United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Honors the accomplishments and legacy of Paul Leo Locatelli, S.J., for his contributions to Santa Clara University and the Silicon Valley community through his leadership in fostering social justice and equality. Recognizes the sacrifices that those suffering from social injustice endure, so that we may unite with competence, conscience, and compassion.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) citizen recording fills in gaps in existing checks against law enforcement abuses, when balanced with the needs of law enforcement, police privacy, and citizen privacy; (2) national security alone is insufficient justification for harassment, charges, or an arrest for otherwise innocent behavior, such as videotaping; and (3) members of the public have a right to observe, and if they choose, to make video or sound recordings of the police during the discharge of their public duties, as long as they do not physically or otherwise interfere with the officers' discharge of their duties, or violate any other state or federal law, intended to protect the safety of police officers, in the process of the recording.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2010
Applauds the U.N. General Assembly for honoring President Mandela's contribution to international peace and freedom. Recognizes the global impact of President Mandela's legacy and commitment to nonviolence, respect, and dialogue. Supports the international community's recognition of the inaugural United Nations Nelson Mandela International Day. Urges all U.S. citizens to reflect on the importance of peace, tolerance, democracy, human rights, and reconciliation in honor of Nelson Mandela International Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2010 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that: (1) a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) any other identifier displayed on such card is easily identifiable as not being the Social Security account number (or a derivative).
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
Veterans', Seniors', and Children's Health Technical Corrections Act of 2010 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to apply to elections made on and after enactment of PPACA the 12-month special Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) enrollment period (under title XVIII [Medicare] of the Social Security Act [SSA]) for military retirees, their spouses (including widows/widowers), and dependent children, who are otherwise eligible for TRICARE (the health care plan under the Department of Defense [DOD]) and entitled to Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) based on disability or end stage renal disease (ESRD), but who have declined Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Repeals the delay until FY2012 of the implementation of Version 4 of the Resource Utilization Groups (RUG-IV) for purposes of reimbursing skilled nursing facilities under Medicare. Allows RUG-IV to go into effect on October 1, 2010. Revises specified requirements for reallocating unused residency positions to qualifying hospitals for primary care residents, for purposes of payments to hospitals for graduate medical education (GME) costs, to apply them to hospitals which are members of the same affiliated group. Makes the reference level for each such hospital the reference resident level with respect to the cost reporting period that results in the smallest difference between such level and the otherwise applicable resident limit. Amends Public Health Service Act and SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to require the inclusion of orphan drugs for rare diseases or conditions among covered outpatient drugs under the 340B drug discount program (which limits the cost of covered outpatient drugs to certain federal grantees) for eligible children's hospitals. Makes technical corrections to SSA titles XIX and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP). Repeals the requirement that Medicaid agencies exclude individuals or entities from participating in Medicaid for a specified period of time if the entity or individual owns, controls, or manages an entity that: (1) has failed to repay overpayments during a specified period; (2) is suspended, excluded, or terminated from participation in any Medicaid program; or (3) is affiliated with an individual or entity that has been suspended, excluded, or terminated from Medicaid participation. Delays until calendar 2014 the increase from 100% to 133% of the income official poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved of the income level the state is required to establish with respect to a Medicaid group containing children born after September 30, 1983 (or, at the option of a State, after any earlier date), who have attained six years of age but have not attained 19 years of age. Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 with respect to the requirement that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) calculate or publish any national or state-specific error rate based on the application of the federal payment error rate measurement (PERM) requirements to CHIP. Declares that the Secretary of Health and Human Services is not required to calculate or publish a national or a state-specific error rate for FY2009 or FY2010. Revises requirements for CHIP coverage of the children of state employees as targeted low-income children. Repeals the requirement that the hardship exception in favor of such a child, where the annual aggregate amount of premiums and cost-sharing imposed for coverage of the child's family would exceed 5% of the family's income for the year involved, be determined only on a case-by-case basis. Revises requirements for calculation of the net average allowable costs of a state in the formula for determination of federal payments to states to encourage the adoption and use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. Makes appropriations to the Secretary of HHS for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Program Management Account with respect to Medicare claims reprocessing. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as modified by other federal law, to extend through FY2011 section 508 hospital reclassifications. ("Section 508" refers to Section 508 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, which allows the temporary reclassification of a hospital with a low Medicare area wage index, for reimbursement purposes, to a nearby location with a higher Medicare area wage index, so that the "Section 508 hospital" will receive the higher Medicare reimbursement rate.) Modifies amounts available to the Medicare Improvement Fund for expenditures from the Fund for services furnished during FY2014 and FY2015.