87R16450 MM-F

By: Button, Talarico, Raney, H.B. No. 1792

Thompson of Harris, Frank, et al.

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1792:

By: Button C.S.H.B. No. 1792

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the evaluation of child-care providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2308.3155, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The commission shall, using a competitive procurement process that complies with all federal and state laws, select a single entity to oversee a statewide roster of qualified assessors to evaluate child-care providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program during the initial certification process and at any other time during the provider's participation in the program.

SECTION 2. Section 2308.320, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2308.320. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROVIDERS. Each board shall provide technical assistance to Texas Rising Star Program providers and to providers seeking certification under the Texas Rising Star Program, including providing:

(1) [a child development specialist to serve as an evaluator of the provider during the certification process;

[(2)] a mentor or coach to a Texas Rising Star Program provider to meet regularly with the provider and provide child care resources to the provider, including developmentally appropriate books, materials, and equipment;

(2) [(3)] consumer information regarding the selection of quality child care for parents of children enrolled in the program; and

(3) [(4)] parenting education information for parents of children enrolled in the program, including information about parenting classes that are available in the area or on the Internet.

SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Workforce Commission shall complete the initial competitive procurement process required under Section 2308.3155(d), Government Code, as added by this Act, to select the entity to oversee a statewide roster of assessors for Texas Rising Star Program providers.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.