United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Retirement Account Portability Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rollovers to and from State and tax- exempt instrumentality and public school retirement plans. (Sec. 3) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers only if the entire amount is deposited into another defined contribution retirement plan and certain other conditions are met. (Sec. 4) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust if such amount is reported by the trustee and the recipient retirement plan agrees to report such amount in a subsequent distribution. (Sec. 5) Provides for faster vesting of employer matching contributions. (Sec. 6) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to extend single employer missing participant provisions to multiemployer plans. Authorizes transfer of a missing participant's benefits to a corporation upon termination of certain pension plans. (Sec. 7) Amends the Code to extend the IRA and employee exempt trust 60-day rollover period in the case of combat zone service. (Sec. 9) States that a transferee defined contribution plan shall not be treated as having failed to meet certain requirements because it does not provide for some or all of the distribution forms available under a transferor defined contribution plan. (Sec. 10) Authorizes employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of employee cash-out amounts under the Code and ERISA. (Sec. 11) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to Federal or public school and State and tax-exempt instrumentality pension plans.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Gulf War Veterans' Iraqi Claims Protection Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States (U.S. Commission) to receive and determine the validity of claims by U.S. nationals against the Government of Iraq, giving first priority to non-commercial claims of members of the U.S. armed forces and other individuals arising out of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait, or out of the 1987 attack on the USS Stark. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury an Iraq Claims Fund for the payment of such claims. Authorizes the President, subject to specified limitations, to vest and liquidate Iraqi Government assets in the United States that have been blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and allocate the proceeds to the Fund to satisfy claims against the Government of Iraq by U.S. nationals, as well as claims of the U.S. Government that are outside the jurisdiction of the United Nations Compensation Commission. Provides for the reimbursement to the U.S. Government of expenses incurred in administering this Act. Establishes an order of priority for payment of claims. Directs the U.S. Commission to certify to the Secretary each award made under this Act. Sets forth a ten-year statute of limitations on any demand or claim for the payment of such an award.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to- 65 Years of Age Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Title IV: Financing Medicare Early Access Act of 1998 - Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to-65 Years of Age - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 62-to-65 Years of Age). Makes eligible to enroll in Medicare during a specified period individuals between the ages of 62 and 65 who: (1) are not eligible for coverage under group health plans or Federal health insurance; but (2) would be Medicare-eligible if age 65. Requires prior notification of each individual seeking to enroll of the deferred monthly premium amount for which the individual will be liable upon attaining age 65. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine rates for: (1) the base monthly premium; (2) the base annual premium for individuals age 62 or older; and (3) the deferred premium for such individuals. Limits the maximum annual premium in a premium area to assure participation in all areas of the country. Directs the Secretary to provide for payment and collection of the base monthly premium. Makes the enrollee liable for the deferred monthly premium payment. Requires collection of both premiums in the same manner as for the payment of monthly premiums under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Creates in the Treasury the Medicare Early Access Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to hold collected premiums as well as the savings from new fraud and abuse initiatives under the Medicare Fraud and Overpayment Act of 1998 which are transferred to it out of the Medicare trust funds. Directs: (1) the Trust Fund's Board of Trustees to report annually to the Congress on the need for adjustments in the new program in order to maintain its financial solvency; and (2) the Comptroller General to report periodically to the Congress on the adequacy of program financing along with appropriate recommendations to accomplish such end. Requires: (1) individuals enrolled under the new part D program to be treated for Medicare purposes as though they were entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B; and (2) new part D program benefits to be payable under Medicare to such individuals in the same manner as if they were so entitled and enrolled. Provides that the new part D program shall not be treated as Medicare for purposes of the Medicaid program under SSA title XIX, including the provision of Medicare cost-sharing assistance, nor for purposes of COBRA continuation requirements of the Public Health Service Act. Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age - Amends SSA title XVIII part D to rename the newly established part D program the Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 55-to-65 Years of Age. Provides for part D coverage for certain displaced workers and spouses between the ages of 55 and 62 under arrangements similar to those in title I. Directs the Secretary to provide for continued enrollment of displaced workers who attain 62 years of age. Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Title IV: Financing - Requires any increase in payments under the Medicare program that results from the enactment of this Act to be offset by reductions in Medicare payments pursuant to the anti-fraud and -abuse provisions of the Medicare Fraud and Overpayment Act of 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998
Requires approval by the House of Representatives before amounts may be paid from the reserve fund established for unanticipated expenses of House committees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act of 1998 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to establish a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (TWSSP) under which an SSA title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or an SSA title II Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program disabled beneficiary may use a ticket to work and self-sufficiency issued by the Commissioner to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services from an employment network of the beneficiary's choice which is willing to provide such services pursuant to an appropriate individual employment plan. (Sec. 2) Authorizes State agencies to elect to participate in the program as employment networks coordinating and delivering services to individuals with tickets to work and self-sufficiency. Permits private entities to be employment networks. Requires the Commissioner to enter into agreements with private or public organizations to serve as program managers which shall: (1) recruit and recommend employment networks for the Commissioner's selection; as well as (2) ensure that employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services are provided to beneficiaries throughout the geographic area covered under the program manager's agreement, including rural areas. Requires an employment network to develop and implement an individual employment plan for each beneficiary in a manner affording the beneficiary an opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment goal and specific services needed to achieve it. Outlines an outcome payment system and an outcome-milestone payment system, either of which an employment network may elect to receive TWSSP funds. Provides for funding of TWSSP out of amounts transferred from the OASDI trust funds and appropriations authorized for the Social Security Administration under SSA title XVI. Establishes in the Social Security Administration the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Advisory Panel for use in connection with TWSSP. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Commissioner to establish a corps of trained, accessible, and responsive work incentive specialists to specialize in OASDI and SSI disability work incentives for the purpose of disseminating accurate information to disabled beneficiaries with respect to inquiries and issues relating to work incentives. Directs the Commissioner to conduct demonstration projects to evaluate a program for OASDI disability beneficiaries providing for reductions in disability insurance benefits based on earnings. (Sec. 3) Amends title II of the Social Security Act to provide for extended Medicare coverage for OASDI disability benefit recipients who are using tickets to work and self-sufficiency. (Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for 50 percent of the impairment-related work expenses of handicapped individuals (up to $5,000).
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that trafficking: (1) consists of all acts involved in the recruitment or transportation of persons within or across borders involving deception, coercion or force, abuse of authority, debt bondage or fraud, for the purpose of placing persons in situations of abuse or exploitation; and (2) involves kidnapping, false imprisonment, rape, battering, forced labor, or slavery-like practices which violate fundamental human rights. Urges the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women to report to the Congress on: (1) efforts to identify instances of trafficking of persons into the United States within the last five years; (2) the successes or difficulties experienced in promoting interagency cooperation, cooperation between local, State, and Federal authorities, and cooperation with nongovernmental organizations; (3) the treatment and services provided and the disposition of trafficking cases in the criminal justice system; and (4) legal and administrative barriers to more effective governmental responses. Urges that trafficking victims be provided with support services and incentives to testify. Calls on the Secretary of State to: (1) develop curricula and conduct training for consular officers on the prevalence and risks of trafficking and the rights of victims; and (2) develop and disperse to visa seekers written materials describing the potential risks of trafficking. Commends the Department of State and the European Union for their joint initiative to promote awareness of the problem of trafficking throughout countries of origin in Eastern Europe and the independent states of the former Soviet Union. Urges their continued efforts to engage in similar programs in other regions and to ensure that the dignity and human rights of trafficking victims are protected in destination countries. Calls for: (1) the State Department's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to continue to provide and expand funding to support criminal justice training programs which include trafficking; and (2) the President's Interagency Council on Women to report to the Congress regarding implementation by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General of the duties described in this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Child Care and Development Services Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act Title III: Crime Prevention Program America After School Act - Title I: Child Care and Development Services - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for new and expanded programs for child care and development services, including direct services provided outside of normal school hours, to promote the health and academic achievement of school age children, and assist the children in avoiding high risk behaviors. (Sec. 103) Requires each State that receives a block grant under such Act to make grants to elementary or secondary schools or community-based organizations to expand the availability and affordability of quality child care and development services, especially direct services provided outside of normal school hours (including before- and after-school care and weekend, holiday, and summer care) for school age children. Requires grant preference to entities that: (1) serve communities with a high rate of poverty and a high incidence of at-risk children; and (2) propose programs that make certain transportation services available to the children served. Requires the use of grant funds for direct services outside of normal school hours, related quality services, and indirect services. Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 201) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 202) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project-assisted activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 203) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 204) Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. (Sec. 205) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Title III: Crime Prevention Program - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish the After School Crime Prevention program. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to public and private agencies to fund effective after school juvenile crime prevention programs. Requires grantees to make available non-Federal matching funds in percentages determined by the Administrator. Requires grant priority to programs that: (1) are targeted to high crime neighborhoods or at-risk juveniles; (2) operate during the period immediately following normal school hours; (3) provide educational or recreational activities designed to encourage law-abiding conduct, reduce the incidence of criminal activity, and teach juveniles alternatives to crime; and (4) coordinate with State or local juvenile crime control and juvenile offender accountability programs. (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Patient Safety and Health Care Whistleblower Protection Act of 1998 - Prohibits retaliation or discrimination against a health care worker because the worker disclosed information, advocated for patients, or initiated, cooperated with, or participated in any governmental investigation or proceeding regarding the care, services, or conditions of a health care entity if: (1) the information is true; and (2) the information disclosed evidences a violation of a law, rule, or professional standard or relates to matters endangering patients, workers, or the public. Prohibits contracts, policies, and procedures restricting the actions for which retaliation or discrimination is prohibited. Declares that these provisions do not protect disclosures violating confidentiality law. Prohibits disclosing the identity of the worker, subject to exception. Provides for enforcement through private civil actions and, for certain willful and repeated violations, criminal penalties. Declares that this Act does not preempt other laws and allows States to enforce laws providing equivalent or greater worker protections.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Declares that the Congress: (1) voices its concern about the current limitations on human rights and civil liberties in Belarus, and calls upon its government to follow the principles embodied in the 1994 constitution and abide by its commitments under the Helsinki Final Act (including subsequent agreements of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other international commitments); (2) urges the Belarusian President to restore the rights of the Supreme Soviet; (3) urges the President, the Secretary of State, the U.S. Embassy in Miensk, and the U.S. missions to the United Nations and the OSCE to utilize every opportunity to encourage the Government of Belarus to respect its international human rights commitments, including OSCE principles and norms; (4) welcomes the work of the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in assisting in the development of democratic institutions in Belarus; and (5) urges the President not to renew the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of Belarus if there is not sufficient improvement in its human rights record.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998
Public School Modernization Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise current incentives for education zones into incentives for qualified public school modernization bonds, including (currently existing) qualified zone academy bonds and (newly established) qualified school construction bonds. Allows a limited tax credit, computed according to a specified formula, to taxpayers holding such public school modernization bonds. Raises the national zone academy bond limitation from $400 million to $1.4 billion for calendar 1999 (and 2000), and eliminates the limitation after 2000. Prescribes requirements for national qualified school construction bonds, with a national limitation of $9.7 billion each for calendar 1999 and 2000 and no limit after 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy Act of 1998 - Provides that, in order to end nuclear proliferation and reduce current nuclear arsenals and supplies of weapons-usable nuclear materials, it shall be U.S. policy to pursue certain nuclear nonproliferation objectives, including: (1) reaching a verifiable agreement with the Russian Federation to place all fissile materials from nuclear weapons under bilateral or international controls, or both, and end the production of new types of nuclear warheads; (2) ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (calling on North Korea, India, and Pakistan to sign such treaty) and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone and the African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaties; (3) beginning formal negotiations to reach a verifiable multilateral agreement to reduce the strategic nuclear arsenals of the United States and the Russian Federation to within specified ranges, with lower levels for the United Kingdom, France, the People's Republic of China, and other countries with nuclear arsenals; (4) reaching an immediate multilateral agreement with Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty member states to halt permanently the production of weapons usable fissile materials and place existing stockpiles of such materials under bilateral or international controls; (5) strengthening International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to verify that countries are complying with their nonproliferation commitments; (6) strengthening U.S. nuclear and dual-use export controls; and (7) beginning formal negotiations on START III between the United States and the Russian Federation before START II becomes effective. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on implementation of the policy objectives.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998
Calls upon the Government of Japan to: (1) live up to the standards it has set for open competitive markets; and (2) fully implement the representations that it made to a dispute settlement panel of the World Trade Organization regarding deregulation, transparency, nondiscrimination, open distribution systems, and vigorous enforcement of competition laws with respect to consumer photographic film and paper as well as other sectors, such as autos and auto parts, glass, and telecommunications, that face similar market access barriers there. Urges the President, the United States Trade Representative, and other appropriate officers of the executive branch to exercise fully existing authority to achieve these objectives. Requests the President to report periodically to the Congress on progress in eliminating market restrictions in Japan for consumer photographic film and paper.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postmaster General to issue a postage stamp to honor: (1) the 150th anniversary of the emigration of more than one million people from Ireland to the United States to escape the Irish Potato Famine; and (2) the contributions of these immigrants and their descendants to the history, society, culture, and security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Persian Gulf Veterans Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) a disease or disability occurring in a Persian Gulf War veteran that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with exposure to a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a Gulf War veteran within a period to be prescribed by the Secretary. Requires such presumption even though there is no record of evidence of such disease or disability in the veteran during the period of service. Provides the same presumption for diseases and disabilities determined to be positively associated with such service by reason of having a prevalence among Persian Gulf veterans greater than such prevalence among matched peers who are veterans or active duty servicemembers of the same era who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment (and which becomes manifest within the prescribed period). Requires the Secretary to make the above determinations based on sound medical and scientific evidence and within 60 days after receipt of reports submitted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as required under this Act. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement under which NAS shall: (1) identify the agents or hazards to which Gulf War veterans may have been exposed; (2) identify the diseases that are manifest in such members; and (3) determine whether a disease occurs in a Persian Gulf veteran with a greater prevalence than in matched peers who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment. Directs NAS to determine whether a statistical association exists between exposure to such agent or hazard and the disease, separately review potential treatment models and evolving technologies to identify such diseases, make recommendations for additional studies, perform subsequent reviews of available evidence and data, and report to the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the veterans and defense committees (designated committees) concerning NAS activities under this Act. Terminates requirements and activities under this Act ten years after NAS submits its first report. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an alternative scientific organization if agreement cannot be reached with NAS. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan for the establishment and operation of a single computerized information database for the collection, storage, and analysis of information on diseases of, and treatment provided to, Gulf War veterans. Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, NAS, and the designated committees. Directs NAS to evaluate and report on such plan. Requires the Secretary to: (1) continually compile and analyze all appropriate clinical data contained in the database; and (2) report annually, along with the Secretary of Defense, to the designated committees with respect to such data analysis. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to carry out a research program of the evolving technologies available to measure the exposure to certain agents or hazards associated with Gulf War service, as well as the diagnosis of diseases resulting from such exposure. Directs the Secretary and the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to jointly report to the designated committees on research results. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to carry out an ongoing program to provide Gulf War veterans with information relating to: (1) any health risks determined to be associated with Persian Gulf service; and (2) any services or benefits available with respect to such health risks.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Women's Higher Education Opportunity Act of 1998 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) with respect to the access of women to higher education opportunities. (Sec. 2) Provides that the following shall remain in effect during FY 1999 through 2004: (1) part-time student eligibility for Pell grants; and (2) the exclusion of HEA student aid from eligibility determinations for other programs. (Sec. 3) Increases the dependent care allowance for Pell Grant recipients. (Sec. 4) Child Care Access Means Parents in School Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to assist institutions of higher education in providing campus-based child care services to low-income students. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Requires: (1) each institution of higher education to provide the Secretary with information regarding men's and women's athletic programs; and (2) the Secretary to prepare a report based on such information, which shall be made available on the Internet. Requires the Secretary to establish a toll-free telephone service to provide the public with information regarding such reports and respond to inquiries about title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and athletic opportunities for girls and women. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to combat violent crimes against women on campuses. Requires the Secretary to provide for a national baseline study and report on university campus procedures in cases of reports of sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Revises and renames HEA title IX as the National Graduate Fellowship Program (currently, Graduate Programs). Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such national graduate fellowship program either directly or by contract with a nongovernmental organization which demonstrates the capacity to administer such programs. Sets forth fellowship conditions for recipients and for institutional applications. Requires award of fellowships: (1) in areas of national need; (2) in the humanities, social sciences, and arts; and (3) for scholars from underrepresented groups. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Revises campus security policy reporting and crime statistics disclosure requirements. Includes other campus officials (as well as campus security or law enforcement, or local law enforcement) among those officials that must report, for statistical disclosure purposes, if specified types of criminal offenses are reported to them. Specifies additions to the list of such offenses. Makes annual submission of campus crime statistics mandatory for all institutions participating in any student aid program under HEA title IV (participating institutions). (Currently such submissions are only required upon the request of the Secretary.) Directs the Secretary to report each set of such statistics, clearly identifying each institution and campus, not only to specified congressional committees but also to each participating institution and to the public via printed and electronic means. Requires each official charged with compiling such statistics to certify their accuracy and to disseminate certain statistics and information without identifying the victims or the accused. Requires any participating institution which maintains a police or security department to make a monthly report of specified crime information for public inspection. (Sec. 9) Amends the General Education Provisions Act to exclude allegations of criminal activities from the education records subject to family access. (Sec.10) Requires, under HEA student aid program agreements, that the campus security policies and crime statistics disclosed be comprehensive and accurate. (Sec. 11) Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on model programs for improving campus safety and complying with specified HEA requirements, including an identification of programs at institutions of varying sizes and purposes. Requires the provision of such report to each participating institution and the public through Internet, print, and other means.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should be a signatory to the Guidelines for Drug Donations developed by the World Health Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Calls for the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring the U.S. Submarine Force on its 100th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should not take military action against Iraq unless that action is specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of the adoption of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998
Incentive for Achievement Through Pell Grants Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to increase Pell grant awards to students who graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998
Cable Consumer Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend permanently (currently terminates on March 31, 1999) the authority of the Federal Communications Commission to: (1) determine the reasonableness of cable television programming rates; and (2) in appropriate cases, reduce such rates.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1998
Medicare Universal Product Number Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for assigning a universal product number (UPN) to every covered item of durable medical equipment, including surgical dressings and splints, prosthetic devices, braces, and artificial limbs. Requires that each request for payment, or bill submitted, after February 1, 2001, for a covered item include its proper UPN.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1998
Community Safety Act of 1998 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to exempt from certain (anti-kickback) criminal penalties any hospital remunerations to an ambulance provider owned or operated by a State or local government or tax-exempt charitable organization that are in kind replenishments of certain ambulance drugs and supplies used during the transport of a patient to the hospital. Prohibits the determination of such remuneration in a manner that takes into account the volume or value of any referrals or business otherwise generated between the parties for which payment may be made in whole or part under a Federal health care program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must promote an end to the exclusion of Israel from any of the United Nations regional blocs, including rotating membership on the UN Security Council; and (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the UN should take all steps necessary to ensure Israel's acceptance in the Western Europe and Others Group regional bloc (membership which includes the non-European countries of Canada, Australia, and the United States). Directs the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees on efforts taken to achieve such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to delay from FY 1998 to FY 1999 the effective date of the per beneficiary limits under the interim payment system for home health agencies. Changes from FY 1994 to FY or (at the home health agency's election) calendar 1995 the base year for calculating new payment rates under the system for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Women's Rights National Historic Trail Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on alternatives for establishing a national historic trail commemorating and interpreting the history of women's rights in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Older and Disabled Americans Criminal Protection Act of 1998 - Defines a "shared housing arrangement" as a residential arrangement under which one person provides care or other services for the owner or lessee of a dwelling unit in exchange for free occupancy or a reduced cost for occupancy of that unit or other remuneration. Authorizes: (1) a shared housing referral agency to request the Attorney General to conduct and share criminal background checks respecting shared housing caretaker applicants; and (2) the Attorney General to charge a fee for such service. Provides a criminal penalty for the knowing use of such information for other than housing determinations. States that an agency that reasonably relies upon such information shall not be liable for damages based on such information's inaccuracy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) strongly urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national public awareness campaign regarding colorectal cancer risk, preventive screening options, and the importance of early detection; and (2) encourages the Secretary, in designing and carrying out the campaign, to work closely with groups having colorectal cancer expertise.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Attorney General should enforce the law and protect from violent attack persons seeking to provide or obtain, or assist in providing or obtaining, reproductive health services; and (2) the Congress should allocate the resources needed to accomplish the Department of Justice's mission, including reproductive health services clinic protection.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1998
Designates the United States Post Office located at 297 Larkfield Road in East Northport, New York, as the Jerome Anthony Ambro, Jr. Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Airline Competition and Lower Fares Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to determine whether the demand among air carriers for slots at LaGuardia Airport, O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Metropolitan Washington Airport (commonly known as Washington National Airport) can be met with the slots available to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, if the demand among dominant air carriers for slots at such an airport cannot be met with the slots available to the Secretary, to withdraw from such carriers up to ten percent of such slots at that airport for redistribution to new entrants and limited incumbents through auction on a competitive bidding basis, as long as the redistribution of the additional slots significantly increases competition between air carriers. Prohibits withdrawal of any slots used for international flights or for direct flights to a low-competition airport. (Sec. 4) Prohibits slots obtained under this Act from being considered an asset (including for collateral) for any agreement which would require its forfeiture, or in any bankruptcy proceeding. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to complete action on all complaints alleging predatory practices by air carriers that were filed with the Secretary on or before December 31, 1997, and after such date, but before the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, to enjoin any action that is found to be a predatory practice. Directs the Secretary to report biannually to the Congress about such complaints. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking to determine whether the application of the 80-percent rule with respect to the allocation of airport slots promotes, hinders, or has no effect on airline competition. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on barriers to entry, predatory pricing, and other limits on competition in the aviation industry. (Sec. 9) Prohibits the Secretary from issuing or approving any regulation or exemption in carrying out this Act which would increase airplane noise in communities surrounding an airport. (Sec. 10) Amends Federal aviation law provisions prohibiting State regulation of air prices, routes, and services to declare that such provisions shall not bar a cause of action brought against an air carrier by one or more private parties seeking to enforce any right under the common law of any State or State statute, other than a statute purporting to directly prescribe fares, routes, or levels of air transportation service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in recognition of his life-long dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal and sell duplicates in bronze at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes a maximum charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals. Mandates that proceeds from sales of duplicate bronze medals be deposited in such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Torture Victims Relief Act - Prohibits the United States from expelling, removing, extraditing, or otherwise involuntarily returning an individual to a country if there is substantial evidence that a reasonable person in the circumstances of that individual would fear subjection to torture in that country. (Sec. 5) Covers within this Act any alien presenting a claim of having been tortured, or whom there is reason to believe has been tortured. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) consideration by appropriate officials of the effects of torture; (2) expedited processing of refugee admissions and for asylum and withholding of removal; (3) granting parole in lieu of detention for such an individual under the Immigration and Nationality Act; and (4) exemption of such an individual from expedited removal pursuant to such Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Attorney General should allocate sufficient resources to maintain in the Immigration and Naturalization Service's Resource Information Center current information relating to the use of torture in foreign countries. (Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to provide training for immigration inspectors and examiners, immigration officers, asylum officers, immigration judges, and other relevant Department of Justice officials, and directs the Secretary of State to provide training for consular officers, regarding the identification of torture, the surrounding circumstances most often practiced, the long-term effects upon a victim, the identification of the physical, cognitive, and emotional effects of torture, and the appropriate manner of interviewing torture victims. (Sec. 7) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to programs in the United States to cover the cost of specified services for torture victims. Authorizes the appropriation of funds for assistance for domestic centers and programs for the treatment of torture victims. (Sec. 8) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries which are specifically carrying out projects or activities to treat victims of torture. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture for FY 1999 and 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that national goals should include providing access to affordable housing and expanding home ownership opportunities pursued through policies of tax incentives and private and public sector activities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1998
Stop Medicare Overpayment Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to reimbursement for drugs and biologicals. Replaces the current reimbursement rate of 95 percent of the wholesale average price with the lowest of the following: (1) the current rate; (2) the actual acquisition cost to the claim submitter of the drug or biological; (3) the amount otherwise determined under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); or (4) for payments for drugs or biologicals furnished on or after January 1, 2000, the median actual acquisition cost of all claims for payment for such drugs or biologicals for the 12-month period beginning July 1, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Protection Against Scams on Seniors Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Aging, to publicly disseminate by specified means in each State certain information designed to educate senior citizens and raise awareness about the dangers of telemarketing fraud. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
American Family Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage per hour, beginning on September 1 of the years specified, to: (1) $5.65 in 1998; (2) $6.15 in 1999; (3) $6.65 in 2000; and (4) in 2001 and subsequent fiscal years, $6.65 adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Amends Federal law to require the head of a Federal agency to honor a written statement by the recipient of Federal compensation or retirement payments that the recipient does not wish to receive such payments by electronic funds transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Requests that the U.S. Postal Service issue a commemorative postage stamp in 1999 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection with Slamming Slamming Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any telephone exchange carrier that submits or executes a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telephone exchange or toll service in violation of subscriber verification requirements prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to refund to such subscriber any charges imposed for such service during the three-month period after such change is effected. Prohibits any change in selection, or verification of such a change, without the affirmative request of the subscriber. Requires the FCC to complete rulemaking for enforcement of such verification requirements within two years after the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Provides a private right of action for any subscriber whose service is changed in violation of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriate State court to increase damage awards by up to three times the maximum allowable award for willful and knowing violations. Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection With Slamming - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to prohibit unfair and deceptive acts and practices in any advertisement for or solicitation of any change in a subscriber's selection of a service provider. Requires a carrier to clearly and conspicuously disclose that the offer seeks to change the subscriber's service provider, as well as the total cost for such new service. Permits States to bring civil actions on behalf of residents to enjoin unlawful exchange practices, to enforce carrier compliance with FTC rules, or to obtain damages or other appropriate relief.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a series of postage stamps in recognition of recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Relating to Tobacco Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products Title III: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Title IV: Tobacco Market Transition Assistance Subtitle A: Tobacco Quota Buyout Contracts and Producer Transition Payments Subtitle B: No Net Cost Tobacco Program Subtitle C: Tobacco Community Empowerment Block Grants Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Healthy and Smoke Free Children Act - Title I: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Relating to Tobacco - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate payments to States for the States' expenses for treating tobacco-related illnesses or conditions and for services for children. Makes certain amounts available for specified activities under this Act and its amendments, including: (1) the costs associated with Food and Drug Administration tobacco-related activities; (2) national biomedical and basic scientific research activities and child development and research activities; and (3) assistance and compensation to individuals with tobacco-related illnesses and conditions. Establishes the National Biomedical and Basic Scientific Research Board to make grants and contracts for the expansion of basic and biomedical research and to provide graduate training in that research. Mandates grants or contracts for the conduct and support of research, training, and demonstration projects regarding child health and development. Mandates, to discourage individuals from using tobacco products and to assist quitting: (1) research on methods, drugs, and devices; (2) programs to reduce tobacco use through education, prevention, and cessation campaigns; and (3) programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mandates block grants to States for tobacco use reduction and education activities. Requires a Federal model smoking cessation program and Federal regulations regarding approval of cessation programs and devices. Includes in the allowed uses of block grants activities for the transitional sponsorship of certain activities. Mandates an annual survey on children's tobacco use. Requires each tobacco manufacturer to reduce the number of children using its products by specified percentages in specified years. Imposes a per-unit fee for failing to meet targets. Mandates regulations: (1) prohibiting the sale of tobacco product single packs in cases of repeated noncompliance; and (2) requiring generic packaging in cases of severe repeated noncompliance. Requires fee amounts to be made available: (1) to the National Biomedical and Basic Scientific Research Board for research, training, and demonstration project grants; (2) for healthy child development grants; and (3) for reduction and addiction prevention research grants and grants under the national tobacco usage reduction and education program. Prohibits reprisals against whistleblower employees of tobacco manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Establishes the National Tobacco Document Depository, requiring that it be open to the public and maintained as a resource for individuals interested in the manufacturers' corporate records and research. Requires manufacturers, the Tobacco Institute, and the Council for Tobacco Research, U.S.A., to provide specified Depository contents. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a Tobacco Documents Dispute Resolution Panel to resolve all claims of attorney-client, work product, or trade secrets privilege. Establishes the Tobacco Oversight and Compliance Board to monitor tobacco industry compliance with this Act. Mandates manufacturer submission and Board disclosure of documents: (1) relating to tobacco health effects (including addiction), manipulation or control of nicotine, or the sale or marketing of tobacco products to children; or (2) produced or ordered to be produced by the manufacturer in State of Minnesota v. Philip Morris, Inc. Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products - Declares that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Food and Drug Administration, shall have the authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to regulate the manufacture, labeling, sale, distribution, and advertising of tobacco products. (Sec. 203) Amends the FDCA to include nicotine in tobacco products in the definitions of "drug" and "device." Deems tobacco misbranded if it violates the FDCA or its regulations. Requires that tobacco products be classified as Class II devices. Prohibits the Secretary from prohibiting tobacco products under specified provisions. Sets forth tobacco product performance standard requirements. Declares that a tobacco product is a restricted device. (Sec. 204) Establishes the Scientific Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary regarding a performance standard. Allows a standard involving the reduction or elimination of nicotine, other constituents, or harmful components. Mandates regulations: (1) for the testing, reporting, and disclosure of smoke constituents; and (2) limiting cigarette tar. Deems tobacco products misbranded if there are claims (not scientifically proven) of reduced health risk. Requires manufacturers to: (1) notify the Commissioner of Food and Drugs of any technology that would reduce risk; and (2) permit licensing of the technology to other manufacturers. Allows the Commissioner, on determining the technology feasible, to require manufacturers to either manufacture the less hazardous products or license the technology's use by other manufacturers. Requires the Commissioner, if no manufacturer agrees to manufacture less hazardous products, to provide for the manufacture of the products through the Public Health Service. Allows good manufacturing practice regulations, but prohibits placing burdens on tobacco producers in excess of the burdens placed on other agricultural commodity producers. Mandates annual disclosure to the Secretary of tobacco product ingredients (including added substances and nicotine). Requires ingredient safety assessments and prohibits inclusion of current ingredients with disapproved assessments and new ingredients without approved assessments. Provides for public disclosure. Mandates specified warnings on packaging and in advertising of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. Declares that this paragraph does not relieve any person from liability at common law or under State statutory law. Exempts exports from warning requirements. Requires specified use statements on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco describing the product as a nicotine delivery device for persons 18 or older. Allows State and local governments to impose additional controls to limit tobacco use by minors. Title III: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the responsible entity for each non-residential public building (regularly entered by at least ten individuals at least one day per week (except portions of a building used as a bar, tobacco merchant, designated smoking hotel room, or prison)) to implement a smoke-free environment policy. Allows designated smoking areas meeting specified requirements. Title IV: Tobacco Market Transition Assistance - Subtitle A: Tobacco Quota Buyout Contracts and Producer Transition Payments - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to offer to enter into: (1) a buyout contract with the owner of a tobacco basic marketing quota; (2) a producer transition payment contract with producers of quota tobacco that were quota lessees or quota tenants; and (3) a producer nonquota transition payment contract with producers of nonquota tobacco. Requires the contracting quota owners to permanently relinquish the quota and producers (quota and non-quota) to permanently refrain from growing tobacco for which a quota program is in effect. Subtitle B: No Net Cost Tobacco Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend the termination date of a requirement that producers, purchasers, and importers of tobacco for which price support is available pay a nonrefundable marketing assessment to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Requires that payment amounts be sufficient to cover the costs of the administration of certain tobacco quota and price support programs. Subtitle C: Tobacco Community Empowerment Block Grants - Mandates grants to tobacco States to enable the States to: (1) empower tobacco producers and tobacco manufacturing workers by providing economic alternatives to tobacco; and (2) carry out non-tobacco economic development initiatives in tobacco communities. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Congress should increase excise taxes on tobacco products; (2) the tax should be indexed; and (3) the tax should not be deductible.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997
Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 1997 - Establishes as an independent entity within the executive branch the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program to establish fellowships to develop and train individuals for careers in humanitarian service. Establishes a Board of Trustees to supervise and direct the Program. Limits fellowship periods to 12 months. Establishes the Congressional Hunger Fellows Trust Fund for the deposit and receipt of Program funds. Requires an annual audit of Program accounts. Requires the Board to appoint a Program Executive Director. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer to the Program a specified amount of the surplus funds available for encouraging exportation and domestic consumption of agricultural products. Requires the Board to report annually to the Secretary and the Congress on Program activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Technology Education Capital Investment Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations to the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct informal science and mathematics education programs. Requires the NSF to expand such programs. Sets forth priorities for such programs serving students at pre-kindergarten through secondary education levels. (Sec. 3) Authorizes appropriations to the NSF Director to carry out the national advanced scientific and technical education program under the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992. (Sec. 4) Establishes a technology education State stimulus scholarship program. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make matching grants to States to provide supplementary scholarships to students for study leading to a postsecondary degree in science, mathematics, engineering, or a related field. Allows such scholarships to be awarded by the State higher education system, the State scholarship commission, or an equivalent State entity. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Establishes a hands-on student training partnership grants program. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make start-up grants to institutions of higher learning to develop industry-sponsored internship programs that provide opportunities for undergraduate engineering students to receive hands-on training at local businesses. Sets forth program priorities and restrictions. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Amends the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to educational assistance programs to provide for: (1) permanent extension of the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance; and (2) restoration of the tax exclusion for graduate level assistance. (Sec. 7) Establishes the Technology Workforce Commission to study and report to the President and the Congress on all matters relating to the shortage of technology workers in the United States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Fairness in the Workplace Commission Act - Establishes the National Commission on Fairness in the Workplace, which shall examine and report to the Congress on: (1) the growing corporate practice of providing wages and benefit levels for part-time and temporary employees which are lower than the wage and benefit levels provided to full-time employees who perform essentially identical work; (2) how the use of part-time and temporary employees has affected wage and benefit levels, employee job insecurity, and employee productivity; (3) the reasons that workers' wages have not kept pace with corporate profits and economic growth; (4) the reasons for the widening median wage gap between working men and working women; and (5) the reasons for the consistent discrepancy in the average wage of minority populations in comparison to the average wage of white Americans. Requires the Commission to develop policy options for the Congress to address the problems identified in the examination.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the low-income State housing credit ceiling amount; and (2) provide for a cost-of-living adjustment for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Amends Federal law (relating to the absence of a Federal employee in connection with serving as a bone-marrow or organ donor) to permit an employee, in any calendar year, to use not to exceed: (1) seven days of paid leave to serve as a bone-marrow donor; and (2) 30 days of paid leave to serve as an organ donor.
![Official portrait of Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-25]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000480_200.jpg)