[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2888 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2888

        To provide funds to assist homeless children and youth.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 21, 1999

Mrs. Biggert (for herself, Mr. Ose, Ms. Slaughter, and Ms. Schakowsky) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
  Banking and Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce, 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 concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
        To provide funds to assist homeless children and youth.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
Education Assistance Improvements Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) An estimated 1,000,000 children in the United States 
        will experience homelessness this year.
            (2) Homelessness has a devastating impact on the 
        educational opportunities of children and youth; homeless 
        children go hungry at more than twice the rate of other 
        children; have 4 times the rate of delayed development; and are 
        twice as likely to repeat a grade.
            (3) Despite steady progress in school enrollment and 
        attendance resulting from the passage in 1987 of the Stewart B. 
        McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, homeless students still face 
        numerous barriers to education, including residency, 
        guardianship and registration requirements, as well as delays 
        in the transfer of school records, and inadequate 
        transportation service.
            (4) School is one of the few secure factors in the lives of 
        homeless children and youth, providing stability, structure, 
        and accomplishment during a time of great upheaval.
            (5) Homeless children and youth need to remain in school so 
        that they acquire the skills necessary to escape poverty and 
        lead productive, healthy lives as adults.
            (6) In the 12 years since the passage of the McKinney Act, 
        educators and service providers have learned much about 
        policies and practices which help remove the barriers 
        described.

SEC. 903. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this title is to reauthorize and strengthen subtitle 
B of title VII of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act by 
amending it--
            (1) to include innovative practices, such as those enacted 
        in Illinois, proven to be effective in helping homeless 
        children and youth enroll, attend, and succeed in school; and
            (2) to help ensure that such individuals receive a quality 
        education and secure their chance for a brighter future.
    Subtitle B of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Education Assistance 
Improvements Act of 1999 is amended to read as follows:

        ``Subtitle B--Education for Homeless Children and Youth

``SEC. 721. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    ``It is the policy of Congress that--
            ``(1) each State educational agency shall ensure that each 
        child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has 
        equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, 
        including a public preschool education, as provided to other 
        children and youth;
            ``(2) in any State that has a compulsory residency 
        requirement as a component of the State's compulsory school 
        attendance laws or other laws, regulations, practices, or 
        policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, 
        attendance, or success in school of homeless children and 
        youth, the State shall review and undertake steps to revise 
        such laws, regulations, practices, or policies to ensure that 
        homeless children and youth are afforded the same free, 
        appropriate public education as provided to other children and 
        youth;
            ``(3) homelessness alone is not sufficient reason to 
        separate students from the mainstream school environment; and
            ``(4) homeless children and youth should have access to the 
        education and other services that such children and youth need 
        to ensure that such children and youth have an opportunity to 
        meet the same challenging State student performance standards 
        to which all students are held.

``SEC. 722. GRANTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE EDUCATION OF 
              HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

    ``(a) General Authority.--The Secretary is authorized to make 
grants to States in accordance with the provisions of this section to 
enable such States to carry out the activities described in subsections 
(d), (e), (f), and (g).
    ``(b) Application.--No State may receive a grant under this section 
unless the State educational agency submits an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied 
by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(c) Allocation and Reservations.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and section 
        724(c), from the amounts appropriated for each fiscal year 
        under section 726, the Secretary is authorized to allot to each 
        State an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount 
        appropriated for such year under section 726 as the amount 
        allocated under section 1122 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 to the State for that year bears to the 
        total amount allocated under section 1122 to all States for 
        that year, except that no State shall receive less than 
        $100,000.
            ``(2) Reservation.--(A) The Secretary shall reserve 0.1 
        percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year under 
        section 726 to be allocated by the Secretary among the Virgin 
        Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the 
        Northern Mariana Islands, according to their respective need 
        for assistance under this subtitle (as the subtitle was then in 
        effect), as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(B)(i) The Secretary is authorized to transfer one 
        percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year under 
        section 726 to the Department of the Interior for programs for 
        Indian students served by schools funded by the Secretary of 
        the Interior, as determined under the Indian Self-Determination 
        and Education Assistance Act, that are consistent with the 
        purposes of this Act.
            ``(ii) The Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior 
        shall enter into an agreement, consistent with the requirements 
        of this part, for the distribution and use of the funds 
        described in clause (i) under terms that the Secretary 
        determines best meet the purposes of the programs described in 
        such clause. Such agreement shall set forth the plans of the 
        Secretary of the Interior for the use of the amounts 
        transferred, including appropriate goals, objectives, and 
        milestones.
            ``(3) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term 
        ``State'' shall not include the Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
        Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    ``(d) Activities.--Grants under this section shall be used--
            ``(1) to carry out the policies set forth in section 721 in 
        the State;
            ``(2) to provide activities for, and services to, homeless 
        children, including preschool-aged children, and homeless youth 
        that enable such children and youth to enroll in, attend, and 
        succeed in school, or, if appropriate, in preschool programs;
            ``(3) to establish or designate an Office of Coordinator of 
        Education of Homeless Children and Youth in the State 
        educational agency in accordance with subsection (f);
            ``(4) to prepare and carry out the State plan described in 
        subsection (g); and
            ``(5) to develop and implement professional development 
        programs for school personnel to heighten their awareness of, 
        and capacity to respond to, specific problems in the education 
        of homeless children and youth.
    ``(e) State and Local Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), if the 
        amount allotted to the State educational agency for any fiscal 
        year under this subtitle exceeds the amount such agency 
        received for fiscal year 1990 under this subtitle (as the 
        subtitle was then in effect), such agency shall provide grants 
        to local educational agencies for purposes of section 723.
            ``(B) The State educational agency may reserve not more 
        than the greater of 5 percent of the amount such agency 
        receives under this subtitle for any fiscal year, or the amount 
        such agency received under this subtitle for fiscal year 1990, 
        to conduct activities under subsection (f) directly or through 
        grants or contracts.
            ``(2) Special rule.--If the amount allotted to a State 
        educational agency for any fiscal year under this subtitle is 
        less than the amount such agency received for fiscal year 1990 
        under this subtitle, such agency, at such agency's discretion, 
        may provide grants to local educational agencies in accordance 
        with section 723 or may conduct activities under subsection (f) 
        directly or through grants or contracts.
            ``(3) Prohibition on segregating homeless students.--In 
        providing a free public education to a homeless child or youth, 
        no State receiving funds under this subtitle shall segregate 
        such child or youth, either in a separate school, or in a 
        separate program within a school, based on such child or 
        youth's status as homeless, except as provided in section 
        723(a)(2)(B)(ii).
    ``(f) Functions of the Office of Coordinator.--The Coordinator of 
Education of Homeless Children and Youth established in each State 
shall--
            ``(1) gather, to the extent possible, reliable, valid, and 
        comprehensive information on the nature and extent of the 
        problems homeless children and youth have in gaining access to 
        public preschool programs and to public elementary and 
        secondary schools, the difficulties in identifying the special 
        needs of such children and youth, any progress made by the 
        State educational agency and local educational agencies in the 
        State in addressing such problems and difficulties, and the 
        success of the program under this subtitle in allowing homeless 
        children and youth to enroll in, attend, and succeed in, 
        school;
            ``(2) develop and carry out the State plan described in 
        subsection (g);
            ``(3) collect and transmit to the Secretary, information 
        gathered pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) at such time and in 
        such manner as the Secretary may require.
            ``(4) facilitate coordination between the State educational 
        agency, the State social services agency, and other agencies 
        providing services to homeless children and youth, including 
        homeless children and youth who are preschool age, and families 
        of such children and youth; and
            ``(5) in order to improve the provision of comprehensive 
        education and related services to homeless children and youth 
        and their families, shall coordinate and collaborate with--
                    ``(A) educators, including child development and 
                preschool program personnel;
                    ``(B) providers of services to homeless and runaway 
                children and youth and homeless families (including 
                domestic violence agencies, shelter operators, 
                transitional housing facilities, runaway and homeless 
youth centers, and transitional living programs for homeless youth);
                    ``(C) local educational agency liaisons for 
