TEXAS FAST START PROGRAM.

(a) In this section:

(1) "Fast start program" means a career and technical education program designed to help students earn postsecondary certificates and degrees and enter into the workforce quickly.

(2) "Public junior college," "public state college," and "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(b) The commission, in partnership with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall establish and administer the Texas Fast Start Program to identify and develop methods to support, and shall provide support for, competency-based, rapid-deployment education delivery models for use by public junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical institutes. The models must be designed to assist students in maximizing academic or workforce education program credit from public junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical institutes to expedite the entry of those students into the workforce.

(c) The commission shall work collaboratively with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, public junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical institutes to accomplish the purposes of this section.

(d) A public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute may use the competency-based, rapid-deployment education delivery models described by Subsection (b) in developing or expanding a fast start program at the college or institute.

(e) A fast start program offered by a public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute must:

(1) focus on the current and future needs of employers in this state;

(2) enable students to obtain postsecondary certificates and degrees at an accelerated pace in high-demand fields or occupations, as identified by local employers;

(3) incorporate competency-based learning techniques;

(4) feature a variety of access channels that are uniquely designed to maximize job preparedness for identified groups such as veterans, high school graduates, and current workforce members seeking retraining; and

(5) be designed for rapid deployment statewide.

(f) Through the collaboration, the commission may award grants to public junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical institutes for:

(1) the expansion of existing fast start programs;

(2) the development of new fast start programs; and

(3) any other activities related to the purposes of this section.

(g) A grant received under this section may be used only to:

(1) support a course or program that prepares students for career employment in fields or occupations that are identified as high-demand by local employers;

(2) finance the initial costs of developing a fast start program, including the costs of constructing or renovating facilities, purchasing equipment, and other associated expenses;

(3) finance the development or expansion of a fast start program leading to a postsecondary certificate or degree; or

(4) offer a new or expanded dual credit fast start program jointly with a public high school.

(h) The commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall administer the program using money appropriated to the commission or board, money received from federal or other sources, or money from holding accounts that may be used by the commission for the purpose of skills development.

(i) The commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section.