United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, should conduct or support research on the effectiveness of medical screening techniques for ovarian cancer, including the use of proteomic patterns in blood serum in combination with other techniques. Requires a report to Congress and the inclusion of such technique in Federal health care programs and group and individual health plans if it proves effective.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Authorizes the President to award to Dr. Dorothy Height, on behalf of Congress, a congressional gold medal in recognition of her many contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Urges the President to: (1) end any embargo against Haiti and to no longer require, as a condition of providing humanitarian and development assistance to Haiti, the resolution of the political impasse in Haiti resulting from the legislative elections of May 2000; (2) direct the Secretary of State to intervene to mediate the political impasse, provide constructive guarantees to any resolution to the crisis, and recruit positive support from the Organization of American States (OAS) and other international bodies to sustain any negotiated settlement; and (3) direct the Secretary to review of U.S. policy toward Haiti. Calls on the United States Agency for International Development, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank to convene a meeting of all donors and potential donors to Haiti to launch a new and sustainable humanitarian initiative, including a lending program to bolster Haiti's economic base. Supports the expansion of the OAS mission to Haiti and calls on the President to urge that the mission work constructively with the Government and people of Haiti to advance their goals and aspirations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that (1) physicians should screen all adolescents and all adult women presenting with severe menorrhagia for von Willebrand's disease; (2) hysterectomy for excessive menstrual bleeding should not be performed without the consideration of a bleeding disorder; (3) referral of women with bleeding disorders to a federally sponsored hemophilia treatment center is critical to comprehensive treatment; (4) physicians should be encouraged to conduct clotting factor assays for carrier diagnosis and to facilitate genotyping of the disorder and patients should be referred for genetic counseling when appropriate; (5) patient advocate organizations and medical specialty societies should continue to collaborate on public education campaigns to educate women about bleeding disorders; (6) the Federal Government has a responsibility to further research on von Willebrand's disease and improve access to hemophilia treatment centers for all individuals with bleeding disorders; (7) the Director of the National Institutes of Health should develop a 5-year research plan concerning women with bleeding disorders; and (8) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should continue to improve outreach, treatment, and prevention of the complications of women's bleeding disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Declares that Congress expresses its deepest gratitude for the service of the District of Columbia Army National Guard in protecting Congress and increasing security around the Capitol complex. Congratulates the National Guard and Capitol Police on the fine work they have done to increase security around the Capitol grounds since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) destroying, altering, or falsifying records in Federal investigations or in bankruptcy; (2) failure of an accountant who conducts an audit of an issuer of securities to maintain all documents sent, received, or created in connection with the audit for a five year period; and (3) executing a scheme to defraud in connection with a registered security, or to obtain by false pretenses money or property in connection with its purchase or sale. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review the Federal sentencing guidelines for obstruction of justice, and for fraud when the number of victims adversely involved is significantly greater than 50 or when it endangers the solvency or financial security of multiple victims. Amends: (1) Federal bankruptcy law to make certain debts incurred in violation of Federal or State securities laws, or common law fraud in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, and to increase the amount of employees' wages protected under chapter 11 proceedings; and (2) the Federal judicial code to authorize a private right of action that involves a securities fraud-related claim to be brought by the earlier of five years after the date of the alleged violation or three years after its discovery. Authorizes a civil action to protect whistle-blowing employees against retaliation in fraud cases involving publicly traded companies. Amends the judicial code to direct the Attorney General to establish within the Department of Justice a Retirement Security Fraud Bureau.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain employee group health plans or related insurances providing both medical-surgical and mental health benefits from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. States that the foregoing shall not be construed as requiring a group health plan (or related insurances) to: (1) provide any mental health benefits; (2) prevent the medical management of mental health benefits; or (3) require the provision of specific mental health services, except to the extent that failure to provide such services would result in a disparity between the coverage of mental health and medical-surgical benefits. Exempts specified small employers from such requirements. Requires that, in the case of a group health plan that offers a participant or beneficiary two or more benefit package options, the coverage requirements shall be applied separately with respect to each such option. Provides that, in the case of a plan or insurance providing in-network mental health benefits, out-of-network mental health benefits need not be provided at parity to medical-surgical benefits, as long as in-network mental health benefits are provided at parity with medical-surgical benefits and the plan or insurance provides reasonable access to in-network providers and facilities. Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality and a cost estimation of extending such requirements to the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Military Tribunal Authorization Act of 2002 - Authorizes the President to establish tribunals for the trial of individuals who: (1) are not U.S. persons; (2) are members of the al Qaeda organization or other terrorist organizations who cooperated with the al Qaeda in planning, authorizing, committing, or aiding in the September 11, 2001, attacks against the United States or who aided or abetted such members in such activities; (3) are apprehended in or fleeing from Afghanistan or any other place outside the United States where U.S. armed forces are involved; and (4) are not prisoners of war. Authorizes the President to direct the Secretary of Defense to detain individuals subject to such tribunals. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should seek the cooperation of U.S. allies and other nations in conducting investigations and prosecutions of such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2002
Declares that Congress supports the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) in condemning the sexual exploitation of children by humanitarian aid workers. Urges the UN Office of Investigative Oversight Services to investigate sexual exploitation of refugees by such workers of both non-governmental organizations and government-sponsored agencies. Urges the President to: (1) affirm the U.S. commitment to protecting the well-being and human rights of women and girls; and (2) instruct the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Secretary of Agriculture to review the distribution of food assistance to refugee communities to ensure that the provision of U.S. humanitarian assistance is respectful of the human rights of women and girls and supports young girls identified as victims of sexual exploitation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by determining that acquiring corporations in"corporate expatriation transactions" shall be considered domestic corporations. Defines a "corporate expatriation transaction" as, with certain exceptions, one in which a "nominally foreign corporation" acquires substantially all of the properties held by a domestic corporation and in which, immediately after the transaction, more than 80 percent of the stock of the acquiring corporation is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation. Lowers the 80 percent threshold to 50 percent when the acquiring "nominally foreign corporation" lacks substantial business activities in the foreign country in which it was created and organized compared to the total activities of the "expanded affiliated group" and the stock is publicly traded, with the principal market of trading being the United States. Defines the terms "nominally foreign corporation" and "expanded affiliated group." Applies similar rules to partnership transactions. Establishes that a series of related transactions relevant to the Act shall be handled as a single transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
United States Security (USA) Act of 2001 - Sets forth "Buy America" provisions permitting, subject to exception, Federal financial assistance under this Act for a project only if steel and manufactured goods used in the project are of U.S. origin. Authorizes appropriations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) design, construct, and equip new facilities and renovate existing facilities for defending against and combating bioterrorism and other public health threats; (2) establish a Scientific Communication Center; and (3) improve security at CDC facilities. Amends the: (1) Atomic Energy Act to provide for sufficient potassium iodide tablet stockpiles; and (2) Public Health Service Act to provide for a contingency bone marrow donor program. Requires national standards for the implementation of quarantines. Authorizes appropriations for sequencing the genomes of biological pathogens. Directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make grants to units of local government and emergency response units to plan, train, and equip emergency responders. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide staffing for adequate fire and emergency response. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies and institutions of higher learning to enhance security and emergency preparedness. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation to establish programs to: (1) address the lack of security on critical highway infrastructure; (2) improve interagency training for and communication among first responders to a terrorist attack; (3) provide real-time information and guidance for the traveling and non-traveling public; and (4) address the lack of adequate security for locks and dams, the lack of cargo information, and the inability to share information in a timely fashion with agencies such as the Coast Guard. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to assess the vulnerability of the 50 busiest U.S. seaports and establish: (1) in the Coast Guard the position of Assistant Commandant for Maritime Security; (2) a sea marshal program; (3) a national port security task force; (4) a maritime security institute; and (5) terrorism response plans for responding to a maritime terrorist attack. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for specified passenger rail and freight rail protection projects. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation with respect to public transit security, including installation of communications, surveillance, detection systems, and personal protective and detection equipment at public transit facilities. Requires a National Academy of Sciences energy pipeline security study. Authorizes appropriations for upgrading and expanding the current infrastructure of the Aviation Safety Reporting System of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out pilot projects with air carriers for real-time transmission to the FAA of cockpit voice and flight data and cabin video data from aircraft. Establishes a pilot program to deploy commercially available fuel cells at public use airports to ensure a reliable energy supply for new and emerging aviation security technologies, airport control towers, airport terminals, and other airport facilities. Requires the following officials to submit risk management assessment reports to Congress: (1) the Secretary of Energy regarding oil refineries, natural gas, and liquid natural gas storage facilities; (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding chemical manufacturing facilities; (3) the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding nuclear facilities; (4) the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the domestic electric power grid; (5) the Secretary of Commerce regarding the Nation's fiber optic infrastructure; and (6) the Administrator of the General Services Administration regarding Federal buildings. Directs the Secretary of Energy to coordinate development and implementation of an interagency plan to prepare for and defend against terrorist attacks against high-level nuclear waste transportation facilities and infrastructure, interim storage facilities, intermodal transfer facilities, and central repositories. Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate and develop a plan to ensure that Federal, State, and local governments can respond adequately to the consequences of a terrorist attack against the transportation or storage of high-level nuclear waste. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the NRC to: (1) establish a system to ensure that transportation of nuclear materials under its jurisdiction meets certain requirements; and (2) commence a rulemaking to consider changes to the design basis threat for NRC-licensed facilities. Authorizes the President, whenever a state of war or national emergency exists, to: (1) deploy either the Armed Forces or the National Guard to defend NRC-licensed facilities from terrorist attack or threat from any foreign power; and (2) restrict air space in the vicinity of such facilities. Requires each Federal agency to take certain steps to enhance cyber security. Authorizes appropriations for State and local governments to do the same. Requires the Attorney General to update a specified study assessing the vulnerability of Federal facilities. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of Central Intelligence to investigate whether existing computer knowledge assessment technologies meeting specified criteria can be used to detect individuals with terrorist training. Directs the Attorney General to create a pilot program for establishing civilian supplemental incident response teams. Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Postal Service to enhance its ability to detect and neutralize, or otherwise respond to, any dangerous matter entered into the mails without authorization. Directs the United States Customs Service to expedite the development and deployment of pulsed fast neutron analysis technology and authorizes appropriations for the development of scanners capable of sensing biological and chemical contaminants in microscopic airborne quantities. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) take specified measures for identifying individuals crossing U.S. Borders; and (2) increase to specified levels the number of U.S. Border Patrol personnel, U.S. marshals, and Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs Service inspectors at ports of entry by 2003. Requires the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to establish a border health inspectors corps to inspect individuals who may be intending to infect others for infectious disease. Requires the Director of Homeland Security to consider a program to improve aerial reconnaissance activities at U.S. borders, to include the use of unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Directs the President, acting through the Office of Homeland Security, to oversee the appropriate sharing of information among Federal, State, and local agencies involved in intelligence collection and law enforcement. Directs the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security to develop within such Office an entity to develop a system-wide information network to integrate existing watch lists of suspected terrorists. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the prompt assignment of specified channels for public safety purposes. Requires the Attorney General to establish regional emerging threat workspaces. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to maintain a secure database on select biological agents that pose a threat to public health by terrorist attack. Directs the President to establish within the Office for Homeland Security a center to develop an interagency clearinghouse for new counterterrorism technologies. States the policy of the United States to work with other nations, especially Russia, to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation of necessary materials and expertise. Authorizes appropriations for cooperative threat reduction programs. Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop an integrated plan for the use of technology to combat terrorism. Creates within the Executive Office of the President a Director of Homeland Security who shall conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of threat to the United States and develop a five-year homeland security strategy in response.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
The Charitable Giving and Compassion Assistance Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to charitable giving, to, among other things: (1) allow a charitable giving deduction to individuals not itemizing; (2) permit tax free distributions from IRA accounts for charitable purposes; and (3) increase the cap on corporate charitable contributions. Provides expedited procedures for obtaining tax exempt status. Provides grants for programs for mentoring the children of incarcerated parents. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to provide for maternity group homes and evaluation of such homes. Provides financial support nongovernmental community based organizations for, among other things: (1) grant writing, legal, program development, and management assistance; (2) capacity building; and (3) delivering assistance to those in need. Savings for Working Families Act of 2001 - Permits a qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to establish one or more qualified individual development account programs. Defines such an account as an account established for an eligible individual (income based) as part of a qualified individual development account program (matched individual and entity savings accounts for qualifying educational, first-time home purchase, or business expenses). Sets forth provisions concerning such accounts, including: (1) the structure and administration of account programs; (2) procedures for opening and maintaining an account and qualifying for matching funds; (3) withdrawal procedures; and (4) disregarding account funds for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs. Provides matching funds through a tax credit for a participating entity's program investment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that women throughout the world should join together for a week of workshops, forums, and other events to speak up for world peace.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
Use NICS in Terrorist Investigations Act - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to direct the Attorney General to allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to access National Instant Check System (NICS) audit log records for the purpose of responding to an inquiry from any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency in connection with a civil or criminal law enforcement investigation. Requires firearms transaction records relating to the person or the transfer to be destroyed not less than 90 days after the date on which the firearms licensee first contacts the system with respect to the transfer if the receipt of the firearm would not violate such Act. Directs: (1) the Attorney General to make such records available to the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct audits to detect fraud and misuse, and to protect the privacy and security, of information in the system; and (2) the Department of the Treasury to maintain and destroy those records in accordance with all applicable laws.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Revises the boundaries of the George Washington Birthplace National Monument to include additional lands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands within such boundaries from willing owners.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Retirement Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise or provide pension plan requirements for: (1) plan coverage and participation, defined contribution plan benefit vesting, and simplified pension plans; (2) various pension protections for spouses (under both ERISA and the Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984); (3) simplified investment standards, including disclosure regarding investments and voting of proxies, diversification in defined contribution investments, diversification of investments under employee stock ownership plans by participants and beneficiaries over 55 years of age; (4) pension information reporting and enforcement for defined benefit plans and multiemployer plans; and (5) various pension protections for a changing workforce, including pension plan qualified loans for health insurance and job training expenses of participants or beneficiaries, immediate distributions if rolled over to qualified plans, prompt distributions from defined contribution plans upon termination of participants' covered employment, and an extended period for recoupment of overpayments.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Retirement Enhancement Revenue Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to public employee pension plans, to set forth additional reporting and disclosure requirements and provide for the review of employee contribution changes by qualified review boards. Establishes: (1) a limited refundable credit to certain individuals for elective deferrals and IRA contributions; and (2) a limited credit for qualified pension plan contributions of small employers. Makes additional revisions to pension provisions, including: (1) requiring 401(k) plans to be offered to all eligible employees and to meet minimum coverage requirements; (2) increasing from the age of 70-and-one-half to age 75 the requirement to begin mandatory pension distributions; (3) permitting a statutory exemption from prohibited transaction rules for emergent transactions; (4) permitting loans from a pension plan for involuntarily separated employees for health insurance and job training expenses; and (5) permitting a prohibited transaction exemption for providing investment advice.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
State Budget Relief Act of 2001 - Requires the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for: (1) a State for FY 2001 to be substituted for the State's FMAP for FY 2002 if the FY 2002 FMAP would otherwise be less than the FY 2001 FMAP; and (2) each eligible State for each calendar quarter in FY 2002 to be increased by two percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2001
