		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1833
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 11, 2011
			Ms. Schakowsky (for
			 herself, Mr. Ryan of Ohio,
			 Mr. Wu, and
			 Mr. Stark) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Education and the
			 Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
			 Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
			 jurisdiction of the committee concerned

		A BILL
		To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve mental
		  and behavioral health services on college campuses.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Mental Health on Campus Improvement
			 Act.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)The 2010
			 Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors Survey found
			 that the average ratio of counselors to students on campus is nearly 1 to 1,940
			 and is often far higher on large campuses. The International Association of
			 Counseling Services accreditation standards recommends 1 counselor per 1,000 to
			 1,500 students.
			(2)College Counselors
			 report that 10.8 percent of enrolled students sought counseling in the past
			 year, totaling an estimated 2,000,000 students.
			(3)Over 90 percent of
			 counseling directors believe there is an increase in the number of students
			 coming to campus with severe psychological problems; today, 44 percent of the
			 students who visit campus counseling centers are dealing with severe mental
			 illness, up from 16 percent in 2000, and 24 percent are on psychiatric
			 medication, up from 17 percent in 2000.
			(4)The majority of
			 campus counseling directors report that the demand for services and the
			 severity of student needs are growing without an increase in resources.
			(5)Many students who
			 need help never receive it. Only 15 percent of college students who commit
			 suicide received campus counseling. Of students who seriously consider suicide
			 each year, only 52% of them seek any professional help at all.
			(6)A
			 2010 American College Health Association survey of more than 95,000 college and
			 university students revealed that, within the last 12 months, 48 percent of
			 students report having felt overwhelming anxiety, 31 percent felt so depressed
			 it was difficult to function, and 46 percent felt hopeless. Both the ACHA
			 survey as well as the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in
			 Higher Education found that 6 percent of students have seriously considered
			 suicide in the past 12 months.
			(7)Research conducted
			 between 1997 and 2009, and presented at the 118th annual convention of the
			 American Psychological Association found that more students are grappling with
			 depression and anxiety disorders than did a decade ago. The study found that of
			 students who sought college counseling, 41 percent had moderate to severe
			 depression in 2009, that number was 34 percent in 1997.
			(8)A
			 survey conducted by the University of Idaho Student Counseling Center in 2000
			 found that 77 percent of students who responded reported that they were more
			 likely to stay in school because of counseling and that their school
			 performance would have declined without counseling.
			(9)Students with
			 psychological issues often struggle academically and are at risk for dropping
			 out of school. Counseling has been shown to address these issues while having a
			 positive impact on students remaining in school. A 6-year longitudinal study
			 found college students receiving counseling to have an 11.4 percent higher
			 retention rate than the general university population (Turner & Berry,
			 2000).
			3.Improving mental
			 and behavioral health on college campusesTitle V of the Public Health Service Act is
			 amended by inserting after section 520E–2 (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36b) the
			 following:

				520E–3.Grants to
				improve mental and behavioral health on college campuses
					(a)PurposeIt
				is the purpose of this section, with respect to college and university
				settings, to—
						(1)increase access to
				mental and behavioral health services;
						(2)foster and improve
				the prevention of mental and behavioral health disorders, and the promotion of
				mental health;
						(3)improve the
				identification and treatment for students at risk;
						(4)improve
				collaboration and the development of appropriate levels of mental and
				behavioral health care;
						(5)reduce the stigma
				for students with mental health disorders and enhance their access to mental
				health services; and
						(6)improve the
				efficacy of outreach efforts.
						(b)GrantsThe
				Secretary, acting through the Administrator and in consultation with the
				Secretary of Education, shall award competitive grants to eligible entities to
				improve mental and behavioral health services and outreach on college and
				university campuses.
					(c)EligibilityTo
				be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (b), an entity shall—
						(1)be an institution
				of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
				1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)); and
						(2)submit to the
				Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
				information as the Secretary may require, including the information required
				under subsection (d).
						(d)ApplicationAn
				application for a grant under this section shall include—
						(1)a description of
				the population to be targeted by the program carried out under the grant, the
				particular mental and behavioral health needs of the students involved;
						(2)a description of
				the Federal, State, local, private, and institutional resources available for
				meeting the needs of such students at the time the application is
				submitted;
						(3)an outline of the
				objectives of the program carried out under the grant;
						(4)a description of
				activities, services, and training to be provided under the program, including
				planned outreach strategies to reach students not currently seeking
				services;
						(5)a plan to seek
				input from community mental health providers, when available, community groups,
				and other public and private entities in carrying out the program;
						(6)a plan, when
				applicable, to meet the specific mental and behavioral health needs of veterans
				attending institutions of higher education;
						(7)a description of
				the methods to be used to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of the
				program; and
						(8)an assurance that
				grant funds will be used to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal,
				State, or local funds available to carry out activities of the type carried out
				under the grant.
						(e)Special
				considerationsIn awarding grants under this section, the
				Secretary shall give special consideration to applications that describe
				programs to be carried out under the grant that—
						(1)demonstrate the
				greatest need for new or additional mental and behavioral health services, in
				part by providing information on current ratios of students to mental and
				behavioral health professionals;
						(2)propose effective
				approaches for initiating or expanding campus services and supports using
				evidence-based practices;
						(3)target
				traditionally underserved populations and populations most at risk;
						(4)where possible,
				demonstrate an awareness of, and a willingness to, coordinate with a community
				mental health center or other mental health resource in the community, to
				support screening and referral of students requiring intensive services;
						(5)identify how the
				college or university will address psychiatric emergencies, including how
				information will be communicated with families or other appropriate parties;
				and
						(6)demonstrate the
				greatest potential for replication and dissemination.
						(f)Use of
				fundsAmounts received under a grant under this section may be
				used to—
						(1)provide mental and
				behavioral health services to students, including prevention, promotion of
				mental health, voluntary screening, early intervention, voluntary assessment,
				treatment, management, and education services relating to the mental and
				behavioral health of students;
						(2)provide outreach
				services to notify students about the existence of mental and behavioral health
				services;
						(3)educate students,
				families, faculty, staff, and communities to increase awareness of mental
				health issues;
						(4)support student
				groups on campus that engage in activities to educate students, including
				activities to reduce stigma surrounding mental and behavioral disorders, and
				promote mental health wellness;
						(5)employ
				appropriately trained staff;
						(6)provide training
				to students, faculty, and staff to respond effectively to students with mental
				and behavioral health issues;
						(7)expand mental
				health training through internship, post-doctorate, and residency
				programs;
						(8)develop and
				support evidence-based and emerging best practices, including a focus on
				culturally and linguistically appropriate best practices; and
						(9)evaluate and
				disseminate best practices to other colleges and universities.
						(g)Duration of
				grantsA grant under this section shall be awarded for a period
				not to exceed 3 years.
					(h)Evaluation and
				reporting
						(1)EvaluationNot
				later than 18 months after the date on which a grant is received under this
				section, the eligible entity involved shall submit to the Secretary the results
				of an evaluation to be conducted by the entity concerning the effectiveness of
				the activities carried out under the grant and plans for the sustainability of
				such efforts.
						(2)ReportNot
				later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary
				shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the
				results of—
							(A)the evaluations
				conducted under paragraph (1); and
							(B)an evaluation
				conducted by the Secretary to analyze the effectiveness and efficacy of the
				activities conducted with grants under this section.
							(i)Technical
				assistanceThe Secretary may provide technical assistance to
				grantees in carrying out this section.
					(j)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums
				as may be necessary to carry out this section.
					520E–4.Mental and
				behavioral health outreach and education on college campuses
					(a)PurposeIt
				is the purpose of this section to increase access to, and reduce the stigma
				associated with, mental health services so as to ensure that college students
				have the support necessary to successfully complete their studies.
					(b)National Public
				Education CampaignThe Secretary, acting through the
				Administrator and in collaboration with the Director of the Centers for Disease
				Control and Prevention, shall convene an interagency, public-private sector
				working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a
				targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and
				behavioral health on college campuses. Such campaign shall be designed
				to—
						(1)improve the
				general understanding of mental health and mental health disorders;
						(2)encourage
				help-seeking behaviors relating to the promotion of mental health, prevention
				of mental health disorders, and treatment of such disorders;
						(3)make the
				connection between mental and behavioral health and academic success;
				and
						(4)assist the general
				public in identifying the early warning signs and reducing the stigma of mental
				illness.
						(c)CompositionThe
				working group under subsection (b) shall include—
						(1)mental health
				consumers, including students and family members;
						(2)representatives of
				colleges and universities;
						(3)representatives of
				national mental and behavioral health and college associations;
						(4)representatives of
				college health promotion and prevention organizations;
						(5)representatives of
				mental health providers, including community mental health centers; and
						(6)representatives of
				private- and public-sector groups with experience in the development of
				effective public health education campaigns.
						(d)PlanThe
				working group under subsection (b) shall develop a plan that shall—
						(1)target promotional
				and educational efforts to the college age population and individuals who are
				employed in college and university settings, including the use of
				roundtables;
						(2)develop and
				propose the implementation of research-based public health messages and
				activities;
						(3)provide support
				for local efforts to reduce stigma by using the National Mental Health
				Information Center as a primary point of contact for information, publications,
				and service program referrals; and
						(4)develop and
				propose the implementation of a social marketing campaign that is targeted at
				the college population and individuals who are employed in college and
				university settings.
						(e)Authorization of
				appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums
				as may be necessary to carry out this
				section.
					.
		4.Interagency
			 Working Group on College Mental Health
			(a)PurposeIt
			 is the purpose of this section, pursuant to Executive Order 13263 (and the
			 recommendations issued under section 6(b) of such Order), to provide for the
			 establishment of a College Campus Task Force under the Federal Executive
			 Steering Committee on Mental Health, to discuss mental and behavioral health
			 concerns on college and university campuses.
			(b)EstablishmentThe
			 Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the
			 Secretary) shall establish a College Campus Task Force (referred
			 to in this section as the Task Force), under the Federal
			 Executive Steering Committee on Mental Health, to discuss mental and behavioral
			 health concerns on college and university campuses.
			(c)MembershipThe
			 Task Force shall be composed of a representative from each Federal agency (as
			 appointed by the head of the agency) that has jurisdiction over, or is affected
			 by, mental health and education policies and projects, including—
				(1)the Department of
			 Education;
				(2)the Department of
			 Health and Human Services;
				(3)the Department of
			 Veterans Affairs; and
				(4)such other Federal
			 agencies as the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
			 Administration and the Secretary jointly determine to be appropriate.
				(d)DutiesThe
			 Task Force shall—
				(1)serve as a
			 centralized mechanism to coordinate a national effort—
					(A)to discuss and
			 evaluate evidence and knowledge on mental and behavioral health services
			 available to, and the prevalence of mental health illness among, the college
			 age population of the United States;
					(B)to determine the
			 range of effective, feasible, and comprehensive actions to improve mental and
			 behavioral health on college and university campuses;
					(C)to examine and
			 better address the needs of the college age population dealing with mental
			 illness;
					(D)to survey Federal
			 agencies to determine which policies are effective in encouraging, and how best
			 to facilitate outreach without duplicating, efforts relating to mental and
			 behavioral health promotion;
					(E)to establish
			 specific goals within and across Federal agencies for mental health promotion,
			 including determinations of accountability for reaching those goals;
					(F)to develop a
			 strategy for allocating responsibilities and ensuring participation in mental
			 and behavioral health promotions, particularly in the case of competing agency
			 priorities;
					(G)to coordinate
			 plans to communicate research results relating to mental and behavioral health
			 amongst the college age population to enable reporting and outreach activities
			 to produce more useful and timely information;
					(H)to provide a
			 description of evidence-based best practices, model programs, effective
			 guidelines, and other strategies for promoting mental and behavioral health on
			 college and university campuses;
					(I)to make
			 recommendations to improve Federal efforts relating to mental and behavioral
			 health promotion on college campuses and to ensure Federal efforts are
			 consistent with available standards and evidence and other programs in
			 existence as of the date of enactment of this Act; and
					(J)to monitor Federal
			 progress in meeting specific mental and behavioral health promotion goals as
			 they relate to college and university settings;
					(2)consult with
			 national organizations with expertise in mental and behavioral health,
			 especially those organizations working with the college age population;
			 and
				(3)consult with and
			 seek input from mental health professionals working on college and university
			 campuses as appropriate.
				(e)Meetings
				(1)In
			 generalThe Task Force shall meet at least 3 times each
			 year.
				(2)Annual
			 conferenceThe Secretary shall sponsor an annual conference on
			 mental and behavioral health in college and university settings to enhance
			 coordination, build partnerships, and share best practices in mental and
			 behavioral health promotion, data collection, analysis, and services.
				(f)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums
			 as may be necessary to carry out this section.


110 HR 6502 IH: Arkansas Valley Conduit Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-07-15
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
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6502
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 15, 2008
			Mr. Salazar (for
			 himself, Mr. Udall of Colorado, and
			 Mrs. Musgrave) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To provide for the construction of the Arkansas Valley
		  Conduit in the State of Colorado.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Arkansas Valley Conduit Act of
			 2008.
		2.Arkansas valley
			 conduit, colorado
			(a)Cost
			 ShareThe first section of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 389) is
			 amended in the second sentence of subsection (c) by inserting after cost
			 thereof, the following: or in the case of the Arkansas Valley
			 Conduit, payment of 35 percent of the cost of the conduit,.
			(b)RatesSection
			 2(b) of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 390) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 (b) Rates and inserting the following:

						(b)Rates—
							(1)In
				generalRates
							;
				and
				(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(2)Ruedi dam and
				reservoir, fountain valley pipeline, and south outlet works at pueblo dam and
				reservoirUntil the date on which the payments for the Arkansas
				Valley Conduit under paragraph (3) begin, any revenue that may be derived from
				contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or exchange
				contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project facilities shall be credited towards
				payment of the actual cost of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir, the Fountain Valley
				Pipeline, and the South Outlet Works at Pueblo Dam and Reservoir plus interest
				in an amount determined in accordance with this section.
						(3)Arkansas valley
				conduit
							(A)Use of
				revenueAny revenue derived
				from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or
				exchange contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project facilities shall be
				credited towards payment of the actual cost of the Arkansas Valley Conduit plus
				interest in an amount determined in accordance with this section. Nothing in
				the Act of June 17, 1902, and Acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof
				(43 U.S.C. 371) shall be construed to prevent the concurrent crediting of
				revenue, with interest as provided in this section, towards payment of the
				Arkansas Valley Conduit as provided in this subparagraph.
							(B)Adjustment of
				ratesAny rates charged under this section for water for
				municipal, domestic, or industrial use or for the use of facilities for the
				storage or delivery of water shall be adjusted to reflect the estimated revenue
				derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess
				capacity or exchange contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project
				facilities.
							.
				(c)Authorization of
			 AppropriationsSection 7 of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 393) is
			 amended—
				(1)by
			 striking SEC. 7. There is hereby and inserting the
			 following:

						7.Authorization of
				appropriations
							(a)In
				GeneralThere is
							;
				and
				(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(b)Arkansas Valley
				Conduit
							(1)In
				generalSubject to annual appropriations and paragraph (2), there
				are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the
				construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.
							(2)LimitationAmounts
				made available under paragraph (1) shall not be used for the operation or
				maintenance of the Arkansas Valley
				Conduit.
							.


115 HR 2788 IH: Health Equity and Access under the Law for Immigrant Women and Families Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-06-06
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2788IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 6, 2017Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico (for herself, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Takano, Ms. Moore, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Gutiérrez, Ms. Schakowsky, Mrs. Torres, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Soto, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Pingree, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Norton, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Ms. Jayapal, Ms. Hanabusa, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Sánchez, Ms. Lofgren, and Ms. Lee) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo expand access to health care services, including sexual, reproductive, and maternal health services, for immigrant women, men, and families by removing legal barriers to health insurance coverage, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Health Equity and Access under the Law for Immigrant Women and Families Act of 2017 or as the HEAL for Immigrant Women and Families Act of 2017. 2.Findings; purpose (a)FindingsCongress finds as follows:
(1)Insurance coverage reduces harmful health disparities by alleviating cost barriers to and increasing utilization of basic preventive health services, especially among low-income and underserved populations, and especially among women. (2)Based solely on their immigration status, many immigrants and their families face legal restrictions on their ability to obtain health insurance coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, and Health Insurance Exchanges.
(3)Lack of health insurance contributes to persistent disparities in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of negative health outcomes borne by immigrants and their families. (4)Immigrant women are disproportionately of reproductive age, low-income, and lacking health insurance coverage. Legal barriers to affordable health insurance coverage therefore particularly exacerbate their risk of negative sexual, reproductive, and maternal health outcomes, with lasting health and economic consequences for immigrant women, their families, and society as a whole.
(5)Denying coverage or imposing waiting periods for coverage unfairly hinders the ability of immigrants to take responsibility for their own health and economic well-being and that of their families. To fully and productively participate in society, access to health care is fundamental, which for women includes access to the services necessary to plan whether and when to have a child. (6)The population of immigrant families in the United States is expected to continue to grow. Indeed one in four children in the United States is part of an immigrant family. It is therefore in the Nation’s shared public health and economic interest to remove legal barriers to affordable health insurance coverage based on immigration status.
(7)Although Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are authorized to live and work in the United States, they have been unfairly excluded from the definition of lawfully present and lawfully residing for purposes of health insurance coverage by the Department of Health and Human Services, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (8)Immigration law is constantly evolving and new immigration categories for individuals with federally authorized presence in the United States may be created.
(b)PurposeIt is the purpose of this Act to ensure that all individuals who are granted federally authorized presence are treated as being lawfully present in the United States for purposes of eligibility under all federally funded health care programs. 3.Removing barriers to health coverage for lawfully present individuals (a)MedicaidSection 1903(v)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(v)(4)) is amended—
(1)by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:  (A)Notwithstanding sections 401(a), 402(b), 403, and 421 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, payment shall be made under this section for care and services that are furnished to aliens, including those described in paragraph (1), if they otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for medical assistance under the State plan approved under this title (other than the requirement of the receipt of aid or assistance under title IV, supplemental security income benefits under title XVI, or a State supplementary payment), and are lawfully present in the United States (including such an individual who is granted deferred action or other federally authorized presence other than as a nonimmigrant).;
(2)in subparagraph (B)— (A)by striking a State that has elected to provide medical assistance to a category of aliens under subparagraph (A) and inserting aliens provided medical assistance pursuant to subparagraph (A); and
(B)by striking to such category and inserting to such alien; and (3)in subparagraph (C)—
(A)by striking an election by the State under subparagraph (A) and inserting the application of subparagraph (A); (B)by inserting or be lawfully present after lawfully reside; and
(C)by inserting or present after lawfully residing each place it appears. (b)CHIPSubparagraph (M) of section 2107(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

(M)Paragraph (4) of section 1903(v) (relating to lawfully present individuals).. (c)Effective date (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to services furnished on or after the date that is 90 days after such date of the enactment.
(2)Exception if state legislation requiredIn the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX, or a State child health plan under title XXI, of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the respective State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature. 4.Consistency in health coverage for individuals with federally authorized presence, including deferred action (a)In generalFor the purposes of eligibility under any of the provisions referred to in subsection (b), all individuals granted federally authorized presence in the United States other than as a nonimmigrant shall be considered to be lawfully present in the United States.
(b)Provisions describedThe provisions described in this subsection are the following: (1)Exchange eligibilitySection 1311 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031).
(2)Reduced cost-sharing eligibilitySection 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071). (3)Premium subsidy eligibilitySection 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(4)Medicaid and CHIP eligibilityTitles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act, including under section 1903(v) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(v)). (c)Effective date (1)In generalSubsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2)Transition through special enrollment periodIn the case of an individual described in subsection (a) who, before the first day of the first annual open enrollment period under subparagraph (B) of section 1311(c)(6) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031(c)(6)) beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, is granted federally authorized presence in the United States described in subsection (a) and who, as a result of such subsection, qualifies for a subsidy described in paragraph (2) or (3) of such subsection, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a special enrollment period under section 1311(c)(6)(C) of such Act during which such individual may enroll in qualified health plans through Exchanges under title I of such Act and qualify for such a subsidy. For such an individual who has been granted federally authorized presence in the United States as of the date of the enactment of this Act, such special enrollment period shall begin not later than 90 days after such date of enactment. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary to establish additional special enrollment periods under section 1311(c)(6)(C) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031(c)(6)(C)).


117 HRES 636 IH: Directing the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives to carry out a pilot program under which the leadership of the House shall utilize body-worn cameras and ensure that the cameras are activated while carrying out official leadership business.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-09-14
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.

IV117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 636IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 14, 2021Mr. Gosar submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House AdministrationRESOLUTIONDirecting the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives to carry out a pilot program under which the leadership of the House shall utilize body-worn cameras and ensure that the cameras are activated while carrying out official leadership business.1.Utilization of body-worn cameras by House leadership(a)Pilot programThe Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives shall carry out a pilot program under which—(1)each Member who is the head of a House leadership office shall utilize a body-worn camera and ensure that the camera is activated while the Member is carrying out the official business of such office; and(2)the footage recorded by the camera is made available online to the public.(b)RegulationsThe Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out the pilot program under this section.(c)Period of programThe pilot program under this section shall be in effect during the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress.(d)House leadership office definedIn this resolution, the term House leadership office means, with respect to a session of Congress, any office for which the appropriation for salaries and expenses of the office for the fiscal year during which any portion of the session occurs is provided under the heading House Leadership Offices in the Act making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year.


117 HR 1092 IH: To place temporary restrictions on acquisitions by the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-18
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1092IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 18, 2021Mr. Banks introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo place temporary restrictions on acquisitions by the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes.
1.Restriction on acquisitions by the People’s Republic of China
(a)In generalThe Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States shall review, and the President shall deny, any purchase of a controlling interest in a covered company by a covered foreign interest, except as provided by subsection (b). (b)WaiverThe President may approve the purchase of a controlling interest in a covered company by a covered foreign interest if the President, acting through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, determines—
(1)that it is not in the interest of the United States to take further action under section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565) with respect to such purchase; (2)that the purchase price was not significantly affected by the COVID–19 pandemic; and
(3)that sale of the covered company to a covered foreign interest will not permit the covered foreign interest additional access to distribute propaganda or otherwise alter U.S. news and media consumption. (c)SunsetThis section shall cease to have any force or effect on and after the date on which the President—
(1)determines that the United States has substantially recovered from the economic impacts of COVID–19; and (2)notifies the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the Congress, and the public of such determination.
(d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Covered companyThe term covered company means any company registered and doing business in the United States that is—
(A)critical infrastructure, as described section 721(a)(4)(D)(ii)(II) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565(a)(4)(D)(iii)(II)); (B)engaged in the production and dissemination of news media; or
(C)otherwise determined to be critical to national security, critical infrastructure, or culturally significant by the President. (2)Covered foreign interestThe term covered foreign interest shall mean—
(A)the Government of the People’s Republic of China; (B)any entity partially or wholly owned or controlled by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and any subsidiaries of such an entity;
(C)any other entity registered in the People’s Republic of China with substantial ties to the Government of the People’s Republic of China; and (D)any other entity that the President determines to be subject to the control (as defined under section 721(a)(3) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565(a)(3))), whether direct or indirect, of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.


114 S2968 RS: Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2016
U.S. Senate
2016-05-23
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. 646114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2968[Report No. 114–360]IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 23, 2016Mr. Johnson (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mrs. McCaskill) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsSeptember 27, 2016Reported by Mr. Johnson, with amendmentsOmit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2016.
 2.Adequate access of Special Counsel to informationSection 1212(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (5)(A)The Special Counsel, in carrying out this subchapter—
 (i)shall have timely access to all records, data, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other material available to the applicable agency which relate to a matter within the jurisdiction or authority of the Special Counsel;
 (ii)may request from any agency the information or assistance that may be necessary for the Special Counsel to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Special Counsel under this subchapter; and
 (iii)may require, during an investigation, review, or inquiry of an agency, any employee of the agency to provide to the Special Counsel any record or other information that relates to a matter within the jurisdiction or authority of the Special Counsel.
 (B)(i)A claim of common law privilege by an agency, or an officer or employee of an agency, shall not prevent the Special Counsel from obtaining any material described in subparagraph (A)(i) with respect to the agency.
 (ii)The submission of material described in subparagraph (A)(i) by an agency to the Special Counsel may not be deemed to waive any assertion of privilege by the agency against a non-Federal entity or against an individual in any other proceeding.
 (iii)With respect to any record or other information made available to the Special Counsel by an agency under subparagraph (A), the Special Counsel may only disclose the record or information for a purpose that is in furtherance of any authority provided to the Special Counsel in this subchapter.
 (6)The Special Counsel shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and each committee of Congress with jurisdiction over the applicable agency a report regarding any case of contumacy or failure to comply with a request submitted by the Special Counsel under paragraph (5)(A)..
 3.Prohibited personnel practices; information on whistleblower protectionsSection 2302 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (a)(2)(A)—
 (A)in clause (xi), by striking and at the end; (B)by redesignating clause (xii) as clause (xiii); and
 (C)by inserting after clause (xi) the following:  (xii)for the purposes of paragraph (8) or (9) of subsection (b), the accessing of a medical record of the employee or applicant for employment; and;
 (2)in subsection (b)(9)(D), by inserting , rule, or regulation after order law; and
 (3)by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:  (c)(1)In this subsection—
 (A)the term new employee means an individual— (i)appointed to a position as an employee on or after the date of enactment of the Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2016; and
 (ii)who has not previously served as an employee; and (B)the term whistleblower protections means the protections against and remedies for a prohibited personnel practice described in paragraph (8) or subparagraph (A)(i), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (9) of subsection (b).
 (2)The head of each agency shall be responsible for— (A)preventing prohibited personnel practices;
 (B)complying with and enforcing applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and other aspects of personnel management; and
 (C)ensuring, in consultation with the Special Counsel and the Inspector General of the agency, that employees of the agency are informed of the rights and remedies available to the employees under this chapter and chapter 12, including—
 (i)information with respect to whistleblower protections available to new employees during a probationary period;
 (ii)the role of the Office of Special Counsel and the Merit Systems Protection Board with respect to whistleblower protections; and
 (iii)the means by which, with respect to information that is otherwise required by law or Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs, an employee may make a lawful disclosure of the information to—
 (I)the Special Counsel; (II)the Inspector General of an agency;
 (III)Congress; or (IV)another employee of the agency who is designated to receive such a disclosure.
 (3)The head of each agency shall ensure that the information described in paragraph (2) is provided to each new employee of the agency not later than 180 days after the date on which the new employee is appointed.
 (4)The head of each agency shall make available information regarding whistleblower protections applicable to employees of the agency on the public website of the agency and on any online portal that is made available only to employees of the agency, if such portal exists.
 (5)Any employee to whom the head of an agency delegates authority for any aspect of personnel management shall, within the limits of the scope of the delegation, be responsible for the activities described in paragraph (2)..
			4.Additional whistleblower provisions
 (a)Explanations for failure To take actionSection 1213 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (b), by striking 15 days and inserting 45 days;
 (2)in subsection (e)— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking Any such report and inserting Any report required under subsection (c) or paragraph (5) of this subsection;
 (B)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:  (2)Upon
 (2)Upon receipt of any report that the head of an agency is required to submit under subsection (c), the Special Counsel shall review the report and determine whether—
 (A)the
 (A)the findings of the head of the agency appear reasonable; and (B)if
 (B)if the Special Counsel requires the head of the agency to submit a supplemental report under paragraph (5), the reports submitted by the head of the agency collectively contain the information required under subsection (d).;
 (C)in paragraph (3), by striking agency report received pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and inserting report submitted to the Special Counsel by the head of an agency under subsection (c) or paragraph (5) of this subsection; and
 (D)by adding at the end the following:  (5)If, after conducting a review of a report under paragraph (2), the Special Counsel concludes that the Special Counsel requires additional information or documentation to determine whether the report submitted by the head of an agency is reasonable and sufficient, the Special Counsel may request that the head of the agency submit a supplemental report—
 (A)containing the additional information or documentation identified by the Special Counsel; and (B)which the head of the agency shall submit to the Special Counsel within a period of time specified by the Special Counsel.; and
 (3)by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:  (h)The Special Counsel may not respond to any inquiry or disclose any information about any person who makes a disclosure under this section except in accordance with section 552a or as required by any other provision of Federal law..
 (b)Retaliatory investigationsSection 1214 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (i)The Special Counsel may petition the Board to order corrective action, including fees, costs, or damages reasonably incurred by an employee due to an investigation of the employee by an agency, if the investigation by an agency was commenced, expanded, or extended in retaliation for a disclosure or protected activity described under section 2302(b)(8) or section 2302(b)(9) (A)(i), (B), (C), or (D), even if no personnel action, as defined under section 2302(a), is taken or not taken..
 (c)Sensitive positionsSection 7701 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
 (2)by inserting after subsection (j) the following:  (k)(1)The Board has authority to review on the merits an appeal by an employee or applicant for employment of an action arising from a determination that the employee or applicant for employment is ineligible for a sensitive position if—
 (A)the sensitive position does not require a security clearance or access to classified information; and
 (B)such action is otherwise appealable. (2)In this subsection, the term sensitive position means a position designated as a sensitive position under Executive Order 10450 (5 U.S.C. 7311 note), or any successor thereto..
				(d)Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in performance appraisals
 (1)Establishment of systemsSection 4302 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (A)by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and
 (B)by inserting after subsection (a) the following:  (b)(1)The head of each agency, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Special Counsel, shall develop criteria that—
 (A)the head of the agency shall use as a critical element for establishing the job requirements of a supervisory employee; and
 (B)promote the protection of whistleblowers.
 (2)The criteria required under paragraph (1) shall include principles for the protection of whistleblowers, such as the degree to which supervisory employees—
 (A)respond constructively when employees of the agency make disclosures described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 2302(b)(8);
 (B)take responsible actions to resolve such disclosures; and (C)foster an environment in which employees of the agency feel comfortable making such disclosures to supervisory employees or other appropriate authorities.
 (3)In this subsection— (A)the term agency means any entity the employees of which are covered by paragraphs (8) and (9) of section 2302(b), without regard to whether any other provision of this section is applicable to the entity;
 (B)the term supervisory employee means an employee who would be a supervisor, as defined in section 7103(a), if the agency employing the employee was an agency for purposes of chapter 71; and
 (C)the term whistleblower means an employee who makes a disclosure described in section 2302(b)(8).. (2)Criteria for performance appraisalsSection 4313 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
 (A)in paragraph (4), by striking and at the end; (B)in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (6)protecting whistleblowers, as described in section 4302(b)(2)..
					(e)Annual report to Congress on unacceptable performance in whistleblower protection
 (1)DefinitionsIn this subsection, the terms agency and whistleblower have the meanings given the terms in section 4302(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code, as amended by subsection (d).
 (2)ReportEach agency shall annually submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and each committee of Congress with jurisdiction over the agency a report that details—
 (A)the number of performance appraisals, for the year covered by the report, that determined that an employee of the agency failed to meet the standards for protecting whistleblowers that were established under section 4302(b) of title 5, United States Code, as amended by subsection (d);
 (B)the reasons for the determinations described in subparagraph (A); and (C)each disciplinary or corrective action taken by the agency in response to a determination under subparagraph (A).
 (f)Technical and conforming amendmentSection 4301 of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking For the purpose of and inserting Except as otherwise expressly provided, for the purpose of.
 5.Termination of certain investigations by the Office of Special CounselSection 1214(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (1)(D), in the first sentence, by inserting other than a termination of an investigation described in paragraph (6)(A) after investigation of a prohibited personnel practice; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (6)(A)Not later than 30 days after receiving an allegation of a prohibited personnel practice under paragraph (1), the Special Counsel may terminate an investigation of the allegation without further inquiry or an opportunity for the individual who submitted the allegation to respond if the Special Counsel determines that—
 (i)the same allegation, based on the same set of facts and circumstances had previously been— (I)(aa)made by the individual; and
 (bb)investigated by the Special Counsel; or (II)filed by the individual with the Merit Systems Protection Board;
 (ii)the Special Counsel does not have jurisdiction to investigate the allegation; or (iii)the individual knew or should have known of the alleged prohibited personnel practice on or before the date that is 3 years before the date on which the Special Counsel received the allegation.
