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89(R) HB 175 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
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.