[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5299 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5299
To amend the Head Start Act to establish Tribal certification standards
for Indian Head Start programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 6, 2026
Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Mr. Armstrong) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Head Start Act to establish Tribal certification standards
for Indian Head Start programs, 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 ``Native Language Educators in
Classrooms Act''.
SEC. 2. EXCLUSION FROM NATIONWIDE HEAD START TEACHER CREDENTIALING
CALCULATION.
Section 648A(a)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a(a)(2)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(other than Indian
Head Start programs)'' after ``center-based programs''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (i), by inserting ``(other than
Indian Head Start programs)'' after ``center-based
programs''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``(other than
Indian Head Start programs)'' after ``center-based
programs''.
SEC. 3. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS FOR INDIAN HEAD START PROGRAMS.
Section 648A(a)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a(a)(2)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) Degree requirements applicable to indian head
start programs.--
``(i) Minimum requirements.--In order to
help fulfill the objectives of Head Start
programs for Indian (including Alaska Native)
children and families, notwithstanding
subparagraph (A) or (B), or any other provision
of this subchapter, the Secretary shall ensure
that all Indian Head Start teachers and
teaching assistants in center-based programs
either--
``(I) possess at the time of hire--
``(aa) at least a child
development associate
credential;
``(bb) an early childhood
education certificate from an
institution of higher education
(as defined by section 101 or
102 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001,
1002)), including a Tribal
college or university; or
``(cc) an early childhood
education certificate issued by
a State government entity, as
long as the requirements for
attaining that certificate meet
or exceed the requirements to
obtain a child development
associate credential; or
``(II) provide, at the time of
hire, proof of enrollment in an
education program that will, upon
completion, result in the receipt of--
``(aa) at least a child
development associate
credential;
``(bb) an early childhood
education certificate from an
institution of higher education
(as defined by section 101 or
102 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001,
1002)), including a Tribal
college or university; or
``(cc) an early childhood
education certificate issued by
a State government entity, as
long as the requirements for
attaining that certificate meet
or exceed the requirements to
obtain a child development
associate credential.
``(ii) Requirements for degree
completion.--The Secretary shall ensure that
Indian Head Start teachers and teaching
assistants who meet the requirements of clause
(i)(II) complete the education program and earn
such credential or certificate not later than 2
years after the date of hire by the Indian Head
Start program.''; and
(3) in clause (i) of subparagraph (D), as so redesignated--
(A) in subclause (I), in the matter preceding item
(aa), by inserting ``except with respect to Indian Head
Start programs'' after ``Head Start agencies''; and
(B) in subclause (III), by striking ``subparagraph
(A) or (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A), (B), or
(C)''.
SEC. 4. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS FOR INDIAN EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Section 645A(h) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9840a(h)) is amended to read as follows:
``(h) Center-Based Staff.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) ensure that all teachers providing direct services to
children and families participating in Early Head Start
programs located in Early Head Start centers, with the
exception of Indian Early Head Start programs located in Indian
Early Head Start centers subject to paragraph (2), have a
minimum of a child development associate credential, and have
been trained (or have equivalent coursework) in early childhood
development; and
``(2) ensure that all teachers providing direct services to
children and families participating in Indian Early Head Start
programs located in Indian Early Head Start centers--
``(A) possess at the time of hire--
``(i) at least a child development
associate credential;
``(ii) an early childhood education
certificate from an institution of higher
education (as defined by section 101 or 102 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001, 1002)), including a Tribal college or
university; or
``(iii) an early childhood education
certificate issued by a State government
entity, as long as the requirements for
attaining that certificate meet or exceed the
requirements to obtain a child development
associate credential; or
``(B) provide, at the time of hire, proof of
enrollment in an education program that will, upon
completion, result in the receipt of--
``(i) at least a child development
associate credential;
``(ii) an early childhood education
certificate from an institution of higher
education (as defined by section 101 or 102 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001, 1002)), including a Tribal college or
university; or
``(iii) an early childhood education
certificate issued by a State government
entity, as long as the requirements for
attaining that certificate meet or exceed the
requirements to obtain a child development
associate credential.''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9832) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (26) as
paragraphs (11) through (27), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) Indian early head start program.--The term `Indian
Early Head Start program' means an Early Head Start program
served through an Indian tribe (including a consortium of such
tribes or an alternative agency) or Tribal organization.''.
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