Education

Make It In America Manufacturing Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

Make It In America Manufacturing Communities Act This bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish the Manufacturing Community Support Program, under which certain consortiums shall be designated as manufacturing communities and receive specified support. To be eligible for designation, a consortium must include at least one (1) institution of higher education, (2) private sector entity, and (3) government entity. The consortium may define the region that it represents, as long as the region contains critical elements of key technologies or supply chain and enables close collaboration among the consortium's members. Each designation shall be for two years and may be renewed for up to two additional two-year periods. Support under the program shall include financial and technical assistance and preferential consideration when seeking such assistance. Designees may use such financial or technical assistance to support investments in ecosystems that will improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, including infrastructure, access to capital, promotion of exports and foreign direct investment, equipment upgrades, workforce training, energy or process efficiency, business incubators, site preparation, advanced research, supply chain development, and small business assistance.

Recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing the Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well-being.

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

This resolution thanks and promotes the teaching profession by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in National Teacher Appreciation Week.

Strength in Diversity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

Strength in Diversity Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to specified educational agencies to develop or implement plans to improve diversity and reduce or eliminate racial or socioeconomic isolation in publicly funded early childhood education programs, public elementary schools, or public secondary schools.

Expanding On-Campus Child Care to Help Student Parents Succeed Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

Expanding On-Campus Child Care to Help Student Parents Succeed Act This bill permanently reauthorizes and revises the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program. (The program awards grants to support the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services.) Among other revisions to the program, the bill allows grant funds to be used for additional purposes (e.g., child care subsidies and support services) and specifies additional grant application requirements.

ESP Family Leave Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

ESP Family Leave Act This bill provides that employees who are education support professionals will be considered as meeting the hours of service requirements to become eligible for family or medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, if they have worked a number of hours equal to not less than 60% of the total monthly hours expected for their job descriptions and duties, as assigned for the previous school year. The bill defines an education support professional as an employee within a public school or public institution of higher education which may include (1) paraeducators who provide instructional and noninstructional support; (2) secretarial, clerical, and administrative support staff; (3) custodians and maintenance service workers who provide building and grounds maintenance and repair; (4) skilled trade workers who provide services in schools, e.g., electricians, carpenters, and machinery operators; (5) workers who provide food service; (6) workers who provide school transportation and delivery services; (7) computer audiovisual, and language technical support staff; (8) security staff; (9) nursing, health, and therapy support staff; and (10) other staff that may serve public education students. The Department of Labor may provide a method for calculating leave under the Act for education support professionals.

Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2019 This bill establishes programs for the implementation and use of smart technologies and systems in communities of various sizes. A “smart city or community” is one in which innovative, advanced, and trustworthy information, communication, and energy technologies are applied to (1) improve the health and quality of life of residents; (2) increase efficiency of operations and services; (3) promote economic growth; and (4) improve safety, security, sustainability, resiliency, livability, and work life. The Department of Commerce shall establish a regional demonstration grant program focused on facilitating adoption, and allowing measurement and validation of performance, of advanced smart city or community technologies and systems. Commerce shall also convene a working group to develop tools for evaluating the cybersecurity of smart city or community technologies. The Department of Labor shall establish the TechHire Workforce Training and Development Pilot Program to furnish competitive grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide industry-recognized credentials. The bill requires strong federal encouragement and support for private sector-led standards development activities. The bill requires the establishment of a strategic international smart cities and communities trade program that includes trade missions to promote and assist smart-community activities, as by leveraging expertise in infrastructure development.

Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act This bill authorizes private civil causes of action for disparate impact violations (to the same extent as intentional violations) of federal regulations of general applicability that prohibit discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. Education programs that receive financial assistance authorized or extended by the Department of Education (ED) must designate at least one compliance coordinator to carry out these nondiscrimination responsibilities and investigate complaints. The bill requires ED to appoint a Special Assistant for Equity and Inclusion to (1) promote, coordinate, and evaluate equity and inclusion programs; and (2) advise ED on matters relating to equity and inclusion.

NURSE Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act or the NURSE Act This bill establishes a demonstration grant program through which the Department of Education shall award matching funds to increase the number of school nurses in public elementary and secondary schools served by a state educational agency or local educational agency in which at least 20% of students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program.

Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention Act of 2019 This bill requires state and tribal education agencies that receive grant funding for priority mental-health needs to establish and implement (1) evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training policies, and (2) school threat assessment teams. School threat assessment teams consist of two or more school personnel who are trained to identify, assess, and respond to threats of suicide and interpersonal violence.

DELTA Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Developing Education by Leveraging Tuition Assistance Act or the DELTA Act This bill allows members of the Armed Forces to use Department of Defense tuition assistance for education or training at a degree level equal to or lower than a level previously attained if (1) it is relevant to the member's professional duties, and (2) the content is not substantially similar to that of education or training previously received.

Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019 This bill requires hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Hospitals must post a notice regarding nurse-to-patient ratios in each unit and maintain records of actual ratios for each shift in each unit. The bill also requires hospitals to follow certain procedures regarding how ratios are determined and other staff are prohibited from performing nurse functions unless specifically authorized within a state's scope of practice rules, among other requirements. HHS must adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs attributable to compliance with these ratios. Nurses may object to, or refuse to participate in, an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if they are not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing their nurse's license. Hospitals may not (1) take adverse actions against a nurse based on the nurse's reasonable refusal to accept an assignment; or (2) discriminate against individuals for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or related facilities. HHS may impose civil monetary penalties on hospitals violating the ratio requirements and must publish the names of such hospitals. The bill provides stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program and expands the nurse retention grant program to include nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.

Improving Middle Class Access to Higher Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Improving Middle Class Access to Higher Education Act This bill increases the income limit to qualify for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Simplified Needs Test from $50,000 to $100,000.

Early Pell Promise Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Early Pell Promise Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to carry out an Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Program under which ED must make a commitment to award Pell Grants to certain students. To be eligible to receive such a commitment, the student must be in grades 8 through 12 and a member of a household receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Pursuant to such a commitment, the student shall receive a Pell Grant during the first two academic years of attendance at an institution of higher education (IHE) as an undergraduate if the student files the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form for the award year in which the student will be in attendance at the IHE, and enrolls at the IHE not later than one year after receiving a secondary school diploma or not later than three years after release from the Armed Forces.

NURSE Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act or the NURSE Act This bill establishes a demonstration grant program through which the Department of Education shall award matching funds to increase the number of school nurses in public elementary and secondary schools served by a state educational agency or local educational agency in which at least 20% of students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program.

Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019 This bill requires hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Hospitals must post a notice regarding nurse-to-patient ratios in each unit and maintain records of actual ratios for each shift in each unit. The bill also requires hospitals to follow certain procedures regarding how ratios are determined and other staff are prohibited from performing nurse functions unless specifically authorized within a state's scope of practice rules, among other requirements. HHS must adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs attributable to compliance with these ratios. Nurses may object to, or refuse to participate in, an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if they are not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing their nurse's license. Hospitals may not (1) take adverse actions against a nurse based on the nurse's reasonable refusal to accept an assignment; or (2) discriminate against individuals for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or related facilities. HHS may impose civil monetary penalties on hospitals violating the ratio requirements and must publish the names of such hospitals. The bill provides stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program and expands the nurse retention grant program to include nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.

A resolution recognizing the roles and contributions of the teachers of the United States in building and enhancing the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

This resolution thanks the teachers of the United States and promotes the teaching profession by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in National Teacher Appreciation Week.

STEM Opportunities Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

STEM Opportunities Act of 2019 This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and at federal science agencies. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to provide specified guidance related to such groups to federal science agencies and IHEs. Each federal science agency must collect comprehensive demographic data on recipients of merit-reviewed research and development grants given to IHEs and federal laboratories supported by that agency. Each agency must also implement recommendations from the OSTP report titled Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce . In addition, each agency must carry out a pilot program and implement policies and practices to minimize the effect of implicit bias in the grant review process. The National Science Foundation (NSF) must carry out and publish a survey to collect institution-level data on the demographics of STEM faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at different types of IHEs. The NSF must also carry out a variety of grant programs, including grants for increasing (1) the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in STEM careers; (2) the recruitment and retention of minority students who are underrepresented in STEM fields; and (3) student participation in computer science and computational thinking education programs at tribal colleges and universities.

Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer a contingent physician's appointment to a person who, upon completion of a post-graduate training program, completes a residency program within two years after the VA offer. Eligibility requirements for a VA physician's appointment, including a contingency appointment, are revised to require completion of a residency program rather than an internship. At least annually, the VA must ensure that a recruiter or other similar official of each Veterans Integrated Service Network (regional VA health care administrative areas) visits each allopathic and osteopathic teaching institution with a graduate medical education program within the network to recruit individuals for the Veterans Health Administration.

To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

This bill repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective January 1, 2023. Provisions of law amended by those acts are restored.

PLACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Preparing Localities for an Autonomous and Connected Environment Act or the PLACE Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to provide grants to institutions of higher education to (1) operate a national highly automated vehicle clearinghouse; (2) collect, conduct, and fund research on how autonomous vehicles can influence land use, urban design, transportation, real estate, municipal budgets, social equity, and the environment; and (3) make such research publicly available online.

Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2019 This bill removes drug conviction questions from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also requires the Department of Education to issue guidance and recommendations for institutions of higher education to remove criminal and juvenile justice questions from their admission applications.

Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and otherwise revises international education programs. These programs provide grants to institutions of higher education and related entities to (1) enhance instruction in international and foreign language studies, and (2) promote international business skills and education. First, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international and foreign language studies. Specifically, it extends (1) the Graduate and Undergraduate Language and Area Centers and Programs, which include the National Resource Centers program; (2) the Language Resource Centers; (3) the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; and (4) the American Overseas Research Centers. Next, the bill revises the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships program to permit graduate students to receive a stipend for the beginning, intermediate, or advanced study of a foreign language related to the student's area of specialization. Further, the bill replaces the existing Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access program with an international research and innovation program. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international business skills and education. Specifically, it reauthorizes the Centers for International Business Education program. It also reauthorizes the Education and Training program and otherwise makes changes to the program, including by (1) renaming the program; and (2) mandating certain program activities, such as the incorporation of specified programs and studies into professional education and technical training curricula. Finally, the bill permits the Department of Education to prioritize grant applications from minority-serving institutions.

Child Safety Accounts Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Child Safety Accounts Act This bill creates child safety accounts (CSAs) in the District of Columbia for students experiencing safety issues at school (e.g., incidents of bullying, sexual misconduct, fighting or physical assaults on the student, gang activity or drug usage, or food safety needs). Once the Office of School Security determines that an issue exists, parents are given the opportunity to enroll in CSAs for tuition and fees at qualified schools, tutoring services, textbooks, transportation costs, therapy costs to cope with safety incidents, and college courses. The bill sets forth procedures for scholarship granting organizations to accept donations for CSAs and pay out scholarships for students. CSA donors must be taxpayers, individuals, or corporations who file District income tax returns, cannot be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer return, has donated to a scholarship granting organization, and has been certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the District to make the donation. Finally, this bill establishes a District program to provide tax credits against income tax imposed by the District on (1) certified donors to CSAs, and (2) parents for eligible expenses above the amount provided by the CSA.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Healthy Schools Day.

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

This resolution expresses support for (1) the goals and ideals of National Healthy Schools Day, and (2) a national commitment to preventing the deterioration of our schools and to fixing our crumbling school facilities. The resolution (1) recognizes the importance of improving our children's aging school buildings; and (2) encourages state and local governments to coordinate their efforts to assist local schools, and to publicize the importance of healthful learning environments.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 201 9 This bill modifies the requirements for calculating taxable income to exclude from gross income any AmeriCorps educational awards provided under the National and Community Service Act of 1990.

Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights This bill places additional requirements on postsecondary educational lenders and servicers and provides certain consumer protections to borrowers. Specifically, postsecondary educational lenders and servicers must provide borrowers with additional disclosures (1) before their first fully amortized payment is due, (2) when the borrower is identified as at risk of default, (3) when the borrower is delinquent on payments or has difficulty making payments, and (4) when a loan is transferred or sold. Further, servicers and lenders must (1) respond to borrower inquiries, (2) establish repayment specialists to assist borrowers who are at risk of default, (3) designate a service member and veterans liaison, and (4) make borrower loan information available in a secure electronic form. Servicers and lenders are prohibited from using mandatory arbitration clauses or class action restrictions. The bill also (1) standardizes the application and allocation of payments among multiple loans, and (2) limits when borrowers may be subject to late fees. Additionally, institutions of higher education must certify private education loans prior to a lender consummating a loan with a borrower. The bill directs the Department of Education to (1) establish a student loan servicing interagency working group, which must make recommendations and develop policy direction related to servicing contracts; and (2) establish a centralized point of access for all borrowers, which must include account information and payment processing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must develop and issue model forms to allow borrowers to compare alternative repayment options, forbearance, and deferment options.

Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2019 This bill revises the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and modifies federal student aid eligibility for certain students. Among other things, the bill revises FAFSA to remove certain questions such as those regarding a student's criminal history, Selective Service registration, and combat pay information; make it available to complete on a mobile device; consolidate questions regarding a student's homeless status; allow a student to automatically populate such form using data available from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); provide forms in the most common languages spoken at home in the United States; and allow a student to complete FAFSA as an independent student under special circumstances. The bill also modifies the student eligibility criteria for federal student financial aid to deem a student eligible for a determination of a zero expected family contribution under certain circumstances, such as when a dependent student's parent participated in a means-tested benefits program (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid); revise the simplified needs-analysis formula; remove drug conviction and Selective Service registration provisions; and make Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) eligible for federal financial aid. Additionally, the IRS must disclose certain tax return information to the Department of Education (ED) for the purpose of administering financial aid and loan programs. The bill also authorizes ED to carry out an early federal Pell Grant commitment program.

Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2019 This bill removes drug conviction questions from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also requires the Department of Education to issue guidance and recommendations for institutions of higher education to remove criminal and juvenile justice questions from their admission applications.

PREP Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Promoting Reentry Through Education in Prisons Act of 2019 or the PREP Act This bill establishes, within the Bureau of Prisons, an Office of Correctional Education. The office must provide educational services to incarcerated individuals in federal prisons and correctional institutions.

A resolution designating May 18, 2019, as "Kids to Parks Day".

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

This resolution designates May 18, 2019, as Kids to Parks Day. The resolution 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 bill to set forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2020 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2021 through 2029.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2019

This bill establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2020 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY2021-FY2029. The bill recommends levels and amounts for FY2020-FY2029 for federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits, public debt, debt held by the public, and the major functional categories of spending. It also recommends levels and amounts for FY2020-FY2029 in the Senate for Social Security and Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses. The bill includes reconciliation instructions that direct several Senate committees to report and submit to the Senate Budget Committee legislation to reduce the deficit by specified amounts over FY2020-FY2029. The committees include the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The Senate Finance Committee must report and submit legislation to reduce the deficit and revenues by specified amounts over FY2020-FY2029. (Under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, reconciliation bills are considered by Congress using expedited legislative procedures that prevent a filibuster and restrict amendments in the Senate.) The bill establishes reserve funds that provide flexibility in applying budget enforcement rules to legislation relating to (1) efficiencies, consolidations, and other savings; or (2) health savings accounts. It also sets forth budget enforcement procedures for legislation considered in the Senate.

Vaccinate All Children Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2019

Vaccinate All Children Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from awarding grants to public entities of a state for preventive health service programs unless the state institutes certain vaccination requirements for its public schools. Specifically, a state must require each student in public elementary or secondary school to be vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The bill provides an exception for students whose health would be endangered by vaccination in the opinion of a physician conforming to the accepted standard of medical care.

MAKERS Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2019

Making Advances Kinetic Education, Research, and Skills Act or the MAKERS Act This bill directs the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education or their consortia to support the research and development of makerspaces to assist in the formation of a workforce capable of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Makerspaces are community spaces that (1) provide access to tools, technology, and knowledge for learners and entrepreneurs; (2) result in prototyping or creation of physical goods, interdisciplinary learning, and educational innovation; and (3) support the development of educational opportunities for personal growth, workforce training, and early stage business ventures. Grants may be used for (1) research on the effectiveness of makerspaces in engaging students and the community in STEM skills and in teaching and learning, (2) the compilation and dissemination of best practices on the use of makerspaces for STEM learning and workforce preparedness, and (3) equipment to achieve such purposes. Funds furnished through a grant may not be used for the construction of a building or facility to hold a makerspace unless such construction is necessary for safety reasons or the use of relevant equipment.

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020

United States · United States Senate · 2 May 2019

School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act This bill preferences for grants under the children's asthma treatment program states that require schools to establish allergy and asthma management programs that include individual action plans for students diagnosed with allergies or asthma.

FUTURE Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act or the FUTURE Act This bill extends through FY2021 and revises mandatory funding programs for historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, including by allocating a portion of the funding for grants to predominantly black institutions for programs in (1) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; (2) health education; (3) internationalization or globalization; (4) teacher preparation; or (5) improving educational outcomes of African-American males.

American Mineral Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

American Mineral Security Act This bill addresses the availability, development, and production of domestic critical minerals. The President must coordinate the appropriate agencies to implement U.S. policy regarding critical minerals, including to establish an analytical and forecasting capability for identifying critical mineral market factors so as to avoid supply shortages, mitigate price volatility, and prepare for demand growth and other market shifts. Among other things, the bill provides statutory authority for the U.S. Geological Survey to designate and update every three years a list of critical minerals; requires a comprehensive national assessment of every critical mineral; directs the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to complete federal permitting and review processes with maximum efficiency and effectiveness; requires the Department of Energy to conduct a program of research and development to promote the production, use, and recycling of critical minerals, and develop alternatives to critical minerals; directs the Department of Labor to assess the domestic availability of technically trained personnel with the necessary skill set for critical mineral activities; provides for a study to design an interdisciplinary program on critical minerals that will support the critical mineral supply chain and increase domestic critical mineral development; establishes a competitive grant program for institutions of higher education to implement integrated critical mineral education, training, and workforce development programs; and reauthorizes through FY2029 the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program.

Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to eligible institutions to (1) establish a master's degree program in orthotics and prosthetics, or (2) expand upon an existing master's degree program in such area. The VA shall give grant priority to institutions that have entered into a partnership with a medical center administered by the VA or a facility administered by the Department of Defense. An eligible institution is an educational institution that is either accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or that demonstrates an ability to meet such accreditation requirements if it receives a grant. The bill also requires the VA to award a grant to an institution with orthotic and prosthetic research and education experience to (1) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and Prosthetic Education; and (2) improve orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and civilians by conducting orthotic and prosthetic research.

U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Act This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress on the potential benefits and impact of establishing a U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence to leverage the expertise of government, higher education, and private-sector entities in cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Congratulating and honoring Rodney Robinson on receiving the 2019 National Teacher of the Year Award.

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

This resolution (1) congratulates Rodney Robinson on receiving the 2019 National Teacher of the Year Award, and (2) celebrates all four finalists for the award for their service and commitment to America's youth.

Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to eligible institutions to (1) establish a master's degree program in orthotics and prosthetics, or (2) expand upon an existing master's degree program in such area. The VA shall give grant priority to institutions that have entered into a partnership with a medical center administered by the VA or a facility administered by the Department of Defense. An eligible institution is an educational institution that is either accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or that demonstrates an ability to meet such accreditation requirements if it receives a grant. The bill also requires the VA to award a grant to an institution with orthotic and prosthetic research and education experience to (1) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and Prosthetic Education; and (2) improve orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and civilians by conducting orthotic and prosthetic research.

Faith-Based Community Center Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Faith-Based Community Center Protection Act This bill permits the use of Urban Area Security Initiative or State Homeland Security Grant Program grant funds to protect a faith-based community center or vulnerable populations, including children or the elderly. A faith-based community center is a facility operated by a nonprofit faith-based community organization for the provision of recreational, social, or education services, or a house of worship. The bill increases the term of imprisonment from 5 to 10 years for providing false or misleading information or engaging in hoaxes.

21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act This bill directs the Department of Education to make grants to local educational agencies to pay the costs of carrying out STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education activities for girls and underrepresented minorities.

Foreign Service Families Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Foreign Service Families Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of State to include in the Foreign Affairs Manual an updated plan for providing telecommuting employment opportunities for the spouses of overseas Foreign Service Officers. The State Department shall facilitate employment of such spouses by providing regular career counseling, maintaining a centralized database of the skills of such spouses and available employment opportunities, and offering other employment-related assistance. (Currently, the State Department is authorized to provide such assistance but not required to do so.) The State Department shall establish a program to help such spouses access employment and education opportunities, modeled after already-authorized programs for military spouses. The State Department shall report to Congress on the status of the implementation of the Foreign Service Family Reserve Corps (a program designed to speed up the hiring process for eligible family members of overseas Foreign Service officers), including (1) an update on the implementation of a hiring preference for Corps members, and (2) an accounting of any Corps-eligible individuals who were unable to fill a position at new location due to an inability to transfer a security clearance. Family members of overseas government employees shall not be held to a higher employment standard for positions customarily filled by Foreign Service officers, Foreign Service personnel, or foreign nationals.

LOAN Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Leveraging Opportunities for Americans Now Act of 2019 or the LOAN Act of 2019 This bill revises interest rates and repayment plans for federal student loans. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to set the interest rate on federal student loans made on or after July 1, 2021, at 0% and replace the interest with a one-time financing fee. The bill permits ED to credit or refund borrowers who pay the balance of their loan earlier than required by their repayment plan with the amount of the financing fee. The bill establishes an income-dependent education assistance repayment plan as the default repayment plan for federal student loans. A borrower may select either this new plan or a 10-year fixed repayment plan. ED must calculate annual repayment amounts and provide annual statements to borrowers. The Department of the Treasury must transmit tax information to ED as necessary to determine a borrower's repayment obligations and financing fee adjustments.

Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act This bill replaces a grant program for reducing and eliminating the illegal use of drugs and alcohol on college campuses with a grant program for preventing and addressing the effects of substance use on college campuses. Specifically, it authorizes the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to award substance misuse prevention and treatment grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) with regional high incidences of substance use disorders, overdoses, and deaths. It requires at least 25% of funds to be awarded to IHEs in rural areas. The bill requires IHEs to use funds for evidence-based or promising interventions designed to address and prevent substance use disorders among enrolled students, such as recovery services, treatment or referral to treatment, and mental health counseling. IHEs receiving such grants must provide at least a 20% match of nonfederal funds.

FUTURE Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act or the FUTURE Act This bill extends through FY2021 and revises mandatory funding programs for historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, including by allocating a portion of the funding for grants to predominantly black institutions for programs in (1) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; (2) health education; (3) internationalization or globalization; (4) teacher preparation; or (5) improving educational outcomes of African-American males.

National De-Escalation of Violence and Community Safety Training Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

National De-Escalation of Violence and Community Safety Training Act of 2019 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program for de-escalation of violence training in communities. Among other requirements, such training must include (1) techniques to de-escalate situations to avoid violence, (2) education about implicit bias, (3) communication and negotiation skills, and (4) scenario-based application of such de-escalation tactics. SAMHSA must establish the De-Escalation Advisory Board to advise and assist SAMHSA's development and implementation of the grant program. Additionally, the bill expands and extends through FY2025 mental health awareness training grants.

Opioid Workforce Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period.

Expressing support for the designation of May 2019 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

This resolution (1) expresses support for the designation of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, (2) recognizes the contribution of motorcycles to the transportation mix, (3) encourages motorcycle awareness by all road users, (4) recognizes that motorcyclists have a right to the road and that all motorists should safely share the roadways, (5) encourages rider education and training for safe motorcycle operation, and (6) supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.