Education

Securing America’s Medicine Cabinet Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020

Securing America's Medicine Cabinet Act of 2020 This bill encourages the development and approval of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and designates certain university research centers to assist in developing such technologies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must continue to evaluate and approve new drug manufacturing technologies included in an application for drug approval and expedite the development and implementation of such technologies. The FDA must designate such a technology as an advanced manufacturing technology if it is likely to (1) prevent or resolve a drug shortage, (2) maintain an adequate supply of critical medications for national emergencies, or (3) promote the adoption of innovative approaches to drug design and manufacturing. The sponsor of such a designated technology must provide the FDA with certain related scientific evidence. After receiving this evidence, if the FDA validates the technology for a proposed use, then the sponsor may use the validated technology across multiple manufacturing product lines within the same use context without obtaining additional FDA validation. The FDA must designate certain institutions of higher education as National Centers of Excellence in Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. Among other requirements, such centers must demonstrate the ability to provide federal agencies with technical assistance and to train a future workforce in such technologies.

Eating Disorder Prevention in Schools Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020

Eating Disorder Prevention in Schools Act of 2020 This bill requires local educational agencies (LEAs) participating in the school lunch or breakfast programs to include goals for reducing disordered eating in children of all sizes in their local school wellness policies. Such LEAs must also include registered dietitians and licensed mental health professionals in the development, implementation, and periodic review of such policies. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to provide information and technical assistance to LEAs, school food authorities, school health professionals, and state educational agencies for use in establishing healthy school environments. Such technical assistance must promote eating disorder prevention and encourage screening for such disorders.

Opportunities for Heroes Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020

Opportunities for Heroes Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Essential Employment Commission and directs the commission to publish a list of types of employment that are essential during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) crisis. The bill provides essential workers with student loan relief of up to $25,000, and an education credit of up to $25,000. These benefits may be applied to an essential worker's spouse or children.

FORWARD Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020

Furthering Our Recovery With American Research & Development Act or the FORWARD Act This bill makes several changes to the income tax credit for business expenses for increasing research activities. Specifically, the bill expands eligibility for the credit by increasing the maximum amount of gross receipts of an entity for the taxable year and using an eight-year (rather than five-year) period in the calculation of those amounts; removes the business credit carryforward from calculation of the payroll tax credit portion of the credit; includes among qualified research expenses wages paid in connection with research activity training expenses; and increases the credit rate for expenses incurred in certain collaborative research activities (i.e., conducted with higher education institutions, tax-exempt scientific research organizations, or charitable grant organizations) and qualified domestic manufacturers. The bill appropriates to the Social Security trust funds amounts equal to the reduction in revenues from payroll taxes by reason of this bill. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shall develop partnership agreements to provide for development of basic training relating to federal tax credits benefitting small business concerns and startups, especially credits for research and experimentation, and informational materials relating to such credits, including IRS guidance documents. Small business development centers shall provide informational materials, education, and basic training to small business concerns relating to federal tax credits, including those available to (1) businesses generally; and (2) small business concerns and startups specifically, especially credits for research and experimentation.

Scott Hutchins, of Indiana, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, vice Catherine E. Woteki.

United States · United States Senate · 4 May 2020

Use Your Endowment Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2020

Use Your Endowment Act This bill deems certain institutions of higher education (IHEs) ineligible to receive certain emergency relief funds to address the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19). Specifically, an IHE with an endowment greater than $10 billion in 2019 is generally ineligible to receive such funds and must return any funds it received to the Department of Education (ED). However, such an IHE may receive and keep these funds if it provides documentation to ED that it expended 1,000% of the amount of the funds on emergency relief (e.g., financial-aid grants to students).

FORWARD Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2020

Furthering Our Recovery With American Research & Development Act or the FORWARD Act This bill makes several changes to the income tax credit for business expenses for increasing research activities. Specifically, the bill expands eligibility for the credit by increasing the maximum amount of gross receipts of an entity for the taxable year and using an eight-year (rather than five-year) period in the calculation of those amounts; removes the business credit carryforward from calculation of the payroll tax credit portion of the credit; includes among qualified research expenses wages paid in connection with research activity training expenses; and increases the credit rate for expenses incurred in certain collaborative research activities (i.e., conducted with higher education institutions, tax-exempt scientific research organizations, or charitable grant organizations) and qualified domestic manufacturers. The bill appropriates to the Social Security trust funds amounts equal to the reduction in revenues from payroll taxes by reason of this bill. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shall develop partnership agreements to provide for development of basic training relating to federal tax credits benefitting small business concerns and startups, especially credits for research and experimentation, and informational materials relating to such credits, including IRS guidance documents. Small business development centers shall provide informational materials, education, and basic training to small business concerns relating to federal tax credits, including those available to (1) businesses generally; and (2) small business concerns and startups specifically, especially credits for research and experimentation.