National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2001 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Act to include an emphasis on ocean and coastal resources conservation and management and collaboration between academia and the scientists and programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Excludes grants to assist coastal and ocean research from the two-thirds limitation otherwise applicable. Revises and expands the terms of membership for the sea grant review panel. Authorizes appropriations for zebra mussel, oyster, harmful algal bloom, and coastal ocean research.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Embassy Employee Compensation Act - Directs the Attorney General to provide compensation for American citizens who were victims of the bombings of the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and of the United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on August 7, 1998. Authorizes payments for physical harm, economic losses and noneconomic losses such as physical and emotional pain or loss of enjoyment of life for individuals present at either of the bombings or their immediate aftermath. Allows relatives of an individual killed to collect on behalf of the deceased. Declares that individuals filing claims waive the right to participate in civil suits in any Federal or State court for damages sustained in the bombings, except for suits that involve recovery of "collateral source" obligations such as life insurance, pension funds, death benefit programs and payments by Federal, State and local governments. Declares that only one claim may be filed by an individual or on behalf of a deceased person and that there will be no punitive damages awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should use his authority under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to release emergency funds to States immediately to ease the additional financial burden that job loss and depressed consumer confidence have placed on low-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Protect Victims of Identity Theft Act of 2001 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act, with respect to the statute of limitations on actions, to provide that an action to enforce a liability may be brought not later than two years after the date on which the violation is discovered or should have been discovered by the exercise of reasonable diligence. Tolls such limitation period during any period during which a defendant has materially and willfully misrepresented information statutorily required to be disclosed where such misrepresentation is material to establishment of liability.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Expresses: (1) gratitude to the Government and people of the Philippines for their sympathy and support since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States; (2) sympathy to the Filipino victims of terrorism and their families; and (3) support for the Philippine Government in its efforts to prevent and suppress terrorism. Affirms the U.S. commitment to the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. Declares that Congress acknowledges the economic and military needs of the Philippines and pledges to continue to assist in addressing those needs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Bioterrorism Protection Act (BioPAct) of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for grants, scholarships, and loans in order to strengthen the nursing profession. Establishes the National Nursing Service Corps Scholarship Program. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) increase hospital and provider capacity, training, and resources for treating bioterrorism victims; (2) increase and improve vaccine and antibiotic supplies for attack victims; and (3) provide for the coordination, training, and equipping of bioterrorism emergency responders. Authorizes appropriations for Department of Agriculture activities to: (1) reduce agricultural pathogen and insect pest threats; and (2) increase Department information systems security. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand the Food and Drug Administration's capacity to ensure the safety of the food supply system, including imported food, and protect against the threat of bioterrorism. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) permit debarment for repeated or serious food import violations; (2) deem as misbranded imported food without country-of-origin labeling; (3) deem as adulterated a food item imported by a debarred person; and (4) require registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) undertake public water systems vulnerability assessments and review related emergency response plans; and (2) provide such systems with assistance for basic security enhancements and information systems protection. Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for possessing a select agent known to be a biological agent, with reckless disregard for the public health and safety. Authorizes appropriations for neutron scanner technology and technology to detect biological or chemical agents and for increased numbers of border patrol and immigration officers. Directs the Attorney General to develop or carry out various programs, including programs to improve identification of those appearing on law enforcement "watch lists" and to mandate better tracking of visas. Requires the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security to: (1) assess terrorist threats within the United States and its territories and possible responses to such threats; (2) implement a public education campaign concerning appropriate response to a terrorist attack; and (3) coordinate the deployment of chemical and biological detection capabilities. Requires the President to: (1) establish a database of information concerning terrorist activity; and (2) reduce barriers to the sharing of such information among Federal law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) increase military capability to respond to domestic crises involving chemical or biological weapons; (2) implement interagency crisis response and consequence management; and (3) accelerate response research and development. Requires the Secretary of Energy to increase efforts relating to nonproliferation verification of chemical and biological materials in countries other than the United States. Urges the President to seek to establish a United States-Russian Federation Biological-Chemical Working Group.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Anti-Hoax Terrorism Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for knowingly engaging in conduct that: (1) is likely to impart the false impression that activity that violates prohibitions regarding biological weapons, chemical weapons, nuclear materials, or weapons of mass destruction is occurring or will occur; and (2) causes an emergency response by governmental agencies. Makes any persons who engage in such conduct jointly and severally liable to any party incurring expenses incident to the investigation of such conduct, including the cost of any military or civilian agency response to protect public health or safety. Directs the court to order a defendant who has been convicted of such an offense to reimburse any party incurring such expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2001
