US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal Senate Bill SB463

Introduced
2/16/23  

Caption

Downwinders Parity Act of 2023

Impact

If enacted, SB463 will likely lead to increased financial support and healthcare access for communities previously excluded from compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The act intends to rectify historical injustices faced by individuals in certain areas who were left out of the original scope of benefits. This amendment aims not only to provide aid to affected individuals but also to promote awareness and outreach about the available assistance, ultimately enhancing community well-being.

Summary

SB463, known as the Downwinders Parity Act of 2023, aims to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to broaden the inclusion criteria for compensation related to radiation exposure. This bill proposes significant changes to assist communities that may have been affected by radiation exposure, thus expanding who qualifies for benefits under the existing law. The legislation addresses the deficiencies in the current compensation scheme that have left many individuals and communities without necessary support for health issues attributed to radiation exposure.

Contention

Despite the positive intentions behind SB463, there has been contention regarding funding and the scope of inclusivity. Some critics argue that expanding the benefits could place a strain on federal resources, potentially reducing funds available for other essential programs. Additionally, there may be concerns raised over the criteria used to determine eligibility and whether the bill effectively addresses the needs of all affected communities. Furthermore, ensuring proper outreach and education for newly eligible persons poses logistical challenges that lawmakers must consider.

Companion Bills

US HB1751

Same As Downwinders Parity Act of 2023

US HB4754

Related Downwinders Parity Act of 2023

Previously Filed As

US HB1362

Downwinders Parity Act of 2025

US HB4290

Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025

US HB252

Inflation Prevention Act of 2023 This bill establishes a point of order that, when the annualized rate of inflation exceeds 4.5%, prohibits the House and Senate from considering legislation that provides new budget authority and is estimated to increase the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The prohibition may be waived in the Senate by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Senate.

US HB219

No Patient Left Alone Act of 2023 This bill requires hospitals, as a condition of Medicare participation, to have certain written policies and procedures that provide for patient visitation rights and to inform patients of such rights, including any applicable restrictions.

US HB227

Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, the compensation of a federal employee who served in a combat zone or was hospitalized as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone. The bill terminates the exclusion two years after the end of combatant activities in such zone.

US HB216

My Child, My Choice Act of 2023 This bill prohibits an elementary school from receiving federal education funds unless a teacher requests written parental consent prior to teaching a lesson specifically related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender studies. In particular, the bill requires a teacher to request written consent from the parent of each student enrolled in the class prior to teaching the lesson. If a parent does not submit written consent to the lesson, then the school must provide the student with an alternative period of learning or study hall. Further, the teacher may not teach the lesson if the principal does not receive written consent from the parents of at least 50% of the students enrolled in the class.

US HR11

Establishing the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

US HB253

Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act This bill sets out a process to enable Puerto Rico to participate as a state in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, a state receives SNAP funding based on the number of participating households in the state whereas Puerto Rico receives a block grant to fund its nutrition assistance program. The bill requires Puerto Rico to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a plan of operation to transition away from the consolidated block grant program to SNAP. USDA must provide appropriate training and technical assistance to enable Puerto Rico to formulate such plan.

US HB232

Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2023 This bill expands data collection on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs, incentivizes local governments to improve retention rates in veteran treatment court programs and drug court programs, and expands options for veterans to participate in drug court programs. First, the bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs. The report must assess the population served by the programs, whether the programs use evidence-based treatments, the recidivism rates of participants, and program completion rates. The report must also assess whether women and racial and ethnic minorities have equal access to the programs and an equal opportunity to participate. Second, the bill requires DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a pilot program to make grants for local governments to improve retention in veteran treatment court programs and drug court programs. Finally, this bill allows a veteran (including a veteran who is a violent offender) to participate in a drug court program instead of a veteran treatment court program if a jurisdiction does not operate a veteran treatment court program.

US HB68

Veterans, Women, Families with Children, Race, and Persons with Disabilities Housing Fairness Act of 2023 or the Housing Fairness Act of 2023 This bill expands efforts to detect and address housing discrimination. Specifically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must conduct a nationwide testing program to (1) detect and document differences in the treatment of prospective renters, homebuyers, or mortgage borrowers; (2) measure patterns of adverse treatment because of the race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability status, or national origin of a renter, homebuyer, or borrower; and (3) measure the prevalence of such discriminatory practices across housing and mortgage lending markets. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2027 the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which supports organizations that provide direct assistance to individuals who have been victims of housing discrimination. Additionally, HUD must implement a grant program to assist public and private nonprofit organizations in (1) conducting comprehensive studies on the causes or effects of housing discrimination and segregation, and (2) implementing pilot projects that test solutions to help prevent or alleviate housing discrimination and segregation.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.