United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
Parental Notification Act of 1998 - Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no service provider under title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act is exempt from any State law requiring notification or the reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest. Prohibits using title X funds to provide contraceptive drugs or devices to a minor, unless: (1) the provider has given prior notice to the custodial parent; (2) the parent has consented; (3) the minor is emancipated; or (4) a court has directed that the minor may receive the drugs or devices. Requires that each title X project: (1) inform all minors seeking services that abstinence is the only certain way to avoid pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; (2) train all its counselors to provide minors counseling that encourages sexual abstinence, avoidance of being coerced into sexual activities, and involving parents in the decision to seek family planning services. Mandates development and dissemination of protocols for providing such counseling.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
Establishes the National Museum of Women's History Advisory Committee. Directs the Advisory Committee to study matters relating to: (1) a site for the Museum in Washington, D.C.; (2) a business plan for the Museum's creation and maintenance, to be funded solely through private contributions; and (3) assisting the Museum's collection and programs. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide administrative services, facilities, support, and funds for the performance of the Advisory Committee's duties.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1998
Waives provisions of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives that require a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to resolutions reported by such Committee before the legislative day of October 11, 1998, to provide for the consideration or disposition of a bill or joint resolution (including any amendment, conference report, or any amendment from conference in disagreement thereon) that: (1) makes general appropriations for FY 1999; or (2) includes provisions making continuing appropriations for FY 1999. Makes it in order at any time before October 11, 1998, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules, provided that the object of any such motion is announced from the House floor at least two hours before the motion is offered.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Keep Kids Safe at Schools Act - Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to include elementary and secondary schools as qualified entities that are subject to such Act's requirements for a national system of child abuse crime information and background checks.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Targeted Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Programs Subtitle A: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign Subtitle B: Drug-Free Workplace Act Subtitle C: Drug-Free Teen Drivers Subtitle D: Drug-Free Prisons and Jails Subtitle E: Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance Subtitle F: Drug-Free National Clearinghouse Subtitle G: Drug-Free Parents Empowerment Title II: Private Sector Anti-Drug Partnerships Subtitle A: Antiaddiction Medications Subtitle B: Commission on Role of Medication Education in Reducing Substance Abuse Title III: Statement of National Antidrug Policy Subtitle A: Congressional Leadership in Community Coalitions Subtitle B: Rejection of Legalization of Drugs Subtitle C: Report on Streamlining Federal Prevention and Treatment Efforts Drug Demand Reduction Act - Title I: Targeted Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Programs - Subtitle A: National Youth Anti- Drug Media Campaign - Drug-Free Media Campaign Act of 1998 - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to: (1) conduct a national media campaign for the purpose of reducing and preventing drug abuse among young people in the United States; and (2) use appropriated funds for media that focuses on, or that includes specific information on, prevention or treatment resources for consumers within specific local areas. (Sec. 103) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) authorized and prohibited uses of funds; and (2) matching and reporting requirements. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Drug-Free Workplace Act - Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) businesses should adopt drug-free workplace programs; and (2) States should consider financial incentives, such as reductions in workers' compensation premiums, to encourage businesses to adopt drug-free workplace programs. (Sec. 114) Amends the Small Business Act to establish a drug-free workplace demonstration program, under which the Small Business Administration may make grants to eligible intermediaries for the purpose of providing financial and technical assistance to small business concerns seeking to start a drug-free workplace program. Sets forth provisions regarding eligibility for participation and program requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 115) Amends the Act to require the services to be provided by small business development centers to include providing information and assistance to small business concerns with respect to developing drug-free workplace programs. (Sec. 116) Authorizes the Small Business Administrator to contract with and compensate Government and private agencies or persons for services related to carrying out this subtitle. Subtitle C: Drug-Free Teen Drivers - Drug-Free Teenage Drivers Act - Directs: (1) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish a demonstration program in several States to provide voluntary drug testing for all teenage applicants (or other first time driver's license applicants) for a driver's license; (2) that information respecting an applicant's choice not to take the drug test or the result of the test be made available to the applicant's automobile insurance company; and (3) the State in which the program is established, if an applicant tests positive, to refrain from issuing a license to the applicant and to require the applicant to complete a State drug treatment program and to not test positive in a drug test before reapplying for a license. (Sec. 123) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish an incentive grant program to assist States in improving their laws relating to controlled substances and driving. Sets forth grant requirements, including regarding the use of grant funds. (Sec. 124) Directs the Secretary to provide specified technical assistance. Subtitle D: Drug-Free Prisons and Jails - Drug-Free Prisons and Jails Act of 1998 - Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to establish a model substance abuse treatment program for substance-involved offenders by providing financial assistance to grant recipients and evaluating the success of programs conducted pursuant to this subtitle. Limits grant awards and administrative costs. (Sec. 134) Sets forth requirements for grant applications, review and approval of awards, permissible uses of funds, and evaluation and reporting requirements. Requires the Director to establish minimum criteria for program evaluation. (Sec. 138) Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund. Subtitle E: Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance - Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to develop a rating system, or allow State educational agencies, to determine if a public school has a quality drug program, which shall include a thorough needs assessment, implementation of a research-based program, and parental and community involvement in program design and review. Sets forth provisions regarding requests for a quality rating and public notification. Subtitle F: Drug-Free National Clearinghouse - Drug-Free National Clearinghouse Act of 1998 - Establishes in the Office the Drug-Free National Clearinghouse, which shall: (1) consolidate and assume the drug prevention and drug treatment information clearinghouse roles currently performed by National Drug Control Program agencies; and (2) ensure that such information is effectively disseminated. (Sec. 163) Requires that the Clearinghouse be headed by a director to be appointed by the Director of the Office. Sets forth the director's duties. (Sec. 164) Requires each National Drug Control Program agency to cooperate with the Clearinghouse director. Subtitle G: Drug-Free Parents Empowerment - Drug-Free Parents Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to support the efforts of parent organizations to develop and promote efforts to reduce illegal drug use among children in their communities. Sets forth requirements for parent organizations to receive grants, application procedures, and a grant amount limitation. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Private Sector Anti-Drug Partnerships - Subtitle A: Antiaddiction Medications - Antiaddiction Medication Development Act - Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the Attorney General of the United States to provide to the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) a response to specified requests to facilitate the approval for commercial distribution of antiaddiction drugs developed by NIDA. Sets forth provisions regarding the submission of, and responses to, such requests. (Sec. 203) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that if an application is submitted and the drug involved is approved as a qualifying antiaddiction drug, then the person who submitted the application may select one qualifying on-market drug for purposes of providing for the extension of the period of market exclusivity for such on-market drug. Subtitle B: Commission on Role of Medication Education in Reducing Substance Abuse - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the National Commission on the Role of Medical Education in Reducing Substance Abuse, which shall conduct a study to determine the manner in which programs of initial and continuing medical education can be modified to improve the efforts of health professionals in preventing, diagnosing, and treating substance abuse cases. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Statement of National Antidrug Policy - Subtitle A: Congressional Leadership in Community Coalitions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the individual Members of the House of Representatives should establish community-based anti-drug coalitions in their congressional districts or should actively support such coalitions that already exist. Subtitle B: Rejection of Legalization of Drugs - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the States and their citizens should reject drug legalization; and (2) every State should make efforts to be drug-free. Subtitle C: Report on Streamlining Federal Prevention and Treatment Efforts - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Federal Government efforts to reduce the demand for illegal drugs in the United States are frustrated by the fragmentation of those efforts across multiple departments and agencies; and (2) improvement of those efforts can best be achieved through consolidation and coordination. Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a report evaluating options for increasing the efficacy of Federal drug prevention and treatment programs and activities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1998
Establishes the National Commission on Terrorism to review and report to the President and Congress on counter-terrorism policies regarding the prevention and punishment of international acts of terrorism directed at the United States. Directs the Commission to: (1) review the laws, regulations, policies, directives, and practices relating to counterterrorism (laws) in the prevention and punishment of international terrorism directed towards the United States; (2) assess the extent to which such laws have been effective in preventing or punishing such terrorism; and (3) recommend changes to counterterrorism policy. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure Act - Provides that, in any civil action arising under Federal or State law, no Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure (a statement concerning Year 2000 computer compliance information) (Y2K problem) shall be admissible unless the proponent of admissibility establishes that the Disclosure was material and: (1) the Disclosure was made with knowledge of its being false and misleading and with an intent to deceive; or (2) where the Disclosure was a republication of a third party, the republication was made without a disclosure by the maker that the Disclosure is based on a republication and that the maker has not verified the original statement. Provides similar requirements for an action based on an allegedly false, inaccurate, or misleading Year 2000 statement. Provides that, in any covered action in which the adequacy of notice about Year 2000 processing is at issue, and except as provided by contract, the posting of notice by the entity purporting to have provided such notice on that entity's Year 2000 Internet Website shall be presumed to be an adequate mechanism for providing such notice. Prohibits in any covered action a Year 2000 Disclosure from being interpreted or construed as an amendment to or alteration of a written contract or warranty, whether entered into by a public or private party (with exceptions). Authorizes a Federal entity, agency, or authority to expressly designate requests for the voluntary provision of information relating to Year 2000 processing as "Special Year 2000 Data Gathering Requests," thereby protecting information received from such requests from: (1) disclosure to any third party, including disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act; and (2) use in any civil action arising under any Federal or State law (with an exception). Provides exclusions from this Act. Makes this Act applicable to any Year 2000 Disclosure made on or after January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2001. Provides for the treatment of prior written disclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Crime Does Not Pay Act of 1998 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for a reduction by five percent (and redistribution to States in compliance) of funds available for a State under the drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grant program unless, on the first day of each fiscal year after FY 2000, the State has in effect throughout the State a law which prohibits any individual who has been convicted of a felony from recovering, in any civil action under the law of such State, any compensatory, actual, or general damages for any physical or mental injury, harm, or suffering caused in the commission of the felony.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Satellite Access to Local Stations Act - Amends Federal copyright law to cite circumstances under which the secondary transmission by a satellite carrier of a primary transmission of a television broadcast station into the station's local market shall be subject to statutory licensing. Sets forth reporting requirements for a satellite carrier whose secondary transmissions are subject to such licensing requirements. Precludes any royalty obligation for such secondary transmissions. States that noncompliance with such reporting requirements by a satellite carrier of a television broadcast station is actionable as an act of infringement and fully subject to copyright remedies. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 regarding the retransmission of broadcasting station signals. Prohibits cable systems and other multichannel video programming distributors from retransmitting a broadcasting station's signal without the station's express consent. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to commence a rulemaking proceeding to revise regulations governing the exercise by television broadcast stations of the right to grant retransmission consent. Prescribes requirements for the carriage of local television signals by satellite carriers, including: (1) carriage obligations; (2) carriage of all local television stations on contiguous channels and in a nondiscriminatory manner on any navigational device, on-screen guide, or menu; (3) compensation for carriage; and (4) remedies for failure to meet obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the international agencies charged with inspections in Iraq (the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Special Commission) must continue to maintain complete inspections, including surprise inspections, within Iraq; and (2) the U.S. Representative to the United Nations should vehemently oppose any efforts to weaken the inspections regimes on Iraq as long as there is evidence that the Government of Iraq is seeking to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1998
Declares that Members of Congress should: (1) follow the example of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police by living lives of love, respect, and integrity every day at all times, including on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives; and (2) deserve the title "Honorable" by setting an example so that such individuals did not die in vain.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1998
Expresses the sense of Congress that State and local governments and local educational agencies are encouraged to: (1) dedicate at least one day of learning to the study and understanding of the significance of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers; and (2) include a requirement that, before receiving a certificate or diploma of graduation from high school, students be tested on their competency in understanding those works.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1998
Home Health Access Preservation Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to the computation formula of the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies. Revises such formula for cost reporting periods beginning after FY 1998 to replace the current agency-specific per beneficiary annual limits with limits based on specified base regional limits, a base national limit, and an area wage index. Eliminates the special rule for new agencies with respect to determination of the reasonable cost of home health services. Provides for a three percent increase in per-visit cost limits for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allot grants to States, according to a specified formula, to provide for adjustment for outliers to assist in the transition to the prospective payment system for home health services. Makes necessary appropriations. Directs the Secretary to meet every 90 days with appropriate congressional committee staff to provide informal updates of progress in implementing the prospective payment system for home health agencies under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1998
Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998 - Amends Federal postal law to prohibit delivery of any mail constituting a solicitation or offer in connection with a sales promotion for a product or service that uses any game of chance offering anything of value (including any sweepstakes) or anything resembling a negotiable instrument, unless specified notices in a specified font are printed on the envelope and enclosed material. States that nothing in this Act shall preempt any State law that regulates advertising or sales of goods and services associated with any game of chance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Enhanced Source and Transit Country Coverage Title II: Enhanced Eradication and Interdiction Strategy in Source Countries Title III: Enhanced Alterative Crop Development Support in Source Zone Title IV: Enhanced International Law Enforcement Training Title V: Enhanced Drug Transit and Source Zone Law Enforcement Operations and Equipment Title VI: Relationship to Other Laws Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) reduce the supply of drugs and drug use through an enhanced drug interdiction effort in the major drug transit countries and a comprehensive supply country eradication and crop substitution program, because a commitment of increased resources in international drug interdiction efforts will create a balanced national drug control strategy among demand reduction, law enforcement, and international drug interdiction efforts; and (2) support policies and dedicate the resources necessary to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States by not less than 80 percent by December 31, 2001. Title I: Enhanced Source and Transit Country Coverage - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Defense (DOD) for the enhancement of air coverage and operation for drug source and transit countries. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the enhancement of U.S. Coast Guard maritime coverage and operation in drug source and transit countries. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOD for the enhancement of radar coverage in drug source and transit countries. Title II: Enhanced Eradication and Interdiction Strategy in Source Countries - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State and the DOD for the enhancement of drug- related eradication efforts in Colombia. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for: (1) the Department of State for the establishment of a third drug interdiction site at Puerto Maldonado, Peru, to support air bridge and riverine missions for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts there; and (2) the DOD for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, for enhancement of drug interdiction efforts in Peru for support of multinational riverine and small boat maintenance training programs in Iquitos, Peru. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to the Congress on Peruvian counternarcotics air interdiction requirements. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts in Bolivia. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary of State to purchase six Bell 212 high altitude helicopters designated for opium eradication programs in Mexican states of Guerrero, Jalisco, and Sinaloa, for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts there. Makes this purchase mandate contingent on Mexico's agreement to approve full diplomatic immunity for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) personnel serving in Mexico with privileges granted to U.S. Government officials to carry weapons necessary for the performance of their duties. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all U.S. law enforcement personnel serving in Mexico should be accorded the same status as diplomatic and consular personnel serving at U.S. posts in Mexico; and (2) all Mexican narcotics law enforcement personnel serving in the United States should be accorded the same diplomatic and consular status as DEA personnel serving in Mexico. (Sec. 205) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for enhanced precursor chemical control projects. (Sec. 206) Requires any individual serving as an assistant secretary of any Federal agency or department who has primary responsibility for international narcotics control and law enforcement (including the principal deputy of any such assistant) to have substantial professional qualifications in the fields of management and Federal law enforcement, or intelligence. Declares that the DOD shall have sole responsibility in implementation and processing of counternarcotics foreign military sales requests (with the Department of State having a consultative role in such requests). (Sec. 207) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the responsiveness and effectiveness of Department of State international narcotics assistance activities have been hampered due, in part, to the lack of law enforcement expertise by responsible Department of State personnel. Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the responsiveness and effectiveness of such activities; and (2) the feasibility costs and steps needed to achieve a transfer of the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to the DEA. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Enhanced Alternative Crop Development Support in Source Zone - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) for certain alternative crop development programs in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Title IV: Enhanced International Law Enforcement Training - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Justice for the establishment and operation of international law enforcement academies to carry out law enforcement training activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, Thailand, and South Africa. (Sec. 401) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT and the Department of the Treasury for the joint establishment, operation, and maintenance in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of a center for training law enforcement personnel of countries located in Latin America and the Caribbean in matters relating to maritime law enforcement (including customs-related ports management matters). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of maritime training vessels. (Sec. 402) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Justice for: (1) substantial exchanges for Mexican judges, prosecutors, and police; and (2) enhanced support for the Brazilian Federal Police Training Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOD for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, for locating and operating Coast Guard and Navy assets so as to strengthen the capability of the Coast Guard of Panama to patrol the Atlantic and Pacific coasts for drug enforcement and interdiction activities. Makes members of the national police of Panama eligible to receive training through the International Military Education Training (IMET) program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOD for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, for support for the Venezuelan Joint National Guard and Judicial Technical Police Counterdrug Intelligence Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT and the Department of the Treasury for the buildup of local coast guard and port control in: (1) Guayaquil and Esmeraldas, Ecuador; (2) Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and (3) Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (Central America). (Sec. 403) Authorizes the DEA Administrator to transfer or lease a specified amount of nonlethal equipment to foreign law enforcement organizations for the purpose of establishing and carrying out cooperative illicit narcotics control activities. Title V: Enhanced Drug Transit and Source Zone Law Enforcement Operations and Equipment - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DEA, the DOT, the DOD, and the Department of the Treasury for enhancement of counternarcotics operations in drug transit and source countries. (Sec. 501) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for the deployment of commercial unclassified intelligence and imaging data and a Passive Coherent Location System for counternarcotics and interdiction purposes in the Western Hemisphere. (Sec. 502) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Defense should revise the DOD's Global Military Force Policy in order to: (1) treat the international drug interdiction and counter- drug activities of the DOD as a military operation other than war (thus elevating its priority to just below that for war); and (2) allocate DOD assets to drug interdiction and counter-drug activities in accordance with such priority. Title VI: Relationship to Other Laws - Declares that funds authorized to be appropriated for any Federal department or agency for FY 1999 through 2001 are in addition to funds authorized to be appropriated for that department or agency for those fiscal years by any other provision of law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1998
Amends specified Federal law to provide for the appointment of the Comptroller General and the Deputy Comptroller General by a commission of Members of Congress. (Currently, they are appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1998
Patient Privacy Act of 1998 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) the mandate for standards for unique health identifiers for each individual, employer, health plan, and health care provider for use in the health care system; and (2) the offense of wrongful disclosure of such identifiers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1998
Declares that the Congress affirms: (1) its longstanding commitment to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act; (2) its expectation that the future status of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means, that the people of both sides of the Taiwan Strait should determine their own future, and that it considers any effort to determine or influence Taiwan's future status by other than peaceful means a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific region and of grave concern to the United States; (3) its commitment to make available to Taiwan such defense articles and services, including appropriate ballistic missile defenses, as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability; (4) that only the President and Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of defense articles and services needed by Taiwan; and (5) its strong support of appropriate membership for Taiwan in international financial institutions and other international organizations. Urges the President to seek a public renunciation by the People's Republic of China of any use of force, or threat to use force, against the free people of Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
No Second Chances for Murderers, Rapists, or Child Molesters Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that any individual convicted of: (1) murder should receive the death penalty or be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole; and (2) rape or a dangerous sexual offense involving a child under age 14 should be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole. Requires the Attorney General to transfer the following amounts from Federal law enforcement assistance funds for a State that convicted a person of a first offense of murder, rape, or a dangerous sexual offense to a State that convicts that person for a subsequent such offense: (1) up to $100,000 for transfer to each victim of the subsequent offense; and (2) the cost of incarceration, prosecution, and apprehension of such person. Sets forth provisions regarding situations where a person has a prior conviction in more than one State. Requires the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide that whoever is guilty of: (1) murder shall be punished by death or by life imprisonment; and (2) rape or a dangerous sexual offense shall be punished by life imprisonment. Directs the Attorney General to collect and distribute data to the President, Members of Congress, State governments, and officials of localities and penal and other institutions participating in the Uniform Crime Reports program which includes: (1) the number of murders, rapes, and dangerous sexual offenses committed by persons previously convicted of one of these offenses; and (2) the percentage of cases in which a person convicted of murder, rape, or a dangerous sexual offense in one State commits a second offense in another State.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
Small Business Employee Retirement Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to establish requirements, for pension plans covering less than 100 participants, relating to holders of plan assets and to annual asset statements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule LII (Drug Testing) to require each Member, officer, and employee of the House to participate in a mandatory drug testing program. Conditions the employment of officers and employees by the House on participation in the program. Requires: (1) the Clerk of the House to contract with a private, nongovernmental entity to carry out the drug testing program; and (2) random testing of each Member, officer, and employees on a neutral selection basis, and in an appropriate testing frequency and ratio (as defined by this rule), and in addition to any methods under the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, using urinalysis, hair testing, and other appropriate methods of testing for illegal use of controlled substances. Requires confirmed positive results to be provided to the Member, officer, or employee involved or in the case of: (1) a Member, to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct; (2) an employee of a Member, to the Member; (3) an employee of a committee, to the chair and ranking minority member of the committee; and (4) an officer or employee not described in paragraphs (3) or (4), to the Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, and Minority Whip. Requires each final test result of Members to be included in a biennial report of the Clerk of the House and printed as a House document. Subjects, at the request of the supervising Member of an officer or employee of the House, the individual to a drug test if: (1) evidence exists that supports a reasonable suspicion that the officer or employee may be engaging in or has engaged in the illegal use of controlled substances, or is otherwise in violation of a policy of the supervising Member regarding the illegal use of controlled substance; (2) such individual is participating in or has participated in a substance abuse treatment program under an employee assistance program or is otherwise receiving treatment or counseling for substance abuse; (3) such individual has been involved in an accident which may have involved human error and which caused or may have caused a fatality, an injury, or significant property damage in an estimated amount of at least $200; (4) the supervising Member proposes to promote the individual; or (5) the individual is returning to employment with the House after a period of absence of at least six months. Requires the Committee to publicly disclose the identity of any Member who refuses to provide a sample for testing under the program and to take such other action as it considers appropriate against such a Member. Bars an individual who is an officer or employee of the House as of August 1, 1998, from continuing to serve after the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the adoption of this resolution unless during such period the individual executes a witnessed statement agreeing to participate in random employee drug testing. Prohibits an individual who is first given an offer of employment by the House on or after August 1, 1998, from being hired unless: (1) the individual executes a witnessed statement agreeing to participate in the random drug testing program if hired; (2) the individual provides a sample for the testing; and (3) the individual's sample does not produce a confirmed positive result. Precludes an officer or employee from carrying out any duties with respect to the fields of national defense, foreign policy, intelligence, law enforcement, or any other field involving national security or public safety (as determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Committee on House Oversight) unless the individual participates in the drug testing program. Amends rule XXXII (Of admission to the floor) to prohibit an officer or employee of the House from being entitled to admission to the Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto unless such individual participates in the drug testing program. Amends rule I (Duties of the Speaker) to strike provisions requiring the Speaker to develop a system for drug testing in the House.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1998
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a Medicare+Choice organization to elect to exclude abortion services from the services it is otherwise required to provide as basic benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1998
Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of H.R. 3682 (prohibition against taking minors across State lines to avoid laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions).
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Ten Commandments Defense Act - Declares reserved to the States the power to display the Ten Commandments on State or local government property. Declares that expressions of religious faith by individual persons upon State property are: (1) protected against Federal laws or regulations respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion; and (2) among those liberties of which no State may deprive any person without due process of law made in pursuance of powers reserved to the States. Requires the courts established by the Congress to exercise judicial power in accordance with such declarations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to replace provisions regarding the rescission of budget authority with those authorizing the President to propose the rescission of any budget authority provided in an appropriation Act or repeal of any targeted tax benefit provided in any revenue Act. Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to the Congress with such a proposal that clearly identifies the budget authority proposed to be rescinded or the targeted tax benefit to be repealed. Includes within such bill a Deficit Reduction Account. Permits the President to place in the Account an amount not to exceed total rescissions in the bill. Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of such bill. Makes any amount of budget authority proposed to be rescinded available for obligation on the day after the date either House rejects such bill. Deems any targeted tax benefit proposed for repeal to be repealed unless either House rejects such bill during a prescribed time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Public Health Service Act to waive Federal sanctions for a State that does not comply with certain block grant requirements for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services, if the State satisfactorily demonstrates that it has enacted for minors who purchase or possess tobacco products for personal consumption drivers'-license-related sanctions which: (1) delay by at least two months the minimum qualifying age to obtain such a license; and (2) suspend driving privileges for a period of at least two months for a minor with such a license.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Entitles to an annuity under either the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employee Retirement System a military reserve technician who is separated from service as a technician after either: (1) becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of such service; or (2) completing 25 years of such service.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Condemns the repressive policies of the Government of the former Soviet Union during the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933. Expresses the sense of the Congress: (1) in remembrance of the victims of the Famine; and (2) that any supplemental material that will assist in disseminating information about the Famine should be compiled and made available worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998
Taxpayer's Defense Act - Amends Federal law provisions concerning discretionary congressional review of agency rules to set forth provisions mandating that a rule that establishes or increases a tax, however denominated, shall not take effect before the enactment of a bill the text of which has been submitted to each House of the Congress by the agency promulgating the rule in a report that contains the bill's text and an explanation of the bill. Exempts a rule promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code. Outlines introduction, referral, and consideration procedures for approval of the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Waives points of order against the consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2646 (amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow tax-free expenditures from education individual retirement accounts for elementary and secondary school expenses and to increase the maximum annual amount of contributions to such accounts).
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Drugs and Informed Consent Armed Forces Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that if the Secretary of Defense submits to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) a request to waive the requirement of prior informed consent with respect to the administration of a drug to members of the armed forces for investigational use, then any determination by the Secretary of Defense that obtaining such consent is not feasible or is contrary to the best interests of the members involved shall not be effective unless the President provides to the HHS Secretary a written statement concurring in that determination.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) an illness that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a veteran who was exposed to such agent or hazard by reason of such service. Presumes such exposure unless there is conclusive evidence otherwise. Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent scientific body to establish a panel for reviewing medical and scientific literature to identify those diseases and illnesses associated with exposure of humans or animals to specified pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants. Requires each disease or illness identified that becomes manifest in a Gulf veteran to be presumed to be service-connected. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the updating of presumed exposures. Enumerates the pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants to which Gulf veterans shall be presumed to have been exposed. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a plan for establishing a panel to review the statistical occurrence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed illnesses and symptoms among Gulf War veterans and their families. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan for the establishment of a permanent expert advisory group to advise the President and the congressional defense and intelligence committees on the adequacy of current U.S. chemical, biological, and radiological defense technologies, procurement practices, and doctrine for defending U.S. forces against both the immediate and chronic consequences of acute and subacute exposures to chemical, biological, radiological, or other genotoxic battlefield materials.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 and the related responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998
Religious Liberty Protection Act of 1998 - Prohibits a State (or any person acting under color of State law) from placing a substantial burden upon a person's religious exercise: (1) in a State-operated program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance; or (2) in or affecting international or interstate commerce. Declares that a State (or any person acting under color of State law) may substantially burden a person's religious exercise if such burden is: (1) in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (2) the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the United States to deny or withhold Federal financial assistance as a remedy for a violation of this Act. (Sec. 3) Places upon a State the burden of persuasion on all issues relating to an alleged violation supported by prima facie evidence of the Free Exercise Clause. Prohibits a State from imposing a land use regulation that: (1) substantially burdens religious exercise; (2) denies religious assemblies a reasonable location; or (3) excludes religious assemblies from areas in which nonreligious assemblies are permitted. Declares that this Act does not preempt State law that is equally or more protective of religious exercise. (Sec. 4) Subjects both a State and the Federal Government to liability for a violation of the Free Exercise Clause, including a civil action for money damages. (Sec. 5) Emphasizes that this Act does not: (1) authorize a State to burden any religious belief; (2) create any basis for the regulation of religious exercise or for claims against a religious organization not acting under color of law; (3) create or preclude a right of any religious organization to receive State funding or assistance; (4) authorize State regulation of the activities or policies of a person other than a government as a condition of receiving funding or other assistance; or (5) restrict any authority that may exist under other law to so regulate or affect, except as provided in this Act. (Sec. 6) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect, interpret, or in any way address the Establishment Clause of the Constitution (prohibiting laws respecting an establishment of religion). (Sec. 7) Amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to repeal its applicability to the States and to make it applicable only to the Federal Government, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories and possessions. Redefines exercise of religion to mean an act or refusal to act that is substantially motivated by a religious belief, whether or not the act or refusal is compulsory or central to a larger system of religious belief.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
Lethal Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 1998 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to require the Attorney General to determine that registration of an applicant to manufacture, distribute, conduct research with, or dispense specified controlled substances or listed chemicals is inconsistent with the public interest if: (1) during the five-year period immediately preceding submission of the application, the applicant's registration was revoked; or (2) the Attorney General determines, based on clear and convincing evidence, that the applicant is applying for the registration with the intention of using such registration to violate CSA provisions. Authorizes the Attorney General to suspend or revoke a registration upon a finding that the registrant has intentionally dispensed or distributed a controlled substance with a purpose of causing, or assisting in causing, the suicide or euthanasia of any individual. Directs the Attorney General to establish the Medical Review Board on Pain Relief, which, based on a hearing, shall make findings regarding whether a particular action at issue is an appropriate means to relieve pain that does not constitute a violation of such provision.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule LII (Drug Testing) to require each Member, officer, and employee of the House to participate in a mandatory drug testing program. Conditions the employment of officers and employees by the House on participation in the program. Requires: (1) the Clerk of the House to contract with a private, nongovernmental entity to carry out the drug testing program; and (2) random testing of each Member, officer, and employees on a neutral selection basis, and in an appropriate testing frequency and ratio (as defined by this rule), and in addition to any methods under the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, using urinalysis, hair testing, and other appropriate methods of testing for illegal use of controlled substances. Requires confirmed positive results to be provided to the Member, officer, or employee involved or in the case of: (1) a Member, to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct; (2) an employee of a Member, to the Member; (3) an employee of a committee, to the chair and ranking minority member of the committee; and (4) an officer or employee not described in paragraphs (3) or (4), to the Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, and Minority Whip. Requires each final test result of Members to be included in a biennial report of the Clerk of the House and printed as a House document. Subjects, at the request of the supervising Member of an officer or employee of the House, the individual to a drug test if: (1) evidence exists that supports a reasonable suspicion that the officer or employee may be engaging in or has engaged in the illegal use of controlled substances, or is otherwise in violation of a drug abuse prevention policy of the supervising Member; (2) such individual is participating in or has participated in a substance abuse treatment program under an employee assistance program or is otherwise receiving treatment or counseling for substance abuse; (3) such individual has been involved in an accident which may have involved human error and which caused or may have caused a fatality, an injury, or significant property damage in an estimated amount of at least $200; (4) the supervising Member proposes to promote the individual; or (5) the individual is returning to employment with the House after a period of absence of at least six months. Requires the Committee to take appropriate action against any Member who refuses to provide a sample for testing under the program. Prohibits an individual who is first given an offer of employment by the House on or after June 1, 1998, from being hired unless: (1) the individual executes a witnessed statement agreeing to participate in the random drug testing program if hired and agreeing to waive legal rights of challenge; (2) the individual provides a sample for the testing; and (3) the individual's sample does not produce a confirmed positive result. Precludes an officer or employee from carrying out any duties with respect to the fields of national defense, foreign policy, intelligence, law enforcement, or any other field involving national security or public safety (as determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Committee on House Oversight) unless the individual participates in the drug testing program. Amends rule XXXII (Of admission to the floor) to prohibit an officer or employee of the House from being entitled to admission to the Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto unless such individual participates in the drug testing program. Amends rule I (Duties of the Speaker) to strike provisions requiring the Speaker to develop a system for drug testing in the House.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1998
Terry Sanford Commemoration Act of 1998 - Designates the Federal building located at 310 New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, North Carolina, as the Terry Sanford Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1998
Urges the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service to reject the recommended decision issued by the Postal Rate Commission on May 11, 1998, to the extent that it provides for any increase in postage rates.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1998
Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of H. Con. Res. 285 (reception for the President in Tiananmen Square by the Government of the People's Republic of China).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
No Gun Tax Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit a Federal officer, employee, or agent, including a State or local employee or officer acting on behalf of the United States (officer), from charging or collecting any fee in connection with a background check required in connection with the transfer of a firearm. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for the unlawful retention, or transfer to another person, of firearms background check information by such officer or by a Federal contractor or consultant after: (1) the 24-hour period beginning with the receipt of such information on an individual who is determined not to be prohibited from receiving a firearm; and (2) the five-year period beginning with the receipt of such information on an individual who is prohibited from receiving a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Death Tax Inflation Adjustment Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for annual inflation adjustments to the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001134_200.jpg)