Summary:
Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Improvement Act

Establishes the Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Committee to:

 coordinate federal oversight of proprietary institutions of higher education (IHEs); coordinate federal activities to protect students from unfair, deceptive, abusive, unethical, fraudulent, or predatory practices, policies, or procedures of proprietary IHEs; encourage information sharing among federal agencies regarding federal investigations, audits, or inquiries of such IHEs; increase coordination and cooperation between federal and state agencies to improve oversight and accountability of proprietary IHEs; and develop best practices and consistency among federal and state agencies in the dissemination of consumer information regarding such IHEs. Requires the Committee to: (1) meet at least once each quarter of each fiscal year; and (2) meet at least once each fiscal year, and otherwise interact regularly, with state attorneys general, state approval agencies, veterans service organizations, and consumer advocates.

Directs the Committee to submit, and make publicly available, an annual report to Congress that includes: (1) recommendations for legislative and administrative actions the Committees deems necessary to improve the enforcement of applicable federal laws, increase the accountability of proprietary IHEs to students and taxpayers, and ensure the promotion of quality education programs; and (2) specified financial and consumer information regarding such IHEs.

Requires the Committee, each academic year, to publish the For-Profit College Warning List for Parents and Students, which is to be comprised of proprietary IHEs:

 that have engaged in illegal activity during the previous academic year as determined by a federal or state court; that have entered into a settlement resulting in a monetary payment; that have had any higher education program withdrawn or suspended; or for which the Committee has sufficient evidence of widespread or systemic unfair, deceptive, abusive, unethical, fraudulent, or predatory practices, policies, or procedures that threaten the academic success, financial security, or general best interest of students.

proprietary education oversight coordination improvement act establishes coordinate federal oversight proprietary institutions higher education ihes coordinate federal activities protect students unfair deceptive abusive unethical fraudulent predatory practices policies procedures proprietary ihes encourage information sharing federal agencies federal investigations audits inquiries ihes increase coordination cooperation federal state agencies improve oversight accountability proprietary ihes develop best practices consistency federal state agencies dissemination consumer information ihes requires committee meet quarter fiscal year meet fiscal year interact regularly state attorneys general state approval agencies veterans service organizations consumer advocates directs committee submit publicly available annual report congress includes recommendations legislative administrative actions committees deems necessary improve enforcement applicable federal laws increase accountability proprietary ihes students taxpayers ensure promotion quality education programs specified financial consumer information ihes requires committee academic year publish comprised proprietary ihes engaged illegal activity previous academic year determined federal state court entered settlement resulting monetary payment higher education program withdrawn suspended committee sufficient evidence widespread systemic unfair deceptive abusive unethical fraudulent predatory practices policies procedures threaten academic success financial security general best interest students


Summary:
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments under the federal veterinary medicine loan repayment program or any other state loan repayment or forgiveness program that is intended to provide for increased access to veterinary services in such state.

veterinary_medicine_loan_repayment_program enhancement act amends internal revenue code exclude gross income payments federal veterinary medicine loan repayment program state loan repayment forgiveness program intended provide increased access veterinary services state


Summary:
Simplifying Access to Student Loan Information Act of 2015

Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require private educational lenders to submit to the Secretary of Education information regarding each private education loan they make.

Requires that such information: (1) be placed in the National Student Loan Data System (System), and (2) allow for the electronic exchange of data between the borrowers of those loans and the System. (The System currently contains information regarding loans made, insured, or guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan program and loans made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan and Federal Perkins Loan programs.)

Requires the private education loan information to include, if determined appropriate by the Secretary:

 the total amount and type of each loan; the interest rate on each loan; information regarding the borrower that the Secretary deems necessary to ensure the electronic exchange of data between the borrower and the System; contact information regarding the lender and servicer of each loan; information concerning the date of any default on the loan and the collection of the loan, including any information concerning the repayment status of any defaulted loan; and the date the borrower completes repayment. Requires private educational lenders to ensure the privacy of borrowers and update the loan information they submit to the System on the same schedule as information is updated under the System.

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary to ensure that: (1) a cosigner of a private education loan for which information is included in the System has access only to that information, and (2) a private educational lender has access to the System only to submit information regarding the lender's loans.

Directs the Secretary to establish a functionality within the System that enables student borrowers of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV to input the information necessary to compare the repayment plans available to them under that title.

simplifying access student loan information act amends truth lending act require private educational lenders submit secretary education information private education loan requires information placed allow electronic exchange data borrowers loans system system currently contains information loans insured guaranteed federal_family_education_loan program loans federal direct loan federal_perkins_loan programs requires private education loan information include determined appropriate secretary total type loan interest rate loan information borrower secretary deems necessary ensure electronic exchange data borrower system contact information lender servicer loan information concerning date default loan collection loan including information concerning repayment status defaulted loan date borrower completes repayment requires private educational lenders ensure privacy borrowers update loan information submit system schedule information updated system amends title student assistance higher education act require secretary ensure cosigner private education loan information included system access information private educational lender access system submit information lender loans directs secretary establish functionality system enables student borrowers loans insured guaranteed title input information necessary compare repayment plans available title


Summary:
Career Ready Act of 2015

Amends the school improvement program under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow states to include certain career readiness indicators in their determination as to whether students are making adequate yearly progress toward state academic performance standards.

Allows states to include on their annual report cards on student progress toward those standards:

 the number and percentage of their public secondary school students who attain state and local adjusted levels of career and technical education performance, as defined by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006; the number and percentage of their public secondary school students that attain a recognized postsecondary credential, as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and high school graduation, enrollment, remediation, persistence, and completion rates. Requires local educational agencies awarded a grant for elementary and secondary school counseling programs under part D of title V of the ESEA to use the funds for additional activities that include:

 developing and implementing comprehensive school counseling programs that are aligned with their grant applications; identifying regional workforce trends, in collaboration with entities experienced in identifying such trends, and enabling school counselor programs at the secondary school level to access that data; training counselors to effectively provide labor market information to secondary school students; developing and implementing integrated, job-embedded, and ongoing professional development programs for educators who prepare students for postsecondary opportunities and careers; and developing personalized learning plans for each student that map a defined program of study based on the student's academic and career goals.

career amends school improvement program title elementary secondary education act allow states include certain career readiness indicators determination students making adequate yearly progress state academic performance standards allows states include annual report cards student progress standards number percentage public secondary school students attain state local adjusted levels career technical education performance defined number percentage public secondary school students attain recognized postsecondary credential defined opportunity act high school graduation enrollment remediation persistence completion rates requires local educational agencies awarded grant elementary secondary school counseling programs title esea use funds additional activities include developing implementing comprehensive school counseling programs aligned grant applications identifying regional workforce trends collaboration entities experienced identifying trends enabling school counselor programs secondary school level access data training counselors effectively provide labor market information secondary school students developing implementing integrated job embedded ongoing professional development programs educators prepare students postsecondary opportunities careers developing personalized learning plans student map defined program study based student academic career goals


Summary:
Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act

Repeals certain Department of Education (ED) regulations that for purposes of determining whether a school is eligible to participate in programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA): (1) require institutions of higher education (IHEs) and postsecondary vocational institutions (except religious schools) to be legally authorized by the state in which they are situated, (2) delineate what such legal authorization requires of states and schools, (3) impose standards and disclosure requirements on programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, and (4) define "credit hour."

Prohibits ED from promulgating or enforcing any regulation or rule not in effect on the date of this Act's enactment regarding: (1) the state authorization for IHEs to operate within a state, (2) the definition or application of the term "gainful employment," or (3) a teacher preparation program accountability system. Ends that prohibition when a law is enacted that extends by at least two fiscal years the authorization or duration of one or more programs under the HEA.

Prohibits ED from promulgating or enforcing any regulation or rule that defines "credit hour" for any purpose under the HEA.

Prohibits ED from carrying out, developing, refining, promulgating, publishing, implementing, administering, or enforcing a postsecondary institution ratings system or any other performance system to rate IHEs.

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA to authorize nonprofit IHEs to make payments to third-party entities for services that include student recruitment and are based on the amount of tuition that the IHE generates from student enrollment if the third-party entity: (1) is not affiliated with the IHE, (2) does not provide incentive payments to its employees for their success in enrolling students or securing financial aid for them, (3) is not paid by the IHE solely or separately for student recruitment services, and (4) will not make student recruitment information available to any other person or entity.

supporting academic freedom regulatory relief act repeals certain department_of_education regulations purposes determining school eligible participate programs higher education act hea require institutions higher education ihes postsecondary vocational institutions religious schools legally authorized state situated delineate legal authorization requires states schools impose standards disclosure requirements programs prepare students gainful employment recognized occupation define credit hour prohibits_ed promulgating enforcing regulation rule effect date act enactment state authorization ihes operate state definition application term gainful employment teacher preparation program accountability system ends prohibition law enacted extends fiscal years authorization duration programs hea prohibits_ed promulgating enforcing regulation rule defines credit hour purpose hea prohibits_ed carrying developing refining promulgating publishing implementing administering enforcing postsecondary institution ratings system performance system rate ihes amends title student assistance hea authorize nonprofit ihes payments party entities services include student recruitment based tuition ihe generates student enrollment party entity affiliated ihe provide incentive payments employees success enrolling students securing financial aid paid ihe solely separately student recruitment services student recruitment information available person entity


Summary:
Campus Accountability and Safety Act

Amends provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in title IV (Student Assistance) programs to include in their annual campus security reports provided to current and prospective students and employees:

 the memorandum of understanding that this Act requires IHEs to enter into with local law enforcement agencies (and update, as necessary, every two years) to clearly delineate responsibilities and share information about certain serious crimes, including sexual violence, occurring against students or other individuals on campus; and specified information regarding the number of sex offenses reported to the IHE and the IHE's disposition of sex offense cases. Requires IHEs to provide new students and employees with a statement that identifies domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as crimes which will be reported and with respect to which, based on the victim's wishes, the IHE will cooperate with local law enforcement. Requires an IHE's disciplinary procedures for such offenses to comply with its campus security policy and provide both the accuser and accused written notice of the outcome of such procedures or a change in an outcome within 24 hours after it occurs.

Directs the Secretary to develop and administer through an online portal a standardized, online, and biannual survey of students regarding their experiences with sexual violence and harassment. Omits survey responses from the annual crime statistics IHEs must report, but requires the Secretary to publish survey information that includes campus-level data for each school on the Department of Education's (ED's) website biannually. Requires IHEs to publish the campus-level results of the survey on their websites and in their annual security reports.

Requires ED to make publicly available guidance regarding the intersection of the campus security and crime statistics reporting requirements under title IV and requirements under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Requires each IHE that receives funding under the HEA to establish a campus security policy that includes:

 the designation of one or more confidential advisors at the IHE to whom non-employee victims of sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking can report, including anonymously; provision on the IHE's website of specified information to assist the victims of such crimes, including contact information for the confidential advisor; authorization for the IHE to provide an online reporting system to collect anonymous disclosures of crimes and track patterns of crime on campus; an amnesty policy for any student who, in good faith, reports sexual violence to a higher education responsible employee, with respect to a non-violent student conduct violation revealed in the course of such a report; a training program, developed by the Secretary, for IHE employees who are involved in implementing the school's student grievance procedures or responsible for interviewing alleged sexual assault victims; a uniform process (for each of the IHE's campuses) for student disciplinary proceedings relating to claims of sexual violence against a student attending the IHE; the annual provision of information to ED's Office for Civil Rights and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the IHE's title IX coordinator; the provision of written notice to the accuser and accused student within 24 hours of the IHE's decision to proceed with an institutional disciplinary process regarding an allegation of sexual misconduct; and the provision of written notice to the accuser and accused student within 24 hours of the determination of responsibility made by the disciplinary board and any sanctions. Directs the Secretary to establish a title IX website that includes:

 the name and contact information for the title IX coordinator at each IHE, including a brief description of the coordinator's role and the roles of other officials who may be contacted regarding sexual harassment; and ED's pending investigations and the actions it has taken regarding all title IX complaints and compliance reviews related to sexual harassment. Directs the Secretary to develop online training materials for training higher education responsible employees, title IX coordinators, and individuals involved in implementing an IHE's student conduct grievance procedures.

Authorizes the Secretary to impose civil penalties upon IHEs that fail to: (1) enter into memorandums of understanding with their local law enforcement agencies, (2) carry out campus security and crime statistics reporting requirements, or (3) establish the requisite campus security policy.

Amends the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 to: (1) increase the minimum grant that may be provided to IHEs to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campuses; and (2) authorize the use of such grants to train campus personnel in how to use victim-centered, trauma-informed interview techniques.

Amends the HEA to authorize the Secretary, using amounts collected under this Act's penalty provisions, to award competitive grants to IHEs to enhance their ability to address sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, on campus.

Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to authorize the Secretary or DOJ to impose civil penalties on IHEs that violate or fail to carry out title IX requirements regarding sexual violence. Gives individuals 180 days after their graduation or disaffiliation with an IHE to file a complaint regarding such a violation with ED's Office for Civil Rights.

campus accountability safety act amends provisions higher education act hea known jeanne clery disclosure campus security policy campus crime statistics act require institutions higher education ihes participate title student assistance programs include annual campus security reports provided current prospective students employees memorandum understanding act requires ihes enter local law enforcement agencies update necessary years clearly delineate responsibilities share information certain crimes including sexual violence occurring students individuals campus specified information number sex offenses reported ihe ihe disposition sex offense cases requires ihes provide new students employees statement identifies domestic violence dating violence sexual assault stalking crimes reported respect based victim wishes ihe cooperate local law enforcement requires ihe disciplinary procedures offenses comply campus security policy provide accused written notice outcome procedures change outcome hours occurs directs secretary develop administer online portal standardized online biannual survey students experiences sexual violence harassment omits survey responses annual crime statistics ihes report requires secretary publish survey information includes campus level data school department_of_education website biannually requires ihes publish campus level results survey websites annual security reports requires publicly available guidance campus security crime statistics reporting requirements title requirements title education_amendments requires ihe receives funding hea establish campus security policy includes designation confidential advisors ihe non employee victims sexual harassment domestic violence dating violence sexual assault stalking report including anonymously provision ihe website specified information assist victims crimes including contact information confidential advisor authorization ihe provide online reporting system collect anonymous disclosures crimes track patterns crime campus amnesty policy student good faith reports sexual violence higher education responsible employee respect non violent student conduct violation revealed course report training program developed secretary ihe employees involved implementing school student grievance procedures responsible interviewing alleged sexual assault victims uniform process ihe campuses student disciplinary proceedings relating claims sexual violence student attending ihe annual provision information doj ihe title coordinator provision written notice accused student hours ihe decision proceed institutional disciplinary process allegation sexual misconduct provision written notice accused student hours determination responsibility disciplinary board sanctions directs secretary establish title website includes contact information title coordinator ihe including brief description coordinator role roles officials contacted sexual harassment pending investigations actions taken title complaints compliance reviews related sexual harassment directs secretary develop online training materials training higher education responsible employees title coordinators individuals involved implementing ihe student conduct grievance procedures authorizes secretary impose civil penalties ihes fail enter memorandums understanding local law enforcement agencies carry campus security crime statistics reporting requirements establish requisite campus security policy amends violence women department_of_justice reauthorization act increase minimum grant provided ihes combat domestic violence dating violence sexual assault stalking campuses authorize use grants train campus personnel use victim centered trauma informed interview techniques amends hea authorize secretary amounts collected act penalty provisions award competitive grants ihes enhance ability address sexual harassment sexual assault domestic violence dating violence stalking campus amends education_amendments authorize secretary doj impose civil penalties ihes violate fail carry title requirements sexual violence gives individuals days graduation ihe file complaint violation


Summary:
Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2015

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make the following entities, programs, and courses eligible for funding under title IV if they are accredited by an authorized accreditation authority in a state that has an alternative accreditation agreement with the Secretary of Education:

 institutions that provide postsecondary courses; postsecondary apprenticeship programs; and postsecondary education courses or programs provided by institutions of postsecondary education, nonprofit organizations, or for-profit organizations or businesses. Lists the items to be included in a state's alternative accreditation agreement with the Secretary, including the standards those entities, programs, and courses must meet to receive and maintain their accreditation.

Requires that agreement to include the state's assurance that only entities, programs, and courses that provide credits toward a postsecondary certification, credential, or degree (as defined by the state in the agreement) will be accredited.

Establishes the formula for determining the administrative cost allowance for: (1) the entities, programs, and courses that are accredited through the alternative accreditation system and that administer the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs in accordance with the agreement; and (2) states that will administer those programs for such entities, programs, and courses in accordance with the agreement.

higher education reform opportunity act amends title student assistance higher education act following entities programs courses eligible funding title accredited authorized accreditation authority state alternative accreditation agreement secretary education institutions provide postsecondary courses postsecondary apprenticeship programs postsecondary education courses programs provided institutions postsecondary education nonprofit organizations profit organizations businesses lists items included state alternative accreditation agreement secretary including standards entities programs courses meet receive maintain accreditation requires agreement include state assurance entities programs courses provide credits postsecondary certification credential degree defined state agreement accredited establishes formula determining administrative cost allowance entities programs courses accredited alternative accreditation system administer federal pell grant federal perkins loan grant programs accordance agreement states administer programs entities programs courses accordance agreement


Summary:
American Dream Accounts Act

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities so each can establish and administer American Dream Accounts for a group of at least 30 low-income public school students who, at the time the entities apply for a grant, are attending a grade no higher than ninth grade.

Lists as eligible entities: (1) state educational agencies; (2) local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that operate as their own LEA; (3) charter management organizations or charter school authorizers; (4) institutions of higher education (IHEs) or Tribal Colleges or Universities; (5) nonprofit organizations; (6) entities experienced in educational savings or assisting low-income students attain higher education; (7) consortia of two or more of these entities; and (8) consortia of one or more of these entities and a public, charter, or Indian school.

Describes an American Dream Account as a personal online account for low-income students that monitors their progress toward higher education and includes a college savings account.

Requires American Dream Accounts to provide students with opportunities, either online or in person, to: (1) attain financial literacy; (2) learn about preparing for enrollment in an IHE; and (3) identify their skills or interests, including career interests.

Requires grantees, subject to federal privacy laws and regulations, to allow vested stakeholders to have secure Internet access to an American Dream Account, but not the college savings account portion of that Account.

Prohibits grantees from using their grant to provide the initial deposit into the college savings account portion of a student's American Dream Account.

Prohibits the funds in those college savings accounts from being considered in making federal student financial aid determinations.

american_dream_accounts_act authorizes secretary education award competitive grants eligible entities establish administer american_dream_accounts group low income public school students time entities apply grant attending grade higher ninth grade lists eligible entities state educational agencies local educational agencies leas including charter schools operate lea charter management organizations charter school authorizers institutions higher education ihes tribal_colleges universities nonprofit organizations entities experienced educational savings assisting low income students attain higher education consortia entities consortia entities public charter indian school describes american dream account personal online account low income students monitors progress higher education includes college savings account requires american dream accounts provide students opportunities online person attain financial literacy learn preparing enrollment ihe identify skills interests including career interests requires grantees subject federal privacy laws regulations allow vested stakeholders secure internet access american dream account college savings account portion account prohibits grantees grant provide initial deposit college savings account portion student american_dream_account prohibits funds college savings accounts considered making federal student financial aid determinations


Summary:
Survivor Outreach and Support Campus Act or the SOS Campus Act

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in the programs under title IV (Student Assistance) to designate an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response (Advocate) with experience in providing sexual assault victim services.

Directs the Secretary of Education to prescribe regulations for IHEs to follow in appointing Advocates.

Requires each Advocate to: (1) report to an individual outside the body responsible for investigating and adjudicating sexual assault complaints at the IHE, (2) submit to such individual an annual report summarizing how the resources supplied to the Advocate were used, and (3) represent the interests of each student victim even when they conflict with the IHE's interests.

Directs each Advocate to:

 ensure that sexual assault victims at the IHE receive, with their consent, specified information and services; guide sexual assault victims who request assistance through the reporting, counseling, administrative, medical and health, academic accommodations, or legal processes of the IHE or local law enforcement; attend, at the request of a sexual assault victim, any administrative or IHE-based adjudication proceeding related to such assault as an advocate for the victim; maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the victim and any witness to such sexual assault, without notifying the IHE or any other authority of the identity of the victim or of any such witness or the alleged circumstances surrounding the reported sexual assault, unless otherwise required to do so by state law; and conduct a public information campaign to inform the students enrolled at the IHE of the existence of, contact information for, and services provided by the Advocate. Prohibits IHEs from retaliating against: (1) Advocates for representing the interests of a student victims, or (2) student victims for reporting sexual assaults to Advocates.

survivor outreach sos campus act amends higher education act require institution higher education ihe participates programs title student assistance designate independent advocate campus sexual assault prevention response advocate experience providing sexual assault victim services directs secretary education prescribe regulations ihes follow appointing advocates requires advocate report individual outside body responsible investigating adjudicating sexual assault complaints ihe submit individual annual report summarizing resources supplied advocate represent interests student victim conflict ihe interests directs advocate ensure sexual assault victims ihe receive consent specified information services guide sexual assault victims request assistance reporting counseling administrative medical health academic accommodations legal processes ihe local law enforcement attend request sexual assault victim administrative ihe based adjudication proceeding related assault advocate victim maintain privacy confidentiality victim witness sexual assault notifying ihe authority identity victim witness alleged circumstances surrounding reported sexual assault required state law conduct public information campaign inform students enrolled ihe existence contact information services provided advocate prohibits ihes retaliating advocates representing interests student victims student victims reporting sexual assaults advocates


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since the Senate agreed to the House amendment with an amendment on July 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to establish a national mandatory bioengineered food disclosure standard. (Bioengineered food is commonly referred to as a genetically modified organism or GMO food.)

(Sec. 1) Bioengineered food is food that that has been genetically modified in a way that could not be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.

The standard applies to any claim in a disclosure a food bears indicating that the food is bioengineered and to any food subject to the labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

It applies to foods subject to labeling requirements under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Egg Products Inspection Act if: (1) the most predominant ingredient would independently be subject to the FFDCA labeling requirements; or (2) the most predominant ingredient is broth, stock, water, or a similar solution and the second-most predominant ingredient would independently be subject to the FFDCA labeling requirements.

Within two years of enactment of this bill, USDA must establish: (1) a national mandatory bioengineered food disclosure standard for any bioengineered food and any food that may be bioengineered, and (2) requirements and procedures to carry out the standard.

Regulations prescribing the labeling of bioengineered food must:

 prohibit a food derived from an animal from being considered bioengineered solely because the animal consumed feed produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered substance; determine the amounts of a bioengineered substance that may be present for a food to be bioengineered; establish a process for requesting and granting a USDA determination regarding other factors and conditions under which a food is considered bioengineered; require the form of disclosure to be a text, symbol, or electronic or digital link (excluding Internet website Uniform Resource Locators not embedded in the link) with the disclosure option to be selected by the food manufacturer; and provide alternative reasonable disclosure options for food contained in small or very small packages. For small food manufacturers, the regulations must provide: (1) an implementation date that is no earlier than one year after the implementation date of the regulations; and (2) additional on-package disclosure options to be selected by the manufacturer that consist of: a telephone number with language indicating that it provides access to additional information, and an Internet website maintained by the manufacturer.

The regulations must exclude: (1) food served in a restaurant or similar retail food establishment, and (2) very small food manufacturers.

A bioengineered food that has successfully completed the pre-market federal regulatory review process shall not be treated as safer than, or not as safe as, a non-bioengineered counterpart solely because the food is bioengineered or produced or developed with bioengineering.

USDA must: (1) conduct a study to identify potential technological challenges that may impact whether consumers would have access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic or digital disclosure methods, and (2) provide additional disclosure options if it determines that consumers will not have sufficient access to disclosures through electronic or digital methods.

USDA must ensure that specified on-package language accompanies electronic or digital link disclosures and telephone number disclosures.

USDA must also ensure that an electronic or digital link disclosure:

 provides access to the disclosure located in a consistent and conspicuous manner on the first product information page that appears, excluding marketing and promotional information; may not collect, analyze, or sell personally identifiable information about consumers or their devices unless the information is necessary to carry out the bill and is deleted immediately after it is used; includes a telephone number that provides access to the disclosure; and is of sufficient size to be easily and effectively scanned or read by a digital device. The bill prohibits states or political subdivisions of states from establishing or continuing requirements for labeling or disclosure of bioengineered or genetically engineered food that are not identical to the mandatory disclosure standard established by this bill.

This bill prohibits a person from knowingly failing to make a disclosure required by the standard. Each person subject to the mandatory disclosure requirement must maintain records necessary to establish compliance and provide the records to USDA upon request. USDA may conduct examinations and audits related to compliance, subject to requirements for notice, a public hearing, and the publication of the results. USDA may not recall any food on the basis of whether the food includes the disclosure.

A food may not include claims related to the absence of bioengineering solely based on whether or not a disclosure is required by the standard. A certification under the national organic program is sufficient to make a claim regarding the absence of bioengineering in a food.

measure amended senate agreed house amendment amendment july summary version repeated bill amends agricultural_marketing_act establish national mandatory food disclosure standard food commonly referred genetically modified organism gmo food sec food food genetically modified way obtained conventional breeding found nature standard applies claim disclosure food bears indicating food food subject labeling requirements cosmetic act ffdca applies foods subject labeling requirements federal meat inspection act poultry_products_inspection_act egg_products_inspection_act predominant ingredient independently subject ffdca labeling requirements predominant ingredient stock water similar solution second predominant ingredient independently subject ffdca labeling requirements years enactment bill usda establish national mandatory food disclosure standard food food requirements procedures carry standard regulations prescribing labeling food prohibit food derived animal considered solely animal consumed feed produced containing consisting substance determine amounts substance present food establish process requesting granting usda determination factors conditions food considered require form disclosure text symbol electronic digital link excluding internet website embedded link disclosure option selected food manufacturer provide alternative reasonable disclosure options food contained small small packages small food manufacturers regulations provide implementation date earlier year implementation date regulations additional package disclosure options selected manufacturer consist telephone number language indicating provides access additional information internet website maintained manufacturer regulations exclude food served restaurant similar retail food establishment small food manufacturers food successfully completed pre market federal regulatory review process shall treated safer safe non counterpart solely food produced developed usda conduct study identify potential technological challenges impact consumers access disclosure electronic digital disclosure methods provide additional disclosure options determines consumers sufficient access disclosures electronic digital methods usda ensure specified package language accompanies electronic digital link disclosures telephone number disclosures usda ensure electronic digital link disclosure provides access disclosure located consistent conspicuous manner product information page appears excluding marketing promotional information collect analyze sell personally identifiable information consumers devices information necessary carry bill deleted immediately includes telephone number provides access disclosure sufficient size easily effectively read digital device bill prohibits states political subdivisions states establishing continuing requirements labeling disclosure genetically engineered food identical mandatory disclosure standard established bill bill prohibits person knowingly failing disclosure required standard person subject mandatory disclosure requirement maintain records necessary establish compliance provide records usda request usda conduct examinations audits related compliance subject requirements notice public hearing publication results usda recall food basis food includes disclosure food include claims related absence solely based disclosure required standard certification national organic program sufficient claim absence food


Summary:
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2015

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) participating in a title IV program (except a foreign school) to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment that includes: (1) a prohibition of harassment of students by other students, faculty, and staff; (2) a description of its programs to prevent harassment; (3) a description of the procedures that students should follow if harassment occurs; and (4) a description of the procedures it will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported.

Defines "harassment" to include certain conduct undertaken through technological means that limits a student's ability to benefit from the IHE's programs, or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment at the school.

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to IHEs to initiate, expand, or improve programs to: (1) prevent the harassment of students; (2) provide counseling or redress services to students who have been harassed or accused of subjecting other students to harassment; and (3) train students, faculty, or staff to prevent harassment or address harassment if it occurs.

Directs the Secretary to publish a report of best practices for combating harassment at IHEs.

tyler clementi higher education anti harassment act amends title student assistance higher education act require institution higher education ihe participating title program foreign school include annual security report statement policy harassment includes prohibition harassment students students faculty staff description programs prevent harassment description procedures students follow harassment occurs description procedures follow incident harassment reported defines harassment include certain conduct undertaken technological means limits student ability benefit ihe programs creates hostile abusive educational environment school authorizes secretary education award competitive grants ihes initiate expand improve programs prevent harassment students provide counseling redress services students harassed accused subjecting students harassment train students faculty staff prevent harassment address harassment occurs directs secretary publish report best practices combating harassment ihes


Summary:
Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to refinance the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges on: (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, 2015; and (2) the Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) of qualified borrowers as DLs. (FFELs were not disbursed after June 30, 2010.)

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

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.

Determines a refinanced Consolidation Loan's interest rate by: (1) weighing the proportion of the unpaid balance of the Consolidation Loan that each component loan represents, (2) setting the interest rate on each component loan at the lesser of the rate on the component loan for the 12 months beginning on July 1, 2013, or its original rate, and (3) applying the weighted average of the interest rates on those loans as the interest rate on the Consolidation Loan.

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 the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges on private education loans as Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans if the private education loans were first disbursed to qualified borrowers before July 1, 2015, and were for their 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 on such loans 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 under this Act.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of: (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. Provides for a phase-in of such tax. Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2016.

Requires the Secretary to terminate this Act's refinancing programs on the earlier of the date: (1) when the net cost of carrying out the programs is equal to the Secretary's estimate of the amount of additional revenue generated during the 10-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment due to the fair share tax, or (2) that is two years after this Act's enactment.

amends title student assistance higher education act direct secretary education establish program refinance unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges federal direct loans dls qualified borrowers dls disbursed case direct_consolidation_loans applied july federal_family_education_loans ffels qualified borrowers dls ffels disbursed june refinances ffels federal_direct_stafford unsubsidized stafford plus depending categorization ffel consolidated_loan sets interest rate refinanced loans federal_direct_consolidation_loans rate months beginning july based categorization case stafford_loans loan issued undergraduate graduate student determines refinanced consolidation_loan interest rate weighing proportion unpaid balance consolidation_loan component loan represents setting interest rate component loan lesser rate component loan months beginning july original rate applying weighted average interest rates loans interest rate consolidation_loan 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 unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges private education loans 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 loans 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 act amends internal revenue code require individual taxpayer adjusted gross income exceeds million pay minimum tax rate excess taxpayer adjusted gross income taxpayer modified charitable contribution deduction taxable year tentative fair share tax establishes tax excess tentative fair share tax excess sum taxpayer regular tax liability alternative minimum tax amt payroll tax taxable year certain tax credits provides phase tax requires inflation adjustment million income threshold taxable years beginning requires secretary terminate act refinancing programs earlier date net cost carrying programs equal secretary estimate additional revenue generated year period beginning date act enactment fair share tax years act enactment


Summary:
Investing in States to Achieve Tuition Equality for Dreamers Act of 2015 or the IN-STATE for Dreamers Act of 2015

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to allot grants to states to offer Dreamer students in-state tuition and expand their access to in-state financial aid.

Defines a "Dreamer student" as an individual who:

 was under age 16 upon entering this country; has provided a list of each secondary school the individual attended in this country; and has earned a high school diploma or certain similar credentials, or is scheduled to complete the requirements for such a credential before the next academic year begins; has acquired a degree from an institution of higher education (IHE) or has successfully completed at least 2 years of a program for a baccalaureate or higher degree in the United States and has made satisfactory academic progress; is a beneficiary of the Deferrred Action for Childhood Arrivals program; or has served honorably in the uniformed services for at least 4 years. Directs the Secretary to provide for a hardship exception to either or both of the first two of such requirements.

Requires grant applicants to assure the Secretary that they: (1) will not discriminate against Dreamer students in awarding student aid or determining who is eligible for in-state tuition, if the student would otherwise be eligible for in-state financial aid as a state resident; and (2) will maintain, through FY 2025, at least their FY2013 level of support for their public IHEs, as adjusted for inflation.

Allots grants to each state based on its proportion of resident Dreamer students who are enrolled at least half-time in postsecondary education.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to collect a specified fee from recipients of F-1 visas, provided to nonimmigrant full-time students.

Eliminates the prohibition on states offering unlawful aliens postsecondary benefits on the basis of their residence in the state that are more generous than those offered citizens or naturals of this country, without regard to their state residence.

Allows individuals who have served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces to be naturalized without having been lawfully admitted to this country for permanent residence.

investing states achieve tuition equality dreamers act state dreamers act amends title student assistance higher education act direct secretary education allot grants states offer dreamer students state tuition expand access state financial aid defines dreamer student individual age entering country provided list secondary school individual attended country earned high school diploma certain similar credentials scheduled complete requirements credential academic year begins acquired degree institution higher education ihe successfully completed years program baccalaureate higher degree united_states satisfactory academic progress beneficiary program served honorably uniformed services years directs secretary provide hardship exception requirements requires grant applicants assure secretary discriminate dreamer students awarding student aid determining eligible state tuition student eligible state financial aid state resident maintain fy2013 level support public ihes adjusted inflation allots grants state based proportion resident dreamer students enrolled half time postsecondary education amends immigration nationality act direct secretary homeland_security collect specified fee recipients f-1 visas provided nonimmigrant time students eliminates prohibition states offering unlawful aliens postsecondary benefits basis residence state generous offered citizens naturals country regard state residence allows individuals served honorably naturalized having lawfully admitted country permanent residence


Summary:
Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities Act of 2015 or the PRISM Act of 2015

Makes Hispanic-serving institutions eligible for technical and financial assistance from the Secretary of the Interior to establish preservation training and degree programs.

institutions serving minorities act act makes hispanic serving institutions eligible technical financial assistance secretary interior establish preservation training degree programs


Summary:
Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights

Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require postsecondary educational lenders to disclose to borrowers at least 30 days before the first fully amortized payment on their loan is due:

 certain information concerning the terms of the loan, the date on which the first payment is due, the name of the lender and servicer and certain contact information, and a description of alternative repayment plans. Requires postsecondary educational lenders to disclose to borrowers who become 30 days delinquent on their loan:

 the date on which the loan will be charged-off or assigned to collections, including the consequences of those actions; the minimum payment that the borrower must make to avoid the loan being charged-off or assigned to collection; the minimum payment that the borrower must make to bring the loan current; and a statement informing the borrower that paying less than the minimum could result in the loan being charged-off or assigned to collection. Requires a postsecondary educational lender, when a borrower becomes 60 days delinquent or provides notice that he or she is having difficulty making payment, to:

 complete a full review of the loan and make a reasonable effort to determine if the borrower is eligible for an alternative repayment plan or servicemember or veteran benefits related to postsecondary education loans, inform the borrower about alternative repayment plans and benefits for which the borrower may be eligible, and give the borrower at least 30 days to apply for such a plan or benefit. Requires postsecondary educational lenders in all these situations to notify the borrower that a Servicemember and Veterans Liaison is available to answer inquiries about servicemember and veteran benefits related to such loans.

Provides that if such a borrower notifies a postsecondary educational lender that a long-term alternative repayment plan is not appropriate, the lender may provide the borrower with information about short-term options to address an anticipated short-term difficulty in making payments, such as forbearance or deferment options. Requires lenders to establish a process that enables borrowers to provide such notice.

Requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to develop and issue model forms to allow borrowers to compare their postsecondary education loan repayment plan with alternative repayment plans and forbearance and deferment options.

Establishes a student loan borrower bill of rights under the Truth in Lending Act.

Imposes specified notification and payment transfer and receipt obligations on transferors and transferees of student loans if the transfer of those loans results in a change of the party to whom the borrower must direct communications or send payments.

Prohibits student loan servicers from imposing late payment fees or finance charges on borrowers whose late payment is due to a change in the servicer's mailing address, office, or payment handling procedures.

Requires postsecondary education loan servicers, absent alternative instructions from the borrower, to apply payments first to the interest and fees a borrower owes on the payment due date and then to the principal of the borrower's loan that bears the highest interest rate. Allows borrowers to voluntarily increase their periodic payment amount while maintaining the right to return to their original amortization schedule at any time. Requires servicers to provide borrowers with a simple, online method to do so.

Prohibits the imposition of a late fee:

 on a per-loan basis, if the borrower has multiple postsecondary education loans in a billing group; in an amount greater than 4% of the payment past due; before the end of the 15-day period beginning on the payment due date; more than once for a single late payment; and if the borrower fails to make a singular, non-successive regularly-scheduled payment. Considers a private education loan to be rehabilitated if the borrower: (1) makes 9 payments of amounts owed on the loan within 20 days of the due date for 10 consecutive months, or (2) otherwise brings the loan current after it has been charged-off.

Establishes procedures student loan servicers are to follow in investigating and addressing borrower inquiries concerning perceived inaccuracies in borrower accounts.

Requires student loan servicers to designate a single point of contact for certain borrowers who: (1) are delinquent on their postsecondary education loan; (2) seek information regarding, seek to enter into an agreement for, or seek to resolve an issue under, a repayment option; or (3) seek to modify repayment terms due to hardship.

Requires student loan servicers to: (1) designate an employee who is specially trained on servicemember and veteran benefits to act as the Servicemember and Veterans Liaison responsible for answering inquiries from servicemembers and veterans, and (2) provide servicemembers and veterans with a toll-free number to access that liaison.

Prohibits student loan lenders or servicers from charging-off or reporting a student loan as delinquent, assigned to collection, in default, or charged-off to a credit reporting agency if the borrower is on active duty in a combat zone.

Requires student loan servicers to make available to borrowers: (1) through a secure website or in writing upon request, their loan history; and (2) upon request and at no charge, copies of the original loan documents.

Requires the CFPB to promulgate rules requiring student loan servicers to establish error resolution procedures.

Prohibits any rights and remedies available to student loan borrowers from being waived by any agreement, policy, or form.

Requires the CFPB to issue rules requiring lenders and servicers of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to contact borrowers who may be eligible to have their student loans discharged by the Secretary of Education and to provide them with information and a streamlined process for obtaining such a discharge.

Requires consumer credit information that is required to be disclosed to borrowers under the Truth in Lending Act to be available at no charge to such borrowers.

Amends the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, under title IV of the HEA, to require eligible lenders to provide borrowers, before repayment, when they are having difficulty making payments, and when they are delinquent, a statement that: (1) they may be entitled to servicemember and veteran benefits, and (2) a Servicemember and Veterans Liaison is available to answer their inquiries about those benefits.

Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a lender, before issuing a postsecondary education loan for a student attending an institution of higher education (IHE), to obtain the IHE's certification of: (1) the student's enrollment status, (2) the student's cost of attendance, and (3) the difference between that cost and the student's estimated financial assistance. Eliminates the requirement that such lenders obtain a self-certification form from the loan applicant.

Allows a lender to issue such a loan without a certification if the relevant IHE does not notify the lender, within 15 business days of the creditor's request for such certification, that it refuses to issue the certification or that it needs more time to comply with the request.

Requires postsecondary educational lenders to: (1) send loan statements to borrowers at least once every three months a student is enrolled at an IHE; (2) notify the relevant IHE, in writing, of the loan amount and the student to whom it applies no later than the date funds are issued; and (3) submit an annual report to the CFPB containing information the CFPB requires concerning private student loans.

Amends the HEA to require IHEs, before providing private educational lenders with certifications or notice of their refusal to do so, to determine whether students have exhausted their options for assistance under title IV of the HEA and to notify borrowers of: (1) the availability of such assistance, (2) their ability to choose their own private educational lender, (3) the impact of the proposed private education loan on their eligibility for other financial assistance, and (4) their right to accept or reject a private education loan within 30 days of the lender's approval of their application and to cancel the loan within 3 business days of its consummation.

Prohibits an IHE from providing a private lender with a certification unless: (1) the loan provides the borrower with alternative repayment plans, including loan consolidation or refinancing; and (2) loan liability is cancelled upon the death or disability of the borrower or co-borrower.

Treats lenders that receive a certification from an IHE as being in a preferred lender arrangement with that IHE.

Prohibits a servicer from marketing to the borrower of a title IV student loan that the servicer services a financial product or service using data obtained through the servicing relationship or otherwise during the servicing process.

Directs the Secretary to establish a program that allows borrowers under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program to switch from the assigned servicer of their loan to a new servicer based on a random reassignment by the Secretary.

Directs the Secretary to establish a centralized point of access for all borrowers of title IV loans that are in repayment.

bill rights amends truth lending act require postsecondary educational lenders disclose borrowers days fully amortized payment loan certain information concerning terms loan date payment lender servicer certain contact information description alternative repayment plans requires postsecondary educational lenders disclose borrowers days delinquent loan date loan charged assigned collections including consequences actions minimum payment borrower avoid loan charged assigned collection minimum payment borrower bring loan current statement informing borrower paying minimum result loan charged assigned collection requires postsecondary educational lender borrower days delinquent provides notice having difficulty making payment complete review loan reasonable effort determine borrower eligible alternative repayment plan servicemember veteran benefits related postsecondary education loans inform borrower alternative repayment plans benefits borrower eligible borrower days apply plan benefit requires postsecondary educational lenders situations notify borrower servicemember available answer inquiries servicemember veteran benefits related loans provides borrower notifies postsecondary educational lender long term alternative repayment plan appropriate lender provide borrower information short term options address anticipated short term difficulty making payments forbearance deferment options requires lenders establish process enables borrowers provide notice requires consumer financial protection bureau cfpb develop issue model forms allow borrowers compare postsecondary education loan repayment plan alternative repayment plans forbearance deferment options establishes student loan borrower bill rights truth lending act imposes specified notification payment transfer receipt obligations transferors transferees student loans transfer loans results change party borrower direct communications send payments prohibits student loan servicers imposing late payment fees finance charges borrowers late payment change servicer mailing address office payment handling procedures requires postsecondary education loan servicers absent alternative instructions borrower apply payments interest fees borrower owes payment date principal borrower loan bears highest interest rate allows borrowers voluntarily increase periodic payment maintaining right return original amortization schedule time requires servicers provide borrowers simple online method prohibits imposition late fee loan basis borrower multiple postsecondary education loans billing group greater payment past end day period beginning payment date single late payment borrower fails non successive regularly scheduled payment considers private education loan rehabilitated borrower makes payments amounts owed loan days date consecutive months brings loan current charged establishes procedures student loan servicers follow investigating addressing borrower inquiries concerning perceived inaccuracies borrower accounts requires student loan servicers designate single point contact certain borrowers delinquent postsecondary education loan seek information seek enter agreement seek resolve issue repayment option seek modify repayment terms hardship requires student loan servicers designate employee specially trained servicemember veteran benefits act servicemember responsible answering inquiries servicemembers veterans provide servicemembers veterans toll free number access liaison prohibits student loan lenders servicers charging reporting student loan delinquent assigned collection default charged credit reporting agency borrower active duty combat zone requires student loan servicers available borrowers secure website writing request loan history request charge copies original loan documents requires cfpb promulgate rules requiring student loan servicers establish error resolution procedures prohibits rights remedies available student loan borrowers waived agreement policy form requires cfpb issue rules requiring lenders servicers loans insured guaranteed title student assistance higher education act hea contact borrowers eligible student loans discharged secretary education provide information streamlined process obtaining discharge requires consumer credit information required disclosed borrowers truth lending act available charge borrowers amends federal_family_education_loan ffel program title hea require eligible lenders provide borrowers repayment having difficulty making payments delinquent statement entitled servicemember veteran benefits servicemember available answer inquiries benefits amends truth lending act require lender issuing postsecondary education loan student attending institution higher education ihe obtain ihe certification student enrollment status student cost attendance difference cost student estimated financial assistance eliminates requirement lenders obtain self certification form loan applicant allows lender issue loan certification relevant ihe notify lender business days creditor request certification refuses issue certification needs time comply request requires postsecondary educational lenders send loan statements borrowers months student enrolled ihe notify relevant ihe writing loan student applies later date funds issued submit annual report cfpb containing information cfpb requires concerning private student loans amends hea require ihes providing private educational lenders certifications notice refusal determine students exhausted options assistance title hea notify borrowers availability assistance ability choose private educational lender impact proposed private education loan eligibility financial assistance right accept reject private education loan days lender approval application cancel loan business days consummation prohibits ihe providing private lender certification loan provides borrower alternative repayment plans including loan consolidation refinancing loan liability cancelled death disability borrower borrower treats lenders receive certification ihe preferred lender arrangement ihe prohibits servicer marketing borrower title student loan servicer services financial product service data obtained servicing relationship servicing process directs secretary establish program allows borrowers federal_direct_loan program switch assigned servicer loan new servicer based random reassignment secretary directs secretary establish centralized point access borrowers title loans repayment


Summary:
Innovate America Act

 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED), in coordination with the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), to award grants, on a competitive basis, to state educational agencies to establish or expand the number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science (STEM) secondary schools in the United States from approximately 100 to approximately 200.

In coordination with the NSF, ED shall:

 develop a database identifying existing STEM secondary schools, and study how to improve retention rates of students in STEM programs at institutions of higher education. The President must ensure that at least 15% of all federal funds available each fiscal year for undergraduate research opportunities at 2-year and 4-year degree-granting institutions of higher education are used to fund research opportunities for postsecondary students.

The NSF Partnerships for Innovation Program shall administer a Technology Commercialization Awards Pilot Program through which promising technology advances derived from NSF research grants must be eligible for funding.

The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended to extend the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to cover specifically informatics and computer science.

The Department of Commerce must establish a manufacturing assistance program for small and medium-sized domestic manufacturers to promote the manufacturing of goods in the United States and enable them to be competitive in global markets.

The Under Secretary for International Trade of Commerce shall report to Congress on the global competitiveness of 20 U.S. industries that export the most goods or services and the domestic and foreign regulatory and policy barriers to increasing their exports.

This bill also requires:

 the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to devise a strategy to reduce overall government printing costs over a 10-year period, each federal department and agency to issue guidance on the appropriate use of award and incentive fees in their programs, and return to the Treasury of any funds intended to be awarded as incentive fees to contractors that are not paid owing to contractor inability to meet established criteria in this Act.

innovate america act bill requires coordination director national_science_foundation nsf award grants competitive basis state educational agencies establish expand number science technology engineering mathematics including computer science stem secondary schools united_states approximately approximately coordination nsf shall develop database identifying existing stem secondary schools study improve retention rates students stem programs institutions higher education president ensure federal funds available fiscal year undergraduate research opportunities year year degree granting institutions higher education fund research opportunities postsecondary students shall administer technology commercialization awards pilot program promising technology advances derived nsf research grants eligible funding national_science_foundation authorization act amended extend robert noyce teacher scholarship program cover specifically informatics computer science department_of_commerce establish manufacturing assistance program small medium sized domestic manufacturers promote manufacturing goods united_states enable competitive global markets secretary shall report congress global competitiveness industries export goods services domestic foreign regulatory policy barriers increasing exports bill requires director office_of_management_and_budget devise strategy reduce overall government printing costs year period federal department agency issue guidance appropriate use award incentive fees programs return treasury funds intended awarded incentive fees contractors paid owing contractor inability meet established criteria act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments received by a student under a comprehensive student work-learning-service program operated by a work college. Makes this amendment applicable to amounts received in taxable years beginning after the enactment date of this Act.

(Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 30% to 35% the rate of the continuous levy on payments to Medicare providers and suppliers for unpaid taxes. Makes this amendment applicable to payments made after 180 days after the enactment date of this Act.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec amends internal revenue code exclude gross income payments received student comprehensive student work learning service program operated work college makes amendment applicable amounts received taxable years beginning enactment date act sec amends internal revenue code increase rate continuous levy payments medicare providers suppliers unpaid taxes makes amendment applicable payments days enactment date act


Summary:
Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-exempt charitable or educational organizations to make collegiate housing and infrastructure improvement grants to certain tax-exempt social clubs (e.g., college fraternities and sororities) which apply such grants to their collegiate housing property.

collegiate housing infrastructure act amends internal revenue code allow tax exempt charitable educational organizations collegiate housing infrastructure improvement grants certain tax exempt social clubs college fraternities sororities apply grants collegiate housing property


Summary:
Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to eligible institutions to: (1) establish a master's degree program in orthotics and prosthetics, or (2) expand upon an existing master's degree program in such area. Requires a grant priority for institutions in partnership with a medical center administered by the VA or a facility administered by the Department of Defense. Provides grant amounts of at least $1 million and up to $1.5 million. Defines as eligible institutions those either accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or demonstrating an ability to meet such accreditation requirements if receiving a grant.

Requires the Secretary to award a grant to an institution with orthotic and prosthetic research and education experience to: (1) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and Prosthetic Education; and (2) improve orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and civilians by conducting orthotic and prosthetic-based research.

wounded warrior workforce enhancement act directs secretary veterans_affairs award grants eligible institutions establish master degree program orthotics prosthetics expand existing master degree program area requires grant priority institutions partnership medical center administered facility administered department_of_defense provides grant amounts million million defines eligible institutions accredited demonstrating ability meet accreditation requirements receiving grant requires secretary award grant institution orthotic prosthetic research education experience establish center_of_excellence orthotic prosthetic education improve orthotic prosthetic outcomes veterans members armed_forces civilians conducting orthotic prosthetic based research


Summary:
Pell Grant Protection Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to appropriate for each fiscal year beginning with FY2016 the funding necessary to provide each eligible student with the maximum Pell Grant amount, minus the student's expected family contribution. (Currently, funds for the Pell Grant program come from a combination of mandatory and discretionary spending. This bill converts the Pell Grant program into a mandatory spending program.)

pell grant protection act bill amends title student assistance higher education act appropriate fiscal year beginning fy2016 funding necessary provide eligible student maximum pell_grant minus student expected family contribution currently funds pell grant program come combination mandatory discretionary spending bill converts pell_grant program mandatory spending program


Summary:
Pell Grant Cost of Tuition Adjustment Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set the maximum Pell Grant at a specified amount, increased for inflation each year, plus any additional amount specified in the last enacted appropriation Act.

tuition adjustment act bill amends title student assistance higher education act set maximum pell_grant specified increased inflation year plus additional specified enacted appropriation act


Summary:
Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education to award an additional Pell Grant to a student who has received a Pell Grant for an award year and is enrolled in a program of study for payment periods during the same award year that are not covered by the Pell Grant. The total amount of the Pell Grants awarded to such a student for the award year may exceed the total maximum Pell Grant.

year round pell grant restoration act bill amends title student assistance higher education act require department_of_education award additional pell_grant student received pell_grant award year enrolled program study payment periods award year covered pell_grant total pell_grants awarded student award year exceed total maximum pell_grant


Summary:
GI Education Benefit Fairness Act of 2015

Expands the definition of "children," for purposes of provisions allowing members or former members of the uniformed services who served on active duty for specified periods beginning on or after September 11, 2001, to transfer their entitlement to educational assistance, to mean an unmarried person who: (1) is placed in the legal custody of a member or former member by court order for at least 12 consecutive months, (2) has not attained the age of 21, (3) has not attained the age of 23 and is enrolled in a full-time course of study at an institution of higher learning, (4) is incapable of self support due to a mental or physical incapacity that occurred while such person was a dependent of the member or former member, (5) is dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support, (6) resides with the member or former member unless separated due to military service or institutionalization for a disability or incapacitation, and (7) is not a dependent of a member or former member under any other provision defining dependent.

education benefit fairness act expands definition children purposes provisions allowing members members uniformed services served active duty specified periods beginning september transfer entitlement educational assistance mean unmarried person placed legal custody member member court order consecutive months attained age attained age enrolled time course study institution higher learning incapable self support mental physical incapacity occurred person dependent member member dependent member member half support resides member member separated military service institutionalization disability dependent member member provision defining dependent


Summary:
Protect Student Borrowers Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) participating in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program to accept specified risk-sharing requirements.

 For any fiscal year in which at least 25% of the IHE's student body is participating in the Direct Loan program, the IHE must remit a risk-sharing payment (a percentage of the total amount of its defaulted Direct Loans) that declines as the cohort default rate declines.

 If an IHE develops and implements an approved student loan management plan that includes individualized financial aid counseling for students and strategies to minimize student loan default and delinquency, the Department of Education (ED) must modify the risk-sharing requirements. ED may waive or reduce an IHE's risk-sharing payments in certain other instances.

 An IHE may not deny admission or financial aid based on a perception that a student may be at risk for defaulting on a Direct Loan.

 ED may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements for: (1) statewide or institutionally-based programs for the prevention of federal student loan delinquency and default at IHEs that have a high cohort default rate or serve large numbers of students who have a higher risk of defaulting on student loans under title IV, and (2) increasing the number of borrowers who successfully rehabilitate defaulted loans.

Risk-sharing payments are to be deposited in a separate account in the Treasury and used as follows: (1) up to 50% for ED to enter into the contracts or cooperative agreements for delinquency and default prevention or rehabilitation, and (2) the remainder to offset any future shortfalls in funding under the Federal Pell Grant program.

An IHE's ability to meet its obligation to make risk-sharing payments shall be part of the determination of its eligibility to participate in title IV programs.

protect student borrowers act bill amends title student assistance higher education act require institutions higher education ihes participating federal_direct_loan program accept specified risk sharing requirements fiscal year ihe student body participating direct_loan program ihe remit risk sharing payment percentage total defaulted direct loans declines cohort default rate declines ihe develops implements approved student loan management plan includes individualized financial aid counseling students strategies minimize student loan default delinquency modify risk sharing requirements waive reduce ihe risk sharing payments certain instances ihe deny admission financial aid based perception student risk defaulting direct loan enter contracts cooperative agreements statewide institutionally based programs prevention federal student loan delinquency default ihes high cohort default rate serve large numbers students higher risk defaulting student loans title increasing number borrowers successfully rehabilitate defaulted loans risk sharing payments deposited separate account treasury follows enter contracts cooperative agreements delinquency default prevention rehabilitation remainder offset future shortfalls funding federal pell grant program ihe ability meet obligation risk sharing payments shall determination eligibility participate title programs


Summary:
Go to High School, Go to College Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to carry out (from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2021) a program awarding Early College Federal Pell Grants to students to support their enrollment in, and completion of, postsecondary courses offered through early college high schools.

Students who would be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant if not for their enrollment in secondary school are deemed eligible for an Early College Federal Pell Grant upon their completion of a full-time postsecondary semester or its equivalent.

Students may receive Early College Federal Pell Grants in an amount equal to the cost of not more than four full-time postsecondary semesters or the equivalent while enrolled in postsecondary courses offered by an early college high school.

Early College Federal Pell Grants shall count toward the 12-semester, or equivalent, limit on a student's receipt of Federal Pell Grants.

high school college act bill amends title student assistance higher education act direct department_of_education carry july june program awarding federal pell_grants students support enrollment completion postsecondary courses offered early college high schools students eligible federal pell grant enrollment secondary school deemed eligible early college federal pell grant completion time postsecondary semester equivalent students receive early college federal pell_grants equal cost time postsecondary semesters equivalent enrolled postsecondary courses offered early college high school early college federal pell_grants shall count semester equivalent limit student receipt federal pell_grants


Summary:
Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act of 2015

This bill makes procedures for the enforcement of arbitration agreements inapplicable to an enrollment agreement between a student and an institution of higher education (IHE). The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to forbid an IHE that participates in federal student aid programs, including work-study programs, from requiring a student to agree to any restriction on the student's ability to pursue a claim, individually or with others, against it in court.

class act bill makes procedures enforcement arbitration agreements inapplicable enrollment agreement student institution higher education ihe bill amends higher education act forbid ihe participates federal student aid programs including work study programs requiring student agree restriction student ability pursue claim individually court


Summary:
Early Pell Promise Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education to carry out a program of grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) under which a student who is in eighth grade and is eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act may be provided a commitment to receive a Federal Pell Grant early in the student's academic career.

Pursuant to such a commitment, the student receives a Pell Grant during the first two years of attendance at an institution of higher education (IHE) as an undergraduate if the student:

 files the FAFSA form during the senior year of secondary school and the succeeding year, and enrolls at the IHE not later than three years after receiving a secondary school diploma or after release from the Armed Forces. A student may not receive the early Pell Grant for a succeeding year if the expected family contribution for either year is more than twice the threshold amount for Pell Grant eligibility for that year.

Funds are reserved for an independent evaluation of the program's impact.

In order to participate in the program, an SEA must develop a targeted information campaign and include in the plan for that campaign cost data disaggregated by institution type and information on both state and federal financial aid.

early pell promise act bill amends higher education act authorize department_of_education carry program grants state educational agencies seas student eighth grade eligible free reduced price lunch national school lunch act provided commitment receive federal pell grant early student academic career pursuant commitment student receives pell grant years attendance institution higher education ihe undergraduate student files fafsa form senior year secondary school succeeding year enrolls ihe later years receiving secondary school diploma release armed_forces student receive early pell grant succeeding year expected family contribution year twice threshold pell_grant eligibility year funds reserved independent evaluation program impact order participate program sea develop targeted information campaign include plan campaign cost data disaggregated institution type information state federal financial aid


Summary:
Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act

 This bill makes any institution of higher education (IHE) postsecondary program designed to prepare students for a recognized occupation or profession requiring licensing or other entry pre-conditions ineligible to participate in a federal financial assistance program, unless it meets specified student consumer protection requirements within one year after this Act's enactment.

Each program must: (1) fully prepare students to satisfy those entry pre-conditions in the metropolitan statistical areas and states in which the students reside and in any state the program claims a successful program graduate will be prepared to work in the particular occupation or profession involved; and (2) provide timely placement of students in required pre-licensure positions, such as clinical placements, internships, or apprenticeships.

The bill requires the Department of Education to promulgate regulations regarding pre-accredited IHE programs to: (1) impose consumer protection requirements that are consistent with those this Act imposes on accredited programs, and (2) condition an IHE's participation in any federal financial assistance program on the IHE signing a loan discharge agreement with each student who is enrolled in any pre-accredited program.

protecting students worthless degrees act bill makes institution higher education ihe postsecondary program designed prepare students recognized occupation profession requiring licensing entry pre conditions ineligible participate federal financial assistance program meets specified student consumer protection requirements year act enactment program fully prepare students satisfy entry pre conditions metropolitan statistical areas states students reside state program claims successful program graduate prepared work particular occupation profession involved provide timely placement students required pre licensure positions clinical placements internships apprenticeships bill requires department_of_education promulgate regulations pre accredited ihe programs impose consumer protection requirements consistent act imposes accredited programs condition ihe participation federal financial assistance program ihe signing loan discharge agreement student enrolled pre accredited program


Summary:
Student Right to Know Before You Go Act of 2015

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify reporting requirements for institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in title IV federal financial aid programs. Currently, to retain title IV eligibility, IHEs must report data to the Department of Education (ED) through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

This bill requires IHEs to submit additional student enrollment data to ED to enable coding and reporting on students' level of academic preparation. It also requires ED to calculate additional outcome measures by institution and program, including:

 the percentage of students who receive federal, state, or institutional grants or loans; the average amount of federal loan debt upon graduation; the average amount of total federal loan debt of students who do not complete a program of study; student transfer rates; rates of continuation to higher levels of education; and the percentage of students who receive the degree they initially sought. ED must report additional outcome measures established by this Act, as well as all existing student data in IPEDS, based on these student types:

 receipt or non-receipt of federal Pell Grants, receipt or non-receipt of Stafford Loans,  participation in the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program, enrollment status, and enrollment intensity. ED must also, in cooperation with the Social Security Administration, make publicly available data on employment metrics and median annual earnings 2 years, 6 years, and 15 years after program completion. ED must report the data by:

 education program, credential received, institution, and state of employment.

student right know act bill amends higher education act modify reporting requirements institutions higher education ihes participate title federal financial aid programs currently retain title eligibility ihes report data integrated_postsecondary_education_data_system ipeds bill requires ihes submit additional student enrollment data enable coding reporting students level academic preparation requires calculate additional outcome measures institution program including percentage students receive federal state institutional grants loans average federal loan debt graduation average total federal loan debt students complete program study student transfer rates rates continuation higher levels education percentage students receive degree initially sought report additional outcome measures established act existing student data ipeds based student types receipt non receipt federal pell_grants receipt non receipt stafford_loans participation enrollment status enrollment intensity cooperation social_security_administration publicly available data employment metrics median annual earnings years years years program completion report data education program credential received institution state employment