cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
VA Best-Practices Peer Review Act of 2016

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a best-practices peer review of each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the efficacy of health care delivered at each such medical center. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the VA Best-Practices Peer Review Act of 2016 2. Conduct of best-practices peer review of each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide for the conduct by a nongovernmental hospital organization of a best-practices peer review of each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the efficacy of health care delivered at each such medical center. (b) Priority The Secretary shall give priority for peer review conducted under subsection (a) to the medical centers of the Department with the longest wait times for an appointment or the worst health outcomes, as determined by the Secretary. December 8, 2016 Read the second time and placed on the calendar

Summary: VA Best-Practices Peer Review Act of 2016 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide for the conduct by a nongovernmental hospital organization of a best-practices peer review of each VA medical center to evaluate the efficacy of health care delivered at each such center. The VA must give priority for such review to the VA centers with the longest wait times for an appointment or the worst health outcomes.
EACH Act

To amend section 5000A 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Equitable Access to Care and Health Act EACH Act 2. Additional religious exemption from health coverage responsibility requirement (a) In general Subparagraph (A) of section 5000A(d)(2) (A) Religious conscience exemptions (i) In general Such term shall not include any individual for any month if such individual has in effect an exemption under section 1311(d)(4)(H) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which certifies that— (I) such individual is a member of a recognized religious sect or division thereof which is described in section 1402(g)(1), and is adherent of established tenets or teachings of such sect or division as described in such section, or (II) such individual is a member of a religious sect or division thereof which is not described in section 1402(g)(1), who relies solely on a religious method of healing, and for whom the acceptance of medical health services would be inconsistent with the religious beliefs of the individual. (ii) Special rules (I) Medical health services defined For purposes of this subparagraph, the term medical health services (II) Attestation required This clause shall apply to an individual for months in a taxable year only if the information provided by the individual under section 1411(b)(5)(A) of such Act includes an attestation that the individual has not received medical health services during the preceding taxable year. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 1501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (c) Construction Nothing in the amendment made by subsection (a) shall preempt any State law requiring the provision of medical treatment for children, especially those who are seriously ill.

Summary: Equitable Access to Care and Health Act or the EACH Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the religious conscience exemption under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exempt individuals who rely solely on a religious method of healing and for whom the acceptance of medical health services would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs from the requirement to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage.
A bill to amend Rule 611 of the Federal Rules of Evidence to prohibit cross-examination by the accused of minor victims of sexual assault.

To amend Rule 611 of the Federal Rules of Evidence to prohibit cross-examination by the accused of minor victims of sexual assault. 1. Cross-Examination of victims by the accused (a) In general Rule 611 of the Federal Rules of Evidence is amended by adding at the end the following: (d) Cross-Examination by pro se defendants of minor victims of sexual assault In a criminal case in which a defendant accused of sexual assault of a minor represents himself or herself pro se, upon application by the prosecutor, the minor, or the minor’s representative, cross-examination of the minor— (1) shall not be conducted by the defendant unless the court finds that it is necessitated by exceptional circumstances to protect the constitutional rights of the defendant; and (2) shall instead be conducted by an attorney for the defendant under the supervision of the court. (e) Definitions In this rule— (1) the term minor (2) the term sexual assault of a minor (A) any conduct— (i) prohibited under section 1591 or chapter 109A, 110, or 117 of title 18, United States Code; or (ii) described in paragraphs (2) through (5) of Rule 413(d); and (B) a victim who is a minor; and (3) the term victim . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply— (1) to any proceeding commenced on or after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) insofar as is just and practicable, to any proceeding pending on such date of enactment.

Summary: This bill amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to establish a procedure to prohibit pro se criminal defendants (defendants representing themselves without a lawyer) accused of sexual assault of a minor under age 18 from cross-examining the minor. Upon application by the prosecutor, the minor, or the minor's representative, the defendant is prohibited from conducting such a cross-examination unless the court finds that it is necessitated by exceptional circumstances to protect the defendant's constitutional rights. The cross-examination of the minor shall instead be conducted by an attorney for the defendant under the court's supervision.
No Windfalls for Government Service Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prevent high net worth individuals from receiving tax windfalls for entering government service. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Windfalls for Government Service Act 2. Lifetime limitation on nonrecognition of property sold to comply with conflict-of-interest requirements (a) In general Section 1043 (d) Limitation The amount of gain to which subsection (a) applies with respect to any taxpayer for a taxable year shall not exceed $1,000,000 reduced by the amount of gain to which subsection (a) applied with respect to such taxpayer for all preceding taxable years. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to sales in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.

Summary: No Windfalls for Government Service Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a $1 million lifetime limitation on the nonrecognition of a taxpayer's gains from the sale of property pursuant to a certificate of divesture to comply with conflict-of-interest requirements for certain federal government positions.
Justice Safety Valve Act of 2015

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent unjust and irrational criminal punishments. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2015 2. Authority to impose a sentence below a statutory minimum Section 3553 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Authority To impose a sentence below a statutory minimum To prevent an unjust sentence (1) General rule Notwithstanding any provision of law other than this subsection, the court may impose a sentence below a statutory minimum if the court finds that it is necessary to do so in order to avoid violating the requirements of subsection (a). (2) Court to give parties notice Before imposing a sentence under paragraph (1), the court shall give the parties reasonable notice of the court’s intent to do so and an opportunity to respond. (3) Statement in writing of factors The court shall state, in the written statement of reasons, the factors under subsection (a) that require imposition of a sentence below the statutory minimum. (4) Appeal rights not limited This subsection does not limit any right to appeal that would otherwise exist in its absence. .

Summary: Justice Safety Valve Act of 2015 This bill authorizes a federal court to impose a sentence in a criminal proceeding that is below the minimum sentence required by statute if the court finds that a lower sentence is necessary to avoid violating statutory factors that the court must consider in imposing a sentence. The court must give parties to the proceeding notice of its intent to impose a lower sentence and state in writing the factors requiring such a sentence. This bill does not limit any right to appeal that would otherwise exist.
A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to permit the Secretary of the Treasury to locate and recover certain assets of the United States Government.

To amend title 31, United States Code, to permit the Secretary of the Treasury to locate and recover certain assets of the United States Government. 1. Increase and streamline recovery of unclaimed assets owed to the United States Section 3711 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (j) (1) The Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this subsection as the “Secretary”) may locate and recover assets of the United States Government on behalf of any executive, judicial, or legislative agency in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law concerning the depositing or collection of Federal payments, including section 3302(b), the Secretary may retain a portion of the amounts recovered under this subsection to cover the administrative and operational costs of the Secretary associated with locating and recovering assets of the United States Government. (3) The Secretary shall use any funds appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection. (4) Any savings associated with carrying out this subsection shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury for the purpose of deficit reduction. .

Summary: This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to: (1) locate and recover assets of the U.S. government on behalf of any executive, judicial, or legislative agency; and (2) retain a portion of the amounts recovered to cover the administrative and operational costs of Treasury for locating and recovering the assets. Any savings from carrying out this bill must be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury for deficit reduction.
Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs Act of 2016

To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide that any estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation shall include costs relating to servicing the public debt. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs Act of 2016 2. CBO and JCT estimates to include debt servicing costs (a) In general Title IV of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 651 et seq. 403. Estimates to include debt servicing costs Any estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office under section 402, and any estimate prepared by the Joint Committee on Taxation, shall include, to the extent practicable, the costs (if any) of servicing the debt subject to limit under section 3101 of title 31, United States Code. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 402 the following: 403. Estimates to include debt servicing costs. .

Summary: Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs Act of 2016 This bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require any cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation to include debt servicing costs.
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 820 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island, as the "Sister Ann Keefe Post Office".

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 820 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island, as the Sister Ann Keefe Post Office 1. Sister Ann Keefe Post Office (a) Designation The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 820 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island, shall be known and designated as the Sister Ann Keefe Post Office (b) References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Sister Ann Keefe Post Office

Summary: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 820 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island, as the "Sister Ann Keefe Post Office."
No Hero Left Untreated Act

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy to veterans. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Hero Left Untreated Act 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy has successfully treated more than 400 veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, chronic pain, and opiate addiction. (2) Recent clinical trials and randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies have produced promising measurable outcomes in the evolution of magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy. (3) The outcomes described in paragraph (2) have resulted in escalating demand from returning members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are seeking access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy. (4) Congress recognizes the importance of initiating innovative pilot programs that demonstrate the use and effectiveness of new treatment options for post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, chronic pain, and opiate addiction. 3. Magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy pilot program (a) Pilot program Commencing not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy to treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, chronic pain, or opiate addiction. (b) Locations The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) at not more than two facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (c) Participants In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy to not more than 50 veterans. (d) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a one-year period. (e) Report Not later than 90 days after the termination of the pilot program under subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program. (f) No authorization of appropriations No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this section. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts authorized under provisions of law other than this section.

Summary: No Hero Left Untreated Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a one-year pilot program to provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy to treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, chronic pain, or opiate addiction. The VA shall: (1) carry out the program at up to two VA facilities, and (2) provide access to such therapy to not more than 50 veterans.
Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2016

To require States and units of local government receiving funds under grant programs operated by the Department of Justice that use such funds for pretrial services programs to submit to the Attorney General a report relating to such programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Citizens’ Right to Know Act of 2016 2. Reporting requirement for Department of Justice grant recipients using funds for pretrial services programs (a) In general For each fiscal year in which a State or unit of local government receives funds under any grant program operated by the Department of Justice, including the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant program under subpart I of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 42 U.S.C. 3750 et seq. (1) The name of each defendant participating in a pretrial release program administered by the pretrial services program, and whether, as applicable, the defendant appeared for trial and any post-release required court appearance. (2) Information relating to the previous arrest record of each defendant participating in the pretrial services program. (3) Information relating to any previous failure by each defendant participating in a pretrial release program administered by the pretrial services program to appear for trial or any post-release required court appearance. (4) The amount of Federal funds the pretrial services program received during the previous fiscal year. (b) Publication requirement Subject to any applicable confidentiality requirements, the Attorney General shall, on an annual basis, make publicly available the information received under subsection (a). (c) Reduction in funding If a State or unit of local government fails to comply with the requirement under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Attorney General shall reduce the amount that the State or unit of local government would otherwise receive under each grant program described in subsection (a) in the following fiscal year— (1) by 10 percent, if the failure to comply with the requirement was the first such failure; or (2) by 20 percent, if the failure to comply with the requirement was the second or subsequent such failure. (d) Reallocation Amounts not allocated to a State or unit of local government under subsection (c) shall be reallocated under each such grant program to States and units of local government that comply with the requirement under subsection (a).

Summary: Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2016 This bill requires a state or local government that receives funds under a Department of Justice (DOJ) grant program and uses such funds for a pretrial services program to annually report certain information about participating defendants. DOJ must publish the information. Additionally, DOJ must reduce the grant allocation of a state or local government that fails to comply.
FACT Act

To amend title 11 of the United States Code to require the public disclosure by trusts established under section 524(g) of such title, of quarterly reports that contain detailed information regarding the receipt and disposition of claims for injuries based on exposure to asbestos, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2015 FACT Act 2. Amendments Section 524(g) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (8) A trust described in paragraph (2) shall, subject to section 107— (A) not later than 60 days after the end of every quarter, file with the bankruptcy court a report that— (i) shall be made available on the court’s public docket; and (ii) with respect to such quarter— (I) shall describe each demand the trust received from a claimant, including the name and exposure history of the claimant, and the basis for any payment from the trust made to such claimant; and (II) shall not include any confidential medical record or the claimant’s full social security number; and (B) upon written request, and subject to payment (demanded at the option of the trust) for any reasonable cost incurred by the trust to comply with such request, provide in a timely manner any information related to payment from, and demands for payment from, such trust, subject to appropriate protective orders, to any party to any action in law or equity if the subject of such action concerns liability for asbestos exposure. . 3. Effective date; application of amendments This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall— (1) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) apply with respect to any case commenced under title 11 of the United States Code before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2015 or FACT Act Amends federal bankruptcy law concerning a trust formed under a reorganization plan following the discharge in bankruptcy of a debtor corporation in order to assume the debtor's liability with respect to claims seeking recovery for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage allegedly caused by the presence of, or exposure to, asbestos or asbestos-containing products. Requires such a trust to file with the bankruptcy court quarterly reports, available on the public docket, which describe each demand the trust has received from a claimant and the basis for any payment made to that claimant (excluding any confidential medical record or the claimant's full Social Security number). Requires such reports, upon written request, and subject to payment (demanded at the option of the trust) for any reasonable cost incurred by it, to provide any information related to payment from, and demands for payment from, the trust to any party to any action in law or equity concerning liability for asbestos exposure.
Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act

To amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to impose restrictions on the risk corridor program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act 2. Restrictions on PPACA risk corridor program Section 1342(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18062(b) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking The Secretary Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Safeguard to protect taxpayers (A) In general The Secretary shall ensure that the amount of payments to plans under paragraph (1) for a plan year beginning during calendar year 2014, 2015, or 2016 does not exceed the amount of payments to the Secretary under paragraph (2) for such plan year. (B) Adjustment to protect taxpayers The Secretary shall proportionately decrease the amount of payments to plans under paragraph (1) in order to ensure that the requirement of subparagraph (A) is satisfied each year. .

Summary: Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that payments to plans do not exceed payments to HHS under the risk corridors program (under which a qualified health plan is required to participate in a payment adjustment system based on the ratio of the allowable costs of the plan to the plan's aggregate premiums) for a plan year. HHS must proportionately decrease payments to plans in order to ensure that this requirement is satisfied each year.
A bill to authorize an additional district judgeship for the district of Idaho.

To authorize an additional district judgeship for the district of Idaho. 1. District judgeship for the district of Idaho (a) In general The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 1 additional district judge for the district of Idaho. (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table in section 133(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to Idaho Idaho 3 .

Summary: Requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional district judge for the district of Idaho.