Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
77 th Texas Legislature
Shifts the cost of attorneys fees from the worker to the insurance company in certain disputed claims.
Moves the Sunset review date of the commission from September 1, 2007, to September 1, 2005.
Child Care and Development Block Grant Funds - H.B. 2673
by Representatives Villarreal and Luna
Senate Sponsor: Senator Shapleigh
Federal law requires certain grant funds be set aside to be not less than four percent of the funds for
activities that are designed to provide comprehensive consumer education to parents and the general
public, activities that increase parental choice, among certain provisions.
Requires the Texas Workforce Commission to collect and assess state and local information relating to the
effectiveness of the use of federal grant funds (four percent quality dollars) by local workforce development
boards.
Texas Workforce Commission and “About Face” for Teenagers - H.B. 2786
by Representative Noriega
Senate Sponsor: Senator Van de Putte
The National Guard of Texas has shown interest in contracting with the Texas Workforce commission
(TWC) to sponsor a drug demand reduction program called “About Face,” a life skills curriculum for
financially disadvantaged teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 whose parents receive public
assistance.
Requires the division of workforce development of the TWC to develop contracts between the TWC, local
workforce boards, and the Texas National Guard to establish the “About Face” program.
No Job Termination for Reporting Child Abuse - H.B. 3473
by Representative Naishtat
Senate Sponsor: Senator Shapleigh
Current law requires that a person who has cause to believe that a child is being abused or neglected to
immediately report the abuse or neglect. The law does not, however, protect a person who reports this
abuse or neglect, or participates in an investigation regarding child abuse or neglect, from retaliation by an
employer.
Prohibits the termination or suspension of employment or other discrimination against a professional who
has direct contact with children in the course of employment and who in good faith reports child abuse or
neglect or cooperates with an investigation in this regard.
Senate Research Center 326