115 S296 IS: Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act
U.S. Senate
2017-02-02
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.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 296IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 2, 2017Mr. Sullivan (for himself, Mr. Daines, and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo establish a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act. 2.EstablishmentThere is established a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals (in this Act referred to as the Commission).
		3.Membership
 (a)CompositionThe Commission shall be composed of 5 members who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
 (b)AppointmentThe members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
 (c)VacancyAny vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (d)ChairThe Commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from among its members.
 (e)QuorumThree members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 4.DutiesThe Commission shall—
 (1)study the present division of the United States courts of appeals, with particular references to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and
 (2)submit to the President and Congress a report on the recommendations of the Commission with respect to changes in circuit boundaries or structure as may be appropriate for the expeditious and effective disposition of the caseload of the United States courts of appeals, consistent with fundamental concepts of fairness and due process.
			5.Commission personnel matters
 (a)Compensation of membersEach member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to $300 for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States.
 (b)Travel expensesEach member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates not greater than those described in section 456 of title 28, United States Code.
			6.Staff
 (a)Executive directorThe Commission may appoint an Executive Director who shall be compensated at a rate not greater than the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for a position at GS–15 of the General Schedule for each day (including travel time) during which the Executive Director is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission.
 (b)StaffThe Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of such additional personnel as the Executive Director determines necessary, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that a rate of pay fixed under this subsection may not exceed the annual maximum rate of basic pay for a position above GS–15 of the General Schedule under section 5108 of title 5, United States Code.
 (c)Experts and consultantsThe Executive Director may procure by contract the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that are not greater than the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for a comparable position paid under the General Schedule.
 (d)ServicesThe Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall provide administrative services, including financial and budgeting services, to the Commission on a reimbursable basis. The Federal Judicial Center shall provide necessary research services to the Commission on a reimbursable basis.
 7.InformationThe Commission may request from any department, agency, or independent instrumentality of the United States any information and assistance the Commission determines necessary to carry out its functions under this Act. Each such department, agency, and independent instrumentality may provide such information and assistance to the extent permitted by law when requested by the chair of the Commission.
		8.Study and report
 (a)StudyNot later than 300 days after the first date on which a quorum of the Commission is present, the Commission shall conclude a study on the issues described in section 4(1).
 (b)ReportNot later than 60 days after the date by which the Commission is required to conclude the study under subsection (a), the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress the report required under section 4(2).
 9.TerminationThe Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits the report described in section 8(b).
 10.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary, not to exceed $1,000,000, to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended.


117 HR 3962 IH: Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-06-17
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. 3962IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 17, 2021Ms. Dean (for herself, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Norcross, Mrs. Kim of California, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Kustoff, Mrs. Axne, Mr. García of Illinois, Mr. Perlmutter, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Good of Virginia, Mr. Gooden of Texas, Mr. Swalwell, Ms. Velázquez, Ms. Herrera Beutler, Mr. Banks, Mr. Budd, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Mooney, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Barr, Mr. Steil, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio, Mr. Reschenthaler, Ms. Slotkin, Ms. Wexton, and Mr. Guest) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 concernedA BILLTo authorize notaries public to perform, and to establish minimum standards for, electronic notarizations and remote notarizations that occur in or affect interstate commerce, to require any Federal court to recognize notarizations performed by a notarial officer of any State, to require any State to recognize notarizations performed by a notarial officer of any other State when the notarization was performed under or relates to a public Act, record, or judicial proceeding of the notarial officer’s State or when the notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2021.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Communication technologyThe term communication technology, with respect to a notarization, means an electronic device or process that allows the notary public performing the notarization and a remotely located individual to communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound during the notarization.(2)Electronic; electronic record; electronic signature; information; person; recordThe terms electronic, electronic record, electronic signature, information, person, and record have the meanings given those terms in section 106 of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7006).(3)LawThe term law includes any statute, regulation, rule, or rule of law.(4)Notarial officerThe term notarial officer means—(A)a notary public; or(B)any other individual authorized to perform a notarization under the laws of a State without a commission or appointment as a notary public.(5)Notarial officer’s State; notary public’s StateThe term notarial officer’s State or notary public’s State means the State in which a notarial officer, or a notary public, as applicable, is authorized to perform a notarization.(6)NotarizationThe term notarization—(A)means any act that a notarial officer may perform under—(i)Federal law, including this Act; or(ii)the laws of the notarial officer's State; and(B)includes any act described in subparagraph (A) and performed by a notarial officer—(i)with respect to—(I)a tangible record; or(II)an electronic record; and(ii)for—(I)an individual in the physical presence of the notarial officer; or(II)a remotely located individual.(7)Notary publicThe term notary public means an individual commissioned or appointed as a notary public to perform a notarization under the laws of a State.(8)Personal knowledgeThe term personal knowledge, with respect to the identity of an individual, means knowledge of the identity of the individual through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty that the individual has the identity claimed.(9)Remotely located individualThe term remotely located individual, with respect to a notarization, means an individual who is not in the physical presence of the notarial officer performing the notarization.(10)RequirementThe term requirement includes a duty, a standard of care, and a prohibition.(11)SignatureThe term signature means—(A)an electronic signature; or(B)a tangible symbol executed or adopted by a person and evidencing the present intent to authenticate or adopt a record.(12)SimultaneouslyThe term simultaneously, with respect to a communication between parties—(A)means that each party communicates substantially simultaneously and without unreasonable interruption or disconnection; and(B)includes any reasonably short delay that is inherent in, or common with respect to, the method used for the communication.(13)StateThe term State—(A)means—(i)any State of the United States;(ii)the District of Columbia;(iii)the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;(iv)any territory or possession of the United States; and(v)any federally recognized Indian Tribe; and(B)includes any executive, legislative, or judicial agency, court, department, board, office, clerk, recorder, register, registrar, commission, authority, institution, instrumentality, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of an entity described in any of clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A).3.Authorization to perform and minimum standards for electronic notarization(a)AuthorizationUnless prohibited under section 10, and subject to subsection (b), a notary public may perform a notarization that occurs in or affects interstate commerce with respect to an electronic record.(b)Requirements of electronic notarizationIf a notary public performs a notarization under subsection (a), the following requirements shall apply with respect to the notarization:(1)The electronic signature of the notary public, and all other information required to be included under other applicable law, shall be attached to or logically associated with the electronic record.(2)The electronic signature and other information described in paragraph (1) shall be bound to the electronic record in a manner that renders any subsequent change or modification to the electronic record evident.4.Authorization to perform and minimum standards for remote notarization(a)AuthorizationUnless prohibited under section 10, and subject to subsection (b), a notary public may perform a notarization that occurs in or affects interstate commerce for a remotely located individual.(b)Requirements of remote notarizationIf a notary public performs a notarization under subsection (a), the following requirements shall apply with respect to the notarization:(1)The remotely located individual shall appear personally before the notary public at the time of the notarization by using communication technology.(2)The notary public shall—(A)reasonably identify the remotely located individual—(i)through personal knowledge of the identity of the remotely located individual; or(ii)by obtaining satisfactory evidence of the identity of the remotely located individual by—(I)using not fewer than 2 distinct types of processes or services through which a third person provides a means to verify the identity of the remotely located individual through a review of public or private data sources; or(II)oath or affirmation of a credible witness who—(aa)(AA)is in the physical presence of the notary public or the remotely located individual; or(BB)appears personally before the notary public and the remotely located individual by using communication technology;(bb)has personal knowledge of the identity of the remotely located individual; and(cc)has been identified by the notary public under clause (i) or subclause (I) of this clause;(B)either directly or through an agent—(i)create an audio and visual recording of the performance of the notarization; and(ii)notwithstanding any resignation from, or revocation, suspension, or termination of, the notary public’s commission or appointment, retain the recording created under clause (i) as a notarial record—(I)for a period of not less than—(aa)if an applicable law of the notary public’s State specifies a period of retention, the greater of— (AA)that specified period; or (BB)5 years after the date on which the recording is created; or(bb)if no applicable law of the notary public’s State specifies a period of retention, 10 years after the date on which the recording is created; and(II)if any applicable law of the notary public’s State govern the content, manner or place of retention, security, use, effect, or disclosure of such recording or any information contained in the recording, in accordance with those laws; and(C)if the notarization is performed with respect to a tangible or electronic record, take reasonable steps to confirm that the record before the notary public is the same record with respect to which the remotely located individual made a statement or on which the individual executed a signature.(3)If a guardian, conservator, executor, personal representative, administrator, or similar fiduciary or successor is appointed for or on behalf of a notary public or a deceased notary public under applicable law, that person shall retain the recording under paragraph (2)(B)(ii), unless—(A)another person is obligated to retain the recording under applicable law of the notary public’s State; or(B)(i)under applicable law of the notary public’s State, that person may transmit the recording to an office, archive, or repository approved or designated by the State; and(ii)that person transmits the recording to the office, archive, or repository described in clause (i) in accordance with applicable law of the notary public’s State.(4)If the remotely located individual is physically located outside the geographic boundaries of a State, or is otherwise physically located in a location that is not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, at the time of the notarization—(A)the record shall—(i)be intended for filing with, or relate to a matter before, a court, governmental entity, public official, or other entity that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or(ii)involve property located in the territorial jurisdiction of the United States or a transaction substantially connected to the United States; and(B)the act of making the statement or signing the record may not be prohibited by a law of the jurisdiction in which the individual is physically located.(c)Personal appearance satisfiedIf a State or Federal law requires an individual to appear personally before or be in the physical presence of a notary public at the time of a notarization, that requirement shall be considered to be satisfied if—(1)the individual—(A)is a remotely located individual; and(B)appears personally before the notary public at the time of the notarization by using communication technology; and(2)(A)the notarization was performed under or relates to a public act, record, or judicial proceeding of the notary public’s State; or(B)the notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.5.Recognition of notarizations in Federal court(a)Recognition of validityEach court of the United States shall recognize as valid under the State or Federal law applicable in a judicial proceeding before the court any notarization performed by a notarial officer of any State if the notarization is valid under the laws of the notarial officer’s State or under this Act.(b)Legal effect of recognized notarizationA notarization recognized under subsection (a) shall have the same effect under the State or Federal law applicable in the applicable judicial proceeding as if that notarization was validly performed—(1)(A)by a notarial officer of the State, the law of which is applicable in the proceeding; or(B)under this Act or other Federal law; and(2)without regard to whether the notarization was performed—(A)with respect to—(i)a tangible record; or(ii)an electronic record; or(B)for—(i)an individual in the physical presence of the notarial officer; or(ii)a remotely located individual.(c)Presumption of genuinenessIn a determination of the validity of a notarization for the purposes of subsection (a), the signature and title of an individual performing the notarization shall be prima facie evidence in any court of the United States that the signature of the individual is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title.(d)Conclusive evidence of authorityIn a determination of the validity of a notarization for the purposes of subsection (a), the signature and title of the following notarial officers of a State shall conclusively establish the authority of the officer to perform the notarization:(1)A notary public of that State.(2)A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of a court of that State.6.Recognition by state of notarizations performed under authority of another State(a)Recognition of validityEach State shall recognize as valid under the laws of that State any notarization performed by a notarial officer of any other State if—(1)the notarization is valid under the laws of the notarial officer’s State or under this Act; and(2)(A)the notarization was performed under or relates to a public act, record, or judicial proceeding of the notarial officer’s State; or(B)the notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.(b)Legal effect of recognized notarizationA notarization recognized under subsection (a) shall have the same effect under the laws of the recognizing State as if that notarization was validly performed by a notarial officer of the recognizing State, without regard to whether the notarization was performed—(1)with respect to—(A)a tangible record; or(B)an electronic record; or(2)for—(A)an individual in the physical presence of the notarial officer; or(B)a remotely located individual.(c)Presumption of genuinenessIn a determination of the validity of a notarization for the purposes of subsection (a), the signature and title of an individual performing a notarization shall be prima facie evidence in any State court or judicial proceeding that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title.(d)Conclusive evidence of authorityIn a determination of the validity of a notarization for the purposes of subsection (a), the signature and title of the following notarial officers of a State conclusively establish the authority of the officer to perform the notarization:(1)A notary public of that State.(2)A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of a court of that State.7.Electronic and remote notarization not requiredNothing in this Act may be construed to require a notary public to perform a notarization—(1)with respect to an electronic record;(2)for a remotely located individual; or(3)using a technology that the notary public has not selected.8.Validity of notarizations; rights of aggrieved persons not affected; State laws on the practice of law not affected(a)Validity not affectedThe failure of a notary public to meet a requirement under section 3 or 4 in the performance of a notarization, or the failure of a notarization to conform to a requirement under section 3 or 4, shall not invalidate or impair the recognition of the notarization.(b)Rights of aggrieved personsThe validity and recognition of a notarization under this Act may not be construed to prevent an aggrieved person from seeking to invalidate a record or transaction that is the subject of a notarization or from seeking other remedies based on State or Federal law other than this Act for any reason not specified in this Act, including on the basis—(1)that a person did not, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record, execute a signature on the record;(2)that an individual was incompetent, lacked authority or capacity to authenticate or adopt a record, or did not knowingly and voluntarily authenticate or adopt a record; or(3)of fraud, forgery, mistake, misrepresentation, impersonation, duress, undue influence, or other invalidating cause.(c)Rule of constructionNothing in this Act may be construed to affect a State law governing, authorizing, or prohibiting the practice of law.9.Exception to preemption(a)In generalA State law may modify, limit, or supersede the provisions of section 3, or subsections (a) or (b) of section 4, with respect to State law only if that State law—(1)either—(A)constitutes an enactment or adoption of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, as approved and recommended for enactment in all the States by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2018, except that a modification to such Law enacted or adopted by a State shall be preempted to the extent such modification—(i)is inconsistent with a provision of section 3 or subsections (a) or (b) of section 4, as applicable; or(ii)would not be permitted under subparagraph (B); or(B)specifies additional or alternative procedures or requirements for the performance of notarizations with respect to electronic records or for remotely located individuals, if those additional or alternative procedures or requirements—(i)are consistent with section 3 and subsections (a) and (b) of section 4; and(ii)do not accord greater legal effect to the implementation or application of a specific technology or technical specification for performing those notarizations; and(2)requires the retention of an audio and visual recording of the performance of a notarization for a remotely located individual for a period of not less than 5 years after the recording is created.(b)Rule of constructionNothing in section 5 or 6 may be construed to preclude the recognition of a notarization under applicable State law, regardless of whether such State law is consistent with section 5 or 6.10.Standard of care; special notarial commissions(a)State standards of care; authority of State regulatory officialsNothing in this Act may be construed to prevent a State, or a notarial regulatory official of a State, from—(1)adopting a requirement in this Act as a duty or standard of care under the laws of that State or sanctioning a notary public for breach of such a duty or standard of care;(2)establishing requirements and qualifications for, or denying, refusing to renew, revoking, suspending, or imposing a condition on, a commission or appointment as a notary public;(3)creating or designating a class or type of commission or appointment, or requiring an endorsement or other authorization to be received by a notary public, as a condition on the authority to perform notarizations with respect to electronic records or for remotely located individuals; or(4)prohibiting a notary public from performing a notarization under section 3 or 4 as a sanction for a breach of duty or standard of care or for official misconduct.(b)Special commissions or authorizations created by a State; sanction for breach or official misconductA notary public may not perform a notarization under section 3 or 4 if—(1)(A)the notary public’s State has enacted a law that creates or designates a class or type of commission or appointment, or requires an endorsement or other authorization to be received by a notary public, as a condition on the authority to perform notarizations with respect to electronic records or for remotely located individuals; and(B)the commission or appointment of the notary public is not of the class or type or the notary public has not received the endorsement or other authorization; or(2)the notarial regulatory official of the notary public’s State has prohibited the notary public from performing the notarization as a sanction for a breach of duty or standard of care or for official misconduct.11.SeverabilityIf any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the application of the provisions thereof to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by that holding.


114 S968 IS: Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2015
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 968IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 16, 2015Mrs. Gillibrand (for herself and Mr. Cassidy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo require the Commissioner of Social Security to revise the medical and evaluation criteria for
			 determining disability in a person diagnosed with Huntington's Disease and
			 to waive the 24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility for
			 individuals disabled by Huntington's Disease.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2015.
 2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
 (1)Huntington's Disease is a progressive degenerative neurological disease that causes total physical and mental deterioration. In the United States, approximately 30,000 individuals are affected by Huntington's Disease, along with another 200,000 individuals who are genetically at risk. There is no effective treatment in terms of halting or slowing the progression of the disease.
 (2)Clinical indicators of Huntington's Disease include—
 (A)loss of ability to control bodily movements;
 (B)loss of ability to think or act quickly, inability to learn new material, and loss of memory; and
 (C)behavioral or psychological problems, including personality changes, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior, inability to concentrate, decreased motivation, and severe depression.
 (3)Adult-onset Huntington's Disease typically results in the development of symptoms in individuals between 30 and 50 years of age. Late-onset Huntington's Disease is characterized by development of symptoms after 50 years of age and is usually associated with a milder course of the disease. Juvenile Huntington's Disease affects individuals who have yet to attain 19 years of age and progresses at a more rapid rate.
 (4)Because of the incapacitating nature of Huntington’s Disease, individuals living with this illness, including those in the early stages of the disease, are unable to retain employment. As a result, many such individuals rely solely on Social Security Disability Insurance.
 (5)Despite significant advances in medicine and a greater understanding of Huntington's Disease, the Social Security Administration has not comprehensively revised its rules for the medical evaluation of neurological disabilities since 1985. The designation of this disease by the Social Security Administration as Huntington's Chorea is both outdated and medically inaccurate, as this term fails to recognize the behavioral and cognitive impact of Huntington's Disease, while also providing an incomplete characterization of the full spectrum of Huntington's Disease for purposes of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Medicare program.
 (6)After qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance, individuals with Huntington's Disease must wait another 24 months before receiving benefits under the Medicare program, despite the fact that such individuals often become incapacitated before reaching the age-eligibility requirement under the Medicare program of 65 years of age.
 (7)In 2000, the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services waived the 24-month waiting period requirement for people disabled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative neurological condition that is similar to Huntington’s Disease.
 (8)In light of the outdated Social Security Disability Insurance guidelines for Huntington's Disease and the significant cognitive, behavioral, and physical incapacitation faced by individuals with this disease, there is an urgent need for a revision of the medical and evaluation criteria used by the Social Security Administration in determining whether such individuals are disabled, as well as removal of the 24-month waiting period for coverage under the Medicare program for such individuals, similar to the existing exemption for individuals who have been diagnosed with ALS.
			3.Revision of
			 medical and evaluation criteria for evaluating disability caused by
			 adult-onset
			 and juvenile Huntington’s Disease
			(a)In
 GeneralFor purposes of determinations of cognitive, behavioral, and physical disability under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, the Commissioner of Social Security, in consultation with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institutes of Health, and other relevant organizations with medical expertise relating to Adult-Onset and Juvenile Huntington's Disease, shall, not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act—
 (1)amend section 11.00 of part A of the Listing of Impairments (relating to neurological impairments of adults) by—
 (A)providing medical and evaluation criteria for Huntington's Disease; and
 (B)striking Huntington's Chorea each place it appears;
 (2)amend section 12.00 of part A of the Listing of Impairments (relating to mental disorders of adults) by providing medical and evaluation criteria for Huntington's Disease;
 (3)amend section 111.00 of part B of the Listing of Impairments (relating to neurological impairments of children) by providing medical and evaluation criteria for Juvenile Huntington's Disease; and
 (4)amend section 112.00 of part B of the Listing of Impairments (relating to mental disorders of children) by providing medical and evaluation criteria for Juvenile Huntington's Disease.
				(b)Listing of
 ImpairmentsFor purposes of this section, the term Listing of Impairments means appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations.
			4.Waiver of
			 24-month waiting period for coverage under Medicare program for
			 individuals
			 diagnosed with Huntington's Disease
			(a)In
 GeneralSection 226(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 426(h)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting or Huntington’s Disease (HD) after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
			(b)Effective
 DateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to items and services furnished in months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 SRES 449 ATS: Congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the United States for making ongoing contributions to education, and supporting the ideals and goals of the 17th annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 1 through May 7, 2016.
U.S. Senate
2016-04-28
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.

III114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 449IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 28, 2016Mr. Alexander (for himself, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Burr, Mr. Cruz, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Boozman, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Hatch, Mr. McCain, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Scott, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Booker, Mr. Carper, Mr. Coons, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Perdue, and Mr. Wicker) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed toRESOLUTIONCongratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the United
			 States for making ongoing contributions to education, and supporting the
			 ideals and goals of the 17th annual National Charter Schools Week, to be
			 held May 1 through May 7, 2016.

 Whereas charter schools are public schools that do not charge tuition and enroll any student who wants to attend, often through a random lottery when the demand for enrollment is outmatched by the supply of available charter school seats;
 Whereas high-performing public charter schools deliver a high-quality public education and challenge all students to reach the students’ potential for academic success;
 Whereas public charter schools promote innovation and excellence in public education; Whereas public charter schools throughout the United States provide millions of families with diverse and innovative educational options for children of the families;
 Whereas high-performing public charter schools and charter management organizations are increasing student achievement and attendance rates at institutions of higher education;
 Whereas public charter schools are authorized by a designated entity and— (1)respond to the needs of communities, families, and students in the United States; and
 (2)promote the principles of quality, accountability, choice, high-performance, and innovation; Whereas, in exchange for flexibility and autonomy, public charter schools are held accountable by the authorizers of the charter schools for improving student achievement and for sound financial and operational management;
 Whereas public charter schools are required to meet the student achievement accountability requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) in the same manner as traditional public schools;
 Whereas public charter schools often set higher expectations for students, beyond the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), to ensure that the charter schools are of high quality and truly accountable to the public;
 Whereas 43 States and the District of Columbia have enacted laws authorizing public charter schools;
 Whereas, as of the 2015–2016 school year, more than 6,800 public charter schools served more than 2,900,000 children;
 Whereas enrollment in public charter schools grew from 400,000 students in 2001 to 2,900,000 students in 2016, a sixfold increase in 15 years;
 Whereas in the United States— (1)in 160 school districts, more than 10 percent of public school students are enrolled in public charter schools; and
 (2)in 14 school districts, at least 30 percent of public school students are enrolled in public charter schools;
 Whereas public charter schools improve the achievement of students enrolled in the charter schools and collaborate with traditional public schools to improve public education for all students;
 Whereas public charter schools— (1)give parents the freedom to choose public schools;
 (2)routinely measure parental satisfaction levels; and (3)must prove the ongoing success of the charter schools to parents, policymakers, and the communities served by the charter schools or risk closure;
 Whereas a 2015 report from the Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University found significant improvements for students at urban charter schools, and compared to peers of traditional public schools, each year those students completed the equivalent of 28 more days of learning in reading and 40 more days of learning in math;
 Whereas parental demand for charter schools is high, and there was an estimated 9 percent growth in charter school enrollment between fall 2014 and fall 2105; and
 Whereas the 17th annual National Charter Schools Week is scheduled to be celebrated the week of May 1 through May 7, 2016: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)congratulates the students, families, teachers, leaders, and staff of public charter schools across the United States for—
 (A)making ongoing contributions to public education; (B)making impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in schools in the United States, particularly in schools with some of the most disadvantaged students in both rural and urban communities; and
 (C)improving and strengthening the public school system throughout the United States; (2)supports the ideals and goals of the 17th annual National Charter Schools Week, a week-long celebration to be held May 1 through May 7, 2016, in communities throughout the United States; and
 (3)encourages the people of the United States to hold appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities during National Charter Schools Week to demonstrate support for public charter schools.