,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #eeei ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #bd1 #bjbf,mr4 ,padilla 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 and ,mr4 ,van ,hollen7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to provide for the basic needs of students at institutions of higher education4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,basic ,assistance for ,students ,in ,college ,act of #bjbf or the ,,basic ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,grants to support the basic needs of students ,title ,,viii of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aafa;a et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,,bb ,grants to support the basic needs of students #hii4 ,grants to support the basic needs of students 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,basic needs ,the term basic needs1 with respect to a student1 means the physiological and safety necessities that are central conditions for the student to learn1 including-- 7,a7 nutritious and sufficient food2 7,b7 safe1 secure1 and adequate housing 7including to sleep1 to study1 to cook1 and to shower72 7,c7 health care to promote sustained mental and physical well-being2 7,d7 high-quality and affordable childcare2 7,e7 affordable technology and internet access2 7,f7 accessible transportation2 7,g7 personal hygiene and clothing2 and 7,h7 other costs described in paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#ad7 of section #dgb7;a74 7#b7 ,community college 7,a7 ,in general ,the term community college means-- 7i7 a public institution of higher education at which-- 7,i7 the highest degree awarded is an associate degree2 or 7,,ii7 an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree1 including a #b-year ,tribal ,college or ,university 7as defined in section #caf72 7ii7 a public postsecondary vocational institution 7as defined in section #ajb7;c772 or 7iii7 at the designation of the ,secretary1 in the case of a ,state in which there is no community college operated or controlled by the ,state that meets a definition under clause 7i7 or 7ii71 a college or similarly defined and structured academic entity-- 7,i7 that was in existence before the date of enactment of this part2 7,,ii7 within a public #d-year institution of higher education2 and 7,,iii7 at which-- 7aa7 the highest degree awarded is an associate degree2 or 7bb7 an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree4 7#c7 ,eligible institution ,the term eligible institution means an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja or #ajb7;a77#a77;,b774 7b7 ,planning grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award planning grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible institutions to enable the eligible institutions to conduct research and planning in accordance with paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 to reduce incidences of-- 7i7 student food insecurity2 7ii7 student housing insecurity2 and 7iii7 students experiencing homelessness2 and 7,b7 to meet other basic needs of students4 7#b7 ,activities ,an eligible institution receiving a grant under this subsection shall use grant funds to carry out the following activities3 7,a7 ,establish a basic needs steering committee that will be-- 7i7 responsible for developing and approving the basic needs strategy described in subparagraph 7,c72 and 7ii7 comprised of relevant stakeholders1 such as-- 7,i7 students who have experienced challenges in meeting basic needs2 7,,ii7 student government representatives2 7,,iii7 staff of the eligible institution representing the areas of student financial aid1 housing1 dining1 student affairs1 academic advising1 equity support services1 accessibility services1 campus security1 legal services1 and health and well-being services 7including counseling or psychological services72 7,,iv7 faculty2 7,v7 relevant administrators1 including local human services administrators2 7,,vi7 community-based and other nonprofit organizations2 and 7,,vii7 representatives from ,state or local governmental agencies4 7,b7 ,conduct research regarding-- 7i7 the level of unmet basic needs at the eligible institution1 disaggregated by race and ethnicity1 income quintile1 status as a first generation college student 7as defined in section #djb;,a7h771 ,federal ,pell ,grant eligibility status1 disability status1 status as a student parent1 sex 7including sexual orientation and gender identity71 or other subgroup as determined by the eligible institution2 7ii7 the presence of institutional barriers 7such as award displacement7 and current institutional interventions to address basic needs insecurity2 7iii7 the presence of administrative barriers for students in applying1 certifying eligibility1 and renewing applications for federally funded benefit programs1 and interventions to address such barriers2 7iv7 7,i7 the resources and activities available to address basic needs of students1 both on campus and off campus1 as of the date of the research2 and 7,,ii7 the impact of such resources and activities2 and 7v7 opportunities for coordination and collaboration between the eligible institution and ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal agencies or community-based organizations1 such as-- 7,i7 the local office that administers benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 and carries out employment and training programs under that ,act1 or the temporary assistance for needy families program and subsidized programs that meet the work requirements under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 7,,ii7 organizations that participate in the ,federal work-study program under part ,c of title ,,iv2 or 7,,iii7 low-income housing assistance organizations1 including such organizations assisting with tenant-based assistance under section #h7o7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o771 and public housing 7as defined in section #c7;b7 of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b7774 7,c7 ,develop a basic needs strategy that describes the means by which the eligible institution will-- 7i7 seek to address or meet the basic needs of students through on-campus and off-campus providers2 and 7ii7 incorporate the research conducted under subparagraph 7,b71 including with respect to the subgroups identified under clause 7i7 of that subparagraph1 into the basic needs strategy4 7,d7 ,implement the strategy described in subparagraph 7,c71 including by-- 7i7 conducting outreach to encourage students to participate in programs that provide basic needs or reduce basic needs insecurity2 7ii7 educating students about ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal assistance programs1 supporting student applications for those programs1 and providing case management and training for students to maximize the assistance that students and their families receive to reduce basic needs insecurity2 7iii7 coordinating and collaborating with ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal agencies or community-based organizations2 7iv7 hiring and training personnel to build infrastructure and implement programming to reduce basic needs insecurity at the eligible institution2 and 7v7 carrying out other matters determined to be appropriate by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,grant amounts2 duration 7,a7 ,amount ,the amount of a grant under this subsection shall be not more than #bjj1jjj4 7,b7 ,duration ,a grant under this subsection shall be for a period of not more than #b years4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #fj days after the end of the planning grant period under this subsection1 each eligible institution that receives such a grant shall submit to the ,secretary a report that describes the outcomes of the planning grant1 regardless of whether the eligible institution intends to apply for an implementation grant4 7c7 ,implementation grants 7#a7 ,award 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award implementation grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible institutions to enable the eligible institutions to develop infrastructure to meet the basic needs of students by-- 7i7 implementing-- 7,i7 a basic needs strategy developed under subsection 7b77#b77;,c72 or 7,,ii7 another existing basic needs plan approved by the ,secretary2 and 7ii7 carrying out the activities described in paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,ongoing external funding ,to be eligible to receive an implementation grant under this paragraph1 an eligible institution shall identify1 in the application for the grant1 an ongoing non-,federal funding mechanism to support the activities carried out using grant funds after the expiration of the grant period4 7#b7 ,activities ,an eligible institution receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to carry out at least #b of the following activities3 7,a7 ,providing to eligible students free or subsidized food1 secure sleeping arrangements1 temporary housing1 priority access to existing on-campus child care1 and other basic needs4 7,b7 ,conducting outreach to students to reduce stigma associated with1 and educate and encourage students to participate in1 programs and services 7including programs and services provided through grant funding7 to meet basic needs4 7,c7 7i7 ,educating students about federally funded benefit programs described in section #dhc7;a77#b77;,b77ii77,,xvii7 and1 to the extent determined appropriate by the institution1 other ,state and local benefit programs2 7ii7 supporting student applications for those programs2 and 7iii7 providing case management and training for students to maximize the public assistance that students and their families receive to meet basic needs4 7,d7 ,coordination and collaboration between the eligible institution and ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal agencies or community-based organizations1 such as the local1 ,state1 or regional offices that administer benefits through the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq471 or a low-income housing assistance organization4 7,e7 ,purchasing materials1 equipment1 transportation1 or facilities to reduce incidences of food and housing insecurity and address the basic needs of students at the eligible institution4 7,f7 ,hiring and training personnel to build and improve basic needs infrastructure and implement programming to provide assistance in applying for1 and accessing1 direct support services1 financial assistance1 or federally funded benefit programs to meet the basic needs of students4 7,g7 ,other activities or services determined to be appropriate by the ,secretary for meeting the basic needs of students4 7#c7 ,grant amounts2 duration 7,a7 ,amount ,the amount of a grant under this subsection shall be not more than #e1jjj1jjj for each #e-year period4 7,b7 ,duration ,a grant under this subsection shall be for a period of #e years4 7#d7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall prepare and submit to ,congress a report that describes-- 7,a7 the impact on eligible students of grants provided under this subsection2 7,b7 the obstacles faced by recipients of grants under this subsection2 7,c7 successful outcomes of grants under this subsection2 7,d7 best practices for the provision of basic services to eligible students2 and 7,e7 ,federal and ,state policy barriers to meeting the basic needs of students at institutions of higher education4 7#e7 ,best practices ,the ,secretary shall disseminate to eligible institutions information about best practices1 as described in paragraph 7#d77;,d74 7#f7 ,evaluation and report ,for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of funds awarded under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall conduct an evaluation of each grant under this subsection to determine the impact on students1 including retention1 progression1 transfer1 attainment1 and basic needs security1 as applicable4 ,the information from the evaluation shall be made public through a report after the first year and every #d years thereafter4 ,the report should highlight best practices for continuous improvement in retention1 credit accumulation and progression1 transfer1 credential attainment1 and basic-needs security1 and demonstrate cost-per-outcome efficiency4 7d7 ,reservation2 priority2 equitable distribution 7#a7 ,reservation ,in awarding grants under subsections 7b7 and 7c71 the ,secretary shall reserve-- 7,a7 an amount equal to not less than #be percent of the total amount available for grants under those subsections for grant awards to community colleges2 and 7,b7 an amount equal to not less than #be percent of the total amount available for grants under those subsections for grant awards to historically ,black colleges and universities1 ,tribal ,colleges and ,universities1 and other minority-serving institutions4 7#b7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under subsections 7b7 and 7c71 the ,secretary shall give priority to the following3 7,a7 ,eligible institutions with respect to which not fewer than #be percent of enrolled students are students that are eligible to receive a ,federal ,pell ,grant under subpart #a of part ,a of title ,,iv4 7,b7 ,eligible institutions described in section #cga7;a74 7#c7 ,equitable distribution ,in awarding grants under subsections 7b7 and 7c71 the ,secretary shall ensure an equitable distribution of grant awards to eligible institutions in ,states1 based on ,state population4 7e7 ,disbursement of funds ,for each fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under subsection 7g71 the ,secretary shall obligate the funds for grants under this section and make such grants available for expenditure by eligible entities not later than #fj days after such funds are appropriated4 7f7 ,prohibition ,an eligible institution receiving a grant under this section may not reduce a student's eligibility for1 or the amount of1 an institutional grant provided to the student by such institution on the basis of such student's receipt of a benefit under a federally funded benefit program listed in section #dhc7;a77#b77;,b77ii77,,xvii74 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjcc1 of which-- 7#a7 #dj1jjj1jjj is authorized to be appropriated to provide planning grants under subsection 7b72 and 7#b7 #ifj1jjj1jjj is authorized to be appropriated to provide implementation grants under subsection 7c74 4 #c4 ,data sharing to inform students of benefit programs 7a7 ,in general ,section #dhc7;c77#c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;c77#c77 is amended to read as follows3 7#c7 ,data-sharing agreements for benefit programs 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall enter into and maintain data sharing agreements that meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,b7 with each appropriate ,federal or ,state agency that handles applications for federally funded benefit programs described in subsection 7a77#b77;,b77ii77,,xvii7 to-- 7i7 identify applicants who are potentially eligible for one or more of such federally funded benefit programs2 7ii7 in the case of applicants identified under clause 7i7 who have not received benefits under a federally funded benefit program during the most recent #b years-- 7,i7 notify such applicants they may enroll in such program2 and 7,,ii7 provide information on the eligibility requirements for such program2 7iii7 in the case of applicants identified under clause 7i7 who have received benefits under a federally funded benefit program during the most recent #b years1 notify such applicants of the requirements to renew1 reenroll1 or maintain enrollment in such a program2 7iv7 coordinate efforts among institutions of higher education1 and each such appropriate ,federal or ,state agency to enroll or maintain enrollment of potentially eligible applicants in such federally funded benefit programs1 including prescreening or preliminary determinations of eligibility2 and 7v7 design and update written or electronic communications to potentially eligible applicants and institutions of higher education regarding the benefit programs in accordance with this subparagraph4 7,b7 ,confidentiality of student information ,any person who receives information provided through a data sharing agreement under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 shall use the information only for the purposes of1 and to the extent necessary in1 carrying out the requirements of clauses 7i7 through 7v7 of subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 may not disclose the information for any other purpose 7such as the conduct of criminal or civil investigations1 proceedings1 or prosecutions74 4 7b7 ,federally funded benefit programs ,section #dhc7;a77#b77;,b77ii77,,xvii7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77#b77;,b77ii77,,xvii77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking received any of the following means-tested ,federal benefits and inserting received benefits under any of the following federally funded benefit programs2 and 7#b7 by striking items 7aa7 through 7jj7 and inserting the following3 7aa7 ,the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq471 a nutrition assistance program carried out under section #ai of such ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjbh71 or a nutrition assistance program carried out by the ,secretary of ,agriculture in the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7bb7 ,the supplemental security income program under title ,,xvi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq474 7cc7 ,the program of block grants to ,states for temporary assistance for needy families under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq474 7dd7 ,the special supplemental nutrition program for women1 infants1 and children established by section #ag of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf74 7ee7 ,the ,medicaid program under title ,,xix of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif et seq474 7ff7 ,federal housing assistance programs1 including tenant-based assistance under section #h7o7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o771 and public housing1 as defined in section #c7;b77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b77#a774 7gg7 ,federal child care assistance programs1 including assistance under the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheg et seq47 and the ,child ,care ,access ,means ,parents in ,school ,program under section #dai,n4 7hh7 ,the free and reduced price school lunch program established under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq474 7ii7 ,refundable credit for coverage under a qualified health plan under section #cf;,b of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7jj7 ,the ,earned ,income ,tax ,credit under section #cb of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7kk7 ,the ,child ,tax ,credit under section #bd of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7ll7 ,education tax benefits described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section #be;,a7a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7mm7 ,any other federally funded benefit program that supports the basic needs of students determined by the ,secretary1 in consultation with each appropriate ,state or ,federal agency that handles applications for such federally funded benefit program4 4 7c7 ,information ,to be supplied by the ,secretary of ,education ,section #dhc7;a77#c77;,a77iv7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77#c77;,a77iv77 is amended to read as follows3 7iv7 ,a notification of the federally funded benefit programs described in paragraph 7#b77;,b77ii77,,xvii7 for which the applicant may be eligible1 including relevant links and information on how to apply for1 renew1 or maintain eligibility for such programs1 in accordance with the data sharing agreements specified in subsection 7c77#c74 4 7d7 ,information on federally funded programs ,to support basic needs ,section #dhc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,information on federally funded benefit programs ,to support basic needs 7#a7 ,in general ,upon receiving an application under this section from an applicant whom the ,secretary determines 7in accordance with paragraph 7#b77 may be eligible for a federally funded benefit program described in subsection 7a77#b77;,b77ii77,,xvii71 the ,secretary shall send to such applicant1 in written and electronic form1 information on1 and the application for1 each such federally funded benefit program for which the applicant may be so eligible 7including a brief description of the appropriate resources or methods to apply for each such benefit program74 7#b7 ,determination requirements ,in determining whether an applicant may be eligible for a federally funded benefit program pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall make such determination solely on the basis of the information submitted on the application described by subsection 7a71 and available through the data sharing agreements under subsection 7c77#c71 and without regard to enrollment intensity1 income1 work1 or community participation requirements that may be needed to formally determine eligibility for such a program4 4 7e7 ,further information on federally funded programs ,to support basic needs ,section #dhc7;a77#b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking clause 7ii7 and inserting the following3 7ii7 ,authorization to disclose to benefits programs ,an applicant and1 if necessary1 the parents or spouse of the applicant shall be provided1 concurrently with the provision of the authorization described in clause 7i71 the opportunity to authorize the disclosure to each appropriate ,federal or ,state agency that handles applications for federally funded benefit programs described in subparagraph 7,b77ii77,,xvii7 all information provided by the applicant on the application described by this subsection1 as well as such applicant's student aid index1 scheduled ,federal ,pell ,grant award1 or receipt of other ,federal financial aid1 to assist in identification1 outreach1 and application efforts for such federally funded benefits programs4 2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking clause 7ii7 and inserting the following3 7ii7 an authorization under subparagraph 7,d71 the ,secretary shall1 as soon as practicable1 disclose the information described under such subparagraph-- 7,i7 in the case of an authorization under subparagraph 7,d77i71 to each entity specified by the applicant1 in order for the applicant's eligibility for ,federal1 ,state1 or institutional student financial aid programs to be estimated or determined2 and 7,,ii7 in the case of an authorization under subparagraph 7,d77ii71 to each appropriate ,state or ,federal agency that handles applications for federally funded benefit programs described in subparagraph 7,b77ii77,,xvii7 in order for the applicant's eligibility for such federally funded benefit programs to be estimated or determined4 4 #d4 ,national report on student basic needs insecurity 7a7 ,report on student food and housing insecurity ,section #dhc7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#aj7 ,report on student food1 housing1 and basic needs insecurity ,the ,secretary shall produce-- 7,a7 not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,,basic ,act of #bjbf1 and at least once every #d years thereafter1 a public report with nationally representative statistics based on a survey of students who have applied for ,federal financial aid and who enroll at institutions of higher education and are experiencing basic needs insecurity1 including food1 housing1 transportation1 child care1 or other needs determined by the ,secretary1 disaggregated1 to the extent available in existing ,federal databases1 by-- 7i7 race and ethnicity2 7ii7 income quintile2 7iii7 status as a first generation college student 7as defined in section #djb;,a7h772 7iv7 ,federal ,pell ,grant eligibility status2 7v7 disability status2 7vi7 status as a student parent2 7vii7 sex2 7viii7 military or veteran benefit status2 and 7ix7 to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,state in which the student attended higher education2 and 7,b7 not later than #a year after enactment of the ,,basic ,act of #bjbf1 a report to the authorizing committees and the ,committees on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,senate1 on the progress of the ,secretary in carrying out the directives of this subsection related to connecting students to federally funded benefit programs1 including any areas of concern and potential problem issues uncovered that may hamper such implementation and solutions determined to address such issues4 4