zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
E. coli Traceability and Eradication Act - Amends the the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require that specified slaughterhouses, processing establishments, and grinding facilities perform specified tests for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in beef. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make grants to assist certain slaughterhouses, processing establishments, and grinding facilities in complying with such requirements. Terminates grant assistance on December 1, 2013. Subjects imported trim, bench trim, and ground beef to the same testing requirements as domestic trim, bench trim, and ground beef. Defines "enteric foodborne pathogen" as live bacteriological matter that is commonly present in the digestive systems of animals for slaughter, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and salmonella, the presence of which in meat food products may indicate unsanitary conditions at the point of slaughter. Directs the Secretary to implement sampling protocols to enable the Food Safety and Inspection Service to rapidly trace potential adulteration and contamination of meat and meat food products by enteric foodborne pathogens to possible preceding sources of the adulteration and contamination, including preparation, packaging, and slaughtering establishments, to determine the original site source of the adulteration or contamination. Requires the Secretary: (1) if a meat or meat food product sample tests positive for adulteration or contamination by enteric foodborne pathogens, to conduct a trace to identify all sites of adulteration and contamination, including preparation, packaging, and slaughtering establishments, and to identify the original source of adulteration or contamination; and (2) if a raw ground meat sample tests positive for adulteration or contamination by enteric foodborne pathogens at a preparation, packaging, or slaughtering establishment, to require subsequent daily sampling at the establishment and any supplying establishments for a minimum of 15 consecutive days after the date on which the sample is collected.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Coin and Precious Metal Disclosure Act - Requires a coin or precious metal dealer to disclose clearly and conspicuously in writing to the consumer before any sale of coins (including gold coins) or precious metal bullion: (1) any fee incurred by the customer upon sale consummation; and (2) the purchase price, the melt value, and the reasonable resale value of the coin or precious metal bullion. Requires telephone sales solicitations for such coins or precious metal bullion to disclose the same information before the transaction is consummated. Treats a violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act, and subject to penalties. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this Act as though the Federal Trade Commission Act applies. Empowers states to enforce compliance with this Act, but entitles the FTC, upon notice of a state civil action, to intervene and be heard on all matters arising in it, remove it to the appropriate federal district court, and file petitions for appeal. Exempts from this Act the sale of rare and collectable coins whose: (1) precious metal content constitutes only a limited or insignificant portion of the overall value of the coin; and (2) value is not affected by the increase or decline in the value of such precious metals.

Date: 2010-09-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Preventing Affinity Scams for Seniors Act of 2010 or PASS Act of 2010 - 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 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: 2010-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Transparent Baseball Ticket Fees Act - Makes it unlawful for any person to complete a primary sale of a Major League Baseball ticket through an Internet website without clearly and conspicuously disclosing to the consumer: (1) the amount and description of any fees, convenience charges, or other charges associated with such sale or ticket; and (2) the total amount of such fees or charges as a percentage of the total purchase price. Defines "primary sale" as the initial sale of a ticket that has not previously been sold to the general public. Treats such offense as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Consumer Protection Act of 2010 - Provides that it shall not be a defense to a tort claim in any U.S. court that a manufacturer of a product has fulfilled that manufacturer's duty of care when providing all of the necessary information to a learned intermediary, who then interacts with the consumer of the product. Defines a "learned intermediary" as a person licensed under applicable state or federal law to advise a consumer whether or not to use the product in question.

Date: 2010-11-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Law
Keeping Kids Safe Act of 2010 - 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: 2010-12-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
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: 2010-12-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Credit Card Minimum Payment Notification Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act regarding disclosures required with each billing cycle under an open end consumer credit plan to require a credit card issuer to include in specified type a written statement in the following form: "Minimum Payment Warning: Making only the minimum payment will increase the interest you pay and the time it takes to repay your balance."Prescribes additional statements disclosing the length of time it will take to pay off the balance if only the minimum amount due is paid.Provides that if the open-end credit card account is subject to a variable rate : (1) the creditor may make disclosures based on the rate for the entire balance as of the date of the disclosure and indicate that the rate may vary; and (2) the cardholder shall be provided with referrals or, in the alternative, with the toll free telephone number of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling for referrals to credit counseling services.Exempts from such disclosure requirements any billing cycle in which: (1) the account agreement requires a minimum payment of not less than 10% of the outstanding balance; and (2) finance charges are not imposed.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Passenger Vehicle Loss Disclosure Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require all insurers and self-insurers of passenger motor vehicles to disclose to the public, in a commercially reasonable, electronically accessible manner, for each passenger motor vehicle declared or determined to be a total loss: (1) the vehicle identification number and odometer reading; (2) the date of and primary reason for the total loss determination; and (3) whether the airbags deployed.

Date: 2009-01-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from increasing any annual percentage rate of interest (APR) applicable to the existing balance on an open end credit card account unless specified conditions are met. Allows a creditor to increase an APR on the existing credit card balance only if the increase is due solely to one of three specified circumstances. Requires a 45-day advance notice of credit card account rate increases. Prohibits imposition of a finance charge, with certain exceptions, upon a credit card account balance that is based on balances for days in billing cycles preceding the most recent billing cycle (double cycle billing). Prohibits the imposition of a fee on an outstanding credit card balance, at the end of a billing period, that is attributable only to interest accrued during the preceding billing period on an outstanding balance fully repaid during that preceding billing period. Requires each periodic statement of account to provide the telephone number, Internet address, and website at which the payoff balance may be requested. Grants a consumer the right to reject a new credit card before the creditor notifies a consumer reporting agency of its corresponding account. Sets forth special rules for accounts with promotional rate balances or deferred interest balances. Prohibits a creditor from denying a cardholder a specified payment grace period if the cardholder takes advantage of a promotional rate balance or deferred interest rate balance.Requires creditors to send a periodic credit card statement of account to the consumer at least 25 calendar days before the due date for the next payment on the outstanding balance. Authorizes a consumer to opt-out of creditor authorization of over-the-limit transactions if fees are imposed. Prohibits imposition of any over-the-limit fee if the credit limit was exceeded due to a credit hold, unless the actual amount of the transaction for which the hold was placed would have resulted in the consumer's exceeding such credit limit. Prescribes the contents of credit card price and availability information which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) must collect and make public semiannually. Prescribes a standard for the initial issuance of subprime or "fee harvester" cards (accounts requiring first-year fee payments in excess of 25% of the total amount of credit authorized). Prohibits extensions of credit to consumers under age 18, unless they are emancipated under state law.

Date: 2009-01-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Supplemental Anti-Fraud Enforcement for our Market Act or the SAFE Markets Act - Authorizes: (1) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to hire an additional 500 agents who shall be dedicated to investigating violations of the law relating to the U.S. financial markets; (2) the Attorney General to hire an additional 50 Assistant United States Attorneys who shall be dedicated to prosecuting such violations; and (3) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to hire 100 additional enforcement staff members who shall be dedicated to prosecuting such violations.

Date: 2009-01-27
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to allow a secondhand seller to sell, offer for sale, or distribute a product or substance that is not in conformity with a consumer product safety rule relating to lead in children's products or to currently-required labeling for children's products. Defines "secondhand seller" to include: (1) a consignment or thrift shop; (2) an individual who uses the Internet, a yard sale, or other casual means; or (3) a person who sells such a product at an auction to benefit a nonprofit organization.Delays by six months each required step down in the allowed lead level in children's products. Applies this change as though it had taken effect on August 15, 2008.Prevents a specified requirement for third-party children's product safety testing from going into effect before August 9, 2009. Applies this change as though it had taken effect on August 15, 2008.Relieves a manufacturer from the requirement to test or certify a product regarding lead content if the manufacturer has tested and certifies each component of the product.Prohibits either the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or any state attorney general from initiating an enforcement proceeding under the Consumer Product Safety Act or the Federal Hazardous Substances Act regarding product certification and labeling and children's products containing lead until 30 days after the issuance of final rules, regulations, or guidance.Requires the CPSC to waive any civil penalty for a good faith first violation of a prohibition under the Act.Requires the CPSC to develop, publish, and distribute a guide to assist small enterprises in complying with the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act and other Acts enforced by the CPSC.

Date: 2009-02-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Amends the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to revise the effective dates relating to the allowable limits on lead in children's products so as to link such dates to the publication of related final regulations and stays of enforcement by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Date: 2009-02-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Financial Product Safety Commission Act of 2009 - Establishes the Financial Product Safety Commission to: (1) promulgate consumer financial product safety rules; (2) establish a best practices guide for all providers of consumer financial products; (3) conduct continuing studies and investigations of consumer financial products industry practices; (4) award grants or enter into contracts for the conduct of such studies and investigations; (5) assist public and private organizations or groups of consumer financial product providers, administratively and technically, in the development of safety standards or guidelines that would assist them in complying with any Commission rule; (6) comment on selected agency rulemakings affecting consumer financial products; and (7) establish a consumer financial product customer hotline.

Date: 2009-03-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
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: 2009-03-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Common Sense in Consumer Product Safety Act of 2009 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to prohibit considering a sale after the first retail sale or a repair of a used children's product to be an introduction into interstate commerce under provisions of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act concerning children's products containing lead (effectively making children's product lead limits inapplicable to secondary sales or repairs of such products). Prohibits considering a vehicle designed or intended primarily for children seven years of age or older to be a children's product under such provisions.

Date: 2009-03-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Fair Gift Card Act of 2009 - Declares it unlawful, with certain exceptions, for any person to impose a dormancy fee, inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee with respect to a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card. Declares it unlawful, with certain exceptions, for any person to sell or issue a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card that is subject to an expiration date. Requires any violation of this Act to be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Date: 2009-03-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Drywall Safety Act of 2009 - Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to: (1) study drywall that was imported from China from 2004 through 2007 and used in U.S. residences; and (2) initiate a proceeding on whether a consumer product safety standard regulating drywall materials is necessary. Requires the CPSC to: (1) designate drywall containing over 5% organic compounds by weight as a product with a product defect which constitutes a substantial product hazard; and (2) order manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of such drywall to cease distribution and notify all persons who handle such product to cease distribution. Requires that the order remain in effect until: (1) the CPSC publishes a determination that such a standard is not necessary; or (2) such a standard takes effect.

Date: 2009-03-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Fairness for Homeowners Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor or mortgage broker from arranging a consumer credit transaction secured by the principal dwelling of a consumer without first verifying the consumer's reasonable ability to to make the scheduled payments of principal, interest (including variable interest), real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage insurance premiums. Prescribes criteria to: (1) determine such consumer's reasonable ability to pay a variable interest rate; and (2) verify the consumer's income and financial resources. Declares a consumer's statement of income or financial resources insufficient evidence of the consumer's financial status. Prohibits consumer equity in the principal dwelling that secures the consumer credit transaction from being used to establish ability to make payments. Prohibits a mortgage broker or creditor from: (1) steering, counseling, or directing a consumer to rates, charges, principal amount, or prepayment terms that are more expensive than those for which the consumer qualifies; (2) arranging for any consumer credit transaction secured by the principal dwelling of a consumer that is more expensive than that for which the consumer qualifies; (3) engaging in certain mischaracterizations. Prohibits prepayment penalties. Limits finance points, charges, and fees. Cites duties owed to a consumer by a mortgage broker. Requires creditors and mortgage brokers to obtain independent verification that a borrower seeking to refinance a special mortgage has received counseling on the transaction's advisability. Defines "special mortgage" as one that: (1) was originated, subsidized, funded, or guaranteed by or through a state, tribal, or local government, or nonprofit organization; and (2) bears one or more specified nonstandard payment terms which substantially benefit the consumer. Prescribes minimum financial requirements for mortgage brokers. Excludes reverse mortgages from coverage by this Act.

Date: 2009-04-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Imported and Domestic Product Safety Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of Commerce an Office of Imported and Domestic Product Safety to carry out specified duties, including: (1) coordinating all departments and agencies that have product safety responsibilities in a way that protects the health and safety of U.S. consumers and provides consumers and businesses with access to product safety information; (2) improving the www.Recalls.gov website; and (3) developing a publicly accessible database with information about all mandatory and voluntary product safety actions taken by businesses, departments, and agencies. Establishes a Product Safety Coordinating Council to assist the Office's director.

Date: 2009-04-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2009 - Amends the Fur Products Labeling Act to: (1) eliminate the exemption to fur labeling requirements for products containing relatively small amounts of fur; and (2) permit states to enforce more restrictive labeling requirements. Directs the the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in the Fur Products Name Guide, to replace the term "Raccoon, Asiatic" with "Dog, Raccoon."

Date: 2009-05-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Confidence in Long-Term Care Insurance Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to conduct biennial reviews of the national and state-specific markets for long-term care (LTC) insurance policies. Directs the Secretary to request the NAIC to: (1) develop model language for marketing of long-term insurance policies that meets certain criteria; and (2) develop recommendations for enforcement of the model marketing disclosures and definitions. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to authorize establishment of an Internet directory of information regarding LTC insurance ("LTC Insurance Compare") that shall include comparison tools to assist consumers in evaluating LTC insurance policies with different benefits and features. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply Medicaid partnership required model provisions to all tax-qualified LTC insurance contracts. Outlines a process for secretarial review of 2000 and 2006 model provisions as well as subsequent model provisions with respect to their application to tax-qualified LTC policies and Medicaid partnership policies. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to require the Secretary to issue biennial reports to states and Congress on Medicaid LTC insurance partnerships and their impact. Outlines additional consumer protections for Medicaid partnerships. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on whether all LTC insurance policies sold after a certain date determined by the Secretary should provide annual compound inflation protection.

Date: 2009-06-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Health
Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish the American National Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms (American National Standard ANSI/UL 2034-2005) as a mandatory consumer product safety standard. Makes it unlawful for any manufacturer or distributor to import or distribute any new assembled or unassembled residential carbon monoxide detector unless it complies with the standard. Requires the CPSC to issue a final rule in its proceeding titled Portable Generators, including a requirement that portable generators incorporate an automatic shutoff feature if compliance with such a requirement is technologically feasible. Requires the CPSC to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states to carry out a carbon monoxide alarm program.

Date: 2009-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Mercury Pollution Reduction Act - Declares that is the policy of the United States that the United States should develop policies and programs that will reduce: (1) mercury use and emissions; (2) mercury releases from the reservoir of mercury currently in use or circulation; and (3) exposures to mercury, particularly of women of childbearing age and young children. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit: (1) the manufacture of chlorine or caustic soda using a mercury cell; and (2) the export of any mercury, mercury cell, mercury compound, or mixture containing mercury by the owner or operator of a chlor-alkali facility. Requires the owner or operator of each chlor-alkali facility to report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator and the state in which the facility is located on mercury waste, emissions, and content in products. Requires the Administrator to: (1) conduct a comprehensive mercury inventory covering the life and closure of chlor-alkali facilities that cease operations on or after January 1, 2009; and (2) obtain mercury purchase records and such other information from each such facility as the Administrator determines to be necessary to determine the magnitude and nature of mercury releases from the facility into air and other environmental media.

Date: 2009-07-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Environmental protection
Senior Investor Protections Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to impose, in addition to any other civil penalty, a maximum civil penalty of $50,000 for each violation that is directed toward, targets, or is committed against a person who, at the time of the violation is age 62 or older. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements to ensure that guideline offense levels and enhancements appropriately punish criminal violations of the securities laws against seniors.

Date: 2009-09-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Household Product Labeling Act of 2009 - Requires covered products to bear labels that state completely and accurately all product ingredients. Defines "covered products" as: (1) household cleaning products; (2) air fresheners and deodorizers; (3) floor and furniture polish; (4) dishwashing soap; (5) drain cleaners; (6) laundry detergent and dryer sheets; (7) epoxies; (8) paints or stains; and (9) any other similar consumer product designated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Date: 2009-09-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 - Amends the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (Credit CARD Act of 2009) to move up the effective date of the Act from February 20, 2010, to December 1, 2009. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to move up also to December 1, 2009: (1) the deadline by which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System must issue final implementing rules for required creditor reviews of changes in factors considered in past consumer annual percentage interest rate (APR) increases when determining whether to reduce the APR; and (2) the effective date of the creditor review requirement. Moves up to the same date: (1) the effective date of the requirement that any penalty fee or charge that a credit card issuer may impose, including a late payment fee, over-the-limit fee, or any other penalty fee or charge, be reasonable and proportional to the omission or violation to which it relates; and (2) the deadline for the Board to issue final implementing rules establishing standards for assessing whether any such penalty fee or charge is reasonable and proportional. Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to move up to December 1, 2009, as well the effective dates of the Act's: (1) prohibition against the imposition of a dormancy fee, an inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee with respect to general use prepaid cards, certificates, and store gift cards; and (2) the deadline by which the Board must issue final implementing regulations.

Date: 2009-10-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Clear Airfares Act of 2009 - Makes it an unfair or deceptive practice for: (1) a domestic or foreign air carrier or ticket agent to sell an airline ticket without simultaneously displaying all applicable ticket taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges in reasonable proximity to the price of the ticket (including on the Internet to an online purchaser); and (2) a domestic or foreign air carrier to impose a fuel surcharge that is not correlated to the price of fuel paid or the amount of fuel used by the air carrier on the specific flight.

Date: 2009-12-02
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe Kids' Jewelry Act - Bans as a hazardous substance and prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of jewelry containing cadmium, barium, or antimony for children 12 years old or younger. Sets forth: (1) factors to determine whether jewelry is designed or intended for wear or use by such children; and (2) penalties for violations of such prohibition.

Date: 2010-02-02
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
P2P Cyber Protection and Informed User Act - Makes it unlawful for any commercial entity that developed a file sharing program or distributed such a program (if the distributor is owned by the developing entity) to install, make available for installation, or download a file sharing program without: (1) immediately before program installation or downloading, providing conspicuous notice that the program allows files to be searched and copied by one or more other computers and obtaining informed consent to the installation; and (2) immediately before initial activation of a file sharing function of the program, providing conspicuous notice of which files will be made available and obtaining informed consent. Exempts: (1) modifications or upgrades of a program that was originally installed in compliance with this Act, provided certain requirements are met; and (2) pre-installed software. Makes it unlawful for such an entity to prevent the reasonable efforts of an owner or authorized user to block the installation of such a program or to prevent such a user from having a reasonable way to disable or remove the program. Makes this Act non-applicable to lawfully authorized investigative, protective, and intelligence activities of U.S. intelligence agencies or of U.S. and state law enforcement agencies. Treats a violation of this Act as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Prohibits construing this Act to limit or supersede any other federal or state law.

Date: 2010-02-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Broadband Service Consumer Protection Act - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to start a rulemaking to assist consumers: (1) in making realistic assumptions, before they purchase broadband service, about the actual speeds that may reasonably be expected and how those assumptions may be affected by the consumer's hardware, peak service periods, and other factors; and (2) in determining, after they purchase broadband service, whether they are getting the level of broadband service for which they are paying. Requires the FCC, in those regulations, to establish, and revise as needed, technical standards for quantifying broadband service measures of performance and other features.

Date: 2010-03-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Consumer Recall Notification Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to improve communication between state entities, state and local health departments, and facilities in order to provide consumers with more and timely notification of Class I recalls (situations in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death) by: (1) developing and distributing national and regional advisories concerning Class I recalls; (2) developing standardized formats for such advisories to be used by health or food safety agencies; and (3) providing frontline health professionals with information about symptoms to document and tests that should be performed to diagnose foodborne illness in relation to specific regional outbreaks that may occur as a result of an adulterated product.Requires a food facility that is subject to a Class I recall or a supplier that supplied products subject to such a recall to notify applicable retail establishments and restaurants within 24 hours of the public announcement of such recall. Directs the Commissioner to: (1) share commercial or financial information and lists of registered facilities with federal, state, local, and foreign agencies, provided they assure confidentiality of the information; (2) publish on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website a list of retail establishments, restaurants, and locations that sell or have sold products that are subject to a Class I recall; and (3) require on-site notification of a recalled product by posting notification in the freezer case or shelving unit in the retail establishment where the product is sold. Sets civil penalties for failure to notify retailers, restaurants, and customers.

Date: 2010-03-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Health
Ponzi Scheme Victim's Bill of Rights Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a special tax deduction for qualified fraudulent investment losses held in an individual retirement account (IRA); (2) a six-year carryback of net operating losses which are qualified fraudulent investment losses; (3) withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans for a 10-year period without penalty to replace qualified fraudulent investment losses; (4) catch-up contributions to retirement plans to compensate for fraudulent investment losses; and (5) an extension of the limitation period for filing refund claims for overpayments of tax in connection with gifts and bequests of an interest in an investment for which there is a qualified fraudulent investment loss. Defines "qualified fraudulent investment loss" as a loss discovered in 2008 or 2009 resulting from a fraudulent arrangement in which a person receives cash or property from investors, purports to earn income for investors, reports partially or wholly fictitious income to such investors, makes payments to some investors from payments made by other investors, and appropriates some or all of the investors' cash or property.

Date: 2010-03-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Taxation
Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, to publish a summary statement of taxpayer rights and obligations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to develop, expand, or continue volunteer income tax assistance programs to assist low-income taxpayers. Increases the grant funding for low-income taxpayer clinics. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations for the regulation of tax return preparers; (2) require the annual registration of refund delivery product facilitators; and (3) furnish to the public the identity of any person who is an enrolled agent, attorney, or certified public accountant on file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), who is a tax return preparer, or who is registered as a refund delivery product facilitator. Applies the penalty for understatements of taxpayer liability by tax return preparers to tax submissions other than tax returns or claims for refunds. Requires the Secretary to make an individualized lien determination before filing a notice of lien and to consider specified factors in making such determination, including the amount due, the value of the taxpayer's equity in property, the taxpayer's compliance history, and extenuating circumstances, if any, that explain the tax delinquency. Prohibits persons licensed to practice before the Department of the Treasury from directly or indirectly offering or providing audit insurance. Authorizes the National Taxpayer Advocate to issue Taxpayer Advocate directives for granting relief to taxpayers. Expresses the sense of Congress that the IRS should take specified steps within two years to improve service to taxpayers. Authorizes the Secretary to award demonstration project grants to provide access to accounts at financial institutions for taxpayers who do not currently have such access. Requires studies to: (1) enable the IRS to receive and process information reporting documents before it processes tax returns; and (2) assess the effectiveness of collection alternatives, especially offers in compromise, on long-term tax compliance.

Date: 2010-04-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Taxation
Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2010 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require nationwide consumer reporting agencies, including nationwide specialty consumer reporting agencies (that compile and report on medical records or payments, residential or tenant histories, check writing histories, employment histories, and incusrance claims), to provide a free annual credit score disclosure upon consumer request.

Date: 2010-04-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act - Defines "post-transaction third party seller" as a person that: (1) sells, or offers for sale, any good or service on the Internet; (2) solicits purchases on the Internet through an initial merchant after the consumer has initiated a transaction with the initial merchant; and (3) is not the initial merchant, a subsidiary or corporate affiliate of the initial merchant, or a successor to the initial merchant or subsidiary. Makes it unlawful for any post-transaction third party seller to charge or attempt to charge any consumer's credit card, debit card, bank account, or other such financial account in an Internet-based transaction, unless: (1) before obtaining the consumer's billing information, the seller has disclosed all material terms, including the fact that the such seller is not affiliated with the initial merchant, and a description and the cost of the offered goods or services; and (2) the seller has received the express informed consent from the consumer for the charge. Makes it unlawful for an initial merchant to disclose such financial account number or other billing information to any post-transaction third party Internet seller (sometimes referred to as a data-pass). Makes it unlawful for any person to charge or attempt to charge a consumer for goods or services sold in an Internet-based transaction through a negative option feature unless the person: (1) provides text that clearly and conspicuously discloses all material terms of the transaction before obtaining the consumer's billing information; (2) obtains a consumer's express informed consent before charging the consumer's financial account for products or services through such transaction; and (3) provides simple mechanisms for a consumer to stop recurring charges from being placed on the consumer's financial account. Defines "negative option feature" to mean, in an offer or agreement to sell or provide any goods or services, a provision under which the customer's silence or failure to take an affirmative action to reject goods or services or to cancel the agreement is interpreted by the seller as acceptance of the offer. Treats a violation of this Act or any regulation thereunder as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this Act. Authorizes the attorney general of a state to bring an action for injunctive relief in federal court on behalf of the state's residents.

Date: 2010-05-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Bans as a hazardous product any drop-side crib that is sold, offered for sale, manufactured for sale, distributed in commerce, used in public facilities such as hotels or day care centers, or imported into the United States. Defines "drop-side crib" as any infant crib that has at least one side that moves up and down but does not include a drop-gate crib or any other crib that has immovable sides with a portion of one side capable of being folded down.

Date: 2010-05-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Amends the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 to state that, in the case of a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card produced before April 1, 2010, the effective date of the certain disclosure requirements under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act pertaining to fees shall be delayed until January 31, 2011. Requires the issuer of such a certificate or card, as a condition of such delayed effective date, to: (1) comply with a specified prohibition against and certain requirements for the imposition of any dormancy, inactivity, or service fees; (2) consider any such certificate or card for which funds expire to have no expiration date with respect to the underlying funds; (3) replace, at consumer request, any such certificate or card that has funds remaining at no cost to the consumer; and (4) comply with certain consumer rights disclosure requirements.

Date: 2010-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Honest Services Restoration Act - Amends the federal criminal code to expand the definition of "scheme or artifice to defraud," for purposes of fraud offenses, to include: (1) a scheme or artifice by a public official to engage in undisclosed self-dealing; or (2) a scheme or artifice by officers and directors to engage in undisclosed private self-dealing. Defines "undisclosed self-dealing" to mean: (1) performing an official act to benefit or further a financial interest of the public official, a spouse or minor child, a general partner, a business or organization in which the public official is serving as an employee, officer, director, trustee, or general partner, or an individual, business, or organization with whom the public official is negotiating for, or has any arrangement concerning, prospective employment or financial compensation; and (2) knowingly falsifying, concealing, covering up, or failing to disclose material information regarding a financial interest as required by law. Defines "undisclosed private self-dealing" to mean: (1) performing an act which causes or is intended to cause harm to the employer of the officer or director and which is undertaken to benefit or further by an actual or intended value of $5,000 or more a financial interest of the officer or director, a spouse or minor child, a general partner, another business or organization in which the officer or director is serving as an employee, officer, director, trustee, or general partner, or an individual, business, or organization with whom the officer or director is negotiating for, or has any arrangement concerning, prospective employment or financial compensation; and (2) knowingly falsifying, concealing, covering up, or failing to disclose material information regarding a financial interest as required by law.

Date: 2010-09-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Cell Phone Bill Shock Act of 2010 - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations requiring a commercial mobile service provider to: (1) notify a subscriber who has used in excess of a certain percentage of the monthly limit or prepaid amount of specified services (voice minutes, text messages, or data megabytes); (2) obtain a subscriber's consent before it allows the subscriber to use such services in excess of the monthly limit; and (3) ensure that any notice of possible excess usage, and the consent to use excess services, are not charged to the subscriber's account.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
End Debt Collector Abuse Act of 2010 - Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to require a debt collector, in the absence of such information in an initial communication or payment of the debt, to include in a written notice to the consumer the following: (1) the date of the last payment to the creditor on the debt and the debt amount at the time of default; (2) the name and address of the last person to extend credit with respect to the debt; (3) an itemization of the principal, fees, and interest that comprise the debt and any other charges added after the date of the last payment; (4) a description of the rights of the consumer concerning the ceasing of debt collector communication with the consumer and having collection efforts stopped; and (5) the name and contact information of the person responsible for handling complaints on behalf of the debt collector. Revises procedures concerning disputed debts to require a debt collector, upon receipt of a notification that a debt is disputed by the consumer, to undertake a thorough investigation of the substance of the dispute and timely provide specific responsive information and verification of the disputed debt. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide inflation adjustments to damages awarded in cases of noncompliance with fair debt collection practices under the Act. Allows a court, in a civil action alleging violations of fair debt collection practices, to award appropriate relief, including injunctive relief. Deems as an unfair practice a request by a debt collector to a court or law enforcement agency for the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a debtor or any other similar request that a debt collector knows or should know would lead to the issuance of an arrest warrant, in relation to collection of a debt.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Access to Button Cell Batteries Act of 2010 - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate a standard requiring that electronic product button cell battery compartments be secured so as to reduce access to such batteries by children three years of age or younger. Defines a "button cell battery" as a battery that is 32 millimeters or less in diameter.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Amends the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act to exempt ordinary books and paper-based printed materials from the lead limits on children's products. Defines "ordinary books" as books published on paper or cardboard, printed by conventional publishing methods, intended to be read, and lacking inherent play value.

Date: 2011-01-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce