hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-452
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 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: 2013-03-05
text: 
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of diabetes prevention program services to an eligible diabetes prevention program individual.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the 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).
 
Excludes items and services under a diabetes prevention program from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.
 
Includes: (1) items and services under a diabetes prevention programs among federally qualified health center services, (2) rates of referrals of eligible individuals to diabetes prevention programs among the quality measures for covered professional services in the Medicare physician quality reporting system, and (3) an individual's diabetes risk assessment in the individual's Medicare personalized prevention plan.
 
Expresses the sense of the House that the 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: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
AMERICA Works Act

Bill: 113-s-453
Sponsor: Sen. Hagan, Kay R. [D-NC]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Public-private cooperation
Vocational and technical education
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
American Manufacturing Efficiency and Retraining Investment Collaboration Achievement Works Act or AMERICA Works Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require state or local workforce investment systems to use youth activities funds for programs that provide training, which may include priority consideration for training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials aligned with in-demand occupations or industries in the local area involved.
 
Authorizes the operator and employees of a one-stop center, in assisting individuals in selecting programs of training services, to give priority consideration to such programs.
 
Revises eligibility requirements for providers of training services and providers of youth activities for such programs. Requires programs of training services and youth activities programs that lead to a recognized postsecondary credential to meet quality criteria established by the state governor.
 
Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 and the Trade Act of 1974 to require the same priority consideration in the state and local plans for career and technical education programs as well as in tech prep programs and trade adjustment assistance (TAA) programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Family Self-Sufficiency Act

Bill: 113-s-454
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Elementary and secondary education
Financial literacy
Health care coverage and access
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Low- and moderate-income housing
Mental health
Public housing

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Family Self-Sufficiency Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the purpose of the Family-Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program to include the use of both low-income housing assistance under Section 8 of such Act (as in current law) and public housing capital and operating funds under Section 9 in order to enable eligible families to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.
 
Eliminates the budget allocation reserved for public housing agency (PHA) incentive awards.
 
Prescribes and/or revises eligibility requirements for families to participate in local FSS programs and for the eligible entities to administer them.
 
Makes the owner or sponsor of a multifamily property receiving rental assistance under Section 8, as well as a PHA, an eligible entity for administering a local FSS program.
 
Revises the scope of supportive services provided through a local FSS program under a contract of participation between an eligible entity and a leaseholder receiving assistance under Sections 8 or 9 to include: (1) education for attainment of a GED, (2) education in pursuit of a post-secondary degree or certification, (3) health and mental health services as needed, (4) homeownership education and assistance, and (5) financial literacy. Removes training in homemaking and parenting skills from the list of authorized supportive services.
 
Revises requirements for and limitations on rent increases. Requires an eligible entity to place in an interest-bearing escrow account, for each participating family, an amount equal to any increase in rent the family pays. Requires payment of the escrow account funds to the family after the end of the contract of participation, unless the family fails to qualify to receive it.
 
Modifies requirements for the establishment of fees for costs incurred by eligible entities administering FSS programs.
 
Authorizes owners of privately-owned properties, under specified conditions, voluntarily to make local FSS programs available to their tenants by entering into cooperative agreements with local PHAs administering FSS programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1129)
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, and care, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-455
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Transportation costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-05-09
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-203.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Annual National Classified School Employee of the Year Award Act

Bill: 113-s-456
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Preschool education
School administration
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Annual National Classified School Employee of the Year Award Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award National Classified School Employee of the Year Awards to classified public school employees within certain occupational specialties who provide exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through higher education.
 
Requires the Secretary to choose an awardee each year, out of nominations received from each state, from one of the following occupational specialties: (1) paraprofessional services, (2) clerical and administrative services, (3) transportation services, (4) food and nutrition services, (5) custodial and maintenance services, (6) security services, (7) health and student services, (8) technical services, and (9) skilled trades.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 113-s-457
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Voting rights
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Alice Paul Women's Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act - Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the posthumous presentation of a congressional gold medal in commemoration of Alice Paul (founder of the National Woman's Party), to recognize her role in the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Improve Nutrition Program Integrity and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-458
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Energy assistance for the poor and aged
Food assistance and relief
Gambling
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Inflation and prices
Nutrition and diet
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Improve Nutrition Program Integrity and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013 - Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make households in which each member receives state assistance under the temporary assistance to needy families program (TANF), the supplemental security income program (SSI), or aid to the aged, blind, or disabled program (AABD) eligible for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program). (Current law bases categorical SNAP eligibility upon state benefits received rather than assistance.)
 
States that any household in which a member receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings shall lose SNAP eligibility immediately upon receipt of such winnings and shall remain ineligible until the household meets the allowable financial resources and income eligibility requirements.
 
Eliminates: (1) the exclusion of low-income home energy assistance from SNAP household income determinations, (2) bonuses for states that demonstrate high or most improved performance, (3) inflation adjustments for emergency food assistance resources, (4) inflation adjustments for countable financial resources, (5) funding of employment and training programs, (6) the nutrition education grant program, and (7) funding of Workfare administrative expenses.
 
Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to: (1) terminate after February 1, 2013, the value of SNAP benefits and consolidated block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa from being calculated by using 113.6% of the June 2008 value of the thrifty food plan; and (2) permit the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce the value of the maximum allotments, minimum allotments, or consolidated block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa below the FY2009 level.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1129-1131)
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-460
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Inflation and prices
Labor standards
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to increase the federal minimum wage for employees to: (1) $8.20 an hour on the first day of the third month after the enactment of this Act; (2) $9.15 an hour after one year; (3) $10.10 an hour after two years; and (4) the amount determined by the Secretary of Labor (based on increases in the Consumer Price Index) after three years, and annually thereafter.
 
Increases the federal minimum wage for tipped employees to $3.00 an hour for one year on the first day of the third month after the enactment of this Act. Provides a formula for subsequent annual adjustments of the wage increase to ensure that it remains equal to 70% of the wage in effect under FLSA for other employees.
 
Directs the Secretary of Labor, 60 days before any increase in the minimum wage, to publish it in the Federal Register and on the Department of Labor's website. 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1132)
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1131-1132)
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-461
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Asia
Citizenship and naturalization
Conflicts and wars
Family relationships
Immigration status and procedures
Philippines
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2013 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from worldwide or numerical limitations on immigrant visas the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the Immigration Act of 1990 or other specified federal law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-462
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Agricultural trade
Alliances
Alternative and renewable resources
Arab-Israeli relations
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Foreign aid and international relief
Homeland security
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Israel
Licensing and registrations
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Motor fuels
Palestinians
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade restrictions
Visas and passports
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013 - Declares that Israel is a Major Strategic Partner of the United States. 
 
Amends the Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 to extend authority to: (1) make additions to foreign-based defense stockpiles, and (2) transfer certain obsolete or surplus Department of Defense (DOD) items to Israel. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to take steps to make Israel eligible for the strategic trade authorization exception to the requirement for a license for the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of an item subject to certain export controls. 
 
Authorizes the President to carry out U.S.-Israel cooperative activities and to provide assistance for cooperation in the fields of energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies. 
 
Directs the President to report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a joint United States-Israel Cyber Security Center. 
 
Includes Israel in the visa waiver program when Israel satisfies such program's inclusion requirements and provides, subject to security concerns, reciprocal travel privileges for U.S. citizens.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Forest Products Fairness Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-463
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations
Alternative and renewable resources
Energy research
Forests, forestry, trees
Research and development
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Forest Products Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include in the definition of &quot;biobased product&quot; forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding the market share the product holds, the product's age, or whether the market for the product is new or emerging. 
 
Defines &quot;forest product&quot; as a product made from materials derived from the practice of forestry or the management of growing timber, including: (1) pulp, paper, paperboard, pellets, and wood products; and (2) any recycled products derived from forest materials.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
English Language Unity Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-464
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
English Language Unity Act of 2013- Makes English the official language of the United States. 
 
Requires, subject to exceptions and rules of construction, that: (1) official functions of the U.S. government be conducted in English, and (2) all naturalization ceremonies be conducted in English. 
 
Establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization.
 
Makes English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States. 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1133)
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1132-1133)
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to permit flexibility in the application of the budget sequester by Federal agencies.

Bill: 113-s-465
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Congressional agencies
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Legislative rules and procedure
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Cancels the sequestration of budgetary resources for FY2013 ordered on March 1, 2013, pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Balanced Budget Act). 
 
Requires the budget sequester for an account in the security and non-security categories under the Balanced Budget Act for FY2013 to be implemented within each account as determined by the head of the agency with spending authority over such account. Requires: (1) the agency head to notify the Appropriations Committees of a proposed exercise of authority for implementing a sequester, and (2) the Appropriations Committees to approve any agency proposal.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) take appropriate actions in the management of current DOD multiyear contracts to minimize the effects of a sequester in carrying out such contracts; and (2) begin new programs, projects, and activities and enter into new contracts for multiyear procurements that are authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013.
 
Allocates funding for prior year shipbuilding cost increases for the Navy. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Coordination of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act

Bill: 113-s-466
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2013-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Dental care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Medicaid
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: 
Coordination of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award competitive grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities to fund the employment costs of professionals who will use grant or contract funds to: (1) coordinate the provision of medically recommended dental care to eligible low-income individuals by volunteer dentists in a manner consistent with state licensing laws; and (2) verify the medical, dental, and financial needs of individuals who may be eligible for free dental services.
 
Requires an eligible: (1) entity to be tax-exempt and provide for the participation of eligible individuals in a free dental services program on a national basis; and (2) individual to be entitled to benefits or be enrolled under Medicare, Medicaid, or a state plan or waiver under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate