Summary:
Medical Innovation Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require certain drug manufacturers to make payments to fund research supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

A drug manufacturer with over $1 billion in net income in a fiscal year that has entered into a settlement agreement in the previous five years with a federal agency regarding specified violations must pay 1% of its net income to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for each of its covered blockbuster drugs. A covered blockbuster drug is a drug that has at least $1 billion in net sales in a year and was developed, in whole or in part, through federal investments in medical research, including a drug for which a patent contains information that relates to, or is based upon, federally-funded research.

Each fiscal year, HHS must publish a list of manufacturers that make payments, each manufacturer's covered blockbuster drugs, and payment amounts.

Payments are divided between the FDA and the NIH in proportion to the discretionary funding of those agencies, excluding FDA user fees. Payments are not disbursed if appropriations for the FDA or the NIH are lower than in the prior fiscal year.

The FDA's priority use for payments must include advancing regulatory science for medical products.

The NIH's priority use for payments must include supporting: (1) research that fosters radical innovation, (2) research that advances fundamental knowledge, (3) research related to diseases that disproportionately account for federal health care spending, and (4) early career scientists.

A covered blockbuster drug for which a manufacturer has not made a required payment is considered misbranded and cannot be sold until payment is made.

medical innovation_act bill amends public_health_service_act require certain drug manufacturers payments fund research supported food_and_drug_administration fda national_institutes_of_health nih drug manufacturer billion net income fiscal year entered settlement agreement previous years federal agency specified violations pay net income department_of_health_and_human_services hhs covered drugs covered drug drug billion net sales year developed federal investments medical research including drug patent contains information relates based federally funded research fiscal year hhs publish list manufacturers payments manufacturer covered drugs payment amounts payments divided fda nih proportion discretionary funding agencies excluding fda user fees payments disbursed appropriations fda nih lower prior fiscal year fda priority use payments include advancing regulatory science medical products nih priority use payments include supporting research fosters innovation research advances fundamental knowledge research related diseases disproportionately account federal health_care spending early career scientists covered drug manufacturer required payment considered misbranded sold payment


Summary:
Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act of 2015

Establishes the Commission to Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer to help end breast cancer by January 1, 2020.

Directs the Commission to identify, recommend, and promote initiatives, partnerships, and research that can be turned into strategies to prevent breast cancer and breast cancer metastasis while giving priority to those that are: (1) not prioritized in the public sector, and (2) unlikely to be achieved by the private sector due to technical and financial uncertainty.

Requires the Commission to: (1) submit within six months to the President and to the relevant congressional committees a description of the Commission's strategic plan; (2) submit an annual report to the President, Congress, and the public; and (3) ensure that its activities are coordinated with, and not duplicative of, programs and laboratories of other government agencies.

Directs the President to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to evaluate the Commission's progress.

Terminates the Commission on June 1, 2020.

accelerating end breast cancer act establishes_the_commission accelerate end breast cancer help end breast cancer january directs commission identify recommend promote initiatives partnerships research turned strategies prevent breast cancer breast cancer giving priority prioritized public sector unlikely achieved private sector technical financial uncertainty requires commission submit months president relevant congressional committees description commission strategic plan submit annual report president congress public ensure activities coordinated duplicative programs laboratories government agencies directs president enter agreement institute_of_medicine evaluate commission progress terminates commission june


Summary:
Enhancing the Stature and Visibility of Medical Rehabilitation Research at the NIH Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise requirements for medical rehabilitation research.

The purpose of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) is revised to include coordination of research and research training.

The NCMRR must develop and periodically update a comprehensive research plan for medical rehabilitation research. Currently, this research plan is developed and updated by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Prior to updating the research plan, the NCMRR must report on progress in achieving the goals and objectives described in the plan.

The Medical Rehabilitation Coordinating Committee must periodically host a scientific conference or workshop on medical rehabilitation research.

enhancing visibility medical rehabilitation research nih act sec bill amends public_health_service_act revise requirements medical rehabilitation research purpose national center medical rehabilitation research revised include coordination research research training develop periodically update comprehensive research plan medical rehabilitation research currently research plan developed updated eunice kennedy shriver national institute child health human development prior updating research plan report progress achieving goals objectives described plan medical rehabilitation coordinating committee periodically host scientific conference workshop medical rehabilitation research


Summary:
Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve the collection of epidemiological and surveillance data on neurological diseases and conditions. HHS may provide support to public or nonprofit entities for such purpose. Collected data must be made available for biomedical research.

advancing research neurological diseases act sec bill amends public_health_service_act authorize department_of_health_and_human_services hhs improve collection epidemiological surveillance data neurological diseases conditions hhs provide support public nonprofit entities purpose collected data available biomedical research


Summary:
Wounded Warrior Research Enhancement Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to award research grants for:

 actions that can be taken to prevent amputation of limbs, the most effective point for orthotic and prosthetic intervention during patient treatment, orthotic interventions that are most effective in treating the physical effects of traumatic brain injury, patients that benefit most from particular orthotic and prosthetic technologies, orthotic and prosthetic services that best facilitate the return to active duty of members of the Armed Forces, and the effect of aging on the use of prosthetics. The Secretary shall award research grants for the improvement of existing, and development of new, materials and technology used in orthotics and prosthetics.

wounded warrior research enhancement_act bill directs secretary defense award research grants actions taken prevent effective point orthotic prosthetic intervention patient treatment orthotic interventions effective treating physical effects traumatic brain injury patients benefit particular orthotic prosthetic technologies orthotic prosthetic services best facilitate return active duty members armed_forces effect aging use prosthetics secretary shall award research grants improvement existing development new materials technology orthotics prosthetics


Summary:
Family Asthma Act

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collaborate with state and local health departments to: (1) conduct activities regarding asthma, including deterring the harmful consequences of uncontrolled asthma, and disseminating health education and information regarding prevention of asthma episodes and strategies for managing asthma; and (2) develop state plans incorporating public health responses to reduce the burden of asthma, particularly regarding disproportionately affected populations.

 Revises and expands requirements for asthma surveillance activities.

 Requires the CDC to coordinate data collection activities to maximize the comparability of results.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit an assessment of current activities related to asthma prevention, management, and surveillance along with recommendations for the future direction of asthma activities.

family asthma act amends public_health_service_act require centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc collaborate state local health departments conduct activities asthma including deterring harmful consequences uncontrolled asthma disseminating health education information prevention asthma strategies managing asthma develop state plans incorporating public health responses reduce burden asthma particularly disproportionately affected populations revises expands requirements asthma surveillance activities requires cdc coordinate data collection activities maximize comparability results requires department_of_health_and_human_services submit assessment current activities related asthma prevention management surveillance recommendations future direction asthma activities


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on November 30, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act

(Sec. 2) This bill excludes payments made under a state eugenics compensation program from classification as income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility of a recipient of such compensation for, or the amount of, any federal public benefit. The bill defines "state eugenics compensation program" as a state program for compensating individuals who were sterilized under the authority of the state.

measure amended passed senate november summary version repeated treatment certain payments compensation act sec bill excludes payments state compensation program classification income resources purposes determining eligibility recipient compensation federal public benefit bill defines state compensation program state program compensating individuals authority state


Summary:
Anna Westin Act of 2015

This bill requires the Office on Women's Health of the Department of Health and Human Services to revise, promote, and make freely available the BodyWise Handbook and BodyWorks obesity prevention program. The handbook must include information about eating disorders relating to males and females.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must award grants: (1) to integrate training on eating disorders into existing curricula for health, mental health, and public health professionals; and (2) to states, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and educational institutions for seminars for school personnel on eating disorders and to make resources available to individuals affected by eating disorders.

