,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ahif ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #h1 #bjbc,ms4 ,ernst introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship ,a ,,bill ,to reauthorize the ,,score program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,,score ,act of #bjbc4 #b4 ,amendments to the ,,score program 7a7 ,in general ,section #h of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a77i77,,ii77aa71 by inserting with relevant knowledge of modern business practices after institutions2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by striking a ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives 7,,score7 and an ,active ,corps of ,executive 7,,ace7 and inserting a ,supporting ,coaching ,opportunities for ,resilient ,entrepreneurs 7,,score7 program2 and 7ii7 by striking ,,score may and inserting the ,,score ,program may2 and 7#b7 by striking subsection 7c7 and inserting the following3 7c7 ,,score program 7#a7 ,cooperative agreement 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of the ,,score ,act of #bjbc1 the ,administrator shall enter into a cooperative agreement with an organization described in subparagraph 7,b7 to carry out the ,,score program1 which shall provide business coaching to entrepreneurs seeking to form1 grow1 scale1 or sell their small business concern4 7,b7 ,eligible organization ,the awardee of the cooperative agreement under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be an organization that-- 7i7 is well-equipped to provide fundamental1 modern1 and relevant business training and counseling to individuals in both rural and urban areas2 and 7ii7 shall be able to effectively reach underserved individuals while overseeing the volunteers participating in the ,,score program4 7,c7 ,recompete process ,not later than #e years after the date on which the ,administrator enters into a cooperative agreement under subparagraph 7,a71 and every #e years thereafter1 the ,administrator shall engage in a competitive bidding process to enter into a cooperative agreement with an organization described in subparagraph 7,b74 7#b7 ,administrator duties ,the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 assist the ,office of ,inspector ,general of the ,administration in conducting their audit of the ,,score program that shall occur once every #c years2 and 7,b7 establish a process to certify eligible coaches under the ,,score program1 which shall-- 7i7 ensure that the business investments1 affiliations1 or connections of a coach do not present a conflict of interest with any individual participant that the coach is actively coaching1 as determined by the ,national ,women's ,business ,coaches2 and 7ii7 determine whether the individual applying to be a coach has-- 7,i7 relevant knowledge of modern business practices1 including accounting1 marketing1 and hiring personnel2 and 7,,ii7 a general understanding of the opportunities for growth that the internet and e-commerce poses for owners of small business concerns4 7#c7 ,,score ,association duties ,the ,,score ,association shall-- 7,a7 in addition to providing in-person services1 maintain and expand online counseling services including webinars1 electronic mentoring platforms1 e-commerce1 and online toolkits to further support entrepreneurs2 and 7,b7 maintain and enforce requirements for volunteers participating in the ,,score program1 including requirements that-- 7i7 each volunteer shall meet the performance standards established under subparagraph 7,c72 7ii7 if a volunteer fails to meet performance standards1 as evaluated through an annual review1 the volunteer shall adhere to a performance improvement plan for the duration of #a year2 and 7iii7 if the volunteer continues to fail to meet performance standards after conducting a year-long performance improvement plan described in clause 7ii71 the volunteer shall be terminated and dismissed from all participation in the ,,score program4 7#d7 ,joint duties ,the ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,,score ,association1 shall ensure that the ,,score program and each chapter of the ,,score program-- 7,a7 develop and implement plans and goals to effectively and efficiently provide services to individuals in rural areas1 including plans for virtual and web-based initiatives1 chapter expansion1 partnerships1 and the development of new skills by volunteers participating in the ,,score program2 7,b7 recruit diverse volunteers for the chapters of the ,,score program1 in conjunction with the ,national ,women's ,business ,coaches2 and 7,c7 establish performance standards for all coaches and employees of the ,,score program4 7#e7 ,,gao study ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of the ,,score ,act of #bjbc1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall-- 7,a7 conduct a study to identify how many ,,score program chapters are located in rural areas and understand how well the ,,score program is servicing rural areas2 7,b7 examine the efficacy of performance standards established under paragraph 7#c77;,c72 and 7,c7 submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the matters described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74 7#f7 ,reauthorization ,the ,,score program shall sunset on the date that is #d years after the date of enactment of the ,,score ,act of #bjbc1 and shall be subject to reauthorization thereafter4 4 7b7 ,technical and conforming amendments 7#a7 ,small ,business ,act ,the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca et seq47 is amended-- 7,a7 in section #c 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb71 by adding at the end the following3 7gg7 ,,score program definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,,score program ,the term ,,score program means the ,supporting ,coaching ,opportunities for ,resilient ,entrepreneurs program described in section #h7;c74 7#b7 ,,score ,association ,the term ,,score ,association means the ,supporting ,coaching ,opportunities for ,resilient ,entrepreneurs ,association or any successor or other organization that enters into a cooperative agreement described in section #h7;c77#a7 with the ,administrator to operate the ,,score program4 2 7,b7 in section #g 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7-- 7i7 in subsection 7b77#ab7-- 7,i7 in the paragraph heading1 by striking score and inserting ,,score program2 and 7,,ii7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7m77#c77;,a77i77,,viii71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program2 7,c7 in section #bj7;d77#a77;,e7 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca note71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives program and inserting ,,score program2 and 7,d7 in section #bb 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7-- 7i7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives authorized by section 7#h77;b77#a7 and inserting ,,score program2 and 7,,ii7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7c77#ab71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives authorized by section #h7;b77#a7 and inserting ,,score program4 7#b7 ,other laws 7,a7 ,small ,business ,reauthorization ,act of #aiig ,section #gjg of the ,small ,business ,reauthorization ,act of #aiig 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca note7 is amended by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives 7,,score7 program and inserting ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c774 7,b7 ,veterans ,entrepreneurship and ,small ,business ,development ,act of #aiii ,section #cja of the ,veterans ,entrepreneurship and ,small ,business ,development ,act of #aiii 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b note7 is amended-- 7i7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,i7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,service ,core of ,retired ,executives 7described in section #h7;b77#a77;,b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;b77#a77;,b77 and in this section referred to as ,,score7 and inserting ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c77 7in this section referred to as the ,,score program72 7,,ii7 in paragraphs 7#a71 7#b71 and 7#c71 by striking ,,score each place the term appears and inserting the ,,score program2 and 7,,iii7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking the before establishing2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7b71 by striking ,,score each place the term appears and inserting the ,,score program4 7,c7 ,military ,reservist and ,veteran ,small ,business ,reauthorization and ,opportunity ,act of #bjjh ,the ,military ,reservist and ,veteran ,small ,business ,reauthorization and ,opportunity ,act of #bjjh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf note7 is amended-- 7i7 in section #c1 by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting the following3 7#e7 the term ,,score program means the ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c772 2 and 7ii7 in section #bja7;c77#b77;,b77i71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program4 7,d7 ,children's ,health ,insurance ,program ,reauthorization ,act of #bjji ,section #fba of the ,children's ,health ,insurance ,program ,reauthorization ,act of #bjji 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegp7 is amended-- 7i7 in subsection 7a71 by striking paragraph 7#d7 and inserting the following3 7#d7 the term ,,score program means the ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c772 2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7b77#d77;,a77iv71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program4 7,e7 ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act ,section #ccg7;d77#b77;,a7 of the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fcjg7;d77#b77;,a77 is amended by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives 7,,score7 and inserting ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c774 #c4 ,amendments to the ,national ,women's ,business ,council 7a7 ,in general ,title ,,iv of the ,women's ,business ,ownership ,act of #aihh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gaja et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #djb7;c7 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gajb7;c77-- 7,a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,council and inserting ,,nwbc2 and 7,b7 by striking ,council each place that term appears and inserting ,,nwbc2 7#b7 in section #djc 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gajc7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a77#b77;,b7-- 7i7 by striking ,small ,business2 and 7ii7 by striking ,national ,women's ,business ,council established under section #dje and inserting ,,nwbc2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking of the ,small ,business ,administration2 7#c7 by striking sections #dje1 #djf1 and #djg 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gaje1 #gajf1 #gajg7 and inserting the following3 #dje4 ,establishment of the ,national ,women's ,business ,coaches ,there is established a group to be known as the ,national ,women's ,business ,coaches1 which shall carry out the duties described in section #djf and be composed of the members and staff described in section #djg4 #djf4 ,duties of the ,,nwbc ,the ,,nwbc shall-- 7#a7 collaborate with the ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c77 to pair women entrepreneurs with coaches under the ,,score program and other members of the ,,nwbc2 7#b7 promote the online webinars and other tools and programs of the ,administration and resource partners of the ,administration for women entrepreneurs2 7#c7 develop workshops on-- 7,a7 the opportunities of internet sales2 7,b7 e-commerce training1 in particular how rural businesses can leverage online market platforms to grow their business2 7,c7 the different internet-based market platforms that are available to small business concerns2 7,d7 utilizing social media for marketing and hiring purposes2 and 7,e7 how to grow and scale a small business through an increased online presence2 7#d7 serve as a resource and collaborate for the purposes of information sharing between women's business centers described in section #bi of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef71 small business development centers 7as defined in section #c of such ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb771 regional offices of the ,administration1 and ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,centers described in section #cb of such ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b7 for-- 7,a7 best practices for recruiting coaches1 mentors1 and advisors for women entrepreneurs2 and 7,b7 developing materials and programs for women entrepreneurs2 7#e7 promote participation in the ,,score program among aspiring and current entrepreneurs in need of guidance and business owners who are willing to provide coaching services to entrepreneurs2 7#f7 be responsible for conducting1 managing1 and overseeing a ,coach ,match ,program under which ,,nwbc members-- 7,a7 pair individual ,,score program participants with ,,score program coaches that best fit the needs of the ,,score program participants through online and in-person events2 or 7,b7 if preferable to the ,,score program participant1 pair an individual ,,score program participant with another ,,score program participant as a peer-to-peer match2 7#g7 be responsible for recruiting other business leaders to join the ,,score program as coaches1 in particular individuals with technical expertise in the fields of science1 technology1 engineering1 and math and individuals who are well versed in utilizing social media as a business tool and who understand and are adept at navigating the internet commerce ecosystem2 and 7#h7 report directly to the ,administrator on a semi-annual basis on the activities of the ,association1 including1 with respect to the ,coach ,match ,program described in paragraph 7#f7-- 7,a7 the number of matches made by the ,association2 7,b7 the number of businesses served by the program2 7,c7 the number of ,,score program participants seeking to be matched1 including women participants2 and 7,d7 results from an annual survey sent to participants on the efficacy of the assistance provided by their coach4 #djg4 ,membership and staff of the ,,nwbc 7a7 ,in general ,the ,,nwbc shall be composed of #cj volunteer coaches1 who shall-- 7#a7 be women business leaders2 and 7#b7 have a demonstrated track record of coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs on topics including forming1 managing1 growing1 or selling a business4 7b7 ,role of ,,nwbc staff 7#a7 ,staff ,not more than #d full-time employees shall support the duties of the ,,nwbc1 in particular the ,coach ,match ,program described in section #djf7f74 7#b7 ,applications ,the full-time employees described in paragraph 7#a7 shall review and accept applications submitted by women business leaders to serve as a coach described in subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,nonpartisan ,the full-time employees described in paragraph 7#a7 shall prioritize selecting nonpartisan individuals to serve as coaches of the ,,nwbc4 7c7 ,duration ,each coach of the ,,nwbc shall serve for a period of #c years1 which may be renewed after submitting a new application for review by the full-time employees described in subsection 7b77#a74 2 7#d7 in section #djh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gajh7-- 7,a7 by striking paragraph 7#d72 7,b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#d72 and 7,c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d71 as so redesignated1 the following3 7#e7 the term ,,nwbc means the ,national ,women's ,business ,coaches established under section #dje2 2 7#e7 by striking section #dji 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gaji72 7#f7 by redesignating section #daj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gaaj7 as section #dji2 and 7#g7 in section #dji1 as so redesignated1 by striking ,council each place that term appears and inserting ,,nwbc4 7b7 ,technical and conforming amendments ,section #bi7;g77#b77;,b77ii7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef7;g77#b77;,b77ii77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subclause 7,,ix71 by striking ,council and inserting ,coaches2 and 7#b7 in subclause 7,x71 by striking ,women's ,business ,council and inserting ,national ,women's ,business ,coaches4 #d4 ,amendments to the ,interagency ,committee on ,women's ,business ,enterprise ,title ,,iv of the ,women's ,business ,ownership ,act of #aihh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gaja et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #djb 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gajb7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7i7 by striking paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#e72 7ii7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d7 as paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 respectively2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 advise ,congress and the ,president on the challenges facing the formation of businesses owned and controlled by women and best practices for facilitating the growth and development of women's business enterprises4 2 7,b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7i7 by striking ,the ,interagency and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,interagency 2 7ii7 by striking ,a majority and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,quorum ,a majority 2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,additional procedures relating to meetings 7,a7 ,open to public ,each meetings of the ,interagency ,committee shall be open to the public4 7,b7 ,notice of meetings ,timely notice of each meeting of the ,interagency ,committee shall be published in the ,federal ,register1 and the ,administrator shall prescribe regulations to provide for other types of public notice to insure that all interested persons are notified of each meeting in advance4 7,c7 ,participation ,interested persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the ,interagency ,committee and appear before or file statements with the ,interagency ,committee1 subject to such reasonable rules or regulations as the ,administrator may prescribe4 7,d7 ,public inspection and copying of records ,subject to section #eeb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 the records1 reports1 transcripts1 minutes1 appendixes1 working papers1 drafts1 studies1 agenda1 or other documents which were made available to or prepared for or by the ,interagency ,committee shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the office of the ,interagency ,committee or the ,administration until the ,interagency ,committee ceases to exist4 7,e7 ,minutes ,detailed minutes of each meeting of the ,interagency ,committee shall be-- 7i7 kept and shall contain a record of the persons present1 a complete and accurate description of matters discussed and conclusions reached1 and copies of all reports received1 issued1 or approved by the ,interagency ,committee2 and 7ii7 certified for accuracy by the chairperson of the ,interagency ,committee4 7,f7 ,closed sessions 7i7 ,in general ,subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,c7 shall not apply to any portion of a meeting of the ,interagency ,committee for which the ,administrator determines that such portion of the meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with section #eeb;b7c7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7ii7 ,form ,any determination made under clause 7i7 shall-- 7,i7 be in writing2 and 7,,ii7 contain the reasons for the determination4 7iii7 ,report ,if a determination is made under clause 7i71 the ,interagency ,committee shall issue a report1 not less frequently than annually1 setting forth a summary of the activities of the ,interagency ,committee and such related matters as would be informative to the public consistent with the policy of section #eeb7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,g7 ,designated officer or employee of ,federal ,government 7i7 ,in general ,there shall be designated an officer or employee of the ,federal ,government to chair or attend each meeting of the ,interagency ,committee1 who shall be authorized1 whenever the officer or employee determines it to be in the public interest1 to adjourn any such meeting4 7ii7 ,prohibition ,the ,interagency ,committee shall not conduct any meeting in the absence of the designated officer or employee of the ,federal ,government described in clause 7i74 2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,information from resource partners ,the ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c771 women's business centers described in section #bi of such ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef71 small business development centers 7as defined in section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb771 and ,state and local resource partners of the ,administration shall annually submit to the ,interagency ,committee1 the ,administration1 ,congress1 and the ,president findings related to women's business ownership and challenges forming1 operating1 and growing their business4 2 7#b7 in section #djc7ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gajc7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a77#b77;,a71 by striking ,small ,business ,administration ,reauthorization ,act of #aiig and inserting ,,score ,act of #bjbc2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7i7 by striking ,not later than #de days after enactment of the ,small ,business ,administration ,reauthorization ,act of #aiig and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #de days after the date of enactment of the ,,score ,act of #bjbc 2 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,vacancy ,in the event that a chairperson is not appointed within the time frame required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,deputy ,administrator of the ,administration shall serve as acting chairperson of the ,interagency ,committee until a chairperson is appointed under paragraph 7#a74 2 and 7#c7 in section #djd 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #agjd71 by striking ,september #cj1 #aiie and inserting #a year after the date of enactment of the ,,score ,act of #bjbc4