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act - Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for: (1) anyone whose federal license to import, manufacture, or deal in firearms has been revoked, or whose license renewal application has been denied, to transfer business inventory firearms into a personal collection or to an employee of such person or to receive a firearm that was a business inventory firearm as of the date of a revocation or renewal denial notice; and (2) anyone who has received a license revocation or renewal denial notice to transfer to any other person a firearm that was a business inventory firearm. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of not more than one year (five years for willful violations) for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (this Act) to require the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), in conducting health and safety related accident investigations in coal or other mines, to: (1) determine why an accident occurred and whether there were violations of law, mandatory health and safety standards, or other requirements; (2) issue citations and penalties in case of violations, and in cases involving possible criminal actions, refer them to the Attorney General; and (3) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence. Requires an independent accident investigation by an independent panel appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for any accident: (1) involving three or more deaths; or (2) whose severity or scale merits an independent investigation. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary's representatives and attorneys to question any individual privately during an inspection or investigation; and (2) any individual willing to speak with or provide a statement to such representatives or attorneys to do so without the presence, involvement, or knowledge of the mine operator or mine operator's agents or attorneys. Allows the closest relative of a miner who is entrapped or otherwise prevented by an accident to designate a representative for the miner to participate in a mine inspection. Requires mine inspections to be conducted during various shifts and days of the week when miners are normally present. Prohibits an attorney from representing both a mine operator and miner during an inspection, investigation, or litigation, unless such miner knowingly waives all possible conflicts of interest. Prescribes requirements for mine operators having a pattern of recurring citations, withdrawal orders, accidents, injuries, or illnesses. Establishes in the Treasury the Mines in Pattern Status Inspection Fund for deposit of fees collected from mines in pattern (of violation) status for the costs of additional inspections. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revoke the approval of mine operator plans or programs based on certain criteria; and (2) order withdrawal of all persons from a mine, and prohibit them from entering it, until the operator submits and the Secretary approves a new plan. Revises civil and criminal penalties and related administrative procedures. Revises certain miner protections against discrimination. Prohibits discriminating against a miner or other employee of a mine operator for refusing to perform duties out of a good-faith and reasonable belief that performing such duties would pose a safety or health hazard. Entitles a miner to full compensation by a mine operator at the regular rate of pay for the entire period for which the miner is idled because of a Secretary's withdrawal order. (Under current law, miners are entitled to full compensation only for the balance of their shift, and up to four hours of the next working shift if an order is not terminated beforehand.) Prohibits an underground coal mine operator from discharging (or constructively discharging) a miner paid on an hourly basis without reasonable job-related grounds based on certain failures to perform job duties satisfactorily if the miner has completed the employer's probationary period of up to six months. Allows a miner aggrieved by violation of this prohibition to file a complaint in federal district court for reinstatement and compensatory damages. Requires each underground coal mine operator to implement a communication program to ensure that each miner entering a mine is made aware, at the start of a shift, of current mine conditions. Prescribes additional requirements for the monitoring of coal dust in underground mines. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), acting through the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, to issue recommendations to the Secretary regarding the use of atmospheric monitoring systems in the underground coal mining industry. Revises mine operator health and safety training program requirements. Increases from 8 to 9 the minimum number of hours of refresher training all miners must receive at least once every 12 months, including 1 hour of training on miners statutory rights and responsibilities. Requires the Secretary to order a mine operator to provide additional training to miners if a serious or fatal accident has occurred at a mine or it has experienced above-average accident and injury rates, citations, or withdrawal orders. Requires the Secretary to issue mandatory standards to establish certification requirements and procedures for persons authorized by a mine operator to perform duties or provide training under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states to assist them in developing and implementing miner certification programs. Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to require a mine operator to deliver within 14 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to revise certain employee protections against discrimination. Prescribes an employee's victim rights before the Secretary or before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission with respect to: (1) inspections or investigations of employer violations of federal occupational safety and health standards; or (2) a work-related bodily injury or death. Prescribes administrative requirements for an employer's correction of a serious, willful, or repeated violation of federal occupational safety and health standards pending contest and procedures for a stay. Increases civil penalties for such violations. Subjects to certain increased criminal penalties an employer who knowingly violates a federal occupational safety and health standard, or regulation prescribed by such Act, that causes or contributes to the death of an employee. Adds penalties for a knowing violation that causes or contributes to serious bodily harm to any employee but does not cause any employee's death.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that advance payments of the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit are not transferable or assignable or subject to the claims of any creditors, except outstanding claims of the federal government. Prohibits: (1) the collection of a debt from a debtor's federal tax refund by means of a refund anticipation loan; and (2) mandatory arbitration as a condition of providing a refund anticipation loan. Terminates the Department of the Treasury Debt Indicator Program. Allows earned income tax credit benefits to be paid through electronic transfer accounts. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) develop and implement a program to encourage the greater use of the advance earned income tax credit; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with federally insured depository institutions to provide low- and moderate-income taxpayers with the option of establishing low-cost direct deposit accounts using appropriate tax forms.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Estuaries Day. Expresses the intent of the House of Representatives to continue working to protect and restore U.S. estuaries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Pledges to continue to work on a bipartisan basis to identify and address the remaining barriers that undermine the nation's goals of equality of opportunity, independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation for Americans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2010
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the Jobless Act of 2010 - Amends the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to provide that: (1) through September 30, 2011, eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program (formerly the food stamp program) benefits shall not be limited by certain work-related provisions unless an individual does not comply with specified state work program provisions; and (2) beginning on October 1, 2010, with respect to such work-related provisions, a state agency shall disregard any period during which an individual received supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits prior to October 1, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2010
End Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require seven-year amortization of the geological and geophysical expenditures of covered large oil companies. Defines "covered large oil company" as a taxpayer which is a major integrated oil company or which has gross receipts in excess of $50 million in a taxable year. Denies certain tax benefits to any taxpayer that is not a small, independent oil and gas company, including: (1) the tax credits for producing oil and gas from marginal wells and for enhanced oil recovery; (2) expensing of intangible drilling and development costs in the case of gas wells and geothermal wells; (3) percentage depletion; (4) the tax deduction for qualified tertiary injectant expenses; (5) the exemption from limitations on passive activity losses; and (6) the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities. Prohibits the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting method by major integrated oil companies. Denies the election to expense the cost of refinery property which is used to process liquid fuel from tar sands, shale, or coal (including lignite).
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2010
Compound 1080 and Sodium Cyanide Elimination Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of sodium fluoroacetate (known as Compound 1080). Prohibits the use of sodium cyanide in a predator control device. Subjects a violator of either such prohibition to a fine, imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit the Secretary of Education from providing education funding to any educational agency or institution that allows school personnel to inflict corporal punishment upon a student as a form of punishment or to modify undesirable behavior. Requires each state to submit a plan to the Secretary, within 18 months of this Act's enactment and every third year thereafter, that describes how the state eliminates the use of corporal punishment in schools and makes school personnel and parents aware of its policies and procedures for doing so. Authorizes the Secretary to award three-year grants to states and, through them, competitive subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to assist them in improving school climate and culture by implementing school-wide positive behavior supports. Requires grant and subgrant funds to be used for professional training, technical assistance, research, and outreach regarding positive behavior supports. Requires LEAs to ensure that private school personnel can participate, on an equitable basis, in activities supported by such funds. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate funds to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out such activities with regard to schools operated or funded by the Department of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to conduct a national assessment to determine compliance with this Act's requirements and identify best practices regarding positive behavior support professional training programs. Gives Protection and Advocacy Systems the authority provided under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to investigate, monitor, and enforce this Act's protections for students.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2010
Home Energy Conservation Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the issuance of tax-exempt home energy conservation bonds to finance qualified residential energy efficiency assistance grants and loans and extend such grants and loans to low and very-low income taxpayers. Imposes a national home energy conservation bond limitation amount of $2.4 billion and allocates such amount to states in proportion to state population. Defines "qualified residential energy efficiency assistance grants and loans" as any grant or loan to acquire: (1) any property which meets (at a minimum) the requirements of the Energy Star program or the Water Sense program and which is to be installed in a dwelling unit; and (2) any improvement to a dwelling unit made under a plan which is developed by a Residential Energy Services Network, Building Performance Institute, or equivalent energy efficiency expert and is certified by such expert as resulting in at least a 20% reduction in total household energy consumption related to heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. Imposes dollar limitations on such grants and loans and excludes certain types of property from such grant and loan program, including equipment used in connection with a swimming pool or hot tub, any television, any device for converting a digital signal to analog, any DVD player, video cassette recorder, audio equipment, cordless phone, or other property where there is a substantial recreational use.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Redistricting Reform Act of 2010 - Prohibits a state that has been redistricted after an apportionment from being redistricted again until after the next apportionment of Representatives, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct such a subsequent redistricting in order to: (1) comply with the U.S. Constitution; or (2) enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Requires such redistricting to be conducted according to: (1) a plan developed by the independent redistricting commission established in the state; or (2) if such plan is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan selected by the state's highest court or developed by a U.S. district court. Provides for: (1) establishment by each state of an independent redistricting commission; (2) development by such commission of a redistricting plan; (3) submission of the plan to, and consideration and enactment of a plan by, the state legislature; (4) selection of a plan by the state's highest court or development of a plan by the U.S. district court, under specified conditions; (5) special rules for redistricting conducted under a federal court order; (6) Election Assistance Commission payments to states for carrying out redistricting; (7) civil enforcement to carry out this Act; and (8) the right of action for a person who is aggrieved by a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Commends Harry Belafonte for receiving the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights on May 12, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Acknowledges the family planning services programs operating under title X of the Public Health Service Act as a critical component of the U.S. public health care system. Expresses support for the mission of such programs. Recognizes family planning providers at Title X health centers who work tirelessly to provide quality care to millions of low-income individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Supports the designation of a National ESIGN Day. Recognizes the previous contribution made by Congress to the adoption of modern solutions that keep the United States on the leading technological edge. Reaffirms the commitment of Congress to facilitating interstate and foreign commerce in an increasingly digital world.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2010
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to deem a food misbranded if it contains or was produced with a genetically engineered material unless its labeling contains statements meeting specified requirements. Requires the periodic testing of such foods transferred along a chain of distribution to assure accuracy of labels, subject to specified exceptions. Excludes, in all three Acts, food: (1) served in restaurants; or (2) prepared primarily in a retail establishment, ready for human consumption, but not offered for sale for immediate consumption in the establishment. Excludes, for purposes of the FDCA, a medical food as defined in the Orphan Drug Act. Subjects violators to civil monetary penalties, exempting recipients who accept a guarantee of the absence of genetically engineered material in good faith or producers whose food inadvertently becomes contaminated by genetically engineered material. Authorizes citizen suits as specified.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2010
Genetically Engineered Safety Act - Genetically Engineered Pharmaceutical and Industrial Crop Safety Act of 2010 - Prohibits: (1) a pharmaceutical crop or industrial crop from being grown, raised, or otherwise cultivated until the final regulations and tracking system required by this Act are in effect; and (2) cultivation of a pharmaceutical crop or industrial crop in an open air environment, or in a food commonly used for human food or domestic animal feed. Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a tracking system to regulate the growing, handling, transportation, and disposal of all pharmaceutical and industrial crops and their byproducts to prevent contamination. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties for violations of such provisions. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to report on alternative methods to produce pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals that may be conducted in controlled production facilities without the risk of contamination. Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to include genetically engineered food in the definition of "food additive." Sets forth requirements governing petitions to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for a regulation prescribing the conditions of safe use of a genetically engineered food additive, including information to be included in the petition and factors to be considered by the Secretary in making a decision. Authorizes civil actions against: (1) a person alleged to have violated FFDCA provisions regulating genetic food additives; and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for failure to perform a mandatory act or duty related to genetic food additives. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect a filing fee for petitions to: (1) defray costs related to such petitions; and (2) provide for research on the safety of genetic food additives. Authorizes an officer or employee conducting an inspection to order the detention of food if such person has reason to believe that such food violates the FFDCA. Requires all food retailers to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite recalls, embargoes, and seizures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2010
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Attorney General should implement changes to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to identify endangered juveniles; (2) funds awarded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program should be used to provide education, training, deterrence, and prevention programs relating to sex trafficking of minors; (3) states should treat minor victims of sex trafficking as crime victims rather than as criminal defendants or juvenile delinquents and adopt and amend laws to protect and provide compensation to such victims; and (4) demand for commercial sex with sex trafficking victims must be deterred through consistent law enforcement. Authorizes the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs to award one-year block grants to up to six state or local governments in different regions of the United States that have significant sex trafficking to combat such trafficking. Requires grant funds to be used to provide shelter and services to minor victims of sex trafficking and for training for service providers. Amends title IV of the Social Security Act (Grants to States for Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services) to require states to adopt procedures for reporting information on missing or abducted children for entry into the NCIC database. Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require: (1) the Attorney General's annual statistical summary under such Act to include the total number of missing child reports received and the total number of entries made to the NCIC database; and (2) state law enforcement agencies to update the record of a missing child with a photograph taken within the previous 180 days and to notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children of each report of a child missing from a foster care family home or childcare institution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2010
Genetically Engineered Technology Farmer Protection Act - Genetically Engineered Crop and Animal Farmer Protection Act - Requires a biotech company that sells any genetically engineered animal, plant, or seed that will be used in the United States to: (1) provide the purchaser with written notice of possible legal and environmental risks of such article's use (such disclosure shall neither relieve the company from liability, nor be construed to create purchaser liability); and (2) disclose any technology fees to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), and not charge fees that are higher than those outside the United States. Sets forth related contract prohibitions and limitations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify which plants are outcrossed pollinators and make such information available to affected sellers and purchasers; and (2) issue rules to require mitigation strategies for predominately outcrossed crops. Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) establish the best achievable resistance plan for plant-incorporated pesticides engineered to include toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); (2) revoke Bt registrations not in plan compliance; (3) reduce a pesticide's use if it is determined to be facilitating Bt-toxin resistance in pests; and (4) establish an advisory panel. Prohibits: (1) labeling seeds as non-genetically engineered if the Secretary determines such seeds contains genetically engineered material; (2) manufacture, sale, or planting of genetically engineered or chemically induced non-fertile seeds; and (3) loan discrimination against a producer who refuses to use genetically engineered plants or animals. Authorizes, with respect to violations under this Act: (1) the Secretary to assess civil penalties; and (2) citizen suits against the Secretary, a federal agency, or an individual. Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act of 2010 - States that: (1) a biotech company shall be liable to any party injured by the release of a genetically engineered organism into the environment if the injury results from such genetic engineering; and (2) liability may not be waived or otherwise avoided by contract.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2010
Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions prohibiting knowingly creating, selling, or possessing a depiction of animal cruelty to prohibit knowingly and for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain selling or distributing an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce. States that such prohibition does not prohibit the sale or distribution of any visual depiction of hunting, trapping, fishing, or customary and normal veterinary or agricultural husbandry practices. Defines "animal crush video" as any obscene photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, or electronic image that depicts actual conduct in which one or more living animals is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, or impaled in a manner that would violate a criminal prohibition on cruelty to animals in the federal or state jurisdiction in which the depiction is created, sold, distributed, or offered for sale or distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2010
Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception, including, at a minimum, a description of emergency contraception and an explanation of the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of such contraception. Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to develop and disseminate to health care providers, including pharmacists, information on emergency contraception that includes, at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Commemorates the 60th anniversary of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and commends the Institute for its leadership in research, research training, and science-based education programs. Recognizes the Institute-supported scientists, the volunteers who participate in clinical studies, and the patient and professional health organizations who contribute to the shared research goals of preventing, treating, and curing the diseases within the Institute's mission. Reaffirms support for the Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act of 2010 - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to use otherwise unobligated amounts under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to enable nonprofit counseling intermediaries and nonprofit legal organizations to provide legal assistance to homeowners of owner-occupied homes consisting of from one to four dwelling units whose mortgages are in default or delinquency, in danger of default or delinquency, or subject to or at risk of foreclosure (including any deed in lieu of foreclosure or short sale).
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Expresses support for the designation of Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Encourages participation in voluntary activities to support blood cancer research and education.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Honors Juan Antonio "Chi Chi" Rodriguez for his contributions to the successful programs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute for Latino youth and his lifelong leadership in shaping the lives of at-risk youth.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2010
Fresh Start Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense to file a petition for expungement of the record of such conviction. Allows expungement if such individual: (1) has never been convicted of any criminal offense other than the nonviolent offense for which expungement is sought; (2) has fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court, including payment of all fines, restitution, or assessments and completion of terms of imprisonment and probation; and (3) has remained free (if required by the court's sentence) from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for at least one year. Requires the Attorney General to maintain an unaltered nonpublic copy of expunged criminal records, to be disclosed for limited purposes to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase by 5% grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states that implement expungement procedures substantially similar to the procedures enacted by this Act. Decreases such grant funding by 5% for states that fail to adopt expungement procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2010
Urges the government of the Republic of Rwanda and President Paul Kagame to release Professor Peter Erlinder from jail and allow him to return to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act and Christopher's Law - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require private educational lenders and institutions of higher education (IHEs) that provide student loan counseling to discuss the benefits of advanced directives with the signers and cosigners of student loans. Requires lenders of private educational loans for which cosigners are held jointly liable to clearly and concisely define the terms of cosigners' obligations regarding such loans. Directs lenders of private educational loans which are cosigned to inform the signers and cosigners regarding the benefits of purchasing credit insurance; but prohibits such lenders from conditioning or varying the terms of such loans on the basis of whether or not credit insurance is purchased. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System by regulation to set standards for determining when a private educational loan signer or cosigner has died or become incapacitated or disabled. Requires such regulations to treat a determination by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) that a borrower is unemployable due to a service-connected condition as proof that such borrower is incapacitated or disabled. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require: (1) prospective borrowers of federal PLUS and consolidated loans to be informed about creation of advanced directives; and (2) borrowers of federal educational loans to be provided entrance counseling regarding the creation of advanced directives and the effect their death, incapacitation, or disability would have on their federal and private educational loans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Congratulates the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora on its 35th anniversary. Recognizes the important contributions the Convention has made in regulating international trade in endangered species and protecting such species worldwide. Recognizes the increasing importance of the Convention in addressing multiple and compounding threats on species and ecosystems arising from over-exploitation, habitat loss, invasive species, disease, and the effects of climate change. Applauds the Convention's recent leadership in reaffirming strong protections for the African elephant, and other endangered species. Urges: (1) renewed, expanded, and accelerated commitments to the Convention by all Parties to ensure the Convention's contribution to species conservation; (2) the U.S. delegation to the Convention to utilize international cooperation to encourage other Parties to the Convention to collaborate effectively to curb excessive exploitation of species for international trade; and (3) the Convention to adopt stronger protections for the polar bear, sharks, bluefin tuna, and other endangered species at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in 2013.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Obstetric Fistula Prevention, Treatment, Hope, and Dignity Restoration Act of 2010 - Authorizes the President to provide assistance, including through international organizations, national governments, and international and local nongovernmental organizations, to: (1) address the social and health issues that lead to obstetric fistula; and (2) support treatment of obstetric fistula. Provides that such assistance shall promote the coordination facilitated by the International Obstetric Fistula Working Group.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3894 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, as the "Tom Bradley Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to define a "high volume retail breeder" as a person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit: (1) has an ownership interest in or custody of one or more breeding female dogs; and (2) sells, via any means of conveyance, more than 50 of the offspring of such dogs for use as pets in any one-year period. Considers such a breeder of dogs to be a dealer. Requires dealers to include on licensing applications and annual renewals the total number of dogs exempted from exercise on the premises of the dealer in the preceding year by a licensed veterinarian. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate requirements for the exercise of dogs at facilities owned or operated by a dealer, including requiring daily access to exercise that: (1) allows the dogs to move sufficiently in a way that is not forced, repetitive, or restrictive; and (2) is in an area that is spacious, cleaned at least once a day, free of infestation by pests or vermin, and designed to prevent the dogs from escaping. Allows an exemption if: (1) a licensed veterinarian determines that a dog should not exercise because of the health, condition, or well-being of the dog; and (2) such determination is reviewed and updated at least once every 30 days by the veterinarian, unless the basis for the determination is a permanent condition. Subjects such a determination to review and approval by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Investor Deposit Yardstick Act - Extends retroactively the increase in the standard maximum deposit insurance amount pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to include depositors in any institution for which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was appointed as receiver or conservator on or after January 1, 2008, and before October 3, 2008. Directs the FDIC to take necessary actions to carry out deposit insurance requirements under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) with respect to such depositors, without regard to any time limitations under such Act. Deems any payment on a deposit claim made by FDIC as receiver or conservator to a depositor above the standard maximum deposit insurance amount in effect at the time of the FDIC's appointment as receiver or conservator to be part of the net amount due to the depositor under the FDIA.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce the upland cotton payment rate to offset the full cost of any U.S. contributions to the fund established by the United States and Brazil to provide technical assistance and capacity building as part of the resolution of the cotton dispute brought by Brazil against the United States in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Recognizes the exemplary service of members of the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard (111th). Honors and thanks all members of the 111th, past and present, for their tremendous contributions to the defense and security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2010
Expresses the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions that U.S. air traffic controllers make to keep the traveling public safe and U.S. airspace running efficiently. Commends them for the calm and professional manner in which they handle air traffic all year long. Acknowledges their heroic actions, dedication, and quick and skilled decisionmaking to help avert many accidents and tragedies. Encourages greater investment in the modernization of the air traffic control system so that they have the resources and technology to better carry out their mission.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "qualified veteran" for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit to mean recently discharged veterans and disadvantaged veterans. Defines "recently discharged veteran" to mean: (1) any individual who has served on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not); (2) any individual who has been discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability; and (3) any member of the National Guard who has served for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not) in active duty, full-time National Guard duty, or duty in state status. Defines "disadvantaged veteran" as any veteran who is certified as being a member of a family receiving assistance under a supplemental nutrition assistance program and is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability. Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Guard to inform military personnel who are discharged or released from active duty of the work opportunity tax credit and provide them with documentation relating to eligibility for and use of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should use its position of global leadership to strengthen whale conservation efforts and to ensure that commercial, scientific, and other lethal whaling does not occur for any purpose other than aboriginal subsistence.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2010
Expresses deepest gratitude to the brave Japanese-Americans (Nisei) who constituted the Military Intelligence Service and the invaluable contribution they provided during and after World War II. Recognizes and appreciates the hardships that the Nisei experienced while serving the United States with honor and distinction.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2010
War is Making You Poor Act - Limits amounts made available to the Department of Defense (DOD) in any appropriations Act for fiscal year 2011 that may be available for the base budget or for overseas contingency operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Pakistan. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is $35,000 or less ($70,000 for married couples) a tax credit (designated as the War is Making You Poor Tax Credit) equal to their net income tax liability for the first taxable year beginning in 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Honors the accomplishments and legacy of Norman Yoshio Mineta for his groundbreaking contributions to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and for his dedication and service to the United States. Memorializes the sacrifices and suffering that many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders endured in the pursuit of truth, liberty, justice, and equality for all.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Recognizes the 90th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Honors the contributions and achievements of women in U.S. politics. Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to pursuing policies that achieve true political and social equality for women.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
COBRA Health Benefits Extension Act of 2010 - Extends COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits) until the earlier of: (1) the first date in which an individual is eligible for coverage under an employment-based health plan; or (2) the date on which such individual becomes eligible for health insurance coverage through an American Health Benefit Exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide rules setting forth the form and manner in which prompt notice to individuals of such continued coverage shall be made. Allows a state to enforce the provisions of this Act with respect to COBRA continuation coverage provided under a state program. Provides that this Act shall: (1) have no effect on termination of continuation coverage for any reason other than expiration of a period of a specified number of months; and (2) supersede any provision of the law of a state or political subdivision that limits or precludes access by a qualified beneficiary, whose COBRA continuation coverage has been extended under this Act, to a state high risk pool established under PPACA solely by reason of such extension.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
International Tax Competitiveness Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat foreign corporations that are managed, directly or indirectly, within the United States as domestic corporations for U.S. tax purposes; (2) make certain royalty income and income from intangibles received from a controlled foreign corporation subject to U.S. taxation; (3) repeal tax rules exempting foreign source income attributable to the active conduct of a foreign trade or business from withholding of tax requirements; and (4) revise the tax treatment of property other than stock (i.e., boot) received in connection with a corporate reorganization to provide that such property shall be treated as a taxable dividend.
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