Committee Advances Four Bills to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence, Older Americans, Students of Color

Press Release

Today, the Committee on Education and Labor advanced four bills to support survivors of domestic violence, protect older job applicants from age discrimination, help communities desegregate their schools, and strengthen efforts to fight discrimination in education.

The Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) of 2021 modernizes and adequately funds FVPSA to support survivors of domestic violence and increases prevention efforts to ensure no American experiences this physical and emotional trauma.

The Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act advanced out of Committee by a vote of 26-20, with 0 Republicans supporting the bill.

"The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act has been a central pillar in our fight against intimate partner violence. Today, the law authorizes critical services, including shelters, support services for survivors, and 24-hour domestic violence hotlines," said Chairman Scott. "Regrettably, these programs have been expired since the end of 2015, hindering their ability to meet the changing needs in our communities. This legislation updates our federal efforts to address and prevent intimate partner violence."

Last month, Democrats and Republicans came together and passed the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act on the floor to restore workplace protections for older Americans. Today, the Committee advanced the Protect Older Job Applicants Act of 2021 to clarify that older job applicants can seek recourse under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

The Protect Older Job Applicants Act advanced out of Committee by a vote of 26-19, with 0 Republicans supporting the bill.

"All older workers should have equal access to civil rights protections, regardless of where they live or whether they are looking for a job or have one already," said Chairman Scott. "The Protect Older Job Applicants Act amends the disparate impact provisions of the ADEA to ensure we protect both older job applicants and older Americans who are already employed."

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2021 helps schools study segregation, evaluate current policies, and develop evidence-based plans to address socioeconomic and racial isolation.

The Strength in Diversity Act advanced out of Committee by a vote of 27-19, with 0 Republicans supporting the bill.

"Recognizing the long-lasting benefits of school diversity for students, many school districts have developed innovative strategies to address segregation. Unfortunately, schools can face steep obstacles to developing these strategies," said Chairman Scott. "The Strength in Diversity Act offers the funding and technical expertise to help districts implement evidence-based school desegregation plans."

The Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act (EIEA) of 2021 guarantees students and parents have the ability to file suit to address racial inequities in public education and ensures that there is an assigned person at their school dedicated to investigating complaints of discrimination based on race, color or national origin.

The Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act advanced out of Committee by a vote of 27-19, with 0 Republicans supporting the bill.

"In its 2001 decision in Alexander v. Sandoval, the Supreme Court stripped individuals of their right to challenge these practices and policies under Title VI of the law. This decision barred students from pursuing justice from federally funded entities that maintained practices which have a disparate impact on racial groups," said Chairman Scott. "In response, the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act restores the private right of action of students and parents to bring Title VI discrimination claims based on disparate impact."

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