85R2100 KSD-D
By: Lucio III H.B. No. 1700
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of
a career and technical education workforce specialist pilot
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 302.0055 to read as follows:
Sec. 302.0055. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WORKFORCE
SPECIALIST PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:
(1) "Career school or college" has the meaning
assigned by Section 132.001, Education Code.
(2) "Public junior college," "public state college,"
and "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by
Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) The commission, in consultation with the Texas
Education Agency, shall establish and implement a career and
technical education workforce specialist pilot program under which
workforce development specialists provide career services to
students at public high schools in designated regions of this state
for the purpose of directing those students toward high-demand,
skilled occupations experiencing existing or projected workforce
shortages in this state.
(c) The commission, in consultation with the Texas
Education Agency, shall designate three regions of this state, and
the public high schools in each of those regions, to receive
services under the pilot program and assign at least one workforce
development specialist to provide services in each region. The
selected regions must include at least one urban area and one rural
area.
(d) Career services provided under the pilot program must
include the provision of information, guidance, and counseling
regarding:
(1) high-demand, skilled occupations in this state,
including middle skill jobs; and
(2) educational and training opportunities for those
occupations, including:
(A) opportunities offered by employers, public
junior colleges, public state colleges, or public technical
institutes; and
(B) with respect to high-demand occupations in
the building trade, any:
(i) related courses of instruction offered
by career schools or colleges; or
(ii) available apprenticeships.
(e) The commission may adopt rules as necessary for the
administration of this section.
(f) Not later than January 1, 2021, the commission shall
report to the legislature regarding the commission's:
(1) assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot
program in directing students toward employment in high-demand,
skilled occupations; and
(2) recommendations for improving the pilot program
and expanding the pilot program statewide.
(g) This section expires September 1, 2021.
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, 2017.