Legislative Update

The AACS Legislative Office monitors legislation and activities relating to education, religious liberty, family values, and pro-life issues.

 

Current Legislation                                                                                          111^th Congress 

 

EDUCATION LEGISLATION: 

 

 

Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act: The purpose of this bill is to “prevent and reduce the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools.”  Language has been included that would prohibit most AACS schools from government regulation. However, those private schools which may participate in some of the federal programs offered under the “equitable participation” opportunities (i.e. professional development, supplemental educational services).  As these schools are considered to receive “indirect” federal funding, they would still fall under the definition of “school” (Sec. 4(11)) that would be regulated by this bill.

 

 

Date Introduced:            December 9, 2009

Sponsor:                        Rep. George Miller

Co-sponsors:                  35

Status:                           February 4, 2010- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 – 10

 

For more information:     Open Congress Information for H.R. 4247

 

 

Children’s Hope Act of 2009:

This bill is to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a credit which is dependent on enactment of State qualified scholarship tax credits and which is allowed against the Federal income tax for charitable contributions to education investment organizations that provide assistance for elementary and secondary education

 

 

Date Introduced:              April 1, 2009

 

Sponsor:                          Rep. Trent Franks

Co-sponsors:                    17

Status:                             April 1, 2009, Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 

For more information:     Open Congress information on H.R. 1833

 

 

Please encourage your Representative to SUPPORT this legislation

 

 

The “A-Plus” Act

This bill will allow the state to have more freedom and flexibility when applying federal funding to education programs and initiatives. It will loosen the regulations that often accompany federal funding and allow the state to achieve greater effectiveness in improving academic achievements.

 

 

Date Introduced:              March 25, 2009

 

Sponsor:                          Rep. Peter Hoekstra

Co-sponsors:                    55

Status:                             Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor on March 25, 2009

 

For more information:     Open Congress information on H.R. 1717

 

 

Please encourage your Representative to SUPPORT this legislation

 

 

 

Universal Pre-Kindergarten Act 

This bill will create a federally funded universal early education for all children ages 3, 4, and 5.  These full-day, full-calendar-year programs will be administered through state agencies.

 

 

Date Introduced:               January 15, 2009

Sponsor:                         Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D – OH)

Co-sponsors:                    14

Status:                           Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. 

 

For more information:     Library of Congress: H.R. 555

 

 

Please encourage your Representative to OPPOSE this legislation

 

 

Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2009

This bill will provide matching grants to states to improve state-funded preschool programs. This will extend federal control over the education of children ages 3-5, and also designate money for research on educational needs for children from birth to 3 years.

 

 

Date Introduced:               January 27, 2009

Sponsor:                         Rep. Mazie Hirono (D – HI)

Co-sponsors:                    78 

Status:                           Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor on January 27, 2009 

 

For more information:     Library of Congress: H.R. 702

 

 

Please encourage your Representative to OPPOSE this legislation

 

 

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY LEGISLATION:

 

 

Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2009

This bill is to "prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."

 

Date Introduced:               June 26, 2009

Sponsor:                         Rep. Barney Frank

Co-sponsors:                    197

Status:                           9/23/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Committee Hearings Held.

 

For more information:     Open Congress Information for H.R. 3017 

 

 

A counterpart was also introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Merkley. For more information: Open Congress information for S. 1584  

 

Please encourage your Representative to OPPOSE this legislation.

 

 

Broadcasters Freedom Act of 2009

This bill will prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from instating any policy or regulation which would instate the Fairness Doctrine, requiring broadcasters to air opposing viewpoints.

 

 

Date Introduced:               January 7, 2009

Sponsor:                         Rep. Mike Pence (R – IN)

Co-sponsors:                    183 

Status:                           Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

 

For more information:     Rep. Pence Unveils Broadcasters Freedom Act of 2009; Open Congress: Information on H.R. 226

 

 

Please encourage your Representative to SUPPORT this legislation

 

PRO-FAMILY / PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION: 

 

 

The Parent’s Rights Amendment

This Constitutional Amendment will preserve and secure the fundamental, God-given rights of parents.

 

 

Date Introduced:               March 31, 2009

Sponsor:                         Rep. Peter Hoekstra

Co-sponsors:                    128

Status:                                    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

 

For more information:    Open Congress information on H.J.Res 42  Information on Parental Rights

 

 

Please encourage your Representative to SUPPORT this legislation

 

 

Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act

This bill would prohibit any federal funding from going to any family planning organization which performed abortions.

 

 

Date Introduced:               January 21, 2009

Sponsor:                         Rep. Mike Pence (R – IN)

Co-sponsors:                    92 

Status:                           Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce on January 21, 2009

 

For more information:     Library of Congress: H.R. 614; Congressman Mike Pence’s Speech on House Floor

 

 

Please encourage your Representative to SUPPORT this legislation   

 

 

 

Legislative Issues

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)The Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law by President Clinton on September 21, 1996.  This bill states that the Federal government may not recognize or treat same-sex relationships as marriages, even if a state recognizes it as a marriage.  In addition, no state is required to recognize a same-sex relationship as a marriage, regardless of another state’s position.  A recent lawsuit filed by same-sex couples seeking Federal tax benefits for married couples has brought the legislation back into the spotlight. For more background: Activists against DOMA want judge to redefine marriage for all Defending Marriage: A Memo to President Obama 

 

 

Conscience Regulation President Obama has indicated his intent to reverse a ruling by President Bush protecting healthcare professionals from being forced to perform abortions and other procedures against their own moral or religious beliefs.   For example, they could choose not to perform abortion and pass out contraceptives as well as abstain from referring patients to other doctors for any procedure they found morally objectionable.  The rule went into effect on January 22, 2009.  The Department of Health and Human Services is now receiving comments during a 30-day period before officially rescinding the conscience protection.  The deadline for comment is April 9^th. Please visit www.adoctorsright.com to lodge your comment and make your voice heard. For more background:   Freedom2Care  and A Doctors Right       Family Research Council Alert

 

 

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