hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Women’s Health Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1645
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Federal preemption
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Women's Health Protection Act of 2019

 
 This bill prohibits state or local governments from imposing certain restrictions on access to abortion services. Specifically, state or local government may not require
 
 
unnecessary tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services,
 
the same health care provider who provides abortion services to perform such tests or procedures,
 
providers to offer medically inaccurate information to patients before or during abortion services,
 
providers to refrain from prescribing certain drugs,
 
certain hospital facility transfer agreements,
 
one or more medically unnecessary in-person visits, or
 
patients to disclose the reason for seeking abortion services.
 
 
The bill also prohibits limitations or requirements that both single out and impede access to abortion services based on a number of factors (e.g., restrictions that are reasonably likely to decrease the availability of abortion services in a state). A state or local government also may not prohibit abortions prior to fetal viability nor prohibit abortions after fetal viability in cases where the health care provider determines that continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the patient's life or health.
 
 Additionally, the Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to prospectively enjoin a limitation or restriction that is prohibited by this bill. The bill further requires the government defending such a limitation or restriction to show that (1) it significantly advances the safety of abortion services or patient health, and (2) such advancement cannot be met by a less-restrictive measure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Family-to-Family Health Information Centers Act

Bill: 116-s-1647
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Disability and paralysis
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Supporting Family-to-Family Health Information Centers Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Family-to-Family Health Information Centers Program, which is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program awards grants to family-run organizations to support the provision of information and peer support to families of children with special health care needs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Veteran Caregivers Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1648
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Family services
Government studies and investigations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Neurological disorders
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Supporting Veteran Caregivers Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reevaluate the cases of family caregivers who were removed from the VA family caregivers program or had benefits reduced under such program to ensure the removal or reduction was consistent with the program's eligibility criteria.
 
On the basis of the reevaluation, the VA must (1) offer reinstatement in the program to family caregivers who were improperly removed, and (2) reverse any reduction in benefits that was found to be improper.
 
The VA must compensate family caregivers who were reinstated in an amount equal to the amount the caregivers would have received during the period of removal. Additionally, the VA must compensate family caregivers whose benefits were restored for the benefits they would have received if their benefits had not been reduced.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act

Bill: 116-s-1649
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Coal
Debt collection
Disability assistance
Employee benefits and pensions
Mining
Railroads
Social security and elderly assistance
Transportation employees
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act

 
This bill prohibits the application of, and repeals authority for, administrative offsets to Social Security, railroad retirement, and black lung benefits. (An administrative offset is the withholding of funds payable by or held by the United States to satisfy a debt.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3110-3111; text: CR S3110-3111)
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1650
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Education programs funding
Higher education
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Indian social and development programs
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Education to provide formula grants to states for activities to improve college access, retention, and completion rates for foster and homeless youth. States that receive such grants must award subgrants to institutions of higher education to carry out these activities in partnership with child welfare agencies and organizations serving homeless youth. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Improved Employment Outcomes for Foster Youth Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1651
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Income tax credits
Wages and earnings
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Improved Employment Outcomes for Foster Youth Act of 2019

 
This bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of qualified foster care transition youth.
 
(The WOTC permits employers who hire individuals who are members of a targeted group [e.g., qualified veterans, ex-felons, SSI recipients] to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals.) 
 
A &quot;qualified foster care transition youth&quot; is any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as (1) not having attained age 27 as of the hiring date, and (2) as having been in foster care after attaining the age specified in provisions of the Social Security Act related to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (currently 18 years of age). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1652
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 201

9

 
This bill makes the tax credit for adoption expenses refundable. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend section 3063 of title 18, United States Code, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-1653
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Firearms and explosives
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement officers
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 
This bill modifies the criminal law enforcement authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
 
Specifically, it removes the statutory authority for a criminal law enforcement officer of the EPA to carry firearms. Additionally, an EPA law enforcement officer must notify state and local law enforcement agencies before executing and serving a warrant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Vaccine Access Improvement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1654
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Vaccine Access Improvement Act of 2019

 
This bill modifies the excise tax on certain vaccines to (1) automatically impose the tax on vaccines that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adds to the Vaccine Injury Table, and (2) require HHS to notify the Department of the Treasury and Congress when new vaccines are added to the table. (The excise tax funds the National Vaccine Injury Program, which compensates people who have been injured by vaccines listed on the table.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the carriage of certain television broadcast stations, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-1655
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Competition and antitrust
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Licensing and registrations
Massachusetts
New York State

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 
This bill authorizes a cable operator to transmit any television broadcast station that (1) is not currently retransmitted to all subscribers in Berkshire County, Massachusetts (located within the designated market area of Albany, New York), and (2) was retransmitted to such subscribers on December 1, 2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
VA SNAFU Act

Bill: 116-s-1656
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Health care coverage and access
Hospital care
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Veterans Affairs Saving Network Appointments From Upheaval Act or the VA SNAFU Act

 
This bill revises the effective date of the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) to the date on which the first market area assessment is completed. Such assessments must be completed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assess factors related to the provision of VA health care services (e.g., the capacity of the VA and providers under the VCCP to provide care). 
 
Additionally, the bill authorizes the VA to furnish care and services under the Veterans Choice Program until the VA has entered into contracts to provide care under the VCCP.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Kay Hagan Tick Act

Bill: 116-s-1657
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Ticks: Identify, Control, and Knockout Act or the TICK Act

 
This bill establishes the Office of Oversight and Coordination for Vector-Borne Diseases within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office must develop a national strategy to address, and coordinate the federal response to, Lyme disease and other tick- and vector-borne diseases. The office must support research initiatives, tick- and disease-surveillance programs, and diagnostic-testing development, among other activities.
 
HHS must also award grants to support the establishment of Regional Centers of Excellence in Tick and Vector-Borne Diseases. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must form cooperative agreements with state, local, and tribal health departments to address such diseases. 

action_date: 2019-11-05
text: 

Kay Hagan Tick Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to address vector-borne diseases, including tick-borne diseases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 287.
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Alexander with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Alexander with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3111-3112)
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
North Korea Policy Oversight Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1658
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Freedom of information
Government information and archives
Human rights
International law and treaties
Japan
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Military readiness
News media and reporting
North Korea
Nuclear weapons
Russia
Sanctions
South Korea
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

North Korea Policy Oversight Act of 2019

 
This bill requires additional reports and briefings related to North Korea.
 
The Department of State shall periodically report to Congress on diplomatic engagement with and by North Korea. The bill contains various additional reporting requirements, such as for the President to report a detailed strategy for implementing certain policies related to achieving North Korea's denuclearization.
 
The State Department shall brief Congress after each high-level U.S.-North Korea diplomatic talk.
 
The President shall notify Congress no later than five days after entering into any agreement with North Korea related to North Korea's nuclear and missile program. The notice shall include the agreement and an assessment of the extent to which the State Department can verify North Korea's compliance with the agreement. The President shall also periodically report on North Korea's compliance with the agreement and other related matters. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty Care Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1659
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Medical education
Mental health
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Ensuring Children's Access to Specialty Care Act of 2019

 
This bill expands the scope of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to include pediatric subspecialists, including psychiatrists. Currently, the NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to primary care, dental care, and mental health care providers who agree to work in areas that face a shortage of these types of providers.
 
In addition, the bill provides that an underserved population of children and adolescents may be designated as a health professional shortage area. (This designation confers eligibility for, and priority preferences with respect to, NHSC placements, grants, and other activities to address shortages of health care professionals.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3112-3113)
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Grandfamilies Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1660
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Employment and training programs
Family relationships
Family services
Food assistance and relief
Housing and community development funding
Low- and moderate-income housing
Medicaid
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public housing
Separation, divorce, custody, support
Social security and elderly assistance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Grandfamilies Act of 2019

 
 This bill expands access to specified programs for children living with grandparents or other family members who are not their legal guardian. Specifically, the bill provides that a child of a relative eligible for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance benefits is eligible for such benefit payments if that child (1) began living with such relative before age 18, (2) receives at least 50% of their support from such relative, and (3) has lived with such relative pursuant to a court order for at least 12 months.
 
 Additionally, the bill revises the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements for children living with specified caretaker relatives. First, the bill lessens the requirement for TANF applicants to assign their rights to child support when such assignment may impact the likelihood of reunifying the child with their noncustodial parent, such as where the noncustodial parent is working to gain financial stability so they may reunify with their child. Further, when a child, but not the caretaker relative, receives TANF benefits (i.e., child-only cases), or if the caretaker relative is 55 or older, the bill (1) excludes such caretaker&rsquo;s income from that child&rsquo;s eligibility determination, (2) removes the 5-year cap on assistance, and (3) exempts such caretaker relatives from TANF work requirements.
 
 The bill also (1) encourages states to enact temporary guardianship laws, (2) establishes the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies, and (3) provides grants supporting caretaker relatives.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act

Bill: 116-s-1661
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Corporate finance and management
Department of the Treasury
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Labor-management relations
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

United States Employee Ownership Bank Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish the U.S. Employee Ownership Bank, which must provide, in accordance with specified terms, conditions, and other requirements, financial assistance to increase employee ownership of a company.
 
The bill specifies that, in general, if an employer orders the closing of a plant or facility, the employer must offer its employees an opportunity to purchase the plant or facility through an employee stock-ownership plan or an eligible worker-owned cooperative.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Opioid Treatment Surge Act

Bill: 116-s-1662
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health care coverage and access
Prescription drugs
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Opioid Treatment Surge Act

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to assess market-share-based fees, for the next 10 years, on drug manufacturers that have produced opioid drugs since 1999. Opioid drugs manufactured to treat opioid addiction, cancer patients, or hospice patients are, however, exempt from this assessment. All assessed fees must be used for the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate