JUSTICE Act

Bill: 113-hr-2599
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2013-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal justice information and records
Detention of persons
Government studies and investigations
HIV/AIDS
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Sex and reproductive health
Sex offenses
Sexually transmitted diseases
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-28
text: 
Justice for the Unprotected against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed Act or the JUSTICE Act - Requires the Attorney General to direct the Bureau of Prisons to allow community organizations to distribute sexual barrier protection devices and engage in sexually transmitted infection (STI) counseling and prevention education in federal correctional facilities. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that states should permit the legal distribution of sexual barrier protection devices in state correctional facilities to reduce the prevalence and spread of STIs in those facilities.
 
Amends the Social Security Act to require the automatic enrollment or reinstatement of enrollment of an eligible individual in a state's Medicaid plan (with the individual's affirmative consent) upon such individual's release from incarceration. Defines an "eligible individual" as an inmate who was enrolled before being incarcerated or who is diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus. Provides for a one-year increase in federal matching payments to states that agree to provide for such enrollment.
 
Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct an annual survey of all federal and state correctional facilities and immigration detention facilities regarding: (1) STI prevention education and training offered to inmates and staff; (2) inmate access to sexual barrier protection devices; (3) the incidence of sexual violence committed by inmates and staff; (4) required inmate participation in counseling, treatment, and supportive services related to STIs; (5) facility testing of inmates for STIs; (6) pre-release referral to STI-related services; and (7) Medicaid reinstatement assistance upon release. 
 
Requires the Attorney General to develop and implement a five-year strategy that includes specified components to reduce the prevalence and spread of STIs in federal and state correctional facilities.
 
Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to include as a homeless person for purposes of eligibility for housing assistance under such Act an individual who: (1) is being released from any prison or other correctional facility, and (2) has been diagnosed with any STI.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-07-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2013-07-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2013-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-28
text: Introduced in House