Committee Advances Bills to Rebuild America’ Schools, Protect Workers’ Wages, and Address the Mental Health Crisis
WASHINGTON – Today, the Education and Labor Committee advanced five bills to rebuild America’s schools, protect workers’ wages, and address the country’s mental health crisis.
The Rebuild America’s School’s Act provides the necessary investments to strengthen K-12 public schools’ physical and digital infrastructure. This will ensure that students and educators have access to safe and healthy places to work and learn. It will also help strengthen the economy by creating good-paying jobs in communities across the country.
The Committee advanced the bill by a vote of 27-19, with 0 Republicans in favor.
“Far too many children attend schools that are unsafe. For example, the Government Accountability Office found that four in 10 school districts need to update or replace their HVAC system in at least half of their schools,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “While the American Rescue Plan delivered investments to help schools reopen safely, keep them open safely, and make up for lost learning time, research shows that our K-12 schools still need additional and sustained investments to deliver healthy, safe, and efficient school facilities for all. The Rebuild America School’s Act would deliver on that goal.”
For the fact sheet and section by section of the Rebuild America’s School’s Act , click here and here.
The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act puts hard-earned wages back in workers’ pockets and cracks down on employers who unfairly withhold wages from their employees.
The Committee advanced the bill by a vote of 27-19, with 0 Republicans in favor.
“According to a 2017 study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute, employers steal 25 percent of minimum wage workers’ annual earnings. That translates to roughly $3,300 a year that cannot be used for essential expenses like rent, groceries, or child care,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “Simply put, current law favors dishonest employers over hard-working Americans. The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act is a responsible solution to increase civil monetary penalties, enforce stronger record keeping, and help employees seek justice.”
For the fact sheet and section by section of the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act, click here and here.
The Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act promotes the development of comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans.
The Committee advanced the bill by voice vote.
“Since the start of the pandemic, campus counseling centers have responded to an increased demand for student mental health services with limiting funding, staff, and resources,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “The Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act would encourage institutions to develop a broader and more comprehensive range of mental health services in coordination with existing federal, state, and community stakeholders."
For the fact sheet and section by section of the Enhance Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act, click here and here.
The Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2022 promotes evidence-based prevention and recovery programs to prevent alcohol and substance misuse on campuses and encourages collaboration to address student substance use and mental health concerns.
The Committee advanced the bill by voice vote.
“This bill brings together the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services to support institutions in developing evidence-based prevention and recovery programs that are aimed to prevent alcohol and substance misuse and support students with substance use disorders,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.
For the fact sheet and section by section of the Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2022, click here and here.
The Mental Health Matters Act takes comprehensive steps to support the behavioral health of students and school staff, strengthen school-based behavioral health care, and ensure access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits for workers and families.
The Committee advanced the bill by a vote of 26-18, with 0 Republicans in favor.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and opioid epidemic are alarming reminders that our mental health matters. Without adequate access to mental health services and protections, far too many children, students, workers, and families are grappling with trauma and heightened mental health needs on their own. We cannot protect our nation’s health or help communities recover if we do not strengthen our mental health care system,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “The Mental Health Matters Act takes critical steps to support the behavioral health of children and school staff, strengthen school-based behavioral health care, and ensure access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits for workers and families. Simply put, this legislation takes the necessary steps we need to help confront the mental health crisis facing too many Americans."
For the fact sheet and section by section of the Mental Health Matters Act, click here and here.
For Chairman Scott’s full remarks, click here.
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