Education

A resolution designating September 2019 as "National Voting Rights Month".

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019

This resolution designates September 2019 as National Voting Rights Month, encourages people to uphold the right to vote, encourages Congress to pass certain voting rights legislation, recommends the development of a curriculum in public schools and universities regarding voting, encourages the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special Fannie Lou Hamer stamp during the month of September, and invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements regarding elections.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES IN EDUCATION TO ASSIST STUDENTS IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE AND OTHER ADVERSITIES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 11 September 2019

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a week as "Battle Buddy Check Week" for the purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate one week per year as Battle Buddy Check Week for the purposes of organizing outreach events and educating veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks. The VA shall ensure that the Veterans Crisis Line has a plan for handling the potential increase in calls that may occur during such week.

Water Justice Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019

Water Justice Act This bill addresses affordable access to clean water by establishing, expanding, or extending various programs or requirements related to drinking water infrastructure, water pollution control, water supply, water recycling, water efficiency, or conservation programs. Specifically, the bill provides $50 billion in FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for programs that reduce contaminants of concern in drinking water, such as grant programs for lead testing or remediation efforts in schools, child care programs, or high-risk communities. The funds are designated as an emergency requirement, which exempts the funds from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules. Each year, the EPA must obligate specified amounts of funding for several water infrastructure programs, including state revolving fund programs and grant programs for managing or controlling water pollution. The EPA must also establish a grant program to help communities that serve environmentally at-risk households and low-income households afford the costs for remediating contaminated drinking water. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services may make grants to states to assist low-income households in meeting their needs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services. In addition, the EPA must promulgate an interim national primary drinking water regulation for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, which may have adverse human health effects. Finally, the bill establishes or reauthorizes a variety of programs that provide financial support for water supply projects, water recycling or reuse projects, rural water systems, water efficiency improvements, or conservation programs.

Teacher Diversity and Retention Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019

Teacher Diversity and Retention Act This bill revises and consolidates certain grant programs intended to (1) recruit, train, and retain diverse candidates into the teaching profession; and (2) develop teacher preparation programs that embed certification in special education and training on social and emotional learning competencies and behavior management practices.

Climate Stewardship Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019

Climate Stewardship Act of 2019 This bill provides funding and incentives for states, Indian tribes, local governments, and other entities to carry out climate stewardship practices, including farm and ranch conservation practices, reforestation projects, and wetland restoration projects. For example, the bill extends through FY2030 the Conservation Reserve Program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. It also modifies and increases funding levels for some of these programs. The Forest Service must award cost-share grants to states, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit entities to conduct projects to reforest certain land. The bill also establishes a civilian conservation corps to provide youth from low-income communities, indigenous communities, and communities of color with the academic, vocational, and social skills necessary to pursue long-term, productive careers in the forest sector and the wetland restoration sector. Further, the bill sets forth a grant program for states, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit entities to conduct coastal wetland restoration projects, including projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Clean Water Through Green Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019

Clean Water Through Green Infrastructure Act This bill establishes grant programs for i nnovative stormwater control infrastructure , which means any green stormwater management technique that (1) uses systems that mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or capture stormwater; and (2) preserves, enhances, or mimics natural hydrology to protect or restore water quality. Specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must provide grants to eligible institutions of higher education or research institutions to establish and maintain between three and five centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure. Among other things, the centers must research such infrastructure and provide technical assistance to state, tribal, and local governments to assist with stormwater control infrastructure projects. One of the centers must be the national electronic clearinghouse center. That center must operate a website and a public database on the infrastructure. In addition, the EPA must provide grants to state, tribal, or local governments or entities that manage stormwater, drinking water resources, or wastewater resources for innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects.

Emphasizing the importance of addressing participation in career and technical education.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019

This resolution addresses the importance of career and technical education in preparing students to enter the workforce.

Clean Water Through Green Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019

Clean Water Through Green Infrastructure Act This bill establishes grant programs for i nnovative stormwater control infrastructure , which means any green stormwater management technique that (1) uses systems that mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or capture stormwater; and (2) preserves, enhances, or mimics natural hydrology to protect or restore water quality. Specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must provide grants to eligible institutions of higher education or research institutions to establish and maintain between three and five centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure. Among other things, the centers must research such infrastructure and provide technical assistance to state, tribal, and local governments to assist with stormwater control infrastructure projects. One of the centers must be the national electronic clearinghouse center. That center must operate a website and a public database on the infrastructure. In addition, the EPA must provide grants to state, tribal, or local governments or entities that manage stormwater, drinking water resources, or wastewater resources for innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects.

Climate Stewardship Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2019

Climate Stewardship Act of 2019 This bill provides funding and incentives for states, Indian tribes, local governments, and other entities to carry out climate stewardship practices, including farm and ranch conservation practices, reforestation projects, and wetland restoration projects. For example, the bill extends through FY2030 the Conservation Reserve Program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. It also modifies and increases funding levels for some of these programs. The Forest Service must award cost-share grants to states, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit entities to conduct projects to reforest certain land. The bill also establishes a civilian conservation corps to provide youth from low-income communities, indigenous communities, and communities of color with the academic, vocational, and social skills necessary to pursue long-term, productive careers in the forest sector and the wetland restoration sector. Further, the bill sets forth a grant program for states, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit entities to conduct coastal wetland restoration projects, including projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Shift Back to Society Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019

Shift Back to Society Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a pilot program that awards matching grants to historically black colleges and universities to provide educational programs for eligible offenders to facilitate re-entry into the community. An eligible offender is a convicted criminal offender who has been released from incarceration for not longer than one year or who is scheduled to be released from incarceration within one year. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the results of the pilot program.

SPARK Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019

Schools Preventing Hunger in At-Risk Kids Act or the SPARK Act This bill expands automatic eligibility for the National School Lunch Program to foster children who have been placed with a relative or family friend with the involvement of the state child welfare agency. To enroll in the program, a family must document the foster child's status to the child's school.

Empower Parents in College Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019

Empower Parents in College Act of 2019 This bill authorizes universities to use certain grant funds to partner with local child care providers in offering child care services to their student-parent population.

HOPE (Heightening Opportunities for Pathways to Education) for FAFSA Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2019

HOPE (Heightening Opportunities for Pathways to Education) for FAFSA Act This bill revises the application process for a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Specifically, the Department of Education (ED) shall not require an applicant to provide income or asset information if the applicant indicates they received a federal benefit (e.g., supplemental nutrition assistance or Social Security disability) at some time during the previous 24 months. ED shall use a data retrieval tool to obtain such information for any other applicant. The bill raises to $34,000 the amount of household income below which a student shall be considered to have an expected family contribution (EFC) equal to zero. EFC is used to calculate individual financial aid awards, and an EFC of zero means that a student's family is deemed unable to contribute to educational expenses.

Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019

Reducing Waste in National Parks Act This bill directs each regional office of the National Park Service (NPS) to establish a program to recycle and reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles within each NPS unit located in its region. NPS regional offices may eliminate the sale of water in disposable plastic bottles within their NPS units after having considered several specified factors. Where, prior to enactment of this bill, an NPS unit does not offer water for sale in disposable plastic bottles, the unit may continue that practice if it submits to the regional office an evaluation of those factors. NPS regional offices shall develop for each NPS unit a proactive visitor education strategy to address visitor expectations of water availability and explain the rationale for the program.

RARE Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019

Rare disease Advancement, surveillance Research, and Education Act of 2019 or the RARE Act of 2019 The bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the National Institutes of Health Rare Disease Regional Centers of Excellence and expands activities to facilitate research and increase awareness of rare diseases and conditions. (Rare diseases and conditions are those with a prevalence of fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may expand infrastructure and activities to track the epidemiology of up to four rare diseases and conditions and incorporate this information into a National Rare Disease or Condition Surveillance System. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must expand its activities to increase health care providers' awareness of rare diseases and conditions. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, or another appropriate entity, must update the 2010 report Rare Diseases and Orphan Products: Accelerating Research and Development.

Student Loan Contract Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019

Student Loan Contract Act of 2019 This bill renames a master promissory note that is made for certain student loans a student loan contract .

File Once FAFSA Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019

File Once FAFSA Act This bill makes adjustments to the process of filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Specifically, a student who submits a FAFSA and learns they are eligible for a Pell Grant will not be required to refile the FAFSA. The Department of Education must develop a certification form that determines student certification for each academic year by asking whether the student's circumstances have significantly changed, and a student shall not be required to refile a FAFSA unless they indicate that their circumstances or dependency status have changed.

Chronic Absenteeism Reduction in Every School (CARES) Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2019

Chronic Absenteeism Reduction in Every School (CARES) Act This bill allows local educational agencies to use specified federal funds for mentoring programs and other activities that address chronically absent students (i.e., students who miss 10% or more of school days). Such activities may include, among other things implementing data collection systems that assist schools in collecting and tracking attendance data; creating data-sharing and confidentiality agreements between schools, social service agencies, city and county governments, and partner agencies or community organizations working with students; partnering with local health, transportation, and service providers to target intervention efforts; training and integrating school personnel for mentoring; and implementing evidence-based restorative justice strategies aimed at reducing suspensions in order to keep students in school.