                homeless children and youth; and
                    ``(D) community organizations and groups 
                representing homeless children and youth and their 
                families.
    ``(g) State Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall submit to the Secretary 
        a plan to provide for the education of homeless children and 
        youth within the State, which plan shall describe how such 
        children and youth are or will be given the opportunity to meet 
        the same challenging State student performance standards all 
        students are expected to meet, shall describe the procedures 
        the State educational agency will use to identify such children 
        and youth in the State and to assess their special needs, and 
        shall--
                    ``(A) describe procedures for the prompt resolution 
                of disputes regarding the educational placement of 
                homeless children and youth;
                    ``(B) describe programs for school personnel 
                (including principals, attendance officers, teachers 
                and enrollment personnel), to heighten the awareness of 
                such personnel of the specific needs of runaway and 
                homeless youth;
                    ``(C) describe procedures that ensure that homeless 
                children and youth who meet the relevant eligibility 
                criteria are able to participate in Federal, State, or 
                local food programs;
                    ``(D) describe procedures that ensure that--
                            ``(i) homeless children have equal access 
                        to the same public preschool programs, 
                        administered by the State agency, as provided 
                        to other children; and
                            ``(ii) homeless children and youth who meet 
                        the relevant eligibility criteria are able to 
                        participate in Federal, State, or local before- 
                        and after-school care programs;
                    ``(E) address problems set forth in the report 
                provided to the Secretary under subsection (f)(3);
                    ``(F) address other problems with respect to the 
                education of homeless children and youth, including 
                problems caused by--
                            ``(i) transportation issues; and
                            ``(ii) enrollment delays that are caused 
                        by--
                                    ``(I) immunization requirements;
                                    ``(II) residency requirements;
                                    ``(III) lack of birth certificates, 
                                school records, or other documentation; 
                                or
                                    ``(IV) guardianship issues;
                    ``(G) demonstrate that the State educational agency 
                and local educational agencies in the State have 
                developed, and shall review and revise, policies to 
                remove barriers to the enrollment and retention of 
                homeless children and youth in schools in the State; 
                and
                    ``(H) contain assurances that--
                            ``(i) State and local educational agencies 
                        will adopt policies and practices to ensure 
                        that homeless children and youth are not 
                        segregated on the basis of their status as 
                        homeless or stigmatized; and
                            ``(ii) local educational agencies shall 
                        designate an appropriate staff person, who may 
                        also be a coordinator for other Federal 
                        programs, as a liaison for homeless children 
                        and youth.
            ``(2) Compliance.--Each plan adopted under this subsection 
        shall also demonstrate how the State will ensure that local 
        educational agencies in the State will comply with the 
        requirements of paragraphs (3) through (9).
            ``(3) Local educational agency requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each local educational agency 
                serving a homeless child or youth assisted under this 
                subtitle shall, according to the child's or youth's 
                best interest, either--
                            ``(i) continue the child's or youth's 
                        education in the school of origin--
                                    ``(I) for the duration of their 
                                homelessness;
                                    ``(II) if the child becomes 
                                permanently housed, for the remainder 
                                of the academic year; or
                                    ``(III) in any case in which a 
                                family becomes homeless between 
                                academic years, for the following 
                                academic year; or
                            ``(ii) enroll the child or youth in any 
                        school that nonhomeless students who live in 
                        the attendance area in which the child or youth 
                        is actually living are eligible to attend.
                    ``(B) Best interest.--In determining the best 
                interest of the child or youth under subparagraph (A), 
                the local educational agency shall to the extent 
                feasible, keep a homeless child or youth in the school 
                of origin, except when doing so is contrary to the 
                wishes of the child's or youth's parent or guardian.
                    ``(C) Enrollment.--(i) The school selected in 
                accordance with this paragraph shall immediately enroll 
                the homeless child or youth even if the child or youth 
                is unable to produce records normally required for 
                enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical 
                records, proof of residency, or other documentation.
                    ``(ii) The enrolling school shall immediately 
                contact the school last attended by the child or youth 
                to obtain relevant academic and other records. If the 
                child or youth needs to obtain immunizations, the 
                enrolling school shall promptly refer the child or 
                youth to the appropriate authorities for such 
                immunizations.
                    ``(D) Records.--Any record ordinarily kept by the 
                school, including immunization records, academic 
records, birth certificates, guardianship records, and evaluations for 
special services or programs, of each homeless child or youth shall be 
maintained--
                            ``(i) so that the records are available, in 
                        a timely fashion, when a child or youth enters 
                        a new local educational agency; and
                            ``(ii) in a manner consistent with section 
                        444 of the General Education Provisions Act.
                    ``(E) Enrollment disputes.--If a dispute arises 
                over selection or enrollment in a school--
                            ``(i) the child or youth shall be admitted 
                        immediately to the school in which the parent 
                        or guardian seeks enrollment, pending 
                        resolution of the dispute;
                            ``(ii) the parent or guardian of the child 
                        or youth shall be provided with a written 
                        explanation of the school's decision regarding 
                        school selection or enrollment, including 
                        rights of the parent or guardian to appeal the 
                        decision; and
                            ``(iii) the child, youth, parent, or 
                        guardian shall be referred to the local 
                        liaison, who shall carry out the State's 
                        grievance procedure as described in paragraph 
                        (1)(A) not later than 7 days after receiving 
                        notice of the dispute.
                    ``(F) Placement choice.--The choice regarding 
                placement shall be made regardless of whether the child 
                or youth lives with the homeless parent or has been 
                temporarily placed elsewhere by the parent.
                    ``(G) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph, 
                the term ``school of origin'' means the school that the 
                child or youth attended when permanently housed, or the 
                school in which the child or youth was last enrolled.
                    ``(H) Contact information.--Nothing in this 
                subtitle shall prohibit a local educational agency from 
                requiring a parent or guardian of a homeless child to 
                submit contact information required by the local 
                educational agency of a parent or guardian of a 
                nonhomeless child.
            ``(4) Comparable services.--Each homeless child or youth to 
        be assisted under this subtitle shall be provided services 
        comparable to services offered to other students in the school 
        selected according to the provisions of paragraph (3), 
        including--
                    ``(A) transportation services;
                    ``(B) educational services for which the child or 
                youth meets the eligibility criteria, such as services 
                provided under title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) or 
                similar State or local programs, educational programs 
                for children with disabilities, and educational 
                programs for students with limited-English proficiency;
                    ``(C) programs in vocational education;
                    ``(D) programs for gifted and talented students; 
                and
                    ``(E) school meals programs.
            ``(5) Coordination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each local educational agency 
                serving homeless children and youth that receives 
                assistance under this subtitle shall coordinate the 
                provision of services under this subtitle with local 
                services agencies and other agencies or programs 
                providing services to homeless children and youth and 
                their families, including services and programs funded 
                under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
                5701 et seq.).
                    ``(B) Housing assistance.--If applicable, each 
                State and local educational agency that receives 
                assistance under this subtitle shall coordinate with 
                State and local housing agencies responsible for 
                developing the comprehensive housing affordability 
                strategy described in section 105 of the Cranston-
                Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
                12705) to minimize educational disruption for children 
                and youth who become homeless.
                    ``(C) Coordination purpose.--The coordination 
                required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be 
                designed to--
                            ``(i) ensure that homeless children and 
                        youth have access to available education and 
                        related support services; and
                            ``(ii) raise the awareness of school 
                        personnel and service providers of the effects 
                        of short-term stays in a shelter and other 
                        challenges associated with homeless children 
                        and youth.
            ``(7) Liaison.--
                    ``(A) Duties.--Each local liaison for homeless 
                children and youth, designated pursuant to paragraph 
                (1)(H)(ii), shall ensure that--
                            ``(i) homeless children and youth enroll 
                        in, and have a full and equal opportunity to 
                        succeed in, schools of that agency;
                            ``(ii) homeless families, children, and 
                        youth receive educational services for which 
                        such families, children, and youth are 
                        eligible, including Head Start and Even Start 
                        programs and preschool programs administered by 
                        the local educational agency, and referrals to 
                        health care services, dental services, mental 
                        health services, and other appropriate 
                        services;
                            ``(iii) the parent or guardian of a 
                        homeless child or youth is informed of the 
                        education and related opportunities available 
                        to their child and is provided with meaningful 
                        opportunities to participate in the education 
                        of the child or youth; and
                            ``(iv) the educational rights of such 
                        children and youth are posted where such 
                        children and youth receive services under this 
                        Act (such as family shelters and soup 
                        kitchens).
                    ``(B) Notice.--State coordinators, whose duties are 
                described under subsection (d), and local educational 
                agencies shall inform school personnel, service 
                providers, and advocates working with homeless families 
                of the duties of the liaisons.
                    ``(C) Local and state coordination.--Local 
                educational agency liaisons for homeless children and 
                youth shall, as a part of their duties, coordinate and 
                collaborate with State coordinators and community and 
                school personnel responsible for the provision of 
                education and related services to homeless children and 
                youth.
            ``(8) Review and revisions.--Each State educational agency 
        and local educational agency shall review and revise any 
        policies that may act as barriers to the enrollment of homeless 
        children and youth in schools selected in accordance with 
        paragraph (3). In reviewing and revising such policies, 
        consideration shall be given to issues concerning 
        transportation, immunization, residency, birth certificates, 
        school records, and other documentation, and guardianship. 
        Special attention shall be given to ensuring the enrollment and 
        attendance of homeless children and youth who are not currently 
        attending school.

