(a) The purpose of this chapter is to ensure:
  (1) statewide availability of services under the federal and state statutes and regulations relating to services to dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits through the Workforce Solutions Offices consistent with Chapter 801 of this title (relating to Local Workforce Development Boards);
  (2) coordination and integration of services to dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits through the Workforce Solutions Offices consistent with state law, the Trade Act, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. For the purposes of this chapter, references to the "Trade Act" include references to the federal statutes relating to the Trade Act of 1974, as amended; and
  (3) provision of Rapid Response services, as set forth in §849.21(b) of this chapter, following an announcement or notification of a permanent closure or mass layoff or the filing of a Trade Adjustment Assistance petition with the United States Department of Labor.
(b) The purposes of services to dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits under the Trade Act are to:
  (1) ensure that dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits obtain suitable employment whenever possible and to return to employment as quickly as possible;
  (2) fund such services to develop or enhance the vocational skills necessary to meet employers' needs when suitable employment cannot be obtained; and
  (3) provide other such services, as may be funded under state or federal programs, for post-employment activities, as needed.

Source Note: The provisions of this §849.1 adopted to be effective November 24, 2003, 28 TexReg 10510; amended to be effective January 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 270; amended to be effective July 18, 2022, 47 TexReg 4143