hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Preventing Mandates on Toddlers Act

Bill: 117-s-3412
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Preschool education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Preventing Mandates on Toddlers Act

 
This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to implement or enforce the Department of Health and Human Services' rule titled 
Vaccine and Mask Requirements To Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 in Head Start Programs
, published on November 30, 2021, or any substantially similar rule, regulation, or agency statement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S9263)
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals.

Bill: 117-s-3413
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 
This bill extends through 2025 the tax credit for the health insurance costs of individual taxpayers and their family members.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
National Biosecurity Improvement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3414
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Homeland security
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation
Medical research
Military medicine
Research administration and funding
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

National Biosecurity Improvement Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress about policies and past actions of the National Institutes of Health related to enhancing potential pandemic pathogens and similar research that could result in unintended homeland and national security concerns.
 
Among other matters, the study must address how federal agencies ensure that such research is conducted safely and without compromising national security and the extent to which agencies consider national security information in decisions about whether to fund research in other countries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Constitutional Accountability Act

Bill: 117-s-3415
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Government liability
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Constitutional Accountability Act

 
This bill extends civil liability to federal, state, and local government entities and officials for constitutional violations committed by law enforcement officers. 
 
Current law provides a statutory civil cause of action against state and local government actors (e.g., law enforcement) for violations of constitutional rights (also known as Section 1983 lawsuits); the Supreme Court has also found an implied cause of action against federal law enforcement officers in certain situations (e.g., Fourth Amendment violations). 
 
However, under the judicial doctrine of qualified immunity, government officials performing discretionary duties are generally shielded from civil liability except when their actions violate clearly established rights of which a reasonable person would have known. Additionally, under the doctrine of sovereign immunity, federal and state government entities generally cannot be sued without their consent. Further, the Supreme Court has held that a local government entity cannot be sued for an injury inflicted by its employees. 
 
The bill provides a statutory civil cause of action against and extends liability to federal, state, and local government entities and officials for violations of constitutional rights committed by law enforcement officers in their employment, regardless of any immunity that would otherwise apply.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Patients from Counterfeit Medical Devices Act

Bill: 117-s-3416
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Protecting Patients from Counterfeit Medical Devices Act

 
This bill expands provisions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act pertaining to counterfeit drugs to also cover counterfeit medical devices and addresses related issues. (Current law prohibits trafficking in counterfeit goods generally.)
 
The bill prohibits certain actions, such as selling counterfeit devices or forging labels to make counterfeit medical devices. An individual or entity that makes or sells a counterfeit medical device shall be subject to fines, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. 
 
Counterfeit medical devices, packaging and labeling for counterfeit medical devices, and items used for making counterfeit medical devices may be seized pursuant to a federal court proceeding.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3417
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Civil actions and liability
Community life and organization
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Justice
Disability and health-based discrimination
Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Home and outpatient care
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Housing supply and affordability
Intergovernmental relations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Low- and moderate-income housing
Medicaid
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits government entities and insurance providers from denying community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require long-term service or support that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life. 
 
Specifically, these entities may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by such actions as imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, or waiting lists or failing to provide a specific community-based service. Additionally, community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives. 
 
The bill requires the Department of Justice to issue regulations requiring government entities and insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services to individuals with such disabilities who would otherwise qualify for institutional placement. Government entities must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy. 
 
Regulations shall also (1) require government entities and insurance providers to perform self-evaluation on current services, policies, and practices and concerning compliance with requirements of this bill; and (2) require government entities to submit a transition plan. The bill provides funds for FY2022 for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance with respect to transition plans.
 
The bill allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of its requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3418
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes programs, grants, and other activities to address substance use disorders.
 
Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a program for purchasing and distributing opioid overdose reversal drugs for states and Indian tribes.
 
HHS must also award grants for and otherwise support
 
 
addressing substance use, particularly in states, tribes, territories, and localities with disproportionately high drug overdose rates;
 
increasing access to preventive, medical, recovery, and related services;
 
developing innovative models of delivering treatment and harm reduction services; and
 
expanding the treatment capacity of Medicaid providers.
 
 
In addition, HHS must issue model standards of care for treatment services and recovery residences and may award grants for training health care professionals. The bill also supports prevention and treatment services for workers, addiction and pain management research, and data collection on substance use disorders.
 
Further, dispensers, distributors, and manufacturers of schedule II controlled substances (e.g., oxycodone), with the exception of opioid treatment programs, must certify that they maintain effective drug diversion controls. Violators are subject to specified civil and criminal penalties. Collected penalties shall be used for the grant programs and other substance use disorder activities established under the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
HUD Health and Safety Accountability Act

Bill: 117-s-3419
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

HUD Health and Safety Accountability Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make changes to policies and procedures applicable to HUD multifamily housing programs. 
 
For example, the bill requires management and occupancy reviews conducted by the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs to include specified graded factors.
 
Additionally, the bill requires changes to (1) local code enforcement response, (2) HUD oversight of individual units that receive Section 8 housing assistance, (3) tenant surveys issued by performance-based contract administrators, and (4) the disclosure of program contact information to tenants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom Riders Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 117-s-3420
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Smithsonian Institution
Travel and tourism
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Freedom Riders Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Iranian Drones Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3421
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Aviation and airports
Foreign aid and international relief
Iran
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Militias and paramilitary groups
Sanctions
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Stop Iranian Drones Act of 2021

 
This bill expands existing provisions requiring sanctions against individuals or entities that provide certain types of weapons to Iran. Specifically, the bill modifies the provisions by adding unmanned combat aerial vehicles to the list of weapons covered by the sanctions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Medical Education Act

Bill: 117-s-3422
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
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 medical schools.
 
In awarding these grants, HRSA must 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.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S9263)
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Chance to Compete Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3423
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Employee hiring
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Chance to Compete Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies examination requirements and other components of the federal hiring process for positions in the competitive service, including prohibiting examinations from consisting solely of a self-assessment from an automated examination, allowing for the use of subject matter experts to develop position-specific assessments, and requiring the creation of an online platform through which agencies may share developed assessments. 

action_date: 2022-11-17
text: 

Chance to Compete Act of 

2022

 
This bill modifies examination requirements and other components of the federal hiring process for positions in the competitive service, including prohibiting examinations from consisting solely of a self-assessment from an automated examination, allowing for the use of subject matter experts to develop position-specific assessments, and requiring the creation of an online platform through which agencies may share developed assessments. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 558.
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-206.
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-206.
action_date: 2022-02-02
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
SEED Act

Bill: 117-s-3424
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions Act or the SEED Act

 
This bill expands the tax deduction for the expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers to include early childhood educators.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
National Heritage Area Authority Extension Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3425
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Arizona
Aviation and airports
California
Coal
Conflicts and wars
Connecticut
Dams and canals
Farmland
Florida
Forests, forestry, trees
General agriculture matters
Georgia
Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Illinois
Industrial facilities
Iowa
Kansas
Lakes and rivers
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Metals
Michigan
Military history
Mining
Missouri
Motor vehicles
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York State
North Carolina
Ohio
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pennsylvania
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public-private cooperation
Religion
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
U.S. history
Utah
Vermont
Washington State
West Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

National Heritage Area Authority Extension Act of 2021

 
This bill extends through FY2036 the authority for, and increases the amount that may be appropriated for, various national heritage areas.
 
The bill also extends through FY2036 (1) the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission, and (2) the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission.
 
Further, the deadline is extended for the completion of proposed management plans for certain national heritage areas. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of State Inclusivity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3426
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Department of State Inclusivity Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes measures at the State Department to promote diversity and to prevent and respond to harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, and retaliation. 
 
The bill requires the State Department to 
 
 
 develop a comprehensive policy for responding to harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, and retaliation;
 
 expand anti-harassment, antidiscrimination, implicit bias, and whistleblower training;
 
establish the Office of Employee Advocacy;
 
survey employees regarding harassment, discrimination, sexual, assault, retaliation, and issues affecting employee retention and diversity;
 
report on the diversity of its workforce;
 
develop a pilot program to use gender-neutral terms in evaluation forms;
 
investigate and report wrongful terminations based on sexual orientation;
 
establish a board to address issues faced by LGBTI+ Foreign Service employees and their families; 
 
report on countries that refuse to issue spousal visas for Foreign Service employee spouses due to sexual orientation and recommend how to address this issue; 
 
establish a permanent exhibit on the so-called 
Lavender Scare
, which involved the wrongful dismissal of at least 1,000 people from the State Department for alleged homosexuality in the 1950s and 1960s; and
 
make other changes related to anti-harassment, antidiscrimination, diversity, and recruitment.
 
 
The bill also establishes the Office of the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the State Department; offers a formal apology from Congress for encouraging the Lavender Scare; and prohibits the use by federal employers of nondisclosure and non-disparagement provisions that cover prohibited discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Neuroscience Center of Excellence Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3427
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Digital media
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Mental health
Minority health
Neurological disorders
Product development and innovation
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: 

Neuroscience Center of Excellence Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish the Neuroscience Center of Excellence to address neuroscience diseases and disorders (e.g., addiction, Alzheimer's disease, and psychotic disorders).
 
The center must carry out various activities, including (1) coordinating with FDA programs that focus on certain areas, such as drug evaluation; (2) convening periodic public meetings to engage with stakeholders to address challenges associated with developing medical products for neuroscience diseases and disorders; (3) establishing a program to facilitate the collection and systemic use of patient experience data to develop such medical products; and (4) convening a public meeting to discuss how to promote equity and the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented populations in the development of such medical products.
 
The FDA must take actions related to these issues, such as issuing final guidance with recommendations on the collection and use of patient experience data for developing such medical products. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress a study that (1) reviews the participation of traditionally underrepresented populations in clinical trials for such medical products, and (2) provides recommendations for improving the participation of these populations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S9263-9264)
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate