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 · 12 December 2001
Family Life Education Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States for family life education, including abstinence and contraception. Expresses the sense of Congress that States should, but need not, provide matching funds. Requires the Secretary to provide for national evaluation of a representative sample of such programs for effectiveness in changing adolescent sexual behavior, including the delay of sexual and high-risk activity, the prevention of pregnancy and disease (including HIV/AIDS), and the increase of contraceptive knowledge.
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 · 11 December 2001
Retirement Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise or provide pension plan requirements for: (1) plan coverage and participation, defined contribution plan benefit vesting, and simplified pension plans; (2) various pension protections for spouses (under both ERISA and the Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984); (3) simplified investment standards, including disclosure regarding investments and voting of proxies, diversification in defined contribution investments, diversification of investments under employee stock ownership plans by participants and beneficiaries over 55 years of age; (4) pension information reporting and enforcement for defined benefit plans and multiemployer plans; and (5) various pension protections for a changing workforce, including pension plan qualified loans for health insurance and job training expenses of participants or beneficiaries, immediate distributions if rolled over to qualified plans, prompt distributions from defined contribution plans upon termination of participants' covered employment, and an extended period for recoupment of overpayments.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Retirement Enhancement Revenue Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to public employee pension plans, to set forth additional reporting and disclosure requirements and provide for the review of employee contribution changes by qualified review boards. Establishes: (1) a limited refundable credit to certain individuals for elective deferrals and IRA contributions; and (2) a limited credit for qualified pension plan contributions of small employers. Makes additional revisions to pension provisions, including: (1) requiring 401(k) plans to be offered to all eligible employees and to meet minimum coverage requirements; (2) increasing from the age of 70-and-one-half to age 75 the requirement to begin mandatory pension distributions; (3) permitting a statutory exemption from prohibited transaction rules for emergent transactions; (4) permitting loans from a pension plan for involuntarily separated employees for health insurance and job training expenses; and (5) permitting a prohibited transaction exemption for providing investment advice.
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
Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national education and information campaign promoting stroke prevention and immediate treatment. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and Clearinghouse, including conducting and/or making available research concerning best practices for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation; (2) make grants to States to establish statewide stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation systems; and (3) develop a model curriculum for training emergency medical services personnel. Sets forth requirements for the State grant program, including matching funds, standards for care and facilities, central data reporting and analysis, special consideration for geographic areas with high rates of disability from stroke or significant need, and technical assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to develop and implement education programs for appropriate medical personnel with regard to newly developed diagnostics, technologies, and therapies for stroke prevention and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Declares that: (1) the President and the United Nations (UN) should insist on monitoring weapons development in Iraq, and Iraq should allow UN weapons inspectors into Iraq, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 687; (2) Iraq remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations; and (3) Iraq's refusal to admit UN weapons inspectors into any facility covered by such resolution should be considered an act of aggression against the United States and its allies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Embassy Employee Compensation Act - Directs the Attorney General to provide compensation for American citizens who were victims of the bombings of the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and of the United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on August 7, 1998. Authorizes payments for physical harm, economic losses and noneconomic losses such as physical and emotional pain or loss of enjoyment of life for individuals present at either of the bombings or their immediate aftermath. Allows relatives of an individual killed to collect on behalf of the deceased. Declares that individuals filing claims waive the right to participate in civil suits in any Federal or State court for damages sustained in the bombings, except for suits that involve recovery of "collateral source" obligations such as life insurance, pension funds, death benefit programs and payments by Federal, State and local governments. Declares that only one claim may be filed by an individual or on behalf of a deceased person and that there will be no punitive damages awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if in any year the maximum annual rate of pension for an eligible veteran is less than the applicable baseline income level (125 percent of the poverty income level) for that veteran, to apply the baseline income level in lieu of such maximum annual rate in determining such veteran's annual rate of pension.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Communities, and Firms Act of 2001 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements for trade adjustment assistance for adversely affected workers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an eligible individual a refundable income tax credit equal to 50 percent of the amount paid as continuation health coverage premiums Authorizes appropriations for trade adjustment assistance for firms. Provides for trade adjustment assistance for communities. Establishes an Office of Community Economic Adjustment in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce. Requires eligible communities to establish a Community Economic Development Coordinating Committee as a condition for receiving assistance. Provides for trade adjustment assistance for farmers.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness. Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness. Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins. Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities. Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism. Requires, under the Public Health Service Act, the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities. Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to food presenting a serious threat to humans or animals. Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Cancer Testing, Education, Screening, and Treatment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to qualifying health centers for programs providing cancer information, education, screening, counseling, and treatment. Targets service populations with significant numbers of low-income minority individuals who are at-risk for cancer, requiring programs to provide outreach and culturally sensitive services (including same language) to such populations. Requires the Secretary to designate the type(s) of cancer covered by a grant.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that a National Importance of Health Care Coverage Month should be established and the President should issue a proclamation calling on the public and private sectors to conduct promotional programs and events.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2001
Help America Vote Act of 2001 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish programs under which the Administrator makes payments to each eligible State or local government to: (1) replace a punch card voting system with a voting system which does not use punch cards; or (2) make technical enhancements to the performance of its punch card voting system. Establishes: (1) an independent Election Assistance Commission to serve as a national clearinghouse and resource for the compilation of information and review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal elections; and (2) the Election Assistance Commission Standards Board and the Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors to review any of the voluntary standards for engineering and procedural performance, for maintenance and enhancement of the accessibility and privacy of registration facilities, polling places, and voting methods, and for election management practices recommended by the Commission. Establishes the Technical Standards Development Committee to assist the Executive Director of the Commission by recommending standards to ensure the usability, accuracy, security, accessibility, and integrity of voting systems and voting equipment. Directs the Commission to: (1) provide for the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software by accredited laboratories; (2) make payments to States for voting system improvements, grants to entities for voting equipment and technology research and development, and grants for pilot programs to try out new voting systems and equipment technologies; and (3) develop the Help America Vote College Program to encourage college students to assist State and local governments in election administration. Amends Federal law to create the Help America Vote Foundation as a nonprofit charitable corporation to mobilize secondary school students to participate in the election process in a nonpartisan manner as poll workers or assistants. Outlines minimum standards for State election systems. Sets forth provisions regarding voting rights of military members and overseas citizens. Amends Federal postal service law to replace reduced rates for voter registration purposes with reduced rates for official election mail.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Medicare Cholesterol Screening Coverage Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of cholesterol and other blood lipid screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Bioterrorism Protection Act (BioPAct) of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for grants, scholarships, and loans in order to strengthen the nursing profession. Establishes the National Nursing Service Corps Scholarship Program. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) increase hospital and provider capacity, training, and resources for treating bioterrorism victims; (2) increase and improve vaccine and antibiotic supplies for attack victims; and (3) provide for the coordination, training, and equipping of bioterrorism emergency responders. Authorizes appropriations for Department of Agriculture activities to: (1) reduce agricultural pathogen and insect pest threats; and (2) increase Department information systems security. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand the Food and Drug Administration's capacity to ensure the safety of the food supply system, including imported food, and protect against the threat of bioterrorism. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) permit debarment for repeated or serious food import violations; (2) deem as misbranded imported food without country-of-origin labeling; (3) deem as adulterated a food item imported by a debarred person; and (4) require registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) undertake public water systems vulnerability assessments and review related emergency response plans; and (2) provide such systems with assistance for basic security enhancements and information systems protection. Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for possessing a select agent known to be a biological agent, with reckless disregard for the public health and safety. Authorizes appropriations for neutron scanner technology and technology to detect biological or chemical agents and for increased numbers of border patrol and immigration officers. Directs the Attorney General to develop or carry out various programs, including programs to improve identification of those appearing on law enforcement "watch lists" and to mandate better tracking of visas. Requires the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security to: (1) assess terrorist threats within the United States and its territories and possible responses to such threats; (2) implement a public education campaign concerning appropriate response to a terrorist attack; and (3) coordinate the deployment of chemical and biological detection capabilities. Requires the President to: (1) establish a database of information concerning terrorist activity; and (2) reduce barriers to the sharing of such information among Federal law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) increase military capability to respond to domestic crises involving chemical or biological weapons; (2) implement interagency crisis response and consequence management; and (3) accelerate response research and development. Requires the Secretary of Energy to increase efforts relating to nonproliferation verification of chemical and biological materials in countries other than the United States. Urges the President to seek to establish a United States-Russian Federation Biological-Chemical Working Group.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Spirit of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of September 11th Fund which shall consist of amounts from surcharges received from the sale of such coins transferred to the Office for Victims of Crime for individuals who were injured, and to the families of individuals who were killed or injured, in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Late Fee Relief Act - Establishes a six-month period during which consumers of financial services shall be extended a two-week grace period to make any obligatory payments. Prohibits a financial services business from: (1) imposing either a late fee or additional financing fee upon a consumer account for failure to make payment by the due date, unless a payment is not received by the end of the two-week grace period; or (2) providing any information adverse to the consumer or the consumer's credit status as a result of such payment failure before the two-week grace period. States that this Act shall be enforced under the Truth in Lending Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Authorizes the Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to contract for the design and construction of new facilities or the renovation of existing facilities for combating bioterrorism and other public health threats. Authorizes additional appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the trade and economic development policies of the United States toward Africa should respect and support the rights of African farmers with respect to their agricultural and biological resources, traditional knowledge, and technologies, and the provisions of the African Model Legislation for the Protection of the Rights of Local Communities, Farmers and Breeders, and for the Regulation of Access to Biological Resources.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Anthrax Victims Assistance Act - Directs the Attorney General to expand the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (title IV of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act) to include individuals diagnosed with anthrax between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2001
International Disability and Victims of Landmines, Civil Strife and Warfare Assistance Act of 2001 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare, in foreign countries. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct programs (including the provision of grants to nongovernmental organizations for the purpose of carrying out research, prevention, public awareness, and assistance programs) in foreign countries related to individuals with disabilities, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide: (1) advice and expertise on prosthetics, orthotics, physical and psychological rehabilitation and treatment, and disability assistance to other Federal agencies with respect to the implementation of programs to provide assistance to victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare in foreign countries and landmine research and health-related programs; and (2) technical assistance to private voluntary organizations with respect to the planning, development, operation, and evaluation of such landmine assistance, research, and prevention programs. Directs the Secretary of State to establish and chair an interagency group to coordinate all Federal programs that furnish assistance to victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare, and conduct landmine research, demining and prevention programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2001
Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit a State from prescribing or enforcing any regulation that allows a restricted property-carrying unit (any trailer, semi-trailer, container, or other property-carrying unit longer than 53 feet, except for a fire-fighting unit) to operate on the National Highway System (including the Interstate System), unless the operation of such unit is authorized by the State on August 1, 2001, and in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including seasonal operations) on or before that date. Prohibits a State from allowing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle combination on the National Highway System (except a vehicle or load that cannot be dismantled or divided easily, and that has been issued a special permit under State law) with more than one property-carrying unit (excluding the truck tractor) whose property-carrying units are more than: (1) the maximum combination trailer, semi-trailer, or other type of length limitation allowed by State law on August 1, 2001; or (2) the length of the property-carrying units of those commercial motor vehicle combinations, by specific configuration, in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including continual seasonal operation) in such State on or before August 1, 2001. Permits a commercial motor vehicle combination authorized in a State to continue to operate on System highways provided it is in compliance with State law, including routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions in force in the State on August 1, 2001. Amends Federal highway law to prohibit a State from allowing the operation of a vehicle or combination (other than a longer combination vehicle) exceeding Interstate weight limits on the Interstate System unless its operation was lawful: (1) on July 1, 1956; (2) in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974; or (3) under a special permit pursuant to State (grandfather) law. Subjects such vehicles and combinations to all routing-specific, commodity-specific, and weight-specific designations in force in such State on August 1, 2001. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the operation of vehicles and loads which cannot be easily dismantled or divided (nondivisible loads) on the Federal-aid highway system as they relate to Interstate weight limitations; and (2) waiver of weight limitations for vehicles that operate on the Federal-aid highway system during periods of national emergency. Declares that Interstate weight limitations on vehicles and combinations (other than longer combination vehicles) that operate on the Interstate System shall also apply to such vehicles and combinations that operate on non-Interstate segments of the National Highway System, unless: (1) such segments are subject to lower State weight limits; or (2) a State allows the operation of any vehicle or combination on an existing non-Interstate segment of the National Highway System that could be so operated lawfully on August 1, 2001. Requires establishment of a model schedule of fines for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Calls for a joint session of Congress in New York City, New York, during the 107th Congress at such date, time, and location as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may jointly select, for the purpose of conducting such business as the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore may consider appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify certain requirements of student financial aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with the national emergency declared by the President with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or any subsequent national emergency declared by reason of terrorist attacks (the emergency). Authorizes such waiver or modification of requirements in order to provide relief from certain financial and administrative burdens to affected individuals who: (1) are serving on active duty during the emergency; (2) reside or are employed in a disaster area declared by any Federal, State, or local official in connection with the emergency; or (3) suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of the emergency, as determined under a waiver or modification issued under this Act. Authorizes waiver or modification of certain reporting requirements for institutions of higher education, lenders, guarantee agencies, and other entities participating in such programs, if such entities are located in declared disaster areas connected to the emergency. Expresses the sense of Congress that institutions offering postsecondary education should provide refunds and waivers of certain requirements to students who are members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty during the national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that if at any time 25 percent or more of the Members of the House of Representatives are unable to carry out their duties because of death or incapacity, each Governor of a State represented by such Member shall appoint an otherwise qualified individual to take the place of the Member as soon as practicable (but in no event later than seven days) after certification of the Member's death or incapacity. Requires an individual appointed to take the place of the Member to serve until a Member is elected to fill the vacancy by a special election to be held at any time during the 90-day period which begins on the date of the individual's appointment, in accordance with the applicable laws regarding special elections in the State involved; except that if a regularly scheduled general election for the office will be held during such period or 30 days thereafter, no special election shall be held and the Member elected in such regularly scheduled general election shall fill the vacancy upon election. Allows such appointed individual to be a candidate in such a special election or in such a regularly scheduled general election.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Terrorism Threat to Public Transportation Assessment Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to assess terrorist-related threats to all forms of public transportation, including public gathering areas related to public transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Baggage Screening Act - Amends Federal aviation law to require, before boarding or loading, or both, the screening of all property that will be carried in aircraft in air transportation and intrastate air transportation. Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to assume such screening requirement with respect to foreign as well as domestic air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Office of Homeland Security Act of 2001 - Establishes the Office of Homeland Security within the Executive Office of the President. Requires the Director of the Office to: (1) create a national strategy for homeland security, to include all aspects of prevention and response to terrorist activities; (2) develop a national budget for homeland security; (3) review Federal activities to insure effective implementation of such strategy; (4) coordinate Federal homeland security activities to remove duplication and gaps; (5) certify Federal agency counterterrorism budgets; (6) direct development of a comprehensive national assessment of the threat to homeland security; (7) oversee interagency information sharing; and (8) establish a center within the Office to disseminate information learned from homeland security exercises. Establishes a Homeland Security Advisory Council to advise the President and Director on the creation and implementation of the national strategy, and the Director on the operation of the Office. Requires the Director to review additional legal authorities needed to prevent and respond effectively to terrorist threats, including the role of the Department of Defense and the imposition of regulations on civilian populations and private entities during a state of emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected. Condemns bigotry and acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Sikh-Americans. Calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to: (1) work to prevent hate crimes against all Americans; and (2) prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit hate crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should award and present a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to those public safety officers who were killed and to those select public safety officers who have earned special recognition for outstanding valor above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Port and Maritime Security Act of 2001 - Establishes a Port Security Task Force to advise the Secretary of Transportation with respect to coordinating programs to enhance the security and safety of U.S. seaports against crime and terrorism. Directs the Secretary to develop standards and procedures for conducting seaport vulnerability assessments. Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to prescribe regulations to protect the public from threats of crime or terrorism from or to vessels in maritime transportation originating or terminating in a U.S. seaport, as well as to maritime or intermodal infrastructure associated with coastal, intercoastal, and inland marine terminals. Requires each port authority and marine terminal operator, or other entity connected with maritime commerce, for which a port security vulnerability assessment has been done to establish, subject to approval of the Captain-of-the-Port, a maritime transportation security program. Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking to establish a program under which a port authority or marine terminal operator may access the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System for employees first hired after implementation of such program who may have access to ocean manifests in the scope of their employment. Directs the Secretary to establish seaport security committees to: (1) review seaport security vulnerability assessments; and (2) conduct an exercise periodically to verify the effectiveness of each seaport authority and marine terminal security plan. Sets forth requirements calling for: (1) the development of voluntary security guidance to serve as a benchmark for the review of security plans; (2) the adoption of such guidance and development of seaport security standards by other countries; and (3) the development of standards for the training and certification of maritime security professionals. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantees and provide grants for seaport security infrastructure improvements for eligible U.S. seaports. Reauthorizes specified tonnage duties.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Act-Amends the Public Health Services Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Health (Institute) to expand and intensify research and related activities of the Institute with regard to Diamond-Blackfan Anemia.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Working Families Tax Rebate Act of 2001-Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a refund (of up to $300) to individuals for payroll taxes paid in 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Republic of Slovakia should be commended for its progress toward political and economic liberty and for its efforts to meet the guidelines for prospective North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members; (2) the Republic would make significant contributions to NATO; (3) extension of NATO to include the Republic would significantly benefit the security and peace of Europe and the region as a whole; and (4) the Republic should be invited to become a full NATO member at the earliest opportunity.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Displaced Older Worker Assistance Act of 2001-Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude certain severance payments from income; and (2) allow as a credit qualified job retraining expenses for certain older long-time employees who are laid off. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study the special needs of displaced older workers.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Flight School Security Act of 2001 - Amends Federal aviation law to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of the enrollment practices of civilian flight schools and schools providing instruction in the repair of aircraft; and (2) issue regulations to prevent instruction in flying aircraft (or the repair of such aircraft) by such schools to individuals that the Administrator has determined are a threat to security. Prohibits an individual from enrolling or being enrolled in a school for instruction as a pilot of an aircraft unless the individual has a card issued by the Administrator that certifies that such individual is eligible, based on specified requirements, for such instruction. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2001
Aviation Security Act - Amends Federal transportation law to establish within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a Deputy Administrator for Aviation Security who shall be responsible for aviation-related security at all U.S. airports and air navigation facilities involved in interstate or intrastate air transportation by civil aircraft. Establishes the Aviation Security Coordination Council, which shall, among other things, coordinate intelligence, security, and criminal enforcement activities affecting the safety and security of aviation at all U.S. airports and air navigation facilities involved in interstate or intrastate air transportation by public aircraft. Sets forth requirements to: (1) prohibit access to the flight deck (cockpit) of commercial aircraft by any person other than a flight deck crew member; (2) require the strengthening of the cockpit door and locks to prevent entry into such area by non-flight deck crew members (including requiring commuter aircraft that do not have doors to get doors to prevent public access to the cockpit area); (3) provide for random deployment of Federal marshals on domestic commercial air passenger flights and all international flights on U.S. carriers into or out of the United States (including requirements for background and fitness checks and training); (4) federalize airport security operations by deploying law enforcement personnel at each airport (including armed personnel at airport security screening locations of the 100 largest airports); (5) train flight crews in anti-hijacking procedures; (6) make the FAA responsible for screening of air passengers and property boarding each aircraft; (7) establish a program to hire and train airport security screening personnel; (8) require criminal background checks of heavy plane flight training applicants; and (9) collect a $1 per-one-way revenue passenger user (security) fee from commercial air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2001
Displaced Workers Assistance Act - Authorizes certain groups of workers who have become totally or partially separated (or threatened with total or partial separation) from employment with the airline industry as a result of reductions in service by an air carrier or closure of an airport due to a terrorist action or security measures to petition the Secretary of Labor for a certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance (similar to trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974). Provides certain benefits (employment services, job training, and readjustment allowances) to eligible workers meeting certain eligibility requirements. Provides eligible workers who do not meet certain requirements for State unemployment compensation with a limited readjustment allowance under this Act. Provides for payment of premiums for COBRA health care continuation coverage of eligible workers. Authorizes a State to elect to provide medical assistance under its Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for eligible workers who are not eligible for COBRA health care continuation coverage, and who are uninsured.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2001
Home Equity Loss Prevention and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a personal interest deduction (up to $10,000, adjustable for inflation) for individuals. Repeals restrictions on the deduction for education loans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2001
Displaced Workers Relief Act of 2001 - Authorizes certain groups of workers who have become totally or partially separated (or threatened with total or partial separation) from employment with the airline industry as a result of reductions in service by an air carrier or closure of an airport due to a terrorist action or security measures to petition the Secretary of Labor for a certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance (similar to trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974). Provides certain benefits (employment services, job training, and readjustment allowances) to eligible workers meeting certain eligibility requirements. Provides eligible workers who do not meet certain requirements for State unemployment compensation with a limited readjustment allowance under this Act. Provides for payment of premiums for COBRA health care continuation coverage of eligible workers. Authorizes a State to elect to provide medical assistance under its Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for eligible workers who are not eligible for COBRA health care continuation coverage, and who are uninsured.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
I Love New York Tax Deduction Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 50 to 80 percent the business meal and entertain expenses deduction for such expenses in New York City; and (2) permit a 50 percent (up to $500 or $1,000, on a joint return) personal deduction for meal, entertainment, and lodging expenses in New York City.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act of 2001 - Designates: (1) specified public lands in the Chugach National Forest, Alaska, as National Wilderness Preservation System components; and (2) specified public lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, as wilderness areas or System components. Provides with respect to specified public lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, for: (1) a wilderness designation study; (2) designation as Land Use Designation II lands; (3) designation as restoration lands; and (4) designation as special management areas. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate, or study for designation, as wild, scenic, and recreational rivers specified waters in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests, Alaska.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ford, Harold E., Jr. [D-TN-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000262_200.jpg)