Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act - Reauthorizes the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004 for FY2012-FY2016.
Directs the Secretary of State to act through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs in awarding grants or entering agreements with Special Olympics for activities outside the United States. Includes community-based prevention among the activities for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants or enter into agreements with Special Olympics. Requires grant or agreement applications to include a description of specific measurable annual benchmarks, as well as long-term goals and objectives, to be achieved through specified activities, which must include: (1) activities to increase the full participation of people with intellectual disabilities in inclusive school and community activities with people without disabilities, (2) education programs that dispel negative stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities, and (3) activities to increase the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics outside of the United States. Requires annual reports by Special Olympics to describe demographic data about Special Olympics participants.
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements to promote the expansion of Best Buddies, including activities to increase the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in social relationships and other aspects of community life, including education and employment, within the United States.
Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to establish Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institutes for Sport and Social Impact. Requires recipients to use grant funds to advance the quality of life and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through research and evaluation, technical assistance, training, data collection, evaluation, collaboration, and dissemination of evidence-based best practices.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2152 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2152
To reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004,
to provide assistance to Best Buddies to support the expansion and
development of mentoring programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 13, 2011
Mr. Hoyer (for himself, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms.
DeLauro, Mr. Moran, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. Norton,
Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Langevin, Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas, Ms. Speier, Ms.
Hirono, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Carney, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Lewis
of Georgia, Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Boswell, Mr.
Grijalva, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Farr, Mr. Meeks, Mr.
Butterfield, Mr. Filner, Mr. Engel, Mr. Olver, Ms. Eshoo, and Mr.
Cicilline) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the
Committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and Commerce, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004,
to provide assistance to Best Buddies to support the expansion and
development of mentoring programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Eunice Kennedy
Shriver Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ACT
Sec. 101. Reauthorization.
TITLE II--BEST BUDDIES
Sec. 201. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 202. Assistance for Best Buddies.
Sec. 203. Application and annual report.
Sec. 204. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER INSTITUTES FOR SPORT
AND SOCIAL IMPACT
Sec. 301. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 302. Establishment of Institutes.
Sec. 303. Activities of Institutes.
Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ACT
SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION.
Sections 2 through 5 of the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment
Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15001 note) are amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
``(1) Special Olympics celebrates the possibilities of a
world where everybody matters, everybody counts, and every
person contributes.
``(2) The Government and the people of the United States
recognize the dignity and value the giftedness of children and
adults with intellectual disabilities.
``(3) The Government and the people of the United States
recognize that children and adults with intellectual
disabilities experience significant health disparities,
including lack of access to primary care services and
difficulties in accessing community-based prevention and
treatment programs for chronic diseases.
``(4) The Government and the people of the United States
are determined to end the isolation and stigmatization of
people with intellectual disabilities, and to ensure that such
people are assured of equal opportunities for community
participation, access to appropriate health care, and inclusive
education, and to experience life in a nondiscriminatory
manner.
``(5) For more than 40 years, Special Olympics has
encouraged skill development, sharing, courage, and confidence
through year-round sports training and athletic competition for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
``(6) Special Olympics provides year-round sports training
and competitive opportunities to more than 3,700,000 athletes
with intellectual disabilities in 30 individual and team sports
and plans to expand the benefits of participation through sport
to hundreds of thousands of people with intellectual
disabilities within the United States and worldwide over the
next 5 years.
``(7) Research shows that participation in activities
involving both people with intellectual disabilities and people
without disabilities results in more positive support for
inclusion in society, including in schools.
``(8) Special Olympics has demonstrated its ability to
provide a major positive effect on the quality of life of
people with intellectual disabilities, improving their health
and physical well-being, building their confidence and self-
esteem, and giving them a voice to become active and productive
members of their communities.
``(9) In society as a whole, Special Olympics has become a
vehicle and platform for reducing prejudice, improving public
health, promoting inclusion efforts in schools and communities,
and encouraging society to value the contributions of all
members.
``(10) The Government of the United States enthusiastically
supports the Special Olympics movement, recognizes its
importance in improving the lives of people with intellectual
disabilities and their families, and recognizes Special
Olympics as a valued and important component of the global
community.
``(b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are to--
``(1) provide support to Special Olympics to increase
athlete participation in, and public awareness about, the
Special Olympics movement, including efforts to promote broader
community inclusion;
``(2) dispel negative stereotypes about people with
intellectual disabilities;
``(3) build community engagement through sport involvement;
and
``(4) promote the extraordinary gifts and contributions of
people with intellectual disabilities.
``SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS.
``(a) Education Activities.--The Secretary of Education may award
grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with,
Special Olympics to carry out each of the following:
``(1) Activities to promote the expansion of Special
Olympics, including activities to increase the full
participation of people with intellectual disabilities in
athletics, sports and recreation, and other inclusive school
and community activities with people without disabilities.
``(2) The design and implementation of Special Olympics
education programs, including character education and volunteer
programs that support the purposes of this Act, that can be
integrated into classroom instruction and are consistent with
academic content standards.
``(b) International Activities.--The Secretary of State, acting
through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural
Affairs, may award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative
agreements with, Special Olympics to carry out each of the following:
``(1) Activities to increase the participation of people
with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics outside of
the United States.
``(2) Activities to improve the awareness outside of the
United States of the abilities and unique contributions that
people with intellectual disabilities can make to society.
``(c) Healthy Athletes.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services may award grants to, or enter into contracts or
cooperative agreements with, Special Olympics for the
implementation of on-site health assessments, screening for
health problems, health education, community-based prevention,
data collection, and referrals to direct health care services.
``(2) Coordination.--Activities under paragraph (1) shall
be coordinated with appropriate health care entities, including
private health care providers, entities carrying out local,
State, Federal, or international programs, and the Department
of Health and Human Services, as applicable.
``(d) Limitation.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this section
shall not be used for direct treatment of diseases, medical conditions,
or mental health conditions. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be
construed to limit the use of non-Federal funds by Special Olympics.
``SEC. 4. APPLICATION AND ANNUAL REPORT.
``(a) Application.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible for a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of
section 3, Special Olympics shall submit an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary of Education, Secretary of State, or Secretary of
Health and Human Services, as applicable, may require.
``(2) Content.--At a minimum, an application under this
subsection shall contain each of the following:
``(A) Activities.--A description of activities to
be carried out with the grant, contract, or cooperative
agreement.
``(B) Measurable goals.--A description of specific
measurable annual benchmarks and long-term goals and
objectives to be achieved through specified activities
carried out with the grant, contract, or cooperative
agreement, which specified activities shall include, at
a minimum, each of the following activities:
``(i) Activities to increase the full
participation of people with intellectual
disabilities in athletics, sports and
recreation, and other inclusive school and
community activities with people without
disabilities.
``(ii) Education programs that dispel
negative stereotypes about people with
intellectual disabilities.
``(iii) Activities to increase the
participation of people with intellectual
disabilities in Special Olympics outside of the
United States.
``(iv) Health-related activities as
described in section 3(c).
``(b) Annual Report.--
``(1) In general.--As a condition on receipt of any funds
for a program under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 3,
Special Olympics shall agree to submit an annual report at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary of Education, Secretary of State, or Secretary of
Health and Human Services, as applicable, may require.
``(2) Content.--At a minimum, each annual report under this
subsection shall describe--
``(A) the degree to which progress has been made
toward meeting the annual benchmarks and long-term
goals and objectives described in the applications
submitted under subsection (a); and
``(B) demographic data about Special Olympics
participants, including the number of people with
intellectual disabilities served in each program
referred to in paragraph (1).
``SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated--
``(1) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements
under section 3(a), $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2012, and such
sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years;
``(2) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements
under section 3(b), $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2012, and such
sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years; and
``(3) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements
under section 3(c), $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2012, and such
sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years.''.
TITLE II--BEST BUDDIES
SEC. 201. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Best Buddies operates the first national social and
recreational program in the United States for people with
intellectual disabilities.
(2) Best Buddies is dedicated to helping people with
intellectual disabilities become part of mainstream society.
(3) Best Buddies is determined to end social isolation for
people with intellectual disabilities by promoting meaningful
friendships between them and their peers without disabilities
in order to help increase the self-esteem, confidence, and
abilities of people with and without intellectual disabilities.
(4) Since 1989, Best Buddies has enhanced the lives of
people with intellectual disabilities by providing
opportunities for 1-to-1 friendships and integrated employment.
(5) Best Buddies is an international organization spanning
1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses.
(6) Best Buddies implements programs that will positively
impact more than 700,000 individuals in 2011.
(7) The Best Buddies Middle Schools program matches middle
school students with intellectual disabilities with other
middle school students and supports 1-to-1 friendships between
them.
(8) The Best Buddies High Schools program matches high
school students with intellectual disabilities with other high
school students and supports 1-to-1 friendships between them.
(9) The Best Buddies Colleges program matches adults with
intellectual disabilities with college students and creates 1-
to-1 friendships between them.
(10) The Best Buddies e-Buddies program supports e-mail
friendships between people with and without intellectual
disabilities.
(11) The Best Buddies Citizens program pairs adults with
intellectual disabilities in 1-to-1 friendships with other
people in the corporate and civic communities.
(12) The Best Buddies Jobs program promotes the integration
of people with intellectual disabilities into the community
through supported employment.
(b) Purpose.--The purposes of this title are to--
(1) provide support to Best Buddies to increase
participation in and public awareness about Best Buddies
programs that serve people with intellectual disabilities;
(2) dispel negative stereotypes about people with
intellectual disabilities; and
(3) promote the extraordinary contributions of people with
intellectual disabilities.
SEC. 202. ASSISTANCE FOR BEST BUDDIES.
(a) Education Activities.--The Secretary of Education may award
grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, Best
Buddies to carry out activities to promote the expansion of Best
Buddies, including activities to increase the participation of people
with intellectual disabilities in social relationships and other
aspects of community life, including education and employment, within
the United States.
(b) Limitations.--
(1) In general.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this
title may not be used for direct treatment of diseases, medical
conditions, or mental health conditions.
(2) Administrative activities.--Not more than 5 percent of
amounts appropriated to carry out this title for a fiscal year
may be used for administrative activities.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title shall be construed
to limit the use of non-Federal funds by Best Buddies.
SEC. 203. APPLICATION AND ANNUAL REPORT.
(a) Application.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible for a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement under section 202(a), Best Buddies shall
submit an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary of Education may
require.
(2) Content.--At a minimum, an application under this
subsection shall contain the following:
(A) A description of activities to be carried out
under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
(B) Information on specific measurable goals and
objectives to be achieved through activities carried
out under the grant, contract, or cooperative
agreement.
(b) Annual Report.--
(1) In general.--As a condition of receipt of any funds
under section 202(a), Best Buddies shall agree to submit an
annual report at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary of Education may require.
(2) Content.--At a minimum, each annual report under this
subsection shall describe the degree to which progress has been
made toward meeting the specific measurable goals and
objectives described in the applications submitted under
subsection (a).
SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Education for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under
section 202(a), $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and such sums as may
be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER INSTITUTES FOR SPORT
AND SOCIAL IMPACT
SEC. 301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
(1) For more than 50 years, Eunice Kennedy Shriver
dedicated her life, energies, and resources without bounds to
improving the lives of people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities around the world. She stands as the
iconic founder and leader of one of the most important
disability rights movements in history.
(2) Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded and influenced the
development of Special Olympics and Best Buddies, both of which
celebrate the possibilities of a world where everybody matters,
everybody counts, every person has value, and every person has
worth.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to improve and
advance opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to
fully participate and engage in inclusive sports and recreation, social
activities, and other community opportunities, through--
(1) conducting research, data collection, and evaluation
activities;
(2) providing technical assistance and training;
(3) fostering and promoting interdisciplinary
collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships; and
(4) commemorating the work and contributions of Eunice
Kennedy Shriver and encouraging others to emulate her
leadership, including her efforts to encourage and promote
greater social and community opportunities for people with
intellectual disabilities and their families.
SEC. 302. ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTITUTES.
(a) In General.--From the amount made available under section 304
that is not reserved under subsection (g), the Secretary of Education
shall award competitive grants to one or more eligible entities for the
purpose of establishing Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institutes for Sport and
Social Impact (referred to in this title as ``Institutes'').
(b) Eligible Entity.--In this title, the term ``eligible entity''
means an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) with
demonstrated expertise and experience in research, technical
assistance, and training related to improving and advancing
opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to fully
participate and engage in inclusive community opportunities, in
partnership with a nonprofit organization with demonstrated expertise
and experience in inclusive sports, recreation, social, educational,
and community opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
(c) Grant Period.--Each grant awarded under this title shall be for
a 3-year period.
(d) Grant Recipient Contribution.--An eligible entity receiving a
grant under this title shall provide a contribution (which may include
an in-kind contribution), in an amount not less than 25 percent of the
costs of the activities assisted under the grant, to carry out such
activities.
(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this
title shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal,
State, and local funds expended to carry out the purpose of this title.
(f) Application.--An eligible entity that desires to receive a
grant under this title shall submit an application to the Secretary of
Education at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
and assurances as the Secretary may require. Such application shall, at
a minimum, include--
(1) a description of activities to be carried out
consistent with section 303; and
(2) proposed annual measurable benchmarks and long-term
goals and objectives to be achieved through such activities.
(g) Reservation of Funds for National Activities.--From the amount
appropriated under section 304, the Secretary of Education shall
reserve not more than 10 percent to enter into a cooperative agreement,
on a competitive basis, with an eligible entity for the purpose of
implementing national coordination activities, including development of
mechanisms for communication between grant recipients, dissemination of
information resulting from activities under the grants, and technical
assistance to grant recipients.
SEC. 303. ACTIVITIES OF INSTITUTES.
(a) In General.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant under
this title shall use the grant to advance the quality of life and
inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through research and
evaluation, technical assistance, training, data collection,
evaluation, collaboration, and dissemination of evidence-based best
practices.
(b) Required Activities.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant
under this title shall use grant funds to--
(A) establish a research agenda and annual
measurable benchmarks and long-term goals, and conduct
research and evaluation of evidence-based best
practices, to improve the quality of life and further
the social inclusion of people with intellectual
disabilities, in cooperation and consultation with--
(i) people with intellectual disabilities;
(ii) family members of people with
intellectual disabilities;
(iii) University Centers for Excellence in
Developmental Disabilities Education, Research,
and Service (as designated in section 151 of
the Developmental Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C.
15061)); and
(iv) other relevant Federal, State, and
local entities conducting research related to
people with intellectual disabilities;
(B) provide training and technical assistance to
people with intellectual disabilities, families of
people with intellectual disabilities, nonprofit
organizations, public entities, educational programs,
recreation programs, and others to increase
opportunities for inclusive participation by such
people in sports and recreation, social opportunities,
education, and the community, including provision of
assistance to programs and entities serving primarily
people without disabilities in order to successfully
include people with intellectual disabilities in
activities with people without disabilities;
(C) collect and analyze data related to barriers
to, and factors assuring, access to full inclusion and
participation in community and quality of life for
people with intellectual disabilities, including
demographic data; and
(D) report on the research, findings, conclusions,
and recommendations resulting from the activities of
the grant.
(2) Research and evaluation.--Research, evaluation, and
data collection described in paragraph (1)(A) shall include--
(A) best practices in preventive health and
wellness for people with intellectual disabilities,
including sports and recreational activities;
(B) identification of barriers to, and factors
assuring, access to full inclusion and participation in
community and quality of life for people with
intellectual disabilities;
(C) best practices in supporting independence,
community living, and inclusive social engagement for
people with intellectual disabilities;
(D) physical and mental health disparities for
people with intellectual disabilities; and
(E) other relevant activities related to the
purpose of this title, as described by the eligible
entity in the application submitted under section
302(f).
(c) Report.--Each recipient of a grant under this title shall
prepare and submit to the Secretary of Education an annual report that
includes information on progress made in achieving the projected goals
and outcomes of the activities of the Institute for the previous year,
including demographic information on the populations served and
measurable accomplishments in advancing the quality of life and
inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the community.
SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2012 through 2016.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line