Education

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2014

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2014 - Directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish and operate directly, or by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, a 24-hour toll free telephone hotline to provide consumer information regarding advance care planning, which is the process of determining an individual's wishes for care in the future when the individual is no longer able to express his or her wishes. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop an online clearinghouse to provide comprehensive information on advance care planning and pediatric advance care planning. Directs HHS to develop an online advance care planning toolkit for availability on specified websites. Requires the CDC, directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, to develop a national campaign to inform the public of the importance of advance care planning and of the right of individuals to direct their health care decisions. Directs HHS and the Social Security Administration to update the online versions of the "Plan Ahead for Long-Term Care" section of the Medicare & You Handbook and the Social Security Handbook to include information about advance care planning and advance directives and provide this information in subsequently published paper and online versions. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize financial and legal assistance for advance care planning. Directs HHS to award grants to states for certain state health insurance assistance programs to provide advance care planning services to Medicare beneficiaries, their personal representatives, and their families. Authorizes Medicaid transformation grants for advance care planning and advance care planning community training grants. Directs HHS to make grants to establish new or expand existing state or local programs for orders regarding life sustaining treatment. Directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to establish a website for providers under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Indian Health Service, and other public health providers on each individual's right to make decisions concerning medical care, including the right to refuse treatment, and the existence of advance directives, which are legal documents that indicate an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event of future incompetence (e.g., living will). Requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to develop a curriculum for continuing education that states may adopt for physicians and nurses on advance care planning and end-of-life care. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (CHIP) of the Social Security Act with respect to inclusion of advance directives in patient medical records, discussion of advance directives with patients, the portability of advance directives, and actual knowledge of a patient's desires. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the CDC to award competitive grants to establish and operate state advance directive registries to store and make available to medical providers advance directive documents. Requires the CDC to award grants to states to establish a mechanism to include notice of an advance directive on driver's licenses. Requires various specified studies and reports to Congress by the Government Accountability Office and HHS. Amends the PHSA to direct HHS to establish within the National Health Service Corps a National Geriatric and Palliative Care Services Corps to provide geriatric and palliative care services in health professional shortage areas. Exempts palliative medicine fellowship training from Medicare graduate medical education caps. Directs HHS to establish guidelines for the imposition by medical schools of a minimum amount of end-of-life training as a requirement for obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Authorizes coverage of advance care planning under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Revises Medicare requirements for hospice payments and related matters. Allows Medicare to make payments for an individual's hospice care and treatments for their terminal illness if the individual is 18 years of age or younger. Makes hospice care a required Medicaid and CHIP benefit. Requires CMS, HHS, and the CDC to survey patient satisfaction with end-of-life care, hospice programs, and end-of-life care, respectively. Directs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to designate an entity to develop requirements, standards, and procedures for accreditation of hospital-based palliative care programs. Amends the PHSA to establish, within the National Institutes of Health, a National Center on Palliative and End-of-Life Care. Directs HHS to establish a demonstration program for the use of telemedicine services in advance care planning.

Honoring Steve Sauls on his retirement as Florida International University's Vice President of Governmental Relations.

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2014

Honors Steve Sauls for his invaluable service to Florida International University, Florida, and the United States.

Expanding School Choice Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Expanding School Choice Act - Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow states to allocate school improvement grant funds among their local educational agencies (LEAs) on the basis of the number of children aged 5 through 17 whose family income lies below the federal poverty level and who are enrolled in the public and state-accredited private schools within each LEA's geographic jurisdiction.

SAVE Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Small Businesses Add Value for Employees Act of 2014 or the SAVE Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer-established simple individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and pension plans, to: repeal restrictions on rollovers from simple IRAs to qualified retirement plans; allow employers to elect to terminate simple IRAs at any time during the year; repeal the increased 25% penalty on premature distributions from simple IRAs within the first two plan years; allow additional nonelective employer contributions to simple IRAs not exceeding 10% of compensation; establish automatic deferral IRAs to permit the automatic enrollment of employees earning at least $5,000 in a preceding year; establish secure deferral arrangements for automatically enrolling employees at 6% of pay with annual increases; allow small employers a new tax credit for the cost of adopting safe harbor requirements for secure deferral arrangements; allow a transfer of unused benefits in a flexible spending arrangement to a qualified retirement or eligible deferred compensation plan; increase the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs; and establish multiple small employer retirement plans that provide for automatic employee contributions. Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations regarding the timing of notices to participants in automatic contribution pension plans; (2) the Office of Financial Education of the Department of the Treasury to develop and implement an outreach plan to educate small businesses on the types and benefits of available retirement plans; (3) the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor to develop recommendations for small businesses to improve retirement outcomes; and (4) the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to develop age-appropriate financial literacy curricula for elementary and secondary schools. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to: (1) exempt IRAs that permit payroll deductions from additional pension plan requirements, (2) require disclosures relating to lifetime income from pension plans and annuities, and (3) set forth safe harbor criteria for the selection of an annuity contract and an insurer.

Students Before Profits Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Students Before Profits Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require the Secretary of Education to: (1) use corrected data and information to recalculate the cohort default rates for institutions of higher education (IHEs) that have engaged in default manipulation, and (2) use the recalculated cohort default rates to redetermine whether those IHEs are disqualified from participating in title IV programs. (The cohort default rate represents the percentage of a school's borrowers who begin to repay Federal Family Education Loans [FFELs] or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans [DLs] in a fiscal year but default on those loans before the end of the second fiscal year following the fiscal year they began repaying them.) Directs the Secretary to establish an Institutional Risk-Sharing Commission to study and make recommendations for the implementation of a new risk-sharing system that holds IHEs that participate in the DL program financially accountable for poor student outcomes. Authorizes the Secretary to: impose a civil penalty on IHEs that engage in certain substantial misrepresentations or other serious HEA violations; impose smaller civil penalties on IHEs that engage in less serious title IV violations; impose employment sanctions and civil penalties against the officer of an IHE who knowingly and willfully, or with gross negligence, violates a title IV provision; limit, suspend, or terminate an IHE's participation in title IV programs for violating a title IV provision or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation; and take emergency action to withhold funds from an IHE or its students and withdraw the IHE's authority to obligate title IV funds in certain circumstances where immediate action is required to prevent the misuse of federal funds. Provides for the use of the civil penalties to: (1) conduct program reviews and ensure the integrity of IHEs participating or seeking to participate in title IV programs; and (2) finance a Student Relief Fund that is to be used to provide financial relief to any student enrolled in an IHE that fails to comply with the HEA's eligibility requirements or the terms of its title IV program participation agreement or that has been sanctioned pursuant to this Act's penalty provisions.

REVAMP with Community Colleges Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Revamping the Education of our Veterans to Align Manufacturing through Partnerships with Community Colleges Act of 2014 or the REVAMP with Community Colleges Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges to: (1) analyze the demand for trained employees in their locality and the skills possessed by veterans who receive federal educational assistance and seek local employment, (2) provide those veterans with training that addresses local demand for trained employees, and (3) facilitate the establishment of an advisory board to provide guidance to the training program and assist trained veterans in their pursuit of local employment. Requires the advisory board to be composed of local business representatives and an employee from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) to locate the Office on International Religious Freedom in the Office of the Secretary of State. Directs the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to seek to coordinate religious freedom policies and religious engagement strategies across all U.S. programs, projects, and activities. Specifies additional foreign government actions violating religious freedom for the Ambassador's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, including a Special Watch List of countries or violent nonstate actors that have engaged in or tolerated such violations but do not yet meet the criteria for designation as countries of particular concern for religious freedom. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to develop a curriculum for, and the Director of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center to begin, mandatory training on religious freedom for all Foreign Service officers. Amends the IRFA to require the Commission on International Religious Freedom to compile and make publicly available regularly updated lists of persons imprisoned, detained, disappeared, placed under house arrest, tortured, or subject to forced renunciations of faith by: (1) a foreign government recommended for designation as a country of particular concern for religions freedom, or (2) a violent nonstate actor. Makes it a primary responsibility of the Commission to make annual recommendations on such countries and violent nonstate actors as well as specific policy responses or actions that may be taken regarding them. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to establish within the National Security Council a permanent Interagency Policy Committee on Religious Freedom and Engagement headed by a presidentially appointed Senior Director for Global Religion Engagement and International Religious Freedom Promotion, who shall develop and coordinate religious freedom policies and religion engagement strategies throughout the executive branch. Amends the IRFA to revise requirements, including reporting requirements, for presidential actions with respect to country and violent nonstate actor designations, in particular those countries on the Special Watch List. Declares the sense of Congress that: ongoing and persistent waivers for designated countries, especially those engaging in particularly severe violations of religious freedom, do not fulfill IRFA purposes; the President, the Secretary of State, and other executive branch officials, in consultation with Congress, should seek to find ways to address existing violations, on a country-by-country basis, through specified actions; and the country of particular concern for religious freedom designation should apply also to violent nonstate actors. Repeals the automatic termination of a presidential designation after two years. Makes funds available for FY2016-FY2021 for the Human Rights and Democracy Fund. Establishes in the State Department the Religious Freedom Defense Fund, to be administered by the Ambassador at Large. Authorizes the President to exercise specified authority to sanction persons responsible for committing particularly severe violations of international religious freedom. Declares the sense of Congress about: (1) adoption of codes of conduct by U.S. institutions of higher education outside the United States, and (2) national security strategy to promote religious freedom through U.S. foreign policy. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the appropriate congressional committees on whether Nigeria, Pakistan, and Vietnam meet the criteria for designation as countries of particular concern for religious freedom.

Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2014 - Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convene a Pain Management Best Practices Interagency Task Force. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to address drug abuse, including for educational efforts, communitywide strategies that address local drug crises, alternative to incarceration programs, disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications, educational programs for offenders, programs to address the use of opioids among pregnant and parenting female offenders, and veterans treatment court programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to award grants to state substance abuse agencies, units of local government, nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes or tribal organizations that have a high rate, or have had a rapid increase, in the use of opioids. Directs the Attorney General to make grants for medication assisted treatment programs through criminal justice agencies, initiatives involving young people, and recovery services. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the Department of Education (ED) from including any question about the conviction of an applicant for the possession or sale of illegal drugs on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Directs HHS to establish a bipartisan Task Force on Recovery and Collateral Consequences (collateral consequences are penalties imposed on an individual as a result of a criminal conviction but not as part of the court judgment, or optionally imposed by an administrative agency, official, or civil court). Requires grants under this Act to give priority to states that provide civil liability protection for individuals administering naloxone (a prescription drug used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose) to counteract opioid overdoses.

Grow Your Own Teacher Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Grow Your Own Teacher Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a Grow Your Own Teacher program making competitive grants to eligible entities to train and employ certain individuals in hard-to-staff schools or teaching positions. Defines an "eligible entity" as a consortium consisting of a local educational agency (LEA) that receives school improvement funds under part A of title I of the Act and an institution of higher education that offers a state-accredited teacher certificate program. Requires the grant to be used to: (1) train certain individuals who received a high school diploma from a participating LEA to be teachers, including by having them observe and work with a veteran teacher in a classroom for at least one year; (2) employ such individuals in hard-to-staff schools and teaching positions in such LEA, with priority given to teaching positions in mathematics, science, special education, world languages, and English as a second language; and (3) employ such individuals in a manner that reduces the divergence between the racial diversity of teachers and of students. Authorizes the Secretary to forgive the student loans incurred by training program participants who have been employed as teachers in hard-to-staff schools or teaching positions.

