United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
Right to Contraception Act This bill sets out statutory protections for an individual's right to access and a health care provider's right to provide contraception and related information. Contraception refers to an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives (i.e., a device or medication used to prevent pregnancy), fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures. Generally, the bill prohibits measures that single out and impede access to contraception and related information. However, a party may defend against a claim that a measure violates the bill's prohibitions by demonstrating, through clear and convincing evidence, that the measure significantly advances the safety of contraception and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The bill also specifies that the prohibition preempts inconsistent state and local laws and applies in spite of other federal laws, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. The Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2023 This bill provides that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may, under specified circumstances, request access to a concentrated animal-feeding operation (i.e., a stabled or confined animal-feeding operation) to conduct microbial sampling. Specifically, the bill allows the FDA to request access if the FDA determines that sampling is necessary to facilitate an investigation of a foodborne-illness outbreak, determine the cause of the outbreak, or address other public health needs. The bill provides that such an operation shall be subject to penalties for refusing such a sampling.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
This resolution expresses support for certain rights of youth in the foster care system, including the rights to receive an education, receive necessary health services, and be free from abuse and neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill awards posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Henrietta Lacks in recognition of her immortal cells which have made invaluable contributions to global health, scientific research, our quality of life, and patients' rights.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
College for All Act of 2023 This bill establishes measures to expand access to higher education, including by eliminating tuition and required fees for eligible students, revising the Federal Pell Grant program, and reauthorizing certain programs to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Specifically, the bill provides funding to enable states and tribal colleges and universities, through a federal-state partnership, to eliminate tuition and required fees for (1) all students at community colleges and two-year tribal colleges and universities, and (2) working- and middle-class students at four-year public institutions of higher education and tribal colleges and universities. The bill provides funding to enable private, nonprofit historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students. The bill permanently reauthorizes and otherwise revises the Federal Pell Grant program by providing funding to increase the maximum award for each eligible student, increasing the duration limit for the use of Pell Grants, allowing students to use their awards to cover living and nontuition expenses, and expanding eligibility to Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status and who entered the United States before the age of 16) and students with other immigration statuses. Further, the bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to eligible states and tribal colleges and universities for improving student outcomes. The bill reauthorizes through FY2033 the Federal TRIO Programs and reauthorizes through FY2027 the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
Food Access and Stability Act of 2023 This bill repeals the sunset of the work requirements exemption for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). (SNAP recipients who are ABAWDs have work-related requirements in addition to the general SNAP work registration and employment and training requirements.) Under current law, homeless individuals, veterans, and certain foster care individuals (those who are 24 years old or younger and were in foster care on the date of attaining 18 years of age or a higher age) are exempt from the work requirements for ABAWDs. This exemption sunsets at the end of FY2030. The bill repeals the sunset of these exemptions, making them permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
This resolution recognizes the historical significance to the nation of Juneteenth Independence Day (commemorating the end of slavery in the United States).
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2023 This bill makes it unlawful to intentionally publish digital instructions that can automatically program a three-dimensional printer or similar device to produce or complete a firearm from an unfinished frame or receiver.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
Woman on the Twenty Act of 2023 This bill bars the printing of any $20 note after December 31, 2026, which does not prominently feature a portrait of Harriet Tubman on the front face of the note. The Department of the Treasury shall release to the public the preliminary design of the $20 note prominently featuring a portrait of Harriet Tubman no later than December 31, 2024.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act This bill prohibits an individual under the age of 18 from performing work that has direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves by specifying that the work is oppressive child labor. (Oppressive child labor is generally prohibited under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, with some exceptions.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
Debt Ceiling Reform Act This bill replaces the existing federal debt limit with procedures that allow the Department of the Treasury to continue issuing additional debt unless a joint resolution of disapproval regarding the additional debt is enacted into law. The bill also requires Congress to consider the joint resolution using specified expedited legislative procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
This resolution supports the designation of Batten Disease Awareness Day. (Batten Disease is a rare, inherited genetic disorder with no known cure that affects the nervous system.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2023 This bill requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to establish additional levels of deposit insurance. Currently, the FDIC and NCUA insures individual accounts up to $250,000. Under the bill, FDIC and NCUA must establish insurance amounts above existing levels that are applicable to commercial deposits. An institution may elect to apply a higher insurance amount to commercial deposits.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Caribbean American Heritage Month. The resolution also affirms that (1) the contributions of Caribbean Americans are a significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States; and (2) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and strengthens the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act This bill includes combatting the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area. The bill specifically allows grants for developing and disseminating research-based tools and treatments to combat the spotted lanternfly, which is an invasive species native to China that feeds on a wide range of crops and plants (e.g., grapes, apples, hops, walnuts, and hardwood trees). Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2028. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2028 the Pulse Crop Health Initiative; the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network; pollinator protection research and extension grants; increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Securing Unhoused Peoples' Program for Outreach Resources and Transportation For SNAP Act or the SUPPORT For SNAP Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a pilot program to raise awareness among and provide support for homeless individuals eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the program, USDA must award grants to eligible entities (e.g., state and local agencies, nonprofit and community-based organizations, and community action agencies) to (1) raise awareness among homeless individuals of the availability, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and benefits of SNAP; (2) support homeless individuals in enrolling in SNAP; and (3) train outreach workers, caseworkers, and others on SNAP application and program requirements. The bill specifies that a grant recipient may only use program funding to supplement (and not supplant) the level of state or local funds that would be available in the absence of the grant funds.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023 This bill provides specific statutory authority for the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) State Educational Agency Grant Program that is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The program supports school-based mental health services, including screening, treatment, and outreach programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023 This bill temporarily increases the payment rate under Medicare for certain office-based services that involve high-priced equipment. Specifically, the bill increases the payment rate under the Medicare physician fee schedule for services provided in a nonfacility (i.e., office) setting for which most of the cost is attributable to equipment and supplies. The increase applies to services furnished in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the correlation, if any, of payment rates for these services under the Medicare physician fee schedule and patient access to these services.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2023 This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain disabled veterans, including those determined to be catastrophically disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2023 This bill revises certain grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that support youth suicide early-intervention and prevention strategies. Specifically, the bill requires SAMHSA to award a portion of the grants for statewide training programs on emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide awareness and prevention for elementary and secondary school students and staff.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2023
Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2023 This bill expands access to menstrual products through federal programs, in certain locations, and for particular groups. It also prohibits states and localities from taxing retail sales of a range of menstrual products (e.g., sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups). The bill expands access to that range of menstrual products by requiring Medicaid to cover those products, establishing a grant program in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to provide benefits to ensure access to those products, and increasing Social Services Block Grant funding for providing those products to low-income individuals and exempting that increase from sequestration (a process of automatic, usually across-the-board cancellations of budgetary resources to enforce specific budget policy goals). Additionally, the bill sets out requirements to make free sanitary napkins and tampons available in federal and state correctional facilities (including Department of Homeland Security detention facilities) and restrooms in federal buildings that are open to the public. Further, the bill (1) establishes a grant program to support the provision of free sanitary napkins and tampons on campuses of institutions of higher education, and (2) permits elementary and secondary schools to use certain grants to provide sanitary napkins and tampons to students. In addition, the bill requires employers with at least 100 employees to provide free sanitary napkins and tampons for employees. It also permits the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to provide sanitary napkins and tampons to homeless individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023
Reaching English Learners Act This bill directs the Department of Education to establish a grant program for preparing future teachers to effectively instruct English learners to achieve at high levels in early childhood education programs and in elementary and secondary schools. Under the program, grants must be given to partnerships between (1) certain institutions of higher education, and (2) high-need local educational agencies or high-need early childhood education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Comprehensive Response to Fentanyl-Related Substances and Fentanyl-Laced Substances Act This bill establishes several programs and requirements to address the use of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced substances. For example, the bill expands the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to include training and resources for teachers on how to carry and administer opioid overdose reversal drugs (e.g., naloxone). DOJ must also increase resources and establish an interagency task force for law enforcement agencies to combat the trafficking of fentanyl-laced substances. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must develop a national strategy to prevent the use of fentanyl-laced substances, award grants to state and localities for treatment programs for those who are addicted to fentanyl-laced substances, and research the health effects of fentanyl-laced substances. The bill also increases criminal penalties for adulterating or misbranding drugs if the violation results in serious bodily injury or death (imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $1 million, or both for violations that result in serious bodily injury, and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $5 million, or both for violations that result in death). Penalties are higher for violations that include the intent to defraud or mislead. The bill adds up to 5 years of additional imprisonment if the violation involves drugs that are promoted or sold online.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish grants to support sex education and sexual health services for young people (ages 10 through 29) and repeals requirements that apply to certain federally funded sex education programs. HHS must award grants, in coordination with the Department of Education, to (1) provide sex education to young people; and (2) train education professionals to effectively teach, and otherwise support, sex education. Sex education refers to high quality teaching and learning that follows, to the maximum extent practicable, specified educational standards; covers a variety of topics concerning sex and sexuality; explores values and beliefs about those topics; and helps young people gain skills to navigate relationships and manage sexual health. Additionally, HHS must award grants to youth-serving organizations and health care entities that are eligible to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices through the 340B drug discount program for providing sexual health services to marginalized youth. Recipients of any of these grants must comply with certain nondiscrimination requirements. In addition, they may not use funds for sex education programs or sexual health services that provide incomplete or inaccurate medical information or fail to address specified issues. The bill also eliminates prohibitions regarding the content of specified federally funded sexual health education and information programs and repeals the Abstinence Only Until Marriage program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Hot Foods Act of 2023 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2023 or the SAFE Act of 2023 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. In recent years, appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2023 This bill modifies and expands nutrition programs for older adults and adults with disabilities, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Under the bill, a household's eligibility for SNAP benefits may be certified for 36 months if all adult household members are elderly or disabled, an increase from 24 months. The bill also expands the SNAP medical expense deduction. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an elderly simplified application program (ESAP). Under ESAP, a state may implement a streamlined SNAP application and certification process for households where all adult household members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income. The bill also directs USDA to authorize public-private partnerships between USDA, retail food stores participating in SNAP, and community-based organizations to provide free or low-cost food delivery under SNAP, including through the use of private funds. Further, the bill reauthorizes CSFP, provides additional funding for the program, and expands eligibility to include low-income adults with disabilities. CSFP benefits may also be certified for 36 months. Currently, benefits may be certified for not less than one year, but not more than three years. The bill also expands eligibility for the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) to include adults with disabilities, provide a 36-month certification period, and include minimum and maximum benefit amounts. Under the bill, USDA must also establish various grant programs; for example, USDA must establish grant programs to modernize SFMNP operations and establish new farmers' markets.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Electric Vehicles for All Act of 2023 or the EVs for All Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Energy to carry out a program that awards grants to eligible entities (i.e., public housing agencies, local governments, and certain nonprofit organizations) to facilitate electric vehicle sharing services operated at public housing projects.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act This bill sets out activities and modifies existing programs to address racial and ethnic mental health disparities. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must implement a strategy for promoting behavioral and mental health and reducing stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance use disorder among racial and ethnic minority groups. HHS must consult with appropriate advocacy groups and behavioral health organizations on this strategy. Additionally, HHS must seek to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a study on research gaps related to mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups. Modifications to existing programs include (1) permitting HHS to prioritize health care facilities that serve a high proportion of racial and ethnic minority groups when awarding grants for integrating physical and behavioral health care, and (2) extending the authorization for the grants from FY2027 through FY2029. The bill also permits the use of funds available through the Minority Fellowship Program for developing best practices or core competencies to address mental health disparities in curricula for training social workers, psychologists, and other behavioral health professionals. (This program supports the education and training of minority students who are studying for advanced degrees in a mental or behavioral health profession.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Perinatal Workforce Act This bill establishes programs and requires research to diversify the perinatal workforce and advance respectful maternal care delivery models. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to education and training programs to grow and diversify the professions that make up the perinatal workforce. HHS must also disseminate guidance on respectful maternal care delivery. This guidance must cover, among other topics, recruiting and retaining maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds and incorporating trained midwives and other perinatal health workers into maternity care teams. In addition, the National Institutes of Health must study best practices for culturally and linguistically congruent maternity care. This is care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, languages, worldview, and practices of health care consumers and other stakeholders. The Government Accountability Office must also report on certain aspects of perinatal health care professions. The report must focus on barriers to entering those professions for low-income and minority women.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Keeping All Students Safe Act This bill prohibits the use of seclusion and limits the use of physical restraint in schools and Head Start programs that receive federal funding. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of seclusion, which is the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room or area from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. The term does not include a time out, which may involve separating the student from others in a non-locked setting. The bill prohibits the use of mechanical or chemical restraints or physical restraints that restrict breathing or are life threatening. The bill outlines the requirements for the use of physical restraint, including that the student's behavior must pose an imminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or other individual. Each state must ensure that a sufficient number of program personnel are trained and certified by a state-approved crisis intervention training program. Additionally, each program must establish procedures to follow after an incident involving physical restraint. Further, the bill establishes enforcement provisions, including a private right of action for a student who has been subjected to unlawful seclusion or restraint. The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services must withhold payments from a program for unlawful seclusion or restraint. Finally, the bill requires each state educational agency (SEA) to establish, implement, and enforce policies and procedures required by the bill. It also creates a grant program to assist SEAs with these activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
This bill requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of State to report to Congress on the death of Shireen Abu Akleh. The report shall also be made available to the public on the State Department's website. (Abu Akleh was a U.S. citizen and journalist who was shot and killed in the city of Jenin in the West Bank in May 2022. At the time of her shooting, Israeli security forces and Palestinians were trading fire in the area.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Doxing Threat Assessment Act This bill requires the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding the use of cyber harassment, including doxing, by terrorists and foreign malicious actors. Doxing means knowingly publishing the personally identifiable information of another individual, without the individual's consent and with intent to threaten, intimidate, harass, or stalk any person; facilitate another to threaten, intimidate, harass, or stalk any person; incite or facilitate the commission of a crime of violence against any person; or place any person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. The threat assessment (1) shall be developed in coordination with the DHS Privacy Office and the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and (2) may be informed by existing products. I&A shall, consistent with the protection of classified and confidential unclassified information (1) disseminate the threat assessment with state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials; and (2) ensure that a version of the assessment is published on the DHS website within 30 days of dissemination to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 20 2 3 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants for programs that provide mentoring for children in foster care and children with experience in foster care. Mentoring under such programs must match youth with appropriately screened and trained adult or peer volunteers and involve regular meetings designed to last for at least one year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Medicare for All Act This bill establishes a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States; and (3) cover items and services that are medically necessary or appropriate to maintain health or to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate a health condition, including hospital services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental and vision services, long-term care, gender affirming care, and reproductive care, including contraception and abortions. The bill prohibits cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) and other charges for covered services. Additionally, private health insurers and employers may only offer coverage that is supplemental to, and not duplicative of, benefits provided under the program. Health insurance exchanges and specified federal health programs terminate upon program implementation. However, the program does not affect coverage provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service. The bill also establishes a series of implementing provisions relating to (1) health care provider participation; (2) HHS administration; and (3) payments and costs, including the requirement that HHS negotiate prices for prescription drugs. Individuals who are age 18 or younger, age 55 or older, or already enrolled in Medicare may enroll in the program starting one year after enactment of this bill; other individuals may buy into the program at this time. The program must be fully implemented two years after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of an International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia. The resolution encourages (1) health care providers to offer culturally and clinically competent care to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and agender (LGBTQIA+) community; (2) schools to support the creation of gender and sexuality alliances; (3) individuals to learn about national resources for those who identify as LGBTQIA+; and (4) funding organizations, aid efforts, and governments to prioritize the health and human rights of LGBTQIA+ people.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Higher Education Mental Health Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Education to establish an Advisory Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Mental Health Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education. The commission must conduct a study and report on services available to students with mental health disabilities in institutions of higher education (IHEs) and the effectiveness of such services in supporting these students; the impact of policies and procedures, such as reasonable accommodation and disciplinary policies, that help or hinder the goal of providing equal opportunity to these students; the use of protected health information of these students by IHEs; the impact of providing mental health services on a student's academic performance, well-being, and ability to complete postsecondary education; conclusions on the major challenges facing these students; and recommendations to improve the overall education, retention, and graduation of these students.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Safe Access to Cash Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new federal statutory framework to govern robbery offenses involving ATMs and related conduct. Currently, the federal bank robbery statute makes it a federal crime to take or attempt to take by force and violence or by intimidation, money or other property from any bank, credit union, or savings and loan association. A violation is punishable by a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years (or 25 years, if the offense includes assault or use of a dangerous weapon). However, federal circuit courts have split on whether forcing someone to withdraw money from an ATM qualifies as an offense under the federal bank robbery statute. In United States v. Chavez, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the bank customer, rather than the bank, had possession of the funds when the robbery occurred, so a necessary element of the federal bank robbery statute--that the money belonged to the bank--was not satisfied. In contrast, the Tenth, Seventh, and Fourth Circuits have held that directly forcing a bank customer to withdraw money from an ATM constitutes a federal bank robbery because the funds belonged to the bank when the withdrawal occurred. This bill establishes new statutory criminal offenses for ATM robbery and related offenses such as ATM theft. A violation is subject to the same criminal penalties as an offense under the federal bank robbery statute--a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years (or 25 years, if the offense includes assault or use of a dangerous weapon).
![Official portrait of Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b760fa371f50c3ff96e1ee3ad53ef9ac_200.jpg)