United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or the PRIME Act This bill expands the exemption of custom slaughtering of animals from federal inspection requirements. Under current law, the exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered for personal, household, guest, and employee uses. The bill expands the exemption to include meat that is slaughtered and prepared at a custom slaughter facility in accordance with the laws of the state where the facility is located; and prepared exclusively for distribution to household consumers in the state or restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, grocery stores, or other establishments in the state that either prepare meals served directly to consumers or offer meat and food products for sale directly to consumers in the state. The bill does not preempt any state law concerning (1) the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products at a custom slaughter facility; or (2) the sale of meat or meat food products.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
Veterans Affairs Transfer of Information and Sharing of Disability Examination Procedures With DOD Doctors Act This bill addresses the sharing of medical information and disability examination procedures between the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). It requires that if a member of the Armed Forces who is required to receive a physical examination upon separation from active duty and has or is believed to have a medical condition that may make the member eligible for veterans' disability compensation and benefits, the examination must be performed by a VA-certified health care provider. If the condition is discovered during the physical examination and the examining health care provider is not VA-certified, the examination must be completed by a VA-certified provider. An eligibility determination made as part of such an examination shall be binding on the VA and be used as the basis for assigning the member's disability rating. The VA and DOD shall jointly establish a system to share data and maintain the medical and personnel records of Armed Forces members and veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
Veterans Collaboration Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program in states with the highest veteran populations to promote collaboration between the VA, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher learning. The VA shall emphasize collaboration with (1) veterans service organizations that provide personnel with appropriate credentials to assist veterans in filing disability compensation claims and appeals with the VA, and (2) educational institutions that provide veterans with pro bono legal assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
Veteran's Choice Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate VA programs that furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to ensure that the most intensively used specialized care programs are maintained as centers of excellence. The bill also requires the VA to submit an evaluation of the VA's implementation of the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
Homecare for Seniors Act This bill allows tax-exempt distributions from health savings accounts (HSAs) to be used for qualified home care. Qualified home care includes a contract to provide three or more of the following services in the residence of the service recipient assistance with eating, assistance with toileting, assistance with transferring, assistance with bathing, assistance with dressing, assistance with continence, and medication adherence. The Department of Health and Human Services must carry out a campaign to increase public awareness of the in-home service expenses that are eligible for tax-free distribution from HSAs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2019
No Passport Fees for Heroes' Families Act This bill waives the passport fees for certain family members of a member of the Armed Forces if the family members are traveling abroad to visit the Armed Forces member in the hospital. This waiver applies to the husband, wife, domestic partner, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings of an Armed Forces member.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes to criteria, requirements, and payments for rural health clinics under Medicare. Among other things, the bill (1) allows rural health clinics that are not directed by physicians to enter into arrangements with physician assistants or nurse practitioners that generally comply with state laws (regarding scope of practice), rather than other specific requirements; (2) allows rural health clinics to serve as the distant site for purposes of telehealth services; and (3) beginning in 2020, increases the maximum payment rate per visit for rural health clinics.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2019
Protecting Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment Act of 2019 or the Protecting HOME Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to apply specified payment adjustments for durable medical equipment under Medicare. The bill also excludes the creation of separate payment classes and monthly payment rates for oxygen items under Medicare from certain budget neutrality requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2019
Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2019 This bill waives, for individuals diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. Current law generally applies this waiting period to individuals deemed eligible for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2019
Recognizes the September 11th National Memorial Trail that will pass through the states of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, as an important trail and greenway honoring the heroes of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2019
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs and Extending Community Health Centers and Other Public Health Priorities Act This bill addresses prescription drugs and extends several health care, research, and workforce programs. Currently, a generic drug manufacturer is awarded 180 days of exclusivity on the market if it is the first applicant to file an application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the exclusivity period begins upon the first applicant's commercial marketing. The bill authorizes the FDA to approve a subsequent generic drug application prior to the first applicant's first date of commercial marketing if certain conditions are met. The bill prohibits a brand-name, generic, or biosimilar drug manufacturer from entering into certain agreements to resolve or settle a patent infringement claim in connection with the sale of a drug or biological product. Such an agreement, with specified exclusions, is a violation of the bill if the filer of the subsequent generic application receives something of value and agrees to limit or forego research, development, manufacturing, marketing, or sales of the generic drug or biological product. The developer of a drug or biological product, such as a generic or biosimilar version of a drug, may bring a civil action against the license holder of an approved drug if the holder has declined to make available sufficient quantities of the approved drug for the developer's testing. The bill also extends several health care, research, and workforce programs, including the National Health Service Corps, through FY2020.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2019
Credit for Caring Act of 201 9 This bill allows an eligible caregiver a tax credit of up to $3,000 for 30% of the cost of long-term care expenses that exceed $2,000 in a taxable year. The bill defines "eligible caregiver" as an individual who has earned income for the taxable year in excess of $7,500 and pays or incurs expenses for providing care to a spouse or other dependent relative with long-term care needs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2019
Cyber Ready Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to workforce intermediaries (entities that facilitate the establishment of registered apprenticeship programs and that may partner with a business or community-based organization, or specified other partners) to support the establishment, implementation, and expansion of such programs in cybersecurity.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2019
This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents and expresses support for the people of Iran who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against the Iranian regime.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019
Commercial Fishing and Seafood Business Act of 2019 This bill exempts certain H-2B visas from the annual cap of 66,000 on such visas. The exemption applies to H-2B visas issued to nonimmigrant aliens for employment (1) on a commercial fishing vessel or shrimp trawler; or (2) in the processing of fish, baitfish, or fishery products. (An H-2B visa is for an alien entering the United States to perform nonagricultural temporary labor, where the alien has no intention of abandoning the alien's residence in a foreign country.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019
Broadband Mapping After Public Scrutiny Act of 2019 or the Broadband MAPS Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a challenge process for collecting and using broadband coverage data submitted by private and governmental entities to verify coverage data reported by broadband service providers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019
Home Health Payment Innovation Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes relating to payment and coverage of home health services under Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA). Specifically, the bill allows the home-confinement requirement (also known as the homebound requirement) for home health services to be waived under Medicare and MA. Currently, as a condition of eligibility for such services, a physician must certify that an individual has difficulty leaving home without assistance (e.g., a wheelchair, special transportation, or help from another person) due to an illness or injury. The bill also alters the payment methodology under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health services, including by eliminating the requirement that such methodology include certain behavioral assumptions regarding the implementation of specified changes to units of payment and case-mix adjustment factors.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019
National Right-to-Work Act This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act This bill treats certain military survivor benefits that are received by children as earned income of the child for the purposes of the kiddie tax (the tax on the unearned income of children). This has the effect of exempting the benefits from such tax.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019
This resolution (1) congratulates Rodney Robinson on receiving the 2019 National Teacher of the Year Award, and (2) celebrates all four finalists for the award for their service and commitment to America's youth.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish the Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans to report on and make recommendations regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for medical treatment and therapy for veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes for FY2020-FY2025 the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Assistance Program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act This bill provides a discretionary spending limit adjustment for full utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to ensure that funds are used to support navigation and maintain federally authorized harbors. The bill makes certain amounts in the trust fund available, without appropriation, to pay 100% of the eligible operations and maintenance costs of specified portions of the Saint Lawrence Seaway (a system of locks, canals, and channels in Canada and the United States that permits oceangoing vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes); and up to 100% of the eligible operations and maintenance costs assigned to commercial navigation of all U.S. harbors and inland harbors. The discretionary spending adjustment in a given fiscal year may not exceed the amount within the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund on the last day of the fiscal year that is two years prior to such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019 or the CASE Act of 2019 This bill creates the Copyright Claims Board, a body within the U.S. Copyright Office, to decide copyright disputes. Damages awarded by the board are capped at $30,000. Participation in board proceedings is voluntary with an opt-out procedure for defendants, and parties may choose instead to have a dispute heard in court. If the parties agree to have their dispute heard by the board, they shall forego the right to be heard before a court and the right to a jury trial. Board proceedings shall have no effect on class actions. The board shall be authorized to hear copyright infringement claims, actions for a declaration of noninfringement, claims that a party knowingly sent false takedown notices, and related counterclaims. The bill provides for various procedures, including with respect to requests for information from the other party and requests for the board to reconsider a decision. The board may issue monetary awards based on actual or statutory damages. The parties shall bear their own attorneys' fees and costs except where there is bad faith misconduct. A board's final determination precludes relitigating the claims in court or at the board. Parties may challenge a board decision in federal district court only if (1) the decision was a result of fraud, corruption, or other misconduct; (2) the board exceeded its authority or failed to render a final determination; or (3) in a default ruling or failure to prosecute, the default or failure was excusable.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
Savannah Hope Stillbirth Child Tax Credit Act This bill modifies the child tax credit to allow an additional $2,000 refundable tax credit for each stillborn child that the taxpayer gives birth to during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019
This bill modifies the eligibility criteria for certain veterans to qualify for a preference in the federal hiring process. Specifically, an individual who is honorably discharged from active duty service is eligible for a veterans' preference, if the active duty service was performed for more than 180 total days (currently, consecutive days). Additionally, a retired member of the Armed Forces is eligible for a veterans' preference, even if the retiree (1) is not a disabled veteran and (2) retired at or above the rank of major or its equivalent.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
National Museum of the American Latino Act This bill establishes the National Museum of the American Latino in the Smithsonian Institution. The purposes of the museum are to (1) illuminate Latino contributions to the story of the United States; (2) provide for the collection, study, research, publication, and establishment of exhibitions and programs related to Latino life, art, history, and culture; and (3) provide for collaboration with Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers and other museums and educational institutions in the United States and abroad to promote the study and appreciation of Latino life, art, history, culture, and its impact on society in the United States. The bill establishes a Board of Trustees for the museum to advise and assist the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian on all matters related to the administration and preservation of the museum. The Director of the museum shall manage the museum and may carry out educational and liaison programs in support of its goals. The Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services shall establish and carry out specified grant programs and a scholarship program, including a grant program to promote the understanding of the Latin American diaspora in the United States. The Board of Regents shall designate a site for the museum and is authorized to design and construct it.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and revises the National Sea Grant College Program, through which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supports university-based programs that focus on studying, conserving, and effectively using U.S. coastal resources. Among other things, the bill requires NOAA to award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Currently, NOAA has discretion in awarding such fellowships. The fellowships support the placement of graduate students in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in positions with the executive and legislative branches. The bill reauthorizes through FY2025 grants for (1) university research on the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species; (2) university research on oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks; (3) university research on the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and (4) fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance existing core program funding. The bill authorizes grants for (1) priority issues identified in the National Sea Grant Program's strategic plan, and (2) university research on sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 400,000 $1 silver coins that are emblematic of the women who played a vital role in rallying support for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Such coins may be issued during the period beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. All surcharges received from the sales of such coins shall be paid to the American Women's History Initiative of the Smithsonian Institution.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019
Tobacco to 21 Act This bill prohibits the sale of tobacco products to (1) anyone under the age of 21, or (2) anyone under the age of 30 without photo identification of the purchaser's age. The Food and Drug Administration must enforce this prohibition by, for example, conducting undercover compliance checks, performing retailer inspections, and initiating enforcement actions for noncompliance. The bill establishes penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019
Support Tools to Obliterate Pesky Robocalls Act or the STOP Robocalls Act This bill provides measures to eliminate unlawful robocalls. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a streamlined process whereby a private entity may voluntarily share information about unlawful robocalls or text messages and unlawful caller identification spoofing. In addition, the bill authorizes a telecommunications company to provide a free, opt-in robocall blocking service to its customers. The FCC must also study and report on whether a Voice Over Internet Protocol service should be required to provide the FCC with its contact information and retain records of all calls transmitted over the service.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019
This resolution congratulates the University of Virginia men's basketball team for their performance in the 2019 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Scarlett’s Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act This bill establishes various programs for the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) to award grants to states, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations to address sudden unexpected infant and childhood deaths. The CDC must award grants to eligible applicants to (1) conduct comprehensive death scene investigations, (2) increase the rate of standardized autopsies, and (3) obtain informed consent from families to collect genetic or tissue samples for research into the causes of such deaths. The bill also provides grants for training medical examiners, and other appropriate personnel, about standardized investigative practices, including the infant or child's medical history, other circumstances surrounding the death. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the Department of Health and Human Services also must provide grants to states to develop the capacity for local governments to comprehensively review 100% of all infant and child deaths and maintain the National Fatality Review Case Reporting System. Further, the CDC must use such national reporting system to compile and make publicly available summary data about sudden unexpected infant and childhood deaths. The CDC also must revise its death investigation forms to align with the form used under the national reporting system. Additionally, the bill requires the ACF to award grants to (1) promote evidence-based best practices, (2) support prevention efforts, (3) provide safe-sleep products, and (4) support the provision of services to families who have had an infant or child die from a sudden unexpected death.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Safe Step Act This bill requires a group health plan to establish an exception to medication step-therapy protocol in specified cases. A medication step-therapy protocol establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs are covered by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer. A request for such an exception to the protocol must be granted if (1) the treatment is expected to be ineffective, (2) the treatment will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction to the individual, (3) the treatment is expected to decrease the individual's ability either to perform daily activities or occupational responsibilities or adhere to the treatment plan, (4) the individual is stable based on the prescription drugs already selected, or (5) there are other medical reasons that warrant withholding the treatment. The bill requires a group health plan to implement and make readily available a clear process for an individual to request an exception to the protocol. Requests must be granted no later than three days after receipt of the request. In certain cases where the life, health, and ability of the individual are jeopardized by the protocol, the request shall be granted no later than 24 hours after receipt of the request.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019
Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act of 2019 This bill expands the child tax credit to allow a credit for an unborn child. The bill defines an "unborn child" as a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb. The credit may be claimed for the year immediately preceding the year of the child's birth, if the child is born alive on or before the due date for tax returns for the year. In certain cases in which a child is not taken into account for the credit for the year immediately preceding the year of the child's birth, the bill doubles the amount of the credit allowed for the year of the birth.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2019 This bill allows Medicare payment for home health services ordered by a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse-midwife, or a physician assistant. Currently, coverage is provided only for services ordered by a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Freedom for Families Act This bill modifies requirements for health savings accounts (HSAs) to (1) exclude from gross income HSA distributions paid or distributed during a period of qualified caregiving, (2) allow participation in an HSA without enrollment in a high deductible health plan, and (3) increase the contribution limit for HSAs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands Act of 2019 or the RURAL Act of 2019 This bill modifies the definition of income used to determine the tax-exempt status of a mutual or cooperative telephone or electric company to exclude certain government grants, contributions, and assistance. Specifically, the bill excludes from income (1) grants, contributions, and assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or by local, state, or regional governmental entities for disasters or emergencies; and (2) certain grants or contributions provided by a government entity for electric, communications, broadband, internet, or other utility facilities or services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2019 or the FASTER Act of 2019 This bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand data collection of information related to food allergies and specific allergens and revises the definition of major allergen to specifically include sesame. The Department of Health and Human Services may designate additional food ingredients as major allergens based on the prevalence and severity of allergic reactions through regulation. The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health must report on specified information regarding food allergies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Access Technology Affordability Act of 2019 This bill allows a refundable tax credit equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. "Qualified access technology" is hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. The credit is limited to (1) costs that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,000 per blind individual in any period of three consecutive taxable years. The credit must be adjusted for inflation after 2020 and terminates after five years.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
This resolution acknowledges over 85 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation since the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution (repealing Prohibition) and reaffirms the continued support of Congress for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2019
Conscience Protection Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for certain restrictions prohibiting discrimination against health care providers that refuse to perform abortions. Specifically, the bill prohibits the federal government, as well as state and local governments that receive federal financial assistance for health-related activities, from penalizing or discriminating against a health care provider based on the provider's refusal to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortions. Currently, similar provider nondiscrimination requirements apply to certain employment or personnel decisions (the Church Amendments), abortion services training (the Coats-Snowe Amendment), and qualified health plans offered through health insurance exchanges. Annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies have also included similar language (the Weldon Amendment). The HHS Office for Civil Rights, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), must investigate complaints alleging discrimination based on an individual's religious belief, moral conviction, or refusal to be involved in an abortion. DOJ or any entity adversely affected by such discrimination may obtain equitable or legal relief in a civil action. Administrative remedies do not need to be sought or exhausted prior to commencing an action or granting relief. Such an action may be brought against a governmental entity and may include money damages against such entity.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2019
Second Chance at Life Act of 2019 This bill requires abortion providers administering chemical abortions to provide specified information about the possibility of reversing the effects of such procedure. Specifically, a patient must be informed at least 24 in advance that (1) reversing a chemical abortion may be possible after administering the first drug of a two-drug procedure and (2) additional information about chemical abortions is available through the Department of Health and Human Services. Further, after the first drug is administered, the physician must provide written discharge instructions to the patient that state it may be possible to reverse the abortion procedure before the second drug is taken, among other information. Such information also must be conspicuously posted inside the office or waiting area of clinics that provide chemical abortions. Abortion providers are not required to provide such information in the event that an abortion is necessary to save the life of a patient who is endangered due to a complication resulting from a pregnancy.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2019
This resolution expresses support for National Public Health week, recognizes the efforts of public health professionals, and encourages strengthening the public health system.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2019
Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a two-year pilot program to study the effectiveness of nonprofit post-traumatic growth programs to determine (1) the outcomes of such programs in contrast to traditional models of mental health care, (2) the possible integration of such nonprofit programs into VA mental health care programs, and (3) the budgetary impact of such integration. Post-traumatic growth is the positive psychological change that can result from struggling with traumatic events. The bill makes veterans who are not at immediate risk of attempting suicide and not participating in traditional mental health treatment eligible for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2019
Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act This bill addresses certain driftnet fishing. (Driftnet fishing is a method of fishing in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.) Currently, the use of large-scale drift gillnets with a total length of 2.5 kilometers or more is prohibited in the United States. The bill expands the definition of large-scale driftnet fishing to prohibit the use of gillnets with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater. This expanded prohibition does not apply within the U.S. exclusive economic zone for five years. The Department of Commerce must conduct a transition program to facilitate the phase out of large-scale driftnet fishing and to promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices that minimize the incidental catch of living marine resources. Commerce must award grants to program participants.