SRES 780 is a Senate resolution designating September 2022 as "National Workforce Development Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the importance of workforce development programs. The resolution supports existing federal initiatives like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which helps workers gain skills through training, career pathways, and job placement services. It recognizes that these programs assist millions of people, including those with low incomes, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, by connecting them to employment opportunities.
SRES 779 is a Senate resolution designating September 17-24, 2022, as "National Estuaries Week." It aims to raise public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of estuaries, which support jobs, fisheries, and coastal protection. The resolution highlights estuaries' role in sustaining 3.5 million jobs and $351 billion in economic output while recognizing threats like pollution and habitat loss. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but encourages public recognition of estuary conservation.
This resolution applauds and expresses support for the continued cooperation between the United States and the European Union in thwarting Hezbollah's terrorist activities. It also urges the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.
Protections for Student Veterans Act of 2022 This bill authorizes covered individuals who are utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance benefits to withdraw or take a leave of absence after they receive orders for active service, inactive-duty training, or state active duty. A covered individual means a member of the Armed Forces (including reserve components) or the spouse of such a member. Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking adverse actions against such individuals for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence, including assigning a failing grade, reducing the individual's grade point average, characterizing any absence as unexcused, or assessing financial penalties. The bill requires institutions of higher education to refund all tuition and fees (including for housing) for the academic term for which the individual withdraws. In situations where the individual takes a leave of absence, the institution of higher education must assign a grade of incomplete for the applicable term and permit the individual to complete the academic term after the period of service.
Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2022 This bill provides assistance to rural, multifamily rental-housing projects and tenants. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for a Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that supports the preservation and revitalization of affordable housing projects that are financed with USDA loans. Further, the bill makes changes to certain USDA rental assistance programs including by authorizing the USDA to provide rural housing vouchers for low-income households (including those not receiving rental assistance) residing in certain properties financed with or insured by USDA loans. The USDA must also report on preserving the affordability of rental projects financed by USDA loans for low-income families.
Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act This bill establishes leave policies for the military departments regarding abortion care for members of the Armed Forces, including policy elements related to privacy. Additionally, the bill requires the military departments to reimburse members for travel costs incurred if a member must travel to a different jurisdiction for an abortion. Under the bill, no member may be subject to any adverse action for requesting or taking leave in relation to abortion care.
No Surprises for Survivors Act of 2022 This bill requires health insurance plans to cover, with no cost sharing, medical forensic examinations for sexual assault patients.
Biologics Competition Act of 2022 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate (1) the differences between the requirements that apply to interchangeable biologics and the requirements that apply to therapeutically equivalent ratings for generic drugs, and (2) the effects of these differences on the approval of interchangeable biologics. The FDA must update the Purple Book with changes that better align the ways these requirements are communicated while still maintaining each distinct approval pathway. The Purple Book is an FDA publication that lists approved biological products, including biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Interchangeable biologics are biologics that may be substituted for the original product without consulting the prescriber, similar to how generic drugs may be substituted for brand-name drugs based on therapeutic equivalence.
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and modifies operations of the Peace Corps. Changes include increasing the readjustment allowance paid to volunteers when their service terminates and providing statutory authority for an executive order that grants returned volunteers noncompetitive eligibility for federal civil-service positions. Additionally, the bill entitles returned volunteers to sixty days of health care benefits. The Peace Corps must also provide volunteers with information about enrolling in U.S. health plans before service termination and mental health care during and after service. The bill also includes provisions to address involuntary termination of Peace Corps service in emergencies, including by expediting re-enrollment of involuntarily terminated volunteers. The Peace Corps must also adequately insure volunteers' safety and must coordinate with the Department of State to periodically update agreements concerning the security of Peace Corps volunteers and staff abroad. The bill also authorizes Peace Corps to recruit domestically based volunteers to serve in the United States at the request of another agency or to provide services in a host country virtually, modifies the Peace Corps National Advisory Council's membership and functions, expands whistleblower protections for volunteers, increases the rate of pay that applies to a volunteer's workers compensation claim, requires Peace Corps to implement a zero tolerance drug use policy regarding volunteer involvement with illegal drugs, and emphasizes the use of the internet in Peace Corps programs. Furthermore, the bill requires reporting, including on the provision of mental health services to volunteers.
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to revise regulations so as to specifically require Medicare skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid nursing facilities to report the identity of medical directors and related information.
Patient Advocate Tracker Act This act requires the Office of Patient Advocacy within the Veterans Health Administration to establish an information technology system that allows veterans or their representatives to electronically file a complaint with a patient advocate and review the status of a filed complaint.
This resolution designates September 16, 2022, as "National Concussion Awareness Day" to highlight the health impact of concussions. It directly affects the public, medical professionals, and sports organizations by encouraging broader awareness of concussion risks and management. The resolution supports raising public and medical community understanding of concussions - particularly in sports-related injuries - and urges federal, state, and local policymakers to collaborate on improving diagnosis, management, and prevention efforts. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new laws or funding but aims to foster coordinated awareness and research.
