1. (a) Subsidized employment is a core activity as defined in §811.25(a)(1).

2. (b) Subsidized employment is full-time or part-time employment that is subsidized in full or in part and complies with this section. Subsidized employment may occur in either the private sector or public sector. A Board shall not be the employer of record for Choices participants enrolled in a subsidized employment activity. Subsidized employment includes but is not limited to the following:

   1. (1) subsidized internship with a portion of the Choices participant's wages subsidized;
   2. (2) subsidized employment with a staffing agency acting as the employer of record; and
   3. (3) subsidized employment with the actual employer acting as the employer of record.

3. (c) Wages.

   1. (1) Wages shall be at least federal or State minimum wage, whichever is higher. Boards must set a policy to establish the amount of the wage that is subsidized.
   2. (2) Employers must provide the same wages and benefits to subsidized employees as for unsubsidized employees with similar skills, experience, and position.
4. (d) Boards shall ensure subsidized employment placements prepare and move Choices participants into unsubsidized employment.
5. (e) Boards shall ensure subsidized employment placements are allotted to employers who expect to retain Choices participants as regular unsubsidized employees once the subsidized placement has ended.

Source Note:The provisions of this §811.43 adopted to be effective November 18, 2003, 28 TexReg 10261; amended to be effective February 26, 2007, 32 TexReg 906.