To provide for the participation in Head Start programs and Early Head Start programs, by children affected by Hurricane Katrina.

September 22, 2005

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

To provide for the participation in Head Start programs and Early Head Start programs, by children affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CHILDREN AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA.

(a) Definitions- For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) CHILDREN AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA- The term `children affected by Hurricane Katrina' means a child who is not older than 5 and who resides or who resided on August 22, 2005, in an area in which the President has declared that a major disaster exists.

(2) IMPACTED HEAD START AGENCIES- The term `impacted Head Start Agencies' means a Head Start agency receiving a significant number of children from an area in which a major disaster has been declared.

(3) MAJOR DISASTER- The term `major disaster' means a major disaster declared by the President in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 4170), related to Hurricane Katrina.

(b) Technical Assistance, Guidance, and Resources- The Secretary shall provide technical assistance, guidance, and resources through the Region 4 and Region 6 offices of the Administration for Children and Families (and may provide technical assistance, guidance, and resources, through other regional offices of the Administration, at the request of such offices, that administer affected Head Start agencies) to Head Start agencies in areas in which a major disaster has been declared, and to affected Head Start agencies, to assist the agencies involved in providing Head Start services to children affected by Hurricane Katrina.

(c) Waiver- For such period up to March 31, 2006, and to such extent as the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary of Health and Human Services--

(1) may waive section 640(b) of the Head Start Act, and

(2) shall waive requirements of documentation for children affected by Hurricane Katrina who participate in Head Start programs, and Early Head Start programs, funded under the Head Start Act.

END