Senior abuse Training and Offense Prevention Act or the STOP Act This bill directs the Department of Justice to award competitive grants to state or local governments, Indian tribes, or other entities to support law enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, and other first responders in elder justice matters.
Government Red-Tape Reduction Act This bill requires federal agencies to identify three rules that the agency is repealing for any proposed new rule, unless the proposed rule is required by statute.
Voter Information Hotline Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to coordinate the establishment of a state-based response system for responding to questions and complaints from individuals related to registering to vote or voting in federal elections. Further, DOJ must establish and operate a toll-free telephone service through which individuals may (1) connect directly to the state-based response system; (2) obtain information on voting in federal elections; and (3) report information to DOJ on problems encountered in registering to vote or voting, including incidences of voter intimidation or suppression. Additionally, the bill establishes the Voter Hotline Task Force to provide ongoing analysis and assessment of the telephone service.
Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training Networks for Employers Required Skills Act of 2021 or the PARTNERS Act This bill establishes a grant program to promote registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses within in-demand industry sectors, through the establishment and support of eligible partnerships.
Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act This bill provides commercialization services for federally funded small business research and development under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Specifically, the bill (1) expedites the application and award process for SBIR proposals and STTR solicitations, (2) requires determinations of commercialization potential for projects undertaken through SBIR and STTR awards, (3) provides continued flexibility of technical and business assistance for SBIR and STTR awardees, (4) instructs participating federal agencies to designate a technology commercialization official to help awardees commercialize, and (5) requires the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Patent Office to reach an interagency agreement to help SBIR and STTR awardees with intellectual property protection.
Closing the Loophole on Interstate Firearm Sales Act This bill restricts the sale or transfer of shotguns and rifles across state lines. Specifically, it prohibits a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, importer, or collector from selling or transferring a rifle or shotgun to an out-of-state resident. Current law allows such sales or transfers if both parties meet in person to conduct the transaction and if the transaction complies with the laws of both states.
Abby Honold Act This bill directs the Office on Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice to make competitive grants to law enforcement agencies and victim services organizations to implement evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches in responding to and investigating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act This bill prohibits a state from receiving certain federal law enforcement grants if it takes certain immigration-related actions. Specifically, a state may not receive such grants if it (1) issues a driver license to an individual who does not have proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States, or (2) prohibits a local or state government entity or official from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security.
Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2021 or the JUSTICE Act This bill addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. The bill funds state and local grants, incentivizes state and local reporting on the use of certain policing practices, creates new federal offenses for certain misconduct, and establishes best practices and training requirements. The bill funds state and local grants, including to support the use of body-worn cameras, to implement information sharing systems for disciplinary records of law enforcement officers, and to prohibit officers from engaging in sexual acts under color of the law. Further, it requires state and local governments that receive grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program to report information related to use-of-force incidents and the use of no-knock warrants. At the federal level, the bill establishes new criminal offenses related to falsifying police reports and engaging in sexual acts under color of law. The bill directs the Department of Justice to develop training on de-escalation tactics, behavioral health crises, alternatives to the use of force, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force. Finally, the bill establishes and funds the National Criminal Justice Commission. Among other tasks, the commission must develop best practices for policing tactics and procedures.
This bill expands the scope of entities that are authorized to access criminal identification records (e.g., fingerprints) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Current law authorizes the FBI to exchange criminal identification and other records with authorized officials of the federal government, states tribes, cities, and penal and other institutions. The term other institutions includes railroad police departments and campus police departments. This bill includes police departments of private resorts as other institutions that are authorized to access criminal identification records from the FBI.
Child Custody Protection Act of 2021 This bill establishes new criminal offenses related to the transportation of a minor across state lines for an abortion. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly transport a minor across a state line to obtain an abortion without satisfying a parental involvement law in the minor's resident state. A parental involvement law requires parental consent or notification, or judicial authorization, for a minor to obtain an abortion. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both. The bill provides an exception for an abortion that is necessary to save the life of a minor whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or condition. Additionally, the bill imposes criminal penalties on an individual who commits incest with a minor and knowingly transports the minor across a state line to receive an abortion.
Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2021 This bill restricts the use of telehealth for chemical abortions (also known as medication abortions). Specifically, it requires a provider who dispenses or prescribes medication for a chemical abortion to physically examine the patient, be physically present at the location of the chemical abortion, and schedule a follow-up visit. The bill provides an exception for a chemical abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, injury, or condition. The bill establishes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both—for a provider who does not comply with the requirements. A patient who undergoes a chemical abortion may not be prosecuted.