September 11 Surviving Spouse Student Loan Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to discharge or cancel the Federal student loan indebtedness of spouses of individuals who died (or die) or who became (or become) permanently and totally disabled from injuries suffered in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
TANF Reauthorization Act of 2001 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise and extend the TANF program through FY 2008, with changes made to: (1) work and various other specified requirements and prohibitions; (2) penalties; (3) studies and reports; (4) minimum benefit rules; and (5) child care.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Transportation Security Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish in the Department of Transportation (DOT) the Transportation Security Administration, to be headed by an Under Secretary of Transportation for Security responsible for security in all modes of transportation, including: (1) civil aviation security; and (2) security responsibilities over nonaviation modes of transportation that are exercised by Administrations of DOT (other than the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)). Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) assume responsibility for the screening of passengers and property that will be carried in an aircraft in air transportation or intrastate air transportation; and (2) carry out such responsibility using employees of the Transportation Security Administration who are U.S. citizens, or employees of other Federal agencies. Sets forth provisions requiring: (1) the Under Secretary to develop a personnel system for screeners, including matters covering compensation and the authority of the Administration to suspend or terminate them; (2) airport operators to establish air transportation security programs that also require the presence of law enforcement at airports where passengers are screened; (3) the application of certain employment standards and training requirements to airport security personnel, including (Federal) screeners of passengers and property; (4) deployment of Federal air marshals on passenger flights; (5) specified enhanced aviation-related security measures, including restricting access to the aircraft's cockpit; and (6) imposition on passengers of $2.50 on a one-way trip to cover costs of screening passengers and property. Establishes the Transportation Security Oversight Board to review Under Secretary issued transportation security-related regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Calls for a joint session of Congress in New York City, New York, during the 107th Congress at such date, time, and location as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may jointly select, for the purpose of conducting such business as the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore may consider appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify certain requirements of student financial aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with the national emergency declared by the President with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or any subsequent national emergency declared by reason of terrorist attacks (the emergency). Authorizes such waiver or modification of requirements in order to provide relief from certain financial and administrative burdens to affected individuals who: (1) are serving on active duty during the emergency; (2) reside or are employed in a disaster area declared by any Federal, State, or local official in connection with the emergency; or (3) suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of the emergency, as determined under a waiver or modification issued under this Act. Authorizes waiver or modification of certain reporting requirements for institutions of higher education, lenders, guarantee agencies, and other entities participating in such programs, if such entities are located in declared disaster areas connected to the emergency. Expresses the sense of Congress that institutions offering postsecondary education should provide refunds and waivers of certain requirements to students who are members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty during the national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Recognizes the national historical significance of the Aquia sandstone quarries of Government Island in Stafford County, Virginia, for their substantial contribution to the construction of the new U.S. Capital under the direction of President George Washington. Commends the Board of Supervisors and residents of Stafford County, Virginia, for their efforts to preserve Government Island and to make it available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2001
True American Heroes Act - Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress a gold medal to the next of kin or other representation of each officer, emergency worker, or employee of a State and local government agency, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of the Federal Government, who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001 (including those who are missing and presumed dead).
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish and maintain on the Arlington Naval Annex, Virginia, a memorial dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should award and present a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to those public safety officers who were killed and to those select public safety officers who have earned special recognition for outstanding valor above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2001
Displaced Workers Relief Act of 2001 - Authorizes certain groups of workers who have become totally or partially separated (or threatened with total or partial separation) from employment with the airline industry as a result of reductions in service by an air carrier or closure of an airport due to a terrorist action or security measures to petition the Secretary of Labor for a certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance (similar to trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974). Provides certain benefits (employment services, job training, and readjustment allowances) to eligible workers meeting certain eligibility requirements. Provides eligible workers who do not meet certain requirements for State unemployment compensation with a limited readjustment allowance under this Act. Provides for payment of premiums for COBRA health care continuation coverage of eligible workers. Authorizes a State to elect to provide medical assistance under its Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for eligible workers who are not eligible for COBRA health care continuation coverage, and who are uninsured.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a judicial officer from declaring forfeited a bail bond for violation of specified collateral release conditions other than failing to appear in court. Makes forfeiture of a bail bond for violation of such collateral release conditions unavailable as a sanction. Amends rule 46 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide that if the defendant fails to appear physically before the court (currently, if there is a breach of condition of a bond), the district court shall declare a forfeiture of the bail.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
September 11th Families Stamp Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal (first-class postage stamp sold at a premium) with the proceeds from its sale going to the September 11th Families Fund to provide assistance, through the Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice, to the families of individuals who were killed in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. Establishes the September 11th Families Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that a National Day of Remembrance should be established to remember those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and to honor the people of the United States who displayed heroism and courage during and after such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2001
Debbie Smith Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to carry out sexual assault nurse examiner programs and to train law enforcement personnel and first responders in the handling of sexual assault cases and the collection and use of DNA samples for forensic evidence. Provides that for a State to be eligible to receive a grant, the chief executive officer of the State shall submit to the Attorney General an application which shall include a certification that the State shall comply with specified quality assurance standards. Sets forth provisions regarding restrictions on the use of funds and expenditure records. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to require the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to issue (and revise periodically) standards for collecting and processing, for use as forensic evidence, samples on which DNA analysis may be carried out. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to carry out DNA analyses of samples from crime scenes for inclusion in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System. Sets forth provisions regarding State eligibility, restrictions on uses of funds, and expenditure records.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Federal Prison Industries Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make exceptions to prohibitions against the use of prison labor regarding goods manufactured, produced, or mined by prisoners who are participating in: (1) industrial operations of Federal Prison Industries (FPI); and (2) any pilot project approved as a foreign labor substitute by the Foreign Labor Substitute Panel. Directs the Attorney General to establish such panel. Rewrites FPI provisions, including provisions regarding operating objectives, performance standards, voluntariness, wage rates, protection of specified information, and vocational training. Exempts FPI from public contracting and procurement laws. Sets forth provisions regarding sales to agencies and not-for-profits, sales of certain commodities, participation in foreign labor substitute pilot projects, participation in Bureau of Justice Assistance Pilot Projects, requirements for contracts with private companies, goals for certain businesses, and job opportunities for blind and severely disabled individuals. Specifies that the mandatory source preference does not apply to services. Requires each Federal department or agency to report purchases from FPI to the Federal Procurement Data System in the same manner as it reports to such System any acquisition in an amount in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold. Directs: (1) the Attorney General to implement a pilot program to test the effect of changes to the mandatory source preference; and (2) the Comptroller General to provide for an independent evaluation of FPI operations to be carried out each year.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a judicial officer from declaring forfeited a bail bond for violation of specified collateral release conditions other than failing to appear in court. Makes forfeiture of a bail bond for violation of such collateral release conditions unavailable as a sanction.
![Official portrait of Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000185_200.jpg)