(a) Purpose. This rule establishes the Youth Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, which assists the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) with overseeing and coordinating vocational training for youth in state custody, including training provided by community colleges and other local entities.
(b) General Provisions.
  (1) Committee duties include, but are not limited to:
    (A) assessing the vocational training needs of youth committed to state custody;
    (B) identifying barriers to the success of vocational training programs for youth committed to state custody;
    (C) engaging in long-range strategic planning to assist TJJD in establishing goals and actionable plans for expanding the use of vocational training for youth committed to state custody, including opportunities to successfully transition youth from programming in secure facilities to training and employment in the community; and
    (D) any other matter at the request of the board.
  (2) The goal of the committee is to help TJJD improve its procedures for and outcomes of vocational training to increase youths' success as they reenter Texas communities.
  (3) The committee is composed of 11 members appointed by the TJJD's governing board, including:
    (A) one representative from the Texas Education Agency;
    (B) one representative from the Texas Workforce Commission or a local workforce development board who has experience with programs for youth or young adults;
    (C) one representative from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
    (D) one representative from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services;
    (E) two county juvenile probation chiefs;
    (F) one certified educator;
    (G) two members with professional experience in an occupation relevant to TJJD's vocational training programs, such as agriculture, construction, technology, manufacturing, and business;
    (H) one representative from a post-secondary education entity who has experience in the administrative, training, or coordination functions of a career and technical education program; and
    (I) one representative from an advocacy group with a primary function to improve education outcomes, safety, or well-being of youth.
  (4) The board must appoint a presiding officer for the advisory committee.
  (5) Committee members appointed under (c)(1)-(4) serve as ex officio members. Ex officio members have the same rights and privileges as other members, including the right to vote. These members are not counted when determining the number of members who represent a quorum or in determining whether a quorum is present.
  (6) A majority of committee members, excluding ex officio members, constitutes a quorum. A quorum must be present to vote on action items that will be submitted to the board for consideration.
  (7) Committee members, excluding ex officio members, serve staggered two-year terms with the terms of half of the members expiring on February 1 of each year. Members may serve multiple terms.
  (8) If a vacancy occurs on the committee during a committee member's term, the presiding officer of the board, with the board's approval, must appoint a replacement who meets the qualifications of the vacant position to serve for the remainder of the term.
  (9) A committee member shall avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest by not voting or participating in a decision by the committee that solely benefits, solely penalizes, or otherwise solely impacts the county or juvenile probation department over which the member has authority or the employer for whom the member works.
  (10) The committee's presiding officer or designee shall periodically update the board on the committee's activities, progress on board directives, and issues impacting vocational training for youth committed to state custody.
  (11) The committee is subject to Chapter 552, Government Code, as the act applies to bodies that are solely advisory in nature.
  (12) In accordance with Chapter 2110, Government Code, the committee is abolished on the fourth anniversary of the date of its creation unless the board amends rules to provide for a different abolishment date.
  (13) TJJD shall evaluate the continuing need for and recommendations to improve the committee during the rule review process established under Chapter 2001, Government Code.

Source Note: The provisions of this §380.9147 adopted to be effective July 15, 2024, 49 TexReg 5150