[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 323 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 323

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            February 4, 2019

   Mrs. Murray (for herself, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Duckworth, and Mrs. 
  Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To direct the Secretary of Education to establish the Recognizing 
   Inspiring School Employees (RISE) 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 
        meaning 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 
Inspirational School Employees (RISE) 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.--Prior to May 31 of each year (beginning with the second 
calendar year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act), the 
Secretary shall select a classified school employee to receive the 
Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award for the year.
    (c) Nonmonetary Value.--The award and recognition provided under 
this Act shall have no monetary value.
    (d) 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 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 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 Recognizing Inspirational 
                        School Employees (RISE) Award Program.
            (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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