bill recognizing career and technology programs for licensed trades

The text as introduced · 429 words

89R6304 RAL-D

By: Parker
S.B. No. 2059

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the recognition of career and technology education

programs by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter K to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER K. CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Sec. 51.551. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Career and technology education program" means:

(A) a career and technology education program

under Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code; or

(B) a program determined by the department to be

similar to that described by Paragraph (A) and offered by:

(i) an institution of higher education; or

(ii) a private school, as defined by

Section 5.001, Education Code.

(2) "Institution of higher education" means an

institution of higher education or a private or independent

institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by

Section 61.003, Education Code.

Sec. 51.552. CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM

RECOGNITION. The commission shall adopt rules providing for the

recognition of career and technology education programs for

programs regulated by the department. The rules must:

(1) specify how completion of a career and technology

education program will be credited toward licensing for the

applicable program;

(2) establish who is eligible to provide instruction

in a career and technology education program for purposes of this

section; and

(3) establish standards for the essential knowledge

and skills of a career and technology education program, subject to

the approval of the State Board of Education if the courses are to

be offered in a high school, that include:

(A) requiring the program to consist of an

appropriate number of hours of classroom instruction and a

practical component;

(B) providing for crediting appropriate

on-the-job training toward meeting the requirements of the

practical component; and

(C) prohibiting a career and technology

education program offered by an institution of higher education

from being more stringent than a program offered by a public high

school.

SECTION 2. In developing the initial standards for a career

and technology education program under Section 51.552, Occupations

Code, as added by this Act, the Texas Commission of Licensing and

Regulation shall consult with the Texas State Technical College and

relevant interest groups.

SECTION 3. 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.