Education

Opioid ECHO Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

Opioid ECHO Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to train health professionals to treat opioid addiction and other substance abuse disorders, including by providing medication-assisted treatment, through the use of technology-enabled models. (Technology-enabled models are distance health education models that connect specialists with other health professionals through interactive videoconferencing to facilitate case-based learning, disseminate best practices, and evaluate outcomes.)

Debt-Free College Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

Debt-Free College Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Education to: (1) award grants for state-federal partnerships that provide debt-free college for students at certain institutions of higher education, and (2) allow federal financial aid for higher education to be given to dreamer students (students who entered the country when they were under the age of 16 and who meet certain educational criteria) or students convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs.

FSA Fairness Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

FAFSA Fairness Act of 2018 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) process for certain students. Specifically, the Department of Education must allow students to complete FAFSA as independent students under special circumstances. Financial aid administrators must provide those students with an initial determination regarding their assistance in the same manner as, and by no later than the date that, they provide other independent students with that determination.

Prevent Trafficking in Our Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

Prevent Trafficking in Our Schools Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security, at the request of the Department of Education (ED), to develop educational materials that ED may use to provide teachers, school leaders, and other personnel of elementary and secondary schools (covered educational personnel) with training in human trafficking awareness and techniques for identifying victims of human trafficking in elementary and secondary schools. The bill sets forth matters that the educational materials must address and requires that such materials emphasize that covered educational personnel who notice indicators of potential human trafficking should contact law enforcement and should not attempt to engage in counter-trafficking operations.

Make Schools Safe Again Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

Make Schools Safe Again Act This bill prohibits the Department of Education and the Department of Justice from authorizing or encouraging a school to have a policy of not referring a student suspected of criminal activity to law enforcement.

FAFSA Fairness Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

FAFSA Fairness Act of 2018 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) process for certain students. Specifically, the Department of Education must allow students to complete FAFSA as independent students under special circumstances. Financial aid administrators must provide those students with an initial determination regarding their assistance in the same manner as, and by no later than the date that, they provide other independent students with that determination.

Debt-Free College Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

Debt-Free College Act This bill requires the Department of Education to: (1) award grants for state-federal partnerships that provide debt-free college for students at certain institutions of higher education, and (2) allow federal financial aid for higher education to be given to dreamer students (students who entered the country when they were under the age of 16 and who meet certain educational criteria) or students convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs.

Expressing support for designation of the weeks of March 25, 2018, through April 7, 2018, as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Weeks.

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018

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

Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018

Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 This bill prohibits discrimination, under a federally assisted program, against public school students on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. The bill authorizes federal departments and agencies to terminate the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating this prohibition. An aggrieved individual may assert a violation of this bill in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees.

Education for Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018

Education for Jobs Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make an individual eligible to apply for a loan under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program if that individual: (1) is carrying at least three credit hours or the equivalent coursework for the course of study the individual is pursuing, (2) is enrolled in an educational program leading to a degree or certificate, and (3) was employed on a full-time basis for at least 10 years. It makes those students eligible for interest subsidies. It requires the repayment period for such a loan to begin the day after six months after the student ceases to meet the loan eligibility requirements.

Tax Credit for Veterans and Retired Law Enforcement Officers for Securing Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018

Tax Credit for Veterans and Retired Law Enforcement Officers for Securing Schools Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a $1,500 tax credit for veterans and retired law enforcement officers who are employed part-time by a local law enforcement agency to patrol one or more elementary or secondary schools or institutions of higher education.

Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018

Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2018 This bill prohibits discrimination, under a federally assisted program, against public school students on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. The bill authorizes federal departments and agencies to terminate the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating this prohibition. An aggrieved individual may assert a violation of this bill in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees. The Department of Justice is authorized to institute a civil action for a violation of this bill.

