hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
METH Disclosure Act

Bill: 114-s-2405
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Housing finance and home ownership
Real estate business
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-15
text: 

Meth Exposure to the Home Disclosure Act or the METH Disclosure Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency and any other federal agency with knowledge of methamphetamine-based hazards, to promulgate regulations meeting certain criteria for the disclosure of methamphetamine-based hazards in housing (other than newly constructed or never occupied housing) offered for sale or lease.
 
&quot;Methamphetamine-based hazard&quot; means any condition that causes exposure to any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine that would result in adverse human health effects.
 
HUD may carry out necessary investigations, and any U.S. district court within the jurisdiction of which one is carried out may issue orders for compliance with it.
 
The bill prescribes civil money penalties for violations of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to review certain decisions to grant categorical exclusions for Next Generation flight procedures and to consult with the airports at which such procedures will be implemented.

Bill: 114-s-2406
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2015-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Community life and organization
Department of Transportation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 
This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at least 90 days before applying a categorical exclusion to a new navigation procedure at an Operational Evolution Partnership (OEP) airport (a commercial U.S. airport with significant activity), to: (1) notify and consult with the operator of the airport, and (2) consider consultations or other engagement with the community in which the airport is located to inform the public of the procedure.
 
The FAA shall review a decision that it made on or after February 14, 2012, and before this Act's enactment to grant a categorical exclusion with respect to a procedure to be implemented at an OEP airport that was a material change from procedures previously in effect to determine if implementation of the procedure had a significant effect on the human environment in the community in which the airport is located, if the operator of that airport requests such a review and demonstrates that there is good cause to believe that the implementation had such effect. If, in conducting such a review, the FAA determines that implementing the procedure had such a significant effect, it shall: (1) consult with the operator of the airport to identify measures to mitigate the effect, and (2) consider the use of alternative flight paths.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to each of J. Christopher Stevens, Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, and Sean Smith in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.

Bill: 114-s-2407
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Congressional tributes
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Law enforcement officers
Libya
Middle East
Terrorism
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 
 This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal in commemoration of Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith in recognition of their contributions to the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8725-8726)
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2408
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Labor-management relations
Medicaid
Medicare
Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Nursing
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 

Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2015

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a standard on safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders for health care workers. The standard must require the use of engineering and safety controls to handle patients.
 
The standard must require health care employers to: (1) develop and implement a safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention program; (2) train their workers on safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention; and (3) post a notice that explains the standard, procedures to report patient handling-related injuries, and workers' rights under this Act. Labor must conduct unscheduled inspections to ensure compliance with the standard.
 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply the standard to hospitals receiving Medicare funds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2409
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Drug therapy
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medicare
Public contracts and procurement
Radiation
Surgery and anesthesia

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 

Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015

 
This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to modify payment rules and other provisions related to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
 
The bill includes off-campus outpatient department (OPD) services in Medicare's prospective payment system (in which predetermined amounts form the basis of payment) with respect to departments that are under development.
 
The existing Medicare payment adjustment for cancer hospitals shall apply to off-campus OPDs.
 
The bill temporarily prohibits specified Medicare payment adjustments related to competitive acquisition programs for certain wheelchair accessories.
 
In addition, the bill modifies provisions related to: (1) reimbursement under Medicare for certain drugs furnished through durable medical equipment (DME), (2) Medicare payment rules for certain radiation therapy services, and (3) the treatment of Medicaid supplemental needs trusts.
 
The bill expands criminal penalties and civil monetary penalties for certain acts involving federal health care programs.
 
With respect to negative Medicare payment adjustments for physicians and hospitals that fail to comply with certain requirements related to electronic health records (EHR), the bill authorizes a temporary blanket exception.
 
A patient encounter occurring at an ambulatory surgical center shall not be used to determine whether an eligible professional qualifies as a meaningful EHR user. This prohibition applies until a specified period has passed following a determination by the Department of Health and Human Services that certified EHR technology is applicable to that setting.
 
Current law limits state reimbursement for DME under Medicaid to Medicare payment rates beginning January 1, 2019. The bill accelerates this limitation such that it begins October 1, 2018. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2410
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Computer security and identity theft
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue final rules requiring each reporting company to:
 
 
disclose in its mandatory annual report or annual proxy statement whether any member of its governing body has expertise or experience in cybersecurity, including details necessary to describe fully the nature of that expertise or experience; and
 
if no member has such expertise or experience, describe what other company cybersecurity steps were taken into account by any persons, such as a nominating committee, responsible for identifying and evaluating nominees for the governing body. 
 
 
The SEC shall also, in coordination with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, define what constitutes expertise or experience in cybersecurity, such as professional qualifications to administer information security program functions or experience detecting, preventing, mitigating, or addressing cybersecurity threats. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8795)
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate
21st Century Visa Vetting Act

Bill: 114-s-2411
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

21st Century Visa Vetting Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to search open source information, including Internet sites and social media postings, of an alien who applies for a visa to enter the United States to determine if the alien is inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate
TOTAL Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2413
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Federal preemption
Inflation and prices
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Retail and wholesale trades
Sales and excise taxes
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Tallying of the Actual Liabilities Act of 2015 or the TOTAL Act of 2015

 
This bill prohibits a retailer under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from selling a product or service through an Internet website without presenting the total transaction amount it expects to collect from the potential purchaser (including all fees, taxes, and shipping and handling charges) before the person commits to the purchase.
 
The bill sets forth authority for: (1) the FTC to enforce a violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice, and (2) states to bring civil actions on behalf of residents threatened or adversely affected by such a violation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate
FANS Act

Bill: 114-s-2414
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Competition and antitrust
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Professional sports
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Furthering Access and Networks for Sports Act or the FANS Act 

 
 This bill amends the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 to provide that the antitrust laws shall apply to joint agreements among professional football, baseball, basketball, or hockey league covering the telecasting of sports contests to the extent that any such league does not: (1) expressly prohibit sponsored telecast licensees and any video licensee from intentionally removing the live content of such league from a multichannel video programming distributor during, or related to a negotiation regarding, carriage of the league's games by such distributor; or (2) make a sponsored telecast of a game that is played in the home territory of a member club available to consumers over the Internet in any territory in which the game is not available for private viewing through a local television broadcast station or a such a distributor. 
 
The bill repeals the exception that allows the antitrust exemption for such a joint agreement that prohibits televising games within the home territory of a member club on a day when such club is playing at home.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Verifying Electronically the Receipt of In-Home Care For Individuals Act

Bill: 114-s-2416
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health information and medical records
Home and outpatient care
Medicaid
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Verifying Electronically the Receipt of In-Home Care For Individuals Act or the VERIFI Act

 
This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the use of electronic visit verification systems for certain services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. An "electronic visit verification system" is a system under which care-related visits are electronically verified with regard to: (1) the type and date of service, (2) the individual receiving the service, (3) the individual providing the service, (4) the location of service delivery, and (5) the time the service begins and ends.
 
With respect to the Medicare program, a home health agency must have such a system in place for home health services as a condition of participation.
 
In the case of a state Medicaid program that does not require the use of such a system for both personal care services and home health services, the federal medical assistance percentage for medical assistance expended on such services shall be reduced beginning in 2019. These reductions increase incrementally from 0.25% to 1.00% through 2023.
 
With respect to the Medicare program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall establish standards for the systems and must consult with agencies to ensure that such standards: (1) are minimally burdensome, (2) account for existing best practices and electronic visit verifications systems already in use, and (3) require that the systems are conducted in accordance with specified legal requirements related to privacy and security. In regard to a state Medicaid program, a state shall do the same.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act

Bill: 114-s-2417
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Congressional oversight
Federal-Indian relations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Indian social and development programs
Minority health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act

 
This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to allow the Indian Health Service (IHS) to pay copayments owed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by Indian veterans for services authorized under the Purchased/Referred Care program.
 
The IHS and the VA, in consultation with impacted Indian tribes, must enter into a memorandum of understanding that authorizes the IHS to pay such copayments unless it would decrease the quality of, or access to, health care for individuals receiving care from the IHS or the VA.
 The IHS and the VA must report on veterans who are IHS beneficiaries and have received care from the VA.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to allow the Indian Health Service (IHS) to pay copayments owed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by Indian veterans for services authorized under the Purchased/Referred Care program.
 
The IHS and the VA, in consultation with impacted Indian tribes, must enter into a memorandum of understanding that authorizes the IHS to pay such copayments unless it would decrease the quality of, or access to, health care for individuals receiving care from the IHS or the VA.
 The IHS and the VA must report on veterans who are IHS beneficiaries and have received care from the VA.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 671.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Barrasso without amendment. With written report No. 114-376.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Barrasso without amendment. With written report No. 114-376.
action_date: 2016-06-08
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-05-11
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-537.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Educator Preparation Reform Act

Bill: 114-s-2419
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Employee performance
Higher education
Minority education
Minority employment
Performance measurement
School administration
Special education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Educator Preparation Reform Act

 
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add as purposes of teacher quality partnership grants: (1) recruiting profession ready individuals, including minorities and individuals from other occupations, as teachers, principals, and other educators; and (2) meeting the staffing needs of high-need local education agencies and high-need schools through close partnerships with educator preparation programs within institutions of higher education. 
 
An eligible partnership that receives a partnership grant shall use grant funds to carry out a program for the pre-baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate preparation of teachers, a teaching residency program (as in current law) or a principal residency program, or a combination of such programs. 
 
An eligible partnership carrying out a principal residency program must perform specified activities for high-need schools. 
 
The bill revises requirements for teacher residency programs and prescribes requirements for the establishment of principal residency programs. 
 
An eligible partnership that receives a partnership grant may carry out, instead of a leadership development program, effective educator development programs for other educators besides teachers and principals.
 
The bill revises requirements for state reporting on the quality of teacher preparation. 
 
As a condition for receiving funds under this Act or under title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, a state must conduct an assessment to identify at-risk (as well as low-performing) teacher preparation programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8795-8796)
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate
SNAP Work Opportunities and Veteran Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2420
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Food assistance and relief
Poverty and welfare assistance
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

SNAP Work Opportunities and Veteran Protection Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to exempt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) beneficiaries from work requirements if they are not offered a position in a state job training or workfare program. 
 
The bill also exempts from work requirements veterans who are participating in certain programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or a state to further employment or rehabilitation goals. The bill permits the Department of Agriculture to allocate specified funds to states for the employment programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in Senate