[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3852 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3852
To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible
entities to carry out professional development for arts educators and
creative arts therapists to learn how to best accommodate children with
disabilities, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 9, 2025
Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Frost, Ms.
Adams, Mr. Casten, Mr. Figures, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Magaziner,
Mrs. McBath, Ms. Norton, Ms. Schakowsky, and Mr. Thompson of
Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible
entities to carry out professional development for arts educators and
creative arts therapists to learn how to best accommodate children with
disabilities, 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 ``Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education
Act''.
SEC. 2. INCLUSIVE ARTS EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive
basis, grants to eligible entities to carry out the activities
described in subsection (d).
(b) Applications.--To be considered for a grant under this section,
an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not award a grant to--
(1) a local educational agency that is served by a State
educational agency that is awarded a grant under this section;
or
(2) a partnership that includes an entity described in
clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subsection (f)(2)(c) if such
entity is a member of a partnership that is awarded a grant
under this section.
(d) Grant Uses.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use such funds to promote curricula, best practices,
professional development for arts educators and creative arts
therapists, and innovative approaches, including creative arts
therapies in elementary schools and secondary schools, that--
(1) increase access for, and improve inclusion of, children
with disabilities in such arts education; and
(2) adapt classroom materials and lessons to accommodate
children with disabilities.
(e) Program Periods and Diversity of Projects.--
(1) Grant period.--A grant awarded under this section shall
be for a period of not more than 3 years.
(2) Reapplication.--In a case in which an eligible entity
submits an application under subsection (b) and is not awarded
a grant under this section--
(A) the Secretary shall provide to such eligible
entity--
(i) the reasons for denial of such
application, including a list of any selection
criteria that the eligible entity did not meet;
and
(ii) a list of recommended changes to be
made by the eligible entity to such application
before resubmission in order to meet such
selection criteria; and
(B) the eligible entity may resubmit such
application in accordance with subsection (b) not
earlier than 1 year after such entity receives the
information required under subparagraph (A).
(3) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under
this section for one 2-year period for an eligible entity that
demonstrates to the Secretary the success of the program funded
under the grant, such as through student, parent, or teacher
satisfaction, or program efficacy.
(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that serve
elementary schools or secondary schools that receive funds
under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
(5) Diversity of projects.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent
practicable, grants are distributed among eligible entities
that serve--
(A) geographically diverse areas, including urban,
suburban, and rural areas;
(B) Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and
(C) elementary schools and secondary schools in
varying socioeconomic areas.
(f) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Child with a disability.--The term ``child with a
disability'' has the meaning given the term in section 602 of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1401(3)).
(2) Creative arts therapists.--The term ``creative arts
therapists'' means individuals who are licensed, certified, or
credentialed as one of the following--
(A) an art therapist;
(B) a dance movement therapist;
(C) a drama therapist; or
(D) a music therapist.
(3) Creative arts therapies.--The term ``creative arts
therapies'' means therapeutic interventions developed and
provided by an art therapist, dance movement therapist, drama
therapist, or music therapist to support academic goals,
facilitate communication and emotional expression, enhance
self-awareness, and improve social, cognitive, and motor
skills.
(4) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a local educational agency;
(B) a State educational agency; and
(C) a partnership between an entity described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) and--
(i) an institution of higher education; or
(ii) a nonprofit organization with
expertise relevant to the activities or
practices described in subsection (d).
(5) ESEA terms.--The terms ``elementary school'',
``professional development'', ``secondary school'', and
``Secretary'' have the meaning given the terms, respectively,
in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated, in the aggregate, for fiscal years 2026 through 2030,
$15,000,000 to the Secretary to carry out this Act.
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