zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Quality Data, Quality Healthcare Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the use of certain data by qualified public or private entities to evaluate the performance of service providers and suppliers under Medicare insurance programs.

Authorizes a qualified entity to: (1) use Medicare data, and information derived from service provider and supplier performance evaluations, for additional non-public analyses; or (2) provide or sell such data and analyses to specified health care-related entities for non-public use (including for purposes of assisting service providers and suppliers to develop and participate in quality and patient care improvement activities, particularly development of new models of care).

Conditions such authorization upon a data use agreement between a qualified entity and a specified health care-related entity under which the latter: (1) may not re-sell such data or analyses, and (2) shall comply with the qualified entity's privacy and security policies in using such data or analyses.

Prescribes a civil money penalty for unauthorized use of data and analyses.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide Medicare claims data to qualified clinical data registries for purposes of linking it with clinical outcomes data and performing and disseminating risk-adjusted, scientifically valid research to support quality improvement.

Prohibits a qualified clinical data registry from reporting publicly any claims data thus made available that individually identifies a service provider or supplier without prior consent.

Date: 2015-03-09
Topic: Health (Medical Liability)
Subject: Health
Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures Act of 2015 or the PRIME Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to cover the costs of equipment, salaries and benefits, and travel and training in appropriations for the Medicaid Integrity Program. Allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services staff whose duties consist solely of protecting the integrity of the Medicare program under SSAct title XVIII by a number determined necessary to carry out the Program (currently, by 100).

(Sec. 3) Directs HHS to provide incentives for Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) to reduce the improper payment error rates in their jurisdictions.

Authorizes among such incentives:

 a sliding scale of award fee payments and additional incentives to MACs that either reduce the improper payment rates in their jurisdictions to certain HHS-determined thresholds or accomplish tasks that further improve payment accuracy; and substantial reductions in award fee payments under cost-plus-award-fee contracts for MACs that reach an upper end improper payment rate threshold or fail to accomplish tasks that further improve payment accuracy. (Sec. 4) Requires imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $500,000 ($1 million in the case of a corporation), or both, for without lawful authority knowingly and willfully purchasing, selling, distributing, or arranging for the purchase, sale, or distribution of a beneficiary identification number or unique health identifier for a health care provider under SSAct titles XVIII, XIX, or XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP).

(Sec. 5) Directs HHS to establish a plan to encourage and facilitate the participation of states in the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program (Medi-Medi Program). Revises Medi-Medi Data Match Program purposes.

Directs HHS to develop and implement a plan that allows state agencies responsible for administering a state Medicaid plan access to relevant data on improper or fraudulent payments made under the Medicare program for health care items or services provided to dual eligible individuals (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid).

Date: 2015-03-25
Topic: Health (Medical Liability)
Subject: Health
Blue Collar Computing and Business Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Under Secretary of Technology of the Department of Commerce to award grants to eligible entities (any nonprofit, consortium of nonprofits, or partnership between a for-profit and a nonprofit) to establish up to five Advanced Multidisciplinary Computing Software Centers throughout the United States. Requires each Center to conduct: (1) general outreach to small businesses and manufacturers in all industry sectors within the geographic region assigned to the Center by the Under Secretary; and (2) technology transfer, development, and utilization programs for businesses throughout the United States in the specific industry sector assigned to the Center by the Under Secretary.

Date: 2007-08-04
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Satellite and Cable Access Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law and the Communications Act of 1934 to allow certain counties and areas to receive broadcast transmissions of network television stations located in the capital of the state in which such counties and areas are located.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Four Corners Television Access Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law and the Communications Act of 1934 to allow certain counties and areas to receive broadcast transmissions of network television stations located in the capital of the state in which such counties and areas are located. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a satellite carrier, cable system, or translator station that elects to provide secondary transmission only to subscribers in the state who otherwise would not receive the primary transmission because the subscribers are in a designated market area outside of that state if: (1) the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determines that it is in the best interest of the public welfare; and (2) the satellite carrier, cable system, or translator station agrees to also provide the secondary transmission in the assigned designated market area.

Date: 2007-03-05
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
AmericaView Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to: (1) establish and maintain a nationwide AmericaView Program to advance the availability, distribution, and use of remote sensing data (information acquired from above the surface of the Earth by satellite or airplane) and technology in each state; (2) maintain AmericaView (the national nonprofit collaboration of StateView participants cooperating with the EROS Data Center to achieve the purposes of the AmericaView Program) in each state to develop publicly accessible remote sensing data archive and distribution infrastructure and expand remote sensing education, research, and knowledge; (3) award annual grants to sustain and develop StateView programs (the AmericaView programs of an individual states, comprised of educational institutions and state and local governments); and (4) maintain an advisory committee to advise the USGS Director about the AmericaView Program.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009 - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of identifying and coordinating international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals. Requires the committee to be co-chaired by senior level officials from OSTP and the Department of State. Requires the committee to: (1) plan and coordinate interagency international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships supported or managed by federal agencies; (2) establish federal priorities and policies for aligning such international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships with the foreign policy goals of the United States; (3) identify opportunities for new international science and technology cooperative research and training partnerships that advance science and technology and U.S. foreign policy priorities; (4) solicit recommendations from non-federal science and technology stakeholders; (5) work with international science and technology counterparts to establish and maintain partnerships; and (6) address broad issues that influence the ability of U.S. scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign counterparts. Requires the Director of OSTP to report annually to Congress on: (1) the priorities and policies established under this Act; (2) the ongoing and new partnerships identified in the previous year; and (3) how stakeholder input was received.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Four Corners Television Access Act of 2009 - Amends federal copyright law and the Communications Act of 1934 to allow satellite or cable retransmission of signals of broadcast television stations located in the capital of a state to counties in that state if the counties meet specified criteria.

Date: 2009-04-01
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to reduce the matching funds requirement for participants in the Hollings Manufacturing Partnership Program from not less than 50% of the costs incurred for the first three years and an increasing share for each of the last three years to 50% of the costs incurred or such lesser percentage as determined by the Secretary, by rule, and authorized by law.

Date: 2009-03-25
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Commerce
International Cybercrime Reporting and Cooperation Act - Directs the President to report annually to Congress regarding: (1) foreign countries use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in critical infrastructure, cybercrime based in each country, the adequacy of each countrys legal and law enforcement systems addressing cybercrime, and online protection of consumers and commerce; (2) multilateral efforts to prevent and investigate cybercrime, including U.S. actions to promote such multilateral efforts; and (3) countries for which action plans have been developed. Directs the President to give priority for assistance to improve legal, judicial, and enforcement capabilities with respect to cybercrime to countries with low ICT levels of development or utilization in their critical infrastructure, telecommunications systems, and financial industries. Directs the President to develop an action plan (with legislative, institutional, or enforcement benchmarks) and annual compliance assessment for each country determined to be a country of cyber concern: (1) from which there is a pattern of cybercrime incidents against the U.S. government, private U.S. entities, or other U.S. persons; and (2) whose government is uncooperative with efforts to combat cybercrime. Urges the President to take restrictive actions against a country that has not complied with the appropriate benchmarks with respect to: (1) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC); (2) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (3) multilateral development financing; (4) the Trade and Development Agency; (5) preferential trade programs; and (6) foreign assistance. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements to develop an action plan or make a determination of cyber concern if in U.S. national interest. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) designate a high-level Department of State employee to coordinate anti-cybercrime activities; and (2) assign an employee to have primary responsibility for cybercrime policy in each country or region significant to U.S. anti-cybercrime efforts.

Date: 2010-03-23
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the tax credit for increasing research activities permanent.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities, and (2) increase the amount of such credit for taxpayers who earn more than 50% of their gross receipts from domestic production activities.

Date: 2011-04-01
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Taxation
Prohibits a U.S. commercial entity from transferring any proprietary technology or intellectual property researched, developed, or commercialized with federal financial assistance to an entity: (1) owned or controlled by the government of a country which requires any U.S. commercial entity to transfer proprietary technology or intellectual property as a condition of doing business, or (2) in which the citizens of such a country hold 5% interests of the capital structure of that entity. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to waive such prohibition if the transfer would not compromise U.S. economic interests or competitiveness.

Date: 2012-02-02
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
US-Israel Global Neuroscience Partnership Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to eligible entities for U.S.-Israel cooperative neuroscience research.

Establishes in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) an International Neuroscience-Related Research Advisory Board.

Terminates the grant program and the Advisory Board seven years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Date: 2014-04-10
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Health
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2014 - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a body under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of identifying and coordinating international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

Requires the body to be co-chaired by senior level officials from OSTP and the Department of State.

Requires the body to: (1) coordinate interagency international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships supported or managed by federal agencies, (2) establish federal priorities and policies for aligning such international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships with the foreign policy goals of the United States, (3) identify opportunities for new international science and technology cooperative research and training partnerships that advance science and technology and U.S. foreign policy priorities, (4) solicit recommendations from non-federal science and technology stakeholders, and (5) identify broad issues that influence the ability of U.S. scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign counterparts.

Requires the Director to report annually on the body's activities.

Date: 2014-07-08
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Authorizes the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation, created pursuant to the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade (now the Ministry of Economy), to facilitate research and development and technology partnerships among U.S. and Israeli researchers, and business and industrial entities for purposes of advancing technologies, leading to commercialization and domestic manufacturing, and creating benefits for both nations.

Instructs the Department of Commerce, through the Deputy Secretary's office and in conjunction with Israel's Ministry of Economy's Chief Scientist, to ensure that the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation maintains its role as the facilitator of the reauthorized 1994 Memorandum of Understanding to create and execute joint research and development agreements between Israel and U.S. entities, including U.S. federal agencies, states, cities, businesses, academic institutions, and scientific foundations.

Date: 2014-09-18
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2015 

 Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish or designate a working group under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of identifying and coordinating international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

Requires the working group to be co-chaired by officials from OSTP and the Department of State.

Requires the working group to: (1) coordinate interagency international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships supported or managed by federal agencies; (2) establish federal priorities and policies for aligning such international research, training, and partnerships with U.S. foreign policy goals; (3) identify opportunities for new international research and training partnerships that advance science and technology and U.S. foreign policy priorities; (4) solicit recommendations from non-federal science and technology stakeholders; and (5) identify broad issues that influence the ability of U.S. scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign counterparts.

Requires the Director to report every two years on the working group's activities.

Date: 2015-02-27
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
U.S.-Israel Global Neuroscience Partnership Act

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities for U.S.-Israel cooperative neuroscience research and related technological innovation.

The programs shall be carried out through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The bill establishes in NIH a U.S.-Israel Neuroscience Advisory Committee.

The grant program and the Committee are terminated seven years after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2015-10-08
Topic: Technology (Science Transfer)
Subject: Health
Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to redesignate the Office of Vocational and Adult Education of the Department of Education as the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to make conforming amendments.

Date: 2007-05-22
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 2007 - Renders the general terminating date (i.e., December 31, 2010) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 inapplicable to provisions of that Act that extended the exclusion of employer-provided educational assistance from the gross income of employees (thus making such tax exclusion permanent).

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Taxation
Community-Based Health Care Retraining Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require the Secretary of Labor to establish and carry out a health professions training demonstration project that awards grants to eligible entities to train certain unemployed workers from the manufacturing or service sector for employment as health care professionals in communities with manufacturing and service sector job loss and health care professional shortages.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Educating Entrepreneurs through Today's Technology Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to contract with qualified vendors for entrepreneurial training content, the development of communications technology that can distribute such content throughout the United States, and the establishment of a nationwide, online network for the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance. Directs the Administrator to ensure that the content developed is: (1) timely and relevant to entrepreneurial development and can be successfully communicated remotely to an audience through the use of technology; and (2) able to be distributed to small businesses, home-based businesses, small business development centers, women's business centers, veterans business centers, the SBA, and network entrepreneurs throughout the United States and its territories. Requires a report from the Administrator to Congress on SBA progress in implementing this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2009-03-31
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Commerce
Agriculture Education Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual any gain from the sale of any animal raised and sold by such individual as part of his or her participation in the 4-H program under the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture, the Future Farmers of America, any tax-exempt similar organization, or any program of a tax-exempt educational organization.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Taxation
Increases the amount of educational assistance provided to certain veterans for flight training from 60% to 75% of tuition and fees which similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the same flight course are required to pay.

Date: 2009-09-14
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Test Prep for Heroes Act - Authorizes the use of entitlement assistance under the Post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program for payment for a test preparatory course in connection with licensing or certification in a vocation or profession.

Date: 2009-10-28
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Public Private Vocational Partnership Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporations (other than S corporations, personal holding companies, and service organizations) a general business tax credit for: (1) charitable contributions to secondary schools, community colleges, or technical schools that provide vocational education; and (2) employing interns as part of a vocational education course approved by a secondary school or community college.

Date: 2009-12-09
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Taxation
Space to Schools Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to implement a program to encourage individuals who are former employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), its suppliers, or related contractors who have relevant work experience in the aerospace industry to pursue careers as elementary, secondary, or vocational school teachers. Sets forth educational background requirements for program participants. Requires program participants to enter into an agreement to: (1) obtain certification or licensing as an elementary, secondary, vocational, or technical school teacher, and to become a highly qualified teacher; and (2) accept an offer of full-time employment as an elementary, secondary, vocational, or technical school teacher for at least three school years and commit to teaching science, technology, engineering, or mathematics after obtaining such certification or licensing. Directs the Secretary to provide program participants with: (1) a stipend for use in obtaining certification or licensing; or (2) a larger bonus if they agree to perform their service in high-need schools. Requires the Secretary to establish an Advisory Board to oversee the program.

Date: 2010-04-21
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Youth Corps Act of 2010 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations to carry out Youth Corps programs that utilize the Youth Corps model to provide eligible youth age 16 through 24 with education and work readiness training to enable them to find employment in the economy of the 21st century, and instill in them a sense of civic engagement and environmental stewardship. Defines "Youth Corps model" as a youth education and training program for which an eligible entity provides eligible youth, among other things, with stipended or paid work experience and basic and technical skills training leading to: (1) enrollment in postsecondary education or training; (2) attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential; (3) meaningful employment in the economy of the 21st century; or (4) military service.

Date: 2010-05-25
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a clearinghouse of information on best practices for states and local governments to use in carrying out ocean lifeguard training programs, particularly on materials and tests involving rip current awareness and safety.

Date: 2010-08-10
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Promoting Innovations to 21st Century Careers Act - Authorizes the Director of the National Academic and Career Innovation Center to award certain planning, implementation, transitional, and supplemental grants to state pathways partnerships to carry out activities that will create and enhance educational and career pathways for high school students to postsecondary schools (including registered apprenticeship programs) and to 21st century careers, particularly in high skill, high demand industries. Requires the state partnerships to be appointed by state governors and include representatives from educational, business, labor, workforce, and economic development entities in their respective states. Establishes the National Academic and Career Innovation Center to: (1) support the efforts of the state partnerships and regional partnerships (which are to receive competitive implementation subgrants from state partnerships) to offer career pathways of proven effectiveness; (2) design and conduct performance evaluations of career pathways activities; and (3) administer, oversee, and evaluate all career pathways grants.

Date: 2009-07-29
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Veterinary Services Investment Act - Amends The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture carry out a grant program to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services and relieve veterinary shortage situations.

Date: 2009-09-24
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Animals
Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of Education deny Texas and its local educational agencies funds from the Education Jobs Fund until the state assures the Secretary that: (1) funds used to support elementary and secondary education shall be distributed based on LEAs' relative shares of school improvement funds for the most recent fiscal year for which data are available; (2) such funds will not be used to supplant state formula funding that is distributed like school improvement funds; and (3) state funding for elementary and secondary education, as a percentage of the state's total revenue, will not be reduced through FY2013.

Date: 2010-09-13
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Fairness for Texas Schools Act of 2010 - Allows the Secretary of Education to allocate funds from the Education Jobs Fund to entities in Texas other than the state government if the Secretary cannot provide such funds to the state government because of its failure to provide certain assurances regarding the distribution of such funds and the level of state support for elementary and secondary education.

Date: 2010-12-04
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of the use of educational assistance under certain programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for training costs associated with the purchase of a franchise enterprise. Prohibits the use of such assistance unless: (1) training is required and provided in connection with the purchase and operation of a franchise; and (2) such training, and the training entity, are approved by the Secretary. Provides training and entity approval requirements.

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Financial Literacy for Youth Act of 2011 or FLY Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program awarding grants to 10 state or local educational agencies (LEAs) to develop financial literacy programs in elementary and secondary schools. Requires grant funds to be used to: (1) integrate financial literacy programs into elementary and secondary school curricula; (2) provide financial literacy teacher training; and (3) collect, analyze, and develop the information necessary to accomplish the pilot program.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Public Private Vocational Partnership Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporations (other than S corporations, personal holding companies, and service organizations) a general business tax credit for: (1) charitable contributions to secondary schools, community colleges, or technical schools that provide vocational education; and (2) employing interns as part of a vocational education course approved by a secondary school or community college.

Date: 2011-07-14
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Taxation
Ready to Compete Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a new Ready to Learn program authorizing the Secretary of Education to award grants to public telecommunications entities to coordinate the development, production, and distribution of innovative multiplatform educational programming and services for young children and youth and their parents, educators, and caregivers. Requires grantees to award subcontracts or enter into agreements with public television stations and producers or distributors of educational programming for the operation of Ready to Learn programs. Requires Ready to Learn programs to: (1) include programming that is aligned with state academic content and achievement standards; (2) include training and materials for educators and caregivers to facilitate their use of the programming and services; (3) address specific community and school needs, ascertained via ongoing community outreach programs; and (4) include programming in reading, social and emotional development, and at least one other topic in an academic or developmentally appropriate area. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to create a Ready to Earn program authorizing the Secretary to award competitive grants to public television stations that partner with states, state workforce investment boards, or institutions of higher education to develop, disseminate, and provide on-line and on-air education and training services for adults.

Date: 2011-09-22
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Extends from 12 to 15 years after discharge or release from active-duty service the authorized period for veterans with service-connected disabilities to enroll in certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) vocational training and rehabilitation programs.

Date: 2011-11-02
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Foundations for Success Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to states to establish and support Early Care and Education Systems providing children, from the age of six weeks until they reach kindergarten, with universal access to high quality early care and education programs. Allows early care and education programs that demonstrate sustainability and continuity and have been operating for at least five years to participate in their state's Early Care and Education System. Requires states to establish: (1) state child care licensing standards, which shall also apply to nonparticipating programs; (2) statewide Quality Rating and Improvement Systems that assign a rating to each early care and education program, even nonparticipating programs; and (3) statewide early learning standards for children from the age of six weeks until they reach kindergarten. Requires states to place an emphasis on using grant funds to help participating programs increase their ratings under the statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System. Requires participating programs to: (1) be aligned with statewide early learning standards; (2) incorporate evidence-based teaching and learning practices; (3) provide required services for disabled children; (4) provide English language instruction for English language learners; and (5) provide, or partner with community-based organizations for the provision of, child health and family support services. Prohibits grant funds from supplanting federal, state, and local funds otherwise available to support early learning programs and services. Requires each state to design and implement a method for evaluating their Early Care and Education System.

Date: 2011-02-07
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Career and Technical Education Facilities Modernization Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to support local educational agencies (LEAs), community colleges, and other appropriate entities in modernizing, renovating, or repairing facilities used to provide science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or career and technical education to public elementary, secondary school, or community college students.

Requires the Secretary to furnish such support by providing eligible entities with grants or loan guarantees or by making payments of interest on the financial instruments they use to fund the modernization, renovation, or repair of those facilities.

Prohibits the use of that support for new construction or the payment of routine maintenance costs.

Requires the Secretary to direct at least 25% of the funds made available under this Act to: (1) LEAs that are eligible to receive assistance under the ESEA's Rural Education Initiative program, or (2) community colleges that serve a substantial number of rural students.

Date: 2013-03-04
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat a pre-apprenticeship program as a program of apprenticeship, for purposes of providing educational assistance: (1) if such pre-apprenticeship program is recognized under or compliant with relevant state standards for a postsecondary pre-apprenticeship program, or (2) in the case of a program for which a state does not require any such standards, if the curriculum of the pre-apprenticeship program is approved by a sponsor who certifies that the program will prepare an individual with skills and competencies needed to enroll in a registered apprenticeship program and the pre-apprenticeship program maintains conduct and attendance policies in accordance with such sponsor.

A covered individual enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program must receive the same amount and kind of educational assistance the individual would receive if the individual were enrolled in a program of apprenticeship, with an exception of specified housing assistance if the individual is not paid as part of such pre-apprenticeship program.

Date: 2015-05-21
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Workforce Development Investment Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit of $2,000 for each community college or other institution of higher education engaged in a partnership with an employer to improve workforce development and job training for students. Allows a maximum credit of $10,000 in any taxable year.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments received by a student under a comprehensive student work-learning-service program operated by a work college.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Taxation
Technical Education Creates High-Paying Careers Act of 2016 or the TECH Careers Act

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to direct the Department of Education (ED), in coordination with the Department of Labor, to develop and implement an American Technical Training Grant Program awarding competitive three-year grants of up to $5 million per fiscal year to eligible entities for supporting the establishment, redesign, or expansion of job training programs that enable economically disadvantaged students to enter into and advance along career pathways that lead to jobs in high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations.

The entities eligible for such grants must be institutions of higher education offering career and technical education programs that can be completed in two years or less (or a consortium of such institutions), but only if they enter a partnership agreement with:

 a local workforce development board; an employer with a workforce need in a high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand industry; an industry organization or other intermediary representing the industry sector or occupation for which the job training program provides training; and an institution of higher education that offers a baccalaureate degree and also has an articulation agreement with the eligible entity.

Date: 2016-04-28
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Career and Technical Education Equity Act

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to revise hold harmless requirements for the allotment of career and technical education assistance grants to states. A state is prohibited from receiving an allotment for a fiscal year that is less than 90% of the allotment the state received for the preceding fiscal year. (Currently, no state may receive an allotment less than the one it received for FY1998.)

Date: 2016-04-29
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Revamping the Education of our Veterans to Align Manufacturing through Partnerships with Community Colleges Act of 2016 or REVAMP with Community Colleges Act of 2016 

 This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to community colleges to: (1) analyze the demand for additional trained employees in their locality and the skills possessed by veterans who receive federal educational assistance and seek local employment; (2) carry out an existing, or implement a new, certificate or degree program that provides those veterans with training that addresses local demand for trained employees; and (3) facilitate the establishment of an advisory board to provide guidance to the training program and assist trained veterans in their pursuit of local employment.

 The advisory board shall be composed of local business representatives and an employee from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Date: 2016-06-03
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Equity in Career and Technical Education Act of 2016

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to require state and local educational agencies to conduct an annual equity gap assessment for career and technical education programs of study and create plans on how to reduce the gap.The "equity gap" consists of the gaps in participation and performance between students based on gender, race, and certain special populations.

The bill requires states to provide professional development and technical assistance to help local educational agencies close equity gaps in career and technical education.States and local agencies that fail to make improvements in closing equity gaps must implement an improvement plan.The Department of Education (ED)may withhold funding from states that fail to show improvement in closing equity gaps.Additionally, states may withhold funding from local agencies that fail to make improvements.

States must also annually report toED on the progress of the state in closing equity gaps.

Date: 2016-07-06
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity for Careers Act or the Four C's for Careers Act

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to revise requirements for the local use of funds received by eligible recipients under the Act to support their career and technical education programs.

The bill requires such funds to be used by eligible recipients to support career and technical education programs that:

 train career guidance and academic counselors to use labor market information in assisting students with postsecondary education and career planning; and support public-private partnerships designed to provide students with the credentials and skills required to secure employment in relevant fields; and if determined appropriate by the local educational agency, support programs that coordinate and integrate academic and career and technical education content and specified work-based learning opportunities. Funds may be used to assess resources required for promoting greater engagement and coordination with business and industry.

An eligible agency, with input from eligible recipients, may identify in its state plan, the acquisition of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity skills as additional indicators of performance for the career and technical education activities authorized under the Act.

State plans shall describe how eligible agencies will improve the critical thinking, communications, collaboration, and creativity skills of the students participating in their career and technical education programs.

Date: 2016-07-07
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Education
Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2016 or the VEI Act of 2016

 This bill permits veterans to use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 educational assistance for an accredited independent study program offered by an educational institution that is not an institution of higher learning, such as an area career and technical education school or a postsecondary vocational institution providing postsecondary level education.

The VA may prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need and upon consideration of disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and other appropriate factors.

Individuals may elect to convert their educational assistance to the Post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program if, as of August 1, 2009, they meet specified conditions with respect to their entitlements and elections under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program or certain other educational programs for professional military, selected reserve, or reserve component members.

The bill prescribes transitional rules with respect to the transfer or revocation of entitlements from a previous assistance program after an election to convert to the Post-9/11 program.

Certain assistance shall remain available to individuals under their previous program if it is not available under the Post-9/11 program.

After January 1, 2016, if an individual submits an election that the VA determines is against the individual's interests, the VA may make an alternative election on the individual's behalf. Such an individual may, during a specified period, modify or revoke the VA's alternative selection.

The bill extends the period for certain qualifying work-study activities for individuals receiving VA educational assistance.

Specified education programs are deemed to be approved for veterans' education benefit purposes if a state approving agency determines that they qualify.

Licensure or certification program requirements necessary for VA approval are revised.

The Director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network may contract with an entity specializing in civilian accreditation or health care evaluation to investigate any network medical center.

Date: 2016-06-06
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Equity in Career and Technical Education Act of 2016

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to require state and local educational agencies to conduct an annual equity gap assessment for career and technical education programs of study and create plans on how to reduce the gap.The "equity gap" consists of the gaps in participation and performance between students based on gender, race, and certain special populations.

The bill requires states to provide professional development and technical assistance to help local educational agencies close equity gaps in career and technical education.States and local agencies that fail to make improvements in closing equity gaps must implement an improvement plan.The Department of Education (ED)may withhold funding from states that fail to show improvement in closing equity gaps.Additionally, states may withhold funding from local agencies that fail to make improvements.

States must also annually report toED on the progress of the state in closing equity gaps.

Date: 2016-06-23
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Career and Technical Education for Adult Learners Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to modify the requirements for career and technical education programs to align the programs with adult education programs.

The bill revises the purposes of the Act to include promoting adult education and supporting partnerships among adult education programs.

States may develop core indicators of performance for career and technical education students at the adult education level. At a minimum, the indicators must measure: (1) student attainment of challenging career and technical skill proficiency, including student achievement on technical assessments that are aligned with industry-recognized standards; and (2) the eligibly entity's performance on the indicators of performance described in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

The bill also: (1) includes the state director of adult education in the development of the state plan for career and technical education, and (2) specifies that adult education providers that also offer certain career and technical education courses leading to technical skill proficiency and an industry-recognized credential or certificate are eligible to receive funds under the Act.

Date: 2016-09-15
Topic: Education (Vocational)
Subject: Labor and employment
Nanotechnology in the Schools Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding matching grants to certain eligible institutions for the purchase of nanotechnology equipment and software and the provision of nanotechnology education to students and teachers. Lists as eligible grantees: (1) public, private, parochial, and charter secondary schools that offer advanced or international baccalaureate science courses; (2) community colleges; (3) four-year institutions of higher education; and (4) informal learning science and technology centers. .

Date: 2007-05-22
Topic: Education (R&D)
Subject: Education