Tax Reform Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Tax Reform Act of 2014 - Title I: Tax Reform for Individuals - Subtitle A: Individual Income Tax Rate Reform - Revises individual income tax rates to establish three tax brackets (10%, 25%, and 35%). Allows individual taxpayers a deduction from gross income for 40% of adjusted net capital gain. Subtitle B: Simplification of Tax Benefits for Families - Establishes a single standard deduction of $22,000 for married couples filing jointly and $11,000 for single filers. Allows single filers with at least one qualifying child an additional deduction of $5,500, whether or not they itemize deductions. Requires a phaseout of the standard deduction amounts based on adjusted gross income. Increases the amount of the child tax credit. Requires taxpayers who claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit to provide their social security numbers on their tax returns. Modifies the earned income tax credit to provide for a refund of employment and self-employment taxes. Repeals the deduction for personal exemptions after 2014. Subtitle C: Simplification of Education Incentives - Replaces the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits and the tax deduction for tuition and qualified expenses with a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that allows a 100% tax credit for the first $2,000 of certain higher education expenses and a 25% tax credit for the next $2,000 of such expenses. Expands the tax exclusion for Pell Grants to allow the use of excludible grant funds for any purpose. Repeals specified deductions and exclusions of expenses for educational purposes. Subtitle D: Repeal of Certain Credits for Individuals - Repeals specified tax credits for individuals, including the tax credits for employment-related dependent care expenses, adoption expenses, nonbusiness and residential energy efficiency improvements, investment in qualified electric vehicles and alternative vehicles and refueling property, plug-in electric drive vehicles, health insurance costs, and the tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Subtitle E: Deductions, Exclusions, and Certain Other Provisions - Revises the tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence to require a taxpayer to have used the residence as a principal residence for five of the previous eight years. Limits the use of such exclusion to once every five years. Modifies the tax deduction for mortgage interest to allow such deduction for acquisition indebtedness up to $500,000 (currently, $1 million). Revises rules for the tax deduction for charitable contributions. Denies a tax deduction for expenses attributable to the trade or business of performing services as an employee. Repeals or modifies specified tax deductions, including deductions for personal casualty losses, gambling losses, tax preparation expenses, medical expenses, moving expenses, alimony, and contributions to medical savings accounts. Repeals the tax exclusion for employee achievement awards. Subtitle F: Employment Tax Modifications - Revises rules for the deduction of self employment taxes in computing net earnings from self-employment. Eliminates the exemption from employment taxes for certain foreign workers and students. Makes supplemental unemployment benefit payments subject to employment tax. Treats professional employer organizations (PEOs), certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as employers for employment tax purposes (thus allowing such PEOs to pay wages and collect and remit payroll taxes on behalf of an employer). Subtitle G: Pensions and Retirement - Revises the tax treatment of individual and employer-provided retirement plans. Eliminates income eligibility limits for contributing to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA). Prohibits new contributions to traditional IRAs. Repeals the exemption from the 10% penalty for early withdrawals from an IRA for first-time homebuyers. Prohibits employers from establishing new SIMPLE 401(k)s (Simplified Employee Pension plans) after 2014. Subtitle H: Certain Provisions Related to Members of Indian Tribes - Excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, the value of an Indian general welfare benefit. Defines "Indian general welfare benefit" as any payment made or services provided to or on behalf of a member of an Indian tribe under an Indian tribal government program if: (1) such program is administered under specified guidelines and does not discriminate in favor of members of the governing body of the Indian tribe; and (2) the program benefits are available to any tribal member, are for the promotion of general welfare, are not lavish or extravagant, and are not compensation for services. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) establish a Tribal Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on the taxation of Indians, and (2) establish and require training and education for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) field agents on federal Indian law and the implementation of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to waive any interest or tax penalties related to the exclusion from gross income of Indian general welfare benefits. Title II: Alternative Minimum Tax Repeal - Repeals the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Title III: Business Tax Reform - Subtitle A: Tax Rates - Reduces the maximum income tax rate on corporations to 25% beginning in 2019. Subtitle B: Reform of Business-Related Exclusions and Deductions - Revises the treatment of contributions to the capital of a corporation to require such contributions to be included in gross income. Repeals or modifies business-related tax deductions, including the amortization of pollution control facilities, the net operating loss deduction, amortization of research and experimental expenditures and certain advertising expenses, expensing elections for refineries and environmental remediation costs, the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities, entertainment expenses, percentage depletion, like-kind exchanges, and the exclusion of gain from the sale of small business stock. Revises the accelerated cost recovery system for the depreciation of business assets. Subtitle C: Reform of Business Credits - Repeals tax credits for alcohol and biodiesel used as fuel. Modifies and makes permanent the tax credit for increasing research expenditures. Modifies or repeals specified business-related tax credits, including the low-income housing tax credit, the enhanced oil recovery credit, the Indian employment credit, the employer-provided child care credit, energy-related credits, the rehabilitation credit, and the work opportunity tax credit. Subtitle D: Accounting Methods - Limits the use of the cash method of accounting to a natural person, a farming business, and other entities that meet the gross receipts test. Repeals specified accounting and inventory methods, including the last-in, first-out method of inventory (LIFO) and the lower of cost or market method of inventory. Subtitle E: Financial Instruments - Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of certain financial instruments, including derivatives, hedges, and debt instruments. Terminates tax preferences for private activity bonds and advance refunding bonds and the tax credit for interest on home mortgages. Subtitle F: Insurance Reforms - Modifies rules for the tax treatment of insurance companies, including life insurance companies, property and casualty insurance companies, and certain health insurance organizations. Subtitle G: Pass-Thru and Certain Other Entities - Modifies rules for the tax treatment of S corporations, partnerships, real estate investment trusts, and regulated investment companies. Subtitle H: Taxation of Foreign Persons - Prohibits U.S. insurance companies from deducting reinsurance premiums paid to a related company that is not subject to U.S. taxation on such premiums, unless the related company elects to treat the premium income as effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business subject to U.S. taxation. Makes income of foreign taxpayers that is derived from the operation of passenger cruise ships within U.S. territorial waters subject to U.S. tax. Modifies rules for the deduction of interest payments by a U.S. corporation to a related entity. Prohibits a reduction under any treaty of the United States of tax withholding for a tax deductible payment made between persons who are members of the same foreign controlled group of entities unless there would be a similar reduction for payments made directly to the foreign parent corporation of such entities. Subtitle I: Provisions Related to Compensation - Modifies tax rules relating to executive compensation, including a repeal of exceptions to the $1 million limitation for commissions and performance-based compensation. Imposes a 25% excise tax on the compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any of the five highest paid employees of tax-exempt organizations. Denies a tax deduction for transfers of stock under an incentive stock option plan or an employee stock purchase plan. Sets forth a safe harbor rule for the classification of an individual as an employee or an independent contractor for employment tax purposes. Subtitle J: Zones and Short-Term Regional Benefits - Repeals tax preferences for empowerment zones and enterprise communities, District of Columbia Zones, renewal communities, New York Liberty Zones, and Gulf Opportunity Zones. Title IV: Participation Exemption System for the Taxation of Foreign Income - Subtitle A: Establishment of Exemption System - Revises rules for the taxation of foreign source income to: (1) allow an exemption of 95% of dividends paid by a foreign corporation to a U.S. corporate shareholder that owns 10% or more of the foreign corporation; (2) allow a U.S. parent corporation to reduce the basis of its stock in a foreign subsidiary by the amount of any exempt dividends received by the parent from its foreign subsidiary; (3) allow a U.S. shareholder who owns at least 10% of a foreign subsidiary to include in income for the last tax year beginning before 2015 the pro rata share of historical earnings and profits of the foreign subsidiary to the extent such earnings and profits have not been previously subject to U.S. taxation; and (4) make permanent the look through tax rule exempting dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from certain controlled foreign corporations by a related entity from treatment as foreign holding company income (thus permitting deferral of the tax on such income). Subtitle B: Modifications Related to Foreign Tax Credit System - Modifies rules relating to the foreign tax credit. Subtitle C: Rules Related to Passive and Mobile Income - Modifies rules relating to subpart F income (i.e., income of a controlled foreign corporation). Title V: Tax Exempt Entities - Subtitle A: Unrelated Business Income Tax - Revises the unrelated business income tax (UBIT) applicable to tax-exempt organizations by: (1) making all tax-exempt organizations, including government-sponsored entities, subject to UBIT; (2) requiring an exempt organization to calculate separately the net unrelated taxable income of each of its unrelated trades or businesses; (3) limiting the exemption from UBIT for research-related income fundamental research that is made available to the public: (4) increasing from $1,000 to $10,000 the deduction against gross income for UBIT; and (5) eliminating the exemption from UBIT for distressed property (i.e., property in foreclosure). Subtitle B: Penalties - Increases penalties on tax-exempt organizations for failure to file required returns and other information. Subtitle C: Excise Taxes - Expands the excise tax on excess-benefit transactions to labor, agricultural, and horticultural organizations and business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, and boards of trade. Reduces from 2% to 1% the excise tax rate on the net investment income of tax-exempt private foundations and repeals the 1% reduction in such tax rate for private foundations that meet certain distribution requirements. Makes certain private colleges and universities subject to a 1% excise tax on net investment income. Subtitle D: Requirements for Organizations Exempt From Tax - Repeals the tax exemption for professional sports leagues, for qualified property and casualty insurance companies and qualified health insurance issuers, and for type II and type III supporting organizations. Allows a tax exemption for a workmen's compensation insurance organization only if it provides no insurance coverage other than workmen's compensation insurance required by state law. Title VI: Tax Administration And Compliance - Subtitle A: IRS Investigation-Related Reforms - Requires organizations that intend to operate as a tax-exempt social welfare organization to notify the IRS of such intent not later than 60 days after such organization is established. Allows social welfare organizations to seek declaratory judgment relief in cases involving the initial or continuing qualification of their tax-exempt status. Expands the limitation on mandatory disclosures of information about donors to a social welfare organization to require information about a donor who is either an officer or director of the organization or is one of the five highest compensated employees of the organization for the current or any preceding taxable year. Requires all tax-exempt organizations to file their annual tax returns electronically. Expands the obligation of the IRS to ensure that its employees are familiar, and act in accordance with, specified taxpayer rights. Expands the grounds for mandatory termination of the employment of an IRS employee for performing, delaying, or failing to perform (or threatening to perform, delay, or fail to perform) any official action or audit for the purpose of extracting personal gain or benefit for political purposes. Authorizes the disclosure to any person who provides information indicating a violation of internal revenue laws relating to unauthorized disclosure or inspection of tax information or to unlawful acts of revenue officers or agents: (1) whether an investigation based on such information has been initiated and is open or closed; (2) whether any such investigation substantiated a violation; and (3) whether any action has been taken against a violator, including a referral for prosecution. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report on the process used for determining how IRS enforcement cases are selected and processed. Prohibits any IRS officer or employee from using a personal email account to conduct official business. Prohibits the IRS from holding any conference until the the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration certifies to Congress that the IRS has implemented recommendations in a specified report of the Inspector General. Requires the IRS to apply standards and definitions in effect on January 1, 2010, to determine whether an organization is operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare. Subtitle B: Taxpayer Protection and Service Reforms - Authorizes the IRS to use an identifying number in lieu of an employee's social security number on tax information forms. Directs the IRS, in cooperation with the private sector technology industry, to maintain a program of free tax preparation and electronic filing services to low-income and elderly taxpayers. Directs the IRS to make a simplified form 1040SR (similar to Form 1040EZ) available to taxpayers who have attained age 65. Provides that any refund or credit in excess of $5 million due to a C corporation taxpayer may not be made until the Secretary of the Treasury submits a report to the Joint Committee on Taxation providing information on such refund or credit. Subtitle C: Tax Return Due Date Simplification - Requires the Secretary, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, to modify by regulation the due dates for extensions of tax returns for partnerships, trusts and estates, employee benefit plans, tax-exempt organizations, and certain trust funds. Sets a due date of April 15 for the annual information return of a foreign trust with a U.S. owner and for the report of foreign bank and financial accounts (with extensions until October 15). Extends the automatic extension for corporation income tax returns from three to six months. Subtitle D: Compliance Reforms - Increases penalties for failure to file a tax return or to provide correct tax information and payee statements. Makes the six-year limitation period for assessing additional tax applicable to underpayments resulting from an incorrect adjusted basis that is more than 125% of the correct adjusted basis. Directs the Secretary to enter into qualified tax collection contracts to collect outstanding inactive tax receivables. Extends the 100% continuous levy to payments due to Medicare providers and suppliers with delinquent tax debts. Requires that all refundable credit amounts be taken into account in computing the tax penalty for underpayment of tax. Title VII: Excise Taxes - Repeals the medical device excise tax. Extends the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund Financing Rate of 9 cents per barrel for 2018 through 2023. Expands the definition of "crude oil," for purposes of the excise tax on petroleum, to include any bitumen or bituminous mixture, any oil derived from a bitumen or bituminous mixture (including oil derived from tar sands), and any oil derived from kerogen-bearing sources (including oil derived from oil shale). Increases the Inland Waterways Trust Fund financing rate to 26 cents per gallon for fuel used after 2014. Imposes a quarterly excise tax on each systemically important financial institution equal to .035 % of the institution's total consolidated assets in excess of $500 billion (indexed after 2015 for increases in the gross domestic product). Expands the exemption from the annual fee on branded prescription drug sales to include sales of any drug or biological product that is approved or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) solely for one or more rare diseases or conditions (diseases or conditions affecting less than 200,000 persons). Title VIII: Deadwood And Technical Provisions - Subtitle A: Repeal of Deadwood - Eliminates provisions in the Internal Revenue Code that are not used in computing current tax liabilities (referred to as deadwood provisions). Subtitle B: Conforming Amendments Related to Multiple Sections - Sets forth conforming amendments.

Innovate America Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2014

Innovate America Act - Directs the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), to award grants, on a competitive basis, to state educational agencies to establish or expand the number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science (STEM) secondary schools in the United States from approximately 100 to approximately 200. Requires the Secretary, in coordination with the NSF Director, to: develop a database identifying existing STEM secondary schools, and study how to improve retention rates of students in STEM programs at institutions of higher education. Directs the President to ensure that at least 15% of all federal funds available each fiscal year for undergraduate research opportunities at 2-year and 4-year degree granting institutions of higher education are used to fund research opportunities for postsecondary students. Requires the NSF Director to administer a Technology Commercialization Awards Pilot Program through which promising technology advances derived from NSF research grants shall be eligible for funding. Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to extend the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to cover specifically informatics and computer science. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a manufacturing assistance program for small and medium-sized domestic manufacturers to promote the manufacturing of goods in the United States and enable them to be competitive in global markets. Requires the Under Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce to report to Congress on the global competitiveness of 20 U.S. industries that export the most goods or services and the domestic and foreign regulatory and policy barriers to increasing their exports. Requires: (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), beginning in FY2015, to devise a strategy to reduce overall government printing costs over a 10-year period; and (2) each federal department and agency to issue guidance on the appropriate use of award and incentive fees in their programs. Requires return to the Treasury of any funds intended to be awarded as incentive fees to contractors that are not paid owing to contractor inability to meet established criteria in this Act.

A resolution recognizing Nobel Laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their efforts to end the financial exploitation of children and to ensure the right of all children to an education.

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2014

Recognizes Nobel Laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai as symbols of peace and advocates for ending the financial exploitation of children and for the right of all children to an education. Commends all individuals working around the world to end the scourge of child slavery and to advance education for all children. Recognizes the challenges that remain in ending the financial exploitation of children and providing access to an education for all children. Urges all governments, civil society organizations, businesses, and individuals to unite in the common purpose of protecting children from losing their childhoods as well as their futures. Recognizes the dedication and commitment to freedom, the rights of children, and the endurance of the human spirit, demonstrated by all individuals who make sacrifices to build a more peaceful world.

SMART Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2014

Support Making Assessments Reliable and Timely Act or the SMART Act - Amends subpart 1 (Accountability) of part A of title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise the program allotting grants to states to develop and administer state academic content and achievement standards and assessments of student progress toward those standards. Requires each state to use such grant to: develop and administer such assessments and further align them with the state's academic content standards, ensure that students with limited English proficiency and disabled students are provided with appropriate accommodations to improve their inclusion in the assessments, develop state assessment systems aligned to content standards that support systems of continuous improvement, support local educational agencies (LEAs) in identifying uses of assessment data, and carry out certain other activities to improve the quality and use of state assessments. Revises the program awarding competitive grants to states to enhance assessment instruments. Requires each grantee that has not yet received a grant under such program to use the grant to: carry out audits of the state assessment system and ensure that LEAs carry out audits of local assessments; prepare and carry out a state plan, in coordination with LEAs, to improve and streamline state and local assessment systems; and award subgrants to LEAs to improve the quality and use of local assessments and their alignment with state academic content standards. Requires a state that has previously received such a grant to use a new grant to: carry out a state plan, in coordination with LEAs, to improve and streamline state and local assessment systems; and award subgrants to LEAs to improve the quality and use of local assessments and their alignment with state academic content standards. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance to states to improve their understanding of existing flexibility in the design and implementation of high-quality, streamlined state assessment systems to measure student progress toward state academic achievement standards. Reauthorizes appropriations for the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the revised subpart 1 grant programs.

GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2014

GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay up to nine months of additional Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to a veteran who has used all of the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to which he or she was entitled and who: (1) is enrolled in a postsecondary education program that requires more than the standard 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours for completion in a specified science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field; or (2) has earned a postsecondary degree in one of those fields and is enrolled in a teaching certification program.

Community Partnerships in Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2014

Community Partnerships in Education Act - Amends the school improvement program under part A of title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to: allow states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to measure students' attainment of 21st Century skills (such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration) in assessing students' progress toward state academic performance standards, require LEAs to describe the data-sharing agreements they have entered into with other agencies and organizations, and prioritize the provision of school improvement funds to LEAs with the lowest-achieving schools that demonstrate a commitment to involving community partners and intermediary organizations in school improvement efforts. Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to: allow states to measure students' attainment of 21st century skills in assessing the career and technical education programs funded under such Act, require states to include community partners and intermediary organizations in the development of their plans for career and technical education programs, require career and technical education providers to describe how they will involve such entities in their programs, and require those providers to develop and implement data-sharing agreements with other agencies and organizations. Amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to: require local workforce development boards to include representatives of community partners and intermediary organizations; require local workforce development plans to describe the data-sharing agreements that the local board has entered into with other agencies and organizations; allow state workforce development program performance indicators to include assessments of students' acquisition of 21st Century skills; include the development of 21st Century skills as an element of the youth workforce investment activities and adult and dislocated worker training services funded by local workforce development programs; and require states providing funding to adult education and literacy providers under the Act to consider the extent to which those providers coordinate their activities with other education, training, and social service resources in the community, including through data-sharing arrangements. Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: require TRIO program providers to work, to the extent feasible, with community partners and intermediary organizations; require the Secretary of Education to encourage TRIO program providers to enter into data-sharing agreements with other agencies and organizations; require the Secretary to consider students' acquisition of 21st Century skills in assessing TRIO program effectiveness; include community partners and intermediary organizations in the partnerships for grants under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate programs (GEAR UP); require GEAR UP providers, to the extent feasible, to enter into data-sharing agreements with other organizations or agencies; and include among GEAR UP activities those that improve the number of participating students who acquire 21st Century skills. Requires secondary and postsecondary high school equivalency programs and college assistance migrant programs to: (1) be implemented in partnership with community partners and with the involvement of intermediary organizations, and (2) include data-sharing agreements between program grantees and other organizations or agencies. Includes as part of the high school equivalency program activities that enable students to acquire 21st Century skills.

Local Control of Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2014

Local Control of Education Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit the federal government from directly or indirectly mandating, directing, controlling, incentivizing, or conditioning federal support on a state's, local educational agency's (LEA's), or school's adoption of: the Common Core State Standards, any other academic standards common to a number of states, or any statewide or nationally recognized content standards; or any assessment, instructional content, or curriculum aligned to, or based on, specific academic standards. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to make those prohibitions applicable to grants awarded under the Race to the Top program for innovations and reforms in elementary and secondary education. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from conditioning the provision of a statutory or regulatory waiver under the ESEA on a state, LEA, Indian tribe, or school adopting any specific instructional content, academic standard, assessment, curriculum, or program of instruction. Makes that prohibition applicable to future and previously issued waivers.

Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2014

Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act of 2014 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that: (1) a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of SSA title XVIII (Medicare) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) any other identifier displayed on such card is not identifiable as a Social Security account number (or any derivative). Directs the Secretary to establish procedures to ensure that Medicare payment is not made for items and services furnished to an individual incarcerated, deceased, or otherwise ineligible and not lawfully present in the United States. Directs the Secretary, if cost-effective and technologically viable, to consider appropriate measures to implement use of electronic Medicare beneficiary and provider cards. Extends the Medicare durable medical equipment (DME) face-to-face encounter documentation requirement to include physician assistants, practitioners, or specialists as well as physicians (as under current law). Requires each Medicare administrative contractor to establish an improper payment outreach and education program for service providers and suppliers in order to reduce improper Medicare payments. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan to revise the incentive program under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to encourage greater participation by individuals to report fraud and abuse in the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to require a claim for a covered Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drug for an individual enrolled in a prescription drug plan (PDP) or in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan to include a valid prescriber National Provider Identifier. Gives Medicare beneficiaries the option to receive the Medicare Summary Notice (explanation of benefits) electronically. Directs the Secretary to: (1) apply competitive procedures to selection of a Medicare administrative contractor at least once every 10 years (currently once every 5 years); and (3) study and, as appropriate, specify incentives for states to work with the Secretary under the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program to protect the federal and state share of expenditures. Authorizes a PDP sponsor to establish a drug management program for at-risk beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary to authorize Medicare drug integrity contractors (MEDICs) to accept directly an individual's prescription and necessary medical records from pharmacies, prescription drug plans, and physicians in order for MEDICs to provide information relevant to determining whether the individual is an at-risk beneficiary. Directs the Secretary to issue a clarification or modification with respect to the application of the Common Rule (governing the protection of human subjects in research) to activities involving clinical data registries. Amends SSA title XI to eliminate civil monetary penalties for inducements to physicians to limit services that are not medically necessary. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on options for amending existing Medicare fraud and abuse laws and regulations to permit gainsharing or similar arrangements between physicians and hospitals that would otherwise be subject to penalties. Modifies the Medicare home health surety bond condition of participation requirement. Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement a process for medical review of spinal subluxation services by a chiropractor, and (2) develop educational and training programs to improve the ability of chiropractors to document services in a manner that demonstrates they are reasonable and necessary. Applies Medicare competitive bidding to vacuum erection systems, and requires the Secretary to phase-in a national mail order program for such devices. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revise the testing in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina of a model of prior authorization for repetitive scheduled non-emergent ambulance transport to cover specified additional states; and (2) apply the prior authorization program to all states. Directs the Secretary to submit a plan to Congress for including in the annual report of the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) programs data on services (other than medical visits) paid under the physician fee schedule where the fee schedule amount exceeds $250 and where the error rate exceeds 20%.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for elementary and secondary private school tuition, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2014

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax deduction for the qualified expenses, up to $10,000 in a taxable year, of attending a private school. Includes within the definition of "qualified expenses" expenses for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other equipment in connection with the enrollment or attendance of an individual at an elementary or secondary school at a private institutional day or residential school, including a parochial school, or a home school, that provides elementary or secondary education. Disallows any amount claimed as home school tuition.

Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2014

Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 - Authorizes FY2015 appropriations for the Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission. Authorizes end-of-year strength for active duty personnel and military training student loads. Amends policies related to Coast Guard personnel and their families, including education, housing, childcare, retirement, and orders to return to active duty for emergencies. Establishes reporting requirements, including requiring the Coast Guard to submit to Congress at specified times integrated major acquisition mission need statements and authorization requests for personnel and appropriations. Authorizes the Coast Guard to lease submerged lands and tidelands for periods longer than five years. Requires Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide prompt notice of marine casualties to state and tribal governments. Revises provisions concerning the National Response System and area contingency plans for the discharge of oil and hazardous substances, arctic marine transportation, ice breaking in the polar regions, vessel inspections, and distant water tuna fleet. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) procuring, decommissioning, and extending the life of certain cutters (vessels that are 65 feet or greater); (2) establishing a process for vessel traffic information services to use automatic identification systems to transmit safety information, and (3) prohibiting DHS from dismantling or disposing of infrastructure that supported the former LORAN system (long range radio aid to navigation system). Reauthorizes through FY2017 appropriations to MARAD for a program that provides assistance for small shipyards and maritime communities. Directs federal agencies that operate vessels to report drug test violations by employment applicants to the Coast Guard. Reauthorizes the Fishing Safety Grant Program through FY2017. Establishes the Abandoned Seafarers Fund. Requires DHS to issue an analysis of safety and environmental management system requirements for vessels engaged in Outer Continental Shelf activities prior to issuing the requirements. Extends for a year an exemption from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements for certain discharges from vessels that are less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel. Requires the Department of Transportation to provide a national maritime strategy to Congress.

Boko Haram Disarmament and Northeast Nigeria Recovery Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2014

Boko Haram Disarmament and Northeast Nigeria Recovery Act of 2014 - Directs the President to develop and submit to Congress a regional strategy to guide U.S. support for multilateral efforts to: (1) eliminate the threat to civilians and regional stability from Boko Haram, and (2) enforce the rule of law and ensure full humanitarian access in Boko Haram-affected areas. States that such strategy should include a plan to work with Nigeria and other international partners to liberate Boko Haram's kidnapping victims. Authorizes the President to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the populations in Boko Haram-affected areas. Makes funds available for such assistance pursuant to final judgment of a specified legal case. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should support efforts by the people of Boko Haram-affected areas and the governments of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger to: assist internally displaced people and returnees; enhance the administrative competency of state and local governance institutions and public agencies in northeast Nigeria; provide all children with a quality basic education while ensuring student and faculty safety; strengthen the operational capacity of the civilian police in Nigeria, and strengthen measures to prevent corruption; and promote programs to address physical harm and psychosocial trauma. Expresses the sense of Congress that: the Secretary of State and Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should work with Congress to increase future assistance to support reconstruction activities if Nigeria demonstrates a commitment to transparent reconstruction in Boko Haram-affected areas of Nigeria, and the Secretary should withhold assistance if Nigeria is not committed to transparent reconstruction and reconciliation in the Boko Haram-affected areas of Nigeria.

Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2014 - Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal the declaration that trade adjustment assistance (TAA) program requirements in effect as of February 13, 2011, under the Trade Act of 1974 shall apply to petitions for certification to apply for TAA for workers, firms, and farmers that are filed before January 1, 2014. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through December 31, 2020: (1) the TAA program, and (2) the reemployment trade adjustment assistance (RTAA) program. Makes funds available through FY2020, and for the period beginning October 1-December 31, 2020 (first quarter of FY2021), for training of adversely affected workers, employment and case management services, and job search expenses and relocation expenses. Reauthorizes appropriations: (1) through December 31, 2020, for the TAA program for workers; and (2) through FY2020, and for the first quarter of FY2021, for the TAA program for firms, communities, and farmers. Prescribes TAA eligibility requirements for adversely affected workers in public agencies. Revises trade readjustment allowance (TRA) program requirements. Limits to 130 weeks the length of TRA payments for an adversely affected worker who requires a program of remedial education or of prerequisite education in order to complete approved training. Increases from 65 to 78 additional weeks of TRA payments in a 78-week period the length of additional time permissible to complete training. Repeals the authority of a state to use funds for employment and case management services and relocation allowances to allow an adversely affected worker who is certified to file an application for a job search allowance and relocation allowance. (Continues to authorize adversely affected workers to apply for the job search allowance as well as the relocation allowance.) Revises the reemployment trade adjustment assistance (RTAA) program. Increases from: (1) $50,000 to $55,000 the maximum amount an RTAA-eligible worker may earn in wages from reemployment, and (2) $10,000 to $12,000 the maximum payment of RTAA (or wage subsidy) to an eligible older worker. Specifies criteria the Secretary must use to determine the eligibility of workers to apply for TAA if no determination has been made, upon enactment of this Act, as to whether to certify a group of workers or firms as eligible pursuant to a petition filed between January 1, 2014, and enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to reconsider any determination made before enactment of this Act not to certify such workers or firms, and to certify them as eligible if they meet the specified requirements. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through calendar 2021, and increase from 72.5% to 80%, the tax credit for the health insurance coverage costs of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension and TAA recipients and their dependents. Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act to extend through December 31, 2020, the TAA pre-certification period rule disregarding, for a specified period, any 63-day lapse in creditable health care coverage for TAA workers. Extends also through December 31, 2020, the continued eligibility of certain qualified TAA-eligible individuals and PBGC pension recipients for COBRA premium assistance.

Higher Education Affordability Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Higher Education Affordability Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize HEA programs. Title I: General Provisions - Requires proprietary institutions of higher education, for student aid eligibility purposes, to derive at least 15% of their revenue from sources other than federal funds. Prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are affiliated with a consumer financial product or service from receiving HEA funds unless they take specified steps to avoid conflicts of interest. Prohibits IHEs or other postsecondary educational institutions from using revenues derived from federal educational assistance funds for recruiting or marketing activities. Requires the establishment of new college cost and assistance information resources for students, parents, and the public and the enhancement of existing resources. Prohibits a state from charging certain active duty military personnel and homeless and foster care youth tuition for attending a public institution of higher education at a rate that is greater than the rate charged for state residents. Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a complaint tracking system to collect, monitor, and respond to complaints or inquiries regarding the educational practices and services, and recruiting and marketing practices, of all postsecondary educational institutions. Establishes the Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Committee to oversee proprietary IHEs and publish an annual Warning List for Parents and Students regarding certain issues facing such schools. Title II: Improving Educator Preparation - Revises title II of the HEA to establish a new part A program awarding grants to partnerships of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, IHEs, and high-need early childhood education programs to design and implement effective educator residency programs that prepare educators for success in high-need schools. Establishes a new part B program awarding grants to states to reform and improve educator preparation programs. Establishes a new part C requiring educator preparation programs to set annual quantifiable goals for increasing the number of prospective educators trained in educator shortage areas designated by the Secretary or the applicable state. Requires states to identify and assist low-performing educator preparation programs. Cuts off federal funding for those programs that lose state support or funding due to low performance. Preserves the Honorable Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence program and the Teach to Reach grant program in a new part D. Title III: Institutional Aid - Revises and reauthorizes the Institutional Aid programs, under title III of the HEA, that provide grants to IHEs serving high percentages of minority and low-income students. Alters the authorized uses of the grant funds. Requires the Secretary and states to cover the costs that certain IHEs that are required to provide a tuition-free education to Indian students incur in providing such an education to out-of-state Indian students. Raises the principal limit on outstanding federally-insured bonds used to finance historically Black colleges and universities. Title IV: Student Assistance - Revises and reauthorizes Student Assistance programs under title IV of the HEA. Establishes a year-round Federal Pell Grant program to allow eligible students to accelerate the time needed to earn a degree. Establishes demonstration programs to: encourage IHEs to improve their performance in enrolling and graduating a significant number of low- and moderate-income students on time; explore the effectiveness of providing secondary school students with early notification of their postsecondary financial aid options and the cost of postsecondary education; explore the effectiveness of providing adult students with information regarding their postsecondary financial aid options and the cost of postsecondary education; and explore ways of delivering competency-based postsecondary education programs that assess student competencies rather than credit hours to potentially reduce the costs students incur, and the time they need, to attain a postsecondary degree. Establishes an American Dream grants program allotting grants to states to offer Dreamer students in-state tuition and expand their access to in-state financial aid. Provides loan forgiveness under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (DL) programs for certain Indian teachers employed by Indian schools or LEAs that serve a high percentage of Indian students. Reduces, from 75% to 50%, the federal share of Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grants and the federal share of the compensation provided to students employed in Federal Work-Study programs. Raises the required IHE contribution of funds for Federal Perkins Loans from one-third to one-half of the federal contributions. Increases the income protection allowances used in determining dependent and independent students' need for title IV assistance. Directs the Secretary to develop standard formats for: (1) notifying any borrower who is delinquent, or at risk of becoming delinquent, on an FFEL or DL of repayment options; (2) IHE financial aid award letters to students and parents. Requires the Secretary to publicize fiscal year FFEL and DL repayment and default rates for each IHE participating in a title IV program. Establishes a One-Time FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) pilot program to: (1) streamline the process by which students apply for federal financial assistance, and (2) reduce the need for students to apply for such assistance each year. Allows students who have not graduated from secondary school to receive title IV assistance if they: (1) are enrolled in an eligible career pathway program, and (2) are determined or demonstrate the ability to benefit from the education or training being offered. Requires IHEs to provide students with: (1) information regarding their policy on harassment, and (2) additional and more frequent and personalized information regarding student assistance. Bans IHEs participating in title IV programs from: (1) providing incentive compensation to persons or entities based on their success in recruiting, enrolling, or educating students or placing them in employment; or (2) including a predispute arbitration agreement in any contract with a student. Authorizes the Secretary to impose civil penalties and sanctions on IHEs that engage in substantial misrepresentations or other serious violations of title IV requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures to automatically enroll delinquent FFEL or DL borrowers who have a partial financial hardship into an income-based repayment plan. Requires each IHE that enrolls a student who receives title IV assistance to establish a system to disburse credit balances through electronic payments to a deposit account or a general use prepaid card with the protections afforded under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Requires IHEs to provide, and the Secretary to collect, specified student unit record data. Prohibits accreditors from requiring IHEs to enter into predispute arbitration agreements with their students. Requires them to publicly disclose their finalized accreditation documents relating to academic and institutional quality. Directs the Secretary to conduct program reviews of IHEs that pose a significant risk of failing to comply with title IV requirements. Establishes a State-Federal College Affordability Partnership program to award block grants to states to incentivize their investment in public higher education. Title V: Developing Institutions - Revises and reauthorizes the Developing Institutions grant program for Hispanic-serving IHEs under title V of the HEA. Alters the authorized uses of grant funds. Title VI: International Education Programs - Reauthorizes the International Education programs under title VI of the HEA. Title VII: Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement Programs - Reauthorizes the Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement programs under title VII of the HEA. Establishes: a First In The World Competitive Grant program to help IHEs implement innovative strategies designed to increase postsecondary education access, affordability, and completion; Dual Enrollment and Early College High School programs; a Minority-Serving Institutions Innovation Fund to assist minority-serving institutions in developing, implementing, and replicating innovations that enable economically and educationally disadvantaged students to enroll in, persist through, and graduate from their schools; and a program providing competitive grants to states to establish or implement a comprehensive state plan to increase students' access to, and completion of, postsecondary education. Title VIII: Additional Programs - Strikes the following parts of title VIII of the HEA: E (American History for Freedom), H (Improving College Enrollment by Secondary Schools), I (Early Childhood Education Professional Development and Career Task Force), K (Pilot Programs to Increase College Persistence and Success), M (Low Tuition), N (Cooperative Education), O (College Partnership Grants), R (Campus-Based Digital Theft Prevention), U (University Sustainability Programs), V (Modeling and Simulation Programs), X (School of Veterinary Medicine Competitive Grant Program), and Y (Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Demonstration Program). Replaces the program under part C (Business Workforce Partnerships for Job Skills Training in High-Growth Occupations or Industries) with a Community College and Industry Partnerships program for the development, improvement, or provision of educational or career training programs. Reauthorizes the remaining title VIII programs. Establishes the Tyler Clementi Program to award competitive grants to IHEs to address and prevent student harassment. Title IX: Higher Education Opportunities and Supports for Students with Disabilities - Provides for the establishment and support of: (1) a National Technical Assistance Center for College Students With Disabilities and Their Families, (2) a National Technical Assistance Center for Disability Support Services at Institutions of Higher Education, (3) a National Data Center on Higher Education and Disability. Establishes a competitive grant program to enable IHEs to create or expand high quality, inclusive, higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Requires the establishment of a coordinating center for such programs that provides them with information, technical assistance, and evaluations. Establishes a competitive grant program to enable IHEs to create or expand high quality, inclusive, model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students who are deaf-blind. Requires the establishment of a coordinating center for such programs that provides them with information, technical assistance, and evaluations. Directs the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to establish, regularly review, and amend guidelines regarding the accessibility of all instructional materials for students who are attending IHEs that receive title IV funding. Establishes a competitive grant program to support model demonstration programs to improve the access of postsecondary students with print disabilities to quality postsecondary instructional materials in specialized formats. Requires certain producers of instructional materials for the postsecondary education market to include closed captions or subtitles in materials that incorporate synchronized audio and visual formats. Directs the Secretary to establish the Advisory Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Psychiatric Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at improving the opportunities for postsecondary students with psychiatric disabilities to receive services and supports that optimize their rates of retention and graduation. Title X: Amendments to Other Laws - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: require a lender, before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an IHE, to obtain specified certifications from the IHE; impose specified reporting requirements on issuers of private education loans; bar borrowers from making a pre-dispute waiver of their rights or remedies relating to a private education loan; require a private education lender to discharge the liability of borrowers in the event of their death or disability; subject postsecondary education lenders, loan holders, and loan servicers to civil liability; impose specified reporting requirements on financial institutions regarding any agreement they have with an IHE or its affiliates to offer consumer financial products or services to students; prohibit a financial institution that offers a consumer financial product or service that is affiliated with an IHE from entering into a revenue-sharing arrangement with the IHE; and impose specified consumer protection and disclosure requirements on student loan servicers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the disclosure of tax return information to the Department of Education on student borrowers who are more than 150 days delinquent on an FFEL or DL. Revises federal bankruptcy law to limit the hardship exception to the exemption of educational debts from discharge in bankruptcy to: (1) an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit or made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit; or (2) an obligation to repay funds received from a governmental unit as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend. Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to set a 6% limitation on the interest rate that can be charged a servicemember during the servicemember's military service and one year thereafter on the student loans incurred by the servicemember prior to his or her military service, including student loans incurred prior to such service but consolidated or refinanced during that service. Amends the United States Institute of Peace Act to reauthorize funding for the United States Institute of Peace. Title XI: Reports, Studies, and Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits IHEs from participating in a federal financial assistance program unless they meet certain consumer protection requirements with respect to any of their students who are in a program of postsecondary education or training that is designed to prepare them for entry into a recognized occupation or profession that has pre-conditions for entry. Requires: a longitudinal study of the effectiveness of student loan counseling, a study on public service loan forgiveness, a longitudinal study of the causes of student loan default, and a study on the impact of federal financial aid changes on graduate students. Directs the Secretaries of Education, Defense (DOD), and Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to establish and maintain a working group to assess and improve the resources available to federal personnel to assist members of the Armed Forces and their spouses in using DOD tuition assistance programs. Directs the Secretary to establish an Institutional Risk-Sharing Commission to study and make recommendations for the implementation of a new risk-sharing system for IHEs that participate in the DL program through which IHEs would be held financially accountable for poor student outcomes. Requires the the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on the educational attainment of homeless and foster care youth. American Dream Accounts Act - Directs the Secretary to establish a competitive grant program enabling specified eligible entities to establish American Dream Accounts for a group of low-income students. Defines an "American Dream Account" as a personal online account for low-income students that monitors their readiness for higher education and includes a college savings account.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of American Education Week.

