1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protect our Children from COVID–19 Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) School closures have substantial negative effects on children’s education, mental health, and social development. (2) In general, school closures compound inequalities in rural and low-income communities, where students often lack access to computers and high-speed internet. (3) Returning children to the classroom will not only facilitate their development, but also free up their adult caregivers as they return to work. (4) To date, scientific evidence suggests children have a lower probability of developing a serious illness from COVID–19 than adults. It remains unclear, however, what role children play in transmitting SARS–CoV–2. (5) Pursuing research that analyzes and understands the transmissibility of SARS–CoV–2 in children will help families, educators, and elected leaders make better decisions on re-opening schools and our economy. 3. Study on children’s role in transmitting SARS–CoV–2 (a) Study (1) In general Not later than August 1, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ), in coordination with the heads of agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services and experts from outside of the Department, as appropriate, shall complete a study on children’s role in transmitting SARS–CoV–2. (2) Issues to be studied The study under paragraph (1) shall address— (A) the transmissibility of COVID–19 from child to child, child to adult, and adult to child; (B) the vulnerability of children, especially those with underlying health conditions, to severe illness as such vulnerability relates to COVID–19; (C) the vulnerability of adults, especially those with underlying health conditions, who send their children back to school