hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
School Safety and Mental Health Services Improvement Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2513
Sponsor: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN]
Introduced: 2018-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Building construction
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency communications systems
Executive agency funding and structure
Firearms and explosives
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Mental health
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: 

School Safety and Mental Health Services Improvement Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow state and local educational agencies to use certain federal funds for activities related to school safety, including: (1) infrastructure improvements to prevent, mitigate, or respond to incidents of school violence; and (2) professional development for school personnel in mental-health awareness, crisis response, and other programs designed to reduce and prevent school violence.
 
The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the programs for which the Department of Health and Human Services may provide financial support to assist local communities in helping children deal with violence. Such programs may include those designed to provide mental-health and substance-use disorder assessments, crisis-intervention training, counseling, treatment, and referral. 
 
The President must convene an interagency task force to address school safety. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
PACED Act

Bill: 115-s-2514
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2018-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Federal-Indian relations
Government liability
Intellectual property
Jurisdiction and venue
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: 

Preserving Access to Cost Effective Drugs Act or the PACED Act

 
This bill prohibits patent owners from asserting tribal sovereign immunity as a defense in certain proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including patent validity challenge proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The prohibition also applies to court actions and proceedings before the International Trade Commission. 
 
Sovereign immunity for foreign states shall apply in the PTAB as it applies in federal court. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act

Bill: 115-s-2516
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2018-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Congressional oversight
Drug therapy
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: 

Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a three-year demonstration program awarding grants to hospitals and emergency departments to develop, implement, enhance, or study alternative pain management protocols and treatments that promote limited use of opioids in emergency departments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Education Savings Account Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2517
Sponsor: Sen. Sasse, Ben [R-NE]
Introduced: 2018-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Military personnel and dependents
Right of privacy
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: 

Military Education Savings Account Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds for specified educational purposes. Children of active duty service members who reside in a local education agency that receives payments under the Impact Aid Program are eligible to receive funds. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2518
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2018-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Corporate finance and management
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Labor-management relations
Securities
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: 

Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2018

 
This bill amends federal bankruptcy law to modify provisions related to Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which typically involves the reorganization of a debtor company's assets and debts. Specifically, the bill modifies provisions governing: (1) employee and retiree recoveries and losses, and (2) executive compensation programs.
 
With respect to employee and retiree recoveries and losses, the bill does the following:
 
 
increases the maximum value and age of specified wage and benefit claims entitled to priority payment; 
 
allows certain claims for losses related to defined contribution plans, if the employer or plan sponsor has committed fraud or otherwise breached its fiduciary duty; 
 
allows, as an administrative expense of the estate, severance pay owed to employees; 
 
establishes certain restrictions regarding the rejection or amendment of a collective bargaining agreement; 
 
revises specified procedures related to the reduction or denial of retiree benefits; 
 
requires a court, in approving a sale of business assets, to consider the extent to which a bidder has offered to maintain existing jobs and assume benefit obligations; and 
 
modifies other provisions.

 
With respect to executive compensation, the bill does the following:
 
 
establishes specified limitations related to executive compensation enhancements,
 
prohibits executives from receiving certain retiree benefits if such benefits were reduced or eliminated for other employees or retirees, and 
 
 revises other requirements related to court approval of such compensation.

 
In addition, the bill grants creditor status to labor organizations for purposes of filing a proof of claim.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1456-1460)
action_date: 2018-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
GREENER Fuels Act

Bill: 115-s-2519
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Business records
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Ecology
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental regulatory procedures
Farmland
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Horticulture and plants
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Research and development
User charges and fees
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Growing Renewable Energy through Existing and New Environmentally Responsible Fuels Act or the GREENER Fuels Act

 
This bill revises the renewable fuel program, including to eliminate the volume standards applicable to corn-starch ethanol and extend the volume standards applicable to cellulosic biofuel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2520
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to ensure charges for payphone service are just and reasonable. 
 
Payphone service includes the provision of public or semipublic pay telephones and inmate telephone service and advanced communications services in correctional institutions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2521
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Due process and equal protection
Firearms and explosives
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Mental health
Retail and wholesale trades
State and local government operations
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to authorize and establish procedures for a family or household member, or law enforcement officer, to request an extreme risk protection order with respect to an individual who poses an imminent risk to themselves or others. An extreme risk protection order is a federal court order that prohibits a person from owning, possessing, receiving, or having control or custody of a firearm.
 
The bill also expands the categories of prohibited persons (i.e., persons barred from receiving or possessing a firearm or ammunition) to add a new category for persons who are subject to a court order that prohibits them from purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-20
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2522
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Citizenship and naturalization
Criminal justice information and records
Immigration status and procedures
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018

 
 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant automatic citizenship to all qualifying children adopted by a U.S. citizen parent. (Currently, an adopted child must have been under 18 years old as of February 27, 2001, in order to qualify for automatic citizenship.) 
 
An individual born outside of the United States who was adopted by a U.S. citizen parent shall automatically become a U.S. citizen when the following conditions have been fulfilled: 
 
 
the individual was adopted by a U.S. citizen before the individual reached age 18, 
 
the individual was physically present in the United States in the citizen parent's legal custody pursuant to a lawful admission before the individual reached age 18, 
 
the individual never acquired U.S. citizenship before the enactment of this bill, and 
 
the individual was lawfully residing in the United States on the date of enactment of this bill. 
 
 
An individual who meets such criteria, except for lawfully residing in the United States on the date of enactment of this bill, shall automatically become a U.S. citizen on the date on which the individual is physically present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission. 
 
A visa may not be issued to such an individual unless: 
 
 
the individual was subjected to a criminal background check, and 
 
the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State coordinated with law enforcement agencies to ensure that appropriate action is taken regarding any unresolved criminal activity.
 
 
Automatic citizenship may not be granted to an individual who was deported for an offense that involved the use of physical force against another person. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2523
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2018

 
This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment, subject to specified frequency limits, of certain colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2524
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to create a loan repayment program for individuals who complete a period of service in a substance use disorder treatment job in a mental health professional shortage area or a county where the drug overdose death rate is higher than the national average.
 
The substance use disorder treatment job must be a full-time position where the primary intent and function is the direct care of patients with or in recovery from a substance use disorder.
 
Individuals must enter into an agreement of service of up to six years with the Health Resources and Services Administration. The repayment program shall pay one-sixth of the principal and interest on any eligible loan for each year of service; the maximum total amount of repayment by the program is $250,000 per individual.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
First Amendment Defense Act

Bill: 115-s-2525
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Charitable contributions
Civil actions and liability
First Amendment rights
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Income tax deductions
Licensing and registrations
Marriage and family status
Public contracts and procurement
Religion
Sex and reproductive health
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

First Amendment Defense Act

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person speaks or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that: (1) marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman or two individuals as recognized under federal law, or (2) sexual relations outside marriage are improper.
 
The bill defines "person" as any person regardless of religious affiliation, except publicly traded for-profit entities; federal employees acting within the scope of their employment; federal for-profit contractors acting within the scope of their contract; or hospitals and other health care entities with respect to visitation, recognition of a designated representative for health care decisions, or refusal to provide medical treatment necessary to cure an illness or injury.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2526
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to modify requirements for tax-favored retirement savings accounts, employer-provided retirement plans, and retirement benefits for federal judges. 
 
With respect to employer-provided plans, the bill modifies requirements regarding: 
 
 
 multiple employer plans, 
 
 automatic enrollment and nonelective contributions, 
 
loans, 
 
 terminating or transferring plans, 
 
 reporting and disclosure rules,
 
 nondiscrimination rules, 
 
 selecting lifetime income providers, and 
 
 Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums. 
 
 
The bill also increases the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs and allows a tax credit for small employers that establish retirement plans that include automatic enrollment. 
 
With respect to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), the bill: 
 
 
 treats taxable non-tuition fellowship and stipend payments as compensation,
 
 repeals the maximum age for traditional IRA contributions, and 
 
 permits any IRA to be a shareholder of any S corporation that is a bank. 
 
 
The bill makes several modifications to retirement benefits for magistrate judges of the U.S. Tax Court and other federal judges. 
 
The bill also modifies various tax provisions to: 
 
 
 reinstate and increase the tax exclusion for benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders, 
 
 revise the required distribution rules for pension plans,
 
 increase penalties for failing to file tax or retirement plan returns, and 
 
 require the Internal Revenue Service to share returns and return information with U.S. Customs Border Protection to administer the heavy vehicle use tax. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Investment Opportunity Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2527
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Government lending and loan guarantees
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Small Business Investment Opportunity Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the maximum amount of outstanding leverage (i.e., borrowing power) made available to any licensed small business investment company from $150 million to $175 million.

action_date: 2018-03-19
text: 

Small Business Investment Opportunity Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the maximum amount of outstanding leverage (i.e., borrowing power) made available to any licensed small business investment company from $150 million to $175 million.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-06-07
text: By Senator Risch from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 115-272.
action_date: 2018-06-07
text: By Senator Risch from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 115-272.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 353.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1580-1581)
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Continued Support for the Iranian People Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2528
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2018-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Iran
Middle East
Protest and dissent
Religion
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 

Continued Support for the Iranian People Act of 2018

 
This bill states that it is U.S. policy to: (1) condemn the government of Iran's violations of its citizens' human rights and freedoms of religion and speech, (2) support their fight for freedom and prosperity, and (3) work with international allies and partners to monitor and respond to protests in Iran in a manner that supports human rights and democratic aspirations and deters the Iranian government from committing acts of oppression against its citizens. 
 
The Department of State shall: (1) work with social media companies to build an archive of social media communications to and from protesters in Iran, and (2) work with social media and telecommunications companies and Internet service providers to develop a strategy to prevent the Iranian government from shutting down Internet access and blocking social media access.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate