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  • To require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19.

    HR #6601 | Last Action: 4/23/2020
    This bill requires a specific jury instruction in civil actions in federal court that include a claim alleging negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and a request for damages. Specifically, a court must instruct the jury that negligence may not be found solely on the basis of holding oneself open for business.
  • Restoration of Civil Rights Act of 2019

    HR #7115 | Last Action: 6/4/2020
    Restoration of Civil Rights Act of 2019 This bill expands remedies under provisions regarding civil actions for deprivation of rights under color of law. Specifically, the bill provides that * any person against whom such an action is filed for an act or omission taken in the person's official capacity may not raise as a defense that such act or omission did not violate a clearly established statutory or constitutional right; * in any action filed in which a person is held liable for an act or omission taken in the person's official capacity, any state or territory (including the District of Columbia) of which the person is an employee shall be vicariously liable if the act or omission of the person is attributable to violations of the Fourteenth Amendment by the state or territory; * any person who is an employee or contractor of a state or territory and is found to be liable for acts or omissions occurring in the course and scope of such person's employment or agreement is entitled to indemnification if the act or omission is taken in the person's official capacity and attributable to violations of the Fourteenth Amendment by the state or territory; and * a U.S. Attorney may bring a civil action for a violation on behalf of any U.S. citizen or other person within the jurisdiction before the appropriate federal district court for appropriate relief.
  • SAFE TO WORK Act

    HR #8832 | Last Action: 12/2/2020
    Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidencestandard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.
  • SAFE TO WORK Act

    S #4317 | Last Action: 7/27/2020
    Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidencestandard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.
  • Pandemic Liability Protection Act

    HR #7179 | Last Action: 6/11/2020
    Pandemic Liability Protection Act This bill exempts certain health care and food providers from liability for any act or omission relating to harm arising from exposure to, or infection by, the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) during the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, this prohibition does not apply with respect to acts or omissions that constitute willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or conscious and flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.
  • Civil Rights Enhancement and Law Enforcement Accountability Improvement Act of 2020

    HR #7828 | Last Action: 7/29/2020
    Civil Rights Enhancement and Law Enforcement Accountability Improvement Act of 2020 This bill makes an employer of a law enforcement officer acting under color of law vicariously liable, in the same manner and to the same extent as a private employer is liable for the negligent acts of its employees, for that officer's acts or omissions committed within the scope of employment that deprive individuals of their constitutional rights. The bill prohibits the assertion of a claim of immunity in such actions against law enforcement officers.
  • Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the obligation of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to enforce title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the obligation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to "build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination", and for other purposes.

    HRES #66 | Last Action: 1/22/2019
    This resolution reaffirms the following on behalf of the House of Representatives: * the original intent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to broadly prohibit all forms of discrimination by providing public and private rights of action against disparate treatment and disparate impact; * the commitment to ensuring that all educational systems of the United States prepare all students for successful careers, regardless of race, color, or national origin; and * the commitment to ensuring all communities are inclusive, sustainable, and free from discrimination. This resolution also recognizes that the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and other federal agencies have an obligation to enforce title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations, and expects the agencies to do so. It resolves that oversight hearings will be held to ensure the agencies are enforcing title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations, including enforcement with respect to unintentional discrimination. Finally, the resolution states that the House will consider legislation that reaffirms the original intent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • End Double Taxation of Successful Civil Claims Act

    S #2627 | Last Action: 10/17/2019
    End Double Taxation of Successful Civil Claims Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for attorney fees and court costs to include such fees and costs paid in connection with any legal action involving a civil claim (currently, limited to actions involving unlawful discrimination, the False Claims Act, and Medicare payments).
  • Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019

    S #2287 | Last Action: 7/25/2019
    Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019 This bill sets forth employer liability standards to be applied in employee harassment claims under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Revised Statutes, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, employment discrimination laws relating to certain executive branch employees, and the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. The bill declares that employers under such Acts are liable for the acts of any individual whose harassment of an employee created or continued an unlawful hostile work environment if, at the time of the harassment (1) such individual was authorized by that employer to undertake or recommend tangible employment actions affecting the employee or to direct the employee's daily work activities; or (2) the negligence of the employer led to the creation or continuation of that hostile work environment, otherwise modifying the liability standards provided by the Supreme Court inVance v. Ball State University, which limited the category of supervisors for whom an employer may be held vicariously liable to those individuals who have authority to take tangible employment actions.
  • Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

    S #72 | Last Action: 1/9/2019
    Federal Employees Civil Relief Act This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a lapse in appropriations.
  • Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019

    HR #4015 | Last Action: 7/25/2019
    Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019 This bill sets forth employer liability standards to be applied in employee harassment claims under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Revised Statutes, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, employment discrimination laws relating to certain executive branch employees, and the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. The bill declares that employers under such Acts are liable for the acts of any individual whose harassment of an employee created or continued an unlawful hostile work environment if, at the time of the harassment (1) such individual was authorized by that employer to undertake or recommend tangible employment actions affecting the employee or to direct the employee's daily work activities; or (2) the negligence of the employer led to the creation or continuation of that hostile work environment, otherwise modifying the liability standards provided by the Supreme Court inVance v. Ball State University, which limited the category of supervisors for whom an employer may be held vicariously liable to those individuals who have authority to take tangible employment actions.
  • Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

    HR #588 | Last Action: 1/16/2019
    Federal Employees Civil Relief Act This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a lapse in appropriations.
  • Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act

    S #4212 | Last Action: 7/20/2020
    Civil Justice for Victims of China-Originated Viral Infections Diseases Act or the Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act This bill allows a foreign government to be sued in U.S. district court regarding that government's actions related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. A foreign government shall not have sovereign immunity against a lawsuit in the United States seeking money damages for physical or economic injury occurring in the United States following any reckless action or omission of that foreign government (or any official or agent of that government) that caused or substantially contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. If the United States is in discussions with a foreign state seeking to resolve claims related to COVID-19 against that foreign state, a court may stay a pending case brought under this bill against that foreign state.
  • Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act

    HR #7818 | Last Action: 7/29/2020
    Civil Justice for Victims of China-Originated Viral Infections Diseases Act or the Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act This bill allows a foreign government to be sued in U.S. district court regarding that government's actions related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. A foreign government shall not have sovereign immunity against a lawsuit in the United States seeking money damages for physical or economic injury occurring in the United States following any reckless action or omission of that foreign government (or any official or agent of that government) that caused or substantially contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. If the United States is in discussions with a foreign state seeking to resolve claims related to COVID-19 against that foreign state, a court may stay a pending case brought under this bill against that foreign state.
  • Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act

    HR #7054 | Last Action: 5/28/2020
    Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act This bill limits civil and criminal liability for manufacturers, distributors, nonprofit organizations, and other persons regarding good faith donations of apparently usable menstrual products. Specifically, persons may only be liable if their actions constitute gross negligence or intentional misconduct and result in injury to or death of a user or recipient of those products.
  • Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act

    HR #3214 | Last Action: 6/11/2019
    Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act This bill removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers and the disclosure of gun trace data in civil actions. Specifically, the bill repeals the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prohibits civil actions against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, seller, importer, dealer, or trade association for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. Additionally, the bill states that firearms trace data maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is not immune from legal process. Such data is subject to discovery; is admissible as evidence; and may be used, relied on, or disclosed in a civil action or administrative proceeding.
  • Calling on the President of the United States to take Executive action to broadly cancel Federal student loan debt.

    HRES #1269 | Last Action: 12/17/2020
    This resolution calls on the President to take executive action to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers. Further, it encourages the President to (1) ensure that borrowers have no tax liability from the debt cancellation, (2) ensure that the debt cancellation helps close racial wealth gaps, and (3) pause student loan payments and interest accumulation on federal student loans for the duration of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
  • Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2019

    HR #1227 | Last Action: 2/14/2019
    Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of2019 This bill expands immunity from civil liability related to emergency use of automated external defibrillator devices (AEDs). Among other things, the bill specifies that immunity applies regardless of whether the person who used the AED complied with signage, received training, or was assisted or supervised by another person, such as a licensed physician.
  • A resolution calling on the President of the United States to take executive action to broadly cancel Federal student loan debt.

    SRES #711 | Last Action: 9/22/2020
    This resolution calls on the President to take executive action to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers. Further, it encourages the President to (1) ensure that borrowers have no tax liability from the debt cancellation, (2) ensure that the debt cancellation helps close racial wealth gaps, and (3) pause student loan payments and interest accumulation on federal student loans for the duration of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
  • Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2019

    HR #3641 | Last Action: 7/9/2019
    Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2019 This bill increases civil and administrative monetary penalties for securities laws violations. The bill also adds a fourth tier of monetary penalties for violations by a person that, within the five-year period preceding the violation (1) was criminally convicted for securities fraud; or (2) became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) action alleging fraud. In addition, the bill expands penalties for violations of certain federal court injunctions or SEC orders.
  • Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2019

    S #1854 | Last Action: 6/13/2019
    Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2019 This bill increases civil and administrative monetary penalties for securities laws violations. The bill also adds a fourth tier of monetary penalties for violations by a person that, within the five-year period preceding the violation (1) was criminally convicted for securities fraud; or (2) became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) action alleging fraud. In addition, the bill expands penalties for violations of certain federal court injunctions or SEC orders.
  • Corporate Transparency Act of 2019

    HR #2513 | Last Action: 10/22/2019
    This bill generally addresses the disclosure of corporate ownership and the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. DIVISION A--CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2019 Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 This division requires certain new and existing small corporations and limited liability companies to disclose information about their beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is an individual who (1) exercises substantial control over a corporation or limited liability company, (2) owns 25% or more of the interest in a corporation or limited liability company, or (3) receives substantial economic benefits from the assets of a corporation or limited liability company. Specifically, if certain entities apply to form a corporation or limited liability company, they must file beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Furthermore, certain existing corporations and limited liability companies must file this information with FinCEN two years after the implementation of final regulations required under this division. The division imposes a civil penalty and authorizes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term for up to three years, or both—for providing false or fraudulent beneficial ownership information or for willfully failing to provide complete or updated beneficial ownership information. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on (1) the availability of beneficial ownership information for other legal entities (e.g., partnerships), and (2) the effectiveness of incorporation practices implemented under this division. DIVISION B--COUNTER ACT OF 2019 Coordinating Oversight, Upgrading and Innovating Technology, and Examiner Reform Act of 2019 or the COUNTER Act of 2019 This division generally revises requirements related to anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing laws. Among other things, the division * establishes new offices within financial regulatory agencies related to privacy and civil liberties; * creates programs within the Department of the Treasury to enable foreign and domestic outreach regarding these laws; * allows for increased information sharing between law enforcement, financial institutions, and financial regulators; and * revises whistleblower incentives related to actions brought by FinCEN. The division also increases penalties for violations of anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing laws, requires antiquities dealers to comply with these laws, and requires the reporting of beneficial ownership information to FinCEN in certain commercial real estate transactions. Every five years, Treasury must update the threshold amounts for currency transaction reports to reflect inflation.
  • Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act

    HR #4713 | Last Action: 12/9/2019
    Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act This bill makes changes to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill expands the duties of the CRCL to include * integrating civil rights and civil liberties protections into all DHS programs and activities; * conducting civil rights and civil liberties impact assessments, including prior to the implementation of new DHS regulations, initiatives, programs, or policies; * initiating reviews, assessments, and investigations of the administration of DHS programs and activities; * leading the equal employment opportunity programs of DHS; * engaging with individuals and communities whose civil rights and civil liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities; and * leading the Language Access Program to ensure that DHS can effectively communicate with individuals impacted by its programs and activities. The bill requires each operational component of DHS to designate an Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to report to the CRCL. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on implementation of provisions regarding CRCL engagement with individuals and communities whose civil rights and civil liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities.
  • Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act

    S #3433 | Last Action: 3/10/2020
    Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act This bill makes changes to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill expands the duties of the CRCL to include * integrating civil rights and civil liberties protections into all DHS programs and activities; * conducting civil rights and civil liberties impact assessments; * initiating reviews, assessments, and investigations of the administration of DHS programs and activities; * leading the equal employment opportunity programs of DHS; and * engaging with individuals and communities whose civil rights and civil liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities. The bill requires each operational component of DHS to designate an Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to report to the CRCL. The bill grants the CRCL the authority to issue subpoenas with the approval of the Secretary of DHS. The CRCL must report annually to the President. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress within two years of this bill's enactment.
  • Gun Manufacturers Accountability Act

    HR #157 | Last Action: 1/3/2019
    Gun Manufacturers Accountability Act This bill repeals provisions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act that prohibit civil actions or administrative proceedings against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, sellers, importers, dealers, or trade associations for harms resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm.