United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Emergency Contraception Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception. Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on emergency contraception. Requires that the information disseminated to health care providers include at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
National Beach Recreation Act - Amends specified Federal law to direct the Secretary of the Army, in making recommendations to Congress for shore protection projects, to develop and implement procedures which treat recreational, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and environmental restoration benefits equally. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to repeal provisions for deferred payment of a non-Federal share exceeding 30 percent of the cost of a flood control project.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
Specifies goals for the U.S. Government to achieve in negotiations with the Governments of Mexico and Canada with regard to the North American Development Bank (NADB) and the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC), including: (1) maintaining NADB and BECC as separate entities; (2) devoting $150 to $200 million of NADB's paid-in capital to the low-interest financing facility to provide lower interest rates for border environmental infrastructure projects; (3) increasing the U.S. contribution to the Border Environmental Infrastructure Grant Fund; and (4) requiring a third party to conduct a comprehensive review of NADB and BECC to study where structural inefficiencies should be improved.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as the Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims' Housing Act - Increases a specified authorization of appropriations under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to be used to provide housing assistance for individuals or families victimized by domestic violence, stalking, or adult or child sexual assault.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) revise the basis for calculating the projected lost earnings of a person who sustained a vaccine-related injury; (2) increase the award for a vaccine-related death; (3) allow compensation for expenses for family counseling and establishing guardianship; (4) allow payment of interim attorneys' fees and costs; (5) establish a procedure for paying attorneys' fees; (6) extend from two to six years the statute of limitations for injuries or death from a vaccine set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table; (7) revise the membership and meeting schedule of the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines; and (8) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a public service announcement campaign about the availability of the Program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limit on Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund administrative expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Veterans' Claims Continuation Act - Authorizes the substitution of any of the following parties in the case of a veteran's claim for benefits provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs when the original claimant dies while the claim is pending: (1) the surviving spouse; (2) any surviving child at least 21 years of age; (3) a surviving parent; (4) the legal representative of the deceased claimant's estate; or (5) the next of kin of the veteran. Requires: (1) the substituting party to file a substitution application or motion within one year of the original claimant's death; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify the estate and legal representative of the deceased claimant that the claim will be dismissed if a substitute application or motion is not filed within such time period. Authorizes: (1) the payment of accrued benefits in the case of deaths occurring before the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) the substitution of the above eligible parties in cases pending before a U.S. Circuit Court or the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2002
No Substitute for Quality Teaching Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a competitive demonstration grant program to provide grants for a single academic year directly to between 50 and 100 local educational agencies, or to regional consortia of such agencies acting together, that vary geographically and socioeconomically, to enable them to experiment with ways to alleviate the substitute teacher shortage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Benefits Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include as a "public safety officer" for purposes of provisions governing death benefits a volunteer civilian member of the Civil Air Patrol engaged in: (1) active service rendered in performance or support of operational missions of the Patrol under the direction of the Department of the Air Force and performed consistent with written authorization that specifies a finite assignment; or (2) travel to or from such service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2002
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Fishermen, Communities, and Firms Act of 2002 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements with respect to: (1) agreements between the United States and cooperating States for certain services for workers adversely affected by import competition; (2) eligibility certification of a group of adversely affected workers for trade adjustment assistance; (3) payment to them of trade adjustment allowances; (4) training programs for them; and (5) the maximum amount of job search and relocation allowances payable to an adversely affected worker. Provides for the eligibility certification for such assistance of adversely affected secondary workers employed at a downstream producer (a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes to articles produced by another firm) or a supplier. Establishes a self-employment training pilot program to be administered by the Small Business Administration for adversely affected workers. Reauthorizes the trade adjustment assistance program for firms adversely affected by import competition. Revises eligibility requirements for certification of communities for trade adjustment assistance. Establishes trade adjustment assistance programs for adversely affected groups of agricultural commodity producers and commercial fishermen or U.S. fish processors. Establishes a program to provide 75 percent of the premium for COBRA continuation health coverage for workers (and their families) eligible for trade adjustment assistance. Allows a State to elect to provide temporary coverage under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for: (1) certain uninsured workers; and (2) for the unsubsidized portion of COBRA continuation premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Employee Pension Freedom Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to set forth requirements for disclosure, diversification, account access, and accountability under defined contribution plans that are individual account plans (401(k) and similar plans). Requires pension plan administrators to provide certain benefit information to participants or beneficiaries periodically. Requires plan sponsors (employers) and plan administrators to provide all material investment information to participants and beneficiaries, in an accurate form, as required to be disclosed to investors under applicable securities laws, and treats misleading investment information as a violation. Requires individual account plans that permit participants or beneficiaries to exercise control over their account assets to grant them the right to allocate all their nonforfeitable accrued benefits which are readily tradable employer securities to any investment option provided under the plan. Reduces, from three years to one year, the maximum vesting period for individual account plans (so that an employee who has completed at least one year of service has a nonforfeitable right to all of the employee's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions). Requires individual account plan fiduciaries to give 30 days notice to plan participants and beneficiaries before a lockdown limiting their control over their account assets, and limits the maximum duration of any such lockdown to ten business days. Requires each fiduciary of an individual account plan to be bonded or insured in an amount sufficient to ensure coverage of financial losses due to failures to meet certain ERISA requirements. Requires joint boards of trustees, representing interests of employers and those of employee participants and beneficiaries, to hold in trust the assets of single-employer plans which are individual account plans with some or all assets derived from employee contributions. Makes liable anyone who participates in or conceals certain breaches of fiduciary duty. Provides that rights or claims under ERISA may not be waived, with specified exceptions. Establishes an Office of Pension Participant Advocacy in the Department of Labor. Directs the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to study and report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of and options for developing an insurance system for individual account plans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2002
Establishes a SouthEast Crescent Authority for parts of the following southeastern states not already served by the Appalachian Regional Commission or the Delta Regional Authority: DC, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Directs the Authority to perform various functions, including: (1) formulating plans and programs to spur economic development, and approving grants to States and public and nonprofit entities toward that end; (2) establishing priorities in a development plan for the region; (3) working with State and local agencies to craft appropriate model legislation; (4) encouraging private investment in the region; (5) supporting local development districts, and creating them where they do not exist; and (6) making recommendations to Governors and State legislatures on means of interstate cooperation. Authorizes the Authority to hold hearings, take testimony, receive evidence and require oaths as it deems necessary. Requires Federal agencies to cooperate with the Authority. Permits the Authority to request and receive Federal, State and local government personnel as employees. Stipulates that Authority grants for infrastructure development may be made only to State or local governments. Permits other Authority grants for job training, employment-related education, business development, assisting severely distressed and poor areas in improving basic services, or for other purposes in accordance with the Act. Allows the Authority to annually designate: (1) distressed counties; and (2) isolated areas of distress in nondistressed counties. Directs the Authority to garner public participation in the development, revision and implementation of its plans and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Pipeline Infrastructure Protection to Enhance Security and Safety Act - Amends Federal transportation law "one-call notification system" provisions concerning notification to underground facility operators of excavations to: (1) require participation by government operators; and (2) encourage the adoption of the "Common Ground" report. Revises pipeline safety provisions to require the Secretary of Transportation: (1) when assessing the security and safety of pipeline facilities, to assess the vulnerabilities of such facilities to terrorist attacks; (2) when prescribing minimum safety standards for pipeline transportation and for pipeline facilities, to include in such standards a requirement that pipeline facility operators participate in a public safety program; and (3) to establish pipeline public education and safety standards. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to develop and implement a cooperative program of research, development, and demonstration to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities. Requires the establishment of a Pipeline Integrity Technical Advisory Committee to develop a cooperative pipeline facility integrity program. Establishes a pipeline controller certification qualification program. Requires a pipeline facility operator to provide: (1) geospatial data appropriate for use in the National Pipeline Mapping System; (2) identification of the person with primary operational control; (3) develop and implement terrorism security programs; and (4) with a condition deemed potentially unsafe condition to take necessary corrective actions. Authorizes to pipelines: (1) technical assistance; and (2) security recommendations. Requires a coordinated environmental review process for pipeline repair and rehabilitation projects. Permits withholding from the public certain pipeline information that could reveal the systemic vulnerability of a pipeline to attack.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish a minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services furnished under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
United States Security (USA) Act of 2001 - Sets forth "Buy America" provisions permitting, subject to exception, Federal financial assistance under this Act for a project only if steel and manufactured goods used in the project are of U.S. origin. Authorizes appropriations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) design, construct, and equip new facilities and renovate existing facilities for defending against and combating bioterrorism and other public health threats; (2) establish a Scientific Communication Center; and (3) improve security at CDC facilities. Amends the: (1) Atomic Energy Act to provide for sufficient potassium iodide tablet stockpiles; and (2) Public Health Service Act to provide for a contingency bone marrow donor program. Requires national standards for the implementation of quarantines. Authorizes appropriations for sequencing the genomes of biological pathogens. Directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make grants to units of local government and emergency response units to plan, train, and equip emergency responders. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide staffing for adequate fire and emergency response. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies and institutions of higher learning to enhance security and emergency preparedness. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation to establish programs to: (1) address the lack of security on critical highway infrastructure; (2) improve interagency training for and communication among first responders to a terrorist attack; (3) provide real-time information and guidance for the traveling and non-traveling public; and (4) address the lack of adequate security for locks and dams, the lack of cargo information, and the inability to share information in a timely fashion with agencies such as the Coast Guard. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to assess the vulnerability of the 50 busiest U.S. seaports and establish: (1) in the Coast Guard the position of Assistant Commandant for Maritime Security; (2) a sea marshal program; (3) a national port security task force; (4) a maritime security institute; and (5) terrorism response plans for responding to a maritime terrorist attack. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for specified passenger rail and freight rail protection projects. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation with respect to public transit security, including installation of communications, surveillance, detection systems, and personal protective and detection equipment at public transit facilities. Requires a National Academy of Sciences energy pipeline security study. Authorizes appropriations for upgrading and expanding the current infrastructure of the Aviation Safety Reporting System of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out pilot projects with air carriers for real-time transmission to the FAA of cockpit voice and flight data and cabin video data from aircraft. Establishes a pilot program to deploy commercially available fuel cells at public use airports to ensure a reliable energy supply for new and emerging aviation security technologies, airport control towers, airport terminals, and other airport facilities. Requires the following officials to submit risk management assessment reports to Congress: (1) the Secretary of Energy regarding oil refineries, natural gas, and liquid natural gas storage facilities; (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding chemical manufacturing facilities; (3) the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding nuclear facilities; (4) the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the domestic electric power grid; (5) the Secretary of Commerce regarding the Nation's fiber optic infrastructure; and (6) the Administrator of the General Services Administration regarding Federal buildings. Directs the Secretary of Energy to coordinate development and implementation of an interagency plan to prepare for and defend against terrorist attacks against high-level nuclear waste transportation facilities and infrastructure, interim storage facilities, intermodal transfer facilities, and central repositories. Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate and develop a plan to ensure that Federal, State, and local governments can respond adequately to the consequences of a terrorist attack against the transportation or storage of high-level nuclear waste. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the NRC to: (1) establish a system to ensure that transportation of nuclear materials under its jurisdiction meets certain requirements; and (2) commence a rulemaking to consider changes to the design basis threat for NRC-licensed facilities. Authorizes the President, whenever a state of war or national emergency exists, to: (1) deploy either the Armed Forces or the National Guard to defend NRC-licensed facilities from terrorist attack or threat from any foreign power; and (2) restrict air space in the vicinity of such facilities. Requires each Federal agency to take certain steps to enhance cyber security. Authorizes appropriations for State and local governments to do the same. Requires the Attorney General to update a specified study assessing the vulnerability of Federal facilities. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of Central Intelligence to investigate whether existing computer knowledge assessment technologies meeting specified criteria can be used to detect individuals with terrorist training. Directs the Attorney General to create a pilot program for establishing civilian supplemental incident response teams. Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Postal Service to enhance its ability to detect and neutralize, or otherwise respond to, any dangerous matter entered into the mails without authorization. Directs the United States Customs Service to expedite the development and deployment of pulsed fast neutron analysis technology and authorizes appropriations for the development of scanners capable of sensing biological and chemical contaminants in microscopic airborne quantities. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) take specified measures for identifying individuals crossing U.S. Borders; and (2) increase to specified levels the number of U.S. Border Patrol personnel, U.S. marshals, and Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs Service inspectors at ports of entry by 2003. Requires the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to establish a border health inspectors corps to inspect individuals who may be intending to infect others for infectious disease. Requires the Director of Homeland Security to consider a program to improve aerial reconnaissance activities at U.S. borders, to include the use of unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Directs the President, acting through the Office of Homeland Security, to oversee the appropriate sharing of information among Federal, State, and local agencies involved in intelligence collection and law enforcement. Directs the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security to develop within such Office an entity to develop a system-wide information network to integrate existing watch lists of suspected terrorists. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the prompt assignment of specified channels for public safety purposes. Requires the Attorney General to establish regional emerging threat workspaces. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to maintain a secure database on select biological agents that pose a threat to public health by terrorist attack. Directs the President to establish within the Office for Homeland Security a center to develop an interagency clearinghouse for new counterterrorism technologies. States the policy of the United States to work with other nations, especially Russia, to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation of necessary materials and expertise. Authorizes appropriations for cooperative threat reduction programs. Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop an integrated plan for the use of technology to combat terrorism. Creates within the Executive Office of the President a Director of Homeland Security who shall conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of threat to the United States and develop a five-year homeland security strategy in response.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2001
Fair Debt Collection Practices Technical Amendment Act of 2001 - Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exclude from the definition of "communication" actions taken pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or, the rules of civil procedure applicable in State courts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
Ensuring Congressional Security and Continuity Act - Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to investigate and report to Congress on the feasibility and costs of: (1) implementing a secure system for remote voting and communication for Members of Congress; and (2) establishing a system to ensure business continuity when Members cannot access their offices in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to implement the redesign and reconstruction of Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois, in accordance with a specified runway redesign plan, and the development of a south suburban airport in the Chicago metropolitan region, by facilitating approval, funding, construction, and implementation of such plan and suburban airport. Requires all environmental reviews, analyses, and opinions related to issuance of permits, licenses, or approvals relating to such plan or airport to be conducted on an expedited basis. States that approval by the Administrator of an airport layout plan submitted by Chicago that includes the runway redesign plan shall: (1) provide that any runway located more than 2500 feet south of existing runway 9R-27L shall not begin construction before January 2011; and (2) be subject to the condition that noise impact of aircraft operations at O'Hare after the year in which the first new runway is first used will be less than that in 2000. Prohibits the consideration of such a plan unless it includes public roadway access through the western boundary of O'Hare to passenger terminal and parking facilities. Directs the Administrator to give priority consideration to a letter of intent application submitted by the State of Illinois (or a political subdivision thereof) for construction of the suburban airport. Sets forth requirements regarding the construction of the runway redesign plan as a Federal project on or after July 1, 2004. Requires the withholding of all airport grant funds for O'Hare (other than grants involving national security and safety) until January 1, 2026, unless specified conditions with respect to operations at Merrill C. Meigs Field have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2001
Work Opportunity and Relief Compensation Act - Sets forth health insurance coverage options for recently unemployed individuals and their families. Requires establishment of a temporary program under which 75 percent of the premium for COBRA continuation coverage shall be provided for an individual who: (1) at any time between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2002, is separated from employment; and (2) is eligible for, and has elected, COBRA continuation coverage. (COBRA refers to title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, and concerns continuing post-employment employee group health plan coverage under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of1974.) Permits a State to elect to provide temporary Medicaid coverage (under title XIX of the Social Security Act) for individuals who: (1) are separated from employment at any time between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2002; (2) are not eligible for COBRA continuation coverage; (3) are not insured; and (4) do not have assets, resources, and earned or unearned income that exceed limitations set by the State. Permits a State to pay the entire COBRA premium for certain low-income individuals. Includes in the optional Medicaid eligibility category for such illnesses Indian women with breast or cervical cancer who are eligible for health services under a medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization. Increases the allowed Federal Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotment in extremely low-DSH States. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a certain period, from implementing any modification to upper payment limits for services furnished by non-State government-owned or operated hospitals. Revises the transitional medical assistance (TMA) program to give States the option to: (1) waive notice and reporting requirements; (2) extend eligibility period for low-income individuals; (3) allow families to receive TMA if they have received Medicaid for fewer than three of the preceding six months; and (4) not comply with certain TMA requirements if coverage is extended to certain low-income families. Temporary Unemployment Compensation Act of 2001 - Provides for a program of temporary supplemental unemployment compensation. Includes among eligibility requirements an individual's not having rights, with respect to a week, to other compensation (excluding extended compensation). Applies program agreements to weeks of unemployment: (1) beginning after the date on which such an agreement is entered into; and (2) ending before January 1, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2001
National Rural Development Partnership Act of 2001 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the National Rural Development Partnership composed of the National Rural Development Coordinating Committee (established by this Act) and State development councils (authorized by this Act). Includes among Partnership purposes: (1) enhancement of State and local rural development capacities; and (2) engagement of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private and nonprofit sectors in such efforts. Provides for State rural development council matching requirements. Terminates the Partnership five years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to increase the authorization of appropriations for health centers for FY 1997 through FY 2002 and authorize such appropriations as may be necessary for such centers for FY 2003 through FY 2006. Includes within: (1) "required primary health services" appropriate cancer screening (currently, screening for breast and cervical cancer), specialty referral when medically indicated, and specified housing-related services; and (2) "additional health services" behavioral and mental health substance abuse services. Permits grants to health centers for the planning and development of management networks. Rewrites PHSA provisions regarding rural health. Provide grants for expanded delivery of health care services in rural areas, for the planning and implementation of integrated health care networks in rural areas, and for the planning and implementation of small health care provider quality improvement activities. Telehealth Grant Consolidation Act of 2001 - Provides for the establishment: (1) of telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs; and (2) an Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Provides for grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide for improved emergency medical services in rural areas. Reauthorizes and rewrites PHSA provisions regarding the National Health Service Corps program. Prohibits an entity to which a Corps member is assigned from denying requested health services and discriminating in the provision of services because an individual is unable to pay. Provides for a community access demonstration program to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Expands the availability of dental health services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from making a determination that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is an activity that is either financial in nature or incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
State Budget Relief Act of 2001 - Requires the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for: (1) a State for FY 2001 to be substituted for the State's FMAP for FY 2002 if the FY 2002 FMAP would otherwise be less than the FY 2001 FMAP; and (2) each eligible State for each calendar quarter in FY 2002 to be increased by two percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2001
Medicare Laboratory Services Access Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to specify as $5.25 for 2002, adjusted for inflation in each subsequent year, the nominal fee for collecting specimens for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Designates the headquarters and visitors center at Humboldt Bay National Wild Life Refuge located at 1020 Ranch Road in Loleta, California, as the Richard J. Guadagno Headquarters and Visitors Center.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness. Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness. Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins. Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities. Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism. Requires, under the Public Health Service Act, the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities. Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to food presenting a serious threat to humans or animals. Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Attorney Fee Payment System Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) increase from $4,000 to $5,200 the maximum allowable attorney fee; and (2) cap the amount of attorney assessments at $100. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) to prescribe a fee payment system for attorneys representing individuals filing claims for past-due benefits in the SSI program. Caps attorney fees at 25 percent of such past-due benefits. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to assess such an attorney up to $100.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Bioterrorism Protection Act (BioPAct) of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for grants, scholarships, and loans in order to strengthen the nursing profession. Establishes the National Nursing Service Corps Scholarship Program. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) increase hospital and provider capacity, training, and resources for treating bioterrorism victims; (2) increase and improve vaccine and antibiotic supplies for attack victims; and (3) provide for the coordination, training, and equipping of bioterrorism emergency responders. Authorizes appropriations for Department of Agriculture activities to: (1) reduce agricultural pathogen and insect pest threats; and (2) increase Department information systems security. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand the Food and Drug Administration's capacity to ensure the safety of the food supply system, including imported food, and protect against the threat of bioterrorism. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) permit debarment for repeated or serious food import violations; (2) deem as misbranded imported food without country-of-origin labeling; (3) deem as adulterated a food item imported by a debarred person; and (4) require registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) undertake public water systems vulnerability assessments and review related emergency response plans; and (2) provide such systems with assistance for basic security enhancements and information systems protection. Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for possessing a select agent known to be a biological agent, with reckless disregard for the public health and safety. Authorizes appropriations for neutron scanner technology and technology to detect biological or chemical agents and for increased numbers of border patrol and immigration officers. Directs the Attorney General to develop or carry out various programs, including programs to improve identification of those appearing on law enforcement "watch lists" and to mandate better tracking of visas. Requires the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security to: (1) assess terrorist threats within the United States and its territories and possible responses to such threats; (2) implement a public education campaign concerning appropriate response to a terrorist attack; and (3) coordinate the deployment of chemical and biological detection capabilities. Requires the President to: (1) establish a database of information concerning terrorist activity; and (2) reduce barriers to the sharing of such information among Federal law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) increase military capability to respond to domestic crises involving chemical or biological weapons; (2) implement interagency crisis response and consequence management; and (3) accelerate response research and development. Requires the Secretary of Energy to increase efforts relating to nonproliferation verification of chemical and biological materials in countries other than the United States. Urges the President to seek to establish a United States-Russian Federation Biological-Chemical Working Group.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Spirit of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of September 11th Fund which shall consist of amounts from surcharges received from the sale of such coins transferred to the Office for Victims of Crime for individuals who were injured, and to the families of individuals who were killed or injured, in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2001
Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to place limitations on the mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work in certain providers of services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Combatting Illegal Gambling Reform and Modernization Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions regarding interstate gambling. Increases the term of imprisonment for violations. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly using a communication facility for the transmission: (1) of bets or wagers, or betting information, in interstate or foreign commerce, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or to or from any place outside the jurisdiction of any nation regarding any transmission to or from the United States,; or (2) of a communication in such interstate or foreign commerce which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or for information assisting in the placing of bets. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly accepting credit, an electronic fund transfer, a check, or the proceeds of certain other forms of financial transaction as the Secretary may prescribe in connection with the transmission of such a communication of information assisting the placing of bets. Lists exceptions, including certain: (1) transmissions of information assisting in the placing of bets (such as for use in news reporting); and (2) uses of communication facilities for the transmission of bets (e.g., where a State or Tribe has explicitly authorized such bets). Sets forth remedies for violations. Bars imposition of damages, penalties, or forfeiture against any person or entity for an act done in compliance with notice received from a law enforcement agency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Authorizes the Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to contract for the design and construction of new facilities or the renovation of existing facilities for combating bioterrorism and other public health threats. Authorizes additional appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Anthrax Victims Assistance Act - Directs the Attorney General to expand the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (title IV of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act) to include individuals diagnosed with anthrax between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act of 2001 - SAFER Act of 2001 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Labor to make matching grants for up to 75 percent of the costs of projects to hire firefighters to eligible States, local governments, tribal organizations, or other public entities, or multi-jurisdictional or regional consortia of such entities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Military Widows Equity Act - Repeals, as of October 1, 2002, certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Provides for the recoupment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Paget's Cancer Awareness Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disseminate information to health professionals and the public on the symptoms and treatment for Paget's disease of the breast. Requires the Secretary to study aspects of the disease concerning the range of symptoms, time lapse between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis and treatment, and demographic distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2001
Rebuild America: Financing Infrastructure Renewal and Security for Transportation Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit to holders of qualified Amtrak bonds. Requires Secretary of Transportation approval of qualified Amtrak projects funded by such bonds. Amends Federal rail transportation law to authorize appropriations to the Secretary for Amtrak capital expenditures, including specified tunnel life safety projects, bridges, tracks, and other improvements, and equipment, including acquisition of trainsets and rolling stock. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of capital grants to class II and class III railroads (or with the concurrence of such railroads, to a State or local government) to rehabilitate, preserve, or improve certain railroad track. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to set forth additional requirements with respect to cohorts of direct loans and loan guarantees for certain railroad rehabilitation and improvement projects. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to remove certain requirements for States with respect to construction of treatment works under capitalization grant agreements. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assist States in establishing simplified procedures for small water systems to obtain assistance under this Act. Requires revolving funds to be used only for providing assistance for activities which have as a principal benefit the improvement or protection of water quality. Provides for an extended repayment period and additional subsidization with respect to loans from revolving funds to financially distressed communities. Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to increase the Federal-Aid Highway program obligation ceiling for FY 2002. Authorizes additional appropriations from the Mass Transit Account and the Highway Trust Fund for FY 2002 for certain formula grants for mass transportation projects, including projects for special needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities and non-urbanized areas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to raise the $100 transportation fringe benefit limitation (applicable to commuter highway vehicles and transit passes) to $175. Amends Federal aviation law to increase appropriations from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for FY 2002 for airport planning and airport development, including airport noise compatibility planning and programs. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2002 and 2003 for guaranteed loans for ferries using a streamlined process. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to U.S. port or maritime cargo terminal operators to acquire the best available technology, equipment, or infrastructure. Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize additional FY 2002 appropriations, respectively, for public works and economic development, Appalachian regional development, and Delta, Mississippi regional development. Authorizes additional FY 2002 appropriations to: (1) carry out construction, operation, and maintenance activities (including security measures) for Corps of Engineers projects; and (2) enhance the security of General Services Administration properties. Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize additional appropriations for FY 2002 to enhance the security of: (1) the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and (2) the Smithsonian Institution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2001
Municipal Preparation and Strategic Response Act - Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make grants to local governments and emergency response units for use for: (1) developing strategic response plans that provide for a unified, coordinated response to a terrorist attack or other catastrophe; (2) preparing and issuing reports to local governments, State legislatures, and Congress; and (3) conducting public forums or other appropriate activities to educate the public about potential threats and steps they can take to prepare for them, the contents of such plans, how to communicate with authorities in an emergency; and emergency shelters. Requires the Director to designate for each State a FEMA representative to: (1) assist local governments with the development of strategic response plans; (2) act as a liaison between such governments and the Federal Government; and (3) coordinate the sharing of information about Government initiatives and protocol. Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the Director to make grants to fire departments, and amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, other public and private entities, and multi-jurisdictional or regional consortia thereof, to fund counterterrorism training and provide related equipment. Exempts such grants from matching requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Credit Card Fairness Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth a two-year period during which the annual percentage rate applicable to a credit card account under an open end credit plan is limited to 12 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Transportation Security Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish in the Department of Transportation (DOT) the Transportation Security Administration, to be headed by an Under Secretary of Transportation for Security responsible for security in all modes of transportation, including: (1) civil aviation security; and (2) security responsibilities over nonaviation modes of transportation that are exercised by Administrations of DOT (other than the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)). Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) assume responsibility for the screening of passengers and property that will be carried in an aircraft in air transportation or intrastate air transportation; and (2) carry out such responsibility using employees of the Transportation Security Administration who are U.S. citizens, or employees of other Federal agencies. Sets forth provisions requiring: (1) the Under Secretary to develop a personnel system for screeners, including matters covering compensation and the authority of the Administration to suspend or terminate them; (2) airport operators to establish air transportation security programs that also require the presence of law enforcement at airports where passengers are screened; (3) the application of certain employment standards and training requirements to airport security personnel, including (Federal) screeners of passengers and property; (4) deployment of Federal air marshals on passenger flights; (5) specified enhanced aviation-related security measures, including restricting access to the aircraft's cockpit; and (6) imposition on passengers of $2.50 on a one-way trip to cover costs of screening passengers and property. Establishes the Transportation Security Oversight Board to review Under Secretary issued transportation security-related regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Calls for a joint session of Congress in New York City, New York, during the 107th Congress at such date, time, and location as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may jointly select, for the purpose of conducting such business as the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore may consider appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that if at any time 25 percent or more of the Members of the House of Representatives are unable to carry out their duties because of death or incapacity, each Governor of a State represented by such Member shall appoint an otherwise qualified individual to take the place of the Member as soon as practicable (but in no event later than seven days) after certification of the Member's death or incapacity. Requires an individual appointed to take the place of the Member to serve until a Member is elected to fill the vacancy by a special election to be held at any time during the 90-day period which begins on the date of the individual's appointment, in accordance with the applicable laws regarding special elections in the State involved; except that if a regularly scheduled general election for the office will be held during such period or 30 days thereafter, no special election shall be held and the Member elected in such regularly scheduled general election shall fill the vacancy upon election. Allows such appointed individual to be a candidate in such a special election or in such a regularly scheduled general election.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2001
True American Heroes Act - Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress a gold medal to the next of kin or other representation of each officer, emergency worker, or employee of a State and local government agency, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of the Federal Government, who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001 (including those who are missing and presumed dead).
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Baggage Screening Act - Amends Federal aviation law to require, before boarding or loading, or both, the screening of all property that will be carried in aircraft in air transportation and intrastate air transportation. Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to assume such screening requirement with respect to foreign as well as domestic air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should award and present a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to those public safety officers who were killed and to those select public safety officers who have earned special recognition for outstanding valor above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a memorial within the District of Columbia in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of Terrorism Memorial Commission to raise funds to design, construct, and maintain the memorial.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sandlin, Max [D-TX-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000044_200.jpg)