BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1538
86R14246 JRJ-D	By: Men�ndez
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	4/1/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

When first entering college, many students struggle to adapt to the campuses, programs, and services provided by the institutions. This reality is even more difficult for student veterans in accessing the available services, especially when it comes to career options. The benefits of having a more hands-on approach in equipping student veterans for career success is undeniable.

 

S.B. 1538 establishes a career mentoring pilot program for student veterans through the help of Texas A&M San Antonio and the Alamo Colleges. This program would create a Veterans Career mentoring program for student veterans to develop a relationship with a professional working within their desired field.

 

The pilot program would create military transition consultants, create cohorts once per week for up to 10 weeks to receive over 20 hours of in-person lectures and learning, create the VetsHIRED! Program specific to the military to create a personalized career search strategy, create business and community leader champions who mentor veteran students and bridge them in jobs, and be connected with Alamo Colleges to ensure college success.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1538 amends current law relating to the establishment of a career mentoring pilot program for certain students who are veterans.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 130, Education Code, by adding Section 130.094, as follows:

 

Sec. 130.094. VETERANS CAREER MENTORING PILOT PROGRAM; VETSHIRED! (a) Requires the Alamo Community College District (district) to implement a pilot program to be known as "VetsHIRED!" to establish career mentoring for students enrolled in the district who are veterans.

 

(b) Requires the district, under the pilot program, to:

 

(1) assign students to a military transition consultant to assist the student in the transition from military service to a career in the workforce;

 

(2) assign students to a cohort that meets once per week in a 10-week period for 20 hours of in-person lectures regarding personalized career search strategies and strategies for college success; and

 

(3) establish a mentorship program that partners students with business and community leaders who guide them into the workforce.

 

(c) Requires the district, not later than January 1, 2021, to prepare a report on the effectiveness of the pilot program in promoting the success of students who are veterans and submit the report to the standing committees of each house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education matters and matters concerning veterans affairs.

 

(d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2021.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.