HR 3249 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To strengthen communities through English literacy and civics education for new Americans, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

July 17, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. HONDA (for himself and Ms. CLARKE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To strengthen communities through English literacy and civics education for new Americans, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--EXPANDING ENGLISH LITERACY, U.S. HISTORY, AND CIVICS EDUCATION

Sec. 101. Increased investment in English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Definitions of English language learner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Credits for teachers of English language learners.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Research in adult education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--SUPPORTING ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND ADULT EDUCATION IN THE WORKFORCE

Sec. 201. Credit for employer-provided adult English literacy and basic education programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Presidential award for business leadership in promoting United States citizenship.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

Sec. 301. Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 302. Grants to States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 303. Authorized activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 304. Reporting and evaluation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 305. New citizens award program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 306. Rule of construction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 307. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to meet the growing need for English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs for new Americans in the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to encourage proactive policies to introduce new Americans into the Nation in order to maximize the benefits provided to these individuals and to the community.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--EXPANDING ENGLISH LITERACY, U.S. HISTORY, AND CIVICS EDUCATIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. INCREASED INVESTMENT IN ENGLISH LITERACY, U.S. HISTORY, AND CIVICS EDUCATION UNDER THE ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY ACT.

(a) Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Program- Section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9202) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating paragraphs (12) through (18) as paragraphs (13) through (19), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after paragraph (11), the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(12) INTEGRATED ENGLISH LITERACY, U.S. HISTORY, AND CIVICS EDUCATION PROGRAM- The term ‘integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education program’ means a program of instruction designed to help an English language learner achieve competence in English through contextualized instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, naturalization procedures, civic participation, and United States history and government to help such learner acquire the skills and knowledge to become an active and informed parent, worker, and community member.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) State Leadership Activities- Section 223(a) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9223(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(12) Technical assistance for grant applications of faith- and community-based organizations.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) National Institute for Literacy- Section 242(c)(1) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9252(c)(1)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I), as subparagraphs (I), (J), and (K), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) to coordinate and share information with national organizations and associations that are interested in integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) to study the effectiveness of distance learning or self-study programs in assisting the English language learner population achieve competence in English;’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Report- Section 242(k) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9252(k)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘and’ after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) a separate analysis of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) national and State adult English instruction needs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) data on the composition of recent immigration flows and immigration settlement patterns across the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) estimated instructional needs based on the English ability and educational attainment of English language learners under recent migration patterns; and’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) National Leadership Activities- Section 243 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9253) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘and integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs’ before the semicolon at the end; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘and integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs’ before ‘, based on scientific evidence’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘and integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs’ before the semicolon at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by inserting ‘integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs,’ before ‘and workplace literacy programs’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in subparagraph (E)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in clause (i), by inserting ‘and integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs’ before the semicolon at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘and’ after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in clause (iv)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) by striking ‘section 231’ and inserting ‘sections 231 and 244’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) by inserting ‘and’ after the semicolon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) the extent to which integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs carried out under section 244 lead participants in such programs to increase their civic participation and, if applicable, lead such participants to become United States citizens;’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Integrated English Literacy, U.S. History, and Civics Education- Chapter 4 of subtitle A of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 244. INTEGRATED ENGLISH LITERACY, U.S. HISTORY, AND CIVICS EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

‘(a) Program Authorized- From funds appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary shall award grants to States, from allocations under subsection (b), for integrated English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Allocations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), from the amount appropriated under subsection (c) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) 65 percent of such amount to States on the basis of a State’s need for integrated English, U.S. history, and civics education programs, as determined by calculating each State’s share of a 10-year average of the data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics of the Department of Homeland Security, for immigrants admitted for lawful permanent residence for the 10 most recent years; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) 35 percent of such amount to the States on the basis of whether the State experienced growth, as measured by the average of the 3 most recent years for which data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics of the Department of Homeland Security are available, for immigrants admitted for lawful permanent residence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) MINIMUM- No State shall receive an allocation under paragraph (1) in an amount that is less than $60,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Authorization of Appropriation- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER.

(a) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act- The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in section 203(6) (20 U.S.C. 9202(6)), by striking ‘individuals of limited English proficiency’ and inserting ‘English language learners’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in section 203 (20 U.S.C. 9202)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (10)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘INDIVIDUAL OF LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY’ and inserting ‘ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘individual of limited English proficiency’ and inserting ‘English language learner’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10), as paragraphs (7), (8), (9), (10), and (6), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in section 224(b)(10)(D) (20 U.S.C. 9224(b)(10)(D)), by striking ‘individuals with limited English proficiency’ and inserting ‘English language learners’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in section 243(2)(D)(ii) (20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(D)(ii)), by striking ‘individuals with limited English proficiency who are adults’ and inserting ‘adult English language learners’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AMENDMENT- Section 9101(25) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(25)) is amended by striking the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(25) ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER- The term ‘English language learner’ means an individual--’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REFERENCES- Any reference in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) to an individual who is limited English proficient shall be construed to refer to an English language learner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. CREDITS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

(a) In General- Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25D the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 25E. TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

‘(a) In General- In the case of an eligible teacher, there shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) $1500, for each of the first 5 taxable years for which the taxpayer is allowed a credit under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) $1000, for any other taxable year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Credit Allowed Only for 10 Taxable Years- No credit shall be allowed under this section with respect to a taxpayer for any taxable year after the 10th taxable year for which such taxpayer is allowed a credit under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Eligible Teacher- For purposes of this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the term ‘eligible teacher’ means, with respect to a taxable year, any individual who is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) a full-time teacher of English as a second language or bilingual instruction for the academic year ending in such taxable year, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) an eligible part-time teacher of English as a second language or bilingual instruction for the academic year ending in such taxable year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ELIGIBLE PART-TIME TEACHER- The term ‘eligible part-time teacher’ means, with respect to a taxable year, an individual who teaches at least 20 hours per week during the academic year ending in such taxable year. Such term does not include any individual who is a full-time teacher of English as a second language during such academic year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) SPECIAL RULE- In the case of an eligible part-time teacher, subsection (a) shall be applied by substituting ‘$375’ for ‘$750’ and by substituting ‘$250’ for ‘$500’.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for such subpart is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 25E. Teachers of English language learners.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Teacher Certification Expenses- Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 224. CERTIFICATION EXPENSES FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

‘(a) In General- In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed a deduction for eligible teacher certification expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer for the taxable year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Eligible Teacher Certification Expenses- The term ‘eligible teacher certification expenses’--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) means the tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of the taxpayer at an eligible educational institution (as defined in section 25A) for a course which is required for certification or licensure of such individual as qualified to provide English as a second language or bilingual instruction to elementary or secondary school students who are limited English proficient (as defined in section 9901 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) shall not include any amounts that are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) used for a course that is part of the individual’s degree program; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) funded by another person or any governmental entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Denial of Double Benefit- No deduction shall be allowed under this section for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Termination- This section shall not apply to expenses paid or incurred after December 31, 2014.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Certification Deduction Allowed Whether or Not Taxpayer Itemizes Other Deductions- Subsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting after paragraph (21) the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(22) TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXPENSES- The deduction allowed by section 224.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last item and inserting the following new items:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 224. Certification expenses for teachers of English language learners.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 225. Cross reference.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Regulations- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall promulgate regulations implementing the provisions of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 104. RESEARCH IN ADULT EDUCATION.

(a) In General- Section 133(c)(2)(A) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9533(c)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘education and’ before ‘literacy’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) National Research and Development Center-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Education shall direct the Commissioner for Education Research of the National Center for Education Research established pursuant to section 131 of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9531) to establish a national research and development center for adult education and literacy as described in section 133(c)(2)(A) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 9533(c)(2)(A)) (as amended by subsection (a)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PROVISION FOR EXPANSION OF RESEARCH- If, as of the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner has established a center for adult literacy in accordance with section 133(c)(2)(A) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, the Commissioner shall expand the topic of research of such center to include adult education, in accordance with the amendment made by subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--SUPPORTING ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND ADULT EDUCATION IN THE WORKFORCECommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. CREDIT FOR EMPLOYER-PROVIDED ADULT ENGLISH LITERACY AND BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

(a) In General- Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 45R. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED ADULT ENGLISH LITERACY AND BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

‘(a) In General- For the purposes of section 38, the credit determined under this section with respect to any employer for the taxable year is an amount equal to 20 percent of qualified education program expenses, but in no case shall the employer receive a credit in an amount of more than $1,000 per full-time employee participating in the qualified education program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Qualified Education Program Expenses- For purposes of this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The term ‘qualified education program expenses’ means expenses paid or incurred by an employer to make available qualified education to employees of the employer, who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) are English language learners; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B)(i) have not received a secondary school diploma, or its recognized equivalent; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills, including financial literacy, to enable the individuals to function effectively in society.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) QUALIFIED EDUCATION- The term ‘qualified education’ means adult education and literacy activities provided--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) by an eligible provider which for the fiscal year ending during the employer’s taxable year receives or is eligible to receive Federal funds under section 231 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act for adult education and literacy activities; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) in curriculum approved by the Department of Education, the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, or in current use by a Federal agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ELIGIBLE PROVIDER; ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY ACTIVITIES- The terms ‘eligible provider’ and ‘adult education and literacy activities’ shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER- The term ‘English language learner’ shall have the same meaning given to such term in section 9101(25) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Special Rules- For purposes of this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT- An employee shall be considered full-time if such employee is employed at least 30 hours per week for 25 or more calendar weeks in the taxable year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AGGREGATION RULE- All persons treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) or section 52, or subsection (m) or (o) of section 414, shall be treated as 1 person.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Denial of Double Benefit- No deduction or credit shall be allowed under any other provision of this chapter for any amount taken into account in determining the credit under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Termination- This section shall not apply to expenses paid or incurred after December 31, 2014.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Credit To Be Part of General Business Credit- Subsection (b) of section 38 of such Code (relating to the current year business credit) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘plus’ at the end of paragraph (34);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (35) and inserting ‘, plus’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(36) the adult English literacy and basic education programs credit determined under section 45R.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 45R. Employer-provided adult English literacy and basic education programs.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Regulations- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall promulgate regulations implementing the provisions of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR BUSINESS LEADERSHIP IN PROMOTING UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.

(a) Establishment- There is established the Presidential Award for Business Leadership in Promoting United States Citizenship (referred to in this section as the ‘Presidential Citizenship Award’), which shall be awarded to companies and other organizations that make extraordinary efforts in assisting their employees and members to learn English and increase their understanding of United States history and civics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Selection and Presentation of Award-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) SELECTION- The President shall periodically award the Presidential Citizenship Award to large and small companies and other organizations described in subsection (a) after reviewing recommendations to the President with respect to such award by the Secretary of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PRESENTATION- The presentation of the Presidential Citizenship Award shall be made by the President, or a designee of the President, in conjunction with an appropriate ceremony.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 301. OFFICE OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION.

(a) Renaming of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Office of Citizenship within United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security shall be renamed the ‘Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 451(f) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 271(f)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘Citizenship.’ and inserting ‘Citizenship and Immigrant Integration.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘and Immigrant Integration’ after ‘Office of Citizenship’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘and Immigrant Integration’ after ‘Office of Citizenship’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REFERENCES- Any reference in a law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Office of Citizenship within United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Functions- Section 451(f)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 271(f)(2)), as amended by subsection (a)(2)(C), is further amended by striking ‘for promoting’ and all that follows through the period and inserting ‘for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) establishing national goals for introducing new Americans into the United States and measuring the degree to which such goals are met;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) assessing and coordinating Federal policies, regulations, task forces, and commissions related to introducing immigrants into the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) continuing with the efforts of the Task Force on New Americans established under Executive Order No. 13404 to facilitate a dialogue among Federal agencies, make recommendations to the President of the United States, and follow through with initiatives administered by the Task Force under the authority of such Executive Order;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) serving as a liaison and intermediary with State and local governments and other entities to assist in establishing local goals, task forces, and councils to assist in introducing immigrants to the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) coordinating with other Federal agencies to provide information to State and local governments on the demand for English acquisition programs and best practices in place on the Federal and State level for aliens who have recently arrived in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) assisting States in coordinating activities with the grant program carried out under title III of the Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) promoting instruction and training on citizenship responsibilities for aliens interested in becoming naturalized citizens of the United States, including the development of educational materials for such aliens.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Donations- Section 451(f) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 271(f)), as amended by this section, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) DONATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may accept monetary and in-kind donations to support the activities described in paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DEDICATION OF FUNDS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) any funds donated to the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration to support the activities described in paragraph (2) shall be deposited entirely into an account established for such purpose;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the funds contained in such account shall be used solely to support such activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) funds that were not donated for the exclusive purpose of supporting such activities may not be deposited into such account.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Report to Congress- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration shall submit a biennial report to the authorizing Committees in Congress that describes the activities of the office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 302. GRANTS TO STATES.

(a) Authority To Provide Grants- Subject to subsections (c) and (d), the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration is authorized to provide competitive grants to States to form State New American Councils as described in subsection (b) to carry out activities described in section 303.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) State New American Councils- A State New American Council shall consist of not less than 15 and not more than 19 individuals from the State and shall include, to the extent practicable, representatives from the following sectors:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Business.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Faith-based organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Civic organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Philanthropic leaders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Nonprofit organizations, including those with experience working with immigrant communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Representatives from key education stakeholders, such as State educational agencies, local educational agencies, community colleges, teachers, or organizations representing teachers and other employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) Representatives of State adult education offices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Representatives of State or local public libraries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) Representatives of statewide or local government officials.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Waiver of Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORITY TO GRANT- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may award a grant under subsection (a) to a State without requiring the State to form a State New American Council if the Chief determines that the State is carrying out similar statewide initiatives to introduce immigrants into the State and into the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) GUIDELINES- The Chief shall establish guidelines for awarding grants to States described in paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Grants to Local Governments- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may provide a grant under subsection (a) to a local government at the discretion of the Chief.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Application- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an applicant shall submit an application to the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Chief may reasonably require. Such application shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) if the applicant is a State seeking to form a State New American Council, an assurance that such State New American Council will meet the requirements of subsection (b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the number of immigrants in the State in which the applicant is located;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) a description of the challenges in introducing new Americans in the State and local community; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) any other information that the Chief may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Duration- A grant awarded under subsection (a) shall be for a period of 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Priority- Priority shall be given to grant applications that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) use matching funds, from non-Federal sources, which may include in-kind contributions; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) demonstrate collaboration with private entities to achieve the goals of their comprehensive plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Additional Consideration- Additional consideration shall be given to grant applications submitted by States with a large increase in the population of immigrants over the previous 10 years relative to past migration patterns, based on data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics of the Department of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Grant Amount- The amount of a grant awarded under subsection (a) shall be not less than $500,000 and not more than $5,000,000 for each fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Reservations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) NATIONAL- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration shall reserve not more than 1 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this section for such Office, including the evaluation of funds distributed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) STATES- A State awarded a grant under subsection (a) may reserve not more than 10 percent of such grant amount for the creation and operation of the State New American Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 303. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

(a) Mandatory Activities- A grant awarded under section 302(a) shall be used--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to develop, implement, expand, or enhance a comprehensive plan to introduce new immigrants into the State, including the increase in English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to provide subgrants to local communities as described in subsection (c);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) if the grant is awarded to a State to form a State New American Council, to convene meetings of the State New American Council not less frequently than once each quarter;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to disseminate best practices and other information compiled by the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration that pertains to effective programs for English acquisition and civics education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) to convene public hearings not less frequently than once each year to report on the activities carried out by such grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Permissible Activities- A grant awarded under section 302(a) may be used--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to solicit and disseminate solutions and remedies to the challenges of introducing new Americans in the State or municipality in which the grant is awarded;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to provide technical assistance, training, or coordination for State or local agencies to improve programs to introduce new Americans into the United States, such as English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to review and develop strategies to expand distance learning as a method of instruction for English literacy, U.S. history, and civics education and available technological programs that may supplement or supplant quality classroom instruction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to coordinate with entities of other States engaged in activities under this title or other activities to introduce new Americans into the State or community; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) to develop materials focused on preparation for the naturalization test, engage in outreach and educational activities on the naturalization process, and provide assistance to immigrants with the naturalization application, where appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Subgrants to Local Communities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REQUIREMENT TO AWARD- A grant under section 302(a) shall be used to award subgrants to entities of local governments to assist communities with local efforts to introduce new Americans into the community.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES- Subgrants shall be awarded under paragraph (1) to entities of local governments for use to carry out activities in accordance with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a comprehensive plan described in subsection (a)(1); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any guidance provided by the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SUBGRANT AMOUNT- The amount of a subgrant awarded under this subsection shall be not less than $100,000 and not more than $600,000 for a fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 304. REPORTING AND EVALUATION.

(a) Reporting Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each entity awarded a grant under section 302(a) shall submit a report annually to the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) describes the activities of the State New American Council and subgrant recipients and how these activities meet the goals of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the comprehensive plan described in section 303(a)(1); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) describes the geographic areas being served, the number of immigrants in such areas, and the primary languages spoken there.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) OTHER REQUIREMENTS- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may set out other requirements as the Chief sees fit in order to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) impose accountability; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) measure the outcomes of the activities carried out with grants awarded under section 302(a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Annual Evaluation- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration shall conduct an annual evaluation of the grant program established under this title and use such evaluation--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to improve the effectiveness of programs carried out by the Chief;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to assess future needs of immigrants and of State and local governments related to immigrants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to determine the effectiveness of such grant program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to ensure that the grantees and subgrantees are acting within the scope and purpose of this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 305. NEW CITIZENS AWARD PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment- There is established a new citizens award program to recognize citizens who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) have made an outstanding contribution to the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) are naturalized during the 10-year period ending on the date of such recognition.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Presentation Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The President is authorized to present a medal, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the United States, to citizens described in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MAXIMUM NUMBER OF AWARDS- Not more than 10 citizens may receive a medal under this section in any calendar year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 306. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this title shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or such other officials of the Department of Homeland Security as the Secretary of Homeland Security may direct, to manage, direct, and control the activities of the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 307. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2015.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink