[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 158 (Thursday, September 29, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S5932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 6415. Mr. SCHATZ (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Warren, and Mr. 
Padilla) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 
5499 submitted by Mr. Reed (for himself and Mr. Inhofe) and intended to 
be proposed to the bill H.R. 7900, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2023 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department 
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the end of subtitle G of title X, insert the following:

     SEC. 1077. BILITERACY EDUCATION SEAL AND TEACHING.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) ESEA definitions.--The terms ``English learner'', 
     ``secondary school'', and ``State'' have the meanings given 
     those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       (2) Native american languages.--The term ``Native American 
     languages'' has the meaning given the term in section 103 of 
     the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2902).
       (3) Seal of biliteracy program.--The term ``Seal of 
     Biliteracy program'' means any program described in 
     subsection (b)(1) that is established or improved, and 
     carried out, with funds received under this section.
       (4) Second language.--The term ``second language'' means 
     any language other than English (or a Native American 
     language, pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(B)), including 
     Braille, American Sign Language, or a Classical language.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Education.
       (b) Grants for State Seal of Biliteracy Programs.--
       (1) Establishment of program.--
       (A) In general.--From amounts made available under 
     paragraph (6), the Secretary shall award grants, on a 
     competitive basis, to States to enable the States to 
     establish or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy 
     programs to recognize student proficiency in speaking, 
     reading, and writing in both English and a second language.
       (B) Inclusion of native american languages.--
     Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), each Seal of Biliteracy 
     program shall contain provisions allowing the use of Native 
     American languages, including allowing speakers of any Native 
     American language recognized as official by any American 
     government, including any Tribal government, to use 
     equivalent proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in 
     the Native American language in lieu of proficiency in 
     speaking, reading, and writing in English.
       (C) Duration.--A grant awarded under this subsection shall 
     be for a period of 2 years, and may be renewed at the 
     discretion of the Secretary.
       (D) Renewal.--At the end of a grant term, a State that 
     receives a grant under this subsection may reapply for a 
     grant under this subsection.
       (E) Limitations.--A State shall not receive more than 1 
     grant under this subsection at any time.
       (F) Return of unspent grant funds.--Each State that 
     receives a grant under this subsection shall return any 
     unspent grant funds not later than 6 months after the date on 
     which the term for the grant ends.
       (2) Grant application.--A State that desires a grant under 
     this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary 
     at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
     and assurances as the Secretary may require, including--
       (A) a description of the criteria a student must meet to 
     demonstrate the proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing 
     in both languages necessary for the State Seal of Biliteracy 
     program;
       (B) a detailed description of the State's plan--
       (i) to ensure that English learners and former English 
     learners are included in the State Seal of Biliteracy 
     program;
       (ii) to ensure that--

       (I) all languages, including Native American languages, can 
     be tested for the State Seal of Biliteracy program; and
       (II) Native American language speakers and learners are 
     included in the State Seal of Biliteracy program, including 
     students at tribally controlled schools and at schools funded 
     by the Bureau of Indian Education; and

       (iii) to reach students, including eligible students 
     described in paragraph (3)(B) and English learners, their 
     parents, and schools with information regarding the State 
     Seal of Biliteracy program;
       (C) an assurance that a student who meets the requirements 
     under subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) receives--
       (i) a permanent seal or other marker on the student's 
     secondary school diploma or its equivalent; and
       (ii) documentation of proficiency on the student's official 
     academic transcript; and
       (D) an assurance that a student is not charged a fee for 
     providing information under paragraph (3)(A).
       (3) Student participation in a seal of biliteracy 
     program.--
       (A) In general.--To participate in a Seal of Biliteracy 
     program, a student shall provide information to the State 
     that serves the student at such time, in such manner, and 
     including such information and assurances as the State may 
     require, including an assurance that the student has met the 
     criteria established by the State under paragraph (2)(A).
       (B) Student eligibility for participation.--A student who 
     gained proficiency in a second language outside of school may 
     apply under subparagraph (A) to participate in a Seal of 
     Biliteracy program.
       (4) Use of funds.--Grant funds made available under this 
     subsection shall be used for--
       (A) the administrative costs of establishing or improving, 
     and carrying out, a Seal of Biliteracy program that meets the 
     requirements of paragraph (2); and
       (B) public outreach and education about the Seal of 
     Biliteracy program.
       (5) Report.--Not later than 18 months after receiving a 
     grant under this subsection, a State shall issue a report to 
     the Secretary describing the implementation of the Seal of 
     Biliteracy program for which the State received the grant.
       (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
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