(a) With the approval of the Executive Director, the Board may make available to its employees funds for training and education in accordance with the Employee Training Act, §§656.041 - 656.049 of the Texas Government Code.     
      (b) In order to be eligible for agency-supported training and education, the employee must demonstrate in writing, to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, that the training or education is related to the duties or prospective duties of the employee.     
      (c) Eligible training and education expenses that are approved by the Executive Director may include, as appropriate, salary, tuition and other fees, travel and living expenses, training stipend, expense of training materials, and other necessary expenses of an instructor, student, or other participant in a training or education program.     
      (d) The Executive Director may determine to pay all or part of the expenses related to training on a reimbursement basis to the employee, upon successful completion of the training.     
      (e) An employee who completes training and education to obtain a degree or certification for which the Board has provided all or part of the required fees must agree in writing to fully repay the Board any amounts paid for educational assistance if the employee voluntarily terminates employment with the agency within one year of course completion.     
      (f) The Executive Director is eligible to receive agency-supported training and education in accordance with this section subject to the approval of the Chairman of the Board.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §361.7 adopted to be effective October 30, 2007, 32 TexReg 7688; amended to be effective September 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 3770