Education

RISE Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2017

Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act of 2017 or the RISE Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set forth requirements about data collection related to students with disabilities. Specifically, the bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) to outline which documents disabled students need to submit in order to ensure they are eligible for student disability support services. IHEs must submit key data related to their undergraduate students with disabilities for inclusion in federal postsecondary institution data collection efforts.

RISE Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2017

Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act of 2017 or the RISE Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set forth requirements about data collection related to students with disabilities. Specifically, the bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) to outline which documents disabled students need to submit in order to ensure they are eligible for student disability support services. IHEs must submit key data related to their undergraduate students with disabilities for inclusion in federal postsecondary institution data collection efforts.

Native American Education Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2017

Native American Education Opportunity Act This bill amends the Education Amendments of 1978 to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), at the request of a federally recognized Indian tribe, to  provide funds for tribal education savings account programs to make grants to education savings accounts for students who: (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a BIA-funded school; (2) will not be attending a BIA-funded school, receiving an education savings account from another tribe, or attending public elementary or secondary school while participating in the program; and (3) meet program eligibility requirements. Funds may be used for: private school tuition and fees; textbooks, curriculum, and instructional materials; academic, Native language, or cultural tutoring; educational services and therapies for students with special needs; tuition and fees for a private online learning program; educational technology; examination fees; or transportation to and from school. Three years after this bill's enactment, the Government Accountability Office must review the implementation of the bill, including any factors impacting increased participation in education savings account programs.

Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2017

Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise payment rules for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. With respect to a hospital that has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with an approved FTE resident amount based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its FTE resident amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. Current law limits the number, subject to the application of certain adjustments, of FTE residents a hospital may have in allopathic and osteopathic medicine for purposes of Medicare payment. The bill specifies that CMS shall determine a hospital's limitation adjustment only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with a limitation adjustment based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its adjustment re-determined when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold.

Public Health Violence Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2017

Public Health Violence Prevention Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Center for Violence Prevention in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to take over the duties and authorities relating to violence prevention from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The National Center for Violence Prevention, to address violence and prevention as health issues, must establish: (1) the Public Health Violence Prevention Program to award competitive grants to public health departments, schools of public health, criminal justice agencies, and public school districts, with preference given to projects serving areas with the highest rates of violence or the highest increases in violence; and (2) the Private Health Care Sector Violence Prevention Program to award competitive grants to health care providers, community-based organizations, and academic medical centers. The bill establishes the National Health Violence Prevention Program with the following offices and programs: the Office of Applied Violence Prevention Research, the National Advisory Board on Violence Prevention, the Violence Prevention Training Program, the Office of Data Collection and Evaluation, and  the Office of Violence Prevention Education and Outreach. The Department of Health and Human Services must rename the Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Injury, and Environmental Health as the Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Violence, Injury, and Environmental Health.

Teacher Loan Repayment Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2017

Teacher Loan Repayment Act of 2017 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the financial aid programs for teachers. Specifically, it terminates the authority of the Department of Education (ED) to: (1) award new grants under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program, and (2) enter new loan forgiveness agreements under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program. The bill authorizes and directs ED to administer a new loan repayment for teachers program. To qualify, a borrower must be a full-time teacher in a low-income school or location and meet other requirements. ED, on behalf of a qualified borrower, makes $250-$400 direct monthly payments on Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan program subsidized, unsubsidized, and, in certain circumstances, consolidation Loans. To remain eligible for loan repayment, a borrower must continue to be employed in the school or location of initial eligibility. The total maximum loan repayment amount is $23,400 over six years. A borrower must repay the remaining principal and interest. An individual who currently participates in the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program may continue participating in such program or enter the new loan repayment for teachers program.

Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017 This bill requires the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to enable eligible entities to carry out the activities specified below in order to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). An eligible entity that receives a grant shall use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following activities designed to increase the participation of women or minorities underrepresented in science and engineering, or both: online workshops, mentoring programs that partner STEM professionals with students, internships for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, outreach programs providing elementary and secondary school students with opportunities to increase their exposure to STEM fields, and programs to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty.

National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act This bill designates as the "National Memorial to Fallen Educators" an existing memorial located at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas. The memorial is not a unit of the National Park System, and its designation shall not require or allow federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to it.

Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make proprietary institutions of higher education ineligible to receive educational assistance from Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs programs.

STAPLE Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Stopping Trained in America Ph.D.s From Leaving the Economy Act of 2017 or the STAPLE Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from: (1) direct numerical limitations aliens who have earned a Ph.D. degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from a U.S. institution of higher education and who have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to such degree; and (2) H-1B visa (specialty occupation) numerical limitations aliens who have a U.S. STEM Ph.D. and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such an education.

Economic Growth and Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Economic Growth and Development Act This bill requires the President to establish a primary interagency mechanism to coordinate U.S. development assistance programs carried out by federal agencies overseas with private sector investment activities. The mechanism shall: streamline the private-sector liaison, coordination, and investment promotion functions of such agencies; facilitate the use of development and finance tools across such agencies to attract greater participation in development activities by the private sector; and establish a single point of contact for U.S. private sector entities pursuing partnership opportunities with such agencies. Federal agencies planning or providing U.S. development assistance overseas shall ensure that: (1) a rigorous analysis of the constraints to economic growth and investment within a recipient country guides any U.S. development strategy, and (2) U.S. development strategies are coordinated with private sector activities in such countries. Each analysis shall identify and analyze: (1) the constraints posed by inadequacies in critical infrastructure, the education system, the rule of law, the tax and investment codes, or the customs or regulatory regimes in the recipient country; and (2) the particular economic sectors that are central to achieving economic growth in the recipient country. The results of each analysis shall be: (1) incorporated into any relevant development strategy, and (2) used to guide the allocation of resources by federal agencies planning or providing U.S. development assistance overseas.

85/15 Rule Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

85/15 Rule Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require proprietary institutions of higher education to derive at least 15% (currently 10%) of their revenue from non-federal sources or risk becoming ineligible for title IV funding.

Career-Ready Student Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Career-Ready Student Veterans Act This bill adds the following new criteria for state approval, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance, of applications of educational institutions providing veterans with non-accredited courses: a program to prepare an individual for state licensure or certification must meet any state instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements; or a program to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a state board or agency in an occupation requiring approval or licensure must be approved or licensed by that entity. The VA may waive either of these two requirements if: the educational institution is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Department of Education; the program did not meet the requirements during the two-year period preceding the waiver date; the waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for program assistance; and the educational institution does not provide any incentive payment based on securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are ineligible for federal student assistance. The VA shall submit to Congress notice of, and justification for, a waiver within 30 days of issuance. The VA shall disapprove a course of education unless the educational institution providing it discloses publicly any conditions or additional requirements required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course is designed to provide preparation. If after enrollment in a course subject to disapproval an individual pursues more courses of education at the same educational institution while remaining continuously enrolled, such courses shall not be subject to disapproval by reason of this bill.

Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to study and report on programs to assist veterans in their transition to civilian life. Such study shall determine the effectiveness of current programs, especially concerning the challenges faced by women veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans, veterans who are residents of a U.S. territory, veterans who are part of the indigenous population of a U.S. territory, and other groups of minority veterans with regard to: (1) pursuing higher education, (2) entering the civilian workforce and translating military experience and skills to the job market, and (3) transitioning to civilian life for veterans families.

NEST Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Native Educator Support and Training Act or the NEST Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish scholarships, loan forgiveness plans, and training programs for educators who commit to teaching in Native American or Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. This bill establishes three scholarship programs for students who are seeking degrees in education or school administration at institutions of higher education and commit to teaching in Native American or BIE schools: the Indian Student Educator Scholarship Program for students seeking degrees, the Indian Educator Scholarship Program for Indian students seeking degrees, and the Indian Educator Graduate Fellowship Program for Indian students seeking graduate degrees. Recipients of the scholarships must commit to working for a BIE school, a school serving Native Americans, a tribal early childhood education program, or other specified schools and agencies for the greater of three years or the number of school years that the scholarship funded. The bill establishes loan forgiveness programs for educators and Native Americans who have taught for at least five consecutive years at BIE schools or local educational agencies with high percentages of Native American students. The bill extends the federal Perkins Loan Cancellation Program to educators teaching in BIE schools or in Native American language immersion programs. The bill authorizes professional development grants for native-serving elementary and secondary schools. It also establishes the Native American Language Teacher Training Program to provide grants for institutions of higher education to develop training programs for Native American immersion and language teachers.

Student Loan Lower Interest Rate and Lower Monthly Payment Refinancing Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Student Loan Lower Interest Rate and Lower Monthly Payment Refinancing Act of 2017 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to address refinancing of student loans, including to authorize states and private lenders to refinance federal student loans at lower market-based variable interest rates.

Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers that received loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (DL) or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program on or after July 1, 2006, to consolidate those loans as Federal Direct Consolidation Loans. It directs the Department of Education (ED) to consolidate DLs, and send a completed loan consolidation application to FFEL borrowers, within 90 days of this bill's enactment. It gives FFEL borrowers six months after their receipt of such application to endorse it and submit it to ED if they wish to consolidate their loans. The bill sets the interest rate on Federal Direct Consolidation Loans at 4% or, if the weighted average of the interest rates of the loans being consolidated is less than 4%, the lesser of: (1) that weighted average, or (2) an interest rate equal to 0.4% of the principal balance of the consolidation loan at the time of consolidation. It adds an origination fee equal to 0.4% of the principal balance of the consolidation loan at the time of consolidation if an FFEL is being consolidated. It reduces the interest rate on a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan by 0.25% if one or more of the loans being consolidated is an FFEL held by an eligible lender. The bill prohibits any benefit a borrower is receiving or earning when issued a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan from being affected by the consolidation.

Workforce Development Investment Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Workforce Development Investment Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit of $5,000 for each community college, other institution of higher education, or area career and technical education school engaged in a qualified partnership with the employer. The bill allows a maximum credit of $20,000 in any taxable year. Within six months of the enactment of this bill, the Department of Education must define the term "qualified partnership." The term must include a partnership through which an employer: (1) collaborates with an educational institution to help develop curriculum in order to improve workforce development and job training for students; (2) helps provide instruction to students in the classroom; and (3) provides internships, apprenticeships, or other similar educational opportunities in the workplace for students. This bill also allows employers a worker training tax credit equal to the lesser of: 50% of the job training program expenditures for a full-time employee participating in a qualified training program, or $5,000. A "qualified training program" is: (1) a qualified partnership, or (2) an apprenticeship program registered and certified with the Department of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act.

STEM Opportunities Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

STEM Opportunities Act of 2017 This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants related to women and minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at institutions of higher education and at federal science agencies.

Veterans Health Administration Reform Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Veterans Health Administration Reform Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Care in the Community Program to furnish specified hospital care and medical and dental services to eligible veterans through provider agreements with eligible non-VA health care providers. (This program replaces the Veterans Choice Program and other specified programs.) The bill provides for timely provider reimbursement by the VA. Reimbursement authority for veterans emergency treatment and urgent care in non-VA facilities is expanded, including by providing emergency transportation reimbursement. The VA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall: (1) enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the coordination of care, and (2) jointly develop and administer a veterans benefits education program. The VA shall develop and administer an education program to instruct veterans about their VA health care options.

Veterans Education Flexibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Veterans Education Flexibility Act This bill declares that, if an individual eligible for educational assistance under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program of the Department of Veterans Affairs is enrolled in an educational institution and the period of entitlement (10 years after discharge or release from active duty) would expire during a quarter or semester of enrollment, the period shall be extended to the end of that period (or until the earlier of the end of the course or 12 weeks in the case of an educational institution not regularly operated on a quarter or semester basis). The bill: (1) repeals the delimiting period for the use of assistance under the post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance program (generally 10 years after the veteran's last discharge or release from active duty), and (2) applies the assistance extension provided under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program to the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program.

VET TEC Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses Act of 2017 or the VET TEC Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans with the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education, which are programs that are offered by entities other than institutions of higher learning, do not lead to a degree, and provide instruction in computer programming, computer software, media application, data processing, or information sciences. The VA shall enter into contracts with multiple qualified providers of such programs, under which the VA shall pay: (1) 25% of the cost of providing the program upon the enrollment of an eligible veteran, (2) 25% of such cost when the veteran completes the program, and (3) 50% of such cost upon the veteran's employment following completion in a field related to the course of study. A provider of a high technology program of education is qualified if the provider: (1) has offered, for at least two years, the credential it plans to provide under the pilot; (2) verifies that each such credential has demonstrated market value based on the employment and earnings of participants; and (3) has the ability to evaluate job placement rates and earnings through means other than survey or self-reported data. The VA shall give preference to a qualified provider that offers tuition reimbursement for any student who completes the program and does not find full-time meaningful employment within 180 days. The bill limits tuition and provides for removal of providers that increase tuition by more than 10% from the previous year. The VA shall pay a monthly housing stipend to each eligible veteran enrolled full-time in such a program.

Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations.

Match Veterans to Student Loan Protections Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Match Veterans to Student Loan Protections Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the federal student loan discharge process for a veteran who has a total and permanent disability. Specifically, it directs the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a computer matching program for ED to identify the borrowers who: (1) have been assigned a service-connected disability rating of 100% by the VA, or (2) are unemployable due to a service-connected condition. ED must notify such borrowers of their eligibility for federal student loan discharge and provide simple instructions for applying.

Young Americans Financial Literacy Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Young Americans Financial Literacy Act This bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to award competitive grants to eligible institutions for the establishment of centers of excellence to support research, development, implementation, and evaluation of effective financial-literacy education programs for young people and families. An "eligible institution" is a partnership among two or more of the following: an institution of higher education; a local educational agency; a nonprofit agency, organization, or association; or a financial institution. Authorized grant-funded activities shall include: developing and implementing comprehensive, research-based, financial-literacy education programs for young people; designing instructional materials; developing and supporting the delivery of professional-development programs in financial-literacy education; improving access to, and dissemination of, financial-literacy information for young people and families; developing educational programs to reduce student-loan default rates; conducting ongoing research and evaluation of financial-literacy education programs; and measuring the effectiveness of authorized activities. The grant program shall terminate after FY2019.

Recognizing May 29, 2017, as "National 529 Day".

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Recognizes National 529 Day and the opportunities that 529 savings plans provide American families to save for education.

Recognizing and commemorating St. Joseph's School and their service to the El Paso community.

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Commemorates the founding of St. Joseph's School in El Paso, Texas, and recognizes the school's service to its community.

Expressing support for the designation of May 25 as "National Moonshot Day" and recognizing the importance of conquering scientific challenges from medicine to space and beyond.

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Expresses support for the designation of National Moonshot Day. Recognizes the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in inspiring future Moonshot projects. Encourages parents and educators to inspire children to make direct connections between their classwork and potential solutions to the most pressing problems.

STEM Opportunities Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

STEM Opportunities Act of 2017 This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants related to women and minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at institutions of higher education and at federal science agencies.

RESET Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Reclassification to Ensure Smarter and Equal Treatment Act of 2017 or the RESET Act This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to reduce the potential sentence for possession of a controlled substance by a person with one or more prior convictions. The bill repeals the provision providing for up to three years' imprisonment for the possession of a date rape drug and revises the penalties for possession of such drugs after a prior drug-related conviction. The maximum term of imprisonment for the sale or use of the mails to transport, or for importation or exportation of, drug paraphernalia is reduced to one year. The bill eliminates increased penalties for cocaine offenses where the cocaine involved is cocaine base. In determining the weight of a controlled substance or mixture of controlled substances that is in a compound with a food product, the weight of the food product shall not be included. Amendments made by this bill are applicable to both defendants who committed the offense and/or were convicted before the bill's enactment. The U.S. Sentencing Commission shall review and, if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to any person convicted of an offense affected by this bill. There is established within the Department of Justice the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund, for expenditures to: improve outcomes for public school pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 through 12 by reducing truancy and supporting students who are at risk of dropping out or are victims of crime; provide services to crime victims; support mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and diversion programs for people in the criminal justice system; and pay down the national debt.

Elevating Educator Preparation Through Innovation Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Elevating Educator Preparation Through Innovation Act of 2017 This bill amends title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise provisions related to the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program. Specifically, the bill: modifies requirements regarding which types of entities must, or may, be included in a grant-eligible partnership; eliminates the requirement that a teaching residency program must culminate in the attainment of a master's degree; and expands the purposes for which grant funds may be used.

