Results for

  • Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act of 2020

    S #3456 | Last Action: 3/12/2020
    Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act of 2020 This bill establishes standards for the collection of personal data, including prohibiting businesses from collecting such data without consent from the individual except as reasonably necessary for certain permissible purposes. Businesses must publish their privacy policies; implement data security programs to safeguard such data; and provide individuals with reasonable access to, and control of, their collected data.
  • Non-Judicial Foreclosure Debt Collection Clarification Act

    HR #5001 | Last Action: 11/14/2019
    Non-Judicial Foreclosure Debt Collection Clarification Act This bill applies requirements for debt collectors to businesses engaged in nonjudicial foreclosures (i.e., the enforcement of security interests). These requirements include debt verification and prohibitions on the means of debt collection.
  • Safe and Secure Federal Websites Act of 2019

    HR #455 | Last Action: 1/10/2019
    Safe and Secure Federal Websites Act of 2019 This bill requires an agency's websites that collect or store personally identifiable information (i.e., information that can be used to identify an individual, such as a name, social security number, or date and place of birth) to be certified as fully functional and secure by the agency's chief information officer. Such websites that are not certified within 90 days must be made inaccessible to the public. New websites that collect or store personally identifiable information must be certified before they are made accessible to the public. Websites designed for testing and development are exempted if users execute an agreement acknowledging the risks involved. The Office of Management and Budget must establish and oversee policies and procedures for federal agencies to follow in the event of a breach of information security involving the disclosure of personally identifiable information.
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act

    HR #5003 | Last Action: 11/13/2019
    Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act This bill prohibits a debt collector from representing to servicemembers that failure to cooperate with a debt collector will result in a reduction of rank, a revocation of security clearance, or military prosecution. The Government Accountability Office must report on the impact of this prohibition on the timely delivery of information to servicemembers, military readiness, and national security.
  • Homeland Security Counterintelligence Threat Reduction Act

    S #2728 | Last Action: 10/29/2019
    Homeland Security Counterintelligence Threat Reduction Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take various actions related to counterintelligence activities. DHS shall establish a counterintelligence vetting task force to report to Congress recommendations to improve counterintelligence vetting for DHS programs. DHS shall also develop counterintelligence awareness training as part of an established program for collecting information about nonimmigrant foreign students and other exchange program participants. DHS shall require appropriate faculty from approved educational institutions and exchange visitor programs to participate in the training. DHS shall take various actions related to the program for collecting information about exchange program participants, such as identifying degrees and fields of study that are sensitive for homeland security and counterintelligence purposes. DHS shall notify Congress if it decides to not extend the existence of the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council.
  • Homeland Security Counterintelligence Threat Reduction Act

    HR #4892 | Last Action: 11/14/2019
    Homeland Security Counterintelligence Threat Reduction Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take various actions related to counterintelligence activities. DHS shall establish a counterintelligence vetting task force to report to Congress recommendations to improve counterintelligence vetting for DHS programs. DHS shall also develop counterintelligence awareness training as part of an established program for collecting information about nonimmigrant foreign students and other exchange program participants. DHS shall require appropriate faculty from approved educational institutions and exchange visitor programs to participate in the training. DHS shall take various actions related to the program for collecting information about exchange program participants, such as identifying degrees and fields of study that are sensitive for homeland security and counterintelligence purposes. DHS shall notify Congress if it decides to not extend the existence of the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council.
  • Collecting Official Measurements and Baselines to Assess Trafficking Act of 2019

    HR #4581 | Last Action: 9/27/2019
    Collecting Official Measurements and Baselines to Assess Trafficking Act of 2019 or the COMBAT Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study to determine the extent of human trafficking in the United States, including estimates of the number of victims.
  • Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act of 2019

    HR #205 | Last Action: 6/19/2019
    Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act of 2019 (Sec. 2)This bill permanently extends the moratorium on oil and gas leasing, preleasing, and related activities in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico near the coast of Florida. (Sec. 4)The Department of the Interior must collect non-refundable fees from the operators of facilities subject to inspection under this bill, including inspection fees for offshore energy facilities and oil drilling rigs. All fees collected must be deposited into the Ocean Energy Safety Fund. (Sec. 6)Interior must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to complete the study on the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Offshore Oil and Gas Operations Inspection Program.
  • National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019

