,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cdhh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #be1 #bjai,mr4 ,thompson of ,mississippi 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,cummings1 ,mr4 ,correa1 and ,mr4 ,richmond7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb to require the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security to establish a commission to enhance cultural competence and improve recruitment and outreach efforts at the ,coast ,guard ,academy1 to amend title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 to modify the process for congressional nomination of individuals for appointment as cadets at the ,coast ,guard ,academy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act4 ,i ,enhancing ,cultural ,competence ,within the ,coast ,guard ,academy #aja4 ,activities to foster greater cultural competence within the ,united ,states ,coast ,guard ,academy 7a7 ,commission2 plan ,subtitle ,h of title ,,viii of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #dea et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #hij;,b4 ,coast ,guard ,academy cultural reform commission 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish within #cj days after the date of the enactment of the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act a commission to assess the level of cultural competence within the ,academy and1 as appropriate1 issue recommendations to foster greater cultural competence within the ,academy4 7b7 ,cultural competence defined ,in this section1 the term cultural competence means the capacity of an individual or organization to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with individuals who are of a different race1 ethnicity1 gender1 religion1 sexual orientation1 or geographic origin1 in a manner that values and understands diversity and to take action to prevent and respond to social injustice and inequity4 7c7 ,composition of the commission ,the commission shall be comprised of #aa members appointed by the ,secretary by not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act1 and shall include-- 7#a7 the ,chief ,human ,capital ,officer under section #acjc2 7#b7 the ,officer for ,civil ,rights and ,civil ,liberties under section #gje2 7#c7 three ,coast ,guard officials designated by the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard who include at least one civilian official2 and 7#d7 six individuals from private industry1 institutions of higher education1 or nonprofit institutions with demonstrated cultural competence as selected by the ,secretary based on recommendations from the ,congress1 who-- 7,a7 possess relevant expertise or experience in admissions at institutions of higher education1 organizational change management1 and diversity and inclusion initiatives2 and 7,b7 include-- 7i7 at least three individuals who are higher education professionals2 and 7ii7 one individual with a background in evidence-based diversity and inclusion initiatives4 7d7 ,chair and vice chair ,the commission shall elect a ,chair and ,vice ,chair from among its members4 7e7 ,quorum and meetings ,the commission shall meet and begin the operations of the commission not later than #cj days after the date on which all members have been appointed or not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act1 whichever is earlier4 ,each subsequent meeting shall occur upon the call of the ,chair or a majority of its members and no less than three such meetings shall be open to the public4 ,at least one public meeting should be held at the ,coast ,guard ,academy4 ,a majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum1 but a lesser number may hold meetings4 7f7 ,exemption ,the commission shall not be subject to the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 7g7 ,report ,the commission shall1 not later than #ahj days after the first meeting of the commission1 submit to the ,secretary its findings and any recommendations for fostering greater cultural competence within the ,academy by1 among other things1 changing qualifications required of officers1 faculty1 and staff assigned to the ,coast ,guard ,academy as well as modifications to institutional practices1 policies1 and structures4 7h7 ,feedback and implementation ,not later than #ij days after receiving the report required under subsection 7g71 the ,secretary1 through the ,commandant1 shall submit to the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a copy of the report and the ,secretary's feedback regarding the report's findings and recommendations together with any specific plans1 including projected milestones1 to implement any or all of the recommendations and1 in the event that the ,secretary decides not to act on one or more of the recommendations1 the rationale for such decision4 7i7 ,duration ,the commission shall remain active in an advisory role for an additional year after the ,secretary provides feedback in accordance with subsection 7h7 to monitor implementation and issue additional recommendations as needed4 #hij;,c4 ,recruitment and retention within the ,coast ,guard ,academy 7a7 ,plan required ,within one year after the date of the enactment of the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,chief ,human ,capital ,officer1 shall1 in consultation with the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard1 issue a plan1 with projected milestones1 to-- 7#a7 improve outreach and recruitment of a more diverse ,coast ,guard ,academy cadet candidate pool based on race1 ethnicity1 gender1 religion1 sexual orientation1 and geographic origin2 7#b7 modify institutional structures1 practices1 and policies to foster a more diverse cadet corps body1 faculty1 and staff workforce based on race1 ethnicity1 gender1 religion1 sexual orientation1 and geographic origin2 7#c7 modify and establish new safeguards to foster the retention of cadets1 faculty1 and staff of different races1 ethnicities1 genders1 religion1 sexual orientation1 and geographic origin at the ,coast ,guard ,academy2 and 7#d7 restructure the admissions office of the ,coast ,guard ,academy to be headed by a civilian with significant relevant higher education recruitment experience4 7b7 ,implementation ,at the direction of the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard1 the ,superintendent of the ,academy1 under section #aibb of title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 in coordination with the ,chief ,human ,capital ,officer1 and in consultation with the ,chairman of the commission authorized by section #hij;,b1 shall implement the plan issued under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,annual report ,beginning in #bjba and annually thereafter through #bjca1 the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard1 in consultation with the ,chief ,human ,capital ,officer1 shall provide a report to the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate that includes-- 7#a7 general information on implementation of the plan required by this section2 7#b7 specific information on outreach and recruitment activities for the preceding year1 including the use of the volunteer-based program under section #hij;,d2 7#c7 enrollment information about the incoming class1 including gender1 race1 ethnicity1 religion1 and ,state of residence of ,coast ,guard ,academy cadets2 7#d7 information on class retention1 outcomes1 and graduation rates1 including gender1 race1 ethnicity1 religion1 and ,state of residence of ,coast ,guard ,academy cadets2 and 7#e7 information on professional development and professional advancement opportunities for staff and faculty as it pertains to retention and advancing cultural competence4 #hij;,d4 ,coast ,guard ,academy minority outreach team program 7a7 ,in general ,there is established within the ,coast ,guard ,academy a minority outreach team program 7in this section referred to as ,,amot7 under which minority officers who are ,academy graduates may volunteer their time to recruit minority students and strengthen cadet retention through mentorship of cadets4 7b7 ,administration ,within #ij days after the date of the enactment of the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act1 the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard1 in consultation with the ,superintendent of the ,coast ,guard ,academy and the majority of ,,amot volunteers and ,academy alumni that participated in the ,,amot1 shall appoint a permanent civilian position at the ,coast ,guard to administer the ,,amot by1 among other things-- 7#a7 overseeing administration of the program2 7#b7 serving as a resource to volunteers and outside stakeholders2 7#c7 advising ,academy leadership on recruitment and retention efforts based on recommendations from volunteers and outside stakeholders2 7#d7 establishing strategic goals and performance metrics for the ,,amot with input from active volunteers and ,academy leadership2 and 7#e7 reporting annually to the ,commandant on goals for the ,,amot before the beginning of each academic year and performance outcomes of the ,,amot at the end of each academic year4 7c7 ,inclusion in report ,the ,commandant shall include a section on ,,amot goals and outcomes in the annual report required under subsection 7c7 of section #hij;,c4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of such ,act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subtitle the following3 ,sec4 #hij;,b4 ,coast ,guard ,academy cultural reform commission4 ,sec4 #hij;,c4 ,recruitment and retention within the ,coast ,guard ,academy4 ,sec4 #hij;,d4 ,coast ,guard ,academy minority outreach team program4 4 7c7 ,comptroller general review ,not later than one year after the date of the issuance of the plan required by subsection 7a7 of section #hij;,c of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb1 as amended by this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit a review to the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate-- 7#a7 of the degree to which the plan is informed by the ,commission authorized by section #hij;,b of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb1 as amended by this ,act2 7#b7 of the degree to which the plan1 as designed1 is likely to be effective2 7#c7 of the degree to which the plan1 as implemented1 is likely to be effective2 7#d7 of the degree to which the minority outreach team program authorized by section #hij;,d of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb1 as amended by this ,act1 is administered effectively2 and 7#e7 that includes any recommendations to enhance recruitment1 retention1 and outcomes4 ,,ii ,enhancing ,opportunities at the ,coast ,guard ,academy #bja4 ,academy nominations 7a7 ,appointment ,section #aibb of title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by inserting before the text the following3 7a7 ,in general 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7b7 ,nominations 7#a7 ,congressional nominations 7,a7 ,appointment requirement ,half of each incoming class of the ,academy shall be composed of cadets nominated by the following3 7i7 ,the ,vice ,president or1 if there is no ,vice ,president1 by the ,president pro tempore of the ,senate4 7ii7 ,a ,senator4 7iii7 ,a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives4 7iv7 ,the ,delegate to the ,congress from the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,delegate to the ,congress from the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 the ,resident ,commissioner from ,puerto ,rico1 the ,delegate to the ,congress from ,guam1 the ,delegate to the ,congress from ,american ,samoa1 or the ,delegate to the ,congress from the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7,b7 ,congressional nominees ,each ,senator1 ,member of the ,house of ,representatives1 and ,delegate to the ,congress1 including such ,resident ,commissioner1 is entitled to nominate #c persons each year4 ,cadets who do not graduate on time shall not count against the allocations pursuant to clauses 7i7 through 7iv7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,qualification requirements ,an individual shall be qualified for nomination1 selection1 and appointment as a cadet at the ,academy only if the individual-- 7,a7 is a citizen or national of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 meets such minimum requirements that the ,secretary may establish4 7#c7 ,nomination information ,the ,commandant1 through the ,superintendent of the ,coast ,guard ,academy1 shall furnish to any ,member of ,congress1 upon the written request of such ,member1 the name of the ,member of ,congress or other nominating authority responsible for the nomination of any named or identified person for appointment to the ,academy4 4 7b7 ,application ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 shall apply beginning with academic program year #bjbb1 subject to subsection 7d71 and with respect to each academic program year thereafter2 and 7#b7 shall not affect the application of section #aibb of title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 as in effect before the enactment of this section1 with respect to appointment of cadets who will matriculate to the ,coast ,guard ,academy before such academic program year4 7c7 ,reporting ,not later than #ij days before the beginning of each new academic year1 the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard1 through the ,superintendent of the ,coast ,guard ,academy1 shall report to the ,congress on the achievement of the nominee class composition requirement established by the amendment made by subsection 7a74 ,if the requirement is not achieved1 the report shall include plans on how to achieve the nominee class composition requirement4 7d7 ,transition 7#a7 ,nominations ,notwithstanding the amendment made by subsection 7a71 with respect to the nomination of individuals pursuant to section #aibb of title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by such subsection1 who will matriculate at the ,coast ,guard ,academy in academic program year #bjbb1 not less than #be percent of the class shall be from nominations made pursuant to clauses 7i7 through 7iv7 of subsection 7b77#a77;,a7 of such section #aibb 7as amended by subsection 7a7 of this section74 7#b7 ,notification to the ,congress ,not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 acting through the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard1 shall notify the ,congress of the criteria1 process1 and timeline congressional offices are to follow for submitting such nominations4 7#c7 ,additional action ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard may take any additional action the ,secretary considers necessary and proper to provide for the transition to the nomination1 selection1 and appointment process under this section4 #bjb4 ,coast ,guard ,college ,student ,pre-,commissioning ,initiative 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ba of title #ad1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bacj4 ,college ,student ,pre-,commissioning ,initiative 7a7 ,in general ,there is authorized within the ,coast ,guard the ,college ,student ,pre-,commissioning ,initiative program 7in this section referred to as the program7 for eligible undergraduate students to enlist and receive a guaranteed commission as an officer in the ,coast ,guard4 7b7 ,criteria for selection ,to be eligible for the program a student must meet all eligibility requirements of such program as in effect on the date of the enactment of the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act1 and must be-- 7#a7 an undergraduate sophomore or junior at a historically ,black college or university described in section #cbb7b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa7b77 or an institution of higher education described in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a772 or 7#b7 an undergraduate sophomore or junior student who is active in minority-serving organizations and pursuing a degree in science1 technology1 engineering1 or mathematics at an institution of higher education described in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7 that is not a historically ,black college or university or institution of higher education referred to in paragraph 7#a7 of this subsection4 7c7 ,participation in officer candidate school ,the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard shall ensure that graduates of the program are included in the first enrollment for ,officer ,candidate ,school that commences after the date of the enactment of the ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act and in each enrollment period thereafter4 7d7 ,reports ,not later than #ij days after the conclusion of each academic year with respect to which the program is carried out beginning with the first full academic year after the date of the enactment of ,coast ,guard ,academy ,improvement ,act1 the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard shall submit to the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a report on the ,college ,student ,pre-,commissioning ,initiative1 including outreach and recruitment efforts and participation data1 including demographic information of enrollees including race1 ethnicity1 gender1 and geographic origin4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the analysis for such subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bacj4 ,college ,student ,pre-,commissioning ,initiative4 4