United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2003
Tax Reform Action Commission Act of 2003 - Establishes in the legislative branch a Tax Reform Action Commission to make specific recommendations to Congress for the reform of the internal revenue laws in a manner that produces a system that is: (1) simple, transparent, and efficient; (2) fair and equitable to all Americans; and (3) neutral between different activities and between current consumption and future consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2003
Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one dollar coins emblematic of the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin (not more than 250,000 bearing his image as a young statesman and not more than 250,000 with his image as an older numismatist). Directs that all sales include a $10 per coin surcharge, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission, to be used to educate people about Franklin's legacy.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2003
Directs the Secretary of Defense, in the case of a member of the armed forces serving outside the United States in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom who is granted rest and recuperative leave and provided authorized travel and transportation allowances, to pay the member for transportation, or provide transportation for the member, not only between the overseas duty location and the currently authorized locations (a vacation site or a location in the United States), but, at the request of the member, between the currently authorized locations and the member's permanent duty station or home. Makes such allowance retroactive from September 20, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2003
District of Columbia Personal Protection Act - Amends the District of Columbia Code to provide that the D.C. Council's regulatory authority regarding firearms, explosives, and weapons in the District shall not be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise permitted to possess firearms under Federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by Federal law nor regulated by the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Amends the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 to repeal the definition of a machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; (2) prohibition on registration of pistols (handguns); (3) prohibition on possession of handgun ammunition; (4) requirement that, under certain conditions, firearms in the possession of certain individuals must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked; (5) related firearm registration requirements such as applicant qualifications and filing deadline. Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle. Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm. Amends Federal law to eliminate criminal penalties for carrying a pistol whether loaded or unloaded in one's dwelling house, place of business, or on land possessed by such person.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2003
Safeguarding Our Religious Liberties Act - Declares that among those powers reserved to the States and their political subdivisions are the powers to display the Ten Commandments, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and to recite the national motto on or within property owned or administered by them. Declares that: (1) the Pledge of Allegiance shall be, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and justice for all."; and (2) the national motto shall be, "In God we trust." Excepts from the jurisdiction of Federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court the display of the Ten Commandments and the use of the word "God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2003
Government Network Security Act of 2003 - Directs each Federal agency to develop and implement a plan for protecting the security and privacy of Government computers and networks from the risks posed by peer-to-peer file sharing. Requires the Comptroller General to review and report to specified congressional committees on the adequacy of such agency plans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2003
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Monsignor Ignatius McDermott (founder of Haymarket Center, the largest drug abuse treatment center in Chicago) in recognition of his contribution to the drug treatment community and his accomplishments as a priest and humanitarian.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2003
Combat Pay Safeguard Act of 2003 - Requires the total monthly rate for all combat zone-related special pay and allowances (hardship duty pay, special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger, and the family separation allowance) available after September 30, 2003, for members of the armed forces serving in a combat zone designated for Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom to be at least equal to the rate in effect for September 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Removal of Terrorist Criminal Aliens Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish procedures for the expedited removal of a terrorist criminal alien, and authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a final order of removal under such provisions. Limits judicial review respecting such an order, action, or decision. Makes such an alien ineligible for certain discretionary relief from removal. Revises provisions respecting countries to which an alien may be removed. Includes among the classes of deportable aliens a non-permanent resident alien who poses a danger or national security threat to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
American Manufacturing Jobs Retention Act of 2003 - Amends Federal defense procurement provisions and the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to prohibit the head of a military department or executive agency, in the case of a contract for the procurement of goods and services, from considering a covered prospective contractor as a responsible source unless such contractor employs at least 50 percent of its employees in the United States. Defines a prospective contractor as covered if at least ten percent of its annual gross receipts during the preceding year were attributable to Government contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Amends the Head Start Act to require Head Start agencies to obtain written parental consent before administration of any non-emergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection with participation in a Head Start program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to award a grant to each State to carry out a program for making available throughout that State the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. Requires a participating State to ensure that at least 50 percent of the resources of the program funded by the grant will be derived from other sources. Requires a State seeking a grant to carry out its activities through a lead entity to be known as a 2-1-1 Collaborative. Requires grant amounts to be used solely to make available to a State 2-1-1 telephone service for community information and referral on human services, including telephone connections between families and individuals seeking services and the service providers. Requires grant recipients to: (1) abide by the Key Standards for 2-1-1 Centers; and (2) collaborate with human service organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to provide information or referral to individuals utilizing the 2-1-1 service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Celia Cruz Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 300,000 one dollar silver coins and 500,000 half dollar clad coins emblematic of Celia Cruz (known as the "Queen of Salsa") and her legacy. Establishes surcharges of ten dollars per coin for the dollar coin and three dollars per coin for the half dollar coin, which shall be paid to the Celia Cruz Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Renewable Fuels and Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, for a limited period of time: (1) as a credit against the gasoline and diesel fuel excise tax, a credit equal to the sum of the alcohol fuel mixture credit plus the biodiesel mixture credit; and (2) a biodiesel fuels credit business credit.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2003 - Prohibits appropriated funds from being used by any U.S. official to promote any action by the United Nations which advocates the taxation of firearms or any other abrogation of rights under the Second Amendment to the Constitution (the right to keep and bear arms). Condemms all proposals to tax or otherwise limit rights under the Second Amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Expresses congressional concern over the detrimental effects of currency manipulation by foreign governments on the U.S. economy, especially the manufacturing sector. Calls on the President to: (1) vigorously enforce U.S. trade laws dealing with such practices; (2) encourage the harmonization of an international exchange rate policy of freely floating exchange rates based on market forces; and (3) review all tools available to counteract currency manipulation. Urges that: (1) the executive branch take certain steps to enable the dollar and other major currencies to move toward their equilibrium rates; (2) the Secretary of the Treasury include in each semiannual report on international economic and exchange rate policies the currency manipulation practices of foreign governments; and (3) the U.S. Trade Representative take action under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to combat such practices should negotiations fail to produce meaningful results.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2003
Extends condolences to the wife, children, and grandchildren of Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon, who died on September 13, 2003, and expresses gratitude for his services to the Nation in the Air Force, to the Indiana State Legislature, and as Governor.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Taiwan deserves full and equal membership in the United Nations and other international organizations; and (2) the United States should take a leading role in gaining international support for Taiwan's participation in these organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2003
District of Columbia Military Retirement Equity Act of 2003 - Amends the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act to permit a member or former member of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police force, the DC Fire Department, the U.S. Park Police force, the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division, and the U.S. Secret Service Division to count previously performed military service as creditable service for purposes of calculating the retirement annuity payable to such member. Requires the member or former member, in order to qualify for such creditable service, to pay the member's employment office (or former member's appropriate benefits administration) an amount equal to seven percent of the amount of the military basic pay paid to the member for each period of military service after December 1956. Requires payments to be based on evidence of such basic pay or estimates of it, as the Mayor determines. Provides that payment of such amount by an active member must be completed before the member's date of retirement or October 1, 2006, whichever is later, for the member to retain credit for the service. Declares that in any case where military service interrupts such creditable service and reemployment pursuant to Federal employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services occurs on or after August 1, 1990, the deposit may not exceed the amount that would have been deducted and withheld under this Act from basic pay during the period of creditable service if the member had not performed the period of military service. Provides that any such deposit made more than two years after the later of October 1, 2004 or the date on which the member first becomes a member following the period of military service concerned shall include interest computed and compounded annually, beginning on the expiration of the two-year period. Limits the percentage of military basic pay for any period of military service after November 10, 1996, to the same percentage applicable for similarly interrupted creditable service under current law. Amends the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 to provide that, in determining the amount of a Federal benefit payment made to an officer or member of the DC Police force or the DC Fire Department, the benefit payment to which the officer or member is entitled under the District Retirement Program shall include any amounts which would have been included under such Program (military service adjustment) if this Act's amendments had taken effect before June 30, 1997 (the freeze date).