    S #497 | Last Action: 2/14/2019
    National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019 This bill requires each national security agency to report on its diversity and inclusion efforts. The bill defines "diversity" as diversity of persons based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other demographic categories. It also requires each such agency to * develop a system to collect and analyze applicant employment data to identify areas for improvement in attracting diverse talent, with emphasis on senior and management positions; * conduct periodic interviews with a representative cross-section of the national security workforce to obtain workplace information; * sponsor workforce members to participate in a Senior Executive Service candidate development program or similar program; * implement performance and advancement requirements for the workforce; * create opportunities for senior personnel to participate in outreach events and to discuss issues relating to diversity and inclusion; and * expand training on bias in the workplace and flexible work policies. The bill encourages agencies to expand professional development and career advancement opportunities that support their mission and to seek a diverse and talented pool of employment applicants by reaching out to educational organizations and professional associations.
  • National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019

    HR #2979 | Last Action: 5/23/2019
    National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019 This bill requires each national security agency to report on its diversity and inclusion efforts. The bill defines "diversity" as diversity of persons based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other demographic categories. It also requires each such agency to * develop a system to collect and analyze applicant employment data to identify areas for improvement in attracting diverse talent, with emphasis on senior and management positions; * conduct periodic interviews with a representative cross-section of the national security workforce to obtain workplace information; * sponsor workforce members to participate in a Senior Executive Service candidate development program or similar program; * implement performance and advancement requirements for the workforce; * create opportunities for senior personnel to participate in outreach events and to discuss issues relating to diversity and inclusion; and * expand training on bias in the workplace and flexible work policies. The bill encourages agencies to expand professional development and career advancement opportunities that support their mission and to seek a diverse and talented pool of employment applicants by reaching out to educational organizations and professional associations.
  • No Social Security for Illegal Aliens Act of 2020

    HR #5577 | Last Action: 1/10/2020
    No Social Security for Illegal Aliens Act of 2020 This bill prohibits an individual from collecting Social Security benefits based on wages and income earned for services illegally performed in the United States while the individual was an alien.
  • National Security and Personal Data Protection Act of 2019

    S #2889 | Last Action: 11/18/2019
    National Security and Personal Data Protection Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the transfer of data to, and storage of data within, foreign countries that threaten U.S. national security. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State to designate as a country of concern any country, including the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, whose data privacy and security requirements pose a substantial risk to U.S. national security. A technology company that is subject to the jurisdiction of a country of concern and that provides a website or internet application operating in interstate or foreign commerce shall * not collect unnecessary user data or use any user data for a purpose that is secondary to the operation of the website, service, or application; * not transfer user data or information to a country of concern; * not store user data on a server outside either the United States or a country that has agreed to share data with U.S. law enforcement agencies; and * allow individuals to view and delete their individual user data. Additionally, any company that provides a website or internet application operating in interstate or foreign commerce but which is not subject to the jurisdiction of a country of concern is prohibited from transferring data to a country of concern or storing user data on a server located in a country of concern. The Federal Trade Commission shall enforce these requirements; however, the bill also provides for civil actions brought by either an individual or the attorney general of a state to enjoin the engagement of any person in a practice that violates the prohibitions in this bill.
  • Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act of 2019

    HR #4481 | Last Action: 9/24/2019
    Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement a program to assure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of energy critical elements to satisfy the national security, economic well-being, and industrial production needs of the United States. Specifically, the bill * promotes collaboration in the program to include opportunities for students and staff at institutions of higher education and international collaboration; * requires DOE to develop and update a plan every two years for how it intends to carry out the program; and * creates a Critical Materials Information Center to collect, catalogue, disseminate, and archive information that is generated by research and development activities under the program.
  • Small Business and Consumer Debt Collection Emergency Relief Act of 2020

    S #3565 | Last Action: 3/22/2020
    Small Business and Consumer Debt Collection Emergency Relief Act of 2020 This bill places restrictions on the collection of consumer and small business debts during a major disaster or emergency, including during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. Among other things, debt collectors may not during such a period * enforce a security interest through a repossession or foreclosure, * commence or continue litigation to collect a debt, * terminate utility service, * seize assets, * commence or continue an eviction, or * charge fees or apply a higher interest rate as a result of nonpayment. After such a period, debt collectors must provide certain repayment options including extending the repayment period for debts. Violations of these provisions are subject to civil enforcement.
  • Secure Data and Privacy for Contact Tracing Act of 2020

    S #5027 | Last Action: 12/16/2020
    Secure Data and Privacy for Contact Tracing Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to public health agencies in states, tribes, and territories to incorporate digital contact tracing technology in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) contact tracing programs. This technology must meet requirements with respect to contact tracing functions, data security and privacy, and voluntary use. Grantees that develop or procure technology that does not meet these requirements lose eligibility for this funding and future funding for COVID-19 contact tracing technology. Furthermore, as a condition of receiving funding, grantees must (1) undertake an independent security assessment, and (2) develop a plan that delineates how the technology augments existing COVID-19 contact tracing and response efforts and addresses interoperability and protections to limit access to the data. In addition, the bill expressly applies federal privacy standards for the use and disclosure of personal health information by health care providers, health plans, health clearinghouses, and their business associates to contact tracing technology and its use. Current law provides an exception to these standards for personal health information used by, or disclosed to, a public health authority that is legally authorized to collect the information. The bill also prohibits the use of data derived from the contact tracing technology in legal proceedings or for immigration enforcement. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate this program.
  • Secure Data and Privacy for Contact Tracing Act of 2020

    HR #7472 | Last Action: 7/1/2020
    Secure Data and Privacy for Contact Tracing Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to public health agencies in states, tribes, and territories to incorporate digital contact tracing technology in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) contact tracing programs. This technology must meet requirements with respect to contact tracing functions, data security and privacy, and voluntary use. Grantees that develop or procure technology that does not meet these requirements lose eligibility for this funding and future funding for COVID-19 contact tracing technology. Furthermore, as a condition of receiving funding, grantees must (1) undertake an independent security assessment, and (2) develop a plan that delineates how the technology augments existing COVID-19 contact tracing and response efforts and addresses interoperability and protections to limit access to the data. In addition, the bill expressly applies federal privacy standards for the use and disclosure of personal health information by health care providers, health plans, health clearinghouses, and their business associates to contact tracing technology and its use. Current law provides an exception to these standards for personal health information used by, or disclosed to, a public health authority that is legally authorized to collect the information. The bill also prohibits the use of data derived from the contact tracing technology in legal proceedings or for immigration enforcement. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate this program within 90 days.
  • Secure Federal LEASEs Act

    S #1869 | Last Action: 11/17/2020
    Secure Federal Leases from Espionage And Suspicious Entanglements Act or the Secure Federal LEASEs Act (Sec. 3) This bill instructs the General Services Administration (GSA), the Architect of the Capitol, or any federal agency (other than the Department of Defense and the intelligence community) that has independent statutory leasing authority (federal lessee), before entering into a lease agreement or approving a novation agreement with an entity involving a change of ownership under a lease that will be used for high-security leased space, to require the entity to identify the immediate or highest-level owner of the space and disclose whether that owner is a foreign person or entity, including the country associated with the ownership entity. A federal lessee shall require the entity to (1) provide such identification and disclosure when first submitting a proposal in response to a solicitation for offers issued by the federal lessee; and (2) update such information annually, including the list of the immediate or highest-level owners of that entity or the information required to be provided related to each such owner. (Sec. 4) The GSA shall develop a government-wide plan for identifying all immediate, highest-level, or beneficial owners of high-security leased spaces before entering into a lease agreement to accommodate a federal tenant. (Sec. 5) The bill provides a rule for language in a lease agreement (concerning restriction of access to high-security space) between a federal lessee and an entity to accommodate an agency in a building or improvement used for high-security leased space.
  • Climate Change National Security Strategy Act of 2019

    HR #1201 | Last Action: 2/14/2019
    Climate Change National Security Strategy Act of 2019 This bill requires the impacts of climate change to be identified and considered in the development and implementation of national security policies and plans. Specifically, the bill requires the National Security Advisor and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to jointly establish an interagency Climate and National Security Working Group, which must develop an action plan on climate-related impacts on national security interests. Further, specified federal departments and agencies must each develop a plan that ensures that such impacts are identified and considered in the development and implementation of relevant national security doctrine, policies, and plans. The plans must be updated at least annually.
  • Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020

    S #2582 | Last Action: 9/26/2019
    Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020 This bill provides FY2020 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. The bill provides appropriations for Departmental Management, Operations, Intelligence, and Oversight, including * the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management; * the Management Directorate; * Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination; and * the Office of Inspector General. The bill provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations, including * U.S. Customs and Border Protection, * U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, * the Transportation Security Administration, * the U.S. Coast Guard, and * the U.S. Secret Service. The bill provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, including * the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and * the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The bill provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services, including * U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, * the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, * the Science and Technology Directorate, and * the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.
  • Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019

    S #2516 | Last Action: 9/19/2019
    Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019 This bill applies certain consumer protections regarding debt collection to debt owed to a federal agency and to debt buyers. A federal agency that is a creditor may not sell or transfer a debt to a debt collector until 90 days after the obligation arises. Specified notice to the consumer of such a sale or transfer is required. A collector of debt owed to a federal agency may not collect any interest, fee, charge, or expense that is (1) unreasonable in relation to actual costs, (2) not authorized by a contract between the debt collector and the federal agency, or (3) greater than 10% of the amount collected. The Government Accountability Office shall report on the use of debt collectors by federal, state, and local government agencies.
  • Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020

    HR #3931 | Last Action: 7/24/2019
    Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020 This bill provides FY2020 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. The bill provides appropriations for Departmental Management, Operations, Intelligence, and Oversight, including * the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management; * the Management Directorate; * Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination; and * the Office of Inspector General. The bill provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations, including * U.S. Customs and Border Protection, * U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, * the Transportation Security Administration, * the U.S. Coast Guard, and * the U.S. Secret Service. The bill provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, including * the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and * the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The bill provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services, including * U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, * the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, * the Science and Technology Directorate, and * the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.
  • To provide for a temporary debt collection moratorium during the COVID-19 emergency period, and for other purposes.

    HR #6423 | Last Action: 3/31/2020
    This bill places restrictions on the collection of debt owed by a consumer, nonprofit organization, or small business during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period and the following 120 days. Among other things, debt collectors may not during this period * charge fees or apply a higher interest rate as a result of nonpayment, * commence or continue litigation to collect a debt, * enforce a security interest through a repossession or foreclosure, * report past due debt to a credit reporting agency, * seize assets, or * terminate utility service. The bill also prohibits during this period a confession of judgment or similar agreement as a condition to a loan or extension of credit. (A confession of judgment is an agreement to a judgment of liability without notice and opportunity to be heard in court in the event of the default of a borrower.)
  • Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act

    HR #2991 | Last Action: 5/23/2019
    Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act This bill prohibits the application of, and repeals authority for, administrative offsets to Social Security, railroad retirement, and black lung benefits. An administrative offset is the withholding of funds payable by or held by the United States to satisfy a debt.
  • No Garnishing of Social Security for Student Debt Act

    HR #5907 | Last Action: 2/13/2020
    No Garnishing of Social Security for Student Debt Act This bill prohibits administrative offsets that use an individual's Social Security benefits to pay a federal student loan debt. (An administrative offset is the withholding of funds payable by or held by the United States to satisfy a debt.)
  • Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act

    S #2095 | Last Action: 7/11/2019
    Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act This bill directs the Department of Energy to facilitate and encourage public-private partnerships in order to address and mitigate the physical security and cybersecurity risks of electric utilities.