Florida Congressional Bills

signed · Florida · Senate Jun 25, 2022

S 2938: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act This 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. (Sec. 1) This section designates the federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 111 North Adams Street in Tallahassee, Florida, as the Joseph Woodrow Hatchett United States Courthouse and Federal Building. (Sec. 2) This section designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 120 4th Street in Petaluma, California, as the Lynn C. Woolsey Post Office Building. DIVISION A--MENTAL HEALTH AND FIREARMS PROVISIONS TITLE I--CHILDREN AND FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES This title reauthorizes, funds, and supports programs, grants, and activities that provide access to mental and behavioral health. (Sec. 11001) This section extends through September 30, 2025, the Medicaid demonstration program for certified community behavioral health clinics. It also expands the program by increasing the number of states that may participate and increasing the length of the demonstration programs. It provides funding for planning grants, technical assistance, and the demonstration programs. (Sec. 11002) This section requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide technical assistance and issue guidance to states on ways to improve access to telehealth under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (Sec. 11003) This section requires and provides funding for the CMS to (1) issue guidance to support the delivery of medical assistance to Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries in school-based settings; and (2) establish a technical assistance center to expand the capacity of state Medicaid agencies, local educational agencies, and school-based entities to provide assistance under Medicaid. This section also authorizes grants for states to implement, enhance, or expand non-health related services through school-based entities under Medicaid and CHIP. (Sec. 11004) This section requires and provides funding for the CMS to regularly review and report on states' implementation of federal requirements to provide early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for children enrolled in Medicaid. The review must address the provision of the services by managed care plans. Additionally, this section requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate and report on state compliance with the requirements to provide early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for children enrolled in Medicaid. (Sec. 11005) This section reauthorizes through FY2027 pediatric mental health care access grants and allows grants to be used to provide information, support, training, and technical assistance to emergency departments, educational agencies, and schools. TITLE II--FIREARMS This title makes various changes to federal firearms laws, including to expand background check requirements for persons who are under 21 years of age, to establish new criminal offenses for straw purchasing of firearms and trafficking in firearms, and to extend federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors against dating partners. (Sec. 12001) This section establishes additional requirements for firearms-related background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for prospective purchasers who are 18 to 21 years of age. Specifically, if a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a gun dealer) contacts the NICS to initiate a firearms-related background check on a person who is 18 to 21 years of age, then this section requires the NICS to contact additional record systems—state criminal history or juvenile justice repositories, state custodians of mental health records, and local law enforcement agencies—for possibly disqualifying juvenile records. Current law already requires the NICS to query national data systems for disqualifying records of an individual who is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm. Additionally, if cause exists to further investigate a possibly disqualifying juvenile record of a person who is 18 to 21 years of age, then this section allows a firearm transfer to be delayed for up to 10 business days. The requirement for the NICS to contact additional record systems expires in 10 years. (Sec. 12002) This section revises the definition of engaged in the business as applicable to a firearms dealer who is required to be federally licensed. Specifically, it provides that a person who sells firearms to predominantly earn a profit (currently, who sells firearms with the principal objective of livelihood and profit) is engaged in the business of dealing in firearms and is therefore required to be federally licensed. (Sec. 12003) This section allows grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to be used to implement state crisis intervention programs or initiatives, including mental health courts, drug courts, veterans' courts, and extreme risk protection order programs (i.e., red flag laws). (Sec. 12004) This section establishes a federal statutory framework to prohibit straw purchasing of firearms, trafficking in firearms, and related conduct. A violator is subject to criminal and civil penalties, including the seizure and forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition involved in the offense, property constituting or derived from proceeds from the offense, and property used