United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1999
Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the establishment and operation of a national sanctuary system for all surplus federally owned chimpanzees that are no longer needed in research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, or other Federal agencies. Mandates that any surplus chimpanzee that is not owned by the Federal Government be accepted into the system if the owner transfers title to the chimpanzee to the sanctuary system. Provides for standards for permanent retirement of chimpanzees into the system. Requires such standards to empower the Secretary to authorize imposition of a fee (except in certain circumstances) for accepting a non-Federal chimpanzee into the system. Directs the Secretary to contract with a nonprofit private entity to establish and operate the system. Provides for funding. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts for the operation of facilities that provide for the retirement of chimpanzees in accordance with the same standards that apply to the sanctuary system.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Wealth Through the Workplace Act of 1999 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish requirements relating to certain stock purchase arrangements maintained by employers for at least 50 percent of their employees. Requires employers to provide annual descriptions of disclosure statements regarding such stock to employees granted an option to purchase it. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for special treatment of stock options meeting such ERISA requirements. Permits employees to defer payment of taxes at a special rate on the stock obtained through the options until they sell the stock. Allows employers a limited tax deduction for such stock transfers to employees. Sets forth certain restrictions on disposition of transferred shares.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Consumer's Right to Financial Privacy Act - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to revamp financial institution obligations regarding disclosures of personal information sharing. Prohibits such institutions from either disclosing, or making unrelated use, of nonpublic personal information collected in a consumer transaction unless the institution has notified the consumer in accordance with prescribed regulations. (Currently such disclosure or unrelated use is permitted with institutional affiliates without prior notice to consumers.) Requires the consumer's affirmative consent (opt-in) to any such information sharing between a financial institution, its affiliates, or any other person that is neither an employee or agent of such institution. (Current law permits nonpublic personal consumer information sharing by a financial institution with nonaffiliated third parties for marketing and other purposes, unless the consumer opts out in writing.) Mandates that designated regulatory agencies promulgate regulations that: (1) require affirmative consumer consent as a prerequisite to any information sharing by a financial institution; (2) prohibit a financial institution from denying a product or service to a consumer who has denied consent to such information transfer; and (3) require consumer access and opportunity to dispute nonpublic personal information made available by the institution to persons other than its own personnel. Prohibits a financial institution from disclosing a consumer's access number or code to both an affiliated or nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing, or other marketing through electronic mail to the consumer. (Current law permits such disclosure to affiliates). Restricts nonpublic personal information received from a financial institution by an affiliate or nonaffiliated third party from being further disclosed to another affiliate or nonaffiliated third party of both the financial institution and such recipient. Requires designated regulatory agencies to promulgate proscriptions against unfair and deceptive practices in connection with either the disclosure of nonpublic personal information, or with making unrelated uses of that information. Prescribes regulation contents, including a requirement that a financial institution disclose to the consumer: (1) the categories of nonpublic personal information the institution collects; and (2) its practices and policies with respect to disclosing or making unrelated uses of it. Authorizes the States to enjoin violations of this Act. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe implementing regulations with respect to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate procedural guidelines governing State election to participate in the enforcement of this Act. Provides that protection under State law that is greater than the protection accorded under this Act (as determined by either the FTC or a Federal functional regulator) shall not be deemed inconsistent with this Act. Repeals the exemption granting permission to State-licensed private investigators acting under court authorization to obtain customer information of a financial institution for purposes of collecting child support from a person adjudged delinquent. Confers enforcement authority upon the States with respect to violations pertaining to fraudulent access to financial information under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
No Safe Harbor in Cuba Act - Expresses congressional findings that on May 2, 1973, Joanne Chesimard and two companions opened fire on two New Jersey State Troopers, killing Trooper Werner Foerster; that Ms. Chesimard was found guilty of first-degree murder; that she escaped from the reformatory and fled to Cuba; and that approximately 90 other criminals have fled to Cuba. Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to require that, in order to determine that a democratically elected government exists in Cuba, the government prove its respect for the democratic rule of law by ceasing to provide a safe harbor to criminals, including Joanne Chesimard and all others who have fled from the United States to Cuba for the sole purpose of avoiding prosecution or confinement for serious criminal offenses committed in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1999
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of State (the Secretary), as part of the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, to include information to address the status of trafficking in persons, including: (1) a list of foreign countries that are countries of origin, transit, or destination for a significant number of victims of "severe forms of trafficking" (defined as sex trafficking in which either a commercial sex act or any act or event contributing to such act is effected or induced by force, coercion, fraud, or deception, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained age 18, and the purchase, sale, recruitment, harboring, transportation, transfer, or receipt of a person for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, or slavery, or slavery-like practices which is effected by force, coercion, fraud, or deception); (2) a description of the nature and extent of severe forms of trafficking in persons in each country (descriptive information); (3) an assessment of the efforts by such governments to combat severe forms of trafficking (assessment information); and (4) descriptive information and, where appropriate, assessment information, on a country-by-country basis. (Sec 5) Requires the President to establish an Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, chaired by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, which shall assist the Task Force and be administered by a Director. Directs the Task Force to: (1) coordinate the implementation of this Act; (2) measure and evaluate progress of the United States and other countries in trafficking prevention, protection of and provision of assistance to trafficking victims, and prosecution and enforcement against traffickers; (3) expand interagency procedures to collect and organize data (and respect the confidentiality of trafficking victims); (4) engage in efforts to facilitate cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination; (5) examine the role of the international "sex tourism" industry in the trafficking of women and children and in the sexual exploitation of women and children around the world; and (6) make recommendations on appropriate measures to combat this industry. (Sec. 6) Directs the President: (1) acting through the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) and the heads of other appropriate agencies, to establish and carry out initiatives to enhance economic opportunity for potential victims of trafficking as a method to deter trafficking; (2) acting through the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and State, and through the Attorney General, to establish and carry out programs to increase public awareness, particularly among potential victims, of the dangers of trafficking and the protections that are available for victims; and (3) to consult with appropriate nongovernmental organizations with respect to the establishment and conduct of initiatives under this section. (Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary and the Administrator to establish and carry out programs and initiatives in foreign countries to assist in the safe integration, reintegration, or resettlement of victims of trafficking and their children and to take appropriate steps to enhance cooperative efforts among foreign countries, including countries of origin of victims, to assist in such integration, reintegration, or resettlement. Directs the Attorney General, the Secretaries of HHS and Labor, and the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation, subject to the availability of appropriations, to expand existing services to provide assistance to victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons within the United States, without regard to such victims' immigration status. Makes such victims eligible, without regard to their immigration status, for any benefits that are otherwise available under the Crime Victims Fund. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, U.S. territories and possessions, Indian tribes, units of local government, and nongovernmental victims' service organizations to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for trafficking victims, subject to specified conditions. Provides trafficking victims a civil right of action for violations of Federal criminal code (the code) provisions (established by section 12 of this Act) regarding trafficking into slavery-like conditions or sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary to promulgate regulations for law enforcement personnel, immigration officials, and State Department officials to provide that: (1) victims of severe forms of trafficking, while in Federal custody, shall be housed in appropriate shelter, receive prompt medical care, food, and other assistance, and be provided protection if a victim's safety is at risk; (2) such victims shall not be jailed, fined, or otherwise penalized due to having been trafficked, and shall have access to legal assistance, information about their rights, and translation services; (3) Federal law enforcement officials shall act to ensure an alien's continued presence in the United States if, after an assessment, it is determined that such alien is a victim of trafficking or a material witness; and (4) appropriate personnel of the Departments of State and Justice shall be trained in identifying such victims and providing for their protection. Amends the code to make funds derived from the sale of assets seized from and forfeited by trafficking available for victims assistance programs under this Act. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow the Attorney General to: (1) grant non-immigrant visas to certain victims of severe forms of trafficking who are in the United States and who would face a significant possibility of retribution or other harm if they were removed from the United States; and (2) adjust to lawful permanent resident status the status of victims who have been in the United States continuously for three years since admission, who have remained of good moral character, who have not unreasonably refused to assist in trafficking investigations or prosecutions, and who would face a significant possibility of retribution or other harm if removed from the United States. (Sec. 8) Establishes minimum standards applicable to countries that have a significant trafficking problem. Urges such countries to prohibit severe forms of trafficking in persons, to punish such acts, and to make serious and sustained efforts to eliminate such trafficking. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary and the Director of AID to provide assistance to foreign countries for programs and activities designed to meet the minimum international standards for the elimination of trafficking. (Sec. 10) Declares that it is U.S. policy to withhold non-humanitarian foreign assistance to countries which do not meet the minimum standards. Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees regarding the status of severe forms of trafficking in persons, including a list of any countries that do not meet applicable minimum standards. Permits interim reports. Requires the President, for FY 2002 and subsequent fiscal years, for each country that fails to meet the standards, to make one of the following determinations: (1) to withhold U.S. non-humanitarian assistance; (2) to not provide funding for participation of employees of such country's governments in educational and cultural exchange programs; (3) to instruct the U.S. executive director of each multilateral development bank and the International Monetary Fund to vote against non-humanitarian assistance to such country; (4) that such country has come into compliance with the minimum standards; or (5) that the provision of non-humanitarian assistance to a country not meeting minimum standards is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 11) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to compile and publish a list of foreign persons who play a significant role in a severe form of trafficking in persons, directly or indirectly in the United States, who materially support such persons, or who are owned or controlled by such persons; and (2) the President to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, including the freezing of assets located in the United States. Directs the President, upon exercising such authority, to report to specified congressional committees: (1) identifying publicly the foreign persons that the President determines are appropriate for sanctions; and (2) detailing publicly the sanctions imposed. Permits non-disclosure of persons on the list for intelligence and law enforcement reasons, and requires that Congress be notified of such exclusions on an annual basis. Excludes significant traffickers, and those who knowingly assist them, from entry into the United States. (Sec. 12) Amends the code to: (1) double the current maximum penalties for peonage, enticement into slavery, and sale into involuntary servitude to 20 years imprisonment; and (2) add the possibility of life imprisonment for such violations resulting in death or involving kidnaping, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill. Prohibits, and sets penalties for: (1) trafficking into involuntary servitude, peonage, or slavery-like conditions; (2) sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion; and (3) unlawfully possessing or destroying the identification or immigration documents of another in the course of a trafficking violation or in an attempt to impair a trafficking investigation or restrict a victim's movement. Requires that convicted traffickers provide full restitution to their victims. Directs courts to order the forfeiture to the United States of any of the trafficker's property that was used for or derived from violations of these laws. Makes victims of these crimes eligible for the Federal witness protection program. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review, and if appropriate amend, the sentencing guidelines to ensure that they are sufficiently stringent with respect to such trafficking offenses. Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to add the new trafficking offenses to the list of covered activities. (Sec. 13) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for: (1) the Interagency Task Force; (2) the Secretary of HHS; (3) the Secretary; (4) the Attorney General; (5) the President (for foreign victim assistance and assistance to foreign countries to meet the minimum standards); and (6) the Secretary of Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1999
Exempts certain reports within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and the Workforce from automatic elimination and sunset provisions under the Federal Reports and Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995. Includes among such reports those submitted under specified provisions of: (1) the General Education Provisions Act, on effectiveness of applicable programs; (2) the Department of Education Organization Act, on Departmental activities; (3) the Higher Education Act of 1965, on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Evaluation and Integrity, waivers, budget submissions, audits, notices of failures to comply with master calendar deadlines, the student loan data system, and the Javits Fellows Program Fellowship Board; (4) the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, on the state of the arts and of the humanities in the Nation, and activities of the National Endowments of the Arts and of the Humanities; (5) the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act, on certification of validity of claims, and to claims and contracts; (6) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act, on activities of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (7) the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986, on certain indirect costs; (8) the United States Institute of Peace Act, on audits and progress; (9) the Education Amendments of 1978, on review of or proposed closure or consolidation of schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), plans to bring Indian educational facilities into compliance with health and safety standards, the status of educational programs administered by the BIA, and educational problems encountered; (10) the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988, on applications received and actions taken on grants for tribally controlled schools; (11) the Helen Keller National Center Act, on evaluation of such Center's operation; (12) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, on activities, program performance analysis, the status of disability policy, the Access Board, and the Interagency Disability Coordinating Council; (13) the National Labor Relations Act, on case activities and operations of the National Labor Relations Board; (14) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), on variances granted for vesting or funding, status of enforcement cases, and recommendations received from the Advisory Council or for further legislation; (15) ERISA, on Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) financial statements, activities, and actuarial evaluations; (16) the Head Start Act, operation of Head Start programs; and (17) the Inspector General Act, on audits conducted by the Office of the Inspector General, and on reasons for removal or transfer of the Inspector General, for the PBGC, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1999
Literacy Involves Families Together Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and reauthorize Even Start Family Literacy Programs (Even Start) (part B of title I provisions for Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards). (Sec. 2) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for such Even Start programs, and increases the amounts authorized. (Sec. 3) Requires State plans to assure that State educational agencies (SEAs) will encourage local educational agencies (LEAs) and individual schools participating in a program assisted under ESEA title I part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies), to use part A funds to offer family literacy services, if the LEA or school determines that a substantial number of students they serve under part A have parents who do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent or who have low levels of literacy. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) reserve an increased portion of part B Even Start funds for migrant programs, outlying areas, and Indian tribes, under specified conditions; (2) award a competitive demonstration grant of sufficient amount and duration for a potentially high-quality family literacy program in a prison that houses women and their preschool age children; (3) ensure coordination of family literacy programs under Even Start with similar programs operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); and (4) reserve specified portions of Even Start excess funds for scientifically-based research on family literacy by the National Institute for Literacy. Limits the Federal share of program costs to 35 percent after the eighth year of Even Start program assistance. Authorizes States to use a portion of Even Start funds to provide technical assistance and training to subgrantees (partnerships of LEAs and eligible organizations) to improve the quality of their family literacy services, giving priority to low-quality programs, provided that such State use of funds for a fiscal year does not result in a decrease from the level of activities and services provided to program participants in the preceding year. Requires Even Start programs to use research-based techniques for helping children learn to read, as well as for helping adults where appropriate research is available. Allows an Even Start program, despite specified age limitations, to permit children eight years of age or older to participate if such program collaborates with a part A program and part A funds are used to pay the cost of providing part B Even Start services to such children. Requires an SEA, in awarding subgrants to continue an Even Start program after the first year, to review the progress of each eligible entity in meeting program goals described in the State plan (as well as, under current law, evaluating the program based on State-developed program quality indicators). Eliminates the eight-year limitation on a subgrantee's receiving Even Start funds. Sets the same limits on the Federal share of renewed subgrants as on Even Start grants. Directs the National Institute for Literacy to use certain reserved Even Start funds for scientifically-based research to determine: (1) the most effective ways of improving literacy skills of adults with reading difficulties; and (2) how family literacy services can best provide parents with knowledge and skills to support their children's literacy development. Requires such research to be carried out through an entity, including a Federal agency, with expertise in doing longitudinal studies of children's literacy skills development, and that has developed effective interventions to help children with reading difficulties. (Sec. 5) Requires State applications for Even Start grants to describe how the State will encourage programs and projects assisted under Even Start to offer family literacy services if the program or project serves a substantial number of migratory children who have parents who do not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent or who have low levels of literacy. (Sec. 6) Defines family literacy services under ESEA as services provided to participants on a voluntary basis that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family, and that integrate all of the following activities: (1) interactive literacy activities between parents and their children; (2) training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children; (3) parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency; and (4) an age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences. (Sec. 7) Amends the Education Amendments Act of 1978 to require BIA-operated family literacy programs, under the early childhood education program for Indian children or other programs, to be coordinated with Even Start family literacy programs under ESEA.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1999
International Extradition Enforcement Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress on efforts between the United States and a government of a foreign country to extradite to the United States an individual being held in custody by such government and whom the United States: (1) has charged with a major extraditable offense; (2) has found guilty of committing a major extraditable offense; or (3) is seeking to extradite to complete a judicially pronounced penalty of deprivation of liberty for a major extraditable offense. Defines "major extraditable offense" as murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, kidnaping, abduction, or other false imprisonment, or rape. Prohibits the provision of development and security assistance to, or the issuance of a visa to any alien who is a high-ranking official of, a government of a country uncooperative in extradition efforts with the United States. Provides for the waiver of such prohibitions if it is in the vital national interests of the United States. Directs the Attorney General to establish procedures under which a State, which is requesting extradition of one or more individuals from a foreign country failing to comply with such request, may file a formal complaint with the Attorney General for purposes of determining whether or not such country has failed to extradite to the United States during the preceding two- year period five or more individuals (involving unrelated extradition requests) in accordance with this Act. Amends Federal criminal law to increase the criminal penalty for individuals who flee to avoid prosecution or give testimony in the United States. Imposes both civil and criminal penalties for persons who knowingly transfer from the United States anything of value to a person in a foreign country with the intent to assist such person in resisting extradition to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Telemarketing Victims Protection Act - Amends the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to include in rules respecting abusive telemarketing acts or practices requirements that telemarketers: (1) notify consumers who are called that they have the right to be placed on either the Direct Marketing Association's or the appropriate State's do-not-call list; (2) notify the Association or State if a consumer elects to be placed on such a list; (3) obtain and reconcile such lists on a regular basis; (4) not make any calls during the hours of 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; and (5) not block the identity of the telephone from which they are making a telemarketing call. Directs the Commission to study and report to Congress on the violations of the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, especially of repeated violations by a single telemarketer and of the provisions for penalizing telemarketers for such violations, including new provisions which would allow appropriate Federal action against telemarketers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act with regard to Welfare-to-Work grants to States. Changes from mandatory to discretionary the authority of a project grantee to expend its funds for the benefit of TANF recipients. Specifies such recipients as hard-to-employ. Revises their eligibility criteria, adding homeless and disabled individuals as well as victims of domestic violence. Prescribes criteria for the provision of project funds to assist certain noncustodial parents to participate in employment or related activities that will enable them to make regular child support payments. Prescribes requirements for such recipients, including an oral or written personal responsibility contract containing certain conditions. Authorizes Welfare-to-Work projects to assist children between ages 18 and 25 who have received foster care maintenance payments. Makes vocational educational or job training for up to six months an allowable activity. Permits certain grantees which are not private industry councils or workforce investment boards to provide Welfare-to-Work employment services directly. Repeals the requirement for quarterly State data reports on the Welfare-to-Work program. Reduces the set-aside under provisions for grants for successful performance bonuses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that "Family Hour," between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., should be set aside by the television industry for family-oriented programming.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Firefighter's Local-Federal Assistance for Management of Emergencies Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States that have an emergency response loan program in effect. Requires States receiving such Federal grants to make grants to assist eligible emergency response organizations in repaying loans they received under the State emergency response loan program. Sets forth certain audit and apportionment requirements with respect to the Federal grant program. Requires the Secretary to make certain set-aside funds available for such grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Calls upon the Secretary of the Navy and the Attorney General to ensure that the Federal property located at the Vieques training range, Puerto Rico, is safe and secure and for the Secretary to resume critical live fire training there. Calls on the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to ensure that U.S. forces deploy with 100 percent of the combat qualifications needed to meet national security requirements. Urges the Department of Defense and Government of Puerto Rico to reestablish a mutually supportive relationship, resolve issues, and implement a program that addresses the economic and social needs and safety concerns of residents of Vieques and citizens of Puerto Rico. Recognizes the significant contribution to U.S. defense by such residents and citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Food and Medicine for the World Act - Prohibits the President from imposing a unilateral agricultural sanction or unilateral medical sanction against a foreign country, except in specified circumstances, unless: (1) not less than 60 days before the sanction is proposed to be imposed, the President makes a specified report to Congress; and (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the report.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1999
Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person engaged in a gambling business to knowingly use the Internet or any other interactive computer service (service) to: (1) place, receive, or otherwise make a bet or wager; or (2) send, receive, or invite information assisting in the placing of a bet or wager. Prescribes penalties. Grants the district courts original and exclusive jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Provides enforcement authority for violations taking place on Indian lands. Exempts from liability under this Act any service provider who, after being properly notified by a Federal or State law enforcement agency that a particular online site of such provider is being used to violate this Act, removes or disables access to such site. Requires a provider, in order to receive such immunity, to: (1) maintain an electronic or written policy that requires the provider to terminate the account of a violating subscriber following receipt of a notice of violation; and (2) not knowingly permit its service to be used for such prohibited purposes. Authorizes alternative injunctive relief against such a provider, under certain limitations and considerations. Exempts providers from liability for content, furnished by another person, that advertises or promotes non-Internet gambling activities, unless the provider is engaged in the business of such gambling. Requires such providers, in order to receive such immunity, to maintain the termination policy and to not knowingly permit the use of their services for such activities as required under the exemption above. Requires the provider to take appropriate action after notice from a Federal or State law enforcement agency that the provider's service is being used for such prohibited purposes. Authorizes alternative injunctive relief against such a provider under certain limitations and considerations. Exempts from liability a provider who takes any action required under this Act. States that nothing in this Act shall otherwise require a provider: (1) to monitor material or use of its service; or (2) except as required by notice, to gain access to, remove, or disable access to material. Lists exceptions to the prohibitions under this Act, including certain State and multi-State lotteries and authorized horse or dog racing. Directs the Attorney General to submit to Congress: (1) an analysis of the problems associated with enforcing this Act; (2) recommendations for the best use of Department of Justice resources for enforcement; and (3) an estimate of the amount of activity and money being used to gamble on the Internet.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Know Your Caller Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person making a telephone solicitation to interfere with or circumvent a caller identification service from accessing or providing the call recipient with identifying information about the call. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations implementing such prohibition. Provides a cause of action for a person or entity, or a State attorney general on behalf of its residents, for violations of such prohibition or regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1999
Designates the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 617 State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the Samuel J. Roberts Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1999
Budget Responsibility and Efficiency Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to revise the Federal and congressional budget processes by establishing a two-year budgeting and appropriations cycle and timetable. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Sets forth a special timetable for any first session that begins in any year immediately following a leap year and during which the term of a President begins (except one who starts a second successive term). (Sec. 2) Devotes the first session of any Congress to the budget resolution and to appropriations decisions, retaining current deadlines in most cases. Changes certain deadlines to conform to the biennial scheme. Devotes each second session to authorization activity, subject to specified deadlines. (Sec. 4) Sets forth revised pay-as-you-go provisions for the Senate to conform with the biennial framework. (Sec. 5) Conforms provisions governing the President's budget to the biennial framework. (Sec. 6) Requires all Acts making regular appropriations for the support of the Government to be enacted for a biennium and to specify the amount of appropriations provided for each fiscal year in that period. (Sec. 7) Amends CBA to provide that it shall not be in order in the House or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that authorizes appropriations for a period of less than two fiscal years, unless the program, project, or activity for which the appropriations are authorized will require no further appropriations and will be completed or terminated after the appropriations have been expended. (Sec. 8) Changes to a biennial basis specified requirements for certain Government strategic and performance plans, performance reports in budget submissions, and program performance reports. Requires congressional committee reviews of such plans and reports. (Sec. 9) Provides that it shall not be in order in the House or the Senate in any odd-numbered year to consider any regular bill providing new budget authority or a limitation on obligations under the jurisdiction of any Appropriations subcommittee for only the first fiscal year of a biennium unless the program, project, or activity for which such authority or limitation is provided will require no additional authority beyond one year and will be completed or terminated after the amount provided has been expended.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act - Amends Federal employee provisions to include the following as an employee, for purposes of authorized enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: (1) a member of the armed forces who began service before June 7, 1956, and retired after a minimum of 20 years of such service or by reason of a service-connected disability; and (2) the surviving widow or widower of such member. Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to provide FEHB coverage to the following eligible beneficiaries: (1) a member or former member entitled to military retired or retainer pay who is also entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (2) an unremarried former spouse who was married to a member for at least 20 years, during which such member performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; (3) a dependent of a deceased qualifying member or former member; (4) a dependent of a living member or former member who is entitled to Medicare hospital insurance benefits; and (5) a family member of such member. Repeals a provision prohibiting coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services for persons entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
Comprehensive Access and Responsibility in Health Care Act of 1999 - Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Subtitle A: Patient Protections - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group coverage, from imposing on a health professional any restriction on advice provided to a participant or beneficiary. (Sec. 101) Requires a plan or health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, if it provides benefits for: (1) emergency or ambulance services, to cover emergency services, including emergency ambulance services, without preauthorization and without regard to whether or not the health care provider is a participating one, among other specified conditions; (2) gynecological or obstetric specialist care benefits, to provide those benefits without authorization or referral by a primary care provider; or (3) routine pediatric specialist care benefits, to allow designation of a pediatric specialist as the primary care provider. Outlines rules permitting continuity of care for scheduled surgery, pregnancy, and terminal illness during specified transition periods because of provider termination as well as rules governing individual participation in approved clinical cancer trials. Requires a Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) study of, and report to Congress with regard to, cancer clinical research and its cost implications for managed care. (Sec. 102) Amends ERISA to require certain plan disclosures to network providers under specified conditions. Subtitle B: Patient Access to Information - Requires plans to include specified information in summary plan descriptions and to include certain information with adverse coverage decisions. Mandates advance notice of exclusion from a drug formulary of a drug or biological that is used in the treatment of a chronic illness or disease. Subtitle C: Group Health Plan Review Standards - Amends ERISA to require group health plans, in the case of included group health benefits, to: (1) provide written notice to participants or beneficiaries and providers of adverse coverage decisions; and (2) meet specified time limits for responding to requests for benefit payments, accelerated need requests, advance coverage determinations, medical necessity determinations, and experimental treatment determinations. Provides for internal and, in certain circumstances, external review of initial coverage decisions. Establishes certain review requirements. (Sec. 121) Outlines sanctions, which include civil monetary penalties, cease and desist orders, and removal (in the case of a fiduciary) for review violations. Provides for: (1) expedited court review; (2) awarding of attorney fees; and (3) concurrent Federal-State court jurisdiction for actions relating to certain amendments made by this Act. (Sec. 122) Amends ERISA to: (1) establish a special rule for access to specialty care; and (2) set out requirements for treatment of prescription drugs and medical devices as experimental or investigational. (Sec. 124) Exempts health care response information from any disclosure requirement, in connection with a civil or administrative proceeding under Federal or State law, to the same extent as specified other information developed by a health care provider, including internal review, to reduce mortality, morbidity, or for improving patient care or safety. Subtitle D: Small Business Access and Choice for Entrepreneurs - Amends ERISA to define "association health plan" to mean a group health plan meeting specified requirements, including being sponsored by a bona fide trade, industry, or professional association, or a chamber of commerce (or a similar bona fide business association) organized and maintained for substantial purposes other than that of obtaining or providing medical care. Provides for association and self-insured association plan certification and mandates a class certification procedure for association plans. (Sec. 131) Regulates association plans' boards of trustees and sponsors. Prohibits, for plans in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, a sponsor's affiliated members from being offered coverage unless the member: (1) was affiliated on the certification date; or (2) did not maintain or contribute to a group health plan during the 12 months before the offering of coverage. Prohibits a participating employer from providing health coverage in the individual market for any employee who is eligible for plan coverage if the exclusion from plan coverage is based on health status. Prohibits excluding an employer from an association plan if the employer and plan each meet specified requirements. Prohibits contribution rates for any participating small employers from varying on the basis of claims experience or type of business. Requires, if any plan benefit option does not consist of health coverage, that the plan have at least 1,000 participants and beneficiaries. Requires, if a benefit option consisting of health coverage is offered under the plan, that State-licensed insurance agents be used to distribute to small employers coverage that is not health coverage in a manner comparable to the manner in which those agents are used to distribute health coverage. Requires that a plan consist only of health coverage or, if the plan provides any additional benefit options, that the plan meet certain reserve and excess stop loss insurance and solvency indemnification requirements regarding the additional benefit options for which risk has not yet been transferred. Requires that all plans maintain a specified minimum surplus. Requires association plans providing additional options to make annual payments to the Association Health Plan Fund. Requires that, when there is or will be a failure to maintain such reserves, excess stop loss insurance, and indemnification, the Secretary of Labor pay amounts as necessary to maintain the excess stop loss insurance or indemnification. Establishes the Fund. Directs the applicable authority to establish a Solvency Standards Working Group to make appropriate recommendations. Mandates advance notice to participants and beneficiaries of voluntary certified plan termination. Requires either corrective action or plan termination whenever it is determined that a plan has failed or will fail to maintain required reserves, excess stop loss insurance, and indemnification. Provides for court appointment of the Secretary as trustee to administer a plan during insolvency. Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on an association plan providing additional options if the plan began operations in the State after enactment of this Act. Makes the requirements for certification under this subtitle with regard to association health plans applicable only in connection with included group health plan benefits provided under the plan. Declares that the provisions of this subtitle supersede certain related State laws. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress the effect association health plans have had (if any) on reducing the number of uninsured individuals. (Sec. 132) Modifies the circumstances in which two or more trades or businesses must be deemed a single employer. (Sec. 133) Excludes from the definition of "multiple employer welfare arrangement" any arrangement: (1) established or maintained under specified Federal (or similar State) labor relations provisions; or (2) meeting certain collective bargaining and other requirements. (Sec. 134) Imposes criminal penalties for falsely representing any plan or other arrangement providing certain benefits as: (1) being a certified association plan; or (2) having been established or maintained under certain collective bargaining agreements. (Sec. 135) Allows a State to enter into an agreement with the Secretary for delegation to the State of some or all of the Secretary's enforcement or certification authority. Subtitle E: Health Care Access, Affordability, and Quality Commission - Amends ERISA to establish the Health Care Access, Affordability, and Quality Commission to: (1) conduct studies of certain critical areas, which include independent expert external review programs and consumer friendly information programs; (2) develop a form for remittance of claims to providers; (3) evaluate existing and proposed benefit requirements for group health plans, upon appropriate congressional request; and (4) submit to appropriate congressional committees written comments on certain reports by the Secretary to such committees. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Amendments to Public Health Service Act - Subtitle A: Patient Protections and Point of Service Coverage Requirements - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to prohibit a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group coverage, from imposing on a health professional any restriction on advice provided to a participant or beneficiary. (Sec. 201) Requires a plan or health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, if it provides benefits for: (1) emergency or ambulance services, to cover emergency services, including emergency ambulance services, without preauthorization and without regard to whether or not the health care provider is a participating one, among other specified conditions; (2) gynecological or obstetric specialist care benefits, to provide those benefits without authorization or referral by a primary provider; or (3) routine pediatric specialist care benefits, to allow designation of a pediatric specialist as the primary care provider. Outlines rules on continuity of care and individual participation in approved clinical cancer trials that are similar to those outlined above in title I of this Act. Requires, as well, a similar HHS Secretary study of, and report to, Congress concerning cancer clinical research and managed care. (Sec. 202) Requires health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that provide coverage under a group health plan only if services are furnished exclusively through members of a closed panel to make available to the plan sponsor an option covering services without regard to whether the providers are panel members. Requires HMOs, when a plan sponsor declines that option, to make optional supplemental coverage available in the individual market to each plan participant. Subtitle B: Patient Access to Information - Amends PHSA to require disclosure by health insurance issuers of group health plans to plan administrators of information necessary to: (1) provide participants and beneficiaries with information in a manner and to an extent consistent with that above under subtitle B of title I of this Act; and (2) include a similar mandate for advance notice with regard to drug formularies that is also under such subtitle. (Sec. 212) Details requirements for treatment of prescription drugs and medical devices as experimental or investigational. Subtitle C: HealthMarts - Amends PHSA to require that HealthMarts: (1) be legal entities composed of small employers, employees of small employers, certain other individuals, health care providers, and entities that underwrite or administer health benefits coverage; and (2) make available health coverage to all small employers and eligible employees and their dependents and to certain other individuals at rates established by the insurance issuer on a policy or product specific basis. Deems HealthMarts group health plans for purposes of specified provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that any coverage made available to an eligible employee or individual in a geographic area be offered to all eligible employees or individuals in the same area. (Sec. 221) Declares that the HealthMart: (1) provides coverage only through contracts with issuers and does not assume insurance risk; (2) provides administrative services for purchasers; and (3) collects and disseminates consumer information on all coverage options offered through the HealthMart. Requires that HealthMart coverage provide full portability of creditable coverage for individuals who remain members of the same HealthMart notwithstanding that they change employers. Allows HealthMart coverage to include: (1) coverage through an HMO, a preferred provider or licensed provider-sponsored organization, an insurance company, or a medical savings or flexible spending account; (2) coverage that includes a point-of-service option; or (3) any combination of those coverages. Requires a HealthMart to permit employers or certain individuals, if coverage is offered through the HealthMart for such an employer or individual, to contract for such coverage. Prohibits the HealthMart from varying eligibility conditions (including premium rates and membership fees). Prohibits the purchaser from obtaining or sponsoring coverage other than through the HealthMart. Prohibits a HealthMart from denying enrollment to eligible individuals based on health, except as otherwise permitted. Supersedes certain related State laws and makes them inapplicable, except with regard to coverage option availability, with respect to coverage through a HealthMart. Provides for the application of: (1) certain existing ERISA and PHSA requirements; and (2) renewability requirements when the contract between a HealthMart and an issuer is terminated. Directs the HHS Secretary to administer this subtitle. Subtitle D: Community Health Organizations - Amends PHSA to allow a community health organization to offer health coverage in a State in spite of not being licensed in that State if the organization has received a licensure waiver from the HHS Secretary and other requirements are met. (Sec. 231) Mandates the establishment of Federal financial solvency and capital adequacy standards. Title III: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Subtitle A: Patient Protections - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to prohibit a group health plan from imposing on a health professional any restriction on advice provided to a participant or beneficiary. (Sec. 301) Requires a plan, if it provides benefits for: (1) emergency or ambulance services, to cover emergency services, including emergency ambulance services, without preauthorization and without regard to whether or not the health care provider is a participating provider, among other specified conditions; (2) gynecological or obstetric specialist care benefits, to provide those benefits without authorization or referral by a primary care provider; or (3) routine pediatric specialist benefits, to allow designation of a pediatric specialist as the primary care provider. Outlines rules on continuity of care and individual participation in approved clinical cancer trials that are similar to those outlined above in titles I and II of this Act. Provides for associated study and reporting requirements similar to those in titles I and II of this Act. Subtitle B: Medical Savings Accounts - Amends IRC to repeal provisions limiting the number of individuals having medical savings accounts. Allows all employers to offer the accounts. Modifies requirements regarding: (1) the monthly limitation on related deductions; (2) coordination with the exclusion for employer contributions; and (3) the deductible amounts that will qualify as a high deductible plan. Allows the accounts to be included in cafeteria plans. Subtitle C: Tax Incentives for Health Care - Amends the IRC to provide, among other changes, for: (1) a graduated tax deduction for health and long-term care insurance coverage costs of an individual, with such deduction increased to100 percent of the amount paid during a taxable year for such coverage costs for taxable years after calendar year 2006, while disallowing such tax deduction for coverage costs under certain subsidized employer plans; (2) a limited, refundable tax credit for qualified health insurance coverage costs of an individual taxpayer, his spouse, and dependents; (3) a requirement that any person who conducts a trade or business and receives payments during any calendar year from any individual for coverage of such individual or any other individual under creditable health insurance shall make a prescribed tax return relating to such payments; (4) advance payment of health insurance credit for purchasers of qualified health insurance; and (5) carryover of unused benefits from cafeteria plans and flexible spending or similar arrangements to later taxable years. (Sec. 323) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide for a study and report to Congress on State safety-net health insurance programs for the medically uninsurable. Title IV: Health Care Lawsuit Reform - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Declares that this title applies to any health care liability action in any State or Federal court, except actions: (1) relating to vaccine-related injury to which PHSA title XXI (Vaccines) applies; or (2) under ERISA. Preempts State laws inconsistent with this title, but not those that impose greater restrictions than those in this title. Excludes non-economic or punitive damages and attorneys' fees or costs from the determination of the amount in controversy. Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Health Care Liability Actions - Establishes a statute of limitations for bringing a health care liability action. (Sec. 412) Limits non-economic damages that may be awarded to an injured claimant. Substitutes any different level set by a State after enactment of this Act. Makes defendants liable only for the proportion of the non-economic damages due to the defendant's fault. Allows limited punitive damages, to the extent permitted by State law, if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's conduct intended to cause harm or manifested a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others. Prohibits punitive damages against a manufacturer or product seller of a drug or medical device where the drug or device was subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval or the drug is generally recognized as safe and effective by the FDA. Prohibits punitive damages relating to packaging or labeling of a drug that is required to have tamper-resistant packaging unless the packaging or labeling is found by clear and convincing evidence to be substantially out of compliance. Prohibits requiring lump-sum payment of future economic and non- economic damages over $50,000. Allows any defendant to introduce evidence of collateral source payments. Prohibits any collateral source payments provider from recovering any amount against the claimant, receiving any lien or credit against the recovery, or being subrogated to the claimant's rights. (Sec. 413) Limits contingent fees. Requires any alternative dispute resolution used to resolve a health care liability action or claim to contain provisions consistent with this title. (Sec. 414) Requires the General Accounting Office to report to specified congressional committees on the compliance of: (1) the Department of Justice and all U.S. Attorneys with a specified guideline relating to false claims in civil health care matters; and (2) the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services with specified protocols and best practice guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
Urges the Department of Education, States, and local educational agencies to work together to ensure that at least 95 percent of all funds appropriated for elementary and secondary education programs administered by the Department of Education is spent to improve the academic achievement of children in classrooms.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Calls upon the President: (1) not to participate in any international negotiation in which antidumping or antisubsidy rules are part of the negotiating agenda; (2) to refrain from submitting for congressional approval agreements that require changes to the current antidumping and countervailing duty laws and enforcement policies of the United States; and (3) to enforce the antidumping and countervailing duty laws vigorously in all pending and future cases.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Commends Greece and Turkey for their mutual and swift response to the recent earthquakes in both countries by providing to each other humanitarian assistance and rescue relief. Encourages: (1) the United States to continue its efforts in aiding both countries as they seek to rebuild; and (2) the countries themselves to persevere in resolving outstanding issues between themselves. Recognizes the renewed spirit of cooperation and the importance of the talks between such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Sudan Peace Act - Declares that Congress: (1) condemns violations of human rights on all sides of the conflict in Sudan (including the Government of Sudan), the ongoing slave trade there, and the Government's increasing use and organization of "murahalliin", Popular Defense Forces (PDF), and regular Sudanese Army units into raiding and slaving parties in Bahr al Ghazal, the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile regions; and (2) recognizes that the use of raiding and slaving parties is a tool for creating food shortages as a systematic means to destroy the societies, culture, and economies of the Dinka and Nuba peoples in a policy of low-intensity ethnic cleansing. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that it: (1) declares its support for the efforts by U.S. executive branch officials to lead in a reinvigoration of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-sponsored peace process; (2) calls on IGAD member states, the European Union, the Organization of African Unity, Egypt, and other key states to support such process; (3) urges Kenya's leadership in the implementation of the process; and (4) views any such diplomatic efforts toward resolution of the conflict in Sudan are best made through IGAD and that the President must not create any process which could be viewed as a parallel or competing diplomatic track. Authorizes the Secretary of State to utilize Department of State personnel for the support of: (1) the secretariat of IGAD; (2) the ongoing negotiations between the Government of Sudan and opposition forces; (3) any peace settlement planning to be carried out by the National Democratic Alliance and IGAD Partners' Forum (IPF); and (4) other U.S. diplomatic efforts with respect to Sudan. (Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, should take specified actions to increase pressure on the combatants involved in the war in Sudan. (Sec. 7) Imposes certain trade and financial sanctions against Sudan, subject to waiver on national security grounds, until the President determines, and certifies to Congress, that it has: (1) fully committed to and has made progress toward a peaceful solution to the war or has otherwise committed in a good faith effort with both northern and southern opposition toward a solution to the conflict based on the Declaration of Principles reached in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 20, 1994; (2) made substantial progress in controlling the raiding and slaving activities of all regular and irregular forces, including PDF and other militias and murahalliin; (3) instituted reforms with regard to providing basic human and civil rights to all Sudanese; and (4) ceased aerial bombardment of civilian targets. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that such sanctions should be applied to include the sale of stocks in the United States or to any U.S. person, wherever located, or any other form of financial instruments or derivatives, in support of a commercial, industrial, public utility, or government project or transaction in or with Sudan. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should organize and maintain a formal consultative process with the European Union, the United Nations Security Council, and other relevant parties on coordinating an effort within the UN to revise the terms of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) to end the Government of Sudan's veto power over OLS plans for air transport relief flights. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should continue to increase the use of non- OLS agencies in the distribution of relief supplies in southern Sudan. (Sec. 10) Directs the President to develop and report to Congress on a contingency plan to provide, outside UN auspices, the greatest amount of U.S. Government and privately donated relief to all affected areas in Sudan, including the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile, in the event the Government of Sudan imposes a ban on OLS air transport relief flights. (Sec.11) Supports the President's ongoing efforts to diversify and increase effectiveness of U.S. assistance to populations in areas of Sudan outside of the control of the Government of Sudan, especially the long-term focus shown in the Sudan Transition Assistance for Rehabilitation (STAR) program with its emphasis on promoting democracy, self-reliance, and actively supporting people-to- people reconciliation efforts. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 12) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should assess the humanitarian needs in the Nuba Mountains, Red Sea Hills, and Blue Nile regions of Sudan, and respond appropriately to those needs. (Sec. 13) Authorizes the President, for purposes of minimizing diversions of food assistance and to insulate noncombatants and the relief operations which serve them from combatants in areas outside the control of the Government of Sudan, to provide such assistance directly to the National Democratic Alliance or other groups engaged in the protection of civilian populations from attacks from regular government forces, associated militias, or other paramilitary groups supported by the Government of Sudan. Sets forth certain limits on, and eligibility requirements with, such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1999
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should: (1) request that the new Government of Panama, under the leadership of President Mireya Moscoso, nullify the lease agreements for the Balboa and the Cristobal port facilities on each end of the Panama Canal and initiate a new bidding process that is both transparent and fair; (2) request that the new Government of Panama investigate charges of corruption related to the granting of the Panama Canal port leases by the previous Balladares administration; and (3) negotiate security arrangements with the Government of Panama that will protect the canal and ensure the territorial integrity of the Republic of Panama.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1999
Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Coverage Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of vision rehabilitation services under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present congressional gold medals to astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, in recognition of their monumental and unprecedented feat of space exploration, as well as their achievements in the advancement of science and promotion of the space program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Requires receipts from such sales to be deposited in the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Lyme Disease Initiative of 1999 - Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, of Agriculture, of the Interior, and of Defense to: (1) establish specified detection test, improved surveillance and reporting system, and prevention goals to provide for a reduction in the incidence and prevalence of Lyme disease and related tick borne infectious diseases; and (2) establish a five-year plan of activities toward achieving those goals, and carry them out. Establishes the Lyme Disease Taskforce to advise the Secretaries with respect to achieving such goals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1999
Access to Medical Treatment Act - Defines: (1) "danger" as an adverse reaction to an unapproved drug or medical device that causes serious harm, would not otherwise have occurred, and is more serious than contraindications for drugs or devices approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for the same disease or condition; and (2) other terms as used in this Act including, "unapproved drug or medical device." (Sec. 4) Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, a patient to receive and a health care practitioner to provide any unapproved drug or device the patient desires if it is: (1) recommended by a practitioner (within that practitioner's scope of practice); (2) not a violation of State law; and (3) the practitioner abides with all recommendation requirements. Sets forth the recommendation requirements, including that the practitioner: (1) does not violate the Controlled Substances Act; (2) has informed the patient of certain matters, including that the drug or device is unapproved and experimental; and (3) does not impose a charge for the drug or device in excess of costs. Prohibits the practitioner from making any advertising claims for the drug or device, but allows dissemination of information on the results of the practitioner's use of the drug or device so long as: (1) the practitioner does not offer to sell the drug or device in connection with the dissemination; or (2) the claims are permitted under provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) relating to misbranded food and to dietary supplement labeling. (Sec. 5) Requires a practitioner who discovers that an unapproved drug or device creates a danger to a patient to immediately cease use and recommendation of the unapproved drug or device and provide specified information to the drug's or device's manufacturer. Requires the manufacturer that receives the information to: (1) immediately cease sale and distribution of the drug or device; (2) notify all practitioners to whom the drug or device has been provided; (3) report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary, on receiving the report from the manufacturer, to promptly disseminate information on the danger to all practitioners in the United States, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and agencies of States having responsibility for regulating unsafe or adulterated drugs and devices. Requires the manufacturer to investigate to determine the actual cause of the danger and take specified actions depending on the outcome of that investigation. (Sec. 6) Requires a practitioner who discovers that an unapproved drug or device used in the treatment of a life threatening condition produces results that are significantly more beneficial than results from approved drugs or devices for that condition to provide specified information to the drug's or device's manufacturer. Requires that manufacturer to provide information to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Requires the Center to annually report to Congress on beneficial results and make the report available to the public. (Sec. 7) Declares that this Act does not: (1) have any effect on FDCA provisions regarding pharmacy compounding; and (2) supersede any State or political subdivision law. (Sec. 8) Authorizes a practitioner, in conformity with this Act, to take certain actions regarding an unapproved drug or device and interstate commerce. (Sec. 9) Requires that a practitioner found to have knowingly violated this Act be denied coverage under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1999
Realistic Tests for Realistic Threats National Security Act of 1999 - Requires the Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization of the Department of Defense to: (1) conduct, no later than September 30, 2001, at least one intercept test of the Navy Theater-Wide defense system and the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system against target missiles with velocities of not less than the maximum velocity of the Taepo Dong I missile of North Korea; (2) take immediate steps to modify plans for managing the development of such systems to meet such deadline. Urges the Director, in order to improve the likelihood that the tests are successful, to review changes in the configuration of the systems to: (1) increase the speed of their interceptor missiles to well in excess of three kilometers-per-second; and (2) allow such missiles to receive and use targeting data provided by a variety of external sensors.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1999
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Olympics. Calls upon the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the anniversary of the founding of the modern Olympic movement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Lincoln Highway Study Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to coordinate a comprehensive study of routes comprising the Lincoln Highway. Requires that such study: (1) include an evaluation of its significance in American history, options for the preservation and use of remaining segments of the highway, and options for the preservation and interpretation of significant features association with such highway; and (2) consider private sector preservation alternatives. Directs that the study provide for the participation of representatives from each State traversed by such highway, State historic preservation offices, representatives of associations interested in its preservation, and persons knowledgeable in American history, historic preservation, and popular culture. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to reduce quota peanut price support levels through crop year 2001 and make nonrecourse loans available to all peanut producers at 85 percent of estimated market value as of crop year 2002. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to eliminate peanut quotas as of crop year 2002. Amends the National School Lunch Act to authorize the purchase at world market price of additional (excess of poundage quota) peanuts for the school lunch and other specified food and nutrition programs. States that such peanuts shall not be considered domestic edible use peanuts under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 or the Agricultural Market Transition Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first-class mail that is equal to the regular rate plus a differential of not to exceed 25 percent to be offered as an alternative that patrons may use voluntarily to contribute to funding for prostate cancer research. Requires the Service to pay 70 percent of the amounts attributable to such differential to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent to the Department of Defense. Requires the Postmaster General to include in each annual report to the Board of Governors information concerning the operation of this Act. Terminates this Act two years after the date on which such stamps are first made available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) assist in providing for an improvement in the survival rates of individuals who experience cardiac arrest in Federal buildings by publishing in the Federal Register for public comment recommendations with respect to placing automatic external defibrillators in such buildings; and (2) assist Federal agencies in implementing programs for such placement. Requires the Secretary to determine criteria for: (1) the selection of the Federal public buildings in which defibrillators should be placed; (2) defibrillator maintenance; and (3) the coordination of the use of the defibrillators in public buildings with emergency medical services providers for the geographic areas in which the buildings are located. Provides that any person who provides emergency medical care through the use of a defibrillator, any person who maintained, tested, or provided training in the use of the device, any physician who provided medical oversight of the device, and the person who acquired the device (if specified conditions have been met) is immune from civil liability for any personal injury or wrongful death resulting from the provision of such care, unless the person engaged in gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct under the applicable circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer who has a sincerely held religious belief under which the taxpayer is conscientiously opposed to obtaining an identifying number with respect to a qualified dependent to, in lieu of such number, include a statement containing specified information with his or her return.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1999
Worker Paycheck Fairness Act of 1999 - Requires a labor union accepting payment of any dues or fees from an employee as a condition of employment to secure from each employee a prior, voluntary, written authorization for any portion of such dues or fees which will be used for activities not necessary to performing the duties of exclusive representation in dealing with the employer on labor-management issues. Gives employees a right of civil action against any labor union which violates this requirement. Requires employers to post notice relating to such requirement. Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to require every labor union to attribute and report expenses by function classification in detail necessary to allow its members to determine whether such expenses were necessary to performing the duties of exclusive representation in dealing with the employer on labor-management issues. Requires disclosure under such Act to employees required to pay any union dues or fees (under a union security agreement) as well as to union members. Makes it unlawful for any labor organization to coerce, intimidate, threaten, interfere with, or retaliate against any employee in the exercise of, or on account of having exercised, any right granted or protected by this Act. Directs the Federal Election Commission to provide assistance to the Secretary of Labor in prescribing regulations under this Act, including providing the Secretary with an analysis comparing this Act and the amendments it makes with related provisions regarding labor organizations and their members under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Worker Paycheck Fairness Act of 1999 - Requires a labor union accepting payment of any dues or fees from an employee as a condition of employment to secure from each employee a prior, voluntary, written authorization for any portion of such dues or fees which will be used for activities not necessary to performing the duties of exclusive representation in dealing with the employer on labor-management issues. Gives employees a right of civil action against any labor union which violates this requirement. Requires employers to post notice relating to such requirement. Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to require every labor union to attribute and report expenses by function classification in detail necessary to allow its members to determine whether such expenses were necessary to performing the duties of exclusive representation in dealing with the employer on labor-management issues. Requires disclosure under such Act to employees required to pay any union dues or fees (under a union security agreement) as well as to union members. Makes it unlawful for any labor organization to coerce, intimidate, threaten, interfere with, or retaliate against any employee in the exercise of, or on account of having exercised, any right granted or protected by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Amends Federal law which revised the boundary of Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania to include within such Park the Gettysburg property known as the Wills House.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define "high speed data service" as a service capable of transmitting electronic information at a rate generally not less than 384 kilobits per second in at least one direction. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and each State, except as expressly provided in this Act, from regulating the rates, charges, terms or conditions for, or entry into the provision of, any high speed data service or Internet access service, or to regulate the facilities used in the provision of such service. Prohibits the FCC from requiring an incumbent (established) local exchange carrier to: (1) provide unbundled access to any network elements used in the provision of any high speed data service, other than those elements described in FCC regulations; or (2) offer for resale at wholesale rates any high speed data service. States that nothing in this Act shall: (1) limit or affect the authority of any State to regulate voice telephone exchange services; (2) affect the ability of the FCC to retain or modify the exemption from interstate access charges for enhanced service providers; or (3) prohibit the FCC from modifying the regulation concerning the number of networks subject to its unbundling requirement. Requires each incumbent local exchange carrier to provide: (1) Internet users with the ability to subscribe to and have access to any Internet service provider that interconnects with such carrier's high speed data service; (2) any Internet service provider with the right to acquire necessary facilities and services to facilitate such interconnection; and (3) any Internet service provider with the ability to collocate equipment in order to achieve such interconnection. Includes high speed data service or Internet access service within the definition of "incidental interLATA services" permitted for a Bell operating company (BOC). States that, until the date a BOC is authorized to offer interLATA services originating in an in-region State, such BOC offering any high speed data service or Internet access service may not, in such State, bill or collect for interLATA voice telecommunications service obtained by means of such high speed data or Internet access service provided by such company.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1999
Safety Net Preservation Act of 1999 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish a new prospective payment system for federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1999
History of the House Awareness and Preservation Act - Directs the Librarian of Congress to: (1) prepare a new and complete written history of the U.S. House of Representatives; (2) in preparing the history, consult, commission, or engage the services or participation of eminent historians and Members or former Members of the House; (3) arrange for the printing of the history and the dissemination of excerpts of the history over the Internet; (4) make the history available for sale to the public; and (5) make available, free of charge, a limited number of copies to each Member of the House of Representatives and to the Senate. Sets forth guidelines for the history. Authorizes the Librarian to solicit and accept private funding for the publication, marketing, and public distribution of the history. Directs the Librarian to accept for deposit, preserve, maintain, and make accessible, an oral history of the House as told by its Members and former Members, compiled and updated (on a voluntary or contract basis) by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress or other outside organization. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) orientation programs for freshman Members of the House should contain a seminar on the history of the House; and (2) the Speaker of the House should conduct a series of forums on the topic of such history.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1999
Academic Achievement for All Act (Straight A's Act) - Allows States flexibility in combining and using use specified Federal elementary and secondary education formula program funds for State education priorities and programs, in exchange for being held accountable for meeting, in a five- year period, certain performance goals which they propose. (Sec. 3) Allows a State to opt to enter into such a performance agreement with the Secretary of Education, under which provisions of law relating to specified eligible programs shall not apply to the State, with certain exceptions. Includes under the terms of such agreements requirements relating to: (1) use of such funds to improve student achievement; (2) an accountability system; (3) performance goals and measures, and student achievement data; (4) fiscal responsibilities; (5) civil rights; (6) private school student and staff participation; (7) State financial participation; and (8) annual reports. (Sec. 4) Lists such eligible programs, under various provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), the Department of Education Appropriations Act of 1999, the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, and the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 5) Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) within-State distribution of funds; (2) local participation; and (3) a set-aside for State administrative expenditures. (Sec. 8) Requires performance reviews at the end of the five-year period. Requires reductions of State administrative funds for States that have made little or no progress. Allows States that have met at least 80 percent of their performance goals to apply for renewal of performance agreements for an additional five-year period. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary annually to set aside sufficient funds from the Fund for the Improvement of Education under ESEA to grant achievement gap reduction rewards to States. Requires a performance reward to equal at least five percent of funds allocated to the State during the first year of the performance agreement for programs included in the agreement. Makes a State eligible to receive a reward if, over the five-year term of the performance agreement, it reduces by at least 25 percent the difference between the percentage of highest and lowest performing groups of students that meet the State's definition of proficient, with such reduction occurring in at least: (1) two content areas, one of which must be mathematics or reading; and (2) one grade level.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1999
Congressional Responsibility Act of 1999 - Prohibits a regulation from taking effect before the enactment of a bill comprised solely of the text of the regulation. Requires an agency, whenever it promulgates a regulation, to submit to each House of Congress a report containing its text and an explanation. Sets forth expedited congressional procedures for consideration of agency regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1999
Pain Relief Promotion Act of 1999 - Title I: Use of Controlled Substances Consistent With the Controlled Substances Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide that for purposes of such Act, alleviating pain or discomfort in the usual course of professional practice is a legitimate medical purpose for the dispensing, distributing, or administering of a controlled substance consistent with public health and safety even if the use of such a substance may increase the risk of death. Declares that nothing in this Act authorizes intentionally dispensing or administering a controlled substance for purposes of causing death or assisting another person in causing death. Prohibits the Attorney General, in determining whether a controlled substance manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser registration is consistent with the public interest under the Act, from giving force and effect to State law permitting assisted suicide or euthanasia. Authorizes certain educational and research programs carried out by the Attorney General under the Act to include educational and training programs for local, State, and Federal personnel on the necessary and legitimate use of controlled substances in pain management and palliative care and means by which investigation and enforcement actions by law enforcement personnel may accommodate such use. Title II: Promoting Palliative Care - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to carry out a program to: (1) develop and advance scientific understanding of palliative care; and (2) collect and disseminate protocols and evidence-based practices regarding such care, with priority given to pain management for terminally ill patients, and make such information publicly available. Defines "palliative care" as the active total care of patients whose prognosis is limited due to progressive, far-advanced disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to health professions schools, hospices, and other entities for programs to provide education and training to health care professionals in palliative care. Sets forth requirements for grant applicants. Provides for the evaluation of such programs to determine their effect on knowledge and practice regarding palliative care. Makes funds available for such grants and contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Hospital Outpatient Preservation Act of 1999 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) to limit temporarily the reductions in Federal payments under the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Provides for the retroactive effectiveness of this Act as if included in BBA '97.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999
Bear Protection Act of 1999 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State to discuss issues involving such trade with the appropriate representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999
Can Spam Act - Prohibits any person from using equipment of an electronic mail (e-mail) service provider, or causing such equipment to be used, for transmission of unsolicited commercial e- mail in violation of a posted policy of such provider. Authorizes the provider to bring a civil action for violations, with appropriate relief. Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon any individual who knowingly and without authorization uses the Internet domain name of another person in connection with the sending of e-mail messages and, as a result of such conduct, causes damage to a computer or a computer system or network.
![Official portrait of Rep. Goodling, William F. [R-PA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000291_200.jpg)