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.