An Act To authorize the National Science Foundation to support entrepreneurial programs for women.

Feb. 28, 2017

[H.R. 255]

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

Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act.

42 USC 1861 note.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the “Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act”.

SEC. 2.

42 USC 1885a note.

FINDINGS. The Congress finds that—(1) women make up almost 50 percent of the workforce, but less than 25 percent of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions; (2) women are less likely to focus on the STEM disciplines in undergraduate and graduate study; (3) only 26 percent of women who do attain degrees in STEM fields work in STEM jobs; (4) there is an increasing demand for individuals with STEM degrees to extend their focus beyond the laboratory so they can be leaders in discovery commercialization; (5) studies have shown that technology and commercialization ventures are successful when women are in top management positions; and (6) the National Science Foundation’s mission includes supporting women in STEM disciplines.

SEC. 3. SUPPORTING WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS. Section 33 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a) is amended—(1) by striking “and” at the end of paragraph (10); (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and inserting “; and”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:131 STAT. 12 “(12) encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world.” .

Approved February 28, 2017.