United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
Big Cat Public Safety Act This bill revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2019; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
Indo-Pacific Cooperation Act of 2019 This bill states that it is U.S. policy to expand alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe to develop a unified approach to addressing the diplomatic, economic, and military challenges posed by China.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2019 This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit conduct, including bullying (including cyberbullying through electronic communications) and harassment, that (1) limits students' ability to participate in, or benefit from, school programs; or (2) creates a hostile or abusive educational environment that adversely affects students' education. LEAs shall also provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct, and report on, an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics shall collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 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) an otherwise required treatment has been ineffective, (2) such treatment is expected to be ineffective and delaying effective treatment would lead to irreversible consequences, (3) such treatment will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction to the individual, (4) such treatment is expected to prevent the individual from performing daily activities or occupational responsibilities, (5) the individual is stable based on the prescription drugs already selected, or (6) there are other circumstances as determined by the Employee Benefits Security Administration. 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, including required information and criteria for granting an exception. The bill further specifies timelines under which plans must respond to such requests.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Retirement Security Week and acknowledges the need to raise public awareness of a variety of tax-preferred retirement vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
This resolution (1) designates Malnutrition Awareness Week, (2) recognizes the work of nutrition professionals and others in advancing awareness and prevention of malnutrition, and (3) recognizes the importance of federal nutrition programs in preventing and treating malnutrition and the need to reauthorize certain programs to provide nutrition assistance to vulnerable populations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019
This resolution instructs Senate conferees on the conference committee for S. 1790 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020) to insist upon certain provisions in the House amendment that relate to paid family leave for federal personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2019
School Safety Clearinghouse Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a School Safety Clearinghouse as a central resource for evidence-based practices and other information on school-safety topics. DHS shall develop tiers for determining evidence-based practices that demonstrate a significant effect on improving the health, safety, and welfare of persons in school settings.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2019
Whistleblower Programs Improvement Act This bill expands whistleblower protections with regard to commodities and securities law violations. Specifically, the bill extends protections from retaliation to individuals who (1) assist in a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation of these violations, (2) make disclosures that are required or protected under any law subject to the CFTC's or the SEC's jurisdiction, or (3) provide information to supervisors or other employees with the authority to investigate potential misconduct. Currently, these protections apply only to individuals who report information directly to the CFTC or the SEC. The bill also provides for the processing of these whistleblower awards no later than one year after the deadline to file a claim.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2019
This resolution designates September 2019 as National Kinship Care Month and encourages community stakeholders to work together to improve well-being for vulnerable children and families.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Reporting Efficiently to Proper Officials in Response to Terrorism Act of 2019 or the REPORT Act This bill requires the primary government agency investigating an act of terrorism to submit to Congress an unclassified report within one year after the agency completes its investigation. The agency shall conduct such investigation in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Counterterrorism Center. Such requirement shall not apply in instances in which DHS, DOJ, the FBI, or the center determines that the information required to be reported could jeopardize an ongoing investigation or prosecution, in which case the principal agency making such determination must notify Congress. Such a report shall (1) identify any gaps in national security that could be addressed to prevent future acts of terrorism, and (2) include any recommendations for additional measures that could be taken to improve homeland security.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Guaranteeing Equipment Safety for Firefighters Act of 2019 This bill requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to study and report on the contents and composition of certain firefighting equipment. Such study shall examine perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, in new and unused personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by firefighters. PFAS are man-made substances that may have adverse human health effects, and which are contained in a variety of PPE. Specifically NIST must study (1) the identity, prevalence, and concentration of PFAS in such PPE; (2) the conditions and extent to which PFAS are released into the environment from the degradation of such PPE from normal use by firefighters; and (3) the relative risk of exposure to PFAS faced by firefighters. NIST shall issue a solicitation for research proposals to carry out recommendations from its report and award grants to applicants that submit proposals to develop safe alternatives to PFAS in firefighters' PPE.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act or the Direct CARE Opportunity Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to recruit, retain, or provide advancement opportunities to direct care workers. The term "direct care worker" includes home health aides, psychiatric aides, nursing assistants, and personal care aides who assist seniors and persons with disabilities in their homes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019
Ending New Nicotine Dependencies Act of 2019 or the ENND Act This bill revises requirements for electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, and vape pens). Specifically, the bill prohibits electronic nicotine delivery systems from containing flavors other than tobacco; sets forth standards on the permissible design of these systems; requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report on the public health risks of tobacco use, including a focus on these systems and other alternative tobacco products; subjects these systems to excise tax requirements; and directs HHS to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the health implications of using these systems.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2019
This concurrent resolution supports existing regulations with the goals of (1) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and oil usage, and (2) protecting national security and human health and welfare. The concurrent resolution also supports policies that will help meet these goals, such as policies that achieve maximum feasible reductions in oil use.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 2019 or the STANDUP Act of 2019 This bill requires state, tribal, and local education agencies that receive grant funding for priority mental-health needs, including through the Project AWARE State Education Agency Grant Program, to establish and implement evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training policies. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in coordination with the Department of Education, must provide educational agencies with best practices for these trainings.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Prevent Evictions Act of 2019 This bill creates a grant program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for states, local governments, tribal governments, and other public or nonprofit entities to establish or administer landlord-tenant mediation programs in which tenants may participate at no cost. In addition, HUD must propose a demonstration project to test an insurance model for preventing evictions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2019
Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating, and Lodging Act of 2019 or the HOTEL Act This bill prohibits federal agencies from using U.S. government funds to pay for expenses at lodging establishments that are owned by or employ certain public officials or their relatives, including by providing travel reimbursement or a per diem allowance for the cost of lodging, with exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2019
This concurrent resolution (1) calls upon the Members of Congress and all people of the United States to observe September 11, 2019, as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives or were injured in the September 11, 2001, attacks, and in tribute to those who came to the aid of those in need and to the defense of the United States; and (2) recognizes the heroic actions of first responders and other citizens in New York, the District of Columbia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019
This resolution designates the week beginning September 8, 2019, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week and commends the contributions of direct support professionals who provide integral services to people with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019
E-Cigarette Tax Parity Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the taxation of electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products at rates applicable to other tobacco products. An "alternative nicotine product" is defined as any product containing nicotine which is suitable for and likely to be offered to, or purchased by, a consumer for the inhalation, ingestion, absorption, or consumption of nicotine, but does not include tobacco, processed tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, or roll-your-own tobacco, or any product approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2019
Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2019 This bill designates approximately 1,559,538 acres of land within Alaska in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019
Women's History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue quarter-dollar coins in commemoration of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote. The design on the reverse of each coin shall be emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of a prominent woman who was a resident of a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. Such coins shall be issued in alphabetical order of the area represented, starting with the state of Alabama. Treasury shall initiate a program to promote collection of the coins and recognition of their subjects, and strike and make available for sale silver bullion coins that are the exact duplicates of the coins.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019
Unclaimed Savings Bond Act of 2019 This bill establishes requirements and procedures for the Department of the Treasury to transfer ownership of matured, unredeemed savings bonds and related records to states.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2019
Trade Certainty Act of 2019 This bill limits the President's authority to use emergency economic powers to impose duties or tariffs on items entering the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act of 2019 or the PFAS Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices to protect them from exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFASs, from firefighting foam and to limit or prevent the release of PFASs into the environment. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. FEMA shall (1) develop and issue guidance on alternative foams, personal protective equipment, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFASs; and (2) create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
This concurrent resolution commemorates, on December 16, 2019, the 75th anniversary of World War II's Battle of the Bulge. The resolution also recognizes the valiant efforts of the Allied Forces and expresses remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Allied victory in the European Theater.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
This joint resolution rescinds the State Relief and Empowerment Waivers guidance issued on October 24, 2018, which relaxes the criteria for states to obtain waivers from certain health insurance plan coverage requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act This bill allows state Medicaid fraud control units to investigate complaints of patient abuse or neglect in additional settings. Specifically, the bill allows a unit to review complaints regarding Medicaid patients who are in noninstitutional or other settings. Currently, such units may review complaints regarding patients who are in Medicaid-funded health care facilities or certain board-and-care facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services Act or the Rural MOMS Act This bill expands initiatives to address maternal health in rural areas. The bill provides funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish rural obstetric networks for improving outcomes in birth and maternal morbidity. Specifically, these networks must (1) connect individuals with care providers, (2) identify successful maternal-care models, (3) facilitate collaboration among rural providers, (4) provide training and guidance, (5) collaborate with academic institutions that have regional expertise, and (6) measure and address inequities in birth outcomes among rural residents. HRSA also must award five-year demonstration program grants to (1) train physicians, medical residents, and other practitioners to provide maternal and obstetric services in rural communities; and (2) support academic programs that develop or provide training to improve maternal care in rural areas. Further, the bill adds maternal-health services as part of the telehealth network and telehealth resource-centers grant programs. The bill also makes a series of changes to the research and reporting requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Government Accountability Office with respect to data on maternal-health outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019 This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on a remote seller for any sale that occurred prior to June 21, 2018. A "remote seller" is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. A state may impose a sales tax collection duty on a remote seller only for a sale that occurs after January 1, 2021. In the case of a small business remote seller (no more than $10 million in gross annual receipts in the United States), a state may not impose a sales tax collection duty on any person other than the purchaser if the sale is made (1) on or after June 21, 2018; and (2) before the date that is 30 days after the states develop and Congress approves an interstate compact, applicable to the state and sale, governing the imposition of tax collection duties on remote sellers.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2019
This resolution designates September 2019 as National Child Awareness Month to (1) promote awareness of youth-serving charities and organizations throughout the United States, (2) recognize the efforts made by those charities and organizations as critical contributions to the future of the United States, and (3) recognize the importance of meeting the needs of at-risk children and youth.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 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 · 31 July 2019
This resolution (1) congratulates the United States Women's National Soccer Team for winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, and (2) stands in solidarity with the women of that team as they fight for equal pay.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League, a professional baseball league that was formed in response to African-American players being banned from baseball's major leagues. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. All surcharges from sales of these coins shall be paid to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Grid Modernization Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a program to modernize the electric grid, including by (1) developing standards to compare the storage capacity, cycle length, capabilities, and reliability of different types of electricity storage; (2) promoting the development of micro-grid systems; (3) facilitating a collaborative process to develop model grid architecture; and (4) ensuring a reliable, resilient, affordable, safe, and secure electric grid. (A micro-grid system means a stand-alone electrical system that uses grid-scale energy storage.) DOE must also establish a grant program to carry out projects related to the modernization of the electric grid, including the application of technologies to improve observability, advanced controls, and prediction of system performance on the distribution system.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Advancing Cybersecurity Diagnostics and Mitigation Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a program to assist agencies with continuously diagnosing and mitigating cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Pursuant to this program, DHS shall (1) develop the capability to collect, analyze, and visualize information relating to security data and cybersecurity risks at agencies; (2) make program capabilities available for use by civilian agencies, states, and local governments; (3) assist such entities in setting information security priorities and assessing and managing cybersecurity risks; and (4) develop policies and procedures for reporting systemic risks and potential incidents. DHS must also regularly deploy new technologies to improve the program. In addition, the Government Accountability Office must report on the potential impacts and benefits of replacing existing reporting requirements under the federal information policy with periodical real-time data provided by the program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2019 This bill credits certain individuals who provide at least 80 hours of care per month to dependent relatives without monetary compensation with up to five years of deemed wages (determined by a specified formula) for purposes of determining Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits. However, this requirement shall not apply if a larger benefit or payment would otherwise be payable. The bill also authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to support state programs that provide medical training to individuals who provide care to dependent relatives without monetary compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections. The amendment grants Congress and the states the power to implement and enforce this amendment by legislation. They are allowed to distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
This resolution designates September 25, 2019, as National Lobster Day and encourages the observance of the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019
This resolution urges (1) the Federation Internationale de Football Association to eliminate gender pay inequity and treat all athletes with respect and dignity; and (2) all other local, state, federal, and international organizations to eliminate gender pay inequity. The resolution expresses support for an end to gender pay inequity in the workplace, including athletic competitions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2019
Freedom for Americans to Travel to Cuba Act of 2019 This bill establishes that any law, regulation, or policy that prohibits or restricts travel to or from Cuba, or transactions incident to such travel, shall have no effect. The President may not restrict or prohibit such travel or transactions unless doing so is necessary to protect (1) U.S. national security, or (2) the health and safety of U.S. citizens or legal residents.