Tom Reed Wrote:

Last week, we voted “yes” on H.R. 1195, a bill that will require the Department of Labor to address instances of work place violence in healthcare, social service, and other areas. This safety measure creates an interim occupational safety and health standard that will encourage employers in different sectors to take actions that will protect workers from workplace violence.

CRS Summary

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

“This bill requires the Department of Labor to address workplace violence in health care, social service, and other sectors.

Specifically, Labor must issue an interim occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers to take actions to protect workers and other personnel from workplace violence. The standard applies to employers in the health care sector, in the social service sector, and in sectors that conduct activities similar to those in the health care and social service sectors.

In addition, Labor must promulgate a final standard within a specified time line.”

Tom Reed wrote:

We also voted “yes” on H.R. 1482, a bill that revises the duties of the Office of Credit Risk Management to include overseeing certified development companies (CDC) that will participate in the 504 Loan Program of the Small Business Administration, requiring the SBA to create environmental requirements for the entity. Through the 504 Loan Program, small businesses are able to procure funding through the SBA for modernization or expansion improvements.

CRS Summary

504 Credit Risk Management Improvement Act of 2021

“This bill revises the duties of the Office of Credit Risk Management to include oversight of a certified development company (CDC) that participates in the 504 Loan Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA), and it requires the SBA to issue rules related to certain environmental requirements. The 504 Loan Program provides a small business with SBA financing—through a CDC intermediary—for expansion or modernization.

Specifically, the bill requires the office to oversee any CDC that participates in the program and to conduct file reviews with respect to loan closings under the program. Further, the bill authorizes the office to take formal and informal enforcement actions against a CDC for specified violations and to charge each CDC a fee.

The SBA must issue rules to clarify the procedures necessary for an eligible CDC to comply with certain environmental requirements.”