cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Relief From Sequestration Act of 2016

To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to eliminate the section 251A sequestrations. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Relief From Sequestration Act of 2016 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Sequestration was designed as a forcing mechanism for an agreement on a comprehensive, deficit reduction plan. It has failed to produce the intended results. (2) The Budget Control Act of 2011 was enacted to avert a default on Federal debt obligations. (3) Because the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction failed to recommend legislation providing an additional $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction, Federal law mandates that the additional savings be sequestered. (4) Congress must enact a comprehensive, deficit reduction plan to solve the country’s fiscal challenges and to promote national security, economic stability, and the continued growth and prosperity of the United States. (5) It no longer makes sense to rely on sequestration as a forcing mechanism for a balanced solution. The costs to our Government and to the economy are too great. (6) Under sequestration, damaging cuts would be applied, through fiscal year 2021, to a wide variety of discretionary spending programs to achieve $1.2 trillion in savings, forestalling the sound planning needed for prudent and meaningful investments in national security, the workforce, transportation infrastructure, education, health care, public safety, housing, innovation, small business development, and many other facets of enduring national strength. (7) Even the prospect of sequestration is disruptive to regular order and to the congressional appropriations process, and it fosters damaging economic uncertainty, while short-term solutions only suspend the prospect and continue to undermine the certainty needed for economic recovery. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are to— (1) eliminate sequestration resulting from the failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction; and (2) offer the Federal Government, industry, and the American people the predictability that economic recovery demands. 3. Repeal of section 251A sequestrations (a) Repealer Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is repealed. (b) Conforming amendment The item relating to section 251A in the table of contents set forth in section 250(a) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is repealed.

Summary: Relief From Sequestration Act of 2016 This bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to eliminate the sequestration, or automatic spending cuts, scheduled to occur because the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction failed to recommend legislation to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion over 10 years, as required by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to State and local entities to carry out peer-to-peer mental health programs.

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to State and local entities to carry out peer-to-peer mental health programs. 1. PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a grant program to be known as the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program (b) Eligible entity defined In this section, the term eligible entity (1) A nonprofit organization having historically served veterans' mental health needs. (2) A congressionally chartered veteran service organization. (3) A State, local, or tribal veteran service agency, director, or commissioner. (c) Amount of grant The recipient of a grant under this section shall receive a grant in an amount that does not exceed $250,000. (d) Use of funds The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to— (1) carry out a program that meets the standards developed under subsection (e); (2) hire veterans to serve as peer specialists to host group and individual meetings with veterans seeking nonclinical support; (3) provide mental health support to veterans 24 hours each day, seven days each week; and (4) hire staff to support the program. (e) Program standards (1) Advisory commission The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee for the purpose of creating appropriate standards applicable to programs established using grants under this section. (2) Standards The standards developed under paragraph (1) shall include initial and continued training for veteran peer volunteers, administrative staffing needs, and best practices for addressing the needs of each veteran served. (f) Nonretention of records The Secretary may not require the recipient of a grant under this section to maintain records on veterans seeking support or to report any personally identifying information directly or indirectly to the Secretary about such veterans. (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 to carry out this section during the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support program to make grants to eligible entities for peer-to-peer mental health programs for veterans. "Eligible entity" means: (1) a nonprofit organization having historically served the mental health needs of veterans; (2) a congressionally chartered veteran service organization; or (3) a state, local, or tribal veteran service agency, director, or commissioner. The VA shall establish an advisory committee to create appropriate program standards.
Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2016

To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the maximum penalty for mail theft. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2016 2. Increasing the maximum penalty for mail theft Section 1708 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking not more than five years not more than 10 years

Summary: Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2016 This bill amends the federal criminal code to increase from 5 to 10 years the maximum prison term for a defendant who commits mail theft.
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide a five-year extension of the special survivor indemnity allowance provided to widows and widowers of deceased members of the uniformed services affected by required Survivor Benefit Plan annuity offset for dependency and indemnity compensation received under section 1311(a) of title 38, United States Code.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide a five-year extension of the special survivor indemnity allowance provided to widows and widowers of deceased members of the uniformed services affected by required Survivor Benefit Plan annuity offset for dependency and indemnity compensation received under section 1311(a) of title 38, United States Code. 1. Five-year extension of special survivor indemnity allowance for widows and widowers of deceased members of the uniformed services affected by required Survivor Benefit Plan annuity offset for dependency and indemnity compensation Section 1450(m)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (H) by striking and (2) in subparagraph (I) by striking the period after $310 (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: (J) for months during fiscal year 2018, $400; (K) for months during fiscal year 2019, $475; (L) for months during fiscal year 2020, $600; (M) for months during fiscal year 2021, $700; and (N) for months during fiscal year 2022, $800. .

Summary: This bill extends through FY2022 (at increasing monthly amounts for each fiscal year) the special survivor indemnity allowance for a surviving or former spouse of a deceased member of the Armed Forces whose annuity under the survivor benefit program is offset by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation received from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to clarify when certain academic assessments shall be administered. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Elementary and Secondary Education Act supports programs to level the playing field for the most vulnerable, including children of poverty, students with disabilities, and English-language learners. (2) Prior to 2001, Federal law required States only to test students once per grade span. (3) Following the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, Federal education policy has placed an increased emphasis on testing assessments, requiring students to undergo standardized testing every year in grades 3 through 8. (4) Annual Federal testing required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 has failed to deliver increased student achievement. (5) Reducing the frequency of federally required testing will allow more time for student learning and inspire their natural curiosity and creativity. (6) Students will have more time to receive one-on-one instruction and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through a well-rounded education and curriculum. (7) Moving away from the practice of annually teaching to the test (8) With grade span testing, our educators will be more able to focus on those students who are most in need but who also lose the most class time preparing for annual tests. (9) Grade span testing will allows states the flexibility to develop more meaningful, tailored assessment systems that provide valid, reliable data. (10) The yearly testing currently required by Federal law should be replaced with grade span testing. 3. Academic assessments Section 1111(b)(3)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)(C) (1) in clause (v)(I)— (A) by striking except as otherwise provided for grades 3 through 8 under clause vii, (B) by inserting and the achievement of students against the challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards proficiency of students (2) by striking clause (vii); and (3) in clause (viii), by striking , (vi), (vii) and (vi)

Summary: Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to eliminate the requirement that students be tested against state academic content and achievement standards in mathematics and reading or language arts in each of grades three through eight. Requires, instead, that those tests be administered at least once during: (1) grades 3 through 5, (2) grades 6 through 9, and (3) grades 10 through 12.
To repeal the Military Selective Service Act, and thereby terminate the registration requirements of such Act and eliminate civilian local boards, civilian appeal boards, and similar local agencies of the Selective Service System.

To repeal the Military Selective Service Act, and thereby terminate the registration requirements of such Act and eliminate civilian local boards, civilian appeal boards, and similar local agencies of the Selective Service System. 1. Repeal of Military Selective Service Act (a) Repeal The Military Selective Service Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq. (b) Transfers in connection with repeal Notwithstanding the proviso in section 10(a)(4) of the Military Selective Service Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3809(a)(4) (c) Effect on existing sanctions Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may not be denied a right, privilege, benefit, or employment position under Federal law on the grounds that the person failed to present himself for and submit to registration under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act ( 50 U.S.C. 3802

Summary: This bill repeals the Military Selective Service Act. No person may be denied a right, privilege, benefit, or employment position under federal law on the grounds that the person failed to present himself for and submit to registration under the Military Selective Service Act before its repeal by this bill.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Act

To make a supplemental appropriation for the Public Health Emergency Fund, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Act 2. Supplemental appropriation for the Public Health Emergency Fund (a) Appropriation There is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for an additional amount for carrying out section 319(a) of the Public Health Service Act, $5,000,000,000, to be available until expended. Such amount shall be deposited into the Fund established under section 319(b) of such Act. (b) Emergency designation The amount made available by subsection (a)— (1) is designated by Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985; and (2) shall be available only if the President subsequently so designates such amount. (c) Deposit in Strategic National Stockpile The activities under section 319(a) of the Public Health Service Act that are funded under this section may include the acquisition of products for deposit into the strategic national stockpile maintained under section 319F–2 of such Act. 3. Exemption of the Public Health Emergency Fund from sequestration (a) In general Section 255(g)(1)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by inserting Public Health Emergency Fund (009–91–9913). Postal Service Fund (18–4020–0–3–372). (b) Application The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any sequestration order issued under such Act on or after the date of enactment of this section.

Summary: Public Health Emergency Preparedness Act This bill provides $5 billion in supplemental appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Public Health Emergency Fund. The bill designates the funds as an emergency requirement, and provides that the funds are only available if the President subsequently designates the funds. (Emergency spending is exempt from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules.) HHS may use the funds provided by this bill to acquire products such as drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical devices for deposit into the Strategic National Stockpile. The bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to exempt the Public Health Emergency Fund from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
ENCRYPT Act of 2016

To preempt State data security vulnerability mandates and decryption requirements. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring National Constitutional Rights for Your Private Telecommunications Act of 2016 ENCRYPT Act of 2016 2. Preemption of State data security vulnerability mandates and decryption requirements (a) In general A State or political subdivision of a State may not— (1) mandate or request that a manufacturer, developer, seller, or provider of covered products or services— (A) design or alter the security functions in its product or service to allow the surveillance of any user of such product or service, or to allow the physical search of such product, by any agency or instrumentality of a State, a political subdivision of a State, or the United States; or (B) have the ability to decrypt or otherwise render intelligible information that is encrypted or otherwise rendered unintelligible using its product or service; or (2) prohibit the manufacture, sale or lease, offering for sale or lease, or provision to the general public of a covered product or service because such product or service uses encryption or a similar security function. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered product or service The term covered product or service (A) has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce or otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce; and (B) is made available to the general public. (2) Online service The term online service (A) the ability to send or receive communications, such as emails, text messages, photos, and audio and video communications; (B) the ability to share data files with other users; or (C) remote computer processing or storage. (3) State The term State

Summary: Ensuring National Constitutional Rights for Your Private Telecommunications Act of 2016 or the ENCRYPT Act of 2016 This bill prohibits a state from requiring a manufacturer, developer, seller, or provider of a technology product or service to: (1) alter the security functions of its product or service to allow a government agency to conduct a physical search or user surveillance, or (2) use its product or service to decrypt encrypted information. A technology product or service includes a commercial computer product, electronic device, or online service that is publicly available. Additionally, it bars a state from prohibiting the manufacture, sale or lease, or provision of a technology product or service because it uses encryption or similar security functions.
Safe Harbor for Reporting Violent Behavior Act of 2016

To provide for a safe harbor for reports to potential employers by current or former employers of violent behavior or threats thereof by employees. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Safe Harbor for Reporting Violent Behavior Act of 2016 2. Safe Harbor from liability for reports of violent behavior (a) Safe harbor for employer reports of violent behavior or threatened violent behavior (1) In general Any employer who, in good faith and based on objectively reasonable suspicion, makes, or causes to be made, a voluntary report about violent behavior, or threatened violent behavior, by an employee or former employee to a potential employer of that employee shall be immune from civil liability under Federal, State, and local law for such report. (2) False reports Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any report if it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the employer knew such report to be false or that such report was made with reckless disregard for the truth at the time that employer made such report. (b) Safe harbor for response Any potential employer who observes or receives a report from an employer acting pursuant to subsection (a) about violent behavior, or threatened violent behavior, of an employee or potential employee and takes reasonable action in good faith to respond to such activity shall be immune from civil liability under Federal, State, and local law for such action. (c) Savings clause Nothing in this Act shall affect the ability of any employer to assert any defense, privilege, or immunity that would otherwise be available under Federal, State, or local law or regulations, or common law, and this Act shall not be construed as affecting any such defense, privilege, or immunity. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act shall be construed to create any duty of any employer to disclose violent behavior, or threatened violent behavior, or to preclude an employer from disclosing any such behavior, or other behavior. (e) Attorney fees and costs Any employer who is immune from civil liability under this section shall be entitled to recover from the plaintiff all reasonable costs and attorney fees. (f) Definition In this section— (1) the term employer (2) the term violent behavior, or threatened violent behavior

Summary: Safe Harbor for Reporting Violent Behavior Act of 2016 This bill makes an employer immune from civil liability for reporting to a potential future employer an employee or former employee’s violent or threatening behavior. The report must be made in good faith and based on objectively reasonable suspicion. Additionally, the bill makes a potential employer immune from civil liability for taking a reasonable action in good faith to respond to a report of violent or threatening behavior of an employee or potential employee.
Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2016

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the unlawful disposal of fetal remains, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2016 2. Prohibiting unlawful disposal of fetal remains (a) Prohibiting unlawful disposal of fetal remains Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 125 Unlawful disposal of fetal remains 2741. Unlawful disposal of fetal remains. 2741. Unlawful disposal of fetal remains (a) In general Whoever recklessly disposes of or abandons fetal remains in a landfill or in any of the navigable waters of the United States shall be imprisoned not more than 3 years or fined under this title, or both. (b) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the disposal of the remains of her unborn child. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Fetal remains The term fetal remains (2) Landfill The term landfill (3) Navigable waters The term navigable waters . (b) Clerical amendment The table of chapters for such part is amended by inserting, after the item pertaining to chapter 123, the following: 125. Unlawful disposal of fetal remains 2741 .

Summary: Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2016 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to recklessly dispose of or abandon fetal remains in a landfill or in any navigable waters of the United States. The term "fetal remains" means any part (except a cremated part) of a deceased human fetus following an abortion. A violator is subject to a fine, up to three years in prison, or both.
READI Act

To prohibit the use of military installations to house aliens who do not have a lawful immigration status or are undergoing removal proceedings in the United States. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Resist Executive Amnesty on Defense Installations Act READI Act 2. Prohibition on use of military installations to house aliens who do not have a lawful immigration status or are undergoing removal proceedings in the United States (a) Prohibition A military installation may not be used to house any alien unlawfully present in the United States. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) The term alien unlawfully present (A) is covered by the rule of construction regarding unlawful presence contained in section 212(a)(9)(B)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(9)(B)(ii) (B) is undergoing removal proceedings in the United States. (2) The term military installation

Summary: Resist Executive Amnesty on Defense Installations Act or the READI Act This bill prohibits the use of a military installation to house any alien unlawfully present in the United States.