hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3461
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2012-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Birth defects
Child health
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Hereditary and development disorders
Medical education
Medical research
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: 
National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in carrying out the Pediatric Research Initiative, to act through the Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and in collaboration with other appropriate national research institutes and national centers that carry out activities involving pediatric research to provide for the establishment of a National Pediatric Research Network.
 
Authorizes the Director of the Institute to award cooperative agreements and grants to public or private nonprofit entities for: (1) planning, establishing, or strengthening pediatric research consortia; and (2) providing basic operating support for such consortia, including for pediatric research needs and training. Authorizes the Director to make awards for not more than 20 pediatric research consortia. Requires the Director to provide for the coordination of activities among the consortia and to require the periodic preparation and submission of reports on their activities.
 
Requires the Director of NIH to ensure that an appropriate number of such awards are awarded to consortia that agree to: (1) focus primarily on pediatric rare diseases or conditions; (2) conduct or coordinate multi-site clinical trials of therapies for, or approaches to, the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of pediatric rare diseases or conditions; and (3) disseminate trial findings.
 
Requires the Director of NIH to establish a data coordinating center to: (1) distribute such findings; (2) provide assistance in the design and conduct of collaborative research projects and the management, analysis, and storage of data associated with such projects; (3) organize and conduct multi-site monitoring activities; (4) provide assistance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the establishment of patient registries; and (5) report regularly on consortia research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5735-5736)
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act

Bill: 112-s-3462
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2012-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Employment discrimination and employee rights

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: 
Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act - Prohibits discharging or in any other manner discriminating against a whistleblower in terms and conditions of employment because: (1) the whistleblower provided information to the employer or the federal government concerning a violation of antitrust law or another criminal law committed in conjunction with a potential violation of antitrust law; or (2) the whistleblower participated in, or otherwise assisted, an investigation relating to such a violation. 
 
Allows a whistleblower who alleges discharge or other discrimination to seek relief: (1) by filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor; or (2) if the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 180 days of filing such complaint, to bring an action at law or equity. 
 
Entitles a whistleblower who prevails in any such action to all relief necessary to make such whistleblower whole. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5736)
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5736)
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3463
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2012-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Medicaid
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: 
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover items and services furnished under a diabetes prevention program to an eligible individual.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish criteria for a diabetes prevention program in accordance with the standards under the National Diabetes Prevention Program established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program presents an opportunity for states to reduce the incidence of diabetes among individuals enrolled in their Medicaid programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Care Coordination for Older Americans Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3465
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Care Coordination for Older Americans Act of 2012 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to make it a duty and function of the Administration on Aging (AOA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide technical assistance to, and share best practices with, states, area agencies on aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and service providers to carry out outreach and coordinate activities with health care entities in order to assure better care coordination for individuals with multiple chronic illnesses. Requires AOA also to coordinate activities with other federal agencies working to improve care coordination and developing new models and best practices. 
 
Requires the designated state agency to promote the development and implementation of a state system to: (1) address the care coordination needs of older individuals with multiple chronic illnesses; and (2) work with acute care providers, area agencies on aging, service providers, and federal agencies to ensure that the system uses best practices.
 
Requires area and state plans to provide assurances that the area agencies on aging will facilitate the area-wide development and implementation of an area-wide system to address the care coordination needs of older individuals with multiple chronic illnesses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5872)
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Better Education and Skills Training for America's Workforce Act

Bill: 112-s-3466
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Income tax credits
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Better Education and Skills Training for America's Workforce Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) the qualified training expenses of job trainees who have been unemployed for at least 90 days before enrolling in a training program, that are paid by U.S.-based employers, and (2) investment in a qualified job training partnership between a private business and an institution of higher education or a labor organization. Defines "qualifying training expenses" as an eligible trainee's qualified tuition costs, which may include costs for books and enrollment in a training program at an institution of higher education that may include a single course, multiple courses, or a combination of work training and study and that is reasonably necessary for employment. 
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a Qualified Job Training Partnership program to consider and award certifications for qualified investments eligible for credits to qualified job training partnerships. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to individuals who make an investment in a qualified job training partnership, in lieu of a tax credit. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish a moratorium on aerial surveillance conducted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bill: 112-s-3467
Sponsor: Sen. Johanns, Mike [R-NE]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Aviation and airports
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Spacecraft and satellites

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from conducting aerial surveillance in exercising any authority for one year after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5872-5873)
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3468
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Department of the Treasury
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Federal Maritime Commission
Federal Reserve System
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Postal Regulatory Commission
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Surface Transportation Board

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2012 - Authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply, to the extent permitted by law, with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies; (2) provide the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final significant rule (i.e., a rule that is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more and is likely to adversely affect sectors of the economy in a material way) and an assessment of costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule; and (3) submit to the Administrator for review any proposed or final significant rule.
 
Prohibits judicial review of the compliance or noncompliance of an independent regulatory agency with the requirements of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to permanently extend the private mortgage insurance tax deduction.

Bill: 112-s-3470
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate the tax on Olympic medals won by United States athletes.

Bill: 112-s-3471
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Athletes
Income tax exclusion
Olympic games

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, the value of any prize or award won in athletic competition in the Olympic Games.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act

Bill: 112-s-3474
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Education programs funding
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Marketing and advertising
Student aid and college costs
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act - Makes any institution of higher education (IHE) postsecondary program designed to prepare students for a recognized occupation or profession requiring licensing or other entry pre-conditions ineligible to participate in a federal financial assistance program, unless it meets specified student consumer protection requirements. 
 
Requires each program to: (1) fully prepare students to satisfy those entry pre-conditions in the state in which the program is operated and in any state the program claims a successful program graduate will be prepared to work in the particular occupation or profession involved; (2) provide timely placement of students in required pre-licensure positions, such as internships or apprenticeships; and (3) meet specialized state accreditation requirements, or notify students if the program has not yet been fully accredited.
 
Requires an IHE to notify out-of-state applicants as to whether or not its program satisfies the requirements of the applicant's state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3475
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Minority education
Science and engineering education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Women's education
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2012 - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), acting through the Human Resources Directorate and not less than one research directorate of the NSF, to award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable them to carry out the activities specified below in order to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
 
Requires an eligible entity that receives a grant to use those grant funds to carry out the following activities designed to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields: (1) online workshops, (2) mentoring programs that partner STEM professionals with students, (3) internships for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM, and (4) conducting outreach programs providing elementary and secondary school students with opportunities to increase their exposure to STEM. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Access to Child Care for Homeless Families Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3476
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Child care and development
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Preschool education
State and local finance
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Improving Access to Child Care for Homeless Families Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress has enacted successful policies to increase homeless children's access to and stability in public elementary and secondary schools and Head Start Programs; (2) in order to increase homeless families' access to and continuity in care, similar policies should be applied to federal child care programs; and (3) such policies will assist homeless parents in maintaining employment and regaining housing, and will provide critical interventions to support that vulnerable population of children. 
 
Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to require the lead agency to coordinate the provision of services under such Act with social services programs that include: (1) Head Start and Early Head Start programs under the Head Start Act; (2) programs and services of partners that serve vulnerable populations; and (3) programs and services of entities receiving grants to provide homeless veterans with housing, employment-related services, or supportive services. 
 
Revises state plan requirements to require consideration of homeless children in the use of funds for child care services and activities.
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a pilot program of grants to states to identify and implement best practices for increasing access to and continuity of child care for homeless children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3477
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive Office of the President
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Human rights
Human trafficking
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Multilateral development programs
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
United Nations
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) implementation of the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) is paramount in improving the lives of women around the world and increasing global stability and prosperity; (2) Congress supports the goals and ideals of NAP; and (3) the President should designate a person on the staff of the National Security Council (NSC) to be responsible for promoting NAP.
 
States that: (1) it is U.S. policy to implement NAP; (2) the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should integrate gender into diplomatic and strategic and planning processes; and (3) federal agencies shall ensure that the tenets of NAP are incorporated into programs for conflict prevention, humanitarian and disaster response, peacekeeping, and democracy promotion. 
 
Urges the Secretary, the Administrator, the Secretary of Defense (DOD), and representatives of other federal agencies to: (1) implement NAP and ensure relevant personnel training; and (2) facilitate partner government efforts to improve women's inclusion in peace and security processes, conflict prevention, peace-building and decision-making institutions in conflict-affected environments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5882)
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Uninterrupted Scholars Act

Bill: 112-s-3478
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2012-08-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child safety and welfare
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Judicial procedure and administration
Right of privacy
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: 
Uninterrupted Scholars Act - Amends provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 that prohibit the Department of Education from funding educational agencies or institutions that release student educational records (or personally identifiable information other than certain directory information) to any individual, agency, or organization without written parental consent.
 
Expands the list of organizations exempt from such prohibitions (thereby permitting the educational agencies or institutions participating in a Department of Education program to release records or identifiable information to such organizations without parental consent) to include: (1) organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, child welfare agencies to improve educational outcomes for students in foster care; and (2) state or local welfare agencies or tribal organizations responsible for a student's placement and care, provided that any disclosure of records for a student's educational needs is consistent with confidentiality laws in the state applicable to personal records.
 
Permits the release of such records and information without additional notice to parents and students when a parent is a party to a child welfare court proceeding and a court order has already been issued in the context of that proceeding.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-08-01
text: Introduced in Senate