Education

Oil Pollution Research and Development Program Reauthorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2009

Federal Oil Spill Research Program Act - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to direct the President to establish the Federal Oil Spill Research Committee as an interagency committee to coordinate a comprehensive federal oil spill research program, complete a research assessment on the status of oil spill prevention and response capabilities, and develop a federal oil spill research plan. Directs the Committee to: (1) establish a program for conducting oil pollution research, development, and demonstration; (2) submit to Congress an assessment of the status of oil spill prevention and response capabilities; and (3) establish the priorities for federal oil spill research and development. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) award competitive grants to higher education and other research institutions to advance research and development and to demonstrate technologies for preventing, detecting, or mitigating oil discharges; and (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences to assess, evaluate, and report on the status of federal oil spill research and development.

P.R.O.U.D. Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2009

People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy Act; or the P.R.O.U.D. Act - Amends the Immigration and Naturalization Act to provide for the naturalization of certain graduates of U.S. high schools who are under 25 years of age on the date of application for naturalization.

School Meal Enhancement Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2009

School Meal Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a school-wide paperless free school meal program which allows local educational agencies (LEAs) to select certain schools to provide free meals to all their students without the use of paper applications to determine their eligibility for free or reduced price breakfasts or lunches under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 or the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Prohibits the participation of schools that do not have a student enrollment of which at least: (1) 65% are estimated to be eligible for free meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; or (2) 75% are estimated to be eligible for free or reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Requires the Secretary to issue guidance that establishes an alternate, paperless method of determining such estimated eligibility rates. Reimburses the school food service authority of each participating LEA pursuant to a formula that factors in such estimated eligibility rates.

Automated Defibrillation in Adam's Memory Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009

Automated Defibrillation in Adam's Memory Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize appropriations for grants for states, political subdivisions, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop and implement public access defibrillation programs. Requires that any information clearinghouse that is established by a grantee using grant funds be administered by an organization that has substantial experience in pediatric education, pediatric medicine, and electrophysiology and sudden death.

Nurse Faculty and Physical Therapist Education Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009

Nurse Faculty and Physical Therapist Education Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a Nurse Faculty Education Program to ensure an adequate supply of nurse faculty through awarding grants to eligible entities to: (1) hire new faculty, retain existing faculty, and purchase educational resources; (2) increase enrollment and graduation rates for students from doctoral programs; and (3) assist graduates in serving as nurse faculty in schools of nursing. Requires the Comptroller General to report on activities to increase participation in the nurse educator program. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide Geriatric Academic Career Awards to promote the career development of eligible individuals as geriatric nurse faculty. Requires the Secretary to establish a Nurse and Physical Therapist Distance Education Pilot Program to award grants for activities to increase accessibility to nursing and physical therapy education, including to: (1) assist individuals in rural areas who want to study nursing or physical therapy; (2) promote the study of nursing and physical therapy at all educational levels; (3) establish additional slots for nursing and physical therapy students at existing schools and programs; and (4) establish new nursing and physical therapy education programs at institutions of higher education Requires the Secretary to: (1) report on the country of origin or professional school of origin of newly licensed nurses and physical therapists in each state; and (2) contract with the Institute of Medicine to study the nursing and physical therapy workforce.

National Centers of Excellence for Regional Smart Growth Planning Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009

National Centers of Excellence for Regional Smart Growth Planning Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) designate not fewer than three national centers of excellence for regional smart growth planning, selected from metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) that have demonstrated regional planning excellence; (2) develop guidelines for the designation and operation of the Centers; and (3) allocate specified funds to each Center to carry out this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities for: (1) improving the collection of data and the development of models for smart growth planning; (2) implementing comprehensive regional smart growth planning programs; (3) applying planning outcomes in regional transportation plans; and (4) working with local governments to coordinate land use, transportation, and air quality planning. Directs the Centers to: (1) collect and distribute to MPOs information and best practices about regional smart growth planning; (2) make research and development recommendations to EPA and other entities to improve the quality and ease of smart growth analysis; (3) work with institutions of higher education and state and federal agencies to improve smart growth analysis; and (4) provide technical assistance to grant recipients.

Encouraging each institution of higher education in the country to seek membership in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium.

United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009

Encourages each institution of higher education (IHE) in the country to seek membership in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium, which helps coordinate postsecondary educational opportunities for members of the Armed Forces, their families, and veterans. Recognizes the IHEs that are currently members of the SOC Consortium.

Recognizing the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus communities in the United States and around the world.

United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009

Expresses the House of Representatives' support for Hillel's mission of service to Jewish college students and partnership with the campus community. Congratulates the students, lay leaders, and professionals of the Hillel movement on reaching its 85th birthday.

Supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week.

