Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
    Section 302 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701)
is amended--
        (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs
    (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
        (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
        ``(3) services to such young people should be developed and
    provided using a positive youth development approach that ensures a
    young person a sense of--
            ``(A) safety and structure;
            ``(B) belonging and membership;
            ``(C) self-worth and social contribution;
            ``(D) independence and control over one's life; and
            ``(E) closeness in interpersonal relationships.''.
SEC. 3. BASIC CENTER PROGRAM.
    (a) Services Provided.--Section 311 of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5711) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking clause (i) and
    inserting the following:
                ``(i) safe and appropriate shelter provided for not to
            exceed 21 days; and''; and
        (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
            (A) by striking ``(2) The'' and inserting ``(2)(A) Except
        as provided in subparagraph (B), the'';
            (B) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting ``$200,000'';
            (C) by striking ``$45,000'' and inserting ``$70,000''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(B) For fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the amount allotted under
paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year shall be not
less than the amount allotted under paragraph (1) with respect to such
State for fiscal year 2008.
    ``(C) Whenever the Secretary determines that any part of the amount
allotted under paragraph (1) to a State for a fiscal year will not be
obligated before the end of the fiscal year, the Secretary shall
reallot such part to the remaining States for obligation for the fiscal
year.''.
    (b) Eligibility.--Section 312(b) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5712(b)) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (11), by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period and inserting ``;
    and''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(13) shall develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
    management plan.''.
SEC. 4. TRANSITIONAL LIVING GRANT PROGRAM.
    (a) Eligibility.--Section 322(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a)) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1)--
            (A) by striking ``directly or indirectly'' and inserting
        ``by grant, agreement, or contract''; and
            (B) by striking ``services'' the first place it appears and
        inserting ``provide, by grant, agreement, or contract,
        services,'';
        (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a continuous period not to
    exceed 540 days, except that'' and all that follows and inserting
    the following: ``a continuous period not to exceed 540 days, or in
    exceptional circumstances 635 days, except that a youth in a
    program under this part who has not reached 18 years of age on the
    last day of the 635-day period may, in exceptional circumstances
    and if otherwise qualified for the program, remain in the program
    until the youth's 18th birthday;'';
        (3) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (4) in paragraph (15), by striking the period and inserting ``;
    and''; and
        (5) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(16) to develop an adequate emergency preparedness and
    management plan.''.
    (b) Definitions.--Section 322(c) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-2(c)) is amended by--
        (1) striking ``part, the term'' and inserting the following:
    ``part--
        ``(1) the term'';
        (2) striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and
        (3) adding at the end thereof the following:
        ``(2) the term `exceptional circumstances' means circumstances
    in which a youth would benefit to an unusual extent from additional
    time in the program.''.
SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH EVALUATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND SERVICE
PROJECTS.
    Section 343 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-
23) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (b)--
            (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
        ``special consideration'' and inserting ``priority'';
            (B) in paragraph (8)--
                (i) by striking ``to health'' and inserting ``to
            quality health'';
                (ii) by striking ``mental health care'' and inserting
            ``behavioral health care''; and
                (iii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (C) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
        inserting ``, including access to educational and workforce
        programs to achieve outcomes such as decreasing secondary
        school dropout rates, increasing rates of attaining a secondary
        school diploma or its recognized equivalent, or increasing
        placement and retention in postsecondary education or advanced
        workforce training programs; and''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(10) providing programs, including innovative programs, that
    assist youth in obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing,
    and which may include programs with supportive services that
    continue after the youth complete the remainder of the programs.'';
    and
        (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) In selecting among applicants for grants under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall--
        ``(1) give priority to applicants who have experience working
    with runaway or homeless youth; and
        ``(2) ensure that the applicants selected--
            ``(A) represent diverse geographic regions of the United
        States; and
            ``(B) carry out projects that serve diverse populations of
        runaway or homeless youth.''.
SEC. 6. COORDINATING, TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
    Part D of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-21 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``SEC. 345. PERIODIC ESTIMATE OF INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF YOUTH
      HOMELESSNESS.
    ``(a) Periodic Estimate.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008, and at 5-year
intervals thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the United
States Interagency Council on Homelessness, shall prepare and submit to
the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, and make available to
the public, a report--
        ``(1) by using the best quantitative and qualitative social
    science research methods available, containing an estimate of the
    incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless individuals who
    are not less than 13 years of age but are less than 26 years of
    age; and
        ``(2) that includes with such estimate an assessment of the
    characteristics of such individuals.
    ``(b) Content.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include--
        ``(1) the results of conducting a survey of, and direct
    interviews with, a representative sample of runaway and homeless
    individuals who are not less than 13 years of age but are less than
    26 years of age, to determine past and current--
            ``(A) socioeconomic characteristics of such individuals;
        and
            ``(B) barriers to such individuals obtaining--
                ``(i) safe, quality, and affordable housing;
                ``(ii) comprehensive and affordable health insurance
            and health services; and
                ``(iii) incomes, public benefits, supportive services,
            and connections to caring adults; and
        ``(2) such other information as the Secretary determines, in
    consultation with States, units of local government, and national
    nongovernmental organizations concerned with homelessness, may be
    useful.
    ``(c) Implementation.--If the Secretary enters into any contract
with a non-Federal entity for purposes of carrying out subsection (a),
such entity shall be a nongovernmental organization, or an individual,
determined by the Secretary to have appropriate expertise in
quantitative and qualitative social science research.''.
SEC. 7. SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
    Section 351(b) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
5714-41(b)) is amended by inserting ``public and'' after ``priority
to''.
SEC. 8. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
    Part F of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714a et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 386 the following:
``SEC. 386A. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
    ``(a) Establishment of Performance Standards.--Not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act
of 2008, the Secretary shall issue rules that specify performance
standards for public and nonprofit private entities and agencies that
receive grants under sections 311, 321, and 351.
    ``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
representatives of public and nonprofit private entities and agencies
that receive grants under this title, including statewide and regional
nonprofit organizations (including combinations of such organizations)
that receive grants under this title, and national nonprofit
organizations concerned with youth homelessness, in developing the
performance standards required by subsection (a).
    ``(c) Implementation of Performance Standards.--The Secretary shall
integrate the performance standards into the processes of the
Department of Health and Human Services for grantmaking, monitoring,
and evaluation for programs under sections 311, 321, and 351.''.
SEC. 9. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY AND REPORT.
    (a) Study.--
        (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States
    shall conduct a study, including making findings and
    recommendations, relating to the processes for making grants under
    parts A, B, and E of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
    5711 et seq., 5714-1 et seq., 5714-41).
        (2) Subjects.--In particular, the Comptroller General shall
    study--
            (A) the Secretary's written responses to and other
        communications with applicants who do not receive grants under
        part A, B, or E of such Act, to determine if the information
        provided in the responses and communications is conveyed
        clearly;
            (B) the content and structure of the grant application
        documents, and of other associated documents (including grant
        announcements), to determine if the requirements of the
        applications and other associated documents are presented and
        structured in a way that gives an applicant a clear
        understanding of the information that the applicant must
        provide in each portion of an application to successfully
        complete it, and a clear understanding of the terminology used
        throughout the application and other associated documents;
            (C) the peer review process for applications for the
        grants, including the selection of peer reviewers, the
        oversight of the process by staff of the Department of Health
        and Human Services, and the extent to which such staff make
        funding determinations based on the comments and scores of the
        peer reviewers;
            (D) the typical timeframe, and the process and
        responsibilities of such staff, for responding to applicants
        for the grants, and the efforts made by such staff to
        communicate with the applicants when funding decisions or
        funding for the grants is delayed, such as when funding is
        delayed due to funding of a program through appropriations made
        under a continuing resolution; and
            (E) the plans for implementation of, and the implementation
        of, where practicable, the technical assistance and training
        programs carried out under section 342 of the Runaway and
        Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5714-22), and the effect of such
        programs on the application process for the grants.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall prepare and submit to the
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report containing the
findings and recommendations resulting from the study.
  SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
    (a) Homeless Youth.--Section 387(3) of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a(3)) is amended--
        (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
    ``The'' and all that follows through ``means'' and inserting ``The
    term `homeless', used with respect to a youth, means''; and
        (2) in subparagraph (A)--
            (A) in clause (i)--
                (i) by striking ``not more than'' each place it appears
            and inserting ``less than''; and
                (ii) by inserting after ``age'' the last place it
            appears the following: ``, or is less than a higher maximum
            age if the State where the center is located has an
            applicable State or local law (including a regulation) that
            permits such higher maximum age in compliance with
            licensure requirements for child-and youth-serving
            facilities''; and
            (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``age;'' and inserting the
        following: ``age and either--

