Education

Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2005

Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 through 2009 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2009 to carry out the activities of the Department of Justice. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to merge the Byrne grant program and the local law enforcement block grant program into an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Amends the USA PATRIOT Act to provide for the establishment of a secure telecommunications system for regional information sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Establishes within the Office of Justice Programs: (1) an Office of Weed and Seed Strategies; (2) an Office of Audit, Assessment, and Management; (3) a Community Capacity Development Office; and (4) an Office of Applied Law Enforcement Technology. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) designate a senior Department official to assume primary responsibility for privacy policy; and (2) report annually to Congress on the status of U.S. persons or residents detained on suspicion of terrorism. Increases penalties for sexual abuse of a ward and abusive sexual contact in correctional facilities. Extends for one year a prison rape commission. Authorizes the Attorney General to use the services of the nonprofit Center for Criminal Justice Technology. Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Reauthorizes and expands the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. Sets forth provisions: (1) authorizing grants to improve court responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (2) directing the Attorney General to establish a task force to review privacy and confidentiality issues, including developing a best practices model to prevent the release of personally identifying victim information; (3) authorizing grants for services and training to enhance community response where there is both child maltreatment and domestic violence, for programs to serve teenage youth, and to combat violent crime on college campuses; (4) authorizing grants to mitigate the effects of domestic violence on children and to reduce future victimization; and (5) authorizing grants to middle schools and high schools to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and their impact on students. Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations to implement the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the treatment of the spouse and children of victims of trafficking. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a national study to examine violence against Indian women; and (2) establish the Safety for Indian Women Formula Grants program.

Coordinated Environmental Health Network Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Coordinated Environmental Health Network Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and operate the Coordinated Environmental Health Network. Directs the Secretary, in establishing and operating the Network, to:: (1) expand and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure; (2) provide for public access to an electronic national database on priority chronic conditions and relevant environmental and other factors; (3) operate a National Environmental Health Rapid Response Service to develop strategies to respond to and investigate higher than expected incidence and prevalence rates of priority chronic conditions and environmental exposures; (4) award grants for the establishment and operation of State Environmental Health Networks; (5) develop minimum standards and procedures for data collection and reporting for State Networks; (6) enter into a cooperative agreement with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to train and place applied epidemiology fellows in state and local health departments; and (7) enter into cooperative agreements for the establishment and operation of regional biomonitoring laboratories. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish an Advisory Committee for the Network; (2) award John H. Chafee Public Health Scholarships to eligible students enrolled in an accredited school of public health or medicine; and (3) expand the scope and amount of biomonitoring data collected by CDC on environmental exposures. Allows the Secretary to award grants to accredited schools or programs of public heath to establish and operate Centers of Excellence for research and demonstration with respect to chronic conditions and relevant environmental factors.

Guardianship Assistance Promotion and Kinship Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Guardianship Assistance Promotion and Kinship Support Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow each state with an approved part E plan to enter into negotiated agreements to provide legal guardianship assistance payments (based on foster care maintenance payments) to individuals who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have cared as foster parents and for whom they have committed to care on a permanent basis. Prohibits a legal guardianship assistance payment from being made with respect to a child who has attained 18 years of age, with certain exceptions such as for a child who is a full-time student in a secondary school. Authorizes the use of foster care independence program funds to provide independent living services, education and training vouchers, and room and board for children who exit foster care to guardianship or adoption after attaining age 14. Expands the definition of family support services to include assisting kinship caregivers or guardians in locating and accessing needed services. Allows state authorities to establish and maintain separate standards for foster family homes in which a foster parent is a relative of the foster child that, at a minimum, protect the safety of the child and provide for criminal records checks. Provides for: (1) notice to relatives when children enter foster care; and (2) expansion of eligibility for the foster care independence program. Allows the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to pay for the federal share of the cost of carrying out kinship navigator programs to help connect kinship caregivers with necessary services and assistance.

L-1 Nonimmigrant Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

L-1 Nonimmigrant Reform Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise L-1 (intracompany transfers) nonimmigrant visa provisions. Prohibits entry of an L-1 worker unless the employer has filed a labor condition application with the Secretary of Labor which shall attest that: (1) wage and working condition comparability exists; (2) no strike or lockout exists in the occupational classification at the employment site; (3) the employer has notified the bargaining representative or the employees about the prospective L-1 hiring; (4) the L-1 application contains occupational classification and wage and working condition information; and (5) there has not been nor will there be any lay-off of U.S. workers 180 days before or after the L-1 hiring. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) establish processes for receipt, investigation, and disposition of violation claims; (2) establish a process to permit an L-1 alien who files a complaint to work for another employer; and (3) report annually on the use of L-1 workers. Sets forth employer violation provisions. Makes an employer liable for the return transportation costs of an L-1 worker dismissed from employment prior to the end of the authorized admission. Imposes a fee on an L-1 employer. Establishes in the Treasury the L-1 Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account, which shall be used for data processing, labor enforcement, and training and education of U.S. workers. Establishes an annual 35,000 L-1 visa limit. Eliminates L-1 blanket visa authority. Requires: (1) an L-1 worker to have a bachelor's degree or higher in his or her area of special knowledge; and (2) verification by the Secretary of State. Increases the prior foreign employment requirement.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the deduction for corporate donations of scientific property and computer technology.

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for charitable contributions of computer technology and equipment by corporations to schools and other educational organizations.

Master Teacher Scholarship Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Master Teacher Scholarship Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to teacher preparation programs (schools of education at institutions of higher education) to award scholarships to assist eligible teachers in obtaining a graduate level degree from such programs. Makes eligible for such scholarships any teachers who: (1) teach elementary or secondary school special education or teach middle or secondary school mathematics, science, or foreign languages; (2) are employed by a local education agency (LEA) that serves a school qualifying for teacher Perkins loan cancellation, and that is in partnership with the teacher preparation program; and (3) agree to teach, for five years after receiving the degree, at the school they previously taught or one designated by the LEA, and to mentor a novice teacher in the LEA for two years.

A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide loan forgiveness for attorneys who represent low-income families or individuals involved in the family or domestic relations court system.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a demonstration program of student loan forgiveness for highly qualified attorneys who: (1) work for state or local government, or nonprofit private, entities on behalf of low-income families or individuals in the family or domestic relations court system; and (2) have trained and worked in areas including juvenile justice, truancy, child abuse or neglect, adoption, domestic relations, child support, paternity, or others which state law determines to be in the field of family or domestic relations law.

A bill to provide loan forgiveness to social workers who work for child protective agencies.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a demonstration program of student loan forgiveness for child welfare workers employed by child protection agencies.

Paul Wellstone Early Educator Loan Forgiveness Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Paul Wellstone Early Educator Loan Forgiveness Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the student loan forgiveness program for child care providers to include preschool teachers. Requires such teachers to: (1) have received at least an associate's degree, and be working toward or have already received a bachelor's degree, in early childhood education; and (2) work for an eligible preschool program provider.

Collaborative Agreements to Recruit Educators (CARE) Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Collaborative Agreements to Recruit Educators (CARE) Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish partnerships with low-income schools to establish programs that promote students' graduation from secondary school and completion of postsecondary education degrees. Includes among required uses of grant funds: (1) mentoring or tutoring; (2) scholarships; (3) counseling and information on college admissions and student aid; and (4) lessons and workshops at the IHE or the low-income school.

Ready To Educate All Children Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Ready to Educate All Children Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish partnerships with high poverty local educational agencies or high poverty schools (local partners) to establish or enhance a clinically-based elementary or secondary school teacher training program. Requires grant priority to be given to an IHE, which is in partnership with a nonprofit organization that is a teacher union or group representing teachers in a school, and that proposes to establish a track for hiring teachers in urban or rural high need schools participating in the partnership prior to July 1 of an academic year. Requires an IHE receiving such a grant to: (1) establish a partnership with a local partner to establish or enhance such a program; (2) facilitate a partnership among the IHE's departments to ensure that future teachers are prepared to teach; and (3) implement a project-based assessment. Requires such IHE also to use grant funds for at least three activities listed. Makes a student who participates in a program funded under this Act eligible for student assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 during the student's fifth year of study for a teaching degree (if such clinically-based program is a teaching-degree study requirement).

Campus-Based Underage Alcohol Use Reduction Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Campus-Based Underage Alcohol Use Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to reduce the rate of underage alcohol use and binge drinking among students at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Makes states, IHEs, or nonprofit entities eligible for such grants. Requires grantees to: (1) enhance or build a statewide coalition; (2) target underage students in the state; (3) ensure statewide coalition movement toward program achievement indicators; (4) work with state agencies on substance abuse prevention and education; and (5) engage in outreach.

Improving Access to Education for Students Who Are Homeless or in Foster Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Improving Access to Education for Students Who Are Homeless or in Foster Care Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to include as independent students, for purposes of student financial assistance need analysis, students who: (1) are (or were until age 18) in foster care; or (2) are homeless and unaccompanied. Revises the dependency override process, and applications for independence determinations for students in special circumstances. Includes students who are homeless or in foster care as eligible for certain HEA early outreach and student services programs. Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, to partnerships of specified entities, for demonstration projects for highly mobile students to increase their secondary school success and graduation rate and their higher education enrollment and success.

Teach for America Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005

Teach for America Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Teach For America, Inc. to implement and expand its program of recruiting, selecting, training, and supporting new teachers.

To provide funding to enable institutions of higher education to establish a grant program to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and commercially viable research.

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005

Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the National Science Foundation to make grants to institutions of higher education to establish precompetitive technology transfer centers. Authorizes specified activities at such centers to advance discoveries or inventions, which have been made in such institutions' laboratories and have market potential, to the point where they can attract funding from other private or public sources for commercially viable research. Sets forth required preferences in grantee selection. Requires equal access to be given to historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions.

Wired for Health Care Quality Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Wired for Health Care Quality Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to develop a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish the public-private American Health Information Collaborative to recommend uniform policies to support the widespread adoption of health information technology; and (2) adopt recommended modifications to standards for the electronic exchange of health information. Prohibits any federal agency from expending federal funds to purchase health information technology that is inconsistent with adopted standards and requires all federal agencies collecting health data to comply with such standards. Requires the Secretary to develop criteria to: (1) ensure uniform and consistent implementation of any standards voluntarily adopted by private entities; and (2) ensure and certify hardware, software, and support services compliance with adopted standards. Allows the Secretary to award grants to: (1) facilitate the purchase and enhance the utilization of qualified health information technology systems; (2) implement regional or local health information plans; and (3) develop academic programs integrating qualified health information technology systems in the clinical education of health professionals. Requires the heads of specified federal agencies to develop a system to measure the quality of care patients receive. Requires the Secretary to: (1) adopt and utilize such system; (2) disseminate recommendations and best practices derived from the analysis of quality measures; and (3) study methods to create efficient reimbursement incentives for improving health care quality. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ), to develop a Center for Best Practices to provide technical assistance and develop best practices to support and accelerate efforts to adopt, implement, and effectively use interoperable health information technology. Reauthorizes appropriations for grants to reduce statutory and regulatory barriers to telemedicine.

Arrest Methamphetamine Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Arrest Methamphetamine Act of 2005 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General, through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), to make grants to states to address the manufacture, sale, and use of methamphetamine to enhance public safety, including for activities to: (1) arrest individuals violating methamphetamine related laws; (2) undertake methamphetamine clandestine lab seizures and environmental cleanup; (3) provide for community based education, awareness, and prevention; (4) provide child support and family services to assist methamphetamine users and their families; and (5) procure equipment, technology, or support systems, or pay for resources, where expenditures would result in reduction in methamphetamine use, sale, and manufacture. Sets forth application requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General, through BJA, to make grants to states, Indian tribal governments, and multijurisdictional or regional consortia to develop a comprehensive, cooperative strategy to address the use, sale, and manufacture of methamphetamine. Allocates funding for enforcement. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) collect systematic data on the effectiveness of programs assisted under this Act; (2) establish a national clearinghouse of information on effective programs for dissemination to state and local agencies; (3) establish a program within the Department of Justice to facilitate the sharing of best practices among states; and (4) provide technical assistance to state and local agencies. Urges the President to seek commitments from the Canadian Government to take effective measures to stem the availability of pseudoephedrine in Canada and its illegal importation into the United States.

Emergency Contraception Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Emergency Contraception Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception, including, at a minimum, a description of emergency contraception and an explanation of the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of such contraception. Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on emergency contraception. Requires that the information disseminated to health care providers include, at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.

