Education

REO Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020

REO Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Reentry Employment Opportunities Program to make grants for the purpose of providing job training opportunities to formerly incarcerated adults, youths, and young adults who have dropped out of school. Grants are awarded to entities such as nonprofit organizations, organizations serving women or a minority population, and state and local governments to carry out projects related to apprenticeship programs, occupational skills education, on-the-job training, work experience, job referrals, basic skills remediation, educational services, and work readiness activities for such individuals.

Ukraine Security Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020

Ukraine Security Partnership Act This bill contains provisions related to U.S. support for Ukraine. The Department of State shall report to Congress a strategy on (1) using diplomacy to support Ukraine, and (2) encouraging other countries to donate excess defense equipment to Ukraine. The State Department shall also establish a U.S.-Europe Working Group on Ukraine. The President shall appoint a Special Envoy for Ukraine, who shall engage in diplomatic activities related to the peace process between Ukraine and Russia and dialogue with countries in the Black Sea region. The bill also authorizes the State Department for FY2021-FY2025 to (1) provide grants and loans to Ukraine for acquiring U.S. defense equipment and services through the Foreign Military Financing program, and (2) provide training for Ukraine's military through the International Military Education and Training program. From FY2021-FY2025, Ukraine shall have priority access to excess U.S. defense articles.

Mental Health Equity Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020

Mental Health Equity Act of 2020 This bill establishes programs to address racial and ethnic mental health disparities. Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must award grants that address racial and ethnic health disparities by (1) providing integrated health care in areas with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minority groups, and (2) developing national programs for health professionals to reduce such disparities. The bill also (1) reauthorizes the minority fellowship program to support the education of mental health professionals who provide services to racial and ethnic minorities, (2) requires a study on mental health disparities and a commission on the effects of social media use on adolescents, and (3) prohibits the use of federal funds for specified conversion therapy in the context of sexual orientation or sexual identity.

PREPARING TO HEAD BACK TO CLASS: ADDRESSING HOW TO SAFELY REOPEN BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION SCHOOLS

United States · United States Senate · 29 July 2020

INFLUENCE Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Intelligence on Nefarious Foreign Leaders Using Education Networks for Corrupt Enrichment Act or the INFLUENCE Act This bill lowers the disclosure threshold regarding gifts or contracts from a foreign source that institutions of higher education (IHEs) must report to the Department of Education. It also requires IHEs to disclose information related to foreign involvement in sensitive projects.

Renewable Energy Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Renewable Energy Jobs Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a pilot program to award competitive grants to certain eligible entities (i.e., renewable energy and energy efficiency employers and workforce development boards as primary entities and institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and labor organizations as secondary entities) to train individuals for careers in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.

Academic Institution Research Integrity Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Academic Institution Research Integrity Act This bill requires a nonprofit foundation or other entity affiliated with an institution of higher education (e.g., a research, endowment, or alumni foundation) to disclose to the Department of Education any gift from or contract with a foreign entity or individual valued at $250,000 or more.

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for sworn law enforcement officers in schools. It also establishes a grant program to replace sworn law enforcement officers in schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to hire, maintain, or train sworn law enforcement officers in elementary or secondary schools, preschools, or programs based in elementary or secondary schools. Further, it prohibits the use of public safety and community policing grants for sworn law enforcement officers who operate in and around elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to local educational agencies to (1) replace sworn law enforcement officers in elementary and secondary schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services, and (2) reform school safety and disciplinary policies to reflect evidence-based practices that do not rely on the criminal justice system. A recipient must use grants funds to carry out certain activities, such as hiring or training specified staff, implementing trauma-informed services, and providing professional development to teachers and staff. It prohibits the use of grant funds for (1) establishing or enforcing zero-tolerance school discipline policies, (2) purchasing or installing surveillance equipment (e.g., metal detectors), or (3) arming teachers or other school personnel.

