Protecting JOBs Act
Bill: H.R.1372 | Sponsor: Rep. Ross, Deborah K. (D-NC)
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Protecting Job Opportunities for Borrowers Act or the Protecting JOBs Act
This bill prohibits a state from suspending, revoking, or denying a state-issued driver's license, teaching license, or professional license based solely on an individual's default or delinquency on a federal student loan or health education loan. Further, an aggrieved individual may bring a civil action against a state for violations.

To prohibit States from suspending, revoking, or denying State-issued 
   professional licenses or issuing penalties due to student default.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Job Opportunities for 
Borrowers Act'' or the ``Protecting JOBs Act''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION AGAINST SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR DENIAL OF STATE-
              ISSUED PROFESSIONAL LICENSES OR PENALTIES DUE TO STUDENT 
              DEFAULT.

    (a) Higher Education Act of 1965 Loans.--Part B of title I of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 124. PROHIBITION AGAINST SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR DENIAL OF 
              STATE-ISSUED PROFESSIONAL LICENSES OR PENALTIES DUE TO 
              STUDENT DEFAULT.

    ``(a) Prohibition.--Beginning 2 years after the date of enactment 
of the Protecting Job Opportunities for Borrowers Act, a State that 
receives assistance under this Act may not suspend, revoke, or deny the 
approval or renewal of a State-issued license described in subsection 
(b) or issue a fine or other penalty with respect to an individual 
based solely on such individual's default or delinquency on a loan 
made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV.
    ``(b) Types of Licenses.--A State-issued license described in this 
subsection means any of the following:
            ``(1) A State-issued driver's license (including any State-
        issued document permitting a specific individual to operate one 
        or more types of motorized vehicles, such as a motorcycle, car, 
        truck, or bus on a public road).
            ``(2) A State-issued teaching license.
            ``(3) A State-issued professional license involved in or 
        affecting interstate commerce (including any license, permit, 
        certificate, registration, charter, authority or similar form 
        of permission required for lawful employment in a particular 
        career field).
    ``(c) Injunctive Relief.--Any individual aggrieved as a result of a 
violation of subsection (a) may bring a civil action in an appropriate 
district court of the United States to obtain prospective injunctive 
relief against an individual State officer in the officer's official 
capacity.''.
    (b) Health Education Loans.--
            (1) In general.--A State may not suspend, revoke, or deny 
        the approval or renewal of a State-issued license described in 
        section 124(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or issue a 
        fine or other penalty with respect to an individual based 
        solely on such individual's default or delinquency on a Health 
        Education Assistance Loan or Primary Care Loan made under part 
        A of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 292 
        et seq.).
            (2) Injunctive relief.--Any individual aggrieved as a 
        result of a violation of paragraph (1) may bring a civil action 
        in an appropriate district court of the United States to obtain 
        prospective injunctive relief against an individual State 
        officer in the officer's official capacity.
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