United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Black History is American History Act This bill requires entities (e.g., institutions of higher education, libraries, and museums), in order to be eligible for certain grants administered by the Department of Education (ED), to include Black history in their teaching of American history. It also requires Black history to be included in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of Black history as a required component of American history for such entities to be eligible for American History and Civics Academies' competitive grants. These grants support the establishment of (1) Presidential Academies for Teachers of American History and Civics, which offer workshops to teachers of American history and civics to strengthen their knowledge and prepare them to teach in these subjects; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics, which support high school students in developing an understanding of these subjects. (Currently, Black history is not a required component of American history for either academy.) In addition, ED must give priority to grant applicants that align their activities with programs and resources of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The bill also requires the inclusion of Black history in tests administered by the NAEP, which measures student academic achievement in various subjects.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Afghanistan Security and Reconstruction Transparency Act This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to make publicly available certain data and conduct assessments related to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). Specifically, DOD shall make publicly available all data related to ANDSF performance, including attrition rates and information about the operational readiness of Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police equipment. DOD shall also produce district-level stability assessments of Afghan government and insurgent control and influence and make such assessments publicly available.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
VoteSafe Act of 2020 This bill expands vote-by-mail and early in-person voting during the 2020 federal elections. It also directs polling places to follow certain guidance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) preparedness. Specifically, each state and local jurisdiction must permit no-excuse mail-in absentee voting. Among other things, each state and jurisdiction must (1) provide a mail-in ballot with prepaid return postage to each registered voter who requests such a ballot, (2) allow voters to submit online ballot requests, (3) allow voters to cure certain signature discrepancies, and (4) provide secured drop-off boxes from 45 days before the date of the election. Each state and local jurisdiction must maintain an early in-person voting period of at least 20 days. Additionally, each state must establish a plan to ensure that polling places are implementing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to COVID-19 preparedness. Among other requirements, each plan must (1) keep as many voting locations open as possible, (2) prepare polling locations to implement social distancing protocols, (3) provide sufficient quantities of hygiene and cleaning supplies at polling locations, and (4) provide additional compensation and protective equipment to poll workers. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must make a payment, within 30 days, to each state to carry out these requirements. Finally, the EAC must make payments to eligible states to carry out certain activities related to in-person voting, such as ensuring that elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities and implementing curbside voting.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Expanding Medical Partnerships with Israel to Lessen Dependence on China Act or the EMPIL-DOC Act This bill authorizes a bilateral grant program with Israel to develop health technologies, with an emphasis on the use of technology, personalized medicine, and data in relation to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Technologies to be developed through this program include, among others, artificial intelligence, respiratory assist devices, and diagnostic tests. In addition, the program conditions funding on a matching contribution from the government of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act This bill makes previously unused immigrant visas available to nurses and physicians who petition for such a visa before the date that is 90 days after the end of the declared national emergency relating to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. The number of visas available shall be the total number of unused employment-based immigrant visas from FY1992-FY2020, up to 40,000. Of such visas, 25,000 shall be reserved for nurses and 15,000 for physicians. Certain family members may accompany the principal beneficiary of a visa provided under this bill, and visas for such family members shall (1) be made available from the unused visas from FY1992-FY2020, and (2) not be counted against the 40,000 cap. Visas provided under this bill shall be exempt from per-country limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2020
COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act of 2020 This bill establishes the COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force within the Department of Health and Human Services and sets forth its duties and membership. The task force must provide reports and recommendations related to racial and ethnic disparities in the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) response to Congress and relevant federal agencies. First, the task force must report weekly on COVID-19 infections and patient outcomes with data disaggregated by race and ethnicity. The reports must also identify communities with high levels of racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 measures and recommend how to allocate health care and other resources to address these disparities. Second, the task force must report biweekly on the disbursement of federal COVID-19 relief funds and how to use any undisbursed funds to address racial and ethnic disparities. Lastly, the task force must submit a final report that describes factors that contributed to racial and ethnic disparities with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, with recommendations to address them in responses to future infectious disease outbreaks. The task force terminates 90 days after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency . However, the bill permanently establishes a successor task force to address racial and ethnic disparities during future public health emergencies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2020
COVID-19 Testing, Reaching, And Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants for testing, contact tracing, monitoring, and other activities to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Entities such as federally qualified health centers, nonprofit organizations, and certain hospitals and schools are eligible to receive such grants. In awarding the grants, the CDC shall prioritize applicants that (1) operate in hot spots and medically underserved communities, and (2) agree to hire individuals from the communities where grant activities occur.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and others to undertake efforts to reduce health disparities. For example, the bill (1) requires more detailed reporting of demographic and health disparities data, (2) directs certain components of HHS to support health workforce diversity, and (3) increases access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care. The bill also modifies eligibility and other requirements for Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, and other programs to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations. The bill includes specific provisions with respect to noncitizens; maternal, infant, and child health; mental and behavioral health; and specified conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, such as certain cancers, HIV/AIDs, kidney disease, and diabetes. Additionally, the bill (1) revises health information technology programs to address health disparities; (2) establishes an Office of Health Disparities within HHS, as well as civil rights compliance offices within HHS agencies; and (3) supports health impact assessments and other efforts pertaining to environmental justice and social determinants of health. The Government Accountability Office must report on health workforce diversity and other specified issues related to health care and health disparities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2020
Supporting State and Local Leaders Act This bill repeals the prohibition against granting federal, state, and local governments a tax credit for paid sick and paid family and medical leave.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act This bill establishes the Commission on Ensuring Health Equity During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and adds reporting requirements for certain demographic data related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Among other activities, the commission must (1) determine approaches to using data to reduce demographic disparities in COVID-19 prevalence and outcomes, and (2) submit findings and recommendations to Congress on a specified timeline until the end of the public health emergency. During the public health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must publish, and update daily, data on COVID-19 testing, treatment, and outcomes that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics on the CDC website. In addition, the Indian Health Service shall consult with tribes with respect to COVID-19 data collection and reporting. The Department of Health and Human Services must make a summary of final statistics related to COVID-19 publicly available and report specified information to Congress within 60 days of the end of the public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
This bill makes permanent the limitation on excess business losses of noncorporate taxpayers and allows certain taxpayers a two-year carryback of net operating losses arising in 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Improving Social Determinants of Health Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a program to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities by, for example, coordinating activities across the CDC. As part of the program, the CDC must award grants to eligible organizations to build capacity to address social determinants of health. The CDC shall provide for an independent evaluation of certain grants and report findings to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
This bill increases Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments for FY2020 and for the duration of the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). (DSHs are hospitals that receive additional payment under Medicaid for treating a large share of low-income patients.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
This resolution recognizes (1) the significance of Black Maternal Health Week; (2) that Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to raise national awareness of the state of black maternal health in the United States; and (3) that black women experience high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 This bill directs certain penalties assessed by the Securities Exchange Commission against pharmaceutical companies for specified violations to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund, an existing fund that supports pediatric disease research. In making allocations from that fund, the National Institutes of Health shall prioritize pediatric research that does not duplicate existing research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2020
This resolution supports the goals of National Minority Health Month to bring attention to health disparities faced by minority populations and encourages federal and state governments to collect and publish racial and ethnic data related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020
This resolution supports the goals of National Minority Health Month to bring attention to health disparities faced by minority populations and encourages federal and state governments to collect and publish racial and ethnic data related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
COVID–19 Price Gouging Prevention Act This bill makes it unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale a consumer good or service during a public health emergency resulting from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) at a price that (1) is unconscionably excessive, and (2) indicates that the seller is using the circumstances related to the public health emergency to increase prices unreasonably.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2020
Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act This bill addresses immigration issues related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and otherwise makes changes to certain COVID-19 response activities, benefits, and programs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) must temporarily limit in-person immigration proceedings, and, during the COVID-19 emergency, DHS, DOJ, and the Department of State shall not take certain adverse immigration actions. In addition, an individual's use of certain assistance related to COVID-19 may not be considered in current or future immigration determinations concerning that individual. The bill includes pandemics within the scope of specified disaster and emergency laws and modifies nutrition and other benefits during such emergencies. For example, states may receive Medicaid payments for COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and treatment for certain unlawful aliens, and individuals who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number may receive cash assistance related to the COVID-19 response. In addition, individuals may not be excluded from participating in COVID-19 response programs due to actual or perceived immigration status. To ensure the availability of information related to COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must (1) establish programs for eligible community-based organizations to develop preparedness materials that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, and (2) translate materials and operate telephone hotlines in specified languages. Agencies that receive funding under a law enacted in response to COVID-19 must also provide information about programs and opportunities in such languages.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
All Dependent Children Count Act This bill extends the 2020 recovery rebates of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to all taxpayer dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2020
Emergency Community Supervision Act This bill establishes measures to reduce the number of individuals in federal custody during a national emergency relating to a communicable disease. Specifically, it does the following: requires certain categories of inmates to be released and placed in community supervision (e.g., home confinement); limits the use of pretrial detention; and modifies supervised release, including to limit the use of incarceration as a sanction for a parole violation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2020
Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2020 This bill directs specified components of the Department of Health and Human Services to take certain actions to address uterine fibroids (i.e., muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus and may cause pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and reproductive issues). Specifically, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working through the Office of Research on Women's Health, must undertake research activities on uterine fibroids. In carrying out this research, the office must coordinate with specified components of the NIH and other federal agencies. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) collect data from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program about treatment and services related to uterine fibroids, and (2) develop a report in coordination with federal partners on federal and state expenditures for these treatments and services. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) must disseminate information about uterine fibroids, including the elevated risk for minority women and information regarding available treatments. Specifically, the CDC shall disseminate the information to the public, while HRSA and AHRQ shall disseminate it to health care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Urban Progress Act of 2020 This bill addresses economic development, employment opportunities, gun violence, and poverty. Among other provisions, the bill makes permanent the work opportunity tax credit and increases it for employers who hire ex-felons; establishes grants to promote commercial development in underserved communities, to provide career training programs, and to support summer employment opportunities for youth; increases Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits when school is not in session for households with minor children; increases the child tax credit for low-income taxpayers; broadens the categories of prohibited persons who are barred from receiving or possessing firearms; requires states to submit mental health and criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; prohibits firearm transfers between private parties unless a licensed dealer first conducts a background check; requires gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms; and prohibits licensed gun dealers from transferring firearms to unlicensed persons prior to background check completion.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
This bill requires COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) testing and related visits to be covered without cost-sharing under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid during the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020
Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act This bill specifically includes pharmacy services and certain self-administered drugs as part of covered home infusion therapy under Medicare, and specifies that certain payment components still apply regardless of whether or not a qualified supplier is physically present in the beneficiary's home.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Food Worker Pay Standards Act This bill prohibits the federal government from purchasing any meat, meat food product, poultry, poultry food product, or processed food produced by workers in the United States who are compensated at a rate lower than the prevailing rate for wages and fringe benefits for such workers in their locality. The Department of Labor shall determine the prevailing rates and in determining such rates shall take into account any applicable existing collective bargaining agreements in the locality. In no case shall a prevailing rate established pursuant to this bill supersede a worker's wages and benefits agreed to in a collective bargaining agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month and recognizes the women and organizations that continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal HIV Discrimination Act of 2020 or the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act of 2020 This bill concerns the burdens that federal and state laws, policies, and regulations may place upon people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Defense (DOD) to initiate a national review of federal (including military) and state laws, policies, regulations, and judicial precedents and decisions regarding criminal and related civil commitment cases involving people living with HIV. DOJ must transmit to Congress and make publicly available the results of such review with related recommendations. DOJ and HHS must (1) develop and publicly release guidance and best practice recommendations for states, and (2) establish an integrated monitoring and evaluation system to measure state progress. DOJ, HHS, and DOD must transmit to the President and Congress any proposals necessary to implement adjustments to federal laws, policies, or regulations. This bill shall not be construed to discourage the prosecution of individuals who intentionally transmit or attempt to transmit HIV to another individual.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
National Security Transparency Act This bill requires an individual serving as an acting official in certain positions related to national security to periodically appear before Congress. This requirement shall apply to an individual acting as the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of the National Security Agency, or the Director of National Intelligence. (Individuals serving in these positions must receive Senate confirmation, but the President may appoint without confirmation an acting official to perform the position's duties on a temporary basis.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Act This bill establishes the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area in Chicago, Illinois. The Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission shall be the local coordinating entity for the heritage area and shall submit a management plan for the heritage area. The authority of the Department of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the heritage area expires 15 years after the enactment of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
First Responder Resiliency Act of 2020 This bill removes matching fund requirements for job-related mental health issues for fire and emergency medical services first responders under the firefighter assistance grant program, and for law enforcement first responders under the public safety and community policing (COPS ON THE BEAT) grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Charter Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency Act or the COAT Act This bill requires state educational agencies, in order to receive certain federal funds, to ensure that each contract between a charter school located in the state and a private charter management organization includes certain compliance requirements. Specifically, such organization must annually disclose certain information to the Department of Education (ED), including the identity of each charter school it operates or manages, the amount expended on operations and administration, information about its contracts, and an audited income statement. ED must publish such information on its website. Additionally, such organization must hold board meetings that are open and accessible to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
This resolution supports the goals of and encourages people to observe the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, as designated by the World Health Organization. It also recognizes the contributions of nurses and midwives to the U.S. health care system.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Gun Trafficker Detection Act This bill requires gun owners to report the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement. It imposes criminal penalties on a violator. The bill also establishes a private right of action for a person injured by a firearm that is the subject of a violation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
This resolution (1) acknowledges the maternal health crisis in the United States; (2) supports action and investment by the federal government and others to reduce adverse maternal health outcomes, eliminate disparities in maternal health, and promote respectful and equitable maternity care practices; and (3) honors mothers who have passed away as a result of pregnancy-related causes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2020
HIV Epidemic Loan-Repayment Program Act of 2020 or the HELP Act of 2020 This bill directs the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to carry out a loan repayment program for certain health care providers who agree to provide HIV treatment or HIV dental care in (1) a designated health professional shortage area, (2) a clinical site that is funded under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, or (3) an area that meets requirements specified by HRSA. For each qualifying year of service, HRSA pays one-fifth of the principal and interest on any eligible loan, with total loan repayment after five years; repayment is capped at $250,000 per borrower.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act This bill designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moab-La Sal Canyons, (4) Henry Mountains, (5) Glen Canyon, (6) San Juan-Anasazi, (7) Canyonlands Basin, (8) San Rafael Swell, and (9) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin. The bill sets forth administrative requirements for (1) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas, (2) federal reservation of water rights, (3) measurement of setbacks for roads with adjacent wilderness, (4) authorized livestock grazing, and (5) withdrawal of such lands from disposition under certain public land laws.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Endometrial Cancer Research and Education Act of 2020 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand research and develop certain educational materials on endometrial cancer, respectively. Among other issues, the materials must address certain endometrial cancer disparities and risk factors that affect minority women.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Grand Jury Reform Act of 2020 This bill conditions a state or local government's receipt of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program on the state's compliance with certain requirements following an incident involving the use of deadly force by a local law enforcement officer that results in a person's death. Specifically, the governor must appoint a special prosecutor to present evidence before a judge to determine whether probable cause exists to criminally charge the law enforcement officer. The hearing must be open to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2020
This resolution acknowledges the impact of redlining (i.e., geographic discrimination) and states that the federal government has a responsibility to ameliorate its effects.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020
Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to include data on certain maternal health outcomes in its broadband health mapping tool (an online platform that allows users to visualize, overlay, and analyze broadband and health data at national, state, and county levels). The FCC must consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine which maternal health outcomes should be incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020 This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism, as well as the relationship between domestic terrorism and hate crimes. It authorizes domestic terrorism components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor, analyze, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism. The domestic terrorism components of DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must jointly report on domestic terrorism, including white-supremacist-related incidents or attempted incidents. DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must review the anti-terrorism training and resource programs of their agencies that are provided to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It creates an interagency task force to analyze and combat white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement agencies. Finally, it directs the FBI to assign a special agent or hate crimes liaison to each field office to investigate hate crimes incidents with a nexus to domestic terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2020
Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020 This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover, without cost sharing, three primary care visits and three behavioral health care visits during a plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 December 2019
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 This bill indefinitely extends Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients for individuals who do not have other coverage. Under current law, Medicare coverage is limited to 36 months following a transplant.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into a contract with a state in order to carry out, coordinate, improve, or otherwise enhance health and wellness programs, comprehensive veteran suicide prevention programs, and outreach by the VA and the state. The VA is authorized to award a grant to a state to (1) carry out, coordinate, improve or otherwise enhance health and wellness programs, comprehensive veteran suicide prevention programs, outreach activities, or activities to assist with benefits claims for veterans; or (2) hire additional county veterans service officers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, when distributing funds for broadband deployment, to give priority to projects for small ports and projects on cropland or ranchland. In addition, a recipient of such rural broadband buildout funding must provide certain geolocation information as a condition of receiving the funds.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_il_2_kelly_robin_200.jpg)