Summary:
Saving Our Next Generation Act or the SONG Act

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the federal programs most critical to improving child well-being should be fully funded.

Establishes the President's Commission on Children.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to contract with the Institute of Medicine to study evidence-based best practices and innovations for fostering safe and stable families, including implementing mentoring programs. Requires the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to implement best practices and innovations identified in the study.

Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for employees to: (1) $8.20 an hour six months after enactment of this Act; (2) $9.15 an hour one year later; (3) $10.10 an hour two years later; and (4) amounts determined three years later and annually thereafter based on increases in the Consumer Price Index.

Increases the federal minimum wage for tipped employees to $3.00 an hour for one year six months after enactment of this Act, with a formula for subsequent annual adjustments to ensure that it remains equal to 70% of the wage in effect under FLSA for other employees.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the reduction in the income eligibility threshold (from $10,000 to $3,000) for determining the refundable portion of the child tax credit, (2) eliminate the inflation adjustment to such amount, but (3) require an annual inflation adjustment to the allowable amount of such credit (i.e., $1,000) after 2014.

Modifies the earned income tax credit to: (1) make permanent the increase in the rate of such credit for taxpayers with three or more children; (2) increase the earned income amount, phaseout amounts, and the credit for taxpayers with no qualifying children; (3) reduce from 25 to 21 the qualifying age for such credit for individuals without a qualifying child; (4) revise eligibility rules for married individuals living apart and qualifying children claimed by another family member; and (5) repeal the denial of such credit for taxpayers with excess investment income.

Reauthorizes the Assets for Independence Act through FY2020, and prescribes requirements under it for newborn development account demonstration projects.

Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to reauthorize the Community Services Block Grant Program through FY2014.

Directs HHS to award: (1) community service block grants to states to establish Governors Working Groups on Children; and (2) national technical assistance grants to certain institutions of higher education, national nonprofit organizations, or foundations to provide technical assistance to states and Indian tribes to identify best practices for improving the health status of children and improve efforts at capacity building.

Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct), SSAct title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI), the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (for the supplemental nutrition assistance program), and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to exclude interest in, and distribution from, a qualified tuition program or a child savings account from income resources for eligibility purposes under their respective programs.

Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to provide eligible employees leave to care for a domestic partner or his or her child, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law (as well as for a spouse, child, or parent), if such person has a serious health condition. Includes within the FMLA purview a same-sex spouse.

Amends federal civil service law to apply the same leave allowance to federal employees.

Allows an eligible employee during any 12-month period to take up to 24 hours of parental involvement leave to:

 participate in an academic activity of his or her child's school, such as a parent-teacher conference or an interview for a school; participate in an extracurricular activity at, or sponsored by, the child's school; or transport or accompany his or her spouse, son or daughter, or parent to a medical or dental appointment. Allows an employee to elect, or an employer to require, substitution of any of the employee's paid or family leave for such parental involvement leave.

Extends an eligible employee's entitlement to family leave to situations where:

 it is necessary to care for a son, daughter, or parent, if the individual is addressing domestic violence and its effects; or the employee is unable to perform the functions of his or her position because the employee is addressing these issues. Entitles eligible employees to bereavement leave because of the death of a son, daughter, parent, or sibling. Allows the employee to substitute any available paid leave for bereavement leave.

Applies the same leave allowances for parental involvement and bereavement to federal employees.

Amends SSAct title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services and Elder Justice) and SSAct title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) with respect to demonstration projects addressing health professions workforce needs and maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs.

Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct HHS to implement a program to enable dental hygienists and nurses to be National Health Service Corps members if they serve in a health professional shortage area that is a school.

 Directs HHS to award grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide behavioral health screening and behavioral health services, including to students.

Requires each state plan approved under SSAct title XIX (Medicaid) to make a direct certification for medical assistance and school meals of supplemental nutrition-eligible children and Head Start and early Head Start-eligible children.

Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on the feasibility of creating a public health insurance pathway for children who do not receive health insurance coverage through an employer plan maintained by a family member.

Assures Medicaid coverage continuity for former foster care children up to age 26.

Authorizes comprehensive mental health assessments under the state Medicaid plan of juveniles without regard to whether they are inmates of a public institution.

Directs GAO to identify evidence-based intervention strategies that divert juveniles from incarceration to community behavioral health assessment and treatment. Directs the Attorney General to establish a coordinated grant program to enable states, territories, and tribes to implement such diversion programs.

Reauthorizes mental health courts and drug courts through FY2019 under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.

Directs HHS to issue regulations to ensure continuity of care for children undergoing an active course of treatment who involuntarily change coverage under health insurance, the state plan under Medicaid, or the state child health plan under SSAct title XXI (CHIP) during such course of treatment for any reason.

Amends SSAct title XIX to allow, at state option, the Medicaid plan to continue for up to 12 months the benefit eligibility of a child or a non-elderly adult.

Requires that managed care organizations provide language services to enrollees.

Covers specified preventive health services under Medicaid and CHIP, subject to certain cost-sharing prohibitions.

Reauthorizes maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs through FY2019.

Reauthorizes the Pediatric Accountable Care Organization Demonstration Project through calendar 2019.

Includes therapeutic foster care as medical assistance under Medicaid.

Directs HHS to establish a child welfare innovation grant program.

Amends part B (Child and Family Services) of SSAct title IV to prohibit federal payment or reimbursement to a state under such part unless it is for state expenditures for evidence-based child welfare programs or their services.

 Amends SSAct title XI to declare that there shall be no limit on the number of demonstration projects authorized by the Secretary of HHS for any fiscal year after FY2014.

Directs HHS to recommend to Congress legislative or administrative action necessary to eliminate the requirement that a child be deemed to be a recipient of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) under SSAct title IV (as in effect as of July 16, 1996) for purposes of foster care maintenance payments under SSAct title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance).

Establishes the Presidential Task Force on K-12 Education to advise the President regarding methods to improve graduation rates.

Directs the Secretary of Education (Secretary, for the rest of this bill) to award competitive grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) or nonprofit childhood education program providers to improve parental support for preschool home learning.

Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to states to plan, develop, and provide free, voluntary, high-quality prekindergarten programs to children whose family income does not exceed a specified amount. Requires those programs to be offered to other children for a fee that is based on their family income.

Requires the Secretary to allot matching grants to states and, through them, subgrants to LEAs to offer free or reduced-price high-quality prekindergarten programs to low-income children.

Amends the Head Start Act to direct HHS to develop and implement a plan to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services to children from states or communities that provide sustained access to high-quality prekindergarten programs to children whose family income does not exceed 200% of the poverty line.

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to reauthorize appropriations for the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy programs through FY2021.

Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to enable states to expand the school calendar for their public elementary and secondary schools.

Authorizes the Secretary to make formula grants to states and, through them, competitive subgrants to LEAs to establish or enhance educational programs and related services that enable pregnant and parenting students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school. Requires subgrantees to:

 provide academic support services to pregnant and parenting students; assist such students in accessing quality, affordable child care, and early childhood education services; provide transportation services or assistance to such students and their children; educate students, parents, and community members regarding the educational rights of such students; train school personnel regarding the challenges facing pregnant and parenting students and their educational rights; revise school policies and practices that hinder or discourage such students from continuing their education; provide student parents with training and support in parenting, healthy relationship skills, unplanned pregnancy prevention strategies, and other life skills; and provide educational and career mentoring services and peer groups to pregnant and parenting students. Amends the school improvement program under part A of title I of the ESEA to require states to include in their annual state report cards data regarding their pregnant and parenting students.

Adds physical education and health education as "core academic subjects" under the ESEA.

Allows funding under the Carol M. White Physical Education Program for instruction in healthy eating habits and good nutrition to be used to train healthy food chefs who serve as innovative cooks, as chef trainers, and as a nutrition resource for public elementary and secondary schools and their communities.

Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Department of Agriculture to establish a program that awards competitive grants to school food authorities and child care providers to provide family meals during non-school hours to households that have at least one child who is: (1) enrolled with the grantee, and (2) eligible to receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast program.

Amends part A (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund) of title II of the ESEA to allow LEAs to use their part A subgrants to train teachers in the topics of nutrition, fitness, and wellness.

Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance and award competitive grants to LEAs to replicate the best practices in enabling elementary and secondary school students to achieve grade-level work, graduate from secondary school on a timely basis, and obtain employment.

Requires the Secretary to conduct a study of extended learning time models.

Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to include among the uses of funds to support career and technical education programs: (1) school adoption, mentoring, or entrepreneurship programs for students; and (2) mentoring programs that connect school leaders with local business representatives.

Reauthorizes appropriations through FY2020 for the programs under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to establish jointly an interagency committee to coordinate programs, activities, and services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act with those carried out under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

Requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to states and local educational agencies to support parents of children in prekindergarten programs or elementary schools by: (1) building parents' capacity to evaluate and select appropriate childcare, (2) building parents' capacity to serve as partners with school teachers and administrators, and (3) providing parents with access to the job skills and training needed for successful employment.

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to direct the Secretary to establish a program to refinance: (1) the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (DLs) of qualified borrowers if the DLs were first disbursed or, in the case of Direct Consolidation Loans, applied for before July 1, 2013; and (2) the Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) of qualified borrowers as DLs.

Refinances the FFELs as Federal Direct Stafford, Unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS, or Consolidated Loans depending on the categorization of the FFEL.

Sets the interest rate on the refinanced loans, other than the Federal Direct Consolidation Loans, at the rate for the 12 months beginning on July 1, 2013, based on: (1) the DL's categorization; and (2) in the case of Stafford Loans, whether the loan was issued to an undergraduate or graduate student. Establishes a formula for determining the interest rate on refinanced Consolidation Loans.

Fixes the interest rate on the refinanced loans for the period of such loans.

Directs the Secretary to establish eligibility requirements that are based on a borrower's income or debt-to-income ratio and that take into consideration providing access to refinancing for borrowers who have the greatest financial need.

Requires the Secretary to establish a program to refinance as Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans private education loans that were first disbursed to qualified borrowers before July 1, 2013, for postsecondary educational expenses.

Sets the interest rate on Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans at the rate applicable for the 12 months beginning on July 1, 2013, to: (1) Direct Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to undergraduates if the private education loan was issued for undergraduate expenses, (2) Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to graduate or professional students if the private education loan was issued for graduate or professional studies, or (3) Direct PLUS Loans if the private education loan was issued for undergraduate and graduate or professional studies.

Fixes the interest rate for the period of such loans.

Directs the Secretary to establish eligibility requirements that: (1) are based on a borrower's income or debt-to-income ratio and take into consideration providing access to refinancing for borrowers who have the greatest financial need, (2) ensure eligibility only for borrowers in good standing, (3) minimize inequities between Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans and other federal student loans, and (4) preclude windfall profits for private educational lenders.

Requires qualified borrowers of such loans to undergo loan counseling before their private education loan is refinanced.

Requires private educational lenders to report specified loan information to the Secretary, Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in order to allow for an assessment of the private education loan market.

Directs the Secretary to undertake a campaign to alert borrowers that they may be eligible for refinancing.

Requires the Secretary to increase publicity about the DL repayment plan for public service employees that allows for the cancellation of the remaining principal and interest due on such loans if 120 monthly payments are made on such loans after October 1, 2007.

Revises federal bankruptcy law to make the hardship exception to the exemption of educational debts from discharge in bankruptcy applicable to: (1) private education loans; (2) an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit or made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit; and (3) an obligation to repay funds received from a governmental unit as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend.

 Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a private educational lender to include in a private education loan for which the cosigner is jointly liable a process for releasing the cosigner from obligations on such loan.

States that neither the estate of the borrower nor any cosigner of such private education loan shall be obligated to repay the outstanding principle and interest on the loan in the event of the borrower's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity.

Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit: (1) consumer reporting agencies from making any consumer report containing information on a default on a private education loan resulting from accelerated repayment terms of the loan after the death, disability, inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity, or bankruptcy of a jointly liable cosigner, and (2) the lender or servicer of a private education loan from furnishing loan information to a consumer reporting agency if the consumer defaulted on the loan due to accelerated repayment terms after the death, disability, inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity, or bankruptcy of such a cosigner.

Amends title IV of the HEA to require IHEs to ensure that a student completes an assessment demonstrating the student's understanding of the terms and conditions of a DL before certifying the loan for disbursement to the student.

Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to nonprofit or educational entities to develop and pilot measures of accountability for value and cost-effectiveness in higher education.

saving generation act act expresses sense senate federal programs critical improving child fully funded establishes president commission children directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs contract institute_of_medicine study evidence based best practices innovations fostering safe stable families including implementing mentoring programs requires secretary award grants eligible entities implement best practices innovations identified study amends fair labor standards act increase federal minimum wage employees hour months enactment act hour year later hour years later amounts determined years later annually based increases consumer price index increases federal minimum wage employees hour year months enactment act formula subsequent annual adjustments ensure remains equal wage effect flsa employees amends_the_internal_revenue_code permanent reduction income eligibility threshold determining refundable portion child tax credit eliminate inflation adjustment require annual inflation adjustment allowable credit modifies earned income tax credit permanent increase rate credit taxpayers children increase earned income phaseout amounts credit taxpayers qualifying children reduce qualifying age credit individuals qualifying child revise eligibility rules married individuals living apart qualifying children claimed family member repeal denial credit taxpayers excess investment income reauthorizes assets independence act fy2020 prescribes requirements newborn development account demonstration projects amends community services block grant act reauthorize community services block grant program fy2014 directs hhs award community service block grants states establish governors working groups children national technical assistance grants certain institutions higher education national nonprofit organizations foundations provide technical assistance states indian tribes identify best practices improving health status children improve efforts capacity building amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act ssact ssact title xvi supplemental security income ssi food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 supplemental nutrition assistance program low income home energy assistance_act exclude interest distribution qualified tuition program child savings account income resources eligibility purposes respective programs amends family_and_medical_leave_act fmla provide eligible employees leave care domestic partner child parent law adult child sibling grandparent grandchild son law daughter law spouse child parent person health condition includes fmla purview sex spouse amends federal civil service law apply leave allowance federal employees allows eligible employee month period hours parental involvement leave participate academic activity child school parent teacher conference interview school participate extracurricular activity sponsored child school transport accompany spouse son daughter parent medical dental appointment allows employee elect employer require substitution employee paid family leave parental involvement leave extends eligible employee entitlement family leave situations necessary care son daughter parent individual addressing domestic violence effects employee unable perform functions position employee addressing issues entitles eligible employees bereavement leave death son daughter parent sibling allows employee substitute available paid leave bereavement leave applies leave allowances parental involvement bereavement federal employees amends ssact title block grants states social_services elder justice ssact title maternal child health services respect demonstration projects addressing health professions workforce needs maternal infant early_childhood_home_visiting programs amends public_health_service_act phsa direct hhs implement program enable dental nurses national_health_service_corps members serve health professional shortage area school directs hhs award grants eligible entities enable entities provide behavioral health screening behavioral health services including students requires state plan approved ssact title xix medicaid direct certification medical assistance school meals supplemental nutrition eligible children head_start early head_start eligible children directs government_accountability_office gao report congress feasibility creating public health insurance pathway children receive health insurance coverage employer plan maintained family member assures medicaid coverage continuity foster care children age authorizes comprehensive mental health assessments state medicaid plan juveniles regard inmates public institution directs gao identify evidence based intervention strategies divert juveniles incarceration community behavioral health assessment treatment directs attorney general establish coordinated grant program enable states territories tribes implement diversion programs reauthorizes mental health courts drug courts fy2019 omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act directs hhs issue regulations ensure continuity care children undergoing active course treatment involuntarily change coverage health insurance state plan medicaid state child health plan ssact title xxi chip course treatment reason amends ssact title xix allow state option medicaid plan continue months benefit eligibility child non elderly adult requires managed care organizations provide language services enrollees covers specified preventive health services medicaid chip subject certain cost sharing prohibitions reauthorizes maternal infant early_childhood_home_visiting programs fy2019 reauthorizes pediatric accountable care organization demonstration project calendar includes therapeutic foster care medical assistance medicaid directs hhs establish child welfare innovation grant program amends child family services ssact title prohibit federal payment reimbursement state state expenditures evidence based child welfare programs services amends ssact title declare shall limit number demonstration projects authorized secretary hhs fiscal year fy2014 directs hhs recommend congress legislative administrative action necessary eliminate requirement child deemed recipient tanf temporary_assistance needy families ssact title effect july purposes foster care maintenance payments ssact title foster care adoption assistance establishes presidential task_force k-12 education advise president methods improve graduation rates directs secretary education secretary rest bill award competitive grants local educational agencies leas nonprofit childhood education program providers improve parental support preschool home learning directs secretary award competitive grants states plan develop provide free voluntary high quality prekindergarten programs children family income exceed specified requires programs offered children fee based family income requires secretary allot matching grants states subgrants leas offer free reduced price high quality prekindergarten programs low income children amends head_start act direct hhs develop implement plan provide head_start early head_start services children states communities provide sustained access high quality prekindergarten programs children family income exceed poverty line amends elementary secondary education act esea reauthorize appropriations william start family literacy programs fy2021 directs secretary award competitive grants enable states expand school calendar public elementary secondary schools authorizes secretary formula_grants states competitive subgrants leas establish enhance educational programs related services enable pregnant parenting students enroll attend succeed school requires subgrantees provide academic support services pregnant parenting students assist students accessing quality affordable child care early childhood education services provide transportation services assistance students children educate students parents community members educational rights students train school personnel challenges facing pregnant parenting students educational rights revise school policies practices hinder discourage students continuing education provide student parents training support parenting healthy relationship skills unplanned pregnancy prevention strategies life skills provide educational career mentoring services peer groups pregnant parenting students amends school improvement program title esea require states include annual state report cards data pregnant parenting students adds physical education health education core academic subjects esea allows funding white physical education program instruction healthy eating habits good nutrition train healthy food serve innovative trainers nutrition resource public elementary secondary schools communities amends richard national school lunch act direct department_of_agriculture establish program awards competitive grants school food authorities child care providers provide family meals non school hours households child enrolled grantee eligible receive free reduced price meals school lunch breakfast program amends teacher principal_training recruiting_fund title esea allow leas use subgrants train teachers topics nutrition fitness wellness directs secretary provide technical assistance award competitive grants leas replicate best practices enabling elementary secondary school students achieve grade level work graduate secondary school timely basis obtain employment requires secretary conduct study extended learning time models amends carl perkins career technical education act include uses funds support career technical education programs school adoption mentoring entrepreneurship programs students mentoring programs connect school leaders local business representatives reauthorizes appropriations fy2020 programs carl perkins career technical education act directs secretary secretary labor establish jointly interagency_committee coordinate programs activities services workforce innovation opportunity act carried carl perkins career technical education act requires secretary award competitive grants states local educational agencies support parents children prekindergarten programs elementary schools building parents capacity evaluate select appropriate childcare building parents capacity serve partners school teachers administrators providing parents access job skills training needed successful employment amends title student assistance higher education act hea direct secretary establish program refinance william federal direct_loans dls qualified borrowers dls disbursed case direct_consolidation_loans applied july federal_family_education_loans ffels qualified borrowers dls refinances ffels federal_direct_stafford unsubsidized stafford plus consolidated loans depending categorization ffel sets interest rate refinanced loans federal_direct_consolidation_loans rate months beginning july based categorization case stafford_loans loan issued undergraduate graduate student establishes formula determining interest rate refinanced consolidation loans fixes interest rate refinanced loans period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need requires secretary establish program refinance federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans private education loans disbursed qualified borrowers july postsecondary educational expenses sets interest rate federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans rate applicable months beginning july direct_stafford unsubsidized stafford_loans issued undergraduates private education loan issued undergraduate expenses direct_unsubsidized_stafford loans issued graduate professional students private education loan issued graduate professional studies direct plus loans private education loan issued undergraduate graduate professional studies fixes interest rate period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need ensure eligibility borrowers good standing minimize inequities federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans federal student loans preclude windfall profits private educational lenders requires qualified borrowers loans undergo loan counseling private education loan refinanced requires private educational lenders report specified loan information secretary congress secretary treasury director consumer_financial_protection_bureau order allow assessment private education loan market directs secretary undertake campaign alert borrowers eligible refinancing requires secretary increase publicity repayment plan public service employees allows cancellation remaining principal interest loans monthly payments loans october revises federal bankruptcy law hardship exception exemption educational debts discharge bankruptcy applicable private education loans educational benefit overpayment loan insured guaranteed governmental unit program funded governmental unit obligation repay funds received governmental unit educational benefit scholarship stipend amends_the_truth_in_lending_act require private educational lender include private education loan cosigner jointly liable process releasing cosigner obligations loan states estate borrower cosigner private education loan shall obligated repay outstanding principle interest loan event borrower death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity amends fair_credit_reporting_act prohibit consumer reporting agencies making consumer report containing information default private education loan resulting accelerated repayment terms loan death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity bankruptcy jointly liable cosigner lender servicer private education loan furnishing loan information consumer reporting agency consumer defaulted loan accelerated repayment terms death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity bankruptcy cosigner amends title hea require ihes ensure student completes assessment demonstrating student understanding terms conditions certifying loan disbursement student directs secretary award competitive grants nonprofit educational entities develop pilot measures accountability value cost effectiveness higher education


