cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Community Reentry Act of 2020

To amend title 18, United States Code, to encourage the placement of released Federal prisoners in residential reentry centers near their homes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Community Reentry Act of 2020 2. Findings Congress finds as follows: (1) Researchers find that visitation from family and community members help mitigate recidivism rates among incarcerated individuals. Removing geographical barriers for inmates hoping to stay in touch with their families or members of their community may help lower recidivism rates. These continued relationships alleviate the risk of challenges such as unemployment, homelessness, and debt upon release. (2) In a study of inmates jailed close to home, the Vera Institute of Justice found that most participants rely on family support to stay off of drugs and maintain requirements of parole as well as care for children. (3) According to the Vera study, more than 80 percent of jailed respondents rely on family for support and more than 70 percent rely on friends. Even while incarcerated, inmates continue to rely heavily on their family and community outside of prison for basic needs and survival. (4) Family members report that distance is the greatest barrier to visiting incarcerated relatives while costs, such as transportation, follows. By removing geographical and cost barriers, family members of the incarcerated may have an opportunity to maintain a relationship with their incarcerated loved one. (5) Incarcerated persons should be afforded opportunities to change and heal. Strengthening relationships between inmates and the family and community members they have left behind will help decrease recidivism rates and heal fragmented familial and community relationships. 3. Prerelease custody Section 3624(c)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Subject to the availability of appropriations and of bed space availability, the Director shall place a prisoner in a residential reentry center that is within 50 miles of the prisoner’s previous or anticipated permanent legal address, except when the prisoner waives his right to be placed in such a center for reasons such as— (A) safety of the prisoner or his family; (B) physical or mental health; or (C) any other reason deemed to be acceptable by the Director. .

Summary: Community Reentry Act of 2020 This bill modifies requirements with respect to the prerelease placement of inmates in residential reentry centers. Specifically, it requires the Bureau of Prisons to place a prisoner in a residential reentry center that is within 50 miles of the prisoner's previous or anticipated permanent legal address, subject to bed space availability. A prisoner may waive the right to be placed in such a center for reasons such as health or safety.
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain tax benefits related to empowerment zones to the District of Columbia.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain tax benefits related to empowerment zones to the District of Columbia. 1. District of Columbia treated as empowerment zone (a) In general Section 1391(b)(2) There shall be treated as an empowerment zone designated under this section so much of the District of Columbia as would result in the largest area within DC meeting the eligibility requirements for designation under 1391. Deemed treatment under the preceding sentence shall not be taken into account in determining the number of empowerment zones which may be designated under this section. (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to periods beginning after December 31, 2019.

Summary: This bill designates an empowerment zone in the District of Columbia. (Empowerment zones are federally designated geographic areas where certain federal tax incentives and grants are allowed to increase investment and employment.)
Fairness in Firearm Testing Act

To require the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to make video recordings of the examination and testing of firearms and ammunition, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness in Firearm Testing Act 2. Video recording of examination and testing of firearms and ammunition by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Section 1111 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 531 (e) Additional responsibilities regarding examination and testing of firearms and ammunition (1) Video recording required The Bureau shall make a video recording of the entire process of the examination and testing by the Bureau of an item for the purpose of determining, pursuant to section 921(a)(3), 922(o), 922(p), or subsection (a)(3), (a)(4), (d), or (e) of section 925 of title 18, United States Code, or section 5845(a) (2) Availability (A) To owners On request of a person who claims an ownership interest in an item with respect to which a recording is made under paragraph (1), the Bureau shall make available to the person, without charge, a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording. (B) To defendants The Bureau shall make available to a defendant in a criminal proceeding involving an item with respect to which a recording is made under paragraph (1) a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording. (3) Admissibility as evidence An item which the Bureau has determined is a firearm or a type of firearm or ammunition pursuant to any provision of law specified in paragraph (1) shall not be admissible as evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding unless— (A) the Bureau has complied with paragraph (2) with respect to the item; or (B) such compliance has been waived, in writing, by the person against whom the item is offered as evidence. .

Summary: Fairness in Firearm Testing Act This bill establishes additional requirements for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Specifically, the bill requires the ATF to make a video recording of its process for evaluating and testing an item to determine if it is a firearm or ammunition.
Veterans Burial Benefit Correction Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide outer burial receptacles for each new grave in cemeteries that are the subjects of certain grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Burial Benefit Correction Act 2. Outer burial receptacles for each new grave in cemeteries that are the subjects of certain grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 2306(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting , or in a cemetery that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal organization under section 2408 of this title, National Cemetery Administration (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraph (2): (2) The use of outer burial receptacles in— (A) a cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or in a cemetery that is the subject of a grant to a State or a tribal organization under section 2408 of this title shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (B) Arlington National Cemetery shall be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved by the Secretary of the Army. .

Summary: Veterans Burial Benefit Correction Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide an outer burial receptacle (i.e., a container for a casket) for new graves in cemeteries funded by a grant to a state or a tribal organization under the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program.
NIST Plumbing Research Act of 2020

To require the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a premise plumbing research laboratory, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the NIST Plumbing Research Act of 2020 2. Premise plumbing research (a) Premise plumbing defined In this Act, the term premise plumbing (b) Research Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall— (1) establish or designate a laboratory to conduct research on premise plumbing in relation to water safety, security, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience; (2) conduct an organizational review of all research and other activities related to premise plumbing conducted by Federal entities; and (3) appoint one or more officers or employees of the Institute to liaise with non-Federal entities conducting research or other activities related to premise plumbing. (c) Quadrennial reports Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once every 4 years thereafter, the Director shall submit to Congress a report on the progress made by the Institute regarding— (1) the status of the laboratory described in subsection (b)(1), including any staff designated to work in such laboratory; (2) all projects of the Institute related to premise plumbing, including completed projects, projects in progress, and projects planned for the future; (3) updates to data relevant to premise plumbing system structure, design, and construction; and (4) any progress of private organizations in updating premise plumbing standards. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

Summary: NIST Plumbing Research Act of 2020 This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish or designate a laboratory to conduct research on premise plumbing in relation to water safety, security, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience; conduct an organizational review of all research and other activities related to premise plumbing conducted by federal entities; and appoint one or more officers or employees of NIST to liaise with nonfederal entities that are conducting research or other activities related to premise plumbing. The bill defines premise plumbing as the water distribution system within the property lines of a property, including all buildings and permanent structures on such property. This term also includes building supply and distribution pipes, fixtures, fittings, water heaters, water-treating and water-using equipment; and all respective joints, connections, devices, and appurtenances.
To block the implementation of a recent presidential proclamation restricting individuals from certain countries from entering the United States.

To block the implementation of a recent presidential proclamation restricting individuals from certain countries from entering the United States. 1. Funding prohibition No funds, resources, or fees made available to the Secretary of Homeland Security, or to any other official of a Federal agency, by any Act of Congress for any fiscal year may be used to implement or enforce Presidential Proclamation 9983 (85 Fed. Reg. 6699 et seq.), dated January 31, 2020, which restricts the entry into the United States of nationals of certain countries.

Summary: This bill prohibits any federal agency from using any funds, resources, or fees made available by Congress to implement or enforce Presidential Proclamation 9983. The proclamation, which came into effect on February 21, 2020, imposes immigration restrictions on the nationals of Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the health outcomes of the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy, and for other purposes.

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the health outcomes of the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy, and for other purposes. 1. Study on health outcomes of use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which the National Academies agree to conduct a study on the health outcomes of the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy. Such study shall— (1) examine any data gaps in existing Federal and State tobacco use surveillance systems (including the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System), with respect to the incidence of pregnant women who use e-cigarettes and birth and other health outcomes for such women and their children; (2) analyze and assess any ongoing Federal research with respect to that use; and (3) provide recommendations with respect to additional research, programs, and activities the Federal Government and States can undertake to assist pregnant women in ceasing to use e-cigarettes. (b) Report The agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall include a requirement that the National Academies, not later than October 1, 2023, submit to the Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a). 2. Youth Tobacco Prevention Public Awareness Campaigns The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall ensure that any youth tobacco prevention public awareness campaigns conducted by the Department or any of its agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, include awareness and education materials designed to educate women of reproductive age (including pregnant women) on the harmful effects on fetal and postnatal development of the use of tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Summary: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study health outcomes related to the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy. HHS must also address the harmful effects of tobacco use on pregnancy in its youth-focused tobacco-prevention campaigns.
School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2019

To require the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to conduct a survey of all public schools to determine the number of school resource officers at such schools. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2019 2. Survey of public schools Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education shall jointly conduct and submit to Congress, a survey of the assignment of school resource officers at public elementary schools and secondary schools, which shall include, with respect to each such school that chose to respond to such survey, a determination of whether— (1) on or after January 1, 2019, such a school has been assigned a school resource officer; and (2) in the case of a school that has been assigned such an officer— (A) the number of such assignments; and (B) whether each such assignment is on a full-time or part-time basis. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) ESEA terms The terms elementary school secondary school 20 U.S.C. 7801 (2) School resource officer The term school resource officer 34 U.S.C. 10389(4)

Summary: School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to conduct and submit to Congress a survey of the assignment of school resource officers at public elementary and secondary schools.
To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance. 1. Repayment of members of the Armed Forces for contributions toward Post-9/11 Educational Assistance (a) In general Section 3327(f)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking together (as applicable), (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on August 1, 2021.

Summary: This bill modifies the process for repaying service members and veterans who paid to keep benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, but later chose to utilize Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue the repayments with the last monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This requirement has limited the repayments to individuals who are receiving stipends. Under the bill, the VA must make such a repayment before the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to education assistance.
School Watch and Tactics Act of 2019

To direct the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to develop and implement best practices for occupation-specific education for school resource officers. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the School Watch and Tactics Act of 2019 2. Development and implementation of best practices (a) In general The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall— (1) for the purpose of developing best practices for occupation-specific education for school resource officers, consult with— (A) State educational agencies and local educational agencies; (B) State and local law enforcement agencies; (C) school resource officers; (D) principals and other school leaders; (E) school safety experts, including individuals with expertise in tactical responses to security concerns; and (F) any other stakeholders determined to be relevant by the Attorney General; (2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and based on the consultation carried out under paragraph (1), develop and disseminate best practices for any occupation-specific education for school resource officers, including education in tactical responses to active shooter incidents and other security concerns; and (3) publish the best practices developed under paragraph (2) on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Justice. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) School resource officer The term school resource officer 34 U.S.C. 10389(4) (2) ESEA Terms The terms local educational agency school leader State educational agency 20 U.S.C. 7801 3. Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall submit to Congress a report that includes the best practices developed under section 2.

Summary: School Watch and Tactics Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Justice to develop, disseminate, and publish best practices for occupation-specific education for school resource officers.
Forgotten Vietnam Veterans Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the definition of Vietnam era 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Forgotten Vietnam Veterans Act 2. Revision of definition of Vietnam era Section 101(29)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking February 28, 1961 November 1, 1955

Summary: Forgotten Vietnam Veterans Act This bill revises the definition of Vietnam era for purposes of the laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, the bill adjusts the start date of the era to November 1, 1955 (currently February 28, 1961), when relating to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam.
Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income certain combat zone compensation of civilian employees of the United States. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act 2. Exclusion from gross income for certain combat zone compensation of civilian employees of the United States (a) In general Section 112 (e) Civilian employees (1) In general Gross income does not include so much of the compensation as does not exceed the maximum amount specified in subsection (b) for active service as an employee of the United States for any month during any part of which such employee— (A) served in a combat zone, or (B) was hospitalized as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone, but this paragraph shall not apply for any month beginning more than 2 years after the date of the termination of combatant activities in such zone. (2) Definitions For purposes of this subsection— (A) Employee The term employee (B) Active service The term active service . (b) Conforming amendments (1) The heading for section 112 of such Code is amended to read as follows: 112. Certain combat zone compensation of members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United States . (2) The item relating to section 112 in the table of sections for part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended to read as follows: Sec. 112. Certain combat zone compensation of members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United States. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, the compensation of a federal employee who served in a combat zone or was hospitalized as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone. The bill terminates the exclusion two years after the end of combatant activities in such zone.
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay educational assistance or subsistence allowances to eligible persons when educational institutions are closed.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay educational assistance or subsistence allowances to eligible persons when educational institutions are closed. 1. Extension of authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay educational assistance or subsistence allowances to eligible persons when educational institutions are closed Section 3680(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the em dash at the end and inserting during the following periods: (2) in subparagraph (A)— (A) by striking during periods Periods (B) by striking not exceed 4 weeks; or only continue until the date that is eight weeks after the date of the temporary closure. (3) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i)— (A) by striking solely Solely (B) by striking during periods periods

Summary: This bill extends the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue to pay educational assistance and subsistence allowances during periods when educational institutions are temporarily closed due to an emergency situation or executive order. Under the bill, the VA may only continue to pay educational assistance and subsistence allowances for up to eight weeks (currently four weeks) after the date of the temporary closure of the educational institution.