United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2009

Supports the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week. Recognizes and reaffirms the nation's commitment to High-performance Buildings by promoting awareness about their benefits and new education programs, supporting research, and expanding access to information. Recognizes the unique role that the Department of Energy (DOE) plays through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Building Technologies Program, which works closely with the building industry and manufacturers to conduct research and development on technologies and practices for building energy efficiency. Recognizes the important role that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plays in developing the measurement science needed to develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the new building technologies. Encourages further research and development of high-performance building standards, research, and development.

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010

United States · United States Senate · 21 May 2009

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for health.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Establishes within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services, who shall report to the VHA's Under Secretary for Health on all matters relating to the education and training, employment, appropriate utilization, and optimal participation of physician assistants within VHA programs and initiatives.

Student VOTER Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Student Voter Opportunity To Encourage Registration Act of 2009 or the Student VOTER Act of 2009 - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require states to designate federally-funded institutions of higher education as agencies for the registration of voters in federal elections. Requires such schools to provide mail voter registration application forms to students registering to enroll in their courses.

Pathways to College Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Pathways to College Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive five-year grants to local educational agencies that serve mostly high-need high schools for programs to increase the number of students from low-income families who attend college. Defines "high-need high schools" as those where at least one-half of the students are from low-income families. Requires grantees to use such funds to: (1) train teachers and counselors to provide students with advice concerning postsecondary education; (2) implement a comprehensive college guidance program for all students which exposes them to postsecondary information and planning assistance before the end of their first semester of high school; (3) ensure that their schools develop comprehensive, school-wide plans of action to strengthen their college-going culture; (4) create or maintain a postsecondary access center in each school that provides information on colleges and universities, career opportunities, and financial aid options; and (5) provide a setting in which professionals working in college access programs can meet with students. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees in calculating and analyzing their college-going rates and adopting best practices for elevating such rates. Requires grantees periodically to evaluate the success of their grant activities and use the evaluations to refine such activities and their performance measures. Directs the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of the grant program which includes an assessment of the program's affect on high school graduation and college-going rates.

School Building Fairness Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

School Building Fairness Act of 2009 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to allocate funds to states for competitive matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for school repair, renovation, and construction. Reserves 1% of the grant funds for assistance to outlying areas and Indian schools. Requires each state, in awarding such grants to LEAs, to consider: (1) the percentage of poor children each LEA serves; (2) the condition of their public schools or need for additional schools; (3) the extent to which they will comply with certain green building standards; (4) their fiscal capacity to cover repairs, renovations, and construction without such a grant; and (5) the likelihood that they will maintain repaired, renovated, or newly constructed schools in good condition. Requires each state to award high-need and rural LEAs, in the aggregate, at least the same proportion of this Act's LEA funds for the state that they received of total LEA school improvement funds for the state under part A of Title I of the ESEA. Directs each state to reserve a portion of their allocation for a state-level database of public school facility inventory, condition, design, and utilization. Requires the National Center for Education Statistics to study and report to Congress on the condition of public elementary and secondary schools, including an analysis of trends in spending for their repair, renovation, and construction. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a clearinghouse of information on the best educational practices from nursery school through higher education, and the latest research regarding the construction, improvement, and maintenance of safe, healthy, and high-performance public schools.

Teachers at the Table Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Teachers at the Table Act - Amends title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish the Volunteer Teacher Advisory Committee to monitor the effects of such title (amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) in classrooms, with its focus solely on children and families. Requires that committee membership consist of a diverse group of public school classroom teachers who are past or present Teachers of the Year and have experience or training in data collection, analysis, and reporting.

SMA Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

SMA Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a national clinical trials network for spinal muscular atrophy by upgrading and unifying spinal muscular atrophy clinical trial sites and recruiting new investigators and sites. Requires the Director to ensure that such network: (1) conducts coordinated, multisite, clinical trials of therapies and clinical approaches to the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy; and (2) rapidly and efficiently disseminates scientific findings to the field. Requires the Director to: (1) establish a data coordinating center with respect to spinal muscular atrophy; and (2) expand and intensify NIH programs with respect to preclinical translation research related to spinal muscular atrophy. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to enhance and support a spinal muscular atrophy patient registry to provide for expanded epidemiological research towards improving awareness, management, treatment, and prevention of spinal muscular atrophy. Requires the Secretary to ensure the collection and analysis of longitudinal data related to individuals of all ages. Directs the Secretary to establish the Interagency Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research Coordinating Committee. Sets forth the duties of the Committee, including to develop a comprehensive strategy related to spinal muscular atrophy research and other related neurological diseases and disorders. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide information and education on spinal muscular atrophy to health professionals and the general public.

Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act - Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to reauthorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the safe routes to school program. Revises program requirements to specify children kindergarten through 12th grade as the ones to be benefited by the program. Revises apportionments to replace the current specific dollar amounts with formulae. Includes projects for other nonmotorized modes of transportation besides walking and bicycling as noninfrastructure-related projects. Authorizes states to set-aside up to 10% of apportioned funds for infrastructure improvements that create safe routes to bus stops located outside of the vicinity of schools. Requires any state that receives an apportionment of funds to form a multidisciplinary state advisory committee. Prescribes requirements for the treatment of noninfrastructure and infrastructure projects. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop and implement a comprehensive plan for evaluating the effectiveness of safe routes to school; and (2) establish a working group of federal agencies, states, and stakeholders to examine the issue of school siting.

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and operate directly, or by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, a 24-hour toll free telephone hotline to provide consumer information regarding advance care planning. Directs the Secretary to develop an online clearinghouse to provide comprehensive information regarding: (1) advance care planning; and (2) pediatric advance care planning. Directs the Secretary to develop an online advance care planning toolkit for availability on specified websites. Directs the Secretary, acting through the CDC Director, directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, to develop a national campaign to inform the public of the importance of advance care planning and of an individual's right to direct and participate in his or her health care decisions. Directs the Secretary to update the online version of the "Planning Ahead" section of the Medicare & You Handbook to include information about advanced care planning and advance directives. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to update the online version of the Social Security Handbook for beneficiaries to include such information, as well as all paper and online versions subsequently published. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize financial and legal assistance for advanced care planning. Directs the Secretary to award grants to states for certain state health insurance assistance programs to provide advance care planning services to Medicare beneficiaries, their personal representatives, and their families. Authorizes Medicaid transformation grants for advance care planning and advanced care planning community training grants. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to establish new or expand existing programs for orders regarding life sustaining treatment in states or localities. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to establish a website for providers under the Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Indian Health Service, and other public health providers on each individual's right to make decisions concerning medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment, and the existence of advance directives. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop a curriculum for continuing education that states may adopt for physicians and nurses on advanced care planning and end-of-life care. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act with respect to the portability of advance directives. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary, acting through the CDC Director, to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish and operate state advance directive registries. Requires various specified studies and reports to Congress by the Comptroller General and by the Secretary. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish within the National Health Service Corps a National Geriatric and Palliative Care Services Corps. Exempts palliative medicine fellowship training from Medicare graduate medical education caps. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for the imposition by medical schools of a minimum amount of end-of-life training as a requirement for obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Authorizes coverage of advance care planning under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Revises Medicare requirements for hospice payments and related matters. Makes hospice care a required Medicaid and CHIP benefit. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to designate an entity to develop requirements, standards, and procedures for accreditation of hospital-based palliative care programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish, within the National Institutes of Health, a National Center on Palliative and End-of-Life Care. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration program for the use of telemedicine services in advance care planning.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to conform the definitions of qualifying expenses for purposes of education tax benefits.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a uniform definition of higher education expenses for purposes of provisions allowing for: (1) penalty-free distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for education expenses; (2) tax exclusions for the value of college scholarships and for income from U.S. savings bonds used to pay education expenses; (3) the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses; and (4) qualified tuition programs.

Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Extends through 2015 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.

Teachers at the Table Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Teachers at the Table Act - Amends title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish the Volunteer Teacher Advisory Committee to monitor the effects of such title (amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) in classrooms, with its focus solely on children and families. Requires that committee membership consist of a diverse group of public school classroom teachers who are past or present Teachers of the Year and have experience or training in data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to allow states to allocate school improvement funds under title I of the ESEA for coordinated, early intervention services for all students. Includes among such services, schoolwide positive behavior supports, defined as a systematic approach to embed proven practices for early intervention services in order to achieve important social outcomes and increase student learning, while preventing problem behaviors. Requires improvements in schoolwide learning climates, including schoolwide positive behavior supports, to be a target of: (1) technical assistance provided by states to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools, and by LEAs to schools identified as needing improvement; (2) schoolwide programs that allow LEAs to consolidate educational funds to upgrade the entire educational program of schools that serve a high proportion of low-income families; (3) professional development funding; (4) funding under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program; and (5) elementary and secondary school counseling programs. Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish, within the Department of Education, an Office of Specialized Instructional Support Services to oversee, implement, and ensure adequate evaluation of, the provision of specialized instructional support services in schools by school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other qualified professionals.