Summary:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act

 Directs the Internal Revenue Service to establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (VITA grant program) for the development, expansion, or continuation of volunteer tax preparation programs to assist low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations.

Establishes the National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Requires such Center to: (1) promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of federal income tax returns, (2) provide technical assistance to tax return preparation program managers, (3) identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management, (4) support outreach and marketing efforts, and (5) provide evaluation of programs and activities funded under this Act.

volunteer income tax assistance vita act directs internal_revenue_service establish community volunteer income tax assistance matching grant program vita grant program development expansion continuation volunteer tax preparation programs assist low income taxpayers members underserved populations establishes national_center_to_promote_quality excellence evaluation volunteer income tax assistance requires center promote adoption universally accessible volunteer training platform preparation federal income tax returns provide technical assistance tax return preparation program managers identify disseminate best practices related tax site management support outreach marketing efforts provide evaluation programs activities funded act


Summary:
Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to: (1) make permanent the reduction in the income threshold (from $10,000 to $3,000) for determining the refundable portion of the child tax credit, (2) eliminate the inflation adjustment to such amount, and (3) allow an annual inflation adjustment after 2014 to the $1,000 maximum credit amount and the adjusted gross income threshold amounts used to reduce the allowable amount of such credit.

Modifies the earned income tax credit to: (1) make permanent the increase in the rate of such credit for taxpayers with three or more children, (2) increase the credit for taxpayers with no qualifying children, (3) reduce from 25 to 21 the qualifying age for such credit, (4) revise eligibility rules relating to married individuals living apart and qualifying children claimed by another family member, and (5) repeal the denial of such credit for taxpayers with excess investment income.

working_families tax relief_act amends_the_internal_revenue_code amended american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act permanent reduction income threshold determining refundable portion child tax credit eliminate inflation adjustment allow annual inflation adjustment maximum credit adjusted gross income threshold amounts reduce allowable credit modifies earned income tax credit permanent increase rate credit taxpayers children increase credit taxpayers qualifying children reduce qualifying age credit revise eligibility rules relating married individuals living apart qualifying children claimed family member repeal denial credit taxpayers excess investment income


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on May 6, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

WIOA Technical Amendments Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to revise requirements for local workforce development areas involved in statewide workforce investment activities as well as youth, adult, and dislocated worker employment and training activities.

The governor of a state may approve a request for local workforce development area designation of any area served by a rural concentrated employment program.

Local workforce development boards requirements are revised.

A state may use as an alternative workforce development board only a local entity (including a local council, regional workforce development board, or similar entity) that was in existence the day before enactment of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Currently such an alternative local entity is eligible for designation as a local workforce development board if it has been in existence as late as the day before the enactment of the WIOA on July 22, 2014.

Certain technical amendments are made to performance accountability requirements for statewide and local workforce investment programs.

The Department of Labor shall ensure that states receive an allotment for a fiscal year for adult employment and training activities and for dislocated worker employment and training activities and statewide workforce investment activities equal to at least 90% of the state's allotment for the preceding fiscal year.

(Sec. 3) This bill also amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 with respect to the terms of service requirements for members of the National Council on Disability, making them (unchanged in detail) effective only as of July 21, 2014.

measure amended passed senate summary version repeated technical amendments act sec bill amends workforce innovation opportunity act revise requirements local workforce development areas involved statewide workforce investment activities youth adult dislocated worker employment training activities governor state approve request local workforce development area designation area served rural concentrated employment program local workforce development boards requirements revised state use alternative workforce development board local entity including local council regional workforce development board similar entity existence day enactment workforce investment act currently alternative local entity eligible designation local workforce development board existence late day enactment july certain technical amendments performance accountability requirements statewide local workforce investment programs department_of_labor shall ensure states receive allotment fiscal year adult employment training activities dislocated worker employment training activities statewide workforce investment activities equal state allotment preceding fiscal year sec bill amends rehabilitation act respect terms service requirements members national council disability making detail effective july


Summary:
Welfare Abuse Prevention Act

This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require any state receiving a TANF block grant to maintain policies and practices to ensure that cash assistance disbursed through an electronic benefit transfer card or an electronic payment card shall not be used to withdraw more than $25 per day from an automated teller machine or through a cash-back procedure at a point of sale terminal.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall reduce to $0 the state family assistance grant payable to any state which, within two years after enactment of this Act, has not reported on its implementation of this cash withdrawal limit or has not implemented such a limit.

welfare abuse prevention act bill amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act require state receiving tanf block grant maintain policies practices ensure cash assistance disbursed electronic benefit transfer card electronic payment card shall withdraw day automated teller machine cash procedure point sale terminal department_of_health_and_human_services shall reduce state family assistance grant payable state years enactment act reported implementation cash withdrawal limit implemented limit


Summary:
Keeping Moving to Work Promises Act

This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to renew for a period of 10 years any Moving to Work demonstration program agreement with a public housing agency that: (1) provides for the use of an alternative operating fund formula, and (2) is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

HUD may not, in renewing an agreement, make any significant change to its financial terms.

keeping moving work promises act bill directs department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud renew period years moving work demonstration program agreement public housing agency provides use alternative operating fund formula effect date enactment act hud renewing agreement significant change financial terms


Summary:
All Kids Matter Act

This bill amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to revise state plan requirements to require:

 the state to identify and provide appropriate prevention, intervention, and support services before placing a child in foster care as part of its reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify families; that all at-risk children, children in foster care, and children who have left foster care to return home through reunification or reinstatement of parental rights, or for kinship guardianship or adoption, be provided with a standard array of child welfare services; the state to submit, update, and revise as necessary a description of its activities and delivery mechanisms for achieving increased permanency for all infants, children, and youth. Payments to states shall incorporate: (1) an amount equal to the federal medical assistance percentage for the state under SSAct title XIX (Medicaid), and (2) a performance achievement payment.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall establish criteria for assessing state performance in order to award performance achievement payments to the states.

States may elect an alternative allotment for specified administrative costs.

Aid to Families with Dependent Children eligibility under SSAct title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) is removed from eligibility requirements under the Foster Care Maintenance Program.

States may provide services to an individual age 18-21 who is pursing legal permanency through family reunification, permanent placement with a planned permanent living arrangement, or such other pathways to permanency as the state, in consultation with HHS, may specify.

Eligibility for John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program services and education and training vouchers shall extend to youth who return home after attaining age 16.

HHS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Education shall jointly develop and disseminate to states permanency-supportive housing options.

kids matter act bill amends foster care adoption assistance title social_security_act ssact revise state plan requirements require state identify provide appropriate prevention intervention support services placing child foster care reasonable efforts preserve families risk children children foster care children left foster care return home reunification reinstatement parental rights kinship guardianship adoption provided standard array child welfare services state submit update revise necessary description activities delivery mechanisms achieving increased permanency infants children youth payments states shall incorporate equal federal medical assistance percentage state ssact title xix medicaid performance achievement payment department_of_health_and_human_services hhs shall establish criteria assessing state performance order award performance achievement payments states states elect alternative allotment specified administrative costs aid families dependent children eligibility ssact title temporary_assistance needy families tanf removed eligibility requirements foster care maintenance program states provide services individual age legal permanency family reunification permanent placement planned permanent living arrangement pathways permanency state consultation hhs specify eligibility john chafee foster care independence program services education training vouchers shall extend youth return home attaining age hhs department_of_housing_and_urban_development department_of_education shall jointly develop disseminate states permanency supportive housing options


Summary:
Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2015

This bill establishes in the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Child Poverty.

The Working Group as its primary goal shall develop a national plan to reduce:

 within 10 years the number of children living in poverty in the United States to half the number cited in the report of the U.S. Census Bureau on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2013; within the same 10 years the number of children living in extreme poverty in the United States to zero; and within 20 years the number of children living in poverty, extreme or otherwise, in the United States to zero. HHS shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for two public workshops to provide the Working Group with information to assist in the development of the plan.

child poverty reduction act bill establishes administration children_and_families_of_the_department_of_health_and_human_services hhs federal interagency_working_group reducing child poverty working_group primary goal shall develop national plan reduce years number children living poverty united_states half number cited report census bureau income poverty health insurance coverage united_states years number children living extreme poverty united_states zero years number children living poverty extreme united_states zero hhs shall enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences public workshops provide working_group information assist development plan


Summary:
No Windfalls for Bailed Out Executives Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny deferred compensation to, or to require repayment of deferred compensation received by, key employees, members of the board of directors or other officers of a corporation, or any other employee having annual compensation of more than $1 million during any 36-month period in which their employer receives extraordinary assistance from the federal government. The bill defines "extraordinary governmental assistance" as grants, loans, loan guarantees, or other assistance to an employer that is intended to prevent such employer from becoming imminently insolvent or to cure such insolvency.

executives act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code deny deferred compensation require repayment deferred compensation received key employees members board_of_directors officers corporation employee having annual compensation million month period employer receives extraordinary assistance federal_government bill defines extraordinary governmental assistance grants loans loan guarantees assistance employer intended prevent employer imminently insolvent cure insolvency


Summary:
Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act

This bill requires the President to include in the annual budget proposal the total level of means-tested welfare spending by the federal, state, and local governments for the most recent fiscal year for which such data is available, and estimated levels for the current and 10 ensuing fiscal years.

For each of FY2018-FY2028 each state that receives means-tested welfare spending by the federal government shall report annually to the Congressional Budget Office on the total amount of such spending by the state for the fiscal year.

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to define means-tested welfare spending as spending for any federal program designed specifically to give assistance or benefits exclusively to low-income Americans, including certain targeted community and economic development programs, unless they:

 are based on earned eligibility, are not need-based, are designed exclusively or primarily for veterans of military service, or offer universal or near universal eligibility to the working population and their dependents. The bill specifies federal cash assistance, medical, food, housing, energy, education training, child care, services, and community development programs deemed means-tested welfare spending, as well as federal programs that are not so deemed, including Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, unemployment insurance, Social Security retirement and survivor benefits, and military service veterans programs.

The refundable portion of certain tax credits shall also be means-tested welfare spending, as well as the refundable portion of the premium and out-of-pocket health care subsidies to be paid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 is amended to specify, as an additional purpose for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), promoting prosperous self-sufficiency, which means the ability of households to maintain an income above the poverty-level without services and benefits from the federal government.

The bill revises work eligibility requirements under SNAP

As a condition of receiving SNAP funds, a state agency shall operate a work activation program for adults with dependent children.

Part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act is amended to create the work preparation program for TANF families.

The bill eliminates separate participation rate requirements for two-parent families.

A family with a child under age 6 shall be deemed to meet work participation requirements if any parent is engaged in work for at least 20 hours per week.

No federal funds shall be made available to carry out any means-tested housing program, but states may receive grants to fund their own housing programs.

The bill prohibits funding for abortions and for health benefits that cover abortion, including certain tax credits, except where the pregnancy results from rape or incest or in certain other health cases.

welfare reform upward mobility act bill requires president include annual budget proposal total level means tested welfare spending federal state local governments recent fiscal year data available estimated levels current ensuing fiscal years fy2018 state receives means tested welfare spending federal_government shall report annually congressional_budget_office total spending state fiscal year congressional_budget_act amended define means tested welfare spending spending federal program designed specifically assistance benefits exclusively low income americans including certain targeted community economic development programs based earned eligibility need based designed exclusively primarily veterans military service offer universal near universal eligibility working population dependents bill specifies federal cash assistance medical food housing energy education training child care services community development programs deemed means tested welfare spending federal programs deemed including social_security_disability_insurance medicare unemployment insurance social_security retirement survivor benefits military service veterans programs refundable portion certain tax credits shall means tested welfare spending refundable portion premium pocket health_care subsidies paid patient_protection affordable health_care act food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 amended specify additional purpose supplemental nutrition assistance program snap promoting self sufficiency means ability households maintain income poverty level services benefits federal_government bill revises work eligibility requirements snap condition receiving snap funds state agency shall operate work activation program adults dependent children temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act amended create work preparation program tanf families bill eliminates separate participation rate requirements parent families family child age shall deemed meet work participation requirements parent engaged work hours week federal funds shall available carry means tested housing program states receive grants fund housing programs bill prohibits funding abortions health benefits cover abortion including certain tax credits pregnancy results rape incest certain health cases


Summary:
Stronger Way Act

This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a program, through grant agreements with state and local government agencies, that provides eligible unemployed or partially employed individuals with opportunities to work in a transitional job for the purpose of enabling them to gain, through wage-paying jobs, the experience and skills needed to move into regular employment.

The Internal Revenue Code is amended to revise the earned income tax credit.

The bill eliminates the existing child care tax credit and establishes in its place a refundable child tax credit equal to a specified percentage of the taxpayer's earned income, with limitations.

stronger way act bill requires department_of_labor establish program grant agreements state local government agencies provides eligible unemployed partially employed individuals opportunities work transitional job purpose enabling gain wage paying jobs experience skills needed regular employment internal_revenue_code amended revise earned income tax credit bill eliminates existing child care tax credit establishes place refundable child tax credit equal specified percentage taxpayer earned income limitations


Summary:
ADA Education and Reform Act of 2016

This bill requires the Disability Rights Section of the Department of Justice to develop a program to educate state and local governments and property owners on strategies for promoting access to public accommodations for persons with a disability. The program may include training for professionals to provide guidance about remediation for potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The bill prohibits civil actions based on the failure to remove an architectural barrier to access into an existing public accommodation unless: (1) the aggrieved person has provided to the owners or operators a written notice specific enough to identify the barrier, and (2) the owners or operators fail to provide the person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to improve the barrier or they fail to remove the barrier or make substantial progress after providing such a description. The aggrieved person's notice must specify: (1) the address of the property, (2) the specific ADA sections alleged to have been violated, (3) whether a request for assistance in removing an architectural barrier was made, and (4) whether the barrier was permanent or temporary.

The Judicial Conference of the United States must develop a model program to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve such claims. The model program should include an expedited method for determining relevant facts related to such barriers and steps to resolve accessibility issues before litigation.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

ada education reform_act bill requires disability rights section department_of_justice develop program educate state local governments property owners strategies promoting access public accommodations persons disability program include training professionals provide guidance remediation potential violations americans disabilities act ada bill prohibits civil actions based failure remove architectural barrier access existing public accommodation aggrieved person provided owners operators written notice specific identify barrier owners operators fail provide person written description outlining improvements improve barrier fail remove barrier substantial progress providing description aggrieved person notice specify address property specific ada sections alleged violated request assistance removing architectural barrier barrier permanent temporary judicial_conference_of_the_united_states develop model program promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms resolve claims model program include expedited method determining relevant facts related barriers steps resolve accessibility issues litigation


Summary:
Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act of 2016

This bill establishes the interagency Council on Multigenerational Poverty to carry out specified objectives and the 2-generation approach, including by providing guidance, and addressing questions pertaining to 2-generation programs and other programs engaging in efforts to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty.

The council shall develop, make available for public comment, and submit to the President and Congress, a strategic plan to end and prevent multigenerational poverty that includes activities under the 2-generation approach and other activities consistent with specified objectives.

The council shall ensure that specified information is made available to the public and displayed on the official website of the council, including the national strategic plan to end and prevent multigenerational poverty and certain information on the 2-generation program.

The Government Accountability Office must study, and report to Congress and the council, on federal block grants under the jurisdiction of council participants to identify barriers and opportunities for collaboration in order to carry out the 2-generation approach.

The council shall establish: (1) the 2-generation performance partnership pilot program, and (2) the 2-generation social impact bonds pilot program.

The Office of Management and Budget shall designate lead agencies for purposes of carrying out the 2-generation programs.

generation economic empowerment act bill establishes interagency council poverty carry specified objectives generation approach including providing guidance addressing questions pertaining generation programs programs engaging efforts break cycle poverty council shall develop available public comment submit president congress strategic plan end prevent poverty includes activities generation approach activities consistent specified objectives council shall ensure specified information available public displayed official website council including national strategic plan end prevent poverty certain information generation program government_accountability_office study report congress council federal block grants jurisdiction council participants identify barriers opportunities collaboration order carry generation approach council shall establish generation performance partnership pilot program generation social impact bonds pilot program office_of_management_and_budget shall designate lead agencies purposes carrying generation programs


Summary:
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a pilot toll credit marketplace program for states, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), or local governments to buy and sell toll credits and use the proceeds for highway, transit, and other related projects. States, MPOs, or local governments may not use federal funds to purchase toll credits on the marketplace or use them for more than 10% of its annual apportionment of federal-aid highway funds in a fiscal year.

The Federal Highway Administration shall determine how a toll credit marketplace will work.

The Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 is amended to revise railroad rehabilitation and improvement financing program requirements. Toll credits earned shall be eligible as collateral in determining credit risk premium amounts for direct loans or loan guarantees for railroad improvement projects.

bill directs department_of_transportation dot establish pilot toll credit marketplace program states metropolitan planning organizations mpos local governments buy sell toll credits use proceeds highway transit related projects states mpos local governments use federal funds purchase toll credits marketplace use annual apportionment federal aid highway funds fiscal year federal_highway_administration shall determine toll credit marketplace work railroad revitalization regulatory reform_act amended revise railroad rehabilitation improvement financing program requirements toll credits earned shall eligible collateral determining credit risk premium amounts direct_loans loan guarantees railroad improvement projects


Summary:
Transportation, Access, and Opportunity Act of 2015

 This bill modifies transportation programs to establish a goal of achieving an interconnected transportation system that connects people to jobs, schools, and essential services; and to require more data and public input during the planning process.

States and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) must permit the public to provide input during the development and implementation of transportation plans.

(MPOs are federally required and funded organizations responsible for the regional transportation planning process in certain urban areas.)

The bill revises the goals of the federal highway program to include achieving an interconnected transportation system which connects people to jobs, schools, and other essential services through a multimodal network. The Department of Transportation (DOT) may establish a performance measure for MPOs to measure transportation connectivity.

DOT must establish the Connection to Opportunity Pilot Program for up to 10 MPOs to develop and implement projects to improve multimodal connectivity and increase connections for transportation-disadvantaged individuals and neighborhoods with limited transportation options. The participating MPOs must submit performance data to DOT, and DOT must use the data to evaluate the programs and consider developing a national indicator to measure multimodal connections to opportunities.

DOT must create and maintain data sets and analysis tools to assist MPOs, states, and entities within DOT in carrying out performance management analyses.

The bill permanently extends the authorization for the Transportation Alternatives Program, revises federal share requirements, and permits nonprofit organizations and certain MPOs to receive funding under the program.

transportation access opportunity act bill modifies transportation programs establish goal achieving interconnected transportation system connects people jobs schools essential services require data public input planning process states metropolitan planning organizations mpos permit public provide input development implementation transportation plans mpos federally required funded organizations responsible regional transportation planning process certain urban areas bill revises goals federal highway program include achieving interconnected transportation system connects people jobs schools essential services multimodal network department_of_transportation dot establish performance measure mpos measure transportation connectivity dot establish connection opportunity pilot program mpos develop implement projects improve multimodal connectivity increase connections transportation disadvantaged individuals neighborhoods limited transportation options participating mpos submit performance data dot dot use data evaluate programs consider developing national indicator measure multimodal connections opportunities dot create maintain data sets analysis tools assist mpos states entities dot carrying performance management analyses bill permanently extends authorization transportation alternatives program revises federal share requirements permits nonprofit organizations certain mpos receive funding program


Summary:
Stop Pay for Members Act

This bill declares that the obligation to pay the basic pay of Members of Congress may not be satisfied if the U.S. public debt reaches the public debt limit until: (1) all other obligations of the U.S. government then due have been satisfied; or (2) if earlier, the ability of the U.S. Treasury to satisfy such obligations in a timely manner is restored, whether by an increase in the public debt limit or otherwise.

Each Member of Congress consents and agrees that payment of basic pay in accordance with this Act shall constitute a full and complete discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands for service as a Member during the period covered by the payment.

stop pay members act bill declares obligation pay basic pay members congress satisfied public debt reaches public debt limit obligations government satisfied earlier ability treasury satisfy obligations timely manner restored increase public debt limit member congress consents agrees payment basic pay accordance act shall constitute complete discharge claims demands service member period covered payment


Summary:
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2016

This bill declares that, if there is a federal budget deficit in a fiscal year, then:

 any pay adjustment for Members of Congress scheduled to take effect under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 in the succeeding calendar year shall be null and void; and effective as of the first day of the first pay period beginning in that year, the rates of basic pay for Members shall be reduced (from the rate in effect), but not below zero, by an amount prescribed according to the following formula. The reduction required under this Act is as follows:

 if the reduction is to take effect in a calendar year that does not immediately follow another calendar year in which a reduction was made, the reduced amount shall be equal to 5% of the rate of basic pay last in effect before the reduction is made; or if the reduction is to take effect in a calendar year that immediately follows another calendar year in which a reduction was made, the reduced amount shall be equal to 10% of the rate of basic pay last in effect before the most recent reduction was made. If, following one or more years in which Members' pay is reduced, a fiscal year occurs in which there is no deficit, then, effective as of the first day of the first pay period in the succeeding calendar year:

 rates of basic pay for Members shall be restored to the highest rate at any time previously payable; and pay adjustments scheduled to take effect on or after that first day shall be effective.

fiscal responsibility act bill declares federal budget deficit fiscal year pay adjustment members congress scheduled effect legislative reorganization act succeeding calendar year shall null void effective day pay period beginning year rates basic pay members shall reduced rate effect zero prescribed according following formula reduction required act follows reduction effect calendar year immediately follow calendar year reduction reduced shall equal rate basic pay effect reduction reduction effect calendar year immediately follows calendar year reduction reduced shall equal rate basic pay effect recent reduction following years members pay reduced fiscal year occurs deficit effective day pay period succeeding calendar year rates basic pay members shall restored highest rate time previously payable pay adjustments scheduled effect day shall effective


Summary:
Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2016

 (Sec. 2) This bill revises provisions relating to presidential pensions to allow former Presidents a lifetime annual annuity of $200,000 and an additional annual monetary allowance of $200,000, each adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases as provided by the Social Security Act. It reduces the annual monetary allowance by the amount that a former President's adjusted gross income in a taxable year exceeds $400,000.

The bill prohibits the monetary allowance from being less than the amount that the General Services Administration and the U.S. Secret Service determine is needed to pay the increased cost of doing business that is attributable to the security needs of the former President.

The annuity and allowance shall not be payable for any period during which a former President holds an appointive or elective position in or under the federal government that pays more than a nominal rate.

The bill increases from $20,000 to $100,000 the annual annuity of a surviving spouse of a former President.

(Sec. 3) Nothing in this bill shall be construed to affect: (1) a law relating to the security or protection of a former President or a family member of a former President, or (2) funding to carry out such security or protection.

(Sec. 4) The bill applies to an individual who is a former President or the widow of a former President as of the date of enactment.

(Sec. 5) For a former President receiving a monetary allowance before the enactment of this bill, the reduction of the monetary allowance for adjusted gross income required by this bill applies, except to the extent that it would prevent the former President from being able to pay the cost of a lease or other contract that is in effect on the day before enactment of this bill and under which the former President makes payments using the monetary allowance.

presidential allowance modernization act sec bill revises provisions relating presidential pensions allow presidents lifetime annual annuity additional annual monetary allowance adjusted annually cost living increases provided social_security_act reduces annual monetary allowance president adjusted gross income taxable year exceeds bill prohibits monetary allowance general_services_administration secret_service determine needed pay increased cost business attributable security needs president annuity allowance shall payable period president holds elective position federal_government pays nominal rate bill increases annual annuity surviving spouse president sec bill shall construed affect law relating security protection president family member president funding carry security protection sec bill applies individual president widow president date enactment sec president receiving monetary allowance enactment bill reduction monetary allowance adjusted gross income required bill applies extent prevent president able pay cost lease contract effect day enactment bill president makes payments monetary allowance


Summary:
Support our Services to Veterans Caregivers Act or the S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act

 This bill includes a veteran who has a serious illness or injury (currently, a serious injury) incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty on or after September 11, 2001, as an "eligible veteran" for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of eligible veterans.

As part of such program, the VA shall give each caregiver designated as the primary provider of personal care services for an eligible veteran, not less than annually, a multidimensional assessment to measure the burden and strain the caregiver has felt.

The VA's annual report on such program shall include a description of the satisfaction experienced by caregivers and veterans with such program.

support services veterans caregivers act veterans caregivers act bill includes veteran illness injury currently injury incurred aggravated line active duty september eligible veteran purposes department_of_veterans_affairs program comprehensive assistance family caregivers eligible veterans program shall caregiver designated primary provider personal care services eligible veteran annually assessment measure burden strain caregiver annual report program shall include description satisfaction experienced caregivers veterans program


Summary:
Bullying Redress and Verified Enforcement Act or the BRAVE Act

This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require a local educational agency (LEA) employee who becomes aware of bullying to report to an LEA-designated individual, within seven business days: (1) the acts that constituted the bullying; (2) the victim's protected characteristic, whether actual or perceived, if the bullying included a reference to or was motivated by such characteristic; and (3) the response of the LEA's employees to the bullying.

The LEA-designated individual must, within 60 days after receiving such a report, inform all the LEA's employees of the acts described and the response of the LEA's employees.

Each LEA shall annually review its policies on bullying.

In addition, each LEA must publish and make available to students and parents a quarterly report that: (1) lists the number of bullying reports made since the previous quarterly report, and (2) informs the public of the right to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Education (ED). OCR shall: (1) establish and publish complaint procedures; (2) investigate each complaint; (3) withhold ESEA funds from, issue a complaint against, or enter into a compliance agreement with any noncompliant LEA; and (4) make information about each complaint available on ED's website.

The bill conditions an LEA's receipt of ESEA funds on its: (1) annual written certification to ED that it is in compliance with the bill's requirements, and (2) submission of its four most recent quarterly reports on bullying.

bullying redress verified enforcement act act bill amends elementary secondary education act esea require local educational agency lea employee aware bullying report lea designated individual seven business days acts constituted bullying victim protected characteristic actual perceived bullying included reference motivated characteristic response lea employees bullying lea designated individual days receiving report inform lea employees acts described response lea employees lea shall annually review policies bullying addition lea publish available students parents quarterly report lists number bullying reports previous quarterly report informs public right file complaint office civil rights department_of_education shall establish publish complaint procedures investigate complaint withhold esea funds issue complaint enter compliance agreement noncompliant lea information complaint available website bill conditions lea receipt esea funds annual written certification compliance bill requirements submission recent quarterly reports bullying


Summary:
Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine Act or the Healthy MOM Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act and Internal Revenue Code to require health insurers, health insurance exchanges, and group health plans to offer a special enrollment period to pregnant individuals. The special enrollment period offered by an insurer or exchange must begin when the pregnancy is reported to the insurer or exchange. The special enrollment period offered by a group health plan must begin when the pregnancy is reported to the plan or is confirmed by a health care provider.

Coverage offered by a group health plan or health insurer that covers dependents must provide coverage for maternity care to all covered individuals.

The Office of Personnel Management must ensure that eligible pregnant women are allowed to enroll in federal employee health benefit plans outside of the open enrollment period.

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise the range in which a state must establish a maximum level of family income for pregnant women and infants to be eligible for Medicaid. The upper limit of the range is eliminated and the lower limit is set to the level in place, or specified in an amendment to a state plan, on January 1, 2014.

healthy maternity obstetric medicine act healthy mom act bill amends public_health_service_act internal_revenue_code require health insurers health insurance exchanges group health plans offer special enrollment period pregnant individuals special enrollment period offered insurer exchange begin pregnancy reported insurer exchange special enrollment period offered group health plan begin pregnancy reported plan confirmed health_care provider coverage offered group health plan health insurer covers dependents provide coverage maternity care covered individuals office_of_personnel_management ensure eligible pregnant women allowed enroll federal employee health benefit plans outside open enrollment period bill amends title xix medicaid social_security_act revise range state establish maximum level family income pregnant women infants eligible medicaid upper limit range eliminated lower limit set level place specified amendment state plan january