The HERO Act of 2019: Enhancing Military Education

Introduced in the Senate on January 8, 2019, S. 1530, and in the House of Representatives on April 18, 2019, H.R. 3426.

S. 1530

This bill was introduced on January 8, 2019, as S. 1530 in the Senate and was later referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

It has seen two recent actions: Introduction of the bill (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119s1530is), Introduced in Senate ( introduced by Senator Graham, a Republican from South Carolina) and it has been referred to 1 committee.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “HERO Act” or the “Heroes Earning Recognition Opportunities Act of 2019.”

Sec. 2. Definitions

• The term "HERO School" means a public elementary, middle, or high school that—
         (A) has at least 75 percent graduation rate for students who began kindergarten in the 2009-2010 school year;
         (B) has an adjusted overall rating of 90 or higher on the https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119s1530is;< and
         (C) is designated as a HERO School by the Secretary under section 4.
• The term “cross-town unit” means a secondary school that—
     (A) is not part of the same elementary or high school campus; and
     (B) has at least 25 percent enrollment from students who attend a HERO School.

Sec. 4. Pilot program to recognize schools with high military enlistment rates

(a) Not later than the end of fiscal year 2021, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program, as provided in subsection (b), to recognize schools that—
   (A) have an enrollment rate of at least 50 percent of their students who enlist in the armed forces; and
   (B) are designated as HERO Schools under section 2.

(b) The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to recognize schools with high military enlistment rates, as determined by the Department, for not less than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. The program shall—
   (A) recognize schools that meet the standards set forth in subsection (a); and
   (B) provide support to these schools through grants, technical assistance, and other resources.

Sec. 6. Reporting requirements

(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the status of the policy established under section 4(a).
   (1) The report shall include—
   (A) the number and locations of cross-town units established under the new policy;
   (B) total enrollment numbers for each cross-town institution;
   (C) recommendations for further improvements or changes to enhance the effectiveness of the JROTC program.

Section 7. Priority consideration

(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report outlining—
   (1) the process for identifying eligible high schools under section 6;
   (2) the criteria used for determining military enlistment rates;
   (3) a timeline for the implementation of the priority consideration policy under such section.

(b) The Secretary shall also submit to Congress an annual report on the number of applicants receiving priority consideration, the cities and states where the applicants attended high school, and any other relevant information.