zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Dangerous Products Warning Act - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 5 years on any business entity or product supervisor with respect to a product or business practice who knows of a serious danger associated with such product or business practice and knowingly fails within 15 days after discovering such danger to inform an appropriate federal agency in writing, warn affected employees in writing, and inform other affected individuals.  Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 1 year on any individual who intentionally discriminates against an employee who informs a federal agency or warns employees of a serious danger associated with a product or business practice.

Date: 2011-01-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Interest Rate Reduction Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit the annual percentage rate of interest (APR) applicable to any extension of credit to a consumer from exceeding 15% on unpaid balances, inclusive of all finance charges. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to establish an APR ceiling exceeding the 15% annual rate for periods not to exceed 18 months, upon a determination that: (1) money market interest rates have risen over the preceding six-month period; and (2) prevailing interest rate levels threaten the safety and soundness of individual lenders, as evidenced by adverse trends in liquidity, capital, earnings, and growth. Declares the interest rate limitation inapplicable to an extension of credit by an insured credit union.Subjects a creditor who violates this Act to a civil penalty.

Date: 2011-01-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Preventing Affinity Scams for Seniors Act of 2011 or PASS Act of 2011 - Defines "affinity scam" as a transaction in which a person trusted by a senior, such as a caregiver, relative, guardian, "new friend," or service provider, claims to share similar interests or values and establishes a relationship with the senior, then uses the relationship to defraud the senior. Requires each financial institution to: (1) educate its staff about affinity scams and how to identify transactions that may be part of an affinity scam, (2) train staff members on educating seniors about affinity scams, (3) provide senior depositors with educational materials on how to identify affinity scams, and (4) offer seniors a "senior protection (checking) account." Directs the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) to: (1) issue implementing regulations, and (2) audit financial institutions periodically to ensure compliance with them. Sets forth senior protection account requirements, including protective measures to block and investigate transactions suspected of being an affinity scam. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an income tax deduction of .77% of the average of the amount of deposits held by a financial institution in senior protection accounts. Subjects a noncompliant financial institution to a civil liability with respect to a senior who has sustained actual damage as a result of the institution's failure to comply with this Act. Directs the Secretary to require each financial institution, and each of its directors, officers, employees, or agents, to report any suspicious transaction relevant to a possible affinity scam.

Date: 2011-01-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue regulations requiring that a specified warning label be placed on the packaging of any video game that is rated T (Teen) or higher by the Electronics Software Ratings Board.

Date: 2011-01-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Kids Just Want to Ride Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to exempt off-highway vehicles from children's product lead limits. Defines "off-highway vehicle" as: (1) any motorized vehicle designed to travel on two, three, or four wheels and having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control; and (2) a snowmobile. Allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to exempt a specific product or material from the limits if it finds that lead in the product or material will not result in the absorption of lead (under current law, of any lead) into the human body, taking into account normal and reasonably foreseeable use and abuse of the product by a child.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2011 - Deems a food to be adulterated if its container: (1) is composed, in whole or in part, of bisphenol A, or (2) can release bisphenol A into food.  Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to grant one-year renewable waivers to a facility for a particular container if such facility: (1) demonstrates that it is not technologically feasible to replace bisphenol A in the container or to use an alternative container that does not contain bisphenol A, and (2) submits to the Secretary a plan and timeline for removing bisphenol A from such container.  Sets forth labeling requirements for a product granted a waiver. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA), to review substances in order determine whether there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to such substance, taking into consideration potential adverse effects from low dose exposure and the effects on vulnerable populations and populations with high exposure.  Sets forth remedial actions based on the Secretary's determination. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require a manufacturer or supplier of a food contact substance to notify the Secretary of the identity and intended use of any such substance prior to its introduction into interstate commerce and of its determination that: (1) no adverse health effects result from low-dose exposures to such substance; and (2) such substance has not been shown, after tests which are appropriate for the evaluation of the safety of food contact substances, to cause reproductive or developmental toxicity in humans or animals.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Consumer Financial Protection Oversight Act of 2011 - Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to transfer to the Department of the Treasury the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) currently established as an independent bureau in the Federal Reserve System. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from interfering with the autonomy granted the Bureau under such Act. Eliminates Bureau participation in both the Federal Reserve System Retirement Plan and in the Federal Reserve System Thrift Plan.

Date: 2011-02-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Fairness in Lending Act of 2011 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit credit from being extended in any consumer credit transaction in which a security interest will be retained or acquired in property located within the United States which will be used as the consumer's principal residence if such consumer lacks a Social Security account number.

Date: 2011-02-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Drug Safety Enhancement Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to expand drug establishment registration requirements to include foreign drug establishments and establishments manufacturing, preparing, propagating, compounding, or processing excipients of drugs (i.e., inactive drug additives). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect registration fees. Requires drug manufacturers to: (1) implement an effective quality system that requires compliance with current good manufacturing practices and timely communication of product quality issues; (2) establish risk management procedures that ensure effective risk assessment, control, and communication; and (3) establish procedures that ensure the safety, identity, quality, strength, purity, and security of all drugs and other materials used by the manufacturer. Requires drug establishments to maintain records on the supply chain of the drug, ingredients, and raw materials. Establishes the frequency of inspections of drug establishments. Prohibits delaying or limiting an inspection. Gives the Secretary authority to order the recall of, detain, destroy, and seize drugs as necessary. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of FFDCA provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to require documentation of an imported drug and refuse admission if such documentation is not provided. Requires the Secretary to: (1) require drug importers to register and to comply with good importer practices, (2) require a customs broker with respect to drugs to register, and (3) establish a corps of inspectors dedicated to inspections of foreign drug facilities and establishments. Requires drug establishments, importers, and customs brokers to have a unique identifier. Deems a finished dosage form drug to be misbranded if the manufacturer's website does not list country of origin labeling for each active pharmaceutical ingredient and the place of manufacture of the finished dosage form of such drug. Gives the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subpoena authority. Establishes whistleblower protections.

Date: 2011-04-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Health
Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make certain disclosures to the holder of a social security account number and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) if the Secretary determines that there is a substantial likelihood that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number in the employment context. Authorizes the FBI Director to disclose information received from the Secretary to federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, but restricts the use of such information to carrying out criminal investigations or prosecutions. Requires employers who have been notified of suspected misuse of an employee's social security account number to cease including such account number on statements provided to such employee.

Date: 2011-04-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Taxation
Asset-Backed Market Stabilization Act of 2011 - Amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the voiding of, and so restore, Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 436G (which exempts credit ratings provided by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations [NRSROs] from being considered a part of the registration statement prepared or certified by a person under the Securities Act of 1933).

Date: 2011-04-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Data Accountability and Trust Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations requiring each person engaged in interstate commerce that owns or possesses data containing personal information to establish specified security policies and procedures to treat and protect such information. Requires the regulations to include methods for disposing of both electronic and nonelectronic data. Requires information brokers to submit their security policies to the FTC in conjunction with a notification of a security breach notification or on FTC request. Authorizes the FTC to conduct information security practices audits of brokers who have had a security breach or require such brokers to conduct independent audits. Requires information brokers to: (1) establish procedures to verify the accuracy of information that identifies individuals, (2) provide to individuals whose personal information it maintains a means to review it, (3) place a conspicuous notice on the Internet instructing individuals how to request access to such information, and (4) correct inaccurate information. Directs the FTC to require information brokers to establish measures which facilitate the auditing or retracing of access to, or transmissions of, any data containing personal information. Makes it unlawful for information brokers to obtain or disclose personal information by false pretenses (pretexting). Requires such person to notify the FTC and affected individuals of information security breaches. Sets forth requirements concerning such notification, including method of notification requirements and timeliness requirements. Allows an exemption from notification requirements if such person determines that there is no reasonable risk of identity theft, fraud, or other unlawful conduct. Preempts state information security laws.

Date: 2011-05-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Keeping Children Safe Act of 2011 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations requiring warning labels on baby monitors to alert users that video and audio from such devices may be intercepted and viewed or heard by potential intruders outside their home.

Date: 2011-05-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Data Accountability and Trust Act of 2011 - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations requiring each person engaged in interstate commerce that owns or possesses electronic data containing personal information to establish security policies and procedures. Authorizes the FTC to require a standard method or methods for destroying obsolete nonelectronic data. Requires information brokers to submit their security policies to the FTC in conjunction with a security breach notification or on FTC request. Requires the FTC to conduct or require an audit of security practices when information brokers are required to provide notification of such a breach. Authorizes additional audits after a breach. Requires information brokers to: (1) establish procedures to verify the accuracy of information that identifies individuals, (2) provide to individuals whose personal information it maintains a means to review it, (3) place notice on the Internet instructing individuals how to request access to such information, and (4) correct inaccurate information. Directs the FTC to require information brokers to establish measures which facilitate the auditing or retracing of access to, or transmissions of, electronic data containing personal information. Prohibits information brokers from obtaining or disclosing personal information by false pretenses (pretexting). Prescribes procedures for notification to the FTC and affected individuals of information security breaches. Sets forth special notification requirements for breaches: (1) by contractors who maintain or process electronic data containing personal information, (2) involving telecommunications and computer services, and (3) of health information. Terminates this Act effective September 30, 2016.

Date: 2011-05-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Enhancing CPSC Authority and Discretion Act of 2011 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to revise the limit on lead content in children's products by: (1) delaying by one year the step-down of the lead limit, (2) limiting application of the most stringent lead limit to children's products that are designed or intended primarily for use by a child six years old or younger and that can be placed in a child's mouth, and (3) applying lead limits only to products manufactured after the effective date of such limits.Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to grant an exception from lead limits for a specific product, material, or component part under specified circumstances. Applies an alternative lead limit to certain metal component parts in children's products. Exempts from lead limits: (1) battery terminals in children's products intended primarily for outdoor recreational use, and (2) certain used children's products. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to prohibit the CPSC from requiring third party testing of children's products until the CPSC meets specified conditions, including making a determination that the benefits of testing justify the costs. Establishes an exemption from crib safety standards for child care facilities using certain fixed-side cribs. Applies limits on phthalates in children's toys or child care articles only to any accessible, plasticized component part of a children's toy or child care article. Authorizes the CPSC to exempt toys or articles from such limit if compliance is not necessary to protect children's health. Terminates interim phthalates limits unless the CPSC meets certain rulemaking deadlines. Authorizes the CPSC to: (1) exclude a product or class of products from requirements that manufacturers of children's products place identifying marks on their products if it is not practicable for such products to bear such marks, and (2) establish alternative requirements for identification of such products. Revises provisions concerning the publicly available consumer product safety information database, including by limiting who can submit reports for inclusion in the database.

Date: 2011-05-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Aged Distilled Spirits Competitiveness Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from determination of the production period for distilled spirits any period allocated to the natural aging process for purposes of determining whether a taxpayer can expense, rather than capitalize, interest costs paid or incurred during the production period.

Date: 2011-05-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Taxation
Skin Cancer Prevention, Education, and Consumer Right-To-Know Act - Requires the proposed rule issued by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) pertaining to over-the-counter sunscreen drug products to take effect 180 days after enactment of this Act, unless the Commissioner issues a final rule that includes formulation, labeling, and testing requirements for both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation protection before such time. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a general, nationwide education campaign identifying the risks posed by sun exposure without the use of a sunscreen providing broad-spectrum protection.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Health
Robin Danielson Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide for the conduct or support of research on the extent to which additives in feminine hygiene products pose any risks to the health of women or the health of the children of women who use those products during or before the pregnancies involved. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on toxic shock syndrome, including data on the causes of such syndrome; and (2) determine the national incidence and prevalence of such syndrome.

Date: 2011-06-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Health
Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the regulation of cosmetics by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires any establishment engaged in manufacturing and packaging cosmetics for use in the United States to register annually and pay a fee for oversight and enforcement of this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish labeling requirements; (2) establish a safety standard that provides a reasonable certainty of no harm from exposure to a cosmetic or an ingredient in a cosmetic and that protects the public from any known or anticipated adverse health effects associated with the cosmetic or ingredient; and (3) issue guidance prescribing good manufacturing practices for cosmetics and ingredients. Requires manufacturers of cosmetics and ingredients to submit to the Secretary safety data for the ingredients listed on the cosmetic label and the cosmetic itself, which shall be published in a database. Requires the Secretary to review and evaluate the safety of cosmetics and ingredients of cosmetics that are marketed in interstate commerce, including nanotechnology and contaminants. Requires the Secretary, based on an initial review and evaluation, to establish three lists for ingredients: (1) a prohibited and restricted list, (2) a safe without limits list, and (3) a priority assessment list. Authorizes the Secretary to order a recall or cease of distribution for a cosmetic that is adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise in violation of the FFDCA. Requires reporting of adverse health effects associated with cosmetics. Requires the Secretary to take action to minimize the use of animal testing of ingredients and cosmetics. Establishes an Interagency Council on Cosmetic Safety. Requires the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an occupational safety and health standard relating to cosmetics for professional use.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Fair Debt Collection Improvement Act - Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to prohibit a debt collector from bringing, or threatening to bring, legal action against any consumer on a debt in which the statute of limitations has expired. Requires a debt collector, in connection with the collection of debt in which the statute of limitations has expired, to disclose to the consumer that: (1) the debt has been transferred to the debt collector, (2) the creditor no longer holds the debt, (3) the debt collector may not bring legal action against the consumer to collect the debt because the statute of limitations has expired, and (4) any payment by the consumer towards the debt may cause the statute of limitations to reset.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Requires the event data recorder in a motor vehicle and any data recorded on such a recorder to be considered the property of the vehicle owner. Makes retrieval of such data by anyone other than the vehicle owner unlawful, except: (1) with the owner's consent; (2) in response to a court order; (3) by a vehicle dealer or an automotive technician for servicing the vehicle; or (4) for improving vehicle safety, provided the identity of the registered owner or driver is not disclosed. Gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to enforce this Act. Makes it unlawful to manufacture, sell, or import new motor vehicles manufactured after 2011 (bearing a model year of 2013 or later) that are equipped with event data recorders, unless those recorders can be disabled by the vehicle owner.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Secure and Fortify Electronic Data Act or the SAFE Data Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations requiring any person engaged in interstate commerce that owns or possesses data containing personal information to establish and implement reasonable security policies and procedures to treat and protect such information. Requires such regulations to include specified policies and procedures, including: (1) a process for identifying and assessing vulnerabilities in the system, and (2) a process for taking preventive and corrective action to mitigate such vulnerabilities. Requires a person covered by this Act to establish a plan and procedures for minimizing the amount of personal information maintained. Exempts services providers from such requirements for any electronic communication by a third party that is transmitted, routed, or stored in intermediate or transient storage by the provider. Establishes notification procedures in the event of a breach of security of any system that contains personal information. Allows an exemption from notification requirements if a person subject to this Act determines that there is no reasonable risk of identity theft, fraud, or other unlawful conduct. Creates a presumption that no reasonable risk of such conduct exists following a breach of security if the data containing personal information is unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to an unauthorized person by encryption or other security technology that is generally accepted by experts in the information security field. Directs a person subject to this Act to provide a credit report and credit monitoring if certain identifying information is breached. Sets forth provisions regarding enforcement of this Act by the FTC and by state attorneys general. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Exempts from the requirements of this Act any person subject to the information security requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act.

Date: 2011-07-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to: (1) prohibit unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in connection with any transaction with a consumer for, or the offering of, a consumer financial product or service; and (2) promulgate regulations to prevent such practices.

Date: 2011-07-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act of 2011 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include amusement rides permanently fixed to a site as a consumer product for purposes of regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Date: 2011-09-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Small Business Credit Availability Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Commodity Exchange Act (as amended by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act [Dodd-Frank]) to exclude from regulation as a swap dealer an insured depository institution, or a U.S. uninsured branch or agency of a foreign bank that has a prudential regulator. Permits designation of a person as a swap dealer for a single type, class, or category of swap or activity, and yet considered not to be a swap dealer for other types, classes, or categories of swaps or activities. Excludes from the definition of "swap dealer" a person that enters into swaps for such person's own account: (1) either individually or in a fiduciary capacity, but not as part of specified business activities; (2) in order to either hedge or mitigate commercial risk; or (3) to comply with state or local governmental regulations. Excludes also from factors determinative of "swap dealer" a swap entered into for a person's own account and that involves a capacity contract, a renewable energy credit, an emissions allowance, or an emissions offset if such instrument is used to meet obligations under state or local governmental regulations. (Sec. 3) Excludes outright from the meaning of financial entity any small bank, savings association, farm credit system institution, non-profit cooperative lender controlled by electric cooperatives, or credit union if the aggregate uncollateralized outward exposure plus aggregate potential outward exposure with respect to its swaps does not exceed $1 billion. (Thus exempts such entities from the clearing requirement.) (Sec. 4) Redefines "major swap participant" to exclude an entity whose primary business is providing financing that facilitates the sale or lease of products by or on behalf of the parent company or its subsidiary, and uses derivatives only for the purpose of hedging underlying commercial risks in a consolidated financing and leasing portfolio at least 90% of which, as of the end of its preceding fiscal year, is qualifying financing (including loans, notes, installment sales contracts, receivables, and operating and financing leases). Excludes certain captive finance entities from the swap clearing requirement. (Sec. 5) Declares amendments made by this Act effective as of the enactment of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (title VII of Dodd-Frank). (Sec. 6) Requires the amendments made by this Act to be implemented: (1) through promulgation of an interim final rule, pursuant to which public comment will be sought before a final rule is issued; and (2) without regard to specified federal law on coordination of federal information policy, or certain administrative notice and comment requirements.

Date: 2011-11-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011 - Requires a cleaning product manufactured or offered for sale, distributed in commerce, or imported into the United States to bear a label listing each of its ingredients: (1) by the name assigned by the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients or, if there is no such name, by the name assigned by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry or, if there is none, by its common chemical name; and (2) in descending order of predominance by weight, except that ingredients that constitute less than 1% of the product can be listed at the end in any order. Allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to exempt from such labeling requirement: (1) an ingredient that is present in a product at such low levels that detection is not technologically feasible, or (2) for five-year periods, an ingredient that a manufacturer demonstrates to be a trade secret. Sets forth required disclosures for, and limitations to, a manufacturer's claim that an ingredient is a trade secret. Requires a product that is not in conformity with the labeling requirements and not exempt to be treated as a misbranded hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). Increases penalties for violations of FHSA. Authorizes any person to petition the CPSC to investigate claims that a product does not satisfy the labeling requirements. Requires: (1) each cleaning product manufacturer to make available on its website a complete list of ingredients for each product, including any potential adverse health effect of each ingredient; and (2) CPSC to provide on its website aggregated information that allows users to compare products made by different manufacturers.

Date: 2011-11-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Proprietary Information Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to prohibit information submitted by a person to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in the course of any CFPB supervisory or regulatory process from being construed as affecting any privilege such person may claim with respect to such information under federal or state law.

Date: 2012-02-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Arsenic Prevention and Protection from Lead Exposure in Juice Act of 2012 or the APPLE Juice Act of 2012 - Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) to promulgate final regulations establishing tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to limit the quantity of total arsenic and lead in beverages containing fruit juice. Requires the limitations on total arsenic and lead in such beverages to be no less stringent than the allowable level for total arsenic and lead in bottled water under the FFDCA. Provides that if there are no such tolerances in effect within two years, a beverage containing fruit juice shall be deemed to be adulterated if the quantity of total arsenic or lead in the beverage exceeds the limits of the allowable level for total arsenic or lead, respectively, in bottled water.

Date: 2012-02-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Fair Debt Collection Practices Clarification Act of 2012 - Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to revise the disclaimer of liability for any act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with any advisory opinion of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Exempts from liability, in addition, acts done or omitted in good faith in compliance with any rule, regulation, or interpretation of the CFPB, or in conformity with any interpretation or approval by a CFPB official or employee duly authorized to issue such interpretations or approvals. Permits a debt collector to leave messages for a consumer regarding the collection of a debt on the consumer's answering machine, voice messaging system, or similar device, including in an initial communication with the consumer, so long as the message complies with regulations prescribed by the CFPB to ensure the preservation of consumer privacy and other rights, including restrictions on communications with third parties. Prohibits a debt collector from initiating a legal action on a debt in an arbitration setting, or requiring the consumer to resolve by arbitration a collection-related dispute on the debt, unless the consumer has agreed in writing to resolution by arbitration after collections activities have been initiated and a legal action or dispute has arisen.

Date: 2012-02-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue regulations requiring that a warning label stating that "exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior" be placed on the packaging of any video game that is rated E (Everyone), Everyone 10+ (Everyone 10 and older), T (Teen), M (Mature), or A (Adult) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

Date: 2012-03-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Contracting Oversight for Small Business Jobs Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to include under penalties for misrepresentation the willful misrepresentation of status as a small business for the purpose of obtaining, retaining, or completing a federal contract. Amends the Small Business Act to provide that, in cases of small business fraud, including misrepresentation of status, the penalties provided shall not apply if the defendant acted in reliance on a written advisory opinion from a licensed attorney who is not an employee of the defendant. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) issue rules defining an advisory opinion for such purposes, and (2) issue a compliance guide to assist businesses in accurately determining their small business status. Establishes in the SBA an Office of Hearings and Appeals, headed by a Chief Hearing Officer, which shall: (1) impartially decide matters where Congress designates that a hearing on the record is required or which the Administrator designates by regulation or otherwise, and (2) contain the SBA's Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts Office. Includes as a misrepresentation, for SBA purposes, any misrepresentation established by a preponderance of the evidence (in the case of debarment) or adequate evidence (in the case of suspension). Directs the Administrator to publish on the SBA website the standard operating procedures for such debarments and suspensions. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the congressional small business committees on debarment and suspension actions. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Administrator should present to the SBA Inspector General or the Attorney General any evidence of a violation of misrepresentation of small business status presented in a proceeding conducted by the Office of Hearings and Appeals.

Date: 2012-03-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Consumer Mortgage Choice Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act with respect to requirements for disclosure to a consumer of points and fees information about a consumer credit transaction, secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, but which is not a residential mortgage transaction, a reverse mortgage transaction, or a transaction under an open end credit plan, when the total points and fees the consumer must pay at or before closing will exceed 8% percent of the total loan amount or $400, whichever is greater. (Such consumer credit transactions might include an equity credit line to which consumer purchases or leases may be charged.) Excludes from the computation of such points and fees any compensation paid by a mortgage originator or a creditor to an individual person employed by the mortgage originator or creditor. Excludes also escrows for future payments of insurance. Modifies the criteria for exclusion from the computation of points and fees of certain reasonable charges elsewhere exempted from the computation of the finance charge in extensions of credit secured by an interest in real property. Excludes from points and fees any such reasonable charges even though a creditor receives compensation, but only in so far as the creditor or its affiliate retains the compensation as a result of their participation in an affiliated business arrangement. (An "affiliated business arrangement" is one in which: (1) a person who is in a position to refer business incident to or a part of a real estate settlement service involving a federally related mortgage loan, or an associate of such person, has either an affiliate relationship with or a direct or beneficial ownership interest of more than 1% in a provider of settlement services; and (2) either of such persons directly or indirectly refers such business to that provider or affirmatively influences the provider's selection.) Revises the additional requirement that such a reasonable charge be paid to a third party unaffiliated with the creditor. Requires the charge to be: (1) a bona fide third party charge not retained by the mortgage originator, creditor, or an affiliate; or (2) a fee or premium for title examination, title insurance, or similar purposes. Modifies the conditions under which federal departments and agencies may exempt refinancings under a streamlined refinancing from an income verification requirement that, at the time a refinancing is consummated, the consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan and all applicable taxes, insurance, and assessments. Repeals the exception for bona fide third party charges not retained by the mortgage originator, creditor, or an affiliate from the requirement that total points and fees not exceed 3% of the total new loan amount. (Thus subjects such charges to the same 3% ceiling.)

Date: 2012-03-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Housing and community development
Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish the American National Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms and the American National Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors as mandatory consumer product safety standards. Authorizes the CPSC to initiate a rulemaking to amend either standard to include any provision reasonably necessary to ensure the safe and effective operation of carbon monoxide alarms. Requires the CPSC to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states and local governments that require approved carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units to carry out specified carbon monoxide poisoning prevention activities.

Date: 2012-03-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Consumer Food and Product Safety Information Act of 2012 - Requires the head of each federal product safety enforcement agency to design and implement a public information plan to use agency and media resources to provide information to the public concerning: (1) the role of the agency in ensuring product safety, (2) steps consumers can take to enhance their safety while using regulated products, (3) product recalls, and (4) additional information to enhance consumer safety. Requires such plan to include procedures for developing and distributing product safety information to the public. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish: (1) a clearinghouse to collect and distribute product recall and safety information to government entities and the public, (2) a toll-free number for such information, and (3) a public website to provide recall information to the public.Requires the head of each enforcement agency to issue: (1) national public service announcements that contain information on the public safety role of the agency, available resources, and product safety information; and (2) posters and other printed material on the public safety role of the agency.Sets forth requirements for product recall notifications and quarterly reporting.Requires any manufacturer or distributor of a product who voluntarily initiates a product recall as a result of safety concerns to provide notice of such recall to the relevant enforcement agency within 10 days.

Date: 2012-04-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2012 - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): (1) to disseminate to seniors and their families and caregivers information on mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud targeting seniors, including on ways of referring complaints to appropriate law enforcement agencies; (2) in response to a request about a particular entity or individual, to provide publicly available information on any record of civil or criminal law enforcement action for such fraud; and (3) to maintain a website as a resource for such individuals on those kinds of fraud. Directs the Attorney General (DOJ) to establish and administer a competitive grant program for mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud prevention education programs for senior citizens. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to public awareness of the impact of such fraud on senior citizens and designation of a National Senior Fraud Awareness Week.

Date: 2012-04-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Sentinel Assurance for Effective Devices Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) amend the new drug approval application procedures to make the postmarket risk identification and analysis system applicable, with certain exceptions, to devices; (2) give priority to class II and class III devices; and (3) engage outside stakeholders in development of the system and gather information from them regarding the content of an effective sentinel program through measures involving the public. Exempts the collection of voluntary information from health care providers for purposes of postmarket risk identification for devices from application of provisions for the coordination of federal information policy. Requires the Secretary to issue final regulations concerning a unique device identification system no later than December 31, 2012, and to implement such system for class III devices no later than one year after the date of issuance of final regulations; for implantable, life-sustaining, and life-supporting devices no later than three years after such date; and for all other devices no later than five years after such date.

Date: 2012-05-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Health
Overdraft Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a depository institution from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with overdraft coverage, or in acts designed to evade the provisions of this Act. Requires each depository institution that provides overdraft coverage for transaction accounts clearly and conspicuously to disclose overdraft coverage fees and that, if a consumer does not opt-in to such overdraft coverage: (1) the consumer's transaction may be declined if there are insufficient funds in the related transaction account, and (2) the consumer will not be charged a fee if such transaction is declined. Subjects to the consumer's written, electronic, or other consent overdraft coverage fees in connection with use of an automatic teller machine (ATM) or point of sale transaction. Requires a depository institution to provide specified consumer disclosures regarding its overdraft protection program, including: (1) periodic statements for any transaction account that has an overdraft coverage program feature, (2) prompt notification of the account's overdraft status, and (3) the overdraft coverage fee as an annual percentage rate (APR), permitting consumers to compare meaningfully the overdraft coverage to alternative forms of overdraft options and other sources of credit. Prescribes overdraft coverage fee limits. Prohibits an overdraft coverage fee if the overdraft results solely from a debit hold amount that exceeds the actual dollar amount of the transaction. Requires a depository institution to provide consumers who have not consented to participate in an overdraft coverage program transaction accounts with the same terms as those provided to consumers who have consented to participate in such program. Prohibits a depository institution from charging a non-sufficient fund fee for any ATM or debit card transaction. Prohibits a depository institution from reporting negative information regarding consumer use of overdraft coverage to any consumer reporting agency when the overdraft amounts and coverage fees are paid under the terms of an overdraft coverage program. Directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to study whether consumers are being subjected to abusive practices with respect to prepaid card overdraft coverage.

Date: 2012-05-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Cancer-Free Label Act of 2012 - Directs the head of each federal agency that regulates a covered product to establish a program to permit the labeling of such a product that does not contain any carcinogens as "Cancer-Free." Defines a "covered product" to mean any product offered for sale that is: (1) regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); and (2) intended for individual or residential use. Requires such agency heads to coordinate to develop an easily recognizable label: (1) to be affixed to a covered product to signify that it has been approved for "Cancer-Free" labeling, and (2) to include a notice stating that "This product does not contain known or likely carcinogens that increase your risk of cancer." Prohibits the introduction or offering for introduction into interstate commerce of a covered product affixed with a "Cancer-Free" label if: (1) the head of each federal agency that regulates the product has not approved an application for the labeling of the product as "Cancer-Free," or (2) the product contains any substance that is not listed in such application. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) application approval and confidentiality; (2) random testing of covered products, random audits of facilities in which such products are manufactured, and measures to ensure compliance with agency guidance; (3) application fees; and (4) penalties for violations. Requires such agency heads to: (1) issue guidance to prevent the introduction of carcinogens into such product during its manufacture, storage, and transportation; and (2) post on the agency's public website a list of all covered products regulated by that agency that have been approved for labeling as "Cancer-Free."

Date: 2012-07-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce