Promoting and strengthening Native languages

(a) Native American language resource centers Section 2 of the Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 (20 U.S.C. 7457) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Reports (1) Native American language resource center reports (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026 and every 3 years thereafter, the national Native American language resource center established under subsection (b) shall produce a report, in coordination with the regional centers of the Native American language resource center, that provides information on the status of the work of the Native American language resource center and each of the regional centers and recommendations to Congress— (i) for the strengthening of Native American language teaching and learning, including through Indian Head Start programs; and (ii) regarding how to use, practice, and develop Native American languages in alignment with the policy described in section 104 of the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2903). (B) Public availability Each report produced under subparagraph (A) shall be shared publicly and with Congress. (2) Information on NALA schools Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026, the national Native American language resource center established under subsection (b) shall submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, a report on NALA schools in the United States that shall include— (A) identification of all NALA schools operating in the United States that are certified under section 3(c); (B) for each such certified NALA school— (i) the level at which such NALA school operates, as determined by the percentage of time spent with the Native American language functioning as the medium of communication in the classroom; (ii) an estimate of the number of pupils at each grade level and age range served at each such NALA school; (iii) the cost per-pupil at each such NALA school; (iv) (I) the estimated number of students at each such NALA school who have completed the highest grade level of such school; and (II) to the extent available, the estimated numbers— (aa) of such students graduating high school; and (bb) of such students enrolling in postsecondary education; and (v) a description of the Federal funding sources used by each such NALA school; (C) a description of the barriers to funding and operation faced by certified NALA schools; and (D) information on— (i) certified NALA schools that are using 1 or more Native American languages as a language of instruction at a level equal to less than 51 percent of the time; and (ii) individuals and entities who have contacted the national Native American language resource center seeking information on how to increase the level of Native American language used in school.; (3) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by adding at the end the following: (5) Native American languages school; NALA school The term Native American languages school, also referred to as a NALA school, mean an early childhood education, elementary, or secondary school or program— (A) that serves students in any grade in early childhood education (including infant classes) through grade 12; and (B) for which a Native American language serves as the primary medium of instruction for all grade levels and all academic subjects offered by the school, except for English language arts instruction.; and (4) in subsection (g), as so redesignated— (A) by striking There are and inserting the following: (A) In general There are; (B) by inserting (except for subsection (e)) after this section; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (B) Reporting requirements authorization There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (e), $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and $250,000 for each subsequent fiscal year.. (b) Support for Native American language schools The Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 (20 U.S.C. 7457) is amended by adding at the end the following: 3. Support for Native American language schools (a) Definitions In this section: (1) In general The definitions under section 2(f) shall apply. (2) State The term State means each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia. (b) Authorization of grants (1) In general The Secretary of Education shall award grants, from allotments made under paragraph (2), to Native American languages schools that are certified under subsection (c) and have an approved application, as described in subsection (d), to enable such schools to carry out activities described in subsection (e). (2) Amount of grant awards (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall allot to each NALA school with an approved application an amount equal to the product of— (i) the number of students served by such NALA school; (ii) the amount by which the percentage of time spent at the NALA school using a Native American language as the primary language of instruction at each grade level in the school exceeds 50 percent; and (iii) the greater of— (I) the average per-pupil expenditure at elementary schools or secondary schools or both (as applicable depending on if the NALA school serves elementary school students or secondary school students, or both), of the State in which such NALA school is located; or (II) 80 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure at elementary schools or secondary schools, or both (as applicable depending on if the NALA school serves elementary school students or secondary school students, or both), of all the States. (B) Ratable amounts If the sums appropriated for any fiscal year under subsection (h) are insufficient to pay in full the allotments determined under subparagraph (A) for all NALA schools, each of those amounts shall be ratably reduced. (C) Amount of grant awards for NALA schools that are early childhood education programs The Secretary shall allot to each NALA school that is an early childhood education program with an approved application, as described in subsection (d), an amount equal to the product of the number of students served by such NALA school and an amount determined by the Secretary. (c) NALA school eligibility and certification (1) Standard Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this section, the national Native American language resource center established under section 2(b) shall develop a certification standard for NALA schools, to be renewed every 2 years, which may include requirements related to a NALA school’s family engagement programming. (2) Certification Based on the standard developed under paragraph (1), the national Native American language resource center shall certify eligible schools as certified NALA schools. (d) Application (1) In general A NALA school that desires to receive an allotment under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary and the national Native American language resource center established under section 2(b) may reasonably require. (2) Contents The application submitted under this subsection shall include— (A) verification that the NALA school is certified under subsection (c); and (B) a description of the services and activities to be supported under the allotment. (e) Authorized services and activities Each NALA school that receives a grant under this section shall use the allotment for services and activities that preserve Native American languages, such as services and activities that— (1) are designed to support the use, practice, and development of Native American languages and fluent language acquisition and maintenance in alignment with the policy described in section 104 of the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2903); and (2) supplement, enrich, and strengthen the education program of such NALA school. (f) Administrative cap A NALA school receiving an allotment under this section may use the allotments for administrative costs in accordance with the federally negotiated indirect cost rate applicable to the eligible entity. (g) Prohibition on duplicative funding (1) In general A NALA school that receives an allotment under this section for a fiscal year shall not be eligible to receive funding under section 6133 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7453) for the same fiscal year. (2) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit eligibility under section 6133 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7453) for a NALA school, Native American language program, or other eligible entity under such section that does not receive funding under this section. (h) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032..