hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Worker Flexibility and Small Business Protection Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4738
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Worker Flexibility and Small Business Protection Act of 2020

 
 This bill classifies certain workers as employees, permits employees to request work schedule flexibility, expands oversight mechanisms for certain labor protections, requires employers to post compliance ratings, and provides standards for interpreting and applying certain worker rights.
 
 First, the bill provides that workers only may be classified under various labor laws as independent contractors, and not employees, in specified circumstances. It also permits employees to continue, or request, work schedule flexibility.
 
 The bill also defines the term 
multiple employers
 under various labor laws and makes parent companies responsible for the labor requirements of subsidiary employers. Certain owners, officers, and managers of companies may be assessed civil penalties for violations of certain labor laws; the 10 largest shareholders of employers also may be jointly liable for damages and civil penalties against such employers. Employers also are responsible for the labor protections of employees provided through staffing companies (e.g., temporary employees), including providing wages comparable to direct employees performing similar work.
 
 Additionally, employers must post a rating of their compliance with applicable labor laws as determined by the Department of Labor.
 
 Finally, the bill requires that specified labor laws are interpreted to include as employees workers or individuals claiming such classification. Further, agencies may not take actions to reduce employee protections under such laws without approval by Congress, and the bill provides standards of interpretation for judicial review.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Values in Arms Export Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4739
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
Legislative rules and procedure
Licensing and registrations
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
Military operations and strategy
Militias and paramilitary groups
News media and reporting
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sanctions
Saudi Arabia
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Trade restrictions
United Arab Emirates
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Values in Arms Export Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes monitoring, oversight, and other measures to ensure the use of defense articles and defense services acquired by designated countries of concern does not violate human rights or the law of armed conflict. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act

Bill: 116-s-4740
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intergovernmental relations
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Performance measurement
Scientific communication
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act

 
This bill provides funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for improving its core public health infrastructure and awarding grants to strengthen such infrastructure in state, tribal, territorial, and local health departments.
 
Core public health infrastructure includes the elements and workforce capabilities that enable health departments to perform critical functions (i.e., disease surveillance and emergency response).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
End Transfers of Detained Immigrants Act

Bill: 116-s-4741
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Detention of persons
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health promotion and preventive care
Immigration status and procedures
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

End Transfers of Detained Immigrants Act

 
This bill imposes requirements related to individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency declared by the Department of Health and Human Services.
 
ICE may not transfer an individual between ICE facilities until the COVID-19 transmission rate in the United States meets or drops below a certain threshold.
 
In addition, ICE may not apprehend or transfer an individual between an ICE detention facility and a facility operated by an outside entity, such as a state or local prison, unless the individual is tested for COVID-19 and placed in quarantine (1) for 14 consecutive days, or (2) until the test comes back negative. 
 
These two requirements shall not prohibit the transfer of (1) an individual solely to process that individual's release from custody, or (2) a minor from ICE custody to the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. 
 
If ICE cannot ensure compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 (including maintaining social distancing requirements at all times) in any ICE facility, ICE shall (1) immediately review the custody of all detained individuals in that facility, and (2) release individuals found eligible for release.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
CLINICAL TREATMENT Act

Bill: 116-s-4742
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Drug therapy
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Medicaid
Medical research
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Covering Life-saving Investigations Needed in Cancer and Other Life-threatening Conditions through Timely use of Resources for Easy and Affordable Treatment from Medicaid for Enrollees in Need Today Act or the CLINICAL TREATMENT Act

 
This bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover routine patient costs for items and services that are provided in connection with a qualifying clinical trial regarding serious or other life-threatening conditions.
 
The bill defines 
routine patient costs
 to include items and services that would otherwise be covered under Medicaid absent the patient's participation in the clinical trial; the term includes items and services relating to trial complications, but excludes those items and services that are the subject of the trial or that are provided solely in relation to data analysis and are not otherwise covered. 
 
Additionally, a 
qualifying clinical trial
 means, among other things, a clinical trial that is approved or funded by specified entities (e.g., the National Institutes of Health) or is an authorized new drug trial.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
USACE Military Augmentation Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4743
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

USACE Military Augmentation Act of 2020

 
This bill expands the types of Army personnel entitled to receive certain pay and allowances while assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers on nonmilitary public works projects.
 
Currently, regular Corps officers and reserve Army officers assigned to the Corps are entitled to receive pay and allowances from funds appropriated for the project that they are working on. The bill also entitles warrant officers and enlisted members of the Army, whether regular or reserve, to receive such pay and allowances when assigned to the Corps.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Republic of Texas Legation Memorial Act

Bill: 116-s-4744
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Government trust funds
Monuments and memorials
State and local government operations
Texas
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Republic of Texas Legation Memorial Act

 
This bill authorizes the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to establish the Republic of Texas Legation Memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to commemorate and honor those individuals who, as representatives of the Republic of Texas, served in the District of Columbia as diplomats to the United States and made possible the annexation of Texas as the 28th state of the United States. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop COVID–19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4745
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Stop COVID-19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020

 
This bill modifies provisions requiring health insurance plans to cover COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) diagnostic testing services at no cost, without prior authorization, and without medical management requirements. The bill specifies that a plan may not make determinations about the circumstances surrounding individuals' tests, such as why they sought testing or whether they showed symptoms of COVID-19. The bill also specifies that plans may encourage individuals to obtain tests from lower priced providers as long as such efforts do not delay, or impede access to, testing.
 
 The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to survey and report on the cash prices of testing services and the compliance of providers with the requirement to publish such prices.
 
Additionally, HHS, jointly with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Labor, must issue guidance clarifying the process for submitting claims for testing services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
TRICARE Retiree Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-4746
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

TRICARE Retiree Protection Act

 
This bill authorizes a covered beneficiary who is enrolled in TRICARE Select to reenroll in TRICARE Select at any time during 2021. Covered beneficiaries are those in the retired category who enrolled in TRICARE Select as of December 31, 2020, but did not establish a monthly enrollment fee payment during the 2020 TRICARE Open Season.
 
A covered beneficiary who reenrolls in TRICARE Select must, at the time of enrollment, pay a portion of the annual enrollment fee and establish a monthly enrollment fee payment for the remaining months of 2021.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Informing Grand­fam­i­lies Act

Bill: 116-s-4747
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Families

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Informing Grandfamilies Act

 
This bill requires states to notify kinship caregivers (e.g., grandparents or other relatives caring for a minor child) about (1) the care and placement options under federal, state, and local laws, (2) the requirements to become a foster family home, (3) whether the state has elected to make guardianship assistance payments, and (4) other policies under the state program that may assist such caregivers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4748
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Justice
Disability assistance
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Executive agency funding and structure
Law enforcement administration and funding
Lawyers and legal services
Natural disasters
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to report on the impact of major disasters on federal correctional facilities. The bill also (1) requires the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board to report on the emergency and evacuation procedures at state and territorial correctional facilities during major disasters, and (2) expands membership of the advisory board to include those with specific backgrounds in areas such as public health or emergency response.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4750
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Internet Development for Tribes Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes requirements to assist tribal entities with access to spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band.
 
Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may not (1) impose a build-out or performance requirement on certain tribal entities that hold licenses for spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, or (2) cancel or terminate a license if the licensee fails to meet any construction or performance benchmark.
 
The FCC must, upon request, provide technical assistance and guidance on the most effective use of the 2.5 GHz band for wireless and broadband services. Further, the FCC must award grants to these license holders for technical assistance and acquisition of appropriate equipment and services related to the use of the 2.5 GHz band, respectively.
 
The Government Accountability Office must determine whether the federal government possesses surplus equipment that can be used to access the 2.5 GHz band. If surplus equipment is found, each federal agency possessing surplus must transfer it to the FCC for distribution to tribal license holders to aid in their deployment of broadband service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4751
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 20

20

 
This bill limits the aggregate amount of a partner's annual tax deductions for qualified conservation contributions of a partnership to 2.5 times the partner's adjusted basis in the partnership. (Under current law, a 
qualified conservation contribution
 is the contribution of a qualified real property interest to a qualified organization exclusively for conservation purposes.) 
 
The limitation applies for the first three taxable years after the individual becomes a partner in the partnership. It does not apply to certain family partnerships. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy Act

Bill: 116-s-4752
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy Act

 
This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties, and membership. Among other activities, the commission must study the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policy (a federal policy under which American Indian and Alaska Native children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools) and make recommendations to discontinue the removal of American Indian and Alaska Native children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4753
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Mental health
Sex and reproductive health
Veterans' medical care
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2020 or the DOULA for VA Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year pilot program to furnish doula services to pregnant veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system. The program must furnish doula services through eligible entities by expanding the VA's Whole Health model to measure the impact that doula support services have on birth and mental health outcomes of pregnant veterans. The Whole Health model is a holistic approach that looks at the many areas of life that may affect health in order to make a health plan suited for each individual based on his or her health goals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish COVID Recovery Bonds, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4754
Sponsor: Sen. Perdue, David [R-GA]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Building construction
Educational facilities and institutions
Electric power generation and transmission
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Energy storage, supplies, demand
First responders and emergency personnel
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health facilities and institutions
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Judicial procedure and administration
Libraries and archives
Oil and gas
Securities
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 
This bill establishes a program of COVID Recovery Bonds which are treated as exempt facility bonds for tax purposes. It also provides for tax-exempt financing of qualified government buildings. The bill defines 
qualified government buildings
 to include (1) an elementary or secondary school, (2) a facility of a state college or university used for educational purposes, (3) a library open to the general public, (4) a court of law, (5) a hospital or health care facility, (6) a laboratory or research facility, and (7) a public safety facility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act

Bill: 116-s-4755
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Federal district courts
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Legal fees and court costs
Life, casualty, property insurance
Motor vehicles
State and local courts
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: 

Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act 

 
This bill prohibits an automobile insurer from considering specified factors when determining a consumer's insurance rates or eligibility. These prohibited factors include 
 
 
gender, 
 
employment status, 
 
zip code, 
 
census tract, 
 
marital status, and 
 
credit score. 
 
 
Automobile insurers must make underwriting rules and rate filings available to the public. 
 
The Federal Trade Commission may enforce a violation of these requirements as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate