Education

Affordable College Textbook Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023

Affordable College Textbook Act This bill directs the Department of Education to make grants to institutions of higher education or states to support projects that expand the use of open textbooks in order to achieve savings for students while maintaining or improving instruction and student learning outcomes. An open textbook is an educational resource that either resides in the public domain or has been released under an intellectual license that permits its free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others.

Equal Campus Access Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023

Equal Campus Access Act of 2023 This bill prohibits funding made available under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from being provided to any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies to religious student organizations any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.

Affordable College Textbook Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023

Affordable College Textbook Act This bill directs the Department of Education to make grants to institutions of higher education or states to support projects that expand the use of open textbooks in order to achieve savings for students while maintaining or improving instruction and student learning outcomes. An open textbook is an educational resource that either resides in the public domain or has been released under an intellectual license that permits its free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others.

Equal Campus Access Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023

Equal Campus Access Act of 2023 This bill prohibits funding made available under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from being provided to any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies to religious student organizations any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans".

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023

This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Department of Education on October 12, 2022, that suspends federal student loan payments and discharges debt.

Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2023

Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act This bill provides for coverage of certain cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of microarray analysis, DNA and RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and other next-generation sequencing for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish an education and awareness program for physicians and the public about genomic testing and the role of genetic counselors.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of March 26, 2023, through April 1, 2023, as "National Cleaning Week".

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2023

This resolution recognizes the essential services provided by the cleaning industry in maintaining sanitary conditions and supports the designation of National Cleaning Week to promote safe and clean environments at work, in schools, and at home.

Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to take certain actions to increase mathematical and statistical modeling education in public elementary and secondary schools. First, the NSF must provide competitive grants to institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations for research and development to support high-quality mathematical modeling education (e.g., data science and computational thinking) in schools. In addition, the NSF must seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and report on mathematical and statistical modeling education in schools.

Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

This bill provides that an individual's Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits must not be charged for a course or program if the VA determines the individual could not complete the course or program because (1) it was suspended or terminated due to information collected as part of a VA risk-based survey, or (2) the Department of Education has determined the educational institution committed an actionable act or omission that had a detrimental effect on direct loan borrowers. The bill also provides that as a condition of the approval of a course or program of education, an educational institution offering the course or program must agree to repay to the VA all educational assistance amounts if the institution closes or suspends or terminates a course or program because the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Education determined there was fraud.

TRANQ Research Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality Research Act or the TRANQ Research Act This bill requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support research and other activities related to identifying xylazine (a compound used in veterinary medicine as a nonopioid tranquilizer), novel synthetic opioids, and other emerging substances of concern. In particular, NIST must support basic measurement science and research, including graduate and postgraduate research; near-real time spectrometry capabilities (i.e., a technique for rapidly identifying the chemical composition of a substance); strategies and voluntary best practices for handling, transporting, and analyzing such substances; and collaboration with other government agencies, institutions of higher education, and the private sector to enhance relevant narcotic and opioid detection and analysis capabilities.

Kids in Classes Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Kids in Classes Act This bill prohibits a state educational agency from receiving specified federal education funds unless funds are provided directly to a parent or guardian of an eligible child for certain qualified educational expenses (e.g., educational materials, tutoring, or private school tuition). Eligible child refers to a child who attends a public elementary or secondary school and such school (1) receives specified federal education funds; and (2) does not provide, for more than three days during a school year and for reasons related to a public health emergency or collective bargaining action, in-person instruction for all students who wish to attend.

Pell Grant Sustainability Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Pell Grant Sustainability Act This bill restores the automatic annual inflation adjustment for Pell Grants. (This inflation adjustment expired after the 2017-2018 award year.)

More Teaching Less Testing Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

More Teaching Less Testing Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes certain programs and revises standardized testing requirements for public elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement for annual summative assessments to be administered to students every year in grades 3-8. The bill allows states to implement grade-span testing, representative sampling, or a combination of grade-span testing with either representative sampling or matrix sampling. Additionally, the bill requires states to carry out a 90-day public comment period in order to set a target limit on the aggregate amount of time devoted to the administration of and preparation for assessments for each grade. The bill establishes a task force within the National Center for Education Research to study and report on, among other things, the impact of standardized testing on student wellness, learning, and postsecondary education success. The bill extends the demonstration period for state educational agencies (SEAs) to establish innovative assessment systems. It also increases the number of SEAs that may participate in these demonstrations. Next, the bill authorizes for an additional 10 years a grant program that provides aid to local educational agencies for the education of disadvantaged children. The bill also prohibits states from using federal elementary and secondary education funds for certain purposes, such as considering summative assessments as a sole or dominant factor when implementing grade-retention policies or evaluating the performance of teachers.

Transparency in College Foreign Payments Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Transparency in College Foreign Payments Act This bill revises certain disclosure requirements for institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to disclose to the Department of Education (ED) any gift from or contract with a foreign source, regardless of the amount of the gift or contract. Under current law, an IHE must disclose to ED a gift or contract from a foreign source that is valued at $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with that foreign source within a calendar year. An IHE must also report the identity of each foreign source and the name of each foreign government. Further, an IHE must report additional information when it receives a restricted or conditional gift or contract from a foreign source. Such additional information includes (1) the identity of the foreign source; (2) the identity of the specific department, college, project, or other division of the IHE that is the recipient of the gift or contract, if applicable; and (3) the intended purpose of the gift or contract.

Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act This bill expands loan forgiveness for educators by revising the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program. The program provides loan forgiveness (up to $17,500) for teachers who are highly qualified, teach full-time in a low-income elementary or secondary school or educational service agency, and complete five years of consecutive service. Specifically, the bill renames the program as the Educator Loan Forgiveness Programs. Additionally, the bill expands the program by making additional loan types eligible for benefits under the program (e.g., parent PLUS loans). Further, the bill expands program eligibility to early childhood educators and program directors serving in early childhood education programs and school leaders serving in public high-need schools. The bill requires the Department of Education to make monthly student loan payments on behalf of the educator during qualifying service (i.e., employment as a full-time qualifying educator in a high-need school or an early childhood education program), provide complete loan forgiveness after five years of qualifying service, and take steps to notify borrowers about changes to the program.

Kids in Classes Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Kids in Classes Act This bill prohibits a state educational agency from receiving specified federal education funds unless funds are provided directly to a parent or guardian of an eligible child for certain qualified educational expenses (e.g., educational materials, tutoring, or private school tuition). Eligible child refers to a child who attends a public elementary or secondary school and such school (1) receives specified federal education funds; and (2) does not provide, for reasons related to a public health emergency or collective bargaining action, in-person instruction for all students who wish to attend.

Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act This bill expands loan forgiveness for educators by revising the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program. The program provides loan forgiveness (up to $17,500) for teachers who are highly qualified, teach full-time in a low-income elementary or secondary school or educational service agency, and complete five years of consecutive service. Specifically, the bill renames the program as the Educator Loan Forgiveness Programs. Additionally, the bill expands the program by making additional loan types eligible for benefits under the program (e.g., parent PLUS loans). Further, the bill expands program eligibility to early childhood educators and program directors serving in early childhood education programs and school leaders serving in public high-need schools. The bill requires the Department of Education to make monthly student loan payments on behalf of the educator during qualifying service (i.e., employment as a full-time qualifying educator in a high-need school or an early childhood education program), provide complete loan forgiveness after five years of qualifying service, and take steps to notify borrowers about changes to the program.

Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023

Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 2023 This bill establishes a grant program through which the Department of Education may award funds to eligible partnerships to support rural postsecondary education and economic growth and development in rural communities. A grant recipient must be a partnership whose members represent at least three designated types of organizations, specifically (1) a local educational agency or educational service agency serving a rural area, (2) an institution of higher education (IHE), (3) a regional economic development entity, or (4) a rural community-serving organization with demonstrated success supporting rural students in accessing higher education and attaining degrees. A grant recipient must use awarded funds to carry out no fewer than two specified activities, namely (1) improving postsecondary enrollment rates for rural secondary school students, (2) increasing enrollment and completion rates of rural nontraditional students in degree programs at IHEs, (3) creating or strengthening academic programs at rural-serving IHEs to prepare graduates to enter into high-need occupations in the regional and local economies, or (4) generating local and regional economic development that creates employment opportunities for rural students with postsecondary degrees.

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024

United States · United States Senate · 22 March 2023

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023 This bill extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) to certain public safety officers who suffer from exposure-related cancer while on duty and their survivors. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. The bill specifies that exposure-related cancer shall be presumed to constitute a personal injury in the line of duty if the public safety officer was exposed to or in contact with heat, radiation, or a carcinogen that is linked to an exposure-related cancer; the officer began serving as an officer not later than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis of an exposure-related cancer and the diagnosis occurred not later than 15 years after the last date of active service; and the exposure-related cancer directly and proximately resulted in the death or permanent and total disability of the officer. The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) must periodically review the definition of exposure-related cance r. It directs the BJA to add additional cancers to the definition under certain circumstances (e.g., a petition process).

Mining Schools Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Technology Grants to Strengthen Domestic Mining Education Act of 2023 or the Mining Schools Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program to support domestic mining education. Under the program, DOE must award up to 10 grants each year to mining schools for recruiting and educating mining engineers and other qualified professionals to meet future energy and mineral needs. In addition, the bill repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984.

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023 This bill extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) to certain public safety officers who suffer from exposure-related cancer while on duty and their survivors. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. The bill specifies that exposure-related cancer shall be presumed to constitute a personal injury in the line of duty if the public safety officer was exposed to or in contact with heat, radiation, or a carcinogen that is linked to an exposure-related cancer; the officer began serving as an officer not later than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis of an exposure-related cancer and the diagnosis occurred not later than 15 years after the last date of active service; and the exposure-related cancer directly and proximately resulted in the death or permanent and total disability of the officer. The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) must periodically review the definition of exposure-related cance r. It directs the BJA to add additional cancers to the definition under certain circumstances (e.g., a petition process).

DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act This bill requires the Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture to carry out cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities through the establishment of an interagency agreement. The agencies are authorized to (1) carry out reimbursable agreements in order to maximize research and development effectiveness, and (2) collaborate with other federal agencies. Further, the interagency agreement must require the use of a competitive, merit-reviewed process, which considers applications from federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions. Research and development activities may include collaborative research in a variety of focus areas such as integrated natural resources and the energy-water nexus, biofuels and biobased products, invasive species management, grid modernization and security, and rural technology development; developing methods to accommodate large voluntary standardized and integrated data sets on agricultural, environmental, supply chain, and economic information; supporting research infrastructure and workforce development; and conducting collaborative research and development on ways to improve agriculture operations and processing efficiencies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Supporting Small Business and Career and Technical Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Supporting Small Business and Career and Technical Education Act of 2023 This bill includes within the responsibilities of Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers the provision of assistance to small businesses in hiring graduates from career and technical education programs and to graduates of such programs in starting small businesses.

Supporting Small Business and Career and Technical Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Supporting Small Business and Career and Technical Education Act of 2023 This bill includes within the responsibilities of Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers the provision of assistance to small businesses in hiring graduates from career and technical education programs and to graduates of such programs in starting small businesses.

Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out research on advancing weather and climate modeling and prediction. DOE and NOAA must jointly carry out research on using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing for climate modeling and weather prediction. Research activities may include (1) developing new methods for modeling and simulation, machine learning, and predictive data analysis; and (2) facilitating data sharing between federal agencies, institutions of higher education, and other organizations. Additionally, NOAA must carry out an initiative to conduct proof-of-concept scenarios by comparing forecasts generated by advanced forecasting models with those generated by current models. As part of the initiative, NOAA may share innovations in the modeling system and applications through community-based activities and leverage climate and weather data and efforts of other federal agencies. NOAA must collaborate with DOE on the initiative. The research required by the bill must meet security and integrity requirements that apply to certain research activities of the National Science Foundation.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) to ensure the rights of parents are honored and protected in the Nation's public schools.

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) to ensure the rights of parents are honored and protected in the Nation's public schools.

Higher Education Dream Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Higher Education Dream Act of 2023 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education that receive federal student aid from discriminating against Dreamer students (e.g., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) based on their immigration status, including charging out-of-state tuition to students who would qualify as residents of the state. The bill also makes Dreamer students eligible for federal financial aid. The bill prohibits the use or publication of certain identifiable information related to such students, subject to civil penalties.

LOAN Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Lowering Obstacles to Achievement Now Act or the LOAN Act This bill makes various changes to federal student aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant program and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Specifically, the bill revises the Federal Pell Grant program by providing funding to increase the maximum Pell Grant award for each eligible student, requiring the award amount to be adjusted for inflation, allowing students who receive means-tested federal benefits (e.g., Medicaid) to automatically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant award plus an additional award amount, raising from 12 to 18 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a Pell Grant, and allowing income-eligible graduate students who received Pell Grants during their undergraduate education to utilize their remaining Pell Grant eligibility toward their first graduate degree. Additionally, the bill revises the PSLF program by reducing the number of monthly loan payments required for loan forgiveness, and removing the requirement that a borrower must be employed in a public service job at the time of loan forgiveness. The bill makes Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) who entered the United States before the age of 18 and who meet certain educational criteria eligible for federal financial aid. The bill also (1) establishes refinancing programs for federal student loans and private student loans; and (2) repeals origination fees for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans.

Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023

Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act This bill modifies programs and payment rates for behavioral health services under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For example, the bill provides for specialized payment under the Medicare physician fee schedule of certain mental health and substance use disorder services that are integrated into primary care practice, such as preventive screenings and telehealth treatment. It also establishes and provides funds for a Medicaid demonstration program to provide such services to children in a variety of settings, including schools and hospitals. The bill also requires Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug benefit plans to offer mental health and substance use disorder benefits in a manner that is no more restrictive than other benefits with respect to financial and treatment requirements (i.e., parity in benefits). Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must audit state Medicaid and CHIP programs with respect to parity requirements and post its related enforcement actions on its website; the bill provides funds for these purposes.

Territory Health Revitalization Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023

Territory Health Revitalization Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reserve a portion of funding under the Health Profession Opportunity Grants program for U.S. territories. (Organizations use these grants to provide education and training to low-income individuals for health care occupations that are expected to either experience labor shortages or be in high demand.) The bill also makes organizations in the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for the grants and requires HHS to award at least two grants to organizations in U.S. territories.

VET–TEC Authorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023

VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permanently implement a program under which it provides up to 8,000 covered individuals per year the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that provide non-degree training or skills related to computer programming, media application, data processing, or information sciences. A covered individual is a veteran who (1) the VA determines is under the age of 62, served an aggregate of at least 36 months on active duty, and was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (2) will satisfy such requirements in fewer than 180 days after the VA's determination. In administering the program, the VA must provide assistance to covered individuals in amounts equal to those provided to Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients who are pursuing a degree on more than a half-time basis. The VA must seek to enter into contracts with any number of qualified providers of high technology programs of education and pay such providers a specified percentage of the tuition and other fees for each enrolled individual. The bill prescribes (1) requirements for a provider of a program to be considered as qualified (e.g., the provider employs instructors the VA determines are experts in their respective fields), and (2) criteria for the VA to approve providers for contracts. If a covered individual has remaining entitlement to other VA educational assistance, entitlement under this program must be charged at the rate of one month of that remaining entitlement for each month of assistance under this program.

Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023

Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act This bill makes an institution of higher education (IHE) ineligible to receive federal student financial assistance if it fails to meet certain requirements. It also requires an IHE to make certain certifications about its gainful employment programs. Specifically, an IHE that offers a degree or certificate program to prepare students for entry into a profession that requires licensing or certification as a precondition for entry is not eligible to receive any federal student financial assistance unless (1) a student is fully qualified to take the required entry examination or be licensed or certified for the profession upon the successful completion of the program, and (2) the institution provides timely placement for all of the academically related pre-licensure requirements for entry into the profession (e.g., clinical placements or internships). An IHE must also certify that each eligible gainful employment program meets specified requirements, including approval or accreditation by a recognized agency and satisfaction of applicable educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification. If an IHE does not satisfy such prerequisites, it must notify a student who intends to enroll in the program and obtain a handwritten acknowledgement from the student that they wish to enroll. Lastly, an IHE that offers distance education or correspondence courses must be legally authorized within each state in which its enrolled students are located.

Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023

Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act This bill requires the Department of Education (in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services) to carry out a grant program for eligible entities to support the mental and behavioral health of elementary and secondary school students. An eligible entity is a partnership between (1) a local educational agency or a consortium of such agencies, and (2) a community health care provider or an educational service agency.

Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023

Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to award competitive grants to land-grant colleges or universities to increase agricultural producers' voluntary adoption of conservation practices (e.g., alley cropping) and innovative climate practices (e.g., carbon sequestration). Projects may be carried out through public awareness campaigns, workshops, and specialized technical assistance. Grantees must carry out activities in partnership with at least one other entity, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a land-grant college or university, a state entity, or a nonprofit organization.

New Deal for New Americans Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023

New Deal for New Americans Act of 2023 This bill provides assistance to immigrants, including refugees, and addresses issues related to naturalization. The bill establishes the National Office of New Americans to (1) welcome and support immigrants, (2) promote and support immigrant integration, and (3) promote the pursuit of U.S. citizenship among immigrants. The bill also establishes grant programs for eligible entities that provide (1) legal services for immigrants, (2) English language education that focuses on integrating students into society, and (3) workforce development training that supports the economic integration of immigrants. The bill also reauthorizes the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS shall establish a nonprofit entity to spur innovation in expanding citizenship preparation programs and to support assistance for immigrants seeking lawful permanent resident status or citizenship. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to (1) report to Congress before increasing fees for immigration adjudication and naturalization services above the levels of such fees on January 1, 2019, and (2) waive or reduce certain immigration-related fees for low-income individuals. The bill also (1) waives the English proficiency requirement for the naturalization of certain lawful permanent residents, (2) repeals the public charge ground for deportation, (3) requires states to provide for automatic voter registration to qualifying new citizens unless that individual declines, and (4) sets a floor of 125,000 to the maximum number of refugees who may be admitted into the United States each year.

Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023

Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act This bill makes an institution of higher education (IHE) ineligible to receive federal student financial assistance if it fails to meet certain requirements. It also requires an IHE to make certain certifications about its gainful employment programs. Specifically, an IHE that offers a degree or certificate program to prepare students for entry into a profession that requires licensing or certification as a precondition for entry is not eligible to receive any federal student financial assistance unless (1) a student is fully qualified to take the required entry examination or be licensed or certified for the profession upon the successful completion of the program, and (2) the institution provides timely placement for all of the academically related pre-licensure requirements for entry into the profession (e.g., clinical placements or internships). An IHE must also certify that each eligible gainful employment program meets specified requirements, including approval or accreditation by a recognized agency and satisfaction of applicable educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification. If an IHE does not satisfy such prerequisites, it must notify a student who intends to enroll in the program and obtain a handwritten acknowledgement from the student that they wish to enroll. Lastly, an IHE that offers distance education or correspondence courses must be legally authorized within each state in which its enrolled students are located.

PROSPECT Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act or the PROSPECT Act This bill establishes various grant programs to increase the supply of, and access to, high-quality, early-childhood care. Specifically, grants are established for planning and developing expanded access to free infant and toddler child care for student parents attending community college or minority-serving institutions; providing free infant and toddler child care to such student parents, including developing on-campus child care centers that meet specified requirements; training, mentorships, and technical support to community child care agencies and the professional development of licensed and unlicensed child care professionals; and increasing the workforce pipeline of high-quality infant and toddler child care providers, particularly in locations with a low supply of affordable care. The bill also revises the formula for providing federal matching funds to states providing child care assistance. Further, the bill requires the Department of Education’s college cost calculator to include information about the dependent care allowance with respect to the cost of attendance and financial aid.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance provided to an eligible individual pursuing a program of education at an institution in the Republic of the Philippines.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

This bill increases the amount of educational assistance available to an individual pursuing a program of education under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program at an institution located in the Philippines. Under current law, DEA educational assistance for an individual pursuing a program of education at an institution located in the Philippines is limited to $0.50 for each dollar. The bill makes an individual eligible for the full assistance amount.

CARE for Long COVID Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education for Long COVID Act or the CARE for Long COVID Act This bill requires research, education, and other activities to support individuals who have Long COVID or related conditions that may result directly, or indirectly, from COVID-19 infection. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must support a voluntary patient registry to collect information about individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, such as their symptoms, treatments, and demographic characteristics. HHS must coordinate with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute on the registry. HHS must also conduct or support research along with other agencies on how the U.S. health care system responds to Long COVID and related conditions. This includes research on the effectiveness of treatments and strategies to mitigate disparities in health outcomes. In addition, HHS must (1) educate the public and health care providers about treatments for, conditions associated with, and other aspects of Long COVID and related conditions; and (2) disseminate information and resources on how Long COVID affects rights associated with employment, disability status, and education. Last, the Administration for Community Living must award grants to or enter contracts with states, health care providers, legal services providers, and other eligible entities for expanding access to legal assistance for individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, including assistance with obtaining Social Security and other benefits and accessing medical care and services.

Student Loan Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

Student Loan Accountability Act This bill generally prohibits the Departments of Education, Justice, or the Treasury from taking any action to cancel or forgive the outstanding balances, or portion of balances, of covered loans. Covered loans refer to Federal Family Education Loans, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and loans under the Health Education Assistance Loan Program. The prohibition does not apply to targeted federal student loan forgiveness, cancellation, or repayment programs carried out under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Additionally, the bill repeals the temporary tax-free treatment of discharged student loan debt. It also prohibits tax return information from being shared for the purpose of administering a student loan cancellation plan.

Collegiate Freedom of Association Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

Collegiate Freedom of Association Act This bill addresses freedom of association protections for college students in single-sex social organizations. Specifically, the bill prohibits institutions of higher education that participate in federal student-aid programs from taking adverse actions against students who are members or prospective members of single-sex social organizations based solely on the practice of limiting membership to only individuals of one sex; or taking actions that require or coerce members or prospective members of such organizations to waive this prohibition, including as a condition of enrolling in the institution.

New Deal for New Americans Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

New Deal for New Americans Act of 2023 This bill provides assistance to immigrants, including refugees, and addresses issues related to naturalization. The bill establishes the National Office of New Americans to (1) welcome and support immigrants, (2) promote and support immigrant integration, and (3) promote the pursuit of U.S. citizenship among immigrants. The bill also establishes grant programs for eligible entities that provide (1) legal services for immigrants, (2) English language education that focuses on integrating students into society, and (3) workforce development training that supports the economic integration of immigrants. The bill also reauthorizes the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS shall establish a nonprofit entity to spur innovation in expanding citizenship preparation programs and to support assistance for immigrants seeking lawful permanent resident status or citizenship. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to (1) report to Congress before increasing fees for immigration adjudication and naturalization services above the levels of such fees on January 1, 2019, and (2) waive or reduce certain immigration-related fees for low-income individuals. The bill also (1) waives the English proficiency requirement for the naturalization of certain lawful permanent residents, (2) repeals the public charge ground for deportation, (3) requires states to provide for automatic voter registration to qualifying new citizens unless that individual declines, and (4) sets a floor of 125,000 to the maximum number of refugees who may be admitted into the United States each year.

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or the parent or guardian of such student, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

This bill requires schools to substitute a nondairy beverage for fluid milk in the National School Lunch Program upon the request of a student or their parent or guardian. Under current law, schools participating in the program may provide a substitute at the request of a medical authority or the student's parent or guardian. The bill also removes current requirements that (1) the substitute request be based on an identified medical or other special dietary need that restricts the student's diet, and (2) the school food authority pay for any additional expenses resulting from providing the substitute that exceed the covered reimbursement amounts.

Jobs to Compete Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023

Jobs to Compete Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grants Program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award Workforce Pell Grants to students enrolled in eligible short-term programs. The bill outlines eligibility requirements for programs seeking to offer their students these Workforce Pell Grants. An eligible program is one that provides at least 150 clock hours of instruction, but less than 600 clock hours of instruction, during a minimum of 8 weeks, but less than 15 weeks; provides an education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the state or local area of the program (as determined by an accrediting agency or association recognized by ED); provides a student with a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable across multiple employers and geographical areas; has a verified completion rate of at least 70%; has a verified employment placement rate of at least 70%; and meets other eligibility criteria. ED shall have the final determination of whether a program meets the bill's eligibility requirements. Additionally, the bill requires ED and the Department of Labor to coordinate and collect data related to these workforce programs. ED must annually collect and publish information on the College Scorecard regarding each eligible program, including job outcomes. The College Scorecard is a comparison tool for information on school sizes, settings, graduation rates, average costs, and salary ranges per field of study.

A bill to amend section 7014 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to advance toward full Federal funding for impact aid, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 certain activities under the Impact Aid Program. The program provides funding to local educational agencies that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases).

PROSPECT Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act or the PROSPECT Act This bill establishes various grant programs to increase the supply of, and access to, high-quality, early-childhood care. Specifically, grants are established for planning and developing expanded access to free infant and toddler child care for student parents attending community college or minority-serving institutions; providing free infant and toddler child care to such student parents, including developing on-campus child care centers that meet specified requirements; training, mentorships, and technical support to community child care agencies and the professional development of licensed and unlicensed child care professionals; and increasing the workforce pipeline of high-quality infant and toddler child care providers, particularly in locations with a low supply of affordable care. The bill also revises the formula for providing federal matching funds to states providing child care assistance. Further, the bill requires the Department of Education’s college cost calculator to include information about the dependent care allowance with respect to the cost of attendance and financial aid.

FAIR Contributions Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable Contributions Act or the FAIR Contributions Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to study and report on the feasibility of funding the Universal Service Fund through contributions from edge providers (i.e., providers of online content or services, such as search engines). The fund provides support for broadband and other telecommunications services to high-cost areas, schools and libraries, rural health care facilities, and the Lifeline program (an FCC program that provides a discount on phone and internet services for low-income consumers). The report must consider (1) the type and size of firms and services on which contributions could be assessed, (2) equity issues related to current versus alternative systems for contributing to the fund, (3) the effect of any change to the contribution system on the telecommunications bills of consumers, and (4) the sustainability of the fund and how to ensure that fund disbursements are consistent and predictable over time.

A resolution designating the week of February 27 through March 3, 2023, as "Public Schools Week".

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023

This resolution designates the week of February 27-March 3, 2023, as Public Schools Week.

Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023

Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings Act or the SAVES Act This bill transfers certain funds to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to carry out a grant program for school safety and security. Specifically, the bill transfers funds appropriated for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities (currently known as the Department of Energy's Renew America's Schools Program) to DOJ for the grant program. DOJ must award grants to states (and states must provide subgrants to eligible entities, such as local educational agencies and schools) for planning and designing school buildings and facilities, installing infrastructure, and implementing technology or other measures that strengthen security on school premises.