Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021 This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.
Disaster Preparedness for Power Outages Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to long-term care facilities to help such facilities prepare for power outages during and after natural disasters. Eligible grant activities include the purchase of backup power sources (e.g., generators) and the creation of regional resource directories.
Furthering Advanced and Inclusive Research for Crash Tests Act or the FAIR Crash Tests Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's use of crash test dummies, including how the administration's practices compare to the European New Car Assessment Programme and other programs that test vehicles.
SNAP Reform Act of 2021 This bill modifies eligibility under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with respect to individuals who receive other forms of assistance. Currently, households may be considered categorically eligible for SNAP if all members receive certain other assistance, such as under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The bill specifies that members receiving TANF assistance must (1) receive at least $150 a month in cash assistance under TANF for an extended period with an income of up to 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL), or (2) be elderly or disabled and receive cash assistance or ongoing and substantial services under TANF with an income of up to 200% of the FPL. The bill also increases the maximum allowable resources for SNAP eligibility and specifies that certain allowances relating to energy assistance extend only to households with elderly members.
No Land Grab Act of 2021 This bill prohibits from having the force and effect of law a provision of Executive Order 14008 (86 Fed. Reg. 7619), titled Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad , that requires the Department of the Interior to recommend steps to achieve the goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act This bill revises the licensing process of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for animal dealers and exhibitors to expand USDA's oversight and enforcement of animal welfare requirements. The bill also authorizes citizen suits to enforce the Animal Welfare Act. Dealers and exhibitors must apply to USDA for licenses or renewal licenses each year. In order to obtain the licenses or renewals, dealers and exhibitors must meet certain standards for the humane treatment of animals and pass inspections as specified by this bill. USDA may not issue or renew such licenses if the dealers or exhibitors have violated laws relating to animals or if the issuance of the licenses would facilitate the circumvention of state or local laws that prohibit the private ownership of certain animals. Further, USDA must suspend the licenses of dealers or exhibitors whose violations present a risk to animal welfare. USDA must revoke the licenses if the violations persist or if the licensees commit multiple violations. Dealers and exhibitors with suspended or revoked licenses may not be (1) granted another license, (2) granted another license through another person or entity, or (3) employed by another licensee to work with animals during the period of the suspension or revocation.
Law Enforcement Officer Recreation Pass Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to law enforcement officers.
Student Food Security Act of 2021 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and establishes programs to address food insecurity among college students. Specifically, the bill permanently modifies the eligibility requirements to allow additional college students to receive SNAP benefits, and it establishes a demonstration program to allow college students to use SNAP benefits on college campuses instead of meal plans. The bill also advances implementation of certain data-sharing agreements and notifications to help students who apply for federal financial aid to also apply for and receive other federal means-tested benefits (e.g., Section 8 tenant-based housing assistance, Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income). In addition, the bill (1) requires questions about food and housing insecurity to be incorporated into the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, and (2) establishes a grant program to support research and address incidences of food and housing insecurity among college students.
Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021 This bill repeals a lifetime ban that prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses related to the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. Any state law that imposes conditions on eligibility for SNAP benefits or TANF assistance based on an individual's conviction of such an offense shall have no force or effect. In addition, individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled to be released within 30 days shall qualify as individual households for purposes of SNAP eligibility. Under current law, unless specifically excepted, individuals residing in institutions do not constitute a household.
This resolution mourns the death of Frederick Stephen Humphries, former president of Florida A&M University and Tennessee State University, and requests that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to his family.
This resolution honors the suppliers of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the work they are doing on the Artemis missions.
This resolution supports the designation of a National Warrior Call Day to encourage Americans to talk with members of the Armed Forces and veterans to connect them with support.