                    ``(I) less than 22 years of age; or
                    ``(II) not less than 22 years of age, as of the
                expiration of the maximum period of stay permitted
                under section 322(a)(2) if such individual commences
                such stay before reaching 22 years of age;''.

    (b) Runaway Youth.--Section 387 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a) is amended--
        (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as
    paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively; and
        (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
        ``(4) Runaway youth.--The term `runaway', used with respect to
    a youth, means an individual who is less than 18 years of age and
    who absents himself or herself from home or a place of legal
    residence without the permission of a parent or legal guardian.''.
  SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
    Section 388(a) of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C.
5751(a)) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1)--
            (A) by striking ``is authorized'' and inserting ``are
        authorized'';
            (B) by striking ``part E) $105,000,000 for fiscal year
        2004'' and inserting ``section 345 and part E) $140,000,000 for
        fiscal year 2009''; and
            (C) by striking ``2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008'' and
        inserting ``2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013'';
        (2) in paragraph (3)--
            (A) by striking ``In'' and inserting the following:
            ``(A) In general.--In'';
            (B) by inserting ``(other than section 345)'' before the
        period; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(B) Periodic estimate.--There are authorized to be
        appropriated to carry out section 345 such sums as may be
        necessary for fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.'';
        and
        (3) in paragraph (4)--
            (A) by striking ``is authorized'' and inserting ``are
        authorized''; and
            (B) by striking ``such sums as may be necessary for fiscal
        years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008'' and inserting
        ``$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be
        necessary for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and
                                               President of the Senate.

Output:
Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to revise requirements for services provided under grants from the Secretary of Health and Human Services for centers for runaway and homeless youth and their families. Limits the length of stay in such a center to 21 days.

Increases grant minimum allotments from $100,000 to $200,000 for states and from $45,000 to $70,000 for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Prohibits the allotted amounts for a state for FY2009-FY2010 from being less than the allotted amount for FY2008.

Requires the plan proposed by grant applicants for a runaway and homeless youth center to include an adequate emergency preparedness and management plan.

(Sec. 4) Revises requirements for transitional living programs. Specifies that shelter and services may be provided by grant, agreement, or contract (currently, directly or indirectly) to homeless youth.

Increases the maximum length of continuous stay in such programs from 540 days to 635 days, if a youth would benefit to an usual extent from additional time in the program.

Requires a transitional living program also to develop an adequate emergency preparedness and management plan.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to give priority (currently, special consideration) to grant applicants for specified research, evaluation, demonstration, and service projects regarding runaway youth and homeless youth.

Requires the Secretary to give special consideration to proposed projects relating to: (1) behavior (currently, mental) health care for runaway and homeless youth; (2) access to educational and workforce programs to achieve outcomes such as decreasing secondary school dropout rates, increasing rates of attaining a secondary school diploma (or equivalent), or increasing placement and retention in postsecondary education or advanced workforce training programs; and (3) programs, including innovative programs, that assist youth in obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing (which may include programs with supportive services that continue after the youth completes the remainder of the programs).

Requires the Secretary to ensure that selected grant applicants: (1) represent diverse U.S. geographic regions; and (2) carry out projects that serve diverse populations of runaway or homeless youth.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to report periodically to specified congressional committees and the public: (1) estimates of the incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless individuals between 13 to 26 years of age; and (2) an assessment of such individual's characteristics.

(Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary to give priority to public and, as under current law, nonprofit private agencies for sexual abuse prevention programs.

(Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to establish performance standards for grant recipients.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on the processes for making grants under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

(Sec. 10) Redefines "homeless youth" to cover an individual seeking shelter in a runaway and homeless center who is less than a maximum age higher than 18, if the center is located in a state or locality with a child or youth-serving-facility licensure law or regulation that permits a higher maximum age.

Allows a homeless youth to participate in a transitional living program up to age 22, as of the expiration of the maximum stay permitted, if the individual commences such stay before attaining age 22.

Defines "runaway youth" as an individual under age 18 who absents himself or herself from home or place of legal residence without the permission of parents or legal guardians.

