hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act

Bill: 111-s-1031
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hospital care
Medicaid
Medical education
Medicare
Nursing
Student aid and college costs
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: 
National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement nurse-to-patient staffing plans that provide adequate, appropriate, and quality delivery of health care services and protect patient safety. Sets forth minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios for emergency units, operating rooms, critical care units, and nursery units. Prohibits hospitals from imposing mandatory overtime and layoffs to meet required ratios. 
 
Requires hospitals to post a uniform notice that sets forth nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and requirements and to maintain records of actual direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios in each hospital unit. 
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) establish a grant program to cover the costs of purchasing safe patient handling equipment; (2) establish procedures to allow the filing of complaints against a hospital for violations of this Act; (3) carry out a registered nurse workforce initiative to ensure an adequate number of registered nurses and reduce critical workforce shortages in hospitals; (4) establish nursing educational assistance grant programs; and (5) award grants to hospitals for a five-year nursing preceptorship and mentorship demonstration project to address nurse workforce shortages, improve patient care, and promote the retention of nurses in the workforce.
 
Requires the Secretary of Labor to establish a federal safe patient handling standard to prevent musculoskeletal disorders for direct care registered nurses and other health care providers.
 
Grants nurses certain rights, including the right to act as a patient advocate and to refuse assignments that violate the requirements of this Act or for which the nurse is not prepared by education, training, or experience. Prohibits hospitals from discharging, discriminating, or retaliating against a nurse for refusing a work assignment.
 
Amends the Social Security Act to make Medicare and Medicaid providers subject to the requirements of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5441-5442)
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Pregnant Women Support Act

Bill: 111-s-1032
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2009-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Child care and development
Child health
Civil actions and liability
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Domestic violence and child abuse
Education programs funding
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Home and outpatient care
Law enforcement administration and funding
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Nursing
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Teenage pregnancy
Violent crime
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: 
Pregnant Women Support Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term and new parents.
 
 Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment for examinations of pregnant women.
 
Prohibits a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis that she is pregnant.
 
Provides for continuation coverage for newborns.
 
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to allow states to extend health care coverage to an unborn child. 
 
Requires health facilities that perform abortions to obtain informed consent from a pregnant woman seeking an abortion.
 
Directs the Secretary to provide for: (1) higher education pregnant and parenting student services offices; and (2) programs to work with pregnant or parenting teens to complete high school.
 
Authorizes grants for services to pregnant women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Requires states to require a pregnancy determination for homicide victims.
 
Requires the Secretary to provide for supportive services for pregnant women, mothers, and children. 
 
 Authorizes appropriations to carry out the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC program).
 
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase the eligibility threshold for food stamps.
 
Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990.
 
 Authorizes grants to provide to eligible mothers education on the health needs of their infants through visits to their homes by registered nurses.
 
Authorizes grants for collecting and reporting abortion surveillance data.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Healthy Schools Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1034
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2009-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Elementary and secondary education
Health care costs and insurance
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: 
Healthy Schools Act of 2009 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to require the state to certify that it has implemented procedures to pay for covered items and services furnished by school-based health clinics under Medicaid and CHIP. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act

Bill: 111-s-1035
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2009-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Research administration and funding
Water quality
Water storage
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: 
Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist the utilities in adapting to the effects of climate change.
 
Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) water quantity impacts and solutions; (4) infrastructure impacts and solutions for water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities and underground pipelines; (5) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (6) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (7) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (8) utility management, decision support systems, and water management models; (9) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and improvement of energy demand management; (10) water conservation and demand management; and (11) communications, education, and public acceptance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5442-5443)
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Surface Transportation Policy and Planning Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1036
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Economic development
Energy efficiency and conservation
Infrastructure development
Land use and conservation
Performance measurement
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Federal Surface Transportation Policy and Planning Act of 2009 - Declares it is U.S. policy to develop a national surface transportation system that advances the national interest and defense, interstate and foreign commerce, the efficient and safe interstate mobility of people and goods, and the protection of the environment.
 
Sets forth certain U.S. policy objectives and goals, including to: (1) reduce national per capita motor vehicle miles traveled annually; (2) reduce national surface transportation-generated carbon dioxide levels by 40% by 2030; (3) reduce national surface transportation (including passenger and freight) delays and congestion at U.S. points of entry; (4) increase the total usage of public transportation, intercity passenger rail services, and non-motorized transportation; and (5) ensure adequate transportation of domestic energy supplies.
 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop performance criteria and data collections systems to evaluate the effectiveness of federal surface transportation programs; (2) implement such programs to meet the policy, objectives, goals, and performance criteria established by this Act; and (3) develop and implement a National Surface Transportation Performance Plan.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to amend the goals established under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
First Responders Support Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1037
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax credits
Law enforcement officers
Mental health
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
First Responders Support Act of 2009 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) increase death and disability benefits for public safety officers; and (2) expand educational benefits for dependents of public safety officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for up to $7,500 of the medical expenses paid or incurred by a public safety officer or a family member for injuries sustained while such officer was performing an official duty.
 
Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to award grants for mental health services or counseling to public safety officers seriously injured in the line of duty and the family members of such officers who are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1038
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign labor
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Immigration status and procedures
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2009 or the AgJOBS Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to confer "blue card status" upon an alien who: (1) has performed agricultural employment in the United States for at least 863 hours or 150 work days during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2008; (2) applied for such status during the 18-month application period beginning on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act; (3) is otherwise admissible to the United States; and (4) has not been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor, an element of which involves bodily injury, threat of serious bodily injury, or harm to property in excess of $500. 
 
Limits the number of blue cards that may be issued during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to adjust a blue card alien (and spouse and minor children) to permanent resident status if the alien has fulfilled specified periods of agricultural employment.
 
Amends the Social Security Act to exempt blue card aliens from prosecution for social security-related identity or payment false statements if such conduct occurred prior to the granting of blue card status. 
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise H-2A visa (agricultural labor or temporary or seasonal services) provisions. Replaces the existing labor certification requirement with a labor attestation requirement containing: (1) a description of the nature and location of the job; (2) the job's expected beginning and ending dates; (3) the number of jobs; and (4) specified labor assurances respecting job opportunities covered by collective bargaining agreements and non-covered job opportunities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5506-5517)
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5504-5506, S5517-5520)
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Those Who Serve Act

Bill: 111-s-1039
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Protect Those Who Serve Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, any U.S. territory or possession, and any Indian tribe for the renovation, modernization, and construction of law enforcement facilities. Sets forth matching requirements for receipt of a grant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Seniors' Medication Copayment Reduction Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1040
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Seniors' Medication Copayment Reduction Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program to test Value-Based Insurance Design methodologies for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions.
 
Defines &quot;Value-Based Insurance Design&quot; as a methodology for identifying specific medications or classes of medications for which, because of their high value and effectiveness when prescribed for particular clinical conditions, copayments or coinsurance should be reduced or eliminated.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to modify the applicability of certain requirements to double hulled tankers transporting oil in bulk in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Bill: 111-s-1041
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Alaska
Marine and inland water transportation
Oil and gas
Transportation safety and security
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to provide that double hulled tankers over 5,000 gross tons transporting oil in bulk in Prince William Sound, Alaska, shall be escorted by at least two towing vessels or other appropriate vessels (currently, only single hulled tankers receive such escorts).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5522)
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5521-5522)
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Illegal Garnishment Prevention Act

Bill: 111-s-1042
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Appropriations
Department of the Treasury
Social security and elderly assistance
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Illegal Garnishment Prevention Act - Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the Commissioner of Social Security for FY2010 or any fiscal year thereafter from being used to promote or otherwise encourage recipients of veterans benefits or benefits paid under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to use direct deposit for the payment of such benefits until: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury promulgates rules establishing procedures to ensure that such benefits are protected from attachment and garnishment; and (2) at least five of the seven members of the advisory committee established under this Act concur in advising the Secretary that such procedures provide adequate safeguards.
 
Establishes a Social Security Benefits Protection from Attachment or Garnishment Advisory Committee.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Border Tax Fairness Act

Bill: 111-s-1043
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Free trade and trade barriers
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Border Tax Fairness Act - Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations that result in revisions to WTO agreements that meet certain U.S. trade negotiating goals with respect to equitable border tax treatment in trade in goods and services with foreign countries.
 
Requires a USTR report to Congress on whether such goals have been met in revising the WTO rules, and if not, recommendations for: (1) legislation that impose a tax on imports from countries that employ indirect border taxes on goods and services; and (2) compensatory payments to U.S. exporters to neutralize the discriminatory effect of border taxes they have paid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving Future United States Capability to Project Power Globally Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1044
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Defense spending
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Preserving Future United States Capability to Project Power Globally Act of 2009 - States that it is the policy of the United States to: (1) pursue a development program for the next generation bomber during FY2010, in accordance with guidance established in the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, including full authorization and appropriation of appropriate funds; and (2) not delay the next generation bomber development program by deliberations on the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, deliberations on the Nuclear Posture Review, or negotiations over the follow-on Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
POWER Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1045
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Providing Our Workforce with Education and Re-training Act of 2009 or POWER Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit for up to 25% of the cost of technical training for employees performing services in a trade or business of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of the credit to $1,000 for each employee, reduced by credit amounts for all prior taxable years. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the excise tax provisions and income tax credit for biodiesel.

Bill: 111-s-1046
Sponsor: Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2009-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Income tax credits
Motor fuels
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for biodiesel used as fuel and the excise credits for biodiesel mixtures and biodiesel used to produce biodiesel mixtures. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate