SB786 - Relating to authorizing school districts to provide funding using money received under the Foundation School Program to community-based organizations for purposes of reimbursing private employers for paid internships provided to certain students in career and technology education programs in the district.

  89R1928 AMF-D     By: Alvarado S.B. No. 786       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to authorizing school districts to provide funding using   money received under the Foundation School Program to   community-based organizations for purposes of reimbursing private   employers for paid internships provided to certain students in   career and technology education programs in the district.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.189 to read as follows:           Sec.   29.189.     CONTRACT TO REIMBURSE FOR PAID INTERNSHIP.   (a) In this section, "community-based organization" has the   meaning assigned by Section 303.001, Labor Code.           (b)     To encourage private employers to participate with   school districts in providing career and technology education to   assist students in developing the knowledge, skills, and   competencies necessary for a broad range of career opportunities,   the board of trustees of a school district may contract with a   community-based organization to:                 (1)     match students in grade 11 or 12 who are   participating in a career and technology education program in the   district with paid internships or similar programs provided by   private employers; and                   (2)     reimburse private employers for all or part of the   cost of providing paid internships or similar programs to students   described by Subdivision (1) using funds provided to the   community-based organization by the district.           (c)  A contract described by Subsection (b) must:                 (1)     require each paid internship or similar program   provided to the school district's students to primarily promote a   public purpose of the district relating to career and technology   education;                 (2)     include provisions under which the school district   is granted sufficient control to ensure that the public purpose   under Subdivision (1) is accomplished and the district receives a   benefit from the contract; and                 (3)     ensure that each student employed under a paid   internship or similar program is paid at least the minimum wage   required by law.           (d)     In providing funds to a community-based organization   for the purposes of reimbursing a private employer under a contract   under Subsection (b), the school district may use funds allocated   to the district for career and technology education under Section   48.106.           (e)     A community-based organization with which a school   district contracts under Subsection (b) may serve as the employer   of record for a student employed under a paid internship or similar   program provided under a contract described by Subsection (b).           (f)     Completion of a paid internship or similar program   provided under a contract described by Subsection (b) may satisfy a   requirement to complete a practicum as part of a school district's   career and technology education program.          SECTION 2.  Section 48.106(c), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (c)  At least 55 percent of the funds allocated under this   section must be used :                 (1)   in providing career and technology education   programs in grades 7 through 12 ; or                 (2)     in providing funding to a community-based   organization under a contract entered into under Section 29.189 for   purposes of reimbursing private employers for providing paid   internships or similar programs to students in career and   technology education programs .          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.