hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Mental Health Equity Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4388
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Mental Health Equity Act

 of 2020

 
This bill establishes programs to address racial and ethnic mental health disparities.
 
Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must award grants that address racial and ethnic health disparities by (1) providing integrated health care in areas with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minority groups, and (2) developing national programs for health professionals to reduce such disparities.
 
The bill also (1) reauthorizes the minority fellowship program to support the education of mental health professionals who provide services to racial and ethnic minorities, (2) requires a study on mental health disparities and a commission on the effects of social media use on adolescents, and (3) prohibits the use of federal funds for specified conversion therapy in the context of sexual orientation or sexual identity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to make certain irrigation districts eligible for Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program pumping power, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4389
Sponsor: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Missouri River
North Dakota
Public contracts and procurement
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 
This bill makes certain irrigation districts in North Dakota eligible to receive pumping power (i.e., hydropower) from the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, subject to the terms and rates established by the Bureau of Reclamation. Under this bill, an irrigation district must enter into a contract with Reclamation to receive such pumping power.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Medical Education Act

Bill: 116-s-4390
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Expanding Medical Education Act

 
This bill authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, to establish or expand schools of medicine or osteopathic medicine.
 
In awarding these grants, HRSA shall prioritize minority-serving institutions or those that propose to establish or expand schools in medically underserved communities or areas with shortages of health professionals where no such schools exist.
 
Grant recipients must use funds to recruit and retain students with backgrounds that are generally underrepresented in health care professions (i.e., members of racial or ethnic minority groups or first-generation college students) and for curriculum development that emphasizes care for rural and underserved populations. They may also use funds for other purposes, including constructing facilities, conducting activities to achieve accreditation, and hiring faculty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4636-4637)
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Masks Work Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4391
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disability assistance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Materials
Medical research
Minority health
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Masks Work Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health to provide access to, increase public awareness of, and support research on cloth face coverings to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), respectively.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Ukraine Security Partnership Act

Bill: 116-s-4392
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Collective security
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
France
Germany
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military command and structure
Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Rule of law and government transparency
Russia
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Ukraine

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Ukraine Security Partnership Act

 
This bill contains provisions related to U.S. support for Ukraine.
 
The Department of State shall report to Congress a strategy on (1) using diplomacy to support Ukraine, and (2) encouraging other countries to donate excess defense equipment to Ukraine. The State Department shall also establish a U.S.-Europe Working Group on Ukraine. 
 
The President shall appoint a Special Envoy for Ukraine, who shall engage in diplomatic activities related to the peace process between Ukraine and Russia and dialogue with countries in the Black Sea region.
 
The bill also authorizes the State Department for FY2021-FY2025 to (1) provide grants and loans to Ukraine for acquiring U.S. defense equipment and services through the Foreign Military Financing program, and (2) provide training for Ukraine's military through the International Military Education and Training program. 
 
From FY2021-FY2025, Ukraine shall have priority access to excess U.S. defense articles. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
TEAM Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4393
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Afghanistan
Asia
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Executive agency funding and structure
Fires
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Iraq
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Solid waste and recycling
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020 or the TEAM Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address health care and benefits for veterans with conditions related to exposure to toxic substances, including by requiring the VA to furnish consultation, testing, and treatment to certain veterans exposed to such substances.

action_date: 2020-12-08
text: 

Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020 or the TEAM Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address health care and benefits for veterans with conditions related to exposure to toxic substances, including by expanding VA health care eligibility to certain individuals who have been awarded specified medals (e.g., the Armed Forces Service Medal) and those exposed to open burn pits or other toxic substances. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 602.
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
IDEA Act

Bill: 116-s-4394
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Government information and archives
Intellectual property
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement Act of 2020 or the IDEA Act

 
This bill requires the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to request demographic information from the inventor on each patent application submitted to the USPTO.
 
Inventors shall not be required to provide the requested information, which shall include gender, race, and military or veteran status.
 
The USPTO shall (1) publish an annual public report about the collected data, including the collected data broken down by the types of technology covered by the patent applications; and (2) make the underlying data publicly available. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4395
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee leave
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Infrastructure development
Marine and inland water transportation
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Natural disasters
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act of 2020

 
This bill authorizes the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to provide financial assistance to states and maritime industry entities during an emergency such as COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, MARAD may provide grants for
 
 
operating costs involved with an emergency response operation, including costs for cleaning, sanitizing, janitorial services, staffing, paid leave, and procuring personal protective equipment; and
 
the costs of capital projects to protect, repair, reconstruct, or replace equipment and facilities of the United States maritime transportation system that are in danger of suffering serious damage, or has suffered serious damage, as a result of an emergency.
 
 
The federal share payable of the costs for which a grant is provided under the bill shall be 100%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate
FAAN Act

Bill: 116-s-4396
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical education
Medical research
Minority education
Minority employment
Nursing
Rural conditions and development
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: 

Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act or the FAAN Act

 
This bill authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants to nursing schools to increase capacity to respond to public health emergencies and pandemics and otherwise enhance nursing education programs.
 
In awarding these grants, HRSA shall prioritize historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, schools that are located in medically underserved communities, and schools in areas with shortages of health professionals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4397
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicaid
Medical research
Minority health
Prescription drugs
Research administration and funding
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: 

Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2020

 
This bill directs specified components of the Department of Health and Human Services to take certain actions to address uterine fibroids (i.e., muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus and may cause pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and reproductive issues).
 
Specifically, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), working through the Office of Research on Women's Health, must undertake research activities on uterine fibroids. In carrying out this research, the office must coordinate with specified components of the NIH and other federal agencies.
 
In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) collect data from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program about treatment and services related to uterine fibroids, and (2) develop a report in coordination with federal partners on federal and state expenditures for these treatments and services.
 
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) must disseminate information about uterine fibroids, including the elevated risk for minority women and information regarding available treatments. Specifically, the CDC shall disseminate the information to the public, while HRSA and AHRQ shall disseminate it to health care providers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4398
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Building construction
Cancer
Caribbean area
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government liability
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Lawyers and legal services
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Metals
Military education and training
Military readiness
Puerto Rico
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: 

Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2020

 
This bill provides a framework to compensate certain residents of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for the use of such island for military readiness. The bill sets forth provisions regarding award amounts for individuals and for claims by the municipality of Vieques.
 
An individual claimant shall be awarded monetary compensation if the claimant contracted a chronic, life threatening, or physical or mental disease or illness, during or after the government used the island for military readiness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
HELP Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4399
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Adoption and foster care
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Assault and harassment offenses
Consumer credit
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Disability and paralysis
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
HIV/AIDS
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Indian social and development programs
Landlord and tenant
Lawyers and legal services
Low- and moderate-income housing
Mental health
Public housing
Right of privacy
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: 

Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program Act of 2020 or the HELP Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a database of information regarding evictions from federally assisted dwellings, limits the inclusion of information relating to landlord-tenant actions in consumer reports, and otherwise provides eviction-related assistance and services.
 
Specifically, the bill requires states and local entities receiving federal housing assistance to submit to HUD, for inclusion in the database, certain information regarding evictions from assisted dwelling units in the past year. Such information must include, among other things, the reason for eviction and whether the household was represented by legal counsel in the proceedings.
 
Additionally, consumer reporting agencies may include an adverse item of information relating to a landlord-tenant action in a consumer report only if the landlord prevailed in the action and the tenant was an adult on the date the court claim was filed. Any such information must be removed from a consumer report one year after the date of the action.
 
Further, the bill authorizes additional Emergency Solutions Grants to provide legal counsel and pay court fees for tenants subject to or at risk of eviction.
 
Finally, HUD must require owners of federally assisted rental units to annually provide information to each tenant regarding the rights and responsibilities of the owner with respect to eviction and local organizations and resources that can provide assistance in eviction-related matters. HUD must also establish an eviction hotline to provide assistance to tenants of these units. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
National Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4400
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: 

National Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2020

 
This bill requires a private entity that obtains an individual's biometric identifier or biometric information to take specified actions to maintain and ensure the privacy and security of such biometric data.
 
Specifically, a private entity in possession of biometric data must develop a written policy establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for destroying such data on the earlier of (1) the date on which the initial purpose for collecting the data has been satisfied, or (2) one year after an individual's last intentional interaction with the entity.
 
A private entity may not obtain an individual's biometric data unless (1) the entity requires the data to provide a service or for a valid business purpose, and (2) the entity informs the individual in writing of the collection and its purpose and receives a written release. Further, a private entity in possession of such data may not sell, lease, or otherwise profit from the data. A private entity must store, transmit, and protect from disclosure all biometric data in its possession in a manner that is the same as, or more protective than, the manner in which the entity treats other confidential and sensitive information. Upon request, the entity must disclose to an individual such data relating to the individual collected during the preceding 12 months.
 
Further, the bill establishes a private right of action for any individual aggrieved by a violation of the bill's provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify certain activities that would have been authorized under Nationwide Permit 12 and other Nationwide Permits, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4402
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Army Corps of Engineers
Endangered and threatened species
Licensing and registrations
Water quality
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: 
This bill provides statutory authority under the Clean Water Act for activities authorized in the reissued final rule titled
 Issuance and Reissuance of Nationwide Permits
 and specifies requirements and criteria for subsequent reissuances of such permits. Nationwide permits are issued for periods of up to five years by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to authorize activities that have minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2020-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate