Education

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016 This bill permanently reauthorizes the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 (Emmett Till Act) and expands the responsibilities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to include the investigation and prosecution of criminal civil rights statutes violations that resulted in a death, regardless of when the violations occurred. (Currently, the Emmett Till Act is scheduled to expire at the end of FY2017 and such investigations are limited to violations that occurred before 1970.) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that all authorities with jurisdiction should: (1) coordinate information sharing; (2) hold accountable individuals who were perpetrators of, or accomplices in, unsolved civil rights murders; and (3) comply with Freedom of Information Act requests. In investigating a complaint, DOJ may coordinate activities with entities that DOJ determines to be appropriate. DOJ shall reopen and review cases closed without an in-person investigation conducted by DOJ or the FBI. DOJ must establish a task force to conduct a thorough investigation of Emmett Till Act cases. In an annual report to Congress, DOJ must indicate: (1) the number of cases referred by a civil rights organization, an institution of higher education, or a state or local law enforcement agency; (2) the number of such cases that resulted in federal charges; (3) the date any such charges were filed; (4) whether DOJ has declined to prosecute or participate in an investigation of a referred case; and (5) any activity on reopened cases. DOJ may award grants to civil rights organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities for expenses associated with investigating offenses under the Emmett Till Act.

Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act of 2016 This bill amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program to support tribal early childhood education demonstration projects. Funding for projects is through existing programs that have a purpose consistent with the purpose of the demonstration program. HHS may waive certain provisions of law, policy, or procedure related to the programs providing funding for projects. Demonstration projects must be: (1) carried out by an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a consortium with a tribe or tribal organization as its primary member; (2) designed around new approaches that address tribal community needs and improve early childhood education and services; and (3) focused on Native culture, culturally based early childhood education, and related services. HHS must make grants to demonstration projects to: (1) build or upgrade facilities for early childhood care and development, and (2) reimburse early childhood educators who fulfill a period of obligated service for costs associated with obtaining early childhood certification or credentials. This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise federal student loan forgiveness and loan cancellation for teachers to increase the maximum amounts of loan forgiveness and cancellation that may be provided to early childhood teachers in programs operated by Indian tribes or serving a large percentage of Indian children. Cancellation of student loans for public service is expanded to include service in Indian prekindergarten, child care programs, or early childhood learning and development centers.

21st Century American Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

21st Century American Service Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any AmeriCorps educational awards provided under the National and Community Service Act of 1990. The bill establishes within the Corporation for National and Community Service the 21st Century National Service Program Implementing Taskforce, which shall develop a 21st Century National Service Program to notify 18-year olds of opportunities to serve in a voluntary national service program. The Taskforce shall develop a 10-year strategic implementation plan for the 21st Century National Service Program and publish it on the Corporation website. The Corporation shall establish, with a certain number of participating states, a national service college compact pilot program under which eligible individuals may use an educational award to attend a public institution of higher education for a two- or four-year program of instruction, or a career or technical education program, at no additional charge. An eligible individual shall be one who completes successfully or agrees to complete: two required terms of full-time national service in an approved national service position for purposes of eligibility for two educational awards; and at least one calendar year of employment with a federal, state, or local government entity or a nonprofit organization. The Corporation and a state participating in the national service compact shall jointly select the individual eligible to receive an educational award for attending a public institution of higher education in the state.

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016 This bill permanently reauthorizes the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 (Emmett Till Act) and expands the responsibilities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to include the investigation and prosecution of criminal civil rights statutes violations that resulted in a death, regardless of when the violations occurred. (Currently, the Emmett Till Act is scheduled to expire at the end of FY2017 and such investigations are limited to violations that occurred before 1970.) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that all authorities with jurisdiction should: (1) coordinate information sharing; (2) hold accountable individuals who were perpetrators of, or accomplices in, unsolved civil rights murders; and (3) comply with Freedom of Information Act requests. In investigating a complaint, DOJ may coordinate activities with entities that DOJ determines to be appropriate. DOJ shall reopen and review cases closed without an in-person investigation conducted by DOJ or the FBI. DOJ must establish a task force to conduct a thorough investigation of Emmett Till Act cases. In an annual report to Congress, DOJ must indicate: (1) the number of cases referred by a civil rights organization, an institution of higher education, or a state or local law enforcement agency; (2) the number of such cases that resulted in federal charges; (3) the date any such charges were filed; (4) whether DOJ has declined to prosecute or participate in an investigation of a referred case; and (5) any activity on reopened cases. DOJ may award grants to civil rights organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities for expenses associated with investigating offenses under the Emmett Till Act.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to parental rights.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment stating that: the liberty of parents to direct the education of their children is a fundamental right; neither the United States nor any state shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served; no treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to any of the rights of parents guaranteed by this article, any other provision of the U.S. Constitution, federal law, or any state constitution or law; and the rights guaranteed by this amendment shall not be denied or abridged on account of disability.

Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require a VA employee (including a temporary full-time, part-time, or without-compensation employee) who is authorized to prescribe any controlled substance to complete at least one accredited continuing education course on pain management every two years. Such requirement shall: apply to an employee who is employed by the VA for at least 180 days during any 24-month period; and not apply to an employee licensed or certified by a state licensure or specialty board that requires the completion of pain management or substance use disorder management continuing education. Continuing education courses shall include information on safe prescribing practices, controlled substance disposal, pain management principles, and identification of potential substance use disorders and addiction treatment.

Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016 This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a voluntary school and child care lead testing program of grants to states to assist local educational agencies in voluntary testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care programs. The bill repeals the current program of federal assistance for state programs regarding lead contamination in school drinking water.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate about the importance of effective civic and government education programs in schools in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: civic and government education is essential to the well-being of the constitutional government of the United States, comprehensive and formal instruction in civics and government would provide students with a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens under such government, elementary and secondary schools are encouraged to offer courses on the history and theories of such government, and civics and government teachers are well served by having access to professional development programs that enhance their capacity to provide effective civic and government education in the classroom.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Provides FY2017 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Provides appropriations to USDA for Agricultural Programs, including: the Office of the Secretary; Executive Operations; the Office of the Chief Information Officer; the Office of the Chief Financial Officer; the Office of Civil Rights; Agriculture Buildings and Facilities; Hazardous Materials Management; the Office of Inspector General; the Office of the General Counsel; the Office of Ethics; the Economic Research Service; the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Agricultural Research Service; the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; the Agricultural Marketing Service; the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; the Food Safety and Inspection Service; the Farm Service Agency; the Risk Management Agency; the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund; and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. Provides appropriations to USDA for Conservation Programs, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Provides appropriations to USDA for Rural Development Programs, including Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service. Provides appropriations to USDA for the Food and Nutrition Service, including: Child Nutrition Programs; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program); the Commodity Assistance Program; and Nutrition Programs Administration. Provides appropriations to USDA for the Foreign Agricultural Service, including Food for Peace Title II Grants and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants. Provides appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Farm Credit Administration. Rescinds specified unobligated balances from prior appropriations. Sets forth permissible, restricted, and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.

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

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

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

Small Business Innovation Protection Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2016

Small Business Innovation Protection Act of 2016 This bill directs the Small Business Administration to develop partnership agreements that provide for: development of high-quality training for small businesses related to domestic and international protection of intellectual property, leveraging of training materials already developed for the education of inventors and small businesses, and participation of a nongovernmental organization. These agreements must also provide training: through electronic resources, including Internet-based webinars, and at physical locations, including a small business development center; and the headquarters or a regional office of the United States Patent and Trade Office. The bill amends the Small Business Act to require services at a small business development center to include training in person or through a website relating to: domestic and international intellectual property protections, and how those protections should be considered in the business plans and growth strategies of small businesses.

Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2016

Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016 This bill requires Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) counselors who provide specified educational or vocational counseling services to provide a requesting veteran or member of the Armed Forces with information about the articulation agreements (agreements governing the transferability of credits toward meeting specific degree or program requirements) of each institution of higher learning in which the individual is interested. The VA shall provide a veteran who is certified as eligible for VA educational assistance with information on education counseling services and articulation agreements.

