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United States · Official source
9,184 records where Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1998
Persian Gulf Veterans Health Care Extension Act of 1998 - Extends through December 31, 2001, the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide priority health care to Persian Gulf War veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Medicare Home Health Equity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) restoration of the per visit cost limit to 112 percent of the mean of costs with regard to payments to home health agencies under Medicare; and (2) revision of the interim payment system for home health services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle A: Amendments to Subtitle A (General Provisions) Subtitle B: Amendments to Subtitle B (School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning Programs) Subtitle C: Amendments to Subtitle C (National Service Trust Program) Subtitle D: Amendments to Subtitle D (National Service Trust and Provision of National Service Educational Awards) Subtitle E: Amendments to Subtitle E (National Civilian Community Corps) Subtitle F: Amendments to Subtitle F (Administrative Provisions) Subtitle G: Amendments to Subtitle G (Corporation for National and Community Service) Subtitle H: Amendment to Title III (Points of Light Foundation) Subtitle I: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) Title II: Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Subtitle A: Amendments to Title I (National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs) Subtitle B: Amendments to Title II (National Senior Volunteer Corps) Subtitle C: Amendments to Title IV (Administration and Coordination) Subtitle D: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) Title III: Technical Amendments Subtitle A: Technical Amendments to the National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle B: Technical Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Title IV: Amendments to Other Laws National and Community Service Amendments Act of 1998 - Title I: Amendments to National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Subtitle A: Amendments to Subtitle A (General Provisions) - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) to include among its purposes the expansion and strengthening of service-learning programs to improve the education of children and youth and maximize the benefits of national and community service. Subtitle B: Amendments to Subtitle B (School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning Programs) - Revises NCSA with respect to school-based and community-based service-learning programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation). (Sec. 121) Authorizes the use of school-based grant funds for the provision of training and technical assistance to service-learning programs. Allows a State to apply for school-based service assistance either through a State educational agency (SEA) or through a State Commission. Requires any State receiving such assistance to ensure that the SEA and the State Commission coordinate their respective activities. (Sec. 122) Repeals the Corporation's authority to assist local applicants in nonparticipating States and public or nonprofit organizations with grants for school-based service-learning programs. Repeals authority for local (as distinguished from State or tribal) applications for such grants. (Sec. 123) Revises the formula for school-based grant allotments to States. (Sec. 124) Repeals the limitation to States or Indian tribes of applications to the Corporation for school-based service-learning grants. Requires applications to give assurances that the applicant selected programs on a competitive basis. (Sec. 125) Increases from 15 percent to 25 percent the percentage of assistance which the original recipient of the grant or allotment may use for certain capacity-building activities. Authorizes the Corporation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to place restrictions on the types and amounts of such activities. (Sec. 126) Allows a State to apply for community-based service program assistance either through an SEA or through a State Commission. Requires any State receiving such assistance to ensure that the SEA and the State Commission coordinate their respective activities. (Sec. 127) Repeals the limitation to public or private nonprofit organizations of eligibility (thus making for-profit organizations also eligible) to receive assistance for service-learning clearinghouse activities, as long as they have extensive experience with service-learning, including the use of adult volunteers to foster service-learning. (Sec. 128) Provides for reservation of funds for school-based grant payments to Indian tribes and territories. (Sec. 129) Authorizes the Corporation to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities to support multi-State, demonstration, or other activities to improve or expand effective service-learning programs. (Sec. 130) Revises higher education programs for community service to include service-learning components. Provides for assistance in the form of contracts or cooperative agreements, as well as grants, for such programs. Makes eligible to apply for such assistance higher education institutions, including ones applying as part of a consortium with public or private nonprofit organizations, and State Commissions on National and Community Service or State agencies for higher education as part of a consortium with higher education institutions. Extends the Federal share of 50 percent of project cost to service-learning projects (and maintains that share for community service projects). Subtitle C: Amendments to Subtitle C (National Service Trust Program) - Prohibits the Corporation from making grants to Federal agencies (as opposed to contracts or cooperative agreements) to support national service programs. (Sec. 141) Specifies fiscal year limits on the Corporation's share of the cost of positions approved under the national service laws, as measured by the average budgeted cost per individual enrolled in an approved national service position, including administrative and support costs attributable to such individuals. (Sec. 143) Increases the minimum amount, and revises the maximum limit on the Federal share, for grants to assist State Commissions on National and Community Service. Repeals authority for national service program challenge grants. (Sec. 144) Authorizes the Corporation to make certain National Service Trust Program grant allotments to applicant States, the District Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Repeals the mandate to reserve certain funds for approved national service educational awards. Revises formulas for competitive distribution of remaining grant funds to States and other applicants, including local governments, Indian tribes, public or private nonprofit organizations (including labor unions), and higher education institutions. Revises requirements for grants for national service by individuals with disabilities. Requires grant recipient entities to use such funds to increase the participation of such individuals in activities carried out under the national service laws. (Current law requires use of funds to place a substantial number of such individuals as participants in National Service Trust Program projects.) Authorizes the Corporation to reserve a limited amount of funds to provide operational assistance to programs that receive approved national service positions but do not receive specified National Service Trust Program funds. Limits such operational support to not more than $1,000 per individual enrolled in an approved national service position. Authorizes the Corporation CEO to waive, or specify alternatives to, certain requirements for approved national service positions if this will further the purposes of the national service laws. Prohibits waiver of, or alternatives to, certain requirements relating to labor union consultation and concurrence. (Sec. 145) Adds consideration of the extent to which the program generates volunteer involvement, if applicable, to criteria for evaluating applications for assistance and approved national service positions. (Sec. 146) Revises requirements for selection of national service participants to provide that individuals who receive special leadership training from the Corporation prior to and upon assignment by the Corporation to national service programs shall not, by reason of their status as such leaders, be considered Federal employees, except for purposes of specified laws relating to compensation for work-related injuries and torts claims procedure. (Sec. 147) Revises terms of national service and eligibility conditions for receiving a national service educational award in cases of release for compelling personal circumstances. Authorizes the organization responsible for granting the release to: (1) determine if such circumstances are compelling, if the participant has performed satisfactorily and has completed at least 15 percent of the original term of service; and (2) certify the participant's eligibility for a portion of such award. (Sec. 148) Revises limitations on national service living allowances. Requires reduction of such an allowance by the amount of the individual's concurrent Federal Work-Study award. (Sec. 149) Authorizes the Corporation to waive, or specify alternatives to, certain requirements for matching funds and use of assistance. Prohibits waiver of, or alternatives to, certain requirements relating to labor union consultation and concurrence. Subtitle D: Amendments to Subtitle D (National Service Trust and Provision of National Service Educational Awards) - Makes National Service Trust funds available for: (1) national service scholarships and (2) administrative expenses to ensure effective Trust management. (Sec. 152) Requires the supervisory organization to certify that an individual is eligible to receive a national service educational award from the Trust. Revises eligibility requirements for those released for compelling personal circumstances to include satisfactory performance and completion of at least 15 percent of the required term of service. Provides that an individual may receive no more than the aggregate value of two full-time national service educational awards. (Sec. 153) Makes national service educational award amounts available to pay an individual's expenses incurred in enrolling at any educational institution or training establishment that meets requirements for veterans educational benefits. Expands the definition of qualified student loans for which such payments may be made to include certain loans made directly by the lender to the student. Transfers to the Corporation CEO the authority to approve whether a national service program may offer participants an alternative post-service benefit funded entirely from non-Federal resources. (Sec. 154) Establishes the national service scholarship program. Authorizes the Corporation to use amounts in the Trust to: (1) support the scholarship program to recognize high school juniors and seniors engaged in outstanding community service; and (2) supplement locally-funded scholarships to help cover an individual's postsecondary education or job training costs. Limits the Corporation's share of an individual's scholarship under such program to not more than $500. Subtitle E: Amendments to Subtitle E (National Civilian Community Corps) - Makes it an additional purpose of establishing the National Civilian Community Corps to provide a basis for determining whether residential service programs can meet national and community needs related to natural and other disasters in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other public and private organizations. (Sec. 162) Requires the national service program component of the Corps to be residential. (Sec. 163) Increases the minimum age for Corps participation from 16 to 18 by the end of the calendar year in which the individual enrolls. Repeals the eligibility of persons between 18 and 24 who have not received a high school diploma or its equivalent. Allows, as an alternative to holding a high school diploma or equivalent, not having dropped out of elementary or secondary school to participate, and agreeing to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. (Sec. 164) Authorizes the Corps Director to select individuals with prior supervisory or service experience to be Team Leaders in the Corps to perform service that includes leading and supervising teams of Corps Members. Requires such Team Leaders to be: (1) selected without regard to age limitation; (2) Corps members; and (3) given rights and benefits applicable to Corps Members, without the limitation on the amount of living allowance. (Sec. 165) Includes State Commissions among those to be consulted in developing Corps project proposals. Requires the Corps Director, in project selection, to place appropriate emphasis on projects addressing the environment and in support of disaster relief efforts. (Sec. 166) Eliminates the option of Corps members upon completion of a service period to elect a post-service benefit alternative (of cash or other suitable benefit) instead of a national service educational award (thus requiring them to receive the educational award). (Sec. 167) Transfers to the Corporation CEO specified duties of the Corps Director with respect to a permanent cadre of Corps supervisors and training instructors. Requires the CEO to include the Director in such cadre and consider the Director's recommendations in appointing the other cadre members. (Sec. 168) Requires the Corps Advisory Board to advise the Corporation CEO as well as the Corps Director. Includes nonprofit organizations and the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency among Advisory Board members. Subtitle F: Amendments to Subtitle F (Administrative Provisions) - Revises NCSA with respect to: (1) notice, hearing, and grievance procedures; (2) resolution of displacement complaints; and (3) agreements with States. Subtitle G: Amendments to Subtitle G (Corporation for National and Community Service) - Revises NCSA with respect to: (1) Corporation for National and Community Service terms of office; (2) peer reviewers; and (3) officers. Subtitle H: Amendment to Title III (Points of Light Foundation) - Revises NCSA to allow the Corporation CEO to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Points of Light Foundation's Board of Directors. Subtitle I: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) - Revises and extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for NCSA programs. Title II: Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Subtitle A: Amendments to Title I (National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs) - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise provisions for National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs with respect to the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program's: (1) support of efforts by local agencies and organizations to achieve long-term sustainability of VISTA activities in the absence of Federal assistance; (2) operation by the Director of the ACTION agency; (3) funds for related public awareness and recruitment activities under the national service laws; (4) assistance in post-service transition; (5) cost-sharing; (6) limitation on number of terms of service; (7) grievance procedure; (8) competition requirement for grants and contracts; and (9) consideration, in merit selection of projects, on existing projects' needs as well as potential new projects. (Sec. 219) Repeals authority for the VISTA Literacy Corps. (Sec. 220) Repeals the prohibition against denying assistance to a project or program solely on the basis of the assistance already received. Requires the Corps Director to grant assistance to a project or program only on the basis of merit (as under existing law) and the achievement of sustainability. (Sec. 221) Repeals authority for special volunteer programs. Subtitle B: Amendments to Title II (National Senior Volunteer Corps) - Revises DVSA provisions for national older American volunteer programs. Renames them collectively the National Senior Volunteer Corps (Senior Corps), composed of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), the Senior Companion Program (SCP), and demonstration and other programs of community service opportunities for people 55 years of age or older. (Sec. 233) Allows cost-defraying incentives to Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) project volunteers who make a substantial commitment of time and coordinate activities, including training, and otherwise support other volunteers. Eliminates the requirement for State agency prior review of RSVP grants and contracts. (Sec. 234) Makes eligible for Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) enrollment low-income individuals 55 or older, giving priority to those 60 or older (current law requires such volunteers to be 60 or older). (Sec. 235) Revises requirements for an agreement on FGP person-to-person services. Authorizes the agency responsible for providing such services to determine whether it is in the best interests of a child receiving, and of a particular foster grandparent providing, such services to continue such relationship after the child reaches the age of 21. Requires any foster grandparent replacement to be determined through the mutual agreement of all parties involved in the provision of services to the child. (Sec. 236) Raises the low-income ceiling for FGP eligibility from 125 percent to 150 percent of the poverty line amount. (Sec. 237) Allows individuals who are not low-income persons to serve as FGP volunteers, if their appointment does not prevent or displace low-income persons from being volunteers. Limits to ten percent of FGP appropriations the amount that may be used to cover any costs relating to FGP volunteers who are not low-income persons. (Sec. 238) Authorizes the ACTION Director to: (1) support Foster Grandparent Leaders who, by virtue of past volunteer experience, special skills, and demonstrated leadership abilities, may coordinate activities, including training; and (2) otherwise support the service of FGP volunteers. (Sec. 239) Makes eligible for Senior Companion Program (SCP) enrollment low-income individuals 55 or older, giving priority to those 60 or older (current law requires such volunteers to be 60 or older). (Sec. 240) Authorizes the ACTION Director to: (1) support Senior Companion Leaders who, by virtue of past volunteer experience, special skills, and demonstrated leadership abilities, may coordinate activities, including training; and (2) otherwise support the service of SCP volunteers. (Sec. 241) Revises provisions for grants for programs of national significance. Subtitle C: Amendments to Title IV (Administration and Coordination) - Deems volunteers in DVSA programs to be Federal employees for purposes of family and medical leave requirements. (Sec. 252) Permits program and project evaluation activities to include subjects relating to the national service laws, if the ACTION Director determines that this will assist the Corporation for National and Community Service in conducting more efficient evaluations and in avoiding duplication of effort and function. Repeals the mandate for evaluation of programs relating to services that assist families caring for frail and disabled adult family members. Subtitle D: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) - Extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations under DVSA for: (1) the VISTA program; (2) National Senior Service Corps programs (RSVP, FGP, SCP, and programs of national significance); and (3) administration and coordination. (Sec. 264) Authorizes FY 1998 through 2002 appropriations for certain DVSA evaluation activities. Title III: Technical Amendments - Subtitle A: Technical Amendments to the National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Makes various technical amendments to NCSA. Subtitle B: Technical Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Makes various technical amendments to DVSA. Title IV: Amendments to Other Laws - Makes technical amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Bilingual Education Act, and a specified Federal law relating to the Public Lands Corps. (Sec. 403) Repeals the eligibility of the Secretaries of Transportation and of Housing and Urban Development for NCSA funds for the Urban Youth Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Medicare Social Work Equity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Driver Record Information Verification System Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to assess and report to the Congress on: (1) the available technologies to determine the most feasible and economical means of establishing a system to access information regarding U.S. motorists' driving records; and (2) the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of using social security account numbers as the basis for identification of motor vehicle operators within the system. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Identity Piracy Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit identity fraud. Imposes penalties upon anyone who in interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly and with intent to deceive or defraud: (1) obtains or transfers, or possesses or uses, any personal identifier, identification device, personal information or data, or other document or means of identification of any other entity or person; (2) assumes or uses the identity of any other entity or person; or (3) attempts or conspires with another person to commit such offense. Authorizes the court to order the defendant to make restitution to any victim, which may include payment for costs, including attorney's fees, incurred by any victim in clearing any credit history or rating relating to the victim, as well as costs incurred in any civil or administrative proceeding required to clear any debt, lien, or other obligation arising as a result of the defendant's activity. Authorizes the United States Secret Service to investigate any such offense, subject to the terms of an agreement to be entered into by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General. Includes within the definition of "contraband" (subject to forfeiture) specified equipment pertaining to identity fraud. Directs the Secretary to: (1) collect and maintain certain information and statistical data relating to identity fraud; and (2) complete a comprehensive study of the extent, nature, and causes of identity fraud and the threats posed to the Nation's financial institutions and payment systems and consumer safety and privacy; and (3) submit to the Congress specific legislative recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Central American and Caribbean Refugee Adjustment Act of 1998 - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to make certain nationals of Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti eligible for permanent resident status adjustment under such Act. (Current law applies to nationals of Nicaragua and Cuba.) Makes conforming amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Family Farm Safety Net Act of 1998 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to revise marketing assistance loan formula ceilings for wheat, corn (feed grains), upland and extra long staple cotton, and soybeans and other oilseeds. Authorizes six-month loan extensions. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to give rural industrial assistance priority to projects that encourage farmer-owned value-added processing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
New Mothers' Breastfeeding Promotion and Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include breastfeeding or expression of milk from the breast to feed a child among those activities for which a woman may not be discriminated against in employment. (Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 50 percent of employer expenses for providing an appropriate environment on business premises for employed mothers to breastfeed or express milk for their children. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to put into effect a performance standard for breast pumps irrespective of the class to which the device has been classified under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, identifying those pumps appropriate for use on a regular basis in a place of employment based on the efficiency and effectiveness of the pump and on sanitation factors related to communal use. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to issue a compliance policy guide which will assure that women who want to breastfeed a child are given full and complete information about breast pumps. (Sec. 6) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), and Federal civil service law, to require family and medical leave for nursing mothers' breaks, if the lactating mothers are entitled to specified leave as private or public employees under such law. Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations to implement such FMLA requirement. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of HHS, acting through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration and in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other appropriate Federal agency heads, to undertake a campaign aimed at health professionals and the general public to promote the benefits of breastfeeding for infants, mothers, and families, especially public and private health professionals providing health services under Federal programs (including those for Federal employees). (Sec. 8) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to allow State agencies to use funds made available for food benefits (including savings from infant formula cost containment) for breastfeeding promotion and support activities under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (the WIC program).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Affordable Health Insurance Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to limit the premiums an insurer may charge for new or renewal individual enrollment for an individual who is eligible because of prior group coverage. Adds the same limit to provisions relating to State flexibility in individual market reforms.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Surviving Spouse Fairness Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a $500,000 exclusion of gain on certain sales of a principal residence by a surviving spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that substantial amounts of the proceeds received by the United States under any congressionally approved tobacco settlement should be allocated to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Gerald and Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze. Declares such medals to be national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Agricultural Credit Restoration Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to exclude from "debt forgiveness": (1) loan rescheduling, consolidation, deferral, or reamortization; (2) one debt forgiveness due to natural disaster or family medical condition; and (3) loan restructuring, write-down, or buy-out as part of the resolution of a discrimination complaint against the Secretary of Agriculture (thus excluding such situations from the ban on lending program eligibility for producers with restructured farm debt). Increases the number of permitted loan (including direct operating and guaranteed loan) write-downs or buy-outs per borrower from one to two. Eliminates the aggregate limitation on per borrower debt forgiveness. Authorizes interstate allocation of unused funds for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services Subtitle D: Community Initiatives Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs Title II: Limiting the Effects of Violence of Children Subtitle A: Safe Havens for Children Subtitle B: Violence Against Women Prevention Among Youth in Schools Subtitle C: Family Safety Subtitle D: Domestic Violence and Children Subtitle E: Child Welfare Worker Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Subtitle F: Child Abuse Accountability Title III: Sexual Assault Prevention Subtitle A: Rape Prevention Education Subtitle B: Standards, Practice and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations Subtitle C: Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correction Staff Subtitle D: Hate Crimes Prevention Title IV: Domestic Violence Prevention Subtitle A: Domestic Violence Victims' Housing Subtitle B: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders Subtitle C: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Subtitle D: National Summit on Sports and Violence Subtitle E: Keeping Firearms From Intoxicated Persons Subtitle F: Access to Safety and Advocacy Subtitle G: Federal Witness Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence Title V: Violence Against Women in the Military System Subtitle A: Civil Jurisdiction for Crimes of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Subtitle B: Transitional Compensation and Health Care for Abused Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces Title VI: Preventing Violence Against Women in Traditionally Underserved Communities Subtitle A: Older Women's Protection From Violence Subtitle B: Protection Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities Subtitle C: Battered Immigrant Women Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments to the Violence Against Women Act Title VII: Violence Against Women and the Workplace Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Workplace Grant Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Subtitle D: Battered Women's Employment Protection Subtitle E: Education and Training Grants to Promote Responses to Violence Against Women Subtitle F: Workers' Compensation Title VIII: Educational Institutions and Violence Against Women Subtitle A: Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus Subtitle B: Student Safety Subtitle C: Violence against Women Training for Health Professions Subtitle D: Campus Hate Crimes Right to Know Title IX: Violence Against Women Intervention, Prevention, and Education Research Violence Against Women Act of 1998 - Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (the Act) to authorize appropriations for grants to combat violent crimes against women. (Sec. 102) Revises grant allocation guidelines governing prosecution grants, victims' services and State court systems. Expands grant purposes to include training that addresses sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking for State, local, and tribal judicial personnel. Directs the Attorney General to deny State grant applications that fail to provide documentation of collaborative efforts with other agencies or organizations. Redefines "victims' services" to include advocacy and assistance for victims seeking legal, social, and health care services. (Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for purposes of coordinating with: (1) victim services activities; and (2) Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence-against-women activities. Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize increased appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline grant. Requires grantees to submit a grant evaluation report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the HHS Secretary) for publication and public comment as a prerequisite to a grant award or renewal. Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services - Battered Women's Shelters and Services Act - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations for State grants. Modifies guidelines governing: (1) allotment of appropriations; (2) grants for information and technical assistance centers; and (3) authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 123) Instructs the HHS Secretary to award grants for: (1) State domestic violence coalitions and local domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, in order to develop model strategies to address domestic violence in underserved populations; (2) each State domestic violence coalition for an emergency assistance fund for domestic violence victims; and (3) technical assistance and training for State and local domestic violence programs. Subtitle D: Community Initiatives - Authorizes appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel - Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 to permit training grants for judges and court personnel to include: (1) child custody, visitation, and safety issues raised by domestic violence and child sexual assault; and (2) the extent to which addressing domestic violence and victim safety contributes to the efficient administration of justice. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies - Amends the Act to reauthorize appropriations to implement the functions of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. (Sec. 153) Mandates that at least five percent of appropriated funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments to treat domestic violence as a serious violation of criminal law. Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement. Mandates that five percent of such funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments. Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for grants to enter stalking and domestic violence data into crime information databases. Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors - Amends the Safe Streets for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for the United States Attorneys to appoint Victim-Witness counselors for the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for street-based outreach and education to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation. Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs - Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; and (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners. (Sec. 191-3) Amends the Act to authorize appropriations for grants for closed-circuit televising of testimony of child abuse victims. Title II: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Subtitle A: Safe Havens for Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public or private nonprofit nongovernmental entities to establish and operate supervised visitation centers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Violence Against Women Prevention Among Youth in Schools - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Education to implement a program in primary, middle, and secondary schools to educate young people about violence against women. Subtitle C: Family Safety - Family Safety Act - Amends the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act of 1980 to include among its purposes: (1) the promotion of cooperation between State and tribal courts to protect parents and children from domestic violence or sexual assault; (2) the promotion of realistic and protective standards for interstate relocation when parents dispute custody; (3) the avoidance of jurisdictional conflicts between State courts in matters of child custody and visitation consistent with not endangering or inappropriately punishing parents who are victims of domestic violence, or children who are victims of sexual assault. (Sec. 233) Amends Federal criminal law to provide as a defense to prosecution of either a criminal custodial interference or parental abduction charge, or criminal contempt of court relating to an underlying child custody or visitation determination, that the defendant was fleeing an incident or pattern of domestic violence or sexual assault of the child, or would otherwise have a defense under the International Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines to assist U.S. Attorneys and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether to initiate or terminate an action due to the potential availability of such defense. (Sec. 234) Amends the Judicial Code to declare that the intent of full faith and credit doctrine in child custody determinations is to preempt inconsistent State law. Declares that a protection order regarding custody and visitation of a minor child that is consistent with this Act shall be given full faith and credit by the courts of any State where the party who sought the order seeks enforcement. Modifies State court jurisdiction guidelines governing: (1) relocation of the child due to domestic violence or sexual assault; and (2) court authority to decline to exercise jurisdiction on behalf of parents engaged in specified conduct. Subtitle D: Domestic Violence and Children - Expresses the sense of the Congress that for purposes of determining child custody: (1) it is in the best interest of children to have a presumption that their main physical residence should be with their primary caretaker parent unless such parent is unfit; (2) child abuse and sexual abuse allegations should be fully investigated regardless of when raised, or whether the child has withdrawn the allegation; (3) States should not order specified measures if they may endanger either parent or child; and (4) States should provide training to all relevant professionals on how domestic violence and sexual assault affects determinations of custody, child support, and visitation. Subtitle E: Child Welfare Worker Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - Directs the Attorney General to make grants jointly with the HHS Secretary to enable child welfare service agencies to train their staffs and modify their policies, procedures, programs, and practices in order to make them consistent with specified principles and goals. Sets forth grantee eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Child Abuse Accountability - Child Abuse Accountability Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the assignment or alienation of any pension benefit payable to a participant pursuant to a qualified child abuse order. Exempts qualified child abuse orders from preemption by ERISA. Title III: Sexual Assault Prevention - Subtitle A: Rape Prevention Education - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the use of certain State funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers and nonprofit State sexual assault coalitions for specified programs. (Sec. 301) Instructs the HHS Secretary to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, State and local sexual assault coalitions and programs, and to other interested parties. Mandates that State grantors ensure that at least 25 percent of the funds are devoted to educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school aged students. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations - Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations Act - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend sexual assault examination training for health care students to improve recognition of injuries suggestive of rape and sexual assault; and (3) establish a mechanism for nationwide dissemination of a national protocol on sexual assault for forensic examinations. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff - Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish and disseminate to the States certain guidelines regarding the prevention of custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff. Requires withholding of specified correctional facilities funds from any State that fails to implement: (1) such guidelines; or (2) criminal penalties explicitly prohibiting custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff against prisoners. (Sec. 335) Directs the Attorney General to create a national, confidential, toll-free telephone hotline to collect data, and to provide information and assistance to prisoners who have experienced custodial sexual misconduct by corrections staff. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Hate Crimes Prevention - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998 - Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties for willfully causing bodily injury because of a person's race, color, religion, or national origin. (Sec. 345) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes, and, where appropriate, to amend Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who do such recruiting. (Sec. 346) Directs the Administrator of the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to State and local programs to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. (Sec. 347) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice (including the Community Relations Service), to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such hate crimes. Title IV: Domestic Violence Prevention - Subtitle A: Domestic Violence Victims' Housing - Domestic Violence Victims Housing Act - Authorizes appropriations under the United States Housing Act of 1937 solely for public housing agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide tenant-based rental assistance for families leaving a residence due to domestic violence. Subtitle B: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders - Amends Federal criminal law to require the Attorney General to reduce the amount of certain grants to any State that fails to comply with Federal full faith and credit requirements for protection orders. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to assist governmental entities to develop and strengthen law enforcement and recordkeeping strategies to enforce protective orders issued by other governmental entities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection - Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits an insurer from denying or restricting insurance coverage on the basis that the applicant or insured (or any employee or associated person) is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse or has incurred or may incur abuse-related claims. Confers enforcement jurisdiction upon the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes a private cause of action by an applicant or insured adversely affected by a violation of this Act. Subtitle D: National Summit on Sports and Violence - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) a national summit should be promptly convened to develop a multifaceted action plan to deter acts of violence, especially domestic violence and sexual assault; (2) the members of such summit should include sports, community, political, and media leaders, as well as Members of Congress and other governmental and community leaders with relevant expertise; and (3) summit members should assume leadership roles deterring acts of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle E: Keeping Firearms from Intoxicated Persons - Amends Federal criminal law to declare unlawful the transfer of a firearm or ammunition to any person reasonably believed to be intoxicated. Subtitle F: Access to Safety and Advocacy - Access to Safety and Advocacy Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to designated grantees and services to improve legal assistance to victims of domestic violence through access to the justice system, legal advocacy, and representation. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Federal Witness Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence - Amends Federal criminal law to include victims of domestic violence within the Federal Witness Protection Program. Title V: Violence Against Women in the Military System - Subtitle A: Civilian Jurisdiction for Crimes of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence - Amends Federal criminal law to declare that domestic violence and sexual assault offenses committed by persons formerly serving with, or presently employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States shall be subject to prosecution in the Federal District Court of the jurisdiction of origin of the person arrested. Provides for concurrent jurisdiction with other military tribunals and foreign governments. (Sec. 502) Amends Federal law governing separation from the armed forces to mandate that: (1) a copy of records of any penal action taken against the departing member of the armed forces be transmitted to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) any member convicted by court-martial of an offense of a sexual nature provide whatever specimen is necessary to conduct DNA analysis for inclusion in the Combined DNA Identification System of the FBI. Subtitle B: Transitional Compensation and Health Care for Abused Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces - Revises Federal guidelines governing transitional compensation and health care for abused dependents of former members of the armed forces. Mandates that an abused dependent of a former member be furnished with medical, dental, and mental health care in uniformed services' facilities with the same eligibility and benefits as were applicable during the former member's active service. Title VI: Preventing Violence Against Women in Traditionally Underserved Communities - Subtitle A: Older Women's Protection From Violence - Older Women's Protection From Violence Act - Chapter 1: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs to fund the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and provide for training programs in those issues for law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 2: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to require federally-funded State domestic violence coalitions to include within their scope of activities programs targeted to older individuals, including outreach, support groups, and counseling. (Sec. 604-3) Authorizes entities eligible for a community initiatives demonstration grant to include representatives of adult protective services entities. Chapter 3: Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Aging to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of older women when establishing research priorities for grants or contracts for research and demonstration projects on elder abuse. (Sec. 605-3) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for grants to implement a State long-term care ombudsman program. (Sec. 605-4) Directs such Assistant Secretary to develop curricula and implement continuing education training programs to improve the ability of health care and social services providers to recognize and address instances of elder abuse. (Sec.605-5) Directs the Assistant Secretary, when making grants and contracts, to give special consideration to projects designed to: (1) expand access to domestic violence shelters and programs for older individuals and encourage the use of certain facilities as emergency short-term shelters; and (2) promote research on legal, organizational, or training impediments to providing services to older individuals through shelters and programs. (Sec. 605-6) Authorizes appropriations for the ombudsman and the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 605-7) Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit private organizations to support projects in local communities to coordinate activities for intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) develop outreach programs for assisting victims of elder abuse, including some for assisting individuals in certain senior housing facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 4: Public Health Service Act - Elder Abuse Identification and Referral Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to instruct the HHS Secretary, when awarding grants or contracts, to give preferences to health professions schools or programs that condition the awarding of their degrees or certificates upon significant student training in specified areas of elder abuse identification and treatment. Subtitle B: Protection Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities - Protections Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities Act - Makes the protection of women with disabilities eligible for grants and research under the following Acts: (1) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; (2) Public Health and Human Services Act; (3) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act; (4) Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994; and Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994. (Sec. 617) Authorizes the HHS Secretary to: (1) develop curricula and implement training programs to improve the ability of social service and health providers to recognize and address domestic violence directed against women with disabilities; and (2) make grants and enter into contracts for such training programs for health professionals. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 619) Directs the HHS Secretary to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of, and violence against, women with disabilities in establishing certain research priorities. (Sec. 619-1) Authorizes the Attorney General to establish a grants program for States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for information dissemination on abuse and violence against women with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Battered Immigrant Women - Battered Immigrant Women's Protection Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that it is contrary to the law enforcement purposes of the Violence Against Women Act for State law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or judges to: (1) inquire into the immigration status of a domestic violence victim who is seeking protection from crimes of domestic violence, battering, or extreme cruelty to herself or her children; and (2) report such victims to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. (Sec. 623) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise guidelines governing a battered spouse or child with respect to: (1) cancellation of removal and adjustment of status; (2) ineligibility for visas or admission; (3) procedures for granting immigrant status; (4) general classes of deportable aliens; (5) status adjustment of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence; (6) removal proceedings; and (7) married persons and employees for certain nonprofit organizations. (Sec. 630) Authorizes the Attorney General to grant certain battered applicants documentation signifying authorization of employment during the pendency of their application. (Sec. 631) Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit Federal agency disclosure of records to the spouse or child of a naturalized citizen or lawful permanent resident who requests information from the Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding the immigration status of their spouse or parent, or who needs to obtain documentation for an immigration case or domestic violence-related judicial procedure. Excludes from such disclosure the records of victims of battering or extreme cruelty by a spouse or parent. (Sec. 632) Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to redefine "qualified alien" to include certain battered aliens for purposes of welfare and public benefits eligibility. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, the Social Security Act, and the United States Housing Act of 1937, to declare restrictions on the use of assisted housing inapplicable to certain battered aliens. (Sec. 633) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to provide that requirements and restrictions placed upon Legal Services Corporation funding shall not be construed to prohibit a recipient from providing related legal assistance to certain aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. (Sec. 634) Amends the Act to require each branch of the U.S. military to train its supervisory military officers in domestic violence dynamics in military families, and the protections available for battered immigrant women and children. Expands the purposes of training grants to combat violent crimes against women to include: (1) training immigration and asylum officers and judges; and (2) training justice system personnel on the judicial ramifications of the Violence Against Women Act, and the potential immigration consequences for perpetrators of domestic violence. (Sec. 635) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to express the intent of the Congress that statutory constraints upon the powers of immigration personnel not be construed as discouraging crime and domestic violence victims from reporting crimes to the police, from cooperating in criminal prosecutions, or from obtaining the legal relief needed for protection from ongoing violence. Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments to the Violence Against Women Act - Amends the Act to make technical and conforming amendments with respect to law enforcement and prosecution grants. Title VII: Violence Against Women and the Workplace - Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Workplace Grant - Authorizes the Attorney General to award a grant to a private non-profit entity, including one operating within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, to provide for establishment of a national clearinghouse and resource center to disseminate information and assistance to employers and labor organizations responding to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights - Victims' Employment Rights Act - Prohibits an employer from taking any adverse job action against an employee based upon such employee's status, experience, or condition as a victim of crime, even if the crime alleged does not result in criminal prosecution or conviction. Prohibits any adverse job action for an employee's participation in related judicial proceedings requiring absence from work. Prescribes enforcement guidelines, including civil action by an affected employee for actual and treble punitive damages. Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit - Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer a workplace safety program tax credit for 40 percent of the costs of implementing workplace safety and education programs to combat violence against women. Subtitle D: Battered Women's Employment Protection - Battered Women's Employment Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for unemployment compensation for separation from employment as a direct result of an employee's experience of domestic violence. (Sec. 743) Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the training of claims reviewers and hearing personnel in the nature and dynamics of domestic violence, and in methods of ascertaining and keeping confidential information about domestic violence experiences so that employment separations stemming from such violence are identified and adjudicated while full confidentiality is provided for the employee's claim and submitted evidence. (Sec. 744) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the provisions concerning Federal employees to establish an entitlement for leave resulting from certain domestic violence situations. Prescribes confidentiality guidelines for an employee's situation of domestic violence. Requires that employees, under State law, be permitted to use existing leave for domestic violence situations. Empowers the Secretary of Labor to enforce the entitlement for leave due to an employee's domestic violence situation. Subtitle E: Education and Training Grants to Promote Responses to Violence Against Women - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public and private nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations for the education and training of individuals who, as a result of their employment responsibilities, are likely to come into contact with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Workers' Compensation - Expresses the sense of the Congress that State workers' compensation laws should: (1) provide benefits to eligible female victims of workplace violence, including full compensation for physical and nonphysical injuries; and (2) permit the employee to pursue an action at law (other than statutory workers' compensation benefits) against an employer's role in the act of workplace violence. Title VIII: Educational Institutions and Violence Against Women - Subtitle A: Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus - Amends the Act to authorize Department of Education grants to institutions of higher education for campus personnel and student organizations, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs to provide personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and other equipment for the more widespread apprehension, investigation, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women on campus. (Sec. 801) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to request any Federal agency to use its authorities and resources in support of campus security, investigation, and victim services efforts. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary to provide for, and report to the Congress on, a national baseline study of university campus procedures when receiving a sexual assault report. Subtitle B: Student Safety - Student Safety Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: (1) revise guidelines governing crime logs and annual statistics of criminal offenses on campus; (2) exclude from educational records open to parental review specified records of campus disciplinary proceedings or criminal activity; and (3) modify eligibility criteria for Federal student financial aid services to require institution certification of comprehensive and accurate crime statistics. (Sec. 815) Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to publish annually and transmit to certain congressional committees and the general public a report identifying model programs for improving campus safety. Subtitle C: Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions - Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary, when making health care grants for rural areas, to give preference to a health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, each student to have had significant training in identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle D: Campus Hate Crimes Right to Know - Campus Hate Crimes Right To Know Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to mandate the separate collection and categorization of on-campus criminal offenses statistics that manifest prejudice based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability. Title IX: Violence Against Women Intervention, Prevention, and Education Research - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the HHS Secretary and the Attorney General to establish a multi-agency task force coordinating research on violence against women. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 901) Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to entities to: (1) support research to further the understanding of the causes of violent behavior against women; and (2) evaluate education, prevention, and intervention programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Departments of Health and Human Services and of Justice to make grants to domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations and academic institutions to expand knowledge about violence against women, with a particular emphasis on exploring such issues as they affect underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and report to the Congress on specified aspects of domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to award grants to designated entities to gather data on the experiences of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Authorizes appropriations. Instructs the Attorney General to conduct a national study and report to the Congress on laws regarding rape and sexual assault offenses and their effectiveness in addressing those crimes and protecting the victims. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to establish three research centers to: (1) support the development of research and training programs that focus on violence against women; (2) provide collaboration mechanisms between researchers and practitioners; and (3) provide technical assistance for integrating research into service provision. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage (currently $5.15 per hour) to: (1) $5.65 an hour during the year 1999; and (2) $6.15 an hour during the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Retirement Account Portability Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rollovers to and from State and tax- exempt instrumentality and public school retirement plans. (Sec. 3) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers only if the entire amount is deposited into another defined contribution retirement plan and certain other conditions are met. (Sec. 4) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust if such amount is reported by the trustee and the recipient retirement plan agrees to report such amount in a subsequent distribution. (Sec. 5) Provides for faster vesting of employer matching contributions. (Sec. 6) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to extend single employer missing participant provisions to multiemployer plans. Authorizes transfer of a missing participant's benefits to a corporation upon termination of certain pension plans. (Sec. 7) Amends the Code to extend the IRA and employee exempt trust 60-day rollover period in the case of combat zone service. (Sec. 9) States that a transferee defined contribution plan shall not be treated as having failed to meet certain requirements because it does not provide for some or all of the distribution forms available under a transferor defined contribution plan. (Sec. 10) Authorizes employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of employee cash-out amounts under the Code and ERISA. (Sec. 11) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to Federal or public school and State and tax-exempt instrumentality pension plans.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Health Care Claims Guidance Act - Amends Federal law relating to claims against the U. S. Government to prohibit any action under such provisions based on a claim submitted: (1) under a federally funded health care program unless the amount of damages alleged is a material amount; (2) in reliance on erroneous information supplied by a Federal agency or in reliance on written statements of Federal policy which affects such claim provided by a Federal agency; or (3) by a person that is in substantial compliance with a model compliance plan issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense). Requires that the Government prove an allegation of a false health care claim by clear and convincing evidence. Defines, for the amendments made by this Act, "federally funded health care program" to mean a program that provides health benefits, directly or otherwise, established under Social Security Act titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (Children's Health Insurance) or provisions of Federal law relating to the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Stamp Out Diabetes Act of 1998 - Amends Federal law to require the Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first class mail that is up to 25 percent higher than the regular rate as a voluntary alternative that the public may use to contribute to funding for diabetes research. Requires collected amounts to be paid to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Expresses the sense of the Congress that nothing in this Act should: (1) cause a net decrease in total funds received by NIH below the level that would have otherwise been received but for this Act's enactment; or (2) affect first-class or other regular postage rates. Requires special postage stamps to be made available to the public. Terminates this Act two years after such stamps are first made available.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase standard deduction amounts. Establishes the deduction for a joint return or surviving spouse at twice that for: (1) an individual who is not married and not a surviving spouse or head of household; or (2) a married individual filing separately. Provides for annual inflation adjustments.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Declares that the Congress recognizes the importance of the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to the civil society and freedoms of the United States. Calls on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate Dr. King's life and ideals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Gulf War Veterans' Iraqi Claims Protection Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States (U.S. Commission) to receive and determine the validity of claims by U.S. nationals against the Government of Iraq, giving first priority to non-commercial claims of members of the U.S. armed forces and other individuals arising out of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait, or out of the 1987 attack on the USS Stark. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury an Iraq Claims Fund for the payment of such claims. Authorizes the President, subject to specified limitations, to vest and liquidate Iraqi Government assets in the United States that have been blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and allocate the proceeds to the Fund to satisfy claims against the Government of Iraq by U.S. nationals, as well as claims of the U.S. Government that are outside the jurisdiction of the United Nations Compensation Commission. Provides for the reimbursement to the U.S. Government of expenses incurred in administering this Act. Establishes an order of priority for payment of claims. Directs the U.S. Commission to certify to the Secretary each award made under this Act. Sets forth a ten-year statute of limitations on any demand or claim for the payment of such an award.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Information Technology Partnership Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), subject to appropriations, to carry out a demonstration project under which grants are awarded to five eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) for: (1) developing information technology programs that build or expand mathematics, science, and information technology curricula; (2) purchasing equipment necessary to establish such programs; and (3) providing teacher training in such fields. Makes eligible for grants LEAs that: (1) are located in cities that have received an award from the NSF under the Urban Systemic Initiative program; (2) have provided assurances that they have executed conditional agreements with representatives of the private sector to provide services and scholarship funds; and (3) agree to enter into an agreement with the Director to comply with this Act. Sets forth application requirements. Requires the Director to give special priority for grants to LEAs that demonstrate the greatest ability to obtain commitments from the private sector for services and funds. Requires the Director to: (1) assess the effectiveness of activities under this Act; and (2) initiate a longitudinal study of students selected for scholarships and report findings to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the maximum grant awarded to an LEA.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to- 65 Years of Age Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Title IV: Financing Medicare Early Access Act of 1998 - Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to-65 Years of Age - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 62-to-65 Years of Age). Makes eligible to enroll in Medicare during a specified period individuals between the ages of 62 and 65 who: (1) are not eligible for coverage under group health plans or Federal health insurance; but (2) would be Medicare-eligible if age 65. Requires prior notification of each individual seeking to enroll of the deferred monthly premium amount for which the individual will be liable upon attaining age 65. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine rates for: (1) the base monthly premium; (2) the base annual premium for individuals age 62 or older; and (3) the deferred premium for such individuals. Limits the maximum annual premium in a premium area to assure participation in all areas of the country. Directs the Secretary to provide for payment and collection of the base monthly premium. Makes the enrollee liable for the deferred monthly premium payment. Requires collection of both premiums in the same manner as for the payment of monthly premiums under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Creates in the Treasury the Medicare Early Access Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to hold collected premiums as well as the savings from new fraud and abuse initiatives under the Medicare Fraud and Overpayment Act of 1998 which are transferred to it out of the Medicare trust funds. Directs: (1) the Trust Fund's Board of Trustees to report annually to the Congress on the need for adjustments in the new program in order to maintain its financial solvency; and (2) the Comptroller General to report periodically to the Congress on the adequacy of program financing along with appropriate recommendations to accomplish such end. Requires: (1) individuals enrolled under the new part D program to be treated for Medicare purposes as though they were entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B; and (2) new part D program benefits to be payable under Medicare to such individuals in the same manner as if they were so entitled and enrolled. Provides that the new part D program shall not be treated as Medicare for purposes of the Medicaid program under SSA title XIX, including the provision of Medicare cost-sharing assistance, nor for purposes of COBRA continuation requirements of the Public Health Service Act. Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age - Amends SSA title XVIII part D to rename the newly established part D program the Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 55-to-65 Years of Age. Provides for part D coverage for certain displaced workers and spouses between the ages of 55 and 62 under arrangements similar to those in title I. Directs the Secretary to provide for continued enrollment of displaced workers who attain 62 years of age. Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Title IV: Financing - Requires any increase in payments under the Medicare program that results from the enactment of this Act to be offset by reductions in Medicare payments pursuant to the anti-fraud and -abuse provisions of the Medicare Fraud and Overpayment Act of 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998
Requires approval by the House of Representatives before amounts may be paid from the reserve fund established for unanticipated expenses of House committees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1998
Independent Counsel Limited Powers Act - Amends the independent counsel statute (the Act) to grant subpoena authority to the Attorney General in conducting preliminary investigations with respect to application for the appointment of an independent counsel. Modifies provisions of the Act regarding: (1) persons subject to investigation to exclude any Assistant Attorney General and any individual working in the Department of Justice who is compensated at a rate of pay at or above level III of the executive schedule, the Director and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and certain individuals who leave office or position during the incumbency of the President; and (2) crimes subject to investigation to cover persons who may, while in specified positions, have violated Federal criminal law (with exceptions) which involve an abuse of official power or improper influencing of executive, legislative, or electoral decisions. Directs the Attorney General to apply for the appointment of an independent counsel upon determining that there are substantial (currently, reasonable) grounds to believe that further investigation is warranted, or if specified other conditions are met. Requires the division of the court, in defining the independent counsel's prosecutorial jurisdiction, to assure that the independent counsel has adequate authority to fully investigate and prosecute all matters directly related (currently, related) to the subject matter with respect to which the Attorney General has requested the appointment of an independent counsel. Repeals provisions permitting such division to expand the independent counsel's jurisdiction. Directs the division to appoint an independent counsel for a two-year term. Permits such term to be extended if there has been an indictment or if the independent counsel shows the division, in closed session, that the evidence already developed is serious enough to justify further inquiry, or if there is evidence of purposefully dilatory tactics on the part of the subject of the investigation. Directs that the independent counsel receive compensation at the annual rate (currently, per diem rate equal to the annual rate) of basic pay payable for level IV of the executive schedule. Prohibits an independent counsel from having other employment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1998
Equal Indexing for Seniors Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an inflation adjustment to the "adjusted base amount" for purposes of determining taxable social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1998
Middle Class Medical Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) lower, for certain taxpayers, the adjusted gross income threshold for allowance of the medical care deduction; and (2) provide, when computing such deduction, for the use of the standard mileage rate for the use of an automobile for transportation for medical purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1998
Middle Income Senior Tax Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the income thresholds for inclusion of social security and railroad retirement benefits in gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties to be imposed against anyone who uses force or threatens to use force against any Federal officer or agency and who seizes or detains a child in order to: (1) evade arrest or obstruct justice; or (2) compel any Federal agency to take or abstain from any act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Calls for the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the United States to issue postage stamps in honor and recognition of the first permanent settlement of the western United States by the Spanish explorer Don Juan De Onate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
10 for 60 Resolution - Directs the Department of the Treasury and the appropriate congressional committees to identify regulatory or legislative changes that will make time-specific reductions in individual income tax return preparation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Child Care and Development Services Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act Title III: Crime Prevention Program America After School Act - Title I: Child Care and Development Services - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for new and expanded programs for child care and development services, including direct services provided outside of normal school hours, to promote the health and academic achievement of school age children, and assist the children in avoiding high risk behaviors. (Sec. 103) Requires each State that receives a block grant under such Act to make grants to elementary or secondary schools or community-based organizations to expand the availability and affordability of quality child care and development services, especially direct services provided outside of normal school hours (including before- and after-school care and weekend, holiday, and summer care) for school age children. Requires grant preference to entities that: (1) serve communities with a high rate of poverty and a high incidence of at-risk children; and (2) propose programs that make certain transportation services available to the children served. Requires the use of grant funds for direct services outside of normal school hours, related quality services, and indirect services. Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 201) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 202) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project-assisted activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 203) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 204) Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. (Sec. 205) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Title III: Crime Prevention Program - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish the After School Crime Prevention program. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to public and private agencies to fund effective after school juvenile crime prevention programs. Requires grantees to make available non-Federal matching funds in percentages determined by the Administrator. Requires grant priority to programs that: (1) are targeted to high crime neighborhoods or at-risk juveniles; (2) operate during the period immediately following normal school hours; (3) provide educational or recreational activities designed to encourage law-abiding conduct, reduce the incidence of criminal activity, and teach juveniles alternatives to crime; and (4) coordinate with State or local juvenile crime control and juvenile offender accountability programs. (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Volunteer Organization Safety Act of 1998 - Prohibits the U.S. Government from requiring, as a condition of completing a State and Federal criminal history check on a volunteer through the national criminal history background check system, that the requesting entity supply such person's fingerprints.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Food Stamp Benefits for Aliens Restoration Act of 1998 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to eliminate specified eligibility restrictions for qualified aliens (as defined in such Acts) with respect to: (1) food stamps; and (2) Federal means- tested public benefits. (Sec. 4) Prohibits States from attributing sponsor or spousal income and resources in determining an alien's food stamp or comparable program eligibility or benefits. (Sec. 5) Repeals the prohibition on an alien's derivative food stamp eligibility based upon supplemental security income eligibility. (Sec. 6) States that with respect to a sponsor affidavit of support means-tested public benefit does not include food stamps. (Sec. 7) Amends the Food Stamp Act to make Cuban or Haitian refugee entrants eligible for food stamps.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Recruit and Reward Future Math and Science Teachers of America Act of 1998 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a pilot program for recruitment and training of future secondary school mathematics and science teachers. Makes available 500 scholarship grants and stipends to outstanding students enrolled in nationally accredited teacher training graduate programs who are committed to pursuing such careers in secondary school mathematics and science teaching. Authorized appropriations. Designates funds under this Act as National Math and Science Teacher Scholarships. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award funds for such scholarships on a competitive basis to qualifying higher education institutions with graduate programs in teacher training. Limits the amount of such funds in any academic year which may be awarded to any individual higher education institution. Requires such institutions to: (1) meet nationally accredited teacher training graduate program standards; or (2) demonstrate to the Secretary that at least 90 percent of the graduates of the graduate teacher training program take, and on their first attempt pass, the State teacher qualification assessments for new teachers. Sets forth eligibility requirements for individual scholarships. Limits the scholarship amount per student to $10,000 per academic year. Requires scholarship recipients to agree to teach in an urban or rural public secondary school for at least three full academic years, or repay the pro rata amount of awards received, plus interest, for any failure to fulfill such obligation. Sets forth exceptions to such repayment requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
New American Citizenship Act - Directs the Attorney General to submit a plan (with monthly reporting requirements through a specified date) for ensuring backlog reduction at each Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) district and regional office. (Sec. 4) Provides that INS standardized naturalization examinations shall: (1) have INS-certified proctors; and (2) not be administered by for-profit entities that also provide citizenship courses. Provides for: (1) an initial 24-month pilot testing program; and (2) dissemination of study materials. (Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) develop a plan to ensure the efficiency and integrity of the naturalization process, including a six-month maximum time for completion of such process; and (2) ensure that the naturalization fingerprint submission process deters naturalization fraud by requiring fingerprint cards to be sent directly to INS or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and by procuring the technology to institute INS electronic fingerprint checks. (Sec. 7) Directs INS to ensure that a FBI criminal history background check is completed prior to an applicant's naturalization interview. Requires naturalization applicants to demonstrate basic English language speaking and comprehension abilities at the time of the standardized naturalization examination or interview. Requires INS to ensure that certificates of citizenship are not distributed prior to an applicant's taking the oath of allegiance. (Sec. 8) Obligates specified INS appropriations for backlog reduction and technological and infrastructure changes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Urges the President to renegotiate the Extradition Treaty Between the United States and Mexico so that the possibility of capital punishment will not interfere with the timely extradition of criminal suspects from Mexico to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998
Public School Modernization Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise current incentives for education zones into incentives for qualified public school modernization bonds, including (currently existing) qualified zone academy bonds and (newly established) qualified school construction bonds. Allows a limited tax credit, computed according to a specified formula, to taxpayers holding such public school modernization bonds. Raises the national zone academy bond limitation from $400 million to $1.4 billion for calendar 1999 (and 2000), and eliminates the limitation after 2000. Prescribes requirements for national qualified school construction bonds, with a national limitation of $9.7 billion each for calendar 1999 and 2000 and no limit after 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998
Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to publish annually in the Federal Register a list of requirements applicable to small business concerns with respect to collection of information by agencies. Requires each Federal agency, with respect to the collection of information and the control of paperwork: (1) to establish one agency point of contact to act as a liaison with small businesses; (2) in the case of a first-time information collection violation by a small business which does not cause actual serious harm to the public health or safety, to impose no civil fine on such business if the violation is corrected within six months of violation notification; and (3) if a violation presents an imminent and substantial danger to public health or safety, to impose no civil fine if the violation is corrected within 24 hours after violation notification. Allows an agency to waive the suspension of such fines after congressional notification. Excludes the Internal Revenue Service as a Federal agency for purposes of (2) and (3), above. Establishes a task force to study and report to specified congressional committee members on the feasibility of streamlining requirements with respect to small businesses regarding the collection of information.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Croatia should: (1) guarantee its citizens fundamental human rights and freedoms; (2) allow full freedom of the media and free and fair elections; (3) establish an independent judiciary and lower court system; (4) reestablish the independence of the Croatian Party of Rights (CPR) and reinstate the Party's five seats in the Croatian Parliament; (5) end the terror and abuse of justice perpetrated by the Croatian Government against Dobroslav Paraga and the CPR; (6) dismiss pending charges and end all harassment against Paraga and his family; and (7) conduct an investigation into the death of Ernest Brajder and make its findings public.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Persian Gulf Veterans Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) a disease or disability occurring in a Persian Gulf War veteran that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with exposure to a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a Gulf War veteran within a period to be prescribed by the Secretary. Requires such presumption even though there is no record of evidence of such disease or disability in the veteran during the period of service. Provides the same presumption for diseases and disabilities determined to be positively associated with such service by reason of having a prevalence among Persian Gulf veterans greater than such prevalence among matched peers who are veterans or active duty servicemembers of the same era who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment (and which becomes manifest within the prescribed period). Requires the Secretary to make the above determinations based on sound medical and scientific evidence and within 60 days after receipt of reports submitted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as required under this Act. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement under which NAS shall: (1) identify the agents or hazards to which Gulf War veterans may have been exposed; (2) identify the diseases that are manifest in such members; and (3) determine whether a disease occurs in a Persian Gulf veteran with a greater prevalence than in matched peers who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment. Directs NAS to determine whether a statistical association exists between exposure to such agent or hazard and the disease, separately review potential treatment models and evolving technologies to identify such diseases, make recommendations for additional studies, perform subsequent reviews of available evidence and data, and report to the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the veterans and defense committees (designated committees) concerning NAS activities under this Act. Terminates requirements and activities under this Act ten years after NAS submits its first report. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an alternative scientific organization if agreement cannot be reached with NAS. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan for the establishment and operation of a single computerized information database for the collection, storage, and analysis of information on diseases of, and treatment provided to, Gulf War veterans. Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, NAS, and the designated committees. Directs NAS to evaluate and report on such plan. Requires the Secretary to: (1) continually compile and analyze all appropriate clinical data contained in the database; and (2) report annually, along with the Secretary of Defense, to the designated committees with respect to such data analysis. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to carry out a research program of the evolving technologies available to measure the exposure to certain agents or hazards associated with Gulf War service, as well as the diagnosis of diseases resulting from such exposure. Directs the Secretary and the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to jointly report to the designated committees on research results. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to carry out an ongoing program to provide Gulf War veterans with information relating to: (1) any health risks determined to be associated with Persian Gulf service; and (2) any services or benefits available with respect to such health risks.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Designates the Federal building located at 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California, as the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Investment in Children Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to increase the credit for dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. Provides for an "increased dependent care credit equivalent amount" (as defined) if the taxpayer has a child under the age of four, but only if the taxpayer elects not to use the credit for dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. (Sec. 3) Allows for an employer-provided child care credit of up to 25 percent of qualified child care expenditures (not to exceed $150,000), which can include the costs of acquiring or expanding property to be used as a qualified day care facility. (Sec. 4) Amends part A ( Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act to provide for grants to States: (1) to improve the quality and safety of child care; (2) for the provision of child care assistance for low-income working families; and (3) for the provision of child care services before and after regular school hours. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for part I (21st Century Community Learning Centers Act) of title X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Sets forth provisions concerning the distribution of assistance under part I. (Sec. 6) Revises IRC provisions concerning the aggregate amount of nonrefundable personal credits allowed to provide that the aggregate amount of such credits allowed shall not exceed the sum of: (1) the taxpayer's regular tax liability; plus (2) the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt disabled individuals from required enrollment with a managed care entity under the Medicaid program. Makes this Act effective as if included in the enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Medicare Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for Medicare reimbursement of routine patient care costs for individuals participating in federally approved clinical trials; and (2) ensure coverage of such costs under Medicare+Choice plans. Requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and of Labor to report jointly to the Congress on the costs associated with requiring that group health plans and health insurance coverage do not deny payment of routine patient care costs for services furnished in connection with federally approved clinical trials.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Small Business Pension Start-Up Credit Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a three-year business credit of 50 percent of small employer pension plan start-up costs, with a limit of $1000 for the first year and $500 for each of the second and third years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should be a signatory to the Guidelines for Drug Donations developed by the World Health Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Calls for the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring the U.S. Submarine Force on its 100th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Remedy Title II: Community Participation and Human Health Subtitle A: Community Participation Subtitle B: Human Health Subtitle C: General Provisions Title III: Right to Know Title IV: Environmental Justice Title V: Children's Environmental Health Title VI: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup Subtitle A: Brownfields Subtitle B: Innocent Landowners and Prospective Purchaser Liability Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants Title VII: Natural Resource Damages Title VIII: Federal Facilities Title IX: Liability Title X: Funding Title XI: Miscellaneous Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 1998 - Title I: Remedy - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to revise general rules for the selection of remedial cleanup actions. Removes a provision requiring the President to specifically address the long-term effectiveness of various alternative treatment or resource recovery technologies. Requires remedial actions to: (1) make contaminated property available for beneficial use to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) protect uncontaminated groundwater and surface water, wherever technically feasible, and restore such water to beneficial uses in a reasonable time period given the circumstances of the release of the hazardous substance concerned. Lists minimum factors to be taken into account by the President in assessing alternative remedial actions and selecting remedial actions. Requires selected remedial actions, unless the President determines that a risk-based standard for a contaminant is based on data and assumptions adequate to assure protection of children's health, to reduce contamination to background levels (where more stringent) with respect to such contaminant, to the maximum extent technically feasible. Prohibits the selection of an action that allows hazardous substances to remain on site above levels that would be protective for unrestricted use unless institutional controls are incorporated into the action to achieve protection of human health and the environment during and after completion of the action. Requires remedial actions for hazardous substances that remain on site to comply with any more stringent and legally applicable tribal standard. Directs the President to ensure that a remedial action attains standards of control protective of human health in the environment in cases where: (1) no Federal, State, or tribal standard has been established for the specific hazardous substance present at the facility where the action is being undertaken; or (2) there are multiple hazardous substances present and the remedial action is not protective even though applicable requirements would be attained. Removes a provision which requires the President to conform a remedial action to a State standard in cases where a State has initiated a law suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to May 1, 1986. Eliminates a provision which allows the President to select a remedial action that does not attain a standard equivalent to a legally applicable standard if compliance with requirements is technically impracticable from an engineering perspective. Sets forth minimum requirements for remedies for contaminated groundwater or surface water in cases where a legally applicable standard for a hazardous substance is waived. Authorizes the President to use institutional controls as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, other response measures under CERCLA. Lists requirements for actions that rely on institutional controls. Provides for funds to be established for facilities for which the selected remedy is containment or at which hazardous substances remain on site above levels that would allow for unrestricted use of the facility. Requires such funds to be sufficient to guarantee successful performance of a remedy and, to the extent technically feasible, future beneficial reuse. Directs the EPA Administrator (Administrator) to report annually to the Congress, for each record of decision signed during the previous fiscal year, on the type of institutional controls and media affected and the institution designated to monitor, enforce, and ensure compliance with such controls. Makes procedural requirements of State laws inapplicable to the portion of any removal or remedial action conducted entirely on site, except for recordkeeping and reporting. (Sec. 102) Sets forth criteria for institutional control instruments. Requires the President, if such an instrument is adopted, to record a notice of property use restriction in the public land records for the jurisdiction in which the affected property is located. Makes such instruments enforceable in perpetuity (unless terminated and released) against holders of interest in an affected property and all persons who subsequently acquire such interest. Directs the President to maintain a registry of all property at which institutional controls have been established in connection with response actions. Describes types of institutional control instruments, including easements. Authorizes the President, in order to respond to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, to acquire an easement to limit or control the use of land or other natural resources. Permits easements to be used whenever institutional controls have been selected as a component of a response action. Sets forth provisions regarding the President's authority to assign easements to other parties, issue orders imposing restrictions on land or natural resources, and include State institutional controls in response actions. (Sec. 103) Requires the President to ensure that a removal action is not undertaken in lieu of a long-term remedial action. Title II: Community Participation and Human Health - Subtitle A: Community Participation - Revises provisions regarding grants for technical assistance to make such grants available to Community Advisory Groups or affected communities (defined as two or more individuals affected by the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance at a covered facility. Defines a "covered facility" as a facility: (1) that has been listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (NPL); (2) at which the Administrator is undertaking an action anticipated to exceed one year or a specified funding limit; or (3) with respect to which the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Administrator has accepted a petition requesting a health assessment or related health activity. Expands the list of authorized grant activities and increases the maximum amount of such grants. Requires the President to take specified actions to provide for meaningful public participation in every significant phase of response activities under CERCLA. Permits Community Advisory Groups, affected Indian tribes and communities, and local government and health officials to propose remedial alternatives to the President. Requires the President to make records relating to response actions at a covered facility available to the public throughout all phases of an action. Sets forth additional requirements with respect to public notice of certain removal actions. (Sec. 203) Requires States or Indian tribes with covered facilities to establish Community Information and Access Offices. Provides funding for such Offices. Directs the Administrator to establish Offices for States or tribes that fail to do so. (Sec. 204) Requires the President to provide the opportunity for the establishment of a Community Advisory Group, a representative public forum, to achieve direct, regular, and meaningful consultation with all interested parties throughout all stages of a response action whenever: (1) the President determines such a group will be helpful; or (2) ten individuals residing in the area in which the covered facility is located, or ten percent of the population of a locality in which the covered facility is located, whichever is fewer, petition for a Group to be established. Directs the President to adopt any consensus recommendation of a Group on land use as part of the remedy selected for the facility, with exceptions. Authorizes the President to provide administrative support for such Groups. Directs the Administrator to submit to the Congress a community study that includes an analysis of: (1) the speed of listing; (2) the speed and nature of response actions; (3) the degree to which public views are reflected in response actions; (3) use of institutional controls; and (4) the population, race, ethnicity, and income characteristics of communities affected by facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL. Requires periodic updates of such study. Directs the Administrator to institute necessary improvements or modifications to address any deficiencies identified by the study. (Sec. 205) Requires the Administrator to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in response activities. Subtitle B: Human Health - Directs the President to notify State and local public health authorities and tribal health officials whenever there is reason to believe that a release (or threat of release) of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to perform a health assessment for each facility listed, or proposed for listing, on the NPL, including Federal facilities. Permits related health activities to be performed in lieu of assessments for facilities that are so listed or proposed for ecological reasons only. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop and distribute educational materials on human health effects of hazardous substances to the public. (Sec. 213) Provides for research on exposure or tolerance limits for hazardous substances found commonly at NPL facilities in cases where adequate information on health effects of a substance is not available. Expands the duties of the ATSDR Administrator to require the Administrator to establish an inventory of exposure or tolerance limits for such substances. (Sec. 215) Directs the President, in any case in which a person is relocated in order to reduce exposure and eliminate health risks from hazardous substances, to provide to the individual the replacement value of the individual's residence. (Sec. 216) Authorizes and directs the ATSDR Administrator, pursuant to specified grants and contracts, to provide health services to communities affected by the release of hazardous substances. Makes funds available for such services for FY 2000 through 2004. (Sec. 217) Provides for cooperation with Indian tribes with respect to certain ATSDR activities. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to include in a biennial report on ATSDR activities the health impacts on Indian tribes of hazardous substances from covered facilities. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this title. Title III: Right to Know - Requires the annual disclosure of certain information by potentially responsible parties at NPL facilities and owners or operators of facilities subject to toxic chemical release reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA). Includes within such required disclosures information on quantities of certain hazardous substances and potential exposure of facility employees. Directs the Administrator to consolidate all annual reporting pursuant to title I of CERCLA and other Federal environmental laws to the extent not prohibited by such laws. Prescribes penalties for noncompliance with disclosure requirements. Amends EPCRA to permit the withholding of portions of information required to be disclosed under CERCLA for purposes of protecting trade secrets. (Sec. 302) Requires owners or operators of facilities subject to EPCRA reporting requirements to submit to the Administrator and State officials annual unstudied chemical release forms for each chemical subject to this section that was manufactured, processed, or used in quantities exceeding thresholds during the preceding year at the facility. Permits the Administrator to: (1) apply such requirements to other facilities that use unstudied chemicals, as appropriate; and (2) exclude a class of facilities in a Standard Industrial Classification Code that is required to report under EPCRA if unstudied chemicals will not cause certain adverse human health or environmental effects. Makes subject to the requirements of this section an unstudied chemical: (1) for which the information needed to complete a preliminary assessment of potential toxicity is not available; and (2) that is a compound containing at least carbon, hydrogen, and one or more of the elements chlorine, fluorine, or bromine or is a compound included on the 1990 High Production Volume List issued pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act. Authorizes the addition of chemicals subject to such requirements based on health or environmental effects or presence in human tissues, food stuffs, or drinking water. Excludes from reporting requirements chemicals: (1) that are listed under EPCRA; (2) that are high molecular weight polymers; or (3) for which information is publicly available. Sets forth provisions regarding information needed for preliminary assessment of potential toxicity of unstudied chemicals. Establishes threshold amounts of unstudied chemicals which trigger reporting requirements. Makes release form information publicly available. Authorizes petitions to the Administrator to compel certain actions under this title, including the exemption from reporting, addition of chemicals subject to reporting, and revision of thresholds. Requires the Administrator to establish a national unstudied chemicals inventory based on submitted data. Makes violations of this title subject to civil and administrative penalties under EPCRA. Provides trade secret protection for information disclosed under this title in the same manner as provided under EPCRA. Title IV: Environmental Justice - Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of Commerce, to publish a list of special priority areas which shall be geographic areas in which residents face a high degree of economic distress or social disenfranchisement. Provides for updates to such list no later than two years after each official census count on social and economic characteristics. Describes areas to be included on such list. Requires the President to advertise the right of petition for assessment of a hazardous substance release in such areas. Directs the President to publish a list of special priority facilities which shall be those facilities located in special priority areas that are: (1) listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System; (2) the subject of a petition; or (3) those the President considers appropriate. Establishes deadlines for completing preliminary assessments, site inspections, and hazard ranking of such facilities and for listing them on the NPL. Requires the President to ensure that a remedial action for any such facility on the NPL is completed within three years of placement on the NPL. Provides exceptions from placing such facilities on the NPL. Title V: Children's Environmental Health - Requires the ATSDR Administrator and the Administrator to create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of environmental pollutants commonly found at facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL with known or suspected health risks to which fetuses and children are especially susceptible. Provides for a toxicological profile for each listed substance. each listed substance. Directs the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate, to review and revise, where necessary, environmental and public health regulations, risk assessment policies and procedures, and guidance documents issued under CERCLA to determine whether they consider and fully protect fetal and children's health. Incorporates fetal and children's health concerns into all health research initiatives under CERCLA. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop: (1) guidelines for addressing fetal and children's health issues in health studies and research programs; and (2) criteria for determining when and what type of child-specific health study shall be conducted based on the results of a health assessment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the costs of such research programs should be borne by the manufacturers and processors of the hazardous substance in question. Directs the ATSDR Administrator to: (1) establish an exposure registry for all children exposed to hazardous substances as the result of a release at an NPL facility where levels of exposure are significant for children's health; and (2) implement specified children's environmental health education and training programs. Requires all lists, profiles, studies, and research results conducted under this title to be reported or adopted only after appropriate peer review. Sets forth requirements for peer reviews. Title VI: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Subtitle A: Brownfields - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to local governments to inventory and conduct site assessments of brownfield sites and provide training in the cleanup of such sites. Defines a "brownfield site" as land that contains or contained abandoned or under-used commercial or industrial facilities, the expansion or redevelopment of which may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Sets forth grant application requirements and grant conditions. Requires States to submit information to the Administrator on brownfield sites. Directs the Administrator to compile a National Brownfields Registry. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to be used by local governments to capitalize revolving loan funds for the cleanup of brownfield sites, including associated rivers and streams. Authorizes local governments to provide such loans to finance cleanups by such governments or by owners or prospective purchasers of affected brownfield sites. Sets forth grant application and agreement requirements. Requires grant recipients to report to the Administrator on the extent of local citizen involvement in funded projects. Authorizes the Administrator to award a grant to a State if necessary to facilitate the receipt of funds by local governments that do not have the capabilities to manage grants. Makes certain facilities ineligible for the grant program, including facilities that are the subject of response actions and Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to make exceptions for excluded facilities and allow grants on a facility-by-facility basis. Makes amounts available from the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) to carry out the grant programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. (Sec. 602) Authorizes the Administrator to award grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, States, Indian tribes, municipalities, and other specified agencies and organizations for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 603) Requires the Administrator to provide grants and other forms of assistance for brownfields workforce training programs in communities that contain brownfield sites. Subtitle B: Innocent Landowners and Prospective Purchaser Liability - Amends CERCLA, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the President) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, and cooperation with those conducting response actions. (Sec. 622) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of this section and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. (Sec. 623) Exempts certain contiguous property owners from liability. Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants, in connection with the authority to guarantee obligations to finance certain community development activities, to eligible public entities for projects and activities for economic redevelopment of brownfield sites. Title VII: Natural Resource Damages - Adds the reasonable costs of recovering natural resource damages to the list of recoverable damages for which liable parties are responsible under CERCLA. (Sec. 703) Eliminates the damage assessment rebuttable presumption and prescribes revised procedures for natural resource damage assessments. (Sec. 704) Authorizes a trustee for natural resources to establish an administrative record on which the trustee will base the selection of a plan for restoration of the resource. Provides for participation of interested persons in the development of an administrative record. (Sec. 705) Provides that the presence of hazardous substances in sediments of U.S. waters above background or reference levels shall be sufficient to establish injury to natural resources for purposes of determining liability. Directs the Administrator and the appropriate natural resource trustees to report to the Congress on how response, remedial, and restoration actions are restoring and protecting natural resources affected by the facilities of: (1) Hudson River, New York; (2) Newark and New York Bays, New York and New Jersey; (3) Housatonic River, Connecticut and Massachusetts; (4) New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts; (5) Clark Fork River, Montana; (6) Lavaca Bay, Texas; (7) Palos Verdes, California; (8) Fox River, Wisconsin; (9) Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and (10) Hanford, Washington. (Sec. 706) Requires natural resource trustees to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in restoration activities. (Sec. 707) Revises provisions regarding the statute of limitations on natural resource damage actions. (Sec. 708) Adds archaeological resources to the definition of "natural resources" under CERCLA. (Sec. 709) Authorizes citizen suits to recover natural resources damages. Title VIII: Federal Facilities - Revises provisions regarding the applicability of CERCLA to the U.S. Government. Makes Federal agencies subject to all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements regarding response actions and damages related to, or management of, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants in the same manner as any nongovernmental entity. Waives immunity of the United States with respect to the enforcement of injunctive relief. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under State or Federal response laws. Authorizes the Administrator to issue an abatement order to a Federal agency and requires initiation of an administrative enforcement action in the same manner as action would be initiated against any other person. Requires all funds collected by a State from the Federal Government from penalties imposed under this section to be used only for projects to improve or protect the environment or to defray costs of environmental protection or enforcement unless a State law requires such funds to be used differently. Requires Federal agencies to notify States and the Administrator of removal actions. Sets forth additional conditions under which a Federal property may be transferred to any other person without a covenant warranting that all remedial action has been taken on the property. Establishes additional assurances to be contained in deeds governing such transfers with regard to hazardous substances releases for which a Federal agency is potentially responsible. Title IX: Liability - Provides exemptions to liability (including liability for contribution) for response costs for pre-July 1997 acts if liability is based solely on arranging for disposal, treatment, or transport of, or accepting, a specified limited amount of hazardous substances. Absolves certain small parties of liability based on arrangement or acceptance provisions if the substance involved was municipal solid waste or sewage sludge. Removes a provision which excludes petroleum from the definition of "hazardous substance" under CERCLA. Provides that persons liable for willful releases of hazardous substances or threats thereof may be liable to the United States for punitive damages in an amount of up to two times the costs incurred by Superfund as a result of such a release. Title X: Funding - Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out specified Superfund authorities through FY 2003. (Sec. 1007) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the environmental income tax to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998, and before January 1, 2004. Extends specified provisions regarding: (1) Superfund's financing rate; (2) limits on tax if the unobligated balance in Superfund exceeds a specified amount; and (3) the repayment deadline for advances made to Superfund. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Increases the ceiling on certain penalties under CERCLA. Prescribes penalties for specified additional violations. (Sec. 1103) Considers a remedial action that attains applicable requirements to be protective of human health and the environment unless the President determines otherwise. Directs the President to establish additional requirements to ensure such protection, as necessary. Provides that the decontamination regulations for site termination issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 21, 1997, shall not be considered sufficiently protective. Revises the definition of "federally permitted release" under CERCLA with respect to releases of source, special nuclear, or byproduct material in compliance with licenses, permits, regulations, or orders pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to apply such definition only if such licenses, permits, regulations, or orders adequately protect groundwater. Applies requirements of this Act pertaining to Federal facilities to facilities subject to licenses or decontamination regulations for license termination issued by the NRC. Amends environmental excise tax provisions to treat uranium dioxide as a taxable chemical only if it is used as a fuel in a nuclear reactor.