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for sworn law enforcement officers in schools. It also establishes a grant program to replace sworn law enforcement officers in schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to hire, maintain, or train sworn law enforcement officers in elementary or secondary schools, preschools, or programs based in elementary or secondary schools. Further, it prohibits the use of public safety and community policing grants for sworn law enforcement officers who operate in and around elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to local educational agencies to (1) replace sworn law enforcement officers in elementary and secondary schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services, and (2) reform school safety and disciplinary policies to reflect evidence-based practices that do not rely on the criminal justice system. A recipient must use grants funds to carry out certain activities, such as hiring or training specified staff, implementing trauma-informed services, and providing professional development to teachers and staff. It prohibits the use of grant funds for (1) establishing or enforcing zero-tolerance school discipline policies, (2) purchasing or installing surveillance equipment (e.g., metal detectors), or (3) arming teachers or other school personnel.

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes several grant programs and otherwise requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take actions to improve mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers. Specifically, HHS must award grants to (1) health professions schools, state or local governments, or nonprofits to provide training for health care providers on suicide prevention, other behavioral health issues, and strategies to improve well-being; and (2) health care providers, prioritizing those in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hot spots, to establish or expand programs to promote mental and behavioral health among health care providers involved with COVID-19 response efforts. HHS must also study issues related to, and develop policy recommendations on, preventing burnout and improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must conduct a campaign to encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns.

21st Century Entrepreneurship Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020

21st Century Entrepreneurship Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a curriculum for volunteers with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to teach underrepresented students (e.g., minority students, English learners, and children with disabilities) about entrepreneurship. The SBA shall develop and implement a strategy to encourage partnerships between the SCORE program and community learning centers to teach this curriculum and, in developing the curriculum, collaborate with education specialists and groups with experience serving underrepresented children. The SBA must submit a biennial report on partnerships between the SCORE program and community learning centers, the number of students reached through the entrepreneurship curriculum, and plans for improving the curriculum.

BLUE Pacific Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020

Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act or BLUE Pacific Act This bill requires the establishment or expansion of various diplomacy and aid programs related to the Pacific Islands, which include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Palau, and Vanuatu. Provisions relating to security and law enforcement in the Pacific Islands include those requiring (1) the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to expand cross-border maritime law enforcement operations; (2) the State Department to expand International Law Enforcement Academies coverage (the academies provide training to law enforcement agencies in other countries); and (3) the State Department to implement a strategy to combat transnational crime, such as cybercrime and sex trafficking. The bill also requires the implementation of development-related initiatives in the Pacific Islands, such as by requiring (1) the U.S. Trade Representative to implement a strategy to expand and diversify trade; (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement a plan to increase the region's trade capacity; and (3) the USAID to implement programs to improve public health, education outcomes, and climate resilience. The bill also requires the development and implementation of programs related to press freedom in the Pacific Islands, such as a State Department strategy to strengthen the press and promote press freedom and a U.S. Agency for Global Media strategy to provide expanded media content.

Pandemic Community Reserve and Public Health Response Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020

Pandemic Community Reserve and Public Health Response Act This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants and otherwise expand the federal public health reserve corps, including by reactivating retired personnel, to assist with COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) response efforts. This corps includes, among others, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Medical Reserve Corps, and certain personnel of the Federal Emergency Management Agency appointed to respond to disasters and emergencies. Specifically, HHS must award grants to governmental health departments to recruit and train personnel to serve in the federal public health reserve corps and assist with COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and treatment. To carry out these grants, health departments may establish partnerships with institutions that offer medical training and public health programs, giving priority to partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions. HHS must also develop a training program, in consultation with the Department of Defense, that addresses activation and surge capacity of the reserve corps to respond to COVID-19. In addition, HHS must award grants, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to local workforce development boards to develop career plans and other activities to facilitate the transition of reserve corps personnel to other health-related occupations.

Safely Back to School and Back to Work Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020

Safely Back to School and Back to Work Act This bill makes multiple changes to federal public health, education, and workforce training programs in order to respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. With respect to public health programs, the bill establishes grant programs, provides contracting and other authorities, and directs other activities pertaining to biomedical research and development of vaccines, diagnostic tests, and countermeasures; the administration of the Strategic National Stockpile; public health preparedness and response; and other issues related to COVID-19, such as allowing employers to temporarily offer telehealth benefits to employees who do not otherwise qualify for health benefits and prohibiting the collection or use of genetic material from COVID-19 tests without written, informed consent. With respect to education and certain workforce programs, the bill revises student loan repayment programs, including by consolidating repayment options; allows the Department of Education to waive certain statutory and regulatory requirements for elementary and secondary schools and career, technical, and adult education programs; establishes grant programs concerning child care providers, eligible scholarship-granting organizations, and certain workers impacted by COVID-19; and makes other changes to programs and funding for higher education, elementary and secondary education, and workforce training.

Restoring Critical Supply Chains and Intellectual Property Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020

Restoring Critical Supply Chains and Intellectual Property Act This bill establishes tax credits, incentives, and other measures to support U.S. production of personal protective equipment (PPE), semiconductors, and critical minerals. Among other things, the bill (1) prohibits the use of federal funds for procurement of PPE items not produced in the United States, and (2) establishes a $7.5 billion tax credit for investment in certain medical PPE manufacturing projects. The bill also addresses the security of federally funded research and development grants and export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information, including by establishing a Federal Research Security Council to develop research and development grant making policy and management guidance to protect the national and economic security interests of the United States. Further, it prohibits any federal grant application that fails to disclose the receipt of any outside compensation, including foreign compensation. The bill establishes investments and incentives to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security, such as requiring the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out a semiconductor manufacturing program to accelerate research and development for next generation semiconductors. Lastly, the bill addresses availability, development, and production of domestic critical minerals by (1) requiring the President to coordinate agencies to implement U.S. policy regarding critical minerals, including by establishing a capability for identifying critical mineral demand and supply; (2) establishing a grant program for critical mineral education, training, and workforce development programs at institutions of higher education; and (3) reauthorizing through FY2030 the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program.

RETAIN Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020

Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act or the RETAIN Act This bill allows a refundable tax credit for the employment of early childhood educators, teachers, early childhood education program directors, school leaders, and school-based mental health services providers that is based upon the number of school years for which such individuals have been continuously employed.

Virtual Community Support Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020

Virtual Community Support Act of 2020 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to award grants for community-based mental health services, substance-use disorder services, and peer support services to governmental health departments, behavioral health programs, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education. Recipients may use grant funds for purposes including care coordination, technology and training to provide services virtually, and certain workforce activities. SAMHSA must report on the grant program, including specifically with respect to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period.

Assistance for Rural Health, Safety and Educational Facilities Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Assistance for Rural Health, Safety and Educational Facilities Act This bill authorizes and provides funding for Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance to rural hospital, health, public safety, and education facilities affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. USDA may (1) provide grants to such entities; (2) provide a zero or 1% interest loan, loan forgiveness, or loan modifications to such entities; and (3) reduce or eliminate any fee that would otherwise be required to be paid with respect to a loan guarantee provided to such entities. Such assistance may be provided to (1) ensure that such entities have the necessary resources to maintain public health, safety, or order; (2) address financial hardships of such entities due to COVID-19; and (3) promote the financial stability of such entities.

Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a program to address the effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on state and local fairs. In carrying out the program, USDA may provide competitive grants to states (i.e., the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States). A state may only use grant funds provided under the program to assist a state agricultural agency to address cost coverage issues related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local fairs, including by identifying opportunities to provide virtual education and entertainment related to agriculture.

More Choice for Career Training Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

More Choice for Career Training Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Education to develop an alternative certification program that allows students to use Pell Grants for enrollment in educational programs that have existed for at least five years and would not otherwise be eligible. The alternative certification program may not require accreditation, state authorization, minimum instructional hours, or minimum classroom time for an educational program to be eligible.

POLICE Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Providing Officer Licensing to Increase Confidence for Everyone Act or the POLICE Act This bill establishes licensing requirements for federal law enforcement officers and reduces the amount of certain law enforcement-related grants for states that do not adopt similar requirements. The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall, within one year of the bill's enactment, develop and issue licensing standards for law enforcement officers based on law enforcement best practices. Such standards shall be reviewed and updated every five years. Within three years of this bill's enactment, each federal law enforcement officer shall be licensed under such standards. Each officer must also take continuing education classes as may be required by DOJ. Within three years of this bill's enactment, each state shall establish (1) a licensing system that complies with DOJ licensing standards, and (2) a continuing education program substantially similar to the program for federal law enforcement officers. If a state fails to meet these requirements for a fiscal year, certain law enforcement-related grants that the state would have otherwise received shall be reduced by half.

Educational Flexibility for Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Educational Flexibility for Families Act This bill requires elementary and secondary schools, in order to receive additional appropriations for the 2020-2021 school year, to provide an option for students to attend in-person classes during such school year. The requirement also applies to state and local educational agencies that serve elementary or secondary schools.

ESP Family Leave Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

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

Saving America's Future by Educating Kids Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Saving America's Future by Educating Kids Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to develop and disseminate an evidence-based curriculum on substance use disorders (e.g., opioids, tobacco, and vaping) for grades K-12. ED must review and update such curriculum every two years. Additionally, ED must award grants to state educational agencies to implement such evidence-based curriculum. In awarding such grants, ED must give priority to those states that have experienced the highest drug overdose death rates per capita.

Protecting Access to Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants During the COVID–19 Pandemic Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Protecting Access to Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act This bill allows public service employees who are impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency to continue to participate, without disruption, in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Specifically, an individual who was employed in a public service job and who experiences lapse in employment (e.g., a furlough, a layoff, or the individual's resignation due to illness or caregiving responsibilities) because of the COVID-19 public health emergency may continue to participate in the PSLF program without disruption. The bill treats such an individual as employed in a public service job during the emergency and deems a monthly payment made by the individual as a qualifying monthly payment toward loan cancellation under the PSLF program. However, unless the individual would have completed requirements for loan cancellation during the public health emergency, the individual must resume employment in a public service job within six months after the end of the emergency. In addition, the bill directs the Department of Education to develop and make available guidance related to the assistance provided by the bill.

HELP Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Helping Educators with Learning Preparation Act or the HELP Act This bill establishes a temporary grant program to assist schools with reopening and resuming instruction during the 2020-2021 school year in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the Department of Education (ED) must award grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to reopen schools and resume instruction during the 2020-2021 school year. ED must also reserve funds for outlying areas and the Bureau of Indian Education. Subgrants must be used for certain expenses, such as educational technology, facility sanitization, and staffing.

Saving American History Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Saving American History Act of 2020 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds by an elementary or secondary school to teach the 1619 Project or by a local educational agency (LEA) to support its teaching in public schools. (The 1619 Project is an initiative that addresses the beginning of slavery in the United States.) Additionally, an elementary or secondary school that teaches this project or an LEA that supports its teaching in public schools is ineligible to receive federal funds for professional development. Further, the Departments of Education, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services must reduce federal funds in a prorated amount to an elementary or secondary school that teaches this project or an LEA that supports its teaching in public schools. However, federal funding shall not be reduced for programs for low-income students (e.g., free or reduced-price lunch) or students with disabilities.

Don't Punish Schools for Uncontrolled Pandemics Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Don't Punish Schools for Uncontrolled Pandemics Act of 2020 This bill prohibits the Department of Education from requiring a local school program to conduct in-person instruction during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency.

TRACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

COVID-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone Act or the TRACE Act This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants for testing, contact tracing, monitoring, and other activities to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Entities such as federally qualified health centers, nonprofit organizations, and certain hospitals and schools are eligible to receive such grants. In awarding the grants, the CDC shall prioritize applicants that (1) operate in hot spots and medically underserved communities, and (2) agree to hire individuals from the communities where grant activities occur.

RETAIN Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act or the RETAIN Act This bill allows a refundable tax credit for the employment of early childhood educators, teachers, early childhood education program directors, school leaders, and school-based mental health services providers that is based upon the number of school years for which such individuals have been continuously employed.

Physician Education on PFAS Health Impacts Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020

Physician Education on PFAS Health Impacts Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to educate health care providers about the health impacts of exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Specifically, HHS must award grants to national or state medical organizations and other institutions that have expertise in diseases and conditions related to PFAS to provide these trainings.

RISE Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020

Research Investment to Spark the Economy Act or the RISE Act This bill authorizes the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, the Interior, and Health and Human Services and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation, and Environmental Protection Agency to provide support for research regarding COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) or research disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Support under this bill shall be provided through federal science agencies with at least $50 million in basic and applied research obligations in FY2020. Support may be used to provide supplemental funding to extend the duration of a grant to a research institution or national laboratory that was awarded prior to the enactment of this bill, or to expand the purposes of such a grant as specified; provide supplemental funding through existing competitively awarded cooperative agreements and contracts to cover the increased costs of construction of scientific facilities and equipment that have been delayed because of COVID-19; and award grants and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education to conduct research on the behavioral, social, or economic effects of COVID-19 and the responses to the disease or on the effectiveness of such responses. Agencies must provide the support as rapidly as possible. Provided funds shall remain available for expenditure for up to two years.

SCHOOL Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020

Safely Creating Healthy Opening Options Locally Act or the SCHOOL Act This bill establishes a grant program and other resources to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) with reopening schools after closures related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the Department of Education (ED) must partner with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to LEAs for certain activities to reopen schools. These activities include (1) purchasing personal protective equipment; (2) cleaning and disinfecting schools; (3) purchasing the supplies necessary to carry out their reopening plans; and (4) complying with the guidelines, recommendations, and other public health communications issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other entities to mitigate the hazards of COVID-19. Additionally, ED and HHS must (1) develop a process to connect health care professionals with schools to assist them with symptom checks and additional supports, and (2) develop recommendations to expand telehealth services to students and teachers in areas with a shortage of health care professionals. Further, HHS must issue guidance to clarify that private health insurance must cover COVID-19 testing, without imposing cost-sharing, through telehealth services in school-based settings. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must issue a letter to advise states on providing coverage for telehealth services in school-based settings under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Finally, ED must develop an online clearinghouse to collect and maintain evidence-based information, including best practices, related to reopening schools after closures due to COVID-19.

Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020

Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes and modifies the program of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants to states for the provision of assistance, development of programs, monitoring, and remediation related to environmental hazards (e.g., hazardous substances) in school facilities. The bill requires the EPA to perform outreach activities to provide information to states about (1) the exposure of children to environmental hazards in school facilities; (2) regulations and guidelines applicable to environmental hazards in school facilities; and (3) other materials to assist in addressing environmental problems, contaminants, hazardous substances, and pollutant emissions. Additionally, the EPA must annually convene school stakeholders (e.g., parents) to discuss topics related to the environmental health of children at school and the prevention, identification, and remediation of contaminants in school buildings and grounds. The bill adds polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the list of emitted substances that the EPA must account for when issuing voluntary guidelines to states for the purpose of their environmental health programs. Such guidelines must also (1) provide technical assistance for the removal, remediation, and disposal of PCBs and other hazardous substances; and (2) collect an inventory of schools affected by PCBs and other hazardous substances. To the maximum extent possible, the EPA must make publicly available (1) information on the exposure of children to environmental hazards in school facilities, and (2) an inventory of schools in which PCBs have been found in light ballasts or other media.

HOTSPOTS Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020

The Hotspots and Online Technology and Services Procurement for our Tribes and States Act or the HOTSPOTS Act This bill establishes a two-year pilot program through which the Institute of Museum and Library Services must award grants to states, territories, and Indian tribes to purchase and distribute internet-connected devices to libraries in rural and low-income areas.

School Choice Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020

School Choice Now Act This bill allows the Department of Education (ED) to establish an emergency education freedom grant program to assistance families with education expenses and prevent closures of private schools. It also allows tax credits for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations that provide assistance to families for private school tuition and home-schooling expenses. The Department of the Treasury, in coordination with ED, must establish, host, and maintain a web portal that lists all eligible scholarship-granting programs and provides other specified information.

STRATEGIC Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020

Strengthening Trade, Regional Alliances, Technology, and Economic and Geopolitical Initiatives concerning China Act or the STRATEGIC Act This bill contains provisions addressing China and foreign relations generally. The provisions include directing the Department of State to establish a program to facilitate dialogues between U.S. regulatory and technical agencies and their counterparts in partner countries to promote U.S. regulatory standards; authorizing the State Department to help U.S. companies address China-related supply chain management issues, including by relocating production to other countries; directing the President to establish an interagency working group to strengthen U.S. leadership in international standards-setting bodies for mobile telecommunications technology, including fifth generation (5G) technology; expanding reporting requirements for institutions of higher education that receive gifts from or transact with a foreign party, and allowing the President to order an institution to cancel the transaction if the President finds that the transaction undermines national security or academic freedom; prohibiting any individual who has directly represented the government of a country designated by the President as a country of national security concern from serving in a State Department position that requires Senate confirmation; directing the State Department to establish the Office of Integrity in the United Nations System to counter undue influence by authoritarian nations in the United Nations; authorizing through FY2025 various State Department programs in Southeast Asia related to maritime security and diplomatic outreach activities; and directing the Government Accountability Office to report on U.S.-China scientific and technical cooperation initiatives that receive U.S. government funding, including whether such programs adequately protect the intellectual property of U.S. participants.

NOPP Revitalization Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

National Oceanographic Partnership Program Revitalization Act or the NOPP Revitalization Act This bill directs the Department of the Navy to establish the National Oceanographic Partnership Program the purpose of which, among other things, is to promote the national goals of assuring national security, advancing economic development, protecting quality of life, ensuring environmental stewardship, and strengthening science education and communication through improved knowledge of the ocean. The bill also establishes (1) an Ocean Policy Committee, and (2) an Ocean Research Advisory Panel.

Open Schools Responsibly Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

Open Schools Responsibly Act This bill limits civil liability for elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education relating to any harm arising from exposure to, or infection by, coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) suffered by a student, employee, or visitor. Specifically, a school or institution shall not be liable for such harm if the school or institution was in compliance with applicable state and federal guidelines. However, a school or institution may be liable for acts or omissions that constitute willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

Special Operations and International Security Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

Special Operations and International Security Education Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from eliminating, divesting, downsizing, or reorganizing specified programs of the National Defense University until DOD issues a related report to Congress.

Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act This bill addresses substance use and mental health related to opiods, including by imposing an excise tax on opioids; modifying controlled substances regulations, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), and health insurance coverage; and requiring other activities. Specifically, the bill (1) establishes federal licensure requirements for pharmaceutical representatives who market opioids, (2) requires certain training and PDMP participation as conditions for controlled substance registration, and (3) withdraws regulatory approval for opioids with ultra-high doses. In addition, as a condition for receiving certain grants, recipients must, for example, mandate the use of PDMPs in specified ways and increase data-sharing. Additionally, to meet certain certification standards, health information technology must be interoperable with PDMPs. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must reimburse mental health services provided through telehealth under Medicare and develop a web-based tool to compare opioid prescribing in state Medicaid programs. The bill also creates grants to support compliance with requirements to provide parity in insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services. The Government Accountability Office must study health care coverage and reimbursements for substance use disorder treatments. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services and the CMS must develop quality measures and guidelines for treatment of non-fatal overdoses, and the Department of Justice must operate a drug take-back program. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and medical and dental schools must also report on Medicare coverage of non-opioid treatment for back pain and educational courses on pain management and opioid prescribing practices, respectively.

National Emergency Student Vote Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

National Emergency Student Vote Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to provide students with additional resources on registering to vote. In addition, IHEs must provide students who are off campus due to a public health emergency with resources on voting by mail (e.g., absentee ballot applications).

Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Pilot Program to award grants to local educational agencies for (1) projects that hire qualified, full-time food and nutrition educators to carry out programs in schools that have the goal of improving student health and nutrition; and (2) projects that fund school gardens or other evidence-based interventions relating to student health and nutrition to create hands-on learning opportunities for students. In awarding grants under the program, USDA must prioritize projects that serve schools or districts (1) in which not less than 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, or (2) that include neighborhoods with high rates of childhood obesity or other diet-related diseases.

Student Loan Repayment and FAFSA Simplification Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

Student Loan Repayment and FAFSA Simplification Act This bill replaces existing federal student loan repayment plans with one standard 10-year repayment plan and one income-based repayment plan. It also revises the process for filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act This bill addresses substance use and mental health related to opiods, including by imposing an excise tax on opioids; modifying controlled substances regulations, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), and health insurance coverage; and requiring other activities. Specifically, the bill (1) establishes federal licensure requirements for pharmaceutical representatives who market opioids, (2) requires certain training and PDMP participation as conditions for controlled substance registration, and (3) withdraws regulatory approval for opioids with ultra-high doses. In addition, as a condition for receiving certain grants, recipients must, for example, mandate the use of PDMPs in specified ways and increase data-sharing. Additionally, to meet certain certification standards, health information technology must be interoperable with PDMPs. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must reimburse mental health services provided through telehealth under Medicare and develop a web-based tool to compare opioid prescribing in state Medicaid programs. The bill also creates grants to support compliance with requirements to provide parity in insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services. The Government Accountability Office must study health care coverage and reimbursements for substance use disorder treatments. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services and the CMS must develop quality measures and guidelines for treatment of non-fatal overdoses, and the Department of Justice must operate a drug take-back program. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and medical and dental schools must also report on Medicare coverage of non-opioid treatment for back pain and educational courses on pain management and opioid prescribing practices, respectively.

National Emergency Student Vote Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

National Emergency Student Vote Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to provide students with additional resources on registering to vote. In addition, IHEs must provide students who are off campus due to a public health emergency with resources on voting by mail (e.g., absentee ballot applications).

COVID–19 Bias and Anti-Racism Training Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

COVID-19 Bias and Anti-Racism Training Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to health care providers, public health departments, tribal organizations, schools for social workers and health professionals, and other nonprofit entities for bias and anti-racism training to reduce disparities in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) response efforts. In administering these grants, HHS must give priority to, among others, recipients in communities with racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and death rates. In addition, HHS must develop requirements for bias and anti-racism training that aligns with continuing education requirements of applicable state licensing bodies, such as medical boards.

Student Loan Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020

Student Loan Fairness Act This bill establishes a temporary program to suspend payments and interest through September 30, 2020, on Federal Family Education Loans and Federal Perkins Loans that are not held by the Department of Education.

Water-Energy Technology Demonstration and Deployment Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020

Water-Energy Technology Demonstration and Deployment Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy (DOE) to partner with at least one institution of higher education to form the Western Water Resilience Center to research the development, commercialization, and deployment of water and energy technologies. Interior shall also establish a pilot program within the Bureau of Reclamation to allow DOE participation in certain projects.

Reopen Schools Safely Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020

Reopen Schools Safely Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies and institutions of higher education to comply with the guidelines, recommendations, and other public health communications issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local governments to mitigate the hazards of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in schools. Subgrants must be used for certain activities, such as implementing exposure control plans, hiring personnel and purchasing equipment for health screenings, providing students and staff with personal protective equipment, and purchasing sanitation supplies. Unexpended funds must be returned to ED. Additionally, unused supplies and materials that were purchased with grants may not be resold.