Foreign Influence Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2018

Foreign Influence Transparency Act This bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to limit the exemption from foreign agent registration with the Department of Justice for a person engaging in activities in furtherance of religious, scholastic, academic, or scientific pursuits or of the fine arts to only those activities that do not promote a foreign government's political agenda. The Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended to require institutions to report to the Department of Education a gift or contract from a foreign source whose annual value is $50,000 or more. The fair market value of in-kind-gifts is included in such limit. (Currently, a report is due if the annual value is $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with a foreign source.) A report shall: (1) include the contents of any such contracts, and (2) make such contents available for public disclosure.

Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018

Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 and the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004 to reauthorize through FY2024: grants under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program; grants to provide DNA training and education for law enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, and court officers; and grants under the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program.

Appalachia Opportunity Grants Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018

Appalachia Opportunity Grants Act of 2018 This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Department of Agriculture to award grants for units of local government in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States to convene groups of public and private entities to collaborate in carrying out regional projects to accomplish positive economic and community impacts in the region. A regional project carried out by a collaborative group must: (1) involve at least two municipalities that share a border; and (2) complete a specific activity that has a goal of job creation, expansion of the capacity of post-secondary education, growth of tourism, improving public health, or upgrading regional infrastructure.

Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018

Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 and the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004 to reauthorize through FY2024: grants under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program; grants to provide DNA training and education for law enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, and court officers; and grants under the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program.

Foreign Influence Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018

Foreign Influence Transparency Act This bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to limit the exemption from foreign agent registration with the Department of Justice for a person engaging in activities in furtherance of religious, scholastic, academic, or scientific pursuits or of the fine arts to only those activities that do not promote a foreign government's political agenda. The Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended to require institutions to report to the Department of Education a gift or contract from a foreign source whose annual value is $50,000 or more. The fair market value of in-kind-gifts is included in such limit. Currently, a report is due if the annual value is $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with a foreign source.

Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2018

Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit conduct, including bullying and harassment, that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to: (1) limit students' ability to participate in, or benefit from, school programs; or (2) create a hostile or abusive educational environment that adversely affects students' education. LEAs shall also provide: (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct, and report on, an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics shall collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Mark Schultz, of Nebraska, to be Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of Education, vice Janet Lorraine LaBreck.

United States · United States Senate · 19 March 2018

Poison Center Network Enhancement Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2018

Poison Center Network Enhancement Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize for FY2020-FY2024 and revise the national toll-free phone number, public awareness campaign, and grant program relating to poison control centers. Among other changes, the bill: supports enhancements of the national toll-free phone number, such as texting capabilities and improved location accuracy; expands the public awareness campaign to include education about information that is available from poison control centers regarding drug misuse; and authorizes poison control centers and professional organizations to use grant funds for preventing and treating the misuse of opioids and other drugs.

A resolution commemorating the 150th anniversary of the University of California.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2018

Celebrates the history, legacy, and achievements of the University of California on the 150th anniversary of its founding.

Student and Teacher Safety Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2018

Student and Teacher Safety Act of 2018 This bill allows state and local educational agencies to use certain federal funds for activities related to school safety, including infrastructure improvements.

Supporting Teachers and Safe Students Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2018

Supporting Teachers and Safe Students Act This bill allows state and local educational agencies to use certain federal funds for activities related to school safety, including professional development for school personnel in mental-health awareness and violence prevention.

Appalachia Opportunity Grants Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2018

Appalachia Opportunity Grants Act of 2018 This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Department of Agriculture to award grants for units of local government in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States to convene groups of public and private entities to collaborate in carrying out regional projects to accomplish positive economic and community impacts in the region. A regional project carried out by a collaborative group must: (1) involve at least two municipalities that share a border; and (2) complete a specific activity that has a goal of job creation, expansion of the capacity of post-secondary education, growth of tourism, improving public health, or upgrading regional infrastructure.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2018

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to ending multiple sclerosis by promoting awareness about individuals affected by multiple sclerosis and supporting research and education programs. Recognizes people living with multiple sclerosis and salutes the health care professionals and medical researchers who assist those so affected and continue to work to find ways to stop the disease, restore what has been lost, and end multiple sclerosis forever.

To amend the Second Morrill Act to authorize the transmission to Congress of annual reports prepared by colleges endowed under such Act.

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

The bill amends the Second Morrill Act to expand annual reporting requirements for certain land-grant universities.

Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act This bill provides for the establishment of state infrastructure banks for the purpose of funding education infrastructure projects. The bill sets forth requirements for the banks, including requirements related to funding, qualifying projects, building standards, and loan terms.

Opportunities for Success Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

Opportunities for Success Act of 2018 This bill permanently reauthorizes and revises the Federal Work-Study Program and establishes a pilot program that provides work-based learning positions for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

STEP Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

School Training, Equipment, and Protection Act of 2018 or the STEP Act of 2018 This bill requires specified funds from student support and academic enrichment grants to be provided to elementary and secondary schools for security purposes, including barricade and surveillance technology, individualized active shooter alarms, security and active shooter training, coordination activities with law enforcement agencies, and vulnerability assessments.

Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018

Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to award offshore wind career training grants to eligible entities (i.e., institutions of higher education or labor organizations) to develop, offer, or improve educational or career training programs that provide skills that are useful for employment in the offshore wind industry.

Expressing support for designation of March 14, 2018, as "National Pi Day".

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018

Expresses support for the designation of Pi Day. Encourages mathematics and science activities and programs in schools.

Safe Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018

Safe Schools Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make grants to eligible local education agencies to provide improved security measures at schools and on school grounds. Such grants shall be distributed directly to such agencies and used to improve security through one or more of the following: employment of additional school resource officers not already employed by the agency; entering into a contract or a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency, private entity, or nonprofit corporation for the services of school resource officers; increasing coordination with local law enforcement; and purchasing equipment, technology, or infrastructure improvements to control access to school campus, buildings, and classrooms, expedite notification of first responders, or stop weapons from entering a school building. In awarding grants, FEMA shall give preference to local education agencies that demonstrate that the grants will be used efficiently and effectively to secure school buildings or grounds.

To make technical amendments to update statutory references to certain provisions classified to title 7, title 20, and title 43, United States Code.

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018

This bill makes technical amendments to the U.S. Code to revise references to statutory provisions classified to the following titles: Title 7 (Agriculture), Title 11 (Bankruptcy), Title 16 (Conservation), Title 20 (Education), Title 21 (Food and Drugs), Title 26 (Internal Revenue Code), Title 42 (The Public Health and Welfare), Title 43 (Public Lands), and Title 48 (Territories And Insular Possessions).

Financial Literacy College Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018

Financial Literacy College Education Act This bill amends the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act to require the Financial Literacy and Education Commission to establish best practices for institutions of higher education regarding methods to: (1) teach financial literacy skills, and (2) provide useful and necessary information to assist students when making financial decisions related to student borrowing.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of March 12 through 16, 2018, as "Public Education Week".

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018

Supports the designation of Public Education Week.

TEACH to Combat Addiction Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018

Treatment, Education, and Community Help to Combat Addiction Act of 2018 or the TEACH to Combat Addiction Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to designate Regional Centers of Excellence in Substance Use Disorder Education and provide support to such centers to enhance and improve pain management and substance use disorder education through the distribution of evidence-based curricula for health care professional schools. The bill provides statutory authority for the National Institutes of Health's Centers for Excellence in Pain Education program, under which the centers provide for the coordination of the development, evaluation, and distribution of pain management curricula for health professional schools.

Secure Communities and Safe Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018

Secure Communities and Safe Schools Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit the use of a grant awarded under the Urban Areas Security Initiative or the State Homeland Security Grant Program to purchase firearms and firearms accessories, such as ammunition, including for use by teachers.

NURSE Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018

Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act or the NURSE Act This bill establishes a competitive demonstration grant program through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award matching funds to increase the number of school nurses in public elementary and secondary schools served by an eligible entity. An eligible entity is a state educational agency or local educational agency (LEA) in which at least 20% of students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program. In awarding grant funds, ED shall give priority to high-need LEAs that demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional nursing services. A high-need LEA is one in which at least 40% and no fewer than 15,000 students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program.

Recognizing the contributions of the public elementary schools and secondary schools in the United States as an investment in our country's future and expresses the position of Congress that public funds should be spent to strengthen public elementary and secondary schools.

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018

Disapproves of using and expanding the use of federal funds, including tax expenditures, to subsidize tuition or other expenses associated with students enrolling in private elementary schools and secondary schools, except for limited allowances permitted in law. Affirms that public funds should be used to support public elementary schools and secondary schools only.

IDEA Full Funding Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018

IDEA Full Funding Act This bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to reauthorize and make appropriations for the grant program to assist states and outlying areas in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. The bill sets the amount to be appropriated for each fiscal year from FY2018-FY2026 as the greater of: (1) a specified amount, or (2) a specified percentage of an amount determined pursuant to a formula that multiplies the number of children receiving special education services by the average per-pupil expenditure in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill appropriates funds for FY2027 and each subsequent fiscal year equal to the greater of a specified amount or 40% of the amount determined using such formula.

CERTIFY Heroes Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2018

Credentialing, Educating, and Relevant Training Initiative For Your Heroes Act or the CERTIFY Heroes Act This bill allows tuition assistance provided under the Department of Defense's educational assistance program to be used for licensing and certification programs offered by entities other than institutions of higher education.

Improving Access to Mental Health Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2018

Improving Access to Mental Health Services Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to allow National Health Service Corps (NHSC) personnel who are assigned to provide health services in a health professional shortage area to provide services as behavioral and mental health professionals at schools or other community-based settings and at the homes of patients. Services provided pursuant to this bill may count toward completion of obligated service requirements under the NHSC scholarship or loan repayment programs.

NURSE Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2018

Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act or the NURSE Act This bill establishes a competitive demonstration grant program through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award matching funds to increase the number of school nurses in public elementary and secondary schools served by an eligible entity. An eligible entity is a state educational agency or local educational agency (LEA) in which at least 20% of students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program. In awarding grant funds, ED shall give priority to high-need LEAs that demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional nursing services. A high-need LEA is one in which at least 40% and no fewer than 15,000 students are eligible to participate in the school lunch program.

School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2018

School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to conduct and submit to Congress a survey of the assignment of school resource officers at public elementary and secondary schools.

School Watch and Training Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2018

School Watch and Training Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Justice to develop, implement, and report on national standards and best practices for school resource officers.

Secure Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2018

Safe Equitable Campus Resources and Education Act of 2018 or the Secure Act of 2018 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to address the needs of individuals with disabilities, such as their needs if a campus is evacuated or their needs if they are victims of sex offenses, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking incidents.

Tuition Fairness for Citizens Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

Tuition Fairness for Citizens Act This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make aliens who are not lawfully present in the United States ineligible for postsecondary education benefits (e.g., in-state tuition) unless all U.S. citizens and nationals are eligible for the same benefit. Under current law, states are not permitted to give postsecondary education benefits to such aliens on the basis of residency, but are allowed to give such benefits based on other criteria. This bill eliminates the option to give such benefits based on any criteria if they are not available to all U.S. citizens and nationals. In addition, the bill grants a private right of action to a person who is aggrieved by a violation of this requirement.

Protecting Education Privacy Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

Protecting Education Privacy Act This bill amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, and repeals specified provisions of regulations promulgated under that Act, to further limit the release of a student's educational record or personally identifiable information.

Don't Tax Higher Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

Don't Tax Higher Education Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 1.4% excise tax on the net investment income of certain private colleges and universities.

Safe Equitable Campus Resources and Education Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

Safe Equitable Campus Resources and Education Act of 2018 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to address the needs of individuals with disabilities, such as their needs if a campus is evacuated or their needs if they are victims of sex offenses, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking incidents.