Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2021 This bill prohibits food packaging that contains intentionally added PFAS (i.e., a perfluoroalkyl substance or a polyfluoroalkyl substance that is man-made with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom).
Pathways to Health Careers Act This bill extends, revises, and funds through FY2026 certain demonstration grant programs for projects to train low-income individuals for jobs considered part of the health care career pathway.
Federal Trade Commission Technologists Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish the Office of Technologists to advise on matters such as the FTC's use of technology, technical aspects of law enforcement actions, and technology policy recommendations.
Private Prison Information Act of 2021 This bill specifies that a record related to a nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility must be considered a federal agency record for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility must disclose information under FOIA unless the information is exempt from disclosure or the disclosure is prohibited by law. The term nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility means (1) a private prison, correctional, or detention facility; or (2) a state or local prison, jail, or other correctional or detention facility.
Border Accountability, Oversight, and Community Engagement Act This bill establishes various bodies and policies related to border security operations. The bill establishes the independent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Border Oversight Commission. The commission's duties shall include recommending policies to protect civil rights and improve the safety of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. The bill establishes the Office of the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration-Related Concerns. The office shall independently receive and resolve complaints and requests for assistance regarding border security and immigration activities. The office shall have the power to provide redress, including immigration relief and monetary damages. The bill establishes the Border Community Liaison Office. The office's duties include consulting with communities in sectors on the northern and southern borders when developing policies and programs. DHS must ensure CBP officers receive continual education and training each year on topics including interaction with vulnerable populations and professional conduct standards. The bill imposes data collection requirements on law enforcement officials conducting border and immigration-related stops and searches. The bill requires various reports, including a Government Accountability Office report on the use of force by the CBP.
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. The bill also includes provisions related to federally protected activities at polling places and voting access on tribal lands. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 25 years; or 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as changes to methods of election and redistricting. Further, states and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. Next, the bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill also outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision. In addition, the bill (1) includes certain protections for election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure; and (2) expands voting access on tribal lands.
This resolution recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the wildland firefighters who have risked their lives to fight intense wildfires in 2021. The resolution also (1) expresses support for communities throughout the West as they focus on recovery and rebuilding areas and communities affected by wildfires, and (2) extends gratitude to the families and loved ones of wildland firefighters for supporting the wildland firefighter community.
Hydrogen for Ports Act of 2021 This bill supports infrastructure for hydrogen-derived fuels, including ammonia, at ports and in the shipping industry. For example, the bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a program that awards grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and other eligible entities for infrastructure that supports hydrogen-derived fuels, including ammonia, at ports and in the shipping industry.
Hydrogen Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a hydrogen infrastructure finance and innovation pilot program. Under the program, DOE must provide grants and low-interest loans to certain entities for hydrogen infrastructure, including projects for hydrogen transportation, storage, or delivery.
Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2021 This bill provides legal protections for a noncitizen (i.e., an individual referred to as an alien in federal law) who is detained or subject to immigration-related proceedings. The Department of Justice (DOJ), or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a case involving an unaccompanied child, may appoint or provide counsel at the government's expense to noncitizens in removal proceedings and related appeals. An unaccompanied child must be represented by counsel paid for and appointed by the government at every stage of such proceedings unless the child has obtained counsel at their own expense. If HHS fails to provide counsel to an unaccompanied child, the deadline for filing a motion to reopen a proceeding shall not apply, and the filing of such a motion shall stay the child's removal from the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide a complete copy of a noncitizen's immigration file to the noncitizen (or the noncitizen's counsel) within seven days of a notice to appear for an immigration proceeding, and failure to provide the file shall result in a delay in the proceeding. DHS must provide access to counsel for all detained noncitizens. The bill authorizes HHS to enter into contacts or award grants for providing immigration-related legal services to children. The Office of Refugee Resettlement must develop model guidelines for representing noncitizen children in immigration proceedings.
