[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3637 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3637
To amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to authorize
assistance for increasing workforce diversity in the professions of
physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language
pathology, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 9, 2019
Mr. Rush (for himself and Mrs. Rodgers of Washington) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to authorize
assistance for increasing workforce diversity in the professions of
physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language
pathology, 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 ``Allied Health Workforce Diversity
Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. INCREASING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS OF PHYSICAL
THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AUDIOLOGY, AND SPEECH-
LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY.
Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended--
(1) by redesignating part G (42 U.S.C. 295j et seq.) as
part H; and
(2) by inserting after part F (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.) the
following new part:
``PART G--INCREASING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS OF PHYSICAL
THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AUDIOLOGY, AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
``SEC. 783. SCHOLARSHIPS AND STIPENDS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants and contracts to
eligible entities to increase educational opportunities in the
professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and
speech-language pathology for eligible individuals by--
``(1) providing student scholarships or stipends, including
for--
``(A) completion of an accelerated degree program;
``(B) completion of an associate's, bachelor's,
master's, or doctoral degree program; and
``(C) entry by a diploma or associate's degree
practitioner into a bridge or degree completion
program;
``(2) providing assistance for completion of prerequisite
courses or other preparation necessary for acceptance for
enrollment in the eligible entity; and
``(3) carrying out activities to increase the retention of
students in one or more programs in the professions of physical
therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language
pathology.
``(b) Consideration of Recommendations.--In carrying out subsection
(a), the Secretary shall take into consideration the recommendations of
national organizations representing the professions of physical
therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language
pathology, including the American Physical Therapy Association, the
American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Speech-
Language-Hearing Association, the American Academy of Audiology, and
the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
``(c) Required Information and Conditions for Award Recipients.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may require recipients of
awards under this section to report to the Secretary concerning
the annual admission, retention, and graduation rates for
eligible individuals in programs of the recipient leading to a
degree in any of the professions of physical therapy,
occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology.
``(2) Falling rates.--If any of the rates reported by a
recipient under paragraph (1) fall below the average for such
recipient over the two years preceding the year covered by the
report, the recipient shall provide the Secretary with plans
for immediately improving such rates.
``(3) Ineligibility.--A recipient described in paragraph
(2) shall be ineligible for continued funding under this
section if the plan of the recipient fails to improve the rates
within the 1-year period beginning on the date such plan is
implemented.
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entities.--The term `eligible entity' means
an education program that--
``(A) is accredited by--
``(i) the Council on Academic Accreditation
in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or
the Accreditation Commission for Audiology
Education;
``(ii) the Commission on Accreditation in
Physical Therapy Education; or
``(iii) the Accreditation Council for
Occupational Therapy Education; and
``(B) is carrying out a program for recruiting and
retaining students underrepresented in the professions
of physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology,
and speech-language pathology (including racial or
ethnic minorities, or students from disadvantaged
backgrounds).
``(2) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible individual'
means an individual who--
``(A) is a member of a class of persons who are
underrepresented in the professions of physical
therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-
language pathology (including individuals who are
racial or ethnic minorities, or are from disadvantaged
backgrounds);
``(B) has a financial need for a scholarship or
stipend; and
``(C) is enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at
an audiology, speech-language pathology, physical
therapy, or occupational therapy program as a full-time
student at an eligible entity.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for the first fiscal
year commencing after the date of enactment of the Allied Health
Workforce Diversity Act of 2019 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years.''.
<all>