Education

INSPIRES Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

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.

LIFT Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Local Infrastructure Funding & Technical Assistance Act or the LIFT Act This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to provide grants under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 for predevelopment projects—measures required to be completed before construction of resilient climate infrastructure occurs—and related technical assistance. Grants may be provided to economic development districts, states, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher education, individuals, and other organizations as specified by the bill.

A resolution recognizing the contributions of African Americans to the musical heritage of the United States and the need for greater access to music education for African-American students and designating June 2023 as African-American Music Appreciation Month.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

This resolution designates June 2023 as African American Music Appreciation Month and recognizes the contributions of African Americans to the musical heritage of the United States.

A resolution supporting the designation of the week of June 18 through June 24, 2023, as "National Women's Sports Week" to celebrate the anniversary of the enactment of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the growth of women's sports.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

This resolution supports observing National Women's Sports Week as the week of June 18-June 24, 2023, to recognize the expansion of opportunities for female athletes since the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and marks the observance of such week with appropriate programs and activities and legislative efforts to protect single-sex sports.

Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Rural Innovation and Partnership Administration and the Rural Future Partnership Fund to provide five-year renewable rural partnership block grants to certified rural regions to implement locally developed regional revitalization plans. For purposes of these grants, the following areas may constitute a rural region: a micropolitan statistical area (i.e., at least 10,000 but fewer than 50,000 people); a collection of rural census tracts or counties that fall outside of a micropolitan or metropolitan statistical area (i.e., 50,000 people or more) and that demonstrate evidence of economic, social, and cultural cooperation; or an Indian reservation. A rural region must be certified by its state, in coordination with USDA, after having formed a rural partnership council made up of representatives from across different sectors. For specified rural development programs, USDA must waive any matching funds requirements for projects that are carried out in certain rural regions that have a poverty rate of 20% or greater. USDA must provide each rural partnership council with training, education, support, and advice to enhance the technical assistance, research, organizational, and other capacities of the council. USDA must also enter into an agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps) to establish a Rural Future Corps to (1) help rural communities expand critical services such as child care, health, nutrition assistance, education, and job training; and (2) strengthen the capacity of local governments and economic and community development organizations.

Smoke Exposure Research Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Smoke Exposure Research Act of 2023 This bill directs the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to conduct research relating to smoke exposure and wine grapes. This research must be done in coordination with land-grant colleges and universities that are located in California, Oregon, and Washington and have researched the effects of smoke exposure on viticulture and enology operations and practices. Specifically, ARS must conduct research to identify the compounds responsible for smoke taint, conduct research to establish standard methodologies for sampling and testing smoke-exposed wine grapes and smoke-affected wines, establish a reliable database of background levels of smoke taint compounds that occur naturally in wine grapes, develop risk assessment tools or mitigation methods to reduce or eliminate smoke taint, and study compounds that can act as a barrier between wine grapes and smoke compounds.

ALERT Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Accountability of Leaders in Education to Report Title IX Investigations Act or the ALERT Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to certify annually with the Department of Education that they have reviewed reports of misconduct by their employees involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The certification must include a confirmation that the IHE's president and board members involved in the review did not interfere with or influence investigations or dispositions.

Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2023 This bill requires certain entities that acquire human bodies and sell for profit a whole human body or human body part to register with the Department of Health and Human Services. Registered entities must comply with record-keeping, labeling, packaging, and disposition requirements. The registration and related requirements do not apply to the Organ Transplantation Network (a public-private partnership that links the professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system) or its members; the preparation, transportation, and final disposition of human bodies or body parts by funeral service professionals; and schools of medicine, dentistry, and mortuary science and other research and training entities that do not sell whole human bodies or body parts for profit.

Think Differently about Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Think Differently about Education Act of 2023 This bill establishes a notification requirement related to an individualized education program (IEP). (Generally, IEPs are individualized plans to ensure that a child with a disability receives a free appropriate public education.) Under current law, states and local educational agencies (LEAs) must convene a team to develop an IEP. The composition of the team that develops the IEP is outlined in current law and allows for other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child (including related services personnel, as appropriate) to participate in this team. This bill requires the relevant agency (e.g., the LEA or state educational agency) to notify the child's parents of their right to include these other individuals with knowledge or special expertise on the child's IEP team.

Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Rural Innovation and Partnership Administration and the Rural Future Partnership Fund to provide five-year renewable rural partnership block grants to certified rural regions to implement locally developed regional revitalization plans. For purposes of these grants, the following areas may constitute a rural region: a micropolitan statistical area (i.e., at least 10,000 but fewer than 50,000 people); a collection of rural census tracts or counties that fall outside of a micropolitan or metropolitan statistical area (i.e., 50,000 people or more) and that demonstrate evidence of economic, social, and cultural cooperation; or an Indian reservation. A rural region must be certified by its state, in coordination with USDA, after having formed a rural partnership council made up of representatives from across different sectors. For specified rural development programs, USDA must waive any matching funds requirements for projects that are carried out in certain rural regions that have a poverty rate of 20% or greater. USDA must provide each rural partnership council with training, education, support, and advice to enhance the technical assistance, research, organizational, and other capacities of the council. USDA must also enter into an agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps) to establish a Rural Future Corps to (1) help rural communities expand critical services such as child care, health, nutrition assistance, education, and job training; and (2) strengthen the capacity of local governments and economic and community development organizations.

1890s Advancing and Building Leadership and Excellence Opportunity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

1890s Advancing and Building Leadership and Excellence Opportunity Act of 2023 This bill expands the allowable areas of focus for Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions (1890 COEs) and reauthorizes the 1890 COEs program through FY2028. (The 1890 Institutions are historically Black colleges and universities that belong to the U.S. land-grant university system and receive federal funds through programs administered by the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.) The current areas of focus for 1890 COEs may also include climate change adaptation and mitigation; fostering forestry resilience and conservation; food safety, bioprocessing, and value-added agriculture; and the integration of the social sciences into the food and agricultural sciences. The bill also specifies that no more than 10 1890 COEs may be in the program. Currently, there is no maximum limit.

Saving Lives in Schools Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Saving Lives in Schools Act of 2023 This bill requires each public elementary and secondary school to have an opioid overdose rescue kit. Specifically, the Department of Education must consult and collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that each public elementary and secondary school has an opioid overdose rescue kit. The kit must be clearly visible and labeled with the words Overdose Rescue Kit-Naloxone Nasal Spray (or other language approved by the local educational agency). The bill outlines additional requirements related to these kits, including that the location of each kit must be registered with the school nurse and school resource officer.

Protecting Education Privacy Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Protecting Education Privacy Act This bill limits the release of students' personally identifiable information contained in education records. The bill includes local educational authorities among the officials designated as authorized representatives of an education agency with access to student records. Authorized representatives must be under the direct control of the agency. The bill prohibits (1) the use of students' personally identifiable information for the development of commercial products or services without the written consent of their parents, and (2) the Department of Education from promulgating or enforcing any regulation that defines early childhood education program or education program for any purpose under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 on or after this bill's enactment.

SERVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Servicemember Enrollment and Readmission for Valuable Education Act or the SERVE Act This bill revises the definition of service in the uniformed services as the term relates to readmission requirements for servicemembers. Current law requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) to readmit students who take a leave of absence to perform active military service at the same academic status they had attained prior to such service. This readmission requirement currently applies to servicemembers who perform service in the uniformed services for a period of more than 30 days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 days. This bill removes the 30-day requirement, thereby allowing a student who is serving for less than 30 days to be readmitted to their IHE.

Third Reconstruction: Fully addressing poverty and low wages from the bottom up.

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that legislation and policies that address poverty, low wages, and related issues should be prioritized. Among other priorities, the resolution commits to updating the poverty measure; raising the minimum wage; expanding unemployment insurance; ensuring that all workers receive paid family and medical leave; implementing a federal jobs guarantee; guaranteeing safe and quality housing, a right to water, high-quality public education, and quality health care for all; enacting relief from household and personal debt that cannot be paid; ensuring that state, local, and tribal governments are adequately funded; expanding and protecting the right to vote; eliminating persistent racial inequities; protecting the constitutional rights of assembly and free speech; enacting comprehensive and just immigration reform; ensuring all the rights of Native and Indigenous peoples and tribal nations; transforming the economy into a green renewable energy economy; demilitarizing U.S. foreign policy, borders, and policing; enacting fair taxes on corporations and the wealthy; using deficit spending to meet pressing needs; and encouraging states and cities to enact policies that follow the direction provided by this resolution.

Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act This bill requires each institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs and is a member of an athletic association or athletic conference to develop and implement a venue-specific heat illness emergency action plan for operating and using automatic external defibrillators and cold-water immersion equipment. Specifically, each plan must include a symptom identification structure and a coordination of care plan for student athletes exhibiting signs of heat illness that is posted in each locker room, athletic training facility, weight room, and outdoor sports complex and stadium. Additionally, each plan must be made available on the athletic program website or public website of the IHE at the beginning of each academic year; be distributed to local emergency responders; and be distributed to, and rehearsed in person, by specific individuals (e.g., student athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers) before the start of in-person training for each academic year. The bill also requires an IHE to submit an annual report that demonstrates compliance with this bill's requirements.

Supporting Mental Health for Military Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Supporting Mental Health for Military Children Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish and implement a four-year pilot program to provide routine mental health checkups for students in 10 selected elementary or secondary schools that are operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA). Such schools must be DODEA schools within or outside the United States that DOD determines have adequate mental health infrastructure in place to provide mental health checkups under the program.

SERVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Servicemember Enrollment and Readmission for Valuable Education Act or the SERVE Act This bill revises the definition of service in the uniformed services as the term relates to readmission requirements for servicemembers. Current law requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) to readmit students who take a leave of absence to perform active military service at the same academic status they had attained prior to such service. This readmission requirement currently applies to servicemembers who perform service in the uniformed services for a period of more than 30 days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 days. This bill removes the 30-day requirement, thereby allowing a student who is serving for less than 30 days to be readmitted to their IHE.

Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Supporting Teaching and Learning through Better Data Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Supporting Teaching and Learning through Better Data Act This bill requires certain actions to improve data collection related to the educator workforce. First, the bill requires the National Center for Education Statistics to (1) conduct a study on data collections and data requirements related to the educator workforce; and (2) make recommendations through submission of a report for improvements to data collection, analysis, and dissemination to improve access to a diverse, well-prepared, and stable educator workforce. Second, the bill directs the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to state educational agencies and local educational agencies to support them in increasing access to well-prepared and diverse educators.

Equality Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

A resolution designating June 2023 as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month" and June 27, 2023, as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

This resolution designates June 2023 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2023, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. The resolution supports (1) the education of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and the public about post-traumatic stress; and (2) efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to foster cultural change around the issue of post-traumatic stress. The resolution also encourages the leadership of the Armed Forces to support treatment of members of the Armed Forces who suffer from post-traumatic stress.

Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act This bill requires each institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs and is a member of an athletic association or athletic conference to develop and implement a venue-specific heat illness emergency action plan for operating and using automatic external defibrillators and cold-water immersion equipment. Specifically, each plan must include a symptom identification structure and a coordination of care plan for student athletes exhibiting signs of heat illness that is posted in each locker room, athletic training facility, weight room, and outdoor sports complex and stadium. Additionally, each plan must be made available on the athletic program website or public website of the IHE at the beginning of each academic year; be distributed to local emergency responders; and be distributed to, and rehearsed in person, by specific individuals (e.g., student athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers) before the start of in-person training for each academic year. The bill also requires an IHE to submit an annual report that demonstrates compliance with this bill's requirements.

Equality Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

1890s Advancing and Building Leadership and Excellence Opportunity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023

1890s Advancing and Building Leadership and Excellence Opportunity Act of 2023 This bill expands the allowable areas of focus for Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions (1890 COEs) and reauthorizes the 1890 COEs program through FY2028. (The 1890 Institutions are historically Black colleges and universities that belong to the U.S. land-grant university system and receive federal funds through programs administered by the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.) The current areas of focus for 1890 COEs may also include climate change adaptation and mitigation; fostering forestry resilience and conservation; food safety, bioprocessing, and value-added agriculture; and the integration of the social sciences into the food and agricultural sciences. The bill also specifies that no more than 10 1890 COEs may be in the program. Currently, there is no maximum limit.

To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to establish and carry out a pilot program to use blockchain technology in food safety and labeling.

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2023

This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish and carry out a pilot program to use blockchain technology in food safety and food labeling. (In general, a blockchain is a digital database containing information that can be simultaneously used and shared within a large decentralized, publicly accessible network.) Specifically, the pilot program must, to the extent practicable, use blockchain technology to (1) trace food that may be adulterated and food that has been subject to a voluntary or mandatory recall; and (2) verify that food labeled as organic has been produced and handled in accordance with specific organic certification standards. The Department of Agriculture must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Food and Drug Administration to implement the program.

Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2023 This bill includes additional priorities as Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension areas. Under the bill, USDA may award grants for developing and evaluating (1) technologies to mechanize agricultural processes (and may emphasize processes for harvesting specialty crops), and (2) agricultural uses of artificial intelligence (and may emphasize uses for improving specialty crop production).  Further, USDA may award grants to support research projects at land-grant colleges and universities to develop and apply methods to manage and eradicate invasive species of plants and animals, including through methods of biocontrol; and aquaculture methods, including through the propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species. 

Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish within USDA a stand-alone competitive research and extension grant program to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in the United States through the advancement and acceleration of mechanization and automation. Specialty crops are fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). The bill provides specified funds for FY2024 and each succeeding year to carry out the program. The grant program includes projects that create or improve cost-effective technologies to reduce a specialty crop grower's manual labor requirements and increase the efficiency of crop production, resource management, harvesting, processing, post-harvest technologies, and packaging; increase adoption of mechanization and automation technologies; and accelerate automation and mechanization through prototype development, in-field trial testing, ongoing industry engagement, and rapid commercialization. Entities eligible for the grant program are federal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations and corporations, state agricultural experiment stations, individuals, and organizations representing specialty crop growers.

Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2023  This bill establishes a grant program that supports training for providers of abortion care. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to health professional schools, academic health centers, or other nonprofit health care safety net providers to support training in abortion care, if such training is authorized in the state in which they are located.  Funds may be used to train students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians in abortion care and to connect them to appropriate entities to provide such care, among other activities.

Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act or the GRAD Act This bill expands eligibility for the Masters Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Masters Degree Programs at Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). These programs provide grants to select HBCUs and PBIs to improve graduate opportunities for Black Americans in certain subject areas (e.g., mathematics, physical or natural sciences, and information technology). First, the bill expands eligibility for the Masters Degrees at HBCUs program. Currently, only 18 institutions are eligible for the program. This bill expands eligibility to any HBCU that offers a qualified masters degree program. Second, the bill expands eligibility for the Masters Degrees at PBIs program. Currently, only five institutions are eligible for this program. This bill expands eligibility to any PBI that offers a qualified masters degree program.

Pre-Pilot Pathway Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Pre-Pilot Pathway Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish an apprenticeship program with flight schools in order to establish a commercial pilot pipeline; DOT must issue any necessary regulations to implement the program within one year of the bill's enactment. Each flight school participating in the program may select up to eight applicants per academic year to serve as apprentices. DOT must take appropriate actions to develop methods to incentivize pilots, including retired pilots, to become flight school instructors. This includes developing pathway programs for pilots to gain initial qualification or concurrent qualification as certified flight instructors.

Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2023 This bill allows the release of a transfer student's educational records from an institution of postsecondary education where a student earned credit for coursework to an institution of postsecondary education where the student was previously enrolled in order to apply the student's coursework and credits toward completion of a recognized postsecondary credential, such as an associate's degree.   Specifically, the bill allows the Department of Education to provide funding to an institution of postsecondary education that releases a student's records of postsecondary coursework and credits without the consent of the student or the student's parents if the student provides written consent prior to receiving the credential.

Pushing back against the labeling of attempts by parents to ensure school curriculum and sports are age and sex appropriate as extreme.

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

This resolution supports parents having a say in their child's education. Further, the resolution opposes (1) allowing biological boys and men to compete in biological girls and women's sports, (2) the weakening of the protections of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and (3) labeling parents as extreme and hateful for wanting to keep inappropriate material out of their child's classroom. Under title IX, if a school operates or sponsors an athletic program it must provide equal athletic opportunities regardless of sex.

Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act This bill establishes a special disclosure rule requiring institutions of higher education (IHEs) to disclose any gift from or contract with a foreign source that is associated with a covered nation (i.e., North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran). Under current law, an IHE must disclose to the Department of Education (ED) a gift from or contract with a foreign source that is valued at $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with that foreign source. This bill establishes a special disclosure rule relating to foreign sources associated with covered nations. Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to disclose any gift from or contract with a foreign source that is associated with a covered nation, regardless of the amount of the gift or contract. The bill also directs ED to transmit disclosure reports and related records to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2023 This bill establishes the United States Commission on Hate Crimes. The commission must investigate and report on whether hate crimes have increased; factors that contributed to an increase in hate crimes, if one is determined to exist; policies or actions that law enforcement agencies might adopt to reduce the commission of hate crimes; the impact of underreporting on hate crimes statistics and prevention; ways to improve hate crimes reporting and ensure full and complete participation in the National Incident-Based Reporting System by local law enforcement agencies; bias prevention efforts and responses to hate crimes that are successful and possible through coordination with nonprofit organizations, local education agencies, and government entities; and the prevalence and rise of online hate crime incidents.  

Computer Science for All Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Computer Science for All Act of 2023 This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Education must award grants to states, local educational agencies, and eligible tribal schools to serve as models for national replication of computer science education expansion efforts. Grant recipients must use these funds for certain activities, including training teachers to teach computer science and expanding access to high-quality learning materials and online options.

FAIR Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Federal Assistance to Initiate Repayment Act or the FAIR Act This bill makes various changes to the federal student loan system, including by establishing a new income-driven repayment plan and limiting the authority of the Department of Education (ED) to propose or issue regulations and executive actions related to federal student aid programs. The bill directs ED to provide at least 12 notices to each borrower of a federal student loan indicating (1) the date on which the borrower is required to make monthly loan payments; (2) the borrower's options for repayment; and (3) the options available to a borrower who is in default, including the option to consolidate or rehabilitate loans. ED must also conduct additional outreach to at-risk borrowers. Additionally, the bill replaces existing federal student loan repayment plans with one standard 10-year repayment plan and one income-driven repayment plan. The bill outlines the terms of this new income-driven repayment plan. The bill provides deferment options for borrowers with loans made on or after July 1, 2024. The bill prohibits ED from authorizing additional deferment options or periods of deferment other than those authorized by this bill. The bill allows borrowers to rehabilitate a defaulted loan twice (currently, only once). The bill also prohibits ED from issuing a proposed rule, final regulation, or executive action related to federal student aid programs if ED determines that the rule, regulation, or action (1) is economically significant, and (2) would result in an increase in a subsidy cost.

Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2023 This bill establishes the United States Commission on Hate Crimes. The commission must investigate and report on whether hate crimes have increased; factors that contributed to an increase in hate crimes, if one is determined to exist; policies or actions that law enforcement agencies might adopt to reduce the commission of hate crimes; the impact of underreporting on hate crimes statistics and prevention; ways to improve hate crimes reporting and ensure full and complete participation in the National Incident-Based Reporting System by local law enforcement agencies; bias prevention efforts and responses to hate crimes that are successful and possible through coordination with nonprofit organizations, local education agencies, and government entities; and the prevalence and rise of online hate crime incidents.  

Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide competitive research grants for the development of public cultivars (i.e., seeds) and animal breeds. The bill defines a public cultivar and public animal breed as the commercially available uniform end product of a publicly funded breeding program that has been sufficiently tested to demonstrate improved characteristics and stable performance. Further, if intellectual property rights are asserted, they are in the form of plant patents or plant variety protection and not utility patents. USDA must give priority to high-potential research projects that lead to the release of public cultivars and animal breeds, including those with specified adaptations, features, and benefits (e.g., that are regionally adapted, environmentally resilient, or of indigenous and place-based importance and are endangered). Any person who receives title to a plant patent or plant variety protection developed with grant funds may grant the exclusive right to use or sell that public cultivar or animal breed to another person only if that person agrees to substantially produce in the United States any cultivars or animals embodying, or produced through the use of, the public cultivar or animal breed. The bill also establishes a coordinator for public cultivars and animal breeding research within the USDA Research, Education, and Extension Office, whose duties include developing a strategic plan and promoting collaboration.

Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2023 This bill establishes a grant program that supports training for providers of abortion care. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to health professional schools, academic health centers, or other nonprofit health care safety net providers to support training in abortion care, if such training is authorized in the state in which they are located.  Funds may be used to train students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians in abortion care and to connect them to appropriate entities to provide such care, among other activities.

Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2023 This bill allows the release of a transfer student's educational records from an institution of postsecondary education where a student earned credit for coursework to an institution of postsecondary education where the student was previously enrolled in order to apply the student's coursework and credits toward completion of a recognized postsecondary credential, such as an associate's degree.   Specifically, the bill allows the Department of Education to provide funding to an institution of postsecondary education that releases a student's records of postsecondary coursework and credits without the consent of the student or the student's parents if the student provides written consent prior to receiving the credential.

PIGGY BANK Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

PIGGY BANK Act or the Program to Inspire Growth and Guarantee Youth Budgeting Advice and Necessary Knowledge Act This bill requires the Department of Education to establish a pilot program for local educational agencies to carry out youth savings match programs for students in grades 9-12.

American Dream and Promise Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 This bill provides certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) with a path to receive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall provide conditional permanent resident status for 10 years to a qualifying individual who entered the United States as a minor and (1) is deportable or inadmissible, (2) has deferred enforced departure (DED) status or temporary protected status (TPS), or (3) is the child of certain classes of nonimmigrants. The bill imposes various qualifying requirements, such as the individual being continuously physically present in the United States since January 1, 2021, passing a background check, and being enrolled in or having completed certain educational programs. DHS shall remove the conditions placed on permanent resident status granted under this bill if the alien applies and meets certain requirements, such as completing certain programs at an educational institution, serving in the military, or being employed. Furthermore, DHS and DOJ shall provide lawful permanent resident status to certain individuals who had TPS, were eligible for TPS, or were eligible for DED status on certain dates. Such individuals must meet certain requirements and apply for such status within three years of this bill's enactment. DHS may not use information from applications filed under this bill or for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status for immigration enforcement purposes. This bill also repeals a restriction that bars a state from providing higher education benefits to undocumented individuals unless those benefits are available to all U.S. nationals without regard to residency in the state.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON H.R. 2685, TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY TO PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY GRANTS TO STRENGTHEN DOMESTIC MINING EDUCATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, "MINING SCHOOLS ACT OF 2023"; H.R. 3883, TO NULLIFY PUBLIC LAND ORDER NO. 7921, WITHDRAWING CERTAIN LAND IN THE RAILROAD VALLEY OF NYE COUNTY, NEVADA, FROM MINERAL ENTRY; AND H.R., TO AMEND THE SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT OF 1977 TO AUTHORIZE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN STATES AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECLAIMING AND RESTORING LAND AND WATER RESOURCES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY COAL MINING ACTIVITIES BEFORE AUGUST 3, 1977, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, "COMMUNITY RECLAMATION PARTNERSHIPS ACT"

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 June 2023

Stop Pills That Kill Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Stop Pills That Kill Act This bill increases criminal penalties for offenses relating to the manufacture of fentanyl or counterfeit substances. It also establishes requirements for federal agencies to address the use of counterfeit substances. Specifically, the bill applies an increased criminal penalty for possessing, manufacturing, or distributing certain equipment or materials that are used to illegally manufacture fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, or a counterfeit substance (the increased penalty is currently limited to offenses involving methamphetamine). The Drug Enforcement Administration must establish and implement a plan to address counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances through law enforcement action and education and prevention efforts. In addition, the Department of Justice must annually report on the collection of counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances by law enforcement and on related prosecutions.

Mental Health Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Mental Health Improvement Act  This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Professionals, which is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

______ Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 programs that are administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor and provide education regarding infections that are associated with illicit drug use. 

RECONNECTIONS Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Reauthorizing the Creating Opportunities that Necessitate New and Enhanced Connections That Improve Opioid Navigation Strategies Act of 2023 or the RECONNECTIONS Act of 2023  This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 several programs that are administered by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention to address opioid misuse. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes evidence-based prevention grants, the prescription drug monitoring program, and education and awareness campaigns. It also specifically incorporates the fentanyl crisis as a new and emerging public health crisis that may be addressed through evidence-based prevention grants.

School Guardian Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

School Guardian Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants for states to assign armed law enforcement officers to provide security at elementary and secondary schools. The bill also requires specified unobligated Internal Revenue Service funds to be transferred to DOJ to implement this bill.