hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1365
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Elementary and secondary education
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Personnel records
Preschool education
Right of privacy
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009 - Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) establish policies and procedures for a program for national criminal history background checks for child-serving organizations; (2) assist such organizations in obtaining access to nationwide background checks; (3) establish procedures for ensuring the accuracy of criminal history records; (4) identify individuals convicted of serious misdemeanors or felonies involving children; and (5) collect demographic data relating to individuals and organizations covered by this Act and make reports to Congress on such data.
 
Limits the liability of a child-serving organization for failure to conduct criminal background checks or to take adverse action against employees with a criminal history. Imposes limitations on the disclosure or use of criminal history records.
 
Amends the PROTECT Act to extend the Child Safety Pilot Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-1366
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government trust funds
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund and to allow individual taxpayers to designate on their tax returns $3.00 of income taxes ($6.00 in the case of joint returns) to be paid over to such Fund to provide assistance to homeless veterans. 
 
Requires that the President's annual budget submission for FY2011 and subsequent years contain a description of the use of funds from the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Treatment for Precious Metals Investors Act

Bill: 111-s-1367
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Financial services and investments
Income tax rates
Metals

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Fair Treatment for Precious Metals Investors Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat bullion (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) as a long-term capital asset (currently, treated as a collectible), eligible for preferential capital gains tax rates. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Repair Parts Act

Bill: 111-s-1368
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
 Access to Repair Parts Act - Makes it not an act of infringement of any design patent to make, use, offer to sell, sell, or import into the United States any article that is a component part of another article, if the sole purpose of the component part is for the repair of the article of which it is a part so as to restore its original appearance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Bill: 111-s-1369
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Oregon
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified segments of the Molalla River in Oregon as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 

action_date: 2010-03-02
text: 
Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to designate specified segments of the Molalla River in Oregon as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 
 
Withdraws the federal land within the boundaries of the designated river segments from: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. 
 
Amends the Act to rename the Squaw Creek in Oregon as Wychus Creek. Makes technical corrections to the description of the Creek. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-03-02
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 290.
action_date: 2010-03-02
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 111-140.
action_date: 2010-03-02
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 111-140.
action_date: 2009-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-282.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7087)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7086-7087)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Violence Against Children Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1370
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Child safety and welfare
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Domestic violence and child abuse
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Government studies and investigations
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Violence Against Children Act of 2009 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, and other assistance to state, local, and Indian tribal governments for the criminal investigation or prosecution of felonies against persons under 18 years of age; and (2) award grants to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution of crimes against children and to provide education, prevention, intervention, and victims' assistance services for such crimes.
 
Requires states receiving grants under this Act to use the National Incident-Based Reporting System to report crimes against children. 
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop model training and caseload standards for child guardians in child abuse and neglect cases. 
 
Mynisha's Law - Authorizes a local or tribal government to apply to the Attorney General for designation as a high intensity gang activity area. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish criteria for reviewing such applications; and (2) establish an Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force to coordinate federal assistance to such high intensity gang activity areas.
 
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to allow the use of school security grants for: (1) the placement of surveillance equipment in schools; and (2) the establishment of hotlines or tiplines for reporting potentially dangerous students and situations. Establishes an interagency task force to develop advisory school safety guidelines.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Renewable Water Supply Bond Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1371
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Environmental technology
Income tax exclusion
Securities
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Clean Renewable Water Supply Bond Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the issuance of tax-exempt clean renewable water supply bonds to finance certain water supply technologies, including water recycling, desalination, and groundwater remediation. Establishes a national limitation on the amount of bonds designated as clean renewable water supply bonds for each year between 2009 and 2019.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7088-7089)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7087)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide a vehicle maintenance building to house the Smithsonian Institution's Vehicle Maintenance Branch at the Suitland Collections Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Bill: 111-s-1372
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Maryland
Motor vehicles
Smithsonian Institution

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to construct a vehicle maintenance building at its Vehicle Maintenance Branch in Suitland, Maryland, to house and maintain Smithsonian vehicles and transportation equipment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7089)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Research Public Access Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1373
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Federal Research Public Access Act of 2009 - Requires each federal agency with extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to develop a specified federal research public access policy that is consistent with and advances the purposes of the agency. 

Makes each federal research public access policy applicable to: (1) researchers employed by the federal agency whose works remain in the public domain; and (2) researchers funded by the agency. Specifies exclusions.

Requires the submission of annual reports by each federal agency on its federal research public access policy. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Forewarn Act

Bill: 111-s-1374
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Trade adjustment assistance
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Forewarn Act - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the Act) to: (1) redefine the terms &quot;employer,&quot; &quot;plant closing,&quot; and &quot;mass layoff&quot; for purposes of the Act; and (2) among other things, apply it to employers of 75 or more employees (currently, 100 employees), including any parent company of which the business enterprise is a subsidiary. 
 
Requires an employer to: (1) give 90-day written notice (currently, 60-day) to employees and appropriate state and local governments before ordering a plant closing or mass layoff; (2) notify the Secretary of Labor and the governor of the state in which the closing or layoff will occur; and (3) provide affected employees with information regarding benefits and services available to them, including unemployment compensation, trade adjustment assistance, COBRA benefits, onsite access to rapid response teams, and certain other services. 
 
Exempts from such notice requirements plant closings or mass layoffs which are due directly to a terrorist attack.
 
Requires the Secretary to notify the appropriate U.S. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives who represent the area where such closing or mass layoff is to occur.
 
Makes an employer who violates such notice requirements liable to the employee for, among other things, two days pay (currently, back pay for each day of violation) multiplied by the number of calendar days for which the employer was required but failed to provide notice, including interest on such pay. 
 
Authorizes an affected employee to file a complaint with the Secretary alleging a violation of the notice requirements. Requires the Secretary to investigate and attempt to resolve such complaints. Authorizes the Secretary to bring an action in court to recover on behalf of an affected employee any backpay (including interest), benefits, and liquidated damages due.
 
Requires an employer to post conspicuously upon its premises pertinent provisions of this Act and information on the filing of a complaint. Requires the Secretary to maintain a guide on the benefits and services available to affected employees.
 
Prohibits the waiver of rights and remedies provided under this Act (including the right to maintain a civil action) by any agreement or settlement negotiated on behalf of affected employees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to reauthorize State mediation programs.

Bill: 111-s-1375
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
 Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY2015 for state mediation programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for an automatic increase in the federal matching rate for the Medicaid program during periods of national economic downturn to help States cope with increases in Medicaid costs.

Bill: 111-s-1377
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Intergovernmental relations
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize an automatic increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for any eligible state during periods of national economic downturn.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to analyze and report to Congress on previous periods of national economic downturn, including the most recent one, and the past and projected effects of temporary increases in the Medicaid FMAP with respect to them.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7090-7091)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7089-7090)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to modify a land grant patent issued by the Secretary of the Interior.

Bill: 111-s-1378
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Great Lakes
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Michigan

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
 Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to modify a land grant patent issued to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, Chippewa County, Michigan. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1381
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Computers and information technology
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Income tax rates
Securities
Self-employed
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to small business to: (1) increase and make permanent the election to expense small business assets, including computer software, in the current taxable year; (2) reduce graduated tax rates for corporations with taxable incomes of less than $10 million; (3) exempt income attributable to business tax credits from the alternative minimum tax (AMT); (4) allow five-year carrybacks for business tax credits and small business net operating losses; (5) allow an enhanced tax deduction for income attributable to small business domestic production activities; (6) reduce to five years the recognition period for the built-in gains of S corporations; (7) exclude from gross income all gain from the sale of certain small business stock before 2011; and (8) allow a deduction from the income of self-employed individuals for health insurance costs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7094-7095)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7091-7094)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1382
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Peace Corps
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 - Requires the Director of the Peace Corps to assess, develop a strategic plan for, and report to the appropriate congressional committees how best to: (1) strengthen Peace Corps management capabilities and program effectiveness; (2) expand volunteer opportunities; and (3) increase the size of the Peace Corps.
 
Authorizes appropriations for the Peace Corps.

action_date: 2010-06-29
text: 
Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of the Peace Corps to complete an assessment of how best to: (1) strengthen Peace Corps management capabilities and program effectiveness; (2) expand opportunities for Peace Corps volunteers; and (3) increase the size of the Peace Corps.
 
Requires the Director to develop, based on the assessment, a strategic plan for the Peace Corps.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that, except for appointments to the Peace Corps National Advisory Council, the President should not make more than 15 concurrent appointments under the Peace Corps Act.
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-06-29
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 454.
action_date: 2010-06-29
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-219.
action_date: 2010-06-29
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-219.
action_date: 2010-04-13
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7095-7097)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Dextromethorphan Abuse Reduction Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1383
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child health
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Dextromethorphan Abuse Reduction Act of 2009 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit sales of products containing dextromethorphan (including cough medicines) to individuals under age 18, including sales using the Internet, and to impose civil penalties for such sales. 
 
Directs the Director of National Drug Control Policy to provide grants to certain nonprofit drug prevention entities, including the National Community Antidrug Coalition Institute, for antidrug educational campaigns aimed at individuals under age 18 and for assistance to community antidrug coalitions to prevent abuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs (including dextromethorphan).
 
Directs the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to implement comprehensive community-wide strategies for preventing abuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs (including dextromethorphan). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7098-7099)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7097-7098)
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Senior Housing Plan Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1384
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2009-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Housing for the elderly and disabled
Low- and moderate-income housing
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: 
Medicare Senior Housing Plan Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to create a senior housing facility plan option, meeting specified criteria, which may be offered by a Medicare Advantage organization.
 
Retricts enrollment to individuals who reside in: (1) a continuing care retirement community; or (2) a housing facility assisted under the Housing Act of 1959 or supported under the low-income housing federal income tax credit program and qualify for rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate