United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Syria Accountability Act of 2002 - Prohibits the President from exporting any item on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations, providing any U.S. assistance to U.S. businesses with respect to investment or other activities, or conducting Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Trade Development Agency programs in or with respect to Syria. Directs the President to impose two or more specified sanctions against Syria. Requires maintenance of such prohibition and sanctions until the President certifies that Syria meets specified requirements, including that it: (1) does not support international terrorist groups; (2) has withdrawn all of its military personnel from Lebanon; (3) has ceased the development and deployment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons; (4) is no longer in violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions; (5) has made substantial progress in negotiations aimed at a peace agreement with Israel and a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon; and (6) is respecting the sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon as required under UN Security Council Resolution 520. Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to Syria and Lebanon if these six requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Calls for the governments of Europe to: (1) protect the safety and well-being of their Jewish communities; and (2) cultivate an atmosphere of cooperation and reconciliation among Jewish and non-Jewish residents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Expresses: (1) solidarity with Israel as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas; and (2) commitment to Israel's right to self-defense and support for additional U.S. assistance. Condemns the recent wave of Palestinian suicide bombings and the ongoing support and coordination of terror by Yasir Arafat and other members of the Palestinian leadership. Demands that the Palestinian Authority fulfill its commitment to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas. Expresses concern that Arafat's actions are not those of a viable partner for peace. Urges all Arab states to declare their unqualified opposition to all forms of terrorism, particularly suicide bombing, and all parties in the region to pursue peace in the Middle East. Commends the President for his leadership in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Promoting Self-Reliance for the World's Poorest Act of 2002 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to reauthorize sustainable poverty-focused microenterprise assistance programs through micro- and small enterprise development credits and microenterprise development grants for developing countries. Revises certain requirements with respect to such programs to require 50 percent of all microenterprise resources to be obligated and expended in support of programs or services under which 50 percent or more of the clients are initially very poor, that is, those persons living in the bottom 50 percent below the poverty line or those living on the equivalent of less than $1 per day. Requires the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (AID) to develop and implement certain interim methods to measure the level of poverty of clients of sustainable poverty-focused microenterprise programs under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Federal Courts Improvement Act of 2002 - Sets forth or modifies various provisions regarding judicial process, including provisions concerning: (1) bankruptcy administrator authority to appoint trustees; (2) the place of holding court in the Eastern District of Texas, and the composition of divisions in the Western District of Tennessee; and (3) conditions of probation and supervised release. Modifies wiretap order reporting requirements. Eliminates: (1) the automatic excuse from jury service for members of the armed forces, members of fire and police departments, and public officers; and (2) public drawing requirements for the selection of juror wheels. Makes the supplemental attendance fee for petit jurors serving on lengthy trials applicable where the juror is required to attend more than five (currently, 30) days in hearing one case. Sets forth or modifies various provisions regarding judicial personnel administration, benefits, and protections, including provisions concerning: (1) disability retirement and cost-of-living adjustments of annuities for territorial judges; (2) compensation for Federal Judicial Center employees; (3) the annual leave limit for judicial branch executives; (4) a supplemental benefits program for judicial branch employees; (5) inclusion of judicial branch personnel in the organ donor leave program; and (6) maximum compensation for services other than counsel. Prohibits retaliating against a Federal judge by false claim or slander of title.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Declares that Congress expresses its deepest gratitude for the service of the District of Columbia Army National Guard in protecting Congress and increasing security around the Capitol complex. Congratulates the National Guard and Capitol Police on the fine work they have done to increase security around the Capitol grounds since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) destroying, altering, or falsifying records in Federal investigations or in bankruptcy; (2) failure of an accountant who conducts an audit of an issuer of securities to maintain all documents sent, received, or created in connection with the audit for a five year period; and (3) executing a scheme to defraud in connection with a registered security, or to obtain by false pretenses money or property in connection with its purchase or sale. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review the Federal sentencing guidelines for obstruction of justice, and for fraud when the number of victims adversely involved is significantly greater than 50 or when it endangers the solvency or financial security of multiple victims. Amends: (1) Federal bankruptcy law to make certain debts incurred in violation of Federal or State securities laws, or common law fraud in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, and to increase the amount of employees' wages protected under chapter 11 proceedings; and (2) the Federal judicial code to authorize a private right of action that involves a securities fraud-related claim to be brought by the earlier of five years after the date of the alleged violation or three years after its discovery. Authorizes a civil action to protect whistle-blowing employees against retaliation in fraud cases involving publicly traded companies. Amends the judicial code to direct the Attorney General to establish within the Department of Justice a Retirement Security Fraud Bureau.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Global Action and Investments for New Success for Women and Girls Act of 2002 (or GAINS for Women and Girls Act of 2002) - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and other specified Federal law to require administration of such law with particular attention to programs, projects, and activities which integrate women into the national economies of developing countries. Requires the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to appoint a head of the Office of Women in Development (WID) at the Deputy Assistant Administrator level or higher. Authorizes the President to establish a coordinating council to promote the advancement of women and girls in all Federal agency policies and programs. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, the USAID Administrator, and the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain actions with respect to: (1) reducing women's poverty in developing countries; (2) supporting women's businesses through access to resources and financial markets; and (3) improving the terms and conditions of women's work. Women and International Trade Act of 2002 - Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to: (1) establish a Trade, Gender, and Development Policy Advisory Committee to provide policy advice on issues involving trade, gender, and international development; and (2) review (with other specified Federal agency heads) the impacts of trade liberalization on women and their communities. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to: (1) quality education for women and girls in developing countries; and (2) tuberculosis treatment for very poor, at-risk, and affected populations. Directs the USAID Administrator to carry out programs of: (1) child survival and maternal health assistance to individuals in developing countries; (2) gender-sensitive sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention; and (3) topical microbicide development. Requires U.S. international programs to incorporate certain measures with respect to family planning and reproductive health and rights. Urges that funds for programs addressing female genital mutilation be targeted toward certain local nongovernmental organizations. Requires the USAID Administrator and other Federal agency heads to carry out projects to assist: (1) women farmers in accessing global and domestic markets; and (2) governments of developing countries to eliminate de jure discrimination against women. Expresses support for certain international conventions regarding economic, social, and cultural rights of women and girls, children, and migrant workers and their families, as well as civil and political rights. Requires the President to carry out programs in foreign countries to prevent trafficking in women and children. Access for Afghan Women Act of 2002 - Prescribes requirements relating to U.S. activities in Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries, especially with respect to women. Urges the Senate to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Requires U.S. international programs to incorporate activities and measures to: (1) prevent violence against women and girls; (2) support women's efforts in conflict prevention and resolution and post-conflict stability; (3) provide protection and assistance to refugee and internally displaced women; and (4) increase women's leadership and participation in civic life. Supports Senate ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Authorizes the President to establish a U.S. International Fund for Women's Leadership to award grants to women's organizations in developing countries. Supports establishment of an International Museum of Women. Requires U.S. international environmental programs to take specified measures with respect to women, children, and men in developing countries. Requires the Secretary of State to take into account women's roles in natural resource management as well as the health impacts of environmental toxins on women's health when negotiating international environmental treaties and protocols. Supports Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Directs the Secretary of State to the U.S. representatives to the Global Environment Facility Council and Assembly to urge the Facility to integrate women's special needs into its programming in developing and transitional countries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Amends the Microenterprise for Self-Reliance Act of 2000 to make as one of its purposes encouraging the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to develop, assess, and implement effective outreach methods and tools to ensure that at least 50 percent of all microenterprise assistance authorized under such Act for developing countries be used to assist the poorest of the poor, that is, those persons living in the bottom 50 percent below the poverty line or whose average daily living expenses are equal to, or less than, the equivalent of one dollar per day. Directs the Administrator of AID to take certain actions to increase the involvement of the Peace Corps in microenterprise initiatives to assist the poorest of the poor. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that, in carrying out sustainable poverty-focused microenterprise development grant assistance programs under the Act, 50 percent of all microenterprise resources be targeted to very poor entrepreneurs. Declares that, in order to maximize the sustainable development impact of microenterprise development grant assistance authorized under the Act, the Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering such assistance shall establish a monitoring system that, among other things, adopts the widespread use of proven and effective poverty assessment tools to identify the poorest of the poor and ensure that they receive needed microenterprise credits, loans, and assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain employee group health plans or related insurances providing both medical-surgical and mental health benefits from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. States that the foregoing shall not be construed as requiring a group health plan (or related insurances) to: (1) provide any mental health benefits; (2) prevent the medical management of mental health benefits; or (3) require the provision of specific mental health services, except to the extent that failure to provide such services would result in a disparity between the coverage of mental health and medical-surgical benefits. Exempts specified small employers from such requirements. Requires that, in the case of a group health plan that offers a participant or beneficiary two or more benefit package options, the coverage requirements shall be applied separately with respect to each such option. Provides that, in the case of a plan or insurance providing in-network mental health benefits, out-of-network mental health benefits need not be provided at parity to medical-surgical benefits, as long as in-network mental health benefits are provided at parity with medical-surgical benefits and the plan or insurance provides reasonable access to in-network providers and facilities. Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality and a cost estimation of extending such requirements to the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act of 2002--Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) repeal the seven year restriction on eligibility for widow's and widower's insurance benefits based on disability; (2) waive the two-year waiting period for a divorced spouse's benefits upon the other spouse's remarriage; and (3) disregard months ending after a deceased individual's death in applying early retirement rules with respect to the deceased individual for purposes of the limitation on widow's and widower's benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Refugee Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to refugee provisions to limit summary inspection procedures to emergency migration situations in which numbers of arriving aliens substantially exceed inspection capacities. Grants the Attorney General sole authority to make such determination, which shall last 90 days unless extended after consultation with the appropriate congressional committees. Revises provisions respecting inspection of aliens seeking U.S. admission, including requiring: (1) an alien to be informed of certain rights prior to removal or withdrawal of his or her admission application, and (2) review of a removal order by an immigration judge, with the right of the alien to personally appear and be represented (at his or her expense). Exempts from expedited removal procedures certain Western Hemisphere nationals or unaccompanied children. Revises the procedure used to determine whether an applicant for asylum has a credible fear of persecution. Eliminates certain: (1) limitations on judicial review of exclusion orders or asylum claims; (2) time limits on asylum applications; (3) numerical limitations on asylee adjustments; and (4) numerical limitations on population control-related refugee admissions. Makes certain mandatory asylee detention provisions discretionary. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) develop alternatives to detention of asylum seekers, including supervised shelters and noninstitutional settings for minors; (2) enter into contracts with nongovernmental agencies for alternative detention programs; and (3) establish a National Legal Orientation Support and Training Center. Requires asylum seekers not eligible for parole or alternative detention to be detained only in Immigration and Naturalization Service or approved facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Military Standards for Airport Security Screeners Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to: (1) require the Immigration and Naturalization Service, upon a Federal agency airport security screener-related inquiry, to verify whether an alien has an immigration status that would render such alien eligible to serve in the United States Armed Forces; and (2) state that such an alien's immigration status would not would make him or her ineligible for an airport security screener's position. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for naturalization through active-duty service during: (1) Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia (such period to begin as of December 1995); (2) Operation Allied Force in Kosovo (such operation to begin as of March 1999); or (3) Operation Enduring Freedom in Southwest Asia (such period to begin as of September 2001).
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Gun Show Background Check Act of 2002 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require registration of gun show promoters and to set forth the responsibilities of promoters, licensees, and other transferors. Provides that if any part of a firearm transaction takes place at a gun show, each licensed importer, manufacturer, and dealer who transfers one or more firearms to a person who is not licensed shall, within ten days after the transfer, submit a report of the transfer to the Secretary of the Treasurer. Sets forth penalties for violations. Grants the Secretary authority to enter the place of business of any gun show promoter and any place where a gun show is held, during business hours and without a showing of reasonable cause or a warrant, for purposes of examining records and the inventory of licensees conducting business to determine compliance with this Act. Increases penalties for: (1) serious record-keeping violations by licensees; and (2) violations of criminal background check requirements. Modifies provisions regarding the national instant criminal background check system and the destruction of records in cases where receipt of a firearm would not violate the Brady Act or State law to provide for such destruction as soon as possible, consistent with the Attorney General's responsibility to ensure privacy and security of the system and to prevent system fraud and abuse, but in no event later than 90 days after the licensee first contacts the system.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Central American Security Act - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to: (1) extend permanent resident status adjustment provisions to qualifying Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Honduran nationals; and (2) revise the application filing deadline. Permits certain pending applications filed by Salvadoran or Guatemalan nationals to be converted to an application for status adjustment under the Act. Amends the Act to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility; and (2) provide for issuance of immigrant visas to certain spouses and children. States that applicants for relief: (1) shall not be granted a waiver from any security or criminal background investigation required by the Act; and (2) shall submit fingerprints to the appropriate Federal agencies. Provides for the limited reopening of certain orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal by certain Cuban, or Nicaraguan nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Domestic Violence Screening and Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require that health benefits provided include coverage of domestic violence screening and treatment. Amends Federal civil service law to require the Office of Personal Management to require all contracted carriers of health coverage for Federal employees to include coverage for domestic violence screening and treatment services. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to require States to set aside a reasonable portion of maternal and child health services block grant funds to provide for domestic violence screening and treatment services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to such funds retained for certain projects, to provide preference to State applicants who include training of providers in how to screen for, and treat, domestic violence. Requires the Secretary to allot funds to States to provide for a separate program for domestic violence screening and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Pet Safety and Protection Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act regarding sources of research facility dogs and cats, to prohibit a research facility from using, or a person (as defined by this Act) from selling or donating, a dog or cat for research or education purposes that was not obtained from specified dealers, public pounds, owners, or Department of Agriculture-licensed research facilities. Establishes monetary penalties for related violations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code by: (1) reinstating the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate until October 1, 2007; (2) reinstating the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate until October 1, 2007; (3) extending the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate until October 1, 2007; and (4) reinstating the Corporate Environmental Income Tax until January 1, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2002
Congratulates Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, on its 90th anniversary and wishes it continued success in its efforts on behalf of all people.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2002
Rape Kit DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act - Amends the DNA Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to carry out DNA analyses of samples from crime scenes (current law) to eliminate the backlog of unanalyzed rape kits and ensure their future timely analyses. Increases the authorization of appropriations for grants for DNA analysis for FY 2003 and 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Supports the goals and ideals of the National Day of Silence. Encourages each State and school district to adopt laws and policies to prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and school staff. Requests the President to call on the people of the United States to observe the National Day of Silence with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Judicial Improvements Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish a new chapter regarding complaints against judges and judicial discipline. Authorizes any person alleging that a judge has engaged in specified prejudicial conduct, or is unable to discharge all the duties of office by reason of mental or physical disability, to file with the clerk of the court of appeals for the circuit a written complaint. Directs the chief judge to expeditiously review complaints. Authorizes: (1) the chief judge to conduct a limited inquiry; and (2) a complainant or judge aggrieved by a final order of the chief judge to petition the judicial council of the circuit for review. Makes denial of a petition for review final. Requires the chief judge, if not entering such an order, to form a special committee to investigate the allegations. Authorizes specified action by the judicial council. Provides for referral to the Judicial Conference of the United States. Directs the Judicial Conference, if it finds impeachment warranted, to certify and transmit the determination and record of proceedings to the House of Representatives. Sets forth provisions regarding subpoena power, review of orders and actions, rules for the conduct of proceedings, restrictions on individuals who are the subject of an investigation, and confidentiality of proceedings. Provides for the exclusion of any judge who is recused from the case or controversy at issue for purposes of determining a majority with respect to en banc hearings of circuit judges.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Restoration of Fairness in Immigration Act of 2002 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to due process in immigration proceedings, including due process in expedited removal proceedings, judicial review in immigration proceedings, and detention proceedings and detention alternatives. Directs the Attorney General to make periodic reports with respect to persons detained after September 11, 2001. Directs the Secretary of State to establish a Board of Visa Appeals. Revises provisions with respect to: (1) removal proceedings; (2) five-year bars to admission and other grounds for exclusion; (3) family reunification-related visas and grounds of admissibility; (4) voluntary departure; (5) public charge determinations and affidavits of support; (6) asylum and refugee proceedings; (7) asset forfeiture; (8) parole authority; and (9) State personnel performing immigration functions. Directs the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to establish an Office of Border Patrol Recruitment and Retention.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2002 - Amends Federal Civil Service provisions to require that, of the 12 weeks of leave available to a Federal employee during any 12-month period based on the birth of a child or the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care, up to one-half of that time (as the employee may designate) shall be with pay, in addition to any annual or sick leave which the employee may otherwise elect to use as part of the same12-week period.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Saving Women's Lives Act of 2002 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 and 2003 for U.S. voluntary contributions to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Prohibits the availability of such funds for an UNFPA country program in China. Conditions the availability of funds to UNFPA upon its maintenance of them in a separate, non-commingled account, and on its not funding abortions as a method of family planning.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by determining that acquiring corporations in"corporate expatriation transactions" shall be considered domestic corporations. Defines a "corporate expatriation transaction" as, with certain exceptions, one in which a "nominally foreign corporation" acquires substantially all of the properties held by a domestic corporation and in which, immediately after the transaction, more than 80 percent of the stock of the acquiring corporation is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation. Lowers the 80 percent threshold to 50 percent when the acquiring "nominally foreign corporation" lacks substantial business activities in the foreign country in which it was created and organized compared to the total activities of the "expanded affiliated group" and the stock is publicly traded, with the principal market of trading being the United States. Defines the terms "nominally foreign corporation" and "expanded affiliated group." Applies similar rules to partnership transactions. Establishes that a series of related transactions relevant to the Act shall be handled as a single transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Emergency Contraception Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception. Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on emergency contraception. Requires that the information disseminated to health care providers include at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2002
Battered Immigrant Family Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to make qualifying battered alien spouses and children eligible for specified public benefits. Redefines "qualified alien" for such purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify procedures and provide special rules for battered aliens with respect to: (1) public charge inadmissibility (2) immigrant petitions, including self-petitioning petitions; (3) implementation of immigration provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); (4) fiancee conditional residency requirement; (5) removal and inadmissibility; (6) adjustment of status; and (7) access to VAWA for visa waivers. 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. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct the Violence Against Women Grants Office in the Department of Justice to report on services for underserved populations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to include alienage status within the scope of underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2002
Expresses Congress' profound respect for, and deep appreciation of, the life and works of John Steinbeck and his contributions to the promotion of reading and literature.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Museum and Library Services Act of 2002 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to extend authorizations of appropriations and revise programs under such Acts. Amends MLSA to establish the National Museum and Library Services Board, within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Eliminates a National Museum Services Board.) Requires the IMLS Director to: (1) ensure coordination with certain activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), and other Federal activities; and (2) conduct and publish analyses of museum and library services impact. Revises requirements for annual national awards to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities. Includes specified entities under the term museum, for MLSA purposes. Revises museum services activities. Amends LSTA to provide for: (1) an increased portion for administrative costs; (2) an increased alternative minimum allotment to States under certain conditions; (3) State plans once every five years, as determined by the IMLS Director; (4) additional uses of grants to States for library programs; and (5) recruitment of library and information science personnel under the program of national leadership grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Repeals requirements under the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act relating to Commission responsibilities to: (1) advise the IMLS Director; and (2) meet with the National Museum Services Board, which is eliminated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) Federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2002
Commends the Republic of Turkey and the State of Israel for the continued strengthening of their political, economic, cultural, and strategic partnership and for their actions in support of the war on terrorism. Calls upon other countries in the Middle East to follow the example set by Turkey and Israel in the interest of promoting regional cooperation and peace. Reaffirms the political, economic, cultural, and strategic partnership between the United States, Turkey, and Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2002
Amends Federal aviation safety and security law provisions to replace language requiring airport security screeners to be U.S. citizens with a provision that any individual eligible to join in the United States Military is eligible to become a security screener.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Improved Maternal and Children's Health Coverage Act of 2002 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a State child health plan, among other things, to provide for: (1) development and use of a uniform, simplified application form for establishing SCHIP- and Medicaid-eligibility under SSA title XIX (Medicaid); (2) an enrollment process coordinated with that under Medicaid so that a family need only interact with a single agency to determine whether a child is SCHIP- or Medicaid-eligible; (3) acceptance and timely response to inquiries received through the national toll-free system established by this Act; (4) methods to ensure that children within a family eligible for SCHIP assistance are allowed to be seen by the same pediatric provider or group of pediatric providers in a manner that permits coordinated receipt of care by children in the same family to the extent a State child health plan provides coverage other than through providing benefits under the State's Medicaid plan; and (5) responsibility of the State and its contractors for assuring compliance with limitations on cost-sharing. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI to provide for automatic reassessment of eligibility for Medicaid and SCHIP benefits for children losing Medicaid or SCHIP eligibility. Amends SSA title XXI to provide for optional coverage of low-income, uninsured pregnant women under a State child health plan. Amends SSA title XIX to grant States the option of: (1) using enhanced Federal medical assistance percentage for coverage of additional pregnant women under Medicaid; and (2) covering qualified alien children under Medicaid and SCHIP programs. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI to provide for program coordination with the Maternal and Child Health program under SSA title V.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Securities Fraud Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends Federal criminal law with respect to civil remedies for violations of prohibited activities by racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO). Repeals the denial of (thus permitting) civil remedies for securities fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
United States Security (USA) Act of 2001 - Sets forth "Buy America" provisions permitting, subject to exception, Federal financial assistance under this Act for a project only if steel and manufactured goods used in the project are of U.S. origin. Authorizes appropriations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) design, construct, and equip new facilities and renovate existing facilities for defending against and combating bioterrorism and other public health threats; (2) establish a Scientific Communication Center; and (3) improve security at CDC facilities. Amends the: (1) Atomic Energy Act to provide for sufficient potassium iodide tablet stockpiles; and (2) Public Health Service Act to provide for a contingency bone marrow donor program. Requires national standards for the implementation of quarantines. Authorizes appropriations for sequencing the genomes of biological pathogens. Directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make grants to units of local government and emergency response units to plan, train, and equip emergency responders. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide staffing for adequate fire and emergency response. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies and institutions of higher learning to enhance security and emergency preparedness. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation to establish programs to: (1) address the lack of security on critical highway infrastructure; (2) improve interagency training for and communication among first responders to a terrorist attack; (3) provide real-time information and guidance for the traveling and non-traveling public; and (4) address the lack of adequate security for locks and dams, the lack of cargo information, and the inability to share information in a timely fashion with agencies such as the Coast Guard. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to assess the vulnerability of the 50 busiest U.S. seaports and establish: (1) in the Coast Guard the position of Assistant Commandant for Maritime Security; (2) a sea marshal program; (3) a national port security task force; (4) a maritime security institute; and (5) terrorism response plans for responding to a maritime terrorist attack. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for specified passenger rail and freight rail protection projects. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation with respect to public transit security, including installation of communications, surveillance, detection systems, and personal protective and detection equipment at public transit facilities. Requires a National Academy of Sciences energy pipeline security study. Authorizes appropriations for upgrading and expanding the current infrastructure of the Aviation Safety Reporting System of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out pilot projects with air carriers for real-time transmission to the FAA of cockpit voice and flight data and cabin video data from aircraft. Establishes a pilot program to deploy commercially available fuel cells at public use airports to ensure a reliable energy supply for new and emerging aviation security technologies, airport control towers, airport terminals, and other airport facilities. Requires the following officials to submit risk management assessment reports to Congress: (1) the Secretary of Energy regarding oil refineries, natural gas, and liquid natural gas storage facilities; (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding chemical manufacturing facilities; (3) the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding nuclear facilities; (4) the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the domestic electric power grid; (5) the Secretary of Commerce regarding the Nation's fiber optic infrastructure; and (6) the Administrator of the General Services Administration regarding Federal buildings. Directs the Secretary of Energy to coordinate development and implementation of an interagency plan to prepare for and defend against terrorist attacks against high-level nuclear waste transportation facilities and infrastructure, interim storage facilities, intermodal transfer facilities, and central repositories. Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate and develop a plan to ensure that Federal, State, and local governments can respond adequately to the consequences of a terrorist attack against the transportation or storage of high-level nuclear waste. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the NRC to: (1) establish a system to ensure that transportation of nuclear materials under its jurisdiction meets certain requirements; and (2) commence a rulemaking to consider changes to the design basis threat for NRC-licensed facilities. Authorizes the President, whenever a state of war or national emergency exists, to: (1) deploy either the Armed Forces or the National Guard to defend NRC-licensed facilities from terrorist attack or threat from any foreign power; and (2) restrict air space in the vicinity of such facilities. Requires each Federal agency to take certain steps to enhance cyber security. Authorizes appropriations for State and local governments to do the same. Requires the Attorney General to update a specified study assessing the vulnerability of Federal facilities. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of Central Intelligence to investigate whether existing computer knowledge assessment technologies meeting specified criteria can be used to detect individuals with terrorist training. Directs the Attorney General to create a pilot program for establishing civilian supplemental incident response teams. Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Postal Service to enhance its ability to detect and neutralize, or otherwise respond to, any dangerous matter entered into the mails without authorization. Directs the United States Customs Service to expedite the development and deployment of pulsed fast neutron analysis technology and authorizes appropriations for the development of scanners capable of sensing biological and chemical contaminants in microscopic airborne quantities. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) take specified measures for identifying individuals crossing U.S. Borders; and (2) increase to specified levels the number of U.S. Border Patrol personnel, U.S. marshals, and Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs Service inspectors at ports of entry by 2003. Requires the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to establish a border health inspectors corps to inspect individuals who may be intending to infect others for infectious disease. Requires the Director of Homeland Security to consider a program to improve aerial reconnaissance activities at U.S. borders, to include the use of unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Directs the President, acting through the Office of Homeland Security, to oversee the appropriate sharing of information among Federal, State, and local agencies involved in intelligence collection and law enforcement. Directs the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security to develop within such Office an entity to develop a system-wide information network to integrate existing watch lists of suspected terrorists. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the prompt assignment of specified channels for public safety purposes. Requires the Attorney General to establish regional emerging threat workspaces. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to maintain a secure database on select biological agents that pose a threat to public health by terrorist attack. Directs the President to establish within the Office for Homeland Security a center to develop an interagency clearinghouse for new counterterrorism technologies. States the policy of the United States to work with other nations, especially Russia, to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation of necessary materials and expertise. Authorizes appropriations for cooperative threat reduction programs. Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop an integrated plan for the use of technology to combat terrorism. Creates within the Executive Office of the President a Director of Homeland Security who shall conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of threat to the United States and develop a five-year homeland security strategy in response.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Holocaust Victims' Assets, Restitution Policy, and Remembrance Act - Establishes the National Foundation for the Study of Holocaust Assets as an independent entity of the Executive branch to: (1) serve as a centralized repository for research and information about Holocaust-era assets; and (2) create tools to assist individuals and institutions to determine the ownership of Holocaust victims' assets and to enable claimants to obtain the speedy resolution of their personal property claims.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2001
Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for knowingly transferring, transporting, or possessing a confined exotic animal for purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or the collection of a trophy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2001
Community Access to Emergency Defibrillation Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop and implement public access defibrillation programs by: (1) training and equipping local emergency medical services personnel to administer immediate care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED), to cardiac arrest victims; (2) purchasing AEDs, placing the defibrillators in public places where cardiac arrests are likely to occur, and training personnel in such places to administer CPR and AED to such victims; (3) setting procedures for proper maintenance and testing of such devices; (4) providing training to members of the public in CPR and AED; (5) integrating the emergency medical services system with the public access defibrillation programs; and (6) encouraging private companies to purchase AEDs and provide training for their employees to administer CPR and AED to cardiac arrest victims in their community. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop and implement innovative, comprehensive, community-based public access defibrillation demonstration projects that: (1) provide CPR and AED to cardiac arrest victims in unique settings; (2) provide training to community members in CPR and AED; and (3) maximize community access to AEDs. Directs the Secretary to award a grant to a health care organization to establish a national information clearinghouse that provides information to increase public access to defibrillation in schools.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to increase the authorization of appropriations for health centers for FY 1997 through FY 2002 and authorize such appropriations as may be necessary for such centers for FY 2003 through FY 2006. Includes within: (1) "required primary health services" appropriate cancer screening (currently, screening for breast and cervical cancer), specialty referral when medically indicated, and specified housing-related services; and (2) "additional health services" behavioral and mental health substance abuse services. Permits grants to health centers for the planning and development of management networks. Rewrites PHSA provisions regarding rural health. Provide grants for expanded delivery of health care services in rural areas, for the planning and implementation of integrated health care networks in rural areas, and for the planning and implementation of small health care provider quality improvement activities. Telehealth Grant Consolidation Act of 2001 - Provides for the establishment: (1) of telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs; and (2) an Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Provides for grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide for improved emergency medical services in rural areas. Reauthorizes and rewrites PHSA provisions regarding the National Health Service Corps program. Prohibits an entity to which a Corps member is assigned from denying requested health services and discriminating in the provision of services because an individual is unable to pay. Provides for a community access demonstration program to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Expands the availability of dental health services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from making a determination that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is an activity that is either financial in nature or incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Afghanistan Freedom and Reconstruction Act of 2001 - States that United States policy should be to support the convening of a traditional Afghan assembly in order to facilitate a transition in Afghanistan to a popularly elected representative government. Authorizes the President to send aid under the Foreign Assistance Act to support transition to a multiethnic democratic government in Afghanistan. Authorizes the Broadcasting Board of Governors to increase Voice of America broadcasts into Afghanistan and to use Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to create "Radio Free Afghanistan" broadcasts in local languages. Authorizes the President to disburse additional humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003, to be distributed equitably and to include assistance for Afghan refugees in Central Asia. Expresses the sense of Congress that development aid should be targeted toward refugees, women, and the urban and rural poor, and that emphasis for all aid should be placed on needs of women and children, particularly girls. Authorizes the President to disburse assistance for a multinational security force in Afghanistan, and to make a donation to the United Nations Drug Control Program to combat trafficking in illicit drugs in Afghanistan, particularly heroin. Directs the President to institute economic sanctions against governments not complying with specific United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the former Taliban government of Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Declares that Congress: (1) condemns the more than 500 anthrax threats sent to reproductive health centers and abortion providers since October 14, 2001; (2) supports reproductive health centers and abortion providers as they continue to provide constitutionally protected services to women and men in the United States; and (3) urges the administration, local law enforcement, and related government agencies to continue to make their best efforts to bring those who commit terrorist acts to justice.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
State Budget Relief Act of 2001 - Requires the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for: (1) a State for FY 2001 to be substituted for the State's FMAP for FY 2002 if the FY 2002 FMAP would otherwise be less than the FY 2001 FMAP; and (2) each eligible State for each calendar quarter in FY 2002 to be increased by two percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Condemns the terrorist attacks resulting in the death of 26 and the wounding of at least 175 innocent people in Israel within 14 hours during December 1-2, 2001, and extends the deepest sympathies of Congress to Israel and to the families of the victims. Expresses outrage at the ongoing Palestinian terrorist campaign and insists that the Palestinian Authority take all necessary steps to end it. Urges the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that the Palestinian Authority takes specified actions. Urges the President to insist that countries harboring or materially supporting Palestinian terrorist groups end their support, dismantle the groups, and bring them to justice. Commends the President for his strong leadership against international terrorism. Expresses U.S. solidarity with Israel in their struggle against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should use his authority under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to release emergency funds to States immediately to ease the additional financial burden that job loss and depressed consumer confidence have placed on low-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Designates the headquarters and visitors center at Humboldt Bay National Wild Life Refuge located at 1020 Ranch Road in Loleta, California, as the Richard J. Guadagno Headquarters and Visitors Center.
![Official portrait of Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000410_200.jpg)