United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018
Keep Families Together Act This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless: an authorized state court determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed; a state or county child welfare official with expertise in child trauma and development determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed because of abuse or neglect; or the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a documented finding that the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a victim, a strong likelihood exists that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect. An agency may not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goals of deterring migration to the United States or of promoting immigration law compliance. The bill sets forth presumptions: (1) in favor of family and sibling unity and parental rights, and (2) that detention is not in the best interests of families and children. The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study of the prosecution of asylum seekers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to revise administrative and judicial dispute resolution procedures for initiating and resolving claims by employees alleging that employing offices have violated their CAA rights and protections, including protections against sexual harassment. The bill revises CAA provisions, including to: eliminate CAA counseling requirements and make mediation an employee's option before filing a claim with the Office of Compliance (OOC) alleging the violation; require current and former Members of Congress to reimburse the Treasury for compensatory damages included in an award or settlement resulting from the Member's alleged act of discrimination or retaliation; require referral to congressional ethics committees of final disposition of claims alleging CAA violations by Members of Congress and senior staff of employing offices; require non-congressional legislative offices that violate CAA requirements to reimburse the Treasury for resulting award or settlement payments; extend CAA nondiscrimination requirements and remedies to uncompensated legislative branch interns, detailees, and fellows; and provide OOC and CAA resources and services to employees outside of the Washington, DC area. The bill applies CAA rights and protections to the China Review Commission, the Congressional-Executive China Commission, the Helsinki Commission, the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development, and their employees. Non-congressional CAA employing offices must develop programs to train and educate employees about their CAA rights and protections and available procedures to consider alleged CAA violations. The bill renames the OOC the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement Act of 2018 This bill modifies and provides statutory authority for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). CREP is a subprogram of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), under which USDA partners with states to target high-priority conservation concerns, and the states contribute funding to allow for higher CRP payments and continuous sign-ups to address the concerns. The bill directs USDA, to the maximum extent practicable, to enroll at least 3 million acres of land in CREP by September 30, 2023.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Justice Against Corruption on K Street Act of 2018 or the JACK Act This bill requires each lobbyist registration and lobbying quarterly report to include the date of conviction and description of the offense of any listed lobbyist convicted of an offense involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Supporting Family-Focused Residential Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop guidance for states on ways to support family-focused residential treatment programs (substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women, as well as parents and guardians, which allow their children to remain with them during treatment). The guidance must include descriptions of funding opportunities under Medicaid and federal foster care and adoption assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Building Capacity for Family-Focused Residential Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants in order to support the development and evaluation of family-focused residential treatment programs (substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women, as well as parents and guardians, which allow their children to remain with them during treatment).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Help for Moms and Babies Act This bill allows states to receive federal payment under Medicaid for outside services that are provided to pregnant and postpartum women who are substance use disorder patients at institutions for mental diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Securing Flexibility to Treat Substance Use Disorders Act This bill provides statutory authority for states to receive federal Medicaid payment for monthly capitation payments to managed care organizations for services provided in institutions for mental diseases to enrollees aged 21 to 64. Such services must be provided for no longer than 15 days per month and in lieu of other services covered under the state Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Commit to Opioid Medical Prescriber Accountability and Safety for Seniors Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify outlier prescribers of opioids under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans. Specifically, the CMS must: (1) establish an opioid-prescription threshold for determining whether a prescriber is an outlier compared to other prescribers, based on specialty and geographic area; (2) use National Provider Identifiers (unique provider identification numbers currently included on claims for covered drugs) to identify outlier prescribers; and (3) annually notify identified outlier prescribers of their status and provide them with resources on proper prescribing methods. The CMS may also identify and notify outlier prescribers based on co-prescriptions of covered drugs that have adverse effects when used in combination with opioids. Persistent outlier prescribers are subject to additional requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs Enhancement Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish annually a report on the prevalence of substance use disorders and associated treatment within the Medicaid population in each state and U.S. territory. The report must include the number of substance use disorder diagnoses and the types of treatment received. The CMS must use specified data to compile the report and must make the data available to researchers and states.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Enhancing Patient Access to Non-Opioid Treatment Options This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop guidance for states on non-opioid treatments that may be provided under Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Telehealth for Children’s Access to Services and Treatment Act or the TeleCAST Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on children's access to substance use disorder services under Medicaid. The report must include an analysis of: (1) state options to improve access, such as via telehealth services at school-based health centers in underserved areas; and (2) reimbursement rates for substance use disorder services. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must report on ways to reduce barriers to the use of telehealth services for children with substance use disorders under Medicaid. The report must include an analysis of the differences between telehealth and in-person services with respect to specified metrics (e.g., costs and quality of care).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Assessing Barriers to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on barriers to the provision of medication used to treat substance use disorders (e.g., buprenorphine) under Medicaid distribution models (e.g., provider purchasing, storage, and administration of medications).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
This bill requires electronic prescription programs to enable the secure transmittal of prior authorization requests for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 or VA MISSION Act of 2018 This bill consolidates Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care programs, revises other VA health care programs and facilities provisions, and makes appropriations for veterans care. The bill establishes the Veterans Community Care Program to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through certain non-VA providers to veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system or otherwise entitled to VA care. The VA may enter agreements with non-VA providers to furnish veterans with care that is otherwise not feasibly available. The VA shall: (1) establish standards for VA health care quality and for non-VA care in areas of VA expertise, (2) prohibit rehiring previously-removed VA providers, (3) provide prompt payment to providers, and (4) establish opioid prescribing practices for non-VA providers. The Veterans Choice Program is terminated after one year. The bill establishes the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment. The VA may: (1) provide care for the live donor of a transplant for a veteran, and (2) carry out a Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program and other actions to recruit health care professionals. The VA family caregiver program is expanded. The Office of Management and Budget shall review each enhanced-use facility lease. The bill establishes pilot programs for medical scribes, mobile deployment teams for underserved facilities, and graduate medical education. The bill extends VA pension reductions for Medicare-covered veterans in nursing homes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Opioid Abuse Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a secure online portal to allow: (1) data sharing among the CMS, Medicare prescription drug benefit plans, and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans; and (2) referrals by such plans of suspicious activities related to fraud, waste, or abuse in order to initiate or assist investigations by contracted entities under the Medicare Integrity Program. The CMS must disseminate and report certain collected information to such plans, including information regarding providers that were referred through the portal and trends in identifying suspicious activity. Additionally, for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, MA organizations must submit information to the CMS regarding credible evidence of suspected fraud or other actions taken by MA plans regarding inappropriate prescribing of opioids (as determined by the CMS).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop guidance for states on how to obtain federal reimbursement under Medicaid for substance use disorder telehealth services, including services provided in school-based health centers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Better Data Sharing to Combat the Opioid Crisis Act This bill allows state Medicaid agencies, to the extent permitted under state law, to: (1) access prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), (2) facilitate access to PDMPs for Medicaid providers and managed care entities, and (3) share accessed information with such providers and entities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Comprehensive Screenings for Seniors Act of 2018 This bill requires the initial examinations for new enrollees and annual wellness visits under Medicare to include: (1) a screening for potential substance use disorders, and (2) a review of any current opioid prescriptions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Caring Recovery for Infants and Babies Act or the CRIB Act This bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover residential pediatric recovery center services for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018
Fighting the Opioid Epidemic with Sunshine Act of 2018 This bill expands Medicaid and Medicare reporting requirements related to the transparency of physician ownership or investment interests. Under current law, a manufacturer of drugs, devices, or medical supplies that are covered under Medicaid or Medicare must regularly report on any payment or transfer of value by the manufacturer to a “covered recipient,” defined as either a physician who is not an employee of the manufacturer or a teaching hospital. The bill expands the definition of “covered recipient” to also include any of the following practitioners who is not an employee of the manufacturer: (1) a physician assistant, (2) a nurse practitioner, (3) a clinical nurse specialist, (4) a certified registered nurse anesthetist, or (5) a certified nurse-midwife.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018
Major General Tim Lowenberg National Guard Cyber Defenders Act This bill allows certain military reserve components, including a reserve assigned or attached to a reserve component cyber civil support team, to perform duties to prepare for or respond to any emergency involving an attack or natural disaster impacting a computer, electronic, or cyber network. By September 30, 2022, each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands shall have an operational reserve component cyber civil support team composed of reserve component members of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018
National Law Enforcement Museum 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 that are emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC, and the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States. All sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be distributed to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018
Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act of 2018 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a joint task force to enhance DHS border security operations to detect, interdict, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States. The task force may coordinate with the private sector and with other federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, or international task forces and entities. DHS shall determine whether to establish the task force and notify Congress of its determination within 90 days.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act of 2018 This bill prohibits deceptive representation regarding the cost, price, efficacy, performance, benefit, risk, or safety of opioid treatment programs or products.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018
Using Data to Prevent Opioid Diversion Act of 2018 This bill establishes a new requirement intended to help drug manufacturers and distributors identify and prevent suspicious orders of opioids and reduce rates of diversion. Specifically, the Drug Enforcement Administration must to use its automated data system—the Automated Reports and Consolidated Ordering System—to inform drug manufacturers and distributors about the quantity and type of opioids that are distributed to pharmacies and practitioners.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2018
Music Modernization Act This bill makes various changes to copyright law related to sound recordings, including providing protection for sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, creating a system for paying royalties to producers and sound engineers, and establishing a statutory blanket license for digital music services. The blanket license allows music services to distribute sound recordings covered by the license without negotiating for the rights for each individual recording, as long as the music service complies with the license's requirements, such as paying the required royalties.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2018
Fossil Energy Utilization, Enhancement, and Leadership Act of 2018 This bill addresses carbon capture, utilization, and storage, including by requiring the Department of Energy to: establish a program to develop technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, and environmental performance of coal use; implement a research, development, and demonstration carbon utilization program; assess opportunities relating to commercializing carbon dioxide; convene an interagency task force to assess the potential for a national system of carbon dioxide pipelines; and carry out a program to develop advanced separation technologies for the extraction and recovery of rare earth elements and minerals from coal.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2018
Handle With Care Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Department of Education, to award five-year demonstration grants to states to address the impact of substance use-related trauma on children and youth in public schools.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2018
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Act of 2018 This bill amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to rename: (1) the Department of Agriculture as the "Department of Agriculture and Rural Development," and (2) the position of Secretary of Agriculture as the "Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development."
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Business of Insurance Regulatory Reform Act of 2018 This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to revise the authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) over activities regulated by a state insurance regulator. The CFPB may not enforce the Act against any person regulated by a state insurance regulator and offering a consumer financial product or service, to the extent that person is engaged in the business of insurance. If a person engaged in the business of insurance is regulated by a state insurance regulator but otherwise subject to the Act, the CFPB must construe its authority narrowly.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John Melcher, Senator from Montana. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 18, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator Melcher.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Energy Reliability Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit through 2022 for a portion of the expenses for the operation or maintenance of a coal-powered electric generation unit, excluding expenses for coal. The credit applies to taxpayers who own or lease an electric generation unit that: (1) uses coal to produce at least 75% of the electricity produced by the unit, and (2) has constructed and installed emissions controls pursuant to specified Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations or any other applicable federal emissions control requirements that are equal to or more stringent than the EPA regulations. Taxpayers may transfer the credit to an eligible project partner. An "eligible project partner" is a person who: is responsible for operating, maintaining, or repairing the unit; participates in the provision, including transportation, of coal or other materials and supplies to the unit; provides financing for the construction, expansion, repair, or operation of the unit; or leases the unit. If a unit claims a credit under this bill, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must require the applicable reliability coordinator to conduct an assessment analyzing the reliability and resilience attributes offered by the unit to the regional grid in which it is located. FERC must submit to Congress: (1) the results of the assessments, and (2) a recommendation as to whether the credit should be extended after 2022.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Designates March 29, 2018, as Vietnam Veterans Day. Recognizes the contributions of veterans who served in Vietnam or in support of operations in Vietnam during war and peace.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2018
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should take action to ensure that the electricity markets fully recognize the reliability and resilience benefits of coal-fired and nuclear baseload power generation resources serving the bulk power system.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to opioid use, including programs to support pain management research, training for first responders, treatment and recovery centers, awareness campaigns, and controlled substance regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2018
Hemp Farming Act of 2018 This bill legalizes industrial hemp that has a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration of no more than 0.3% by removing it from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. States and Indian tribes may regulate the production of hemp by submitting a plan to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill also makes hemp producers eligible for the federal crop insurance program and certain USDA research grants.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2018
Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act of 2018 This bill directs the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Justice to award grants to states to increase the number of pharmacies and other eligible entities (e.g., narcotic treatment programs) that collect unused controlled substances for disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Jobs Plus Recovery Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a pilot program to award grants to local boards to carry out Jobs Plus Recovery programs (including screening services, an individual treatment and employment plan, outpatient treatment and recovery care, supportive services, and career job training services) through partnerships with specified entities, such as treatment providers and community-based organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel K. Akaka, Senator from Hawaii. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 10, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2018
Extends deepest condolences and gratitude to the family of Zell Bryan Miller, the former governor and Senator of Georgia. Honors his legacy and life, his commitment to the people of Georgia and the United States, and his service to the Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns April 10, 2018, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Miller.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2018
Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act or the USE IT Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a competitive prize program for certain technology projects that capture carbon dioxide directly from the air, and (2) a Direct Air Capture Technology Advisory Board to advise the EPA on carrying out the program. The EPA must: (1) carry out a research and development program for carbon dioxide utilization to promote technologies that transform carbon dioxide generated by industrial processes into a product of commercial value, and (2) support activities relating to carbon dioxide utilization by providing technical and financial assistance. The bill amends the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act to apply the Act's accelerated environmental review and permitting procedures to the construction of infrastructure that captures, utilizes, or sequesters carbon dioxide and the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must publish guidance to: (1) facilitate reviews associated with the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects and carbon dioxide pipelines; and (2) identify activities that transform captured carbon dioxide into a product of commercial value. The CEQ must also establish at least two task forces to identify permitting challenges that permitting authorities and project developers and operators face.
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