81R24540 ALB-F
By: Isett H.B. No. 2745
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2745:
By: Eissler C.S.H.B. No. 2745
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a certification program to provide job skills training.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by
adding Chapter 312 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 312. TEXAS READY TO WORK CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Sec. 312.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Certification program" means the Texas Ready to
Work Certification Program established under this chapter.
(2) "Commission" means the Texas Workforce
Commission.
(3) "Program participant" means an individual
eligible under Section 312.002 to participate in the certification
program.
Sec. 312.002. CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. (a) The commission
shall develop and establish a certification program to provide job
skills training to:
(1) individuals receiving unemployment benefits under
Chapter 207; and
(2) individuals identified by the commission as
individuals who will soon enter the workforce.
(b) The commission shall:
(1) identify occupations appropriate for inclusion in
the certification program; and
(2) develop a set of basic skills for each included
occupation.
Sec. 312.003. CERTIFICATION PROGRAM ASSESSMENTS. (a) The
commission shall develop or adopt an assessment methodology to
determine a program participant's level of proficiency with each of
the skills identified under Section 312.002(b)(2).
(b) The commission shall determine appropriate facilities
and settings at which to conduct an assessment under this section.
Sec. 312.004. INSTRUCTIONAL CURRICULUM. (a) The
commission shall develop or adopt an instructional curriculum that
targets the skills in which a program participant is not
proficient, as measured by the assessment under Section 312.003.
(b) The commission shall provide Internet-based instruction
to assist each program participant in achieving proficiency in the
skills targeted under Subsection (a).
(c) After receiving instruction under Subsection (b), a
program participant may take a post-instructional assessment.
Sec. 312.005. CERTIFICATE; PORTFOLIO. The commission shall
provide to each program participant who successfully demonstrates
proficiency in the skills identified under Section 312.002(b)(2):
(1) a Texas Ready to Work certificate; and
(2) a portfolio that describes in detail each of the
skills in which the program participant is proficient as determined
by the post-instructional assessment under Section 312.004(c).
Sec. 312.006. RULEMAKING. The commission shall adopt rules
as necessary to administer the commission's duties under this
chapter.
Sec. 312.007. FUNDING. The commission is required to
implement this chapter only if the commission receives funds for
the purpose of establishing the certification program from:
(1) the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009;
(2) a legislative appropriation;
(3) gifts, grants, or donations; or
(4) any other lawful source.
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.