Texas House Bill HB660

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the provision of scholarships, bonuses, and wage supplementation to certain child-care workers.

Impact

The implications of HB 660 are significant for child-care policies in Texas. By making financial support available for professional development, the bill seeks to enhance the qualifications of child-care workers and possibly mitigate the current shortages faced in the sector. Furthermore, the requirement that recipients work in subsidized child-care programs or those striving for Texas Rising Star certification prioritizes funding for facilities that need it the most. This targeted approach could lead to improvements in educational outcomes for children in low-income or underserved areas.

Summary

House Bill 660 aims to enhance support for child-care workers in Texas by providing scholarships, bonuses, and wage supplementation. It primarily targets individuals engaged in early childhood education and aims to incentivize them to obtain professional credentials or degrees, thereby improving the overall quality of child care across the state. The bill amends Section 302.006 of the Labor Code to formally establish the scholarship program, which will be funded through federal Child Care Development funds or other available funding sources. Notably, the total funding allocated for this purpose is capped at $1 million per biennium.

Contention

While the bill has received support from various stakeholders in the child-care industry, it also faces scrutiny regarding its funding limitations and potential administrative challenges. Critics may argue that $1 million per biennium is insufficient to meet the needs of the entire workforce, especially given Texas's sizable population and the scale of its child-care system. Additionally, there may be concerns about how the Texas Workforce Commission will implement the bill's provisions and ensure that the funds are distributed equitably among eligible workers.