hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to amend section 213 of title 23, United States Code, relating to the Transportation Alternatives Program.

Bill: 114-s-705
Sponsor: Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Government information and archives
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Regional and metropolitan planning
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 
This bill permits the federal share requirements applicable to the transportation alternatives program (TAP) to be met based on: (1) an individual project or activity, or (2) a program of projects or activities.
 
In the allocation of funds for transportation alternatives, 66.67% (increased from 50%) of reserved funds per fiscal year shall be obligated to any eligible entity in proportion to its relative shares of the state population in: (1) urbanized areas with a population of over 200,000, (2) non-urban areas with a population greater than 5,000, and (3) other areas of the state.
 
Certain not-for-profit entities and metropolitan planning organizations are now eligible to be TAP project sponsors.
 
 A state's authority to opt out of the recreational trails program is repealed.
 
Each state or metropolitan planning organization responsible for carrying out TAP requirements must report annually to the Department of Transportation on the the number of TAP project applications received and the number of projects selected for funding.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
SOS Campus Act

Bill: 114-s-706
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Education programs funding
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Evidence and witnesses
Higher education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Right of privacy
School administration
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Survivor Outreach and Support Campus Act or the SOS Campus Act

 
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in the programs under title IV (Student Assistance) to designate an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response (Advocate) with experience in providing sexual assault victim services.
 
Directs the Secretary of Education to prescribe regulations for IHEs to follow in appointing Advocates.
 
Requires each Advocate to: (1) report to an individual outside the body responsible for investigating and adjudicating sexual assault complaints at the IHE, (2) submit to such individual an annual report summarizing how the resources supplied to the Advocate were used, and (3) represent the interests of each student victim even when they conflict with the IHE's interests. 
 
Directs each Advocate to:
 
 
ensure that sexual assault victims at the IHE receive, with their consent, specified information and services;
 
guide sexual assault victims who request assistance through the reporting, counseling, administrative, medical and health, academic accommodations, or legal processes of the IHE or local law enforcement;
 
attend, at the request of a sexual assault victim, any administrative or IHE-based adjudication proceeding related to such assault as an advocate for the victim;
 
maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the victim and any witness to such sexual assault, without notifying the IHE or any other authority of the identity of the victim or of any such witness or the alleged circumstances surrounding the reported sexual assault, unless otherwise required to do so by state law; and
 
conduct a public information campaign to inform the students enrolled at the IHE of the existence of, contact information for, and services provided by the Advocate.
 
 
Prohibits IHEs from retaliating against: (1) Advocates for representing the interests of a student victims, or (2) student victims for reporting sexual assaults to Advocates.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-707
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Federal preemption
Health personnel
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2015

 
This bill exempts individuals from liability for harm caused by the emergency administration of an opioid overdose drug under certain circumstances. (An opioid is a drug with effects similar to opium, such as heroin.) The individuals exempted from liability are:
 
 
a health care professional who prescribes or provides an opioid overdose drug to an individual at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose or to another individual in a position to assist an at-risk individual, if the individual prescribed or provided the drug has been educated about opioid overdose prevention and treatment by the health care professional or as part of a government opioid overdose program; 
 
an individual who provides an opioid overdose drug for emergency administration to another individual authorized to receive it as part of an opioid overdose program; and 
 
an individual who administers an opioid overdose drug to another individual who appears to have suffered an opioid overdose if the administering individual obtained the drug from a health care professional or as part of an opioid overdose program and was educated by the professional or program in the proper administration of the drug.
 
 
These exemptions are inapplicable if the harm was caused by gross negligence or reckless misconduct.
 
States can preempt these exemptions by providing additional protections from liability for individuals that administer opioid overdose drugs, or by enacting legislation making this Act not applicable to state civil action involving only citizens from that state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-708
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Legislative rules and procedure
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015

 
Establishes in the legislative branch the Regulatory Improvement Commission. 
 
Requires the Commission to evaluate and make recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety.
 
 Requires the Commission to give priority to covered regulations that: (1) impose disproportionately high costs on a small entity, (2) create substantial recurring paperwork burdens or transaction costs, or (3) could be made more effective while reducing regulatory costs.
 
Sets forth reporting requirements for the Commission and procedures for congressional consideration of Commission reports and recommendations and proposed legislation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-27
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-637.
action_date: 2015-09-16
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-709
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015

 
 Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Mental Health First Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-711
Sponsor: Sen. Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Education programs funding
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Mental health
Nursing
Rural conditions and development
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Mental Health First Act of 2015

 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to award grants to initiate and sustain mental health first aid training programs. Requires such a program to include training on: (1) the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to assist individuals in crisis to connect with appropriate local mental health care services; (2) mental health resources, including the location of community mental health centers; and (3) protocols for referral to mental health resources.
 
Sets forth the categories of individuals to be trained under the program, including first responders, law enforcement personnel, teachers and school administrators, human resources professionals, nurses and other primary care personnel, students enrolled in school, parents of students, and veterans and veteran stakeholders.
 
Requires such programs to train individuals to accomplish safe de-escalation of crisis situations, recognition of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and timely referral to mental health services in the early stages of developing mental disorders.
 
Requires SAMHSA to ensure that grants are equitably distributed geographically, and to pay particular attention to the mental health training needs of rural areas.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Passenger Fee Restructuring Exemptions Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-712
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alaska
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Hawaii
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Passenger Fee Restructuring Exemptions Act of 2015

 
 Revises aviation security service fee requirements. 
 
Makes an exception to the $5.60 per one-way trip fee for certain passengers for domestic flights that originate at a U.S. airport.
 
Limits such fees to $2.50 per enplanement, with the total not to exceed $5.00 per one-way trip, for any passengers: (1) boarding to an eligible small community for which essential air service compensation is paid; or (2) on flights, including flight segments, between two or more points in Hawaii or two or more points in Alaska.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
International Violence Against Women Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-713
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crimes against children
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of State
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Human rights
Human trafficking
Law enforcement officers
Marriage and family status
Performance measurement
Sex offenses
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Violent crime
Women in business
Women's education
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

International Violence Against Women Act of 2015
 
 
Directs the Secretary of State to establish an Office of Global Women's Issues which shall be headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues.
 
Establishes in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) a Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment who shall direct USAID activities, policies, programs, and funding relating to gender equality and women's empowerment. 
 
Directs the Ambassador-at-Large to: (1) develop or update annually for five years (after the 2012 United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally which shall be deemed to be the first required strategy) a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, and (2) coordinate U.S. government efforts regarding gender integration and advancing the status of women and girls in U.S. foreign policy. 
 
Directs the Ambassador-at-Large and Senior Coordinator to: (1) include in each strategy an analysis of best practices for preventing and addressing violence against women and girls internationally; and (2) develop a plan for monitoring programs, projects, and activities carried out under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Frontline Mental Health Provider Training Act

Bill: 114-s-714
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Medical education
Mental health
Military medicine
Rural conditions and development
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Frontline Mental Health Provider Training Act
 
 
Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly commence a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of expanding use of physician assistants specializing in psychiatric medicine at DOD and VA medical facilities in order to meet the increasing demand for mental health care providers at such facilities through the completion of two 18-month psychiatry fellowship programs for physician assistants.
 
Directs DOD to carry out the pilot program at not less than one military medical treatment facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army, one under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Navy, and one under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Air Force. Requires the VA to carry out the program at not less than three VA medical centers. Requires each Department to select at least 12 physician assistants to participate in each fellowship program. Sets forth qualifications for eligible physician assistants.
 
Requires each fellowship program to: (1) meet the training model for acuity, mixture, and volume established for psychiatric residency programs; and (2) provide to the selected individuals training equivalent to that received during a psychiatric residency, education leading to a clinical doctorate of science in psychiatry, and education that addresses the particular needs of rural and other under served populations of members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Military and Veterans Mental Health Provider Assessment Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-715
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Medical education
Mental health
Military medicine
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Military and Veterans Mental Health Provider Assessment Act of 2015

 
Directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that all health care providers under their respective jurisdictions receive, at least once every three years, empirically supported training on the recognition and assessment of individuals at risk for suicide and the management of such risk.
 
Requires such Departments to: (1) conduct annual evaluations of the implementation by mental health care providers under their jurisdictions of Department-recommended clinical practice guidelines and other evidence-based treatments and approaches, and (2) incorporate such evaluations into the employee evaluation process of such providers.
 
Directs such Departments to jointly submit: (1) a report assessing their mental health work forces and the long-term mental health care needs of members of the Armed Forces and veterans for purposes of determining long-term needs of such Departments for mental health care providers; and (2) a plan to jointly develop procedures to compile and assess data relating to outcomes for mental health care provided by the Departments, variations in such outcomes among different Department medical facilities, and barriers to the implementation by Department mental health care providers of recommended clinical practice guidelines and other evidence-based treatments and approaches.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Seniors' Tax Simplification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-716
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aging
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Seniors' Tax Simplification Act of 2015 

 
This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service to make available to taxpayers who have turned age 65 at the close of the taxable year a new federal income tax Form 1040SR (similar to the existing Form 1040EZ). Such taxpayers can use this new form even if their income includes: (1) social security benefits; (2) distributions from qualified retirement plans, annuities, or other such deferred payment arrangements; (3) interest and dividends; or (4) capital gains and losses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Provider Readiness Recognition Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-717
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Mental health
Military medicine
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 

Community Provider Readiness Recognition Act of 2015

 
Directs the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly develop a system by which a non-Department mental health care provider who provides health care to members of the Armed Forces or veterans shall receive a mental health provider readiness designation if such provider meets eligibility criteria relating to: (1) knowledge, comfort, and understanding with respect to the culture of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and family members and caregivers of such members and veterans; and (2) knowledge regarding evidence-based treatments that have been approved by such Departments for the treatment of mental health issues among such members and veterans.
 
Requires such Departments to: (1) jointly establish and update a registry, which shall be available to the public, of all non-Department mental health care providers that are currently so designated, and (2) update all lists maintained by such Departments of such non-Department providers by indicating the providers that are currently so designated.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-242.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to modify the boundary of Petersburg National Battlefield in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-718
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2015-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Military history
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: 
 Modifies the boundary of Petersburg National Battlefield in Virginia to include the land and interests in land identified on the map titled &quot;Petersburg National Battlefield Boundary Expansion,&quot; and dated June 2007. 
 
Transfers from the Department of the Interior to the Department of the Army (DA) administrative jurisdiction over approximately 1.170 acres of land for the Fort Lee Military Reservation.
 
Transfers from DA to Interior administrative jurisdiction over approximately 1.171 acres of land for the Battlefield. 
 
Requires inclusion of the conveyed land within the boundary of the Petersburg National Battlefield. 

action_date: 2016-08-30
text: 
 (Sec. 1) This bill modifies the boundary of Petersburg National Battlefield in Virginia to include the land and interests in land identified on the map titled &quot;Petersburg National Battlefield Boundary Expansion,&quot; and dated March 2016. 
 
The Department of the Interior may acquire lands and interests from willing sellers only, by donation, purchase, exchange, or transfer. 
 
Interior shall administer any acquired lands or interests as a part of the Battlefield. 
 
The bill transfers:
 
 
from Interior to the Department of the Army administrative jurisdiction over approximately 1.170 acres of land for the Fort Lee Military Reservation, and
 
from the Army to Interior administrative jurisdiction over approximately 1.171 acres of land for the Battlefield. 
 
 
The transferred lands shall not be subject to reimbursement or consideration. 
 
The land transferred to the Army shall be excluded from the boundary of the Battlefield.
 
The land transferred to Interior shall be included within the boundary of the Battlefield and administered as part of it. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 580.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with amendments. With written report No. 114-308.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with amendments. With written report No. 114-308.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-496.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate