United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2000
Amends the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000 to: (1) direct the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide for enhanced penalties for any offense involving fraud or misrepresentation in connection with obtaining or furnishing information to a consumer on (as under current law), or offering assistance in obtaining, financial assistance toward an education at an institution of higher education, such that those penalties are comparable to those provided for an offense involving fraud or misrepresentation (currently, comparable to the base offense level for misrepresentation) that the defendant was acting on behalf of a charitable, educational, religious, or political organization, or a government agency; and (2) expand the debts that are excluded from permissible exemptions of property from estates in bankruptcy to include a debt in connection with misrepresentation in providing, offering assistance in obtaining, or furnishing information to a consumer on, such financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2000
Historic Performing Arts Facility Rehabilitation Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning the rehabilitation credit to permit a qualified performing arts institution, in lieu such credit, to receive a historic rehabilitation credit certificate.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2000
Victims of Rape Health Protection Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reduce by ten percent the funds available to a State under the drug control grant program unless such State demonstrates that in its laws or regulations with respect to a defendant against whom a rape charge is brought, such State requires that: (1) the defendant be tested for HIV if the nature of the crime would have placed the victim at risk of HIV and the victim requests such a test; (2) the defendant be so tested within 48 hours after the information or indictment is presented or 48 hours after the test request, and that the test results be made immediately available to the victim; and (3) the defendant undergo any appropriate follow-up tests and that those test results be made immediately available to the victim. Allows funds reduced for noncompliance with such requirements to be redistributed to complying States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2000
National Moment of Remembrance Act - Establishes a White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance to provide national coordination for, and encourage national, State, local, and tribal participation in, the commemoration of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance. Establishes as an agency of the Commission the Moment of Remembrance Alliance to assist the Commission, including by: (1) planning, organizing, and implementing an annual White House Conference on the National Moment of Remembrance and other similar events; (2) promoting the observance of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance; and 3) establishing incentives for Federal, State, and local governments and private entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or the Alliance. Requires the Director of the Committee Management Secretariat Staff of the General Services Administration to appoint an individual as Executive Director and White House Liaison to: (1) serve as a liaison between the Commission and the President; (2) serve as chief of staff of the Commission; and (3) coordinate the Commission's and the President's efforts on all matters relating to this Act, including matters relating to the National Moment of Remembrance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Commends the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, for its successful conduct of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and congratulates the U.S. Olympic Team for its outstanding accomplishments there.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
James Madison Commemoration Commission Act - Establishes a James Madison Commemoration Commission and an advisory committee to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Madison. Prescribes the duties of the Commission, including, in cooperation with the advisory committee and the Library of Congress, to: (1) direct the Government Printing Office to compile and publish a book containing a selection of James Madison's most important writings and tributes to him; and (2) plan and coordinate symposia that will be devoted to providing a better understanding of James Madison's contribution to American culture. Requires the Commission to report to the President and Congress by February 15, 2002, on its recommendations, including regarding disposition of historically significant items donated to it.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
Secret Evidence Repeal Act of 2000 - Amends the Classified Information Procedures Act to apply such Act's provisions to immigration proceedings. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to repeal alien terrorist removal provisions (title V). (Sec. 3) Entitles an alien in a removal proceeding to examine all evidence and admissibility records. (Current law excludes national security information and confidential information.) (Sec. 4) Entitles an alien subject to arrest and detention for removal or deportation to non-federally provided counsel, and access to all evidence. (Sec. 5) Exempts an alien who is a lawful permanent resident, parolee, or asylee from the security and related removal provisions. (Such provisions provide for limited hearings and use of nondisclosed information.) (Sec. 6) Provides for transitional application of information access provisions to alien detainees and aliens seeking immigration benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
Medicare Billing and Education Act of 2000 - Title I: Regulatory Reform - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with regard to: (1) the prospective-only, non-retroactive application of regulations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services that establish or change a substantive legal standard governing the scope of benefits, the payment for services, or the eligibility of individuals, entities, or organizations to furnish or to receive Medicare services or benefits; and (2) allowance of civil actions against the Secretary challenging the constitutionality of regulations or policies. Prohibits the Secretary from recovering past Medicare overpayments by offsetting future payments to a health care provider or while a provider is appealing a determination that an overpayment has been made or the amount of such an overpayment. Title II: Appeals Process Reforms - Revises requirements for the post-payment audit process, particularly the recoupment of overpayments. Requires the Secretary to permit any health care provider to appeal any determination of the Secretary under Medicare on behalf of a deceased beneficiary where no substitute party is available. Title III: Education Components - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for education programs for physicians, providers of services, and suppliers. Requires fiscal intermediaries and carriers to do their utmost to provide health care providers with one, straight, and correct answer regarding Medicare billing and cost reporting questions, as well as their true first and last names. Requires the Secretary to establish a process for providers to request assistance in writing (advisory opinions) from fiscal intermediaries or carriers in addressing questionable Medicare coverage, billing, documentation, coding and cost reporting procedures. Title IV: Sustainable Growth Rate Reforms - Requires the inclusion of regulatory costs in the estimate of the sustainable growth rate for all physicians' services for a fiscal year. Title V: Studies and Reports - Requires the Comptroller General to audit and report to Congress on: (1) Health Care Financing Administration compliance with statutes administered by it and with administrative procedure and other requirements under Federal civil service law; and (2) the statistical validity, necessity, and effects of random sample audits, as well as the percentage of claims found to be improper from these audits. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on whether policies or enforcement efforts against health care providers have reduced access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
Criminal Justice Integrity and Law Enforcement Assistance Act - Title I: Post-Conviction DNA Testing in Federal Court - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize an individual imprisoned for conviction of a criminal offense to make a motion for the performance of forensic DNA testing on evidence that was: (1) secured in relation to the investigation or prosecution that resulted in such conviction; and (2) not subject to the DNA testing requested because the testing technology was not available at the time of trial. Provides an exception when there is no reasonable possibility that such testing will produce exculpatory evidence. Prohibits the destruction of biological material during the 30-month period authorized for such testing. Title II: Convicted Offender DNA Index System - Convicted Offender DNA Index System Support Act - Requires the: (1) Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to develop and implement a plan to assist eligible States in performing DNA analyses of samples collected from convicted offenders and to pay for such analyses, in order to eliminate the backlog of convicted offender DNA samples awaiting analysis in State or local forensic laboratory storage; and (2) Attorney General to develop and implement a plan to assist eligible States in performing DNA analyses of crime scene evidence in casework for which there are no suspects, in order to eliminate that backlog. Requires the FBI Director to develop and implement a plan to eliminate the backlog of crime scene evidence awaiting DNA analysis in FBI forensic laboratory storage. Authorizes the Director to expand the combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS) to include information on missing persons. Provides for the DNA identification of Federal, District of Columbia, and military felony offenders.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2000
Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2000 - Directs that, in determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various U.S. administrative bureaus and agencies, the words "person," "human being," "child," and "individual" shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive (as defined in this Act) at any stage of development.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2000
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, with respect to sugars, syrups, and molasses (excluding cane or beet sugar) that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during any fiscal year under certain quantitative import restrictions (tariff-rate quotas), to establish a duty on such articles and other articles if they are subsequently used for the commercial extraction or production of sugar, or such articles are used in any manner that circumvent any quota imposed under the Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2000
Medicare Access to Digital Mammography Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for payments and standards for screening mammography that pertain to the limit for screening mammography performed in 1991 to: (1) specify the screening mammography performed in 1991 as nondigital; (2) establish a separate limit for digital screening mammography performed in 2001 and thereafter; and (3) replace the current reduction of limit provision with a provision for adjustment of limit (up or down), requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make at least annual reviews (currently, reviews from time to time) on the appropriateness of such applicable limits and make adjustments accordingly.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2000
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education to issue proposed regulations relating to allowable costs under the administrative outreach program of the school based services program that is part of the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act with respect to services provided to children with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000
Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grants to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes. Conditions such use on the State's grant application including a certification that the State has an established a forensic science laboratory or forensic science laboratory system or a medical examiner's office that meets specified requirements, including accreditation requirements. Establishes a forensic sciences improvement grant program. Directs the Attorney General to award such grants if specified conditions are met, including that any forensic science laboratory system, medical examiner's office, or coroner's office funded uses generally accepted laboratory practices and procedures. Sets forth requirements regarding applications, allocation of funds, permissible uses of grants, and administrative and reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the elimination of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) convicted offender database sample backlogs and for other related purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2000
Privacy Commission Act - Establishes the Commission for the Comprehensive Study of Privacy Protection to study and report to Congress and the President on issues relating to protection of individual privacy and the appropriate balance to be achieved between protecting such privacy and allowing appropriate uses of information, including: (1) the monitoring, collection, and distribution of personal information by the government and by individuals or entities; and (2) privacy protection efforts of the public and private sectors.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2000
Rural Hospital and Health Network Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services to provide a transitional adjustment for certain sole community hospitals in order to limit any decline in payment under the OPD PPS. Makes this Act effective as if included in the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000
Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify its rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations to: (1) prescribe minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels (as well as co-channels and first- and second-adjacent channels); and (2) prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-power FM license if such applicant has engaged in the unlicensed operation of any radio station in violation of FCC radio licensing requirements. Prohibits the FCC, without specific authorization by Congress, from: (1) eliminating or reducing such minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels; or (2) extending the eligibility for low-power FM stations beyond those organizations and entities proposed in MM Docket No. 99-25. Invalidates any previously issued low-power FM station license that does not comply with such rule modifications. Directs the FCC to conduct an experimental program to test whether low- power FM stations will result in harmful interference to existing FM radio stations if such stations are not subject to the minimum distance separation requirements. Requires the FCC to: (1) publish test results and allow an opportunity for public comment; and (2) report test results and FCC recommendations on reducing or eliminating minimum distance standards to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2000
Cancer Care Preservation Act of 2000 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration from implementing any reduction to the rates of reimbursement for outpatient cancer therapy services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) unless such reductions: (1) are developed in consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), and representatives of the cancer care community; (2) provide for the appropriate payment rates for outpatient cancer therapy services based upon the determinations made by the Comptroller General in the nationwide analysis required by this Act; and (3) are authorized by an Act of Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a nationwide analysis and report to Congress on the physician and non- physician clinical resources necessary to provide safe outpatient cancer therapy services and the appropriate payment rates for such services under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Health Care Provider Bill of Rights - Title I: Reform of HCFA Regulatory Process - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with regard to: (1) prospective application of certain regulations used to carry out the administration of the Medicare program; (2) notice and hearing requirements for certain interim final regulations; (3) General Accounting Office audit and report to Congress on compliance with certain statutory administrative procedure requirements; (4) requirements for judicial and regulatory challenges of regulations; and (5) national coverage determination process. Title II: Reform of Appeals Process - Permits appeal of overpayment determinations under certain conditions. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to: (1) time lines for appeals; and (2) suspension of certain activities while appeals are pending. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to permit any health care provider to appeal any determination of the Secretary under the Medicare program on behalf of a deceased beneficiary where no substitute party is available. (Sec. 205) Makes any determination of the Departmental Appeals Board of the HHS Department under the Medicare program have national precedential value with respect to any determination of an administrative law judge under such program. (Sec. 206) Amends Federal money and finance law with regard to requirements for affirmative appeal of Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) actions. (Sec. 207) Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an audit for a report to Congress on: (1) the statistical validity of random sample audits conducted under Medicare before the enactment of this Act; (2) the necessity of such audits for specified purposes; and (3) the effects of the applications of such audits to health care providers. Title III: Reform of Overpayment Procedure - Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit: (1) retroactive overpayment determinations; (2) sampling audits to reduce future reimbursements; (3) recovery of past overpayment by certain means; and (4) recovery of past overpayments if appeal pending. Title IV: Reform of Voluntary Disclosure Procedure - Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to establish, by regulation, voluntary disclosure procedures that apply with respect to any potential violations of Federal criminal, civil, or administrative laws by a health care provider under the Medicare program. Prohibits criminal prosecution under SSA title XI and no civil action under such title, Medicare, or under specified provisions of Federal money and finance law against a health care provider with respect to a matter that such provider has voluntarily disclosed in accordance with such regulations. Title V: Criminal Law Enforcement Reforms - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) deny law enforcement authority to employees of the HHS Office of Inspector General; and (2) establish guidelines for search warrants on health care facilities. Title VI: Provider Compliance Education - Mandates specified levels of funding for the stated purpose of ensuring that health care providers learn of new coverage, billing, documentation, and coding changes to Medicare laws and regulations in a timely manner. (Sec. 601) States that health care providers have the right to information about such matters that are applicable to local carrier guidelines under Medicare. Provides that fiscal intermediaries and carriers will offer each health care provider the right to receive this information by electronic or certified mail. Outlines requirements for additional educational outreach for health care providers for coverage, billing, documentation, and coding issues that have the most frequent billing errors. (Sec. 602) Sets forth provisions regarding advisory opinions. (Sec. 603) Amends SSA title XI to provide for an extension of existing advisory opinion provisions of law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Just Punishment for Cyberstalkers Act of 2000 - Revises stalking provisions of the Federal criminal code to prohibit a person: (1) from traveling across a State line or within the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States with the intent to injure or harass another person and place that person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to the person or a member of his or her immediate family; or (2) with the intent to kill or injure a person in another State or to put such person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury, from using or causing another to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce to place that person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to the person, a member of his or her immediate family, or a spouse or intimate partner.