Strengthening Financial Aid for Students Act (Strengthening FAFSA)

United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2019

Strengthening Financial Aid for Students Act (Strengthening FAFSA) This bill increases the income protection allowance levels used to calculate a working student's expected family contribution and need for financial assistance. An income protection allowance is an amount for basic living expenses that is protected from being considered income available for postsecondary educational expenses. The bill also raises from 12 to 14 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a federal Pell Grant.

Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 August 2019

Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2019 This bill authorizes through FY2025 a grant program for states to establish or expand full-day prekindergarten programs that (1) permit each three- or four-year old child in the state to be voluntarily enrolled by the child's parent, regardless of income, in the program at the public school in which the child would be enrolled for kindergarten; (2) run the length of the regular school year; and (3) are taught by teachers who possess equivalent or similar qualifications to those of teachers of other grades in the school. The federal share of such a grant shall not exceed 80% of the costs of carrying out these activities. Grant funds received under the program shall be used to supplement and not supplant other federal early childhood education funds in the state.

America’s College Promise Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 August 2019

America's College Promise Act of 2019 This bill provides funding and establishes grants for states, Native American tribes, historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to eligible states and Native American tribes to pay the federal share (75% of the average resident community college tuition and fees per student) of a program that provides funds to community colleges for waiving resident tuition and fees. The bill also requires each state to ensure that a participating institution offers academic credits that are fully transferable to a four-year institution. In addition, the bill establishes a grant program to encourage certain minority group students to enroll in and complete baccalaureate programs by requiring a university that receives grant funding to waive or significantly reduce tuition and fees for such students.

Justice for Victims of School Shootings Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2019

Justice for Victims of School Shootings Act This bill establishes additional criminal penalties for discharging or attempting to discharge a firearm in a school zone. In addition, it revises the applicable definition of school to include colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions.

Student and Taxpayer Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2019

Student and Taxpayer Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Education to establish performance metrics and a disclosure template to enable programs of training that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation to be eligible to receive federal student aid funds.

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include child development and early learning as community services under the Federal work-study program.

United States · United States Congress · 20 August 2019

This bill adds child development and early learning to the list of community services in which undergraduate, graduate, and professional students may participate under a federal work-study program.

Student Loan Disclosure Transparency Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 August 2019

Student Loan Disclosure Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires a lender disbursing a loan that is insured or guaranteed by the federal government to make certain disclosures. Specifically, prior to disbursement, the lender making such loan must disclose the (1) principal amount, interest rate, and number of required monthly payments to be made on the loan; (2) estimated balance owed by the borrower; and (3) estimated aggregate amount the borrower will pay. Prior to repayment, the lender must disclose the projected total of interest charges that the borrower will pay on the loan, as well as projections of the borrower's monthly repayment amount. Lastly, the lender must disclose certain specified information monthly, including the (1) original principal amount of each of the borrower's loans, separately and in the aggregate; (2) current balance on each loan and on all loans in the aggregate; (3) interest rate on each loan and the total amount the borrower has paid in interest; and (4) a description of each fee the borrower has been charged for the preceding installment period. The Department of Education must obtain feedback from individuals and report on the usefulness and effectiveness of such disclosures.

Native American Language Vitalization Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 August 2019

Native American Language Vitalization Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish the Native American Language Vitalization and Training Program, under which ED shall award grants to eligible institutions to promote the preservation, revitalization, relevancy, and use of Native American languages.

Gun Safety Board and Research Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 August 2019

Gun Safety Board and Research Act of 2019 This bill establishes a gun safety board in the Department of Health and Human Services. The board must (1) conduct original research about firearm violence reduction; (2) publish policy recommendations for and findings about the efficacy of federal, state, and local actions to reduce firearm violence in the Federal Register; and (3) establish a grant program to support original research on firearm violence reduction and education for the public about the effects of and ways to mitigate firearm violence.

Securing American Families by Educating and Training You (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2019

Securing American Families by Educating and Training You (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to eligible entities for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the effects of community violence by providing education, mentoring, and counseling related to principles of nonviolence in conflict resolution. Eligible entities include state or local government entities, educational institutions, nonprofit communities, and faith-based organizations. In awarding grants under the program, DOJ shall give priority to applicants that agree to use the grant funds in at least one community that can certify (1) an increased or sustained level of violence or tension in the community; or (2) a lack of resources to adopt innovative, integrated, community-based violence prevention programs.

Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2019

Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019 This bill provides for the use of trauma-informed practices in public elementary and secondary schools and allows states to use certain federal funds to train teachers in such practices. Trauma-informed practices are defined to include evidence-based professional development that promotes a shared understanding among teachers and other staff that traumatic experiences are common among students and that school-wide learning environments where all students and adults feel safe, welcomed, and supported can enable students to succeed despite such experiences; adoption of disciplinary procedures and practices that utilize evidence-based restorative practices that build a culture of trust; and activities that engage teachers and other staff in a process of school-based planning to help all students feel safe and connected to the school community.

Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019

Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2019 This bill provides incentives for programs that prepare students for careers in the wind energy industry. The Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a program to award grants to community colleges or technical schools that offer wind training programs. Such colleges and schools must use the grants for large pieces of wind component equipment (e.g., towers or blades) for use in training wind technician students. DOE must also establish a program to prepare veterans for careers in the wind energy industry that shall be modeled off of the Solar Ready Vets pilot program. In addition, DOE must convene a task force to study the wind technician workforce.

PFAS Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act of 2019 or the PFAS Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices to protect them from exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFASs, from firefighting foam and to limit or prevent the release of PFASs into the environment. 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. FEMA shall (1) develop and issue guidance on alternative foams, personal protective equipment, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFASs; and (2) create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs.

Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a comprehensive nationwide program to improve education and training for jobs in energy-related industries, with emphasis on increasing the number of skilled individuals from underrepresented groups trained to work in those jobs. DOE must provide grants to certain businesses or labor management organizations to pay the wages of employees when they are receiving training for jobs in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, or grid modernization sectors.

Christopher’s Law

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act or Christopher's Law This bill establishes requirements concerning the private student loans of a deceased or disabled borrower. Upon the event of the death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity of a student loan borrower, the lender of a private education lender must discharge the liability of the borrower, estate of the borrower, and any cosigner of the loan or parent borrowers. In addition, the bill establishes disclosure requirements for such lenders with respect to such loans.

Expanding Cannabis Research and Information Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

Expanding Cannabis Research and Information Act This bill changes marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance, which allows it to be dispensed, subject to certain limitations, for accepted medical uses with a written or oral prescription. The bill also requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to collaborate with specified agencies to develop a national cannabis research agenda that must address (1) the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, (2) how it effects specified populations, (3) its long-term effects, (4) clinically appropriate methods to deliver it to the body, and (5) other public safety considerations. Additionally, the bill directs NIH to designate centers of excellence in cannabis research at institutions of higher education to conduct interdisciplinary research about biomedical, behavioral, and social issued related to cannabis. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must work with other agencies to collect population-wide data about cannabis use, including (1) demographic factors, (2) health outcomes, (3) health care utilization rates, (4) product variety, (5) delivery methods, and (6) other relevant health information.

Jumpstart on College Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

Jumpstart on College Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to support early-college high schools and dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs. Specifically, ED must award grants to (1) institutions of higher education in partnership with one or more local educational agencies to assist them in establishing or supporting early-college high schools or dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs, and (2) states to assist them in supporting or establishing such schools or programs.

Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish an Addressing Teacher Shortages Program. Through this program, ED shall award grants for local education agencies to address teacher shortage challenges. Specifically, grant funds may be used to establish or expand teaching residency programs, teacher mentor programs, specified recruitment and training programs, and other evidence-based strategies to increase teacher retention and support teachers.

Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019 This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to report to Congress about the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and imposes related sanctions. The report shall present evidence about whether any current or former government official of Saudi Arabia had advanced knowledge of the killing, ordered the killing, or was involved in tampering with related evidence. It shall also list foreign persons that the ODNI has high confidence were responsible for Khashoggi's death, materially assisted in causing the death, or impeded any investigations into the death. The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security shall bar such foreign persons from entering the United States and revoke visas belonging to such persons. The State Department shall report to Congress about the extent to which Saudi Arabia is responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and about U.S. actions to address such violations. The report shall also describe the publication by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education of intolerant educational materials and U.S. actions to encourage an end to the production and use of such materials.

A resolution designating the month of September 2019 as "Campus Fire Safety Month".

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019

This resolution designates September 2019 as Campus Fire Safety Month.

Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture National Historical Park Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture National Historical Park Act This bill provides for the establishment of the Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture National Historical Park in Collinsville, Illinois; Monroe, Madison, and St. Clair Counties, Illinois; and St. Louis City County, Missouri, as a unit of the National Park System. The Department of the Interior may acquire lands and interests within the boundary of the park by donation, purchase, or exchange, except that any land owned by such states or a political subdivision of one the states may be acquired only by donation. Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with such states and their political subdivisions, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, and individuals to (1) identify, interpret, and restore nationally significant historical or cultural and natural resources related to the life of the Mississippi culture within the park, subject to the condition that such an agreement must provide for reasonable public access; and (2) conduct research related to Mississippian culture.

21st Century Energy Workforce Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

21st Century Energy Workforce Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board to develop a strategy for the support and development of a skilled energy workforce. Based on the board's recommendations, DOE shall establish a clearinghouse to: maintain and update information and resources on training and workforce development programs for energy- and manufacturing-related jobs; and act as a resource and provide guidance for secondary schools, institutions of higher education (including community colleges and minority-serving institutions), and workforce development, labor management, and industry organizations that would like to develop and implement energy- and manufacturing-related training programs. DOE shall also establish a pilot program to award grants to eligible entities for job training programs that lead to an industry-recognized credential.

Combating Meth and Cocaine Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Combating Meth and Cocaine Act This bill authorizes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to states for the treatment and prevention of opioid-use disorders. Funds may be used for activities including education, treatment, and medical screenings related to opioid-use disorders, as well as for referrals to behavioral health services and recovery support. Grants also may be used to prevent or treat cocaine- or methamphetamine-use disorders.

Student Loan De­fer­ment Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Student Loan Deferment Act of 2019 This bill extends the grace period for the repayment of Federal Direct Loans to one year, and it freezes the interest rate at zero percent during such period.

Public Service Pays Off Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Public Service Pays Off Act This bill requires the Department of Education to incrementally cancel a percentage of the obligation to repay the balance on eligible Federal Direct Loans for a borrower who, while employed in public service, makes qualifying payments for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years.

Jumpstart on College Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Jumpstart on College Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to support early-college high schools and dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs. Specifically, ED must award grants to (1) institutions of higher education in partnership with one or more local educational agencies to assist them in establishing or supporting early-college high schools or dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs, and (2) states to assist them in supporting or establishing such schools or programs.

Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act This bill reauthorizes funding for specified provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for early childhood education. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 section 619 (grants to states for preschool programs serving children with disabilities ages three to five) and part C (grants to aid states in implementing early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families).

Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements governing the financing and accreditation of postsecondary education. Specifically, the bill makes postsecondary education courses and programs (e.g., apprenticeship programs) that provide credits toward a postsecondary certification, credential, or degree eligible for federal student aid funding if the programs and courses are accredited by a state that has an alternative accreditation agreement with the Department of Education. The bill also requires institutions to publish certain enrollment and financial aid information, such as (1) the percentage of former financial aid recipients who are employed at various intervals following graduation, and (2) the average amount of total federal student loan debt accrued upon graduation. The Government Accountability Office must compile and study all such information published by institutions and submit a report containing the results. In addition, the bill consolidates federal student loans into one student loan program and eliminates loan forgiveness for borrowers. Lastly, the bill requires an institution that receives federal student aid funding to pay a default rate fine that is based on the default rate of loans made to its students.

Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements governing the financing and accreditation of postsecondary education. Specifically, the bill makes postsecondary education courses and programs (e.g., apprenticeship programs) that provide credits toward a postsecondary certification, credential, or degree eligible for federal student aid funding if the programs and courses are accredited by a state that has an alternative accreditation agreement with the Department of Education. The bill also requires institutions to publish certain enrollment and financial aid information, such as (1) the percentage of former financial aid recipients who are employed at various intervals following graduation, and (2) the average amount of total federal student loan debt accrued upon graduation. The Government Accountability Office must compile and study all such information published by institutions and submit a report containing the results. In addition, the bill consolidates federal student loans into one student loan program and eliminates loan forgiveness for borrowers. Lastly, the bill requires an institution that receives federal student aid funding to pay a default rate fine that is based on the default rate of loans made to its students.

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2019 This bill adds requirements regarding the availability of training that the Department of Agriculture provides under current law for local food service personnel in schools. The training must be scheduled during regular, paid working hours; provided at no cost to food service personnel; offered in-person whenever appropriate; and incorporate hands-on training techniques. If the training is scheduled outside of working hours, food service personnel must be informed about the necessity of scheduling the program, consulted to schedule the program, and compensated for attending the program. Personnel may not be penalized for failing to attend a program outside of working hours.

World Language Advancement and Readiness Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2019

World Language Advancement and Readiness Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Defense to award three-year competitive grants to state and local educational agencies for the establishment, improvement, or expansion of world language (e.g., foreign language or American Sign Language) programs in elementary and secondary schools.