[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 276 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.276

                     One Hundred Sixteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday,
           the third day of January, two thousand and nineteen


                                 An Act


 
   To direct the Secretary of Education to establish the Recognizing 
 Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award Program recognizing excellence 
exhibited by classified school employees providing services to students 
                 in prekindergarten through high school.

    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 ``Recognizing Achievement in 
Classified School Employees Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
    Congress finds the following:
        (1) Classified school employees provide valuable service in the 
    United States.
        (2) Classified school employees provide essential services, 
    such as transportation, facilities maintenance and operations, food 
    service, safety, and health care.
        (3) Classified school employees play a vital role in providing 
    for the welfare and safety of students.
        (4) Classified school employees strive for excellence in all 
    areas of service to the education community.
        (5) Exemplary classified school employees should be recognized 
    for their outstanding contributions to quality education in the 
    United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
    In this Act:
        (1) Classified school employee.--The term ``classified school 
    employee'' means an employee of a State or of any political 
    subdivision of a State, or an employee of a nonprofit entity, who 
    works in any grade from prekindergarten through high school in any 
    of the following occupational specialties:
            (A) Paraprofessional, including paraeducator services.
            (B) Clerical and administrative services.
            (C) Transportation services.
            (D) Food and nutrition services.
            (E) Custodial and maintenance services.
            (F) Security services.
            (G) Health and student services.
            (H) Technical services.
            (I) Skilled trades.
        (2) Other definitions.--The terms used in this Act have the 
    meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
    Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
SEC. 4. RECOGNITION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.
    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish a 
national recognition program to be known as the ``Recognizing Inspiring 
School Employees Award Program'' or the ``award program''. The purpose 
of the award program shall be to recognize and promote the commitment 
and excellence exhibited by classified school employees who provide 
exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through high school.
    (b) Award.--
        (1) In general.--Prior to May 31 of each year (beginning with 
    the second calendar year that begins after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall select a classified 
    school employee to receive the Recognizing Inspiring School 
    Employees Award for the year.
        (2) Non-monetary value.--The award and recognition provided 
    under this Act shall have no monetary value.
    (c) Selection Process.--
        (1) Nomination process.--
            (A) In general.--Not later than November 1 of each year 
        (beginning with the first calendar year that begins after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall solicit 
        nominations of classified school employees from the 
        occupational specialties described in section 3(1) from the 
        Governor of each State.
            (B) Nomination submissions.--In order for individuals in a 
        State to be eligible to receive recognition under this section, 
        the Governor of the State shall consider nominations submitted 
        by the following:
                (i) Local educational agencies.
                (ii) School administrators.
                (iii) Professional associations.
                (iv) Labor organizations.
                (v) Educational service agencies.
                (vi) Nonprofit entities.
                (vii) Parents and students.
                (viii) Any other group determined appropriate by the 
            Secretary.
        (2) Demonstration.--Each Governor of a State who desires 
    individuals in the State to receive recognition under this section 
    shall submit the nominations described in paragraph (1) to the 
    Secretary in such manner as may be required by the Secretary. Each 
    such nomination shall contain, at a minimum, demonstrations of 
    excellence in the following areas:
            (A) Work performance.
            (B) School and community involvement.
            (C) Leadership and commitment.
            (D) Local support.
            (E) Enhancement of classified school employees' image in 
        the community and schools.
        (3) Selection.--The Secretary shall develop uniform national 
    guidelines for evaluating nominations submitted under paragraph (2) 
    in order to select the most deserving nominees based on the 
    demonstrations made in the areas described in such paragraph.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.