Zaffirini Credentials Bill Orders A Study And One Pilot

The text as introduced · 868 words

90R1059 CXP-F

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 66

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to measures to encourage the earning of

industry-recognized credentials at public institutions of higher

education.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 61.09093 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.09093. INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL FEASIBILITY

STUDY AND PILOT PROJECT. (a) In this section:

(1) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Workforce

Commission.

(3) "High-demand, high-growth industry" means an

industry identified by the commission as experiencing high demand

and high growth in this state based on current and projected job

openings, wage thresholds, and employer demand in the state's labor

market.

(4) "Industry-recognized credential" means a

credential earned by a student in a high-demand, high-growth

industry that leads to quality career opportunities, as determined

by the commission in coordination with the board and the agency.

(5) "Initiative" means the Tri-Agency Workforce

Initiative established under Chapter 2308A, Government Code.

(6) "Quality career opportunity" means employment

that:

(A) provides a self-sufficient wage that meets or

exceeds a threshold established by the initiative for purposes of

this section; and

(B) aligns with statewide and regional workforce

development goals, as determined by the initiative.

(7) "Self-sufficient wage" means the self-sufficient

wage as determined by the initiative under Section 2308A.012,

Government Code, for purposes of Chapter 2308A of that code.

(b) The board, in coordination with the agency and the

commission through the initiative, shall conduct a comprehensive

feasibility study on the role of industry-recognized credentials in

supporting postsecondary success and positive labor market

outcomes in this state.

(c) The study conducted under Subsection (b) must:

(1) identify and assess:

(A) the availability, use, and integration of

industry-recognized credentials at institutions of higher

education;

(B) barriers to incorporating

industry-recognized credentials into degree and certificate

pathways at institutions of higher education, including

transferability among institutions of higher education;

(C) opportunities to enable students at

institutions of higher education to earn multiple

industry-recognized credentials as part of a baccalaureate

program;

(D) the potential for developing regional and

statewide frameworks to support cumulative, transferable

credential pathways at institutions of higher education; and

(E) the role of industry-recognized credentials

in reducing time and cost to credential completion, increasing

earning potential, and improving alignment with workforce needs;

and

(2) include a model framework to:

(A) enable the creation of accredited degree and

certificate programs at both two- and four-year institutions of

higher education that incorporate industry-recognized credentials;

(B) support high school students in earning

credit toward programs described by Paragraph (A);

(C) allow students to earn at least two

industry-recognized credentials as part of a baccalaureate degree

program at an institution of higher education; and

(D) facilitate students earning a baccalaureate

degree and at least two industry-recognized credentials not later

than four years after completing high school.

(d) To support the study conducted under Subsection (b) and

using resources available within the institutional collaboration

center established under Section 61.0571, the board shall establish

and administer a pilot project with at least one two-year

institution of higher education and at least one four-year

institution of higher education to reduce regulatory burdens and

assist institutions of higher education in forming partnerships to

encourage:

(1) completion of industry-recognized credentials in

satisfaction of certain required coursework under degree or

certificate programs offered by institutions of higher education;

(2) memoranda of understanding between institutions

of higher education that offer industry-recognized credentials;

(3) the transferability of course credit,

particularly with regard to course credit leading to an

industry-recognized credential;

(4) the development of degree and certificate programs

that enable students to earn a degree or certificate by completing

parts of the program at different institutions of higher education;

or

(5) the applicability of grant, scholarship, and other

student financial aid money toward costs related to earning

industry-recognized credentials.

(e) The board, in coordination with the agency and the

commission through the initiative, may consult with stakeholders to

implement this section, including:

(1) school districts;

(2) postsecondary educational institutions;

(3) accrediting agencies;

(4) employers;

(5) local workforce development boards; and

(6) faculty and curriculum experts.

(f) The board, in coordination with the agency and the

commission through the initiative, shall submit to the governor,

the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of

representatives, and the standing committee of each house of the

legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education:

(1) a preliminary report on the study conducted under

Subsection (b) and the pilot project established under Subsection

(d), including the board's findings and any recommendations for

legislative or other action, not later than March 1, 2028; and

(2) a final report on the study conducted under

Subsection (b) and the pilot project established under Subsection

(d), including the board's findings and any recommendations for

legislative or other action, not later than September 1, 2028.

(g) This section expires September 1, 2029.

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, 2027.