Teacher Loan Repayment Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Teacher Loan Repayment Act of 2017 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the financial aid programs for teachers. Specifically, it terminates the authority of the Department of Education (ED) to: (1) award new grants under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program, and (2) enter new loan forgiveness agreements under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program. The bill authorizes and directs ED to administer a new loan repayment for teachers program. To qualify, a borrower must be a full-time teacher in a low-income school or location and meet other requirements. ED, on behalf of a qualified borrower, makes $250-$400 direct monthly payments on Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan program subsidized, unsubsidized, and, in certain circumstances, consolidation Loans. To remain eligible for loan repayment, a borrower must continue to be employed in the school or location of initial eligibility. The total maximum loan repayment amount is $23,400 over six years. A borrower must repay the remaining principal and interest. An individual who currently participates in the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program may continue participating in such program or enter the new loan repayment for teachers program.

Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017 This bill requires the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to enable eligible entities to carry out the activities specified below in order to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). An eligible entity that receives a grant shall use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following activities designed to increase the participation of women or minorities underrepresented in science and engineering, or both: online workshops, mentoring programs that partner STEM professionals with students, internships for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, outreach programs providing elementary and secondary school students with opportunities to increase their exposure to STEM fields, and programs to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty.

Advancing Career Pathways Innovation Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Advancing Career Pathways Innovation Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish a career pathways innovation grant program to award competitive three-year grants to eligible agencies (a local educational agency, or consortium thereof, or a school operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education) for the purpose of addressing the specialized skill needs of business and industry by carrying out career pathways programs, featuring school partnerships, that support career pathways at the secondary school level or career exploration at the elementary school level. The Assistant Secretary of Career, Technical, and Adult Education shall: administer such grants; provide technical assistance to eligible agencies preparing grant applications; and support career pathways partnership coordinators, or other personnel of eligible agencies that have received a grant, in order to ensure that the eligible agency participates in the required school partnership and the grant results in positive program outcomes. ED must designate at least one employee of the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education who will exclusively support rural and native-serving eligible agencies with the preparation of grant applications and the development of school partnerships necessary to apply for and implement a grant.

EMPOWERING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ON HIGHER EDUCATION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 24 May 2017

Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 This bill declares that the United States supports the "Stimson Doctrine" and thus does not recognize territorial changes effected by force, including the illegal invasions and occupations of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, and Transnistria. The bill authorizes the Countering Russian Influence Fund through FY2019. The Department of State shall establish a working group to administer the fund, which shall be used to: (1) assist in protecting critical infrastructure and electoral mechanisms from cyberattacks in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or or European Union (EU) nations that the State Department determines are vulnerable to Russian influence and that lack the economic capability to effectively respond without U.S. support, and in countries participating in the NATO or EU enlargement process; and (2) combat corruption, improve the rule of law, and otherwise strengthen independent judiciaries and prosecutors general offices in such countries. The fund also may be used for: (1) responding to the humanitarian crises and instability resulting from the invasions and occupations of Georgia and Ukraine by the Russian Federation; (2) improving participatory legislative processes and legal education, political transparency and competition, and compliance with international obligations; and (3) building the capacity to counter the influence and propaganda of the Russian Federation in such countries. The Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia shall coordinate efforts to implement, and establish metrics regarding efforts to achieve, such goals for fund use. The President shall report to Congress describing media organizations that are controlled and funded by the Russian government and affiliated entities.

Military Child Educational Freedom Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Military Child Educational Freedom Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax-exempt Coverdell education savings accounts, to permit members of the Armed Forces serving on extended active duty to use the accounts for certain education expenses incurred in connection with a home school that provides elementary or secondary education and is treated under state law as a home school or a private school.

BUILD Resilience Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Building Up Infrastructure and Limiting Disasters through Resilience Act of 2017 or the BUILD Resilience Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a Community Resilience Grant Program to provide assistance to communities for increasing resilience to chronic stresses and acute shocks, including by improving long-term resilience of infrastructure and housing. A state, local government, or regional entity is eligible for such a grant if it is located in an area that has been declared a major disaster area within the previous five years. HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research must select and award annual grants to a single nonprofit organization having a national reputation for expertise in resilience research and capacity building to develop, establish, and operate a National Research Center for Resilience. The center shall provide grants to institutions of higher education or other nonprofit organizations to establish a Regional Center for Resilience in each of HUD's 10 regions to serve as regional research partners with recipients of resilience grants.

A resolution congratulating the Webster University chess team for winning a record-breaking fifth consecutive national title at the President's Cup collegiate chess championship in New York City.

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Congratulates Webster University for winning its fifth consecutive national title at the President's Cup collegiate chess championship in New York City. Encourages the university to continue promoting the educational benefits of chess among its students and the larger community.

FORESTS Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2017

Fostering Opportunities for Resources and Education Spending through Timber Sales Act of 2017 or the FORESTS Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish at least one Forest Active Management Area within each unit of the National Forest System (NFS) designated for sustainable forest management for the production of national forest materials (trees, portions of trees, or forest products) and forest active management revenues (derived from the sale of such materials). The purpose of an Area is to provide a dependable source of: payments to states in which a national forest is situated of 25% of specified forest receipts, to be used for the benefit of public schools and public roads; and economic activity through sustainable forest management for each beneficiary county containing NFS land included within that Area. Forest active management revenues shall be used to make: (1) the 25% payments to states for payment to beneficiary counties for the benefit of public schools and public roads, and (2) deposits into the Knutson-Vandenburg Fund and the salvage sale fund for projects on NFS land. This bill amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend: through FY2018 authorities for secure payments to states and counties containing federal land, and through FY2020 the authority for special projects on federal land and certain county activities. Receipt by a county of Forest Active Management revenues or stewardship project payments shall be offset against 25% payments to the county. The original method for calculating 25% payments is restored. Beginning October 1, 2015, a state or territorial legislature may not withhold any portion of a 25% payment from the county or counties in which a national forest is situated. The maximum duration of a stewardship end resulting contract under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 may extend from 10 to 20 years. The Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior: shall pay to the county or counties in which the project site is situated 25% of the monies retained from a contract or agreement for a stewardship contracting project on federal land under its respective jurisdiction, and may procure the services of non-federal employees to perform activities necessary to ensure a project for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

American Dream Accounts Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2017

American Dream Accounts Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities for establishing and administering American Dream Accounts for a group of at least 30 low-income public school students who, at the time of the grant application, are attending a grade no higher than ninth grade. An American dream account is a personal online account for low-income students that: (1) monitors their progress toward higher education; (2) includes a college savings account; and (3) provides students with opportunities to attain financial literacy, learn about preparing for enrollment in an institute of higher education (IHE), and identify their skills or interests.

Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017

Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2017 This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to make it one of the purposes of the Act to provide financial and technical assistance to the states for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting. The bill also prescribes a formula for the allocation of funds apportioned to a state that may be used for any activity or project to recruit or retain hunters and recreational shooters. In addition to other uses authorized under this bill, amounts apportioned to the states from any taxes on pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows may be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. The funds apportioned to a state for wildlife restoration management may be used for related public relations. If a state has not used all of the tax revenues apportioned to it for firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants, it may use its remaining apportioned funds for the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. Up to $5 million of the revenues covered into the wildlife restoration fund in the Treasury from any tax imposed for a fiscal year on the sale of certain bows, arrows, and archery equipment shall be available to the Department of the Interior exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

Confirming State Land Grants for Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017

Confirming State Land Grants for Education Act This bill allows the state of Utah to select certain lands under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the Department of the Interior that are identified as available for disposal by land exchange in the Record of Decision for the Pony Express Resource Management Plan and Rangeland Program Summary for Utah County, as amended by the Pony Express Plan Amendment (November 1997), in fulfillment of certain land grants made to Utah upon being admitted as a state, including for the establishment of certain state institutions, including certain local schools, under the Act of July 16, 1894, without further land use planning action by the BLM. The criteria listed in Decision 3 of the Lands Program of the resource management plan shall not apply to any lands selected by Utah pursuant to this bill.

Computer Science for All Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017

Computer Science for All Act of 2017 This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award grants to states, local educational agencies, and eligible tribal schools to serve as models for national replication of computer education expansion efforts. A grant application shall include specified plans that demonstrate the applicant's ability to carry out an ambitious expansion effort for all students, including traditionally underrepresented students. A grant recipient shall use the grant funds to: train teachers to teach computer science; expand access to high-quality learning materials and online learning options; create plans for expanding overall access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) classes; utilize computer science as a catalyst for increased interest in STEAM more broadly; reduce course equity gaps for all students; and ensure additional support and resources. A grantee may also use grant funds to: build effective regional collaborations, recruit and hire instructional personnel, prepare for effectively sustaining project activities after the grant period ends, and disseminate information about effective practices. At least semi-annually, a grantee must report to ED on specified data related to the number of students served through program activities.

BUILD Resilience Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017

Building Up Infrastructure and Limiting Disasters through Resilience Act of 2017 or the BUILD Resilience Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a Community Resilience Grant Program to provide assistance to communities for increasing resilience to chronic stresses and acute shocks, including by improving long-term resilience of infrastructure and housing. A state, local government, or regional entity is eligible for such a grant if it is located in an area that has been declared a major disaster area within the previous five years. HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research must select and award annual grants to a single nonprofit organization having a national reputation for expertise in resilience research and capacity building to develop, establish, and operate a National Research Center for Resilience. The center shall provide grants to institutions of higher education or other nonprofit organizations to establish a Regional Center for Resilience in each of HUD's 10 regions to serve as regional research partners with recipients of resilience grants.

Better Education and Skills Training for America's Workforce Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017

Better Education and Skills Training for America's Workforce Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) qualified training expenses paid with respect to U.S.-based positions for job trainees who have been unemployed for at least 90 days before enrolling in a training program and have not been employed by the taxpayer during the two-year period before the trainee was hired, and (2) investment in a qualified job training partnership between a private business and an institution of higher education or a labor organization. The bill defines "qualified training expenses" as an eligible trainee's qualified tuition costs, which may include costs for books and enrollment in a training program at an institution of higher education that may include a single course, multiple courses, or a combination of work training and study and that is reasonably necessary for employment with the taxpayer. It terminates the credit for qualified training expenses of job trainees after December 31, 2028. The bill also: (1) requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a Qualified Job Training Partnership program to consider and award certifications for qualified investments eligible for credits to qualified job training partnerships, and (2) authorizes Treasury to make grants to individuals who make an investment in a qualified job training partnership, in lieu of a tax credit.

Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2017

Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award matching grants to enable states to implement scholarship programs to ensure an adequate supply of health professionals. Scholarships must cover tuition and educational expenses and provide a cost-of-living stipend. Scholarship recipients must agree to serve as providers in shortage areas in the state for one year for each year they receive the scholarship. HHS may award grants to assist medical schools in developing and strengthening primary care mentorship programs and cultivating leaders in primary care among its students. In order to foster curricular innovations to improve the education and training of health care providers, HHS must award grants to medical and other health professions schools to promote priority competencies that are selected annually by the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry. The National Academy of Medicine (formerly known as the Institute of Medicine) must study the documentation requirements for cognitive services under Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers, including whether the requirements are overly burdensome.

ExCEL Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2017

Earnings Contingent Education Loans Act of 2017 or the ExCEL Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to replace several existing federal student loan programs with a single repayment plan that caps annual debt repayments based on the borrower's income. The bill terminates the authority of the Department of Education (ED) to make federal Direct Stafford Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and Direct PLUS loans, subject to exceptions for existing student borrowers, PLUS loans made to parents of undergraduates, and Direct Consolidation Loans. To replace the programs, the bill establishes the Income Dependent Education Assistance (IDEA) Loan Program and the IDEA Loan Repayment Program, which limit annual repayments based on the borrower's income and prohibit the accrual of interest on loans for active duty service members. Loans under the program are not eligible for the federal public service loan forgiveness program. ED must provide through the Internet a tool to enable borrowers to make payments and access specified details regarding loans. The bill amends the Social Security Act (SSAct) to provide ED with access to information in the National Directory of New Hires to identify when borrowers are hired and remind them of their repayment status and obligation to provide accurate employment information. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require: (1) reporting on W-2 forms the total amount deducted and withheld under the IDEA Loan Repayment Program, and (2) the Department of the Treasury to disclose to ED tax return information necessary to carry out the IDEA Loan Repayment Program.

Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2017

Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act This bill amends title V (Developing Institutions) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand grant activities under the Hispanic Serving Institutions program to include: (1) support programs that facilitate student advancement to doctoral degree programs in health care occupations, and (2) the development of or expanded access to dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high school programs.

Entrepreneurial Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2017

Entrepreneurial Education Act This bill amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Entrepreneurial Education Initiative, under which the SBA shall provide training to executives of businesses poised for growth in historically challenged communities that have the organizational framework, resource network, and motivation required to build sustainable businesses and promote economic development within urban communities.