[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 276 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 276

   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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 8, 2019

 Ms. Titus (for herself, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. McNerney, Ms. Jackson Lee, 
Ms. Brownley of California, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Khanna, 
 Ms. Norton, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Thompson of 
   Pennsylvania, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. 
McGovern, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mrs. 
 Lee of Nevada, and Mr. Carbajal) introduced the following bill; which 
          was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   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.
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