Protecting School Meals from Fines Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2016

Protecting School Meals from Fines Act This bill prohibits the implementation of proposed Department of Agriculture regulations to establish criteria for imposing fines on school funding authorities, schools, and state agencies that are administering federal child nutrition programs and have: (1) failed to correct severe mismanagement of any program, (2) failed to correct repeated violations of program requirements, or (3) disregarded a requirement of which they have been informed.

Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2016

Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act This bill amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Administration on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services to: (1) ensure that all programs funded under such Act include appropriate training in elder abuse prevention and services addressing elder justice and exploitation; and (2) update periodically the need for such training related to prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation (including financial exploitation) of older adults. The Administration has a duty and function to: (1) establish priority information and assistance services for older individuals; and (2) develop a National Eldercare Locator Service, with a nationwide toll free number. The Administration shall establish a National Adult Protective Services Resources Center. Each area plan shall provide that the area agency on aging: (1) increases public awareness of elder abuse and financial exploitation, and removes barriers to elder abuse education, prevention, investigation, and treatment; and (2) reports instances of elder abuse. The Administration shall make grants to states with approved plans for elder abuse and neglect screening. A state operating a nutrition project shall encourage distributors of nutrition services to distribute information on diabetes, elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and the annual Medicare wellness exam. A state, an area agency on aging, a nonprofit organization, or a tribal organization shall use a grant for an older individuals' protection from violence project to replicate successful prevention and training models. The Administration shall award grants to and contract with eligible organizations for projects to engage volunteers over age 50 in supporting older adults (and their families or caretakers) who have experienced or are at risk of elder abuse. A state may use funds under the National Family Caregiver Support Program to support the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2016

Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act This bill amends the Johnson-O'Malley Act to establish a program through which the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) shall contract with eligible entities for the purpose of providing educational benefits to Indian students. An eligible entity is an entity that educates or serves Indian students and is either an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, an Indian corporation, a school district, a state, or a consortium of any of these entities. An eligible entity shall use the funds to establish or expand programs to: (1) provide remedial instruction, counseling, cultural programs, school supplies, and specified courses and activities; (2) establish targeted, culturally sensitive, dropout prevention activities; and (3) purchase equipment to facilitate training in trade skills and college preparation. In general, BIA shall base the amount of a contract on the number of eligible Indian students educated or served by an eligible entity. With respect to these contracts, BIA must ensure full geographic coverage and the full participation of eligible entities.

A resolution designating May 21, 2016, as "Kids to Parks Day".

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2016

Designates May 21, 2016, as Kids to Parks Day. Recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation and the preservation of open spaces to the health and education of young people of the United States.

Supporting the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and recognizing 50 years of organized academic veterinary medicine in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2016

Expresses gratitude and support for accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine.

Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2016

Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Act of 2016 This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a voluntary school and child care lead testing program of grants to states to assist local educational agencies in voluntary testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care programs. The bill repeals the current program of federal assistance for state programs regarding lead contamination in school drinking water.

Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2016

Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016 This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to reauthorize and modify: (1) child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and other institutional food service programs; and (2) the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill extends the authorizations for: the Summer Food Service Program, WIC, the WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, and State Administrative Expenses. (Under current law, several programs such as the NSLP and the School Breakfast Program are permanently authorized.) For the child nutrition programs, the bill makes policy changes that: require the Department of Agriculture to review school meal regulations every three years and make any necessary revisions, increase reimbursement rates for the School Breakfast Program, increase the eligibility threshold for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high poverty areas to serve all meals free of charge, permit states to provide summer meals away from a congregate site (specific sites where children come to eat and are supervised) in rural or low-income areas without access to summer service, and revise application verification requirements for the school meal programs. For WIC, the bill: authorizes appropriations at the current FY2016 level for the next five years, permits commercial availability and participant demand to be considered when amending the list of supplemental foods, and modifies the competitive bidding and contract award process for infant formula and infant foods.

Financial Literacy for Financial Aid Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2016

Financial Literacy for Financial Aid Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to maintain a consumer-tested online counseling tool that provides required entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower.

Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2016

Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act of 2016 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish, for 10 years, an H-2C visa nonimmigrant classification for an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform services or labor in a registered position for a registered non-agricultural employer. An alien may not be admitted as an H-2C nonimmigrant if the alien: is inadmissible under this Act, fails to pass a criminal or a national security background check, is from a country that has supported acts of international terrorism, or has not received an offer of employment from a registered employer in a registered position. A registered position is a position for which a registered employer has submitted an H-2C hiring attestation to, and that has been approved by, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). An occupation requiring an individual with a bachelor's degree or higher level of education may not be an eligible H-2C occupation. Employers must: (1) register with DHS, (2) operate in an employment area where the unemployment rate is equal to or less than 4.9%, (3) attest that they have advertised and attempted to recruit qualified U.S. workers, and (4) participate in the E-verify program or an employment verification system patterned upon E-verify. Such employers may: (1) promote an H-2C worker after not less than 12 months on the job, and (2) terminate an H-2C worker at any time for any reason for which it is lawful to terminate U.S. workers. The maximum number of positions that may be approved for the first fiscal year is 65,000, and the number of positions that may be approved for a subsequent fiscal year may not be less than 45,000 or more than 85,000. The initial period of authorized presence for an H-2C worker is 36 months, with specified renewal periods. A percentage of H-2C positions are reserved for small businesses. The bill prescribes penalties for: (1) H-2C worker violations, revocation of employment status, and removal from the United States; and (2) employer violations, including program ineligibility. An H-2C worker: (1) may travel outside, and be readmitted to, the United States; (2) may not bring family members into the United States who have not received employment offers from a registered employer; (3) must comply with biometric entry and exit requirements; and (4) may terminate employment at any time and accept employment with another registered employer in any other registered position. DHS shall implement an electronic monitoring system to monitor the presence and employment of H-2C workers.

Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2016

Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2016 This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require certain consumer reporting agencies to disclose, upon request and without charge, as part of a consumer's free annual disclosure, a current credit score generated using the scoring methodology most frequently used to generate scores sold to creditors, including information regarding other risk scores or predictors in the consumer's file. Those agencies shall also furnish any other consumer information the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau considers appropriate with respect to consumer financial education, including where the consumer's credit score falls with respect to a range of possible credit scores, and the general factors contributing to consumer credit scores. Upon consumer request for a credit score, a consumer reporting agency shall disclose any a credit or risk score in a consumer's file. All consumer reporting agencies shall maintain credit scores or other risk scores or predictors in the consumer's file for at least one year after the data is generated.

Honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2016

Honors Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, as it celebrates 250 years of rich history as a colonial college, a land-grant institution, and a great state university that has been a source of pride for New Jersey and the people of the United States.

Expressing support for designation of the week of April 18, 2016, through April 22, 2016, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Awareness Week".

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2016

Expresses support for the designation of National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Awareness Week. Recognizes that such personnel implement evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes. Commends the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel for its efforts to promote and improve the availability of specialized instructional support services. Urges government agencies and policymakers to work together to incorporate such personnel and services in education reform efforts. Encourages experts to share best practices. Urges the Department of Education to provide states and local educational agencies with guidance on effectively using such personnel to improve schools.

Opioid Review Modernization Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2016

Opioid Review Modernization Act of 2016 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to refer new drug applications for opioids (drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications) to an advisory committee before approval, unless the FDA finds that such a referral is scientifically unnecessary and not in the interest of protecting and promoting public health and the FDA notifies Congress of its rationale. The FDA must convene an advisory committee on labeling opioids for pediatric use before approving any such labeling. As part of its evaluation of the Extended-Release/Long-Acting Opioid Analgesics Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, the FDA must develop recommendations regarding education programs for prescribers of opioids. The FDA must finalize the draft guidance entitled "General Principals for Evaluating the Abuse Deterrence of Generic Solid Oral Opioid Drug Products."

Local Cheese Promotion and Dairy Support Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2016

Local Cheese Promotion and Dairy Support Act of 2016 This bill amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to establish a Department of Agriculture (USDA) program to provide competitive grants to small cheese producers and cooperative groups of small cheese producers. In awarding grants, USDA must define the term "small cheese producer" and give preference to producers that: (1) purchase raw dairy product from producers located in the same state as the small cheese producers, or (2) produce raw dairy product on the farms of the small cheese producers. Grant recipients may use the funds to: purchase equipment or renovate and make repairs to production facilities, develop a business plan or perform a feasibility study to grow the business, promote and market cheese, participate in accounting and financial literacy education and training, and carry out food safety upgrades and training. Using no more than 10% of the funds provided for this bill, USDA must establish a cheese production, education, and promotion pilot project at eligible institutions, including: land-grant colleges or universities, local offices of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture or other regional USDA offices, groups of regional experts that advise beginning farmers or ranchers, or nonprofit organizations.

Recognizing and celebrating April as "National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month".

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2016

Recognizes April as National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month.

Recognizing the achievements of America's high school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2016, encouraging civic engagement, and commending academic excellence of all American high school students.

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2016

Recognizes the achievements and contributions of the valedictorians and graduating seniors of the class of 2016, and encourages them to utilize their skills and knowledge to benefit themselves and others.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility for monthly stipends paid under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for certain members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2016

This bill provides that the monthly stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program for a member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who is pursuing a program of education using assistance under such program and performing certain active duty service shall be payable on a pro rata basis for the period of such month in which the individual is not performing active duty service.

Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2016

Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual the discharge of student loans or private education loans due to the death or disability of the student. The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to discharge the liability on loans that parents received on behalf of a student who: (1) has become permanently and totally disabled, or (2) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or has lasted or is expected to last continuously for at least 60 months. (Under current law, ED is required to discharge the loans to parents if the student dies.)

A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of April 11 through April 15, 2016, as "National Assistant Principals Week".

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2016

Supports the designation of April 11-April 15, 2016, as National Assistant Principals Week. Honors the contributions of assistant principals to students' success.

A resolution designating April 2016 as "Financial Literacy Month".

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2016

Designates April 2016 as Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about the importance of personal financial education in the United States and the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2016

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2016 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any AmeriCorps educational awards provided under the National and Community Service Act of 1990.

Teacher Debt Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2016

Teacher Debt Relief Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow an eligible teacher to use the same teaching service to qualify for both the teacher and public service loan forgiveness programs.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day.

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2016

Recognizes the goals of introducing our daughters and sons to the workplace. Commends all the participants in Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day for their ongoing contributions to education, and for the vital role the participants play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United States.

Expressing support for designation of the week of March 27, 2016, through April 2, 2016, as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week.

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2016

Supports the designation of National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week. (Young Audiences Arts for Learning is a nonprofit organization that presents arts-in-education programs to students and teachers.) Honors the contributions which Young Audiences Arts for Learning programs have made in enriching the lives of students, teachers, volunteers, families, and communities.

ESSA IMPLEMENTATION IN STATES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

United States · United States Senate · 12 April 2016

SOAR Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2016

Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act or the SOAR Reauthorization Act This bill repeals the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program School Certification Requirements Act, as contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) is amended to limit its focus to students in the lowest-performing Washington, DC, elementary and secondary schools. The Department of Education (ED) shall not limit the number of eligible students receiving Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) scholarships, or prevent otherwise eligible students from participating in the OSP because of: the type of school the student previously attended; whether or not the individual previously received the scholarship or participated in OSP, including one previously awarded a scholarship who did not use it; or was a member of the control group used by the Institute of Education Sciences to carry out previous OSP evaluations. An eligible nonprofit organization's application for an OSP grant must include how it will ensure: the financial viability of a participating school in which 85% or more of enrolled students receive and use an opportunity scholarship, utilization of internal fiscal and quality controls and compliance with financial reporting requirements. Priorities for the award of scholarships are modified to give priority to: students who in the preceding school year attended a low-achieving elementary or secondary school, and certain students regardless of whether they have attended a private school. OSP-participating schools must: ensure that participating students are taught core subject matter by a teacher with a baccalaureate or equivalent degree, conduct criminal background checks on school employees who have direct and unsupervised interactions with students, and comply with all requests for data and information regarding certain reporting requirements. Participating private schools must be provisionally or fully accredited or in the process of seeking accreditation. ED must make OSP funds available to eligible entities receiving a grant for administrative expenses and parental education and assistance. Previously unobligated OSP funds must be used for additional scholarships (95%) and administrative expenses (5%). The bill revises current OSP evaluation procedures. The specified authorized OSP funds that ED may withhold for noncompliance with SOAR requirements shall be differentiated based on whether the noncompliance relates to the DC public schools, to the DC public charter schools, or to both. Funds provided under this Act to support DC public charter schools may be directed to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education for transfer to subgrantee public charter schools or networks of such schools, or DC-based non-profit organizations with successful experience with them. ED and the Mayor shall revise a specified memorandum of understanding to ensure that participating schools meet fire code standards and maintain certificates of occupancy. The bill reauthorizes the OSP through FY2021.

Supporting the goals and ideals of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2016

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Calls for recognition of: (1) national and community organizations and private sector supporters for their work in promoting awareness about sexual assault, providing information and treatment to survivors of sexual assault, and increasing the number of successful prosecutions of perpetrators of sexual assault; and (2) public safety, law enforcement, and health professionals for their hard work and innovative strategies to increase the percentage of sexual assault cases that result in the prosecution and incarceration of its perpetrators. Urges national and community-based organizations, private businesses, colleges and universities, and the media to promote, through such Month, awareness of sexual violence, resources for its survivors and their friends and family members, and strategies to decrease the incidence of sexual assault.

STEM Opportunities Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2016

STEM Opportunities Act of 2016 This bill directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a STEM Inclusion Interagency Working Group which shall focus on the creation of a more diverse and inclusive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce. The National Science Foundation (NSF) shall strengthen the goals and activities of the ADVANCE (Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers) program to focus on increasing the recruitment, retention, and success of all women in STEM, including minorities and persons with disabilities. The NSF shall: award a grant for the establishment of at least one Center for Excellence for Inclusion in STEM; collect institution-level data on the demographics of STEM faculty at different types of institutions of higher education; award grants to institutions of higher education (or their consortia) to implement or expand evidence-based reforms for recruiting, retaining, and advancing students, fellows, trainees, and faculty from underrepresented groups in STEM; and administer three specified Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring to recognize annually outstanding mentoring in STEM fields in primary, secondary, and higher education.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2016

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act of 2016 This bill amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to direct the Department of Commerce, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to convert the current program for creation and support of regional centers for the transfer of manufacturing technology into one for creation and support of manufacturing extension centers for the transfer of manufacturing technology and best business practices, to be known as the Hollings Manufacturing Extension (HME) Partnership, and reauthorized for FY2017-FY2020. Each Hollings Manufacturing Extension Center may be affiliated with an institution of higher education or a state or local government, as well as with a U.S.-based nonprofit institution (or consortium of such institutions) as under current law. Authorized Center activities that currently include selective, short-term loans of advanced manufacturing equipment to small manufacturing firms shall be replaced by facilitation of collaborations and partnerships between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies and community colleges and area career and technical education schools. The bill repeals the current six-year limit on federal financial assistance to a Center, allowing open-ended assistance through a cooperative agreement. Commerce shall appoint a panel to review and evaluate each Center receiving financial assistance during its third and eighth years of operation, but the Department shall review a Center directly during its fifth year of operation. Each Center shall establish a board to oversee its operations. The bill establishes a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board. The NIST shall establish within the HME Partnership: a program of competitive awards for a participating Center, or a consortium of Centers, to develop projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems; and an innovation services initiative to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in improving profitability through the reduction of energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental waste.

TEST for Lead Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2016

Transparent Environment in School Testing for Lead Act or the TEST for Lead Act This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to: (1) allow funds from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to be used to train school personnel on issues relating to lead contamination in drinking water and to assist in lead remediation efforts, and (2) condition a state's receipt of funding from such Fund on the state establishing a program to test for lead in school drinking water. Program requirements include testing water from: (1) faucets used for food preparation, (2) sinks in bathrooms, and (3) drinking water coolers. Testing must be conducted at least biannually at schools built prior to 1996 and at least annually at schools built in 1996 or after. Additionally, local education agencies must notify parents or guardians, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state in which they are located, the local municipal government, and local health agencies within 48 hours if a level of lead exceeds the EPA's lead action level.

GAP Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2016

Gender Advancement in Pay Act or the GAP Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand exceptions to the prohibition against sex discrimination to include payments pursuant to a differential based on expertise, shift, or a business-related factor other than sex, including but not limited to education, training, or experience. The statute of limitations under the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 for a charge of prohibited sex discrimination, or an action by or on behalf of an employee for such discrimination, shall be tolled until the earlier of: (1) the date on which the Equal Employment Commission or the Department of Justice brings an action or notifies the employee concerned with respect to the charge under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or (2) 270 days after the charge is filed. Nonretaliation prohibitions are extended to cover inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of an employee or of another employee, or declining to discuss or disclose the employee's wages, with specified exceptions. An employer shall be considered to have committed an unlawful act if the employer requires an employee to sign a contract or waiver that would prohibit the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. Civil penalties are established for violation of prohibitions against sex discrimination. The Department of Labor, together with the Department of Education, shall conduct a multistate study, through a grant to a nonprofit research institution, that includes strategies to increase the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand occupations and industries in which women are underrepresented. The Government Accountability Office shall also conduct a multistate study to develop such strategies.

A bill to eliminate the requirement that veterans pay a copayment to the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive opioid antagonists or education on the use of opioid antagonists.

United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2016

This bill exempts from the requirement that veterans pay a Department of Veterans Affairs copayment for: any opioid antagonists furnished to a veteran at high risk for overdose of a specific medication or substance in order to reverse the effect of such an overdose, and education on their use.

Matthew Lehrich, of Massachusetts, to be Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Department of Education, vice Peter Cunningham.

United States · United States Senate · 7 April 2016

Amy McIntosh, of New York, to be Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Department of Education, vice Carmel Martin, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 7 April 2016

Antonia Whalen, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education, vice Deborah S. Delisle, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 7 April 2016

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017

United States · United States Senate · 7 April 2016

Real Education for Healthy Youth Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2016

Real Education for Healthy Youth Act of 2016 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants for: (1) comprehensive sex education for adolescents, (2) comprehensive sex education provided by institutions of higher education, and (3) training faculty and staff to teach comprehensive sex education to elementary and secondary school students. Grants cannot be used for health education programs that: deliberately withhold health-promoting or lifesaving information about sexuality-related topics, including HIV; are medically inaccurate or have been scientifically shown to be ineffective; promote gender stereotypes; are insensitive and unresponsive to the needs of survivors of sexual abuse or assault, sexually active youth, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth; or are inconsistent with the ethical imperatives of medicine and public health. This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to remove limitations on using AIDS prevention program funding for education or information that promotes certain sexual activity or intravenous substance abuse. This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow funding to be used for contraceptive distribution in schools. This bill amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to repeal the program for abstinence education. Unobligated funds for abstinence education for FY2016 and FY2017 are transferred and made available to carry out this Act.

Elevating Educator Preparation Through Innovation Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2016

Elevating Educator Preparation Through Innovation Act of 2016 This bill amends title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise provisions related to the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program. Specifically, the bill: modifies requirements regarding which types of entities must, or may, be included in a grant-eligible partnership; eliminates the requirement that a teaching residency program must culminate in the attainment of a master's degree; and expands the purposes for which grant funds may be used.