hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Positive Aging Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-525
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Aging
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Home and outpatient care
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Positive Aging Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and private nonprofit entities to: (1) demonstrate ways of integrating mental health services for older adults into primary care settings, and (2) support the establishment and maintenance of interdisciplinary geriatric mental health outreach teams in community settings where older adults reside or receive social services.
 
Requires the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services to designate a Deputy Director for Older Adult Mental Health Services to develop and implement initiatives to address the mental health needs of older adults.
 
Includes representatives of older adults or their families and geriatric mental health professionals on the Advisory Council for the Center.
 
Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to providing treatment for older adults with substance abuse disorders when developing program priorities for addressing priority substance abuse treatment needs of regional and national significance.
 
Requires state plans for community mental health services grants to describe: (1) the state's outreach to, and services for, older individuals, individuals who are homeless, and individuals living in rural areas; and (2) how community-based services will be provided to these individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1508-1509)
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
HAMP Termination Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-527
Sponsor: Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
HAMP Termination Act of 2011 - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new mortgage modification assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), except with respect to existing obligations on behalf of homeowners already extended an offer to participate in the program.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-528
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Motor vehicles
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2011 or STANDUP Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award incentive grants to states with graduated driver licensing laws that require novice drivers younger than age 21 to comply with a two-stage licensing process before receiving an unrestricted driver's license.
 
Requires such laws, at a minimum, to include: (1) a learner's permit stage that commences at age 16 or older, lasts at least six months, prohibits driver use of a cellular phone or other communications device in nonemergency situations, and remains in effect until commencement of the intermediate stage or the driver attains age 18; (2) an intermediate stage in effect until the driver attains age 18 that commences immediately after expiration of the learner's permit stage, lasts at least six months, prohibits driver use of a cellular phone or other communications device in nonemergency situations, prohibits nighttime driving, prohibits more than one non-familial passenger under age 21 unless there is a licensed driver at least age 21 present in the vehicle; and (3) any other requirement that the Secretary may require.
 
Deems a state that meets such minimum requirements to be in compliance regardless of whether a state law, enacted before January 1, 2011, establishes a class of license that permits licensees younger than age 18 to drive a motor vehicle in connection with work performed on or for the operation of a farm owned by family members of the licensees.
 
Directs the Secretary to withhold a certain percentage of federal-aid highway funds from states that do not comply with the requirements of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the temporary duty suspensions on certain cotton shirting fabrics, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-529
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary duty suspensions on certain cotton shirting fabrics.
 
Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer from the Treasury to the Pima Cotton Trust Fund amounts equal to the duties received in the Treasury from certain imported woven fabrics of cotton since January 1, 2004.
 
 Extends the authority of: (1) the Secretary to make transfers to the Trust Fund for certain annual distributions (duty refunds) to nationally-recognized associations promoting U.S. pima cotton use in textile and apparel goods, yarn spinners of U.S. pima cotton, and U.S. manufacturers who certify by affidavit to have used such imported cotton in the manufacture of cotton shirts, and (2) the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to make such annual distributions.
 
 
Requires annual affidavits from shirting manufacturers and from yarn spinners.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to modify certain subsidies for ethanol production, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-530
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Income tax credits
Motor fuels
Sales and excise taxes
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit, after June 30, 2011, the eligibility for the income and excise tax credits for alcohol used as fuel to ethanol that qualifies as an advanced biofuel under the Clean Air Act. 
 
Requires the President to: (1) reduce semiannually the temporary duty imposed on ethanol by an amount equal to the reduction in any federal income or excise tax credit for alcohol and ethanol blends used as fuel; and (2) take other actions necessary to ensure that the combined temporary duty and any other duty imposed on ethanol is equal to, or lower than, any federal income or excise tax credit applicable to ethanol.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1543-1544)
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR 3/10/2011 S1544)
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend section 5542 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that any hours worked by Federal firefighters under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement shall be excluded for purposes of determinations relating to overtime pay.

Bill: 112-s-531
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Requires disregard of any hours worked by a firefighter under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement for purposes of any determination relating to federal eligibility for or the amount of any overtime pay.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Patriot Express Authorization Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-532
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Small business
User charges and fees
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Patriot Express Authorization Act of 2011 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a Patriot Express Loan Program to guarantee loans made by express lenders to eligible members of the military community. Includes as eligible members: (1) a veteran, including a service-disabled veteran; (2) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who is eligible to participate in the Transition Assistance Program; (3) the spouse of the above individuals; (4) the widowed spouse of a deceased veteran or member who died due to a service-connected disability; and (5) the widowed spouse of a deceased member to whom the Department of Defense (DOD) may provide for the recovery, care, and disposition of the remains of an individual who died while on active duty or during inactive-duty training. Allows such loans to be used for any business purpose. Limits: (1) individual loans to $1 million, and (2) the loan fee charged to 75% of that charged for SBA general small business loans.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to coordinate with the heads of executive departments and independent establishments to: (1) develop a strategy to reduce government printing costs during the 10-year period beginning on September 1, 2011; and (2) issue government-wide guidelines for printing that implements the strategy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-533
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011 - Amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question.
 
 
Removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. 
 
Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1509-1510)
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Brewer's Employment and Excise Relief Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-534
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Food industry and services
Sales and excise taxes
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Brewer's Employment and Excise Relief Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate of the excise tax on beer produced within or imported into the United States for brewers who produce not more than 6 million barrels of beer a year. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1510-1511)
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that utilization of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs.

Bill: 112-s-536
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Exempts survivors' and dependents' educational assistance from the 48-month time limit on the use of assistance under various veterans' and related educational assistance programs.
 
Revives any entitlement reduced by the 48-month limit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Mekong River Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-537
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Burma
Cambodia
China
Congressional oversight
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Foreign loans and debt
Lakes and rivers
Laos
Multilateral development programs
Thailand
Vietnam
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Mekong River Protection Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Directors of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to oppose the provision of any loan or financial or technical assistance for the construction of hydroelectric dams or electricity transmission systems in the Mekong River Basin unless the Secretary submits a related report providing certain assurances with respect environmental protection, public health, economic effect, and resettlement concerns to Congress.
 
Defines &quot;World Bank&quot; as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to reauthorize the Act.

Bill: 112-s-538
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Birds
Government trust funds
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Amends the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to authorize such appropriations as are necessary to carry out such Act for FY2012-FY2017.

action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Amends the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to authorize appropriations to carry out such Act for FY2012-FY2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-08-02
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 126.
action_date: 2011-08-02
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment. With written report No. 112-46.
action_date: 2011-08-02
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment. With written report No. 112-46.
action_date: 2011-07-13
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1549)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1548-1549)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-539
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Behavioral sciences
Computers and information technology
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Medicaid
Medicare
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the definition of "health care provider" for purposes of health information technology provisions to include a behavioral or mental health professional, a substance abuse professional, a psychiatric hospital, a community mental health center, a residential or outpatient mental health treatment facility, and a substance abuse treatment facility.
 
Adds community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, residential or outpatient mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment facilities to the list of entities with priority for receiving direct assistance from regional extension centers to effectively adopt, implement, and utilize health information technology.
 
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include qualified clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, residential or outpatient mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment facilities within the health professionals, hospitals, and Medicaid providers eligible for incentive payments for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Applies Medicare hospital market basket adjustments for such incentives applicable to inpatient hospitals to psychiatric hospitals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-540
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Disability and health-based discrimination
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Higher education
Racial and ethnic relations
School administration
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2011 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) participating in a title IV program (except a foreign school) to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment that includes: (1) a prohibition of harassment of students by other students, faculty, and staff; (2) a description of its programs to prevent harassment; (3) a description of the procedures that students should follow if harassment occurs; and (4) a description of the procedures it will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported.
 
Defines &quot;harassment&quot; to include certain conduct undertaken through technological means that limits a student's ability to benefit from the IHE's programs, or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment at the school.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to IHEs to initiate, expand, or improve programs to: (1) prevent the harassment of students; (2) provide counseling or redress services to students who have been harassed or accused of subjecting other students to harassment; and (3) train students, faculty, or staff to prevent harassment or address harassment if it occurs.
 
Directs the Secretary to publish a report of best practices for combating harassment at IHEs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Achievement Through Prevention Act

Bill: 112-s-541
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Special education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Achievement Through Prevention Act - Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to allow states, local educational agencies, and schools to use school improvement funds to implement schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports and early intervening services and coordinate them with similar activities carried out under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (Early intervening services are a set of coordinated services for students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services, but who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment.)
 
Amends part D of title I of the ESEA to require states that receive funds for the education of neglected or delinquent children or youth to use positive behavioral interventions and supports and early intervening services to improve such students' academic performance and reduce their need for discipline.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate