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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of the work-based learning task |
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force. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 133, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 133.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 133.010. WORK-BASED LEARNING TASK FORCE. (a) In |
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this section: |
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(1) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency. |
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(2) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board. |
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(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(4) "Open-enrollment charter school" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 5.001. |
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(5) "Task force" means the work-based learning task |
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force established under this section. |
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(6) "Work-based learning opportunity" includes a |
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youth or adult apprenticeship or internship that provides paid work |
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experience and corresponding classroom instruction, delivered in |
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an employment relationship that both the business and worker intend |
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to lead to an industry-recognized credential and full-time |
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employment after completion of the program. |
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(b) The work-based learning task force is established to |
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develop strategies for expanding and improving the delivery of |
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work-based learning opportunities in this state. |
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(c) The task force is composed of the following 18 members: |
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(1) one member of the commission, appointed by the |
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executive director of the commission; |
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(2) one member of the coordinating board, appointed by |
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the commissioner of higher education; |
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(3) one member of the agency, appointed by the |
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commissioner of education; |
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(4) five members appointed by the governor as follows: |
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(A) one member from a school district or |
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open-enrollment charter school; |
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(B) one member from an institution of higher |
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education; |
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(C) two members from a high-growth, high-wage |
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industry; and |
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(D) one member from a statewide advocacy |
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organization representing young adults, a statewide education |
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advocacy organization, or a student organization that focuses on |
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apprenticeships; |
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(5) five members appointed by the lieutenant governor |
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as follows: |
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(A) one member from a school district or |
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open-enrollment charter school; |
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(B) one member from an institution of higher |
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education; |
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(C) two members from a high-growth, high-wage |
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industry; and |
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(D) one member from a statewide advocacy |
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organization representing young adults, a statewide education |
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advocacy organization, or a student organization that focuses on |
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apprenticeships; and |
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(6) five members appointed by the speaker of the house |
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of representatives as follows: |
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(A) one member from a school district or |
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open-enrollment charter school; |
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(B) one member from an institution of higher |
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education; |
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(C) two members from a high-growth, high-wage |
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industry; and |
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(D) one member from a statewide advocacy |
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organization representing young adults, a statewide education |
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advocacy organization, or a student organization that focuses on |
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apprenticeships. |
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(d) The members of the task force shall select a presiding |
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officer from among the membership. |
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(e) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding |
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officer. |
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(f) A member of the task force serves at the will of the |
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member's appointing authority. A vacancy on the task force must be |
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filled in the same manner as the original appointment. |
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(g) A member of the task force may not receive compensation |
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for serving on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for |
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travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the |
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business of the task force as provided by the General |
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Appropriations Act. |
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(h) The commission, the coordinating board, and the agency |
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shall each provide necessary administrative and technical support |
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for the activities of the task force. |
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(i) The task force may solicit gifts, grants, and donations |
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from any public or private source for use in carrying out the task |
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force's duties under this section. |
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(j) The task force shall: |
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(1) develop recommendations for: |
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(A) increasing the number of work-based learning |
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opportunities in this state and the availability of those |
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opportunities, including for persons experiencing barriers to |
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employment and who are historically underrepresented in |
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high-growth, high-wage industries, with a particular focus on |
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occupations other than building and construction trades; |
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(B) removing barriers that impede the growth of |
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work-based learning opportunities in this state, including in small |
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and mid-size companies and in industries that have not historically |
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offered work-based learning opportunities; |
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(C) addressing employer concerns regarding |
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liability for work-based learning opportunities; |
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(D) improving a diverse pipeline of access to and |
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success in work-based learning opportunities, including assistance |
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with child care, food, and transportation; |
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(E) aligning public and private funding for |
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work-based learning opportunities; |
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(F) identifying data to be collected from |
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work-based learning opportunity providers; and |
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(G) establishing a process for the collection and |
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maintenance of data described by Paragraph (F) and for the |
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reporting of that data to policymakers and the public; |
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(2) develop critical guidance for local sector or |
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industry partnerships on how to serve as intermediaries |
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facilitating work-based learning opportunities, including guidance |
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regarding: |
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(A) marketing work-based learning opportunities |
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to community stakeholders; |
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(B) assisting business in establishing |
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work-based learning opportunities; and |
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(C) providing or brokering education and |
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training for individuals experiencing barriers to employment; and |
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(3) identify any resources that are needed, and any |
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current resources that could be redirected, to expand work-based |
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learning opportunities in this state. |
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(k) In carrying out its duties under this section, the task |
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force shall consult with stakeholders, including young adults |
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participating in work-based learning opportunities. |
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(l) Not later than December 1, 2020, the task force shall |
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submit a written report to the legislature, the commission, the |
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coordinating board, and the agency that includes: |
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(1) the task force's findings; |
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(2) a summary of the stakeholder input received by the |
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task force; |
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(3) recommendations for legislative or other action |
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and proposed legislation; and |
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(4) a statement regarding the feasibility of the task |
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force's recommendations. |
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(m) The task force is abolished and this section expires |
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September 1, 2021. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the appropriate persons shall appoint the members of |
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the task force created by Section 133.010, Education Code, as added |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |