| (a) Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapter 656,
Subchapter C (the State Employees Training Act), department employees
may be permitted or required to attend training or education programs
if those programs relate to the employee’s duties or prospective
duties, materially aid effective administration of the department’s
functions, and serve an important public purpose.
(b) Training and Education Programs.
(1) The department may provide training or education
for an employee if the employee’s supervisor determines that
the employee and the specific training or education program meet the
eligibility criteria included in the department’s personnel
manual.
(2) Employees who receive training or education must
utilize the training or education to prepare for technological and
legal developments facing the department, or to increase professional
capabilities and competence directly related to the work of the department.
(c) Tuition Reimbursement Program.
(1) The department has established a Tuition Reimbursement
Program as authorized under Texas Government Code §656.047(b).
This program applies to a training or education program offered by
an institution of higher education or private or independent institution
of higher education as defined by Texas Education Code §61.003.
(2) The department may reimburse a full-time regular
employee for tuition expenses if the employee meets the eligibility
criteria and the employee obligations included in the department’s
personnel manual. The department may only pay the tuition expenses
for a program course successfully completed by an employee at an accredited
institution of higher education.
(3) An employee seeking tuition reimbursement must
submit a request for reimbursement in accordance with the department’s
personnel manual. The executive director must authorize the tuition
reimbursement payment before an employee may be reimbursed under Texas
Government Code §656.047(b).
(d) Training with Extended Absence from Job Duties.
(1) If an employee receives training that will be paid
for by the department, and during which the employee will not be performing
the employee's regular duties for three months or more, the employee,
prior to receiving the training, must enter into a written agreement
with the department to comply with the requirements of Texas Government
Code §656.103(a).
(2) An employee who fails or refuses to enter into
such an agreement shall not be permitted to attend training lasting
three or more months.
(3) In addition to the written agreement, an employee
must meet the eligibility criteria and the employee obligations included
in the department’s personnel manual.
(e) The department shall pay the costs and expenses
related to any approved training under this section in accordance
with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 656, Subchapter C; the Comptroller’s
rules and regulations; and the department’s policies relating
to employee reimbursement included in the department’s personnel
manual.
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