[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 34 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1594-S1598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Ms. LANDRIEU:
S. 511. A bill to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to
enhance the Small Business Investment Company Program, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce
the Expanding Access to Capital for Entrepreneurial Leaders Act, or the
EXCEL Act. This legislation will enhance the already successful Small
Business Investment Company, SBIC, program at the Small Business
Administration, SBA, that has helped over 100,000 small businesses. The
best part of this bill is that the EXCEL Act should not cost the
taxpayer anything.
The SBA runs a venture capital program by guaranteeing money borrowed
by qualified investment funds who invest in small businesses. The
qualified funds, or Small Business Investment Companies, SBICs, are
privately owned and operated, but licensed and regulated by the SBA.
Using a combination of private investments and the loans guaranteed by
the SBA, typically at a ratio of $2 in guaranteed funds for every $1 of
private capital, SBICs make longterm investments in American small
businesses. In order to participate in the program, funds pay licensing
fees which serve to cover all SBIC program costs. As a result, the core
SBIC program, Debenture SBICs, not only boasts a strong success rate,
but also incurs no cost to the U.S. government. Since the program's
inception, over $50 billion has been invested in over 100,000 small
businesses.
In the last Congress, the former Ranking Member of the Small Business
Committee, Senator Olympia Snowe, and I conducted a roundtable with 14
participants from the SBA, SBICs, SBIC investors, and small businesses
to elicit suggestions on enhancing the program. Out of that was born
the EXCEL Act.
The EXCEL Act is a bipartisan effort encompassing much-needed changes
that will allow the SBIC program to meet growing demand and will make
improvements so that more small businesses can access capital.
First, the EXCEL Act raises the SBIC program authorization level from
$3 billion to $4 billion and pegs it to inflation. This change is long
overdue--the ceiling has been at $3 billion for some time, despite
inflation and the impressive growth in the SBIC program. To illustrate:
the program grew 50 percent in fiscal year 2011 alone. In order to meet
demand, we need to give the program room to grow.
Secondly, the EXCEL Act will encourage successful investors by
raising the limit on ``families of funds.'' Family of funds refers to a
team of SBIC fund managers who operate several funds. These are
currently limited to $225 million of SBA-guaranteed debt. However, SBIC
fund managers who manage more than one fund generally see better
investment results. The EXCEL Act will encourage that kind of success
by giving families of funds a higher limit of $350 million, which will
be indexed to inflation.
Next, the EXCEL Act improves transparency and accountability in the
program. The legislation requires that the SBA make public how
effective individual SBICs are in their small business investments,
guaranteeing that SBA-backed money is being used responsibly.
Finally, the EXCEL Act promotes outreach, thereby ensuring that the
maximum possible number of small businesses can benefit from the SBIC
program. The legislation encourages outreach to community banks and
other lenders, states and municipalities, and asks the SBA to make
their SBIC website more user-friendly.
The EXCEL Act contains a number of commonsense provisions that have
had support across the aisle. It enhances a program with proven success
in providing capital to small businesses, and does so with the
expectation that it will not add a dime to the deficit. Let us get this
bill passed. Let us help small businesses excel.
______
By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Franken, Mr. Hatch,
Mr. Lee, and Ms. Klobuchar):
S. 517. A bill to promote consumer choice and wireless competition by
permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I am introducing bipartisan
legislation that will help promote competition in the wireless industry
and restore consumer choice. From 2006 until last year, an exemption to
the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, DMCA, permitted cell phone users
to ``unlock'' their cell phones when their contract expired, allowing
them to change wireless providers and thereby promoting consumer
choice. This exemption has enhanced competition in the cell phone
market, but it was allowed to expire last year.
Over the past few weeks and months, consumers have spoken clearly--
they want to retain the right to transfer their cell phones between
wireless providers, if they so choose, when their contracts expire. I
agree, which is why today I am pleased to introduce the Unlocking
Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, along with Senator
Grassley, Senator Hatch, Senator Lee and Senator Franken, who chairs
the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the
Law. We are working closely with Chairman Goodlatte and members of the
House Judiciary Committee to pass commonsense legislation and provide
consumers with better choice.
The Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act
reestablishes the Library of Congress's rule permitting cell phone
unlocking. It also directs the Library to undertake a new proceeding to
consider whether to broaden this exemption to allow unlocking of other
wireless devices such as tablets. At a time when the line between phone
and tablet is beginning to blur, it makes sense for the Library to
consider extending this exemption to those devices as well.
[[Page S1595]]
The DMCA maintains an important balance between protecting copyright
owners and users. It was designed to be sufficiently flexible to meet
the challenges of an ever-evolving digital copyright world. Every 3
years, the Library of Congress conducts its public review of the
exemptions permitted under the DMCA to help promote that flexibility.
Unfortunately, in its most recent proceeding, there was not a
sufficient record for the Library to continue the cell phone exemption,
despite the strong merits of the rule. Our legislation restores the
important exemption that had been in effect in previous years. Although
Congress has stepped in in this instance to restore an important policy
objective, I urge parties in future rulemakings to provide a more full
record so that the rulemaking process can proceed as it was designed.
When I wrote the DMCA, the law was intended to allow choice and
protect consumers. This straightforward restoring bill furthers that
objective. When consumers finish the terms of their contract, they
should be able to keep their phones and make their own decision about
which wireless provider to use. They should not be forced to stay with
their original provider due to software that restricts a phone to only
one network. I am pleased that many wireless providers already sell
unlocked phones, or will unlock phones for consumers once contracts
expire, but that does not mean that consumers should face penalties
under the DMCA for taking those same steps on their own. This bill will
protect and promote competition in the wireless market by allowing
consumers to bring their phones with them to the provider that best
suits their needs.
I urge all Senators to support this narrow, commonsense legislation
to protect consumers and promote competition.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 517
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 ``Unlocking Consumer Choice
and Wireless Competition Act''.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF EXISTING RULE AND ADDITIONAL RULEMAKING BY
LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.
(a) Repeal and Replace.--Paragraph (3) of section 201.40(b)
of title 37, Code of Federal Regulations, as amended and
revised by the Librarian of Congress on October 28, 2012,
pursuant to his authority under section 1201(a) of title 17,
United States Code, shall have no force and effect, and such
paragraph shall read, and shall be in effect, as such
paragraph was in effect on July 27, 2010.
(b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Librarian of Congress, upon the
recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, who shall
consult with the Assistant Secretary for Communications and
Information of the Department of Commerce and report and
comment on his or her views in making such recommendation,
shall determine, consistent with the requirements set forth
under section 1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code,
whether to extend the exemption for the class of works
described in section 201.40(b)(3) of title 37, Code of
Federal Regulations, as amended by subsection (a), to include
any other category of wireless devices in addition to
wireless telephone handsets.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act alters, or
shall be construed to alter, the authority of the Librarian
of Congress under section 1201(a)(1) of title 17, United
States Code.
______
By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. Begich, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Durbin,
Mr. Franken, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr.
Lautenberg, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Schumer, and Mr.
Wyden):
S. 519. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 to improve early education; to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Providing
Resources Early for Kids Act of 2013--the PRE-K Act.
Research shows that quality early education is foundational for
success in school and in life.
The PRE-K Act will help more children enter school ready to succeed.
It creates a new federal-state partnership to provide better preschool
opportunities for our country's children. High quality preschool makes
the biggest difference, so this bill focuses on quality.
The PRE-K Act would provide Federal grants to States to strengthen
quality. States could use the funding to increase the number of highly
trained early educators in preschool classrooms.
The bill would improve the student-to-teacher ratios in preschools;
provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and
nutritional assistance.
The bill would increase the hours per day and weeks per year families
have access to high quality early education programs; and improve
programs for our youngest children, from birth to three years old.
States would need to coordinate with existing Head Start providers
and their State Advisory Councils.
The PRE-K Act recognizes that not all states have a high-quality
state preschool program in place yet. This bill meets states where they
are. States that already have a high-quality program could apply as
``Qualified States'' and get money improve quality and expand to serve
more children. Other States, like Hawaii, could apply as ``Selected
States,'' earning Federal grants to establish a high-quality preschool
program within two years.
In Hawaii, Governor Abercrombie is leading the fight to build a State
preschool program for low-income families. The PRE-K Act could support
Hawaii's efforts through Federal partnership grants.
Decades of research show that high quality early education programs
can help kids enter kindergarten ready to learn and avoid falling
behind. Later in life, kids who have high-quality preschool are more
likely to avoid crime or teen pregnancy, graduate high school and
college, earn more income, pay taxes, and need fewer public services.
The studies have found that investing $1 in quality early learning
can bring a return on investment of between $2 and $17 down the line. A
University of Hawaii/Good Beginnings Alliance study of a theoretical
Hawaii program found we'd get $4.20 for every $1 invested. In this
tight fiscal environment, wise Federal spending is key. High quality
early learning is one of the best investments we can make.
That is why business and financial leaders, from the Hawaii Business
Roundtable to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, agree that quality
early education is critically important in providing the tools children
need for success in school and in adulthood.
Law enforcement officials know that quality early learning helps
prevent kids from falling behind, dropping out of high school, or
getting involved in crime. High-ranking military leaders have also
stressed the importance of quality early education as a national
security issue. Today 75 percent of Americans age 17 to 24 are
ineligible for military service due to poor education, physical un-
fitness, or involvement with crime. Quality early learning helps kids
get on the right path--before they fall behind.
Parents know the high cost of child care is difficult to afford. If
parents can't find child care, they can't go to work. Parents also want
more than just supervision for their children. They want to know their
children are being engaged by effective teachers who are preparing them
academically, socially, and emotionally for success in school.
Teachers and school administrators know firsthand that their students
who come to kindergarten with quality preschool are more likely to
succeed. Special education professionals and advocates for students
with disabilities know that quality early learning can identify
disabilities early and bring intervention to get kids on track with
their peers.
Education is the great equalizer, and starting children on an early
path to success is critical. I have been working to strengthen quality
early education for over a decade. As Lieutenant Governor, I helped
establish Hawaii's Pre-Plus program, which constructed preschool
classrooms for use by nonprofit, private, or public preschools. In the
U.S. House of Representatives, I first introduced the PRE-K Act in
2007. The
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bill passed through the House Education and Labor Committee with a
bipartisan vote. President Obama has made quality early learning a key
part of his education platform. I helped lead a coalition of over 100
bipartisan House members to enact and fund President Obama's Early
Learning Challenge. We also fought for increases in Head Start and
Child Care subsidies to serve more children and families.
In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama called for
new Federal support for high-quality state preschool. This is the first
time in a generation that a president has used the State of the Union
address to call for expanding preschool access. The PRE-K Act answers
this call.
The time is right. I look forward to working with my colleagues in
the House and Senate to move this forward.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Harkin):
S. 521. A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to award grants to
fund research on orthotics and prosthetics; to the Committee on Armed
Services.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want to tell you about a wounded
warrior.
He was fitted with a prosthetic leg that fit reasonably well and he
was able to carry on with his life. But from time to time his leg would
give out.
He would fall, but he carried on.
Then he and his wife were blessed with their first child. He was
immensely happy to be a father. But he was terrified to hold his baby.
He was afraid that his leg would give out and he would fall and hurt
his baby.
Can you imagine going to war to make the world safe for your children
and then being afraid to hold your own child?
One day this young father mentioned his fear to a prosthetics
practitioner, who began researching other prosthetic legs and was able
to find a leg that fit him better and was more stable.
Finally, that new father was able to hold his baby without fear.
Most Americans will never need for a prosthetic limb. But many do.
They include people who suffer catastrophic injuries in battle and
accidents and others who lose limbs to illnesses such as cancer and
diabetes.
For these people, proper-fitting, advanced prosthetics and orthotics
fitted by highly trained, experienced clinicians can mean the
difference between constant pain and discomfort--and a certain amount
of anxiety, or living a happier, healthier and more productive life.
Let me tell you about another veteran who lives in Illinois.
He lost a leg in Vietnam.
