[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3514 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3514

To authorize workshops to eliminate gender bias for women in careers in 
   science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 10, 2007

Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas introduced the following bill; which 
 was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition 
 to the Committees on Science and Technology and Armed Services, 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 authorize workshops to eliminate gender bias for women in careers in 
   science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and for other 
                               purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Gender Bias Elimination Act of 
2007''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The House of Representatives finds the following:
            (1) In its 2007 report, Beyond Bias and Barriers, the 
        National Academies state that, to maintain its scientific and 
        engineering leadership amid increasing economic and educational 
        globalization, the United States must aggressively pursue the 
        innovative capacity of all of its people--women and men.
            (2) Women make up an increasing proportion of science and 
        engineering majors at all institutions, including top programs 
        such as those at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
        where women make up 51 percent of its science undergraduates 
        and 35 percent of its engineering undergraduates.
            (3) For women to participate to their full potential across 
        all science and engineering fields, they must see a career path 
        that allows them to reach their full intellectual potential; 
        much remains to be done to achieve that goal.
            (4) Women are a small portion of the science and 
        engineering faculty members at research universities, and they 
        typically receive fewer resources and less support than their 
        male colleagues.
            (5) The representation of women in leadership positions in 
        our academic institutions, scientific and professional 
        societies, and honorary organizations is low relative to the 
        numbers of women qualified to hold these positions.
            (6) It is not lack of talent, but unintentional biases and 
        outmoded institutional structures that are hindering the access 
        and advancement of women.
            (7) Neither our academic institutions nor our nation can 
        afford such underuse of precious human capital in science and 
        engineering.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WORKSHOPS TO 
              ELIMINATE GENDER BIAS IN THE SCIENCES.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institutes of Health 
shall carry out a program, in cooperation with scientific and 
professional societies and organizations, to host mandatory national 
meetings that educate members of review panels, university department 
chairs and agency program officers about methods that minimize the 
effects of gender bias in evaluation.
    (b) Aims of the Workshops.--
            (1) The meetings should be held every two years for each 
        major discipline.
            (2) Workshops shall include data and research presentations 
        on subtle biases and discrimination, department climate 
        surveys, and interactive discussions or role-modeling. Research 
        presentations and/or other workshop programs shall include a 
        discussion of the unique disadvantages of racial minorities.
    (c) Enforcement of Gender Bias Institutional Policies.--The agency 
shall enforce the Federal anti-discrimination laws at universities and 
other higher education institutions through regular compliance reviews 
and prompt and thorough investigation of discrimination complaints. 
These include titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title 
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Executive Order 11246, the 
Equal Protection clause of the Constitution, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 
the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act 
of 1993. Enforcement efforts shall evaluate whether universities have 
engaged in any of the types of discrimination banned under the anti-
discrimination laws, including: intentional discrimination, sexual 
harassment, retaliation, disparate impact discrimination, and failure 
to maintain required policies and procedures. Compliance review efforts 
shall encompass a sufficiently broad number and range of institutions 
of higher education to secure a substantial change in policies and 
practices nationwide, including 2-year and 4-year institutions, 
institution of undergraduate education, institutions that grant 
graduate degrees, State universities, private colleges, and educational 
enterprises, including national laboratories and independent research 
institutes.
    (d) Grant Data Demographics.--The agency shall collect, store, and 
publish composite information on demographics, field, award type and 
budget request, review score, and funding outcome for all funding 
applications.
    (e) Extended Grant Support for Caregiving.--Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the agency shall establish 
policies for extending grant support for researchers who take a leave 
of absence due to caregiving responsibilities.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
the workshop content, attendance, along with data on the participation 
of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
    (g) Evaluation.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating 
the impact of the program carried out under this section to reduce 
gender bias towards women engaged in research funded by the agency.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director to carry out responsibilities under this 
section $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WORKSHOPS TO 
              ELIMINATE GENDER BIAS IN THE SCIENCES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a program, 
in cooperation with scientific and professional societies and 
organizations, to host mandatory national meetings that educate members 
of review panels, university department chairs and agency program 
officers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in 
evaluation.
    (b) Aims of the Workshops.--
            (1) The meetings should be held every two years for each 
        major discipline.
