Pickering: House Passes Hurricane Education Act; 3 More Education Bills
PICKERING: HOUSE PASSES HURRICANE EDUCATION ACT; 3 MORE EDUCATION BILLS
November 16, 2005
Legislation provides regulatory relief for schools in hurricane zone; upholds parents' rights in children's health; improves system for disadvantaged youth; recognizes the impact of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
[WASHINGTON DC] - Today the US House of Representatives approved the Hurricane Regulatory Relief Act (HR3975), as well as three additional education measures with broad bipartisan support: the Child Medication Safety Act (HR790), the Federal Youth Coordination Act (HR856) and a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (HConRes288).
Congressman Chip Pickering, an original co-sponsor of the Hurricane Regulatory Relief Act said, "While our schools respond to this emergency situation, we must give them the flexibility to get back on their feet and continue the education of our students. This extraordinary situation needs relief from federal regulations, and this act gives our educators more options to accomplish their goals."
The Hurricane Regulatory Relief Act provides relief for state and local school districts affected by Hurricane Katrina by adjusting "highly qualified" teacher requirements, permitting schools to delay reports on special education students, instituting new paper reduction programs, requiring colleges to adjust financial aid formulas and giving student borrowers additional interest free loan time. It would also allow flexibility to use federal funding for community action agencies, Head Start and job training programs.
The Child Medication Safety Act protects parents against being forced to medicate their children by prohibiting school officials from forcing parents to place their children on medication as a condition of attending school. The Federal Youth Coordination Act establishes the Federal Youth Development Council to improve the effectiveness of programs that serve disadvantaged youth by increasing collaboration among programs and agencies that administer these programs. H.Con.Res.288 honors the 30th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recognizes the strides that have been made in providing educational opportunities for children with disabilities.
"Congress continues to make education improvements and reform a priority with these common sense bills that reduce regulation, return parental rights, coordinate education programs for disadvantaged youth and honors acts like IDEA that has made the difference in the lives of so many Americans," Pickering said.
Chip Pickering is currently serving his fifth term as a Republican member of the United States Congress. He represents the Third District of Mississippi and is assistant majority whip. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and sits on the House Bipartisan Select Committee on Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.house.gov/pickering/ThreeEducation.htm