Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Parental Rights
HR 1946
The House Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing last month on legislation that would bar federal, state, and local governments and officials from interfering with “the right of a parent to direct the upbringing of a child” unless the action “is essential to accomplish a compelling governmental interest.”
Official English
HR 739, HR 1005, HR 345, S 346
The House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth, and Families last week held the second in a series of hearings on proposals to make English the nation’s official language. Two of the bills that have been introduced would eliminate bilingual education.
In Federal Agencies
Head Start
Proposed Rules
The Department of Health and Human Services has published proposed rules for the Head Start preschool program that would alter the definitions of eligible American Indian and migrant children, and require that programs give priority to migrant children whose families move most frequently. The proposal would also expand the service areas and family-income eligibility requirements for programs run by Indian tribes and define the number of years children remain eligible for Head Start when they are enrolled in an Early Head Start program. The rules appeared in the Oct. 25 Federal Register; comments are due by Dec. 26.
