H.R. 204 · 117th Congress · House

STEM Opportunities Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced
Jan 5, 21
Passed House
May 18, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

STEM Opportunities Act

This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and at federal science agencies.

Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to provide specified guidance related to such groups to federal science agencies and IHEs.

Each federal science agency must collect comprehensive demographic data on recipients of merit-reviewed research and development grants given to IHEs and federal laboratories supported by that agency.

Each agency must also implement recommendations from the OSTP report titled Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce. In addition, each agency must carry out a pilot program and implement evidence-based policies and practices to minimize the effect of implicit bias in the grant review process.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) must carry out and publish a survey to collect data on the demographics of STEM faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at different types of IHEs.

The NSF must also carry out a variety of grant programs, including grants for increasing (1) the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in STEM careers; (2) the recruitment and retention of minority students who are underrepresented in STEM fields; and (3) student participation in computer science and computational thinking education programs at tribal colleges and universities.

Previous Versions

00Jan 5, 2021

STEM Opportunities Act

This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and at federal science agencies.

Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to provide specified guidance related to such groups to federal science agencies and IHEs.

Each federal science agency must collect comprehensive demographic data on recipients of merit-reviewed research and development grants given to IHEs and federal laboratories supported by that agency.

Each agency must also implement recommendations from the OSTP report titled Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce. In addition, each agency must carry out a pilot program and implement evidence-based policies and practices to minimize the effect of implicit bias in the grant review process.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) must carry out and publish a survey to collect data on the demographics of STEM faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at different types of IHEs.

The NSF must also carry out a variety of grant programs, including grants for increasing (1) the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in STEM careers; (2) the recruitment and retention of minority students who are underrepresented in STEM fields; and (3) student participation in computer science and computational thinking education programs at tribal colleges and universities.

Action Timeline

12
  1. MAY 19, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

  2. MAY 18, 2021Floor

    Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 403, proceedings on H.R. 204 are considered vacated.

  3. MAY 18, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008.(consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2482-2487)

    2482Yea
    2520Nay
    0NV
  4. MAY 18, 2021Floor

    Pursuant to section 5 of H

    Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008. (consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2482-2487)

    2482Yea
    2520Nay
    0NV
  5. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    Ms

    Bonamici moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  6. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration

    CR H2392-2398; text: CR H2392-2397)

    2392Yea
    2398Nay
    0NV
  7. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 204.

  8. MAY 17, 2021Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  9. JAN 05, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  10. JAN 05, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  11. JAN 05, 2021IntroReferral

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E5)

  12. JAN 05, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Committees

2

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

sshr00

Referred: May 19, 2021

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Jan 5, 2021

Active