United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) an illness that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a veteran who was exposed to such agent or hazard by reason of such service. Presumes such exposure unless there is conclusive evidence otherwise. Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent scientific body to establish a panel for reviewing medical and scientific literature to identify those diseases and illnesses associated with exposure of humans or animals to specified pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants. Requires each disease or illness identified that becomes manifest in a Gulf veteran to be presumed to be service-connected. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the updating of presumed exposures. Enumerates the pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants to which Gulf veterans shall be presumed to have been exposed. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a plan for establishing a panel to review the statistical occurrence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed illnesses and symptoms among Gulf War veterans and their families. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan for the establishment of a permanent expert advisory group to advise the President and the congressional defense and intelligence committees on the adequacy of current U.S. chemical, biological, and radiological defense technologies, procurement practices, and doctrine for defending U.S. forces against both the immediate and chronic consequences of acute and subacute exposures to chemical, biological, radiological, or other genotoxic battlefield materials.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Condemns and calls for the condemnation of the brutal killing of James Byrd, Jr., which occurred in Jasper, Texas, as unacceptable and outrageous. Declares that the House of Representatives pledges to: (1) do everything in its power to probe the underlying causes of this brutal killing; and (2) join in efforts to bring an end to racism and the underlying fear and hatred and to encourage all Americans to dedicate themselves to ending racism and violence in the United States. Calls on the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, the White House, and all other Federal law enforcement agencies to conduct an immediate, full, and fair investigation into all of the facts of the case to aggressively respond to this tragedy with indictments. Urges the prosecution to proceed aggressively with a fair but speedy trial.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act with respect to investment of the social security trust funds. Repeals authorization for the issuance of public-debt obligations for purchase by the trust funds. Declares that nothing in Federal law shall be construed to authorize the Federal Government to issue such obligations solely for purchase by the trust funds. Requires the Managing Trustee of the trust funds to: (1) ensure that obligations in which investments are made bear interest at a rate at least equal (currently, equal) to the average market yield on all marketable interest-bearing U.S. bonds (thus allowing the interest rate to exceed the average market yield); and (2) compute the average market yield on the basis of market quotations as of the end of the calendar month next preceding the date of purchase (currently, date of issuance). Provides that any description of, or reference to, surplus or deficit totals for the Government in any document or other material prepared by the Office of Management and Budget or by the Congressional Budget Office shall not include the outlays and revenue totals of the social security trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998
Silicone Breast Implant Research and Information Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) appoint an official of the Department of Health and Human Services to serve as the NIH coordinator regarding silicone breast implant research; (2) establish either a study section or special emphasis panel for NIH to review extramural silicone breast implant research grant applications to ensure research design and quality, as well as quality intramural research; and (3) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the health implications of silicone breast implants. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to: (1) take specified steps to make updated information about the risks of silicone breast implant available to the public, via the toll-free Consumer Information Line and other means; (2) revise the breast implant information update to clarify the procedure for reporting implant problems; (3) require manufacturers to update implant package inserts and informed consent documents regularly with accurate information; and (4) require any manufacturer conducting an adjunct study on implants to take specified measures with respect to informed consent documents, including informing women on how to obtain a Medwatch form and encouraging women who withdraw from the study, or who would like to report a problem, to submit such a form. Establishes the President's Interagency Committee on Silicone Breast Implants to ensure strategic management, communication, and oversight of Federal policy formation, research, and activities regarding silicone breast implants. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1998
Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Care and Research Act of 1998 - Authorizes priority hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any illness for veterans who served on active duty: (1) in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Vietnam era; or (2) in combat against a hostile force after the date of enactment of this Act. Allows such priority notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such condition is attributable to such service. Extends through December 31, 2001, the authority for the provision of such services to other Persian Gulf War veterans. Authorizes priority service for a period of five years after discharge or release. Requires a report from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Congress on the experiences under the priority care. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs a National Center for the Study of War-Related Illnesses to promote the clinical, research, and educational activities of the VHA with respect to war- related illnesses, including medically unexplained illnesses. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the review of a methodology which could be used by the Department to determine the efficacy of treatments furnished to, and health outcomes of, Persian Gulf War veterans who have been treated for illnesses which may be associated with their service. Requires an implementation report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees. Authorizes the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to contract with NAS to develop a curriculum pertaining to the care and treatment of Persian Gulf War veterans who have ill-defined or undiagnosed illnesses for use in the continuing medical education of both general and specialty physicians providing care to such veterans. Amends the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Health Status Act to direct Federal department or agency heads designated by the President to establish within their respective departments an advisory committee to advise on proposed research studies, plans, or strategies relating to the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations. Requires: (1) related reports; and (2) the public availability of all research findings.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
ICCVAM Authorization Act of 1998 - States that the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) shall be sustained as a permanent standing committee administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Sets forth ICCVAM objectives, including: (1) increasing the efficiency of Federal test method review; and (2) reducing animal testing. Directs the Institute to establish a Scientific Advisory Committee. Requires each Federal agency to: (1) identify and forward to ICCVAM those guidelines or regulations it follows requiring or recommending animal testing; (2) promote valid alternatives to animal testing; and (3) adopt ICCVAM recommendations unless such recommendations are inadequate or unsatisfactory.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Terminally Ill Access to Treatment Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve for treating the terminally ill drugs and devices that have not received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) final approval and have not been shown to be unsafe. Declares that it is not illegal for a health care practitioner to administer a drug or device approved under this Act if the practitioner has notified the patient that the drug or device is experimental and not FDA-approved, and has received written approval from the patient or the patient's representative. Requires: (1) a practitioner to stop treatment and report to the Secretary if a drug or device causes acute harm; and (2) the Secretary to give public notice of an approved drug's or device's benefits or harm.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Prescription Drug Price Monitoring Commission Act of 1998 - Establishes the Prescription Drug Price Monitoring Commission which shall conduct specified studies concerning U.S. pharmaceutical prices, including the establishment of a pharmaceutical products price review board. Terminates the Commission on a specified date. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report on Federal subsidies and incentives provided to the pharmaceutical industry. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require drug manufacturers participating in the Medicaid rebate program to report within a certain time after the end of each calendar year (currently, after each rebate period) on the average price at which the manufacturer sold each covered outpatient drug in Canada, Australia, Mexico, and the European Union countries.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Christopher Sercye Emergency Hospital Care Zone Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to bar hospital prohibitions on emergency department (ER) personnel treating emergency cases in the immediate vicinity of the emergency room entrance, if the individual to be examined and treated is not sufficiently mobile to get to such entrance without assistance and if: (1) there are no non-hospital paramedics or emergency medical technicians available at that time and place for such examination and treatment; and (2) the provision of such assistance by ER personnel would not reasonably endanger their lives or health to a greater extent than if the examination and assistance were provided in the ER.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Class-Size Reduction and Teacher Quality Act of 1998 - Establishes a grants program to help States and local educational agencies recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional teachers over a seven-year period in order to: (1) reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. Makes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2008 for such program. Sets forth program requirements for: (1) allocations to States; (2) grant applications; (3) within-State allocations; (4) State-level activities; (5) uses of funds; (6) cost-sharing; (7) carryover of funds; (8) accountability; (9) participation of private school teachers; (10) evaluation; and (11) waivers.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title III: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 100 renewal communities, of which at least 20 percent shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with neighborhood organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Treats renewal communities as labor surplus areas for all Federal law purposes. Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to 25 percent of qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. (Sec. 205) Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. Title III: Additional Provisions - Provides for local government transfer of unoccupied and substandard Department of Housing and Urban Development multifamily and single family housing in renewal communities, with subsequent disposition priority to be given to community development corporations. (Sec. 302) Amends the Public Health Service Act to make religious organizations eligible to administer specified substance prevention and abuse programs. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 303) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that a financial institution's investments in community development organizations located in renewal communities may be considered in evaluations under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions for: (1) a small employer (100 or fewer employees) retirement plan; (2) a credit for the expenses of establishing such a plan; and (3) a model small employer retirement plan.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1998
Veterans Medicare Access Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program under which the former Secretary shall reimburse the latter Secretary out of the Medicare trust funds for Medicare health care services furnished to certain Medicare-eligible veterans whose closest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center is geographically remote or inaccessible. Authorizes the Secretaries to establish a demonstration project similar to such program for Medicare-eligible veterans whose closest VA medical center is not geographically remote or inaccessible. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to repeal the requirement for an implementation plan for veterans subvention. Prohibits payments from the Medicare trust funds for items or services furnished under the program or demonstration project established under this Act before the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines that: (1) certain legislation restricting entitlement to service-connected compensation for a tobacco-related disability has been enacted; and (2) the net amount of the reductions in expenditures achieved by reason of such legislation during the five fiscal year period beginning with FY 1999, that is available to offset the net aggregate increase in outlays (if any) under the Medicare program, is not less than the estimated net aggregate increase during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1998
Children's Sleepwear Safety Act of 1998 - Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a rule amending its Flammable Fabrics Act standards to revoke specified amendments to standards for the flammability of children's sleepwear. Declares that no statute or Executive order shall apply regarding the promulgation of the amendment prescribed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited credit for qualified medical innovation expenses for clinical testing research expenses attributable to academic medical centers and other qualified hospital research organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1998
Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the Library of Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to mint and issue $10 bimetallic coins of gold and platinum in lieu of the gold coins. Requires payment of coin sale surcharges to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board to support Library activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1998
Education Childcare Partnership Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that local education agencies (LEAs) that carry out qualified school-based child care programs should seek to: (1) become accredited child care centers; and (2) hire credentialed child care professionals. Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a program of grants to States for school-based child care. Sets forth grant application and allotment requirements. Reserves a portion of program funds for Indian tribes. Requires recipient States to: (1) provide such grant funds to LEAs for specified uses; (2) ensure that such funds are expended in coordination with State- established programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; and (3) use such funds to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local funds provided for programs that serve the health and developmental needs of children. Makes appropriations for such grants for FY 1999 through 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Bank Merger Money Laundering Prevention Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, upon receipt of a bank holding company's acquisition or merger application, to: (1) consider a company's effectiveness in combating and preventing money laundering activities; (2) refrain from considering the application of any company which is the subject of a pending Federal investigation or prosecution for money laundering or related financial crimes until such Federal proceeding is completed; and (3) disapprove the application of any company found criminally or civilly liable for money laundering or related financial crime during the five-year period preceding the Board's consideration of its application.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998
Healthy Start Initiative Continuation Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate continuance of the Healthy Start Initiative of grants to reduce infant mortality. Authorizes carrying out the Initiative on a national basis. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1998
Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS Relief Act - Exonerates the late rear admiral Charles Butler McVay III, United States Navy (retired), from responsibility for the sinking of the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS on July 30, 1945, while under his command. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the subsequent court-martial conviction of McVay was a grave injustice. Urges the President to grant McVay a posthumous pardon. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should award a Presidential Unit Citation to the final crew of the INDIANAPOLIS in recognition of their courage and fortitude displayed in the face of tremendous adversity after their ship was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese navy.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1998
Veterans' Access to Emergency Health Care Act of 1998 - Authorizes the provision of emergency hospital or medical care in non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities for veterans who are enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Includes such emergency care within authorized Department medical services. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse veterans for the cost of services provided for any medical emergency which poses a serious threat to the life or health of an enrolled veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1998
Prompt Payment Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends Federal law to direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to set forth in writing the prompt payment policy applicable to subcontractors under Federal contracts. Requires the head of each Federal agency to: (1) provide a copy of such policy to each contractor awarded a contract by the agency; and (2) require the contractor to provide a copy of the policy to each of its subcontractors under the contract. Directs the head of each agency to require each such contractor to include in each subcontract awarded under the contract a clause containing, among other things, the requirements and penalties of the prompt payment statute relating to the obligations of the Federal Government and prime contractors in making timely progress payments.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1998
Subcontractor Protection Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require an executive agency to include in contracts awarded pursuant to a subcontracting plan calling for the maximum practicable opportunity for participation by small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (qualified small businesses) a clause providing for the withholding of a specified amount or percentage of the total contract if the contractor does not achieve the percentage goal for the utilization of the qualified small businesses. Directs the awarding agency to require the contractor to provide written justification for not entering into a subcontract as required under the plan. Directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a telephone line or other electronic means of communication through which a qualified small business may inform the SBA of any concerns regarding major deviations by prime contractors from the use of such qualified small businesses. Requires the consideration of the use of such qualified small businesses as subcontractors when determining a contractor's past compliance with other subcontracting plans.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1998
Unemployment Compensation Amendment of 1998 - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to: (1) repeal certain State law requirements under the extended unemployment compensation benefit program; (2) establish certain mandatory triggers based on total unemployment; (3) revise requirements for supplemental benefits during high unemployment periods; and (4) modify provisions for alternative triggers that States may establish. Amends title IX (Employment Security Administrative Financing) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to modify the ceiling on the Federal Unemployment Account. Provides for special distributions of funds to the States under SSA title IX. Directs the Secretary of Labor to reserve specified amounts for grants to States to assist in implementing alternative base periods for determining the eligibility of claimants for unemployment compensation. Requires States to achieve or make substantial progress toward achieving certain solvency targets for their unemployment compensation accounts. Directs the Secretary to transfer to other States' accounts the amount that would otherwise be transferred to the account of a State that violates such requirement under SSA title IX. Revises SSA title IX requirements for distribution to States of certain excess amounts in the Employment Security Administration Account as of the close of FY 2002. Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to extend the self-employment assistance program. Amends the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) under the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for treatment of short-time compensation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs Subtitle A: Non-Emergency Food Assistance Programs Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Africa: Seeds of Hope Act of 1998 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to support governments of sub-Saharan African countries, U.S. and African nongovernmental organizations, U.S. and African businesses, and international agencies to ensure secure livelihoods and adequate nutrition for all sub-Saharan individuals, through sustainable agricultural and rural development. Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), in providing development assistance under the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, to: (1) use resources for programs and projects that improve the food security of children, women, or food-insecure households, or that improve the agricultural productivity, incomes, and marketing of the rural poor in Africa; (2) to solicit and take into consideration the views and needs of intended beneficiaries and program participants during the selection, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of projects; and (3) ensure that program objectives and interventions are primarily developed and conducted by African and U.S. private and voluntary organizations and other such organizations, including cooperatives and local producer-owned cooperative marketing associations, that have a demonstrated expertise in addressing the needs of the poor, small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, and rural workers, including women. (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of AID should increase resources to the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, for FY 2000 and subsequent fiscal years in order to meet the needs of the countries participating in such Initiative. (Sec. 102) Directs the Administrator of AID to provide, through bilateral and multilateral assistance, microenterprise assistance (including credit) to improve the efficiency of agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa (specifically targeting the needs of women, small-scale farmers, and small rural entrepreneurs). (Sec. 103) Directs the President, acting through the Administrator of AID, to utilize foreign assistance programs and initiatives for sub-Saharan Africa to support producer-owned cooperative marketing associations there, including rural business associations that are owned by farmer shareholders. (Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should: (1) issue loans, guaranties, and insurance, and utilize existing equity funds and loan and insurance funds, to support agricultural and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa (particularly intermediary organizations that directly serve the needs of women, small-scale farmers, small rural entrepreneurs, and rural producer-owned cooperative marketing associations); and (2) jointly cooperate with AID to ensure that adequate administrative funds are available to carry out such activities. (Sec. 105) Directs the Administrator of AID to develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate the activities of AID-funded international agricultural research centers, U.S. land grant universities, and national agricultural research and extension centers in order that research and extension activities will respond to the needs of small-scale farmers while developing the potential and skills of researchers, extension agents, farmers, and agribusiness persons, and increasing the agricultural productivity, in sub-Saharan Africa. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of AID: (1) has disproportionately reduced funding for international agriculture and rural development activities and the number of agricultural specialists who carry out such activities; and (2) should devote more resources and staff to such activities. Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs - Subtitle A: Non-Emergency Food Assistance Programs - Sets forth general requirements for the administration of non-emergency assistance programs under title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 - Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 - Amends the Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 1996 to rename specified provisions of the Food for Development Program as the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act. (Sec. 212) Includes, as part of the established trust stock of wheat, rice, corn, or sorghum used to meet emergency humanitarian food needs in developing countries, certain funds for Commodity Credit Corporation programs under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 that are available to acquire such eligible commodities through purchases from producers or in the market to replenish the trust. Authorizes the release of eligible commodities from the trust for emergency food assistance to developing countries, provided such release is at levels consistent with maintaining the long-term value of the trust. Makes permanent the authority for the trust. Subtitle C: International Fund for Agricultural Development - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should maintain its leadership in support for the activities of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). (Sec. 221) Directs the Administrator of AID and the Secretary of State to review the effectiveness of the current six-year agreement between AID and the Department of State as it relates to U.S. contributions to IFAD. Directs the Administrator of AID and the Secretary to determine the extent to which the Fund has made progress toward management reforms, self-sufficiency, and poverty reduction in determining the amount of future U.S. contributions to it. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Administrator of AID to report to the Congress on AID's plans for meeting the goals and objectives of the Africa Food Security Initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants Brownfield Community Empowerment Act - Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to award grants to local governments and citizens' organizations to inventory brownfield sites, conduct brownfield site assessments, and provide training and support to residents and local citizens in assessment, cleanup, and related activities with respect to brownfields and associated waterways and wetlands. Defines a "brownfield site" as a parcel of land that contains or contained abandoned or under-used commercial or industrial facilities, the expansion or redevelopment of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Requires States to submit information to the Administrator on brownfield sites. Directs the Administrator to compile a National Brownfields Registry. (Sec. 112) Requires the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to be used by local governments to capitalize revolving loan funds for the cleanup of brownfield sites and associated properties, rivers, and streams. Authorizes local governments to provide such loans to finance cleanups by such governments or by owners or prospective purchasers of brownfield sites. Gives priority to grant applications that: (1) propose the creation of jobs or job training programs or use existing programs; or (2) involve projects for brownfields located within any empowerment zone or enterprise community. Requires grant recipients to report to the Administrator on the extent of local citizen involvement in funded projects. (Sec. 113) Authorizes appropriations from the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) for such grants for FY 1999 through 2003. Makes certain facilities ineligible for the grant program, including facilities that are the subject of response actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to make exceptions for certain excluded facilities and allow grants on a facility-by-facility basis. (Sec. 116) Amends CERCLA to replace existing conditions on siting with one that prohibits the President from providing any remedial actions unless the State in which the hazardous substance release occurs prohibits the issuance of new permits for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities located within 5,000 feet of any school, currently used or potentially available body of water, drinking water source, residential dwelling, or hospital. (Sec. 119) Authorizes appropriations for grant programs and for assistance to States for voluntary response programs for FY 1999 through 2001. (Sec. 120) Authorizes the Administrator to award grants and cooperative agreements to States, Indian tribes, municipalities, and other entities for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 121) Requires the Administrator to provide financial assistance for brownfields workforce training programs in communities that contain brownfield sites. (Sec. 123) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require Superfund to be available for natural resource damage assessment, restoration, rehabilitation, and replacement activities carried out under CERCLA. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants, in connection with the authority to guarantee obligations to finance certain community development activities, to eligible public entities for projects for the cleanup and economic redevelopment of brownfield sites. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Food Banks Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations for additional commodities purchase. Obligates specified amounts for emergency feeding organizations' distribution expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals engaged in eligible farming businesses to deduct from gross income for any taxable year the amount (limited to 20 percent of the individual's taxable income for the year) paid into an interest-bearing Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Account, created for the taxpayer's exclusive benefit. Requires withdrawal of contributions within five years, upon which they are taxable as ordinary income in the year of withdrawal. Deems a distribution, subject to income tax, of any deposits not actually distributed within five years, and prescribes an additional penalty tax of ten percent of any such deemed distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Insurance Bill of Rights Subtitle A: Access to Care Subtitle B: Quality Assurance Subtitle C: Patient Information Subtitle D: Grievance and Appeals Procedures Subtitle E: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship Subtitle F: Promoting Good Medical Practice Subtitle G: Definitions Title II: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act Title III: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Title IV: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 1998 - Title I: Health Insurance Bill of Rights - Subtitle A: Access to Care - Requires any group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, providing emergency services benefits to cover emergency services furnished: (1) without the need for any prior authorization determination; (2) whether or not the health care provider furnishing such services is a participating health care provider; and (3) without regard to any other term or condition of such coverage (other than exclusion or coordination of benefits, or an affiliation or waiting period, permitted under the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), or the Internal Revenue Code, and other than applicable cost-sharing). Requires such coverage in a manner so that, if the emergency services are provided by a nonparticipating health care provider: (1) the participant, beneficiary, or enrollee is not liable for amounts exceeding the liability that would be incurred if the services were provided by a participating provider; and (2) the plan or issuer pays an amount that is not less than the amount paid to a participating provider for the same services. Prescribes the same coverage for maintenance care or post-stabilization care (subject to certain guidelines) by nonparticipating health care providers. (Sec. 102) Requires a plan or coverage that provides benefits only through participating providers to offer a participant the option to purchase point-of-service coverage for benefits provided by a nonparticipating provider, unless the plan offers the participant: (1) a choice of health insurance coverage through more than one health insurance issuer; or (2) two or more coverage options that differ significantly with respect to the use of participating providers or the networks of such providers that are used. (Sec. 103) Requires any plan and any health insurance issuer to permit each participant, beneficiary, and enrollee to receive: (1) primary care from any participating primary care provider available to accept such individual; and (2) (unless the plan or issuer clearly declares choice limitations) medically necessary or appropriate specialty care, pursuant to appropriate referral procedures, from any qualified participating provider available to accept such individual for such care. (Sec. 104) Requires any plan or issuer that requires or provides for designation of a participating primary care provider to permit a female participant, beneficiary, or enrollee to designate a participating physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology as the individual's primary care provider. Prohibits the plan or issuer, in the absence of such a designation, from requiring authorization or a referral by the individual's primary care provider or otherwise for coverage of routine gynecological care (such as preventive women's health examinations) and pregnancy-related services provided by a participating specialist in obstetrics and gynecology to the extent such care is otherwise covered. Permits a plan or issuer to treat the ordering of other gynecological care by such a participating physician as the primary care provider's authorization of such care. Requires the plan or issuer to refer to an available and accessible specialist any participant, beneficiary, or enrollee with a condition or disease of sufficient seriousness and complexity to require treatment by a specialist, and benefits for such treatment are covered. Requires a plan or issuer to refer an individual to a nonparticipating specialist: (1) only if a participating specialist is not available and accessible; and (2) only at no additional cost to the individual. Requires a plan or issuer to have a procedure by which an individual with an ongoing special condition (life-threatening, degenerative, or disabling) may be referred to a specialist who shall be responsible for and capable of providing and coordinating the individual's primary and specialty care, without referral from the individual's primary care provider. Requires standing referrals to a specialist for any condition requiring ongoing specialist care. (Sec. 105) Prescribes requirements for continuity of care for participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees in the event of a termination of a health care provider or of the contract between a plan and an issuer. (Sec. 106) Prescribes requirements for participation in approved clinical trials of individuals with life-threatening or serious illnesses for which no standard treatment is effective. Prohibits denial of participation in such trials, or discrimination against participants. Limits plan or issuer payments to routine patient costs. (Sec. 107) Requires any plan or issuer that provides prescription drug benefits limited to drugs included in a formulary to: (1) ensure participation of participating physicians and pharmacists in the development of the formulary; (2) disclose to providers, and upon request to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees, the nature of the formulary restrictions; and (3) consistent with the standards for a utilization review program, provide for exceptions from the formulary limitation when a non-formulary alternative is medically indicated. Prohibits a plan or issuer from denying coverage of such a drug or device on the basis that the use is investigational, if certain labeling requirements are met. (Sec. 108) Requires each plan and issuer to have (in relation to the coverage) a sufficient number, distribution, and variety of qualified participating providers to ensure that all covered health care services, including specialty services, will be available and accessible in a timely manner to all participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees. Permits inclusion among such providers of federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, migrant health centers, and other essential community providers located in the service area. Requires inclusion of such providers if necessary to meet such number, distribution, and variety requirements. (Sec. 109) Prescribes nondiscrimination requirements. Subtitle B: Quality Assurance - Directs each plan and issuer to establish an ongoing, internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 112) Requires each plan and issuer to: (1) collect uniform quality data, including a minimum uniform data set specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) have a written process for the selection of participating health care professionals, including minimum professional requirements; and (3) establish and maintain, as part of any internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program including prescription drug benefits, a drug utilization program which encourages appropriate drug use and takes appropriate action to reduce the incidence of improper drug use and adverse drug reactions and interactions. (Sec. 115) Requires each plan and issuer to conduct (or arrange for qualified outside agents to conduct) benefit utilization review activities only in accordance with a utilization review program that meets certain requirements. Prohibits a program from permitting or providing contingent compensation arrangements with its employees, agents, or contractors in a manner that: (1) provides incentives, direct or indirect, for such persons to make inappropriate review decisions; or (2) is based, directly or indirectly, on the quantity or type of adverse determinations rendered. Requires a utilization review program to make determinations and notifications concerning: (1) prior authorization services within three business days after receiving any necessary information; (2) authorization for continued or extended health care services within one business day after receipt of such information; and (3) retrospective review of services previously provided, within 30 days of such receipt. (Sec. 116) Directs the President to establish an advisory board to provide information to Congress and the administration on issues relating to quality monitoring and improvement in the health care provided under group health plans and health insurance coverage. Subtitle C: Patient Information - Specifies benefits, access, emergency coverage, prior authorization, grievance and appeals, and other pertinent information which plans and issuers shall provide to participants and beneficiaries at the time of initial coverage, annually, within a reasonable period before or after the date of significant changes, and upon request. (Sec. 122) Requires plans and issuers to establish procedures to: (1) safeguard the privacy of any individually identifiable enrollee information; (2) maintain records and information in an accurate and timely manner; and (3) assure individuals timely access to such records and information. (Sec. 123) Provides for grants to States for creation and operation of a Health Insurance Ombudsman. Requires any State receiving such a grant to contract for such an Ombudsman with a not-for-profit organization that operates independent of group health plans and health insurance issuers. Requires the Secretary to provide through such a contract for an Ombudsman in any State that does not provide for one. Makes such an Ombudsman responsible to: (1) assist consumers in choosing among health insurance coverage or among coverage options offered within group health plans; and (2) provide counseling and assistance to enrollees dissatisfied with their treatment by issuers and plans, and with respect to grievances and appeals of coverage or plan determinations. Subtitle D: Grievances and Appeals Procedures - Requires each plan and issuer to establish a system for the presentation and resolution of oral and written grievances brought by participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees, or health care providers or other individuals acting on behalf of an individual and with the individual's consent. Requires the system to include grievances regarding access to and availability of services, quality of care, choice and accessibility of providers, network adequacy, and compliance with the requirements of this title. (Sec. 132) Requires each plan and issuer to establish an internal appeals process, and provide for an external appeals process, which meet certain requirements. Specifies the appeal rights of participants, beneficiaries, and their representatives, as well as the kinds of decisions which are appealable. Subtitle E: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship - Prohibits any contract or agreement between a plan or issuer and a health care provider from: (1) prohibiting or restricting the provider from engaging in medical communications with the provider's patient; or (2) containing any provision purporting to transfer to the health care provider by indemnification or otherwise any liability relating to activities, actions, or omissions of the plan, issuer, or agent (as opposed to the provider). Declares null and void any such contract or agreement provisions. (Sec. 142) Prohibits any plan or issuer from operating any physician incentive plan that does not meet certain requirements under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 143) Requires any plan or issuer to establish reasonable procedures relating to the participation of health care professionals, including notice of participation rules, written notice of adverse participation decisions, and a process for appealing adverse decisions. (Sec. 144) Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating against a participant, beneficiary, enrollee, or health care provider based on use of, or participation in, a utilization review or a grievance process. Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating or discriminating against a protected health care professional because the professional in good faith: (1) discloses information relating to the care, services, or conditions affecting one or more participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees to an appropriate public regulatory agency, private accreditation body, or management personnel of the plan or issuer; or (2) initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding by such an agency with respect to such care, services, or conditions. Defines good faith action. Subtitle F: Promoting Good Medical Practice - Prohibits a plan or issuer from arbitrarily interfering with or altering the decision of the treating physician regarding the manner or setting in which particular covered services are delivered if they are medically necessary or appropriate for treatment or diagnosis. Allows a plan or issuer to limit the delivery of services to one or more providers within a network. (Sec. 152) Prescribes standards for benefits for certain breast cancer treatments. Prohibits a plan or issuer from restricting benefits for any hospital length of stay: (1) in connection with a mastectomy to less than 48 hours; or (2) in connection with a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer to less than 24 hours. Prohibits a plan or issuer from requiring a provider to obtain its authorization for prescribing any such length of stay. Permits a discharge before expiration of the minimum length of stay otherwise required, if the decision is made by the attending provider in consultation with the woman involved, or in a case involving a partial mastectomy without lymph node dissection. Prohibits a plan or issuer from: (1) denying to a woman eligibility to enroll or renew coverage solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this title; (2) providing monetary payments or rebates to encourage women to accept less than the minimum protections available under this title; (3) penalizing or otherwise reducing or limiting reimbursement because an attending provider gave care to a participant or beneficiary in accordance with this title; (4) providing incentives (monetary or otherwise) to induce an attending provider to provide care to a participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this title; or (5) restricting benefits (other than imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing) for any portion of a period within a required hospital length of stay in a manner less favorable than the benefits provided for any preceding portion of such stay. (Sec. 153) Requires a plan or issuer to provide coverage for reconstructive breast surgery resulting from a mastectomy, including coverage: (1) for all stages of reconstructive breast surgery performed on a nondiseased breast to establish symmetry with the diseased when reconstruction on the diseased breast is performed; and (2) of prostheses and complications of mastectomy, including lymphedema. Prohibits denial of coverage on the basis that it is for cosmetic surgery. Subtitle G: Definitions - Sets forth definitions. Title II: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of this Act. (Sec. 202) Requires each health insurance issuer to comply with such requirements with respect to individual health insurance coverage. Title III: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends ERISA to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of this Act. (Sec. 302) Provides that nothing in ERISA shall be construed to invalidate, impair, or supersede any cause of action under State law to recover damages resulting from personal injury or wrongful death against any person (except employers and other plan sponsors): (1) in connection with the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by that person to or for a group health plan; or (2) that arises out of the arrangement by that person for the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by other persons. Allows such an action against an employer or other plan sponsor only if it is based on the employer's or sponsor's exercise of discretionary authority to decide a claim for covered benefits, and such exercise resulted in personal injury or wrongful death. Title IV: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan to comply with this Act. Deems this Act to be incorporated into the Internal Revenue Code. Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to provide for coordination in the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Medicare Social Work Equity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Central American and Caribbean Refugee Adjustment Act of 1998 - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to make certain nationals of Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti eligible for permanent resident status adjustment under such Act. (Current law applies to nationals of Nicaragua and Cuba.) Makes conforming amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Family Farm Safety Net Act of 1998 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to revise marketing assistance loan formula ceilings for wheat, corn (feed grains), upland and extra long staple cotton, and soybeans and other oilseeds. Authorizes six-month loan extensions. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to give rural industrial assistance priority to projects that encourage farmer-owned value-added processing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
New Mothers' Breastfeeding Promotion and Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include breastfeeding or expression of milk from the breast to feed a child among those activities for which a woman may not be discriminated against in employment. (Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 50 percent of employer expenses for providing an appropriate environment on business premises for employed mothers to breastfeed or express milk for their children. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to put into effect a performance standard for breast pumps irrespective of the class to which the device has been classified under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, identifying those pumps appropriate for use on a regular basis in a place of employment based on the efficiency and effectiveness of the pump and on sanitation factors related to communal use. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to issue a compliance policy guide which will assure that women who want to breastfeed a child are given full and complete information about breast pumps. (Sec. 6) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), and Federal civil service law, to require family and medical leave for nursing mothers' breaks, if the lactating mothers are entitled to specified leave as private or public employees under such law. Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations to implement such FMLA requirement. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of HHS, acting through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration and in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other appropriate Federal agency heads, to undertake a campaign aimed at health professionals and the general public to promote the benefits of breastfeeding for infants, mothers, and families, especially public and private health professionals providing health services under Federal programs (including those for Federal employees). (Sec. 8) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to allow State agencies to use funds made available for food benefits (including savings from infant formula cost containment) for breastfeeding promotion and support activities under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (the WIC program).
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Agricultural Credit Restoration Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to exclude from "debt forgiveness": (1) loan rescheduling, consolidation, deferral, or reamortization; (2) one debt forgiveness due to natural disaster or family medical condition; and (3) loan restructuring, write-down, or buy-out as part of the resolution of a discrimination complaint against the Secretary of Agriculture (thus excluding such situations from the ban on lending program eligibility for producers with restructured farm debt). Increases the number of permitted loan (including direct operating and guaranteed loan) write-downs or buy-outs per borrower from one to two. Eliminates the aggregate limitation on per borrower debt forgiveness. Authorizes interstate allocation of unused funds for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services Subtitle D: Community Initiatives Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs Title II: Limiting the Effects of Violence of Children Subtitle A: Safe Havens for Children Subtitle B: Violence Against Women Prevention Among Youth in Schools Subtitle C: Family Safety Subtitle D: Domestic Violence and Children Subtitle E: Child Welfare Worker Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Subtitle F: Child Abuse Accountability Title III: Sexual Assault Prevention Subtitle A: Rape Prevention Education Subtitle B: Standards, Practice and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations Subtitle C: Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correction Staff Subtitle D: Hate Crimes Prevention Title IV: Domestic Violence Prevention Subtitle A: Domestic Violence Victims' Housing Subtitle B: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders Subtitle C: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Subtitle D: National Summit on Sports and Violence Subtitle E: Keeping Firearms From Intoxicated Persons Subtitle F: Access to Safety and Advocacy Subtitle G: Federal Witness Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence Title V: Violence Against Women in the Military System Subtitle A: Civil Jurisdiction for Crimes of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Subtitle B: Transitional Compensation and Health Care for Abused Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces Title VI: Preventing Violence Against Women in Traditionally Underserved Communities Subtitle A: Older Women's Protection From Violence Subtitle B: Protection Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities Subtitle C: Battered Immigrant Women Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments to the Violence Against Women Act Title VII: Violence Against Women and the Workplace Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Workplace Grant Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Subtitle D: Battered Women's Employment Protection Subtitle E: Education and Training Grants to Promote Responses to Violence Against Women Subtitle F: Workers' Compensation Title VIII: Educational Institutions and Violence Against Women Subtitle A: Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus Subtitle B: Student Safety Subtitle C: Violence against Women Training for Health Professions Subtitle D: Campus Hate Crimes Right to Know Title IX: Violence Against Women Intervention, Prevention, and Education Research Violence Against Women Act of 1998 - Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (the Act) to authorize appropriations for grants to combat violent crimes against women. (Sec. 102) Revises grant allocation guidelines governing prosecution grants, victims' services and State court systems. Expands grant purposes to include training that addresses sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking for State, local, and tribal judicial personnel. Directs the Attorney General to deny State grant applications that fail to provide documentation of collaborative efforts with other agencies or organizations. Redefines "victims' services" to include advocacy and assistance for victims seeking legal, social, and health care services. (Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for purposes of coordinating with: (1) victim services activities; and (2) Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence-against-women activities. Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize increased appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline grant. Requires grantees to submit a grant evaluation report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the HHS Secretary) for publication and public comment as a prerequisite to a grant award or renewal. Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services - Battered Women's Shelters and Services Act - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations for State grants. Modifies guidelines governing: (1) allotment of appropriations; (2) grants for information and technical assistance centers; and (3) authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 123) Instructs the HHS Secretary to award grants for: (1) State domestic violence coalitions and local domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, in order to develop model strategies to address domestic violence in underserved populations; (2) each State domestic violence coalition for an emergency assistance fund for domestic violence victims; and (3) technical assistance and training for State and local domestic violence programs. Subtitle D: Community Initiatives - Authorizes appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel - Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 to permit training grants for judges and court personnel to include: (1) child custody, visitation, and safety issues raised by domestic violence and child sexual assault; and (2) the extent to which addressing domestic violence and victim safety contributes to the efficient administration of justice. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies - Amends the Act to reauthorize appropriations to implement the functions of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. (Sec. 153) Mandates that at least five percent of appropriated funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments to treat domestic violence as a serious violation of criminal law. Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement. Mandates that five percent of such funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments. Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for grants to enter stalking and domestic violence data into crime information databases. Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors - Amends the Safe Streets for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for the United States Attorneys to appoint Victim-Witness counselors for the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for street-based outreach and education to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation. Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs - Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; and (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners. (Sec. 191-3) Amends the Act to authorize appropriations for grants for closed-circuit televising of testimony of child abuse victims. Title II: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Subtitle A: Safe Havens for Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public or private nonprofit nongovernmental entities to establish and operate supervised visitation centers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Violence Against Women Prevention Among Youth in Schools - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Education to implement a program in primary, middle, and secondary schools to educate young people about violence against women. Subtitle C: Family Safety - Family Safety Act - Amends the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act of 1980 to include among its purposes: (1) the promotion of cooperation between State and tribal courts to protect parents and children from domestic violence or sexual assault; (2) the promotion of realistic and protective standards for interstate relocation when parents dispute custody; (3) the avoidance of jurisdictional conflicts between State courts in matters of child custody and visitation consistent with not endangering or inappropriately punishing parents who are victims of domestic violence, or children who are victims of sexual assault. (Sec. 233) Amends Federal criminal law to provide as a defense to prosecution of either a criminal custodial interference or parental abduction charge, or criminal contempt of court relating to an underlying child custody or visitation determination, that the defendant was fleeing an incident or pattern of domestic violence or sexual assault of the child, or would otherwise have a defense under the International Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines to assist U.S. Attorneys and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether to initiate or terminate an action due to the potential availability of such defense. (Sec. 234) Amends the Judicial Code to declare that the intent of full faith and credit doctrine in child custody determinations is to preempt inconsistent State law. Declares that a protection order regarding custody and visitation of a minor child that is consistent with this Act shall be given full faith and credit by the courts of any State where the party who sought the order seeks enforcement. Modifies State court jurisdiction guidelines governing: (1) relocation of the child due to domestic violence or sexual assault; and (2) court authority to decline to exercise jurisdiction on behalf of parents engaged in specified conduct. Subtitle D: Domestic Violence and Children - Expresses the sense of the Congress that for purposes of determining child custody: (1) it is in the best interest of children to have a presumption that their main physical residence should be with their primary caretaker parent unless such parent is unfit; (2) child abuse and sexual abuse allegations should be fully investigated regardless of when raised, or whether the child has withdrawn the allegation; (3) States should not order specified measures if they may endanger either parent or child; and (4) States should provide training to all relevant professionals on how domestic violence and sexual assault affects determinations of custody, child support, and visitation. Subtitle E: Child Welfare Worker Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - Directs the Attorney General to make grants jointly with the HHS Secretary to enable child welfare service agencies to train their staffs and modify their policies, procedures, programs, and practices in order to make them consistent with specified principles and goals. Sets forth grantee eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Child Abuse Accountability - Child Abuse Accountability Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the assignment or alienation of any pension benefit payable to a participant pursuant to a qualified child abuse order. Exempts qualified child abuse orders from preemption by ERISA. Title III: Sexual Assault Prevention - Subtitle A: Rape Prevention Education - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the use of certain State funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers and nonprofit State sexual assault coalitions for specified programs. (Sec. 301) Instructs the HHS Secretary to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, State and local sexual assault coalitions and programs, and to other interested parties. Mandates that State grantors ensure that at least 25 percent of the funds are devoted to educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school aged students. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations - Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations Act - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend sexual assault examination training for health care students to improve recognition of injuries suggestive of rape and sexual assault; and (3) establish a mechanism for nationwide dissemination of a national protocol on sexual assault for forensic examinations. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff - Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish and disseminate to the States certain guidelines regarding the prevention of custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff. Requires withholding of specified correctional facilities funds from any State that fails to implement: (1) such guidelines; or (2) criminal penalties explicitly prohibiting custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff against prisoners. (Sec. 335) Directs the Attorney General to create a national, confidential, toll-free telephone hotline to collect data, and to provide information and assistance to prisoners who have experienced custodial sexual misconduct by corrections staff. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Hate Crimes Prevention - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998 - Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties for willfully causing bodily injury because of a person's race, color, religion, or national origin. (Sec. 345) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes, and, where appropriate, to amend Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who do such recruiting. (Sec. 346) Directs the Administrator of the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to State and local programs to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. (Sec. 347) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice (including the Community Relations Service), to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such hate crimes. Title IV: Domestic Violence Prevention - Subtitle A: Domestic Violence Victims' Housing - Domestic Violence Victims Housing Act - Authorizes appropriations under the United States Housing Act of 1937 solely for public housing agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide tenant-based rental assistance for families leaving a residence due to domestic violence. Subtitle B: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders - Amends Federal criminal law to require the Attorney General to reduce the amount of certain grants to any State that fails to comply with Federal full faith and credit requirements for protection orders. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to assist governmental entities to develop and strengthen law enforcement and recordkeeping strategies to enforce protective orders issued by other governmental entities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection - Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits an insurer from denying or restricting insurance coverage on the basis that the applicant or insured (or any employee or associated person) is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse or has incurred or may incur abuse-related claims. Confers enforcement jurisdiction upon the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes a private cause of action by an applicant or insured adversely affected by a violation of this Act. Subtitle D: National Summit on Sports and Violence - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) a national summit should be promptly convened to develop a multifaceted action plan to deter acts of violence, especially domestic violence and sexual assault; (2) the members of such summit should include sports, community, political, and media leaders, as well as Members of Congress and other governmental and community leaders with relevant expertise; and (3) summit members should assume leadership roles deterring acts of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle E: Keeping Firearms from Intoxicated Persons - Amends Federal criminal law to declare unlawful the transfer of a firearm or ammunition to any person reasonably believed to be intoxicated. Subtitle F: Access to Safety and Advocacy - Access to Safety and Advocacy Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to designated grantees and services to improve legal assistance to victims of domestic violence through access to the justice system, legal advocacy, and representation. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Federal Witness Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence - Amends Federal criminal law to include victims of domestic violence within the Federal Witness Protection Program. Title V: Violence Against Women in the Military System - Subtitle A: Civilian Jurisdiction for Crimes of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence - Amends Federal criminal law to declare that domestic violence and sexual assault offenses committed by persons formerly serving with, or presently employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States shall be subject to prosecution in the Federal District Court of the jurisdiction of origin of the person arrested. Provides for concurrent jurisdiction with other military tribunals and foreign governments. (Sec. 502) Amends Federal law governing separation from the armed forces to mandate that: (1) a copy of records of any penal action taken against the departing member of the armed forces be transmitted to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) any member convicted by court-martial of an offense of a sexual nature provide whatever specimen is necessary to conduct DNA analysis for inclusion in the Combined DNA Identification System of the FBI. Subtitle B: Transitional Compensation and Health Care for Abused Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces - Revises Federal guidelines governing transitional compensation and health care for abused dependents of former members of the armed forces. Mandates that an abused dependent of a former member be furnished with medical, dental, and mental health care in uniformed services' facilities with the same eligibility and benefits as were applicable during the former member's active service. Title VI: Preventing Violence Against Women in Traditionally Underserved Communities - Subtitle A: Older Women's Protection From Violence - Older Women's Protection From Violence Act - Chapter 1: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs to fund the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and provide for training programs in those issues for law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 2: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to require federally-funded State domestic violence coalitions to include within their scope of activities programs targeted to older individuals, including outreach, support groups, and counseling. (Sec. 604-3) Authorizes entities eligible for a community initiatives demonstration grant to include representatives of adult protective services entities. Chapter 3: Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Aging to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of older women when establishing research priorities for grants or contracts for research and demonstration projects on elder abuse. (Sec. 605-3) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for grants to implement a State long-term care ombudsman program. (Sec. 605-4) Directs such Assistant Secretary to develop curricula and implement continuing education training programs to improve the ability of health care and social services providers to recognize and address instances of elder abuse. (Sec.605-5) Directs the Assistant Secretary, when making grants and contracts, to give special consideration to projects designed to: (1) expand access to domestic violence shelters and programs for older individuals and encourage the use of certain facilities as emergency short-term shelters; and (2) promote research on legal, organizational, or training impediments to providing services to older individuals through shelters and programs. (Sec. 605-6) Authorizes appropriations for the ombudsman and the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 605-7) Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit private organizations to support projects in local communities to coordinate activities for intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) develop outreach programs for assisting victims of elder abuse, including some for assisting individuals in certain senior housing facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 4: Public Health Service Act - Elder Abuse Identification and Referral Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to instruct the HHS Secretary, when awarding grants or contracts, to give preferences to health professions schools or programs that condition the awarding of their degrees or certificates upon significant student training in specified areas of elder abuse identification and treatment. Subtitle B: Protection Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities - Protections Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities Act - Makes the protection of women with disabilities eligible for grants and research under the following Acts: (1) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; (2) Public Health and Human Services Act; (3) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act; (4) Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994; and Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994. (Sec. 617) Authorizes the HHS Secretary to: (1) develop curricula and implement training programs to improve the ability of social service and health providers to recognize and address domestic violence directed against women with disabilities; and (2) make grants and enter into contracts for such training programs for health professionals. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 619) Directs the HHS Secretary to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of, and violence against, women with disabilities in establishing certain research priorities. (Sec. 619-1) Authorizes the Attorney General to establish a grants program for States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for information dissemination on abuse and violence against women with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Battered Immigrant Women - Battered Immigrant Women's Protection Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that it is contrary to the law enforcement purposes of the Violence Against Women Act for State law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or judges to: (1) inquire into the immigration status of a domestic violence victim who is seeking protection from crimes of domestic violence, battering, or extreme cruelty to herself or her children; and (2) report such victims to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. (Sec. 623) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise guidelines governing a battered spouse or child with respect to: (1) cancellation of removal and adjustment of status; (2) ineligibility for visas or admission; (3) procedures for granting immigrant status; (4) general classes of deportable aliens; (5) status adjustment of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence; (6) removal proceedings; and (7) married persons and employees for certain nonprofit organizations. (Sec. 630) Authorizes the Attorney General to grant certain battered applicants documentation signifying authorization of employment during the pendency of their application. (Sec. 631) Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit Federal agency disclosure of records to the spouse or child of a naturalized citizen or lawful permanent resident who requests information from the Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding the immigration status of their spouse or parent, or who needs to obtain documentation for an immigration case or domestic violence-related judicial procedure. Excludes from such disclosure the records of victims of battering or extreme cruelty by a spouse or parent. (Sec. 632) Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to redefine "qualified alien" to include certain battered aliens for purposes of welfare and public benefits eligibility. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, the Social Security Act, and the United States Housing Act of 1937, to declare restrictions on the use of assisted housing inapplicable to certain battered aliens. (Sec. 633) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to provide that requirements and restrictions placed upon Legal Services Corporation funding shall not be construed to prohibit a recipient from providing related legal assistance to certain aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. (Sec. 634) Amends the Act to require each branch of the U.S. military to train its supervisory military officers in domestic violence dynamics in military families, and the protections available for battered immigrant women and children. Expands the purposes of training grants to combat violent crimes against women to include: (1) training immigration and asylum officers and judges; and (2) training justice system personnel on the judicial ramifications of the Violence Against Women Act, and the potential immigration consequences for perpetrators of domestic violence. (Sec. 635) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to express the intent of the Congress that statutory constraints upon the powers of immigration personnel not be construed as discouraging crime and domestic violence victims from reporting crimes to the police, from cooperating in criminal prosecutions, or from obtaining the legal relief needed for protection from ongoing violence. Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments to the Violence Against Women Act - Amends the Act to make technical and conforming amendments with respect to law enforcement and prosecution grants. Title VII: Violence Against Women and the Workplace - Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Workplace Grant - Authorizes the Attorney General to award a grant to a private non-profit entity, including one operating within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, to provide for establishment of a national clearinghouse and resource center to disseminate information and assistance to employers and labor organizations responding to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights - Victims' Employment Rights Act - Prohibits an employer from taking any adverse job action against an employee based upon such employee's status, experience, or condition as a victim of crime, even if the crime alleged does not result in criminal prosecution or conviction. Prohibits any adverse job action for an employee's participation in related judicial proceedings requiring absence from work. Prescribes enforcement guidelines, including civil action by an affected employee for actual and treble punitive damages. Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit - Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer a workplace safety program tax credit for 40 percent of the costs of implementing workplace safety and education programs to combat violence against women. Subtitle D: Battered Women's Employment Protection - Battered Women's Employment Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for unemployment compensation for separation from employment as a direct result of an employee's experience of domestic violence. (Sec. 743) Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the training of claims reviewers and hearing personnel in the nature and dynamics of domestic violence, and in methods of ascertaining and keeping confidential information about domestic violence experiences so that employment separations stemming from such violence are identified and adjudicated while full confidentiality is provided for the employee's claim and submitted evidence. (Sec. 744) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the provisions concerning Federal employees to establish an entitlement for leave resulting from certain domestic violence situations. Prescribes confidentiality guidelines for an employee's situation of domestic violence. Requires that employees, under State law, be permitted to use existing leave for domestic violence situations. Empowers the Secretary of Labor to enforce the entitlement for leave due to an employee's domestic violence situation. Subtitle E: Education and Training Grants to Promote Responses to Violence Against Women - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public and private nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations for the education and training of individuals who, as a result of their employment responsibilities, are likely to come into contact with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Workers' Compensation - Expresses the sense of the Congress that State workers' compensation laws should: (1) provide benefits to eligible female victims of workplace violence, including full compensation for physical and nonphysical injuries; and (2) permit the employee to pursue an action at law (other than statutory workers' compensation benefits) against an employer's role in the act of workplace violence. Title VIII: Educational Institutions and Violence Against Women - Subtitle A: Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus - Amends the Act to authorize Department of Education grants to institutions of higher education for campus personnel and student organizations, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs to provide personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and other equipment for the more widespread apprehension, investigation, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women on campus. (Sec. 801) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to request any Federal agency to use its authorities and resources in support of campus security, investigation, and victim services efforts. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary to provide for, and report to the Congress on, a national baseline study of university campus procedures when receiving a sexual assault report. Subtitle B: Student Safety - Student Safety Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: (1) revise guidelines governing crime logs and annual statistics of criminal offenses on campus; (2) exclude from educational records open to parental review specified records of campus disciplinary proceedings or criminal activity; and (3) modify eligibility criteria for Federal student financial aid services to require institution certification of comprehensive and accurate crime statistics. (Sec. 815) Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to publish annually and transmit to certain congressional committees and the general public a report identifying model programs for improving campus safety. Subtitle C: Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions - Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary, when making health care grants for rural areas, to give preference to a health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, each student to have had significant training in identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle D: Campus Hate Crimes Right to Know - Campus Hate Crimes Right To Know Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to mandate the separate collection and categorization of on-campus criminal offenses statistics that manifest prejudice based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability. Title IX: Violence Against Women Intervention, Prevention, and Education Research - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the HHS Secretary and the Attorney General to establish a multi-agency task force coordinating research on violence against women. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 901) Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to entities to: (1) support research to further the understanding of the causes of violent behavior against women; and (2) evaluate education, prevention, and intervention programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Departments of Health and Human Services and of Justice to make grants to domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations and academic institutions to expand knowledge about violence against women, with a particular emphasis on exploring such issues as they affect underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and report to the Congress on specified aspects of domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to award grants to designated entities to gather data on the experiences of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Authorizes appropriations. Instructs the Attorney General to conduct a national study and report to the Congress on laws regarding rape and sexual assault offenses and their effectiveness in addressing those crimes and protecting the victims. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to establish three research centers to: (1) support the development of research and training programs that focus on violence against women; (2) provide collaboration mechanisms between researchers and practitioners; and (3) provide technical assistance for integrating research into service provision. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage (currently $5.15 per hour) to: (1) $5.65 an hour during the year 1999; and (2) $6.15 an hour during the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Health Care Claims Guidance Act - Amends Federal law relating to claims against the U. S. Government to prohibit any action under such provisions based on a claim submitted: (1) under a federally funded health care program unless the amount of damages alleged is a material amount; (2) in reliance on erroneous information supplied by a Federal agency or in reliance on written statements of Federal policy which affects such claim provided by a Federal agency; or (3) by a person that is in substantial compliance with a model compliance plan issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense). Requires that the Government prove an allegation of a false health care claim by clear and convincing evidence. Defines, for the amendments made by this Act, "federally funded health care program" to mean a program that provides health benefits, directly or otherwise, established under Social Security Act titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (Children's Health Insurance) or provisions of Federal law relating to the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Gulf War Veterans' Iraqi Claims Protection Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States (U.S. Commission) to receive and determine the validity of claims by U.S. nationals against the Government of Iraq, giving first priority to non-commercial claims of members of the U.S. armed forces and other individuals arising out of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait, or out of the 1987 attack on the USS Stark. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury an Iraq Claims Fund for the payment of such claims. Authorizes the President, subject to specified limitations, to vest and liquidate Iraqi Government assets in the United States that have been blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and allocate the proceeds to the Fund to satisfy claims against the Government of Iraq by U.S. nationals, as well as claims of the U.S. Government that are outside the jurisdiction of the United Nations Compensation Commission. Provides for the reimbursement to the U.S. Government of expenses incurred in administering this Act. Establishes an order of priority for payment of claims. Directs the U.S. Commission to certify to the Secretary each award made under this Act. Sets forth a ten-year statute of limitations on any demand or claim for the payment of such an award.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Information Technology Partnership Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), subject to appropriations, to carry out a demonstration project under which grants are awarded to five eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) for: (1) developing information technology programs that build or expand mathematics, science, and information technology curricula; (2) purchasing equipment necessary to establish such programs; and (3) providing teacher training in such fields. Makes eligible for grants LEAs that: (1) are located in cities that have received an award from the NSF under the Urban Systemic Initiative program; (2) have provided assurances that they have executed conditional agreements with representatives of the private sector to provide services and scholarship funds; and (3) agree to enter into an agreement with the Director to comply with this Act. Sets forth application requirements. Requires the Director to give special priority for grants to LEAs that demonstrate the greatest ability to obtain commitments from the private sector for services and funds. Requires the Director to: (1) assess the effectiveness of activities under this Act; and (2) initiate a longitudinal study of students selected for scholarships and report findings to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the maximum grant awarded to an LEA.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, for the use of clean-fuel vehicles by enterprise zone businesses, an empowerment zone clean fuels credit equal to the sum of the: (1) empowerment zone clean-fuel property credit; and (2) empowerment zone clean-burning fuel use credit.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1998
Independent Counsel Limited Powers Act - Amends the independent counsel statute (the Act) to grant subpoena authority to the Attorney General in conducting preliminary investigations with respect to application for the appointment of an independent counsel. Modifies provisions of the Act regarding: (1) persons subject to investigation to exclude any Assistant Attorney General and any individual working in the Department of Justice who is compensated at a rate of pay at or above level III of the executive schedule, the Director and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and certain individuals who leave office or position during the incumbency of the President; and (2) crimes subject to investigation to cover persons who may, while in specified positions, have violated Federal criminal law (with exceptions) which involve an abuse of official power or improper influencing of executive, legislative, or electoral decisions. Directs the Attorney General to apply for the appointment of an independent counsel upon determining that there are substantial (currently, reasonable) grounds to believe that further investigation is warranted, or if specified other conditions are met. Requires the division of the court, in defining the independent counsel's prosecutorial jurisdiction, to assure that the independent counsel has adequate authority to fully investigate and prosecute all matters directly related (currently, related) to the subject matter with respect to which the Attorney General has requested the appointment of an independent counsel. Repeals provisions permitting such division to expand the independent counsel's jurisdiction. Directs the division to appoint an independent counsel for a two-year term. Permits such term to be extended if there has been an indictment or if the independent counsel shows the division, in closed session, that the evidence already developed is serious enough to justify further inquiry, or if there is evidence of purposefully dilatory tactics on the part of the subject of the investigation. Directs that the independent counsel receive compensation at the annual rate (currently, per diem rate equal to the annual rate) of basic pay payable for level IV of the executive schedule. Prohibits an independent counsel from having other employment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998 - Provides for a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-sponsored biennial conference on (regulatory) barriers to affordable housing. Requires proposed and final agency rules to analyze their impact upon affordable housing availability. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop model housing impact analyses. (Sec. 5) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize direct appropriations for State and local grants for regulatory barrier removal. (Sec. 6) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make affordable housing barrier removal eligible for community development block grant assistance. (Sec. 7) States that the regulatory barriers clearinghouse shall be established within the Office of Policy Development of HUD under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. (Sec. 8) Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) repeal the single family mortgage insurance owner-occupancy requirement; (2) repeal mortgage limits on dwellings begun prior to insurance approval; (3) revise the definition of "area"; and (4) revise downpayment provisions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to: (1) include 1- to 4-family residential construction loans within the percent of residential assets required of a qualifying Federal Home Loan Bank; and (2) eliminate the 30 percent cap on certain real estate-related capital that may be held as collateral by a member institution.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors Title II: Punishable Conduct Citizens Protection Act of 1998 - Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors - Subjects a Government attorney to State laws and rules, and local Federal court rules, governing attorneys in each State where such attorney engages in duties to the same extent and in the same manner as other attorneys in that State. Directs the Attorney General to make and amend rules of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assure compliance with this title. Title II: Punishable Conduct - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish by rule that it shall be punishable conduct for any DOJ employee to seek an indictment in the absence of probable cause, to fail promptly to release information that would exonerate a person under indictment, to intentionally or knowingly misstate or alter evidence, to attempt to influence or color a witness's testimony, to act to frustrate or impede a defendant's right to discovery, to offer or provide sexual activities to any government witness or potential witness, to leak or otherwise improperly disseminate information to any person during an investigation, or to engage in conduct that discredits DOJ; and (2) establish penalties for engaging in such conduct, including probation, demotion, dismissal, referral of ethical charges to the bar, loss of pension or other retirement benefits, suspension from employment, and referral of the allegations (if appropriate) to a grand jury for possible criminal prosecution. (Sec. 202) Sets forth procedures regarding written complaints of such conduct by a DOJ employee, investigation of such complaints by the Attorney General, and imposition of appropriate penalties. (Sec. 203) Establishes an independent Misconduct Review Board to review all determinations by the Attorney General with respect to such complaints and to investigate allegations made in statements that may be submitted to it with respect to complaints for which the Attorney General has made no determination or imposed no penalty. Authorizes the Board to impose penalties established above.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Child Care and Development Services Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act Title III: Crime Prevention Program America After School Act - Title I: Child Care and Development Services - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for new and expanded programs for child care and development services, including direct services provided outside of normal school hours, to promote the health and academic achievement of school age children, and assist the children in avoiding high risk behaviors. (Sec. 103) Requires each State that receives a block grant under such Act to make grants to elementary or secondary schools or community-based organizations to expand the availability and affordability of quality child care and development services, especially direct services provided outside of normal school hours (including before- and after-school care and weekend, holiday, and summer care) for school age children. Requires grant preference to entities that: (1) serve communities with a high rate of poverty and a high incidence of at-risk children; and (2) propose programs that make certain transportation services available to the children served. Requires the use of grant funds for direct services outside of normal school hours, related quality services, and indirect services. Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 201) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 202) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project-assisted activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 203) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 204) Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. (Sec. 205) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Title III: Crime Prevention Program - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish the After School Crime Prevention program. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to public and private agencies to fund effective after school juvenile crime prevention programs. Requires grantees to make available non-Federal matching funds in percentages determined by the Administrator. Requires grant priority to programs that: (1) are targeted to high crime neighborhoods or at-risk juveniles; (2) operate during the period immediately following normal school hours; (3) provide educational or recreational activities designed to encourage law-abiding conduct, reduce the incidence of criminal activity, and teach juveniles alternatives to crime; and (4) coordinate with State or local juvenile crime control and juvenile offender accountability programs. (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998
Public School Modernization Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise current incentives for education zones into incentives for qualified public school modernization bonds, including (currently existing) qualified zone academy bonds and (newly established) qualified school construction bonds. Allows a limited tax credit, computed according to a specified formula, to taxpayers holding such public school modernization bonds. Raises the national zone academy bond limitation from $400 million to $1.4 billion for calendar 1999 (and 2000), and eliminates the limitation after 2000. Prescribes requirements for national qualified school construction bonds, with a national limitation of $9.7 billion each for calendar 1999 and 2000 and no limit after 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Persian Gulf Veterans Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) a disease or disability occurring in a Persian Gulf War veteran that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with exposure to a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a Gulf War veteran within a period to be prescribed by the Secretary. Requires such presumption even though there is no record of evidence of such disease or disability in the veteran during the period of service. Provides the same presumption for diseases and disabilities determined to be positively associated with such service by reason of having a prevalence among Persian Gulf veterans greater than such prevalence among matched peers who are veterans or active duty servicemembers of the same era who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment (and which becomes manifest within the prescribed period). Requires the Secretary to make the above determinations based on sound medical and scientific evidence and within 60 days after receipt of reports submitted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as required under this Act. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement under which NAS shall: (1) identify the agents or hazards to which Gulf War veterans may have been exposed; (2) identify the diseases that are manifest in such members; and (3) determine whether a disease occurs in a Persian Gulf veteran with a greater prevalence than in matched peers who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment. Directs NAS to determine whether a statistical association exists between exposure to such agent or hazard and the disease, separately review potential treatment models and evolving technologies to identify such diseases, make recommendations for additional studies, perform subsequent reviews of available evidence and data, and report to the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the veterans and defense committees (designated committees) concerning NAS activities under this Act. Terminates requirements and activities under this Act ten years after NAS submits its first report. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an alternative scientific organization if agreement cannot be reached with NAS. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan for the establishment and operation of a single computerized information database for the collection, storage, and analysis of information on diseases of, and treatment provided to, Gulf War veterans. Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, NAS, and the designated committees. Directs NAS to evaluate and report on such plan. Requires the Secretary to: (1) continually compile and analyze all appropriate clinical data contained in the database; and (2) report annually, along with the Secretary of Defense, to the designated committees with respect to such data analysis. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to carry out a research program of the evolving technologies available to measure the exposure to certain agents or hazards associated with Gulf War service, as well as the diagnosis of diseases resulting from such exposure. Directs the Secretary and the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to jointly report to the designated committees on research results. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to carry out an ongoing program to provide Gulf War veterans with information relating to: (1) any health risks determined to be associated with Persian Gulf service; and (2) any services or benefits available with respect to such health risks.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Women's Higher Education Opportunity Act of 1998 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) with respect to the access of women to higher education opportunities. (Sec. 2) Provides that the following shall remain in effect during FY 1999 through 2004: (1) part-time student eligibility for Pell grants; and (2) the exclusion of HEA student aid from eligibility determinations for other programs. (Sec. 3) Increases the dependent care allowance for Pell Grant recipients. (Sec. 4) Child Care Access Means Parents in School Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to assist institutions of higher education in providing campus-based child care services to low-income students. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Requires: (1) each institution of higher education to provide the Secretary with information regarding men's and women's athletic programs; and (2) the Secretary to prepare a report based on such information, which shall be made available on the Internet. Requires the Secretary to establish a toll-free telephone service to provide the public with information regarding such reports and respond to inquiries about title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and athletic opportunities for girls and women. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to combat violent crimes against women on campuses. Requires the Secretary to provide for a national baseline study and report on university campus procedures in cases of reports of sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Revises and renames HEA title IX as the National Graduate Fellowship Program (currently, Graduate Programs). Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such national graduate fellowship program either directly or by contract with a nongovernmental organization which demonstrates the capacity to administer such programs. Sets forth fellowship conditions for recipients and for institutional applications. Requires award of fellowships: (1) in areas of national need; (2) in the humanities, social sciences, and arts; and (3) for scholars from underrepresented groups. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Revises campus security policy reporting and crime statistics disclosure requirements. Includes other campus officials (as well as campus security or law enforcement, or local law enforcement) among those officials that must report, for statistical disclosure purposes, if specified types of criminal offenses are reported to them. Specifies additions to the list of such offenses. Makes annual submission of campus crime statistics mandatory for all institutions participating in any student aid program under HEA title IV (participating institutions). (Currently such submissions are only required upon the request of the Secretary.) Directs the Secretary to report each set of such statistics, clearly identifying each institution and campus, not only to specified congressional committees but also to each participating institution and to the public via printed and electronic means. Requires each official charged with compiling such statistics to certify their accuracy and to disseminate certain statistics and information without identifying the victims or the accused. Requires any participating institution which maintains a police or security department to make a monthly report of specified crime information for public inspection. (Sec. 9) Amends the General Education Provisions Act to exclude allegations of criminal activities from the education records subject to family access. (Sec.10) Requires, under HEA student aid program agreements, that the campus security policies and crime statistics disclosed be comprehensive and accurate. (Sec. 11) Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on model programs for improving campus safety and complying with specified HEA requirements, including an identification of programs at institutions of varying sizes and purposes. Requires the provision of such report to each participating institution and the public through Internet, print, and other means.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998
Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Land Management Act of 1996 to authorize additional appropriations for fiscal years beginning after FY 1998 for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and structures at eligible historically black colleges and universities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1998
Dollars to the Classroom Act - Requires the Secretary of Education to award the total amount of certain applicable education funding directly to the States. (Sec. 2) Requires such direct awarding of all the funds (except those used for specified multiyear awards) that are appropriated for the Department of Education for the fiscal year for programs or activities under specified provisions of: (1) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; (2) the Educational Research, Development, Disseminations, and Improvement Act of 1994; (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; (4) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and (5) the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Sets deadlines for: (1) each State to conduct a census to determine, and report to the Secretary, the number of kindergarten through grade 12 students in the State for the academic year; and (2) the Secretary to publish and disburse the amount each State will receive under this Act for the succeeding fiscal year. Sets forth: (1) a formula for determination of such award amounts, based on relative numbers of such students in each State; and (2) penalties for false information. Provides for continuation of certain multiyear awards made prior to enactment of this Act. Requires award amounts under this Act to be paid to the State Governor, who shall make them available to the individual or entity in the State responsible for the State administration of Federal education funds. Prescribes requirements for the use of such funds, earmarking not less than 95 percent for distribution to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the costs of activities or services provided in the classroom that LEAs determine appropriate, excluding associated administrative expenses, but including nonadministrative expenses associated with statewide or districtwide initiatives directly affecting classroom learning. Prohibits: (1) any head of a Federal department or agency other than the Secretary from promulgating regulations under this Act; and (2) the Secretary from issuing any regulation regarding the type of classroom activities or services that may be assisted under this Act. (Sec. 3) Amends ESEA title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards) to require the use of at least 95 percent of title I funds for an LEA for a fiscal year according to the requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a plan for streamlining regulations and eliminating bureaucracy so that 95 percent of such ESEA title I funds for LEAs are used for the costs of activities and services provided in the classroom; and (2) recommend to Congress legislation containing changes to Federal law needed for the use of such funds. (Sec. 4) Requires each LEA that receives funds under this Act to provide for the participation of children enrolled in private and home schools.
![Official portrait of Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000193_200.jpg)