BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2302

By: Johnson, Ann

International Relations & Economic Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither employed nor enrolled in school are known as "opportunity youth." According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Texas alone is home to nearly 500,000 opportunity youth. This represents nearly 14 percent of individuals in this age bracket in our state and is higher than the national average of 11.5 percent, as also reported by the Dallas Fed. The needs of this population can vary, but many opportunity youth need help getting back into school, getting into the workforce, finding child care, fulfilling their basic needs, accessing physical and mental health care, and finding transportation. Local workforce development boards are positioned to oversee workforce programs and other services in their area and are tasked with the management of Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act dollars, which should be spent on preventing youth from becoming disconnected or assisting young adults in reconnecting to school or employment. H.B. 2302 seeks to get opportunity youth back into school or into the workforce and help them become productive members of society by requiring local workforce development boards to include a section in their strategic plans for individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 with specific goals, objectives, and performance measures.

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

H.B. 2302 amends the Government Code to require a local workforce development board's local plan, in establishing goals, objectives, and performance measures for segments of the population in the board's local workforce development area, to establish specific goals, objectives, and performance measures for individuals who are least 16 years of age but younger than 25 years of age.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.