BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1032
87R11565 MLH-D	By: Thierry et al. (Alvarado)
	Education
	5/18/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Career and technical education (CTE) allows schools to personalize a student's academic curriculum based on the student's career interests and unique learning needs. At the high school level, CTE courses connect students with postsecondary programs of study or additional training, which may include specialized technical instruction. High school CTE programs often allow students to acquire industry-based certifications for in-demand, high-wage careers.

Examples of CTE programs include training in agricultural and animal sciences, electrical and construction work, manufacturing, accounting and financial services, emergency services, law enforcement, and health care technology.

H.B. 1032 does not compel districts to a particular course of action, but simply gives them greater flexibility to optimize how they use their CTE allotment funding to benefit students in grades 11 and 12. The bill does this by allowing districts to form contracts with local nonprofits to place students in paid internships and apprenticeships with private employers.

H.B. 1032 does not alter the existing funding for CTE, and has no fiscal note. It was voted unanimously out of the House Committee on International Relations and Economic Development, and later passed the full house.

There was no opposition to the bill in committee, and it was notably supported by:

• Texas Public Policy Foundation;
• Texas Association of Manufacturers;
• Texas Construction Association;
• Texas Association of Business; and
• Texas Business Leadership Council.

H.B. 1032 amends current law relating to authorizing school districts to provide funding using money received under the Foundation School Program to community-based organizations for purposes of reimbursing private employers for paid internships provided to certain students in career and technology education programs in the district.

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 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.1871, as follows:

Sec. 29.1871. CONTRACT TO REIMBURSE FOR PAID INTERNSHIP. (a) Defines "community-based organization."

(b) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district, to encourage private employers to participate with school districts in providing career and technology education to assist students in developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for a broad range of career opportunities, to contract with a community-based organization to:

(1) match students in grade 11 or 12 who are participating in a career and technology education program in the district with paid internships or similar programs provided by private employers; and

(2) reimburse private employers for all or part of the cost of providing paid internships or similar programs to students described by Subdivision (1) using funds provided to the community-based organization by the district.

(c) Requires that a contract described by Subsection (b):

(1) require each paid internship or similar program provided to the school district's students to primarily promote a public purpose of the district relating to career and technology education;

(2) include provisions under which the school district is granted sufficient control to ensure that the public purpose under Subdivision (1) is accomplished and the district receives the return benefit; and

(3) ensure that each student employed under a paid internship or similar program is paid at least the minimum wage required by law.

(d) Authorizes the school district, in providing funds to a community-based organization for the purposes of reimbursing a private employer under a contract under Subsection (b), to use funds allocated to the district for career and technology education under Section 48.106 (Career and Technology Education Allotment).

(e) Authorizes a community-based organization with which a school district contracts under Subsection (b) to serve as the employer of record for a student employed under a paid internship or similar program provided under a contract described by Subsection (b).

(f) Authorizes completion of a paid internship or similar program provided under a contract described by Subsection (b) to satisfy a requirement to complete a practicum as part of a school district's career and technology education program.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 48.106(c), Education Code, as follows:

(c) Requires that at least 55 percent of the funds allocated under this section be used:

(1) creates this subdivision from existing text and makes a nonsubstantive change; or

(2) in providing funding to a community-based organization under a contract entered into under Section 29.1871 for purposes of reimbursing private employers for providing paid internships or similar programs to students in career and technology education programs.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.