S. 2248 — Introduced in Senate

II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2248 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 24, 2019Mr. Scott of South Carolina introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to redesignate and expand the Troops-to-Teachers Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Heroes Entering Roles Of Education Service Act or the HEROES Act. 2. Redesignation and expansion of Troops-to-Teachers Program (a) Redesignation as Troops-to-Support-Education Program (1) In general Section 1154 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (A) in subsection (a)(6), by striking Troops-to-Teachers Program and inserting Troops-to-Support-Education Program; and (B) in subsection (b), by striking Troops-to-Teachers Program and inserting Troops-to-Support-Education Program. (2) References Any reference in Federal law (other than this Act), regulations, guidance, instructions, or other documents of the Federal Government to the Troops-to-Teachers Program shall be deemed to be a reference to the Troops-to-Support-Education Program. (b) Definitions Subsection (a) of such section is further amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraphs: (7) Qualifying position (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term qualifying position means any full-time position in an eligible school, including a position as— (i) a teacher, including an elementary school teacher, a secondary school teacher, or a career or technical education teacher; (ii) a school resource officer; (iii) a school leader; (iv) specialized instructional support personnel; (v) a paraprofessional; or (vi) other staff. (B) Such term does not include a position that is— (i) performed primarily at a location outside the grounds of an eligible school; or (ii) held by an individual who is employed by a contractor. (8) School resource officer The term school resource officer has the meaning given that term in section 1709(4) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10389(4)). ; and (3) by amending paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, to read as follows: (10) Additional terms The terms elementary school, local educational agency, other staff, paraprofessional, school leader, secondary school, specialized instructional support personnel, and State have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). . (c) Expansion of program generally Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking become a teacher and inserting obtain a qualifying position; and (2) in paragraph (2)(A)— (A) in clause (i), by striking or at the end; (B) in clause (ii), by striking and at the end and inserting or; and (C) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iii) experiencing a shortage of personnel to fill qualifying positions; and . (d) Selection criteria for participants Subsection (d)(3) of such section is amended— (1) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph (D): (D) If a member of the armed forces is applying for the Program to receive assistance for placement in a qualifying position other than a position as a teacher described in subparagraph (B) or (C), the Secretary shall require the member to obtain the professional credentials that are required by the State for the position involved. . (e) Participation agreement and assistance Subsection (e) of such section is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)(A)— (A) in clause (i), by striking become a teacher and inserting obtain a qualifying position; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking as an elementary school teacher and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting in a qualifying position for not less than three school years in an eligible school to begin the school year after the member obtains the professional credentials required for the position involved.; (2) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking as a teacher in an eligible elementary school or secondary school or as a career or technical teacher and inserting in a qualifying position; and (3) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking educational level, certification, or licensing and inserting educational level, certification, licensing, or other professional credentials; (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or career or technical teacher and inserting in a qualifying position; and (C) in subparagraph (C)— (i) in clause (i), by striking 5,000 and inserting 7,500; and (ii) in clause (ii), by striking 3,000 and inserting 4,500. (f) Reimbursement Subsection (f)(1) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) by striking become a teacher and inserting obtain a qualifying position; and (B) by striking as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or career or technical teacher and insert in a qualifying position; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking , employment as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or career or technical teacher and inserting employment in a qualifying position. (g) Participation by States Subsection (h)(2)(A) of such section is amended by striking as elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, and career or technical teachers and inserting in qualifying positions. (h) Public-Private partnerships Such section is further amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j); and (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection (i): (i) Public-Private partnerships (1) In general The Secretary may enter into one or more partnerships with nonprofit entities, including veterans service organizations, to assist with the placement of participants in eligible schools in accordance with this section. (2) Nonprofit entity defined In this subsection, the term nonprofit entity means an entity qualifying as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. . (i) Funding limitation Subsection (j) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (h)(1) of this section, is amended by striking $15,000,000 and inserting $20,000,000. (j) Conforming and clerical amendments (1) Heading amendment The heading of such section is amended to read as follows: 1154. Assistance to eligible members and former members to obtain employment in schools: Troops-to-Support-Education Program . (2) Table of sections The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 58 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1154 and inserting the following new item: 1154. Assistance to eligible members and former members to obtain employment in schools: Troops-to-Support-Education Program. .