Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act - Reauthorizes the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004 for FY2014-FY2018.
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 and to promote volunteerism on behalf of such activities. 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.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1008 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1008
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
March 6, 2013
Mr. Hoyer (for himself, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms.
DeLauro, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Lee of California, Mr.
Carney, Ms. Norton, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Langevin, Mr.
Lewis, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Danny K.
Davis of Illinois, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Speier, Mr. Israel, Mr. Cohen, Ms.
Hahn, Ms. Schwartz, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Young of Alaska,
Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Shea-Porter, Ms.
Edwards, Mr. Markey, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Keating, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Schneider,
Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Lowenthal, Ms. Clarke, Ms. Bonamici, Mrs.
Kirkpatrick, Mr. Rush, Ms. Brownley of California, Ms. Slaughter, Mr.
Pocan, and Mr. Webster of Florida) 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 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 creates 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 4,200,000 athletes
with intellectual disabilities in 30 individual and team sports
and plans to expand the benefits of participation through sport
to more than a million additional 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. In the United States, for
example, adults with intellectual disabilities who have
participated in Special Olympics have a 100 percent greater
chance of being employed than adults with intellectual
disabilities who have not.
``(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 and establish positive
attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities;
``(3) build community engagement through sport and related
activities; 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 community settings,
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 of people with intellectual
disabilities and the unique contributions that people with
intellectual disabilities can make to society, and to promote
active support programs for sports programs for people with
intellectual disabilities.
``(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 and promote volunteerism on
behalf of such activities.
``(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 2014, 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 2014, 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 2014, 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 typical peers 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
1,500 middle school, high school, and college campuses.
(6) Best Buddies implements programs that will positively
impact more than 700,000 individuals in 2013.
(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.
(13) The Best Buddies Ambassadors program educates and
empowers people with intellectual disabilities to be leaders
and public speakers in their schools, communities, and
workplaces. Best Buddies Ambassadors prepares people with
intellectual disabilities to become active agents of change.
(14) Best Buddies Promoters empowers youth to become
advocates for people with intellectual disabilities. Students
who take part in Best Buddies Promoters are introduced to the
disability rights movement and the importance of inclusion
through local awareness events.
(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.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this title may
not be used for direct treatment of diseases, medical conditions, or
mental health conditions.
(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), $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and such sums as may be
necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
<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 Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
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