay the cost of taking one complete high school equivalency examination for an individual who is 21 years of age or older.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 441 amends the Labor Code to require the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), for an individual who is 21 years of age or older, to pay the cost of taking one complete high school equivalency examination made available by a test vendor approved and contracted by the State Board of Education, including an examination that is administered in multiple parts.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 441 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute does not include provisions requiring the TWC to provide a subsidy to individuals over the age of 21 for payment of the cost of a general education development exam, but the substitute includes a requirement for the TWC to pay the cost of taking one complete high school equivalency examination for an individual who is 21 years of age or older.

The substitute changes the bill's effective date.