instruction:
In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
question:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF VOTING ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE ELDERLY AND 
              HANDICAPPED ACT.

    (a) Purpose.--Section 2 of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly 
and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee) is amended by--
            (1) striking ``It'' and inserting ``(a) It''; and
            (2) adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) It is the intention of Congress in enacting this Act to 
ensure that--
            ``(1) no individual may be denied the right to vote in a 
        Federal election on the basis of being disabled; and
            ``(2) every voter has the right to vote independently in a 
        Federal election.''.
    (b) Accessibility of Polling Places.--Section 3 of the Voting 
Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee-1) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``each political 
        subdivision'' and all that follows through ``conducting 
        elections'' and inserting ``the chief election officer of the 
        State'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a polling place in the case 
of any unforeseeable natural disaster such as a fire, storm, 
earthquake, or flood.''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) The chief election officer of a State shall ensure that all 
polling methods selected and used for Federal elections are accessible 
to disabled and elderly voters, including--
            ``(1) the provision of ballots in a variety of accessible 
        media;
            ``(2) the provision of instructions that are printed in 
        large type, conspicuously displayed at each polling place;
            ``(3) the provision of printed information that is 
        generally available to other voters using a variety of 
        accessible media; and
            ``(4) ensuring that all polling methods used enable 
        disabled and elderly voters to cast votes at polling places 
        during times and under conditions of privacy available to other 
        voters.''.
    (c) Accessibility of Registration Facilities and Services.--Section 
5(a) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1973ee-3(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) registration information by telecommunications 
        devices for the deaf and in a variety of accessible media; and
            ``(3) accessible registration procedures to allow each 
        eligible voter to register at the residence of the voter, by 
        mail, or by other means.''.
    (d) Enforcement.--Section 6 of the Voting Accessibility for the 
Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee-4) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``45'' and inserting 
        ``21''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) In an action brought under subsection (a), the State or 
political subdivision shall be fined an amount--
            ``(1) not to exceed $5,000 for the first violation of such 
        section; and
            ``(2) not to exceed $10,000 for each subsequent 
        violation.''.
    (e) Relationship With Other Laws.--Section 7 of the Voting 
Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee-5) 
is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``voting rights act of 
        1965'' and inserting ``other laws;
            (2) by striking ``This'' and inserting ``(a) This''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to invalidate or limit 
the laws of any State or political subdivision that provide greater or 
equal access to registration or polling for disabled and elderly 
voters.''.
    (f) Definitions.--Section 8 of the Voting Accessibility for the 
Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee-6) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``chief election'' 
        through ``involved'' and inserting ``Access Board'';
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``permanent physical 
        disability; and'' and inserting ``permanent disability;'';
            (3) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting 
        a semicolon; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) `Access Board' means the Architectural and 
        Transportation Barriers Compliance Board established under 
        section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 792);
            ``(7) `chief election officer' means the State officer or 
        entity, designated by State law or established by practice, 
        responsible for elections within the State;
            ``(8) `independently' means without the assistance of 
        another individual; and
            ``(9) `media' includes formats using large type, braille, 
        sound recording, or digital text.''.
    (g) References.--
            (1) In general.--The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly 
        and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.) is amended by 
        striking ``handicapped'' each place it appears and inserting 
        ``disabled''.
            (2) References in other laws.--Except where inappropriate, 
        any reference to ``handicapped'' in relation to the Voting 
        Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1973ee et seq.) in any law, Executive Order, rule, or other 
        document shall include a reference to ``disabled''.
    (h) Conforming Amendment.--Section 502(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 792(b)(3)) is amended by inserting before the 
semicolon ``and section 3 of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly 
and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee-1)''.

SEC. 2. REGULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Attorney General shall promulgate regulations 
implementing this Act. Such regulations shall be consistent with the 
minimum guidelines established by the Access Board.
    (b) Access Board Guidelines.--Not later than 9 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Access Board shall issue minimum 
guidelines relating to the requirements in the amendments made by 
section 1(b) of this Act.
    (c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Access Board'' means 
the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

SEC. 3. TRANSITION PLAN.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 3 months after the date on which 
regulations are promulgated under section 2(a), the chief election 
officer of each State shall develop a transition plan to ensure that 
polling places in the State are in compliance with the requirements of 
the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 
1973ee et seq.), as amended by this Act.
    (b) Coordination With Local Election Officials.--The plan under 
subsection (a) shall be developed in coordination with--
            (1) local election officials; and
            (2) individuals with disabilities or organizations 
        representing individuals with disabilities.
    (c) Contents and Availability of Plan.--The plan under subsection 
(a) shall--
            (1) include specific recommendations necessary to comply 
        with the requirements of the Voting Accessibility for the 
        Elderly and Handicapped Act; and
            (2) be available for public inspection in such manner as 
        the chief election officer determines appropriate.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by section 1 of this Act shall apply beginning 
on the earliest of--
            (1) the date that is 6 months after the date on which 
        regulations are promulgated under section 2(a); or
            (2) the date of the first Federal election taking place in 
        the State after December 31, 2000.
answer:
Makes amendments to such Act regarding the accessibility of polling places and registration facilities and services, enforcement, and the relationship of such Act with other laws (providing that nothing in this Act shall be construed to invalidate or limit the laws of any State or political subdivision that provide greater or equal access to registration or polling for disabled and elderly voters). Includes among such amendments providing for ensuring that all polling methods selected and used for Federal elections are accessible to disabled and elderly voters and that accessible registration procedures allow eligible voters to register at home, by mail, or by other means are in place.
Revises definitions, including adding the term "Access Board," the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board established under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Directs such Board to issue minimum guidelines relating to requirements pertaining to the accessibility of polling places.
Replaces all references in such Act to "handicapped" with "disabled" and with regard to such references in other laws, Executive Orders, or rules,  in relation to such Act except where inappropriate.


question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine 
Support Act of 2017'' or the ``VETS Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. LICENSURE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVIDING TREATMENT VIA TELEMEDICINE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 1730A the following new section:
``Sec. 1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing 
              treatment via telemedicine
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any provision of law regarding 
the licensure of health care professionals, a covered health care 
professional may practice the health care profession of the health care 
professional at any location in any State, regardless of where the 
covered health care professional or the patient is located, if the 
covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide 
treatment to an individual under this chapter.
    ``(b) Property of Federal Government.--Subsection (a) shall apply 
to a covered health care professional providing treatment to a patient 
regardless of whether the covered health care professional or patient 
is located in a facility owned by the Federal Government during such 
treatment.
    ``(c) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
remove, limit, or otherwise affect any obligation of a covered health 
care professional under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et 
seq.).
    ``(d) Covered Health Care Professional Defined.--In this section, 
the term `covered health care professional' means a health care 
professional who--
            ``(1) is an employee of the Department appointed under the 
        authority under sections 7306, 7401, 7405, 7406, or 7408 of 
        this title, or title 5;
            ``(2) is authorized by the Secretary to provide health care 
        under this chapter;
            ``(3) is required to adhere to all quality standards 
        relating to the provision of telemedicine in accordance with 
        applicable policies of the Department; and
            ``(4) has an active, current, full, and unrestricted 
        license, registration, or certification in a State to practice 
        the health care profession of the health care professional.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1730A the following new item:

``1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via 
                            telemedicine.''.
    (c) Report on Telemedicine.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the use of 
        telemedicine by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include an assessment of the following:
                    (A) The satisfaction of veterans with telemedicine 
                furnished by the Department.
                    (B) The satisfaction of health care providers in 
                providing telemedicine furnished by the Department.
                    (C) The effect of telemedicine furnished by the 
                Department on the following:
                            (i) The ability of veterans to access 
                        health care, whether from the Department or 
                        from non-Department health care providers.
                            (ii) The frequency of use by veterans of 
                        telemedicine.
                            (iii) The productivity of health care 
                        providers.
                            (iv) Wait times for an appointment for the 
                        receipt of health care from the Department.
                            (v) The reduction, if any, in the use by 
                        veterans of in-person services at Department 
                        facilities and non-Department facilities.
                    (D) The types of appointments for the receipt of 
                telemedicine furnished by the Department that were 
                provided during the 1-year period preceding the 
                submittal of the report.
                    (E) The number of appointments for the receipt of 
                telemedicine furnished by the Department that were 
                requested during such period, disaggregated by Veterans 
                Integrated Service Network.
                    (F) Savings by the Department, if any, including 
                travel costs, of furnishing health care 


              

                through the use of telemedicine during such period.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2017.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.
answer:
.  Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2017 or the VETS Act of 2017  (Sec. 2) This bill allows a licensed health care professional of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to practice his or her profession using telemedicine at any location in any state regardless of where the professional or patient is located if the covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide VA medical or health services.   Such authority shall apply to a covered health care professional regardless of whether the covered health care professional or patient is located in a federally-owned facility.   The bill defines &quot;covered health care professional&quot; as a health care professional who: (1) is a VA employee appointed under specified VA authorities or under the civil service; (2) is authorized by the VA to provide health care; (3) is required to adhere to all telemedicine quality standards; and (4) has an active, current, full, and unrestricted state license, registration, or certification for such health care profession. The VA shall report to Congress on the effectiveness of the VA's use of telemedicine.


question:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The United States must have adequate infrastructure and 
        policies in place under the Department of Homeland Security to 
        protect against potential terrorists attempting to enter the 
        United States along the Southwest Border.
            (2) According to top government officials, several Al Qaeda 
        leaders believe operatives can pay their way into the country 
        through Mexico and also believe illegal entry is more 
        advantageous than legal entry for operational security reasons.
            (3) Official border patrol records reveal a disturbing 
        trend on the southern border indicating a growth in other than 
        Mexicans (OTMs), many from countries of interest, crossing into 
        the United States--between 2003 and 2004 the increase was at 
        least 35 percent.
            (4) Because of budget constraints, the U.S. Immigration and 
        Customs Enforcement Office of Detention and Removal does not 
        have sufficient bed space to detain all illegal immigrants from 
        special interest countries therefore releasing them on personal 
        recognizance.
            (5) The Department of Homeland Security estimates that up 
        to 90 percent of these immigrants do not appear for their 
        immigration hearings.
            (6) The Department of Homeland Security needs more 
        personnel at the borders with the necessary security clearances 
        and equipment to adequately screen and detain immigrants coming 
        to the United States.
            (7) The Secretary of Homeland Security should provide 
        appropriate training for inspectors, and associated support 
        staff, on an ongoing basis to utilize new technologies and to 
        ensure that the proficiency levels of such personnel are 
        acceptable to protect the borders of the United States.

SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT IN SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS ALONG THE UNITED 
              STATES-MEXICO BORDER AND INCREASE IN DETENTION BEDS.

    (a) Improvement in Security Clearance Process.--The Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall--
            (1) expeditiously implement policies ensuring that 
        personnel of the Department of Homeland Security along the 
        United States-Mexico border have the security clearances 
        required to access information necessary to adequately screen 
        immigrants entering the United States at such border, including 
        IDENT and IAFIS databases and databases used by the 
        Department's inspectors in secondary inspections;
            (2) develop the interagency agreements and information 
        technology infrastructure necessary for border agents to 
        adequately screen immigrants entering the United States at such 
        border; and
            (3) explore information sharing programs with countries of 
        interest to adequately screen immigrants entering our borders.
    (b) Increase in Detention Beds.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall increase by 
the amount necessary the number of detention beds needed to detain all 
immigrants apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that the 
Office of Detention and Removal Operation should be placed under the 
operational control of the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, since the largest client of such office is the Border 
Patrol.

SEC. 3. STUDY OF PERSONNEL LEVELS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall contract 
with an independent entity to undertake a study to determine the 
necessary level and allocation of personnel, including support staff, 
at United States ports of entry and border patrol sectors.
    (b) Items to Be Included.--Such study shall take into account at 
least the following:
            (1) The overall mission of U.S. Customs and Border 
        Protection.
            (2) Threat and vulnerability information pertaining to the 
        Nation's borders and ports of entry
            (3) The impact of new border security programs, policies 
        and technologies, and the level of cross-training received by 
        all staff.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees, as defined in section 2(2) of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101(2)), a report on the study conducted 
under this section.

SEC. 4. ONGOING TRAINING OF BORDER SECURITY PERSONNEL.

    The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide appropriate 
training for all border security personnel, and associated support 
staff on an ongoing basis to utilize new technologies and to ensure 
that the proficiency levels of such personnel are acceptable to protect 
the borders of the United States.

SEC. 5. PROMPT AND PROPER ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) prosecutors and immigration judges are critical for the 
        prompt and proper enforcement of our immigration laws, and are 
        an important part of a comprehensive strategy; and
            (2) an insufficient number of prosecutors and immigration 
        judges currently exists to enforce the immigration laws of the 
        United States.
    (b) Authorization.--There are hereby authorized to be appropriated 
amounts necessary to provide for appropriate staff increases for 
judicial and prosecutorial offices, commensurate with other personnel 
increases directed in this Act.

SEC. 6. REPORT ON DETENTION AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 2(2) of 
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101(2))) a report on 
detention and removal operations, detailing the amount of additional 
detention space and resources required to detain all persons presenting 
a possible threat to homeland security.
    (b) Information to Be Included.--The report shall include 
information on--
            (1) alternatives to detention, including electronic 
        monitoring, telephone, and voice recognition programs for those 
        on bond, and conducting deportation proceedings prior to 
        prisoners' release from Federal, State, and local prisons; and
            (2) countries to which removal is problematic.

SEC. 7. COMPREHENSIVE BORDER SECURITY STRATEGY.

    The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the heads 
of all other Federal agencies with border-related functions or with 
facilities or lands on or along the border, shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 2 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101)) unclassified and 
classified versions of a unified, comprehensive strategy to secure the 
land borders of the United States. Such strategy shall be submitted not 
later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
shall include a description of the actions already taken to implement 
the strategy.
answer:

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) ensure that Department of Homeland Security personnel along the U.S.-Mexico border have the security clearances required to access information to adequately screen entering immigrants; (2) develop the interagency agreements and information technology infrastructure necessary for such screening; (3) explore information sharing programs with countries of interest; and (4) increase by the amount necessary the number of detention beds needed to detain all immigrants apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Office of Detention and Removal Operations should be placed under the operational control of the Commissioner of CBP (currently, under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract with an independent entity to study the necessary level and allocation of personnel at U.S. ports of entry and border patrol sectors; (2) provide ongoing training for all border security personnel; and (3) submit a report on detention and removal operations and a unified, comprehensive border security strategy to appropriate congressional committees.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) prosecutors and immigration judges are critical for the prompt and proper enforcement of immigration laws and are an important part of a comprehensive strategy; and (2) there is an insufficient number of prosecutors and immigration judges for immigration enforcement. Authorizes appropriations for staff increases.