The National Institute of Mental Health must make public service announcements on eating disorders.

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and Internal Revenue Code to prohibit health insurance coverage from permanently excluding a particular condition from mental health or substance use disorder benefits. Mental health and substance use disorder benefits include residential treatment.

act bill requires office women health department_of_health_and_human_services revise promote freely available handbook obesity prevention program handbook include information eating disorders relating males females substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration award grants integrate training eating disorders existing curricula health mental health public health professionals states indian tribes tribal organizations educational institutions seminars school personnel eating disorders resources available individuals affected eating disorders national_institute_of_mental_health public service announcements eating disorders bill amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa internal_revenue_code prohibit health insurance coverage permanently excluding particular condition mental health substance use disorder benefits mental health substance use disorder benefits include residential treatment


Summary:
Reducing Disparities Using Care Models and Education Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to contract with the National Academy of Medicine (formerly known as the Institute of Medicine) to study health disparities, existing programs and policies intended to reduce disparities, and priorities for, and expansion of, programs targeting disparities.

HHS must develop guidelines for entities to develop and implement programs to reduce health disparities. HHS must incorporate these guidelines into its activities.

HHS may award grants for programs to reduce health disparities.

The Innovation Center of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must test a payment and service delivery model that includes incentives for reducing health disparities.

reducing disparities care models education act bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services hhs contract national academy medicine known institute_of_medicine study health disparities existing programs policies intended reduce disparities priorities expansion programs targeting disparities hhs develop guidelines entities develop implement programs reduce health disparities hhs incorporate guidelines activities hhs award grants programs reduce health disparities innovation center centers medicare medicaid_services test payment service delivery model includes incentives reducing health disparities


Summary:
Transparent Ratings on Usability and Security to Transform Information Technology Act of 2015 or the TRUST IT Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to define "information blocking" and "interoperability" for health information technology (IT). Information blocking is preventing, discouraging, or interfering with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information. Interoperability is the ability of health information systems to exchange information and use exchanged information.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) may publish information demonstrating how health IT meets the certification criteria of the voluntary health IT certification program. To be certified, health IT must meet security requirements, incorporate user-centered design, and achieve interoperability.

Entities seeking certification of health IT must attest to meeting requirements regarding information blocking, communication between users and a certification body, and interoperability. The ONC must: (1) recognize a council to establish a rating program to evaluate the interoperability, usability, and security of health IT; (2) publish ratings from that program; (3) convene stakeholders to develop reporting criteria for entities offering health IT; and (4) establish a process for certification bodies to collect confidential feedback.

The ONC may fine entities offering certified health IT that is rated less than satisfactory or entities that do not meet reporting requirements.

The ONC may decertify health IT. The ONC must establish a revolving fund to reimburse users of health IT that becomes decertified for the cost of new certified health IT. Such users are exempt for one year from Medicare payment adjustment under the program that incentivizes meaningful use of electronic health records.

The ONC must publish information on individuals' rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

transparent ratings security transform information technology act trust act bill amends public_health_service_act define information blocking interoperability health information technology information blocking preventing discouraging interfering access exchange use electronic health information interoperability ability health information systems exchange information use exchanged information office national coordinator health information technology publish information demonstrating health meets certification criteria voluntary health certification program certified health meet security requirements incorporate user centered design achieve interoperability entities seeking certification health attest meeting requirements information blocking communication users certification body interoperability recognize council establish rating program evaluate interoperability security health publish ratings program convene stakeholders develop reporting criteria entities offering health establish process certification bodies collect confidential feedback fine entities offering certified health rated satisfactory entities meet reporting requirements health establish revolving fund reimburse users health cost new certified health users exempt year medicare payment adjustment program meaningful use electronic health records publish information individuals rights health_insurance_portability_and_accountability_act hipaa


Summary:
Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to report annually on its research activities, including a study of congenital heart disease, from birth to adulthood, that considers health care utilization, demographic factors, and outcomes. (Congenital heart disease is a condition caused by a heart defect that is present at birth.)

The CDC must implement an awareness, outreach, and education campaign regarding congenital heart disease.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must report on its ongoing research efforts regarding congenital heart disease, future plans for such research, and areas of greatest need for such research.

congenital heart futures reauthorization act bill amends public_health_service_act require centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc report annually research activities including study congenital heart disease birth adulthood considers health_care utilization demographic factors outcomes congenital heart disease condition caused heart defect present birth cdc implement awareness outreach education campaign congenital heart disease national_heart lung blood_institute report ongoing research efforts congenital heart disease future plans research areas greatest need research


Summary:
Advancing Standards in Regenerative Medicine Act

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to facilitate the establishment of a public-private Standards Coordinating Body in Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Therapies. The FDA must work with this body to develop standards to support the development and review of regenerative medicine products.

advancing standards medicine act bill amends federal food drug cosmetic act require food_and_drug_administration fda facilitate establishment public private standards coordinating body medicine advanced therapies fda work body develop standards support development review medicine products


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on March 15, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add Zika virus disease to the list of tropical diseases under the priority review voucher program, which awards a voucher to the sponsor of a new drug or biological product that is approved to prevent or treat a tropical disease. (A voucher entitles the holder to have a future new drug or biological product application acted upon by the Food and Drug Administration within six months.)

The bill makes a technical correction to the tropical disease list to refer to filovirus disease, a condition caused by the family of viruses that includes the Ebola virus, instead of the family of viruses.

measure amended reported senate march summary version repeated adding zika virus fda priority review voucher program act sec bill amends federal food drug cosmetic act add zika virus disease list tropical diseases priority review voucher program awards voucher sponsor new drug biological product approved prevent treat tropical disease voucher entitles holder future new drug biological product application acted food_and_drug_administration months bill makes technical correction tropical disease list refer disease condition caused family viruses includes ebola virus instead family viruses


Summary:
National Biomedical Research Act

This bill establishes and makes deposits to the Biomedical Innovation Fund for initiatives at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration for advancing medical innovation, including the Precision Medicine Initiative, the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, and the Cancer Moonshot Initiative.

national biomedical research_act bill establishes makes deposits biomedical innovation_fund initiatives national_institutes_of_health food_and_drug_administration advancing medical innovation including precision medicine initiative brain research advancing innovative initiative cancer initiative


Summary:
Safe Treatments and Opportunities to Prevent Pain Act or the STOP Pain Act

This bill authorizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to intensify and coordinate NIH research into the understanding of pain, therapies for chronic pain, and alternatives to opioids (drugs with effects similar to opium) for pain treatments.

The prioritization and direction of federally funded pain research must consider recommendations made by the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee.

safe treatments opportunities prevent pain act stop pain act bill authorizes national_institutes_of_health nih intensify coordinate nih research understanding pain therapies chronic pain alternatives opioids drugs effects similar opium pain treatments prioritization direction federally funded pain research consider recommendations interagency pain research coordinating committee


Summary:
Advancing Precision Medicine Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill encourages the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a Precision Medicine Initiative to address disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The initiative may include collection of health information from a diverse cohort of individuals. HHS may carry out specified activities relating to the initiative, including coordinating with the Department of Energy to address supercomputing needs.

In implementing the initiative, HHS must: (1) collaborate with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration, and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; (2) implement secure data sharing; and (3) ensure inclusion of a broad range of participants, considering factors that contribute to health disparities.

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions regarding disclosure by researchers of the identifiable, sensitive information of research subjects. HHS must prohibit researchers from disclosing such information from federally funded research to persons not connected to the research. Researchers may apply to have other research covered by this prohibition.

Disclosures of such information are permitted if required by law, necessary for the medical treatment of the research subject, made with the consent of the subject, or made for the purposes of other research that is in compliance with regulations regarding protection of subjects.

(Sec. 4) HHS may exempt identifiable information collected for biomedical research from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

(Sec. 5) The NIH may require recipients of grants or cooperative agreements to share scientific data.

(Sec. 6) The NIH may approve requests by national research institutes to fund high-impact, cutting-edge research through transactions other than contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. National research institutes must conduct and support high-risk, high-reward research.

advancing precision medicine act sec bill encourages department_of_health_and_human_services hhs carry precision medicine initiative address disease prevention diagnosis treatment initiative include collection health information diverse cohort individuals hhs carry specified activities relating initiative including coordinating department_of_energy address needs implementing initiative hhs collaborate national_institutes_of_health nih food_and_drug_administration office national coordinator health information technology implement secure data sharing ensure inclusion broad range participants considering factors contribute health disparities sec bill amends public_health_service_act revise provisions disclosure researchers identifiable sensitive information research subjects hhs prohibit researchers disclosing information federally funded research persons connected research researchers apply research covered prohibition disclosures information permitted required law necessary medical treatment research subject consent subject purposes research compliance regulations protection subjects sec hhs exempt identifiable information collected biomedical research disclosure freedom information act sec nih require recipients grants cooperative agreements share scientific data sec nih approve requests national research institutes fund high impact cutting edge research transactions contracts grants cooperative agreements national research institutes conduct support high risk high reward research


Summary:
Promoting Biomedical Research and Public Health for Patients Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise reporting requirements for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and certain national research institutes.

(Sec. 3) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must revise policies related to the disclosure of financial conflicts of interest to reduce the administrative burden on researchers while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings.

The NIH must reduce administrative burdens related to monitoring subrecipients of grants.

HHS must revise expenditure reporting policies to avoid duplication and minimize burden for recipients of NIH funding.

The NIH, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), must revise policies regarding laboratory animals to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and protection of research animals.

HHS must clarify the applicability of regulations regarding documentation of personnel expenses by grant recipients.

The Office of Management and Budget must establish the Research Policy Board to make recommendations to minimize the administrative burden of federal research policies while maintaining responsible oversight. The board is terminated at the end of FY2020.

(Sec. 4) Contractors making substances and living organisms available for research on behalf of HHS may collect payments on behalf of HHS for incurred costs.

(Sec. 6) HHS must revise the Vaccine Injury Table to include information on vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pregnant women. A mother and child are individually considered for compensation for a vaccine injury from a vaccine administered during pregnancy.

(Sec. 7) HHS must report on ways to promote innovation in the development of vaccines.

(Sec. 8) The bill revises provisions regarding the clinical trial registry data bank to permit earlier publication of certain data and to categorize clinical trials for combination products.

(Sec. 9) The NIH and the FDA must report on information in the clinical trial registry data bank, activities undertaken to encourage compliance with data bank requirements, and actions to enforce compliance.

(Sec. 10) The Director of NIH is given the authority to appoint the directors of the national research institutes. The term of office of these directors is set to five years, with no limit on the number of reappointments.

(Sec. 11) The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences may support additional phases of clinical trials.

promoting biomedical research public health patients act sec bill amends public_health_service_act revise reporting requirements national_institutes_of_health nih certain national research institutes sec department_of_health_and_human_services hhs revise policies related disclosure financial conflicts interest reduce administrative burden researchers maintaining integrity credibility research findings nih reduce administrative burdens related monitoring grants hhs revise expenditure reporting policies avoid duplication minimize burden recipients nih funding nih collaboration department_of_agriculture food_and_drug_administration fda revise policies laboratory animals reduce administrative burdens maintaining integrity credibility research findings protection research animals hhs clarify applicability regulations documentation personnel expenses grant recipients office_of_management_and_budget establish research policy board recommendations minimize administrative burden federal research policies maintaining responsible oversight board terminated end fy2020 sec contractors making substances living organisms available research behalf hhs collect payments behalf hhs incurred costs sec hhs revise vaccine injury table include information vaccines recommended centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention pregnant women mother child individually considered compensation vaccine injury vaccine administered pregnancy sec hhs report ways promote innovation development vaccines sec bill revises provisions clinical trial registry data bank permit earlier publication certain data categorize clinical trials combination products sec nih fda report information clinical trial registry data bank activities undertaken encourage compliance data bank requirements actions enforce compliance sec director nih given authority appoint directors national research institutes term office directors set years limit number reappointments sec national center advancing translational sciences support additional phases clinical trials


Summary:
Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an interagency study regarding research on lung cancer in women, access to lung cancer preventive services, and public awareness and education campaigns on lung cancer.

The study must include a comprehensive report on research and knowledge gaps related to lung cancer in women in the federal government and recommendations for: (1) a research program that would encourage innovative approaches to eliminate knowledge gaps, (2) the development of a national lung cancer screening strategy with sufficient resources to expand access to screening, and (3) the development of a national public education and awareness campaign on lung cancer in women and the importance of early detection of lung cancer.

women lung cancer research preventive services act bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services conduct interagency study research lung cancer women access lung cancer preventive services public awareness education campaigns lung cancer study include comprehensive report research knowledge gaps related lung cancer women federal_government recommendations research program encourage innovative approaches eliminate knowledge gaps development national lung cancer screening strategy sufficient resources expand access screening development national public education awareness campaign lung cancer women importance early detection lung cancer


Summary:
Pediatric Research Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the Pediatric Research Initiative to require collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and require establishment of a National Pediatric Research Network comprised of pediatric research consortia.

The National Institutes of Health must award funding to entities supporting pediatric research consortia. Supported consortia must, upon request, provide assistance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for patient registries and other surveillance systems.

pediatric research improvement act bill amends public_health_service_act revise pediatric research initiative require collaboration eunice kennedy shriver national institute child health human development require establishment national pediatric research network comprised pediatric research consortia national_institutes_of_health award funding entities supporting pediatric research consortia supported consortia request provide assistance centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention patient registries surveillance systems


Summary:
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Diagnosis Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Interagency Pulmonary Hypertension Coordinating Committee. The committee must monitor research and annually summarize research and medical advances regarding pulmonary hypertension.

The committee must develop a comprehensive strategic plan to improve health outcomes for individuals with pulmonary hypertension. The plan must include recommendations regarding pulmonary hypertension diagnosis, research, transplantation criteria, public awareness, and health care delivery.

HHS must report on activities related to improving health outcomes for individuals with pulmonary hypertension. The report must include information regarding pulmonary hypertension epidemiology, treatment, support available to individuals, and research.

pulmonary hypertension research diagnosis act bill amends public_health_service_act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs establish interagency pulmonary hypertension coordinating committee committee monitor research annually summarize research medical advances pulmonary hypertension committee develop comprehensive strategic plan improve health outcomes individuals pulmonary hypertension plan include recommendations pulmonary hypertension diagnosis research transplantation criteria public awareness health_care delivery hhs report activities related improving health outcomes individuals pulmonary hypertension report include information pulmonary hypertension epidemiology treatment support available individuals research


Summary:
Scleroderma and Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill requires the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) to establish the National Commission on Scleroderma and Fibrosis Research. (Scleroderma and fibrosis are connective tissue conditions that cause hardening or scarring of skin and organs.)

The commission must develop a long-term, comprehensive plan for scleroderma and fibrosis research. The plan must: (1) prioritize research that has cross-cutting value and requires coordination across NIH, and (2) include specific steps for implementation of the research.

The commission must establish working groups to make research recommendations for the various organs and systems impacted by fibrotic illness.

The commission must be terminated not later than two years after establishment.

The NIAMS must create the Scleroderma and Fibrosis Working Group to oversee and assist with implementation of the long-term plan.

fibrosis research enhancement_act bill requires national institute musculoskeletal skin diseases establish national_commission fibrosis research fibrosis tissue conditions cause skin organs commission develop long term comprehensive plan fibrosis research plan prioritize research cross cutting value requires coordination nih include specific steps implementation research commission establish working groups research recommendations organs systems impacted illness commission terminated later years establishment create fibrosis working_group oversee assist implementation long term plan


Summary:
Reducing Medicare Costs through Innovation Act

This bill establishes a Medicare commercialization grant program, through which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall award grants to eligible small businesses for certain activities related to developing novel eligible medical products and receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for such products. CMS shall solicit grant applications annually, with a focus on the diseases or conditions that are the top ten cost drivers in the Medicare program.

To carry out the grant program, CMS shall use amounts allocated under the Small Business Act for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

The bill also establishes a pilot program (similar to a pilot program that was previously established in regulation) for parallel review of medical products with the purpose of reducing, with respect to certain medical products developed by Medicare commercialization grant recipients, the timeline for FDA approval and Medicare national coverage determinations.

A Medicare commercialization grant applicant may choose to apply for FDA approval of novel medical products either through a traditional process or through the pilot program.

reducing medicare costs innovation_act bill establishes medicare commercialization grant program centers medicare medicaid_services cms shall award grants eligible small businesses certain activities related developing novel eligible medical products receiving food_and_drug_administration fda approval products cms shall solicit grant applications annually focus diseases conditions cost drivers medicare program carry grant program cms shall use amounts allocated small_business_act small_business_innovation_research small_business_technology_transfer programs bill establishes pilot program similar pilot program previously established regulation parallel review medical products purpose reducing respect certain medical products developed medicare commercialization grant recipients timeline fda approval medicare national coverage determinations medicare commercialization grant applicant choose apply fda approval novel medical products traditional process pilot program


Summary: Congressional Integrity and Pension Forfeiture Act of 2007 - Amends federal civil service law, with respect to both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), to require the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations that deny eligibility under CSRS or FERS for a Member convicted of certain offenses that are: (1) committed by the individual while a Member, (2) related to the individual's service as a Member, and (3) after enactment of this Act. Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual. Defines Member as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

congressional integrity pension forfeiture act amends federal civil service law respect civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal employees retirement system fers require office personnel management opm prescribe regulations deny eligibility csrs fers member convicted certain offenses committed individual member related individual service member enactment act refunds annuity contributions deposits excluding interest earned convicted individual defines member vice president member senate house_of_representatives delegate house_of_representatives resident commissioner puerto_rico


Summary: Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, with regard to an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

federal firefighters fairness act amends federal law provide regard employee fire protection activities heart disease lung disease specified cancers infectious diseases shall presumed proximately caused employee employment disability death employee fire protection activities disease shall presumed result personal injury sustained performance employee duty presumptions rebutted preponderance evidence


Summary: Deficit Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to provide that pay for Members of Congress may not be increased by any adjustment scheduled to take effect in a calendar year if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determines there was a deficit in the preceding fiscal year.

deficit accountability_act amends legislative reorganization act provide pay members congress increased adjustment scheduled effect calendar year office_of_management_and_budget omb determines deficit preceding fiscal year


Summary: Congressional Pension Forfeiture Act of 2007 - Amends federal civil service law, with respect to both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), to require the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations that deny eligibility under CSRS or FERS for a Member convicted of certain offenses that are: (1) committed by the individual while a Member, (2) related to the individual's service as a Member, and (3) committed during the 111th Congress or later. Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual. Defines Member as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico. Requires forfeit of Thrift Savings Plan contributions made by the government for the benefit of an individual, and all earnings attributed to such contributions, as a result of the Member's conviction.

congressional pension forfeiture act amends federal civil service law respect civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal employees retirement system fers require office personnel management opm prescribe regulations deny eligibility csrs fers member convicted certain offenses committed individual member related individual service member committed congress later refunds annuity contributions deposits excluding interest earned convicted individual defines member vice president member senate house_of_representatives delegate house_of_representatives resident commissioner puerto_rico requires forfeit thrift savings plan contributions government benefit individual earnings attributed contributions result member conviction


Summary: Amends federal civil service law regarding the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) to exclude from retirement accounting any service as a Member of Congress of an individual finally convicted of a felony involving: (1) bribery of public officials and witnesses; (2) acting as an agent of a foreign principal while a federal public official; (3) conspiracy to commit an offense or to defraud the United States; (4) perjury; or (5) subornation of perjury. Entitles such individual, all the same, to so much of his or her lump-sum credit as is attributable to such service. Requires, with respect to each offense, that: (1) every act or commission of the individual that is needed to satisfy the elements of the offense occurs while the individual is a Member; (2) such act or omission directly relates to the performance of the individual's official duties as a Member; and (3) the offense is committed after enactment of this Act. Defines Member as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

amends federal civil service law civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal employees retirement system fers exclude retirement accounting service member congress individual finally convicted felony involving bribery public officials witnesses acting agent foreign principal federal public official conspiracy commit offense defraud united_states perjury perjury entitles individual lump sum credit attributable service requires respect offense act commission individual needed satisfy elements offense occurs individual member act omission directly relates performance individual official duties member offense committed enactment act defines member vice president member senate house_of_representatives delegate house_of_representatives resident commissioner puerto_rico


Summary: Veterans Reassignment Protection Act - Prohibits a preference eligible federal employee (including a preference eligible serving in or under the U.S. Postal Service) from being involuntarily separated for failing to accept a directed reassignment to a position outside his or her commuting area or to accompany a position outside of such area pursuant to a transfer of function unless such preference eligible: (1) receives written notice of the reassignment at least 30 days before the effective date of the reassignment; and (2) is allowed to elect to have the selection of employees for release conducted in the same manner as would be required in the case of a reduction in force. Entitles a preference eligible involuntarily separated in the circumstances described above to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board any failure to comply with the requirements of this Act.

veterans reassignment protection act prohibits preference eligible federal employee including preference eligible serving postal_service involuntarily separated failing accept directed reassignment position outside commuting area accompany position outside area pursuant transfer function preference eligible receives written notice reassignment days effective date reassignment allowed elect selection employees release conducted manner required case reduction force entitles preference eligible involuntarily separated circumstances described appeal merit_systems_protection_board failure comply requirements act


Summary: Guardsmen & Reservists' Tax Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the exemption from tax penalties for premature distributions from retirement plans by members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve called to active duty.

reservists tax fairness act amends_the_internal_revenue_code permanent exemption tax penalties premature distributions retirement plans members national_guard ready_reserve called active duty


Summary: Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

amends legislative reorganization act eliminate automatic pay adjustments members congress


Summary: Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act - Amends the definition of the term "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: (1) federal employees not otherwise covered by such term whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; and (2) such employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns. Requires such service that is performed by an incumbent law enforcement officer: (1) after enactment of this Act to be treated as service performed as a law enforcement officer for federal retirement purposes; and (2) before, on, or after enactment as service performed as such an officer for federal retirement purposes only if an appropriate written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) within five years after enactment or before separation from government service, whichever is earlier. Provides that nothing under current law respecting mandatory separation from government service under CSRS or FERS shall cause the involuntary separation of an officer before the end of the three-year period following enactment.

