Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/28/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E682-683)

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to States for assistance in hiring additional school-based mental health and student service providers. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Student Support Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to make matching grants of at least $1 million to states for allocation to local educational agencies (LEAs) so that additional school-based mental health and student service providers may be hired, thereby reducing the student-to-provider ratios in elementary and secondary schools to specified levels recommended by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. Includes school counselors, school psychologists or other psychologists, child or adolescent psychiatrists, and school social workers among such providers. Requires grants to states and state allocations to LEAs to be made pursuant to specified [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to provide Federal coordination and assistance in preventing gang violence.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Mynisha's Law - Authorizes any local or tribal government to submit an application to the Attorney General for designation as a Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area.

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish criteria for reviewing such applications; and (2) establish an Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force. Directs the Task Force to: (1) coordinate government activities to create a comprehensive gang prevention response, focusing on early childhood intervention, at-risk youth intervention, literacy, employment, community policing, and comprehensive community-based programs such as Operation Cease Fire; (2) coordinate with local and regional gang prevention efforts; and (3) prioritize the needs of such Areas for funding under specified federal community assistance and grant programs.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S111)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a National Center for Social Work Research.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

National Center for Social Work Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Center for Social Work Research as an agency of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct, support, and disseminate targeted research on social work methods and outcomes related to problems of significant social concern.

Authorizes the Director of the Center to: (1) provide research training and instruction; (2) establish research traineeships and fellowships; (3) provide stipends and allowances; and (4) make grants to nonprofit institutions to provide such training, instruction, traineeships, and fellowships.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an advisory council for the Center.

Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve school safety. 1/9/2007--Introduced. Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act or the SAVE Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to allow a student who is attending a public school that does not have a safe climate for academic achievement, or who becomes a victim of a violent criminal offense while on school grounds, in a school bus, or on a school function, to transfer to a safe public school within the school district. (Currently, the school must be persistently dangerous and the offense must occur on school grounds.) Requires the counseling or removal of offenders. Requires a state's determination that a school is unsafe to: (1) be based on verifiable data reported in a consistent and uniform manner; (2) result in ameliorative efforts by unsafe schools; and (3) be relayed to local educational agencies (LEAs) within 45 days before the start of a [...]

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Latest Action: 12/17/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A resolution designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week".

12/17/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates the week of February 4, 2007, as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
A bill to increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law-abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs, and for other purposes. 9/21/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007 - Title I: New Federal Criminal Laws Needed To Fight Violent National, International, Regional, And Local Gangs That Affect Interstate And Foreign Commerce - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibitions against criminal street gangs. Defines "criminal street gang" as a formal or informal group, organization, or association of five or more individuals: (1) each of whom has committed at least one gang crime; and (2) who collectively commit three or more [...]

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Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week.

10/22/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes that bullying of school-aged children is a national concern and unhealthy for our families and communities.

Commends national and community organizations, schools, parents, recreation programs, and religious institutions for promoting greater public awareness about bullying and bullying prevention activities.

Supports the goals of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week.

Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of youth violence in eligible urban communities by providing violence-prevention education, mentoring, counseling, and mental health services to children and adolescents in such communities. 2/6/2007--Introduced. City Youth Violence Recovery Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to partnerships between a state mental health authority and one or more local public or private entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of youth violence in urban communities with a high or increasing incidence of such violence by providing violence-prevention education, mentoring, counseling, and mental health services to children and adolescents. Gives priority to grant applicants that agree to use the grant in communities that lack the resources to address youth violence. Requires grant applicants to agree to use no more [...]

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Latest Action: 03/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3757-3758)

Bill Text
A bill to fight criminal gangs. 3/26/2007--Introduced. Fighting Gangs and Empowering Youth Act of 2007 - Reauthorizes programs for combating criminal gangs, including after-school programs, programs for safe and drug-free schools and communities, gang resistance education and training programs, and adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects.Establishes or increases funding for criminal gang-related programs, including: (1) demonstration grants to public and private entities for innovative approaches to combat gang activity; (2) programs that target certain at-risk youth and juvenile offenders ages 11 to 19; (3) state studies of parole or post-incarceration supervision violations and revocations; (4) substance abuse treatment; (5) mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations; (6) transition training for incarcerated youth offenders; (7) gang activity policing grants; (8) grants to prosecutors and law enforcement officials to combat violent [...]

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Latest Action: 03/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2007 - Reinstates for ten years repealed criminal provisions regarding assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (the assault weapons ban).Revises the definition of "semiautomatic assault weapon" to include conversion kits (for converting a firearm to such a weapon) and any semiautomatic rifle or pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and that has specified characteristics, including a telescoping stock. Prohibits the transfer of such a weapon except through a licensed dealer or a state or local law enforcement agency, subject to specified requirements. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish and maintain a record of the make, model, and date of manufacture of any such weapon which the Attorney General is made aware has been used in relation to a crime, and of [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To authorize the Attorney General to award grants to eligible entities to prevent or alleviate community violence by providing education, mentoring, and counseling services to children, adolescents, teachers, families, and community leaders on the principles and practice of nonviolence.

3/13/2008--Introduced.

Securing American Families by Educating and Training Youth (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of community violence by educating, mentoring, and counseling youth regarding the principles and application of nonviolence in conflict resolution.

Gives grant priority to applicants that agree to use the funds in communities experiencing an increase in violence, but lacking the resources to address violence prevention.

Latest Action: 12/17/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A resolution designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week".

12/17/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates the week of February 4, 2007, as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week.

10/22/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes that bullying of school-aged children is a national concern and unhealthy for our families and communities.

Commends national and community organizations, schools, parents, recreation programs, and religious institutions for promoting greater public awareness about bullying and bullying prevention activities.

Supports the goals of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week.

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish pilot programs in expanded school attendance. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Expanded Education Act - Amends title I of the the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a new part I (Expanded Education) program awarding grants to states for the conduct of separate expanded day, week, or year pilot programs. Requires that for each of the expanded day and week programs at least: (1) 20 schools in each small state and 50 schools in each large state participate; (2) 50% of each participating school's student population consist of low-income students; (3) one entire grade in each participating school be involved in the program. Requires each expanded day and week program to: (1) increase student proficiency in reading and language arts, and mathematics; (2) provide education in new areas or directions, so that it is not wholly remedial; and (3) include sufficient recreational,[...]

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Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to foster community involvement, and for other purposes. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Working to Encourage Community Action and Responsibility in Education Act or the WE CARE Act - Amends title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to assess the nonacademic factors affecting student academic performance and work with other public, private, nonprofit, and community-based entities to address those factors. Requires the annual report cards issued by states and LEAs to include additional performance data, including information on their efforts to increase community and parental involvement in students' education. Establishes a new program requiring the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to LEAs for the development and implementation of community involvement policies [...]

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Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to authorize the use of grant funds for gang prevention, and for other purposes.

8/3/2007--Introduced.

Bullying and Gang Reduction for Improved Education Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to add bullying and gang prevention to the violence and drug abuse prevention activities currently supported under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program.

Provides that, in addition to fostering a safe and drug-free learning environment, such program should facilitate healthy, physically active lifestyles.

Makes local park and recreation agencies eligible for funding under the program's mentoring programs for children.

Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To establish an educational mentoring pilot program for at-risk youth through community partnerships that provides life, social, academic and vocational skills necessary for youth to become productive law abiding citizens. 7/24/2007--Introduced. Path to Success: Gang Prevention through Community Partnerships Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to community colleges to establish partnerships with juvenile detention centers and secure juvenile justice residential facilities to provide assistance, services, and education to individuals age 16 through 19 who have served or are serving time in juvenile detention facilities for a gang-related offense who reenter the community and pursue: (1) a secondary education graduation certificate, a general equivalency diploma (GED), or equivalent certificate or diploma; (2) a certificate of completion for a specialized area of study; or (3) an associate's degree. Requires such education programs to establish [...]

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Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to include bullying and harassment prevention programs.

7/23/2007--Introduced.

Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to require: (1) states to use grants for safe and drug-free schools to collect and report information on the incidence of bullying and harassment; and (2) local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools to use subgrants to prevent and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment.

Requires such LEAs or schools to: (1) notify parents and students annually of conduct prohibited in their school discipline policies, that now must include bullying and harassment; and (2) establish grievance procedures for students and parents to register complaints regarding such conduct.

Includes bullying and harassment within the the Act's definition of violence.

Latest Action: 09/22/2008 - Received in the Senate.

Bill Text
To enhance the safety of elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. 5/16/2007--Introduced. School Safety Enhancements Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) allow the placement and use of surveillance equipment in schools under the matching grant program for public elementary and secondary school security; (2) allow the use of grant funds to establish hotlines or tiplines for reporting potentially dangerous students and situations and for making capital improvements to make school facilities more secure; (3) set the federal matching share of program costs at 80%; and (4) revise application requirements for school security grants. Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Secretary of Education to establish an interagency task force to develop and promulgate advisory school safety guidelines. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution [...]

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