87R5221 MLH-D
By: Dutton H.B. No. 1003
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the private child care task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "task force" means the
private child care task force.
(b) The private child care task force is established to
study private child care providers in this state and methods to
reduce the amounts charged for and increase the availability of
child care provided by private child care providers.
(c) The task force is composed of seven members appointed as
follows:
(1) one member appointed by the governor to represent
the governor;
(2) three members of the senate, appointed by the
lieutenant governor; and
(3) three members of the house of representatives,
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(d) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force
duties. The task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to
pay for those expenses.
(e) The member appointed by the governor shall serve as the
presiding officer of the task force.
(f) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call
of the presiding officer.
(g) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any
other law, the task force may meet by telephone conference call,
videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method. A
meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or
other similar telecommunication method is subject to the
requirements of Sections 551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f), Government
Code.
(h) The task force shall conduct a study to examine the
amounts charged for and the availability of child care provided by
private child care providers and methods to reduce those costs and
increase the availability of that care. The task force may request
relevant information from the Health and Human Services Commission,
and the commission shall comply with the request.
(i) The task force shall develop recommendations to reduce
the amounts charged for and increase the availability of child care
by private child care providers.
(j) The task force shall develop and submit a written report
on the study and recommendations developed by the task force to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and each member of the legislature not later than
November 1, 2022.
(k) The task force is abolished and this Act expires June 1,
2023.
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, 2021.