Coronavirus Public Safety and Economic Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020

Coronavirus Public Safety and Economic Recovery Act This bill limits, under certain conditions, a business's liability under federal law for death or disability related to COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) and promotes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms with respect to such liability. Specifically, the bill establishes the COVID-19 Response Commission to make recommendations to mitigate the spread of the disease. An individual may not sue a business that follows a national or state guideline aligned with these recommendations unless the individual notifies the business of practices that placed the individual at risk of contracting COVID-19 and the business failed to remedy those practices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in consultation with the commission, must also provide education for state and local governments and businesses on strategies to minimize exposure to COVID-19. In addition, the Judicial Conference of the United States must develop an alternative dispute resolution program to resolve federal COVID-19 liability claims, and the Small Business Administration, when awarding certain general business loans, must give priority to states that enact similar laws to limit liability and promote alternative dispute resolution.

Bringing Additional Nurses to the Fight Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020

Bringing Additional Nurses to the Fight Act This bill includes the development of accelerated postgraduate nursing programs for individuals who have earned some academic credit in a nursing-related field as a priority area for certain grants made to institutions of higher education or other eligible entities for nurse education, practice, quality, and retention.

Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020

Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act of 2020 This bill prohibits as an unfair or deceptive trade practice a person from misrepresenting (1) whether the person holds a state health care license or (2) the person's education, training, degree, license, or clinical expertise. A person's advertisement for the person's health care services must disclose the license under which the person is authorized to provide those services.

PROMOTES Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020

Providing Resources and Organization to Maximize Opportunities for Training and Education in STEM Act of 2020 or the PROMOTES Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to carry out a grant program to assist high schools in providing education to students in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps in subjects including science, technology, math, engineering, computer science, and related areas. Local educational agencies may use grant funds for purposes including training and other support for instructors, acquisition of instructional materials, travel opportunities, mentoring programs, and certifications for students. In making the grants, DOD must give preference to schools with high percentages of children from low-income families.

Relaunching America’s Workforce Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020

Relaunching America's Workforce Act This bill establishes several grant programs to address employment, the workforce, and education access in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency. The Department of Labor must provide grants in response to the COVID-19 national emergency to provide training and employment for dislocated, unemployed, and underemployed workers; support youth employment; establish workforce information systems improvements; provide reentry employment opportunities for justice-involved youth and young adults; and create or expand apprenticeship programs. Programs directed towards assisting Native Americans and migrant and seasonal farmworkers may be extended. The Department of Education must provide grants to expand the capacity of adult education providers to prioritize serving adults with low-literacy or numeracy levels negatively impacted by the COVID-19 national emergency, and to improve or expand career and technical education programs and programs of study to respond to state and local needs as a result of the COVID-19 national emergency.

Use Your Endowment Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020

Use Your Endowment Act This bill deems certain institutions of higher education (IHEs) ineligible to receive certain emergency relief funds to address the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19). Specifically, an IHE with an endowment greater than $10 billion in 2019 is generally ineligible to receive such funds and must return any funds it received to the Department of Education (ED). However, such an IHE may receive and keep these funds if it provides documentation to ED that it expended 1,000% of the amount of the funds on emergency relief (e.g., financial-aid grants to students).

COVID–19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020

COVID-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants for testing, contact tracing, monitoring, and other activities to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Entities such as federally qualified health centers, nonprofit organizations, and certain hospitals and schools are eligible to receive such grants. In awarding the grants, the CDC shall prioritize applicants that (1) operate in hot spots and medically underserved communities, and (2) agree to hire individuals from the communities where grant activities occur.

Expressing support for designation of the third Friday of every March, as "National FIRST Robotics Day".

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020

This resolution supports the designation of a National FIRST Robotics Day and its celebration around the United States. The resolution also encourages states and local educational agencies to fund after-school robotics programs. Finally, the resolution encourages schools and educators to observe the day with activities that teach students about robotics and engage them with the study of mathematics and science.

Supporting the goals and ideals of GLSEN's 2020 Day of Silence in bringing attention to anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) name-calling, bullying, and harassment faced by individuals in schools.

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2020

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of the National Day of Silence (during which students vow to remain silent to bring attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gay people in schools). It requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the National Day of Silence. The bill encourages each state, city, and local educational agency to adopt laws and policies to prohibit name-calling, bullying, harassment, and discrimination against students, teachers, and other school staff regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity or gender expression.

Point-of-Care Testing Prize Competitions Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2020

Point-of-Care Testing Prize Competitions Act of 2020 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in consultation with the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), to conduct a prize competition for institutions of higher education in order to incentivize research on point-of-care testing that is capable of detecting current or past infection with COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and meets other specified criteria. The NIST must assist the NIH with the development of certain validation protocols and standards for the testing.

Equity in Student Loan Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2020

Equity in Student Loan Relief Act This bill establishes a temporary program to suspend payments and interest through September 30, 2020, on Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) that are not held by the Department of Education (ED). (Currently, payments and interest are suspended through this period on certain Federal Direct Loans and FFELs held by ED.) Specifically, ED must (1) enter into agreements with eligible lenders and guaranty agencies to reduce the interest rate to 0% on FFELs, and (2) make monthly payments to lenders and guaranty agencies to offset the cost of the reduced interest rate. A lender or guaranty agency that enters into an agreement with ED must (1) temporarily waive interest and suspend all payments due from borrowers through September 30, 2020; (2) suspend all involuntary collections; (3) notify borrowers, within 15 days, that their loan payments have been suspended and interest has been waived; and (4) carry out a program, beginning on August 1, 2020, to provide not fewer than six notices to borrowers that normal payment obligations will resume. Additionally, ED must deem each month for which a loan payment was suspended as if the borrower of the loan had made a payment for the purpose of any authorized loan forgiveness program or loan rehabilitation program. Finally, ED must ensure that any suspended payment on such a loan is treated as a regularly scheduled payment made by a borrower for the purpose of reporting information about the loan to a consumer reporting agency.

Recognizing the important role Victory Gardens played in America's World War efforts and reaffirming their purpose as essential to strengthening food security, health education, and community morale during the 2020 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2020

This resolution recognizes (1) the importance of the health consciousness, food security, and community morale that is spurred by planting of Victory Gardens; and (2) that the Department of Agriculture should collaborate with the House of Representatives to encourage citizens to plant Victory Gardens and to supply seeds, preserving materials, and manuals to help citizens grow and preserve crops from their Victory Gardens during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) crisis.

Emergency Ensuring Access to SNAP (EATS) Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020

Emergency Ensuring Access to SNAP (EATS) Act of 2020 This bill temporarily suspends eligibility requirements for certain students under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) during a public health emergency declaration due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), allowing students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education who would have lost eligibility due to such requirements to continue to receive SNAP benefits.

Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020

Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a homeland security higher education advisory council. Such council must make recommendations to DHS on matters concerning homeland security and the academic community, including the threat of foreign influence and interference in the United States, homeland security academic and research programs, issues relating to international students (e.g., visas), and cybersecurity.

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020 This bill establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, from which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must provide support for certain schools or libraries to purchase specified telecommunications equipment during the public health emergency declared because of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the FCC shall provide funds to certain elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries to purchase telecommunications equipment or services (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers) for use by students, staff, or patrons at locations that include locations other than the schools or libraries. Priority must be given to students, staff, or patrons who do not have access to such equipment or services. Following the emergency period, funding recipients are authorized to use purchased equipment for appropriate purposes but may not sell or transfer such equipment for anything of value, except for upgraded equipment of the same type.

CARE for Kids Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020

Caregivers, Access, and Responsible Expansion for Kids Act of 2020 or the CARE for Kids Act of 20 20 This bill modifies program requirements for the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast program of the Department of Agriculture. A local educational agency (including any school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education) may certify as eligible for free lunches or breakfasts, without further application, the following: children whose placement with a caregiver was carried out with the involvement of an agency that administers a state plan or a tribal child welfare agency, without regard to whether the agency is responsible for the care and placement of the child; children being raised by a relative who receives adoption or guardianship assistance; and children of a family that lives in housing dedicated to low-income families with a caregiver who is a grandparent or another older person who cares for the child full-time or who receives housing or housing assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. The bill also extends eligibility for free or reduced-price school lunches for children who were determined to be eligible in the school year prior to placement with a grandparent or relative for the school year immediately following placement. The bill provides children who receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program with direct certification for free lunches and breakfasts under the school lunch and breakfast programs.

Voter Notice Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020

Voter Notification of Timely Information about Changes in Elections Act or the Voter Notice Act This bill requires state and local election officials to conduct public education campaigns in the event of changes to federal elections (e.g., methods of voting) due to public health and safety emergencies. Specifically, the bill requires election officials to notify individuals of changes to federal elections by (1) providing not fewer than one direct mailing to each registered voter; and (2) notifying individuals who are eligible to vote through direct mailings, newspaper advertisements, broadcasting, and social media. Election officials must ensure their official public websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the blind and visually impaired. The bill also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish and regularly update best practices to ensure official public websites of election officials are continuously operating during emergencies. Election officials must ensure their official public websites comply with such best practices. The Election Assistance Commission must make payments to states for conducting public education campaigns and operating election websites during emergencies.

COVID-19 Graduate Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020

COVID-19 Graduate Relief Act This bill allows students who graduate from institutions of higher education in 2020 to defer payments on their federal student loans for up to three years. The Department of Education (ED) may extend deferment eligibility to students who graduate in 2021 and 2022, if ED determines that the anticipated economic impact of the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19 or another coronavirus with pandemic potential) on these graduates necessitates an extension. ED must consider certain factors, such as recent unemployment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, when determining whether to extend deferment eligibility to these graduates.

To improve military family readiness.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to address military family readiness and resiliency. Specifically, DOD must establish and implement a strategy regarding communication with military families; develop an Exceptional Family Member Program case-management model; if feasible, provide child care to service members or DOD employees working on rotating shifts at military installations; develop a policy and tracking mechanism for monitoring and prohibiting the overprescribing of opioids; conduct a pilot program to recruit military spouses into paid internships; and comply with various requirements for studies and reports. The Government Accountability Office must report on disputes between military families and schools.

Andrew A. De Mello, of Massachusetts, to be Inspector General, Department of Education, vice Kathleen S. Tighe, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 6 April 2020

Expressing support for the designation of the week of April 6 through April 10, 2020, as National Assistant Principals Week.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020

This resolution (1) supports the designation of National Assistant Principals Week, and (2) honors the contributions of assistant principals to the success of students in the United States.

Inspire to Serve Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2020

Inspire to Serve Act of 2020 This bill establishes new and expands existing military and national service programs, and revises federal personnel provisions. The bill establishes programs relating to civic education and service learning, including by providing grants supporting these programs for grades K-12 and at institutions of higher education. The bill also establishes the Council on Military, National, and Public Service which must coordinate executive branch policies to promote and expand opportunities for military service, national service, and public service. The Office of Management and Budget must create an online recruitment portal for service organizations. Additionally, the bill expands military service programs, including by expanding the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, establishing pre-service tuition grants in exchange for enlisted service commitments, and creating a pilot program for military departments to partner with community colleges and vocational schools to provide service members with access to technical education programs. Service programs are expanded by increasing the number of specified national service positions, increasing certain living allowances and stipends, and creating new fellowship programs. Federal personnel provisions are revised to, among other things, provide certain national service alumni with noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment.

Coronavirus Emergency Student Loan Refinancing Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020

Coronavirus Emergency Student Loan Refinancing Act This bill establishes refinancing programs for federal and private student loans. Specifically, the bill establishes a program that allows qualified borrowers to refinance their federal student loans down to lower interest rates. Such refinanced interest rates are (1) calculated based on the type of student loan (e.g., Stafford), and (2) fixed for the period of the loan. In addition, the bill creates the Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loan as a new type of loan. Such loans allow qualified borrowers to refinance their private education loans.

Disabled Veterans Education Relief Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2020

Disabled Veterans Education Relief Act of 2020 This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assistance entitlements and subsistence allowances. Under the bill, an assistance payment for training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities shall not be charged against an individual's entitlement to such assistance if an individual was unable to complete a course or program due to the closure of an educational institution or disapproval of the course. The bill also authorizes the VA to continue to pay subsistence allowances for a specified amount of time during periods following the permanent closure of an institution or the disapproval of a course of study.

Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2020

Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2020 This bill directs specified components of the Department of Health and Human Services to take certain actions to address uterine fibroids (i.e., muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus and may cause pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and reproductive issues). Specifically, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working through the Office of Research on Women's Health, must undertake research activities on uterine fibroids. In carrying out this research, the office must coordinate with specified components of the NIH and other federal agencies. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) collect data from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program about treatment and services related to uterine fibroids, and (2) develop a report in coordination with federal partners on federal and state expenditures for these treatments and services. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) must disseminate information about uterine fibroids, including the elevated risk for minority women and information regarding available treatments. Specifically, the CDC shall disseminate the information to the public, while HRSA and AHRQ shall disseminate it to health care providers.

Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020

Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 This bill addresses education programs and assistance for veterans during emergency situations. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue paying work-study allowances during emergency periods. The VA is also authorized to continue paying educational assistance and subsistence allowances for a specified amount of time for programs of education that are suspended due to an emergency situation. An educational assistance payment shall not be charged against an individual's entitlement to educational assistance if an individual was unable to complete a course or program due to the temporary closure of an educational institution or the temporary termination of a program by reason of an emergency situation. This includes assistance related to training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The bill extends the time limitation for using educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill when institutions are closed due to an emergency situation or executive order. The bill also extends the time limitation for participation in a vocational rehabilitation program when such participation is prevented due to an emergency situation or executive order. The bill authorizes the VA to pay a subsistence allowance for two additional months to a veteran following a program of employment services from March 1-December 21, 2020, for full-time training for the type of program the veteran was pursuing.

Emergency Relief for Student Borrowers Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020

Emergency Relief for Student Borrowers Act of 2020 This bill establishes federal and private student loan repayment assistance programs during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency.

Financial Literacy Education Commission Emergency Response Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020

Financial Literacy Education Commission Emergency Response Act This bill requires the Financial Literacy and Education Commission in the Department of the Treasury to convene a special meeting related to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. The commission must provide on its website resources to help individuals recover from financial hardships related to the COVID-19 emergency.

To temporarily modify the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020

This bill expands during FY2020 foster-care programs for older youth. Among other changes, the bill (1) increases the federal proportion of funding for foster-care services, (2) extends eligibility for such services through age 25, (3) suspends the limit on state expenditures on housing for youth who have aged out of foster care, and (4) suspends the five-year time limit on eligibility for older youth to receive education and training vouchers. Additionally, state agencies must conduct outreach for enrollment in Medicaid to eligible individuals who have aged out of foster care.

COVID–19 National Service Response Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020

COVID-19 National Service Response Act This bill modifies the Corporation for National and Community Service program to respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency. The corporation shall allow an individual serving in a position eligible for an educational award, who is performing limited service or whose position has been suspended or placed on hold due to COVID-19, to accrue other service hours that will count toward the number of hours needed for the individual's education award. The bill (1) deems certain individuals who are required to exit such positions early at the direction of the corporation to have met the requirements of the position, and (2) makes certain funds available for FY2021 for the program. The corporation may (1) permit fixed-amount grant recipients to maintain a pro rata amount of grant funds at the corporation's discretion for participants who exited, were suspended, or are serving in a limited capacity due to COVID-19; and (2) extend the term of service or waive any upper age limit for national service programs carried out by the National Civilian Community Corps for purposes of addressing disruptions, and minimizing the difficulty in returning to full operation, due to COVID-19.

Workforce Emergency Response Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020

Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. The bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations for federal agencies to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The supplemental appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. In addition, the bill expands paid sick days, family and medical leave, unemployment compensation, and food assistance programs; provides economic assistance payments of up to $1,500 per individual; eliminates cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments) for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines; requires health care facilities to implement a comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plan to protect health care workers; provides grants, loans, and other assistance to hospitals, small businesses, state and local governments, elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and airports; expands or establishes various tax credits; and establishes requirements for early voting and absentee voting. The bill also modifies or expands a wide range of other programs and policies, including those regarding Medicare and Medicaid, medical product supplies, housing, student loans and financial aid, the federal workforce, veterans benefits environmental and consumer protection requirements, the U.S. Postal Service, aviation workers and the airline industry, and pension and retirement plans.

Student Debt Emergency Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020

Student Debt Emergency Relief Act This bill establishes and provides funds for federal student loan repayment assistance programs during a national emergency, including the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19). Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to make monthly payments for borrowers of Federal Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans, and Perkins Loans during a national emergency. ED must also pay any interest on such loans during the emergency. Additionally, ED must deem each month for which ED made a payment on behalf of the borrower as a qualifying payment for the purpose of certain loan forgiveness programs or loan rehabilitation programs; ensure that any payment on such a loan is treated as a regularly scheduled payment made by a borrower for the purpose of reporting information about the loan to a consumer reporting agency; notify borrowers, within 15 days and monthly thereafter, of the benefits provided by ED during the national emergency; and suspend all involuntary collections related to such loans, including wage garnishments, reductions of tax refunds, and reductions of certain federal benefit payments, such as Social Security. ED must (1) make monthly payments until authorized by Congress to terminate the program, (2) carry out a 90-day transition period, and (3) apply a minimum amount of payments to loans for each borrower. Payments made by ED as a result of a national emergency shall be excluded from the taxpayer's gross income. Interest shall not be capitalized during or after the national emergency.

COVID-19 Graduate Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2020

COVID-19 Graduate Relief Act This bill allows students who graduate from institutions of higher education in 2020 to defer payments on their federal student loans for up to three years. The Department of Education (ED) may extend deferment eligibility to students who graduate in 2021 and 2022, if ED determines that the anticipated economic impact of the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19 or another coronavirus with pandemic potential) on these graduates necessitates an extension. ED must consider certain factors, such as recent unemployment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, when determining whether to extend deferment eligibility to these graduates.

COVID–19 RELIEF for Small Businesses Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2020

COVID-19 Recovery by Enhancing Loan, Investment, and Education Funds for Small Businesses Act of 2020 or the COVID-19 RELIEF for Small Businesses Act of 2020 This bill establishes measures to provide assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the Small Business Administration (SBA) must (1) provide economic injury grants for certain small businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury resulting from COVID-19; (2) establish a program to make direct loans to small businesses, up to 50% of which may be forgiven; and (3) pay the principal, interest, and associated fees on certain SBA loans, including microloans, for a six-month period. The bill also temporarily increases guarantee amounts and loan sizes for certain SBA loans, temporarily waives or reduces certain fees on SBA loans, and permanently waives the guarantee fee on SBA loans for veterans; revises the Microloan Program to increase available funds, extend repayment terms, and waive certain requirements for technical assistance grants; provides additional funding for small business economic development programs; revises and makes permanent the SBA's Intermediary Lending Program, the Community Advantage Loan Program, the Small Business Innovation Research Program, and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program; establishes the Innovation Centers Program whereby the SBA shall enter into cooperative agreements with certain entities to spur innovation and economic growth in underserved and rural communities; and establishes the Office of Emerging Markets to oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of SBA efforts to enhance the economic well-being of small businesses in emerging markets. The federal government must grant certain flexibilities (e.g., additional performance time) to small business federal contractors and expedite the contract award process.

CARES Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act This bill addresses economic impacts of, and otherwise responds to, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The bill authorizes emergency loans to distressed businesses, including air carriers, and suspends certain aviation excise taxes. With respect to small businesses, the bill establishes, and provides funding for, forgivable bridge loans; and provides additional funding for grants and technical assistance. The bill also provides funding for $1,200 tax rebates to individuals, with additional $500 payments per qualifying child. The rebate begins phasing out when incomes exceed $75,000 (or $150,000 for joint filers). The bill establishes limits on requirements for employers to provide paid leave. With respect to taxes, the bill establishes special rules for certain tax-favored withdrawals from retirement plans; delays due dates for employer payroll taxes and estimated tax payments for corporations; and revises other provisions, including those related to losses, charitable deductions, and business interest. With respect to health care, the bill provides additional funding for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; limits liability for volunteer health care professionals; prioritizes Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review of certain drugs; allows emergency use of certain diagnostic tests that are not approved by the FDA; expands health-insurance coverage for diagnostic testing and requires coverage for preventative services and vaccines; revises other provisions, including those regarding the medical supply chain, the national stockpile, the health care workforce, the Healthy Start program, telehealth services, nutrition services, Medicare, and Medicaid. With respect to education, the bill temporarily suspends payments for federal student loans; and  otherwise revises provisions related to campus-based aid, supplemental educational-opportunity grants, federal work-study, subsidized loans, Pell grants, and foreign institutions. The bill also authorizes the Department of the Treasury to temporarily guarantee money-market funds.

Relating to House Resolution 891.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2020

This resolution amends H.Res.891 that sets forth the rule for consideration of S.J.Res. 68 (demanding the removal of unauthorized Armed Forces from hostilities in Iran), the Senate amendment to H.R. 2486 (Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act), and H.R. 6172 (USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 ). The resolution extends through the legislative day of March 29, 2020, by which certain proceedings may take place in the House; the calendar day of March 29, 2020, the authority of the Speaker of the House to suspend the rules; and the legislative day of March 30, 2020, provisions waiving a specified requirement of Rule XIII (Calendar and Committee Reports) to allow consideration of resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules through such legislative day, on the same day they are presented to the House.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2020

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Protection Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to waive monthly payments under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program during a qualifying emergency (e.g., a public health emergency). Specifically, ED may waive the requirement that a borrower make a monthly payment under the PSLF program during a month in which there is a qualifying emergency in the borrower's state of employment. The bill specifies that a borrower will not be disqualified from receiving loan cancellation under the PSLF program due to failure to make a payment during a qualifying emergency.

A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued at educational institutions, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2020

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to provide educational assistance through December 21, 2020, for programs of education that have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation. Such assistance includes monthly housing stipends or subsistence allowances.

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2020

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act This bill establishes and provides funds for grant programs to respond to safety and health risks presented by qualifying emergencies, including COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to agencies that administer Child Care Development block grants and Head Start agencies. ED grant recipients must award subgrants to BIE schools, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education (IHEs). HHS grant recipients must award subgrants to early care and education programs. Subgrants under each grant program must be used for certain activities, such as coordinating preparedness and response efforts with public health departments; purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean facilities to minimize the spread of infectious diseases; and providing mental health services and supports to children, students, and staff. Additionally, ED must award grants to IHEs for creating and expanding emergency financial-aid grant programs that address the unexpected expenses related to basic needs (e.g., housing, food, and certain one-time costs) of enrolled students during a qualifying emergency. IHEs must use grant funds to make emergency financial-aid grants to eligible students. HHS must also award supplemental grants for certain organizations to address emergency-related child traumatic stress. ED may waive certain financial-aid requirements for students affected by qualifying emergencies. Such requirements include those related to subsidized usage limits, Pell Grant duration limits, leaves of absence, and satisfactory progress. The bill also authorizes ED to permit foreign IHEs to offer distance education during an emergency. No such program may be deemed ineligible.

Pandemic School Nurse Training to Protect Students and Communities Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2020

Pandemic School Nurse Training to Protect Students and Communities Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, state and local education agencies to train elementary and secondary school nurses to serve as first responders and crisis managers in the event of a biological or chemical attack at a school or an outbreak of pandemic influenza among individuals under their care. The training must prepare school nurses to (1) protect and preserve life; (2) notify public health authorities to help contain or mitigate the effects of an attack or outbreak; and (3) take other appropriate and feasible actions, such as preserve evidence of an attack.

FASTER Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2020 or the FASTER Act of 2020 This bill expands the definition of major food allergen for purposes of certain food-labeling requirements to specifically include sesame. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must report on certain information related to food allergy research and data collection activities.

Disabled Veterans Education Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Disabled Veterans Education Relief Act This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assistance entitlements and subsistence allowances. Under the bill, an assistance payment for training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities shall not be charged against an individual's entitlement to such assistance if an individual was unable to complete a course or program due to the closure of an educational institution or disapproval of the course. The bill also authorizes the VA to continue to pay subsistence allowances for a specified amount of time during periods following the permanent closure of an institution or the disapproval of a course of study.

LITE Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Leadership Institute for Transatlantic Engagement Act or the LITE Act This bill establishes the Leadership Institute for Transatlantic Engagement to develop a diverse community of transatlantic leaders at all levels of government who are committed to democratic institutions. The institute shall award grants for entities and individuals in the United States and abroad to assist in the institute's work conducting research, international exchanges, education, and outreach to strengthen (1) democratic institutions, including civil and human rights; (2) emerging and current political leaders and their employees; and (3) interest and excellence in international public service careers. The institute may develop such programs, activities, and services as it considers appropriate to (1) increase awareness of the importance of public service careers that focus on international affairs and civil and human rights, (2) provide training and development opportunities for domestic and international elected officials in performing their public duties, and (3) enable transatlantic political leaders to gain firsthand exposure to U.S. democratic institutions through visits to the United States.