TRANSPORTATION FOR JOBS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

(a) An authority shall contract with the Texas Department of Human Services to provide, in accordance with federal law, transportation services to a person who: (1) resides in the area served by the authority; (2) is receiving financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code; and (3) is registered in the jobs opportunities and basic skills training program under Part F, Subchapter IV, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 682). (b) The contract must include provisions to ensure that: (1) the authority is required to provide transportation services only to a location: (A) to which the person travels in connection with participation in the jobs opportunities and basic skills training program; and (B) that the authority serves under the authority's authorized rate structure and existing services; (2) the authority provides directly to the Texas Department of Human Services trip vouchers for distribution by the department to a person who is eligible under this section to receive transportation services; (3) the Texas Department of Human Services reimburses the authority for allowable costs, at the applicable federal matching rate; and (4) the Texas Department of Human Services may return undistributed trip vouchers to the authority. (c) An authority shall certify the amount of public funds spent by the authority under this section for the purpose of obtaining federal funds under the jobs opportunities and basic skills training program.