(Sec. 13) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Zero Tolerance for Veterans
Homelessness Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Veterans are at a greater risk of becoming homeless
        than other people in the United States because of
        characteristics that include the following:
                    (A) Having employment-related skills that are
                unique to military service and that can be difficult to
                transfer to the civilian sector.
                    (B) Combat-related health issues.
                    (C) Earning minimal income or being unemployed.
                    (D) A shortage of safe, affordable housing.
            (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs estimates the
        following:
                    (A) More than 67,000 veterans are homeless on any
                given night.
                    (B) About 145,000 veterans experience homelessness
                each year.
                    (C) Veterans account for nearly \1/5\ of all
                homeless people in the United States.
            (3) It is expected that significant increases in services
        will be needed to serve the aging veterans of the Vietnam War
        and members of the Armed Forces returning from service in Iraq
        and Afghanistan.
            (4) In 2009, the President and the Secretary of Veterans
        Affairs announced the Federal Government's renewed efforts to
        address veteran homelessness.

SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS.

    (a) Enhancement of Grants.--Section 2011 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``expansion,
        remodeling, or alteration of existing buildings, or acquisition
        of facilities,'' and inserting ``new construction of
        facilities, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing
        facilities, or acquisition of facilities,''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``A grant''
                and inserting ``(1) A grant'';
                    (B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1), as
                designated by subparagraph (A), by striking ``The
                amount'' and inserting the following:
    ``(2) The amount''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary may not deny an application from an entity
that seeks a grant under this section to carry out a project described
in subsection (b)(1)(A) solely on the basis that the entity proposes to
use funding from other private or public sources, if the entity
demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide
oversight and site control for the project.
    ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `private nonprofit organization'
means the following:
            ``(i) An incorporated private institution, organization, or
        foundation--
                    ``(I) that has received, or has temporary clearance
                to receive, tax-exempt status under paragraph (2), (3),
                or (19) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code
                of 1986;
                    ``(II) for which no part of the net earnings of the
                institution, organization, or foundation inures to the
                benefit of any member, founder, or contributor of the
                institution, organization, or foundation; and
                    ``(III) that the Secretary determines is
                financially responsible.
            ``(ii) A for-profit limited partnership or limited
        liability company, the sole general partner or manager of which
        is an organization that is described by subclauses (I) through
        (III) of clause (i).
            ``(iii) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an
        organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III)
        of clause (i).''.
    (b) Grant and Per Diem Payments.--
            (1) Study and development of fiscal controls and payment
        method.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
        of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
                    (A) complete a study of all matters relating to the
                method used by the Secretary to make per diem payments
                under section 2012(a) of title 38, United States Code,
                including changes anticipated by the Secretary in the
                cost of furnishing services to homeless veterans and
                accounting for costs of providing such services in
                various geographic areas;
                    (B) develop more effective and efficient procedures
                for fiscal control and fund accounting by recipients of
                grants under sections 2011, 2012, and 2061 of such
                title; and
                    (C) develop a more effective and efficient method
                for adequately reimbursing recipients of grants under
                section 2011 of such title for services furnished to
                homeless veterans.
            (2) Consideration.--In developing the method required by
        paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary may consider payments and
        grants received by recipients of grants described in such
        paragraph from other departments and agencies of Federal and
        local governments and from private entities.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
        report on--
                    (A) the findings of the Secretary with respect to
                the study required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph
                (1);
                    (B) the methods developed under subparagraphs (B)
                and (C) of such paragraph; and
                    (C) any recommendations of the Secretary for
                revising the method described in subparagraph (A) of
                such paragraph and any legislative action the Secretary
                considers necessary to implement such method.

SEC. 4. SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS IN OFFICE OF SECRETARY
              OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 4 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act
(42 U.S.C. 3533) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
    ``(h) Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There shall be in the Department a
        Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs, who shall be in the
        Office of the Secretary.
            ``(2) Appointment.--The Special Assistant for Veterans
        Affairs shall be appointed by the Secretary, based solely on
        merit and shall be covered under the provisions of title 5,
        United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
        service.
            ``(3) Responsibilities.--The Special Assistant for Veterans
        Affairs shall be responsible for--
                    ``(A) ensuring that veterans have access to housing
                and homeless assistance under each program of the
                Department providing such assistance;
                    ``(B) coordinating all programs and activities of
                the Department relating to veterans;
                    ``(C) serving as a liaison for the Department with
                the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
                    ``(D) carrying out such other duties as may be
                assigned to the Special Assistant by the Secretary or
                by law.''.

SEC. 5. PLAN TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans.
    (b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall include
the following:
            (1) An analysis of programs of the Department of Veterans
        Affairs and other departments and agencies of the Federal
        Government that are designed to prevent homelessness among
        veterans and assist veterans who are homeless.
            (2) An evaluation of whether and how coordination between
        the programs described in paragraph (1) would contribute to
        ending homelessness among veterans.
            (3) Recommendations for improving the programs described in
        paragraph (1), enhancing coordination between such programs, or
        eliminating programs that are no longer effective.
            (4) Recommendations for new programs to prevent and end
        homelessness among veterans, including an estimation of the
        cost of such programs.
            (5) A timeline for implementing the plan, including
        milestones to track the implementation of the plan.
            (6) Benchmarks to measure the effectiveness of the plan and
        the efforts of the Secretary to implement the plan.
            (7) Such other matters as the Secretary considers
        necessary.
    (c) Consideration of Veterans Located in Rural Areas.--The
analysis, evaluation, and recommendations included in the report
required by subsection (a) shall include consideration of the
circumstances and requirements that are unique to veterans located in
rural areas.

Output:
Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2012 - Allows grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for homeless veterans' comprehensive services programs (outreach, rehabilitation, vocational counseling, and transitional housing assistance) to be used for the construction of new facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from denying applications for such grants solely on the basis that the grant entity proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, as long as such entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide project oversight and site control. Requires the Secretary to: (1) study matters relating to the method used to make per diem payments to grant recipients, (2) develop more effective and efficient procedures for fiscal control and fund accounting by grant recipients, and (3) develop a more effective and efficient method for adequately reimbursing grant recipients for services furnished to homeless veterans.

Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans. Requires the plan to include consideration of the circumstances and requirements unique to veterans located in rural areas.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Citizens' Protection From Violent
Crime Act of 1995''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) One of the primary duties of government is to protect
        its citizens from armed violent criminals. America's cherished
        liberty and the social and economic prosperity of its
        communities are dependent upon government's ability to maintain
        public safety.
            (2) The fulfillment of government's responsibility is not
        achieved by gun control laws. Criminals, by definition, operate
        outside the law and routinely acquire firearms when they so
        desire.
            (3) The only true effect of gun control laws is to disarm
        citizens who have no intention of harming others except in the
        course of self-defense. These laws also have the effect of
        criminalizing the mere possession of certain types of guns even
        when such possession is for entirely lawful purposes.
            (4) The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United
        States guarantees citizens the right to possess firearms. This
        right is grounded in the need for self-defense.
            (5) People in the United States frequently use firearms to
        defend themselves because police cannot always protect, and are
        not legally liable for failing to protect, individual citizens.

SEC. 3. MANDATORY PRISON TERMS FOR POSSESSING, BRANDISHING, OR
              DISCHARGING A FIREARM OR DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE DURING A
              STATE CRIME THAT IS A SERIOUS VIOLENT FELONY OR SERIOUS
              DRUG OFFENSE.

    Section 924(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
        (5) and (6), respectively;
            (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
    ``(1) A person who, during and in relation to any crime of violence
or drug trafficking crime (including a crime of violence or serious
drug trafficking crime which provides for an enhanced punishment if
committed by the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon or device) for
which the person may be prosecuted in a court of the United States--
            ``(A) possesses a firearm, shall, in addition to the
        sentence imposed for the crime of violence or drug trafficking
        crime, be sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years;
            ``(B) brandishes a firearm, shall, in addition to the
        sentence imposed for the crime of violence or drug trafficking
        crime, be sentenced to imprisonment for 10 years; or
            ``(C) discharges a firearm with the intent to injure
        another person, shall, in addition to the sentence imposed for
        the crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, be sentenced
        to imprisonment for 20 years;
except that if the firearm is a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled
shotgun, such additional sentence shall be imprisonment for 5 years
more than the term of imprisonment that would otherwise be imposed
under this paragraph, and if the firearm is a machinegun or destructive
device or is equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, such
additional sentence shall be imprisonment for 30 years.
    ``(2)(A) A person who, during and in relation to a serious violent
felony or serious drug offense (including a serious violent felony or
serious drug offense that provides for an enhanced punishment if
committed by the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon or device) for
which the person may be prosecuted in a court of any State--
            ``(i) possesses a firearm, shall, in addition to the
        sentence imposed for the serious violent felony or serious drug
        offense, be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 5
        years;
            ``(ii) brandishes a firearm, shall, in addition to the
        sentence imposed for the serious violent felony or serious drug
        offense, be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 10
        years; or
            ``(iii) discharges a firearm with the intent to injure
        another person, shall, in addition to the sentence imposed for
        the serious violent felony or serious drug offense, be
        sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 20 years;
except that if the firearm is a machinegun or destructive device or is
equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, such additional
sentence shall be imprisonment for not less than 30 years.
    ``(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the conduct of a person
in defense of person or property during the course of a crime committed
by another person (including the arrest or attempted arrest of such
other person during or immediately after the commission of the crime),
unless the person engaged in or participated in criminal conduct that
gave rise to the criminal conduct of such other person.
    ``(C) It is the intent of the Congress that--
            ``(i) this paragraph shall be used to supplement but not
        supplant the efforts of State and local prosecutors in
        prosecuting serious violent felonies and serious drug offenses
        that could be prosecuted under State law; and
            ``(ii) the Attorney General shall give due deference to the
        interest that a State or local prosecutor has in prosecuting a
        person under State law.
    ``(3) In the case of the second or subsequent conviction of a
person under this subsection--
            ``(A) if the person possessed a firearm during and in
        relation to such second or subsequent crime of violence, drug
        trafficking crime, serious violent felony, or serious drug
        offense, the person shall, in addition to the sentence imposed
        for such second or subsequent offense, be sentenced to
        imprisonment for not less than 20 years;
            ``(B) if the person brandished a firearm during and in
        relation to such second or subsequent crime of violence, drug
        trafficking crime, serious violent felony, or serious drug
        offense, the person shall, in addition to the sentence imposed
        for such second or subsequent offense, be sentenced to
        imprisonment for not less than 25 years; or
            ``(C) if the person discharged a firearm with the intent to
        injure another person during and in relation to such second or
        subsequent crime of violence, drug trafficking crime, serious
        violent felony, or serious drug offense, the person shall, in
        addition to the sentence imposed for such second or subsequent
        offense, be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 30
        years;
except that if the firearm is a machinegun or destructive device or is
equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, the person shall,
in addition to the sentence imposed for such second or subsequent
offense, be sentenced to life imprisonment.
    ``(4)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court
shall not impose a probationary sentence on any person convicted of a
violation of this subsection, nor shall a term of imprisonment imposed
under this subsection run concurrently with any other term of
imprisonment including that imposed for the crime of violence, drug
trafficking crime, serious violent felony, or serious drug offense in
which the firearm was used.
    ``(B) No person sentenced under this subsection shall be released
for any reason whatsoever during a term of imprisonment imposed under
this subsection.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(7) For purposes of this subsection, the term `serious violent
felony' shall have the meaning given such term by section
3559(c)(2)(F)(i).
    ``(8) For purposes of this subsection, the term `serious drug
offense' means an offense under State law that, had the offense been
prosecuted in a court of the United States, would have been punishable
under section 401(b)(1)(B) or section 408 of the Controlled Substances
Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(B), 848), or section 1010(b)(2) of the
Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960(b)(2)).''.

SEC. 4. MANDATORY PENALTIES FOR VIOLENT FELONS.

    Section 924(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following: ``The court shall sentence a person
convicted of an offense under section 922(g)(1) of this title to not
less than 5 years in prison if the person has a prior conviction for a
serious violent felony (as defined in section 3559(c)(2)(F)), and to
not less than 10 years in prison if the person has 2 such prior
convictions.''.

SEC. 5. SERIOUS JUVENILE DRUG OFFENSES AS ARMED CAREER CRIMINAL ACT
              PREDICATES.

    Section 924(e)(2)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i);
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking the semicolon and inserting
        ``or which, if it had been prosecuted as a violation of the
        Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) at the time
        of the offense, and because of the type and quantity of the
        controlled substance involved, would have been punishable by a
        maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) any act of juvenile delinquency
                        that if committed by an adult would be a
                        serious drug offense described in this
                        paragraph;''.

SEC. 6. PRETRIAL DETENTION FOR POSSESSION OF FIREARMS OR EXPLOSIVES BY
              CONVICTED VIOLENT FELONS.

