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![Official portrait of Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000563_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
11,330 records where Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Neighbors Not Enemies Act This bill repeals provisions authorizing the President to apprehend and remove from the United States the citizens of a particular nation, if the United States has declared war against that nation or that nation has threatened an invasion against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Responsible Firearms Marketing Act This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on potentially unfair or deceptive practices that may be prevalent in the advertising or marketing of firearms. Additionally, the commission must issue regulations prohibiting such practices, and the bill provides for enforcement by the commission.
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 resolution recognizes the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program and its outsized influence in developing and supporting enduring relationships around the world. The resolution also expresses deep gratitude for the service of members of the National Guard to the program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Farmers First Act of 2023 This bill extends through FY2028 and revises the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). This Department of Agriculture program provides competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide stress assistance programs (i.e., professional agricultural behavioral health counseling, helplines, and resources) to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and agriculture-related occupations. The bill specifies that the grant funding for farm telephone helplines and websites may also be used for crisis lines. Further, FRSAN grant recipients may establish referral relationships with providers, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act This bill addresses economic and political development in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), including by supporting anti-corruption and trade initiatives. The President must also submit any proposed termination of certain sanctions, waiver of such sanctions, or licensing actions related to the Western Balkans to Congress for a specified review period prior to implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Strength in Diversity Act of 2023 This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Education may award planning and implementation grants to specified educational agencies (e.g., local educational agencies) to improve diversity and reduce or eliminate racial or socioeconomic isolation in publicly funded early childhood education programs, public elementary schools, or public secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023 This bill expands the application, testing, and inspection requirements for a foreign manufacturer of cylinders used for transporting hazardous materials in the United States (e.g., compressed gas cylinders). Current regulations require a foreign manufacturer to apply for approval from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for testing such cylinders outside of the United States. The bill requires that, to obtain an approval, a foreign manufacturer must answer in their application specified questions, including whether the manufacturer is or has been subject to various civil or criminal penalties. Further, DOT must establish a process for any interested party to request a reevaluation of an approval for a foreign manufacturer's cylinders to review the accuracy and safety of the manufacturer's actions. DOT must also revise the foreign inspection regulations to require that annual inspections of foreign manufacturers be carried out if DOT determines there is good cause; specify that a refusal of inspection shall result in the loss of good standing; allow DOT to request testing and production records and random sample testing; and allow for the recovery of the costs of foreign inspections, including travel and time. The bill limits an approval to one year; however, DOT may extend an approval for five years for a manufacturer who meets certain requirements. On an annual basis, DOT must publish a list of approved foreign manufacturers of cylinders on the department's website.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
This resolution designates the week of May 14-May 20, 2023, as National Police Week. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism. The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
America's CHILDREN Act of 2023 or the Protecting Children of Long-Term Visa Holders Act of 2023 This bill provides lawful permanent resident status to certain college graduates who entered the United States as children and addresses other immigration-related issues. Specifically, this bill allows a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) to apply for lawful permanent resident status if the individual (1) was lawfully present in the United States as a dependent child of an individual admitted for employment, (2) was in the United States with such status for at least eight years, (3) has graduated from an institution of higher education in the United States, and (4) is not deportable or otherwise inadmissible. In addition, the individual must have been lawfully present in the United States for at least 10 years at the time of the application. The bill also modifies various provisions related to calculating an individual's age for immigration purposes and the priority date of certain immigration-related applications. For example, to determine whether an individual is a dependent child for certain immigration petitions, the individual's age at the time a petition is filed shall be the age used for that determination. (Currently, this determination for some petitions is based on the individual's age at the time a visa becomes available, so it is possible for an individual to be a dependent child when filing a petition but become too old to qualify by the time the visa is available.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
America Grows Act of 2023 This bill permanently funds several agencies that perform agriculture research. The bill provides specified funding for the following agencies within the Department of Agriculture: the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The bill exempts the funding from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. It also exempts the budgetary effects of the funding from the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
Protecting Service Members and Military Families' Access to Reproductive Care Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for a Department of Defense (DOD) policy that provides for the granting of an administrative absence at the request of a member of the Armed Forces for purposes of receiving non-covered reproductive health care or to accompany a spouse or other dependent who receives non-covered reproductive health care. Under the bill, non-covered reproductive health care means care not authorized to be performed at a DOD facility, including an abortion or assisted reproductive technology (e.g., in vitro fertilization). An administrative absence granted for such purposes may not exceed 21 days. DOD is authorized to prescribe regulations under this bill, which must provide that (1) no additional requirements may be imposed on a member requesting an administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care, and (2) DOD and the approval authority of a member must prioritize the privacy of the member (or dependent). The bill also authorizes DOD to provide an allowance for travel expenses in connection with a member's or dependent's travel to receive non-covered reproductive health care.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act This bill directs multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health with a particular focus on racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must address the social determinants of maternal health (i.e., child care, housing, and other nonmedical factors that affect health outcomes). HHS and other departments must also carry out other actions to increase access to maternal health care and otherwise improve maternal health, such as growing and diversifying the maternal health workforce; establishing various grants and other programs, including ones related to maternal health disparities and maternal behavioral health; testing alternative payment models for perinatal care in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); addressing maternal health during public health emergencies; and supporting training, technology, and telehealth initiatives. The bill further provides for extended postpartum and breastfeeding eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; increased research and data collection on maternal health indicators; activities to mitigate adverse maternal health outcomes associated with climate change; and expanded public education to improve maternal vaccination rates. The bill also addresses maternal health for incarcerated populations. For example, it (1) requires the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to establish programs to improve maternity care; and (2) reduces grants for criminal justice activities unless the recipient state or territory has a law to limit the use of restraints during pregnancy for incarcerated populations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2023 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. Additionally, DOJ must make training on prosecuting domestic terrorism available to its prosecutors and to assistant U.S. attorneys. 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 · 11 May 2023
This resolution recognizes the significance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2023 This bill allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. The bill allows a hospital to also qualify if the hospital is a small, rural hospital that (1) serves a health professional shortage area, or a high number of low-income individuals or Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; (2) has experienced financial losses for two consecutive years; and (3) attests to having a strategic plan to address financial solvency. The Government Accountability Office must study the effects of the bill's implementation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must subsequently establish a mechanism and issue guidance on how newly designated CAHs may transition to different payment models under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students To Improve Outcomes For Youth Act or the Diversify Act This bill revises the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. The TEACH program awards grants to undergraduate and graduate students who commit to teaching in a high-need field and in an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. First, the bill raises the maximum amount for TEACH grants. Second, the bill allows TEACH grants to cover the full cost of attendance. Currently, these grants may be used only for tuition, fees, and on-campus housing. The bill allows teaching in a high-need early education program to count toward service requirements for the program. Next, the bill eliminates the process for converting a TEACH grant to a loan if a recipient does not complete the requirements of the program. Further, the bill prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from instituting or creating a monetary penalty for failure or refusal to complete the service requirement. In addition, the bill requires ED to send an electronic certificate to grant recipients who have completed their service requirement. The bill also exempts the TEACH program from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to World War II Army and Navy Nurse Corps members in recognition of their critical military service and devotion to duty.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
COPS on the Beat Grant Program Parity Act of 2023 This bill makes changes to the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program. Among the changes, the bill reduces the required matching contribution for certain rural communities during the first three years of a grant and eliminates the preference for agencies that exceed the matching requirements; allows grant funds to be used to increase wages of career law enforcement officers in states or localities that have a median household income of less than 70% of the national median household income and qualify for a reduced matching contribution; and provides statutory authority for the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on whether law enforcement workforces are representative of the communities they serve, the percentage of law enforcement officers who live in the community they serve, the average pay of officers compared to the cost of living in the community they serve, and recommendations for improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Living Schoolyards Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to eligible entities (e.g., local educational agencies) for planning, designing, and constructing outdoor learning spaces on school grounds. Outdoor learning space refers to an outdoor physical space on school grounds that is (1) dedicated to meet or conduct curriculum-tied activities, (2) a dedicated space for outdoor classrooms that has seating and tables installed for students and teachers to meet regularly, or (3) a place that is used when the need arises to take learning outdoors. Additionally, ED must maintain a clearinghouse that provides specified information, including links and information about state and local entities with expertise in outdoor learning spaces and environmental education.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act This bill designates specified public lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors. The Department of the Interior and the Forest Service must jointly establish an interagency team, containing an equal number of participants from the public and private sectors, to monitor, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the results of the bill. The team must also develop a geographic information system for monitoring the Northern Rockies Bioregion and assess the potential for facilitating wildlife movement across or under major highways and rail lines within the biological corridors established by the bill. The bill provides for the temporary closure to the general public of specific portions of protected areas, at the request of an Indian tribe, to protect the privacy of a religious activity or cultural use by an Indian.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2023 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions for the purpose of ending preventable child and maternal deaths by 2030. The bill requires the President to establish and implement a comprehensive five-year strategy focused on ending preventable child and maternal deaths by 2030. Requirements for the strategy include identifying priority countries in which the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will implement international maternal and child health and nutrition programs. The bill authorizes the President to provide assistance to implement this strategy. The bill also requires the President to designate a USAID employee to serve as the child and maternal survival coordinator. The duties of the coordinator shall include primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of such international maternal and child health and nutrition program resources and activities as USAID determines to be appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2023 This bill addresses Department of Defense (DOD) contraceptive care and family planning services. Specifically, the bill prohibits cost-sharing requirements with respect to TRICARE beneficiaries for specified prescription contraceptives. Additionally, the bill prohibits cost-sharing requirements for TRICARE Select and TRICARE Prime beneficiaries in relation to any in-network method of contraception or contraceptive care (including with respect to insertion, removal, and follow-up), any sterilization procedure, or any related patient education or counseling service. The bill requires DOD to provide information on emergency contraceptives and care to sexual assault survivors at its medical treatment facilities. Upon request by a sexual assault survivor, DOD must provide such emergency contraceptives or a prescription for emergency contraceptives. Finally, DOD must establish a uniform standard curriculum for education programs on family planning for all members of the Armed Forces. Such education programs must be provided to service members during their first year of service and at other appropriate times, as determined by each military department.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2023
Firearm Safety Act of 2023 This bill allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for firearms and firearm components.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2023
This resolution honors the contributions of small businesses in the United States and supports the designation of National Small Business Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2023
Baltic Security Initiative Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to carry out an initiative to deepen security cooperation with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The goals of this initiative include (1) achieving U.S. national security objectives by deterring Russian aggression; (2) enhancing regional planning and cooperation among these countries, particularly with respect to long-term regional capabilities such as long-range precision fire systems and integrated air and missile defense; and (3) improving these countries' cyber defenses. DOD must also submit to Congress a strategy for accomplishing these goals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2023
Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion from Trauma Act or the RISE from Trauma Act This bill reauthorizes, establishes, and extends programs to support youth and families who have experienced, or may experience, trauma. The bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, school-based grants to increase access to trauma-support and mental health services, public health data collection about adverse childhood experiences, and a task force on trauma-informed care. It also establishes grants for multi-sector demonstration projects to mitigate trauma and toxic stress; improving outcomes for hospital patients who experience drug overdoses, suicide attempts, or violent injury; and clinical training in infant and early childhood mental health. Additionally, the bill authorizes (1) federal agencies to use specified discretionary funds for pilot projects to address traumatic exposures among children, and (2) Department of Justice (DOJ) grants to prevent trauma in children by reducing their exposure to violence and trauma. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must provide resources for training frontline service providers and certain community members about trauma, toxic stress, and resilience. In addition, DOJ must establish a national center to disseminate resources to law enforcement agencies to improve interactions with youth and families who are exposed to violence and trauma. The bill also incorporates trauma-informed practices in programs for health care professional education, health care access, and educators.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Kids Online Safety Act This bill sets out requirements to protect minors from online harms. The requirements apply to covered platforms, which are applications or services (e.g., social networks) that connect to the internet and are likely to be used by minors. However, the bill exempts internet service providers, email services, educational institutions, and other specified entities from the requirements. Covered platforms must act in the best interest of minors using the applications or services, including by mitigating harms that may arise from that use (e.g., sexual exploitation and online bullying). Additionally, covered platforms must provide (1) minors (or their parents or guardians) with certain safeguards, such as settings that restrict access to minors' personal data; and (2) parents or guardians with tools to supervise minors' use of a platform, such as control of privacy and account settings. Covered platforms must also disclose specified information, including details regarding the use of personalized recommendation systems and targeted advertising; allow parents, guardians, minors, and schools to report certain harms; refrain from facilitating advertising of age-restricted products or services (e.g., tobacco and gambling) to minors; and annually report on foreseeable risks of harm to minors from using the platform. The bill provides for enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission and states. Further, the bill establishes a program to facilitate relevant independent research for noncommercial purposes and a council to advise on implementing the bill. It also requires guidance for market and product research focused on minors and an evaluation of options to verify a user's age.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Federal Prison Oversight Act This bill establishes an inspections regime for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General must conduct risk-based evaluations of BOP facilities. An inspection of a facility may be announced or unannounced. Higher risk facilities must receive more frequent inspections. The bill (1) provides for the establishment in DOJ of an Ombudsman who may receive complaints, make inquiries, and recommend actions, and decline to investigate or take action, as specified; and (2) prohibits BOP retaliation against any person or entity that has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, investigation, or inspection under this bill. The ombudsman shall coordinate with the BOP to educate incarcerated people, their representatives, and the public about the existence and functions of the ombudsman.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Increased TSP Access Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications. (TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, who work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.) The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs. USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors). In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify TSPs not later than 40 business days after receiving an application. USDA must review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity not later than 10 business days after receiving a notification from the nonfederal entity. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs. The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA. Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding, contributions, certification results, and utilization rates.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Ending Forced Arbitration of Race Discrimination Act of 2023 This bill prohibits a predispute arbitration agreement from being valid or enforceable with respect to a case relating to a race discrimination dispute at the election of the person alleging the discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2023
Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Project Safe Neighborhoods grant program within the Department of Justice. The bill also allows funds under the program to be used for hiring crime analysts to assist with violent crime reduction efforts; the cost of overtime for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement assistants who assist with the program; purchasing, implementing, and using technology to assist with violent crime reduction efforts; and supporting multijurisdictional task forces.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2023
Citizenship for Essential Workers Act This bill establishes a mechanism for eligible non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who worked as essential workers during the declared COVID-19 public health emergency to apply for and obtain lawful permanent resident status (sometimes referred to as a green card). The bill also narrows certain grounds for deportability and inadmissibility. To be eligible for a green card under this bill, an individual must have earned income at any point during the COVID-19 emergency period doing work deemed essential by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or a state or local government. An individual may also be eligible if that individual is a parent, spouse, or child of (1) an eligible individual who died from COVID-19, or (2) a member of the Armed Forces. Certain individuals shall be ineligible, such as an individual who was a refugee on January 1, 2023. To obtain a green card under this bill, an applying individual must satisfy additional requirements, including by passing a background check. Furthermore, the bill repeals provisions providing for three-year bars and permanent bars to admission into the United States. (Generally, these bars apply to individuals who were previously removed or unlawfully present.) The bill also narrows the scope of certain crime-based grounds for inadmissibility or deportability, such as by redefining the term conviction to exclude expunged convictions. The Department of Justice or DHS may waive certain grounds of inadmissibility or deportability (1) for humanitarian purposes, (2) to ensure family unity, or (3) for the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2023
Sunlight in Workplace Harassment Act This bill requires issuers of securities to annually disclose to the public information about certain alleged acts of sexual abuse, harassment, or discrimination in the workplace or between employees. Specifically, the issuer must disclose settlements, judgements, and active complaints regarding alleged acts of sexual abuse, harassment, or discrimination as defined by the bill. These disclosures must include the number of settlements, judgements, or active complaints; the number of these that involve acts committed by a corporate executive; the total dollar amount paid out; and the date on which the alleged act occurred. The bill limits the required disclosure by the issuer if the victim of the alleged act objects to its reporting.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
This resolution designates April 2023 as Financial Literacy Month.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2023 This bill allows certain adjunct faculty to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Specifically, the bill allows adjunct faculty, teachers, or lecturers in nontenured track employment to participate in the PSLF program if they (1) teach at least 9 credit hours per semester, 6 credit hours per trimester, or 18 credit hours per calendar year or at least 30 hours per week at an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a tribal college or university; and (2) do not have another full-time job.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Fair Adjudications for Immigrants Act This bill narrows the scope of certain crime-based grounds for barring or removing a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) from the United States. (Generally, a conviction for certain crimes, such as a crime that carries a term of incarceration of a certain length, may constitute grounds for denying an individual certain immigration benefits.) The bill redefines the term conviction to exclude convictions that have been dismissed, expunged, deferred, annulled, invalidated, withheld, vacated, or pardoned. The term must also exclude adjudications where a court issued a recommendation against removal, an order of probation without entry of judgment, or a similar disposition. In addition, any reference to a term of imprisonment or sentence must, unless otherwise provided (1) only consider the period of incarceration ordered by a court, and (2) exclude any suspended portion of a sentence. Currently, for immigration purposes, a term of incarceration includes any part of the sentence that was suspended. These provisions pertaining to the definition of conviction and terms of imprisonment shall apply to convictions and judgments entered either before or after this bill's enactment. Furthermore, certain crime-based grounds for barring or removing a non-U.S. national shall not apply if the sentencing court issues a recommendation that the alien not be removed on the basis of the conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Living Donor Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits certain insurance carriers from discriminating against, and provides other protections for, living organ donors. Specifically, carriers may not deny, cancel, or otherwise impose conditions on policies for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance based on an individual's status as a living organ donor. The bill also expressly specifies that recovery from organ-donation surgery constitutes a serious health condition that entitles eligible employees to job-protected medical leave. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must update educational materials on living organ donation to include information about the benefits of living organ donation and about access to insurance for living organ donors.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act This bill prohibits a predispute arbitration agreement from being valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
This resolution condemns the murder of Eswatini human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and expresses concern about reports of continued human rights violations in Eswatini. The resolution also calls on Eswatini (1) to fully investigate the murder, (2) to uphold human rights and freedoms, (3) to engage in a national dialogue regarding democratic reforms, and (4) to fully staff and empower Commission of Human Rights and Public Accountability (CHRPA) investigators. It also calls on the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights to conduct an independent investigation and encourages the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to maintain and to expand support for human rights in Eswatini.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2023 or the SAFE Banking Act of 2023 This bill provides protections for federally regulated financial institutions that serve state-sanctioned marijuana businesses. Currently, many financial institutions do not provide services to state-sanctioned marijuana businesses due to the federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance. Under the bill, a federal banking regulator may not penalize a depository institution for providing banking services to a state-sanctioned marijuana business. For example, regulators may not terminate or limit the deposit or share insurance of a depository institution solely because the institution provides financial services to a state-sanctioned marijuana business. The bill also prohibits a federal banking regulator from requesting or ordering a depository institution to terminate a customer account unless (1) the regulator has determined that the depository institution is engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice or is violating a law or regulation, and (2) that determination is not based primarily on reputation risk. Additionally, proceeds from a transaction involving activities of a state-sanctioned marijuana business are no longer considered proceeds from unlawful activity. (Financial institutions that handle proceeds from unlawful activity are subject to anti-money laundering laws. Violators of these laws are subject to fines and imprisonment.) Furthermore, a financial institution, insurer, or federal agency may not be held liable or subject to asset forfeiture under federal law for providing a loan, mortgage, or other financial service to a state-sanctioned marijuana business.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Right to Read Act of 2023 This bill expands access to school libraries and literacy skills support for elementary and secondary school students. It also outlines certain constitutional rights and liability protections related to school libraries. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2028 (1) the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program, which provides grants to ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children through 12th grade; and (2) the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program, which provides grants to support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities. Additionally, the bill allows Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants to be used to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining state-certified school librarians. Further, the bill authorizes states and LEAs to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for programs and activities that promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills. The Department of Education (ED) must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on school libraries. ED must require an assurance from each state and LEA receiving certain funds confirming that it will (1) protect the First Amendment rights of students in school libraries, and (2) provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws. The bill also provides liability protection to teachers, school librarians, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and other staff for actions that conform with state or local policies regarding the right to read.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Election Worker Protection Act of 2023 This bill establishes certain protections for election workers. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or harass an election worker with the intent to interfere with the official duties of, or retaliate against, the worker. The bill extends (1) the prohibition on certain types of intimidation in federal elections to also prohibit intimidation for processing ballots or tabulating, canvassing, or certifying votes; and (2) the prohibition on public disclosure of restricted personal information to also prohibit the disclosure of information about election officials, poll workers, or election volunteers in connection with a federal election. The bill also authorizes election officials to remove poll observers who are interfering with or attempting to disrupt the administration of an election. Additionally, the bill directs the Election Assistance Commission to award grants to states (or local governments under specified circumstances) for (1) recruiting and training individuals to serve as poll workers and election volunteers on dates of elections for public office, and (2) physical security services and social media threat monitoring for election workers. The bill directs the Department of Justice to (1) provide training to law enforcement and federal attorneys on addressing threats to election workers, and (2) establish a grant program to support programs to prevent the disclosure of personally identifiable information of election workers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act This bill sets out protections for and establishes programs to support health care providers (and those who assist such providers) who offer reproductive health care services that are lawful in the state where the services are provided. Reproductive health care services refer to abortion services; contraceptive services; in vitro fertilization; or other reproductive care, education, and counseling that is provided (1) at a health care site or via telehealth, and (2) in a medically accurate manner. The bill prohibits individuals, entities, and states from preventing, restricting, or otherwise interfering with the provision of lawful reproductive health care services by health care providers. The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations. Furthermore, states may not use federal funds to pursue legal cases or similar proceedings (e.g., adverse licensing proceedings) against health care providers, individuals, or entities that offer or assist with lawful reproductive health care services. Additionally, medical malpractice insurers may not deny coverage to or sue a health care provider solely because the provider offers or assists with lawful reproductive health care services. The bill also funds grants to assist health care providers who offer or refer for abortion services and face legal issues relating to their provision of reproductive health care services with legal matters and improving security.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for qualifying hospitals, including hospitals in rural areas and health professional shortage areas. Current law provides for an increase of up to 200 positions per fiscal year beginning in FY2023, with a total increase of 1,000 positions; each hospital may receive up to 25 additional positions. Current law also provides for an additional increase of up to 200 positions for FY2026, with at least 100 of these positions for psychiatry or related specialties; each hospital may receive up to 10 additional positions. The bill provides for an additional increase of 2,000 positions per fiscal year from FY2025-FY2031; during this period, each hospital may receive up to 75 additional positions in total under the bill and current law. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on strategies to increase the diversity of the health professional workforce, including with respect to representation from rural, low-income, and minority communities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2023 This bill requires the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and the Treasury to develop and implement a strategy to prevent or intercept the importation or trafficking of machinegun conversion devices. The term machinegun conversion device means parts or combinations of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. The bill also specifies that proceeds derived from the illegal trafficking of a machinegun are subject to seizure and forfeiture.