law enforcement officers equity act_-_amends definition term law enforcement officer provisions federal_employees_retirement_system fers civil_service_retirement_system csrs include federal employees covered term duties include investigation apprehension suspected convicted individuals authorized carry firearm employees internal_revenue_service irs duties primarily collection delinquent taxes securing delinquent returns requires service performed incumbent law enforcement officer enactment act treated service performed law enforcement officer federal retirement purposes enactment service performed officer federal retirement purposes appropriate written election submitted office_of_personnel_management opm years enactment separation government service whichever earlier provides current law respecting mandatory separation government service csrs fers shall cause involuntary separation officer end year period following enactment


Summary: Judicial Disclosure Responsibility Act - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to: (1) restrict disclosure of personal information about family members of judges whose revelation might endanger them; and (2) extend through 2009 the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact certain personal information of judges from financial disclosure reports.Specifies addition types of information the Administrative Council of the U.S. Courts must include in its annual report to certain congressional committees on redaction of judicial financial disclosure reports.

judicial disclosure responsibility act_-_amends ethics_in_government_act restrict disclosure personal information family members judges endanger extend authority judicial_conference redact certain personal information judges financial disclosure reports specifies addition types information administrative council courts include annual report certain congressional committees redaction judicial financial disclosure reports


Summary: Increases: (1) the biweekly government contribution for health benefits for an employee or annuitant enrolled in the federal employees health benefits program from 72% to 80% of the weighted average of subscription charges; and (2) the limit on the government contribution for an employee or annuitant from 75% to 83% of the subscription charge.

increases biweekly government contribution health benefits employee annuitant enrolled federal_employees_health_benefits_program weighted average subscription charges limit government contribution employee annuitant subscription charge


Summary: Makes creditable for civil service retirement purposes pre-1977 service performed by a U.S. citizen with Air America, Incorporated, Air Asia Company Limited, or the Pacific Division of Southern Air Transport, Incorporated, while those entities were owned or controlled by the U.S. Government and operated or managed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

makes creditable civil service retirement purposes service performed citizen air_america incorporated air asia company limited pacific division southern air transport incorporated entities owned controlled government operated managed central_intelligence_agency cia


Summary: Federal Law Enforcement Pension Adjustment Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Law Enforcement Pay Equity Act of 2000 to apply a prohibition against treatment of the conversion of positions and members of the U.S. Park Police and the Secret Service Uniformed Division to a new salary schedule, and the associated initial adjustments in basic pay rates, with respect to any payment made prior to January 1, 2007, as an increase in salary for purposes of increased annuitant pension benefits. (Thus permits cost-of-living adjustments in pension benefits for annuitants of the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division for payments made in 2007 and in subsequent years.)

federal law enforcement pension adjustment equity act amends law enforcement pay equity act apply prohibition treatment conversion positions members park police secret_service uniformed division new salary schedule associated initial adjustments basic pay rates respect payment prior january increase salary purposes increased annuitant pension benefits permits cost living adjustments pension benefits annuitants park police secret_service uniformed division payments subsequent years


Summary: Provides that federal employees stationed in American Samoa shall be paid the same allowance based on living costs and conditions of environment as if stationed in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

provides federal employees stationed american_samoa shall paid allowance based living costs conditions environment stationed guam commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands


Summary: CSRS Retirement Repayment Technical Correction Act of 2007 - Exempts federal employees and Members of Congress from the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) interest repayment requirement with respect to retirement contribution amounts withdrawn between October 1, 1990-February 28, 1991. Makes such exemption effective as if included in the enactment of the Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1990.

csrs retirement repayment technical correction act exempts federal employees members congress civil_service_retirement_system csrs interest repayment requirement respect retirement contribution amounts withdrawn october february makes exemption effective included enactment omnibus budget reconciliation act


Summary: Amends federal provisions concerning the federal employee leave transfer program to exempt an employee who is undergoing medical treatment for a combat-related disability sustained while such individual was a member of the Armed Forces from the requirement that his or her annual and sick leave be exhausted before any transferred leave may be used. Limits the exemption to no more than five years.

amends federal provisions concerning federal employee leave transfer program exempt employee undergoing medical treatment combat related disability sustained individual member armed_forces requirement annual sick leave exhausted transferred leave limits exemption years


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from employment and unemployment taxes payments made on behalf of Puerto Rican residents participating in tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plans established under Puerto Rican law.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt employment unemployment taxes payments behalf puerto residents participating tax exempt employee benefit cafeteria plans established puerto law


Summary: Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include within the meaning of the term member of the Special Exposure Cohort a Department of Energy employee, Department of Energy contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee who was so employed for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days before January 1, 2006, at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California.Provides that a claim that an individual qualifies for compensation or benefits under such Act shall be considered notwithstanding any denial of any other claim for compensation with respect to such individual.

amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include meaning term special exposure department_of_energy employee department_of_energy contractor employee atomic weapons employee employed number work days aggregating work days january santa field laboratory california provides claim individual qualifies compensation benefits act shall considered notwithstanding denial claim compensation respect individual


Summary: Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Federal Worker Fairness Act of 2007 - Requires the wage schedule and rates for prevailing rate employees in the Boston, Massachusetts Wage Area to be used to determine the rate of pay for prevailing rate employees in the Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island Wage Area.

southeastern massachusetts rhode_island federal worker fairness act requires wage schedule rates prevailing rate employees boston massachusetts wage area determine rate pay prevailing rate employees bay rhode_island wage area


Summary: Public Safety Officer Family Health Benefits Act - Authorizes an individual who is a family member of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty to enroll in an approved federal employee health benefits plan as an individual or for self and family. Specifies the individual's and the government's contributions toward the enrollment charge.

public safety officer family health benefits act_-_authorizes individual family member public safety officer killed line duty enroll approved federal employee health benefits plan individual self family specifies individual government contributions enrollment charge


Summary: Amends the the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require federal contractors and subcontractors (as defined by this Act) to participate in the employment eligibility verification pilot program. Directs the Attorney General to ensure that the pilot program is applied to all of the contractor's or subcontractor's employees and not just to those performing the contract or subcontract.

amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act require federal contractors subcontractors defined act participate employment eligibility verification pilot program directs attorney general ensure pilot program applied contractor subcontractor employees performing contract subcontract


Summary: Federal Employees Responsible Investment Act - Provides for the establishment of a Corporate Responsibility Stock Index Fund as an investment option under the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Directs the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to select an index which is a commonly recognized, passively managed index comprised of domestic stocks based on criteria which may include corporate governance, environmental practices, workplace relations and benefits, product safety and impact, international operations and human rights, involvement with repressive regimes, and community relations. Requires that the index's financial track record be comparable to that of the other options available under TSP. Directs that the Fund be invested in a portfolio which shall be designed such that the percentage of the Fund that is invested in each stock is the same as the percentage determined by dividing the aggregate market value of all shares of that stock by the aggregate market value of all shares of all stocks included in such index.

federal employees responsible investment act provides establishment corporate responsibility stock index fund investment option thrift savings plan tsp directs federal_retirement_thrift_investment_board select index commonly recognized managed index comprised domestic stocks based criteria include corporate governance environmental practices workplace relations benefits product safety impact international operations human rights involvement repressive regimes community relations requires index financial track record comparable options available tsp directs fund invested portfolio shall designed percentage fund invested stock percentage determined dividing aggregate market value shares stock aggregate market value shares stocks included index


Summary: Enhanced Protection of the Internal Revenue Service and Its Employees Act of 2007 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to eliminate the exception to the duties of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for protecting the physical security of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees.

enhanced protection internal_revenue_service employees act amends inspector_general act eliminate exception duties treasury inspector_general tax administration protecting physical security internal_revenue_service irs employees


Summary: FERS Redeposit Act - Allows each federal employee who has returned to government service and who has received a refund of retirement contributions under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) (or any other retirement system established for federal employees covering service for which such employee or Member may be allowed credit under FERS provisions) to deposit (to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund) the amount that was so received, with interest. Allows deposits in one or more installments. Disallows the recapture of credit for service covered by the refund until such a deposit is made.

fers act allows federal employee returned government service received refund retirement contributions federal employees retirement system fers retirement system established federal employees covering service employee member allowed credit fers provisions deposit credit civil_service_retirement_and_disability_fund received interest allows deposits installments disallows recapture credit service covered refund deposit


Summary: Applies provisions governing the computation of an annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) for a federal employee whose service includes service that was performed on a part-time basis to: (1) service performed before April 7, 1986, with respect to basing average pay on the basic pay for full-time service; and (2) service performed after such date with respect to calculating the benefit by prorating total service to reflect part-time service.

applies provisions governing computation annuity civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal employee service includes service performed time basis service performed april respect basing average pay basic pay time service service performed date respect calculating benefit total service reflect time service


Summary: Members of Congress Personal Fiscal Responsibility Act - Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2008 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the automatic pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

members congress personal fiscal responsibility act provides automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2008 rates basic pay members congress statutory pay system eliminating automatic pay adjustment members fiscal year


Summary: Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2008 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

provides automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2008 rates basic pay members congress statutory pay system eliminating pay adjustment members fiscal year


Summary: Internet Police Protection Act of 2007- Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly making restricted personal information about a covered official publicly available through the Internet. Defines "covered official" to mean a federal officer or employee, a public safety officer for a public agency that receives federal financial assistance, or a U.S. court officer, juror, or magistrate judge.Makes it a defense to a prosecution that: (1) the defendant is an Internet service provider and did not knowingly participate in the offense; or (2) the covered official gave permission to make such information publicly available.

internet police protection act amends federal criminal code prohibit knowingly making restricted personal information covered official publicly available internet defines covered official mean federal officer employee public safety officer public agency receives federal financial assistance court officer juror magistrate judge makes defense prosecution defendant internet service provider knowingly participate offense covered official gave permission information publicly available


Summary: Administrative Law Judges Retirement Act of 2007 - Sets forth separate provisions governing Government and employee contributions, annuity eligibility requirements (ten years of service and age 60), early retirement, and annuity computation (2.5% and 1.7%, respectively, of average pay for each year of service) for administrative law judges under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees' Retirement System.

administrative law judges retirement act sets forth separate provisions governing government employee contributions annuity eligibility requirements years service age early retirement annuity computation respectively average pay year service administrative law judges civil_service_retirement_system federal employees retirement system


Summary: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2006 [sic] - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care; (3) care of a seriously ill family member; or (4) employee's own serious health condition. Makes available as paid leave for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for the above purposes: (1) eight weeks of paid leave and any accumulated annual or sick leave for either the birth of a child or the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave for the care of a family member or the employee's own serious health condition.

federal employees paid parental leave act sic allows federal employees substitute available paid leave leave pay available birth child placement child employee adoption foster care care seriously ill family member employee health condition makes available paid leave weeks leave employee entitled purposes weeks paid leave accumulated annual sick leave birth child placement child employee adoption foster care accumulated annual sick leave care family member employee health condition


Summary: Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award a Congressional Badge of Bravery to a federal law enforcement officer who sustains a physical injury in the line of duty. Sets forth requirements for agencies in nominating a law enforcement officer for a Badge. Establishes within the Department of Justice: (1) a Congressional Badge of Bravery Board to made recommendations for awarding a Badge; and (2) a Congressional Badge of Bravery Office to assist the Board. Authorizes Members of Congress or the Attorney General to make the presentations of Badges to law enforcement officers.

federal law enforcement congressional badge act authorizes attorney general award congressional badge federal law enforcement officer physical injury line duty sets forth requirements agencies nominating law enforcement officer badge establishes department_of_justice congressional badge board recommendations awarding badge congressional badge office assist board authorizes members congress attorney general presentations law enforcement officers


Summary: Federal Merit System Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2010 for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).Repudiates assertions that federal employees are not protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Expresses the sense of Congress that discrimination on such basis against federal employees and applicants is currently prohibited. Prohibits any federal employee who has authority to take, direct, recommend, or approve any personnel action from discriminating for or against any federal employee or applicant on such basis.Revises procedures of the MSPB and OSC, including by requiring the MSPB to use the National Labor Relations Board model for procedural due process and by requiring the OSC to prescribe regulations necessary to receive and investigate allegations of prohibited personnel practices.Requires the Special Counsel to have professional experience that demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to protecting the merit based civil service.Requires the OSC to publish specified whistleblower disclosures and reports.Sets forth MSPB and OSC reporting requirements with respect to incidences of prohibited personnel practices.

federal merit system reauthorization act amends whistleblower protection act authorize appropriations fy2008 fy2010 merit_systems_protection_board mspb office_of_special_counsel assertions federal employees protected discrimination basis sexual orientation expresses sense congress discrimination basis federal employees applicants currently prohibited prohibits federal employee authority direct recommend approve personnel action discriminating federal employee applicant basis revises procedures mspb including requiring mspb use national_labor_relations_board model procedural process requiring prescribe regulations necessary receive investigate allegations prohibited personnel practices requires special_counsel professional experience demonstrates understanding commitment protecting merit based civil service requires publish specified whistleblower disclosures reports sets forth mspb reporting requirements respect incidences prohibited personnel practices


Summary: Allows a federal agency head to waive the application of civil service retirement system and federal employee retirement system provisions restricting annuities and pay upon reemployment with respect to an annuitant employed on a temporary basis, but prohibits waiving such provisions with respect to an annuitant for more than: (1) 520 hours of service performed during the six months following the individual's annuity commencing date; (2) 1040 hours of service performed during any 12-month period; or (3) 6240 hours of service performed during the individual's lifetime.

allows federal agency head waive application civil_service_retirement_system federal employee retirement system provisions restricting annuities pay reemployment respect annuitant employed temporary basis prohibits waiving provisions respect annuitant hours service performed months following individual annuity commencing date hours service performed month period hours service performed individual lifetime


Summary: One America, Many Voices Act - Entitles an employee in a position requiring the use of one or more languages besides English to premium pay amounting to 5% of the employee's rate of basic pay. Declares that this requirement does not apply to an employee in a position the classification of which takes into account such language requirement, except: (1) to the extent that the rates of basic pay for the position are not at least 5% greater than the rates that would otherwise apply in the absence of the language requirement; and (2) in other circumstances as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may prescribe.

america act entitles employee position requiring use languages english premium pay employee rate basic pay declares requirement apply employee position classification takes account language requirement extent rates basic pay position greater rates apply absence language requirement circumstances office_of_personnel_management opm prescribe


Summary: Federal Judicial Salary Restoration Act of 2007 - Increases the salaries of certain federal judges and Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Amends Public Law 97-92 (the joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for FY1982), as amended by the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, to repeal the prohibition on salary increases for such officials.

federal judicial salary restoration act increases salaries certain federal judges justices supreme_court amends public law joint resolution making continuing appropriations amended departments_of_commerce justice state judiciary related agencies appropriations act repeal prohibition salary increases officials


Summary: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2007 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) eight administrative weeks of paid leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave. Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to allow the same substitution for covered congressional employees.

federal employees paid parental leave act allows federal employees substitute available paid leave leave pay available birth child placement child employee adoption foster care makes available weeks leave employee entitled purposes administrative weeks paid leave connection birth placement involved accumulated annual sick leave amends congressional_accountability_act allow substitution covered congressional employees


Summary: Federal Labor-Management Partnership Act of 2007 - Establishes the Federal Labor-Management Partnership Council to advise the President on matters involving labor-management relations in the executive branch. Includes among the Council's activities: (1) supporting the creation of local labor-management partnership councils that promote partnership efforts; (2) collecting and disseminating information about and providing guidance on such efforts; (3) using the expertise of individuals, inside and outside the federal government, to foster partnership arrangements in the executive branch; and (4) proposing statutory changes to improve the civil service to better serve the public and carry out the mission of the various agencies.Requires the President to designate a Council Chairperson.Requires the President to direct the head of each agency which is subject to labor-management relations provisions or any other authority permitting employees to select an exclusive representative, to: (1) create labor-management partnerships by forming labor-management committees or councils at appropriate levels or adapting existing committees or councils if such groups exist; (2) involve employees and their representatives as full partners with management representatives to improve the civil service to better serve the public and carry out the mission of the agency; (3) provide systemic training of appropriate employees in consensual methods of dispute resolution; (4) negotiate, at the request of the labor organization, on specified subjects and instruct subordinate officials to do the same; and (5) evaluate progress and improvements in organizational performance resulting from such labor-management partnerships.

federal labor management partnership act establishes federal labor management partnership council advise president matters involving labor management relations executive branch includes council activities supporting creation local labor management partnership councils promote partnership efforts collecting disseminating information providing guidance efforts expertise individuals inside outside federal_government foster partnership arrangements executive branch proposing statutory changes improve civil service better serve public carry mission agencies requires president designate council chairperson requires president direct head agency subject labor management relations provisions authority permitting employees select exclusive representative create labor management partnerships forming labor management committees councils appropriate levels adapting existing committees councils groups exist involve employees representatives partners management representatives improve civil service better serve public carry mission agency provide systemic training appropriate employees consensual methods dispute resolution negotiate request labor organization specified subjects instruct subordinate officials evaluate progress improvements organizational performance resulting labor management partnerships


Summary: Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations to allow federal employees who have performed sufficient service to qualify for the maximum annuity available under the Civil Service Retirement System to elect to terminate retirement deductions from their basic pay.Declares that an employee who makes such an election does not, by virtue of such election: (1) cease to be subject to civil service retirement provisions; (2) forfeit the right to have any subsequently accruing sick leave taken into account for purposes of computing what unused sick days are included in an annuity; (3) cease to be eligible to continue contributing to the Thrift Savings Fund; or (4) cease to be eligible to make any deposit remaining due.

requires office_of_personnel_management opm prescribe regulations allow federal employees performed sufficient service qualify maximum annuity available civil_service_retirement_system elect terminate retirement deductions basic pay declares employee makes election virtue election cease subject civil service retirement provisions forfeit right subsequently accruing sick leave taken account purposes computing unused sick days included annuity cease eligible continue contributing thrift_savings_fund cease eligible deposit remaining


Summary: Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend to citizens of the Freely Associated States (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau) who reside in the United States eligibility for non-emergency food stamps and benefits under titles XIX (Medicaid), XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) , and part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act.

amends personal_responsibility_and_work_opportunity reconciliation act extend citizens freely_associated_states republic_of_the_marshall_islands federated_states micronesia palau reside united_states eligibility non emergency food stamps benefits titles xix medicaid xvi supplemental security income ssi temporary_assistance needy families tanf social_security_act


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income stipends received for service as an election judge for any federal, state, or local election or for completing a training course to become an election judge. Defines "election judge" to include poll workers and other individuals performing similar functions.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income stipends received service election judge federal state local election completing training course election judge defines election judge include poll workers individuals performing similar functions


Summary: Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 - Title I: Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Attorney General to award, and a Member of Congress or the Attorney General to present in the name of Congress, a Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery to a federal law enforcement officer for performing an act of bravery while in the line of duty. (Sec. 102) Authorizes a federal agency head to nominate for such a Badge an individual who: (1) is a federal law enforcement officer working within the agency; (2) sustained a physical injury while engaged in lawful duties and while performing an act of bravery which put such officer at personal risk; or (3) though not injured, performed an act characterized as bravery that placed such officer at risk of serious physical injury or death. Sets forth requirements for submitting a nomination and imposes a deadline for submitting a nomination of February 15 of the year following the date on which the nominee performed the act of bravery. (Sec. 103) Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) a Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Board (Federal Board). Sets forth the duties of the Federal Board, including: (1) designing the Badge; (2) recommending recipients from those nominated; and (3) presenting to the Attorney General annually the names of recommended recipients. Sets forth the membership composition of the Federal Board, its operating procedures, powers, and compensation.(Sec. 104) Authorizes any Member of Congress to present such a Badge to any recipient who resides in the Member's district. Allows a joint presentation by a Senator and a Representative. Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Attorney General to award, and a Member of Congress or the Attorney General to present in the name of Congress, a State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery to a state or local law enforcement officer for performing an act of bravery while in the line of duty. (Sec. 202) Authorizes a state or local agency head to nominate for such a Badge an individual who meets the same criteria established for awarding the federal Badge. (Sec. 203) Establishes within DOJ a State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Board (State and Local Board). Sets forth the duties of the State and Local Board, its membership composition, operating procedures, powers, and compensation. (Sec. 204) Authorizes any Member of Congress to present such a Badge to any recipient who resides in the Member's district. Allows a joint presentationby a Senator and a Representative. Title III: Congressional Badge of Bravery Office - Establishes within DOJ a Congressional Badge of Bravery Office (Office). Sets forth the duties of the Office, including: (1) receiving nominations from federal and state or local agency heads and delivering such nominations to the Federal Board and the State and Local Board at their respective meetings; and (2) providing staff support to the Federal Board and the State and Local Board.

law enforcement congressional badge act title federal law enforcement congressional badge sec authorizes attorney general award member congress attorney general present congress federal law enforcement congressional badge federal law enforcement officer performing act line duty sec authorizes federal agency head nominate badge individual federal law enforcement officer working agency sustained physical injury engaged lawful duties performing act officer personal risk injured performed act characterized placed officer risk physical injury death sets forth requirements submitting nomination imposes deadline submitting nomination february year following date nominee performed act sec establishes department_of_justice doj federal law enforcement congressional badge board federal board sets forth duties federal board including designing badge recommending recipients nominated presenting attorney general annually names recommended recipients sets forth membership composition federal board operating procedures powers authorizes member congress present badge recipient resides member district allows joint presentation senator representative title state local law enforcement congressional badge sec authorizes attorney general award member congress attorney general present congress state local law enforcement congressional badge state local law enforcement officer performing act line duty sec authorizes state local agency head nominate badge individual meets criteria established awarding federal badge sec establishes doj state local law enforcement congressional badge board state local board sets forth duties state local board membership composition operating procedures powers compensation sec authorizes member congress present badge recipient resides member district allows joint senator representative title iii congressional badge office establishes doj congressional badge office office sets forth duties office including receiving nominations federal state local agency heads delivering nominations federal board state local board respective meetings providing staff support federal board state local board


Summary: Excludes Members of Congress (including the Vice President and any member of the Senate or the House of Representatives) from the federal employees health benefits (FEHB) program.Authorizes payment or reimbursement of expenses for the cost of health benefits for Members of Congress and eligible family members on vouchers approved and signed by the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, as the case may be.

excludes members congress including vice president member senate house_of_representatives federal_employees_health benefits fehb program authorizes payment reimbursement expenses cost health benefits members congress eligible family members vouchers approved signed clerk house secretary senate case


Summary: Aerial Firefighter Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide for death and disability benefits for aerial firefighters who serve the Forest Service or any agency of the Department of the Interior and suffer death or disability in the line of duty. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for similar eligibility of aerial firefighters for public safety officer death benefits, applicable to a public agency.

aerial firefighter relief_act amends federal_land_policy_and_management_act provide death disability benefits aerial firefighters serve forest_service agency department_of_the_interior suffer death disability line duty amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act provide similar eligibility aerial firefighters public safety officer death benefits applicable public agency


Summary: Congressional Disclosures Protections Act of 2007 - Amends federal personnel law to: (1) define "covered disclosure" with respect to federal whistleblower protections to mean a disclosure of information made by an employee to either House of Congress or to a congressional committee or staff member which such employee reasonably believes evidences a violation of any law, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; (2) allow federal employees to seek de novo review of their whistleblower claims within one year of filing such claims; (3) expand legal remedies for whistleblowers, including triple damages for lost wages, triple attorney fees, and triple compensatory damages; and (4) require the Office of Special Counsel to provide legal representation to whistleblowers, upon request. Amends the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No Fear Act) to expand the reporting requirements of federal agencies relating to reimbursement of the expenses of employees who have filed whistleblower claims.

congressional disclosures protections act amends federal personnel law define covered disclosure respect federal whistleblower protections mean disclosure information employee house congress congressional committee staff member employee reasonably believes evidences violation law gross mismanagement gross waste funds abuse authority substantial specific danger public health safety allow federal employees seek novo review whistleblower claims year filing claims expand legal remedies whistleblowers including triple damages lost wages triple attorney fees triple compensatory damages require office_of_special_counsel provide legal representation whistleblowers request amends notification federal employee retaliation act fear act expand reporting requirements federal agencies relating reimbursement expenses employees filed whistleblower claims


Summary: Amends federal civil service law to provide for the indexation of deferred annuities, including survivor annuities, under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) and for individuals becoming subject to FERS by election.Terminates the entitlement of a survivor who remarries before age 55 (currently, who remarries at any age) to an annuity based on the service of a deferred annuitant who dies before establishing a valid claim for a CSRS annuity.

amends federal civil service law provide deferred annuities including survivor annuities civil_service_retirement_system csrs federal employees retirement system fers individuals subject fers election terminates entitlement survivor remarries age currently remarries age annuity based service deferred annuitant dies establishing valid claim csrs annuity


Summary: Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007 - Provides that a federal employee and his or her domestic partner shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married federal employee and his or her spouse.Defines "domestic partner" to mean an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship. Defines "benefits" to include federal health insurance and enhanced dental and vision benefits, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. Excludes members of the uniformed services from the definition of "employee."Sets forth requirements for filing: (1) an affidavit of eligibility as such a domestic partner, which shall include a certification that the employee and the domestic partner are each other's sole domestic partners and intend to remain so indefinitely; and (2) a statement upon dissolution of such a domestic partnership.

domestic partnership benefits obligations act provides federal employee domestic partner shall entitled benefits available shall subject obligations imposed married federal employee spouse defines domestic partner mean adult unmarried person living adult unmarried person sex committed intimate relationship defines benefits include federal health insurance enhanced dental vision benefits retirement disability benefits family medical emergency leave group life insurance long-term_care insurance compensation work injuries benefits disability death captivity excludes members uniformed_services definition employee forth requirements filing affidavit eligibility domestic partner shall include certification employee domestic partner sole domestic partners intend remain indefinitely statement dissolution domestic partnership


Summary: Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas. Includes Capitol Police as law enforcement officers under such Act. Eliminates the limitation on the aggregate of basic pay and premium pay with respect to availability pay for federal criminal investigators.

amends federal law enforcement pay reform_act revise special pay adjustments percentage differentials payable federal law enforcement officers specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas includes capitol_police law enforcement officers act eliminates limitation aggregate basic pay premium pay respect availability pay federal criminal investigators


Summary: Citizenship Processing Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive the application of provisions relating to annuities and pay on reemployment or any similar legal provision under a government retirement system on a case-by-case basis with respect to any annuitant who is reemployed on a temporary basis to: (1) process applications for naturalization filed from January 31-September 30, 2007; or (2) otherwise help the Secretary to reduce or eliminate the existing backlog of applications for naturalization.Provides that: (1) an annuitant as to whom such a waiver is in effect shall not be considered an employee for purposes of any government retirement system; and (2) no waiver under this Act may be granted after December 31, 2008, or remain in effect after December 31, 2009.

citizenship processing backlog reduction act authorizes secretary homeland_security waive application provisions relating annuities pay reemployment similar legal provision government retirement system case case basis respect annuitant reemployed temporary basis process applications naturalization filed january september help secretary reduce eliminate existing backlog applications naturalization provides annuitant waiver effect shall considered employee purposes government retirement system waiver act granted december remain effect december


Summary: Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2009 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

provides automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2009 rates basic pay members congress statutory pay system eliminating pay adjustment members fiscal year


Summary: Members of Congress Personal Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2008 - Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2008 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the automatic pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

members congress personal fiscal responsibility act provides automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2008 rates basic pay members congress statutory pay system eliminating automatic pay adjustment members fiscal year


Summary: Civil Service Reform Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Civil Service Reform Commission to study and report to the President and Congress on: (1) the federal compensation system; (2) recruiting individuals for the federal workforce; (3) expediting and improving hiring processes; (4) retaining a high-quality federal workforce and providing continuing professional education to maintain the quality of such workforce; (5) policies and barriers related to the termination of under-performing workers; (6) the role and oversight of federal contractors and issues related to contractor assumption of traditionally federal duties; and (7) proposed legislation to implement recommended improvements.

civil service reform commission act establishes civil service reform commission study report president congress federal compensation system recruiting individuals federal workforce expediting improving hiring processes retaining high quality federal workforce providing continuing professional education maintain quality workforce policies barriers related termination performing workers role oversight federal contractors issues related contractor assumption traditionally federal duties proposed legislation implement recommended improvements


Summary: Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 to authorize the Committee on House Administration, by regulation, to provide for the payment of salaries with respect to a month on a date other than the date provided under the Act as may be necessary to conform to generally accepted accounting practices. (Currently, the usual day for paying salaries in or under the House of Representatives is the last day of each month; except that if the last day of a month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal public holiday, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House pays such salaries on the first weekday which precedes the last day.) Makes technical amendments to the federal criminal code with respect to the one-year ban on lobbying contacts by certain former officers and staff of the Senate and personal, committee, and leadership staff of the House of Representatives. Changes from at least 60 days to more than two months during the one-year period before their service terminated their payment of a salary equal to or greater than 75% of the salary of the Member of the chamber in which he or she was employed. Makes the same change with respect to specified employees of other legislative offices. Amends Rule XXXVII (Conflict of Interest) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to make the same change with respect to its one-year ban on lobbying contacts by a former Senate officer or employee (with any Senator or Senate officer or employee).

amends legislative_branch_appropriations_act authorize committee house administration regulation provide payment salaries respect month date date provided act necessary conform generally accepted accounting practices currently usual day paying salaries house_of_representatives day month day month falls saturday sunday legal public holiday chief administrative officer house pays salaries day makes technical amendments federal criminal code respect year ban lobbying contacts certain officers staff senate personal committee leadership staff house_of_representatives changes days months year period service terminated payment salary equal greater salary member chamber employed makes change respect specified employees legislative offices amends rule conflict interest standing rules senate change respect year ban lobbying contacts senate officer employee senator senate officer employee