Education

National Clinical Care Commission Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2017

National Clinical Care Commission Act This bill establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a National Clinical Care Commission to evaluate and make recommendations regarding improvements to the coordination and leveraging of federal programs related to complex metabolic or autoimmune diseases that result from issues related to insulin and represent a significant disease burden (e.g., diabetes). The commission must report on: (1) HHS programs that focus on prevention, (2) current activities and gaps in federal efforts to support clinicians in providing integrated care, (3) improvement in federal education and awareness activities related to prevention and treatment, and (4) methods for outreach and dissemination of education and awareness materials. The commission must submit an operating plan to HHS and Congress within 90 days of its first meeting. The commission is terminated after it submits a final report, but not later than the end of FY2021.

Supporting the principles and goals of the March for Science taking place in Washington, DC, and cities all over the world on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2017

Supports the principles and goals of the March for Science and affirms the need for evidence-based policy in the public interest. Urges the government to support scientific research and science, technology, engineering, and math education throughout the country.

NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2017

NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act of 2017 This bill amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to consider small businesses when it facilitates and supports the development of voluntary, consensus-based, industry-led guidelines and procedures to cost-effectively reduce cyber risks to critical infrastructure. NIST must consult with other federal agencies to disseminate, and publish on its website, standard and method resources that small business may use voluntarily to help identify, assess, manage, and reduce their cybersecurity risks. The resources must be: (1) technology-neutral, (2) based on international standards to the extent possible, (3) able to vary with the nature and size of the implementing small business and the sensitivity of the data collected or stored on the information systems, (4) capable of promoting awareness of third-party stakeholder relationships to assist small businesses in mitigating common cybersecurity risks, and (5) consistent with the national cybersecurity awareness and education program under the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014. Other federal agencies may elect to publish the resources on their own websites.

National Strategy for School Security Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2017

National Strategy for School Security Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department Homeland Security, in order to assist in the domestic preparedness for and response to acts of terrorism and other emergencies and to coordinate federal efforts to secure elementary and secondary schools, to develop and submit to Congress a national school security strategy and updates to such strategy. The strategy shall: describe all federal programs, projects, and activities to secure elementary and secondary schools from acts of terrorism and other emergencies; identify specific school security vulnerabilities to acts of terrorism or other emergencies within the United States and delineate goals for closing such vulnerabilities; describe actions to be taken and means needed to achieve such goals, including steps to reform, improve, and streamline existing efforts to align the current threat environment to schools; and identify new authorities or changes in existing authorities required to address school security. The requirement to transmit updated national strategies shall terminate seven years after this bill's enactment.

GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2017

GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay the lesser of nine months or $30,000 of additional Post-9/11 educational assistance to selected eligible veterans who have used all of the Post-9/11 educational assistance to which they were entitled and who: (1) are enrolled in a postsecondary education program that requires more than the standard 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours for completion in a specified science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field; or (2) have earned a postsecondary degree in one of those fields and are enrolled in a teaching certification program. In selecting eligible individuals, priority shall be given to individuals who: (1) require the most credit hours; or (2) served on active duty service for at least 36 months with an honorable discharge, continued active duty service after such 36-month period, or served at least 30 days of continuous active duty service with a service-connected discharge. Such additional assistance may not be transferred. The maximum amount of assistance paid to all eligible individuals in a fiscal year may not exceed $100 million.

Julian Woods Yellow Ribbon Program Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2017

Julian Woods Yellow Ribbon Program Expansion Act This bill includes under the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (public-private contributions for educational assistance in addition to post-9/11 educational assistance) the child or spouse of an individual who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty (Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship recipients).

Fair Pay Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2017

Fair Pay Act of 2017 This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Payment of different wages is allowed under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.) The bill allows compensatory or punitive damages for violations of such prohibition. The bill prohibits an employer from discriminating against any individual who opposes any act or practice made illegal by this bill or for assisting in an investigation, or discharging or discriminating against any employee who inquires about or discusses another employee's wages. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shall: (1) undertake studies and provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public for implementing this bill's wage discrimination prohibitions; and (2) carry on a continuing program of research, education, and technical assistance to correct wage disparities.

Lead Free Schools Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2017

Lead Free Schools Act of 2017 This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper within nine months. The revised regulations must ensure that: corrosion controls are reevaluated anytime source water or treatment is changed; test results are valid by prohibiting techniques that artificially lower lead levels; monitoring includes school sites for all public water systems serving schools; notification of lead problems is clear and effective; and lead service lines, which are controlled by public water systems, are fully replaced on a set timetable and whenever contamination is detected. The EPA must: (1) publish a maximum contaminant level goal and promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for perfluorinated compounds within two years, and (2) determine whether to regulate 1,4-dioxane within two years. The EPA must establish a grant program for replacing drinking water fountains manufactured prior to 1988 that are located in schools or day care facilities with fountains that are lead free. The bill reauthorizes for FY2018-FY2022 the voluntary school and child care program lead testing grant program.

Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2017

Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make qualified students eligible to receive more than one Pell Grant in an award year, thus allowing year-round Pell Grants. If a student receives more than one Pell Grant in an award year, the total amount of the Pell Grants awarded to the student may exceed the maximum Pell Grant available for an award year.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day.

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Recognizes the goals of introducing our daughters and sons to the workplace. Commends participants in Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day.

A resolution designating May 20, 2017, as "Kids to Parks Day".

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Designates May 20, 2017, as Kids to Parks Day. Recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation and the preservation of open spaces to the health and education of young people of the United States.

A resolution designating April 2017 as "National 9-1-1 Education Month".

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Designates April 2017 as National 9-1-1 Education Month.

Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make qualified students eligible to receive more than one Pell Grant in an award year, thus allowing year-round Pell Grants. If a student receives more than one Pell Grant in an award year, the total amount of the Pell Grants awarded to the student may exceed the maximum Federal Pell Grant available for an award year.

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver program (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) through September 30, 2021. The bill sets forth specified employment protections and contract requirements for alien physicians working in underserved areas, including: (1) a six-month status extension for a physician whose application his been denied by an oversubscribed state and who then agrees to work in an undersubscribed state, and (2) an allowable adjustment from a J-1 to an H-1B visa (specialty workers with a permitted U.S. stay of up to six years) for a physician fulfilling waiver requirements. The bill permits a state, under specified circumstances, to recapture a waiver slot lost to another state if a physician working in a health facility accepts employment with such a facility in another state. The number of alien physicians that a state may be allocated is increased from 30 to 35 per fiscal year under specified circumstances. The bill provides for: (1) additional increases or decreases based upon demand, and (2) up to three visa waivers per fiscal year per state for physicians in academic medical centers. Dual intent is permitted for an alien coming to the United States to receive graduate medical education or training or to take examinations required for graduate medical education or training.

Energy Workforce for the 21st Century Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Energy Workforce for the 21st Century Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a comprehensive program to improve education and training for energy- and manufacturing-related jobs, with emphasis on increasing the number of skilled individuals from underrepresented groups trained to work in those jobs.

Net Price Calculator Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Net Price Calculator Improvement Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the minimum requirements for the net price calculator that an institution of higher education (IHE) receiving federal funds under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act must include on its website. (An IHE's net price is the average yearly price actually charged to first-time, full-time undergraduate students receiving student aid at the school after deducting such aid.) It authorizes the Department of Education to develop a universal net price calculator that enables users to answer one set of questions and receive net prices for any IHE that is required to have a net price calculator.

Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Opportunity Act and the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to use a standardized financial aid offer form that meets specified requirements. The Department of Education (ED) must develop a standard format for financial aid offer forms based on recommendations from representatives of students, students' families, institutions of higher education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups. The form must include specified details and disclosures regarding: the cost of attendance; aid that does not need to be repaid; the net price that a student or family is estimated to pay; work study assistance; types and amounts of loans, including monthly repayment amounts; sources for additional information; deadlines and the process for accepting financial aid; the academic period covered by the aid; default rates; the percentage of students who have student loans and the median debt at graduation for students; private loans; scholarships; and the terms and conditions of federal financial aid. ED must: (1) test the form with representatives of students, students' families, institutions of higher education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups; and (2) use the results to develop the final form. Each institution of higher education that receives federal financial assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965 must use the standard form when offering financial aid to students.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of April 10 through April 14, 2017 as "National Assistant Principals Week".

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Supports the designation of April 10-April 14, 2017, as National Assistant Principals Week. Honors the contributions of assistant principals to students' success.

Mining Schools Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Mining School Enhancement Act This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to require the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) of the Department of the Interior to ensure that at least 50% of specified research funds are expended to enhance and support programs at mining and mineral engineering schools in the United States. In addition, OSMRE shall ensure that research activities relate to conventional fuel resource development and production, including enhancing technologies and practices related to the mitigation of acid mine drainage, reforestation, and revegetation in the reclamation of land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining.

Opioid PACE Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Opioid Preventing Abuse through Continuing Education Act of 2017 or the Opioid PACE Act of 2017 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to require a practitioner (other than a hospital, pharmacy, pharmacist, or veterinarian) to comply with a training requirement, as a condition of obtaining or renewing a registration to prescribe or dispense opioids for the treatment of pain or pain management.

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2017 This bill amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 19 years after this bill's enactment. The trust fund compensates individuals who contract cancer or other diseases as a result of their exposure to radiation during nuclear testing undertaken by the United States during the Cold War. The bill revises the requirements of that Act, including by: increasing the amount of compensation that an individual may receive; expanding the affected area to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico; expanding eligibility requirements to include additional individuals, such as certain employees of uranium mines or mills, or individuals who participated onsite in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (a ring of islands in the Pacific Ocean where nuclear testing occurred) from 1977 through 1980; and extending until 19 years after this bill's enactment the statute of limitations for the filing of claims. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences must establish a grant program for institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among non-occupationally exposed individuals. The bill amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 by expanding eligibility requirements for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program with respect to chronic beryllium disease.

Young Fishermen's Development Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Young Fishermen's Development Act of 2017 This bill directs the National Sea Grant Office in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Young Fishermen's Development Grant Program to provide training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen. The office shall make competitive matching grants to support local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen, including programs, workshops, and services related to seamanship, navigation, electronics, and safety, vessel and engine care, and sustainable fishing practices. Grant recipients must be a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of public or private entities. In awarding grants, the office shall give priority to partnerships and collaborations that are led by or include nongovernmental fishing community-based organizations and school-based fisheries educational organizations with expertise in fisheries and sustainable fishing training and outreach. Grants may not be used to purchase a fishing license, permit, quota, or other harvesting right.

Peer-Support Specialist Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Peer-Support Specialist Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to eligible entities to develop and sustain behavioral health paraprofessional training and education programs, including through tuition support.  Eligible entities are community colleges, training or credentialing programs, and other entities deemed appropriate by HHS. HHS must report on and publish best practices and professional standards in states for: (1) establishing and operating health care programs using peer-support specialists, and (2) training and certifying peer-support specialists.

FIFA Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Fairness in Financial Aid Act or the FIFA Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Internal Revenue Code to revise the Free Application for Federal Student Aid application process. Specifically, it allows a taxpayer identification number to be used instead of a Social Security account number in the application.

American Dream Promise Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

American Dream Promise Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the eligibility requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) to participate in federal student aid programs. Specifically, an IHE that participates in title IV federal student aid programs must not deny admission to a student on the basis of that student's immigration or naturalization status.

FAFSA for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

FAFSA for All Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to include on the same website that is used to provide students with the electronic version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) questions to determine, for title IV eligibility purposes, whether: a dependent student is a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States or is here for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; and the parents of a dependent student have a valid social security number. The website must also include: detailed guidance on how dependent students who satisfy those immigration requirements but whose parents do not have a valid social security number may obtain student assistance under title IV, and an online tool that allows those students to upload the documents they need to receive such assistance.

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act of 2017 This bill declares that, if a veteran is forced to discontinue a course as a result of a a permanent school closure and did not receive credit or lost training time toward completion of the education program, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance payments shall not, for a specified period of time, be: charged against the individual's entitlement to educational assistance, or counted against the aggregate period for which such assistance may be provided. The bill applies to courses and programs of education discontinued beginning with FY2015. The VA may continue to pay educational assistance and subsistence allowances to eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled in specified courses for up to 4 weeks in any 12-month period when schools are temporarily closed under an established policy based on an executive order of the President or due to an emergency situation. The VA may also continue to pay a monthly housing stipend following a permanent school closure, but only until the earlier of: (1) the date of the end of the term, quarter, or semester during which the school closure occurred; and (2) the date that is four months after the school closure.

Community College Energy Training Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Community College Energy Training Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE), in coordination with the Departments of Labor and Agriculture (USDA), to create a joint program under which the Departments award grants to community colleges to provide workforce training and education in sustainable energy industries and practices, such as: (1) clean energy; (2) high-performance green building construction, design, and redevelopment; (3) sustainable energy technologies; (4) water, energy, and resource conservation; (5) recycling and waste reduction; and (6) sustainable agriculture and farming. DOE, Labor, and USDA must: ensure that at least one-half of the grant funds are awarded to community colleges with existing sustainability programs leading to certificates, credentials, or degrees in such industries or practices; and give priority to community colleges that plan to use the grant to carry out programs developed and maintained through consultation with such industries and practices.

A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study and submit a report on filing requirements under the Universal Service Fund programs.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress on the filing requirements for telecommunications carriers or service providers that receive Universal Service Fund support under the Communications Act of 1934 to provide service to qualifying low-income consumers, rural or high-cost areas, rural health care providers, schools, or libraries under the Connect America, Lifeline, E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Remote Areas, Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support, and Mobility programs. The report must analyze the financial impact of those filing requirements and provide any recommendations on how to consolidate redundant filing requirements. After receiving the GAO's report, the FCC must initiate a rulemaking to consolidate redundant filing requirements and incorporate any GAO recommendations that would not violate the Administrative Procedure Act into such rulemaking or any ongoing rulemakings.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the entitlement to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs for members of the Armed Forces awarded the Purple Heart, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

This bill entitles members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart for service occurring on or after September 11, 2001, to educational assistance under the Department of Veterans Affairs' Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. Such individuals are also eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program.

Cyber Security Education and Federal Workforce Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Cyber Security Education and Federal Workforce Enhancement Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office of Cybersecurity Education and Awareness Branch to make recommendations to DHS regarding: (1) recruitment of information assurance, cybersecurity, and computer security professionals; (2) grants, training programs, and other support for kindergarten through grade 12, secondary, and post-secondary computer security education programs; (3) guest lecturer programs in which professional computer security experts lecture computer science students at institutions of higher education; (4) youth training programs for students to work in part-time or summer positions at federal agencies; and (5) programs to support underrepresented minorities in computer security fields with programs at minority-serving institutions and rural colleges and universities. DHS must provide matching funds to local educational agencies for after-school programs dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The bill provides for the establishment of: a Research K-12 Science and Technology Education Board of Advisors; a Computing and Information Security Post-Secondary Education Working Group to assist DHS in developing voluntary guidelines for federal civil agency training programs, certification authorities, and accreditation bodies; a Post-Secondary Laboratory Research Development Task Force to recommend best practices for college and university laboratory facilities; an Office of Computing and Information Security Professional's Mentoring Program; a program under which DHS may designate Centers of Academic Computer and Information Assurance Distinction; programs in conjunction with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants for cybersecurity and information security professional development programs and degrees; and an E-Security Fellows Program to facilitate participation in DHS's National Cybersecurity Division. DHS may make grants to post-secondary institutions to equip computer laboratories for teaching and research purposes. The NSF must report to Congress regarding the causes of the high dropout rates of women and minority students enrolled in STEM programs.

Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Recognizes that National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month provides an opportunity for sexual violence education and sexual assault prevention, treatment, and prosecution. Calls for: (1) acknowledging survivors and commending volunteers and professionals who assist them; (2) recognizing and applauding national and community organizations and private sector supporters; and (3) recognizing and applauding public safety, law enforcement, and health professionals.

Healthy Relationships Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Healthy Relationships Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Administration for Children & Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to public and private entities for the exclusive purpose of providing qualified sexual risk avoidance education to youth and their parents. Such education must address specified topics, including: benefits associated with personal responsibility and healthy decisionmaking; the advantage of reserving sexual activity for marriage; the skills needed to resist the harms associated with pornography and pervasive, sex-saturated culture; the foundational components of healthy relationships; and how to resist and avoid sexual coercion and dating violence. Priority in awarding grants must be given to applicants who propose sexual risk avoidance education programs that will regularly reinforce the sexual risk avoidance message in both the middle and high school grades and will promote parent-child communication on the benefits of avoiding all sexual risk.

LATTS Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Label and Transport Tissues Safely Act of 2017 or the LATTS Act of 2017 This bill prohibits the sale of human tissue for research or education unless the seller has a non-transplant tissue bank license, each package of tissue is labeled with specified information, and each package is wrapped in the prescribed manner. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall establish a process for the approval, suspension, and revocation of non-transplant tissue bank licenses. False labeling of packages of human tissue is prohibited. HHS or any accrediting body authorized by HHS is allowed to enter and inspect any facility that is subject to a non-transplant tissue bank license. HHS shall recall any human tissue specimen that is an imminent or substantial hazard to public health. The bill makes it unlawful to knowingly sell or otherwise transfer any human tissue specimen if the transfer affects interstate commerce.

VETERAN Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Vocational Education and Training Enhancements for Reintegration Assistance Now Act or the VETERAN Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to make changes to the Veterans Benefits Administration's information technology system to ensure that: (1) all original and supplemental claims for Post-9/11 educational assistance are adjudicated electronically, and (2) rules-based processing is used to make decisions with respect to such claims with little human intervention.

VET TEC Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses Act or the VET TEC Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans with the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education. An "eligible veteran" is one who is entitled to educational assistance under the laws administered by the VA. A "high technology program of education" is one that is offered by an entity other than an institution of higher learning, does not lead to a degree, and provides instruction in computer programming, computer software, media application, data processing, or information sciences. The VA shall enter into contracts with multiple qualified providers of such programs, under which the VA shall pay: (1) 25% of the cost of providing the program upon the enrollment of an eligible veteran, (2) 25% of such cost when the veteran completes the program, and (3) 50% of such cost upon the veteran's employment following completion. The VA shall give preference to a qualified provider that offers tuition reimbursement for any student who completes the program and does not find full-time meaningful employment within 180 days. The VA shall pay a monthly housing stipend to each eligible veteran enrolled full-time in such a program.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act of 2017 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for research on triple-negative breast cancer (the cells of these breast cancers are negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must develop and disseminate to the public information regarding triple-negative breast cancer, including information on: (1) the incidence and prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer among women, (2) the elevated risk for minority women, and (3) the availability of a range of treatment options. The Health Resources and Services Administration must develop and disseminate information on triple-negative breast cancer to health care providers.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of April 24, 2017, through April 28, 2017, as National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Awareness Week.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Expresses support for the designation of National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Awareness Week. Recognizes that such personnel implement evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes. Commends the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel for its efforts to promote and improve the availability of specialized instructional support services. Encourages: (1) policymakers to work together to raise awareness of the importance of such personnel in education reform efforts, and (2) experts to share best practices. Urges: (1) the Department of Education to provide states and local educational agencies with guidance on effectively using such personnel to improve schools; and (2) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to promote the involvement of such personnel in efforts to improve mental health, reduce drug use, and improve overall community safety.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. Promotes effective and comprehensive HIV prevention education programs. Urges youth-friendly and accessible health care services to better provide for the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to clinically and culturally appropriate care and treatment as early as possible. Commends the work of AIDS service organizations, community and faith-based organizations, and school-based health centers that are providing appropriate services to young people living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Declares that full implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy is required.

Equitable Student Aid Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Equitable Student Aid Access Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements governing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The bill increases the adjusted gross income threshold used to determine whether a student qualifies for an automatic zero expected family contribution (EFC) in the calculation of the student's financial need. A dependent student is eligible for an automatic zero EFC if the student's parents have adjusted gross income up to $30,000. An independent student with non-spouse dependents is eligible for a zero EFC if the student and spouse have adjusted gross income up to $30,000. The bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to allow students to use tax information from the year before the previous one in determining their financial aid eligibility. The Internal Revenue Service and ED must share available data pursuant to taxpayer consent. The bill requires the FAFSA application to be available to students by October 1, which is three months earlier than is currently required.

Kids Before Cons Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Kids Before Cons Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to limit waiver authority of the Department of Education (ED) under the Experimental Sites Initiative. Specifically, it prohibits ED from waiving statutory provisions that ban Pell Grant eligibility and federal financial aid for incarcerated students (e.g., as part of an experimental initiative to allow incarcerated students to receive Pell Grants for postsecondary education opportunities). The legislation also prohibits ED from awarding funds to an institution of higher education for providing such postsecondary education to incarcerated individuals.

Pre-K for USA Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Pre-K for USA Act This bill requires the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education to jointly award high-quality prekindergarten (pre-K) program development grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies. Grants are nonrenewable and must be awarded for a period of no more than three years. Unless granted a financial hardship waiver, a grant recipient must contribute matching funds equal to at least 20% of the grant amount.

Supporting the goals and ideals of Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Supports the goals and ideals of Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month to increase the visibility of mathematics and statistics as fields of study and to communicate the benefits of an education in mathematics and statistics. Recognizes that mathematics and statistics underpin all of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Celebrates the role that mathematics and statistics play in the everyday lives of all Americans.

Supporting the goals and ideals of GLSEN's 2017 Day of Silence in bringing attention to anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer name-calling, bullying, and harassment faced by individuals in schools.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

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). Requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the National Day of Silence. 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.

Protecting Student Privacy Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Protecting Student Privacy Act of 2017 This bill amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to prohibit programs administered by the Department of Education from making funds available to any educational agency or institution that has not implemented information security policies that: (1) protect personally identifiable information (PII) from education records, and (2) require each outside party to whom PII from education records is disclosed to have a comprehensive security program to protect such information. An "outside party" is defined as a person that is not an employee, officer, or volunteer of the educational agency or institution or of a government agency. The term includes any contractor or consultant acting as a school official or authorized representative or in any other capacity. The bill prohibits such funds from being made available to any educational agency or institution that has a policy or practice of using, releasing, or providing access to PII to advertise or market a product or service. State agencies receiving such funds, and each educational agency or institution, must ensure that any outside party with access to such records: (1) provides parents access to any PII it holds about their students; (2) provides a process to challenge, correct, or delete any inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate data through a hearing by the agency or institution providing the outside party with access; (3) maintains a record of all individuals, agencies, or organizations that have requested or obtained access to the education records of a student; and (4) has information security procedures in place. The bill prohibits funds from being made available to any educational agency or institution, or any state educational agency, unless the agency or institution has a practice that: (1) promotes data minimization by meeting requests for student information with non-PII; and (2) requires that PII held by any outside party be destroyed when the information is no longer needed for the specified purpose. Educational agencies and institutions must maintain a record of all outside parties that request or obtain access to a student's education records. Such a record must describe the information shared and indicate specifically the party's legitimate interest in obtaining this information.

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2018

United States · United States House of Representatives · 5 April 2017

Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act This bill establishes the Clear Creek National Recreation Area in California to promote environmentally responsible off-highway vehicle recreation and support other public recreational uses, including hunting, hiking, and rock and gem collecting. The Department of the Interior shall: (1) use the 2006 Clear Creek Management Area Travel Management Plan, as modified by this bill or by Interior, to incorporate natural resource protection information unavailable in 2006 as the basis for an interim management plan to govern off-highway vehicle recreation in the area; and (2) create a comprehensive management plan for the area, which shall include a hazards education program and a user fee program for motorized vehicle use. Landowners must be given adequate access to inholdings within the area. The use of motorized vehicles on public land in the area shall be permitted only on roads, trails, and areas designated by the management plan. Livestock grazing shall be allowed to continue in certain parts of the area. The bill designates approximately 21,000 acres of identified federal lands in Fresno and San Benito Counties, California, as the Joaquin Rocks Wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill releases the San Benito Mountain wilderness study area from specified requirements applicable to public lands subject to a wilderness review.

Campus Accountability and Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Campus Accountability and Safety Act This bill addresses sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other violence and harassment on the campuses of colleges and universities. The bill amends provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to expand reporting requirements included in the annual campus security report provided to current and prospective students and employees. Specifically, the report must include information about: (1) the institutions coordination with local law enforcement about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking occurring against its students or against other individuals on its campus; (2) statistics about certain criminal offenses reported to campus security authorities or local police, including rape, fondling, incest, and statutory rape; and (3) information about how the institution is addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Department of Education (ED) must administer and publish the campus-level results of a biannual survey of students regarding their experiences with domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Each institution must establish a campus security policy that meets certain requirements with respect to: (1) assisting survivors; (2) training individuals who are involved in implementing the student grievance procedures or who are responsible for interviewing survivors; and (3) establishing a uniform process for student disciplinary proceedings relating to any claims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking or a sexual misconduct policy violation against a student. ED and the Department of Justice may impose civil penalties for failure to meet certain requirements under this bill. The bill also authorizes grants to address these issues.

Student Security Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Student Security Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education and the Social Security Administration to jointly carry out a student loan forgiveness program that will forgive Federal Direct loans in exchange for delayed eligibility for old-age insurance benefits under the Social Security Act. In addition, the bill authorizes the transfer of amounts from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund into the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund if borrowing is necessary to pay full benefit payments from the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the exclusion from gross income of income attributable to the discharge of student loan indebtedness to include indebtedness discharged under the program.

Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop model standards and guidelines for credentialing environmental health workers. HHS must develop a comprehensive and coordinated plan for the environmental health workforce that includes performance measures and identifies: (1) any gaps between existing programs and future environmental health workforce needs, (2) actions needed to address any identified gaps, and (3) any additional statutory authority required by HHS to implement identified actions. The Government Accountability Office must identify best practices related to training and credentialing environmental health professionals in six states, based on the examination of three states that have credentialing requirements for environmental health workers and three that do not. The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to specify that environmental health workers are eligible for public service loan forgiveness.