85R4594 MM-F     By: White H.B. No. 1522       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a task force to coordinate and make recommendations on   parent engagement and education programs provided by state   agencies.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter L-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER L-1. TASK FORCE ON PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION   PROGRAMS          Sec. 531.431.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force"   means the task force on parent engagement and education programs   established under Section 531.432.          Sec. 531.432.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE. The task force   on parent engagement and education programs is established to:                (1)  enhance coordination of parent engagement and   evidence-based parent education programs across state agencies;   and                (2)  develop comprehensive, statewide best practices   for engaging parents as their children's first and best teachers.          Sec. 531.433.  COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. The task force is   composed of nine members as follows:                (1)  the executive commissioner;                (2)  the commissioner of the Department of Family and   Protective Services;                (3)  the executive director of the Texas Workforce   Commission;                (4)  the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency;                (5)  the executive director of the Texas Department of   Criminal Justice;                (6)  the executive director of the Texas Juvenile   Justice Department;                (7)  one representative of a county juvenile board or   juvenile probation department appointed by the presiding officer of   the task force;                (8)  one representative of a faith-based organization   appointed by the presiding officer of the task force; and                (9)  one person appointed by the presiding officer of   the task force who has experienced challenges meant to be addressed   by a parent engagement or education program.          Sec. 531.434.  PRESIDING OFFICER.  The executive   commissioner shall serve as presiding officer.          Sec. 531.435. VACANCY. A vacancy for an appointed member of   the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original   appointment.          Sec. 531.436.  MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at least   quarterly at the call of the presiding officer. The task force   shall meet at other times as determined by the presiding officer.          Sec. 531.437.  DUTIES. The task force shall:                (1)  receive reports and testimony from individuals,   state and local governmental agencies, community-based   organizations, and other public and private organizations   regarding parent engagement and evidence-based parent education   programs;                (2)  identify parent engagement and evidence-based   parent education programs that are being implemented in this state   and describe opportunities for improved coordination among those   programs to:                      (A)  maximize the programs' effectiveness and   funding; and                      (B)  align program outcomes; and                (3)  develop policy and other recommendations for:                      (A)  expanding access to parent engagement and   evidence-based parent education programs;                      (B)  establishing comprehensive statewide best   practice guidelines for those programs; and                      (C)  establishing methods for using existing   administrative and program data to identify and target program   services to:                            (i)  appropriate parents in this state;                            (ii)  communities with the greatest need for   the program services; and                            (iii)  families exhibiting high levels of   risk factors, which include a preterm birth, poverty, having low   parent educational attainment, having one or more teenage parents,   having poor maternal health, and having parent unemployment or   underemployment.          Sec. 531.438.  REPORT. (a) The task force shall prepare a   report that includes:                (1)  a description of the activities of the task force;                (2)  the findings and recommendations of the task   force, including recommendations described by Section 531.437(3);   and                (3)  proposed legislation or recommendations or   information on any other relevant matter that the task force   considers appropriate.          (b)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the task force shall   submit the report prepared under this section to the governor, the   lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,   and the presiding officers of the standing committees of the senate   and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over   issues relating to parent engagement and education.          Sec. 531.439.  RESPONSIBILITY OF COMMISSION. The commission   shall provide reasonably necessary administrative and technical   support to the task force.          Sec. 531.440.  COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.  Appointed   members of the task force serve without compensation and may not be   reimbursed for travel or other expenses incurred while conducting   the business of the task force.          Sec. 531.441.  APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110   does not apply to the task force.          Sec. 531.442.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission   may accept on behalf of the task force a gift, grant, or donation   from any source to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.          Sec. 531.443.  EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and   this subchapter expires September 1, 2019.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human   Services Commission shall appoint the members of the task force on   parent engagement and education programs as required by Sections   531.433(7), (8), and (9), Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.