hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Religious Freedom Protection Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2092
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2012-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Department of Health and Human Services
Family planning and birth control
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: 
Religious Freedom Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any guideline, regulation, or other requirement issued by any federal, state, or local government relating to preventive health services coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA) from: (1) requiring any individual or entity to offer, provide, or purchase health insurance coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service, or related education or counseling, to which that individual or entity is opposed on the basis of religious belief or moral conviction; (2) requiring any individual or entity opposed on such basis to providing health insurance coverage of a contraceptive or sterilization service to engage in government-mandated speech regarding such a service; or (3) prohibiting any group health plan from offering or providing individual or group health insurance coverage that excludes coverage for a contraception or sterilization service, or related education or counseling, which the individual or entity purchasing the plan or coverage opposes on such basis.
 
Declares that nothing in PPACA or HCERA or any requirement issued under such Acts shall be construed to disadvantage any individual or entity on the basis of a religiously or morally based decision made by that individual or entity to not offer, provide, or purchase health insurance coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service or to engage in a government-mandated speech regarding such service.
 
Creates a private cause of action for those individuals or entities protected under this Act. Permits any such individual or entity to assert a violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding. Grants the federal courts jurisdiction to prevent and redress actual or threatened violations. Permits: (1) an action under this Act to be instituted by the Attorney General or by any person or entity having standing to complain of a threatened or actual violation, and (2) the court to enter a restraining order or prohibition or take other necessary action pending final determination of any action under this Act.
 
Designates the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive and coordinate the investigation of complaints of discrimination based on this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving American Homeownership Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2093
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2012-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Financial services and investments
Government studies and investigations
Housing finance and home ownership
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Real estate business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: 
Preserving American Homeownership Act of 2012 - Requires the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Federal Housing Commissioner each to establish a pilot program to encourage the use of shared appreciation mortgage modifications that: (1) are designed to return greater cash flow to investors than other loss-mitigation activities, including foreclosure; and (2) result in positive net present value for the investor.
 
Requires a shared appreciation mortgage modification to: (1) reduce by specified action the loan-to-value ratio of a covered mortgage to 95% within 3 years; (2) reduce the interest rate if such a principal reduction would not result in an affordable reduced monthly payment; (3) reduce to a specified amount any periodic payment the homeowner is required to make; (4) require the homeowner to pay the investor, after refinancing or selling the real property securing a covered mortgage, up to 50% of the amount of any increase in the value of the real property during a specified period; and (5) result in a positive net present value for the investor after taking into account the principal reduction and, if necessary, any interest rate reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Training Opportunities Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2095
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2012-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Higher education
State and local government operations
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: 
Expanding Training Opportunities Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Unemployment Tax Act to deem approved by the Secretary of Labor any state laws that provide unemployment compensation to an individual for any week while in training, including: (1) an approved job training program under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, or (2) any coursework necessary to attain a recognized postsecondary credential if that individual is likely to exhaust his or her regular unemployment compensation, and the credential can be attained within a certain time period.
 
Defines &quot;recognized postsecondary credential&quot; as a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate, a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.
 
Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 and the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to authorize a state unemployment compensation agency to elect to approve job training or educational programs for purposes of an individual receiving extended or emergency unemployment compensation while in training. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Research Public Access Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2096
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2012-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: 
Federal Research Public Access Act of 2012 - 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 that 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: 2012-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2097
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2012-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Comprehensive health care
Education programs funding
Health programs administration and funding
Home and outpatient care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical education
Medical research
Medicare
Nursing
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: 
Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of comprehensive cancer care planning services.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to eligible entities to improve the quality of: (1) graduate and postgraduate training of physicians, nurses, and other health care providers in developing cancer care plans for, and communicating such plans to, patients; and (2) continuing professional education regarding the development and communication of written cancer care plans that outline a system of care that coordinates active treatment and palliative care.
 
Requires the Secretary to provide investment, through existing programs, for research on topics related to cancer care planning and coordination, symptom management, palliative care, and comprehensive survivorship care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Right to Know Before You Go Act

Bill: 112-s-2098
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2012-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: 
Student Right to Know Before You Go Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) participating in title IV (Student Assistance) programs to participate in, and provide all the data required for, an individual-level integrated postsecondary education data system administered by a state, a multi-state compact, or the Secretary of Education.
 
Allows system administrators to include, in addition to data from IHEs, data from certain other postsecondary education and training programs.
 
Requires the systems to be certified by the Secretary as meeting certain data inclusion, quality, governance, and privacy requirements.
 
Requires the systems to include: (1) all student components of reporting required for the Integrated Postsecondary Data System (IPEDS), and submit such data to IPEDS; (2) rates of remedial enrollment, credit accumulation, and postsecondary completion by high school completion status; and (3) earnings data, disaggregated by educational program, institution, degree, employment sector, and state to create an interoperable employment and learning exchange.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to educational institutions and system administrators to assist them in complying with, developing, and implementing individual-level integrated postsecondary education data systems.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S502-503)
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

Bill: 112-s-2099
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD]
Introduced: 2012-02-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer credit
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: 
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to make the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) a &quot;covered agency&quot; that may share information with another covered agency or any other federal agency without waiving any privilege applicable to the information.
 
Prohibits information submitted to the CFPB in the course of its supervisory or regulatory process from being construed as waiving, destroying, or affecting any privilege that may be claimed with respect to such information under federal or state law as to any person or entity other than the CFPB, another federal banking agency, a state bank supervisor, or a foreign banking authority.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Strategic Petroleum Supplies Act

Bill: 112-s-2100
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2012-02-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Canada
Licensing and registrations
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Strategic materials and reserves

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: 
Strategic Petroleum Supplies Act - Prohibits the Administration from authorizing sales of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) until the date all requisite permits under Executive Order 13337 for the Keystone XL pipeline project application filed on September 19, 2008, have been issued.
 
Excepts from such prohibition U.S. obligations under the international energy program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2102
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2012-02-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Director of National Intelligence
Federal preemption
Government information and archives
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: 
Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2012 - Authorizes private entities to monitor information systems for cybersecurity threats and operate countermeasures for protection, including the information systems of third parties authorizing such measures.
 
Allows private entities to disclose lawfully obtained cybersecurity threat indicators to any other private entity, provided that the entities: (1) make efforts to safeguard information that can be used to identify specific persons, (2) comply with lawful use or disclosure restrictions, (3) not use the indicators to gain an unfair competitive advantage, and (4) use the indicators only for the purpose of protecting against or mitigating cybersecurity threats. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish processes and procedures for: (1) designating appropriate federal and non-federal entities as cybersecurity exchanges, (2) sharing classified and unclassified cybersecurity threat information with designated cybersecurity exchanges and other appropriate entities, and (3) identifying certified entities to receive such classified information.
 
Directs the Secretary to designate a federal entity as the lead cybersecurity exchange for cybersecurity information sharing among federal entities and with non-federal entities.
 
Allows a non-federal entity to disclose lawfully obtained cybersecurity threat information to an exchange.
 
Requires the Secretary to develop policies and procedures that govern a federal entity's receipt, retention, use, and disclosure of cybersecurity threat information in a manner that minimizes the impact on privacy and civil liberties. Directs: (1) the Secretary and the Attorney General (DOJ) to establish a mandatory program to oversee compliance with such policies and procedures, and (2) the heads of federal entities to develop and enforce appropriate sanctions for officers, employees, or agents of the federal entities who conduct prohibited activities.
 
Provides legal protections for entities engaged in cybersecurity monitoring activities, including a good faith defense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S568-569)
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: Introduced in Senate
District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-2103
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2012-02-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
District of Columbia
Federal preemption
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Judicial procedure and administration
Legal fees and court costs
Medical ethics
Right of privacy
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: 
District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any person from performing or attempting to perform an abortion within the District of Columbia except in conformity with this Act's requirements. 
 
Requires the physician to first make a determination of the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child, or reasonably rely upon such a determination made by another physician, by making inquiries of the pregnant woman and performing such medical examinations and tests as a reasonably prudent physician would consider necessary. 
 
Prohibits the abortion from being performed if the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater. Makes an exception where necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury, excluding psychological or emotional conditions or any claim or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct intended to result in her death. Permits a physician to terminate a pregnancy under such exception only in the manner which provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of the death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, not including psychological or emotional conditions, of the pregnant woman than would other available methods.
 
Prescribes penalties for violations. Bars prosecution of a woman upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of this Act, but authorizes such a woman or the father or maternal grandparent of the unborn child to obtain appropriate relief through a civil action. Provides for injunctive relief to prevent violations. Sets forth specified privacy protections in court proceedings for the woman upon whom an abortion has been performed. 
 
Requires any physician who performs an abortion within the District to report it to the Department of Health of the District of Columbia, which shall issue annual public reports. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-13
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Josh Miller HEARTS Act

Bill: 112-s-2106
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2012-02-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: 
Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools Act of 2012 or Josh Miller HEARTS Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for use in their schools, and/or (2) provide training to meet the grant requirement that at least five adult employees or volunteers at each school where an AED is to be used successfully complete training in its use and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
 
Requires LEA grant applicants also to demonstrate that: (1) the AEDs are integrated into the schools' emergency response procedures, and (2) emergency services personnel are notified of their locations.
 
Gives grant priority to schools that: (1) lack an AED; (2) typically have a significant number of students, staff, and visitors present during the day; (3) generally have a longer wait for emergency medical services than other public facilities in the community; and (4) have not received funds under the Rural Access to Emergency Devices Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Security Preservation through Individual Choice Enhancement Act

Bill: 112-s-2107
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2012-02-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment taxes
Government trust funds
Income tax rates
Social security and elderly assistance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: 
Social Security Preservation through Individual Choice Enhancement Act - Amends the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 to allow individual taxpayers an election to claim the 2% reduction in employment taxes under such Act in any calendar year beginning in or after 2012.
 
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase the applicable social security retirement age by one month for each calendar year that a taxpayer elects a reduction in employment taxes under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Youth Corps Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2108
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2012-02-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Indian social and development programs
Land use and conservation
National and community service
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: 
Youth Corps Act of 2012 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations to carry out Youth Corps programs that utilize the Youth Corps model to provide eligible youth age 16 through 24 with education and work readiness training to enable them to find employment in the economy of the 21st century, and instill in them a sense of civic engagement and environmental stewardship.
 
Defines &quot;Youth Corps model&quot; as a youth education and training program for which an eligible entity provides eligible youth, among other things, with stipended or paid work experience and basic and technical skills training leading to: (1) enrollment in postsecondary education or training, (2) attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential, (3) meaningful employment in the economy of the 21st century, or (4) military service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S619-620)
action_date: 2012-02-14
text: Introduced in Senate