# 119-s-2782: Service Starts At Home Act

119-s-2782, Service Starts At Home Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-23).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2782
- As of: 2026-10-23
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2782
- Congress: 119
- Title: Service Starts At Home Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-09-11
- Sponsor: Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Education
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-23

## Summary

**Expand paid local-government internships and volunteer-based college aid.** This bill would create competitive grants to fund paid internships for secondary and college students and a scholarship program that rewards documented volunteer service, plus a national recognition program for schools and colleges. - Students: Would get paid local-government internships and scholarships tied to volunteer hours. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000 per year and can be renewed for up to four academic years when students meet hour and enrollment rules. - States and local governments: Would be eligible for competitive grants to recruit, pay, and manage internships and to coordinate selection and educational oversight with colleges. - Colleges, schools, and families: Institutions would certify educational value and may help provide accommodations like childcare, transportation, flexible schedules, or telework for interns. - Federal funding: Authorizes $50 million per year for internship grants and a separate $100 million per year for the scholarship program for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Scholarships for student volunteers: benefit, high. If enacted, the bill would create a Scholarship for Volunteer Service program funded at $100 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Department would allocate funds to States with approved applications, after reserving up to 20% each year for a federal supplemental pool. States wo…
- Grants for paid local internships: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would create a competitive grant program that funds paid internships in units of local government. The Department would award grants to States or local governments to identify paid internships for high school students and eligible in-state undergraduates, set pay and terms, and…
- Recognition for schools' volunteer work: benefit, low. If enacted, the Department would run a Recognition of Achievement in Community Service program. The program would honor elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies, and colleges for volunteer achievements and community service contributions. The bill does not specify cash awards or…
- Definitions for eligibility and service: mixed, low. If enacted, the bill would define key terms that decide who and what counts for the programs. "Volunteer service work" would mean unpaid acts for government or nonprofit groups and would exclude proselytizing, worship services, religious instruction, political lobbying, court-ordered service, and s…

## Related bills

- 119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-s-2782 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2782)

## Related
- [119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2120)
- [119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5022)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2782 (as of 2026-10-23).