hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Incubator Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4931
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]
Introduced: 2019-10-30 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Government Operations and Politics
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: 

Incubator Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish a grant program to provide financial assistance to support the growth and success of business incubators.
 
Commerce shall (1) award such grants competitively; (2) take into account factors such as population, unemployment level, and business creation metrics, as well as giving priority to applicants located in opportunity zones (low-income communities); and (3) award no more than $5 million to applicants in a single state and no more than $500,000 to a single grantee during a fiscal year. An entity receiving a grant may use the funds for operating expenses but may not use the funds for capital expenditures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
CONNECT for Health Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4932
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]
Introduced: 2019-10-30 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare
Mental health
Minority health
Rural conditions and development
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: 

Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2019 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2019

 
This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. 
 
Among other things, the bill
 
 
allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain restrictions, such as geographic restrictions, for services provided in high-need health professional shortage areas;
 
excludes mental health and emergency medical services, as well as services provided at rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and Indian Health Service facilities, from such geographic restrictions; and
 
allows the CMS to generally waive coverage restrictions during national emergencies. 
 
 
Additionally, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must report on information relating to the access of Medicare beneficiaries to telehealth services at home. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may also test alternative payment models relating to expanded telehealth services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Amendment Act

Bill: 116-hr-4933
Sponsor: Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
Introduced: 2019-10-30 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Child care and development
Employment and training programs
Transportation costs
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: 

Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Amendment Act

 
This bill expands the technical assistance provided by community-based organizations under the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Act to certain employers and labor organizations to include reimbursement for childcare and transportation expenses incurred by participants in apprenticeship programs.
 
It also modifies selection criteria for grantees to require the Department of Labor to select not fewer than one employer or labor union from each state to receive technical assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H8789)
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
Dignity for Aborted Children Act

Bill: 116-hr-4934
Sponsor: Rep. Walorski, Jackie [R-IN-2]
Introduced: 2019-10-30 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Cemeteries and funerals
Census and government statistics
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Health information and medical records
Health personnel

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: 

Dignity for Aborted Children Act

 
 This bill requires abortion providers to offer patients specified options concerning the human fetal tissue from an abortion. Specifically, patients must be given an informed consent form specifying the options to (1) take possession of the tissue for transfer to an entity that provides interment or cremations services, or (2) in cases where the tissue is expelled on the provider&rsquo;s premises, release the tissue to the provider. If the tissue is released to the abortion provider, the provider must ensure the tissue is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortion providers must report annually about the aggregate number of abortions performed and other specified information.
 
The bill provides civil or criminal penalties for violations of disposal, informed consent, and reporting requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4935
Sponsor: Rep. Wright, Ron [R-TX-6]
Introduced: 2019-10-30 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medical ethics
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: 

Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2019

 
This bill restricts the use of telehealth for chemical abortions (also known as medication abortions). 
 
Specifically, it requires a provider who dispenses or prescribes medication for a chemical abortion to physically examine the patient, be physically present at the location of the chemical abortion, and schedule a follow-up visit. The bill provides an exception for a chemical abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, injury, or condition. 
 
The bill establishes criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both&#8212;for a provider who does not comply with the requirements.
 
A patient who undergoes a chemical abortion may not be prosecuted. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-11-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H9064)
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Introduced in House
Bridge to End Homelessness Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4936
Sponsor: Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-32]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Employment and training programs
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Mental health
Performance measurement
Service animals

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Bridge to End Homelessness Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to local or regional government entities to provide interim housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
Workforce Reentry Act

Bill: 116-hr-4937
Sponsor: Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Business education
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Higher education
Income tax credits
Mental health
Performance measurement
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Workforce Reentry Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to private nonprofit organizations, local workforce development boards, state or local governments, or Indian or Native American entities to provide job training, job placement services, and mentoring to individuals who 
 
 
have been convicted of a crime as a juvenile or an adult and imprisoned, or 
 
have not been released from prison for more than two years before the date on which the individual begins participation in the workforce.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4938
Sponsor: Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Medicare
Motor vehicles
Rural conditions and development
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes a series of requirements relating to coverage of ground ambulance services under Medicare. 
 
Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must continue to designate an area as a rural or qualified rural area that is eligible for increased payment under Medicare, even if the area would otherwise no longer qualify for such designation, if the area has a specified population density. The CMS must also establish an administrative process to allow ambulance service providers to appeal a change in an area's designation. 
 
The bill also requires the CMS to (1) expand to all states a prior authorization model for repetitive scheduled nonemergent ambulance transport, in accordance with specified limitations, if such an expansion has not already occurred by a certain date; (2) increase payment rates for ground ambulance services; and (3) eliminate certain administrative requirements for such services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
STOP Straw Purchases Act

Bill: 116-hr-4939
Sponsor: Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

STOP Straw Purchases Act

 
This bill establishes new criminal offenses and penalties to deter straw purchases of firearms (i.e., firearm purchases from a licensed gun dealer by one person on behalf of another person).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
Texas Ranger Division’s 200th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act

Bill: 116-hr-4940
Sponsor: Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays
Crimes against children
Currency
Higher education
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Texas
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Texas Ranger Division's 200th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act 

 
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the oldest-serving statewide law-enforcement agency in the United States, the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. 
 
All surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be distributed, as specified by the bill, to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Texas Ranger Foundation Scholarship Program, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
VET Act

Bill: 116-hr-4941
Sponsor: Rep. Kim, Andy [D-NJ-3]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Veteran Employment Transition Act or the VET Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to collect contact information from service members and share the information with veterans' service organizations for purposes of outreach regarding benefits, employment opportunities, and other programs and events.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
Darren Drake Act

Bill: 116-hr-4942
Sponsor: Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Terrorism
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Darren Drake Act

 
This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration to disseminate and periodically update best practices for vehicle rental companies and dealers to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement to prevent vehicle ramming and other terrorist attacks.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
ELEVATE Act

Bill: 116-hr-4943
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Stephanie N. [D-FL-7]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Caribbean area
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Puerto Rico
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Ensuring Linguistic Excellence and Vocational Aptitude by Teaching English Act or the ELEVATE Act

 
This bill makes changes in the treatment of Puerto Rico with respect to allotments for English Language Acquisition grants, to allow students who have migrated from Puerto Rico to the states to be fully counted in the annual grant allocation that states receive under such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Investment Improvement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4944
Sponsor: Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Criminal justice information and records
Licensing and registrations
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Small Business Investment Improvement Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Small Business Administration to approve or decline an applicant seeking a license to operate as a small business investment company (SBIC) within certain specified timelines, and it requires an applicant to successfully pass a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check before it may become an SBIC. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
Safeguarding Medicare Access to Respiratory Therapy Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4945
Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicare
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Safeguarding Medicare Access to Respiratory Therapy Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes certain requirements relating to Medicare coverage of ventilators. 
 
Specifically, the bill (1) excludes ventilators and other covered respiratory items, as specified, from Medicare's competitive acquisition program (in which rates are set through a competitive bidding program rather than by an established fee schedule); and (2) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a technical expert panel to review, and make recommendations regarding, national coverage determinations with respect to Medicare coverage of ventilators and other specified respiratory devices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4946
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Retail and wholesale trades
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: 

Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes several requirements for prescription drug plans under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. 
 
Specifically, the bill requires prescription drug plans to allow any pharmacy located in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area to be included as an in-network pharmacy if the plan already has other in-network pharmacies in the same area. 
 
The bill also establishes certain standards for prescription drug plans regarding pharmacy reimbursements and related disclosures. Among other things, the bill prohibits prescription drug plans from reimbursing a pharmacy in an amount that is less than the amount the pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) reimburses an affiliated pharmacy (i.e., a pharmacy that has a shared ownership interest with the PBM) for the same services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Introduced in House