``SEC. 723. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY GRANTS FOR THE EDUCATION OF 
              HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

    ``(a) General Authority.--
            ``(1) In general.--The State educational agency shall, in 
        accordance with section 722(e) and from amounts made available 
        to such agency under section 726, make grants to local 
        educational agencies for the purpose of facilitating the 
        enrollment, attendance, and success in school of homeless 
        children and youth.
            ``(2) Services.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Services under paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) may be provided through programs on 
                        school grounds or at other facilities;
                            ``(ii) shall, to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, be provided through existing 
                        programs and mechanisms that integrate homeless 
                        individuals with nonhomeless individuals; and
                            ``(iii) shall be designed to expand or 
                        improve services provided as part of a school's 
                        regular academic program, but not replace that 
                        program.
                    ``(B) Services on school grounds.--If services 
                under paragraph (1) are provided on school grounds, 
                schools--
                            ``(i) may use funds under this subtitle to 
                        provide the same services to other children and 
                        youth who are determined by the local 
                        educational agency to be at risk of failing in, 
                        or dropping out of, schools, subject to the 
                        requirements of clause (ii); and
                            ``(ii) shall not provide services in 
                        settings within a school that segregates 
                        homeless children and youth from other children 
                        and youth, except as is necessary for short 
                        periods of time--
                                    ``(I) for health and safety 
                                emergencies; or
                                    ``(II) to provide temporary, 
                                special, supplementary services to meet 
                                the unique needs of homeless children 
                                and youth.
            ``(3) Requirement.--Services provided under this section 
        shall not replace the regular academic program and shall be 
        designed to expand upon or improve services provided as part of 
        the school's regular academic program.
    ``(b) Application.--A local educational agency that desires to 
receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the 
State educational agency at such time, in such manner, and containing 
or accompanied by such information as the State educational agency may 
reasonably require according to guidelines issued by the Secretary. 
Each such application shall include--
            ``(1) an assessment of the educational and related needs of 
        homeless children and youth in such agency (which may be 
        undertaken as a part of needs assessments for other 
        disadvantaged groups);
            ``(2) a description of the services and programs for which 
        assistance is sought and the problems to be addressed through 
        the provision of such services and programs;
            ``(3) an assurance that the local educational agency's 
        combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate 
        expenditures of that agency and the State with respect to the 
        provision of free public education by such agency for the 
        fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the 
        determination is made was not less than 90 percent of such 
        combined fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for the second 
        fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the 
        determination is made;
            ``(4) an assurance that the applicant complies with, or 
        will use requested funds to come into compliance with, 
        paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 722(g); and
            ``(5) a description of policies and procedures that the 
        agency will implement to ensure that activities carried out by 
        the agency will not isolate or stigmatize homeless children and 
        youth.
    ``(c) Awards.--
            ``(1) In general.--The State educational agency shall, in 
        accordance with the requirements of this subtitle and from 
        amounts made available to it under section 726, make 
        competitive subgrants to local educational agencies that submit 
        applications under subsection (b). Such subgrants shall be 
        awarded on the basis of the need of such agencies for 
        assistance under this subtitle and the quality of the 
        applications submitted.
            ``(2) Need.--In determining need under paragraph (1), the 
        State educational agency may consider the number of homeless 
        children and youth enrolled in preschool, elementary, and 
        secondary schools within the area served by the agency, and 
        shall consider the needs of such children and youth and the 
        ability of the agency to meet such needs. Such agency may also 
        consider--
                    ``(A) the extent to which the proposed use of funds 
                would facilitate the enrollment, retention, and 
                educational success of homeless children and youth;
                    ``(B) the extent to which the application reflects 
                coordination with other local and State agencies that 
                serve homeless children and youth, and meets the 
                requirements of section 722(g)(3);
                    ``(C) the extent to which the applicant exhibits in 
                the application and in current practice a commitment to 
                education for all homeless children and youth; and
                    ``(D) such other criteria as the State agency 
                determines appropriate.
            ``(3) Quality.--In determining the quality of applications 
        under paragraph (1), the State educational agency shall 
        consider--
                    ``(A) the applicant's needs assessment under 
                subsection (b)(1) and the likelihood that the program 
                presented in the application will meet such needs;
                    ``(B) the types, intensity, and coordination of the 
                services to be provided under the program;
                    ``(C) the involvement of parents or guardians;
                    ``(D) the extent to which homeless children and 
                youth will be integrated within the regular education 
                program;
                    ``(E) the quality of the applicant's evaluation 
                plan for the program;
                    ``(F) the extent to which services provided under 
                this subtitle will be coordinated with other available 
                services; and
                    ``(G) such other measures as the State educational 
                agency considers indicative of a high-quality program.
            ``(4) Duration of grants.--Grants awarded under this 
        section shall be for terms not to exceed three years.
    ``(d) Authorized Activities.--A local educational agency may use 
funds awarded under this section for activities to carry out the 
purpose of this subtitle, including--
            ``(1) the provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, 
        and enriched educational services that are linked to the 
        achievement of the same challenging State student performance 
        standards the State establishes for other children or youth;
            ``(2) the provision of expedited evaluations of the 
        strengths and needs of homeless children and youth, including 
        needs and eligibility for programs and services (such as 
        educational programs for gifted and talented students, children 
        with disabilities, and students with limited-English 
        proficiency, services provided under title I of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or similar State or local 
        programs, programs in vocational education, and school meals 
        programs);
            ``(3) professional development and other activities for 
        educators and pupil services personnel that are designed to 
        heighten the understanding and sensitivity of such personnel to 
        the needs of homeless children and youth, the rights of such 
        children and youth under this Act, and the specific educational 
        needs of runaway and homeless youth;
            ``(4) the provision of referral services to homeless 
        children and youth for medical, dental, mental, and other 
        health services;
            ``(5) the provision of assistance to defray the excess cost 
        of transportation for students pursuant to section 
        722(g)(4)(A), not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or 
        local funding, where necessary to enable students to attend the 
        school selected under section 722(g)(3);
            ``(6) the provision of developmentally appropriate early 
        childhood education programs, not otherwise provided through 
        Federal, State, or local funding, for preschool-aged children;
            ``(7) the provision of before- and after-school, mentoring, 
        and summer programs for homeless children and youth in which a 
        teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, 
        homework assistance, and supervision of educational activities;
            ``(8) if necessary, the payment of fees and other costs 
        associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records 
        necessary to enroll homeless children and youth in school, 
        including birth certificates, immunization records, academic 
        records, guardianship records, and evaluations for special 
        programs or services;
            ``(9) the provision of education and training to the 
        parents of homeless children and youth about the rights of, and 
        resources available to, such children and youth;
            ``(10) the development of coordination between schools and 
        agencies providing services to homeless children and youth, 
        including programs funded under the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
        Act;
            ``(11) the provision of pupil services (including violence 
        prevention counseling) and referrals for such services;
            ``(12) activities to address the particular needs of 
        homeless children and youth that may arise from domestic 
        violence;
            ``(13) the adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for 
        nonschool facilities made available under subsection (a)(2) to 
        provide services under this subsection;
            ``(14) the provision of school supplies, including those 
        supplies to be distributed at shelters or temporary housing 
        facilities, or other appropriate locations; and
            ``(15) the provision of other extraordinary or emergency 
        assistance needed to enable homeless children and youth to 
        attend school.

``SEC. 724. SECRETARIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

    ``(a) Review of Plans.--In reviewing the State plan submitted by a 
State educational agency under section 722(g), the Secretary shall use 
a peer review process and shall evaluate whether State laws, policies, 
and practices described in such plans adequately address the problems 
of homeless children and youth relating to access to education and 
placement as described in such plans.
    ``(b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide support 
and technical assistance to the State educational agencies to assist 
such agencies to carry out their responsibilities under this subtitle.
    ``(c) Notice.--The Secretary shall, before the next school year 
that begins after the date of the enactment of the Stewart B. McKinney 
Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 1999, create and 
disseminate nationwide a public notice of the educational rights of 
homeless children and youth.
    ``(d) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall develop, issue, and publish 
in the Federal Register, not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Education Assistance 
Improvements Act of 1999, guidelines to States regarding the following:
            ``(1) Enrollment.--Such guidelines shall review successful 
        ways in which a State may assist local educational agencies to 
        immediately enroll homeless students. The enrollment guidelines 
        issued by the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) clarify that enrollment includes a homeless 
                child's right to actually attend school; and
                    ``(B) explain existing requirements that States 
                review their immunization and medical or school records 
                and to make such revisions as appropriate and necessary 
                in order to enroll homeless students in school more 
                quickly.
            ``(2) Transportation.--The guidelines shall also address 
        the transportation needs of homeless students. The 
        transportation guidelines issued by the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) explicitly state that the goal of the 
                transportation provisions contained in this Act is to 
                provide educational stability by reducing mobility and 
                ensuring an effective learning environment for homeless 
                children; and
                    ``(B) encourage States to address transportation 
                barriers for homeless students by enacting legislation 
                similar to the Illinois law relating to homeless 
                children.
    ``(e) Evaluation and Dissemination.--The Secretary shall conduct 
evaluation and dissemination activities of programs designed to meet 
the educational needs of homeless elementary and secondary school 
students, and may use funds appropriated under section 726 to conduct 
such activities.
    ``(f) Submission and Distribution.--The Secretary shall require 
applications for grants under this subtitle to be submitted to the 
Secretary not later than the expiration of the 60-day period beginning 
on the date that funds are available for purposes of making such grants 
and shall make such grants not later than the expiration of the 120-day 
period beginning on such date.
    ``(g) Determination by Secretary.--The Secretary, based on the 
information received from the States and information gathered by the 
Secretary under subsection (f), shall determine the extent to which 
State educational agencies are ensuring that each homeless child and 
homeless youth has access to a free appropriate public education as 
described in section 721(1).
    ``(f) Information.--
            ``(1) In general.--From funds appropriated under section 
        726, the Secretary shall, either directly or through grants, 
        contracts, or cooperative agreements, periodically collect and 
        disseminate data and information regarding--
                    ``(A) the number and location of homeless children 
                and youth;
                    ``(B) the education and related services such 
                children and youth receive;
                    ``(C) the extent to which such needs are being met; 
                and
                    ``(D) such other data and information as the 
                Secretary deems necessary and relevant to carry out 
                this subtitle.
            ``(2) The Secretary shall coordinate such collection and 
        dissemination with other agencies and entities that receive 
        assistance and administer programs under this subtitle.
    ``(g) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the 
enactment of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Education Assistance 
Improvement Act of 1999, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the 
President and appropriate committees of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a report on the status of education of homeless youth 
and children, which shall include information on--
            ``(1) the education of homeless children and youth; and
            ``(2) the actions of the Department and the effectiveness 
        of the programs supported under this subtitle.

``SEC. 725. DEFINITIONS.

    ``For the purpose of this subtitle, unless otherwise stated--
            ``(1) the terms `local educational agency' and `State 
        educational agency' have the same meaning given such terms in 
        section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.).
            ``(2) the term `Secretary' means the Secretary of 
        Education; and
            ``(3) the term `State' means each of the 50 States, the 
        District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

``SEC. 726. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``For the purpose of carrying out this subtitle, there are 
authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 and such 
sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 
2004.''.
                                 <all>