89R14921 MM-D     By: González of El Paso, Talarico, Simmons H.B. No. 175       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to establishing optional certifications for child-care   providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program and   establishing a grant program for those providers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 2308.3156 to read as follows:          Sec. 2308.3156.  OPTIONAL CERTIFICATIONS FOR TEXAS RISING   STAR PROGRAM; GRANT PROGRAM. (a) As part of the Texas Rising Star   Program, the commission shall create optional certifications that a   child-care provider may obtain to enhance the provider's rating   under the program.          (b)  The optional certifications created under Subsection   (a) must include a certification for child-care providers who   provide for the inclusion of children with disabilities with their   typically developing peers.          (c)  The commission shall establish and administer a grant   program to provide a child-care provider who receives an optional   certification under this section with additional funding.  The   commission shall award a grant under this section to a provider in   each year the provider receives or maintains an optional   certification under Subsection (a).          (d)  To receive a grant under this section, a child-care   provider who obtains an optional certification under Subsection (a)   must apply to the commission on the form and in the manner   prescribed by commission rule.          (e)  In determining the amount of a grant under this section,   the commission must consider the age groups of children served by   the provider and the provider's enrollment capacity.          (f)  The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and   donations from any public or private source for purposes of this   section.          (g)  The commission shall adopt rules to administer this   section.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt rules   necessary to implement Section 2308.3156, Government Code, as added   by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.