United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1998
Lyme Disease Initiative Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Director of the National Institute of Health and the Secretary of Defense to collaborate in: (1) establishing specified public health goals relating to activities providing for a reduction in the incidence and prevalence of Lyme disease; and (2) carrying out activities toward achieving the goals directly or through grant awards or contracts to public or nonprofit private entities. Requires the Secretaries to establish a five-year plan for carrying out such activities and coordinating the programs and activities conducted or supported by the Government. Lists as goals, in priority order: (1) developing a test to determine whether an individual has been bitten by a tick that has Lyme disease and a test for determining whether a patient has been cured; (2) reviewing the U.S. system for Lyme disease surveillance and reporting; (3) determining the average number of doctor visits before the disease is diagnosed; and (4) significantly increasing the number of physicians who have appropriate knowledge regarding the disease. (Sec. 4) Establishes the Lyme Disease Task Force to provide advice to the Secretaries on achieving the goals. (Sec. 5) Requires the submission of annual reports by the Secretaries to the Congress until the goals are met. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Food and Drug Administration should conduct a rapid and thorough review of new drug applications for drugs to immunize individuals against Lyme disease.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1998
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 1998 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of making medical assistance for breast and cervical cancer-related treatment services available to certain low-income women without creditable coverage during a presumptive eligibility period. Provides for an enhanced match with regard to such treatment services.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that all colleges and universities in the United States should adopt rigorous educational merchandise licensing codes of conduct, including specified elements, to assure that university and college licensed merchandise is not made by sweatshop and exploited adult or child labor either domestically or abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Supports the creation and operation of Voice of America's surrogate radio project known as Radio Democracy for Africa. Urges: (1) the United States Information Agency to expand its economic, political, and human rights programming in Africa to support indigenous efforts aimed at promoting democratization, human rights, economic development, and good governance; and (2) the Agency for International Development to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of free and independent African media, especially radio. Urges the U.S. Government to: (1) encourage local and foreign investment in independent local radio operations in Africa; (2) make freedom of speech and the safety of journalists a priority in discussions with African governments on democracy and human rights; (3) use all reasonable means to help safeguard the operation of independent radio stations and the legitimate activities of journalists in African countries; and (4) support and assist the development of mechanisms and institutions for the protection of independent journalists and to discourage the use of draconian laws and government policies inhibiting freedom of speech in Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Child Custody Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for transporting an individual under age 18 across a State line to obtain an abortion if the requirements of a law in the State where the individual resides, requiring parental involvement in a minor's abortion decision, are not met before obtaining the abortion. Makes an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the life of the minor. Authorizes any parent or guardian who suffers legal harm from a violation to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to limitations on benefits and contributions under qualified plans to apply to multiemployer plans the same treatment in the adjustment to the $90,000 limit on benefits, where the benefit begins before the Social Security retirement age, as is accorded to plans maintained by governments and tax-exempt organizations. Exempts multiemployer plans from the alternative benefit limit of 100 percent of the participant's average compensation for his or her high three years.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Safer Seniors Medical Care Act of 1998 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from promulgating any regulation, rule, or other order if its effect is to eliminate or modify any requirement under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for physician supervision of anesthesia services, as such requirement was in effect on December 31, 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Calls for the United States to: (1) support an internationally supervised referendum to determine the political status of East Timor; (2) recognize the need for direct Timorese participation in United Nations (UN)-sponsored tripartite talks; and (3) work actively to realize the directives of existing UN resolutions on East Timor.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998
National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 1998 - Authorizes the oilheat industry to conduct a referendum through a qualified industry organization among retailers and wholesalers for the creation of a National Oilheat Research Alliance to develop programs concerning oilheat research and development, safety issues, consumer education, and training. Defines industry to include those persons involved in the production, transportation, and sale of oilheat, and in the manufacture and distribution of oilheat utilization equipment, in the United States (but not the ultimate consumers of oilheat). Permits State participation in such Alliance. Prescribes guidelines for Alliance membership and representation. Requires the Alliance to: (1) establish a program coordinating its operation with that of any similar State, local, or regional program; and (2) levy and collect annual assessments on the wholesale sale of No. 1 distillate and No. 2 dyed distillate sufficient to cover Alliance plans and program costs. Empowers the Alliance to bring suit in Federal court to compel compliance with any assessments it levies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998
Congratulates the Philippines on the commemoration of its independence from Spain. Recognizes and supports the relationship between the Philippines and the United States. Supports Philippine efforts to strengthen democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and expansion of free market economics.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1998
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, during the year following enactment of this Act, from modifying regulations in effect as of enactment of this Act with respect to the operation of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network under the Public Health Service Act, including regulations concerning the Network under the Social Security Act. Declares that, during such one-year period, a specified final rule published in the Federal Register has no legal effect.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Government of Cuba should extradite to the United States convicted murderer Joanne Chesimard and all other individuals currently living freely in Cuba who have fled the United States to avoid prosecution or confinement for criminal offenses; and (2) the extradition of such criminals should be a top priority for the U.S. Government.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1998
Protecting American Small Business Trade Act of 1998 -Provides that any person who has entered into a contract, license, or other agreement (contract) with a foreign entity before July 1, 1985, that contains a provision to settle any controversy by arbitration shall not be barred from bringing an action in any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States, including any Federal or State court, or from seeking appropriate relief from any U.S. agency to resolve any controversy. Requires actions to be brought under this Act within 180 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Medicare Home Health Equity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) restoration of the per visit cost limit to 112 percent of the mean of costs with regard to payments to home health agencies under Medicare; and (2) revision of the interim payment system for home health services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Mid-Atlantic Open Space and Farmland Preservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to mid-Atlantic States (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) for open space and farmland preservation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Central American and Caribbean Refugee Adjustment Act of 1998 - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to make certain nationals of Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti eligible for permanent resident status adjustment under such Act. (Current law applies to nationals of Nicaragua and Cuba.) Makes conforming amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Mandates Information Act of 1998 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require a congressional committee report on any bill or joint resolution that includes any Federal private sector mandate to contain information concerning the impact of such mandate on consumers, workers, and small businesses, including any disproportionate impact in particular regions or industries. Revises provisions concerning legislation subject to a point of order to: (1) define the point of order for a determination by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office that it is not feasible to determine the economic impact of a Federal mandate; and (2) replace certain references to Federal intergovernmental mandates with references to Federal mandates with respect to legislation reported by the Appropriations Committees. Provides a point of order against consideration of legislation that would increase the direct costs of Federal private sector mandates by an amount that causes the stated threshold of $100 million per fiscal year to be exceeded. Requires the Director, at the request of a Senator, to prepare an estimate of the direct costs of a Federal mandate (currently, Federal intergovernmental mandate) contained in such Senator's amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Establishes an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedure for all health care liability actions, except: (1) an action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death to the extent that title XXI of the Public Health Service Act applies; or (2) an action under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Specifies the extent to which this Act preempts State and other Federal law, as well as the limits of its effect on State, Federal, and foreign government sovereign immunity. (Sec. 2) Establishes a statute of limitations for health care liability actions of two years from the date on which the alleged injury was discovered or should reasonably have been discovered, but in no case more than five years after the date the alleged injury occurred. (Sec. 3) Makes a defendant in any health care liability action liable (severally but not jointly) only for the amount of noneconomic damages attributable to such defendant in direct proportion to the defendant's share of fault or responsibility for the claimant's actual damages, as determined by the trier of fact. Requires for the award of punitive damages that the claimant establish by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of conduct: (1) specifically intended to cause harm; or (2) manifesting a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others. Prohibits the award of punitive damages against a manufacturer or product seller of a drug or medical device which caused the claimant's harm where: (1) the drug or device was subject to premarket approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with respect to the safety of the formulation or performance of the aspect of such drug or device which caused the claimant's harm, or the adequacy of the packaging or labeling of such drug or device which caused the harm, and such drug, device, packaging, or labeling was approved by the Food and Drug Administration; or (2) the drug is generally recognized as safe and effective pursuant to conditions established by the FDA and applicable regulations, including packaging and labeling regulations. Allows punitive damages in any case in which, before or after premarket approval: (1) the defendant intentionally and wrongfully withheld from or misrepresented to the FDA any information about the drug or device which was material and relevant to the harm suffered, and whose submission was required by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Service Act; or (2) the defendant made an illegal payment to an FDA official or employee for the purpose of securing or maintaining such approval. Prohibits punitive damages against a drug manufacturer or product seller in a health care liability action for harm alleged to relate to the adequacy of the packaging or labeling of a drug required by regulation to have tamper-resistant packaging, unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that such packaging or labeling is substantially out of compliance with such regulations. Permits periodic payments of any damages awarded for future economic and noneconomic loss exceeding $50,000. Permits defendants to introduce evidence of collateral source payments. Declares that no provider of collateral source payments shall recover, in a judgment or in a settlement, any amount against the claimant or receive any lien or credit against the claimant's recovery or be equitably or legally subrogated to the right of the claimant in a health care liability action. (Sec. 4) Entitles the prevailing party in an action to attorney's fees from the non-prevailing party, if: (1) the claimant seeks noneconomic damages in excess of $250,000 or three times the economic damages, whichever is less; and (2) the request for such damages in such amount is made before the determination of liability of one party or another by verdict or order of judgment. Prohibits the sum of the attorney's fees to which the prevailing party is entitled from exceeding the attorney's fees of the non-prevailing party. Authorizes a court to limit such fees if their amount is deemed unjust. Specifies limits to contingent fees. (Sec. 5) Declares that any ADR used to resolve a health care liability action or claim shall contain provisions for statute of limitations, noneconomic damages, joint and several liability, punitive damages, collateral source rule, periodic payments, and award of attorney's fees which are identical to the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that substantial amounts of the proceeds received by the United States under any congressionally approved tobacco settlement should be allocated to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Gerald and Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze. Declares such medals to be national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors Title II: Punishable Conduct Citizens Protection Act of 1998 - Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors - Subjects a Government attorney to State laws and rules, and local Federal court rules, governing attorneys in each State where such attorney engages in duties to the same extent and in the same manner as other attorneys in that State. Directs the Attorney General to make and amend rules of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assure compliance with this title. Title II: Punishable Conduct - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish by rule that it shall be punishable conduct for any DOJ employee to seek an indictment in the absence of probable cause, to fail promptly to release information that would exonerate a person under indictment, to intentionally or knowingly misstate or alter evidence, to attempt to influence or color a witness's testimony, to act to frustrate or impede a defendant's right to discovery, to offer or provide sexual activities to any government witness or potential witness, to leak or otherwise improperly disseminate information to any person during an investigation, or to engage in conduct that discredits DOJ; and (2) establish penalties for engaging in such conduct, including probation, demotion, dismissal, referral of ethical charges to the bar, loss of pension or other retirement benefits, suspension from employment, and referral of the allegations (if appropriate) to a grand jury for possible criminal prosecution. (Sec. 202) Sets forth procedures regarding written complaints of such conduct by a DOJ employee, investigation of such complaints by the Attorney General, and imposition of appropriate penalties. (Sec. 203) Establishes an independent Misconduct Review Board to review all determinations by the Attorney General with respect to such complaints and to investigate allegations made in statements that may be submitted to it with respect to complaints for which the Attorney General has made no determination or imposed no penalty. Authorizes the Board to impose penalties established above.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Small Business Lawsuit Abuse Protection Act of 1998 - Provides that, in any civil action against a small business (fewer than 50 full-time employees), punitive damages may be awarded against such business only if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that conduct carried out by the defendant through willful misconduct or with a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others was the proximate cause of the harm that is the subject of the action. Prohibits, in any action against a small business, punitive damages from exceeding the lesser of: (1) twice the amount awarded for economic and noneconomic losses; or (2) $250,000. Provides that, in such an action, the liability of each defendant small business shall be limited to the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to that defendant in direct proportion to its percentage of responsibility for the harm that is the subject of the action. Requires the court to render a separate judgment against each such defendant. Provides as exceptions to the small business liability limitations under this Act any misconduct: (1) that constitutes a crime of violence, international terrorism, or a hate crime; (2) that involves a sexual offense or a violation of a Federal or State civil rights law; or (3) if the defendant was under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or a drug at the time of the misconduct and that fact causes any of the harm alleged.
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 · 5 March 1998
Commends efforts of the international contact group (the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and Italy) in support of a resolution of the conflict in Kosova. Opposes termination of international or U.S. sanctions against the Government of Serbia and Montenegro, unless such termination serves to support a peaceful resolution to the repression in Kosova. Urges the United States to: (1) consult with its allies and other members of the United Nations on reimposing sanctions against Serbia-Montenegro Montenegro that were terminated following the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995 if Serbian authorities continue to use unlawful violence against the Albanian people of Kosova; (2) acknowledge recent developments in Montenegro that indicate that the new leadership of that Republic is seeking a peaceful resolution to the repression in Kosova; and (3) recognize positive actions by the Montenegro Government regarding repression in Kosova through exclusion from sanctions that may be applied to the Serbian Government. Urges that: (1) the elections in Kosova scheduled on March 22, 1998, be allowed to proceed unimpeded by Belgrade; (2) all parties refrain from acts that could lead to heightened tensions in Kosova; (3) the agreement on education in Kosova be implemented immediately; and (4) the elected leaders of Kosova begin a dialog with the authorities in Belgrade to resolve the present situation and to provide for the exercise of the legitimate civil and political rights of the Albanian people of Kosova.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that a bill to increase the internal revenue shall laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole of the number of that House, unless the bill does not increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
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
Urges international cooperation in working to resolve cases in which children in the United States are abducted by family members who are foreign nationals and taken to foreign countries, and in seeing that justice is served by holding the abductors accountable for criminal law violations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1998
Dollars to the Classroom Act - Requires the Secretary of Education to award the total amount of certain applicable education funding directly to the States. (Sec. 2) Requires such direct awarding of all the funds (except those used for specified multiyear awards) that are appropriated for the Department of Education for the fiscal year for programs or activities under specified provisions of: (1) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; (2) the Educational Research, Development, Disseminations, and Improvement Act of 1994; (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; (4) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and (5) the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Sets deadlines for: (1) each State to conduct a census to determine, and report to the Secretary, the number of kindergarten through grade 12 students in the State for the academic year; and (2) the Secretary to publish and disburse the amount each State will receive under this Act for the succeeding fiscal year. Sets forth: (1) a formula for determination of such award amounts, based on relative numbers of such students in each State; and (2) penalties for false information. Provides for continuation of certain multiyear awards made prior to enactment of this Act. Requires award amounts under this Act to be paid to the State Governor, who shall make them available to the individual or entity in the State responsible for the State administration of Federal education funds. Prescribes requirements for the use of such funds, earmarking not less than 95 percent for distribution to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the costs of activities or services provided in the classroom that LEAs determine appropriate, excluding associated administrative expenses, but including nonadministrative expenses associated with statewide or districtwide initiatives directly affecting classroom learning. Prohibits: (1) any head of a Federal department or agency other than the Secretary from promulgating regulations under this Act; and (2) the Secretary from issuing any regulation regarding the type of classroom activities or services that may be assisted under this Act. (Sec. 3) Amends ESEA title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards) to require the use of at least 95 percent of title I funds for an LEA for a fiscal year according to the requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a plan for streamlining regulations and eliminating bureaucracy so that 95 percent of such ESEA title I funds for LEAs are used for the costs of activities and services provided in the classroom; and (2) recommend to Congress legislation containing changes to Federal law needed for the use of such funds. (Sec. 4) Requires each LEA that receives funds under this Act to provide for the participation of children enrolled in private and home schools.
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
Allows the remains of the following persons to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery: (1) any member of the armed forces who dies while on active duty; (2) any retired member; (3) any former member who was separated for physical disability before October 1, 1949, who served on active duty, and who would have been eligible for disability retirement if such provisions had been in effect on such date; (4) any former member whose last active military service was terminated honorably and who has been awarded one of a number of specified military decorations; (5) any former prisoner of war who served honorably while such a prisoner, whose last active military service terminated honorably, and who died on or after November 30, 1993; (6) the President or any former President; (7) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and, in the discretion of the Cemetery's Superintendent, unmarried adult child of an interred member (but only if buried in the same gravesite); (8) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and unmarried adult child (again, discretionary) of a member buried as part of a group burial (but cannot be buried in the group gravesite); (9) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, or unmarried adult child of any person already buried in the Cemetery; (10) the widow or widower of a member who was lost or buried at sea or officially determined to be permanently absent in a missing or missing in action status; and (11) the parents of a minor child or unmarried adult child whose remains, based on the parent's eligibility, are already buried in the Cemetery. Makes such burial eligibility the exclusive eligibility for Cemetery burial. Prohibits the Secretary of the Army or any other responsible official from considering a request for Cemetery burial made before the death of the individual. Allows gravesite markers to be provided by the Secretary or at private expense, as long as certain marker and marker maintenance conditions are met. Directs the Secretary to maintain for the public a register of each individual buried in the Cemetery which shall include, for each individual buried there on or after January 1, 1998, a brief description of his or her eligibility for such burial. Requires the Secretary to publish an updated pamphlet describing Cemetery burial eligibility. Authorizes the cremated remains of the following persons to be placed in the Cemetery columbarium: (1) a person eligible for burial under this Act; (2) a veteran whose last period of active duty ended honorably; and (3) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, or unmarried adult child (discretionary) of such a veteran. Prohibits a memorial or marker: (1) from being placed in the Cemetery unless it commemorates the service of the individual or group whose memory is to be honored by such memorial or marker; or (2) that refers to a particular military event from being placed in the Cemetery until 25 years after such event.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Historic Battleship Preservation Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal a requirement that the Secretary of the Navy list on the Naval Vessel Register at least two of the Iowa-class battleships that were stricken from such Register in February 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Title X Parental Notification Act of 1998 - Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no provider of services under title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act shall be exempt from any State law requiring notification or the reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest. Prohibits making available any funds appropriated for carrying out title X to any family planning project under specified provisions of that title if any service provider in the project knowingly provides contraceptive prescription drugs or devices to a minor, unless: (1) the minor is emancipated; (2) by court direction; (3) the provider has given actual written notice to the custodial parent or guardian five days in advance; or (4) the minor has written consent of a custodial parent or guardian.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Title X Child Abuse, Rape, Molestation, and Incest Reporting Act - Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no service provider under title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act shall be exempt from any State law requiring notification or the reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Urges the President to initiate a determined U.S. effort to secure passage of a resolution on human rights violations in China at the 54th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Calls upon the Cambodian Government to: (1) implement the Paris Peace Accords; (2) enforce the rule of law and protect human rights; (3) restore a nonviolent and neutral political atmosphere; (4) allow all exiled opposition leaders to return to Cambodia and engage in political activity without fear of political or physical reprisal; and (5) take further measures to create mechanisms to help ensure a credible election. Calls upon: (1) the European Union to reconsider its decision to provide assistance to the election process until genuinely free and fair elections can be conducted; and (2) the Secretary of State to continue to provide support through appropriate nongovernmental organizations to Cambodian human rights workers and to work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Donors Group in urging the Cambodian Government to create the conditions which would guarantee a free and fair election.