Military Children's School Investment Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Military Children’s School Investment Act - Amends the Impact Aid program (which compensates local educational agencies [LEAs] for the financial burden of federal activities affecting their areas) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to LEAs that: (1) were eligible for Impact Aid in the prior fiscal year due to federally-connected children; and (2) are experiencing an enrollment increase of at least 250 or 10% consisting of certain federally-connected children whose arrival is due to military base closures and realignments or global rebasing, force structure changes or reductions, or actions initiated by the Secretary of Defense. Requires such grants to be used: (1) to construct new schools or expand existing schools to accommodate the influx of students; (2) repair or upgrade academic facilities; or (3) lease, with the Secretary's approval, buildings or portions of buildings from a private entity for additional school space.

Help Student Soldiers Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Help Student Soldiers Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to waive the application of the requirement that students return title IV funds which were unearned due to their withdrawal from school to students whose withdrawal is necessitated by service in the Armed Forces. Provides loan forgiveness under the Federal Family Education Loan, Direct Loan, and Perkins Loan programs to students for that portion of loan assistance which is unearned due to their withdrawal from school for service in the Armed Forces and which is not returned to such programs by their schools.

Pathways to College Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Pathways to College Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive five-year grants to local educational agencies that serve mostly high-need high schools for programs to increase the number of students from low-income families who attend college. Defines "high-need high schools" as those where at least one-half of the students are from low-income families. Requires grantees to use such funds to: (1) train teachers and counselors to provide students with advice concerning postsecondary education; (2) implement a comprehensive college guidance program for all students which exposes them to postsecondary information and planning assistance before the end of their first semester of high school; (3) ensure that their schools develop comprehensive, school-wide plans of action to strengthen their college-going culture; (4) create or maintain a postsecondary access center in each school that provides information on colleges and universities, career opportunities, and financial aid options; and (5) provide a setting in which professionals working in college access programs can meet with students. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees in calculating and analyzing their college-going rates and adopting best practices for elevating such rates. Requires grantees periodically to evaluate the success of their grant activities and use the evaluations to refine such activities and their performance measures. Directs the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of the grant program which includes an assessment of the program's affect on high school graduation and college-going rates.

Securing American Families by Educating and Training Youth (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Securing American Families by Educating and Training Youth (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of community violence by educating, mentoring, and counseling youth regarding the principles and application of nonviolence in conflict resolution. Gives grant priority to applicants that agree to use the funds in communities experiencing an increase in violence, but lacking the resources to address violence prevention.

No Child Left Unimmunized Against Influenza Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

No Child Left Unimmunized Against Influenza Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a multistate demonstration program designed to test the feasibility of using the nation's elementary and secondary schools as influenza vaccination centers in coordination with school nurses, school health care programs, local health departments, community health care providers, state insurance agencies, and private insurers. Prohibits the Secretary from using such program for children who are eligible under other federally funded programs for payment of the costs of purchasing and administering the influenza vaccine. Requires the Secretary to work with the Secretary of Labor, state insurance agencies, and private insurers to ensure that children who have private insurance have coverage for all reasonable and customary expenses, including the costs of purchasing and administering the vaccine, incurred when influenza vaccine is administered outside of the physician's office in a school or other related setting. Authorizes the Secretary to pay the cost of purchasing and administering the influenza vaccine for children to the extent such cost is not covered through other federally funded programs or through private insurance. Requires the program to be designed to administer vaccines consistent with recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the annual vaccination of all children aged 5 years through 19 years. Sets forth selection criteria for schools. Makes participation by a school or an individual voluntary. Requires the program to be conducted for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 influenza seasons.

To reauthorize surface transportation research, development, and technology transfer activities, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Directs the Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to: (1) develop a strategic plan annually to guide DOT surface transportation research, development, and technology transfer activities for the following three years; (2) develop and execute a review process to assess the performance of university transportation centers (UTCs); and (3) report to Congress on how best to strengthen the transfer of transportation-related technology, including through the establishment of transportation technology extension centers at UTCs. Authorizes the Administrator, in order to expand the workforce of transportation professionals, to establish a grant program to fund internships for students participating in the UTC program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a visiting committee on surface transportation research. Moves the Office of Climate Change and Environment into RITA and requires it to coordinate research, development, and technology transfer activities: (1) that focus on transportation-related emissions and energy reduction strategies; and (2) on the impacts of climate change on surface transportation infrastructure. Revises the surface transportation, research, development, and technology program to direct the Administrator to make grants to institutions of higher education (including consortia) to establish regional UTCs to carry out research, development, and technology transfer activities in the field of green transportation infrastructure (i.e., infrastructure that preserves and restores natural processes, utilizes natural design techniques, and minimizes energy consumption and pollution). Directs the Administrator to: (1) contract with the National Research Council to review the research, development, and technology transfer activities at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research facility; and (2) establish a pavement research, deployment, and education program. Reauthorizes: (1) the surface transportation research, development, and technology program; and (2) university transportation research.

Education Tax Deduction for All Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Education Tax Deduction for All Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow parents of children attending an elementary or secondary school a tax deduction equal to: (1) 25% of their state's average public education per pupil expenditure for each qualifying student attending public school; and (2) 100% of such expenditure for each student attending any other school, including a home school. Allows taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their tax deductions to claim such deduction.

Latin America Military Training Review Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Latin America Military Training Review Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army to suspend operation of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (Institute). Suspends the authority of the Secretary of Defense to operate such an education and training facility until submission of a report containing the results of an investigation in response to violations of human rights to which training at such Institute contributed. Establishes: (1) a joint congressional task force to assess appropriate education and training for DOD to provide to military personnel of Latin American nations; and (2) a commission to investigate activities of the United States Army School of the Americas and its successor institution, the Institute.

Preserving DC Student Scholarships Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Preserving DC Student Scholarships Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants for up to five years to eligible entities to provide eligible students with opportunity scholarships to attend the District of Columbia private elementary school or secondary school of their choice beginning in school year 2010-2011. Defines: (1) "eligible entity" as an educational entity of the District of Columbia government, a nonprofit organization, or a consortium of nonprofit organizations; and (2) "eligible student" as a student who is a District resident, comes from a household whose income does not exceed 300% of the poverty line, and was enrolled in a District Public School (such as a charter school) in the previous school year, or is eligible to enter kindergarten or first grade. Repeals the DC School Choice Incentive Act of 2003 beginning with school year 2010-2011.

To amend section 1886 of the Social Security Act to continue sole community hospital treatment for certain hospitals.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to additional payments to subsection (d) hospitals for indirect costs of medical education (IME). Declares that, if a subsection (d) hospital (new hospital) begins operations on or after January 1, 2010, within 35 road miles of an existing sole community hospital, the existing hospital shall continue to be treated for payment purposes as a sole community hospital if: (1) the new hospital is privately owned or operated as a for-profit entity; and (2) a portion of the new hospital's ownership is attributable to physicians. (Generally, a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the State News at Michigan State University.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the State News, Michigan State University's student run newspaper.

Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a celebration of Citizenship Day.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Permits the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium to sponsor a free public event on the Capitol grounds on September 17, 2009, to celebrate Citizenship Day.

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need for further study of the neurological disorder dystonia.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2009

Urges the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to take a leadership role in the fight against the neurological disorder dystonia. Calls for: (1) increased funding for basic biomedical research for dystonia and other neurological disorders through NIH; (2) additional research to identify an accurate diagnostic test for dystonia and an epidemiological study to determine the frequency of the disease; (3) improved patient access to safe and effective dystonia therapies; and (4) increased public awareness and professional education regarding dystonia through partnerships between the government and patient advocacy organizations.

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S EDUCATION AGENDA

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 May 2009

[H.A.S.C. No. 111-67]ANOTHER CROSSROADS? PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION TWENTY YEARS AFTER THE GOLDWATER-NICHOLS ACT AND THE SKELTON PANEL

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 May 2009

Community College Energy Training Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009

Community College Energy Training Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to create a program awarding grants to community colleges to provide workforce training and education in sustainable energy industries and practices, such as: (1) alternative energy; (2) energy efficient construction, retrofitting, and design; (3) sustainable energy technologies; (4) water and energy conservation; (5) recycling and waste reduction; and (6) sustainable agriculture and farming. Requires at least one-half of the grant funds to be awarded to community colleges with existing sustainability programs leading to certificates or degrees in one or more of the industries or practices listed above.

A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish an EnergyGrant Competitive Education Program to competitively award grants to consortia of institutions of higher education in regions to conduct research, extension, and education programs relating to the energy needs of the region.

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009

Directs the Secretary of Energy to award competitive matching grants to consortia of institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in at least six regions covering all the states to conduct research, extension, and education programs relating to the energy needs of such regions. Includes among such needs: (1) the promotion of low-carbon clean and green energy and related jobs; (2) the development of low-carbon green fuels to reduce dependency on oil; (3) the development of energy storage and energy management innovations for intermittent renewable technologies; and (4) the accelerated deployment of efficient-energy technologies in buildings and manufacturing facilities. Allows federally funded research and development centers to be members of such consortia. Requires each grantee to maintain an Energy Analysis Center to provide the IHEs in the region with analysis and data management support. Authorizes appropriations for this Act's grant program and the Department of Energy's Sun Grant program, which supports research involving bioenergy and biofuels production.

Science Accountability Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009

Science Accountability Act of 2009 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to: (1) establish challenging academic content and student achievement standards in science, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year; and (2) measure the achievement of students in grades three through eight against such standards, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.

Blueprint for Health Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009

Blueprint for Health Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create the Blueprint for Health program to provide a national infrastructure for disease prevention, health promotion, and education about, and better management of, chronic conditions. Sets forth elements to be included in the Blueprint, including: (1) a strategic plan for designing an integrated medical home model of care; (2) chronic management programs; (3) incentives for the prevention of chronic diseases, including investments in health and sustainable local and regional food systems; and (4) a plan for the assessment of current health information technology initiatives. Requires the Secretary to convene an executive committee to advise the Secretary on the creation and implementation of the Blueprint for Health. Requires the Blueprint for Health to promote the effective, efficient, national use of health care information technology initiatives. Directs the Secretary to commission an assessment that examines the implementation of the health information technology provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Requires the Secretary to recommend to Congress legislation to implement the Blueprint for Health, including the establishment of programs designed to enhance primary care, promote multidisciplinary care coordination, prevent disease, improve quality, contain costs, more effectively manage chronic illness, and promote good health and prevention initiatives.

Mental Health in Schools Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009

Mental Health in Schools Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise a community children and violence program to assist local communities and schools in applying a public health approach to mental health services, including by: (1) revising eligibility requirements for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; and (2) providing for comprehensive school mental health programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and age appropriate. Makes only a partnership between a local educational agency and at least one community program or agency that is involved in mental health eligible for such funding. Sets forth assurances required for eligibility, including that: (1) the local education agency will enter into a memorandum of understanding with relevant community-based entities that clearly states the responsibilities of each partner; (2) the program will include training of all school personnel, family members of children with mental health disorders, and concerned members of the community; and (3) the program will demonstrate the measures to be taken to sustain the program after funding terminates. Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a process for evaluating grant program activities, including: (1) the development of guidelines for the submission of program data by recipients; and (2) the development of measures of outcomes to be applied by recipients in evaluating programs, to include student and family measures and local educational measures.

Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009

Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act - Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 to lift until September 30, 2012, the numerical limitations on employment-based immigrants (and accompanying family members) hired as nurses and physical therapists, subject to a cap of 20,000 visas. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award annual grants to nursing schools to increase the number of faculty and students at such schools. Establishes in the Treasury a Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account to fund such grant program. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) allow an alien who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and is a physician or other health care worker to work in a candidate country (defined to include a lower middle income country or one experiencing a natural disaster) without losing eligibility for naturalization; and (2) make inadmissible alien physicians or health care workers who have an outstanding obligation to their country of origin based upon financial assistance received from such country for medical training. Allows a waiver of inadmissibility under certain circumstances. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a partnership program to award grants to certain healthcare and training entities to provide education to nurses and create a pipeline to nursing for incumbent ancillary health care workers who wish to advance their careers. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect and report to Congress on specified data on alien workers employed as professional nurses or physical therapists.

Community Development Block Grant Improvement Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2009

Community Development Block Grant Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to revise requirements for activities eligible for community development block grant (CDBG) assistance. Increases from 15% to 50% the limitation on the amount of CDBG assistance that may be used to provide public services (e.g., those concerned with employment, crime prevention, child care, health, drug abuse, education, energy conservation, welfare or recreation needs). Repeals certain conditions on the use of such assistance by a local government.

AmericaView Geospatial Imagery Mapping Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2009

AmericaView Geospatial Imagery Mapping Program Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to establish and maintain a national remote sensing education, outreach, and research program within USGS (AmericaView program) to advance the availability, timely distribution, and widespread use of geospatial imagery for education, research, assessment, and monitoring purposes in each state. Requires the Secretary, acting through the USGS data archive, development, maintenance, and product distribution program conducted at the Earth Resources Observation and Science Data Center (AmericaView project), to support the geospatial imagery mapping research and educational programs of each state by cooperating with states to identify new geospatial imagery mapping needs and infrastructure and to define, consolidate, and maintain the data requirements of the AmericaView project. Directs the Secretary to maintain AmericaView in each state for specified purposes, including: (1) to share and cooperate in the development of geospatial imagery mapping applications, education, and training infrastructure in each state; and (2) to promote cooperation and sharing of expertise regarding geospatial imagery among and within participating states. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide grants, annually, to sustain and develop StateView programs (AmericaView programs of individual states, comprised of educational institutions and state and local governments); and (2) maintain an advisory committee to advise the Director regarding the AmericaView program.

A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and objectives of the Prague Conference on Holocaust Era Assets.

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2009

Supports the goals of the 2009 Prague Conference on Holocaust Era Assets. Applauds: (1) the government of the Czech Republic for hosting the Conference; and (2) the participating countries for the decision to seek justice for Holocaust survivors and to promote Holocaust remembrance and education. Urges the countries in Central and Eastern Europe which have not already done so to return looted and confiscated properties to their rightful owners or, where restitution is not possible, provide equitable compensation. Calls on all countries to facilitate the use of the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art in settling all claims involving publicly and privately held objects. Calls on the President to send a high-level official, such as the Secretary of State, to represent the United States at the Conference and urges other invited countries to participate at a similarly high level.

Reaching Rural Veterans through Telehealth Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2009

Reaching Rural Veterans through Telehealth Act - Expresses the sense of Congress on the need to use tele-health platforms in treating veterans living in rural areas who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants for establishing three pilot projects for using such platforms to serve the needs of such veterans. Requires the pilot projects to provide treatment, education, and evaluation to such veterans, as well as related support to their families.

Veterans Educational Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2009

Veterans Educational Equity Act - Provides that, in the case of an individual entitled to veterans' educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program and who is enrolled at an institution of higher education in a state in which the public institutions charge only fees in lieu of tuition, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall allow the individual to use all or a portion of the amount payable under the educational assistance program to pay the tuition or fees for that program of education.

Transportation Job Corps Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2009

Transportation Job Corps Act of 2009 - Requires the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to establish: (1) a National Joint Workforce Development Council; and (2) regional workforce development councils and governing boards in each of its 10 regions. Replaces the current discretionary grant and contract programs addressing human resource needs as they apply to public transportation activities. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator, to establish programs for the award of grants to: (1) nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to introduce disconnected youth (ages 16 through 24 who are out of school and unemployed) to careers in the transit industry by providing them with basic skills education and pre-apprenticeship skills; (2) partnerships of transit agencies and unions representing non-managerial employees (partnerships), as well as providers of management and technical programs for managerial employees, to develop education programs to improve job skills of transit employees and to provide education and training to assist individuals to enter the transit profession; and (3) the same or similar partnerships to develop special projects to increase education opportunities for disadvantaged transit industry individuals, including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented in transit management, by providing student scholarships, pre-entry preparation, and retention activities.

Foreign Relations Authorization and Reform Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2009

Foreign Relations Authorization and Reform Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 - Authorizes FY2010-FY2011 appropriations for: (1) the Department of State (Department) for the administration of foreign affairs; (2) international organizations; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance; and (5) centers and foundations. Revises provisions regarding local guard and protective service contracts in high risk areas abroad. Extends the program of grants for scholarships to U.S.-sponsored elementary and secondary schools in countries with predominantly Muslim populations. Names scholarships under the United States-South Pacific Scholarship Program as Burton Scholarships. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an educational exchange program between the United States and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries (Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Program). Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) an exchange and scholarship program in cooperation with the Women's Legislative Caucus in Liberia; and (2) a public diplomacy plan in the event that temporary protected status is extended to Haitian nationals in the United States. Extends the passport surcharge authority. Directs the President to provide grants to nongovernmental organizations to support sustainable economic development, cultural and historical preservation, health care, education, and environmental projects for Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in the the People's Republic of China (PRC). Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Tibet Section within the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, PRC, until such time as a U.S. consulate in Tibet is established. Directs the Secretary to seek to establish a U.S. consulate in Lhasa, Tibet. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellowship Program and a Security Officers Exchange Program under which the Secretary may temporarily assign a Foreign Service member to a position with any designated country or entity that permits an employee to be assigned to a Department position. Revises Foreign Service member-related provisions. Directs the Secretary to provide for the protection of intellectual property rights of U.S. persons in other countries. States that it should be U.S. policy to ensure that same-sex domestic partners of Foreign Service Officers are provided with the same benefits, protections, and services currently provided to eligible family members under the Foreign Affairs Manual. Authorizes appropriations for the refurbishment or replacement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards Analytical Laboratory. Prohibits U.S. contributions from being made to: (1) the Durban Review Conference; (2) Iran-led organizations within the United Nations; (3) the United Nations Human Rights Council; and (4) the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Withholds certain U.N. funds. Authorizes appropriations for international broadcasting. Establishes permanent authority for Radio Free Asia. United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act of 2009 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to: (1) shifting the funding mechanism for the regular budget of the United Nations from an assessed to a voluntary basis; (2) reform of U.N. peacekeeping operations; and (3) Security Council expansion. Withholds a portion of nonvoluntary U.S. contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations unless the Secretary of State makes specified certifications. Establishes the Office of the United States Inspector General for Contributions to the United Nations System. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of a U.S. contribution to any U.N. entity unless the entity has provided the Inspector General with a transparency certification. Withholds annual U.S. contributions to UNRWA and to the United Nations Human Rights Council until certain conditions are certified. Directs the President to use U.S. influence at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to: (1) establish an Office of Compliance in the Secretariat of the IAEA; and (2) prohibit Iran's access to nuclear material, technology, equipment, or assistance until the IAEA determines that Iran is providing full access to IAEA inspectors and has permanently ceased and dismantled all nuclear-enrichment and reprocessing activities. Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism and Nonproliferation Act of 2009 - Authorizes the President to impose specified sanctions on any country in the Western Hemisphere that the President has determined is engaged in state sponsored terrorism, is carrying out policies that threaten U.S. national security interests, or is not fully cooperating with U.S. counterterrorism or nonproliferation efforts. Redirects 50% of the U.S. contribution to the Organization of American States (OAS) to the OAS Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism, the OAS Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, and the Western Hemisphere Regional Coordination Centers. Directs the Secretary to negotiate the establishment of: (1) Western Hemisphere Regional Coordination Centers; and (2) the Western Hemisphere Nonproliferation Partnership Initiative. Places restrictions on nuclear cooperation with countries assisting the nuclear program of Venezuela or Cuba. Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the President to perform a strategic review and assessment of the U.S. export controls system. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for specified performance requirements for license applications to export or import United States Munitions List items; (2) ensure that the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has the necessary staff and resources; and (3) review the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the United States Munitions List to determine those technologies and goods that warrant different or additional controls. Authorizes the President, under specified conditions, to provide for special licensing authorization for exports of spare and replacement parts or components of defense items exported to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states, Australia, Japan, Israel, South Korea, and New Zealand. Directs the President to make available to the appropriate congressional committees Arms Export Control Act-related directives concerning export policies, practices, and regulations. Authorizes the President to remove satellites and related components from the United States Munitions List, except for any satellite or related component that may be transferred to, or launched into outer space by, the PRC. Directs the Inspector General to review Department investigations of possible misuse of United States-origin defense items. Revises penalty provisions with respect to: (1) control of arms exports and imports; and (2) military sales agent fees. Authorizes the Secretary to provide training, procurement, and capacity-building for foreign military and counterterrorism forces in order to: (1) conduct counterterrorist operations; or (2) participate in military and stability operations with the United States. Extends through FY2011 the President's authority to transfer excess items to the Department of Defense War Reserve Stockpile. Authorizes the President for FY2010-FY2011 to provide for the crating, packing, handling, and transportation of excess defense articles to specified countries. Directs the President to designate a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the Merida Initiative. Authorizes the the President to incorporate the CARICOM countries into the Merida Initiative. Sets forth specified reporting and assessment provisions. Authorizes assistance to support the reunification of Cyprus. Places specified limitations on assistance to: (1) the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM); and (2) the Palestinian Authority (PA). Sets forth U.S. policy and sense of Congress statements regarding: (1) Turkey and the Ecumenical Patriarchate; (2) civilian nuclear cooperation with Jordan; (3) religious freedom in Vietnam; (4) Israel; and (5) the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC). Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary to administer a grant program to promote freedom of the press worldwide. Directs the President, through the Secretary, to establish a multi-year strategy to prevent child marriage in developing countries and promote the empowerment of girls at risk of child marriage in developing countries. Authorizes a program to improve building construction in Haiti. Makes FY2010-FY2011 funds available for contributions to the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance. Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009 - Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose two or more current sanctions under such Act if a person has, with actual knowledge, made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. (Under current law the sanction thresholds are $40 million, $10 million, and $40 million, respectively.) Directs the President to impose: (1) sanctions established under this Act (in addition to any current sanctions imposed under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996) if a person has, with actual knowledge, sold, leased, or provided to Iran any goods, services, technology, information, or support that would allow Iran to maintain or expand its domestic production of refined petroleum resources; and (2) sanctions established under this Act if a person has, with actual knowledge, provided Iran with refined petroleum resources or engaged in any activity that could contribute to Iran's ability to import refined petroleum resources. Establishes additional sanctions prohibiting specified foreign exchange, banking, and property transactions. Limitation on Nuclear Cooperation with the United Arab Emirates Act of 2009 - Prohibits any agreement for cooperation from entering into force or any license to be issued for the export of nuclear material, equipment, or technology between the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) unless the President makes specified certifications. Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2009 - Provides that a state law creating a cause of action against an insurer or related company based on a claim arising out of a covered policy (in effect at any time after January 30, 1933, and before December 31, 1945, issued to a policyholder in any Nazi-controlled area) shall not be invalid by reason of any Executive agreement between the United States and any foreign country. Belarus Arms Transfers Accountability Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding: (1) exports of weapons and related services by the government of Belarus and Belarusian enterprises; (2) whether civilian nuclear cooperation agreements and activities involving Iran, Belarus, or Venezuela are being used to spread nuclear arms technology and expertise; and (3) sale or delivery of weapons or weapons-related technologies from Belarus to any country that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.