He was fitted with a prosthetic leg that included a hydraulic knee
unit. That was the state of the art decades ago.
Several times a year he would fall. Many of the falls resulted in
broken bones and other injuries.
This veteran was also overweight, with high blood pressure.
About 6 years ago, he was fitted with his first computer-controlled
knee.
He had more stability and more range of motion. He moved with more
confidence.
With his new, advanced knee, he was able to exercise. He lost weight.
His health improved and he was able to stop taking multiple
medications. He is living a happier, healthier life.
Finding the right prosthetic is more than luck or guess work. It
requires a great deal of education, training and experience. There are
many talented prosthetic clinicians working today in Veterans
Administration Hospitals and other hospitals and rehabilitation
clinics.
But we have a problem. Just as the need for these health
professionals is increasing, many are retiring.
Wounded warriors deserve the best medical care our grateful Nation
has to offer.
Today, with Senators Blumenthal and Harkin, I am introducing two
bills to help ensure that service members and veterans who need
prosthetics receive the care and equipment they deserve.
The first bill, the Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act, will
establish a competitive grant program at the Department of Veterans
Affairs to train more health professionals in the fields of orthotics
and prosthetics.
These grants can be used to create new degree programs or expand
existing programs in these fields.
Our bill will also require the VA to establish a Center of Excellence
in Prosthetic and Orthotic Education to research and share information
about the knowledge, skills, and training clinical professionals in the
field need the most.
The work at the Center would add to higher education's clinical
expertise to train the students going into prosthetics and orthotics.
The second bill we are introducing today, the Wounded Warrior
Research Enhancement Act, directs the Secretary of Defense to establish
an ongoing program of research and best practices in orthotics and
prosthetics care.
We ask OD to then make sure clinical professionals serving service
members and veterans are kept up to date on innovations in technology
and care.
In the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, tens of thousands of our
service members have been wounded by roadside bombs, rocket propelled
grenades and small arms fire.
As our involvement in these wars winds down, many returning veterans
are living with complex wounds that require sophisticated prosthetics
and orthotics.
We can build on the breakthrough advances made by researchers at the
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and by private providers such as
Scheck & Siress, founded in Oak Park, IL.
Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is home to the largest
and oldest prosthetics and orthotics program in the Western Hemisphere.
It offers first-rate master's level education and training and
graduates 50 clinicians every year.
Northwestern can be a model for other universities around the country
to meet the needs of veteran amputees.
New technologies are improving the quality of life for amputees. We
need to make sure that clinicians in the field have the skills and
training to help veterans take advantage of these advances.
Recently the standard for entry-level qualifications for clinicians
in prosthetics was changed to require a master's degree.
That makes sense. There is a lot to know. But right now there are not
enough master's degree programs in our universities to meet the current
demands for prosthetics and orthotics technicians.
Many experienced clinicians are nearing retirement age.
Veterans are not the only people who benefit when we train more
clinicians in the fields of prosthetics and orthotics.
As America's population ages and rates of diabetes and cardiovascular
disease increase, more Americans find themselves in need of prosthetics
and orthotics. They, too, will benefit from this investment in research
and training.
When we ask our service members to risk their lives for us, they
don't say, ``Ask me later.'' They go.
If they come home needing a new limb, we shouldn't tell them, ``Ask
me later.''
We know that the VA is facing a critical and impending shortage of
clinicians who are trained in prosthetics and orthotics.
By working together now, we can prevent that shortage and help
America's wounded warriors live the fullest lives possible. I hope my
colleagues will join me in this effort.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 521
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 ``Wounded Warrior Research
Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 2. ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of the grants described in this
section is to advance orthotic and prosthetic clinical care
for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians who
have undergone amputation, traumatic brain injury, and other
serious physical injury as a result of combat or military
experience.
(b) Grants for Research on Patient Outcomes.--The Secretary
of Defense shall award grants to persons to carry out
research on the following:
(1) The actions that can be taken to prevent amputation of
limbs.
[[Page S1597]]
(2) The point in the course of patient treatment during
which orthotic and prosthetic intervention is most effective.
(3) The orthotic interventions that are most effective in
treating the physical effects of traumatic brain injury.
(4) The patients that benefit most from particular orthotic
and prosthetic technologies.
(5) The orthotic and prosthetic services that best
facilitate the return to active duty of members of the Armed
Forces.
(6) The effect of the aging process on the use of
prosthetics, including--
(A) increased skin breakdown;
(B) loss of balance;
(C) falls; and
(D) other issues that arise during the aging process.
(c) Grants on Materials Research.--The Secretary shall
award grants to persons to carry out research on the
following:
(1) The improvement of existing materials used in orthotics
and prosthetics for the purpose of improving quality of life
and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(2) The development of new materials used in orthotics and
prosthetics for the purpose of improving quality of life and
health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(d) Grants on Technology Research.--The Secretary shall
award grants to persons to carry out research on the
following:
(1) The improvement of existing orthotic and prosthetic
technology and devices for the purpose of improving quality
of life and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(2) The development of new orthotic and prosthetic
technology and devices for the purpose of improving quality
of life and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(e) Request for Proposals.--A person seeking the award of a
grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an
application therefore in the form and accompanied by such
information as the Secretary shall require.
(f) Award Requirements.--
(1) Peer-reviewed proposals.--Grants under this section may
be awarded only for research that is peer-reviewed.
(2) Competitive procedures.--Grants under this section
shall be awarded through competitive procedures.
(g) Grant Use.--A person awarded a grant under subsection
(b), (c), or (d) shall use the grant amount to carry out the
research described in the applicable subsection.
(h) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, veterans, community-based clinicians, and
expert researchers in the field of orthotics and prosthetics,
submit to Congress a report setting forth the following:
(1) An agenda for orthotic and prosthetic research that
identifies and prioritizes the most significant unanswered
orthotic and prosthetic research questions pertinent to the
provision of evidence-based clinical care to members of the
Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians.
(2) For each report after the initial report under this
subsection--
(A) a summary of how the grants awarded under subsection
(b) are addressing the most significant orthotic and
prosthetic needs; and
(B) the progress made towards resolving orthotic and
prosthetic challenges facing members of the Armed Forces and
veterans.
(i) Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``veteran''
has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38,
United States Code.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for fiscal year 2014 for the Department of
Defense for the Defense Health Program, $30,000,000 to carry
out this section.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Harkin):
S. 522. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award
grants to establish, or expand upon, master's degree or doctoral degree
programs in orthotics and prosthetics, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record as follows:
S. 522
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 ``Wounded Warrior Workforce
Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 2. ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.
(a) Grants Required.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
award grants to eligible institutions to enable the eligible
institutions--
(A) to establish a master's degree or doctoral degree
program in orthotics and prosthetics; or
(B) to expand upon an existing master's degree program in
orthotics and prosthetics, including by admitting more
students, further training faculty, expanding facilities, or
increasing cooperation with the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the Department of Defense.
(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in the
award of grants under this section to eligible institutions
that have entered into a partnership with a medical center or
clinic administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or
a facility administered by the Department of Defense,
including by providing clinical rotations at such medical
center, clinic, or facility.
(3) Grant amounts.--Grants awarded under this section shall
be in amounts of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than
$1,500,000.
(b) Requests for Proposals.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for two
years, the Secretary shall issue a request for proposals from
eligible institutions for grants under this section.
(2) Proposals.--An eligible institution that seeks the
award of a grant under this section shall submit an
application therefor to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary
may require, including--
(A) demonstration of a willingness and ability to
participate in a partnership described in subsection (a)(2);
and
(B) a commitment, and demonstration of an ability, to
maintain an accredited orthotics and prosthetics education
program after the end of the grant period.
(c) Grant Uses.--
(1) In general.--An eligible institution awarded a grant
under this section shall use grant amounts to carry out any
of the following:
(A) Building new or expanding existing orthotics and
prosthetics master's or doctoral programs.
(B) Training doctoral candidates in fields related to
orthotics and prosthetics to prepare them to instruct in
orthotics and prosthetics programs.
