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Bill· HRH.R. 5517 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act This bill establishes (1) a professional exchange program between the United States and India with a focus on the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi, (2) a development training initiative based on principles of nonviolence, and (3) a foundation to address development priorities in India. Specifically, the bill establishes a professional exchange program comprised of both an annual educational forum for scholars from the United States and India, as well as an undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate student exchange for students in the United States and India. The bill also establishes a professional development training initiative on conflict resolution tools based on the principles of nonviolence. Further, the bill establishes the United States-India Gandhi-King Development Foundation to identify development priorities in India (e.g., pollution and climate change, education, and tuberculosis) and administer competitively awarded grants to nongovernmental entities to address those priorities.
Bill· HRH.R. 5513 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Affordable Safe Drinking Water Act of 2019 This bill revises the clean water state revolving fund (SRF) program and the drinking water SRF program. Both programs provide financial assistance for water infrastructure. The bill removes the 30-year term limits for loans under the SRF programs. Thus, new loans under the programs may have terms up to the projected useful life of the projects. Loan terms for existing loans may, on agreement of the parties to the loan, be extended. In addition, the bill allows states to use a percentage of SRF funds to replace pipes, plumbing fittings, and fixtures that carry water contaminated with lead or perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as PFAS) at certain state, municipal, or tribal facilities (e.g., schools, parks, and senior centers) that provide the public or employees with drinking water. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects.
Bill· HRH.R. 5528 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Congressional Advisory Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics Act of 2019 or the CACIA Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Congressional Advisory Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics to investigate, review, and report on the relationship between institutions of higher education (IHEs) and intercollegiate athletic programs. Matters within the purview of the commission shall include (1) the policies of athletic governance associations and IHEs with respect to ensuring student athletes succeed in both academics and athletics, (2) how IHEs finance intercollegiate athletic programs, and (3) whether athletic governance associations require or encourage IHEs to be transparent in academic and financial matters with respect to intercollegiate athletic programs. The commission may hold hearings, take testimony, and receive evidence as it considers appropriate to carry out its duties, and it may issue subpoenas relating to any matter under investigation.
Bill· SS. 3141 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019 This bill expands liability protections for the donation of food and grocery products. Specifically, the bill expands the liability protections to include donations of an apparently fit grocery product or apparently wholesome food: for which the recipient receives at zero cost or is charged a good Samaritan reduced price that is no greater than the cost of handling, administering, and distributing the product; or that is donated directly to a needy individual by a retail grocer, wholesaler, agricultural producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, or institution of higher education. The Department of Agriculture must issue regulations that clarify the quality and labeling standards that food products donated under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act must meet to be eligible for liability protection.
Bill· SS. 3125 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
This bill establishes the Alzheimer's Research and Caregiving Trust Fund to pay for research regarding the treatment or cure of Alzheimer's disease and for education, counseling, respite, and other supportive services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families, caregivers, and health care professionals. The bill allows taxpayers an election to contribute a whole dollar amount to the trust fund when they file their tax returns.
Bill· SS. 3115 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Time for Completion Act This bill modifies consumer information disclosure requirements related to student completion or graduation rates at institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs. Currently, such IHEs must disclose the completion or graduation rate of first-time, full-time, certificate- or degree-seeking undergraduate students. This bill expands disclosure requirements to include the completion or graduation rates of non-first-time and half-time certificate- or degree-seeking undergraduate students. The bill also sets forth new time periods for calculating the completion or graduation rates for programs of study that are less than four years.
Bill· SS. 3114 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
90/10 Accountability for All Act This bill expands revenue requirements currently applicable only to proprietary (i.e., for-profit) institutions of higher education (IHEs) to all IHEs. Under current law, proprietary IHEs may not receive more than 90% of their revenue from federally funded student aid (known as the 90/10 rule). The bill applies this rule to all IHEs.
Bill· HRH.R. 5482 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Providing Resources to End the Vaping Epidemic Now for Teenagers Act of 2020 or the PREVENT Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a grant program to prevent the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes) among students in middle and high schools. To support the program, the Food and Drug Administration must collect user fees from manufacturers and importers of electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Bill· HRH.R. 5483 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Signing is Language Act This bill counts an individual whose native language is sign language in the number of English learners in a state for the purpose of determining the amount of federal funds allotted to a state for English language programs in schools.
Bill· HRH.R. 5475 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act or the PROSPECT Act This bill establishes various grant programs to increase the supply of, and access to, high-quality, early-childhood care. Specifically, grants are established for planning and developing expanded access to free infant and toddler child care for student parents attending community college or minority-serving institutions; providing free infant and toddler child care to such student parents, including developing on-campus child care centers that meet specified requirements; training, mentorships, and technical support to community child care agencies and the professional development of licensed and unlicensed child care professionals; and increasing the workforce pipeline of high-quality infant and toddler child care providers, particularly in locations with a low supply of affordable care. The bill also revises the formula for providing federal matching funds to states providing child care assistance. Further, the bill requires the Department of Education’s college cost calculator to include information about the dependent care allowance with respect to the cost of attendance and financial aid.
Bill· SS. 3096 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Providing Resources to End the Vaping Epidemic Now for Teenagers Act of 2020 (or the PREVENT Act of 2020) This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a grant program to prevent the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes) among students in middle and high schools. To support the program, the Food and Drug Administration must collect user fees from manufacturers and importers of electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Bill· SS. 3095 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act or the AIM HIGH Act This bill creates a commission to develop voluntary guidelines for postsecondary electronic instruction materials and related technologies. Specifically, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Secretary of Education must establish an independent commission to (1) develop and issue voluntary accessibility guidelines for postsecondary electronic instructional materials and related technologies, (2) develop a model framework for pilot testing such materials and technologies, and (3) produce an annotated list of information technology standards. The Department of Education must review and, as appropriate, update the voluntary guidelines, pilot testing framework, and information technology standards every five years.
Bill· SS. 3083 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2019 This bill establishes a voucher program through which public housing agencies shall offer support services to help unstably housed or at-risk families with children move to areas with access to high-performing schools.
Bill· HRH.R. 5469 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019 This bill establishes programs to support school-based mental health services and address racial and ethnic mental health disparities, among other provisions. Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award grants for school- and community-based, mental health services. Such services must be trauma-informed and designed to provide comprehensive, culturally-appropriate interventions at a school-wide level. Further, the bill requires the SAMSHA to award grants that address racial and ethnic health disparities by (1) providing integrated health care in areas with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minority groups and (2) developing national programs for health professionals to reduce such disparities. The bill also (1) reauthorizes the minority fellowship program to support the education of mental health professionals who provide services to racial and ethnic minorities, (2) establishes a commission to research the effects of social media use on adolescents, and (3) prohibits the use of federal funds for specified conversion therapy in the context of sexual orientation or sexual identity.
Bill· HRH.R. 5463 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Healthy Meal Time Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into an agreement with an independent, nonpartisan, science-based research organization to carry out a study on the time lunches are served, the time that recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. USDA must also make the findings of the study publicly available online; establish a task force, in coordination with the Department of Education, to review the study, review other related research, and develop best practices for lunch and recess periods to ensure student health, including appropriate nutritional intake; and issue guidance regarding such best practices to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
Bill· SS. 3074 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Liver Illness Visibility, Education, and Research Act of 2019 This bill expands and coordinates activities related to the research of liver cancer and liver disease, including causes, prevention, detection, and treatment. Specifically, the National Cancer Institute must establish an inter-institute working group to coordinate efforts to cure liver cancer and liver disease, including research into such cases resulting from hepatitis B, and may award grants to develop preventative and diagnostic measures as well as support for experimental treatment options. The bill further establishes grant programs, administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support liver disease prevention services, diagnostics, and hepatitis tracking programs and to raise awareness about liver disease within high-risk communities. The renamed National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases also must prioritize programs addressing liver disease, including (1) establishing a national clearinghouse for patient data and (2) developing or expanding the centers for research of liver disease.
Bill· SS. 3058 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2019
Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act of 2019 This bill revises the institutional eligibility criteria for a foreign graduate medical school to participate in federal student aid programs. Specifically, this bill requires all foreign graduate medical schools to meet the same minimum requirements to participate in the programs.
Bill· SS. 3055 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2019
Student Loan Repayment Freedom Act This bill authorizes a federal student loan borrower to terminate repayment under an income-based repayment plan and instead elect to repay such loan under any other repayment plan for which they are eligible. Currently, a federal student loan borrower repaying under an income-based repayment plan may only change to the standard repayment plan.