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Education Week.

Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2014 - Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to reauthorize through FY2019 and revise a grant program administered by the Administration for Native Americans at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages. Decreases the required minimum number of enrollees in educational programs funded by the grant program from: 10 to 5 enrollees in Native American language nests, and 15 to 10 enrollees in the Native American language survival schools. Changes the duration of grants provided under the program.

Congratulating Congresswomen Frederica S. Wilson and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on their induction into the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Hall of Fame.

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Congratulates congresswomen Frederica S. Wilson and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on their induction into the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Hall of Fame. Commends them for their outstanding service to our country.

THE ROLE OF THE STATE APPROVING AGENCIES IN ENSURING QUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 November 2014

COPYRIGHT ISSUES IN EDUCATION AND FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 November 2014

To establish a commission to identify and examine issues of national concern related to the conduct of intercollegiate athletics, to make recommendations for the resolution of the issues, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2014

Establishes the Presidential Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics to review, analyze, and report to the President and Congress on the following issues related to intercollegiate athletics: the interaction of athletics and academics, the financing of intercollegiate athletics, the recruitment and retention of student athletes, oversight and governance practices, health and safety protections for student athletes, due process and other protections related to the enforcement of student athlete rules and regulations, and any other issues the Commission considers relevant to understanding the state of intercollegiate athletics.

A bill to provide that in the case of leases to local education agencies and elementary and secondary schools, consideration may be at or below fair market value or for no consideration.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2014

Authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to lease non-excess military property to local educational agencies or elementary or secondary schools at or below fair market value or for no consideration.

GRAD Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2014

Grant Residency for Additional Doctors Act of 2014 or the GRAD Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of State to designate a Department of State officer or employee whose sole responsibility during the months of March, April, May, June, and any other period of time as determined by the Secretary, shall be to facilitate the expedited review of J-visa applications of aliens applying for U.S. admission to participate in a program under which they will receive graduate medical education or training.

Microlab Technology Commercialization Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2014

Microlab Technology Commercialization Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the directors of national laboratories, to establish a program meeting specified criteria under which DOE sets up microlabs located in close proximity to national laboratories and accessible to the public in order to: (1) enhance collaboration with regional research groups, such as institutions of higher education and industry groups; and (2) accelerate technology transfer from national laboratories to the marketplace.

Clay Hunt SAV Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2014

Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to each arrange for an independent third party evaluation of, respectively, the VA and DOD mental health care and suicide prevention programs. Directs the VA Secretary to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with regularly updated information regarding all of the VA's mental health care services. Requires the VA Secretary and the DOD Secretary to enter into certain strategic relationships to facilitate: the mental health referrals of members of the reserve components who have a service-connected disability and are being discharged or released from the Armed Forces, timely behavioral health services for such members, communication when such members are at risk for behavioral health reasons, and the transfer of documentation for line-of-duty and fitness-for-duty determinations. Requires the VA Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who: are eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine, demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA, and agree to a period of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine in exchange for the repayment of such loans. Requires the DOD Secretary to submit to Congress a review of the staffing requirements for individual State National Guard Commands with respect to Directors of Psychological Health. Authorizes the VA Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the collaborators to exchange training sessions, best practices, and other resources to enhance their suicide prevention efforts. Directs the Secretary to select a Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination within the VA to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.

Supporting the goals and ideals of American Education Week.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2014

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Education Week.

Reports Reduction Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2014

Reports Reduction Act of 2014 - Eliminates or modifies reporting requirements for programs of the: (1) Department of Agriculture (USDA), (2) Department of Defense (DOD), (3) Department of Education, (4) Department of Homeland Security (DHS), (5) U.S. Coast Guard, (6) Department of State, (7) Executive Office of the President, (8) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and (9) National Science Foundation (NSF). Amends the Children's Health Act of 2000 to eliminate the report on blood lead screening tests received by children. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the annual reporting requirement on disbursements from the Oil Pollution Fund and the biennial report on the oil pollution research and development program. Eliminates the annual report of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the number of federally-assisted housing units under lease and their per unit cost to HUD. Amends the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to eliminate the reporting requirement on labor obligations. Eliminates the annual report on investigations of travel costs of federal employees on official business. Eliminates the requirement that the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States be compiled and published in printed form.

Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2014

Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act of 2014 - Amends the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 to direct the Propane Education and Research Council to develop for propane distributors and consumers training programs on strategies to mitigate negative effects of future propane price spikes. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to use the refiner price to end users of consumer grade propane as published by the Energy Information Administration when preparing the annual analysis of changes in the price of propane relative to other energy sources.

Master Teacher Corps Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2014

Master Teacher Corps Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to consortia of local educational agencies (LEAs), states, or LEAs and states, acting in partnership with institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations to establish a Master Teacher Corps program. Requires the grants to be used to: select exemplary elementary and secondary school teachers for membership in the program; provide master teachers with compensation that supplements their base salary; provide research-based professional development; coordinate master teachers' instructional leadership, mentorship, training, and coaching roles, including by hiring substitute teachers to fill-in for master teachers who are working with other teachers; facilitate efforts to involve master teachers in policy decisions at the LEA, state, and regional levels; defray the educational costs associated with master teachers fulfilling their responsibilities; track the program's effectiveness and impact; and support other activities that advance the program. Requires teachers selected as master teachers to: (1) have at least five years of full-time experience as elementary or secondary school teachers, and (2) have earned the highest rating on their state or local evaluations for the majority of their teaching years. Requires master teachers to be selected based on their: ability to enhance student achievement and tailor instruction to individual student needs; ability to address adult learners in professional development; ability to successfully collaborate with teachers, school leaders, and staff; skill in promoting teacher reflection through formative assessment processes; strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills; record of school leadership; participation in student extracurricular activities and professional and school outreach activities; record of teaching students not on grade level or not on track to graduate college and career-ready; and measurable ability, using various indicators. Requires grantees to ensure that not more than 20% of the teachers in their participating area are members of the Corps. Provides for the participation of private teachers as master teachers, but makes them ineligible for compensation under the program. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, to: (1) evaluate the Master Teacher Corps program; (2) identify successes, best practices, and areas for improvement; and (3) disseminate the evaluation's findings.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of October 20, 2014, as the "National Day of Writing".

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2014

Expresses the Senate's support for the designation of October 20, 2014, as the National Day on Writing.

Congratulating and honoring Malala Yousafzai, recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2014

Congratulates and honors Malala Yousafzai on receiving the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to global education equality and the promotion of peace. States that in honoring Malala Yousafzai the House of Representatives honors those who have promoted education equality, including those individuals who continue to champion the right of all children to a peaceful education in Pakistan and elsewhere. Emphasizes that violations of human rights in general, and the persecution of children specifically, are matters of legitimate concern to all nations.

ZZZ's to A's Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2014

ZZZ's to A's Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to conduct a study examining the relationship between school start times and adolescent health, well-being, and performance that: comprehensively reviews the scientific evidence relating to that relationship; compares adolescent health, well-being, and performance among local educational agencies with different school start times; and evaluates factors that contribute to or affect school start times. Requires the Secretary to report the study's findings to Congress, including any recommendations the Secretary has that are based on those findings.

College Affordability and Innovation Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2014

College Affordability and Innovation Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award 5-year grants to up to 15 institutions of higher education (IHEs) to carry out new or existing high-quality programs designed to graduate students with certificates or degrees at significantly lower student costs and within shorter time periods than traditional programs. Includes among those programs, those that: use online instruction; use direct assessments rather than credit hours or clock hours as the measure of student learning; integrate experiential learning and customized curricula to promote completion or alignment with medium- and long-term employment needs; allow students to be dually or concurrently enrolled in the postsecondary program and a secondary school, or a postsecondary program and a graduate program; or use any other innovative, evidence-based method of providing students with a cost-effective, high-quality, postsecondary education. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the application to grantees of specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) that would inhibit their operation of innovative education programs. Directs the Secretary to: establish and annually administer an evaluation and accountability process for the programs; review policies and identify those that impede the development and use of innovative methods of expanding access to, and success in, education; establish measures to assess the quality of the programs, including a minimum standard of quality that they must meet; and direct an independent third-party evaluator to conduct a final evaluation of the effectiveness of each program in providing students with a quality education at lower costs and within shorter time periods than traditional programs. Requires the establishment of a Commission on Higher Education Accountability Standards, composed of higher education stakeholders, to make recommendations to the Secretary on a set of minimum accountability standards IHEs' undergraduate programs must meet with respect to affordability, accessibility, and value in order to participate in the programs under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA. Directs the Secretary, after considering those recommendations, to establish IHE affordablity, accessibility, and value accountability standards that, at a minimum, take into account each IHE's: (1) average or mean cost of attendance, minus grant aid; (2) percentage of enrolled students who are recipients of a Federal Pell Grant; and (3) student loan repayment rates. Requires the Secretary to conduct an annual assessment of schools' compliance with those standards. Deems noncompliant schools to be on probation and requires them to work with the Secretary on a plan to achieve compliance within five years. Requires schools that do not make continuous improvement toward the accountability standards 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years after being placed on probation to pay the Secretary an amount equal to 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, of the title IV funds they make available to undergraduate students. Makes schools that fail to achieve compliance within five years of being placed on probation ineligible for title IV funds. Directs the Secretary to place the amounts collected from noncompliant schools in a special fund that is to be used to award competitive grants to IHEs that meet or exceed the accountability standards. Requires grantees to use the funds to provide need-based aid to students who are eligible for Federal Pell Grants.

SAFE TOWERS Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2014

Standards Addressing Federal Transparency and Oversight With Evolving Recruitment Specifications Act or the SAFE TOWERS Act - Revises Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for the hiring of air traffic controllers. Directs the FAA Administrator to give preferential consideration in the hiring of air traffic controllers to: individuals who have successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in the FAA's Collegiate Training Initiative program, and have received a recommendation from the institution; and qualified individuals eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment or qualified eligible veterans who maintain aviation experience. Directs the Administrator to revise FAA hiring practices for air traffic controller applicants with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to eliminate the use of biographical assessments or other personality tests that unduly disqualify applicants. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Administrator's authority to maintain the Collegiate Training Initiative program. Directs the Administrator to establish an Air Traffic Control Education and Training Advisory Committee. Requires the Administrator to take into consideration any locally developed training initiatives for air traffic controllers for use in establishing best practices nationwide.

Accountability in Foreign Aid Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2014

Accountability in Foreign Aid Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program to reimburse states and their political subdivisions for qualifying education, incarceration, and public benefit expenses related to the presence of aliens having no lawful U.S. immigration status within their geographical area. Makes specified foreign assistance amounts available for such reimbursements.

21st Century Energy Workforce Development Jobs Initiative Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

21st Century Energy Workforce Development Jobs Initiative Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a comprehensive program to improve the education and training of workers for energy-related jobs, with emphasis on increasing the number of skilled minorities and women trained to work in such jobs.

Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act - Makes any institution of higher education (IHE) postsecondary program designed to prepare students for a recognized occupation or profession requiring licensing or other entry pre-conditions ineligible to participate in a federal financial assistance program, unless it meets specified student consumer protection requirements within one year after this Act's enactment. Requires each program to: (1) fully prepare students to satisfy those entry pre-conditions in the metropolitan statistical areas and states in which the students reside and in any state the program claims a successful program graduate will be prepared to work in the particular occupation or profession involved; and (2) provide timely placement of students in required pre-licensure positions, such as clinical placements, internships, or apprenticeships. Directs the Secretary of Education to promulgate regulations regarding pre-accredited IHE programs to: (1) impose consumer protection requirements on such programs that are consistent with those this Act imposes on accredited programs, and (2) condition an IHE's participation in any federal financial assistance program on the IHE signing a loan discharge agreement with each of their students who is enrolled in any pre-accredited program.

Manufacturing Skills Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

Manufacturing Skills Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, Education, and Defense (DOD) and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to jointly establish a Manufacturing Skills Partnership to administer and carry out a program to award compeititve, three-year grants to enable up to five states and five metropolitan areas to carry out proposals to promote reforms in workforce education and skill training for manufacturing. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) acting through the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, to conduct an audit of all federal education and skills training programs related to manufacturing to ensure that states and metropolitan areas are able to align federal resources with the labor demands of their primary manufacturing industries; and (2) to work with states and metropolitan areas to determine how federal funds can be more tailored to meet their different needs.

Social Security Garnishment Modernization Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

Social Security Garnishment Modernization Act of 2014 - Exempts an inflation-adjusted $9,000 each year of an individual's benefits under the Social Security Act from being used by the Department of Education to offset the amount the individual owes on a defaulted student loan under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

401(Kids) Education Savings Account Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

401(Kids) Education Savings Account Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate after 2014 the income-based reduction of contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts, (2) increase the annual contribution limit for such accounts, (3) allow the use of such an account to pay home school expenses and the acquisition costs of a first-time homebuyer, and (4) allow tax-free rollovers of amounts in a Coverdell education savings account to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA).

Enhanced 529 - S.A.V.E. Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

Enhanced 529 - Setting Aside for a Valuable Education Act or the Enhanced 529 - S.A.V.E. Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for contributions to a qualified tuition program (529 tuition program); and (2) allow an exclusion, up to $600, from the gross income of an employee for employer contributions to a 529 tuition program.

I Teach Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

Incentives to Educate American Children Act of 2014 or the I Teach Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a refundable tax credit of $1,000 for: (1) teachers in public or elementary or secondary schools or public kindergartens in rural areas or areas with high poverty, and (2) teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Increases such credit to $2,000 for a teacher meeting both requirements.

Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014

Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2014 - Directs the President to establish an interagency Sustainable Chemistry Program to promote and coordinate federal sustainable chemistry research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education, and training activities. Directs the President to establish an Interagency Working Group that includes representatives from specified federal agencies to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program. Requires the Interagency Working Group to establish an Advisory Council on Sustainable Chemistry to make recommendations to it and provide it with advice and assistance. Requires participating agencies to report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Program activities and appropriations. Requires the Interagency Working Group to submit a report to Congress, as well as to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Instructs the Interagency Working Group to lead agencies in awarding grants to institutions of higher education to establish partnerships with companies across the value chain in the chemical industry to: (1) create collaborative research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, and commercialization programs; and (2) train students and retrain professional scientists and engineers in the use of sustainable chemistry concepts and strategies. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to contract with the National Research Council to assess the current status of sustainable chemistry research in the United States. Directs the Interagency Working Group to produce a national strategy for sustainable chemistry that provides a framework for advancing sustainable chemistry research.