Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act of 2021 This bill requires federal agencies to develop and disclose safety plans that contain certain information for on-site employees and contractors during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires each agency to post a safety plan on its website that includes descriptions of (1) the personal protective equipment that the agency will provide to its on-site employees and contractors; (2) protections for employees whose work requires them to travel off-site; (3) testing, contact-tracing, and vaccination protocols; and (4) protocols that ensure the continuity of operations in the event it is necessary to reverse on-site requirements. Each agency's Office of the Inspector General must report on whether the agency has published and implemented its safety plan.
This resolution supports the designation of National Voter Registration Day.
This resolution recognizes the importance of ending the stigmatization of substance use disorder.
Preventing and Addressing Trauma with Health Services Act or the PATHS Act This bill establishes grants to increase access to trauma support and mental health care for individuals who have experienced gun violence in communities with higher rates of violence-related deaths than the national average. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award the grants to nonprofit or community organizations, government agencies, or health care institutions that offer mental health services. In awarding these grants, SAMHSA may give preference to community health centers, federally qualified health centers, and applicants proposing to work in partnership with other eligible entities.
Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act This bill directs the Department of State and other federal agencies to help Central and Eastern European countries improve the security of their telecommunications networks. A project located in a Central or Eastern European country shall be eligible for assistance if it (1) improves telecommunications networks with secure equipment or services, (2) removes telecommunications equipment or services from China, or (3) enhances telecommunications market integration across the Central or Eastern European region that is secure against malign actors. To support eligible projects, the State Department must provide, as necessary, diplomatic and political support and must also encourage international financial institutions to provide investment support. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and other specified federal agencies must also provide project support, such as feasibility studies and finance-related support, as necessary.
Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021 This bill modifies the tax deduction for the expenses of performing artists (including commissions paid to managers or agents) to provide for a phaseout of such deduction for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint return filers). The $100,000 phaseout threshold is adjusted for inflation annually for taxable years beginning after 2021.
Providing Officers With Electronic Resources Act or the POWER Act This bill authorizes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase a chemical screening device and to train personnel to use, and interpret data collected by, such device.
Front-Loaded Aid Transparency Act or the FLAT Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the front-loading of grant aid by institutions of higher education (IHEs) for FY2007-FY2020. Front-loading refers to the practice of providing first-year students with a higher amount or percentage of grant aid than the IHE provides to second-year, third-year, or fourth-year students.
Primary Health Services Enhancement Act This bill expands Medicare coverage to include physical therapy services provided by rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers.
Freedom from Mandates Act This bill nullifies certain executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety and prohibits the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking specified actions with respect to vaccination against COVID-19. Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14042 (relating to ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors) and Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees). Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated. HHS may not (1) require a health care provider, as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program, to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or require testing of employees who are unvaccinated; or (2) otherwise penalize such a provider for failure to mandate such vaccination or require such testing.
Valley-Wide Noise Relief Act of 2021 This bill permits airports to implement partial or total mandatory nighttime curfews if they had a voluntary curfew in place before the passage of the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 and meet other requirements. (That act imposes stringent requirements on airports seeking to implement night curfews and other types of noise rules or restrictions.)
This resolution honors the life of Robert Dove, Parliamentarian Emeritus of the Senate, and offers the condolences of the Senate regarding his death.
