89R21576 MM-D
By: Schoolcraft H.B. No. 117
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 117:
By: Buckley C.S.H.B. No. 117
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the
governance of early childhood education and care.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 455 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 455. GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON GOVERNANCE OF EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Sec. 455.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "task force"
means the governor's task force on the governance of early
childhood education and care established under this chapter.
Sec. 455.002. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The governor's task
force on the governance of early childhood education and care is
established to address the governance and operational challenges of
the early childhood education system in this state.
(b) The task force is administratively attached to the Texas
Education Agency.
Sec. 455.003. MEMBERS. (a) The task force shall include a
steering committee composed of the following members:
(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission;
(2) the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency;
(3) the chair of the Texas Workforce Commission;
(4) relevant division directors designated by the
individuals described by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3); and
(5) the Texas Education Agency's inter-agency deputy
director of early childhood support.
(b) The task force is composed of the following members:
(1) one public school teacher certified to teach
prekindergarten;
(2) one certified teacher who is employed by a private
child-care facility or prekindergarten program;
(3) a representative from the Texas Head Start State
Collaboration Office appointed by the governor;
(4) a representative from the Department of State
Health Services appointed by the governor;
(5) two representatives from the Texas Early Learning
Council designated by the steering committee described by
Subsection (a); and
(6) at least two but not more than five individuals
with knowledge of early childhood education and care or experience
as a direct operator of an early childhood education and care
program, including business and community leaders, representatives
of nonprofit organizations, and other relevant stakeholders,
appointed by the governor.
(c) The governor shall appoint the chair of the task force.
(d) Chapter 2110 does not apply to the size, composition, or
duration of the task force.
Sec. 455.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:
(1) examine governance and operational challenges in
the early childhood education and care system, including federal
and local child-care programs and regulations governing those
programs;
(2) with a focus on improving government efficiency,
conduct a comprehensive review of the existing functions and
responsibilities of the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas
Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission related to early
childhood education and care; and
(3) consider methods for a large-scale redesign of the
administration of early childhood programs to improve efficiency,
service delivery, quality of care, and the efficient use of
funding.
(b) The steering committee of the task force shall:
(1) align goals and metrics of the Health and Human
Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce
Commission to measure progress, including aligning statewide data
systems; and
(2) require the Health and Human Services Commission,
Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission to complete
and submit to the task force periodic progress reports and
regularly refine statewide goals and strategic plans to ensure
alignment with evolving early childhood education and care needs.
(c) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the
purpose, the Texas Education Agency shall pay the costs of data
system integration, research, and administration for the task
force.
Sec. 455.005. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the
task force shall develop and submit to the legislature policy and
budget recommendations designed to improve early childhood
education and care governance that will:
(1) facilitate and improve early childhood education
and care participant engagement with state agencies; and
(2) lead to improved operational efficiency,
increased affordable child care capacity, and improved
kindergarten readiness.
Sec. 455.006. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
this chapter expires September 1, 2027.
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, 2025.