hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3338
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2012-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug therapy
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Licensing and registrations
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: 
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require personnel who perform or plan the technical component of either medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures for medical purposes to possess, effective 42 months after enactment of this Act: (1) certification in each medical imaging or radiation therapy modality and service they plan or perform from a certification organization designated under this Act; and (2) state licensure or certification where such services and modalities are within the scope of practice as defined by the state for such profession, if the state requires licensure, certification, or registration. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from the requirements of this Act. Gives individuals who are enrolled in specified training or certification programs when the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes the list of approved certification organizations an additional six months from the date of completion of the training program to become fully qualified under this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program for designating certification organizations after consideration of specified criteria; (2) provide a process for individuals whose training or experience is determined to be equal to, or in excess of, that of a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty to demonstrate that their experience meets the educational standards for qualified personnel in their imaging modality or radiation therapy procedures; and (3) publish a list of designated certification organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to waive standards under this Act or to develop alternative standards for rural or health professional shortage areas as appropriate.
 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare payment for medical imaging and radiation therapy services furnished on or after 42 months after enactment of this Act, only if the examination or procedure is planned or performed by an individual who meets this Act's requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-3339
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2012-06-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Asia
Department of Homeland Security
Immigration status and procedures
Indonesia
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: 
Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act - Authorizes a qualifying Indonesian citizen whose asylum claim was denied solely upon a failure to meet the one-year application filing deadline to file a motion to reopen such claim.
 
Requires that such motion be filed during the two-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act

Bill: 112-s-3343
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Child safety and welfare
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Educational facilities and institutions
Emergency communications systems
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Housing industry and standards
Low- and moderate-income housing
Product safety and quality
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
 Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish the American National Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms and the American National Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors as mandatory consumer product safety standards. Authorizes the CPSC to initiate a rulemaking to amend either standard to include any provision reasonably necessary to ensure the safe and effective operation of carbon monoxide alarms. 
 
Requires the CPSC to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states and local governments that require approved carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units to carry out specified carbon monoxide poisoning prevention activities.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Immunization Improvements Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3344
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Congressional oversight
Health care costs and insurance
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare
Nursing
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
Immunization Improvements Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration project under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to evaluate the ability of state and local health departments to act as providers in the purchase and reimbursement of influenza and pneumoccal vaccinations for Medicare beneficiaries.
 
Covers vaccines recommended for routine use by the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices and their administration under part B (Child and Family Services) of the Medicare program with no beneficiary cost-sharing.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to jointly: (1) review the regional maximum charge for vaccine administration for each state established under the Vaccines for Children program to determine the appropriateness and adequacy of such rates; (2) update such rates, as appropriate, based on the results of such review and taking into account all appropriate administrative costs; and (3) establish the regional minimum charge for vaccine administration for each state.
 
Requires the state, for purposes of a provider who imposes a fee for the administration of a qualified pediatric vaccine, to pay such provider an amount equal to the administrative fee established under the state plan, which shall not be less than the regional minimum charge for vaccine administration for such state, as established by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to pay each state amounts necessary for the state to reimburse each program-registered provider in the state for an administration fee imposed for the administration of a qualified pediatric vaccine to a federally vaccine-eligible child who is not otherwise eligible under SSA title XIX (Medicaid).
 
Includes as a hospital for purposes of payment under Medicare an institution which develops an active surveillance program to track and record disaggregated influenza vaccination levels among health care workers, including vaccinations obtained outside of the facility, and reports those levels annually to the Secretary.
 
Requires skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities to develop such an active surveillance program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR  S4675-4676)
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Prostate Cancer Detection Research and Education Act

Bill: 112-s-3345
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cancer
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority health
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
Prostate Cancer Detection Research and Education Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish an advisory council on prostate cancer to draft a plan for the development and validation of an accurate test or tests to detect and diagnose prostate cancer. Terminates the advisory council on December 31, 2016.
 
Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to coordinate and intensify research in accordance with the plan developed under this Act, with particular attention provided to leveraging existing research to develop and validate a test or tests, such as biomarkers or imaging, to detect and accurately diagnose prostate cancer.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out a national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of prostate cancer, and (2) award grants to nonprofit private entities to test alternative outreach and education strategies to increase the awareness and knowledge of Americans with respect to prostate cancer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4676)
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Las Vegas Valley Public Land and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3346
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alternative and renewable resources
Aviation and airports
Electric power generation and transmission
Higher education
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Military facilities and property
Monuments and memorials
Motor vehicles
Nevada
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
Las Vegas Valley Public Land and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Act of 2012 - Establishes the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument in Nevada. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide for interpretation, education, and scientific research on the Monument's paleontological resources.
 
Instructs the Secretary to issue to a qualified electric utility a 400-foot right-of-way for the construction of high-voltage transmission facilities identified as the Renewable Energy Transmission Corridor.
 
Establishes the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Advisory Council.
 
Adds specified land to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. 
 
Requires conveyance of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) identified as the North Las Vegas Job Creation Zone to the city of North Las Vegas, Nevada, for use for nonresidential development. Permits North Las Vegas to retain a part of such land for public recreation or other public purposes. 
 
Amends the Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002 to convey additional land to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for development of an access road and parking facilities. 
 
Permits the county to convey to a unit of local government or regional governmental entity land within the Airport Environs Overlay District if such land is used for a public purpose. 
 
Requires specified federal lands be conveyed for: (1) the Nevada System of Higher Education, (2) the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport, and (3) an off-road vehicle recreation park. 
 
Releases the Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area from further study for designation as wilderness.
 
 Designates: (1) an Economic Support Area in North Las Vegas, and (2) the Nellis Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4677-4682)
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4676-4677)
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the multifamily transitional housing loan program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-3348
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Low- and moderate-income housing
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for multifamily transitional housing for veterans and their families, to: (1) pay the guarantee amount, in full or in part, if the loan is not in default; and (2) forgive, waive, release, or discharge (waive) the borrower's liability with respect to the loan.
 
Provides that the amount paid or waived: (1) shall not be included in the borrower's gross income; and (2) with respect to the low-income housing credit, shall not be treated as an amount derived from a federal grant and shall not otherwise reduce the borrower's depreciable or eligible basis for such housing project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4682)
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3349
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Building construction
Congressional oversight
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Rural conditions and development
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2012 - Allows grants made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for homeless veterans' comprehensive services programs (outreach, rehabilitation, vocational counseling, and transitional housing assistance) to be used for the construction of new facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from denying applications for such grants solely on the basis that the grant entity proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, as long as such entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide project oversight and site control. Requires the Secretary to: (1) study matters relating to the method used to make per diem payments to grant recipients, (2) develop more effective and efficient procedures for fiscal control and fund accounting by grant recipients, and (3) develop a more effective and efficient method for adequately reimbursing grant recipients for services furnished to homeless veterans.
 
Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs.
 
Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans. Requires the plan to include consideration of the circumstances and requirements unique to veterans located in rural areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4682-4683)
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Industrial Energy and Water Efficiency Incentives Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3352
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2012-06-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Income tax credits
Industrial facilities
Lighting, heating, cooling
Tax-exempt organizations
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: 
Expanding Industrial Energy and Water Efficiency Incentives Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase megawatt and horsepower capacity limitations for the combined heat and power system property energy tax credit; (2) allow new tax credits to improve advanced motor system energy efficiency, to replace chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerant chillers, and for investment in any qualifying efficient industrial process water use project; and (3) allow an energy tax credit for investment in biomass heating property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require States to recognize the military experience of veterans when issuing licenses and credentials to veterans, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-3353
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2012-06-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: 
Requires a state, as a condition for receipt of a grant or contract from the Department of Labor for support of disabled veterans' outreach specialists and local veterans' employment representatives, to establish a program which issues a license or credential to a veteran without requiring any training or apprenticeship if such veteran: (1) receives a satisfactory score on completion of an examination administered by that state, and (2) has at least 10 years of experience in a military occupational specialty that is similar to the civilian occupation for which such license or credential is required.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Transition Assistance Advisor Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3354
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2012-06-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Mental health
Military medicine
Military operations and strategy
National Guard and reserves
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: 
Transition Assistance Advisor Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish, as part of the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense (DOD), a Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) program to provide professionals in each state to serve as statewide contacts to assist members of the Armed Forces in accessing benefits and health care furnished by DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires a minimum number of TAAs in each state based on the number of Army and Air National Guard members in such state. Provides additional TAA duties, including the provision of a military-to-civilian transition plan for such members and their families.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Introduced in Senate
San Juan County Federal Land Conveyance Act

Bill: 112-s-3357
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2012-06-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Birds
Endangered and threatened species
Land transfers
New Mexico
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: 
San Juan County Federal Land Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, on request of the plaintiffs in the case 
Blancett v. United States Department of the Interior, et al.
, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, to convey to them by sale all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to any portion of approximately 19 acres of certain federal land in San Juan County, New Mexico (including any improvements or appurtenances).
 
Requires deposit of the proceeds of any such conveyance in a special account, to be available for the acquisition of land from willing sellers in the state for resource protection that is consistent with the purposes for which the Bald Eagle Area of Critical Environmental Concern was established.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Introduced in Senate
RUSH Act

Bill: 112-s-3358
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2012-06-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aging
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Department of Health and Human Services
Europe
Executive agency funding and structure
Food assistance and relief
Germany
Public transit
Social security and elderly assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Transportation programs funding
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: 
Responding to Urgent Needs of Survivors of the Holocaust Act or RUSH Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to: (1) include specifically within its purview older Americans who are Holocaust survivors; (2) direct the Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants or contracts to nonprofit organizations to increase and improve transportation services to enable older individuals to remain in the community, with preference for Holocaust survivors; (3) authorize the Administrator for Community Living to designate, within the HHS Administration for Community Living, a person with specialized training, background, or experience with issues of Holocaust survivors to implement services for them; (3) require state nutrition projects to ensure that project meals meet the dietary needs of program participants based on religious, cultural, or ethnic requirements; and (4) require a state nutrition project to encourage individuals who distribute nutrition services to engage in conversation with homebound older individuals and to be aware of the warning signs of medical emergencies, injury, or abuse in order to reduce isolation and promote wellbeing. 
 
Amends the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006 to require the study of nutrition projects to analyze the abilities of service providers to obtain viable contracts for special foods necessary to meet a religious requirement, required dietary need, or ethnic consideration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4726)
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Introduced in Senate