 (B)Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Special Counsel terminates an investigation under subparagraph (A), the Special Counsel shall provide a written notification to the individual who submitted the allegation of a prohibited personnel practice that states the basis of the Special Counsel for terminating the investigation..
 6.Allegations of wrongdoing within the Office of Special CounselSection 1212 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (i)The Special Counsel shall enter into at least 1 agreement with the Inspector General of an agency under which—
 (1)the Inspector General shall— (A)receive, review, and investigate allegations of prohibited personnel practices or wrongdoing filed by employees of the Office of Special Counsel; and
 (B)develop a method for an employee of the Office of Special Counsel to directly communicate with the Inspector General; and
 (2)the Special Counsel— (A)may not require an employee of the Office of Special Counsel to seek authorization or approval before directly contacting the Inspector General in accordance with the agreement; and
 (B)may reimburse the Inspector General for services provided under the agreement.. 7.Reporting requirements (a)Annual reportSection 1218 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

 1218.Annual reportThe Special Counsel shall submit to Congress, on an annual basis, a report on the activities of the Special Counsel, which shall include, for the year preceding the submission of the report—
 (1)the number, types, and disposition of allegations of prohibited personnel practices filed with the Special Counsel and the costs of resolving such allegations;
 (2)the number of investigations conducted by the Special Counsel; (3)the number of stays or disciplinary actions negotiated with agencies by the Special Counsel;
 (4)the number of subpoenas issued by the Special Counsel; (5)the number of instances in which the Special Counsel reopened an investigation after the Special Counsel had made an initial determination with respect to the investigation;
 (6)the actions that resulted from reopening investigations as described in paragraph (5); (7)the number of instances in which the Special Counsel did not make a determination before the end of the 240-day period described in section 1214(b)(2)(A)(i) regarding whether there were reasonable grounds to believe that a prohibited personnel practice had occurred, existed, or was to be taken;
 (8)a description of the recommendations and reports made by the Special Counsel to other agencies under this subchapter and the actions taken by the agencies as a result of the recommendations or reports;
 (9)the number of— (A)actions initiated before the Merit Systems Protection Board, including the number of corrective action petitions and disciplinary action complaints initiated; and
 (B)stays and extensions of stays obtained from the Merit Systems Protection Board; and (C)requests for enforcement of subpoenas or requests for enforcement by the Merit Systems Protection Board described in section 1212(b)(6);
 (10)the number of prohibited personnel practice complaints that resulted in— (A)a favorable action for the complainant, organized by actions in—
 (i)complaints dealing with reprisals against whistleblowers; and (ii)all other complaints; and
 (B)a favorable outcome for the complainant, organized by outcomes in— (i)complaints dealing with reprisals against whistleblowers; and
 (ii)all other complaints; (11)the number of corrective actions that the Special Counsel required an agency to take after a finding by the Special Counsel of a prohibited personnel practice, as defined in section 2302(b); and
 (12)the results for the Office of Special Counsel of any employee viewpoint survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management or any other agency..
 (b)Public informationSection 1219(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:  (1)a list of any noncriminal matters referred to the head of an agency under section 1213(c), together with—
 (A)a copy of the information transmitted to the head of the agency under section 1213(c)(1); (B)any report from the agency under section 1213(c)(1)(B) relating to the matter;
 (C)if appropriate, not otherwise prohibited by law, and consented to by the complainant, any comments from the complainant under section 1213(e)(1) relating to the matter; and
 (D)the comments or recommendations of the Special Counsel under paragraph (3) or (4) of section 1213(e);.
			8.Establishment of survey pilot program
 (a)In generalThe Office of Special Counsel shall design and establish a pilot program under which the Office shall conduct, during the period beginning on October 1, 2017 and ending on September 30, 2018, a survey of individuals who have filed a complaint or disclosure with the Office.
 (b)PurposeThe survey under subsection (a) shall be designed for the purpose of collecting information and improving service at various stages of a review or investigation by the Office of Special Counsel.
 (c)ResultsThe results of the survey under subsection (a) shall be published in the annual report of the Office of Special Counsel.
 (d)Suspension of other surveysDuring the period beginning on October 1, 2017 and ending on September 30, 2018, section 13 of the Act entitled An Act to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes, approved October 29, 1994 (5 U.S.C. 1212 note), shall have no force or effect.
			9.Authorization of appropriations
 (a)In generalSection 8(a)(2) of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (5 U.S.C. 5509 note) is amended by striking 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 and inserting 2016 through 2021.
 (b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect as though enacted on September 30, 2015.September 27, 2016Reported with amendments