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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishing optional certifications for child-care |
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providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program and |
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establishing a grant program for those providers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2308.3156 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2308.3156. OPTIONAL CERTIFICATIONS FOR TEXAS RISING |
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STAR PROGRAM; GRANT PROGRAM. (a) As part of the Texas Rising Star |
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Program, the commission shall create optional certifications that a |
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child-care provider may obtain to enhance the provider's rating |
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under the program. |
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(b) The optional certifications created under Subsection |
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(a) must include a certification for child-care providers who |
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provide for the inclusion of children with disabilities with their |
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typically developing peers. |
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(c) The commission shall establish and administer a grant |
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program to provide a child-care provider who receives an optional |
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certification under this section with additional funding. The |
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commission shall award a grant under this section to a provider in |
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each year the provider receives or maintains an optional |
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certification under Subsection (a). |
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(d) To receive a grant under this section, a child-care |
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provider who obtains an optional certification under Subsection (a) |
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must apply to the commission on the form and in the manner |
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prescribed by commission rule. |
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(e) In determining the amount of a grant under this section, |
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the commission must consider the age groups of children served by |
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the provider and the provider's enrollment capacity. |
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(f) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and |
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donations from any public or private source for purposes of this |
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section. |
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(g) The commission shall adopt rules to administer this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt rules |
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necessary to implement Section 2308.3156, Government Code, as added |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |