Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes criminal penalties and/or fines on individuals for directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine or imprisonment.
Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2022 This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for knowingly misrepresenting the nature or source of DNA used in assisted reproductive technology or assisted insemination. The term assisted reproductive technology includes any treatment or procedure that involves the handling of human oocytes or embryos, such as in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and zygote intrafallopian transfer. The term assisted insemination includes any procedure that involves the handling of sperm including intrauterine insemination. A violation is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both. Additionally, the bill makes the violation a predicate offense (i.e., an underlying offense) for prosecutions under the federal racketeering statute.
No IDs for Illegals Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to establish or otherwise support the Secure Docket Card Program of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
HR 8563, the Sunset Act of 2022, requires most federal agency rules to automatically expire 10 years after issuance unless Congress passes a specific extension. Agencies must submit reports to Congress 180 days before expiration and identify rules for annual review, with 10% of rules reviewed each year for 9 years. Congress can extend rules only through a joint resolution introduced within 3 days of receiving the agency report, requiring bipartisan leadership sponsorship. This law directly affects federal agencies (who create rules) and Congress (who must vote on extensions), changing how long regulations remain in effect without renewal.
Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act This bill increases criminal penalties (and authorizes additional civil remedies) for intentionally damaging or destroying the property of a facility that exclusively provides abortion-alternative services or that is a place of religious worship. It also establishes a mandatory minimum sentence for certain conduct involving fire or explosives used against such a facility or place of religious worship.
American Confidence in Elections Act or the ACE Act This bill addresses election administration and security, campaign finance, and other related provisions. Among other provisions, the bill reduces certain election assistance payments for states and local jurisdictions that allow noncitizens to vote in state and local elections, establishes certain requirements related to election and political mail, prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda, repeals certain limits on coordinated party expenditures and aggregate contributions by individuals, terminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and requires remaining funds to be transferred to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund, and prohibits the use of federal funds to establish a Disinformation Governance Board.
Body Armor Safety Act of 2022 This bill requires body armor (for use by law enforcement) to comply with certain safety requirements in order to be imported into the United States. It also establishes new criminal offenses related to fraud in connection with such body armor.
Combating Harmful Actions with Transparency on Social Act of 2022 or the CHATS Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Justice to modify the Uniform Crime Reporting Program in the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include data on any internet platform used in connection with criminal offenses.
Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation Act of 2022 This bill statutorily establishes that current and former members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shall be considered to have engaged in terrorist activity for immigration purposes. The bill also (1) limits the authority of the Department of State to issue waivers to allow members of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations to enter the United States, and (2) gives Congress the authority to block the revocation of a Foreign Terrorist Organization designation.
Shall Not Be Infringed Act This bill repeals the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law on June 25, 2022. The act makes various changes to federal firearms laws, including to expand background check requirements, broaden the scope of existing restrictions, and establish new criminal offenses. The act also reauthorizes, funds, and supports various programs, grants, and activities to promote access to behavioral and mental health services, enhance school safety and security initiatives, and address gun violence in communities.
Supporting Opportunities to Build Everyday Responsibility Act of 2022 or the SOBER Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a grant program to provide funding for 24-7 sobriety programs. It also directs the National Institute of Justice to evaluate the policies and procedures used by grant recipients to reduce crime, recidivism, and incarceration attributed to use of alcohol or controlled substances.
Ensuring Safer Schools Act of 2022 This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to be used to hire and train veterans and retired law enforcement officers as school resource officers. It also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with COPS grant recipients to connect veterans seeking to serve as school resource officers with local law enforcement agencies participating in school-based partnerships.