(C) Training faculty in orthotics and prosthetics education
or related fields for the purpose of instruction in orthotics
and prosthetics programs.
(D) Salary supplementation for faculty in orthotics and
prosthetics education.
(E) Financial aid that allows eligible institutions to
admit additional students to study orthotics and prosthetics.
(F) Funding faculty research projects or faculty time to
undertake research in the areas of orthotics and prosthetics
for the purpose of furthering their teaching abilities.
(G) Renovation of buildings or minor construction to house
orthotics and prosthetics education programs.
(H) Purchasing equipment for orthotics and prosthetics
education.
(2) Limitation on construction.--An eligible institution
awarded a grant under this section may use not more than 50
percent of the grant amount to carry out paragraph (1)(G).
(3) Admissions preference.--An eligible institution awarded
a grant under this section shall give preference in admission
to the orthotics and prosthetics master's or doctoral
programs to veterans, to the extent practicable.
(4) Period of use of funds.--An eligible institution
awarded a grant under this section may use the grant funds
for a period of three years after the award of the grant.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible institution'' means an educational
institution that offers an orthotics and prosthetics
education program that--
(A) is accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic
and Prosthetic Education in cooperation with the Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(referred to in this section as the ``National Commission'');
or
(B) demonstrates an ability to meet the accreditation
requirements for orthotic and prosthetic education from the
National Commission if the institution receives a grant under
this section.
(2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
fiscal year 2014 for the Department of Veterans Affairs,
$15,000,000 to carry out this section. The amount so
authorized to be appropriated shall remain available for
obligation until September 30, 2016.
(2) Unobligated amounts to be returned to the treasury.--
Any amounts authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1)
that are not obligated by the Secretary as of September 30,
2016, shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States.
SEC. 3. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC
EDUCATION.
(a) Grant for Establishment of Center.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
award a grant to an eligible institution to enable the
eligible institution to--
(A) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and
Prosthetic Education (hereafter in this section referred to
as the ``Center''); and
(B) enable the eligible institution to improve orthotic and
prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed
Forces, and civilians by conducting evidence-based research
on--
[[Page S1598]]
(i) the knowledge, skills, and training most needed by
clinical professionals in the field of orthotics and
prosthetics; and
(ii) how to most effectively prepare clinical professionals
to provide effective, high-quality orthotic and prosthetic
care.
(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in the
award of a grant under this section to an eligible
institution that has in force, or demonstrates the
willingness and ability to enter into, a memoranda of
understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Department of Defense, or other appropriate Government
agency, or a cooperative agreement with an appropriate
private sector entity, which memorandum of understanding or
cooperative agreement provides for either, or both, of the
following:
(A) The provision of resources, whether in cash or in kind,
to the Center.
(B) To assist the Center in research and the dissemination
of the results of such research.
(3) Grant amount.--The grant awarded under this section
shall be in the amount of $5,000,000.
(b) Requests for Proposals.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a
request for proposals from eligible institutions for a grant
under this section.
(2) Proposals.--An eligible institution that seeks the
award of the grant under this section shall submit an
application therefor to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary
may require.
(c) Grant Uses.--
(1) In general.--The eligible institution awarded the grant
under this section shall use the grant amount for purposes as
follows:
(A) To develop an agenda for orthotics and prosthetics
education research.
(B) To fund research in the area of orthotics and
prosthetics education.
(C) To publish or otherwise disseminate research findings
relating to orthotics and prosthetics education.
(2) Period of use of funds.--The eligible institution
awarded the grant under this section may use the grant amount
for a period of five years after the award of the grant.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible institution'' means an educational
institution that--
(A) has a robust research program;
(B) offers an orthotics and prosthetics education program
that is accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and
Prosthetic Education in cooperation with the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs;
(C) is well recognized in the field of orthotics and
prosthetics education; and
(D) has an established association with--
(i) a medical center or clinic of the Department of
Veterans Affairs; and
(ii) a local rehabilitation hospital.
(2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for fiscal year 2014 for the Department of
Veterans Affairs, $5,000,000 to carry out this section.
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