HUD Inspection Oversight Act of 2021 This bill modifies inspection and oversight protocols under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, including by directing the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to take certain enforcement actions when a property's inspection score falls below a specified threshold. In recent years, language directing HUD to take specific actions in such circumstances has been included in annual appropriations bills.
Jump-Start the Economy with Jobs Act This bill requires each state that offers pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) or pandemic emergency unemployment compensation (PEUC) to condition benefit eligibility for a long-term unemployed individual on an employer's confirmation that work is unavailable for the unemployed individual. Specifically, each state unemployment agency must request confirmation from the unemployed individual's most recent employer that the individual's position is not available at the time of the request. Unless the employer provides this confirmation, the state must terminate the individual's PUA or PEUC. The bill's provisions apply only to long-term unemployed individuals who have received PUA or PEUC for more than 30 weeks of unemployment.
Middle Class Savings Act This bill modifies the tax brackets that apply to taxes on capital gains. The bill aligns the thresholds with the brackets for the regular income tax rates enacted in P.L. 115-97 (commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act).
Combatting COVID Unemployment Fraud Act of 2021 This bill requires additional documentation for individuals seeking pandemic unemployment assistance, requires state unemployment agencies to use designated fraud prevention tools, and otherwise addresses pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
Safe Alternative Vehicle Endorsement Act or the SAVE Act This bill revises the statutory terminology for exemptions to certain motor vehicle safety standards that may be granted by the Department of Transportation; it replaces the references to exemptions with alternate vehicle endorsements .
Timely Access to Cancer Treatment Act of 2021 or the TACT Act of 2021 This bill requires insurance plans to authorize, and pharmacies contracted with the plans to dispense, anti-cancer oral medications within certain time frames. Specifically, within 24 hours after receiving a prescription, a pharmacy must inform the health care provider and plan enrollee whether it will dispense the medication. If the pharmacy will dispense the medication, it must do so within 72 hours after receiving the prescription. If the pharmacy is unable to dispense the medication, it must notify in writing the prescribing health care provider, the insurance plan, and the plan enrollee. A plan that requires prior authorization for anti-cancer oral medication must make that determination within 72 hours after receiving the request for authorization. Further, if a pharmacy provides notification that it is unable to dispense the medication, the health insurance plan must allow the enrollee to select a different pharmacy to dispense the medication, even if that pharmacy does not have a contract with the plan. In such a case, the plan may not require additional prior authorization or cost sharing. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate and report on the implementation of these requirements.
Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the NOPAIN Act This bill temporarily establishes separate payments for certain non-opioid treatments under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services and the payment system for ambulatory surgical center services. The bill applies to pain management treatments that are able to replace or reduce opioid consumption, as shown through clinical trials or data.
Harmful Algal Bloom Essential Forecasting Act This bill requires the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System to continue to operate during a government shutdown by designating certain services related to the system as excepted services under the Anti-Deficiency Act.
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act This bill prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. A qualified employee is an employee or applicant who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position, with specified exceptions. Specifically, the bill declares that it is an unlawful employment practice to fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations of such employees unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on an entity's business operation; require a qualified employee affected by such condition to accept an accommodation other than any reasonable accommodation arrived at through an interactive process; deny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee; require such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided; or take adverse action in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment against a qualified employee requesting or using such reasonable accommodations. The bill sets forth enforcement procedures and remedies that cover different types of employees in relation to such unlawful employment practices. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission must provide examples of reasonable accommodations that shall be provided to affected employees unless the employer can demonstrate that doing so would impose an undue hardship. The bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action for a violation of this bill.
This resolution supports the designation of National Child Poverty Prevention Month.
This resolution calls on the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Education and state attorneys general to assist elementary and secondary schools in complying with existing civil rights laws and investigate and enforce such laws. In addition, the resolution condemns the practice of requiring teachers to receive education in critical race theory as a condition of certification.
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Senior Fraud Awareness Day and encourages the development of policies that help prevent scams targeting older adults.
