Sen. Tina Smith

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to address workplace violence in health care, social service, and other sectors. Specifically, Labor must issue an interim occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers to take actions to protect workers and other personnel from workplace violence. The standard applies to employers in the health care sector, in the social service sector, and in sectors that conduct activities similar to those in the health care and social service sectors. In addition, Labor must promulgate a final standard within a specified time line.

National Scenic Trails Parity Act This bill requires the North Country, Ice Age, and New England national scenic trails to be administered as units of the National Park System.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 626), not a policy bill. It supports observing National Nurses Week from May 6-12, 2022, to honor nurses' contributions to healthcare. The resolution recognizes nurses as the largest healthcare profession (over 4 million registered nurses), highlights their roles during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and encourages public recognition of their work in patient care, research, and health equity. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect policies or individuals.

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act This bill requires employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records. An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill makes all of such unpaid wages recoverable through civil enforcement. The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of overtime or minimum wage requirements, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to enhance the enforcement of wage and hour laws. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on successful grant programs.

Mental Health Reform Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 various activities related to mental health services and resources. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes a policy laboratory housed within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that promotes evidence-based practices and service delivery models. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes and modifies grants and similar assistance for treatment and other services for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances, mental and behavioral health programs in the criminal justice system, priority mental health needs of regional and national significance, education and training for mental and behavioral health care providers, and integrated primary care and behavioral health care. The bill also addresses insurance coverage for mental and behavioral health. This includes (1) grants for assessing health insurance plans for compliance with requirements related to parity in the coverage of mental health, (2) applying the parity requirements to self-funded, nonfederal government health plans, and (3) requiring specified agencies to provide states with guidance about coverage recommendations for mental and behavioral health services. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must review claims data to assess the degree to which mental and behavioral health treatment aligns with evidence-based recommendations and standards of care. Other matters addressed by the bill include first episode psychosis activities (interventions to improve symptoms, reduce relapse episodes, and prevent deterioration and disability among individuals suffering from psychotic illness) and improving data collection and reporting of SAMHSA's activities.

Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act of 2022 This bill makes various changes to the federal framework governing judicial ethics. Among the changes, the bill prohibits federal judges and Supreme Court Justices from owning individual stocks and securities; requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to issue regulations restricting the solicitation or acceptance of gifts in connection with a private judicial seminar; expresses the sense of Congress that the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges shall apply to Supreme Court Justices; requires federal judges and Supreme Court Justices to report on each association or interest that would require recusal, including any financial interest of a spouse or minor child who resides in the household; and establishes a committee to review complaints against the Supreme Court.

This resolution expresses that the Senate has heard of the death of the Honorable Orrin G. Hatch, former U.S. Senator for the state of Utah. The resolution also expresses that the Senate honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Hatch for his unwavering dedication to Utah as a Senator and a public servant and accomplishments in legislating with principle and dedication for the good of the people of the United States. The resolution states when the Senate adjourns today, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hatch.

This resolution thanks the teachers of the United States and promotes the teaching profession by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 5, 2022, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls." It directly honors Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and girls who are victims of violence or disappearance, referencing documented statistics showing they face disproportionately high rates of violent crime and homicide. The resolution calls on the public and organizations to commemorate these victims and show solidarity with affected families. As a symbolic measure with no binding policy changes, it aims to raise awareness about this issue without creating new legal requirements.

Heating Efficiency and Affordability through Tax Relief Act or the HEATR Act This bill allows a new tax credit through 2031 for energy efficient consumer and commercial heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.