    Section 3156(a)(4) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C)
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding after subparagraph (C) the following:
                    ``(D) an offense that is a violation of section
                842(i) of this title (relating to possession of
                explosives by convicted felons); or
                    ``(E) an offense that is a violation of section
                922(g)(1) of this title (relating to possession of
                firearms by convicted felons), if the offender has
                previously been convicted of such a violation or of any
                other offense described in this paragraph.''.

SEC. 7. ARMED VIOLENT CRIMINAL APPREHENSION DIRECTIVE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General of the United States shall
establish an armed violent criminal apprehension program consistent
with the following requirements:
            (1) Each United States attorney shall designate at least 1
        assistant United States attorney to prosecute armed violent
        criminals.
            (2) Each United States attorney shall establish an armed
        violent criminal apprehension task force comprised of
        appropriate law enforcement representatives. The task force
        shall develop strategies for removing armed violent criminals
        from the streets, taking into consideration--
                    (A) the importance of severe punishment in
                deterring armed violent crime;
                    (B) the effectiveness of Federal and State laws
                pertaining to apprehension and prosecution of armed
                violent criminals;
                    (C) the resources available to each law enforcement
                agency participating in the task force;
                    (D) the nature and extent of the violent crime
                occurring in the district for which the United States
                attorney is appointed; and
                    (E) the principle of limited Federal involvement in
                the prosecution of crimes traditionally prosecuted in
                State and local jurisdictions.
            (3) Not less frequently than monthly, the Attorney General
        shall require each United States attorney to report to the
        Department of Justice the number of defendants charged with, or
        convicted of, violating section 922(g) or 924 of title 18,
        United States Code, in the district for which the United States
        attorney is appointed.
            (4) Not less frequently than twice annually, the Attorney
        General shall submit to the Congress a compilation of the
        information received by the Department of Justice pursuant to
        paragraph (3) and a report on all waivers granted under
        subsection (b).
    (b) Waiver Authority.--
            (1) Request for waiver.--A United States attorney may
        request the Attorney General to waive the requirements of
subsection (a) with respect to the United States attorney.
            (2) Provision of waiver.--The Attorney General may waive
        the requirements of subsection (a) pursuant to a request made
        under paragraph (1), in accordance with guidelines which shall
        be established by the Attorney General. In establishing the
        guidelines, the Attorney General shall take into consideration
        the number of assistant United States attorneys in the office
        of the United States attorney making the request and the level
        of violent crime committed in the district for which the United
        States attorney is appointed.
    (c) Armed Violent Criminal Defined.--As used in this section, the
term ``armed violent criminal'' means a person who is accused of
violating section 922(g)(1) of title 18, United States Code, having
been previously convicted of a violent crime, or who is accused of
violating section 924 of such title.
    (d) Sunset.--This section shall have no force or effect after the
5-year period that begins 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 8. RIGHT TO USE FIREARMS IN DEFENSE OF SELF OR OTHER PERSONS
              WITHIN A HOME; ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Reaffirmation of Right.--A person not prohibited by Federal law
from receiving a firearm shall have the right to use firearms within a
home in defense of self or other persons against a reasonably perceived
threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury.
    (b) Firearm Defined.--As used in subsection (a), the term
``firearm'' means--
            (1) a shotgun (as defined in section 921(a)(5) of title 18,
        United States Code);
            (2) a rifle (as defined in section 921(a)(7) of title 18,
        United States Code); or
            (3) a handgun (as defined in section 10 of Public Law 99-
        408).
    (c) Enforcement.--
            (1) In general.--A person whose right under subsection (a)
        is violated in any manner by any other person or by any
        government may bring an action in any United States district
        court against such other person or government for damages,
        injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems
        appropriate.
            (2) Authority to award a reasonable attorney's fee.--In an
        action brought under paragraph (1), the court, in its
        discretion, may allow the prevailing plaintiff a reasonable
        attorney's fee as part of the costs.
            (3) Statute of limitations.--An action may not be brought
        under paragraph (1) after the 5-year period that begins with
        the date the violation described in paragraph (1) is
        discovered.

SEC. 9. REPEAL OF THE BAN ON SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS AND THE BAN ON
              LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICES.

    (a) In General.--Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by striking subsections (v) and (w) and by striking the
appendix.
    (b) Conforming Amendments and Repeals.--
            (1) Section 921(a) of such title is amended by striking
        paragraphs (30) and (31).
            (2) Section 924(a)(1)(B) of such title is amended by
        striking ``(r), (v), or (w)'' and inserting ``or (r)''.
            (3) Section 923(i) of such title is amended by striking the
        last 2 sentences.
            (4) Section 110104 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
        Enforcement Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. 921 note) is hereby
        repealed.
            (5) Section 110501 of such Act (28 U.S.C. 994 note) is
        hereby repealed.
    (c) Effective Dates.--
            (1) Retroactive effect generally.--Except as provided in
        paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall take
        effect as if such amendments had been included in subtitle A of
        title XI of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
        of 1994 on the date of the enactment of such Act. Any
        liability, penalty, or forfeiture incurred by reason of any
        amendment made by section 110102 or 110103 of such Act is
        hereby extinguished, and any action or prosecution for the
        enforcement of any such liability, penalty, or forfeiture shall
        not be sustained.
            (2) Exception.--The amendment made by subsection (b)(5)
        shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Citizens' Protection From Violent Crime Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set mandatory prison terms for possessing, brandishing, or discharging a firearm or destructive device during a Federal or State crime that is a serious violent felony or serious drug offense, with exceptions involving defense of person or property during the course of a crime committed by another person.
Sets forth penalties for second or subsequent convictions.  Bars the court from imposing probation or a concurrent term of imprisonment for offenses under this Act.  Prohibits releasing any such individual for any reason during a term of imprisonment imposed under this Act.
Requires the court to sentence a person convicted of transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to not less than five years in prison if the person has a prior conviction for a serious violent felony and not less than ten years in prison if the person has two such prior convictions.
Makes certain serious juvenile drug offenses predicate offenses under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
Includes within the definition of "crime of violence" specified offenses relating to the possession of explosives and firearms by convicted felons.
Directs the Attorney General to establish an armed violent criminal apprehension program.
Declares that a person not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm shall have the right to use firearms within a home in defense of self or other persons against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury.  Authorizes a person whose right is violated to bring an action in U.S.  district court against a person or government.  Sets forth provisions regarding attorney's fees and the statute of limitations.
Repeals the ban on semiautomatic firearms and on large capacity ammunition feeding devices under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Action Plan for Public Lands and
Education Act of 2005''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Western States, as a group, are falling behind in
        education funding as measured by growth of real per pupil
        expenditures from 1979 to 1998.
            (2) Eleven of the 12 States with the lowest real growth in
        per pupil expenditures are Western States.
            (3) The growth rate of real per pupil expenditures in the
        13 Western States is less than half such rate in the 37 other
        States (28 percent versus 57 percent).
            (4) On effect of less funding for public education in the
        West is higher pupil-per-teacher ratios.
            (5) Ten of the twelve States with the largest pupil-per-
        teacher ratios are Western States.
            (6) On average, the 13 Western States have 3 more students
        per classroom than the 37 other States.
            (7) Over the next 10 years, the rate of enrollment growth
        is projected to be much higher in Western States than in other
        States.
            (8) On average, the rate of enrollment growth of Western
        States is projected to increase dramatically, while the rate of
        enrollment growth of other States is projected to actually
        decrease.
            (9) The State and local taxes of Western States as a
        percentage of personal income are as high as or higher than
        other States.
            (10) Despite the fact that Western States tax at a
        comparable rate and allocate as much of their budgets to public
        education as other States, Western States have lower real
        growth in per pupil expenditures and have higher pupil-per-
        teacher ratios.
            (11) The Federal Government is the source and potential
        solver of the problem because of the enormous amount of land
        the Federal Government owns in Western States.
            (12) All States east of an imaginery vertical line from
        Montana to New Mexico have, on average, 4.1 percent of their
        land federally owned, while the Western States on average have
        51.9 percent of their land federally owned.
            (13) The Acts enabling the people of territories of the
        American West to form their constitutions and State governments
        and providing for the admission of such States into the Union
        on equal footing with the original States, included a common
        provision of which the following example is typical ``That five
        per centum of the proceeds of the sales of public land lying
        within said States, which shall be sold by the United States
        subsequent to the admission of said State into the Union, after
        deducting all the expenses incident to the same, shall be paid
        to the said State, to be used as a permanent fund, the interest
        of which only shall be expended for the support of the common
        schools within said State.''.
            (14) The plain language of these enabling acts proclaims
        that the public land ``shall be sold by the United States''
        subsequent to the admission of the States into the Union.
            (15) The United States honored the foregoing language by
        selling public land within the Western States until the passage
        of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, wherein
        Congress declared that the policy of the United States was to
        retain public land in Federal ownership and management.
            (16) The United States has broken its solemn compact with
        the Western States and breached its fiduciary duty to the
        school children who are designated beneficiaries of the sale of
        public land under the terms of the respective enabling Acts of
        the Western States.
            (17) The current shortfall in funding public education in
        the Western States requires immediate Congressional action to
        remedy the above-described discriminatory Federal land policy
        and prevent the further disadvantaging of the school children
        of the Western States.
            (18) The most efficient and cost effective remedy now
        available to the United States is to grant to the Western
        States 5 percent of the remaining federal land located within
        each State, authorizing each State to select such land from the
        unappropriated public land of the United States within the
        boundaries of said State as will satisfy the grant.

SEC. 3. QUANTITY GRANTS TO WESTERN STATES FOR EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) Quantity Land Grants.--Instead of receiving, for the support of
the common schools, 5 percent of the proceeds of the sales of federally
owned land lying within the Western States which have not been sold by
the United States as of July 1, 2005, grants of land are hereby made to
the Western States. The amount of land granted to each State shall be
equal to 5 percent of the number of acres of federally owned land
within the State as of July 1, 2005.
    (b) Selection Process.--
            (1) In general.--Each Western State shall select from the
        unappropriated public lands within the borders of the State in
        such manner as the legislature of the State may provide, land
        equal in acreage to five percent of the federally owned land in
        the State as of July 1, 2005.
            (2) Calculation of acreage and notification of state.--The
        Secretary shall calculate the exact acreage of federally owned
        land in each Western State as of July 1, 2005, and designate
        the unappropriated public land, as defined herein, eligible for
        selection by the State. The Secretary shall communicate to each
        of the Western States the respective acreage calculation and
        designation of land eligible for selection not later than 1
        year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Application of Certain Law.--Selection and transfer of land
under this Act shall not be considered a major Federal action for the
purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969.
    (d) Mineral and Oil and Gas Rights.--
            (1) In general.--All mineral, oil, and gas rights to the
        land selected by the Western States under this Act shall become
        the property of the relevant Western State unless the Federal
        lessee of the selected land is making royalty payments to the
        United States from production of minerals, oil, or gas,
        whereupon the particular leasehold interest shall remain in the
        ownership of the United States until the leasehold interest
        terminates. After that termination, the mineral, oil, and gas
        rights shall become the property of the relevant Western State.
            (2) Selection of surface rights.--Western States may select
        only the surface of eligible land if the land is located on
        subsurface mineral, oil, or gas deposits that are generating
        royalty payments to the United States. The entire mineral, oil,
        and gas estate shall become the property of the Western State
        upon termination of the Federal lease.
    (e) Permanent School Fund.--All land selected by each of the
Western States shall be held in trust by a State educational agency
empowered to sell or lease such land, the proceeds of which shall be
used as a permanent fund, the interest of which shall be expended only
for the support of public education.
    (f) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) The term ``Western States'' means Alaska, Arizona,
        California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico,
        Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
            (2) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
        Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate.
            (3) The term ``State educational agency'' means the agency
        of the State primarily responsible for the supervision of
        education.
            (4) The term ``federally owned land'' means all land held
        in the name of the United States or any agency thereof,
        including land held in trust, United States military
        reservations, Indian reservations, and any other land used for
        Federal purposes.
            (5) The term ``unappropriated public lands'' means any and
        all land under the management and control of the Bureau of Land
        Management or United States Forest Service, excluding land that
        is--
                    (A) held in trust;
                    (B) located within a United States military
                reservation;
                    (C) a unit of the National Park System;
                    (D) a Wildlife Refuge;
                    (E) a Wilderness Area designated by Congress; or
                    (F) a National Historic Site.

Output:
Action Plan for Public Lands and Education Act of 2005 - Makes grants of land to 13 western states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) in lieu of receiving, for the support of the common schools, five percent of the proceeds of the sales of federal land within such states which have not been sold by the United States as of July 1, 2005.

Makes the amount of land granted to each state five percent of the number of acres of federally owned land within that state as of July 1, 2005. Requires land selected to be held in trust, sold or leased, and the proceeds used for a permanent fund, the interest of which shall be expended only for the support of public education.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Strength in Diversity Act of 2018''.

SEC. 2. STRONGER TOGETHER PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating part F as part G; and
            (2) by inserting after part E the following:

                  ``PART F--STRONGER TOGETHER PROGRAM

``SEC. 4551. FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            ``(1) Students from low-income families are 6 times more
        likely to attend high-poverty schools than their more affluent
        peers.
            ``(2) Racial diversity in schools results in long-term
        social and academic benefits, including reduced neighborhood,
        college, and workplace segregation, higher levels of social
        cohesion, a reduced likelihood of racial prejudice, and the
        development of skills to navigate and find comfort in racially
        diverse settings.
            ``(3) Students from low-income families who attend more
        affluent elementary schools are more likely to perform better
        academically than similar students who attend high-poverty
        schools.
            ``(4) Students who attend the most affluent schools are
        nearly 70 percent more likely to attend college than students
        who attend the highest-poverty schools, regardless of their
        socioeconomic background.
            ``(5) Students who attend racially and socioeconomically
        isolated schools have less access to experienced and qualified
        teachers, advanced coursework, high-quality instructional
        materials, and adequate facilities.
            ``(6) According to the Government Accountability Office, as
        of the 2013-14 school year, 16 percent of our Nation's public
        elementary schools and secondary schools served student
        populations comprised of 75 percent or more Black and Hispanic
        students and 75 percent or more students eligible for free or
        reduced-price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National
        School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), an increase of more
        than 9 percent compared to the percentage of such elementary
        and secondary schools in the 2000-2001 school year. More than
        7,700,000 Black students and 12,300,000 Hispanic students
        attend racially and socioeconomically isolated public
        elementary schools and secondary schools.
    ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this part is to support the
development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive strategies
to address the effects of concentrated poverty or racial isolation by
increasing diversity, including socioeconomic diversity or racial
diversity, in publicly funded early childhood education programs and
public elementary schools and secondary schools.

``SEC. 4552. RESERVATION FOR NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

    ``The Secretary may reserve not more than 5 percent of the amounts
made available under section 4558 for a fiscal year to carry out
activities of national significance relating to this part, which may
include--
            ``(1) research, development, data collection, monitoring,
        technical assistance, evaluation, or dissemination activities;
        or
            ``(2) the development and maintenance of a community of
        practice for recipients of grants under this part and other
        experts in the field of school diversity.

``SEC. 4553. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED; LENGTH OF GRANTS.

    ``(a) Program Authorization.--
            ``(1) In general.--From the amounts made available under
        section 4558 and not reserved under section 4552 for a fiscal
        year, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis
        in accordance with section 4554(b), to eligible entities
        described in subsection (b) to enable the eligible entities to
        develop or implement ambitious plans to improve diversity and
        reduce or eliminate socioeconomic or racial isolation in
        publicly funded early childhood education programs and public
        elementary schools and secondary schools.
            ``(2) Types of grants.--The Secretary may, in any fiscal
        year, award--
                    ``(A) planning grants;
                    ``(B) implementation grants; or
                    ``(C) planning grants and implementation grants.
    ``(b) Eligible Entity.--An entity that is eligible for a grant
under subsection (a) is a local educational agency, a consortium of
such agencies, an educational service agency, or another regional
educational authority, that has significant achievement gaps and
socioeconomic or racial segregation within or across the school
districts served by the entity.
    ``(c) Duration of Grants.--
            ``(1) Planning grant.--A planning grant awarded under this
        part shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.
            ``(2) Implementation grant.--An implementation grant
        awarded under this part shall be for a period of not more than
        3 years, except that the Secretary may extend an implementation
        grant for an additional 2-year period if the eligible entity
        receiving the grant demonstrates to the Secretary that the
        eligible entity is making significant progress on the program
        performance measures identified in section 4556.

``SEC. 4554. APPLICATIONS; AWARD BASIS.

    ``(a) Applications.--An eligible entity described in section
4553(b) that desires to receive a grant under this part shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe, including--
            ``(1) a description of the project for which the eligible
        entity is seeking a grant, including--
                    ``(A) how the eligible entity proposes to use funds
                under this part to improve the academic and life
                outcomes of students in high-poverty or racially
                isolated publicly funded early childhood education
                programs or public elementary schools and secondary
                schools by supporting interventions that increase
                diversity in such programs and schools;
                    ``(B) in the case of an implementation grant, the
                implementation grant plan described in section
                4555(b)(1); and
                    ``(C) any available evidence, or if such evidence
                is not available, a rationale based on current
                research, regarding how the proposed project will
                increase diversity;
            ``(2)(A) in the case of an eligible entity proposing to use
        any portion of funds under this part to benefit high-poverty
        publicly funded early childhood education programs or public
        schools, a description of how the eligible entity will identify
        and define income level and socioeconomic status; and
            ``(B) in the case of an eligible entity proposing to use
        any funds under this part to benefit publicly funded early
        childhood education programs, or public schools, that are
        racially isolated, a description of how the eligible entity
        will identify and define racial isolation;
            ``(3) a description of the plan of the eligible entity for
        continuing the proposed project after funding under this part
        ends;
            ``(4) a description of how the eligible entity will assess,
        monitor, and evaluate the impact of the activities funded under
        this part on student achievement and student enrollment
        diversity;
            ``(5) an assurance that the eligible entity has conducted,
        or will conduct, robust parent and community engagement, and
        where appropriate, tribal consultation, while planning for and
        implementing a program under this part, such as through--
                    ``(A) public hearings or other open forums to
                inform the development of any formal strategy to
                increase diversity; and
                    ``(B) outreach, in a language that parents can
                understand, and consultation with families in the
                targeted district or region that is designed to ensure
                participation in the planning and development of any
                formal strategy to increase diversity;
            ``(6) an estimate of the number of students that the
        eligible entity plans to serve under the proposed project and
        the number of students to be served through additional
        expansion of the project after the grant ends;
            ``(7) an assurance that the eligible entity will--
                    ``(A) cooperate with the evaluation process,
                including any evaluation that might require data and
                information from multiple recipients of grants under
                this part; and
                    ``(B) participate in communities of practice with
                other recipients of grants under this part;
            ``(8) an assurance that, to the extent practicable, the
        eligible entity has developed the plan in consultation with
        other relevant entities, including local housing or
        transportation authorities;
            ``(9) an assurance that, to the extent possible, the
        eligible entity has considered the potential implications of
        the grant activities on the demographics and student enrollment
        of nearby publicly funded early childhood education programs,
        public elementary schools or secondary schools, or local
        educational agencies not included in the activities of the
        grant; and
            ``(10) in the case of an eligible entity applying for an
        implementation grant, a description of how the eligible entity
        will implement, replicate, or take to scale a strategy based on
        a strong or moderate level of evidence, as determined under
        subclause (I) or (II) of section 8101(21)(A)(i), or will test a
        promising strategy to increase diversity in publicly funded
        early childhood education programs or public elementary schools
        and secondary schools.
    ``(b) Award Basis.--
            ``(1) Criteria for evaluating applications.--The Secretary
        shall award grants under this part on a competitive basis,
        based on the quality of the applications submitted by eligible
        entities described in section 4553(b) and each eligible
        entity's likelihood of achieving success in improving student
        outcomes or outcomes on other performance measures under
        section 4556.
            ``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this part, the
        Secretary may give priority to an eligible entity that
        proposes, in application submitted under subsection (a), to use
        funds under this part to support a program that extends beyond
        one local educational agency, such as an inter-district or
        regional program.

``SEC. 4555. USES OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) Planning Grants.--Each eligible entity that receives a
planning grant under this part shall use the grant funds to carry out
the following required activities:
            ``(1) Completing a comprehensive assessment of the
        educational outcomes and socioeconomic and racial
        stratification of children attending publicly funded early
        childhood education programs, and public elementary school and
        secondary school students, within the area and an analysis of
        the location and capacity of program and school facilities and
        the adequacy of local or regional transportation infrastructure
        in the area.
            ``(2) Developing and implementing a robust family and
        community engagement plan, including, where feasible, public
        hearings or other open forums that would precede and inform the
        development of a formal strategy to improve diversity.
            ``(3) Developing options, including timelines and cost
        estimates, for improving diversity, such as weighted lotteries,
        revised feeder patterns, school boundary redesign, or regional
        coordination.
            ``(4) Developing an implementation plan based on community
        preferences among those options.
            ``(5) Building the capacity to collect and analyze data
        that provide information for transparency, continuous
        improvement, and evaluation.
            ``(6) Participating in a community of practice with other
        grantees, including those receiving implementation grants.
    ``(b) Implementation Grants.--
            ``(1) Implementation grant plan.--Each eligible entity that
        receives an implementation grant under this part shall
        implement a high-quality plan that includes--
                    ``(A) a comprehensive set of strategies designed to
                improve academic outcomes for all students,
                particularly low-income students and minority students,
                by increasing diversity in publicly funded early
                childhood education programs and public elementary
                schools and secondary schools;
                    ``(B) evidence of strong family and community
                support for these strategies, including evidence that
                the eligible entity has engaged in meaningful family
                and community outreach activities;
                    ``(C) ambitious but achievable goals to increase
                diversity over the course of the grant period;
                    ``(D) collection and analysis of data to provide
                transparency and support continuous improvement
                throughout the grant period; and
                    ``(E) a rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of
                the proposed project.
            ``(2) Implementation grants activities.--Each eligible
        entity that receives an implementation grant under this part
        may use the grant funds to carry out one or more of the
        following activities:
                    ``(A) Recruiting, hiring, or training additional
                teachers, administrators, and other instructional and
                support staff in new, expanded, or restructured
                publicly funded early childhood education programs or
                public elementary schools or secondary schools, or
                other professional development activities for staff and
                administrators.
                    ``(B) Investing in specialized academic programs or
                facilities designed to encourage inter-district school
                attendance patterns.
                    ``(C) Pursue or initiate a transportation plan for
                bringing students to and from publicly funded early
                childhood education programs and public elementary
                schools and secondary schools, if such transportation
                is sustainable beyond the grant period and does not
                represent a significant portion of the grant funds
                received by an eligible entity under this part.
    ``(c) Rule Regarding Use.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize an eligible entity to carry out activities
authorized under this section in a manner that violates Federal law.

``SEC. 4556. PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

    ``The Secretary shall establish performance measures for the
programs and activities carried out through a grant under this part.
These measures, at a minimum, shall track the progress of each eligible
entity in--
            ``(1) improving academic and other developmental or
        noncognitive outcomes for each subgroup described in section
        1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) that is served by the eligible entity on
        measures, including, as applicable, by--
                    ``(A) increasing school readiness;
                    ``(B) increasing student achievement and decreasing
                achievement gaps;
                    ``(C) increasing high school graduation rates;
                    ``(D) increasing readiness for postsecondary
                education and careers; and
                    ``(E) any other indicator the Secretary or eligible
                entity may identify; and
            ``(2) increasing diversity and decreasing socioeconomic or
        racial isolation in publicly funded early childhood education
        programs, and public elementary schools and secondary schools,
        served under this part.

``SEC. 4557. ANNUAL REPORTS.

    ``An eligible entity that receives a grant under this part shall
submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the
Secretary may require, an annual report that includes--
            ``(1) information on the progress of the eligible entity on
        the performance measures established under section 4556; and
            ``(2) the data supporting that progress.

``SEC. 4558. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part
$120,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and such sums as may be necessary for
each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as added by section 6 of the Every
Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95)) is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 4506 the following:

                  ``Part F--Stronger Together Program

``Sec. 4551. Findings and statement of purpose.
``Sec. 4552. Reservation for national activities.
``Sec. 4553. Program authorized; length of grants.
``Sec. 4554. Applications; award basis.
``Sec. 4555. Uses of funds.
``Sec. 4556. Performance measures.
``Sec. 4557. Annual reports.
``Sec. 4558. Authorization of appropriations.''.

Output: Strength in Diversity Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish the Stronger Together Program, through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award competitive grants for the development or implementation of plans to improve diversity or eliminate socioeconomic or racial isolation in public schools and publicly funded early education programs. The grants are available to local educational agencies, a consortium of such agencies, educational service agencies, or other regional educational authorities that have significant achievement gaps and socioeconomic or racial segregation within or across the school districts served by the entity. ED may give priority to an eligible entity that proposes to use funds to support a program that extends beyond one local educational agency. Each recipient of an implementation grant shall implement a high-quality plan that includes:  a comprehensive set of strategies designed to improve academic outcomes by increasing diversity, evidence of strong family and community support for these strategies, ambitious but achievable goals to increase diversity over the grant period, collection and analysis of data to provide transparency and support continuous improvement throughout the grant period, and a rigorous evaluation of the proposed project's effectiveness. ED shall establish performance measures to track the progress of each grant recipient.