National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2005

National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a pilot program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small businesses through participating Small Business Development Centers (Centers). Requires the Administrator to enter into arrangements with participating Centers to provide: (1) access to regulatory information and resources; (2) training and education activities; (3) confidential counseling to owners and operators of small businesses regarding compliance with Federal regulations; (4) technical assistance; and (5) partnerships with Federal compliance programs. Requires the Administrator, giving substantial weight to the recommendations of the majority of the Centers, to select the Center programs of two States from each of ten groups of States for participation in the pilot program. Provides grant limits. Terminates the pilot program four years after disbursement of the first grant.

Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005

Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to establish sustainability programs at institutions of higher education. Requires such programs to develop and implement: (1) sustainability practices, including in the areas of energy management, green building, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and toxics management; and (2) other aspects of sustainability that integrate campus operations with multidisciplinary educational programs and are applicable to the private and government sectors.

Prekindergarten-Oriented Professional Support Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005

Prekindergarten-Oriented Professional Support Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to states and local educational agencies to: (1) pay all or a portion of the salaries, benefits, and training costs of new prekindergarten teachers at prekindergarten providers; and (2) increase retention of prekindergarten teachers by establishing a career ladder for them. Makes high-quality state, local, or private nonprofit or for-profit prekindergarten providers eligible for the new teacher program if they: (1) meet standards issued by the Secretary; (2) serve a significant percentage of low-income children; and (3) if private and tuition-based, agree to ensure that at least one-half of the children served by new teachers will be low-income.

Environmental Health Research Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005

Environmental Health Research Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of not more than six centers to conduct multidisciplinary research on environmental factors that may be related to the development of women's health conditions. Requires each center to conduct basic and clinical research, develop training protocols, conduct training, develop model continuing education programs, and disseminate information to professionals and the public, with priority to prevention activities. Allows a center to use grant funds to provide stipends for health and allied health professionals enrolled in training programs. Requires the Director to establish a comprehensive program to: (1) conduct research on the impact of chemicals that affect the health of women and children through disruption of the hormone system; (2) conduct research on the occurrence of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the environment and their effects on ecological and wildlife health; (3) coordinate the design of a multiagency research initiative on hormone disruption; and (4) coordinate research on hormone disruption in the United States with such research conducted in other nations. Requires the Director to establish the Hormone Disruption Research Interagency Commission to advise the Director of the Institute and the Director of the United States Geological Survey on the development of a comprehensive agenda for conducting research on hormone disruption. Establishes a Hormone Disruption Research Panel to advise the Director of the Institute on the scientific hormone-disruption research program.

Lupus Research, Education, Awareness, Communication, and Healthcare Amendments of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005

Lupus Research, Education, Awareness, Communication, and Healthcare Amendments of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to expand research on lupus to include: (1) basic research to discover the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the disease; and (2) research to validate lupus biomarkers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to work with a consortium of academic health institutions to undertake an epidemiological study to determine the prevalence and incidence of lupus in the United States. Requires the Director of CDC to: (1) enter into a cooperative agreement with such consortium to develop, implement, and manage a system for lupus data collection and analysis; and (2) ensure that such consortium represents different geographic areas and includes individuals of racial and ethnic backgrounds disproportionately affected by lupus. Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine to study and make recommendations related to lupus, to include: (1) evaluating federal and state activities related to lupus and recommending ways to expand such activities; (2) identifying gaps in federal research; and (3) recommending ways to improve the quality of life for people with lupus. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office on Women's Health, to conduct and support a national lupus public awareness and health professional education campaign, with an emphasis on reaching populations at highest risk for the disease.

Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2005

Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to revise the distribution of federal funds for grants under the coral reef conservation program to reduce from at least 40% to at least 30% the amount of such funds awarded for coral reef conservation projects in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea within the maritime areas and zones subject to U.S. jurisdiction or control. Extends the award of remaining funds, in addition to projects addressing emerging priorities or threats, to other appropriate projects, as determined by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including monitoring and assessment, research, pollution reduction, education, and technical support. Prohibits the Administrator from approving a coral reef conservation project unless it is consistent with a certain coral reef action strategy and will enhance conservation by: (1) minimizing vessel impacts on coral reefs; and (2) promoting and assisting entities to work with local communities, and appropriate governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to support community-based planning and management initiatives for the protection of coral reef systems. Authorizes the Administrator to undertake emergency response actions to prevent or minimize the destruction or loss of, or injury to, coral reefs or coral ecosystems from vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral reefs. Authorizes under the national program to conserve coral reefs and coral ecosystems any activities designed to minimize the likelihood of vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral reefs, including activities to identify certain at-risk coral reefs. Authorizes the Administrator to make community-based planning grants to certain entities to work with local communities and appropriate federal and state entities to implement plans for increased protection of high priority coral reefs. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) maintain an inventory of all vessel grounding accidents involving coral reef resources; and (2) identify certain at-risk coral reefs that have a high incidence of vessel impacts, including appropriate measures to reduce such impacts. Reauthorizes the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and authorizes appropriations through FY2012 for: (1) the coral reef conservation program; and (2) community-based planning grants.

Secure Trains Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2005

Secure Transit and Rail Across America and Invest in National Security Act of 2005, or the Secure Trains Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) submit to Congress the National Strategy for Transportation Security within 30 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) develop certain supplemental requirements, including prioritized recommendations for improving public transportation and railroad security. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to improve the security of public transportation systems against acts of terrorism. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to owners, operators, and providers of public transportation systems and specified others on best practices for the security of public transportation systems; (2) develop a national plan for public outreach and awareness of measures the public can take to increase such security; and (3) establish National Transportation Security Centers at institutions of higher education. Sets forth certain whistleblower protections for Department of Homeland Security employees and federal contractors or subcontractors who provided information or otherwise assisted in an investigation of violations of any law or regulation related to national or homeland security, filed or participated in a proceeding related to such violation, or refused to violate or assist in the violation. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of such protections. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for freight and passenger rail (including hazardous materials transportation) security upgrades. Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak for certain fire and life-safety improvements to specified tunnels along the Northeast Corridor. Establishes a research and development (R&D) program to improve railroad security. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines for a rail worker security training program. Sets forth certain whistleblower protections for rail employees or other persons providing information about perceived security threats. Directs the Secretary to: (1) analyze the cost and feasibility of requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and cargo on passenger trains; (2) issue certain emergency responder training standards; and (3) provide grants to the Operation Respond Institute.

HELP Our Troops Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2005

Higher Education Loan Program for Our Troops Act - HELP Our Troops Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide an interest-free deferment of student loan repayment for federal student loan borrowers during active military service.

Affordable Books for College Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2005

Affordable Books for College Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a demonstration program of loans to expand college bookstore services to provide students with the option to rent course materials. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such loans to a limited number of eligible entities, as well as feasibility study grants prior to loan applications.

Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2005

Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or cooperative agreements to an agency, organization, or political subdivision to: (1) develop lifespan respite care at the state and local level; (2) provide respite care services for family caregivers caring for children or adults; (3) train and recruit respite care workers and volunteers; (4) provide information to caregivers about available respite or support services; and (5) assist caregivers in gaining access to such services. Defines "respite care" to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver. Instructs the Secretary to work cooperatively with existing federal respite program officers to ensure coordination of services for family caregivers. Permits the use of funds for: (1) training programs for family caregivers; (2) other services essential to the provision of respite care; or (3) training and education for new caregivers. Limits grants to five years. Directs the Secretary to award a grant or cooperative agreement to a public or private nonprofit entity to establish the National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to: (1) maintain a national database on lifespan respite care; (2) provide training and technical assistance to state, community, and nonprofit respite care programs; and (3) provide information, referral, and educational programs to the public on lifespan respite care.

Fostering Adoption to Further Student Achievement Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2005

Fostering Adoption to Further Student Achievement Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include, under the definition of independent student for financial need analysis purposes, individuals who were adopted from the foster care system when they were 13 years of age or older.

Healthy School Bus Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2005

Healthy School Bus Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study air quality inside school buses and develop strategies for improving such air quality. Authorizes appropriations for activities to improve air quality inside school buses, including expansion of the Clean School Bus USA program. Expresses the sense of Congress that schools should assignschool buses that pollute less to the longest routes and adopt and implement policies to decrease school bus idling.

Affordable Books for College Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2005

Affordable Books for College Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a demonstration program of loans to expand college bookstore services to provide students with the option to rent course materials. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such loans to a limited number of eligible entities, as well as feasibility study grants prior to loan applications.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2005

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2008 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) science, aeronautics, space and flight support, and education; (2) human space flight; and (3) the Office of Inspector General. Reserves certain sums authorized to be appropriated by this Act for innovative technology transfer partnerships and other technology transfer initiatives undertaken by NASA. Requires annual reports on major programs for which NASA proposes to spend funds on. Directs the Administrator of NASA to provide an implementation plan describing NASA's approach for obtaining, implementing, and sharing lessons learned and best practices for its major programs and projects. Requires reports or plans on various science programs, projects, and activities, including the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and the Earth observing system. Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) a grant program for pilot projects on the integrated use of remote sensing and other geospatial information for public sector needs and an advisory committee to monitor such program; and (2) specified aeronautics research initiatives, programs, and projects. Directs the Administrator to take specified actions and carry out specified activities concerning; (1) human space flight, including the International Space Station; (2) other NASA program areas; (3) commercial support; and (4) NASA's workforce and facilities. Directs the General Accountability Office to assess the feasibility of Moon and Mars exploration missions. Directs the President to establish the: (1) International Space Station Independent Safety Commission; and (2) Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission.

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 11 July 2005

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a geography education grant program under title II, Teacher Quality Enhancement. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to a national nonprofit education organization or consortium, with 75% to be used for subgrants to institutions of higher education associated with state geographic alliances, nonprofit educational organizations, or state or local educational agencies. Requires various grantee and subgrantee activities designed to expand geographic literacy among kindergarten through grade 12 students by improving their teachers' professional development programs offered through institutions of higher education. Includes among such activities state-based conferences to assess geographic literacy and identify improvement strategies.

A resolution recognizing the spirit of Jacob Mock Doub and his contribution to encouraging youth to be physically active and fit, and expressing support for "National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day".

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005

Recognizes: (1) the health risks associated with childhood obesity; and (2) the spirit of Jacob Mock Doub and his contribution to encouraging youth to be physically active and fit, especially through bicycling. Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, which is celebrated on the first Saturday in October. Encourages parents, schools, civic organizations, and students to support National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day to promote increased physical activity among youth in the United States.

Hispanic-Serving Institution Assistance Improvement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005

Hispanic-Serving Institution Assistance Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand and extend the eligibility of Hispanic-serving institutions for assistance under title V (Developing Institutions), by eliminating the two-year wait-out period between any two five-year grants.

Recognizing the spirit of Jacob Mock Doub and his contribution to encouraging youth to be physically active and fit and expressing the sense of Congress that "National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" should be established in Jacob Mock Doub's honor.

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005

Recognizes: (1) the health risks associated with childhood obesity; and (2) the spirit of Jacob Mock Doub and his contribution to encouraging youth to be physically active and fit, especially through bicycling. Expresses the sense of Congress that National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day should be established in his honor. Encourages parents, schools, civic organizations, and students to promote increased physical activity among youth in the United States.

Better Healthcare Through Information Technology Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Better Healthcare Through Information Technology Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to develop a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the public-private American Health Information Collaborative to recommend to the President uniform policies to support the widespread adoption of health information technology and modifications to standards for the electronic exchange of health information. Requires the President to review and, if appropriate, provide for the adoption of such standards. Prohibits any federal agency from expending federal funds to purchase hardware, software, or support services that are inconsistent with adopted standards. Requires all federal agencies collecting health data to comply with the adopted standards. Requires the Secretary to develop criteria to: (1) ensure uniform and consistent implementation of any standards voluntarily adopted by private entities; and (2) ensure and certify hardware, software, and support services compliance with adopted standards. Allows the Secretary to award grants to: (1) facilitate the purchase and enhance the utilization of qualified health information technology systems; and (2) carry out demonstration projects to develop academic programs integrating qualified health information technology systems in the clinical education of health professionals. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop quality measurement systems for the purposes of measuring the quality of care patients receive; and (2) study methods to create efficient reimbursement incentives for improving health care quality. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ), to develop a Center for Best Practices for the effective use health information technology. Allows the Director of AHRQ to establish a demonstration program to award grants or contracts to support health information network planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Amends the Social Security Act to allow physicians to receive financial support regarding the electronic exchange of health information.

Improved Workplace and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Improved Workplace and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Education to establish performance objectives and reporting requirements necessary to assess program effectiveness for state correctional education agencies receiving grants for transition training for incarcerated youth offenders. Requires grant applications to describe specific performance objectives and evaluation methods that the state agency will use, including: (1) specific and quantified student outcome measures that are referenced to outcomes for non-program participants with similar demographic characteristics; and (2) measures of program completion, knowledge and skill attainment, attainment of and success in employment, and recidivism. Requires descriptions of how the proposed programs will consider or utilize technology. Directs each state agency receiving a grant to: (1) report annually to the Secretary on the results of the evaluations and additional performance objectives and on evaluation methods as necessary to document the attainment of performance objectives; and (2) expend on each participating eligible student for an academic year not more than the maximum federal Pell grant for such year, which shall be used for tuition, books, essential materials, and related services such as career development, substance abuse counseling, parenting skills training, and health education. Makes youth offenders age 35 (currently, 25) or younger eligible for participation. Allows related services to continue for up to one year after release from confinement.

Preparing, Recruiting, and Retaining Education Professionals Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Preparing, Recruiting, and Retaining Education Professionals Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to reauthorize and revise title II part A requirements for teacher quality enhancement grants for states and partnerships (II-A). Revises state grant, partnership grant, and recruitment grant requirements to include requirements relating to: (1) early childhood education; (2) exemplary, highly competent, and highly qualified teachers as these are defined under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (3) teacher mentoring; (4) professional development; (5) parental involvement; and (6) high-need schools and local educational agencies. Revises requirements for peer review panel grant evaluation and for teacher preparation program accountability. Requires states to submit teacher quality plans. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education that are II-A partner institutions to create Academies for Faculty Excellence.

A bill to provide for recruiting, selecting, training, and supporting a national teacher corps in underserved communities.

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Teach For America, Inc. to implement and expand its program of recruiting, selecting, training, and supporting new teachers.

Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2005 - Amends title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using networks of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care. Authorizes a grant award directly to a political subdivision if the subdivision serves a substantial number of foster care youth. Prescribes program implementation guidelines, including: (1) application requirements; (2) training; (3) screening; (4) educational requirements; (5) federal and nonfederal share of funds for the program; (6) considerations in awarding grants; and (7) use of funds. Sets forth a maximum grant amount to be awarded to a state or political subdivision. Authorizes the Secretary to award a competitive grant to an eligible entity to establish a National Hotline Service or website to provide information to individuals interested in becoming mentors to youth in foster care. Instructs the Secretary of Education to implement a program to provide for the discharge or cancellation of the federal student loan indebtedness of an eligible mentor.

VAWA 2005 Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Violence Against Women Act of 2005 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994, VAWA of 2000 (VAWA-2000), the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (OCCSSA), the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), the Social Security Act (SSA), the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994, the United states Housing Act of 1937, the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000, and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to reauthorize, revise, and establish various programs for prevention and treatment of violence against women, including domestic violence, child abuse, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (violence). Establishes VAWA grant programs: (1) by the Department of Justice (Justice) for assisting children and youth exposed to violence, and for engaging men, women, and youth in preventing violence; and (2) by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for services, education, protection, and justice for young victims of violence, and for research on effective interventions in the healthcare setting. Revises and reauthorizes: (1) grants under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to reduce violence against women on campus; (2) safe havens for children under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. Reauthorizes PHSA rape prevention and education programs, including the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Establishes related PHSA grants. Establishes VAWA grant programs to address the housing needs of victims of violence. Supporting Teens through Education and Protection Act of 2005 - STEP Act - Authorizes the Attorney General, through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (Justice), to make grants to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in middle and high schools. Security and Financial Empowerment Act - Sets forth entitlement standards and implementation guidelines for employee use of emergency leave to address domestic or sexual violence. Authorizes state use of funds under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) to provide nonrecurrent short-term emergency benefits for emergency leave precipitated by domestic or sexual violence . Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to approval of state unemployment compensation laws to prohibit denial of compensation where an individual is separated from employment due to circumstances resulting from the individual's experience of domestic or sexual violence. Victims' Employment Sustainability Act - Prohibits certain discriminatory employer practices relating to terms or conditions of employment in connection with victims of domestic or sexual violence. Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits denial or restriction of insurance coverage based on the status of the applicant or insured regarding abuse or abuse-related claims. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide a grant for a clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employers, labor organizations, and advocates on behalf of victims of domestic or sexual violence. Immigrant Victims of Violence Protection Act of 2005 - Revises the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000 (under VAWA-2000) with respect to victims of violence, including victims of crimes of human trafficking, VAWA petitioners, and children. Prescribes requirements regarding the safety of Indian women. Best Help for Rape Victims Act - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 to require the Attorney General to include within the national protocol on sexual assault forensic examinations a recommendation that a victim of sexual assault who is at risk of pregnancy from rape should be: (1) offered information about emergency contraception; and (2) provided with such contraception on site at the victim's request. Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide various protections for victims of trafficking. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a special unit to investigate trafficking in persons.

Pell Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Pell Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to waive requirements for Pell Grant repayments if student withdrawals from institutions of higher education are due to disasters.

Mandatory IDEA Full Funding Compromise Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Mandatory IDEA Full Funding Compromise Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to reauthorize part B programs of education of all children with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for part B for FY2006-FY2012 and thereafter, according to a certain formula. (Provides phased-in increases of such authorized funding designed to reach a promised 40% federal share by FY2011.) Makes appropriations in specified amounts (which are less than the amounts this Act authorizes to be appropriated) for part B for FY2006-FY2012 and thereafter.

Lead-Free Drinking Water Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Lead-Free Drinking Water Act of 2005 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review and revise the national primary drinking water regulation for lead to provide the maximum feasible protection for individuals affected by lead contamination, particularly vulnerable populations (e.g., infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women). Requires the revised regulation to establish: (1) a maximum contaminant level for lead in drinking water as measured at the tap; or (2) a drinking water treatment technique that meets specified criteria. Directs community water systems or nontransient noncommunity water systems to: (1) annually replace a percentage of non-lead free service lines until all such lines are replaced; (2) provide notice in English and other appropriate languages to individuals and entities that may be exposed to lead contamination in the drinking water supply; (3) provide water lead test results to tested residences; (4) establish a public education program on lead in drinking water; and (5) provide water filters to residences, schools, and day care facilities. Requires the head of each federal agency to conduct water supply testing in federally-owned or occupied buildings. Directs each water system to test drinking water for lead contamination within one year. Requires the Administrator to revise monitoring requirements under the national primary drinking water regulation to incorporate specified criteria. Prohibits the use of lead pipes and plumbing equipment that is not lead free in public water systems or facilities that provide drinking water. Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue regulations to require states to establish programs to test and remediate lead contamination in school drinking water; and (2) carry out such programs in non-participating states.

National Board-Certified Teachers in Low-Performing Schools Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

National Board-Certified Teachers in Low-Performing Schools Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program of stipends for teachers in low-income, low-performing schools who: (1) are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; and (2) serve as resident facilitators at their schools and as liaisons with the Board to help encourage other teachers to become Board-certified. Authorizes base stipends and potential bonuses for up to 100 teachers annually under such five-year program.

Nurse Faculty Higher Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Nurse Faculty Higher Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow the Secretary of Education to award grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, partnerships composed of an accredited school of nursing at an institution of higher education and a hospital or other health facility to establish pilot projects to enable such a facility to retain its staff of experienced nurses while providing a mechanism to have these individuals become faculty members of such a school. Requires such individuals to teach for two years for each year of support received under the program.

Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require manufacturers and processors of dietary supplements to report certain information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services annually, including a list of supplements manufactured and the labeling and major ingredients for such supplements. Requires manufacturers and distributors to report to the Secretary any serious adverse experiences regarding a supplement. Authorizes the Secretary to require a manufacturer to: (1) conduct postmarket surveillance if there is a reasonable possibility of a supplement causing adverse health consequences; and (2) demonstrate that a supplement is not adulterated. Requires the Secretary to establish criteria for making a determination that a dietary supplement may pose a significant risk to minors. Deems the act of selling a dietary supplement to a minor after the Secretary has made such a determination to be an act which results in a supplement being misbranded while held for sale. Deems a dietary supplement to be adulterated if the manufacturer fails to comply with the Secretary's order to demonstrate the drug's safety. Requires the Secretary to consider a dietary supplement or ingredient as presenting an unreasonable risk of injury or illness if the Secretary determines that the risks of such product outweighs its benefits. Allows the Secretary to consider even a relatively small risk of a serious adverse health effect to be unreasonable. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to carry out dietary supplement education programs for health care professionals and consumers.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States protecting religious freedom.

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005

Constitutional Amendment - Declares that people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools. Prohibits the United States or the states from establishing any official religion or requiring any person to join in prayer or religious activity.