United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Deamonte Driver Dental Care Access Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to schools of dentistry and hospitals with accredited training programs in pediatric dentistry. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the Secretary to provide for a pilot program to increase access to dental care for underserved populations through the use of new allied dental health professionals. Requires the Secretary to award grants to federally qualified health centers to expand and improve the provision of dental services to medically underserved populations. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to develop, implement, and evaluate public health and clinical strategies to prevent and manage early childhood caries. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for a portion of compensation received for providing dental services under SSA titles XIX (Medicaid) or XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) or from an uninsured individual. Requires the Secretary, acting through the the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct a public education and awareness campaign on preventing, controlling, and ultimately eliminating early childhood caries. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI to expand reporting requirements with respect to children's dental services. Requires the Comptroller General to study payment rates for dental services provided to individuals under Medicaid or SCHIP. Requires the Secretary to ensure the inclusion of dental health prevention and promotion activities within existing prenatal and maternal child health programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Border Security Accountability Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report every 90 days to the appropriate congressional committees respecting U.S. efforts to increase border security.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
States that the House of Representatives: (1) makes a stronger commitment to reducing maternal mortality both at home and abroad through greater financial investment and participation in global initiatives; and (2) recognizes maternal health as a human right.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Recognizes the service that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have given to the nation, especially those who have sustained injury in combat. Declares that the House of Representatives is committed to providing wounded warriors with the highest quality medical care available and to supporting wounded Armed Forces members and their families during their recovery. Commends the actions of private citizens and organizations who volunteer their continued support to wounded warriors. Encourages support and appreciation for returning troops, especially those who have been wounded.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month (March 2008). Recognizes and honors the women and organizations in the United States that have fought for and continue to promote the teaching of women's history. Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to promoting National Women's History Month, which this year honors female artists.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
Recognizes the importance of manufactured housing to homeownership in the United States. Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month (June) and Manufactured Housing Week (June 15-21).
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 2008
Sex Offender Mandatory Registration Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) apply registration requirements to sex offenders regardless of the date of their offense or the date of their travel in interstate commerce; and (2) make failure to register or update a sex offender registration a continuing offense for as long as such failure exists.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Full Faith in Veterans Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accept as sufficient proof of service-connection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alleged to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service a diagnosis of PTSD by a mental health professional, together with a written determination that such disorder is related to the veteran's service, if consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of such service, notwithstanding that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation during such service. Requires the Secretary to resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Allows PTSD service-connection to be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence. Directs the Secretary to require Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees responsible for rating disabilities, evaluating claims for disability compensation for PTSD, or adjudicating disability compensation ratings to complete a certification program established by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct audits of examinations of veterans who submit claims for disability compensation for PTSD; (2) update the schedule for rating disabilities with respect to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other mental disorders; (3) implement new PTSD criteria; (4) implement a holistic treatment approach for veterans with PTSD; and (5) require VA employees responsible for adjudicating disability compensation ratings to take into consideration veterans' treatment records from readjustment counseling centers and written opinions of mental health professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to suspend, during calendar year 2008, petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) through the royalty-in-kind program or any other acquisition method. Authorizes resumption of such acquisition during calendar 2008 not earlier than 30 days after the Secretary notifies Congress that the weighted average price of petroleum in the United States for the most recent 90-day period is $50 or less per barrel.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Military Pain Care Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services and the Surgeon General of the United States to develop and implement a pain care initiative in all military health care facilities. Requires the initiative to ensure that all active and retired military personnel and dependents receiving treatment in military health care facilities: (1) are assessed for pain at the time of admission or initial treatment, and periodically thereafter, using a professionally recognized pain assessment tool or process; and (2) receive appropriate pain care consistent with recognized means for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic pain, including, as appropriate, access to specialty pain management services. Requires: (1) Department of Defense (DOD) contracts for medical care for military retirees, dependents, and survivors to include the provision of appropriate care for the treatment of pain; and (2) a Comptroller General study on the adequacy of pain care in DOD health care facilities, services, and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Extends the special survivor indemnity allowance to survivors of members of the Armed Forces who die either in the line of duty or while on active duty after: (1) becoming eligible for retired pay; (2) qualifying, but not applying for, retired pay; or (3) completing 20 years of active service but before eligibility for retirement as a commissioned officer because the member has not completed ten years of active commissioned service.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from using certain adverse information, including information in a consumer report or any change in a consumer's credit score, as the basis for increasing any annual percentage rate (APR) of interest on the consumer's outstanding balance under an open end consumer credit plan, except for actions or omissions of the consumer directly related to such account. (Thus eliminates the universal default for credit already outstanding.) Bars a creditor from changing any term of the contract or agreement of an open end consumer credit plan until contract renewal, except for specific material reasons already contained in the contract or agreement. Requires advance notice of credit card account rate increases. Authorizes a consumer who receives such notice to: (1) cancel the credit card without penalty or the imposition of any fee; and (2) pay any outstanding balance that accrued before the effective date of the increase at the APR and in the repayment period in effect before notice was received. Prohibits a creditor from imposing interest on credit repaid within the interest-free repayment time period. (Thus prohibits double cycle billing). Prohibits the imposition of fees on any outstanding balance on a credit card account attributable only to accrued interest on previously repaid credit. Requires each periodic statement of account to provide specified information on obtaining the payoff balance. Prohibits a creditor from furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency concerning a newly opened credit card account until the consumer has used or activated the credit card. Details mandatory pro rata payment allocations by a creditor. Authorizes a consumer to opt-out of creditor authorization of over-the-limit transactions if fees are imposed. Restricts the frequency of over-the-limit fees. Specifies the contents of credit card price and availability information the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System must collect and make public semiannually. Prescribes a standard for the initial issuance of subprime or "fee harvester" cards (accounts requiring first-year fee payments in excess of 25% of the total amount of credit authorized).
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Expresses support for the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Program and its efforts to: (1) pay tribute to and express appreciation for hospitalized veterans; (2) increase community awareness of the role of the medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and (3) encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and become involved as volunteers. Declares that the House of Representatives will continue to work with veterans service organizations to support our veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to undertake specified actions to enhance the suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense (DOD), including: (1) suicide prevention training for all members of the Armed Forces and DOD civilian health care community and family support professionals; and (2) a suicide prevention outreach program throughout the Armed Forces and military family communities. Directs the Secretary to provide readjustment assistance to spouses and parents of members returning from deployments, including information on: (1) ways to identify signs and symptoms of risk factors for suicide; and (2) the national suicide prevention hotline and other suicide prevention resources. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements to identify and implement within DOD strategies for: (1) the recruitment and retention of qualified military behavioral health professionals to provide mental health services, and substance abuse disorder prevention and treatment services, to members; and (2) reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Delays until April 1, 2009, implementation of proposed changes to payment rules under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for case management and targeted case management services. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, before such date, from taking any action to restrict coverage or payment under Medicaid if such action is more restrictive than the administrative action, policy, or practice that applies to coverage of, or payment for, such services under Medicaid on December 3, 2007. Makes null and void any such action taken by the Secretary between December 4, 2007, and March 31, 2009, that is based in whole or in part on such interim final rule.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Makes emergency appropriations for FY2008 for state and local law enforcement assistance under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Recognizes the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their lives while serving as U.S. Border Patrol agents. Honors Luis Aguilar for his service as a Border Patrol agent and for his sacrifice to the United States, and extends condolences to his family.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008
Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting debts owed to the United States by certain members of the armed forces or veterans who die as a result of an injury incurred or aggravated on active duty in a war or a combat zone after September 11, 2001. Excepts any amounts owed the United States under federal housing and small business loan programs from such prohibition on debt collection.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008
Honors Lieutenant General Russel L. Honore, United States Army, for his 37 years of service, and commends him for his dedication and commitment to the Army and his leadership in the post-Katrina recovery effort.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 West Greenway Street in Derby, Kansas, as the "Sergeant Jamie O. Maugans Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Amends title XVIII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require the Commissioner of Social Security to submit the annual budget of the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly to Congress and the President; (2) specify the general contents of the budget, including the amount of funds required to combat fraud committed by applicants and beneficiaries, the number of pending cases and the average processing time, as well as employment statistics for each hearing and field office; (3) prohibit the Commissioner from closing or otherwise limiting public access to an SSA field office until 180 days after submitting to specified congressional committees a detailed report outlining and justifying the process for selecting field offices to be closed or otherwise have limited access; and (4) require the Commissioner to submit to the same committees, 90 days before revising the comprehensive work force plan which must accompany any appropriations request for SSA staffing and personnel, a document setting forth the revision.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2008
Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2009 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2008
Congratulates Iowa State University of Science and Technology on its 150 years of outstanding service to the state of Iowa, the United States, and the world in fulfilling its mission as a land-grant university. Thanks the state of Iowa for its visionary leadership in the beginning of the land-grant movement in the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2008
Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2007 [ sic ] - Requires engine coolant or antifreeze that is manufactured six months after the enactment of this Act, and that contains more than 10% ethylene glycol, to include denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million and a maximum of 50 parts per million as a bittering agent so as to render the coolant or antifreeze unpalatable. Requires a coolant or antifreeze manufacturer to maintain records of compliance with this Act. Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, recyclers, or sellers of engine coolant or antifreeze who are in compliance with the requirements of this Act for personal and property loss or damage to the environment that results from the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in any coolant or antifreeze. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the sale of a motor vehicle that contains engine coolant or antifreeze; or (2) wholesale containers of engine coolant or antifreeze containing 55 gallons or more of engine coolant or antifreeze.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment, and a cure for primary lateral sclerosis. Commends: (1) hospitals, community clinics, educational institutes, and other organizations that are working to increase awareness of, and conducting research for methods to help patients suffering from, the disorder; and (2) the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation for its efforts to educate, support, and provide hope for individuals who suffer from the disorder, while funding research to help find a cure. Expresses support for the designation of a Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the United States, in concert with its international partners, should strengthen its commitment to stabilizing Afghanistan and contribute the necessary levels of economic, civilian, and military resources to achieve that end; and (2) the United States should redeploy to Afghanistan military forces in Iraq not essential for targeted counterterrorism activities, training and equipping Iraqi security forces, or protection of U.S. citizens and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2007 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals to Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in military communications using a native language. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Fair Funding for Schools Act - Amends the Impact Aid program (which compensates local educational agencies (LEAs) for the financial burden of federal activities affecting their areas) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to alter the formula for determining the payments due LEAs for federal ownership of property when appropriations for a fiscal year are insufficient to provide them with full compensation. Alters the formula for determining the payments due LEAs for eligible federally-connected children. Includes not only children in average daily attendance, but also those enrolled pursuant to a state open enrollment policy. Continues an LEA's eligibility for such payments while activities associated with military base closures and realignments or force structure changes or relocations are ongoing. Allows the calculation of such payments using current student counts instead of prior fiscal year data when LEAs experience a specified influx of new students due to federal activities. Alters the formula for determining the construction payments due LEAs that are eligible for other Impact Aid payments. Divides 80% of the construction funds evenly between LEAs impacted by military dependent children and LEAs impacted by children residing on Indian lands, with the remainder reserved for emergency repair and modernization grants to LEAs serving Indian lands or experiencing a specified influx of new students due to federal activities. Alters the formula for determining whether a state's plan for equalizing assistance to its LEAs will except it from the prohibition on state aid to LEAs being affected by Impact Aid payments. Requires new LEAs applying for Impact Aid to have boundaries established by state law and the authority to tax or receive an imputed local tax. Reauthorizes appropriations for the Impact Aid program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2007
Community Building Code Administration Grant Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants, on a competitive basis and with federal matching funds, to qualified local building code enforcement departments to increase staffing, provide staff training, increase staff competence and professional qualifications, support individual certification or departmental accreditation, or for capital expenditures specifically dedicated to department administration. Sets forth criteria for rating and ranking of grant proposals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Commends the Houston Dynamo soccer team for winning the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup. Congratulates the team for back-to-back wins in its first two seasons in Houston.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
NAFTA Accountability Act - Provides that unless the specified conditions set forth in this Act are met: (1) Congress withdraws its approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) effective October 1, 2009; and (2) the President, not later than April 1, 2009, shall provide written notice of withdrawal to the governments of Canada and Mexico. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should not engage in negotiations to expand NAFTA to include other countries and that trade promotion authority should not be renewed with respect to the approval of any such NAFTA expansion.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide specified funds to Kansas in FY2009 to purchase (with the owners' consent), and to provide relocation assistance to the residents of: (1) properties in Treece, Kansas, that are in danger of being destroyed by subsidence relating to the Cherokee County National Priorities List Site that may endanger the health of occupants; and (2) residential properties of water customers of Picher, Oklahoma, residing in or near Treece, Kansas.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Veterans Suicide Study Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who have committed suicide between January 1, 1997, and the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Rural Veterans Health Care Access Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to establish and implement a pilot program to provide mental health counseling services to eligible veterans at non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. Defines "eligible veteran" as one who: (1) served on active duty in support of a contingency operation; (2) is eligible to receive hospital care and medical services; (3) has been diagnosed with a mental health condition and recommended to receive mental health counseling; and (4) resides at least 30 miles from a VA medical facility that employs a full-time mental health professional. Requires the Secretary to issue to an eligible veteran a six-month supply of vouchers to be used to pay for counseling (including family counseling) services provided by the mental health provider. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the pilot program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Recognizes: (1) the region from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri, including the metropolitan Kansas City area and St. Joseph, Missouri, as the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor; and (2) the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor as the national center of the animal health industry.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that because of serious readiness shortfalls within the Army, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Reserves, Congress should restore and maintain ground forces at the highest levels of readiness in the interest of national security and to ensure the integrity of the entire military force.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
Prevention of Unsafe Licensing Act - Amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to prohibit a state from issuing a driver's license or identification document to a person unless the state has satisfied certain citizenship or lawful immigration status verification requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to place in Arlington National Cemetery an American Braille tactile flag honoring blind members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and other Americans. Grants the Secretary exclusive authority to approve an appropriate design and site within Arlington National Cemetery for the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Declares that House of Representatives has lost confidence in Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairwoman Nancy Nord and urges the President to request her resignation and to nominate a replacement.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Condemns Communist China's discrimination, harassment, imprisonment, torture, and execution of its prisoners of conscience. Calls upon Communist China to release its prisoners of conscience. Urges the Administration to raise the issue of Communist China's prisoners of conscience in high-level diplomatic meetings with Communist Chinese officials.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Effective Child Pornography Prosecution Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to expand the definitions of the crimes of child sexual exploitation and child pornography to include activities constituting such crimes that merely affect interstate or foreign commerce.
![Official portrait of Rep. Boyda, Nancy E. [D-KS-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001258_200.jpg)