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Consumer Internet Privacy Enhancement Act - Declares it unlawful for a commercial website operator to collect personally identifiable information online from a website user unless the operator provides both notice and opportunity for such user to limit its use and disclosure. Allocates enforcement authority among designated Federal agencies and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Establishes a civil penalty for violations. Permits similar civil actions by the States. Directs the FTC to contract with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences for a study of online privacy and response tools and strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Open and Accountable Campaign Financing Act of 2000 - Title I: Disclosure - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to revise reporting requirements, including: (1) changing from quarterly to monthly the additional reports required to be filed with regard to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the House of Representatives or the Senate in any calendar year during which there is a regularly scheduled election for which such candidate is seeking nomination or election; (2) requiring a national committee of a political party to file the same monthly reports designated for all political committees other than authorized committees of a candidate; (3) requiring the national committee of a political party, any national congressional campaign committee of a political party, and any subordinate committee of either, to report all receipts and disbursements during the appropriate reporting period; and (4) directing the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to make report information available on the Internet and at FEC offices. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a licensee to maintain and make available for public inspection a complete record of certain requests to purchase broadcast time that are related to legally qualified candidates. Title II: Soft Money of National Political Parties and Contribution Limits - Amends FECA to limit to $60,000 aggregate (indexed for inflation) per calendar year per contributor the amount of soft money a national committee of a political party, a congressional campaign committee of a national party, or an entity directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by such committee may accept. Places an aggregate limit on the soft money donor of $60,000 in any calendar year. Provides for judicial review with respect to such amendment. Increases individual, political committee, and multicandidate political committee contribution limits. Revises indexing provisions. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit solicitation of soft money in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by an officer or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof, or a person receiving any salary or compensation for service from the Treasury. Amends FECA to provide for the indexing of certain penalty and other amounts under enforcement provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Homeowners Rebate Act of 2000 - Amends the National Housing Act to provide for partial rebates to mortgagors of certain Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund surplus reserves. Requires the General Accounting Office to report respecting the adequacy of Fund capital ratios.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000. Repeals the limitation on such credit based on adjusted gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2000
Pediatric Diabetes Research and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to develop a system to collect data on type 1 diabetes (or juvenile diabetes), including information with respect to incidence and prevalence, and to establish a national registry for such data. Authorizes appropriations Provides for the conduct or support of long-term epidemiology studies in which individuals with type 1 diabetes (or juvenile diabetes) are followed for 10 years or more. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Children's Public Health Act of 2000 - Title I: Injury Prevention - Subtitle A: Traumatic Brain Injury - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a national education and awareness campaign regarding prevention of traumatic brain injury. Modifies requirements and authorizes appropriations regarding a currently-mandated study of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes an existing trauma research program to include research on cognitive disorders and neurobehavioral consequences of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations for that program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes grants for projects (currently, for demonstration projects) to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury. Allows required matching funds to be in cash or in kind (currently, in cash). Regulates the use of grant funds. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Child Care Safety and Health Grants - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to States to establish programs to improve the health and safety of children receiving child care outside the home. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Maternal and Infant Health - Subtitle A: Safe Motherhood and Infant Health Promotion - Pregnant Women and Infants Health Protection Act - Directs the Secretary to carry out programs relating to prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug use. Authorizes grants and contracts. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish and implement a national surveillance program regarding investigation of deaths and severe complications during pregnancy; (2) expand the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System; and (3) expand the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Healthy Start Initiative - Healthy Start Initiative Continuation Act - Directs the Secretary to continue the Healthy Start Initiative (to reduce infant mortality and improve perinatal outcomes) and authorizes carrying it out on a national basis. Authorizes, if funding increases, additional grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to provide other health services (including ultrasound, prenatal care, genetic counseling, and fetal and other surgery) for pregnant women or infants that are medically appropriate to prevent or mitigate congenital defects or other serious obstetric complications. Allows using grant funds for paying transportation and subsistence expenses to assist the woman in obtaining health services from the grantee involved. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Establishes the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available date on birth defects and developmental disabilities; and (2) conduct applied epidemiological research, and provide information and education to the pubic, on prevention of such defects and disabilities. Transfers to such Center all activities, budgets, and personnel of the National Center for Environmental Health that relate to birth defects, folic acid, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, child development, newborn screening, autism, Fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, pediatric genetics, disability prevention, and other activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Folic Acid Education Program - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of professional and public education and training, research, and epidemiological activities regarding folic acid and birth defects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Pediatric Public Health Promotion - Subtitle A: Asthma - Directs the Secretary to make grants to provide comprehensive asthma-related services for children and other individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Allows preventive health and health services block grant funds to be used for projects to reduce the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related illnesses among urban populations, especially children, by reducing exposure to cockroach allergen or other known asthma triggers through pest management that minimizes or avoids pesticide chemicals through a combination of site maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify all Federal programs carrying out asthma-related activities; (2) develop a Federal plan for responding to asthma; and (3) submit recommendations to Congress on ways to strengthen and improve Federal coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) to: (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (2) compile and annually publish data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally and in each State. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Childhood Obesity Prevention - Directs the Secretary to award grants for the development and implementation of State and community-based intervention programs promoting good nutrition and physical activity in children and adolescents. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct research on physical activity, diet, health, health-related behaviors, and childhood obesity and its effects in adulthood; (2) develop and evaluate strategies to prevent and treat obesity and eating disorders; (3) identify obesity behaviors and risk factors; (4) evaluate materials and programs providing nutrition education to parents, teachers, and food service staff of child care and pre-school entities; and (5) evaluate materials and programs designed to educate and encourage physical activity in child care and pre-school facilities. Directs the Secretary to develop a national public campaign to promote and educate children and parents regarding health risks associated with obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition, ways to incorporate physical activity into daily living, the benefits of good nutrition, and strategies to improve eating habits. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a program to educate and train health professionals in effective strategies to identify and assess patients with, or at risk for, obesity or an eating disorder, counsel, refer, or treat patients with obesity or an eating disorder, and educate patients and their families about strategies to improve dietary habits and establish appropriate levels of physical activity. Subtitle C: Early Detection and Treatment Regarding Childhood Lead Poisoning - Modifies application and reporting requirements for existing grants regarding lead poisoning. Directs the Secretary to develop national guidelines for the uniform and complete reporting of all blood lead test results to State and local health departments. Requires the CDCP Director to assist with the improvement of data links between local and State health departments and the CDCP, help States with the development of data management systems for the surveillance of children with lead poisoning, and take other actions regarding lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 322) Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants where data suggests that at least five percent of preschool-age children have an elevated blood level; and (2) conduct education and training programs for health care providers regarding childhood lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Oral Health - Directs the Secretary to support: (1) community-based research on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pediatric oral, dental, craniofacial diseases and conditions and their sequelae in high risk populations; (2) demonstrations of preventive interventions in those populations; and (3) the development of clinical approaches to assess individual patients for the risk of pediatric dental disease. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 332) Directs the Secretary to establish a program of repayment of oral health professionals' educational loans in return for the professionals agreeing to conduct pediatric oral, dental, and craniofacial disease and condition research or training. (Sec. 333) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to increase the resources available for community water fluoridation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 334) Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project to assist rural water systems in implementing the CDCP's water fluoridation guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 335) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the development of programs to improve children's school-based access to sealants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 336) Directs the Secretary to: (1) fund innovative oral health activities that improve the oral health of children under six years who are eligible for services under a Federal health program; and (2) make grants or contracts to increase training of oral health services providers or to increase children's use of dental services. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Pediatric Research - Subtitle A: Pediatric Research Initiative - Mandates the establishment of a Pediatric Research Initiative to conduct and support research and coordination directly related to illnesses and conditions of children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to make available enhanced support for extramural activities relating to the training and career development of pediatric researchers. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to repay the educational loans of pediatricians in return for conducting pediatric research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Autism - Requires the NIH Director to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH activities regarding autism. Requires the Director, among other things, to make grants and contracts for centers of excellence regarding autism research. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish, through grants or cooperative agreements, at least three regional centers of excellence in autism and pervasive developmental disabilities epidemiology to collect and analyze information on autism and developmental disabilities; (2) establish a clearinghouse for the collection and storage of data generated from the monitoring programs created by this title; (3) coordinate the Federal response to requests for assistance from State health department officials regarding potential or alleged autism or developmental disability clusters. Authorizes appropriations; and (4) establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the public. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to establish an Autism Coordinating Committee. Subtitle C: Long-Term Child Development - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to establish a consortium of Federal agency representatives to: (1) plan and implement a prospective cohort study of the effects of chronic and intermittent exposures on human development; and (2) investigate basic mechanisms of developmental disorders and environmental factors that influence growth and developmental processes. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Research on Rare Diseases in Children - Requires the NIH Director to report to Congress on NIH activities regarding children's rare diseases. Subtitle E: GME Programs in Children's Hospitals - Extends the mandate to make annual payments to each children's hospital for the direct and indirect expenses of operating graduate medical residency training programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Medicare Access to Ambulance Services Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to restructure the payment rates for ambulance services, air and ground, and establish a prudent layperson standard for emergency ambulance services Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on rural areas and the cost of providing ambulance services.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2000
Declares that: (1) the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall establish a special task force to study the history and contributions of African American slave laborers in the construction of the U.S. Capitol; and (2) such task force shall recommend an appropriate recognition for them which could be displayed in a prominent location in the U.S. Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2000
Modifies the Clinton River, Michigan, navigation project to extend the eight foot deep, fifty foot wide navigation channel approximately two miles upstream from the Cass Avenue bridge to the Gratiot Avenue bridge.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2000
Medicare Rx Drug Discount and Security Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program) to create the Commissioner of Medicare Prescription Drugs who shall establish a Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program under which an eligible beneficiary may voluntarily enroll with an eligible private entity and receive described benefits, including a catastrophic benefit. Makes the costs of providing program benefits payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes as an independent executive agency a Medicare Prescription Drug Agency to administer the new part D program through the Commissioner. Authorizes appropriations. Amends SSA title XVIII part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to provide for the exclusion of new part D costs from the determination of the Medicare part B monthly premium. Revises Medicare supplemental health insurance (Medigap) requirements with respect to revision of the 1991 National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Regulation to accord with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2000
Commends the parties to the peace process in Northern Ireland for progress in implementing the Good Friday Agreement and urges them to move expeditiously to complete the implementation. Expresses belief that implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland holds the promise of ensuring that the police service in Northern Ireland will gain the support of both nationalists and unionists. Calls upon the British Government to implement the recommendations contained in the Commission's final report.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2000
Calls for the Government of the United Kingdom to enter into negotiations with the Government of Greece to facilitate the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece before the Olympics in 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present a gold medal to General Wesley K. Clark, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and service as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during the military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Violence Against Women Act of 2000 - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General (AG) to make grants to provide technical assistance and equipment to police departments, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions to facilitate the widespread enforcement of protection orders. Revises provisions of the Federal criminal code governing the full faith and credit of protection orders. Designates State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees under the program to combat violent crimes against women. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 various programs which address violence against women, including domestic violence and stalking offenses. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Authorizes the AG to award grants to increase the availability of legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 various grants and programs under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the AG to make grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments for the provision of supervised visitation and safe visitation exchange of children by and between parents in situations involving domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 runaway and homeless youth grants and programs for victims of child abuse. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for model programs of education and training in appropriate responses to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Title V: Battered Immigrant Women - Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide certain protections to battered immigrant women. Title VI: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Extends through FY 2005 the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Federal Fuels Tax Suspension Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend, between June 25, 2000, and September 5, 2000, the taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the benefits of the tax reduction should be passed on to consumers. Requires a study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Federal Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend, for the 90- day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the benefits of the tax reduction should be passed on to consumers. Requires a study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
American Community Renewal and New Markets Empowerment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the National Housing Act, the Small Business Investment Act, the Public Health Service Act and other acts to provide incentives for low- and moderate-income community development. Provides for the designation of and tax incentives for renewal communities. Provides that the designations shall be based on degree of poverty. Provides a credit for computer donations to schools, senior centers, public libraries and other training centers located in a renewal community, empowerment zone, Indian reservation, or a defined low-income community. Provides for the designation of additional empowerment zones and increased empowerment zone tax incentives. Permits a religious organization to receive Federal funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Prohibits funding discrimination against such an organization so long as its program is implemented in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution. Provides for the transfer of unoccupied and substandard HUD housing to local governments and community development corporations. Authorizes the licensing of community development entities as America's Private Investment Companies which shall promote community and economic development in low-income communities. Establishes a new markets tax credit with respect to specified qualified low-income community investments. Establishes a New Markets Capital Venture Program to encourage venture capital investment in smaller enterprises located in low- and moderate-income urban and rural areas. Provides for bond volume cap and low-income housing credit increases. Provides for the establishment of Individual Development Accounts and Individual Development Account Programs to provide for the accumulation of assets in low-income communities to used to promote education, homeownership, family, community, and business development. Requires the Federal Government, or a State or local government, to consider a religious organization's assistance program on the same basis as other nongovernmental organizations in the distribution of Federal funds so long as the religious organization's assistance program provides assistance in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a State or local government to enact a statute or ordinance that prohibits a violation of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations which prohibit: (1) a use of citizens band radio equipment not authorized by the FCC; or (2) the unauthorized operation of such equipment on a frequency between 24 and 35 megahertz. Provides that a station licensed by the FCC in any radio service for the operation at issue shall not be subject to such a statute or ordinance. Requires the FCC to provide technical guidance regarding the detection and determination of violations of FCC regulations. Permits a person affected to submit to the FCC an appeal of the decision of a State or local government enforcing such a statute or ordinance. Provides that: (1) the enforcement of such a statute or ordinance shall not preclude the FCC from enforcing the regulation in that case concurrently; and (2) nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or otherwise affect FCC jurisdiction over devices capable of interfering with radio communications. Mandates that enforcement of a statute or ordinance with respect to citizens band radio equipment aboard a commercial motor vehicle shall require probable cause that such vehicle or individual is in violation of such FCC regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
Welcomes His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco upon his first official visit to the United States. Reaffirms the ties between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco, as established by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of 1787. Expresses appreciation to the leadership and people of Morocco for their role in preserving international peace and stability, expanding growth and development in the region, promoting bilateral trade and investment between such countries, and advancing democracy, human rights, and justice.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Amends Federal law to direct the Postal Service to establish a special (semipostal) postage rate for first-class mail in order to afford the public a convenient way to contribute to funding for the establishment of the World War II Memorial. Expresses the sense of Congress that nothing in this Act should: (1) directly or indirectly cause a net decrease in total funds received by the American Battle Monuments Commission below the level that would otherwise have been received but for the enactment of this section; or (2) affect regular first-class rates of postage or any other regular rates of postage.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Tax-Exempt Political Disclosure Act - Title I: Section 527 Organizations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a political organization from being treated as such unless it gives notice within 24 hours of being established that it is to be so treated. Provides that if notice is given after such period, the organization shall not be so treated for any period before such notice is given. Requires, in the case of an organization failing to give such notice, such organization's taxable income to be computed by taking into account any exempt function income (and any deductions directly connected with the production of such income). Excepts certain organizations from the notification requirement. Makes information on organizations that file such notices, and such notices, publicly available. Prohibits treating an organization as a political organization unless it makes required disclosures. Makes such disclosures publicly available and prescribes monetary penalties for failures to make disclosures available for inspection. Requires political organizations which have gross receipts of $25,000 or more per taxable year, with an exception, to file tax returns. Provides for public disclosure of such returns and prescribes monetary penalties for failures to file or provide correct information. Title II: Tax-Exempt Business and Labor Organizations Engaging in Political Activity - Requires any labor organization described in paragraph 5 or any business league, chamber of commerce, or board of trade described in paragraph 6 of section 501(c) (tax exempt organizations) from being considered a 501 (c) organization unless specified information is submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury concerning the organization's activities, contributors, and expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2000
Combined Fund Stability and Fairness Act - Amends chapter 99 (Coal Industry Health Benefits) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to redefine the term "coal wage agreement" to include only the 1988 agreement which became effective on February 1, 1988, and any predecessor to the 1988 agreement. Redefines the term "signatory operator" in a similar manner (as a 1988 operator). Provides for a reduction in health benefit premiums to coal miners if there is a surplus in the Combined Benefit Fund. Provides for the transfer of certain amounts of interest from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund to the Combined Fund. Reduces Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund fees. Extends the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee program for an additional six years. Authorizes appropriations for the transfer of $38 million from the 1950 United Mine Workers of America Pension Plan annually to the Combined Fund to cover any shortfall in the premium account of the Combined Fund.
![Official portrait of Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000355_200.jpg)