[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7261 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7261

  To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible 
 entities to carry out professional development for arts educators and 
creative arts therapists to learn how to best accommodate children with 
                 disabilities, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 6, 2024

 Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mrs. McBath, Ms. 
 Balint, Mr. Goldman of New York, Ms. Ross, Ms. Adams, Mr. Johnson of 
Georgia, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Frost, Mr. Payne, Ms. Schakowsky, and Ms. Lee 
 of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
              the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible 
 entities to carry out professional development for arts educators and 
creative arts therapists to learn how to best accommodate children with 
                 disabilities, 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 ``Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education 
Act''.

SEC. 2. INCLUSIVE ARTS EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive 
basis, grants to eligible entities to carry out the activities 
described in subsection (d).
    (b) Applications.--To be considered for a grant under this section, 
an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.
    (c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not award a grant to--
            (1) a local educational agency that is served by a State 
        educational agency that is awarded a grant under this section; 
        or
            (2) a partnership that includes an entity described in 
        clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subsection (f)(2)(c) if such 
        entity is a member of a partnership that is awarded a grant 
        under this section.
    (d) Grant Uses.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this section shall use such funds to promote curricula, best practices, 
professional development for arts educators and creative arts 
therapists, and innovative approaches, including creative arts 
therapies in elementary schools and secondary schools, that--
            (1) increase access for, and improve inclusion of, children 
        with disabilities in such arts education; and
            (2) adapt classroom materials and lessons to accommodate 
        children with disabilities.
    (e) Program Periods and Diversity of Projects.--
            (1) Grant period.--A grant awarded under this section shall 
        be for a period of not more than 3 years.
            (2) Reapplication.--In a case in which an eligible entity 
        submits an application under subsection (b) and is not awarded 
        a grant under this section--
                    (A) the Secretary shall provide to such eligible 
                entity--
                            (i) the reasons for denial of such 
                        application, including a list of any selection 
                        criteria that the eligible entity did not meet; 
                        and
                            (ii) a list of recommended changes to be 
                        made by the eligible entity to such application 
                        before resubmission in order to meet such 
                        selection criteria; and
                    (B) the eligible entity may resubmit such 
                application in accordance with subsection (b) not 
                earlier than 1 year after such entity receives the 
                information required under subparagraph (A).
            (3) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under 
        this section for one 2-year period for an eligible entity that 
        demonstrates to the Secretary the success of the program funded 
        under the grant, such as through student, parent, or teacher 
        satisfaction, or program efficacy.
            (4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that serve 
        elementary schools or secondary schools that receive funds 
        under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
            (5) Diversity of projects.--In awarding grants under this 
        section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent 
        practicable, grants are distributed among eligible entities 
        that serve--
                    (A) geographically diverse areas, including urban, 
                suburban, and rural areas;
                    (B) Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and
                    (C) elementary schools and secondary schools in 
                varying socioeconomic areas.
    (f) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Child with a disability.--The term ``child with a 
        disability'' has the meaning given the term in section 602 of 
        the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
        1401(3)).
            (2) Creative arts therapist.--The term ``creative arts 
        therapist'' means a therapist who uses creative arts therapy.
            (3) Creative arts therapy.--The term ``creative arts 
        therapy'' means a therapeutic intervention that uses artistic 
        endeavors or mediums (such as music, poetry, dance, or drama) 
        to facilitate communication and emotional expression, enhance 
        self-awareness, and foster health and change.
            (4) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a local educational agency;
                    (B) a State educational agency; and
                    (C) a partnership between an entity described in 
                subparagraph (A) or (B) and--
                            (i) an institution of higher education; or
                            (ii) a nonprofit organization with 
                        expertise relevant to the activities or 
                        practices described in subsection (d).
            (5) ESEA terms.--The terms ``elementary school'', 
        ``professional development'', ``secondary school'', and 
        ``Secretary'' have the meaning given the terms, respectively, 
        in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (6) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1002).
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated, in the aggregate, for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, 
$15,000,000 to the Secretary to carry out this Act.
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