hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Family Medical Leave Modernization Act

Bill: 117-s-1185
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Aging
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee leave
Family relationships
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Family Medical Leave Modernization Act

 
This bill expands who is permitted to take qualifying family and medical leave and provides additional leave for parents and family caregivers.
 
The bill grants leave to private sector and federal employees to care for a domestic partner and any individual whose close association with such employees is like a family relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship, if (1) such individual has a serious health condition, or (2) there is a qualifying exigency due to such employees' active duty in the Armed Forces. 
 
The bill entitles an employee who is a domestic partner, next of kin of a member of the Armed Forces, or any individual whose close association is like a family relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship, to take leave to care for the service member. 
 
The bill entitles private sector and federal employees to take additional leave to participate in or attend their children's and grandchildren's school or community organization activities, meet routine family medical care needs, or care for their elderly relatives.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1988-1990)
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1186
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Judicial procedure and administration
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Specialized courts

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021 

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish standards for facilities holding aliens in its custody, phases out using non-DHS facilities for such purposes, and contains other related provisions.
 
The standards shall comply with the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) shall conduct periodic unannounced inspections of each facility and shall take various actions against noncompliant facilities, including imposing fines, cancelling contracts, and closing facilities. 
 
DHS shall report to Congress any death of an alien in its custody within 24 hours and conduct an investigation within 30 days that identifies policy changes that could reduce the likelihood of such a death.
 
DHS is prohibited from entering into contracts for third parties to operate detention facilities or alternatives to detention programs and shall terminate existing contracts within three years of the bill's enactment.
 
The bill establishes that OIG facility inspection reports and contracts for an outside entity to operate a detention facility are records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. 
 
DHS shall maintain certain information relating to detained aliens, including the alien's location and whether the alien was separated from family.
 
The bill provides for various requirements and procedures related to detaining aliens, including (1) prohibiting DHS from detaining children, (2) imposing a presumption that an alien should be released, and (3) establishing that aliens in custody shall be subject to the least restrictive conditions. The bill also abolishes mandatory detention for asylum seekers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Eliminating Global Market Distortions To Protect American Jobs Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1187
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Canada
Civil actions and liability
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Currency
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Free trade and trade barriers
Government studies and investigations
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Latin America
Mexico
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Eliminating Global Market Distortions To Protect American Jobs Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses unfair trade practices by making various changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty law. Antidumping provides relief to U.S industries and workers that are materially injured or threatened with injury due to imports of like products sold in the U.S. market at less than fair value, while countervailing duty provides such relief from imports of products subsidized by a foreign government or public entity.
 
Specifically, the bill establishes a process for successive antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Successive investigations may be concurrent (an ongoing investigation of the same product from different countries) or recently completed (not more than two years before the date of the initiation of the successive investigation). Further, the bill establishes a time line for the Department of Commerce to issue determinations in successive investigations.
 
Among other provisions, the bill authorizes Commerce to
 
 
apply countervailing duty law to subsidies provided by a foreign government or public entity to a company operating in a different country,
 
use another method for calculating the cost of production in specific circumstances, and
 
require importers to provide a certification that the imported merchandise is not subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order. 
 
 
 Additionally, the bill establishes procedures for Commerce to conduct circumvention inquiries, including by specifying the deadlines for preliminary and final determinations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act

Bill: 117-s-1188
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Afghanistan
Air quality
Asia
Congressional oversight
Fires
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Iraq
Middle East
Military personnel and dependents
Solid waste and recycling
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act

 
This bill implements reporting requirements and policies related to the treatment and documentation of veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.
 
First, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit quarterly reports on veterans' burn pit exposure
 
The bill also requires the VA to collaborate with the Department of Defense to submit an annual report detailing specified information about veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits, such as the number of claims for disability compensation approved and denied (including the rationale for denials).
 
The bill authorizes the survivor of a deceased veteran to report a veteran's exposure to toxic substances from an open burn pit in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, even if the veteran was not included prior to their death.
 
VA medical professionals must inform veterans of the registry if they present at a medical facility for treatment related to exposure to toxic chemicals by open burn pits.
 
Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the effectiveness of any memorandum of understanding entered into by the VA with respect to the processing of reported cases of burn pit exposure and the coordination of care and provision of health care related to such cases at VA and non-VA facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1189
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural education
Agricultural practices and innovations
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Education programs funding
Farmland
Forests, forestry, trees
Higher education
Livestock
Water quality
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to award competitive grants to land-grant colleges or universities for raising public awareness, conducting workshops, and providing technical assistance to increase agricultural producers' voluntary adoption of conservation practices (e.g., alley cropping) and innovative climate practices (e.g., carbon sequestration). Grantees must carry out activities in partnership with at least one other entity, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a land-grant college or university, a state entity, or a nonprofit organization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Direct Support Worker Training Reimbursement Act

Bill: 117-s-1190
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Allied health services
Employment and training programs
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Home and outpatient care
Medicaid
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Direct Support Worker Training Reimbursement Act

 
This bill establishes a 75% federal matching rate for direct support worker training programs under Medicaid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
BTU Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1191
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Energy efficiency and conservation
Income tax credits
Lighting, heating, cooling
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2021 or the BTU Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the 30% energy tax credit to include open-loop biomass heating property and extends the residential energy efficient property tax credit for five years. 
 
The bill defines 
open-loop biomass heating property
 as any property that uses open-loop biomass to produce thermal energy in the form of heat, hot water, hot air, or steam and is used for space heating, air conditioning, domestic hot water, or industrial process heat, but does not include any boiler or furnace unless they operate at thermal output efficiencies of at least 75% and are installed indoors.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
CADSAW Act

Bill: 117-s-1192
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Allied health services
Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Higher education
Home and outpatient care
Medical education
Minority health
Nursing
Rural conditions and development
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Career Advancement for Direct Support Aid Workers Act or the CADSAW Act

 
This bill provides funding through FY2024 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for demonstration projects to train individuals for careers as home health aides, nursing assistants, or similar direct support aid workers.
 
HHS must award grants, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to states, tribal nations, institutions of higher education, and other organizations to carry out these projects.
 
In addition, the bill increases Medicare payments for services furnished by an individual who has completed training through such a project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1193
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Computer security and identity theft
International Affairs
International organizations and cooperation
Israel
Middle East
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Scientific communication
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish a grant program that contributes to the homeland security capabilities of both the United States and Israel by supporting cybersecurity research and development as well as the demonstration and commercialization of cybersecurity technology.
 
Grant applicants must address a requirement in the area of cybersecurity research or cybersecurity technology and be comprised of a joint venture between a U.S. entity and an Israeli entity (or the governments of each country).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
AMIGOS Act

Bill: 117-s-1194
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Europe
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Portugal
U.S. and foreign investments
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success Act or the AMIGOS Act

 
This bill makes Portuguese nationals eligible for E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visas if the government of Portugal provides similar nonimmigrant status to U.S. nationals. The bill also imposes additional requirements on such visas.
 
An E-1 visa is for individuals entering the United States to engage in international trade, while an E-2 visa is for individuals investing a substantial amount of capital in the United States. Both are limited to nationals from countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States.
 
Furthermore, under this bill, if an alien who has never received an E visa became the national of an E visa-eligible foreign country by making a financial investment in that foreign country, that alien must have been domiciled in that foreign country for a continuous period of at least three years at any point before applying for an E visa.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Healthy Families Act

Bill: 117-s-1195
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Congressional agencies
Congressional officers and employees
Congressional oversight
Department of Labor
Domestic violence and child abuse
Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Library of Congress
Marriage and family status
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Merit Systems Protection Board
Sex offenses
Small business
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Healthy Families Act

 
This bill provides for paid and unpaid sick leave for employees to meet their own medical needs and those of their families. 
 
It requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide their employees with at least one hour of earned paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 56 hours of paid sick leave in a year. An employer with fewer than 15 employees may also provide the same amount of paid sick leave, but may opt out of such requirement, in which case such employer must provide its employees at least 56 hours of unpaid leave in a year. An employee may use sick leave for absences (1) resulting from a physical or mental illness, injury or medical condition; (2) resulting from obtaining professional medical diagnosis or care, or preventive medical care; (3) to care for a child, parent, spouse, a domestic partner, or other blood or close relative; and (4) resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
 
The bill makes it unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of an employee's right to accrue sick leave as provided by this bill. An employee may take legal action to enforce the right to sick leave granted by this bill and the Department of Labor must investigate complaints of violations of the requirements of this bill. 
 
Labor is authorized to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate and inform the public of the requirements for paid sick leave provided by this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Mollie Baldwin Upskilling of Personal and Home Care Aides Act

Bill: 117-s-1196
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Allied health services
Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Higher education
Home and outpatient care
Medical education
Nursing
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Mollie Baldwin Upskilling of Personal and Home Care Aides Act

 
This bill provides funding through FY2032 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for grants to train individuals for careers as home health aides, nursing assistants, or similar direct support professionals. HHS must award these grants, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to states, community-based organizations, and other eligible entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
QUANTUM for National Security Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1197
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Asia
China
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Department of Defense
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Minority education
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Quantum for Universal Advancement in Nationwide Technology Use and Modernization for National Security Act of 2021 or the QUANTUM for National Security Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses quantum science research and its role in national security through the Department of Defense (DOD).
 
For purposes of the public-private talent exchange program, DOD must ensure there are exchanges of personnel that are working on the modernization priorities of DOD, including quantum science and technology research.
 
Among other requirements, DOD must
 
 
seek to establish public-private exchange programs in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps focused on private sector entities working on quantum information sciences and technology research applications;
 
implement the National Security Pipeline Pilot Program to seek to enter into partnerships with minority-serving institutions to diversify participants in the Science, Mathematics, and Research Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program; and
 
implement a fellowship program in quantum information science and technology research and development for individuals who have graduate or post-graduate degrees.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must assess the National Quantum Initiative Program and report on its findings. Additionally, the GAO must brief Congress on its assessment of the quantum information fellowship program established by this bill.
 
The President must establish, through the National Science and Technology Council, a temporary Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Science.
 
The National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee must include defense researchers and ensure the integration of DOD in committee actions and programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to release a Federal reversionary interest in Chester County, Tennessee, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-1199
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Mining
Tennessee

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 
This bill releases certain reversionary interest in land to Tennessee.
 
Upon the transfer of ownership of the approximately 0.90-acre parcel of land identified as the Webb property to Tennessee for inclusion in the Chickasaw State Forest and the transfer of the approximately 0.62-acre parcel of land identified as state forest land to Tennessee or a non-state entity, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall release to Tennessee the reversionary interest of the United States in the state forest land that requires the land to be used for public purposes.

After such actions, USDA shall offer to sell to Tennessee the undivided mineral interests of the United States in the state forest land. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate