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551 records in US in 2020
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Educational Award Parity Act This bill allows AmeriCorps members who are 55 years of age or older and served in any program, including the National Civilian Community Corps or Volunteers in Service to America, to transfer their national service educational award to a family member. Currently, only members who served in AmeriCorps State and National may transfer such an award.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Transparency for Confucius Institutes This bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs to enter into a program participation agreement if a Confucius Institute operates on the IHE's campus. (Confucius Institutes are Chinese government-funded centers for language education and cultural programming at IHEs.) The agreement must be entered into with the Office of Chinese Language Council International (i.e., Confucius Institute Headquarters, Hanban) and be made publicly available online. Among other requirements, the Confucius Institute must be physically located apart from the IHE's own Chinese language, history, and cultural programs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Earn to Learn Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a college matched-savings demonstration grant program, through which ED must award competitive grants to states and nonprofit organizations to provide certain low-income students with educational savings accounts (e.g., 529 plans). Further, ED must (1) develop and make available to grant recipients certain tools, including a training platform, a program guide, an online data portal, and certain trainings (e.g., on college readiness); (2) ensure that participation in the grant program does not affect student eligibility for Federal Pell Grants; and (3) provide technical assistance. Grant recipients must use funds to (1) select eligible students to participate in the grant program, (2) provide selected students with financial literacy education, (3) establish an educational savings account for each participating student and allow such students and their families to deposit funds in their account to save for attendance at an institution of higher education or an area career and technical education school, and (4) reserve matching funds for participating students. Additionally, grant recipients must ensure that participating students are entitled to withdraw funds from their accounts under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
New Deal for New Americans Act of 2020 This bill provides assistance to immigrants and addresses issues related to naturalization. The bill establishes the National Office of New Americans to (1) welcome and support immigrants, (2) promote and support immigrant integration, and (3) promote the pursuit of U.S. citizenship among immigrants. The bill also establishes grant programs for eligible entities that provide (1) legal services for immigrants, (2) English language education that focuses on integrating students into society, and (3) workforce development training that supports the economic integration of immigrants. The bill also reauthorizes the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS shall establish a nonprofit entity to spur innovation in the expansion of citizenship preparation programs and to support assistance for immigrants seeking permanent resident status or citizenship. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to (1) report to Congress before increasing fees for immigration adjudication and naturalization services above the levels of such fees on January 1, 2019, and (2) waive or reduce certain immigration-related fees for low-income aliens. The bill also (1) waives the English proficiency requirement for the naturalization of certain permanent residents, (2) repeals the public charge ground for deportation, (3) requires states to provide for automatic voter registration to qualifying new citizens unless that individual declines, and (4) sets a floor of 110,000 to the maximum number of refugees who may be admitted into the United States each year.
United States · United States Congress · 12 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, leaves of absence, and satisfactory progress. The bill also authorizes ED to permit foreign IHEs to offer distance education during an emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Educational Award Parity Act This bill allows AmeriCorps members who are 55 years of age or older and served in any program, including the National Civilian Community Corps or Volunteers in Service to America, to transfer their national service educational award to a family member. Currently, only members who served in AmeriCorps State and National may transfer such an award.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
PSLF Administrative Improvements Act This bill revises provisions related to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish a publicly accessible database of public service employers, which must include information required for the completion of employment certification forms. Such forms must also be available in languages other than English. ED must annually provide certain notices of PSLF program requirements to public service employers and institutions of higher education. In addition, ED must determine whether a borrower who was denied loan cancellation under the PSLF program qualifies for loan cancellation under the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The bill requires ED to enter into data matching agreements with relevant federal agencies. In addition, the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Social Security Administration must disclose any relevant records to ED. ED must notify borrowers of receipt of employer or employment information. Additionally, it requires ED to ensure that (1) borrowers have access to an online portal that provides borrowers with certain instructions and information, including the number of monthly payments on qualifying loans; and (2) employers have the ability to electronically sign and submit forms associated with loan cancellation. It also requires ED to develop and make publicly available procedures for determining whether a borrower meets the requirements for loan cancellation under the PSLF program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 This bill establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative and sets forth related activities. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) shall establish or designate the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office to carry out the responsibilities described in this bill with respect to the initiative. The National Science and Technology Council shall establish or designate an Interagency Committee to coordinate federal programs and activities in support of the initiative. The Department of Energy (DOE) shall establish the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee to advise the President and the Initiative Office on matters related to the initiative. DOE must also carry out an artificial intelligence research and development program to (1) advance artificial intelligence tools, systems, capabilities, and workforce needs; and (2) improve the reliability of artificial intelligence methods and solutions relevant to DOE's mission. The National Science Foundation (NSF) shall enter into a contract with the National Research Council of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study of the current and future impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce of the United States. The General Accountability Office shall conduct a study of artificial intelligence computer hardware and computing required in order to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence research and development. The NSF shall establish a program to award financial assistance to eligible entities or their consortia to establish and support Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes. The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall develop voluntary standards for artificial intelligence systems, among other things. The NSF shall fund research and education activities in artificial intelligence systems and related fields.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Public Service Retirement Fairness Act of 2020 This bill expands the ability of 403(b) retirement plans (i.e., retirement plans designed for certain employees of public schools, nonprofits, and churches) to invest in collective investment trusts, which are groups of pooled investment assets held by a bank or trust company.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Partnerships for American Jobs Act This bill allows the Department of Education to award grants to, or enter into contracts with, public telecommunications entities for the purpose of supporting programming that illustrates the value of in-demand careers, encourages secondary and postsecondary graduation, and informs individuals about certain career and educational options.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Collegiate Freedom of Association Act 2.0 This bill addresses freedom of association protections for college students in single-sex social organizations. Specifically, the bill prohibits institutions of higher education that participate in federal student-aid programs from taking adverse actions against students who are members or prospective members of single-sex social organizations based solely on the practice of limiting membership to only individuals of one sex; or taking actions that require or coerce members or prospective members of such organizations to waive this prohibition, including as a condition of enrolling in the institution.
United States · United States Congress · 11 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 certain subsistence allowances.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue to provide educational assistance during the 180-day period after the enactment of this bill for programs of education that are offered by distance learning or have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation. The VA is authorized to continue paying educational assistance and subsistence allowances for up to eight weeks to eligible veterans or persons enrolled in specified programs of education or training during periods when educational institutions are temporarily closed due to an emergency situation or based on an executive order. The bill defines emergency situation as a public health crisis, a declared state of emergency, or other situations as determined by the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
Getting Involved in Researching, Learning, and Studying of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Act or the GIRLS STEM Act This bill establishes a program to (1) encourage the interest of female students in careers requiring science, mathematics, engineering, or technology (STEM) skills; and (2) prepare female students to pursue credentials needed to pursue a career in a STEM field. The Department of Education may provide grants to eligible local educational agencies to enable elementary and secondary schools to implement the program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 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.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020
Early Educators Apprenticeship Act This bill establishes a grant program to award to partnerships—which may include employers, institutions of higher education, labor unions, and community-based organizations—the federal share of the costs of apprenticeship programs focused on early childhood education.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 68) to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2486) to reauthorize mandatory funding programs for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6172) to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to prohibit the production of certain business records, and for other purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
This resolution recognizes the importance of the School Breakfast Program and its positive impact on the classroom performance of participating students.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
Perinatal Workforce Act of 2020 This bill establishes grants for eligible education programs to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce with respect to nurses, physician assistants, and other specified health workers, and otherwise addresses issues related to the maternal health workforce and care delivery models. The Department of Health and Human Services must disseminate guidance on respectful maternal care delivery that covers, among other topics, recruiting and retaining maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds and incorporating trained midwives, doulas, and others in maternity care teams. In addition, the National Institutes of Health must study best practices and make recommendations for culturally congruent maternity care (i.e., care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, worldview, and practices of the health care consumer and other stakeholders). The Government Accountability Office must report on specified information related to certain perinatal health care professions, with a particular focus on barriers to entering such professions faced by low-income and minority women.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in the Schools Act of 2020 or HEARTS Act of 2020 This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to cardiomyopathy. (Cardiomyopathy is a collection of diverse conditions of the heart muscle.) The Department of Health and Human Services must convene an interdisciplinary working group to expand pediatric cardiomyopathy research, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must (1) disseminate information about cardiomyopathy to certain school professionals and others, (2) report on certain research and surveillance activities, and (3) develop specified risk assessment tools for cardiomyopathy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
Solar Vocational Education and Training for our Servicemembers Act or the Solar VETS Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a training course for careers in solar-related occupations to be (1) made available at military installations and to eligible members of the Armed Forces, and (2) administered by institutions of higher education pursuant to an agreement with DOE.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
Farmer-Driven Conservation Outcomes Act of 2020 The bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a conservation effects assessment project to quantify the environmental and economic effects of conservation practices, develop the science base for managing the agricultural landscape for environmental quality and sustainable productive capacity, and improve the efficacy of conservation practices and programs by evaluating conservation effects. USDA must establish a goals and assessment process for conservation programs that includes the identification of natural resource and environmental objectives, outcomes, and results for the programs; assessments of the resulting changes in the status and conditions of natural resources and the environment; and a monitoring and evaluation process for the programs and initiatives. In implementing the monitoring and evaluation process, USDA must use certain funds provided for conservation programs and establish a National Technical Committee. USDA may enter into cooperative agreements with government agencies, universities and colleges, and nongovernmental organizations to assist in implementing the monitoring and evaluation process. The bill also sets forth reporting requirements regarding the progress conservation programs have made in achieving the objectives and outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Transparency for Student Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide student outcome information to veterans and members of the Armed Forces under its comprehensive policy to provide education information on institutions of higher learning and training opportunities via the GI Bill comparison tool. Specifically, the VA must enter into a memorandum of understanding with specified agencies (e.g., Department of Defense) to receive specified information from such agencies about student outcomes with respect to students who are veterans, members of the Armed Forces, or dependents of such veterans or members. The bill requires the agencies to provide information including, but not limited to, graduation rates, student loan default rates, and median earnings for graduates. The VA must develop a plan to protect personally identifiable information when providing information on aggregate student outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Transportation Workforce Investment Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a program to provide competitive grants to institutions of higher education, states, and other partnerships to support transportation sector education and workforce development projects. The bill expands authority for DOT to provide grants for surface transportation workforce development, training, and education to include (1) on-the-job training or work-based learning opportunities, including pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships; (2) activities to support the establishment of industry or sector partnerships; (3) activities to increase the number of underrepresented individuals in such workforce; and (4) activities to update facilities and equipment used in career and technical education programs of study. DOT must also establish a task force to (1) conduct an assessment of the current and projected state of the transportation workforce, including any existing barriers to attracting, developing, training, or retaining a skilled transportation workforce; and (2) develop recommendations and strategies for DOT and states to improve the transportation workforce based on such assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Great American Outdoors Act This bill establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to support deferred maintenance projects on federal lands. For FY2021-FY2025, there shall be deposited into the fund an amount equal to 50% of all federal revenues from the development of oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy on federal lands and waters. Deposited amounts must not exceed $1.9 billion for any fiscal year. The fund must be used for priority deferred maintenance projects in specified systems that are administered by the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Government Accountability Office must report on the effect of the fund in reducing the backlog of priority deferred maintenance projects for the specified agencies. Additionally, the bill makes funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanent. The President shall annually report to Congress specified details regarding the allocation of funds to the LWCF. Congress may provide for alternate allocations using specified procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Veterinary Education and Training Minimizes Educational Debt Act or the VET MED Act This bill allows veterinary students who are enrolled in postgraduate training programs or serving in internships or residencies to defer payment on their Federal Direct Loans for up to five years. Loan interest shall not accrue during such deferment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideas of Endometriosis Awareness Month. (Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.) It also recognizes the need for early detection and treatment of endometriosis, increased education for health care providers, and more culturally competent care.
United States · United States Senate · 5 March 2020
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
This resolution expresses support for the recognition of the Symbol of Kindness created by the transitional kindergarten students of Tropical Elementary School in Brevard County, Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Diversity Advancements in Accelerated Programs Act This bill authorizes states and local educational agencies to use grant funds provided through the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program to (1) establish equity offices to improve diversity in accelerated learning programs (e.g., Advanced Placement), and (2) carry out universal screening to determine eligibility for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Inspiring New STEM Professionals by Investing in Renovation of Education Spaces Act or the INSPIRES Act This bill directs the Department of Education to establish grant programs (1) for the modernization, renovation, or repair of career- and technical-education facilities; and (2) to enable secondary schools that are located in rural areas or that serve Native American students to improve facilities that provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and to support high-speed internet in STEM facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Developing Innovative Partnerships and Learning Opportunities that Motivate Achievement Act or the DIPLOMA Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to states and, through them, subgrants to consortia of local educational agencies and community partners to address school readiness and achievement. Subgrants may be used for activities including early learning, academic support services, parent-education programs, and teacher training.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Developing Innovative Partnerships and Learning Opportunities that Motivate Achievement Act or the DIPLOMA Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to states and, through them, subgrants to consortia of local educational agencies and community partners to address school readiness and achievement. Subgrants may be used for activities including early learning, academic support services, parent-education programs, and teacher training.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Access to Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act of 2020 or the AIM-HIGH Act This bill revises model demonstration programs requiring the Department of Education (ED) to award certain grants or contracts to eligible partnerships to develop systems for the timely delivery and quality of instructional materials to postsecondary students with print disabilities. Specifically, the bill (1) revises the definition of student with a print disability , and (2) requires such instructional materials to be commercially produced or open source and in accessible formats. Additionally, the bill requires eligible partnerships to include (1) one or more institutions of higher education with demonstrated expertise in meeting the needs of students with print disabilities, and (2) a public or private entity with demonstrated expertise in developing such materials in accessible formats. Such public or private entity must also have a demonstrated capability to partner with national consumer organizations with the capacity to engage postsecondary students with print disabilities in the development and implementation of such materials. It also authorizes ED to complete a national expansion of such model programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Inspiring New STEM Professionals by Investing in Renovation of Education Spaces Act or the INSPIRES Act This bill directs the Department of Education to establish grant programs (1) for the modernization, renovation, or repair of career- and technical-education facilities; and (2) to enable secondary schools that are located in rural areas or that serve Native American students to improve facilities that provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and to support high-speed internet in STEM facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Water Power Research and Development Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out programs of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for water power technologies, hydropower, and marine energy technologies. Additionally, DOE must award grants to institutions of higher education for the continuation and expansion of research and development at the National Marine Energy Centers and the establishments of new centers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Public Service Appreciation Through Loan Forgiveness Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to implement a partial student loan forgiveness reduction schedule and conduct awareness activities relating to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Specifically, ED must implement a public service loan forgiveness reduction schedule to cancel principal and interest due on Federal Direct Loans based on the number of payments made by the borrower, develop informational materials relating to the eligibility requirements of the PSLF program, make such informational materials available on its website and conduct outreach to not-for-profit institutions and government organizations about the availability of such materials, and establish an online portal for borrowers to submit employment certification forms.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Physician Shortage GME Cap Flex Act of 2020 This bill excludes certain hospitals that establish shortage specialty programs from the cap on full-time equivalent residents that is otherwise applicable, and provides for a new building period, for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
This bill modifies the process for repaying service members and veterans who paid to keep benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, but later chose to utilize Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue the repayments with the last monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This requirement has limited the repayments to individuals who are receiving stipends. Under the bill, the VA must make such a repayment before the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to education assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Physician Shortage GME Cap Flex Act of 2020 This bill excludes certain hospitals that establish shortage specialty programs from the cap on full-time equivalent residents that is otherwise applicable, and provides for a new building period, for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
Connecting America's Active Transportation System Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to carry out an active transportation infrastructure investment program to provide competitive grants for states, Indian tribes, multi-county special districts, and local or regional government organizations to construct certain projects to provide safe and connected active transportation facilities, including for sidewalks, bikeways, and trails that connect between destinations within a community or between communities, metropolitan regions, or states. DOT must select grant recipients within 150 days after funds become available under this bill. The bill sets forth various limitations on the use of funds, including that DOT must obligate at least 30% of funds to certain projects, including projects that connect people with public transportation, businesses, workplaces, schools, residences, recreation areas, and other community activity centers; set aside at least $3 million to provide planning grants for eligible organizations to develop plans for active transportation networks and active transportation spines; and set aside at least $2 million to cover the costs of administration, research, technical assistance, communications, and training activities under the program. The federal share of grants must not exceed 80% of the total project cost.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
State Justice Improvement Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the State Justice Institute, a nonprofit corporation established by federal law, and authorizes the institute to award grants for the development and implementation of best policies and practices for the constitutional and equitable enforcement of fines, fees, and monetary bail. Specifically, the institute may award these grants to state and local courts, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other specified entities. The policies and practices must incorporate guidance that courts should, among other things, prohibit the use of monetary bail schedules and consider alternatives to incarceration for defendants who are unable to pay fines and monetary bail.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
Patient Safety Improvement Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to undertake actions related to (1) health care-associated infections (HAI), (2) antimicrobial stewardship, and (3) patient safety. With respect to HAI, HHS must award grants for state and regional infection control programs and must establish a pilot program related to HAI data reporting by long-term care facilities and others. HHS must also award grants to eligible entities for infection control during patient care transitions, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must develop guidance regarding transfers or discharges of patients with HAI diagnoses. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate the adequacy of oversight and validation of specified HAI data reporting. With respect to antimicrobial stewardship, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must award grants to states to implement antimicrobial stewardship plans and must otherwise take steps to address antibiotic prescribing. With respect to patient safety, the HHS must incentivize state medical boards to require education on patient safety topics as a condition of licensure, and the CMS must harmonize quality measure reporting requirements through a collaborative that includes representatives from, among other groups, insurers and patient groups. In addition, as a condition of a hospital's participation in Medicare, members of the hospital's board must periodically receive training on relevant patient safety topics.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020
State Justice Improvement Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the State Justice Institute, a nonprofit corporation established by federal law, and authorizes the institute to award grants for the development and implementation of best policies and practices for the constitutional and equitable enforcement of fines, fees, and monetary bail. Specifically, the institute may award these grants to state and local courts, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other specified entities. The policies and practices must incorporate guidance that courts should, among other things, prohibit the use of monetary bail schedules and consider alternatives to incarceration for defendants who are unable to pay fines and monetary bail.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
This resolution (1) honors all authors for their successes in encouraging children to discover the joy of reading; (2) honors the 23rd anniversary of Read Across America Day; and (3) encourages parents, educators, and communities to read with their children for at least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
Reading Early and Addressing Dyslexia Act or the READ Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish an early literacy and dyslexia intervention pilot program to award grants to five state educational agencies to address early reading deficiencies and dyslexia. Under such program, ED must identify (1) evidence-based methods of screening students in grades K-3 for early reading deficiencies and dyslexia; (2) intensive interventions for such students, including phonological awareness and phonemic awareness, sound symbol recognition, and decoding skills; and (3) best practices to instruct educators on the science of reading and how to execute screenings and intensive interventions for such students. Each participating state educational agency must select at least two local educational agencies (LEAs) to participate in the program. Such LEAs must provide intensive interventions identified by ED that develop basic reading skills and incorporate systematic phonics instruction to every student in grades K-3, screen each student in grades K-3 three times during each school year using the screening methods identified by ED, notify parents or guardians of such screenings, and conduct diagnostic assessments and provide intensive interventions for each student suspected of having an early reading deficiency or dyslexia. The bill also directs ED to establish an online platform to provide educational agencies with resources, such as methods of targeting instruction for early reading deficiencies and dyslexia.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
Aviation-Impacted Communities Act This bill addresses noise mitigation for aviation-impacted communities. (An aviation-impacted community is a community that is located not more than one mile from any point at which a commercial or cargo jet route is 3,000 feet or less above ground level.) Specifically, the bill expands Airport Improvement Program noise mitigation program funding for aviation-impacted communities that are not currently within the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL) standard; requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study that summarizes the relevant literature and studies done on aviation impacts worldwide and focuses on large hub commercial airports and surrounding communities, including communities currently outside of the 65 DNL contour; directs the FAA to conduct outreach to aviation-impacted communities to inform them of the opportunity to be a designated community; requires the FAA to devise an action plan that alleviates or addresses the concerns of a designated community; and provides grants for necessary noise mitigation in a designated community for residences, hospitals, nursing homes, adult or child day care centers, schools, and places of worship.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
Transportation Workforce Centers of Excellence Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to designate certain two-year institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Transportation Workforce Training. Additionally, DOT must establish a program to award competitive grants to the centers to address education and training related to careers in transportation sectors. Grants under the program may not exceed $2 million, and the federal share of project costs may not exceed 50%.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
Clean Air Sharp Minds Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to jointly administer a school air filters demonstration program in public elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, ED and the EPA must select at least 175 schools to participate in the program, with priority given to schools located in areas with higher levels of air pollution. ED and the EPA must use program funds to (1) purchase and install commercial air filters in every classroom, office, and common area that students access in participating schools; (2) maintain such air filters for three years; and (3) provide technical support to participating schools.