117 HR 4097 IH: Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-06-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4097IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 23, 2021Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mrs. Demings, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Speier, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Norton, Mr. Morelle, and Ms. Schakowsky) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo support educational entities in fully implementing title IX and reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act of 2021.2.FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) (in this Act referred to as title IX) and the implementing regulations of title IX prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities.(2)Although title IX requires that schools treat students equally with regard to athletic participation opportunities, athletic scholarships, and the benefits and services provided to athletic teams, female participation rates, especially for girls of color, lag far behind male participation rates. Nationally, for example, boys receive more than 1,130,000 more opportunities to play high school sports than girls.(3)Furthermore, a recent study from the Women’s Sports Foundation found that African-American youth and youth from low-income households were least likely to be current players (35 percent and 28 percent respectively) and most likely to have never played sports (49 percent, and 54 percent respectively) compared to others. These disparities were especially prominent for girls from low-income families (25 percent current players, 58 percent never played) and African-American families (28 percent current players, 55 percent never played). The gaps in participation in high school sports have not significantly narrowed in the past 20 years—with 40 percent of predominantly minority-serving high schools having large gaps between the percentage of spots on teams for girls and the percentage of students who are girls (compared to only 16 percent of predominantly White high schools that have such gaps).(4)Female student athletes have been found to have higher levels of self-esteem, as well as reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and breast cancer, compared to those who do not play sports. In addition, female student athletes are more likely to graduate from high school than female students who do not play sports. Girls who play sports in high school go on to earn 7 percent higher annual wages than those who do not play sports, and are more likely to enter the labor force and pursue higher-skill, previously male-dominated positions. Generally, sports participation for women is associated with a lower prevalence of experiencing intimate partner violence, reinforcing that athletic access not only strengthens health, educational, and workplace outcomes, but also personal safety.(5)Although the availability of athletic scholarships facilitates access to higher education, many institutions of higher education fail to award proportional athletic financial aid to women, which can affect their long-term employment outcomes and economic security. According to the Department of Education’s Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act data from 2019, male athletes at NCAA Division I and II schools received $240,000,000 more in athletic scholarships than female athletes at those schools.(6)Although title IX ensures gender equity in career and technical education, women are severely underrepresented in fields nontraditional to their gender. A recent study by the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education indicated that women make up more than 80 percent of workers with training or certification in historically women-dominated occupations that pay less than $30,000 per year, including child care, early childhood education, home care, and cosmetology. Women represent less than 40 percent of workers trained or certified in high-paying and historically male-dominated fields, including transportation, advanced manufacturing, and construction.(7)Although title IX ensures gender equity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (in this section referred to as STEM) education, women are disproportionately lost at nearly every stage of the STEM pipeline. A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics showed that women earned only 32 percent of all STEM degrees in 2017, and nearly 1/2 of these women were White. Women of color earned about 12 percent of STEM degrees in that same year. Furthermore, in STEM fields where women are particularly underrepresented, such as computing and engineering, women earned an even smaller percentage of degrees, including only 19 percent of computing bachelor’s degrees, and 21 percent of engineering bachelor’s degrees.(8)Although title IX prohibits sex discrimination in employment in federally funded education programs, a recent report by the American Association of University Women found that women comprise only 36 percent of tenured faculty and 30 percent of university presidents. A similar study by the National Science Foundation confirmed that women only hold 34 percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions, and 27 percent of full professor positions in STEM fields. Furthermore, Black and Latina women, together, hold only 4 percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions, and barely over 2 percent of full professor positions in STEM fields. Asian-American women hold around 5 percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions, and less than 3 percent of full professor positions in STEM fields.(9)Although title IX protects against sexual and sex-based harassment and violence, more than 50 percent of girls and 40 percent of boys in grades 7 through 12 experience sexual harassment each year, and approximately 10 percent of high school students experience dating violence each year. A recent GLSEN report indicated that 87 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (referred to in this section as LGBTQ) students have experienced harassment or assault based on a personal characteristic, and nearly 66 percent have experienced LGBTQ-related verbal harassment at school based on sexual orientation. Research has shown that LGBTQ students who experience harassment at school are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, to engage in unhealthy and antisocial behaviors, and to have more unexcused absences from school.(10)Although title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or parenting status, the limited availability of accommodations, including lactation accommodations, excused absences for pregnancy-related medical conditions, and child care needs (including caring for a sick child) is a leading reason that parenting mothers drop out of high school. A recent report by the National Women’s Law Center indicated that only half of teenage mothers earn a high school diploma by the age of 22, compared with 89 percent of women who do not have a child during their teenage years, and that one-third of young mothers will never get a diploma or GED, further limiting continuing opportunities for education and employment.(11)Although title IX protects against discrimination based on stereotypes of actual or perceived sex, many people carry implicit or unconscious biases that can unintentionally influence attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and decisionmaking processes. Research has shown that unconscious biases can impact classroom environments, teaching methods, student evaluations, disciplinary practices, and career and counseling guidance, which can lead to discrimination against students based on race, color, national origin, and disability, particularly for students who are pursuing nontraditional fields.(12)Nationally, the Feminist Majority Foundation has estimated there at least 100,000 title IX coordinators are needed, but a recent report only identified 23,000 title IX coordinators in 2016. The Feminist Majority Foundation has found that schools serving children in prekindergarten through grade 12 rarely have their own title IX coordinators.3.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)ESEA definitionsThe terms elementary school, institution of higher education, local educational agency, secondary school, and State educational agency have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(2)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the Office for Gender Equity established under section 5(a).(3)Educational entityThe term educational entity means any of the following entities that receive Federal funds:(A)A State educational agency.(B)A local educational agency.(C)An institution of higher education.(D)An elementary school or secondary school.(4)Gender identityThe term gender identity means the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, regardless of the individual’s designated sex at birth.(5)National gender equity infrastructureThe term national gender equity infrastructure means the horizontal and vertical network of title IX coordinators and their allies who work to advance gender equity and eliminate discrimination in the United States.(6)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.(7)SexThe term sex includes—(A)a sex stereotype;(B)pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition;(C)sexual orientation or gender identity; and(D)sex characteristics, including intersex traits.(8)Sexual orientationThe term sexual orientation means homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.(9)Title ix coordinatorThe term title IX coordinator means a responsible employee, as described in section 106.8(a) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulations, designated to coordinate efforts under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).4.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are to—(1)advance gender equity in education in the United States;(2)support educational entities so that such entities have the support to fully implement title IX;(3)provide title IX coordinators with training, technical assistance, and support to fully carry out their roles and responsibilities;(4)increase general awareness about the rights and obligations of individuals and entities under title IX;(5)identify, implement, and disseminate best practices for reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education;(6)promote educational environments that are safe and free of sexual and sex-based bullying, harassment, and violence;(7)promote equity in education for students who face discrimination based on multiple characteristics, including—(A)race and color;(B)ethnicity;(C)national origin;(D)disability status;(E)religion;(F)age; or(G)actual or perceived sex; and(8)promote activities that strengthen the national gender equity infrastructure.5.Establishment of an office for gender equity(a)In generalThe Secretary shall establish an Office for Gender Equity. The Director of the Office for Gender Equity shall be the Special Assistant for Gender Equity, as authorized under section 202(b)(3) of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3412(b)(3)). The Director of the Office for Gender Equity shall report directly to the Secretary.(b)DutiesThe Office for Gender Equity shall be responsible for the following:(1)Supporting educational entities in the full implementation of title IX.(2)Providing title IX coordinators with training, technical assistance, and support to fully carry out their roles and responsibilities.(3)Providing grants to implement programs and activities that are focused on reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education.(4)Identifying and disseminating information and evidence-based best practices for reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education.(5)Maintaining an Office for Gender Equity resource center website to disseminate information and evidence-based best practices for achieving gender equity.(6)Performing any other activity consistent with achieving the purposes of this Act.(c)CoordinationTo carry out the purposes of this Act, the Secretary shall coordinate with other relevant Federal offices and agencies, including—(1)the White House Gender Policy Council;(2)the White House Domestic Policy Council;(3)the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education;(4)the Institute of Education Sciences;(5)the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor;(6)the Office on Women’s Health of the Department of Health and Human Services;(7)the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice;(8)the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice;(9)the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;(10)the Office of Safe and Healthy Students of the Department of Education; and(11)other entities determined relevant for carrying out the purposes of this Act.6.Support for title IX coordinators(a)In generalThe Director shall provide coordination, training, technical assistance, and support for title IX coordinators to ensure that educational entities are able to fully implement title IX and reduce and prevent sex discrimination in all areas of education.(b)Title IX coordinator training(1)In generalNot less than once a year, the Director shall conduct a training for all title IX coordinators, which shall address the different needs of elementary and secondary schools and postsecondary institutions. The training may be conducted in partnership with a national organization with relevant expertise, and may be completed online or in person.(2)Contents of trainingThe training described in paragraph (1) shall include the following information:(A)The role and responsibility of title IX coordinators.(B)Information and evidence-based best practices for increasing awareness about rights and obligations under title IX.(C)Information and evidence-based best practices for investigating and responding to claims of violations of title IX.(D)Information and evidence-based best practices for identifying and preventing implicit and explicit sex discrimination in all areas of education, including—(i)recruitment and admissions;(ii)teaching practices, textbooks, and curricula;(iii)campus safety and security;(iv)financial assistance;(v)access to facilities, resources, and housing;(vi)access to course offerings;(vii)student health services and insurance benefits;(viii)counseling and career guidance;(ix)athletics;(x)discipline policies;(xi)employment; and(xii)other areas that the Director determines are relevant for such purposes.(3)Application of training(A)In generalThe Director shall take steps to ensure that the trainings described in paragraph (1)—(i)are adapted, as necessary, to address issues of sex discrimination at all levels of education;(ii)are updated with the latest information and evidence-based best practices; and(iii)address recent trends in sex discrimination.(B)Attention to discrimination based on multiple characteristicsThe Director shall take steps to ensure that such trainings include attention to students who face discrimination based on multiple characteristics, including—(i)race and color;(ii)ethnicity;(iii)national origin;(iv)disability status;(v)religion;(vi)age; or(vii)actual or perceived sex.(C)EvaluationThe Director shall—(i)develop and conduct pre- and post-training evaluations to assess the effectiveness of such trainings in improving the knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of title IX coordinators; and(ii)use such evaluations to update the title IX coordinator trainings annually.(c)Handbook for conducting title IX compliance self-EvaluationsThe Director shall develop a handbook for conducting self-evaluations of compliance with title IX in all areas of education, as described in subsection (b)(2)(D).(d)Assessment of title IX coordinator supportThe Director shall collect relevant data and statistics on all title IX coordinators, including demographic information for gender, race, and ethnicity, salary information, budgets, and primary roles, in order to make recommendations for improving title IX coordinator support.(e)DisseminationThe Director shall ensure that the workplace contact information of all title IX coordinators and any training materials or information developed under this section are made available on the Office for Gender Equity resource center website, described in section 5(b)(5).7.Support for local implementation(a)Grants authorized(1)In generalThe Secretary, acting through the Director, is authorized to award grants to eligible entities to support such eligible entities in fully implementing title IX and reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education.(2)Eligible entityIn this section, the term eligible entity means—(A)a State educational agency;(B)a local educational agency;(C)an institution of higher education;(D)an elementary school or secondary school; or(E)a partnership consisting of—(i)an entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D); and(ii)a national organization with relevant expertise, or another entity that the Secretary determines has relevant expertise.(b)Use of fundsAn eligible entity receiving a grant shall use such funds to carry out programs and activities designed to fully implement title IX and prevent and reduce sex discrimination, including programs and activities that—(1)increase awareness of and counteract sex stereotypes, biases, and discrimination;(2)include trainings for students, teachers, faculty, and all personnel to learn about best practices for reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education;(3)increase access to school, campus, and community resources, facilities, and course offerings;(4)support title IX coordinators in performing outreach, advocacy, and education about title IX and reducing and preventing sex discrimination;(5)are aimed at identifying patterns or systemic problems in compliance with title IX;(6)strengthen prevention education and awareness programs regarding sexual and sex-based harassment and violence;(7)develop, conduct, and analyze evidence-based campus climate and victimization surveys;(8)include institutional assessment activities to identify areas and causes of gender inequities;(9)make efforts to improve progress on gender equity indicators as described in subsection (c)(2)(A);(10)make efforts to improve accuracy in measurement, data collection, and reporting of gender equity indicators as described in subsection (c)(2)(A); and(11)make efforts to strengthen the national gender equity infrastructure, which may include hiring a dedicated employee to serve as a title IX coordinator.(c)Applications(1)In generalAn eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.(2)Contents of applicationEach application submitted by an eligible entity under this section shall include the following:(A)A description of locally defined and documented gender equity needs and priorities, which may include any of the following indicators:(i)Academic indicators, including performance on State assessments, enrollment, admission, attrition, time to completion, and graduation rates.(ii)Civil rights data, including statistics on bullying, harassment, violence, discipline, and expulsion.(iii)Campus climate and victimization data.(iv)Employment data.(v)Athletics equity data.(vi)Attendance and absenteeism data.(vii)Evidence of burden on title IX coordinators, including coordinator to student ratio and competing responsibilities.(viii)Other documentation of need that the Secretary determines is relevant.(B)A description of the evidence that will serve as the basis for the activities that the eligible entity proposes to carry out using grant funds under this section.(C)A description of the activities that the eligible entity proposes to carry out using grant funds under this section.(D)A description of how the proposed activities will be adapted, as necessary, to meet the needs of students who face discrimination based on multiple characteristics, including—(i)race and color;(ii)ethnicity;(iii)national origin;(iv)disability status;(v)religion;(vi)age; or(vii)actual or perceived sex.(E)A description of how the proposed activities will help the eligible entity fully implement title IX.(F)A description of a plan for how the proposed activities under this section will continue with local support following completion of the grant period and termination of Federal funding.(G)A description of how the proposed activities are a significant component of a comprehensive plan for gender equity in education and full implementation of title IX.(d)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting persons of any sex or gender from participating in any of the programs or activities funded under this section.(e)Award basis(1)Merit reviewGrants shall be awarded under this section on a competitive basis.(2)Priorities(A)In generalThe Secretary shall establish criteria for determining which eligible entities shall have priority in receiving a grant under this section.(B)Level of priorityThe criteria described in subparagraph (A) may include a consideration of the extent to which the application demonstrates that the eligible entity—(i)has demonstrated a high need for gender equity assistance based on indicators described in subsection (c)(2)(A) and a high commitment to addressing these issues;(ii)will address the needs of students who face discrimination based on multiple characteristics, including—(I)race and color;(II)ethnicity;(III)national origin;(IV)disability status;(V)religion;(VI)age; or(VII)actual or perceived sex;(iii)will address relevant issues of national significance through solutions that can be replicated;(iv)will implement an institutional change strategy with a long-term impact that will continue to be a central activity of the eligible entity upon termination of the grant;(v)will serve a high percentage of low-income students; and(vi)will serve a high percentage of racially diverse students.(C)Special ruleTo the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that grants awarded under this section, for each fiscal year, address—(i)all levels of education, including—(I)elementary and secondary education;(II)undergraduate and graduate education;(III)postdoctoral education and research;(IV)career and technical education; and(V)adult education;(ii)all regions of the United States; and(iii)urban, rural, and suburban educational entities.(f)Evaluation and dissemination(1)Evaluation(A)In generalEach eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall conduct an assessment about the extent to which the eligible entity made progress on the indicators under subsection (c)(2)(A).(B)AssessmentAn eligible entity may work in partnership with the Institute of Education Sciences to conduct such assessment.(C)Use by secretaryNot later than 1 year after receiving the grant award, the eligible entity shall submit a report to the Secretary containing the results of such assessment. The Secretary shall use those reports in order to build the knowledge base on promising models for preventing and reducing sex discrimination across all areas and levels of education.(2)DisseminationThe Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences and other relevant Federal offices and agencies to—(A)ensure that the results of the activities carried out under this section are made readily available on the Office for Gender Equity resource center website; and(B)widely disseminate the results described in subparagraph (A) to relevant Federal offices, and agencies, educational entities and the general public.8.Research and development(a)In generalThe Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences and other relevant Federal offices and agencies and entities to investigate, identify, and disseminate best practices to fully implement title IX and reduce and prevent sex discrimination in all areas of education, including—(1)the reduction and prevention of sex stereotyping, bias, and discrimination in curricula, textbooks, software, and other educational materials;(2)the development of policies and programs to—(A)address and prevent sexual and sex-based harassment and violence;(B)ensure that schools and campuses are free from threats to the safety of students, teachers, faculty, and personnel; and(C)ensure athletic programs are equitable;(3)the development and evaluation of—(A)counseling and career guidance training; and(B)programs to reduce and prevent sex stereotyping, bias, and discrimination;(4)best practices for mitigating implicit bias in teaching, discipline, and all areas of education;(5)best practices for addressing the needs of students who face discrimination based on multiple characteristics, including—(A)race and color;(B)ethnicity;(C)national origin;(D)disability status;(E)religion;(F)age; or(G)actual or perceived sex; and(6)other activities that the Secretary determines are consistent with the purposes of this Act.(b)DisseminationThe best practices described under subsection (a) shall be published on the Office for Gender Equity resource center website, as described in section 5(b)(5), and the What Works Clearinghouse website of the Institute of Education Sciences.9.Report; dissemination(a)Report to congressNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall publish a report on the steps the Department of Education has taken to—(1)support educational entities in fully implementing title IX and reducing and preventing sex discrimination;(2)provide coordination, training, and resources for title IX coordinators to fully carry out their roles and responsibilities; and(3)promote equity in education for students who face discrimination based on multiple characteristics, including—(A)race and color;(B)ethnicity;(C)national origin;(D)disability status;(E)religion;(F)age; or(G)actual or perceived sex.(b)DisseminationThe Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences and the heads of relevant Federal agencies to ensure that the results of trainings, activities, evaluations, and research developments under this Act are made readily available on the Office for Gender Equity resource center website and disseminated widely to other relevant Federal agencies and offices, educational entities, and the general public.10.Rule of constructionNothing in this Act shall be construed—(1)as modifying any provision of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.); or(2)as affecting the enforcement of such title by the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, or any other Federal agency.11.Authorization of appropriations(a)In generalThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $160,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.(b)UseFrom amounts made available to carry out this Act for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall use not less than $140,000,000 of such amounts to award grants under section 7.


110 HR 6431 IH: Department of Veterans Affairs

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-07-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6431
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 8, 2008
			Mr. Buyer introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans’
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the
		  Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress reports in electronic
		  form.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Department of Veterans Affairs
			 Electronic Reporting Act of 2008.
		2.Submission of reports
			 to Congress by Secretary of Veterans Affairs in electronic form
			(a)Submission of
			 reportsChapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
			 adding at the end the following:

					117.Reports to
				Congress: submission in electronic form
						(a)RequirementWhenever the Secretary or any other
				official of the Department is required by law to submit to Congress (or any
				committee of either House of Congress) a report, the Secretary or other
				official shall submit to Congress (or such committee) a copy of the report in
				an electronic format.
						(b)TreatmentThe
				submission of a copy of a report in accordance with this section shall be
				treated as meeting any requirement of law to submit such report to Congress (or
				any committee of either House of Congress).
						(c)DefinitionFor
				the purposes of this section, the term report includes any
				certification, notification, or other communication in
				writing.
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
			 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

						117. Reports to Congress: submission in
				electronic
				form.

					.
			(c)Effective
			 dateSection 117 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
			 subsection (a), shall apply with respect to a report submitted after the date
			 that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.


115 S838 IS: Protecting Americans from Credit Entanglements Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-04-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		115th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 838
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 5 (legislative day, April 4), 2017
			Mr. Cotton (for himself, Mr. Boozman, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend the Truth in Lending Act to include retrofit loans such as property assessed clean energy
			 loans, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Americans from Credit Entanglements Act of 2017 or the PACE Act of 2017. 2.Real property retrofit loans (a)In generalSection 103 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (g), in the last sentence, by inserting and a person who lends money to consumers for real property retrofit loans before for purposes; (2)by redesignating subsection (cc) (relating to definitions relating to mortgage origination and residential mortgage loans) and (dd) as subsections (dd) and (ee), respectively;
 (3)in subsection (dd)(5), as redesignated, by inserting , including a real property retrofit loan, before other than; and (4)adding at the end the following:

 (ff)The term consumer credit transaction includes a real property retrofit loan extended to a consumer. (gg)The term real property retrofit loan means a financing instrument—
 (1)secured by an interest in real property; (2)that is repayable in installments through payments made concurrently with the payment of property taxes on the real property; and
 (3)that is used to finance real property improvements or retrofits, including property assessed clean energy loans or other loans repaid through the property tax system for the purposes of energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, windproofing or seismic retrofits, water conservation upgrades, septic tanks, or other real property improvements or retrofits to a particular parcel of real property..
 (b)Real property retrofit loan disclosureSection 128 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (g)Real property retrofit loan disclosureBefore extending a real property retrofit loan, the creditor shall provide a disclosure statement explaining that the real property retrofit loan will result in a lien on the real property securing the loan..


117 SRES 91 ATS: Supporting the goals and ideals of “Career and Technical Education Month”.
U.S. Senate

text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 91
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 3, 2021
Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Portman, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Young, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Braun, Mr. Brown, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Daines, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Ernst, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Fischer, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Hoeven, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. King, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Peters, Mr. Risch, Mr. Romney, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Sanders, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Smith, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Thune, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Warner, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Scott of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month.

Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who are prepared for skilled professions; Whereas 3,000,000 workers will be needed for the United States’ infrastructure in the next several years, including designing, building, and operating transportation, housing, utilities, and telecommunications;
Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has displaced millions of workers in the United States and fundamentally shifted entire industries within foundational aspects of the economy, creating significant demands for high-quality and efficient upskilling and reskilling opportunities to ensure a quick and equitable recovery; Whereas career and technical education (referred to in this preamble as CTE) ensures that competitive and skilled workers are ready, willing, and capable of holding jobs in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career fields such as science, technology, engineering, art and design, mathematics, nursing, allied health, construction, information technology, energy sustainability, and many other career fields that are vital in keeping the United States competitive in the global economy;
Whereas CTE helps the United States meet the very real and immediate challenges of economic development, student achievement, and global competitiveness; Whereas the United States has 30,000,000 jobs providing an average income of $55,000 per year that do not require a bachelor’s degree yet increasingly require some level of postsecondary education;
Whereas over 12,800,000 students are enrolled in CTE across the country at the secondary and postsecondary levels, with CTE programs in thousands of CTE centers, comprehensive high schools, career academies, and CTE high schools, and nearly 1,000 2-year colleges; Whereas CTE matches employability skills with workforce demand and provides relevant academic and technical coursework leading to industry-recognized credentials for secondary, postsecondary, and adult learners;
Whereas CTE affords students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to secure careers in growing, high-demand fields; Whereas secondary CTE is associated with a lower probability of dropping out of high school and a higher likelihood of graduating on-time;
Whereas according to an American Federation of Teachers poll, 94 percent of parents approve of expanding access to CTE and other programs that prepare students for jobs; Whereas students at schools with highly integrated rigorous academic and CTE programs are significantly more likely to meet college and career readiness benchmarks than students at schools with less integrated programs;
Whereas, in 2018, Congress affirmed the importance of CTE by passing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Public Law 115–224), which supports program improvement in secondary and postsecondary CTE programs in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and outlying areas; and Whereas, February 23, 2019, marked the 102nd anniversary of the signing of the Act of February 23, 1917 (39 Stat. 929, commonly known as the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act of 1917), which was the first major Federal investment in secondary CTE and laid the foundation for the bipartisan, bicameral support for CTE that continues as of February 2021: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)supports the designation of February 2021 as Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate career and technical education across the United States;
(2)supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month; (3)recognizes the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in the United States; and
(4)encourages educators, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals, administrators, and parents to promote career and technical education as a respected option for students.


115 HR 5339 IH: Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-03-20
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5339IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 20, 2018Mr. Yarmuth (for himself, Mr. Denham, and Mr. Reichert) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the WorkforceA BILLTo reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2018. 2.ReferencesExcept as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a provision, the amendment or repeal shall be considered to be made to a provision of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (34 U.S.C. 11201 et seq.).
 3.FindingsSection 302 (34 U.S.C. 11201) is amended— (1)in paragraph (2), by inserting age, gender, and culturally and before linguistically appropriate;
 (2)in paragraph (4), by striking outside the welfare system and the law enforcement system and inserting , in collaboration with public assistance systems, the law enforcement system, and the child welfare system;
 (3)in paragraph (5)— (A)by inserting a safe place to live and after youth need; and
 (B)by striking and at the end; (4)in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and
 (5)by adding at the end the following:  (7)runaway and homeless youth are at a high risk of becoming victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons..
			4.Basic center grant program
 (a)Grants for centers and servicesSection 311(a) (34 U.S.C. 11211(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by striking services and all that follows through the period and inserting safe shelter and services, including trauma-informed services, for runaway and homeless youth and, if appropriate, services for the families of such youth, including (if appropriate) individuals identified by such youth as family.; and
 (2)in paragraph (2)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking mental health,;
 (B)in subparagraph (B)— (i)in clause (i), by striking 21 days; and and inserting 30 days;;
 (ii)in clause (ii)— (I)by inserting age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, to the extent practicable, before individual;
 (II)by inserting , as appropriate, after group; and (III)by striking as appropriate and inserting including (if appropriate) counseling for individuals identified by such youth as family; and
 (iii)by adding at the end the following:  (iii)suicide prevention services; and; and
 (C)in subparagraph (C)— (i)in clause (ii), by inserting age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, to the extent practicable, before home-based services;
 (ii)in clause (iii), by striking and at the end; (iii)in clause (iv), by striking diseases. and inserting infections;; and
 (iv)by adding at the end the following:  (v)trauma-informed and gender-responsive services for runaway or homeless youth, including such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation; and
 (vi)an assessment of family engagement in support and reunification (if reunification is appropriate), interventions, and services for parents or legal guardians of such youth, or (if appropriate) individuals identified by such youth as family..
 (b)Eligibility; plan requirementsSection 312 (34 U.S.C. 11212) is amended— (1)in subsection (b)—
 (A)in paragraph (5), by inserting , or (if appropriate) individuals identified by such youth as family, after parents or legal guardians; (B)in paragraph (6), by striking cultural minority and persons with limited ability to speak English and inserting cultural minority, persons with limited ability to speak English, and runaway or homeless youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation;
 (C)by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:  (7)shall keep adequate statistical records profiling the youth and family members of such youth whom the applicant serves, including demographic information on and the number of—
 (A)such youth who are not referred to out-of-home shelter services; (B)such youth who are members of vulnerable or underserved populations;
 (C)such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation, disaggregated by— (i)such youth who have been coerced or forced into a commercial sex act, as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102);
 (ii)such youth who have been coerced or forced into other forms of labor; and (iii)such youth who have engaged in a commercial sex act, as so defined, for any reason other than by coercion or force;
 (D)such youth who are pregnant or parenting; (E)such youth who have been involved in the child welfare system; and
 (F)such youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system;; (D)by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (13) as paragraphs (9) through (14);
 (E)by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:  (8)shall ensure that—
 (A)the records described in paragraph (7), on an individual runaway or homeless youth, shall not be disclosed without the consent of the individual youth and of the parent or legal guardian of such youth or (if appropriate) an individual identified by such youth as family, to anyone other than another agency compiling statistical records or a government agency involved in the disposition of criminal charges against an individual runaway or homeless youth; and
 (B)reports or other documents based on the statistics described in paragraph (7) shall not disclose the identity of any individual runaway or homeless youth;;
 (F)in paragraph (9), as so redesignated, by striking statistical summaries and inserting statistics; (G)in paragraph (13)(C), as so redesignated—
 (i)by striking clause (i) and inserting:  (i)the number and characteristics of runaway and homeless youth, and youth at risk of family separation, who participate in the project, including such information on—
 (I)such youth (including both types of such participating youth) who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation, disaggregated by—
 (aa)such youth who have been coerced or forced into a commercial sex act, as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102);
 (bb)such youth who have been coerced or forced into other forms of labor; and (cc)such youth who have engaged in a commercial sex act, as so defined, for any reason other than by coercion or force;
 (II)such youth who are pregnant or parenting; (III)such youth who have been involved in the child welfare system; and
 (IV)such youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system; and; and (ii)in clause (ii), by striking and at the end;
 (H)in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, by striking the period and inserting for natural disasters, inclement weather, and mental health emergencies;; and (I)by adding at the end the following:

 (15)shall provide age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, to the extent practicable, services to runaway and homeless youth; and
 (16)shall assist youth in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090).; and
 (2)in subsection (d)— (A)in paragraph (1)—
 (i)by inserting age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, to the extent practicable, after provide; (ii)by striking families (including unrelated individuals in the family households) of such youth and inserting families of such youth (including unrelated individuals in the family households of such youth and, if appropriate, individuals identified by such youth as family); and
 (iii)by inserting suicide prevention, after physical health care,; and (B)in paragraph (4), by inserting , including training on trauma-informed and youth-centered care after home-based services.
 (c)Approval of applicationsSection 313(b) (34 U.S.C. 11213(b)) is amended— (1)by striking priority to and all that follows through who and inserting priority to eligible applicants who;
 (2)by striking ; and and inserting a period; and (3)by striking paragraph (2).
 5.Transitional living grant programSection 322(a) (34 U.S.C. 11222(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1)—
 (A)by inserting age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, to the extent practicable, before information and counseling services; and (B)by striking job attainment skills, and mental and physical health care and inserting job attainment skills, mental and physical health care, and suicide prevention services;
 (2)by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (8) and (9) through (16) as paragraphs (5) through (10) and (12) through (19), respectively;
 (3)by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:  (3)to provide counseling to homeless youth and to encourage, if appropriate, the involvement in such counseling of their parents or legal guardians, or (if appropriate) individuals identified by such youth as family;
 (4)to provide aftercare services, if possible, to homeless youth who have received shelter and services from a transitional living youth project, including (to the extent practicable) such youth who, after receiving such shelter and services, relocate to a State other than the State in which such project is located;;
 (4)in paragraph (9), as so redesignated— (A)by inserting age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, to the extent practicable, after referral of homeless youth to;
 (B)by striking and health care programs and inserting mental health service and health care programs, including programs providing wrap-around services to victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation,; and
 (C)by striking such services for youths; and inserting such programs described in this paragraph;; (5)by inserting after paragraph (10), as so redesignated, the following:

 (11)to develop a plan to provide age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the extent practicable that address the needs of homeless and street youth;;
 (6)in paragraph (12), as so redesignated, by striking the applicant and statistical and all that follows through who participate in such project, and inserting the applicant, statistical summaries describing the number, the characteristics, and the demographic information of the homeless youth who participate in such project, including the prevalence of trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation of such youth,; and
 (7)in paragraph (19), as so redesignated, by inserting regarding responses to natural disasters, inclement weather, and mental health emergencies after management plan. 6.Coordinating, training, research, and other activities (a)CoordinationSection 341 (34 U.S.C. 11241) is amended—
 (1)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting safety, well-being, after health,; and (2)in paragraph (2), by striking other Federal entities and inserting the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice.
 (b)Grants for technical assistance and trainingSection 342 (34 U.S.C. 11242) is amended by inserting , including onsite and web-based techniques, such as on-demand and online learning, before to public and private entities. (c)Grants for research, evaluation, demonstration, and service projectsSection 343 (34 U.S.C. 11243) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (b)— (A)in paragraph (5)—
 (i)in subparagraph (A), by inserting violence, trauma, and before sexual abuse and assault; (ii)in subparagraph (B), by striking sexual abuse and assault; and and inserting sexual abuse or assault, trafficking in persons, or sexual exploitation; or;
 (iii)in subparagraph (C)— (I)by striking who have been sexually victimized, including such youth who are victims of and inserting who are victims of sexual abuse or assault,; and
 (II)by inserting , or sexual exploitation before the semicolon; and (iv)by adding at the end the following:

 (D)best practices for identifying and providing age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the extent practicable to—
 (i)vulnerable and underserved youth populations; and (ii)youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation; and
 (E)verifying youth as runaway or homeless to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090);;
 (B)in paragraph (9), by striking and at the end; (C)in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and
 (D)by adding at the end the following:  (11)examining the intersection between the runaway and homeless youth populations and trafficking in persons, including noting whether such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons were previously involved in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.; and
 (2)in subsection (c)(2)(B), by inserting , including such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation after runaway or homeless youth. (d)Periodic estimate of incidence and prevalence of youth homelessnessSection 345 (34 U.S.C. 11245) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in paragraph (1)—
 (i)by striking 13 and inserting 12; and (ii)by striking and at the end;
 (B)in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (C)by adding at the end the following:

 (3)that includes demographic information about and characteristics of runaway or homeless youth, including such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation; and
 (4)that does not disclose the identity of any runaway or homeless youth.; and (2)in subsection (b)(1)—
 (A)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 13 and inserting 12; (B)in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end;
 (C)by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); (D)by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

 (B)incidences, if any, of— (i)such individuals who are victims of trafficking in persons; or
 (ii)such individuals who are victims of sexual exploitation; and; and (E)in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated—
 (i)in clause (ii), by striking ; and and inserting , including mental health services;; and (ii)by adding at the end the following:

 (iv)access to education and job training; and. 7.Sexual abuse prevention programSection 351 (34 U.S.C. 11261) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)— (A)by inserting public and before nonprofit; and
 (B)by striking prostitution, and inserting violence,; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

 (c)Eligibility requirementsTo be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an applicant shall certify to the Secretary that such applicant has systems in place to ensure that such applicant can provide age, gender, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, to the extent practicable, services to all youth described in subsection (a)..
			8.General provisions
 (a)ReportsSection 382(a) (34 U.S.C. 11273(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1)—
 (A)by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; and (B)by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

 (B)collecting data on trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation of runaway and homeless youth;; and (2)in paragraph (2)—
 (A)by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:  (A)the number and characteristics of homeless youth served by such projects, including—
 (i)such youth who are victims of trafficking in persons or sexual exploitation; (ii)such youth who are pregnant or parenting;
 (iii)such youth who have been involved in the child welfare system; and (iv)such youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system;; and
 (B)in subparagraph (F), by striking intrafamily problems and inserting problems within the family, including (if appropriate) individuals identified by such youth as family,.
 (b)NondiscriminationPart F is amended by inserting after section 386A (34 U.S.C. 11278) the following:  386B.Nondiscrimination (a)In generalNo person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in section 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, or disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance under title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.
						(b)Exception
 (1)Essential sex-segregated or sex-specific programmingIf programming that is segregated by or specific to sex is necessary to the essential operation of a program, nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the entity carrying out any such program or activity from consideration of an individual's sex.
 (2)ExceptionsIn such a circumstance, the entity may meet the requirements of this section— (A)by providing comparable services to individuals who cannot be provided with the sex-segregated or sex-specific programming; or
 (B)by providing sex-specific programming in accordance with an approved application describing such programming, for the grant, contract, or other agreement involved.
 (c)DisqualificationThe authority provided for the Secretary to enforce this section shall be the same as the authority provided for the Secretary to enforce subsection (a) or (b) of section 654 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9849). The procedures provided for review of an action to enforce this section shall be the same as the procedures provided for review of an action to enforce subsection (b) of that section.
 (d)ConstructionNothing in this section shall be construed, interpreted, or applied to supplant, displace, preempt, or otherwise limit the responsibilities and liabilities under other Federal or State laws with respect to discrimination on a basis described in subsection (a)..
 (c)DefinitionsSection 387 (34 U.S.C. 11279) is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6), and paragraphs (7) and (8), as paragraphs (2) through (7), and paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively;
 (2)by inserting before paragraph (2), the following:  (1)Culturally and linguistically appropriateThe term culturally and linguistically appropriate, with respect to services, has the meaning given the term culturally and linguistically appropriate services in the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care, issued in April 2013, by the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.;
 (3)in paragraph (4)(A)(ii) (as so redesignated), by striking and either and all that follows and inserting but less than 25 years of age;; (4)in paragraph (6)(B)(v) (as so redesignated)—
 (A)by redesignating subclauses (II) through (IV) as subclauses (III) through (V), respectively; (B)by inserting after subclause (I), the following:

 (II)trafficking in persons;; (C)in subclause (IV) (as so redesignated)—
 (i)by striking diseases and inserting infections; and (ii)by striking and at the end;
 (D)in subclause (V) (as so redesignated), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (E)by adding at the end the following:

 (VI)suicide.; (5)in paragraph (7)(B) (as so redesignated), by striking prostitution, and inserting trafficking in persons,;
 (6)by inserting after paragraph (7) (as so redesignated), the following:  (8)Trafficking in personsThe term trafficking in persons has the meaning given the term severe forms of trafficking in persons in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).;
 (7)in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated)— (A)by inserting to homeless youth after provides; and
 (B)by inserting , to establish a stable family or community supports, after self-sufficient living; and (8)in paragraph (10)(B) (as so redesignated)—
 (A)in clause (ii)— (i)by inserting or able after willing; and
 (ii)by striking or at the end; (B)in clause (iii), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (iv)who is involved in the child welfare or juvenile justice system, but who is not receiving government-funded housing..
 (d)Authorization of appropriationsSection 388(a) (34 U.S.C. 11280(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by striking for fiscal year 2009, and all that follows through the period and inserting for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.;
 (2)in paragraph (3)(B), by striking such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. and inserting $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.; and (3)in paragraph (4), by striking for fiscal year 2009 and all that follows through the period and inserting for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023..


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1942
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 2, 2009
			Mr. Nadler of New
			 York (for himself and Mr.
			 Cohen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend title 11, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as Business Reorganization and Job Preservation Act of
			 2009.
		2.Amendments to
			 title 11 of the United States CodeTitle 11 of the United States Code is
			 amended—
			(1)by amending
			 section 365(d)(4) to read as follows:

					(4)Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and
				(2), in a case under any chapter of this title, if the trustee does not assume
				or reject an unexpired lease of nonresidential real property under which the
				debtor is the lessee within 60 days after the date of the order for relief, or
				within such additional time as the court, for cause, within such 60-day period,
				fixes, then such lease is deemed rejected, and the trustee shall immediately
				surrender such nonresidential real property to the
				lessor.
					,
			(2)in section
			 366—
				(A)in subsection (a)
			 by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting
			 subsection (b), and
				(B)by striking
			 subsection (c),
				(3)in section
			 503(b)—
				(A)in paragraph (7)
			 by adding and at the end,
				(B)in paragraph (8)
			 by striking ; and and inserting a period, and
				(C)by striking
			 paragraph (9).
				(4)by amending
			 section 546(c) to read as follows:

					(c)Except as provided
				in subsection (d) of this section, the rights and powers of a trustee under
				sections 544(a), 545, 547, and 549 of this title are subject to any statutory
				or common-law right of a seller of goods that has sold goods to the debtor, in
				the ordinary course of such seller’s business, to reclaim such goods if the
				debtor has received such goods while insolvent, but—
						(1)such a seller may
				not reclaim any such goods unless such seller demands in writing reclamation of
				such goods—
							(A)before 10 days
				after receipt of such goods by the debtor; or
							(B)if such 10-day
				period expires after the commencement of the case, before 20 days after receipt
				of such goods by the debtor; and
							(2)the court may deny
				reclamation to a seller with such a right of reclamation that has made such a
				demand only if the court—
							(A)grants the claim
				of such a seller priority as a claim of a kind specified in section 503(b) of
				this title; or
							(B)secures such claim
				by a
				lien.
							.
			3.Effective date;
			 application of amendments
			(a)Effective
			 dateExcept as provided in subsection (b), this Act and the
			 amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of
			 this Act.
			(b)Application of
			 amendmentsThe amendments made by this Act shall apply only with
			 respect to cases commenced under title 11 of the United States Code on or after
			 the date of the enactment of this Act.


		IV
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. CON. RES. 110
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 24, 2014
			Mr. Fortenberry (for himself, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Wolf, and Mr. Van Hollen) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Calling for urgent international intervention on behalf of Iraqi civilians facing a dire
			 humanitarian crisis and severe persecution in the Nineveh Plain region of
			 Iraq.

		Whereas the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports as of January 2014 a total
			 population of concern in Iraq numbering 1,522,855 people, including
			 refugees and internally displaced persons, many of whom face grave
			 deprivation and imminent threats to life, health, and safety;
		Whereas recent extremist attacks on civilians have exacerbated the serious dislocations and
			 pressures facing individuals within this population of concern, and have
			 had a particularly severe effect on ethnic and religious minority
			 communities in the region, where civilians require immediate and urgent
			 access to potable water, health care, fuel, electricity, and basic
			 security;
		Whereas the United Nations Security Council stated on July 22, 2014, The members of the Security Council further recall that widespread or systematic attacks directed
			 against any civilian populations because of their ethnic background,
			 religious beliefs or faith may constitute a crime against humanity, for
			 which those responsible must be held accountable, and denounced the persecution of Iraqi Christians and other minorities, including Yizidis and
			 Mandeans;
		Whereas reports indicate that some 150,000 Iraqi people in the immediate region of the Nineveh
			 Plain, whose families have a history in the region dating back hundreds
			 and even thousands of years, are now facing ethnic and religious
			 cleansing, persecution, harassment, intimidation, extortion, displacement
			 from their homes, and have been targeted for retribution by extremist
			 elements affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS);
		Whereas the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2165 (July 14, 2014), which can
			 provide guidance for urgent action in Iraq, as it addresses similarly
			 grave humanitarian needs in neighboring Syria;
		Whereas Iraqi civilians in the Nineveh Plain region require immediate protection from armed
			 militants and urgent humanitarian assistance; and
		Whereas the grave humanitarian crisis in the Nineveh Plain region has serious potential
			 implications for the broader stability of Iraq and other nations in the
			 region: Now, therefore, be it

		That Congress—
			(1)deplores and condemns the religious bigotry, vandalism and destruction of property, violent attacks
			 on and intimidation of innocent Iraqi civilians by armed extremists and
			 calls upon the Government of Iraq to take immediate steps to protect the
			 safety and constitutional rights of all Iraqi citizens;
			(2)calls on the President, Secretary of State, and United States Permanent Representative to the
			 United Nations, working through the United Nations Security Council with
			 member states and the Government of Iraq, to develop and implement an
			 immediate, coordinated, and sustained humanitarian intervention to protect
			 civilians, stabilize the security situation in the Nineveh Plain region of
			 Iraq, and facilitate appropriate humanitarian assistance in the Kurdistan
			 region to help absorb the influx of refugees;
			(3)calls on the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to work with the United
			 Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on a sustained basis to document
			 human rights abuses against Iraqi civilians and develop an immediate plan
			 to facilitate safe humanitarian access to potable water, health care,
			 fuel, electricity, and basic security for the most vulnerable civilian
			 populations; and
			(4)calls on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to coordinate with international
			 humanitarian organizations working in Iraq—
				(A)to develop an effective strategy for resettlement assistance, that incorporates the establishment
			 of micro-lending enterprises and business startup loans for the displaced,
			 and for transitioning emergency relief to longer-term economic development
			 in beleaguered areas, including ancestral villages in the Nineveh Plain
			 and Kurdistan, to help reestablish viable livelihoods for displaced and
			 persecuted persons in their communities of origin; and
				(B)to develop transparent, accountable mechanisms to ensure that assistance reaches the intended
			 recipients and, in particular, to prevent the diversion of assistance
			 intended for minority communities.


116 HR 4869 IH: Student Loan Default Reduction Program Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-10-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4869IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 28, 2019Ms. Kendra S. Horn of Oklahoma introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove all adverse credit history related to a loan
			 from the credit history of a borrower who has rehabilitated the loan.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Student Loan Default Reduction Program Act. 2.Default reduction programSection 428F(a)(1)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–6(a)(1)(C)) is amended by striking to remove the record of the default from the borrower's credit history and inserting to remove any adverse item of information relating to such loan from the borrower’s credit history.


113 HR 1664 IH: Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-04-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1664
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 23, 2013
			Mr. Engel introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Energy and Commerce, for
			 a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To amend title 23, United States Code, to reduce injuries
		  and deaths caused by cell phone use and texting while driving, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 TitleThis Act may be cited as the Distracted
			 Driving Prevention Act of 2013.
			(b)Table of
			 ContentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Distracted driving prevention.
					Sec. 3. Research program.
					Sec. 4. FCC report on distracted driving
				technology.

			2.Distracted
			 driving prevention
			(a)In
			 GeneralChapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
			 adding at the end the following:

					413.Distracted
				driving prevention
						(a)Withholding of
				funds for States without distracted driving laws
							(1)Fiscal year
				2016On October 1, 2015, the
				Secretary shall withhold 1 percent of the amount required to be apportioned to
				a State under each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 104(b) for fiscal year
				2016 if the State has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that meets the
				requirements of subsections (b) and (c).
							(2)Fiscal year
				2017On October 1, 2016, the
				Secretary shall withhold 3 percent of the amount required to be apportioned to
				a State under each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 104(b) for fiscal year
				2017 if the State has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that meets the
				requirements of subsections (b) and (c).
							(3)Fiscal year 2018
				and thereafterOn October 1,
				2017, and on October 1 of each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall
				withhold 5 percent of the amount required to be apportioned to a State under
				each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 104(b) for the applicable fiscal year
				if the State has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that meets the
				requirements of subsections (b) and (c).
							(b)Prohibition on
				Texting While DrivingA State law meets the requirements of this
				subsection if the law—
							(1)prohibits the use
				of a personal wireless communications device by a driver for texting while
				driving;
							(2)makes violation of
				the law a primary offense;
							(3)establishes—
								(A)a minimum fine for
				a first violation of the law; and
								(B)increased fines
				for repeat violations; and
								(4)provides increased
				civil and criminal penalties, as compared to those that would otherwise apply,
				if a vehicle accident is caused by a driver who is using such a device in
				violation of the law.
							(c)Prohibition on
				Handheld Cell Phone Use While DrivingA State law meets the
				requirements of this subsection if the law—
							(1)prohibits a driver
				from holding a personal wireless communications device to conduct a telephone
				call while driving;
							(2)allows the use of
				a hands-free device by a driver, other than a driver who has not attained the
				age of 18 years, for initiating, conducting, or receiving a telephone
				call;
							(3)makes violation of
				the law a primary offense;
							(4)requires
				distracted driving issues to be tested as part of the driver’s license
				examination of the State;
							(5)establishes—
								(A)a minimum fine for
				a first violation of the law; and
								(B)increased fines
				for repeat violations; and
								(6)provides increased civil and criminal
				penalties, as compared to those that would otherwise apply, if a vehicle
				accident is caused by a driver who is using a personal wireless communications
				device in violation of the law.
							(d)Permitted
				ExceptionsA State law meets the requirements of subsections (b)
				and (c) without regard to whether the law provides exceptions for—
							(1)use of a personal
				wireless communications device by a driver to contact emergency
				services;
							(2)manipulation of a
				personal wireless communications device by a driver to activate, deactivate, or
				initialize the hands-free functionality of the device; and
							(3)use of a personal
				wireless communications device by emergency services personnel while operating
				an emergency services vehicle and engaged in the performance of the duties of
				emergency services personnel.
							(e)Period of
				availability of withheld funds; effect of compliance and noncompliance
							(1)Period of
				availability of withheld fundsAny funds withheld under
				subsection (a) from apportionment to a State shall remain available for
				apportionment to the State until the end of the third fiscal year following the
				fiscal year for which the funds are authorized to be appropriated.
							(2)Apportionment of
				withheld funds after complianceIf, before the last day of the period for
				which funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment are to remain
				available for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State enacts
				and begins enforcement of a law that meets the requirements of subsections (b)
				and (c), the Secretary shall, on the first day on which the State has enacted
				and begins enforcement of such a law, apportion to the State the funds withheld
				under subsection (a) that remain available for apportionment to the
				State.
							(3)Period of
				availability of subsequently apportioned fundsAny funds apportioned pursuant to paragraph
				(2)—
								(A)shall remain available for expenditure
				until the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the
				funds are so apportioned; and
								(B)if not apportioned at the end of that
				period, shall lapse.
								(4)Effect of
				noncomplianceIf, at the end
				of the period for which funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment
				are available for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State has
				not enacted or has not begun enforcement of a law that meets the requirements
				of subsections (b) and (c), the funds shall lapse.
							(f)DefinitionsIn
				this section, the following definitions apply:
							(1)DrivingThe
				term driving means operating a motor vehicle on a public road,
				including operation while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic
				light, a stop sign, or another reason. The term does not include operating a
				motor vehicle when the vehicle has pulled over to the side of, or off, an
				active roadway and has stopped in a location where it can safely remain
				stationary.
							(2)Hands-free
				deviceThe term hands-free device means a device
				that allows a driver to use a personal wireless communications device to
				initiate, conduct, or receive a telephone call without holding the personal
				wireless communications device.
							(3)Personal
				wireless communications deviceThe term personal wireless
				communications device means a device through which personal wireless
				services (as defined in section 332(c)(7)(C)(i) of the
				Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
				332(c)(7)(C)(i))) are transmitted. The term does not include a global
				navigation satellite system receiver used for positioning, emergency
				notification, or navigation purposes.
							(4)Primary
				offenseThe term primary offense means an offense
				for which a law enforcement officer may stop a vehicle solely for the purpose
				of issuing a citation in the absence of evidence of another offense.
							(5)Public
				roadThe term public road has the meaning given that
				term in section 402(c).
							(6)TextingThe
				term texting means reading from or manually entering data into a
				personal wireless communications device, including doing so for the purpose of
				SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, or engaging in any other form of
				electronic data retrieval or electronic data
				communication.
							.
			(b)Clerical
			 AmendmentThe analysis for chapter 4 of title 23, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

						413. Distracted driving
				prevention.

					.
			3.Research
			 program
			(a)In
			 GeneralNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a research program to
			 study distracted driving by passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.
			(b)ScopeThe
			 program shall include studies of—
				(1)driver
			 behavior;
				(2)vehicle
			 technology; and
				(3)portable
			 electronic devices that are commonly brought into passenger or commercial
			 vehicles.
				(c)Research
			 Agreements
				(1)In
			 generalIn carrying out this section the Secretary may grant
			 research contracts to non-governmental entities to study distracted
			 driving.
				(2)LimitationsThe
			 Secretary may not grant a research contract under this section to any person
			 that produces or sells—
					(A)electronic
			 equipment that is used in vehicles;
					(B)portable
			 electronic equipment commonly brought into passenger or commercial vehicles;
			 or
					(C)passenger or
			 commercial vehicles.
					(d)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of
			 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
			 Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce
			 of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the
			 research program under this section.
			4.FCC report on
			 distracted driving technologyNot later than 180 days after the date of
			 enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall submit to
			 the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
			 Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that
			 identifies—
			(1)data the
			 Commission can collect and analyze that will assist in understanding and
			 reducing the problem of distracted driving involving the use of personal
			 wireless communications devices;
			(2)existing and
			 developing wireless communications technology that may be used to reduce
			 problems associated with distracted driving; and
			(3)existing authority
			 that the Commission may use to assist in reducing those problems.