February 3, 2025
Mr. Booker introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, to add a work-study program for off-campus community service at selected after-school activities, 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
This Act may be cited as the Students Helping Young Students Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Community services defined
Section 441(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087–51(c)) is amended—
(1)
by striking and
at the end of paragraph (3);
(2)
by striking the period and inserting and
at the end of paragraph (4)(C); and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(5)
after-school activities, as defined in section 443(f).
Sec. 3. Grants for Federal work-study program
Section 443 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087–53) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting or after-school activity (as described in subsection (f))
after subsection (d))
;
(2)
in subsection (d)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
in the subsection heading, by striking Use
and inserting Required Use
; and
(ii)
by inserting that is not carrying out subsection (f) for such year
after an institution
; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following:
(4) Authorized use of funds
In any academic year to which subsection (b)(2)(A) applies, an institution that is carrying out subsection (f) may also use funds granted to such institution under this section in accordance with this subsection.; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(f) After-School Activities
(1) Use of Funds
In any academic year to which subsection (b)(2)(A) applies—
(A)
an institution that is not carrying out subsection (d) for such year shall ensure funds granted to such institution under this section are used in accordance with this subsection to compensate (including compensation for time spent in training and travel directly related to after school activities) students employed in after-school activities of eligible schools; and
(B)
an institution that is carrying out subsection (d) for such year may also use funds granted to such institution under this section in accordance with this subsection to compensate the students described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Registration Process
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Students Helping Young Students Act of 2025, the Secretary shall inform eligible schools about the work-study program described in paragraph (1), and establish and carry out a process for eligible schools to register to participate in such program.
(3) Implementation
The Secretary shall establish any standards necessary for participation in—
(A)
the work-study program described in paragraph (1); and
(B)
the registration process described in paragraph (2).
(4) Priority for Schools
To the extent practicable, an institution shall—
(A)
give priority to eligible schools serving a low-income community; and
(B)
ensure that any student compensated with funds described in paragraph (1) receives appropriate training to carry out the educational services required.
(5) Federal Share
The Federal share of the compensation for work-study students compensated under this subsection may exceed 75 percent.
(6) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A)
The term after-school activities—
(i)
means activities during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session, such as after school, before school, or summer recess, that have an educational purpose; and
(ii)
includes such activities administered by—
(I)
an eligible school, including activities in which only the student population of such school is served; or
(II)
a community learning center, a community-based organization, a nonprofit organization, or other center or organization that facilitates youth development activities, which partners with an eligible school.
(B)
The terms elementary school and secondary school have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(C)
The term eligible school means a public elementary school or secondary school.
(D)
The term low-income community has the meaning given the term in section 428K(g)(6).