[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 115-6
115th Congress

An Act


 
To authorize the National Science Foundation to support entrepreneurial
programs for women. <>

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 ``Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship
Act''.
SEC. 2. <>  FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that--
(1) women make up almost 50 percent of the workforce, but
less than 25 percent of the workforce in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions;
(2) women are less likely to focus on the STEM disciplines
in undergraduate and graduate study;
(3) only 26 percent of women who do attain degrees in STEM
fields work in STEM jobs;
(4) there is an increasing demand for individuals with STEM
degrees to extend their focus beyond the laboratory so they can
be leaders in discovery commercialization;
(5) studies have shown that technology and commercialization
ventures are successful when women are in top management
positions; and
(6) the National Science Foundation's mission includes
supporting women in STEM disciplines.
SEC. 3. SUPPORTING WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS.

Section 33 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885a) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (10);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

[[Page 12]]

``(12) encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and
support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and
into the commercial world.''.

Approved February 28, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 255:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
Jan. 10, considered and passed House.
Feb. 14, considered and passed Senate.
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2017):
Feb. 28, Presidential remarks.