CHAPTER 309. SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND
LABOR CODE
TITLE 4. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND UNEMPLOYMENT
SUBTITLE B. TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION; WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT;
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
CHAPTER 309. SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND
Sec. 309.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Community-based organization" means a private nonprofit
organization that is representative of a community or a
significant segment of a community and that provides education,
vocational education or rehabilitation, job training, or
internship services or programs. The term includes a neighborhood
group or organization, community action agency, community
development corporation, union-related organization,
employer-related organization, faith-based organization, tribal
government, or organization serving Native Americans.
(2) "Fund" means the self-sufficiency fund created under Section
309.002.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 309.002. SELF-SUFFICIENCY FUND. (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 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.
(b) Money from the fund may also be used for support services as
necessary for participants to prepare for and participate in
training activities and to make the transition from training
activities to employment.
(c) The commission shall administer the fund. The executive
director, or a person appointed by the executive director who is
knowledgeable in the administration of grants, is responsible for
the distribution of money from the fund.
(d) To the greatest extent practicable, money from the fund
shall be spent in all areas of the state.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 309.003. JOB-TRAINING PROGRAMS. (a) A job-training
program financed by the fund:
(1) must be specifically designed to:
(A) ensure that participants meet applicable state and federal
work requirements;
(B) enable participants to find and apply for existing jobs; and
(C) include the involvement of employers who provide assistance
in setting curricula and standards for job-training programs
developed with money from the fund and are committed to hiring
graduates of the programs; and
(2) is considered a work or employment activity for purposes of
Section 31.012, Human Resources Code.
(b) An entity that receives money from the fund for a
job-training program shall work in conjunction with employers to
place graduates of the program in positions of employment in
which the graduates will be earning wages sufficient to enable
the graduates to become independent of financial assistance under
Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, and if applicable, assistance
provided under the food stamp program administered by the Texas
Department of Human Services under Chapter 33, Human Resources
Code.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 309.004. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The commission shall adopt
rules to implement this chapter, including rules to determine
which recipients of financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human
Resources Code, are eligible to participate in job-training
programs developed with money from the fund.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 126, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.