BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3844

By: Villalobos

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As reported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the term "opportunity youth" refers to young people who are disconnected from both education and employment, often facing barriers that limit their access to stable jobs or training pathways. The bill author has informed the committee that this group is a focus of federal workforce development initiatives that seek to re-engage them through targeted support, such as job training, internships, and education programs; however, without a consistent state-level definition, Texas may face challenges in identifying eligible individuals and maximizing the use of available federal funds. H.B. 3844 seeks to create a standardized definition of "opportunity youth" in Texas law for the administration of federal workforce development funds. By specifying age, employment status, and educational enrollment criteria, the bill enables state agencies to more effectively identify and support this vulnerable population. This ensures that federal funds are used efficiently and in accordance with their intended goals, helping young Texans who are not in school or working gain access to education, training, and employment opportunities.

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. 3844 amends the Labor Code to define "opportunity youth," for the purposes of administering any federal workforce development funds available to assist opportunity youth in Texas unless federal law provides otherwise, as individuals who are at least 16 years of age but younger than 27 years of age, unemployed, and not enrolled in secondary or postsecondary education.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.