Safely Back to School and Back to Work Act
This bill makes multiple changes to federal public health, education, and workforce training programs in order to respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
With respect to public health programs, the bill establishes grant programs, provides contracting and other authorities, and directs other activities pertaining to
- biomedical research and development of vaccines, diagnostic tests, and countermeasures;
- the administration of the Strategic National Stockpile;
- public health preparedness and response; and
- other issues related to COVID-19, such as allowing employers to temporarily offer telehealth benefits to employees who do not otherwise qualify for health benefits and prohibiting the collection or use of genetic material from COVID-19 tests without written, informed consent.
With respect to education and certain workforce programs, the bill
- revises student loan repayment programs, including by consolidating repayment options;
- allows the Department of Education to waive certain statutory and regulatory requirements for elementary and secondary schools and career, technical, and adult education programs;
- establishes grant programs concerning child care providers, eligible scholarship-granting organizations, and certain workers impacted by COVID-19; and
- makes other changes to programs and funding for higher education, elementary and secondary education, and workforce training.