Current Legislation

Below please find information and resources related to legislation of interest to our members and allies.

To view all bills highlighted below, go to THOMAS and enter the bill number using the "search bill text" box.

The Improved Physical Activity and Nutrition (IMPACT) Act of 2007,

H.R. 2677

Co-sponsored by Representatives Mary Bono (R-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Kay Granger (R-TX) and Jim Ramstad, (R-MN), this bi-partisan bill aims to make new strides in efforts to improve the health and well-being of young people across the nation. IMPACT encourages cross-sector collaboration in developing and delivering solutions for youth's most pressing health concerns. Community-based organizations, healthcare facilities, schools, park and recreation facilties, and other groups will work in partnership to initiate new programs that target obesity and eating disorders. Additionally, the Act ensures that these joint efforts embrace a comprehensive approach to health through addressing physical activity, nutrition and emotional wellness. Click here to view the letter of support from the National Human Services Assembly.

Play Everyday Act, H.R. 2045, S. 651

The bipartisan Play Everyday Act aims to address childhood sedentary behavior and obesity by ensuring that every child gets 60 minutes of quality physical activity per day. The bill would establish a Community Play Index, an assessment tool for communities to measure the availability of physical activity programming, the number of play spaces, and the adequacy of health and wellness education services in their locality. The bill would also provide Model Communities of Play grants to develop effective community interventions to increase children’s physical activity. For more information, visit thePartnership for Play Everyday.

Education Begins at Home Act

No Child Left Behind

National Collaboration for Youth recommendations for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (No Child Left Behind). The following bills amend ESEA and have been endorsed by the National Collaboration for Youth

Teaching Fellows for Expanded Learning and After-School Act of 2007

(T-FELAS), S. 778

This bi-partisan bill, co-sponsored by Senators Kennedy (D-MA) and Burr (R-NC), would establish a program to train and place youth workers and educators into afterschool programs to help continue to increase the quality of afterschool programs, and to create a talent pipeline for those interested in working with children and youth outside of the classroom. Click here to view the letter of support from the National Collaboration for Youth.

Keeping Parents and Communities Engaged (Keeping PACE) Act of 2007, S. 1302

The Keeping PACE Act amends Title V to expand parent and community involvement in schools, and to provide the integrated supports and comprehensive services children need to learn and stay in school. Highlights include funding to support Parent and Community Outreach Coordinators in Title I schools; funding to community-based organizations, in partnership with schools, to deliver integrated student services designed to reduce the risk of students dropping out of school; and authorizes incentive grants to encourage the development of innovative uses of schools. Click here to view the letter of support from the National Collaboration for Youth.

Recently introduced and supported by the National Collaboration for Youth:

Mentoring America’s Children S. 1812 and H.R. 2611

Safe Schools Improvement Act (Anti-Bullying) H.R. 3132

Improving 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2007 S. 1557

Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act

There are currently two versions of the bill to reauthorize the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act. The Senate version “Improving Outcomes for Children Affected by Meth Act of 2006" (S. 3525) was passed without objection on July 13 and referred to the House. The House passed S. 3525 by a voice vote on July 25, but prior to the vote replaced the title and the text of the bill with the House version “Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006” (H.R. 5640). The House vote moves the bill to the conference committee, however, there remains significant differences in the House and the Senate versions which will prove challenging to the conferees to resolve.

Click on the links below for more information on the House and Senate versions and the differences between them.

Federal Youth Coordination Act