H.R. 1069: Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings for Our Kids Act

This bill, known as the "Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings for Our Kids Act" or the "PROTECT Our Kids Act," proposes to restrict federal funding for elementary and secondary schools that have partnerships or receive support from entities connected to the Government of the People's Republic of China.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Prohibition on Federal Funds: The bill prohibits federal education funds from being made available to any elementary or secondary school that:
• Has a partnership with a cultural or language institute that is directly or indirectly funded by the Chinese government, including organizations like the Confucius Institute.
• Operates a learning center supported by the Chinese government, commonly referred to as a "Confucius Classroom."
• Receives support in any form from individuals or entities acting on behalf of the Chinese government, such as teaching materials, personnel, or financial resources.

Effective Date

The prohibition outlined in the bill would take effect one year after the bill is enacted.

Contracts Prior to Enactment

For schools that have existing contracts related to partnerships with Chinese entities, the following rules apply:

• These schools may submit a request to the Secretary for a waiver to continue receiving federal funds under certain conditions:
• The request must include the complete and unredacted contract.
• If the contract is not in English, a translated version must be provided.
• The school must demonstrate that the contract benefits its mission and supports the security and economic prosperity of the United States.
• The Secretary can grant a waiver for as long as the contract is valid, beginning from the effective date of the prohibition.

Notification Requirements

Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary must notify affected elementary and secondary schools about the new requirements and provide guidance on compliance.

Definitions

Specific terms used in the bill are defined as follows:

• "Applicable program" aligns with the definitions in the General Education Provisions Act.
• The terms "elementary school," "secondary school," and "Secretary" follow their definitions in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Relevant Companies

• None found