to commit or facilitate the offense. The section authorizes law enforcement to investigate straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms offenses using wiretaps (i.e., authorized interceptions of wire, electronic, or oral communications) and makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and the federal racketeering statute. (Sec. 12005) This section extends federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals who are convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an individual in a current or recent former dating relationship. Currently, the restrictions generally only apply to individuals who are convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor against a co-parent of a child, a current or former spouse, a current or former cohabitant as a spouse, or a person similarly situated to a spouse. The term dating relationship means a continuing relationship of a serious or intimate nature, as determined based on the length of the relationship, the nature of the relationship, and the frequency and type of interaction between the individuals involved in the relationship. This section specifies that for individuals who are convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against a dating partner, the federal firearms-related restrictions apply only to convictions on or after the date of enactment and expire five years after the conviction date if certain conditions are met. TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS Subtitle A--Extension of Moratorium (Sec. 13101) This section delays for one year the implementation of regulations relating to the treatment of certain Medicare prescription drug benefit rebates from drug manufacturers for purposes of federal anti-kickback laws. Subtitle B--Medicare Improvement Fund (Sec. 13201) This section appropriates funds for the Medicare Improvement Fund in FY2022. Subtitle C--Luke and Alex School Safety Act of 2022 Luke and Alex School Safety Act of 2022 (Sec. 13302) This section provides statutory authority for the federal clearinghouse of school safety resources. The clearinghouse identifies and publishes best practices and recommendations for school safety for use by state and local educational and law enforcement agencies, institutions of higher education, health professionals, and the public. (Sec. 13303) This section requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Education to notify their state and local counterparts and other partners about the clearinghouse. (Sec. 13304) This section requires the clearinghouse or the external advisory board to review and report on federal grant programs that could be used to implement best practices and recommendations. This section also requires the clearinghouse to identify state agencies, state grant programs, and other resources that may be used to implement best practices and recommendations. Subtitle D--Amendment on ESEA Funding (Sec. 13401) This section prohibits the use of elementary and secondary education funds to provide any person with a dangerous weapon or training in the use of a dangerous weapon. DIVISION B--APPROPRIATIONS Bipartisan Safer Communities Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 This division provides FY2022 supplemental appropriations to various federal departments and agencies for programs and activities to support behavioral and mental health. The supplemental appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. Specifically, this division provides appropriations to agencies and programs within the Department of Justice for additional resource needs of the NICS, JAG grants for states to implement crisis intervention programs or initiatives, grants for states to upgrade criminal and mental health records for the NICS, a community violence intervention and prevention initiative, and grants to improve school security. Additionally, the division provides appropriations for agencies and programs within the Department of Health and Human Services for block grants for community mental health services; the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, which provides early intervention services and treatments with a focus on high-risk or medically underserved populations that experience violence-related stress; activities and services under Project Aware, which promotes access to mental health services among school-aged youth and their families; mental health awareness training; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; grants to provide mental and behavioral health care training to providers who serve pediatric and other vulnerable populations; grants to promote access to pediatric mental health care services in primary care settings; and grants for states to implement, enhance, or expand non-health related services through school-based entities under Medicaid and CHIP. The division provides appropriations for agencies and programs within the Department of Education for activities to support safe and healthy students, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, grants for school-based mental health services, and demonstration grants for school-based mental health services professionals. Finally, the act exempts the budgetary effects of each division of the act from (1) the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), (2) the Senate PAYGO rule, and (3) certain budget scorekeeping rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · Florida · House Jun 23, 2022

HR 2324: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2800 South Adams Street in Tallahassee, Florida, as the "D. Edwina Stephens Post Office".

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2800 South Adams Street in Tallahassee, Florida, as the D. Edwina Stephens Post Office.

Al Lawson, Jr. (D) · 26 co-sponsors

signed · Florida · Senate Jun 16, 2022

S 66: South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021

South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 This bill addresses harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the South Florida ecosystem. An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae that may create toxic or hypoxic (severely low-oxygen) conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia must assess potential approaches to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the ecosystem. The task force must also submit a plan, based on the assessment, for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the region.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Florida · House Jun 13, 2022

HR 3525: Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act

Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act This bill establishes a Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. The commission must (1) report recommendations for a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in Washington, DC; (2) develop a fundraising plan to support the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the museum through public contributions; (3) obtain an independent review of this fundraising plan, including an analysis of the resources necessary to fund the construction of the museum and its operations and maintenance in perpetuity without reliance on federal funds; and (4) submit a legislative plan of action to establish and construct the museum. The commission may convene a national conference relating to the museum. The commission shall be solely responsible for acceptance of contributions to it and payment of its expenses. No federal funding may be obligated to carry out this bill.

Grace Meng (D) · 120 co-sponsors

signed · Florida · Senate Jun 7, 2022

S 1872: United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army Rangers Veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Joni Ernst (R) · 74 co-sponsors

signed · Florida · House May 21, 2022

HR 7791: Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022

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). 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. USDA must, within 30 days, ensure there is a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services that includes procedures for coordination and information sharing regarding any supply chain disruption, including a supplemental food recall. The bill also authorizes USDA to waive or modify any WIC qualified administrative requirement during emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions. Specifically, USDA may waive or modify such a requirement for one or more state agencies if (1) the requirement cannot be met by state agencies during the emergency, disaster, or disruption; and (2) the modification or waiver is necessary to provide assistance to WIC participants and does not substantially weaken the nutritional quality of supplemental foods. For example, USDA may waive the maximum monthly allowance for infant formula. The bill establishes notification requirements for USDA and state agencies related to supply chain disruptions.

Jahana Hayes (D) · 129 co-sponsors

signed · Florida · Senate May 12, 2022

S 497: American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act

American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee. The committee must provide advice to NOAA on an existing program that awards grants for fisheries research and development projects, such as projects concerning fisheries science or recreational fishing. Specifically, the committee must (1)identify the needs of the fishing community, (2) develop the request for proposals for the grant program, (3)review grant applications, and (4)provide NOAA with grant applications for approval. NOAA must establish six regions within the committee.In addition, NOAA must select members that represent the regions as well as at-large members that represent certain sectors of the fishing industry.

signed · Florida · Senate May 9, 2022

S 3522: Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022

Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 This bill temporarily waives certain requirements related to the President's authority to lend or lease defense articles if the defense articles are intended for Ukraine's government or the governments of other Eastern European countries affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For FY2022 and FY2023, an agreement to lend or lease defense articles under this bill shall not be subject to certain requirements and provisions that typically apply to such lend-lease agreements, including a requirement that generally prohibits a loan or lease period from exceeding five years. The President must establish expedited procedures to ensure the timely delivery of defense articles loaned or leased to Ukraine under this bill.

John Cornyn (R) · 21 co-sponsors

signed · Florida · House Apr 8, 2022

HR 7108: Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act

Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act This bill suspends normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. It also permanently authorizes the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions based on violations of human rights. Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to proclaim increases in the rates of duty applicable to products of Russia or Belarus. This authority terminates on January 1, 2024. The President may restore normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, subject to congressional disapproval. The bill directs the U.S. Trade Representative to (1) condemn the recent aggression in Ukraine, (2) encourage other World Trade Organization (WTO) members to suspend trade concessions to Russia and Belarus, (3) consider steps to suspend Russia's participation in the WTO, and (4) seek to halt the accession process of Belarus.

Richard E. Neal (D) · 26 co-sponsors

signed · Florida · House Apr 6, 2022

HR 3076: Postal Service Reform Act of 2022

Postal Service Reform Act of 202 2 This bill addresses the finances and operations of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish the Postal Service Health Benefits Program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under which OPM may contract with carriers to offer health benefits plans for USPS employees and retirees. The bill provides for coordinated enrollment of retirees under this program and Medicare. The bill repeals the requirement that the USPS annually prepay future retirement health benefits. Additionally, the USPS may establish a program to enter into agreements with an agency of any state government, local government, or tribal government, and with other government agencies, to provide certain nonpostal products and services that reasonably contribute to the costs of the USPS and meet other specified criteria. The USPS must develop and maintain a publicly available dashboard to track service performance and must report regularly on its operations and financial condition. The Postal Regulatory Commission must annually submit to the USPS a budget of its expenses. It must also conduct a study to identify the causes and effects of postal inefficiencies relating to flats (e.g., large envelopes). The USPS Office of Inspector General shall perform oversight of the Postal Regulatory Commission.

signed · Florida · House Mar 29, 2022

HR 55: Emmett Till Antilynching Act

Emmett Till Antilynching Act This bill makes lynching a federal hate crime offense. Specifically, the bill imposes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 30 years, or both—on an individual who conspires to commit a hate crime offense that results in death or serious bodily injury or that includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bobby L. Rush (D) · 181 co-sponsors

signed · Florida · House Mar 18, 2022

HR 1667: Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes grants and requires other activities to improve mental and behavioral health among health care providers. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to hospitals, medical professional associations, and other health care entities for programs to promote mental health and resiliency among health care providers. In addition, HHS may award grants for relevant mental and behavioral health training for health care students, residents, or professionals. Additionally, HHS must conduct a campaign to (1) encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns, and (2) disseminate best practices to prevent suicide and improve mental health and resiliency among health care providers. HHS must also study and develop policy recommendations on improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which relevant federal grant programs address the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions and substance use disorders among health care providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Susan Wild (D) · 166 co-sponsors