Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to undertake activities to improve the cybersecurity of the health care and public health sector. HHS must coordinate with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on these activities; in particular, CISA must make resources, including cyber-threat indicators and appropriate defense measures, available to federal and nonfederal entities that receive information through HHS programs. In addition, HHS must provide training on cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies to owners of assets in the health care and public health sector. HHS must also update the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Specific Plan, which guides the sector's effort to enhance the security and resilience of critical infrastructure. The updates must address, among other topics, the impact of the risks on rural entities and small- and medium-sized entities, cybersecurity workforce shortages in the sector, and challenges related to the COVID-19 emergency.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act This bill specifies that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers who accepted an offer of employment before July 6, 2008, and who started work on or after that date, are entitled to a certain minimum retirement annuity and an exemption from the corresponding mandatory retirement requirements (i.e., proportional annuity).
Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021 This bill addresses measures to support the U.S. travel and tourism industry with a specific focus recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill establishes the office of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism. Among other responsibilities, the Assistant Secretary must develop and implement a strategy to assist the U.S. travel and tourism industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides statutory authority for the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and directs the board to assist with the recovery strategy. Additionally, the Department of Commerce must study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment, revenue, and other aspects of the travel and tourism industry and provide policy recommendations to promote the industry. Commerce must also publish trends in domestic travel and tourism. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish a joint federal task force to address health, safety, security, and other logistical issues affecting air travel during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill establishes a committee comprised of representatives of airports and other aviation stakeholders to advise the task force. In addition, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must study the feasibility of using dogs to detect the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19 as part of airport security screenings. The TSA may also establish a pilot program at up to six foreign airports to allow passengers departing from those airports to bypass domestic security rescreening at a connecting airport in the United States.
Native Plant Species Pilot Program Act of 2022 This bill establishes a pilot program for native plant species. The National Park Service (NPS) shall establish a pilot program to prioritize the use of native plant species within geographically diverse units of the National Park System and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Department of the Interior shall, in carrying out the pilot program, coordinate activities with the National Seed Strategy of the BLM, the Plant Conservation Alliance, and the Plant Materials Centers of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
This concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, commonly known as the Clean Water Act.
Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act This act requires the Department of Labor to submit to Congress a study on the factors affecting employment opportunities for certain individuals with professional credentials obtained in a non-U.S. country, specifically individuals who are lawfully present noncitizens or naturalized U.S. citizens. The study shall include policy recommendations for better enabling such individuals to obtain skill-appropriate employment in the United States.
Solid Start Act of 2022 This act permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military. Specifically, the act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service; explain the existence and purpose of the program; call veterans three times within the first year of separation; publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website; provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs; provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers; gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program; ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces. Under the act, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, and (2) follow up on missed phone calls.
Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act This bill allows a health center that currently receives funding through a Health Resources & Services Administration Health Center Program grant to use a New Access Point grant to set up a mobile unit regardless of whether the health center also establishes a permanent health care delivery site. New Access Point grants help health centers establish new delivery sites to provide comprehensive primary care to medically underserved populations. Under current law, health centers may only use the grants to set up a mobile unit if they also establish a permanent site.
Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a grant program to help states address contamination by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, on agricultural land and commercial farms. The bill also requires USDA to establish a task force to provide (1) advice regarding whether addressing PFAS contamination should be added as an eligible activity for each USDA program, and (2) technical assistance to states in addressing PFAS contamination.
Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022 This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to conduct a public education campaign to increase oral health literacy and awareness. HRSA must design the campaign to focus on children, pregnant women, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities.
Red Listing Monterey Bay Aquarium Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being appropriated, awarded, or granted to the Monterey Bay Aquarium located in Monterey, California.
Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a grant program to help states address contamination by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, on agricultural land and commercial farms. The bill also requires USDA to establish a task force to provide (1) advice regarding whether addressing PFAS contamination should be added as an eligible activity for each USDA program, and (2) technical assistance to states in addressing PFAS contamination.
