85R2100 KSD-D     By: Lucio III H.B. No. 1700       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of   a career and technical education workforce specialist pilot   program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.0055 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.0055.  CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WORKFORCE   SPECIALIST PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Career school or college" has the meaning   assigned by Section 132.001, Education Code.                (2)  "Public junior college," "public state college,"   and "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by   Section 61.003, Education Code.          (b)  The commission, in consultation with the Texas   Education Agency, shall establish and implement a career and   technical education workforce specialist pilot program under which   workforce development specialists provide career services to   students at public high schools in designated regions of this state   for the purpose of directing those students toward high-demand,   skilled occupations experiencing existing or projected workforce   shortages in this state.          (c)  The commission, in consultation with the Texas   Education Agency, shall designate three regions of this state, and   the public high schools in each of those regions, to receive   services under the pilot program and assign at least one workforce   development specialist to provide services in each region. The   selected regions must include at least one urban area and one rural   area.          (d)  Career services provided under the pilot program must   include the provision of information, guidance, and counseling   regarding:                (1)  high-demand, skilled occupations in this state,   including middle skill jobs; and                (2)  educational and training opportunities for those   occupations, including:                      (A)  opportunities offered by employers, public   junior colleges, public state colleges, or public technical   institutes; and                      (B)  with respect to high-demand occupations in   the building trade, any:                            (i)  related courses of instruction offered   by career schools or colleges; or                            (ii)  available apprenticeships.          (e)  The commission may adopt rules as necessary for the   administration of this section.          (f)  Not later than January 1, 2021, the commission shall   report to the legislature regarding the commission's:                (1)  assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot   program in directing students toward employment in high-demand,   skilled occupations; and                (2)  recommendations for improving the pilot program   and expanding the pilot program statewide.          (g)  This section expires September 1, 2021.          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, 2017.