Bill· SS. 3054 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2019
State-based Education Loan Awareness Act This bill excludes certain arrangements or agreements regarding education loans from the definition of a preferred lender arrangement . A preferred lender arrangement is an arrangement or agreement between a lender and an institution of higher education (IHE) that receives federal funding or assistance (1) under which a lender issues education loans to students attending the IHE; and (2) that relates to the IHE recommending, promoting, or endorsing the education loan products of the lender. The bill provides that arrangements or agreements made under a state-based education loan program or that are funded, insured, or guaranteed by any federal agency other than the Department of Education do not meet the definition of a preferred lender agreement for purposes of certain required disclosures to student borrowers.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 764 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2019
This resolution recognizes and supports the executive order on combating anti-Semitism, signed on December 11, 2019. The resolution also expresses commitment to combating anti-Semitism through all levels of education and supports the freedom of Jewish individuals to practice their faith.
Bill· HRH.R. 5432 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2019
Medical Education for a Diverse America Act This bill requires time spent by medical residents in certain cultural training to count towards a determination of a hospital's number of full-time equivalent residents for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare.
Report· HearingH.Hrg.116published
United States · United States House of Representatives · 12 December 2019
Bill· HRH.R. 5427 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act of 2019 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish requirements for issuing aviation maintenance technician school certificates and associated ratings. Among other requirements, the bill sets forth application requirements for a certificate to operate an aviation maintenance technician school, including that applications must include a description of the manner in which the school's curriculum will ensure students are capable of attaining a mechanic certificate and associated ratings; establishes facility and instructor requirements for each school; directs each school to establish and maintain a quality control system that provides procedures for recordkeeping, assessment, issuing credit for experience, issuing of final course grades, ensuring sufficient number of instructors, granting of graduation documentation, and corrective action for addressing deficiencies; and requires schools to maintain a pass rate of at least 70% for students who take the written, oral, or practical (or any combination thereof) FAA mechanic tests.
Bill· HRH.R. 5425 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Student Protection Act This bill expands the list of actions that may result in the change of control of an institution of higher education (IHE) to include a court-ordered receivership. Such changes of control disqualify an IHE from participating in certain federal student financial aid programs unless the IHE establishes that it meets specific requirements following the change in control.
Bill· HRH.R. 5414 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Alerting Local Leaders and Ensuring Responsible Guidelines for Youth Act or the ALLERGY Act This bill requires a local educational agency, in order to receive federal education funding, to establish and implement a policy on unwanted, aggressive behavior by a student toward another student with an allergy (i.e., allergy bullying).
Bill· SS. 3043 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act of 2019 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish requirements for issuing aviation maintenance technician school certificates and associated ratings. Among other requirements, the bill sets forth application requirements for a certificate to operate an aviation maintenance technician school, including that applications must include a description of the manner in which the school's curriculum will ensure students are capable of attaining a mechanic certificate and associated ratings; establishes facility and instructor requirements for each school; directs each school to establish and maintain a quality control system that provides procedures for recordkeeping, assessment, issuing credit for experience, issuing of final course grades, ensuring sufficient number of instructors, granting of graduation documentation, and corrective action for addressing deficiencies; and requires schools to maintain a pass rate of at least 70% for students who take the written, oral, or practical (or any combination thereof) FAA mechanic tests.
Bill· SS. 3040 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Teacher Education for Computer Science Act or the Teach CS Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education for establishing and maintaining teacher education programs for computer science. It also includes computer science as an eligible education category with respect to receiving various teacher preparation grants and graduate fellowships.
Bill· SS. 3033 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2019 This bill requires the Office of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security (OCIS) to study the cybersecurity risks facing K-12 educational institutions and develop recommendations that include cybersecurity guidelines designed to assist such institutions in facing those risks. The use of such recommendations shall be voluntary. The study shall include the challenges that such institutions face in securing (1) information systems owned, leased, or relied upon by those institutions; and (2) sensitive student and employee records. OCIS shall (1) develop an online training toolkit designed for officials at K-12 educational institutions to educate the officials about, and provide strategies to implement, the recommendations; and (2) make available on the Department of Homeland Security website the study's findings, the guidelines developed, and the toolkit.
Bill· HRH.R. 5394 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Strengthening State and Local Cybersecurity Defenses Act This bill provides for collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as corporations, associations, and the general public, regarding cybersecurity. The bill expands DHS responsibilities through grants and cooperative agreements, including provision of assistance and education related to cyber threat indicators, defensive measures and cybersecurity technologies, cybersecurity risks, incidents, analysis, and warnings. The bill requires the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to coordinate with entities such as the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center to, among other things (1) conduct exercises, (2) provide operational and technical cybersecurity training, (3) provide federal and non-federal entities timely notifications containing specific incident and malware information, and (4) promote cybersecurity education and awareness.
Bill· HRH.R. 5397 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Rural Education Investment Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to annually determine the percentage of students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are served by local educational agencies (LEAs) located in rural areas. ED must then reserve at least an equal percentage of Teacher Quality Partnership grants for partnerships with such LEAs.
Bill· SS. 3028 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Partnerships for Affordability and Student Success Act This bill commits states to maintaining support for affordable higher education, and it authorizes federal-state partnerships to provide for higher education access, affordability, and completion. Specifically, the bill requires states to maintain support for institutions of higher education (IHEs) and for student financial aid at levels that are equal to or greater than the average levels of such support for the three most recent academic years. The bill also requires the Department of Education, after entering into an agreement with states, to award incentive grants to states to (1) provide grants to eligible students attending IHEs or participating in accredited study abroad programs, (2) reduce the cost of attendance at public IHEs, and (3) provide subgrants to eligible IHEs to reduce student costs and improve outcomes for students and graduates. Each state that receives such grant funds shall report annually on its progress in meeting its public postsecondary education goals and comprehensive plan for postsecondary education. Private, nonprofit IHEs may voluntarily elect to participate in a state's efforts under its comprehensive plan for postsecondary education.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 756 (116th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization Resolution This resolution implements recommendations made by the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. Among other things, the resolution establishes a centralized human resources program; revises orientation for Members-Elect; requires a survey of Members to determine the level of interest in establishing an academy to provide continuing education opportunities for Members; and requires reports on actions to address technology issues, the accessibility of legislative information, and the accessibility of U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds. The resolution authorizes the Committee on House Administration to carry out recommendations included in the reports.
Bill· HRH.R. 5388 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
This bill prevents the Department of Education from finalizing its 2018 proposed rule that proposes to modify the prohibition of sex discrimination under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Currently, title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities. Among other things, the proposed rule defines the conduct that constitutes sexual harassment and outlines the conditions that trigger a school's obligation to respond to allegations of sexual harassment.
Bill· SS. 3011 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
Affordable Housing for Educational Achievement Demonstration Act or the AHEAD Act This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to community partnerships for demonstration projects to provide educational and housing support for children.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 449 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
This resolution urges the United States to remain a party to the Paris Agreement and promote the reduction of global warming pollution.
Law· HRH.R. 5363 (116th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2019
Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act or the FUTURE Act This bill permanently authorizes funding for minority-serving institutions of higher education and increases the authorization of appropriations for Pell Grants.
Bill· HRH.R. 5368 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2019
Faster Access to Federal Student Aid Act of 2019 This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), upon the written request of the Department of Education, to disclose to any authorized person, tax return information to determine eligibility for recertifications for income-contingent or income-based repayments, discharges of loans based on total and permanent disability, and the amount of student financial aid. The IRS must also establish and implement procedures for recertifying income for purposes of this bill and for requesting tax return information.
Bill· HRH.R. 5331 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2019
Fairness for All Act This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, while providing certain benefits and exemptions to religious providers. An otherwise qualified religious provider shall be eligible to receive federal financial assistance for a particular service without regard to the provider's religious views or teachings. Agencies authorized to administer federal financial assistance for the support of adoption and foster care services shall issue final rules within two years of this bill's enactment to create an indirect funding program that delivers such assistance to eligible prospective parents for the purpose of obtaining adoption and foster care services through a qualified private agency that they select. The bill (1) exempts a church or religious organization from claims of employment discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity under specified circumstances; and (2) prohibits sanctions for certain employee speech regarding the employee's religious, political, or moral beliefs in the workplace. The bill establishes certain anti-bullying policies for public elementary and secondary schools, including cyber bullying. Any determination of the tax-exempt status of a charitable organization shall be made without regard to the organization's religious beliefs or practices concerning marriage, family, or sexuality, except insofar as such practices pertain to race or criminal sexual offenses punishable under constitutionally valid federal or state law.
Bill· HRH.R. 5359 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2019
Decreasing Employees Burdensome Taxes from Student Loans Act of 2019 or the DEBT Act of 2019 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of student loan payments, to (1) expand the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance programs to include an employer's payment of any qualified education loan incurred by an employee, (2) increase the maximum amount that may be excluded from the gross income of an employee under employer-provided educational assistance programs, and (3) increase the maximum tax deduction and the income limitation for interest on education loans.
Bill· HRH.R. 5350 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2019
Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve Outcomes For Youth Act or the Diversify Act This bill increases the maximum grant award under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program. The TEACH program awards grants to college students who plan to teach in low-income areas. The bill also exempts the TEACH program from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
Bill· HRH.R. 5328 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Federal Funding Accountability for Sexual Harassers Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that receive federal funding to report certain instances of discrimination on the basis of sex. Such IHEs must report, to all federal agencies that awarded competitive research and development grants over the previous 10 years and to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, substantiated findings of discrimination (including harassment) on the basis of sex by a principal investigator or program director. A principal investigator or program director is an individual designated to direct or lead a project, program, or activity supported by a federal grant and who is responsible and accountable for the proper conduct of the project, program, or activity. In addition, each federal department or agency that is authorized to award competitive research and development grants must take into consideration any such reports when making the final decision of whether to award a grant to an IHE. The department or agency may condition the grant award on the prohibition of an individual for whom a report has been filed from using the grant award or carrying out activities under the grant. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must study and report on the implementation and effectiveness of strategies employed to address and prevent sexual harassment.
Bill· HRH.R. 5325 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Ending Punitive, Unfair, School-based Harm that is Overt and Unresponsive to Trauma Act of 2019 or the Ending PUSHOUT Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to local educational agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of reducing suspension and expulsion of students (i.e., exclusionary disciplinary practices). The bill requires ED to collect data on exclusionary discipline in schools. It also establishes a joint task force to end school pushout.
Bill· HRH.R. 5312 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act or the AIM HIGH Act This bill creates a commission to develop voluntary guidelines for postsecondary electronic instruction materials and related technologies. Specifically, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Secretary of Education must establish an independent commission to (1) develop and issue voluntary accessibility guidelines for postsecondary electronic instructional materials and related technologies, (2) develop a model framework for pilot testing such materials and technologies, and (3) produce an annotated list of information technology standards. The Department of Education must review and, as appropriate, update the voluntary guidelines, pilot testing framework, and information technology standards every five years.
Bill· HRH.R. 5308 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2019 This bill revises program requirements under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Specifically, the bill eliminates the reduced price school breakfast and lunch programs to include prohibiting USDA from providing reimbursements for such programs, expands the income guidelines for purposes of determining eligibility for free school lunches and breakfasts to make families living at 200% of the poverty-level eligible (currently, families living at 130% or below are eligible), allows states to use Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) participation data to directly certify students for free school lunches and breakfasts, and increases the multiplier from 1.6% to 1.8% for purposes of determining reimbursement under the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high poverty areas to serve all meals free of charge.
Bill· SS. 2996 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Head Start Improvement Act of 2019 This bill replaces the existing Head Start program with block grants to states and Indian tribes for prekindergarten (pre-K) education. Instead of providing direct financial assistance to Head Start agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall allot block grant funds for pre-K education among eligible states and tribes in accordance with their relative proportions of children, age three, four, or five, from low-income households. Grant recipients shall use the grant funds to (1) award subgrants to eligible entities that provide pre-K education programs; (2) administer such programs; and (3) provide technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, research, and training. Under current law, HHS is authorized to designate, monitor, and establish standards for Head Start agencies. The bill instead shifts pre-K program oversight and control to states and tribes, which shall have full flexibility to use grant funds to finance the pre-K programs of their choice. In addition, to the extent permitted under state law, grant recipients may use grant funds to establish (1) portable voucher systems that allow costs to be paid for attendance at private pre-K education programs; and (2) an education savings account that allows a parent of a low-income child to use a portion of the grant funds, or other available public or private funds added to the account, for expenses related to prekindergarten education. Under current law, federal financial assistance for a Head Start program is generally limited to 80% of total program costs. The bill maintains this limitation by requiring grant recipients to provide matching funds equal to 20% of the grant amount.
Bill· SS. 2988 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Veteran Pension Protection Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to implement methods and systems to address potential financial exploitation of individuals who receive VA pensions for non-service-connected disability, death, or service. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to develop a method for soliciting and collecting information on complaints received, referrals made, and actions taken by the VA pension management centers in cases of potential financial exploitation. The VA must also (1) develop a plan to regularly assess the collected information to identify trends of potential financial exploitation, (2) and outline actions it can take to improve education and training to address those trends. The bill requires the VBA to update guidance and training curriculum for claims processors regarding the evaluation of questionable medical expenses on pension applications, develop a method for identifying and tracking the number of individuals who have received pension overpayments, conduct an evaluation of the feasibility and advisability of requiring claims processors to take additional actions to verify direct deposit information, identify legislative or administrative actions that would ensure pension payments are provided to the correct recipients, ensure that specified pension documents include a notice that the VA does not charge a fee in connection with the filing of a pension application, and develop a plan for educating vulnerable individuals about potential financial exploitation relating to the receipt of the specified pensions.
Law· SS. 2981 (116th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2019
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions related to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps. Among other provisions, the bill sets forth new requirements for the corps concerning commissioned grades and operational strength numbers, obligated service requirements, training and physical fitness, education loan assistance, recruitment, hiring and promotions, separation and retirement, and other workforce issues.
Bill· HRH.R. 5294 (116th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2019
Student Borrower Protections Act of 2019 This bill places requirements on lenders, servicers, or assignees of postsecondary education loans, establishes standards for reporting student loan information to consumer reporting agencies, and requires certification of certain educational lenders. Specifically, the bill establishes rules for lenders, servicers, or assignees of postsecondary education loans, including requirements related to (1) the sale, transfer, or assignment of such loans; (2) interest rate and term changes for such loans; (3) payment information required to be included with each billing cycle; and (4) application and allocation of payments. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must develop and issue model forms to allow borrowers to compare alternative repayment options, forbearance, and deferment options. The CFPB must also establish a student loan servicing interagency working group, which shall make recommendations for the regulations required under the bill. Further, the CFPB must issue rules to establish standards for the furnishing of information related to student loans to a consumer reporting agency, and any furnisher of such information must comply with such rules. A private educational lender must, in general, obtain a private loan certification from an institution of higher education before consummating any loan with a student attending such institution.
Bill· HRH.R. 5284 (116th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2019
Veteran Outreach Understanding To Reach Every American Courageous Hero Act or the Vet OUTREACH Act This bill authorizes state approving agencies (SAAs) to conduct outreach activities to increase awareness of education and training opportunities available to veterans if funding is available, and the SAA has properly conducted its enforcement and approval of education programs. SAAs are state agencies responsible for approving and monitoring education and training programs for veterans who are using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. Under the bill, the SAA shall be considered to have properly conducted its enforcement and approval duties if it has fulfilled its VA cooperative agreement requirements and has completed a risk-based program review of any program determined to be of questionable quality or at risk by government or accrediting agencies.
Bill· HRH.R. 5278 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2019
GI Bill Planning Act of 2019 This bill extends or removes specified deadlines for certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. Specifically, the bill updates the Montgomery GI Bill program by extending the period of time under which an election must be made for entitlement to educational assistance under the program. The bill phases the program out on September 30, 2029. The bill also removes a deadline that prevents certain veterans from receiving in-state tuition, regardless of their state of residence, using VA education benefits at public institutions of higher education. Currently, a veteran who is discharged or released after at least 90 days of active service must be within three years of their discharge from active duty to receive in-state tuition (regardless of their state of residence). The VA must post on a public VA website a database explaining any requirements established by a public institution of higher learning for an individual to be charged in-state tuition. The VA must disapprove a course of education at a public institution of higher education that does not provide the VA with an explanation of the requirements (or a timely update of such requirements) for an individual to be charged in-state tuition.