hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1913
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2015-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicare
Performance measurement
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: 

Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) authorize a Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsor to establish a drug management program under which the PDP sponsor may limit an at-risk beneficiary&rsquo;s access to coverage for frequently abused drugs to include only those drugs that are prescribed by selected prescribers and dispensed by selected pharmacies; and (2) require a PDP sponsor to have in place a utilization management tool to prevent drug abuse.
 
With respect to a drug management program, a PDP sponsor must: (1) provide specified notice to a beneficiary who has been identified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) as &ldquo;at-risk&rdquo; and consequently enrolled in the program; and (2) in selecting prescribers and dispensers, ensure that the beneficiary continues to have reasonable access to drugs. These determinations shall be subject to expedited reconsideration and appeal. A PDP sponsor must review and consider an at-risk beneficiary&rsquo;s preferences regarding prescriber and pharmacy selection.
 
Certain individuals, including those receiving hospice care or residing in a long-term care facility, are exempted from enrollment in a drug management program.
 
CMS must, for purposes of quality or performance assessments, review and consider complaints received from at-risk beneficiaries regarding lack of access due to their enrollment in a drug management program. In addition, CMS must establish rules and procedures requiring a PDP sponsor to provide specified program data.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Commonsense Permitting for Job Creation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1914
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2015-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aquatic ecology
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Industrial facilities
Licensing and registrations
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: 

Commonsense Permitting for Job Creation Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise requirements for permit guidelines applicable to the designation of disposal sites for discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Those guidelines may not prohibit the designation of a disposal site due to the lack of a final site plan because there is not an identified end user, industry, or industrial classification for the site. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6191)
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1916
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2015-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Health facilities and institutions
Health technology, devices, supplies
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Nursing
Rural conditions and development
Telecommunication rates and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: 

Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015

 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include skilled nursing facilities among the types of health care providers who may request from a telecommunications carrier under the Universal Service Fund the necessary telecommunications and information services to serve persons who reside in rural areas at rates that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas.

action_date: 2016-10-27
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include skilled nursing facilities among the types of health care providers that may request from a telecommunications carrier under the Universal Service Fund the necessary telecommunications and information services to serve persons who reside in rural areas at rates that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-10-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 659.
action_date: 2016-10-27
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune under authority of the order of the Senate of 09/29/2016 without amendment. With written report No. 114-368.
action_date: 2016-10-27
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune under authority of the order of the Senate of 09/29/2016 without amendment. With written report No. 114-368.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the provision of Federal funds to an entity that receives compensation for facilitating the donation of fetal tissue derived from an abortion.

Bill: 114-s-1917
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2015-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: 
This bill prohibits federal funding of any affiliate, subsidiary, successor, or clinic of Planned Parenthood Federation of America that receives compensation for facilitating the donation of fetal tissue from an abortion.
 
Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the Department of Justice must investigate whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics has engaged in illegal activity pertaining to fetal tissue products.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6241-6242)
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large (CECIL) Animal Trophies Act

Bill: 114-s-1918
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2015-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Hunting and fishing
Trade restrictions
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: 

Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large (CECIL) Animal Trophies Act

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to apply the Act's prohibitions on importing or exporting species listed as threatened or endangered to species proposed to be listed as well.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Care Conscience Rights Act

Bill: 114-s-1919
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Comprehensive health care
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Legal fees and court costs
Medical education
Religion
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Health Care Conscience Rights Act

 
Amends title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to declare that nothing in that title requires an individual to purchase individual health insurance coverage that includes coverage of an abortion or other item or service to which the individual has a moral or religious objection, or prevent an issuer from offering coverage excluding such item or service to that individual.
 
Denies that title I requires a health plan sponsor or a health insurance issuer to cover an item or service to which the sponsor or issuer has a moral or religious objection.
 
Denies also that title I authorizes imposition of a tax, penalty, fee, fine, or other sanction, or imposition of coverage of such an item or service, on health insurance coverage that excludes such an item or service.
 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to codify the prohibition against any action by the federal government and any state or local government receiving federal financial assistance to subject a health professional, or health care facility, organization, or plan to discrimination on the basis that the entity refuses to participate in abortion-related activities.
 
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to designate the Director of the Office for Civil Rights of HHS to receive and investigate complaints alleging a violation of this abortion discrimination prohibition.
 
Creates a cause of action for the Attorney General or any person or entity adversely affected to obtain equitable or legal relief for any violation of this abortion discrimination prohibition. Allows commencement of an action and the granting of relief without a prerequisite pursuit of administrative remedies. Allows such an action against a federal or state governmental entity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Biennial Report on the Skills Gap Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1920
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Government studies and investigations
Higher education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Biennial Report on the Skills Gap Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to submit a biennial report on the current state of the skills gap in the United States, including: (1) an analysis of the effectiveness of efforts to close such gap, and (2) policy recommendations to improve such efforts.
 
The bill defines &quot;skills gap&quot; as the difference between the specific skills set of employees and the skills desired by employers.
 
Each report may include:
 
 
an analysis of employer participation in apprenticeships and on-the-job training in the United States;
 
an assessment of the Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship program to determine if it can be better utilized;
 
an analysis of the prevalence and portability of recognized postsecondary credentials that align with occupations that are in demand;
 
a comparison of policies and strategies addressing the current skills gap in the United States with those employed by other large countries; and 
 
an analysis of the specific barriers preventing the U.S. workforce from acquiring the skills desired by U.S. employers, including an assessment of opportunities to reduce those barriers.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Vaccinate America's Children through Complete Information & Education Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1921
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Medicaid
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Vaccinate America's Children through Complete Information & Education Act of 2015

 
This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a state to certify that it has established, in its pediatric vaccine distribution program, administrative procedures regarding nonmedical exemptions from state immunization requirements.
 
These procedures must include at least two of the following prerequisites for granting a nonmedical exemption:
 
 
the child's parent or guardian shall discuss the consequences of nonvaccination with the child's primary care provider, as noted in the child's medical record; 
 
the child's parent or guardian shall read, sign, and submit to the state a form discussing the risks of nonvaccination; 
 
the child's parent of guardian shall submit to the state a notarized letter describing why the exemption is being sought; or 
 
all medical exemptions shall be granted for only a one-year period and shall be required to be renewed annually only if the child's parent or guardian wants the exemption to continue for another year. 

 
A state that does not comply with these requirements is subject to a monetary penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving the Quality of Disability Decisions Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1922
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social Security Administration

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Improving the Quality of Disability Decisions Act of 2015

 
This bill amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to direct the Social Security Administration (SSA) to conduct pre-effectuation and post-effectuation quality reviews of hearing dispositions with respect to decisions in connection with applications for OASDI or SSI benefits, in a sufficient number to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and other guidance.
 
SSA shall report annually Congress on: (1) the total number of cases selected for quality review, (2) the number in which a decision is remanded, and (3) the number in which a decision is modified or reversed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6297-6299)
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Promoting Opportunity for Disability Benefit Applicants Act

Bill: 114-s-1923
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Promoting Opportunity for Disability Benefit Applicants Act 

 
This bill amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Social Security Administration to give individuals denied OASDI and SSI benefits based on an adverse determination of disability any information on appropriate public or private entities that provide employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6297-6299)
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act

Bill: 114-s-1924
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Land transfers
South Dakota
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act

 
This bill transfers administrative jurisdiction over specified Bureau of Land Management land within Meade County, South Dakota, from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Veterans Affairs for inclusion in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. 
 
Upon transfer, the Cemetery's boundary is modified to include such land.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the secure rural schools and community self-determination program and to make permanent the payment in lieu of taxes program and the land and water conservation fund.

Bill: 114-s-1925
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government trust funds
Hunting and fishing
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Property tax
Rural conditions and development
State and local finance
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 
This bill extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Program through FY2021 at FY2011 funding levels. This Program provides payments to state jurisdictions to compensate for the cost of providing services in tax-exempt federal lands within such jurisdictions. 
 
The bill eliminates the fiscal year limitation on funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program. This Program compensates local governments for tax revenue lost due to tax-exempt federal lands within their boundaries. 
 
The bill amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to make permanent the authorization for the Land and and Water Conservation Fund. Amounts in such Funds remain available for expenditure to carry out such Act without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation. Not less than 1.5% the annual authorized funding amount under such Act shall be made available for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings Act

Bill: 114-s-1926
Sponsor: Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Research administration and funding
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings Act or the PALS Act

 
This bill requires that any provision of law referring to current recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) with respect to breast cancer screening, mammography, and prevention be administered as if: (1) the provision referred to USPSTF recommendations last issued before 2009; and (2) those recommendations applied to any screening mammography modality, including any digital modality of such a procedure. (In 2009, USPSTF updated its guidelines to recommend against routine screening mammography for women between 40 to 49 years of age and to recommend biennial, instead of annual, screening mammography for most women between 50 to 74 years of age.)
 
In addition, the bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to preserve Medicare coverage for screening mammography, without a requirement for coinsurance, and expand the definition of screening mammography to include any digital modality of such a procedure.
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid may not revise the frequency with which screening mammography may be paid by Medicare for a woman over 39 years of age.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate
REVIEW Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1927
Sponsor: Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Judicial review and appeals

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act of 2015 or the REVIEW Act of 2015

 
Requires a federal agency to postpone the effective date of a high-impact rule pending judicial review. Permits such a rule to take effect 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register if no person seeks judicial review of such rule during such period.
 
Defines a &quot;high-impact rule&quot; as any rule that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determines may impose an annual cost on the economy of at least $1 billion.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in Senate