Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3006

Introduced
4/28/23  

Caption

To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to support the placement of students and licensed professional social workers in public libraries, and for other purposes.

Impact

If enacted, HB 3006 could significantly expand the role of public libraries in fostering community well-being, particularly in areas with high social service needs. Libraries, often seen as central community hubs, would gain the ability to offer more comprehensive support for patrons dealing with various issues such as mental health, financial stability, and general well-being. This would also enhance the professional development of social work students through real-world applications and internships, benefiting both the students and the communities they serve.

Summary

House Bill 3006 aims to direct the Secretary of Education to implement a grant program designed to support the placement of students and licensed professional social workers in public libraries across the United States. This initiative seeks to enhance the capacity of libraries to address the diverse needs of patrons by providing access to social work services. By fostering collaborations between institutions of higher education and libraries, the bill intends to create meaningful partnerships that ensure the delivery of vital community services.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to improve resources for underserved populations, there are concerns about the practical implications of integrating social services within library settings. Critics may argue that libraries should primarily focus on educational resources and information services, rather than becoming centers for social work. Furthermore, the success of this initiative depends on adequate funding, training, and support for both the social workers and libraries involved, which could be a contentious point in legislative discussions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB4550

To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to support the recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs, and for other purposes.

US HB1834

To direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to develop, administer, and evaluate early childhood education apprenticeships, and for other purposes.

US HB10124

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to support Food is Medicine programs, and for other purposes.

US HR324

Expressing support for the staff of this Nation's public, school, academic, and special libraries and the essential services they provide to our communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social services and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.

US HB463

Children Have Opportunities in Classrooms Everywhere Act This bill allows tax-exempt distributions from qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans) to be used for additional educational expenses in connection with elementary or secondary school. The bill also allows certain federal funds for elementary and secondary education to follow a student from a low-income household to the public school that the student attends or for tax-exempt educational expenses. Under current law, tax-exempt distributions in connection with elementary or secondary school are limited to tuition for a public, private, or religious school. The bill allows these distributions to be used additionally for curriculum and curricular materials, books or other instructional materials, online educational materials, tutoring or educational classes outside the home, testing fees, fees for dual enrollment in an institution of higher education, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. Distributions may also be used for tuition and the purposes above in connection with a home school (whether treated as a home school or a private school under state law). In addition, the bill directs state educational agencies to allocate grant funds to ensure the funding follows students to their public school or for other tax-exempt educational expenses outlined by the bill. Each state that carries out these allocations must establish a plan that allows the parent of an eligible child to apply for grant funds.

US HB496

Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning Act or the PELL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grants Program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award Workforce Pell Grants to students enrolled in eligible short-term programs. Eligible programs are those that provide 150 to 600 clock hours of instructional time over a period of 8 to 15 weeks and meet other eligibility criteria. An accrediting agency or association recognized by ED must determine a program's eligibility based on several criteria, including that the program provides education aligned with the requirements of in-demand industry sectors and occupations and meets specified completion and job placement rates. ED must annually collect and publish information on the College Scorecard regarding each eligible program, including job outcomes. The College Scorecard is a comparison tool for information on school sizes, settings, graduation rates, average costs, and salary ranges per field of study.

US HB10475

To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grant program to address deed fraud, and for other purposes.

US HB10448

To combat loneliness and increase social connection, and for other purposes.

US HB1132

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-quality workforce development programs.

US HB8947

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-quality workforce development programs.

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