Sec. 511. Study and reports on barriers to survivors’ economic security access
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The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall conduct a study on the barriers that survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking throughout the United States experience in maintaining economic security as a result of issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Not later than January 1, 2021, and every five years thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall submit a report to Congress on the study conducted under subsection (a).
The study and reports under this section shall include— identification of geographic areas in which State laws, regulations, and practices have a strong impact on the ability of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to exercise— any rights under this Act without compromising personal safety or the safety of others, including family members and excluding the abuser; and other components of economic security; identification of geographic areas with shortages in resources for such survivors, with an accompanying analysis of the extent and impact of such shortage; analysis of factors related to industries, workplace settings, employer practices, trends, and other elements that impact the ability of such survivors to exercise any rights under this Act without compromising personal safety or the safety of others, including family members; the recommendations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor with respect to resources, oversight, and enforcement tools to ensure successful implementation of the provisions of this Act in order to support the economic security and safety of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and best practices for States, employers, health carriers, insurers, and other private entities in addressing issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that examines, with respect to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are or were enrolled at institutions of higher education and have Federal student loan debt, each of the following: The implications of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking on a borrower’s ability to repay their Federal student loans.
The adequacy of current policies and procedures regarding Federal loan deferment, forbearance, and grace periods when a survivor has to suspend or terminate their enrollment at an educational institution due to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The adequacy of current institutional policies and practices regarding retention or transfer of credits when a survivor has to suspend or terminate their enrollment at an educational institution due to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
The availability or any options for a survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who attended institutions of higher education that committed unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, or otherwise substantially misrepresented information to students, to be able to seek a defense to repayment of their loan. The limitations faced by a survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to obtain any relief or restitution on their student loan debt due to the use of forced arbitration, gag orders, or bans on class actions.