Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Disability Rights
HR 2273
The House last week approved landmark legislation that would bar discrimination against the disabled in employment and public accommodations. The bill passed on a vote of 403 to 20.
Graduation-Rate Reporting
HR 1454
The House Education and Labor Committee last week approved legislation that would require colleges to report the graduation rates of all their students, require more specific reporting and financial disclosure by schools with top-ranked athletic programs, and mandate a study of ways to measure graduation rates by field of study.
Radon Testing
S 1619, HR 3370
The Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Ocean and Water Protection held a hearing on legislation that would require certain schools to test for radon gas. It would require all schools in areas designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as having elevated levels of the gas to test for it, using a contractor who has been approved by the agency or by a state radon program.
Supplemental Appropriations,
Fiscal 1990
HR 4404
The Congress last week gave final approval to legislation that would provide an additional $165 million for Head Start in the current fiscal year, as well as additional funding for three small education programs.
Tobacco and Health
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing last week on the health effects of smoking.
Williams Nomination
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee held a hearing last week on the nomination of Michael L. Williams to be assistant secretary of education for civil rights.