During a recent meeting, the Committee on Education and Workforce discussed a series of bipartisan bills aimed at enhancing the health, safety, and well-being of Americans, particularly focusing on student and child safety.

The session began with the introduction of HR 5646, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, presented by Representative Lucy McBath. This legislation seeks to address the ongoing issue of hazing in educational institutions, which poses significant risks to student safety. By strengthening policies related to hazing prevention and reporting, the bill aims to create a safer educational environment.

Next, the committee reviewed HR 7233, the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024, introduced by Representative Nathaniel Moran. This bill builds on a Texas law named after Jenna Quinn, a teenage sexual assault survivor, and aims to implement similar protections nationwide. It proposes grants for child sexual abuse prevention programs in schools, enabling educators to better recognize and report signs of abuse.

Additionally, HR 736, the Protect Kids Act, introduced by Representative Tim Wahlberg, was discussed. This bill mandates parental consent before schools can make changes to a minor child's name, pronouns, or sex-based accommodations, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in decisions affecting their children's lives.

The committee also addressed healthcare-related legislation, including H.J.Res. 181, which disapproves a Biden administration rule that restricts small businesses from forming association health plans (AHPs). This resolution aims to enhance access to affordable health insurance for small business employees.

Furthermore, HR 3120, the Healthy Competition for Better Care Act, introduced by Representative Michelle Steele, seeks to promote competition in the healthcare market by targeting anti-competitive contract terms. This legislation is designed to lower costs and improve access to care amid ongoing industry consolidation.

Lastly, HR 9457, the Transparent Telehealth Bills Act of 2024, introduced by Representative Aaron Bean, aims to eliminate unnecessary hospital facility fees for telehealth services, a move supported by a significant majority of Americans.

The committee expressed confidence that advancing these bills would address critical issues facing the nation, from student safety and child protection to healthcare access and parental rights, underscoring the urgency of these legislative efforts.