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2003
Right to Life Act - States that Congress declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being. Defines "human person" and "human being" as including each and every member of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life, including, but not limited to, the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual member of the human species comes into being.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2003
Currency Harmonization Initiative through Neutralizing Action Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to analyze annually the exchange rate policies of the People's Republic of China, and to impose additional tariffs, if necessary, to equalize any currency manipulations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2003
Extends the thoughts and prayers of the House of Representatives, on behalf of the American people, to Governor Frank O'Bannon of Indiana, his wife Judy, and his family and friends, and expresses hope for a full recovery from the stroke he suffered on September 8, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Expanding Opportunities in Higher Education Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize various programs and provisions. Repeals HEA provisions, under the definition of institution of higher education, that: (1) currently require for-profit institutions of higher education to derive at least ten percent of their revenue from funds that do not come from HEA title IV student assistance programs (the 90/10 rule); and (2) currently restrict distance education in terms of the relative number of courses an institution may offer by telecommunications, and relative number of students enrolled in such courses, for purposes of student assistance program eligibility (the 50 percent rule). (Retains such rule for correspondence courses not offered by telecommunications.) Revises HEA title III (Institutional Aid) to extend authorizations of appropriations for: (1) part A grants for American Indian tribally controlled colleges and universities, and for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions; (2) part B grants for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU); (3) endowment challenge grants for institutions; (4) HBCU capital financing; and (5) the minority science and engineering improvement program. Revises HEA title V (Developing Institutions) to extend the authorization of appropriations for grants to Hispanic-serving institutions. Revises HEA title IV (Student Assistance) to treat as independent students those currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces for other than training purposes (thus including active duty members of the National Guard and Reserves). Revises requirements, and extends authorizations of appropriations for, the following title IV programs: (1) Federal TRIO support services programs for disadvantaged students; (2) GEAR UP early intervention and college awareness programs for low-income students; and (3) HEP/CAMP special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork. Directs the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance to study and report on the feasibility of simplifying the need analysis methodology for all for Federal student financial assistance programs and the process of applying for such assistance. Requires the Secretary of Education to initiate a redesign of the free application for Federal student aid (FAFSA). Revises requirements for a simplified needs test. Amends the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986 to extend the authorization of appropriations in general, as well as for monitoring and evaluation, and for Federal endowment programs for Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). Extends authorizations of appropriations for programs under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978, the Navajo Community College Act, and the United States Institute of Peace Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Recognizes: (1) the importance and contributions of sportsmen to American society; (2) the many economic benefits associated with outdoor sporting activities; and (3) the importance of encouraging the recruitment of, and teaching the traditions of hunting, trapping, and fishing to, future sportsmen. Supports the traditions and values of, and the many conservation programs implemented by, sportsmen.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2003
Terrorist Tax Exemption Suspension Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspends the tax-exempt status of a designated terrorist organization (as defined by this Act). Denies: (1) deductions for contributions made to such an organization; and (2) administrative or judicial challenge to such suspension or denial. Provides for refund or credit in a case of erroneous designation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2003
Authorizes the superintendent of a military service academy to have in effect a policy of offering a voluntary, nondenominational prayer at an authorized academy activity, subject to such limitations as the President may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2003
National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish an electronic system for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of any schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance to patients. Directs dispensers to report the information required under this Act to the Secretary, with specified exceptions. Directs the Secretary to specify the electronic format for information reporting. Allows the Secretary to provide monitoring system information to practitioners and specified government personnel under certain circumstances. States that this Act shall not preclude any authority from securing information as otherwise authorized by law. Directs the Secretary to make reasonable efforts to implement a real-time electronic system. Specifies the circumstances under which monitoring system information may be subsequently transmitted. Assesses civil monetary penalties for the failure to communicate information requested by the Secretary and for the unauthorized disclosure of information transmitted by the Secretary. Allows a State to have its own prescription monitoring system so long as such system provides the Federal program with the required information.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 2003
Exempts from the requirement to pay subsistence charges while hospitalized in a military facility an officer or former officer, or an enlisted member or former enlisted member not entitled to retired or retainer pay or equivalent pay, who is hospitalized in a military facility because of an injury incurred: (1) as a direct result of armed conflict; (2) while engaged in hazardous service; (3) in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or (4) through an instrumentality of war.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Tax Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income: (1) 100 percent of the gain from the sale or exchange of qualified farm property to a first-time farmer who certifies that the use of such property shall be as a farm for farming purposes for not less than 10 years after such sale or exchange; (2) 50 percent of the gain from the sale or exchange of qualified farm property to any other person who certifies that the use of such property shall be as a farm for farming purposes for not less than 10 years after such sale or exchange; and (3) 25 percent of the gain from the sale or exchange of qualified farm property to any other person for any other use. Limits the amount of any of the above exclusions with respect to any taxable year to $500,000 on a joint return.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to authorize licensed firearms dealers to conduct firearms transfers and business with other licensed dealers away from the business premises from which such a person is licensed to conduct business, without requiring the payment of a separate fee under the Act for doing so.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Financial Aid Simplification Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance to study and report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of simplifying the need analysis methodology for all Federal student financial assistance programs and the process of applying for such assistance through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Requires the Secretary of Education within one year after the report's submission to initiate a redesign of the FAFSA Revises eligibility requirements for filing of a simplified FAFSA to allow, as an alternative to not being required to file an income tax return, that the student's parents or the student (and the student's wife, if any) received benefits under a means-tested Federal benefit program. Directs the Secretary to make special efforts, in conjunction with State efforts, to: (1) notify students and their parents who qualify for a free lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the Food Stamps program, or other such programs of their potential eligibility for a maximum Pell Grant; and (2) disseminate such informational materials as necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify any motorsports entertainment complex asset as 7-year property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery system.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Andean Adjustment Act of 2003 - Provides for the adjustment to permanent resident status of a national of Colombia or Peru (and spouse, children, and certain unmarried sons or daughters) who: (1) was physically present in the United States on December 31, 1999; and (2) is physically present in the United States on the date of application for such status adjustment. Provides for a stay of removal during such process unless the Secretary of Homeland Security has rendered a final administrative order denying such application.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Amends the Public Health Service Act to remove language requiring, subject to certain provisions, health insurance issuers that offer health insurance coverage in the small group market in a State to accept every small employer that applies for such coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Protecting Children from Peer-to-Peer Pornography Act of 2003 - Makes it unlawful for any person to distribute peer-to-peer file trading software, or to authorize or cause such software to be distributed by another person, in interstate commerce in a manner that violates regulations promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under this Act. Requires inclusion in such regulations of: (1) an appropriate definition of such software; and (2) requirements that any person who distributes such software provide notice that its use may expose the user to pornography, illegal activities, and computer security and privacy threats. Requires the FTC to develop and make readily available to the public functional requirements for standard "do not install" beacons that allow parents to record on their computers their desire that users not install such software on their computers. Authorizes enforcement actions through the FTC or by States. Directs the FTC to conduct a study concerning such software, including the availability of child pornography using such software, security and privacy threats posed by such software, use of such software by juveniles, and the ability of parents to control access to and use of such software by juveniles.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) the victims of the Soviet-engineered Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 ("Holodomor") be solemnly remembered on its 70th anniversary; (2) the systematic violations of human rights, freedom of self-determination, and freedom of speech of the Ukrainian people by the government of the former Soviet Union should be condemned; (3) information regarding the Holodomor should be disseminated in order to expand the world's knowledge of this man-made tragedy; and (4) on the 70th anniversary of Holodomor efforts in Ukraine should be supported to ensure democratic principles, a free-market economy, and full respect for human rights, thereby enabling Ukraine to achieve its potential as an important strategic partner in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Internet Tobacco Sales Enforcement Act - Amends the Jenkins Act to require each person who engages in an interstate sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco or in an interstate distribution of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to comply with all the excise, sales, and use tax laws applicable to the sale or other transfer of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in the State and place in which the cigarettes or smokeless tobacco are delivered. Prohibits the cigarettes or smokeless tobacco from being delivered to the buyer unless in advance of the delivery the excise tax has been paid and any required stamps or other indicia that such tax has been paid are properly affixed or applied, with an exception. Authorizes a State Attorney General to bring a civil action to obtain any appropriate relief, including money damages where appropriate, against any person who violates such prohibition or who knowingly assists or participates in such a violation. Expresses the sense of Congress that any State Attorney General who commences such a civil action should inform the U.S. Attorney General who should make information about the case publicly available. Authorizes civil penalties for violations. Eliminates the $1,000 criminal penalty limitation. Declares that the Act does not limit the remedies provided by State or Federal law with respect to alleged violations relating to a sale or distribution of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in connection with an interstate sale or distribution of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 500,000 one dollar silver coins in commemoration of disabled American veterans, which shall be emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Requires: (1) all sales of the coins include a ten dollar per coin surcharge; and (2) the surcharges received to be paid to the Foundation to establish an endowment to support the construction of American Veterans' Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Qualified Personal Service Corporations Clarification Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the criteria for determining whether a corporation is a qualified personal service corporation. Includes within the definition of qualified personal service corporation a qualifying corporation substantially all of whose stock is held by certain former employees (thus permitting such corporation to use the cash method of accounting).
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2003
Central Asia Education Enhancement Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish a pilot program of scholarships for public policy internships for undergraduate and graduate students from Central Asia, with priority to students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, and Uzbekistan.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2003
Afghanistan Education Enhancement Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish a pilot program of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students from Afghanistan for public policy internships in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that neither the U.S. Constitution nor any State constitution shall be construed to protect child pornography (defined as visual depictions by any technological means of minor persons, whether actual or virtual, engaged in explicit sexual activity).
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Heritage Homes Tax Incentive Act of 2003- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to grant a deduction (whether or not the taxpayer itemizes deductions) of 125% (instead of the present 100%) of residence interest paid or accrued on acquisition indebtedness for heritage homes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Calls upon the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp to promote public awareness of Down syndrome.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Government Accountability and Streamlining Act of 2003 - Requires the Comptroller General, to the extent practicable, to prepare for public bills and joint resolutions (measures) reported by congressional subcommittees or committees, and submit to such subcommittees or committees, determinations of whether: (1) new Federal entities, programs, or functions are authorized by the measure; and (2) an existing entity or program carries out functions that are similar to those authorized by the measure and such existing entity or program may more effectively and efficiently perform the functions and carry out the purposes of the measure than the proposed entity or program. Requires such statements to accompany reports on legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Home School Non-Discrimination Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that parents who choose private home education should be encouraged within the framework provided by the Constitution. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) with respect to: (1) student aid eligibility of home-schooled students who have satisfied certain secondary education standards; and (2) institutional aid eligibility of the higher education institutions that such students attend. Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide, if a parent does not consent to an initial evaluation or special education or related services for a child with a disability, the local educational agency shall not be required to convene an individualized education program (IEP) meeting or develop an IEP for such child. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to qualified elementary and secondary education expenses (the Coverdell Education Savings Account) to include home schools if they are treated as a home school or private school under State law. Amends the part of the General Education Provisions Act known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to prohibit release of certain information on and educational records of students in non-public education, including any student educated at home or in a private school in accordance with State law, without written parental consent. Amends HEA to include students at home schools, whether treated as a home school or a private school under State law, among those prospective secondary school graduates eligible to apply for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program for higher education. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to direct the Secretary of Labor to extend the hours and periods of permissible employment of employees between the ages of 14 and 16 years who are privately educated at a home school, whether the home school is treated as a home school or a private school under State Law, beyond those hours and periods applicable to employees of such ages who are educated in traditional public schools. (Thus allows home-school students to be employed during the traditional school day.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to revise the optional method of computing net earnings from self-employment.
![Official portrait of Rep. Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001143_200.jpg)