bill setting workforce plan goals for ages 14 to 24

The text as introduced · 1,023 words

By: Talarico
H.B. No. 3173

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain planning, notification, and evaluation

requirements with respect to workforce development programs in this

state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2308.304, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:

(c-1) In establishing goals, objectives, and performance

measures for segments of the population under Subsection (c), the

plan must establish specific goals, objectives, and performance

measures for individuals who are at least 16 years of age but

younger than 25 years of age.

SECTION 2. Chapter 2308, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter H to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H. DUTIES OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO LOCAL WORKFORCE

DEVELOPMENT BOARDS AND DIVISION

Sec. 2308.351. NOTICE OF FINANCIAL INCENTIVE. (a) In this

section:

(1) "Commission" means the Texas Workforce

Commission.

(2) "Financial incentive" means a financial benefit,

including a grant, loan, or tax preference, or a combination of

those benefits, offered by a governmental entity to any person.

(3) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or

political subdivision of this state, including a municipality or

county.

(b) A governmental entity that provides a financial

incentive that results in the creation of at least 100 estimated new

employment opportunities shall, not later than the 30th day after

the date the governmental entity approves the financial incentive,

notify the commission and any local workforce development board

operating in a workforce development area where the financial

incentive is distributed of the plan to distribute the financial

incentive.

(c) The notice required by Subsection (b) must include:

(1) the estimated number of new employment

opportunities the financial incentive will create;

(2) the estimated start date for each new employment

opportunity created by the financial incentive; and

(3) a description of the skills and training necessary

for applicants for each new employment opportunity created by the

financial incentive.

SECTION 3. Subchapter E, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is

amended by adding Section 302.087 to read as follows:

Sec. 302.087. EVALUATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

ACTIVITIES. (a) The commission shall annually evaluate:

(1) the effectiveness of the commission's workforce

development program; and

(2) the best practices for allocating workforce

development funds to and by local workforce development boards to:

(A) meet the current and projected workforce

needs of employers in workforce development areas; and

(B) provide workforce development services to

individuals who are at least 16 years of age but younger than 25

years of age.

(b) The evaluation under Subsection (a) must include:

(1) a calculation of the respective percentages of

workforce funds spent annually on efforts to:

(A) increase employment among individuals who

are at least 16 years of age but younger than 25 years of age;

(B) reenroll individuals who have dropped out of

a public or open-enrollment charter school and who are at least 16

years of age but younger than 25 years of age; and

(C) facilitate the participation of individuals

who are at least 16 years of age but less than 25 years of age in

postsecondary education, technical education, or the military;

(2) the respective numbers of individuals who are at

least 16 years of age but younger than 25 years of age who:

(A) have dropped out of a public or

open-enrollment charter school and are assisted in reenrollment

with workforce funds; and

(B) receive assistance in participating in

postsecondary education, technical education, or the military;

(3) for each local workforce development area:

(A) the respective numbers of individuals who are

at least 16 years of age but younger than 25 years of age who:

(i) are eligible for workforce development

services; and

(ii) annually receive workforce

development services, including the number receiving assistance in

enrolling in high school, a high school equivalency program, an

apprenticeship program, an institution of higher education, a

technical school, or the military; and

(B) the total number of workforce development

service providers actively serving individuals who are at least 16

years of age but younger than 25 years of age in the area;

(4) for each local workforce development board, an

assessment of the board's current use of workforce funds to

determine and meet the current and projected workforce needs of

employers in the workforce development area;

(5) examples of efforts to reach individuals who are

at least 16 years of age but less than 25 years of age in which the

commission and local workforce development boards coordinated with

each of the following respective entities:

(A) the Texas Education Agency, school

districts, or open-enrollment charter schools;

(B) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating

Board or institutions of higher education; and

(C) the Department of Family and Protective

Services; and

(6) examples of efforts to meet current and projected

workforce needs in which the commission and local workforce

development boards coordinated with each of the following

respective entities:

(A) private employers or other members of the

business community; and

(B) workforce development service providers.

(c) The commission shall make the evaluation conducted

under Subsection (a), any information collected in the course of

conducting the evaluation, and any findings of the commission

arising from the evaluation readily available to local workforce

development boards, employers, institutions of higher education,

school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and the public.

(d) Not later than January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the

commission shall make a report to the legislature detailing the

commission's findings on the effectiveness of the commission's

workforce development program. The report must include:

(1) the information described by Subsection (b);

(2) employment outcome information for individuals

who are at least 16 years of age but less than 25 years of age,

disaggregated by local workforce development area;

(3) an analysis of multiyear trends identifiable from

the information contained in the evaluation conducted under

Subsection (a), including any identifiable trends that show

positive impacts of workforce development programs on workforce

participation of individuals who are at least 16 years of age but

less than 25 years of age; and

(4) the commission's recommendation for legislative or

regulatory action, including recommendations for regulatory action

by other governmental entities.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.