81R25165 PAM-D
By: Deshotel H.B. No. 160
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 160:
By: McReynolds C.S.H.B. No. 160
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation and administration of a grant initiative
for a community-based at-risk youth program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. EDUCATION AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM
Sec. 33.251. PROGRAM. The agency shall administer the
Education and Self-Sufficiency Program as described by this
subchapter.
Sec. 33.252. STATE DIRECTOR. The commissioner shall
designate a state director for the Education and Self-Sufficiency
Program to coordinate community-based efforts to accomplish the
purposes of the grant initiative described by Section 33.253(a).
Sec. 33.253. GRANT INITIATIVE. (a) Subject to available
funding under Subsection (c) or (d), the commissioner shall award
grants to school districts, school campuses, and community-based
organizations participating in the Education and Self-Sufficiency
Program to:
(1) assist students at risk of dropping out of school,
as defined by Section 29.081, to develop a foundation for a
well-balanced and appropriate education from early childhood
education through high school through the use of:
(A) small school campuses that permit highly
personal learning environments and that offer a culturally
sensitive curriculum;
(B) a variety of instructional and interactive
methods to develop self-respect, self-confidence, and students'
leadership skills; and
(C) after-school enrichment programs to help
students complete homework and improve academic skills;
(2) provide career and technical education training,
job readiness training, and job placement assistance for high
school students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by
Section 29.081; and
(3) provide at least two years of mentoring for high
school students qualified and planning to enroll in postsecondary
education programs, including junior college programs or programs
of public technical institutes, as defined by Section 61.003.
(b) The commissioner shall award grants under this
subchapter after receiving and reviewing recommendations from the
state director. Before awarding a grant under this section, the
commissioner:
(1) may require a campus or school district to:
(A) obtain local matching funds; or
(B) meet other conditions, including providing
assistance in the development of a personal graduation plan under
Section 28.0212 for each student enrolled in high school; and
(2) shall require a community-based organization to
demonstrate a proven track record of successfully working
independently in an area identified in Subsection (a).
(c) The commissioner may:
(1) accept gifts, grants, or donations from private
entities to use in awarding grants under this section; and
(2) coordinate gifts, grants, or donations with
federal or other available funding to award grants under this
section.
(d) The state director may accept a donation of services or
money or other property that the state director determines furthers
the lawful objectives of the program. Each donation under this
subsection from a private entity, with the name of the donor and the
purpose of the donation, must be reported in the public records of
the program.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.