85R7563 KFF-F     By: Raney H.B. No. 3775       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a competitive grant program to fund promotion of early   literacy programs in certain communities in this state.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 73, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter J to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER J.  COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE EARLY LITERACY          Sec. 73.701.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Competitive grant program" means the competitive   grant program to promote early literacy established under this   subchapter.                (2)  "Health care practitioner" has the meaning   assigned by Section 112.001, Occupations Code.                (3)  "Health science center" means The University of   Texas Health Science Center at Houston.                (4)  "Literacy program" means a program to promote   early literacy.          Sec. 73.702.  ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM TO   PROMOTE EARLY LITERACY. (a)  The University of Texas Health Science   Center at Houston shall establish a competitive grant program to   promote early literacy through which the health science center will   award grants for the implementation of literacy programs, or the   expansion of existing programs, and for the operation of those   programs for a period of not less than two years.          (b)  The health science center shall award grants under the   program to applicants, including applicants operating existing   programs, in a manner that ensures that the literacy programs   collectively operate in multiple communities that are   geographically distributed throughout this state.          Sec. 73.703.  LITERACY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.  A literacy   program funded through a grant awarded under this subchapter must:                (1)  consult and use as a guide the program model   developed by the Reach Out and Read National Center, including any   clinical, programmatic, and data collection requirements of that   model;                (2)  require that health care practitioners who   participate in the literacy program:                      (A)  in conjunction with performing well-child   examinations, provide books to children and encourage parents to   read to their children to develop preliteracy skills;                      (B)  maintain waiting rooms that encourage   children to read; and                      (C)  provide services designed to increase the   school readiness of children receiving program services; and                (3)  partner with local adult literacy providers to   encourage parent literacy in appropriate circumstances.          Sec. 73.704.  APPLICATION. (a)  A public or private entity,   including a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of   this state, may apply for a grant under this subchapter.          (b)  To apply for a grant, an applicant must submit a written   application to the health science center on a form prescribed by the   health science center in consultation with the Reach Out and Read   National Center.          Sec. 73.705.  LITERACY PROGRAM GUIDELINES. The health   science center, with the assistance of the Reach Out and Read   National Center, shall publish guidelines for the literacy programs   funded under this subchapter. The guidelines may follow the Reach   Out and Read national program model standards and guidelines that   have been tested and replicated in multiple communities.          Sec. 73.706.  USE OF PROGRAM FUNDS. (a)  In addition to   awarding grants under this subchapter, the health science center   may use program funds to:                (1)  administer the competitive grant program; and                (2)  purchase or contract to purchase discounted books   for use by grant recipients.          (b)  A grant recipient may use grant funds awarded under this   subchapter only to cover costs related to implementing or expanding   and operating a literacy program, including costs related to:                (1)  administering the literacy program;                (2)  training and managing health care practitioners   who volunteer to participate in the literacy program; and                (3)  purchasing or contracting to purchase discounted   books for use in the literacy program.          Sec. 73.707.  PROGRAM EVALUATION; BIENNIAL COMMITTEE   REPORTS. (a)  The health science center, with the assistance of   the Reach Out and Read National Center, shall prepare and submit a   biennial report, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered   year, to the senate committee on education, or its successor, and   the house public education committee, or its successor, regarding   the grants awarded during the preceding two state fiscal years.          (b)  The report required under Subsection (a) must include:                (1)  the number of health care practitioners who   participate in the program;                (2)  the number of children receiving literacy program   services as a result of the program; and                (3)  the amount of each grant awarded to a health care   practitioner under the program.          (c)  On request, each grant recipient shall timely collect   and provide data and any other information required by the health   science center to monitor and evaluate the program, including   recipient participation in the program, and to prepare the report   required by this section.          Sec. 73.708.  COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING.  (a)  The   health science center shall actively seek and apply for any   available federal funds to assist in financing the competitive   grant program established under this subchapter.          (b)  The health science center may use appropriated funds   from the state government and may accept gifts, donations, grants   of money, and in-kind contributions from the federal government,   local governments, private corporations, or other persons to assist   in financing the competitive grant program.          SECTION 2.  The University of Texas Health Science Center at   Houston shall:                (1)  as soon as practicable, apply for any available   federal funds to assist in financing the competitive grant program   under Subchapter J, Chapter 73, Education Code, as added by this   Act, as required by Section 73.708, Education Code, as added by this   Act; and                (2)  not later than December 1, 2020, submit a report to   the senate committee on education, or its successor, and the house   public education committee, or its successor, regarding the   implementation and status of the competitive grant program required   by Subchapter J, Chapter 73, Education Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.