            (2) Workshops shall include data and research presentations 
        on subtle biases and discrimination, department climate 
        surveys, and interactive discussions or role-modeling. Research 
        presentations and/or other workshop programs shall include a 
        discussion of the unique disadvantages of racial minorities.
    (c) Enforcement of Gender Bias Institutional Policies.--The agency 
shall enforce the Federal anti-discrimination laws at universities and 
other higher education institutions through regular compliance reviews 
and prompt and thorough investigation of discrimination complaints. 
These include titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title 
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Executive Order 11246, the 
Equal Protection clause of the Constitution, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 
the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act 
of 1993. Enforcement efforts shall evaluate whether universities have 
engaged in any of the types of discrimination banned under the anti-
discrimination laws, including: intentional discrimination, sexual 
harassment, retaliation, disparate impact discrimination, and failure 
to maintain required policies and procedures. Compliance review efforts 
shall encompass a sufficiently broad number and range of institutions 
of higher education to secure a substantial change in policies and 
practices nationwide, including 2-year and 4-year institutions; 
institution of undergraduate education; institutions that grant 
graduate degrees; State universities; private colleges; and educational 
enterprises, including national laboratories and independent research 
institutes.
    (d) Grant Data Demographics.--The agency shall collect, store, and 
publish composite information on demographics, field, award type and 
budget request, review score, and funding outcome for all funding 
applications.
    (e) Extended Grant Support for Caregiving.--Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the agency shall establish 
policies for extending grant support for researchers who take a leave 
of absence due to caregiving responsibilities.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
the workshop content, attendance, along with data on the participation 
of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
    (g) Evaluation.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating 
the impact of the program carried out under this section to reduce 
gender bias towards women engaged in research funded by the agency.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director to carry out responsibilities under this 
section $640,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WORKSHOPS TO 
              ELIMINATE GENDER BIAS IN THE SCIENCES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a 
program, in cooperation with scientific and professional societies and 
organizations, to host mandatory national meetings that educate members 
of review panels, university department chairs and agency program 
officers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in 
evaluation.
    (b) Aims of the Workshops.--
            (1) The meetings should be held every two years for each 
        major discipline.
            (2) Workshops shall include data and research presentations 
        on subtle biases and discrimination, department climate 
        surveys, and interactive discussions or role-modeling. Research 
        presentations and/or other workshop programs shall include a 
        discussion of the unique disadvantages of racial minorities.
    (c) Enforcement of Gender Bias Institutional Policies.--The agency 
shall enforce the Federal anti-discrimination laws at universities and 
other higher education institutions through regular compliance reviews 
and prompt and thorough investigation of discrimination complaints. 
These include titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title 
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Executive Order 11246, the 
Equal Protection clause of the Constitution, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 
the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act 
of 1993. Enforcement efforts shall evaluate whether universities have 
engaged in any of the types of discrimination banned under the anti-
discrimination laws, including: intentional discrimination, sexual 
harassment, retaliation, disparate impact discrimination, and failure 
to maintain required policies and procedures. Compliance review efforts 
shall encompass a sufficiently broad number and range of institutions 
of higher education to secure a substantial change in policies and 
practices nationwide, including 2-year and 4-year institutions; 
institution of undergraduate education; institutions that grant 
graduate degrees; State universities; private colleges; and educational 
enterprises, including national laboratories and independent research 
institutes.
    (d) Grant Data Demographics.--The agency shall collect, store, and 
publish composite information on demographics, field, award type and 
budget request, review score, and funding outcome for all funding 
applications.
    (e) Extended Grant Support for Caregiving.--Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the agency shall establish 
policies for extending grant support for researchers who take a leave 
of absence due to caregiving responsibilities.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
the workshop content, attendance, along with data on the participation 
of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
    (g) Evaluation.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating 
the impact of the program carried out under this section to reduce 
gender bias towards women engaged in research funded by the agency.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director to carry out responsibilities under this 
section $640,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION WORKSHOPS TO 
              ELIMINATE GENDER BIAS IN THE SCIENCES.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall carry out a program, in cooperation with scientific and 
professional societies and organizations, to host mandatory national 
meetings that educate members of review panels, university department 
chairs and agency program officers about methods that minimize the 
effects of gender bias in evaluation.
    (b) Aims of the Workshops.--
            (1) The meetings should be held every two years for each 
        major discipline.
            (2) Workshops shall include data and research presentations 
        on subtle biases and discrimination, department climate 
        surveys, and interactive discussions or role-modeling. Research 
        presentations and/or other workshop programs shall include a 
        discussion of the unique disadvantages of racial minorities.
    (c) Enforcement of Gender Bias Institutional Policies.--The agency 
shall enforce the Federal anti-discrimination laws at universities and 
other higher education institutions through regular compliance reviews 
and prompt and thorough investigation of discrimination complaints. 
These include titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title 
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Executive Order 11246, the 
Equal Protection clause of the Constitution, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 
the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act 
of 1993. Enforcement efforts shall evaluate whether universities have 
engaged in any of the types of discrimination banned under the anti-
discrimination laws, including: intentional discrimination, sexual 
harassment, retaliation, disparate impact discrimination, and failure 
to maintain required policies and procedures. Compliance review efforts 
shall encompass a sufficiently broad number and range of institutions 
of higher education to secure a substantial change in policies and 
practices nationwide, including 2-year and 4-year institutions; 
institution of undergraduate education; institutions that grant 
graduate degrees; State universities; private colleges; and educational 
enterprises, including national laboratories and independent research 
institutes.
    (d) Grant Data Demographics.--The agency shall collect, store, and 
publish composite information on demographics, field, award type and 
budget request, review score, and funding outcome for all funding 
applications.
    (e) Extended Grant Support for Caregiving.--Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the agency shall establish 
policies for extending grant support for researchers who take a leave 
of absence due to caregiving responsibilities.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
the workshop content, attendance, along with data on the participation 
of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
    (g) Evaluation.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating 
the impact of the program carried out under this section to reduce 
gender bias towards women engaged in research funded by the agency.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director to carry out responsibilities under this 
section $430,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 
              ADMINISTRATION WORKSHOPS TO ELIMINATE GENDER BIAS IN THE 
              SCIENCES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration shall carry out a program, in cooperation with 
scientific and professional societies and organizations, to host 
mandatory national meetings that educate members of review panels, 
university department chairs and agency program officers about methods 
that minimize the effects of gender bias in evaluation.
    (b) Aims of the Workshops.--
            (1) The meetings should be held every two years for each 
        major discipline.
            (2) Workshops shall include data and research presentations 
        on subtle biases and discrimination, department climate 
        surveys, and interactive discussions or role-modeling. Research 
        presentations and/or other workshop programs shall include a 
        discussion of the unique disadvantages of racial minorities.
    (c) Enforcement of Gender Bias Institutional Policies.--The agency 
shall enforce the Federal anti-discrimination laws at universities and 
other higher education institutions through regular compliance reviews 
and prompt and thorough investigation of discrimination complaints. 
These include titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title 
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Executive Order 11246, the 
Equal Protection clause of the Constitution, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 
the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act 
of 1993. Enforcement efforts shall evaluate whether universities have 
engaged in any of the types of discrimination banned under the anti-
discrimination laws, including: intentional discrimination, sexual 
harassment, retaliation, disparate impact discrimination, and failure 
to maintain required policies and procedures. Compliance review efforts 
shall encompass a sufficiently broad number and range of institutions 
of higher education to secure a substantial change in policies and 
practices nationwide, including 2-year and 4-year institutions; 
institution of undergraduate education; institutions that grant 
graduate degrees; State universities; private colleges; and educational 
enterprises, including national laboratories and independent research 
institutes.
    (d) Grant Data Demographics.--The agency shall collect, store, and 
publish composite information on demographics, field, award type and 
budget request, review score, and funding outcome for all funding 
applications.
    (e) Extended Grant Support for Caregiving.--Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the agency shall establish 
policies for extending grant support for researchers who take a leave 
of absence due to caregiving responsibilities.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
the workshop content, attendance, along with data on the participation 
of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
    (g) Evaluation.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on 
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report evaluating the impact of the program carried out under this 
section to reduce gender bias towards women engaged in research funded 
by the agency.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director to carry out responsibilities under this 
section $320,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
                                 <all>