Bill Text: TX SB1355 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Engrossed


Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of the work-based learning task force.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-05-16 - Referred to Public Education [SB1355 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB1355-Engrossed.html
 
 
  By: Powell, Zaffirini S.B. No. 1355
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the work-based learning task
  force.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 133, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Section 133.010 to read as follows:
         Sec. 133.010.  WORK-BASED LEARNING TASK FORCE.  (a)  In this
  section:
               (1)  "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.
               (2)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board.
               (3)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003.
               (4)  "Open-enrollment charter school" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 5.001.
               (5)  "Task force" means the work-based learning task
  force established under this section.
               (6)  "Work-based learning opportunity" includes a
  youth or adult apprenticeship or internship that provides paid work
  experience and corresponding classroom instruction, delivered in
  an employment relationship that both the business and worker intend
  to lead to an industry-recognized credential and full-time
  employment after completion of the program.
         (b)  The work-based learning task force is established to
  develop strategies for expanding and improving the delivery of
  work-based learning opportunities in this state.
         (c)  The task force is composed of the following 18 members:
               (1)  one member of the commission, appointed by the
  executive director of the commission;
               (2)  one member of the coordinating board, appointed by
  the commissioner of higher education;
               (3)  one member of the agency, appointed by the
  commissioner of education;
               (4)  five members appointed by the governor as follows:
                     (A)  one member from a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school;
                     (B)  one member from an institution of higher
  education;
                     (C)  two members from a high-growth, high-wage
  industry; and
                     (D)  one member from a statewide advocacy
  organization representing young adults, a statewide education
  advocacy organization, or a student organization that focuses on
  apprenticeships;
               (5)  five members appointed by the lieutenant governor
  as follows:
                     (A)  one member from a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school;
                     (B)  one member from an institution of higher
  education;
                     (C)  two members from a high-growth, high-wage
  industry; and
                     (D)  one member from a statewide advocacy
  organization representing young adults, a statewide education
  advocacy organization, or a student organization that focuses on
  apprenticeships; and
               (6)  five members appointed by the speaker of the house
  of representatives as follows:
                     (A)  one member from a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school;
                     (B)  one member from an institution of higher
  education;
                     (C)  two members from a high-growth, high-wage
  industry; and
                     (D)  one member from a statewide advocacy
  organization representing young adults, a statewide education
  advocacy organization, or a student organization that focuses on
  apprenticeships.
         (d)  The members of the task force shall select a presiding
  officer from among the membership.
         (e)  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
  officer.
         (f)  A member of the task force serves at the will of the
  member's appointing authority.  A vacancy on the task force must be
  filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
         (g)  A member of the task force may not receive compensation
  for serving on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
  travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the
  business of the task force as provided by the General
  Appropriations Act.
         (h)  The commission, the coordinating board, and the agency
  shall each provide necessary administrative and technical support
  for the activities of the task force.
         (i)  The task force may solicit gifts, grants, and donations
  from any public or private source for use in carrying out the task
  force's duties under this section.
         (j)  The task force shall:
               (1)  develop recommendations for:
                     (A)  increasing the number of work-based learning
  opportunities in this state and the availability of those
  opportunities, including for persons experiencing barriers to
  employment and who are historically underrepresented in
  high-growth, high-wage industries, with a particular focus on
  occupations other than building and construction trades;
                     (B)  removing barriers that impede the growth of
  work-based learning opportunities in this state, including in small
  and mid-size companies and in industries that have not historically
  offered work-based learning opportunities;
                     (C)  addressing employer concerns regarding
  liability for work-based learning opportunities;
                     (D)  improving a diverse pipeline of access to and
  success in work-based learning opportunities, including assistance
  with child care, food, and transportation;
                     (E)  aligning public and private funding for
  work-based learning opportunities;
                     (F)  identifying data to be collected from
  work-based learning opportunity providers; and
                     (G)  establishing a process for the collection and
  maintenance of data described by Paragraph (F) and for the
  reporting of that data to policymakers and the public;
               (2)  develop critical guidance for local sector or
  industry partnerships on how to serve as intermediaries
  facilitating work-based learning opportunities, including guidance
  regarding:
                     (A)  marketing work-based learning opportunities
  to community stakeholders;
                     (B)  assisting business in establishing
  work-based learning opportunities; and
                     (C)  providing or brokering education and
  training for individuals experiencing barriers to employment; and
               (3)  identify any resources that are needed, and any
  current resources that could be redirected, to expand work-based
  learning opportunities in this state.
         (k)  In carrying out its duties under this section, the task
  force shall consult with stakeholders, including young adults
  participating in work-based learning opportunities.
         (l)  Not later than December 1, 2020, the task force shall
  submit a written report to the legislature, the commission, the
  coordinating board, and the agency that includes:
               (1)  the task force's findings;
               (2)  a summary of the stakeholder input received by the
  task force;
               (3)  recommendations for legislative or other action
  and proposed legislation; and
               (4)  a statement regarding the feasibility of the task
  force's recommendations.
         (m)  The task force is abolished and this section expires
  September 1, 2021.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the appropriate persons shall appoint the members of
  the task force created by Section 133.010, Education Code, as added
  by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
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