CDBG Modernization Act of 2022 This bill sets out a process to revise the formulas used to allocate certain funding through the Community Development Block Grant, which supports states and local governments with neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and community economic development efforts.
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act of 2022 or the CTPAT Pilot Program Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to carry out a pilot program that assesses whether allowing certain entities to participate in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) would enhance port security, combat terrorism, prevent supply chain security breaches, or otherwise satisfy the goals of CTPAT. Such entities are (1) non-asset-based third-party logistics providers that arrange international freight transportation and are licensed or bonded by specified federal agencies; or (2) asset-based third-party logistics providers that facilitate cross-border activity, are licensed or bonded by specified federal agencies, and execute logistics services using their own warehousing assets and resources. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the effectiveness of CTPAT.
Helping Heroes Act of 2022 This bill implements programs and procedures related to the provision of support services for veterans and their families. First, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must place at least one Family Coordinator at each of its medical centers and ensure adequate staffing and resources at each such medical center so the coordinators are able to carry out their duties. Family Coordinators must, among other duties, assess the needs of the families of veterans using evidence-based strategies and refer veterans to support resources. The VA must also establish the Family Support Program to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services to veterans who have a service-connected disability rated at 70% or more and eligible children (i.e., individuals who are under 18 years of age and are wards, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, or siblings of the eligible veteran). Next, the VA must coordinate with the Department of Education to award competitive grants to local educational agencies to better meet academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students whose parent or guardian previously served in the Armed Forces (including reserve components) or the National Guard. The VA must include information regarding supportive services available in the transition assistance curriculum for members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty (and their families). Finally, the VA must conduct an annual survey of disabled veterans and their families to identify and better understand the needs of such persons.
Prevent Blood Loss with Emergency Equipment Devices Act or the Prevent BLEEDing Act This bill establishes grants to make available anti-blood loss supplies (e.g., tourniquets, wound-packing materials, and gloves) in high-traffic and other specified areas for use in medical emergencies. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the Department of Health and Human Services must award the grants to state, tribal, and local governments. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study trends in accessing bleeding control kits and training in their use.
Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take a series of actions relating to palliative-care training. Specifically, HHS must provide support for Palliative Care and Hospice Education Centers. The centers must improve the training of health professionals in palliative care and establish traineeships for individuals preparing for advanced-education nursing degrees, social-work degrees, or advanced degrees in physician-assistant studies in palliative care. HHS may provide support to medical schools, teaching hospitals, and graduate medical-education programs for training physicians who plan to teach palliative medicine. HHS must (1) provide Palliative Medicine and Hospice Academic Career Awards to individuals to promote their career development, (2) support entities that operate a Palliative Care and Hospice Education Center, (3) support individuals in specified fields who are pursuing an advanced degree in palliative care or related fields, and (4) award grants to nursing programs to train individuals in providing palliative care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must provide for a national education and awareness campaign to inform patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care. The National Institutes of Health must expand national research programs in palliative care.
Stopping Home Office Work's Unproductive Problems Act of 2022 or the SHOW UP Act of 2022 This bill requires each executive agency to reinstate the telework policies that were in place on December 31, 2019. Agencies may not implement expanded telework policies unless the Office of Personnel Management certifies that such policies, among other requirements, will have a positive effect on the agency's mission and operational costs.
SRES 643 is a Senate resolution designating the week of May 15-21, 2022, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who serve and sacrifice in their communities. The resolution recognizes the service of law enforcement officers, particularly those killed or injured in the line of duty, and acknowledges their sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It expresses support for officers' needs for proper equipment, training, and resources, and encourages the public to observe the week by honoring law enforcement personnel. This designation serves as a formal recognition of law enforcement service without creating new legal requirements or policy changes.
Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take certain actions to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions (particularly the shortage of infant formula in the United States) affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). For example, the bill directs USDA to require each infant formula cost containment contract to include remedies in the event of an infant formula recall, including how an infant formula manufacturer would protect against disruption to WIC participants in the state.
Price Relief, Innovation, and Competition for Essential Drugs Act or the PRICED Act This bill allows biosimilars to be marketed five years after the reference brand-name biological product is licensed. Currently, brand-name biological products are provided a 12-year marketing-exclusivity period. This shortened marketing-exclusivity period applies only to biological products licensed by the Food and Drug Administration after enactment of this bill.
Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act of 2022 This bill expands the institutional factors the Department of the Treasury must consider when making a finding that a foreign financial institution is of primary money laundering concern and is therefore subject to special measures, including the prohibition of opening or maintaining correspondent accounts in U.S financial institutions. Specifically, Treasury must consider (1) the extent to which an institution knowingly provides financial services to Hamas, or to an agent of Hamas; and (2) the extent to which an institution, transaction, or type of account is used to facilitate or promote payments for certain acts of terrorism against U.S. and Israeli citizens.
Baby Formula Emergency Act This bill authorizes the President, during an infant formula shortage or potential shortage, to allow the production and marketing or duty-free importation of infant formula that meets specified criteria, regardless of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. The criteria include that the United States has not imposed any sanctions with respect to the manufacturer of the formula and the FDA has not determined that such formula is unsafe. Further, the President must notify Congress about determinations related to supply shortages of infant formula.
Bombing Prevention Act of 2022 This bill establishes within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office for Bombing Prevention. The office shall advise DHS on matters related to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States, coordinate DHS efforts to counter such threats and attacks, and take other specified steps, including promoting security awareness. The bill also requires DHS to provide to the public and private sector technical assistance to counter terrorist explosive threats and attacks that pose a risk in certain jurisdictions to critical infrastructure facilities or to special events. The office shall develop a strategy to align the office's activities with the threat environment and stakeholder needs, and to make the public and private sector aware of the office's capabilities. DHS must also ensure coordination and information sharing regarding nonmilitary research, development, testing, and evaluation activities relating to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States.
