Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act
PL 116-13 (H.R.276), enacted 04/12/2019

[116th Congress Public Law 13]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 133 STAT. 847]]

Public Law 116-13
116th Congress

                                 An Act


 
   To direct the Secretary of Education to establish the Recognizing 
 Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award Program recognizing excellence 
exhibited by classified school employees providing services to students 
 in prekindergarten through high school. <<NOTE: Apr. 12, 2019 -  [H.R. 
                                 276]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Recognizing 
Achievement in Classified School Employees Act. 20 USC 6301 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Recognizing Achievement in Classified 
School Employees Act''.
SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 20 USC 6681.>>  FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Classified school employees provide valuable service in 
        the United States.
            (2) Classified school employees provide essential services, 
        such as transportation, facilities maintenance and operations, 
        food service, safety, and health care.
            (3) Classified school employees play a vital role in 
        providing for the welfare and safety of students.
            (4) Classified school employees strive for excellence in all 
        areas of service to the education community.
            (5) Exemplary classified school employees should be 
        recognized for their outstanding contributions to quality 
        education in the United States.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: 20 USC 6682.>>  DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Classified school employee.--The term ``classified 
        school employee'' means an employee of a State or of any 
        political subdivision of a State, or an employee of a nonprofit 
        entity, who works in any grade from prekindergarten through high 
        school in any of the following occupational specialties:
                    (A) Paraprofessional, including paraeducator 
                services.
                    (B) Clerical and administrative services.
                    (C) Transportation services.
                    (D) Food and nutrition services.
                    (E) Custodial and maintenance services.
                    (F) Security services.
                    (G) Health and student services.
                    (H) Technical services.
                    (I) Skilled trades.

[[Page 133 STAT. 848]]

            (2) Other definitions.--The terms used in this Act have the 
        meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
SEC. 4. <<NOTE: 20 USC 6683.>>  RECOGNITION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish a 
national recognition program to be known as the ``Recognizing Inspiring 
School Employees Award Program'' or the ``award program''. The purpose 
of the award program shall be to recognize and promote the commitment 
and excellence exhibited by classified school employees who provide 
exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through high school.
    (b) Award.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Effective date.>>  In general.--Prior to May 31 
        of each year (beginning with the second calendar year that 
        begins after the date of the enactment of this Act), the 
        Secretary shall select a classified school employee to receive 
        the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award for the year.
            (2) Non-monetary value.--The award and recognition provided 
        under this Act shall have no monetary value.

    (c) Selection Process.--
            (1) Nomination process.--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Deadline. Effective date.>>  In 
                general.--Not later than November 1 of each year 
                (beginning with the first calendar year that begins 
                after the date of the enactment of this Act), the 
                Secretary shall solicit nominations of classified school 
                employees from the occupational specialties described in 
                section 3(1) from the Governor of each State.
                    (B) Nomination submissions.--In order for 
                individuals in a State to be eligible to receive 
                recognition under this section, the Governor of the 
                State shall consider nominations submitted by the 
                following:
                          (i) Local educational agencies.
                          (ii) School administrators.
                          (iii) Professional associations.
                          (iv) Labor organizations.
                          (v) Educational service agencies.
                          (vi) Nonprofit entities.
                          (vii) Parents and students.
                          (viii) Any other group determined appropriate 
                      by the Secretary.
            (2) <<NOTE: Submission.>>  Demonstration.--Each Governor of 
        a State who desires individuals in the State to receive 
        recognition under this section shall submit the nominations 
        described in paragraph (1) to the Secretary in such manner as 
        may be required by the Secretary. Each such nomination shall 
        contain, at a minimum, demonstrations of excellence in the 
        following areas:
                    (A) Work performance.
                    (B) School and community involvement.
                    (C) Leadership and commitment.
                    (D) Local support.
                    (E) Enhancement of classified school employees' 
                image in the community and schools.
            (3) <<NOTE: Guidelines.>>  Selection.--The Secretary shall 
        develop uniform national guidelines for evaluating nominations 
        submitted under paragraph (2) in order to select the most 
        deserving nominees

[[Page 133 STAT. 849]]

        based on the demonstrations made in the areas described in such 
        paragraph.

    Approved April 12, 2019.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 276:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
            Feb. 25, considered and passed House.
            Mar. 28, considered and passed Senate.

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