S.B. No. 770

	AN ACT
	relating to eligibility for job-training programs provided under
	the self-sufficiency fund.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 309.002(a), Labor Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)  Subject to the availability of funds, the
	self-sufficiency fund is created as an account in the general
	revenue fund for use by public community and technical colleges,
	community-based organizations, and state extension agencies to
	develop [for certain recipients of financial assistance under
	Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, customized] job-training
	programs in which individuals who are identified by the commission
	as being low-income or at risk of becoming dependent on public
	assistance benefits are [the recipients will be] provided job
	training by:
	(1)  an entity that develops a job-training program
	under this section;
	(2)  a small or medium-sized business or trade union;
	or
	(3)  an informal partnership between an entity that
	develops a job-training program under this section and a small or
	medium-sized business network or consortium.
	SECTION 2.  Section 309.003(b), Labor Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  An entity that receives money from the fund for a
	job-training program shall work in conjunction with employers to
	place participants who successfully complete [graduates of] the
	program in positions of employment in which the participants
	[graduates] will earn [be earning] wages sufficient to enable the
	participants [graduates] to become independent of or avoid becoming
	dependent on benefits under the financial assistance program
	established  under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, and if
	applicable, benefits [assistance] provided under the supplemental
	nutrition assistance [food stamp] program established
	[administered by the Texas Department of Human Services] under
	Chapter 33, Human Resources Code.
	SECTION 3.  Section 309.004, Labor Code, is amended to read
	as follows:
	Sec. 309.004.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The commission shall
	adopt rules to implement this chapter, including rules to:
	(1)  identify individuals who are low-income or at risk
	of becoming dependent on public assistance benefits; and
	(2)  determine which individuals identified under
	Subdivision (1) [recipients of financial assistance under Chapter
	31, Human Resources Code,] are eligible to participate in
	job-training programs developed with money from the fund.
	SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
	a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
	federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
	the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
	authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
	waiver or authorization is granted.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 770 passed the Senate on
	April 29, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 770 passed the House on
	May 7, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 1, one present
	not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor