Rep. Lois Frankel

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution; (2) LGBTQIA+ Pride Month should be celebrated; and (3) all Americans should be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

This resolution supports access to contraception and related reproductive health services, including by affirming the substantive due process rights that protect such access.

Maddy summaryHRES 924 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2022 as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but expresses congressional support for raising awareness about teen dating violence, which the resolution cites as affecting teens through physical, sexual, psychological, and stalking behaviors. The resolution references CDC data showing high rates of teen dating violence (e.g., 44.3% of teens experienced violence, 15.6% experienced two types) and calls on schools, communities, and families to observe the month with awareness activities. It focuses on promoting existing prevention efforts like education and healthy relationship programs without proposing new policy changes.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the proposed constitutional amendment known as the Equal Rights Amendment has been duly proposed by Congress and ratified by the states and is therefore valid as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. (The proposed amendment prohibits the United States or any state from denying or abridging equal rights under the law on account of sex.)

This resolution expresses support for (1) equal rights and protections for all people, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; and (2) the designation of LGBTQ Equality Day on June 26 to commemorate Supreme Court decisions handed down on that day in 2003, 2013, and 2015. The resolution also acknowledges the need for further legislation to ensure that people in the United States are free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Saving Abortion Facilities from Extremists for Patients Act or the SAFE for Patients Act This bill establishes a civil action for damaging or destroying a reproductive health care facility or for harassing, injuring, or intimidating a person who provides or obtains reproductive health services.

Afghan Adjustment Act This bill expands eligibility for special immigrant visas to certain Afghan nationals (and accompanying spouse and children) and addresses related issues. The Department of Homeland Security may provide such visas to Afghan nationals who provided qualifying service as a member of the Afghan Air Force or other specified entities and meet eligibility requirements, such as passing a background check. Currently, special immigrant visas for Afghan nationals are generally only available to those who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. Such visas shall also be available to an Afghan national who is a qualifying relative of a veteran or member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill also modifies procedures for providing lawful permanent resident status to certain classes of Afghan nationals, such as by (1) providing a streamlined process with specified vetting requirements for certain individuals, including those who provided support to the U.S. government in Afghanistan; and (2) preserving the eligibility of certain battered spouses whose eligibility for such status stemmed from a marriage that has terminated. Furthermore, the Department of State (1) must respond to inquiries from Members of Congress about specific applications from Afghan nationals seeking special immigrant or refugee status; and (2) establish an office in Afghanistan to perform certain tasks, such as issuing visas, if no U.S. embassies are operational in Afghanistan. The President must establish a task force to develop and implement a strategy to assist Afghan nationals who qualify for admission to the United States.

Backlog Justice Act of 2022 This bill requires certain actions to address the backlog of untested sexual assault kits. For example, the bill (1) directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance to establish a publicly accessible online database regarding untested kits, and (2) requires the Department of Justice to provide an increased amount of certain grant funding for states that have in place electronic evidence tracking systems for these kits.

Stop Taxes Against Menstrual Products Act of 2022 or the STAMP Act of 2022 This bill makes it unlawful for a state or local government to impose a tax on the retail sale of a menstrual product.

Women in Criminal Justice Reform Act This bill establishes programs and requirements to address the health and wellness of women in the criminal justice system. For example, the bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to (1) ensure that all incarcerated women have access to basic standards of health care specific to their needs, and (2) develop and implement gender-responsive training for its officers and employees.