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Acknowledges: (1) that the Afghan people successfully waged a war against Soviet expansionism and greatly assisted in bringing an end to the cold war; and (2) the necessity of international efforts to clear the estimated 10 million land mines buried in the Afghan countryside. Welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Lakhbar Brahimi as special envoy of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General for Afghanistan and his efforts toward attaining a peaceful negotiated settlement. Deplores continuing human rights violations occurring within Afghanistan, such as continuing discrimination against women and the discovery of mass graves which contained an alleged 2,000 corpses of prisoners of war and civilians. Supports the intention of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to continue their investigation into these reported killings. Recognizes the continuing requirement to address the needs of more than 2 million Afghan refugees. Calls upon: (1) all warring factions and national powers to participate in intra-Afghan dialogue and in the peace process; and (2) all parties within Afghanistan to prevent the recurrence of actions which impede humanitarian assistance. Urges: (1) the nations of the region to cooperate in the peace process and to end military support to all parties to the conflict; (2) appropriate parties in the UN and Afghanistan to work toward the eradication of the production of opium; and (3) the expulsion of all known terrorist leaders from Afghanistan and the closing down of any terrorist training camps operating in the country.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Parental Freedom of Information Act - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit the availability of funds under any applicable program to any educational agency or institution that has a policy of denying, or that effectively prevents, parents of elementary and secondary school students from exercising the right to inspect and review any instructional materials used with respect to the educational curriculum of, or certain testing materials administered to, their children. Allows parents to maintain a civil action for appropriate relief if their right to gain access to such information is violated. Prohibits the availability of funds under any applicable program to an educational agency or institution that, as part of an applicable program and without the prior written informed consent of the parent of a student, requires the student to: (1) undergo medical, psychological, or psychiatric examination, testing, treatment, or immunization, except in the case of a medical emergency; or (2) reveal any information about the student's personal or family life, except to the extent necessary to comply with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Abolishing Child Pornography Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for knowingly possessing any material (currently, three or more items) containing: (1) any visual depiction involving a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, on any land or building owned by, leased to, or otherwise used by or under U.S. Government control, or in Indian country; and (2) child pornography that has been mailed, shipped, or transported, including by computer, in interstate or foreign commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Prohibits the President from waiving certain requirements of the Trade Act of 1974 for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation status), the prohibitions of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 on aid to Marxist-Leninist countries, specified requirements of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for insurance, reinsurance, financing, or other services by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation with respect to Vietnam. Nullifies any previous waiver of such requirements and prohibitions.
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
Prohibits the President from waiving certain human rights and emigration requirements under the Trade Act of 1974 before July 11, 1999, with respect to Vietnam when determining its eligibility to receive nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation status). Nullifies any previous waiver of such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Tax Code Termination Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2001. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be a simple and fair system.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Terminates, effective on October 1, 2003, a military retiree's required contributions to the military Survivor Benefit Plan after such retiree has made such contributions for 30 years and has attained age 70.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to the interim system of limited payments for home health services provided by home health agencies, to make: (1) calendar year 1994, instead of FY 1994, the base year for payment determinations with regard to such services for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997; and (2) the freeze in costs under such Act for cost reporting periods beginning after September 30, 1997, inapplicable to such interim system.
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
Police, Fire, and Emergency Officers Educational Assistance Act of 1998 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide financial assistance for higher education to the dependents of public safety officers (currently, only the dependents of Federal public safety officers) who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Veterans Transitional Housing Opportunities Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to guarantee the full or partial repayment of loans for the provision of multifamily transitional housing (MTH) for homeless veterans. Sets a maximum of 15 of such loans, a maximum loan guarantee amount of $100 million, and a loan guarantee period of three years. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) loan requirements; (2) requirements for veterans being provided MTH assistance; and (3) loan default procedures. Establishes the Multifamily Transitional Housing Guarantee Fund for the deposit and receipt of funds for the payment of such loan guarantees. Requires each MTH project to be audited during its first three years of operation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to invest the National Service Life Insurance Fund in certain securities and specifies the use of the proceeds.
![Official portrait of Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000522_200.jpg)