116 SRES 426 IS: Expressing the sense of the Senate that Members of Congress should substitute teach at least 1 day per year in a public school to gain firsthand knowledge on how to address the prevailing challenges facing educators and how to remove obstacles to learning for students.
U.S. Senate
2019-11-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. RES. 426IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 14, 2019Mr. Kennedy submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsRESOLUTIONExpressing the sense of the Senate that Members of Congress should substitute teach at least 1 day
			 per year in a public school to gain firsthand knowledge on how to address
			 the prevailing challenges facing educators and how to remove obstacles to
			 learning for students.

 Whereas teachers play a critical role in shaping the minds and lives of children; Whereas there are projected to be 3,200,000 full-time public school teachers in 2020;
 Whereas approximately 200,000 teachers leave the profession each year; Whereas in the 115th Congress, there were more than 2 times as many Members of Congress that had backgrounds in public service or politics than Members of Congress that had backgrounds in education; and
 Whereas Members of Congress should be on the ground in public schools to understand the challenges that educators and students face, including challenges relating to—
 (1)a growing shortage of teachers; (2)issues of teacher pay;
 (3)a lack of resources in both urban and rural areas; (4)teacher preparedness;
 (5)chronic absenteeism among students; (6)poverty; and
 (7)parental involvement: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)recognizes the contributions of teachers to the United States;
 (2)thanks teachers for their service; and (3)recommends that each Member of Congress spend at least 1 day per year serving as a substitute teacher in a public school.


I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 822IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 2, 2017Mr. Neal (for himself, Ms. Pelosi, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Kind, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Sánchez, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, Mr. Keating, Ms. Norton, Ms. Fudge, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Doggett, Ms. DelBene, and Mr. Cohen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make improvements in the earned income tax credit.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Earned Income Tax Credit Improvement and Simplification Act 2017. (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Strengthening the earned income tax credit for individuals with no qualifying children.
Sec. 3. Taxpayer eligible for credit for individuals with no qualifying children if qualifying children do not have valid Social Security numbers.
Sec. 4. Credit allowed in case of certain separated spouses.
Sec. 5. Taxpayer eligible for credit without qualifying child if qualifying child claimed by another member of family.
Sec. 6. Elimination of disqualified investment income test.
2.Strengthening the earned income tax credit for individuals with no qualifying children
(a)Credit for certain individuals over age 21
(1)In generalSection 32(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:  (G)Special rule for working individuals over age 20 and without qualifying child (i)In generalIn the case of an individual (or, if the individual is married, either the individual or the individual’s spouse) who—
(I)has attained the age of 21 but not attained age 25 before the close of the taxable year, and (II)is not a full-time student at any time during the taxable year,paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II) shall not apply for purposes of determining whether such individual is an eligible individual.
(ii)StudentFor purposes of this subparagraph, an individual shall be considered a full-time student if such individual is carrying more than 1/2 the normal full-time work load for the course of study the individual is pursuing.. (2)Information return matchingNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall develop and implement procedures for checking an individual’s claim for a credit under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by reason of subsection (c)(1)(G) thereof, against any information return made with respect to such individual under section 6050S (relating to returns relating to higher education tuition and related expenses).
(b)Increased credit
(1)Credit percentage and phaseout percentageThe table contained in section 32(b)(1) of such Code is amended by striking 7.65 each place it appears and inserting 15.3. (2)Earned income amount and phaseout amount (A)In generalThe table contained in section 32(b)(2)(A) of such Code is amended—
(i)by striking $4,220 and inserting $8,820, and (ii)by striking $5,280 and inserting $10,425.
(B)Inflation adjustmentsSection 32(j)(1)(B) of such Code is amended— (i)by inserting except as provided in clause (iii) in clause (i) before in the case of amounts,
(ii)by striking and at the end of clause (i), by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and inserting , and, and by adding at the end the following new clause:  (iii)in the case of the $8,820 and $10,425 amounts in subsection (b)(2)(A), by substituting calendar year 2012 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) of such section 1..
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3.Taxpayer eligible for credit for individuals with no qualifying children if qualifying children do not have valid Social Security numbers (a)In generalSection 32(c)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:

(F)Individuals who do not include TIN, etc., of any qualifying childIn the case of any eligible individual who has one or more qualifying children, if— (i)no qualifying child of such individual is taken into account under subsection (b) by reason of paragraph (3)(D), and
(ii)no child of such individual is taken into account for purposes of any other child tax benefit under this chapter,for purposes of the credit allowed under this section, such individual may be considered an eligible individual without a qualifying child.. (b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
4.Credit allowed in case of certain separated spouses
(a)In generalSection 32(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by striking Married individuals.—In the case of and inserting the following:
Married individuals.— (1)In generalIn the case of, and
(2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (2)Special rule for separated spouseAn individual shall not be treated as married for purposes of this section if such individual—
(A)is married (within the meaning of section 7703(a)) and files a separate return for the taxable year, (B)lives with a qualifying child of the individual for more than one-half of such taxable year, and
(C)
(i)during the last 6 months such taxable year, does not have the same principal place of abode as the individual’s spouse, or (ii)has a legally binding separation agreement with the individual’s spouse and is not a member of the same household with the individual’s spouse by the end of the taxable year..
(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 5.Taxpayer eligible for credit without qualifying child if qualifying child claimed by another member of family (a)In generalSection 32(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 2, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(H)Taxpayer eligible for credit without qualifying child if qualifying child claimed by another member of family
(i)In generalIf— (I)an individual is claimed as a qualifying child by an eligible individual for any taxable year of such eligible individual beginning in a calendar year, and
(II)such individual is the qualifying child of another eligible individual for any taxable year beginning in such calendar year,such other eligible individual may be treated as an eligible individual without a qualifying child for purposes of this section for such taxable year. (ii)Exception for qualifying child claimed by parentIf an individual is claimed as a qualifying child for any taxable year by a parent of such child, clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any other custodial parent of such child..
(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 6.Elimination of disqualified investment income test (a)In generalSection 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (i).
(b)Conforming amendments
(1)Section 32(j)(1)(B)(i) of such Code is amended by striking subsections (b)(2)(A) and (i)(1) and inserting subsection (b)(2)(A). (2)Section 32(j)(2) of such Code is amended—
(A)by striking paragraph (2), and (B)by striking Rounding.— and all that follows through If any dollar amount and inserting the following: Rounding.—If any dollar amount.
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 SRES 90 ATS: Designating February 2015 as “American Heart Month” and February 6, 2015, as “National Wear Red Day”.
U.S. Senate

text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 90
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 26, 2015
			Ms. Hirono (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Capito, Ms. Heitkamp, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Warren, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Collins, Ms. Ayotte, Mrs. Shaheen, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Fischer, and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Designating February 2015 as American Heart Month and February 6, 2015, as National Wear Red Day.

 Whereas heart disease affects men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States; Whereas heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of approximately 600,000 individuals in the United States each year and accounting for 1 in 4 deaths in the United States;
 Whereas congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States, as well as the leading killer of infants with birth defects;
 Whereas more than 1 in 3 adult men and women have some form of cardiovascular disease; Whereas every year an estimated 735,000 individuals in the United States have a heart attack;
 Whereas heart disease and stroke account for $320,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost productivity annually;
 Whereas heart disease and stroke will account for $918,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost productivity annually by 2030;
 Whereas individuals in the United States have made great progress in reducing the death rate for coronary heart disease, but this progress has been more modest with respect to such death rate of women and minorities;
 Whereas many people do not recognize that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women in the United States, taking the lives of more than 290,000 such women in 2010, and nearly 2/3 of women who unexpectedly die of heart disease have no previous symptoms of disease;
 Whereas nearly half of all African-American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, including 48 percent of African-American women and 46 percent of African-American men;
 Whereas many minority women, including African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, and Native-American women and women from indigenous populations, have a greater prevalence of risk factors or are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, but such women are less likely to know of this risk;
 Whereas between 1965 and 2015, treatment of cardiovascular disease for women has largely been based on medical research on men;
 Whereas due to the differences in heart disease between males and females, more research and data on the effects of heart disease treatments for women is vital;
 Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified major and contributing factors that increase the risk of heart disease;
 Whereas the major risk factors, identified by such studies, include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking tobacco products, exposure to tobacco smoke, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes mellitus;
 Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease through lifestyle modification coupled with medical treatment when necessary;
 Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk factors of heart disease can improve and save the lives of thousands of individuals in the United States each year;
 Whereas under the Joint Resolution entitled Joint Resolution to provide for the designation of the month of February in each year as American Heart Month, approved December 30, 1963 (36 U.S.C. 101), Congress requested that the President issue an annual proclamation designating February as American Heart Month;
 Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and many other organizations celebrate National Wear Red Day during February by going red to increase awareness about heart disease as the leading killer of women; and
 Whereas every year since 1964, the President has issued a proclamation designating the month of February as American Heart Month: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day;
 (2)recognizes and reaffirms the commitment in the United States to fighting heart disease and stroke by—
 (A)promoting awareness about the causes, risks, and prevention of heart disease and stroke; (B)supporting research on heart disease and stroke; and
 (C)expanding access to medical treatment; (3)commends the efforts of States, territories and possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other entities, and the people of the United States who support American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day; and
 (4)encourages every individual in the United States to learn about their individual risk for heart disease.


113 S2281 IS: Net Price Calculator Improvement Act
U.S. Senate
2014-05-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2281
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 1, 2014
			Mr. Franken (for himself and Mr. Grassley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

		A BILL
		To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical improvements to the Net Price
			 Calculator system so that prospective students may have a more accurate
			 understanding of the true cost of college.

			1.
			Short title
			This Act may be cited as the Net Price Calculator Improvement Act.

			2.
			Minimum Standards for Net Price Calculators
			Section 132(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(h)) is amended—

				(1)
				by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6);

				(2)
				in paragraph (2), by inserting before the period , and, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Net Price Calculator Improvement
			 Act, shall meet the requirements of paragraph (4)(B);

				(3)
				in paragraph (3), by inserting after the first sentence the following: Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Net Price Calculator Improvement Act, such
			 calculator shall meet the requirements of paragraph (4).; and

				(4)
				by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

						(4)
						Minimum requirements for net price calculators
						Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Net Price Calculator Improvement Act, a
			 net price calculator for an institution of higher education shall, at a
			 minimum, meet the following requirements:

							(A)
							The link for the calculator—

								(i)
								is clearly labeled as a net price calculator and prominently, clearly, and conspicuously (in such size and contrast (such as shade) that it is
			 readily noticeable and readable) posted in locations on the institution’s
			 website where information on costs and aid is provided (such as financial
			 aid, prospective students, or tuition and fees web pages);

								(ii)
								matches in size and font to the other prominent links on the primary menu; and

								(iii)
								may also be included on the institution’s compliance web page, which contains information relating
			 to compliance with Federal, State, and local laws.

							(B)
							The results screen for the calculator specifies the following information:(i)The individual net price (as calculated under paragraph (2)) for the individual student, which is
			 the most visually
			 prominent figure on the results screen.
								(ii)
								Cost of attendance, including—

									(I)
									tuition and fees;

									(II)
									average annual cost of room and board for the institution for a first-time, full-time undergraduate
			 student enrolled in the institution;

									(III)
									average annual cost of books and supplies for a first-time, full-time undergraduate student
			 enrolled in the institution; and

									(IV)
									estimated cost of other expenses (including personal expenses and transportation) for a first-time,
			 full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the institution.
								(iii)
								Estimated total need-based grant aid and merit-based grant aid, from Federal, State, and
			 institutional sources, that may be available to the individual student,
			 showing the subtotal for each category and the total of all sources of
			 grant aid.
								(iv)
								Percentage of the first-time, full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the institution that
			 received any type of grant aid described in clause (iii).

								(v)
								The disclaimer described in paragraph (6).

								(vi)
								In the case of a calculator that—

									(I)
									includes questions to estimate a student’s (or prospective student’s) eligibility for veterans’
			 education benefits (as defined in section 480) or educational benefits for
			 active duty service members, such benefits are displayed on the results
			 screen in a manner that clearly distinguishes them from the grant aid
			 described in clause (iii); or

									(II)
									does not include questions to estimate eligibility for the benefits described in subclause (I), the
			 results screen indicates that certain students (or prospective students)
			 may qualify for such benefits and includes a link to information about
			 such benefits.

							(C)
							The institution populates the calculator with data from
						not earlier than 2 academic years prior to
			 the most recent academic year.

						(5)
						Prohibition on use of data collected by the net price calculator
						A net price calculator for an institution of higher education shall—

							(A)
							clearly indicate which questions are required to be completed for an estimate of the net price from
			 the calculator;

							(B)
							in the case of a calculator that requests contact information from users, clearly mark such
			 requests as optional;

							(C)
							prohibit any personally identifiable information provided by users from being sold or made
			 available to third parties; and(D)clearly state Any information that you provide on this site is confidential. The Net Price Calculator does not
			 store your responses or require personal identifying information of any
			 kind...

			3.
			Universal Net Price Calculator
			Section 132(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(h)), as amended by section 2,
			 is further amended by
			 adding at the end the following:

					(7)
					Universal net price calculator
					(A)In generalThe Secretary may develop a universal net price calculator that—

							(i)
							enables users to answer one set of questions and receive net prices for any institution that is
			 required to have a net price calculator under this subsection;

							(ii)
							provides the information required under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (4) for each
			 institution for which a net price is being sought;(iii)is developed in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal agencies; and

							(iv)
							before being finalized and publicly
			 released, is tested in accordance with subparagraph (B).(B)Consumer testing(i)In generalIf the Secretary develops a universal net price calculator under subparagraph (A), the Secretary,
			 in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall
			 establish a
			 process to submit the universal net price calculator developed under this
			 paragraph for consumer testing among representatives of students
			 (including low-income students, first generation college students, adult
			 students, and prospective students), students' families (including
			 low-income families, families with first generation college students, and
			 families with prospective students), institutions of higher education,
			 secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer
			 groups.(ii)Length of consumer testingThe Secretary shall ensure that the consumer testing lasts no longer than 6 months after the
			 process for consumer testing is developed under clause (i).(iii)Use of resultsThe results of consumer testing under clause (i) shall be used in the final development of the
			 universal net price calculator.(iv)Reporting requirementNot later than 3 months after the date the consumer testing under clause (i) concludes, the
			 Secretary shall submit to Congress the final universal net price
			 calculator and a report detailing the results of such testing, including
			 whether the Secretary added any additional items to the calculator as a
			 result of such testing.(v)Authority to modifyThe Secretary may modify the definitions, terms, formatting, and design of the universal net price
			 calculator based on the results of consumer testing required under this
			 paragraph and before finalizing the calculator.(8)Report from SecretaryNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Net Price Calculator Improvement Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on steps taken to raise awareness of net price
			 calculators among prospective students and families, particularly among
			 students in middle school and high school and students from low-income
			 families..


113 HR 5217 IH: Supporting Afterschool STEM Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-07-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5217
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 28, 2014
			Mr. Castro of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

		A BILL
		To support afterschool and out-of-school-time science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
			 programs, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Supporting Afterschool STEM Act.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Numerous authoritative studies document that the proficiency of students in the United States in
			 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) will have a major impact on the Nation's future economic competitiveness and on the preeminence
			 of the United States in scientific inquiry and technological innovation.
			(2)Results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the Trends in International
			 Mathematics and Science Study, the Programme in International Science
			 Assessment, and other sources show that students in the United States are
			 not demonstrating sufficient achievement in the STEM subjects and are not
			 keeping pace with students in other countries.
			(3)Research demonstrates the importance of afterschool programs in engaging students in STEM fields
			 and building STEM-relevant skills and proficiencies, especially for girls,
			 students from populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields,
			 and students from low socioeconomic circumstances.
			(4)A National Research Council consensus study confirmed the importance of learning that occurs in
			 out-of-school-time settings such as afterschool programs and science
			 centers, and proposed a set of strands of science learning framework that articulated capabilities fostered by informal learning environments.
			(5)According to a 2013 study entitled Defining Youth Outcomes for STEM Learning in Afterschool, the afterschool field is confident in its ability to help young people develop interest in STEM
			 and STEM learning activities, develop capacities to productively engage in
			 such activities, and come to value them. The afterschool field is also
			 confident that it can impact skills such as problem-solving abilities,
			 demonstrating STEM skills, career awareness, and 21st century skills, such
			 as team work, that are important to the workforce and national economic
			 goals.
			(6)The Federal Government should use its resources as effectively as possible to increase
			 opportunities for students to be exposed to STEM subjects outside of the
			 school day and to build a balanced kindergarten through grade 12 STEM
			 education portfolio that fosters learning in school as well as in
			 out-of-school-time programs.
			(7)Afterschool programs have long partnered with other youth-serving and community organizations to
			 meet the needs of students. Cross-sector collaborations between
			 afterschool programs, schools, science centers, institutions of higher
			 education, businesses, and other entities are yielding great benefits for
			 engaging young people in STEM fields.
			(8)As interest and momentum grows around STEM programming in afterschool, more and better partnerships
			 across Federal agencies become increasingly important to leverage
			 resources and offer high-quality, hands-on STEM experiences for youth.
			3.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are—
			(1)to enhance America’s economic competitiveness by strengthening STEM education through fostering
			 interest and success in STEM subjects among certain student populations in
			 kindergarten through grade 12;
			(2)to engage Federal agencies and foster interagency collaboration in STEM education afterschool
			 program investments;
			(3)to recognize the important role that afterschool programs offered by nonprofit and community-based
			 organizations, science centers, museums, libraries, and other such
			 entities, play in STEM education and to support their efforts;
			(4)to involve institutions of higher education as partners in such efforts and foster increased
			 collaboration; and
			(5)to inspire young people to study and work in STEM subjects.
			4.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Afterschool or STEM networkThe term afterschool or STEM network means a coalition that fosters partnerships and provides support to afterschool program providers
			 and STEM education providers to develop and sustain quality education
			 programming for children and youth in afterschool programs and STEM
			 education programs.
			(2)Afterschool programThe term afterschool program means a structured program offered for elementary school, middle school, or secondary school
			 students when school is not in session, such as before or after school, on
			 the weekend, or during the summer.
			(3)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the National Science Foundation.
			(4)Elementary schoolThe term elementary school has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
			 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
			(5)Middle schoolThe term middle school means a nonprofit institutional day or residential school, including a public charter school, that
			 provides middle grades education, as determined under State law.
			(6)Secondary schoolThe term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
			 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
			(7)Institution of higher educationThe term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 1002).
			(8)STEMThe term STEM means science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and includes the fields of computer
			 science and robotics.
			5.Afterschool STEM Support Grant program
			(a)Goals of programThe goals of the afterschool STEM grant program carried out under this Act are—
				(1)to support the development and delivery of high-quality STEM education to populations
			 underrepresented in STEM fields;
				(2)to leverage the expertise and infrastructure available to afterschool programs that include STEM
			 content through afterschool or STEM networks;
				(3)to leverage existing Federal STEM education investments, as of the date of enactment of this Act,
			 in order to encourage STEM-focused grant recipients to lend their time and
			 expertise to afterschool programs that include STEM content; and
				(4)to provide hands-on learning and exposure to STEM research facilities and businesses through
			 in-person or virtual distance-learning experiences.
				(b)Program authorized
				(1)In generalFrom amounts appropriated to carry out this part and not reserved under paragraph (4), the Director
			 shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to afterschool or STEM
			 networks—
					(A)to support afterschool programs that include STEM content through the activities described in
			 subsection (e); and
					(B)to carry out the goals described in subsection (a).
					(2)DurationEach grant awarded under this Act shall be for a period of not more than 3 years.
				(3)AmountsThe Director shall ensure that each grant awarded under this Act is in an amount that is sufficient
			 to carry out the goals described in subsection (a).
				(4)ReservationFrom the amounts appropriated for this grant, the Director shall reserve 20 percent of such funds
			 to develop and support new afterschool or STEM networks in States or areas
			 where such networks do not exist.
				(c)Application
				(1)In generalAn afterschool or STEM network desiring a grant under subsection (b)(1) shall submit an application
			 at such time, in such manner, and containing such information that the
			 Director may require.
				(2)ContentsThe application described in paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, include—
					(A)a description of the status of afterschool STEM programming in the State or area in which the
			 afterschool or STEM network is located, including—
						(i)the number of afterschool programs in the State or area;
						(ii)the number of such afterschool programs focused on STEM subjects and activities;
						(iii)the number of students served by existing afterschool programs, as of the date of the application,
			 in the State or area;
						(iv)the number of students served by existing afterschool programs that include STEM content in the
			 State or area;
						(v)the unmet demand for afterschool programs in the State or area; and
						(vi)the unmet demand for afterschool programs focused on STEM subjects and activities in the State or
			 area;
						(B)an analysis of existing and needed resources that identifies areas and populations most in need of
			 opportunities for high-quality afterschool programs that include STEM
			 content;
					(C)a description of the current and past work carried out by the afterschool or STEM network to
			 support the needs of afterschool program providers in the State or area
			 served by the network;
					(D)a detailed plan that describes initiatives that shall be undertaken to—
						(i)support and grow afterschool programs that include STEM content; and
						(ii)leverage existing Federal investments in afterschool programs and STEM education, as of the date of
			 the application;
						(E)a description of financial and other commitments that support expanded afterschool STEM programming
			 in the State or area served by the network; and
					(F)a description of any confirmed or potential partners that will work with the afterschool or STEM
			 network to carry out the activities under the grant.
					(d)PriorityIn awarding grants under subsection (b)(1), the Director shall give priority to applications from
			 afterschool or STEM networks that—
				(1)demonstrate a clear understanding of the afterschool programs and settings, and the status of
			 afterschool programs that include STEM content, in the State or area to be
			 served by the grant;
				(2)have established working relationships with afterschool program and STEM education stakeholders in
			 the State or area;
				(3)are working to advance the availability of high-quality afterschool programs that include STEM
			 content for under-served populations and populations underrepresented in
			 STEM fields, including girls, African-Americans, and Latinos; and
				(4)are leveraging Federal or other public investments in STEM education or afterschool programming.
				(e)Uses of fundsAn afterschool or STEM network that receives a grant under subsection (b)(1) may use grant funds to
			 carry out any of the following activities:
				(1)Develop quality standards for STEM programming in afterschool programs and provide technical
			 assistance to afterschool programs to implement such standards.
				(2)Work with State education stakeholders to define and promote appropriate measurable outcomes for
			 afterschool programs that include STEM content.
				(3)Provide technical assistance to afterschool programs to start or grow their afterschool STEM
			 efforts and define appropriate learning outcomes for such efforts.
				(4)Coordinate professional development for afterschool program educators by—
					(A)identifying training programs that are available, as of the time of the identification, for
			 afterschool program educators;
					(B)working with partners to allow joint professional development with teachers at elementary schools,
			 middle schools, and secondary schools, as appropriate; and
					(C)partnering with teacher training programs to utilize afterschool programs for practicum
			 experiences, employment placements, and other opportunities.
					(5)Help afterschool program providers form strategic partnerships as needed to advance STEM learning
			 in afterschool programs, including partnerships with elementary schools,
			 middle schools, secondary schools, institutions of higher education
			 (including community colleges and programs and schools of education),
			 businesses, research facilities, national laboratories, and other
			 appropriate entities.
				(6)Create and disseminate tool kits to afterschool programs wanting to form partnerships and
			 incorporate STEM professionals as mentors and role models that—
					(A)provide technical assistance and guidance, including assistance in connecting afterschool program
			 providers with STEM researchers and professionals who may be able to
			 assist in STEM-focused activities; and
					(B)include—
						(i)examples of strong afterschool programs that have incorporated such partnerships to serve as
			 models;
						(ii)a list of potential partners that could assist in STEM-focused activities;
						(iii)identified federally supported STEM education programs and research in the State or area served by
			 the grant; and
						(iv)guidance on how to engage STEM professionals, mentors, and role models in the program.
						(7)Provide technical assistance to federally funded STEM researchers and professionals who wish to
			 engage with afterschool programs that, at a minimum, includes—
					(A)examples of partnerships between afterschool programs and institutions rich in STEM resources;
					(B)a resource that provides a description of the afterschool program setting, the opportunities for
			 engagement in afterschool programs, and the constraints of which the
			 researchers or professionals need to be aware;
					(C)how to find an afterschool program provider with which the researcher or professional would like to
			 engage;
					(D)how to ensure an effective and productive partnership with the afterschool provider through
			 mutually beneficial engagement, and engage in a productive conversation
			 with the afterschool provider to determine if the partnership will be
			 productive;
					(E)how to craft a mutually beneficial engagement and partnership; and
					(F)guidance on how to measure appropriate outcomes for afterschool programs and afterschool programs
			 that include STEM content.
					(8)Any other activity, as proposed in the application and determined appropriate by the Director.
				(f)ReportEach afterschool or STEM network receiving a grant under subsection (b)(1) shall submit an annual
			 report to the Director regarding the progress of the grant.
			6.Federal Partnership with afterschool programsBeginning not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall
			 provide information, to each recipient of a STEM research grant under the
			 authority of the Director, on opportunities to engage with students in
			 out-of-school-time programs, such as through mentorships. Such information
			 shall include—
			(1)a listing of all afterschool or STEM program networks in the region of the recipient;
			(2)a toolkit that provides guidance to federally funded STEM researchers on how to engage and partner
			 with afterschool STEM program providers and lend their time and expertise
			 in afterschool programs that include STEM content;
			(3)information regarding how to create opportunities to have students visit laboratories; and
			(4)guidance regarding how to create age-appropriate research projects for students.
			7.ReportBy not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall prepare and
			 submit to Congress a report on Federal STEM investments in afterschool
			 programs and the best practices for afterschool programs incorporating
			 STEM subjects into their programs.


117 S1775 PCS: Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021
U.S. Senate

text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IICalendar No. 62117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1775IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 20, 2021Mr. Grassley (for himself, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill; which was read the first timeMay 24, 2021Read the second time and placed on the calendarA BILLTo address gun violence, improve the availability of records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, address mental illness in the criminal justice system, and end straw purchases and trafficking of illegal firearms, and for other purposes.1.Short title;
		table of contents(a)Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021.(b)Table of
 contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Definitions.Sec. 3. Reauthorization and improvements to NICS.Sec. 4. Availability of records to NICS.Sec. 5. Definitions relating to mental health.Sec. 6. Conditions for treatment of certain persons as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.Sec. 7. Reports and certifications to Congress.Sec. 8. Increasing Federal prosecution of gun violence.Sec. 9. Prosecution of felons and fugitives who attempt to illegally purchase firearms.Sec. 10. Limitation on operations by the Department of Justice.Sec. 11. Straw purchasing of firearms.Sec. 12. Increased penalties for lying and buying.Sec. 13. Amendments to section 924(a).Sec. 14. Amendments to section 924(h).Sec. 15. Amendments to section 924(k).Sec. 16. Multiple sales reports for rifles and shotguns.Sec. 17. Study by the National Institutes of Justice and National Academy of Sciences on the causes of mass shootings.Sec. 18. Reports to Congress regarding ammunition purchases by Federal agencies.Sec. 19. Reduction of Byrne JAG funds for State failure to provide mental health records to NICS.Sec. 20. Firearm commerce modernization.Sec. 21. Firearm dealer access to law enforcement information.Sec. 22. Interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition.Sec. 23. Preventing duplicative grants.2.DefinitionsIn this Act—(1)the term agency has the meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code;(2)the term NICS means the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and(3)the term relevant Federal records means any record demonstrating that a person is prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code.3.Reauthorization
		and improvements to NICS(a)In
 generalSection 103 of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40913) is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (e), (f), and (g) as subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively;(2)by amending subsection (f), as so redesignated, to read as follows:(f)Authorization
 of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.;
 and(3)by inserting after subsection (d) the following:(e)AccountabilityAll grants awarded by the Attorney General under this section shall be subject to the following accountability provisions:(1)DefinitionIn this subsection, the term unresolved audit finding means a finding in the final audit report of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice that the audited grantee has utilized grant funds for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise unallowable cost that is not closed or resolved within 12 months from the date when the final audit report is issued.(2)AuditsBeginning in the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this subsection, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice shall conduct audits of recipients of grants under this section to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by grantees. The Inspector General shall determine the appropriate number of grantees to be audited each year.(3)PriorityIn awarding grants under this section, the Attorney General shall give priority to eligible applicants that did not have an unresolved audit finding during the 3 fiscal years before submitting an application for a grant under this section..(b)Modification of
 eligibility requirementsThe NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40902 et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 102(b)(1) (34 U.S.C. 40912(b)(1))—(A)in subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting subparagraph (B);(B)by striking subparagraph (B); and(C)by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B);(2)in section 103(a)(1) (34 U.S.C. 40913(a)(1)), by striking and subject to section 102(b)(1)(B); and(3)in section 104(d) (34 U.S.C. 40914(d)), by striking section 102(b)(1)(C) and inserting section 102(b)(1)(B).4.Availability
 of records to NICS(a)GuidanceNot later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall issue guidance regarding—(1)the identification and sharing of relevant Federal records; and(2)submission of the relevant Federal records to NICS.(b)Prioritization
 of recordsEach agency that possesses relevant Federal records shall prioritize providing the relevant information contained in the relevant Federal records to NICS on a regular and ongoing basis in accordance with the guidance issued by the Attorney General under subsection (a).(c)ReportsNot later than 60 days after the Attorney General issues guidance under subsection (a), the head of each agency shall submit a report to the Attorney General that—(1)advises whether the agency possesses relevant Federal records; and(2)describes the implementation plan of the agency for making the relevant information contained in relevant Federal records available to NICS in a manner consistent with applicable law.(d)Determination
 of relevanceThe Attorney General shall resolve any dispute regarding whether—(1)agency records are relevant Federal records; and(2)the relevant Federal records of an agency should be made available to NICS.5.Definitions relating
		to mental health(a)Title 18
 definitionsChapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)in section 921(a), by adding at the end the following:(36)(A)Subject to subparagraph (B), the term has been adjudicated mentally incompetent or has been committed to a psychiatric hospital, with respect to a person—(i)means the person is the subject of an order or finding by a judicial officer, court, board, commission, or other adjudicative body—(I)that was issued after—(aa)a hearing—(AA)of which the person received actual notice; and(BB)at which the person had an opportunity to participate with counsel; or(bb)the person knowingly and intelligently waived the opportunity for a hearing—(AA)of which the person received actual notice; and(BB)at which the person would have had an opportunity to participate with counsel; and(II)that found that the person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, mental impairment, or mental illness—(aa)was a danger to himself or to others;(bb)was guilty but mentally ill in a criminal case;(cc)was not guilty in a criminal case by reason of insanity or mental disease or defect;(dd)was incompetent to stand trial in a criminal case;(ee)was not guilty only by reason of lack of mental responsibility under section 850a of title 10 (article 50a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice);(ff)required involuntary inpatient treatment by a psychiatric hospital;(gg)required involuntary outpatient treatment by a psychiatric hospital based on a finding that the person is a danger to himself or to others; or(hh)required involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital for any reason, including drug use; and(ii)does not include—(I)a person who is in a psychiatric hospital for observation; or(II)a voluntary admission to a psychiatric hospital.(B)In this paragraph, the term order or finding does not include—(i)an order or finding that has expired or has been set aside or expunged;(ii)an order or finding that is no longer applicable because a judicial officer, court, board, commission, or other adjudicative body has found that the person who is the subject of the order or finding—(I)does not present a danger to himself or to others;(II)has been restored to sanity or cured of mental disease or defect;(III)has been restored to competency; or(IV)no longer requires involuntary inpatient or outpatient treatment by, or involuntary commitment to, a psychiatric hospital; or(iii)an order or finding with respect to which the person who is subject to the order or finding has been granted relief from disabilities under section 925(c) or under a program described in section 101(c)(2)(A) or 105 of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40911, 40915).(37)The term psychiatric hospital includes a mental health facility, a mental hospital, a sanitarium, a psychiatric facility, and any other facility that provides diagnoses by licensed professionals of mental retardation or mental illness, including a psychiatric ward in a general hospital.;
 and(2)in section 922—(A)in subsection (d)(4)—(i)by striking as a mental defective and inserting mentally incompetent; and(ii)by striking any mental institution and inserting a psychiatric hospital; and(B)in subsection (g)(4)—(i)by striking as a mental defective or who has and inserting mentally incompetent or has; and(ii)by striking mental institution and inserting psychiatric hospital.(b)Technical and
 conforming amendmentThe NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40902 et seq.) is amended—(1)by striking as a mental defective each place that term appears and inserting mentally incompetent;(2)by striking mental institution each place that term appears and inserting psychiatric hospital; and(3)in section 102(c)(3) (34 U.S.C. 40912(c)(3))—(A)in the paragraph heading, by striking as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution and inserting mentally incompetent or committed to a psychiatric hospital; and(B)by striking mental institutions and inserting psychiatric hospitals.6.Conditions for treatment of certain persons as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain
 purposes(a)In generalChapter 55 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:5511.Conditions for treatment of certain persons as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposesIn any case arising out of the administration by the Secretary of laws and benefits under this title, a person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness shall not be considered adjudicated as a mental defective under subsection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18 without the order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others..(b)Technical and
 conforming amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:5511. Conditions for treatment of certain persons as
		  adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain
		  purposes..7.Reports and
		certifications to Congress(a)NICS
 reportsNot later than October 1, 2022, and every year thereafter, the head of each agency that possesses relevant Federal records shall submit a report to Congress that includes—(1)a description of the relevant Federal records possessed by the agency that can be shared with NICS in a manner consistent with applicable law;(2)the number of relevant Federal records the agency submitted to NICS during the reporting period;(3)efforts made to increase the percentage of relevant Federal records possessed by the agency that are submitted to NICS;(4)any obstacles to increasing the percentage of relevant Federal records possessed by the agency that are submitted to NICS;(5)measures put in place to provide notice and programs for relief from disabilities as required under the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40902 et seq.) if the agency makes qualifying adjudications relating to the mental health of an individual;(6)measures put in place to correct, modify, or remove records available to NICS when the basis on which the records were made available no longer applies; and(7)additional steps that will be taken during the 1-year period after the submission of the report to improve the processes by which relevant Federal records are—(A)identified;(B)made available to NICS; and(C)corrected, modified, or removed from NICS.(b)Certifications(1)In
 generalThe annual report requirement in subsection (a) shall not apply to an agency that, as part of a report required to be submitted under subsection (a), provides certification that the agency has—(A)made available to NICS relevant Federal records that can be shared in a manner consistent with applicable law;(B)a plan to make any relevant Federal records available to NICS and a description of that plan; and(C)a plan to update, modify, or remove records electronically from NICS not less than quarterly as required by the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40902 et seq.) and a description of that plan.(2)FrequencyEach agency that is not required to submit annual reports under paragraph (1) shall submit an annual certification to Congress attesting that the agency continues to submit relevant Federal records to NICS and has corrected, modified, or removed records available to NICS when the basis on which the records were made available no longer applies.(c)Reports to
		Congress on firearms prosecutions(1)Report to
 congressBeginning February 1, 2022, and on February 1 of each year thereafter through 2031, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report of information gathered under this subsection during the fiscal year that ended on September 30 of the preceding year.(2)Subject of
 annual reportNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall require each component of the Department of Justice, including each United States Attorney's Office, to furnish for the purposes of the report described in paragraph (1), information relating to any case presented to the Department of Justice for review or prosecution, in which the objective facts of the case provide probable cause to believe that there has been a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(3)Elements of
 annual reportWith respect to each case described in paragraph (2), the report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include information indicating—(A)whether in any such case, a decision has been made not to charge an individual with a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any other violation of Federal criminal law;(B)in any case described in subparagraph (A), a description of why no charge was filed under sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;(C)whether in any case described in paragraph (2), an indictment, information, or other charge has been brought against any person, or the matter is pending;(D)whether, in the case of an indictment, information, or other charge described in subparagraph (C), the charging document contains a count or counts alleging a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;(E)in any case described in subparagraph (D) in which the charging document contains a count or counts alleging a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, whether a plea agreement of any kind has been entered into with such charged individual;(F)whether any plea agreement described in subparagraph (E) required that the individual plead guilty, to enter a plea of nolo contendere, or otherwise caused a court to enter a conviction against that individual for a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;(G)in any case described in subparagraph (F) in which the plea agreement did not require that the individual plead guilty, enter a plea of nolo contendere, or otherwise cause a court to enter a conviction against that individual for a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, identification of the charges to which that individual did plead guilty;(H)in the case of an indictment, information, or other charge described in subparagraph (C), in which the charging document contains a count or counts alleging a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the result of any trial of such charges (guilty, not guilty, mistrial);(I)in the case of an indictment, information, or other charge described in subparagraph (C), in which the charging document did not contain a count or counts alleging a violation of sections 922 and 924, United States Code, and section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the nature of the other charges brought and the result of any trial of such other charges as have been brought (guilty, not guilty, mistrial);(J)the number of persons who attempted to purchase a firearm but were denied because of a background check conducted in accordance with section 922(t) of title 18, United States Code; and(K)the number of prosecutions conducted in relation to persons described in subparagraph (J).8.Increasing
		Federal prosecution of gun violence(a)In
 generalNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall establish in jurisdictions specified in subsection (c) a program that meets the requirements of subsection (b), to be known as the Nationwide Project Exile Expansion.(b)Program
 elementsEach program established under subsection (a) shall, for the jurisdiction concerned—(1)provide for coordination with State and local law enforcement officials in the identification of violations of Federal firearms laws;(2)provide for the establishment of agreements with State and local law enforcement officials for the referral to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Attorney for prosecution of persons arrested for violations of section 922 or section 924 of title 18, United States Code, or section 5861 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, relating to firearms;(3)provide for the establishment of multijurisdictional task forces, coordinated by the Executive Office of the United States attorneys to investigate and prosecute illegal straw purchasing rings that purchase firearms in one jurisdiction and transfer them to another;(4)require that the United States attorney designate not less than 1 assistant United States attorney to prosecute violations of Federal firearms laws;(5)provide for the hiring of agents for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate violations of the provisions referred to in paragraph (2), United States Code, relating to firearms; and(6)ensure that each person referred to the United States attorney under paragraph (2) be charged with a violation of the most serious Federal firearm offense consistent with the act committed.(c)Covered
		jurisdictions(1)In
 generalSubject to paragraph (2), the jurisdictions specified in this subsection are—(A)the 10 jurisdictions with a population equal to or greater than 100,000 persons that had the highest total number of homicides according to the uniform crime report of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the most recent year available;(B)the 5 jurisdictions with such a population, other than the jurisdictions covered by paragraph (1), with the highest per capita rate of homicide according to the uniform crime report of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the most recent year available; and(C)the 3 tribal jurisdictions that have the highest homicide crime rates, as determined by the Attorney General.(2)LimitationThe 15 jurisdictions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not include any jurisdiction other than those within the 50 States.(d)Annual
 reportsNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report containing the following information:(1)The number of individuals indicted for such violations of Federal firearms laws during that year by reason of the program.(2)The increase or decrease in the number of individuals indicted for such violations of Federal firearms laws during that year by reason of the program when compared with the year preceding that year.(3)The number of individuals held without bond in anticipation of prosecution by reason of the program.(4)To the extent the information is available, the average length of prison sentence of the individuals convicted of violations of Federal firearms laws by reason of the program.(5)The number of multijurisdictional task forces established and the number of individuals arrested, indicted, convicted or acquitted of charges for violations of the specific crimes listed in subsection (b)(2).(e)Authorization
		of appropriations(1)In
 generalThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program under this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, which shall be used for salaries and expenses of assistant United States attorneys and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents.(2)Use of
		funds(A)Assistant
 United States AttorneysThe assistant United States attorneys hired using amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) shall prosecute violations of Federal firearms laws in accordance with subsection (b)(2).(B)ATF
 agentsThe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents hired using amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, concentrate their investigations on violations of Federal firearms laws in accordance with subsection (b)(2).9.Prosecution of
 felons and fugitives who attempt to illegally purchase firearms(a)Task Force(1)EstablishmentThere is established a task force within the Department of Justice, which shall be known as the Felon and Fugitive Firearm Task Force (referred to in this section as the Task Force), to strengthen the efforts of the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute cases of convicted felons and fugitives from justice who illegally attempt to purchase a firearm.(2)MembershipThe members of the Task Force shall be—(A)the Deputy Attorney General, who shall serve as the Chairperson of the Task Force;(B)the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division;(C)the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;(D)the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and(E)such other officers or employees of the Department of Justice as the Attorney General may designate.(3)DutiesThe Task Force shall—(A)provide direction for the investigation and prosecution of cases of convicted felons and fugitives from justice attempting to illegally purchase a firearm; and(B)provide recommendations to the Attorney General relating to—(i)the allocation and reallocation of resources of the Department of Justice for investigation and prosecution of cases of convicted felons and fugitives from justice attempting to illegally purchase a firearm;(ii)enhancing cooperation among agencies and entities of the Federal Government in the investigation and prosecution of cases of convicted felons and fugitives from justice attempting to illegally purchase a firearm;(iii)enhancing cooperation among Federal, State, and local authorities responsible for the investigation and prosecution of cases of convicted felons and fugitives from justice attempting to illegally purchase a firearm; and(iv)changes in rules, regulations, or policy to improve the effective investigation and prosecution of cases of convicted felons and fugitives from justice attempting to illegally purchase a firearm.(4)MeetingsThe Task Force shall meet not less than once a year.(5)TerminationThe Task Force shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.(b)Authorization
 for use of fundsSection 524(c)(1) of title 28, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subparagraph (H), by striking and at the end;(2)in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(3)by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:(J)the investigation and prosecution of cases of convicted felons and fugitives from justice who illegally attempt to purchase a firearm, in accordance with section 9 of the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021, provided that—(i)not more than $10,000,000 shall be available to the Attorney General for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 under this subparagraph; and(ii)not more than 5 percent of the amounts made available under this subparagraph may be used for the administrative costs of the task force established under section 9 of the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021..10.Limitation on operations by the Department
 of JusticeThe Department of Justice, and any of the law enforcement coordinate agencies of the Department of Justice, shall not conduct any operation where a Federal firearms licensee is directed, instructed, enticed, or otherwise encouraged by the Department of Justice to sell a firearm to an individual if the Department of Justice, or a coordinate agency, knows or has reasonable cause to believe that such an individual is purchasing on behalf of another for an illegal purpose unless the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, or the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division personally reviews and approves the operation, in writing, and determines that the agency has prepared an operational plan that includes sufficient safeguards to prevent firearms from being transferred to third parties without law enforcement taking reasonable steps to lawfully interdict those firearms.11.Straw
		purchasing of firearms(a)In
 generalChapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:932.Straw
 purchasing of firearms(a)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—(1)the term crime of violence has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(3);(2)the term drug trafficking crime has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(2); and(3)the term Federal crime of terrorism has the meaning given that term in section 2332b(g).(b)OffenseIt shall be unlawful for any person to—(1)purchase or otherwise obtain a firearm, which has been shipped, transported, or received in interstate or foreign commerce, for or on behalf of any other person who the person purchasing or otherwise obtaining the firearm knows—(A)is prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922;(B)intends to use, carry, possess, or sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a drug trafficking crime, or a Federal crime of terrorism;(C)intends to engage in conduct that would constitute a crime of violence, a drug trafficking crime, or a Federal crime of terrorism if the conduct had occurred within the United States; or(D)is not a resident of any State and is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States; or(2)willfully procure another to engage in conduct described in paragraph (1).(c)PenaltyAny person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.933.Trafficking in
 firearms(a)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—(1)the term crime of violence has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(3);(2)the term drug trafficking crime has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(2); and(3)the term Federal crime of terrorism has the meaning given that term in section 2332b(g).(b)OffenseIt shall be unlawful for any person to—(1)ship, transport, transfer, or otherwise dispose of two or more firearms to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if the transferor knows that the use, carrying, or possession of a firearm by the transferee would violate subsection (g) or (n) of section 922, or constitute a crime of violence, a drug trafficking crime, or a Federal crime of terrorism;(2)receive from another person two or more firearms in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if the recipient—(A)knows that such receipt would violate subsection (g) or (n) of section 922; or(B)intends to use the firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a drug trafficking crime, or a Federal crime of terrorism; or(3)attempt or conspire to commit the conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2).(c)Penalties(1)In
 generalAny person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.(2)OrganizerIf a violation of subsection (b) is committed by a person acting in concert with other persons as an organizer, leader, supervisor, or manager, the person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both..(b)Technical and
 conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 931 the following:932. Straw purchasing of
		  firearms.933. Trafficking in
		  firearms..(c)Directive to
 the sentencing commissionPursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to ensure that persons convicted of an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United States Code, and other offenses applicable to the straw purchases and firearms trafficking of firearms are subject to increased penalties in comparison to those currently provided by the guidelines and policy statements for such straw purchasing and firearms trafficking offenses. In its review, the Commission shall consider, in particular, an appropriate amendment to reflect the intent of Congress that straw purchasers without significant criminal histories receive sentences that are sufficient to deter participation in such activities. The Commission shall also review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to reflect the intent of Congress that a person convicted of an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United States Code, who is affiliated with a gang, cartel, organized crime ring, or other such enterprise should be subject to higher penalties than an otherwise unaffiliated individual.12.Increased
 penalties for lying and buyingSection 924(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (D) by striking five years and inserting the following: 5 years (or, in the case of a violation under subparagraph (A), not more than 10 years).13.Amendments to
 section 924(a)Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)in paragraph (2), by striking (d), (g),; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(8)Whoever knowingly violates subsection (d), (g), or (n) of section 922 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both..14.Amendments to
 section 924(h)Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:(h)Whoever knowingly receives or transfers a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, knowing that such firearm or ammunition will be used to commit a crime of violence (as defined in subsection (c)(3)), a drug trafficking crime (as defined in subsection (c)(2)), a Federal crime of terrorism (as defined in section 2332b(g)), or a crime under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both..15.Amendments to section
 924(k)Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (k) and inserting the following:(k)(1)A person who, with intent to engage in or promote conduct that—(A)is punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46;(B)violates any law of a State relating to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 802);(C)constitutes a crime of violence (as defined in subsection (c)(3)); or(D)constitutes a Federal crime of terrorism (as defined in section 2332b(g)),smuggles or knowingly brings into the United States,
		  a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be imprisoned
 not more than 15 years, fined under this title, or both.(2)A person who, with intent to engage in or to promote conduct that—(A)would be punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46, if the conduct had occurred within the United States; or(B)would constitute a crime of violence (as defined in subsection (c)(3)) or a Federal crime of terrorism (as defined in section 2332b(g)) for which the person may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, if the conduct had occurred within the United States,smuggles or knowingly takes out of the United States,
		  a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be imprisoned
		  not more than 15 years, fined under this title, or
		  both..16.Multiple sales
 reports for rifles and shotgunsSection 923(g)(5) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:(C)The Attorney General may not require a licensee to submit ongoing or periodic reporting of the sale or other disposition of 2 or more rifles or shotguns during a specified period of time..17.Study by the
		National Institutes of Justice and National Academy of Sciences on the causes
		of mass shootings(a)In
 general(1)StudyNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall instruct the Director of the National Institutes of Justice, to conduct a peer-reviewed study to examine various sources and causes of mass shootings including psychological factors, the impact of violent video games, and other factors. The Director shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct this study jointly with an independent panel of 5 experts appointed by the Academy.(2)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date on which the study required under paragraph (1) begins, the Directors shall submit to Congress a report detailing the findings of the study.(b)Issues
 examinedThe study conducted under subsection (a)(1) shall examine—(1)mental illness;(2)the availability of mental health and other resources and strategies to help families detect and counter tendencies toward violence;(3)the availability of mental health and other resources at schools to help detect and counter tendencies of students towards violence;(4)the extent to which perpetrators of mass shootings, either alleged, convicted, deceased, or otherwise, played violent or adult-themed video games and whether the perpetrators of mass shootings discussed, planned, or used violent or adult-themed video games in preparation of or to assist in carrying out their violent actions;(5)familial relationships, including the level of involvement and awareness of parents;(6)exposure to bullying; and(7)the extent to which perpetrators of mass shootings were acting in a copycat manner based upon previous violent events.18.Reports to
 Congress regarding ammunition purchases by Federal agenciesNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Judiciary, the House Committee on Homeland Security, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, a report including—(1)details of all purchases of ammunition by each Federal agency;(2)a summary of all purchases, solicitations, and expenditures on ammunition by each Federal agency;(3)a summary of all the rounds of ammunition expended by each Federal agency and a current listing of stockpiled ammunition for each Federal agency; and(4)an estimate of future ammunition needs and purchases for each Federal agency for the next fiscal year.19.Reduction of
		Byrne JAG funds for State failure to provide mental health records to
 NICSSection 104(b) of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40914(b)) is amended—(1)by striking paragraphs (1) and (2);(2)by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);(3)in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking of paragraph (2) and inserting of paragraph (1); and(4)by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, the following:(1)Reduction for
		  failure to provide mental health records(A)In
 generalDuring the period beginning on the date that is 18 months after the date of enactment of the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021 and ending on the day before the date described in subparagraph (B), the Attorney General shall withhold 5 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10156) if the State does not—(i)provide not less than 90 percent of the records required to be provided under sections 102 and 103; or(ii)have in effect a statute that—(I)requires the State to provide the records required to be provided under sections 102 and 103; and(II)implements a relief from disabilities program in accordance with section 105.(B)Final
 implementation deadlineBeginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021, the Attorney General shall withhold 10 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10156) if the State does not have in effect a statute described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of this paragraph..20.Firearm
		commerce modernization(a)Firearms
 dispositionsSection 922(b)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking located and inserting located or temporarily located; and(2)in subparagraph (A)—(A)by striking rifle or shotgun and inserting firearm;(B)by striking located and inserting located or temporarily located; and(C)by striking both such States and inserting the State in which the transfer is conducted and the State of residence of the transferee.(b)Dealer
 locationSection 923 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (j)—(A)in the first sentence, by striking , and such location is in the State which is specified on the license; and(B)in the last sentence—(i)by inserting transfer, after sell,; and(ii)by striking Act, and all that follows and inserting Act.; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(m)Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the sale, transfer, delivery, or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition—(1)by a person licensed under this chapter to another person so licensed, at any location in any State; or(2)by a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to a person not licensed under this chapter, at a temporary location described in subsection (j) in any State..(c)Residence of
 United States officersSection 921 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:(b)For purposes of this chapter:(1)A member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or a spouse of such a member, is a resident of—(A)the State in which the member or spouse maintains legal residence;(B)the State in which the permanent duty station of the member is located; and(C)the State in which the member maintains a place of abode from which the member commutes each day to the permanent duty station of the member.(2)An officer or employee of the United States (other than a member of the Armed Forces) who is stationed outside the United States for a period of more than 1 year, and a spouse of such an officer or employee, is a resident of the State in which the person maintains legal residence..21.Firearm dealer
		access to law enforcement information(a)In
 generalSection 103(b) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (34 U.S.C. 40901), is amended—(1)by striking Not later than and inserting the following:(1)In
 generalNot later than; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(2)Voluntary
		  background checks(A)In
 generalNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021, the Attorney General shall promulgate regulations allowing licensees to use the national instant criminal background check system established under this section for purposes of conducting voluntary, no fee employment background checks on current or prospective employees.(B)NoticeBefore conducting an employment background check relating to an individual under subparagraph (A), a licensee shall—(i)provide written notice to the individual that the licensee intends to conduct the background check; and(ii)obtain consent to conduct the background check from the individual in writing.(C)ExemptionAn employment background check conducted by a licensee under subparagraph (A) shall not be governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).(D)AppealAny individual who is the subject of an employment background check conducted by a licensee under subparagraph (A) the result of which indicates that the individual is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition pursuant to subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, may appeal the results of the background check in the same manner and to the same extent as if the individual had been the subject of a background check relating to the transfer of a firearm..(b)Acquisition,
		preservation, and exchange of identification records and
 informationSection 534 of title 28, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in paragraph (3), by striking and at the end;(B)in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(C)by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:(5)provide a person licensed as an importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms under chapter 44 of title 18 with information necessary to verify whether firearms offered for sale to such licensees have been stolen.;
 and(2)in subsection (b), by inserting , except for dissemination authorized under subsection (a)(5) of this section before the period.(c)RegulationsNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and without regard to chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, the Attorney General shall promulgate regulations allowing a person licensed as an importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to receive access to records of stolen firearms maintained by the National Crime Information Center operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, solely for the purpose of voluntarily verifying whether firearms offered for sale to such licensees have been stolen.(d)Statutory
		construction; evidence(1)Statutory
 constructionNothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed—(A)to create a cause of action against any person licensed as an importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, or any other person for any civil liability; or(B)to establish any standard of care.(2)EvidenceNotwithstanding any other provision of law, evidence regarding the use or non-use by a person licensed as an importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, of the systems, information, or records made available under this section or the amendments made by this section shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity.22.Interstate
		transportation of firearms or ammunition(a)In
 generalSection 926A of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:926A.Interstate
 transportation of firearms or ammunition(a)DefinitionIn this section, the term transport includes staying in temporary lodging overnight, stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, medical treatment, and any other activity incidental to the transport.(b)AuthorizationNotwithstanding any provision of any law (including a rule or regulation) of a State or any political subdivision thereof, a person who is not prohibited by this chapter from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm or ammunition shall be entitled to—(1)transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where the person may lawfully possess, carry, or transport the firearm to any other such place if, during the transportation—(A)the firearm is unloaded; and(B)(i)if the transportation is by motor vehicle—(I)the firearm is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; or(II)if the motor vehicle is without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm is—(aa)in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console; or(bb)secured by a secure gun storage or safety device; or(ii)if the transportation is by other means, the firearm is in a locked container or secured by a secure gun storage or safety device; and(2)transport ammunition for any lawful purpose from any place where the person may lawfully possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, to any other such place if, during the transportation—(A)the ammunition is not loaded into a firearm; and(B)(i)if the transportation is by motor vehicle—(I)the ammunition is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; or(II)if the motor vehicle is without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the ammunition is in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console; or(ii)if the transportation is by other means, the ammunition is in a locked container.(c)State
		  law(1)Arrest
 authorityA person who is transporting a firearm or ammunition may not be—(A)arrested for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State, or any political subdivision thereof, relating to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms or ammunition, unless there is probable cause to believe that the transportation is not in accordance with subsection (b); or(B)detained for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State, or any political subdivision thereof, relating to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms or ammunition, unless there is reasonable suspicion that the transportation is not in accordance with subsection (b).(2)Prosecution(A)Burden of
 proofIf a person asserts this section as a defense in a criminal proceeding, the government shall bear the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the conduct of the person was not in accordance with subsection (b).(B)Prevailing
 defendantIf a person successfully asserts this section as a defense in a criminal proceeding, the court shall award the prevailing defendant reasonable attorney's fees..(b)Technical and
 conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 926A and inserting the following:926A. Interstate transportation of firearms or
		  ammunition..23.Preventing
 duplicative grantsSection 1701 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381) is amended by adding at the end the following:(n)Preventing
		  duplicative grants(1)In
 generalBefore the Attorney General awards a grant to an applicant under this part, the Attorney General shall compare potential grant awards with grants awarded under part A or T to determine if duplicate grant awards are awarded for the same purpose.(2)ReportIf the Attorney General awards duplicate grants to the same applicant for the same purpose the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report that includes—(A)a list of all duplicate grants awarded, including the total dollar amount of any duplicate grants awarded; and(B)the reason the Attorney General awarded the duplicate grants..May 24, 2021Read the second time and placed on the calendar