United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that: (1) constitutes a crime of violence under Federal law or a felony under State or Indian tribal law; and (2) is motivated by prejudice based on the race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of the victim or is a violation of the hate crime laws of the State or tribe. Directs the Attorney General to give priority for assistance to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one State and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary investigation or prosecution expenses. Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to assist State, local, and Indian law enforcement officials with such extraordinary expenses. Directs the Office of Justice Programs to: (1) work closely with funded jurisdictions to ensure that the concerns and needs of all affected parties are addressed; and (2) award grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Prohibits specified offenses involving actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to study and provide sentencing enhancements for adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes. Amends the Hate Crimes Statistics Act to require the crime data to be collected and published by the Attorney General to include data about crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on gender.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2001
Government Pension Offset Reform Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the amount by which two-thirds of the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2001
Urges the President to undertake efforts to end restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the enclaved people of Cyprus. Expresses the intention of Congress to remain actively interested until such rights and freedoms are restored, respected, and safeguarded.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
Constitutional Amendment - States that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
Recognizes May 15, 2001, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
Violence Against Women Office Act - Establishes in the Department of Justice a Violence Against Women Office. Provides that the Office shall: (1) have jurisdiction over all matters related to administration, enforcement, coordination, and implementation of all responsibilities of the Attorney General or the Department of Justice related to violence against women, including formula and discretionary grant programs authorized under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994; and (2) be solely responsible for coordination with other offices or agencies of administration, enforcement, and implementation of the programs, grants, and activities under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
Amends the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 to authorize the Secretary of State to provide for the establishment of private, nonprofit entities to: (1) encourage U.S. multinational companies and other elements of the private sector to participate in, and support, cultural, arts, and educational exchange programs, including programs that will enhance international appreciation of U.S. cultural and artistic accomplishments; (2) solicit and receive contributions from the private sector to support such programs; and (3) provide grants and other assistance for them.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2001
Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 - Establishes the Commission on Voting Rights and Procedures to study: (1) election technology and systems; (2) ballot design and uniformity; (3) ballot and polling place access; (4) voting systems capacity and election administration efficiency; (5) voter registration and maintenance of voter rolls; (6) alternative voting methods; (7) voter intimidation; (8) accuracy of voting, election procedures, and election technology; (9) voter education; (10) election personnel and volunteer training; (11) implementation of provisions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act on registration and voting by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters in elections for Federal office; (12) establishment of the date on which such elections are held as a Federal or a State holiday and on establishment of modified polling place hours; and (13) Federal assistance to State and local authorities to improve the administration of elections for Federal office. Directs the Commission to develop specific recommendations, consistent with certain uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements under this Act, regarding: (1) best practices in voting and election administration; (2) Federal assistance to State and local authorities to improve administration of Federal elections; (3) increased voter registration, accuracy of voter rolls, and participation and inclusion of legal voters, and (4) improved voter education and training of election personnel. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to approved State, territory, and locality applicants to pay the Federal share of the costs of activities to: (1) improve, acquire, or replace voting equipment or technology and improve the accessibility of polling places; (2) implement new election administration procedures to increase voter participation and reduce disenfranchisement, such as "same-day" voter registration procedures; (3) educate voters concerning voting procedures, voting rights or voting technology, and to train election personnel; and (4) implement Commission recommendations. Specifies certain uniform and nondiscriminatory requirements each voting system used in an election for Federal office must meet with regard to election technology and administration. Outlines requirements for provisional voting and sample ballot mailings to voters. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in an appropriate district court to enforce the requirements of this Act for election technology and administration through the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Clean Power Act of 2001 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to achieve specified reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and mercury from powerplants (electric generation facilities with a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts or greater that use a combustion device to generate electricity for sale) by January 1, 2007. Sets forth additional compliance requirements for outdated powerplants.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act, respectively, 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. Exempts specified small employers from such requirements. Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Assure Access to Mammography Act of 2001 - Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to delay until 2003 the inclusion of payment for screening mammography in the Medicare physician fee schedule. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a change in the payment amount for screening mammography performed in 2002 under Medicare. Provides that, for cost reporting periods between October 1, 2001, and October 1, 2006, in applying the limitations regarding the total number of full-time equivalent residents in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine under Medicare for a hospital, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not take into account a maximum of three residents in the field of radiology to the extent the hospital increases the number of radiology residents above the number of such residents for the hospital's most recent cost reporting period ending before October 1, 2001. Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise authorization of appropriations and allocation provisions with regard to interdisciplinary, community-based linkages, with changes establishing a specified authorization of appropriations for FY 2002 and a specified amount to be available for awards of grants and contracts under provisions on allied health and other disciplines. Directs the Comptroller General to study the relative value units established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Medicare physician fee schedule for physicians' services that are gender-specific. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to study the relative value units established by the Secretary under the such fee schedule for screening services that are reimbursed under it.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit imposition of finance or interest charges upon a consumer credit card account (under an open end consumer credit plan) for on-time payments when no other balance is owing on the account.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2001
Andean Trade Preference Expansion Act - Amends the Andean Trade Preference Act to extend, for a specified transition period, treatment free of any duties, quantitative restrictions, limitations, or consultation levels to certain textile and apparel articles (including preferential tariff treatment under the North American Free Trade Agreement to certain non-apparel articles) imported into the United States from Andean Trade Preference Expansion Act (ATPEA) beneficiary countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru) designated under such Act. Sets forth penalties for exporters and countries that have engaged in the transshipment of such articles from an ATPEA beneficiary country.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001
Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 - Declares it is U.S. policy to support the Zimbabwean people in their struggles to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic growth, and restore the rule of law. Provides for certain bilateral and multilateral debt relief for Zimbabwe (including the establishment of a Southern Africa Finance Center for the development of commercial projects there and the Southern Africa region) upon the President's certification to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) the rule of law has been restored in Zimbabwe; (2) certain election or pre-election conditions have been met; (3) the Government of Zimbabwe has demonstrated a commitment to an equitable, legal, and transparent land reform program; (4) such government is making a good faith effort to end the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and (5) the Zimbabwean Armed Forces, the National Police of Zimbabwe, and other state security forces have become subordinate to the elected civilian Zimbabwean government. Restricts multilateral assistance to Zimbabwe until such certification is made. Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if it is in the national interest of the United States. Authorizes the President to provide certain foreign assistance funds to Zimbabwe to support the establishment of democratic institutions, free press and independent media, and the rule of law. Urges the President to consult immediately with the governments of European Union member states, Canada, and other appropriate foreign countries on specified actions to be taken against individuals responsible for violence and the breakdown of the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001
National Discovery Trails Act of 2001 - Amends the National Trails System Act to provide for the establishment, as components of the National Trails System, of national discovery trails which shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Permits designation of any such trail on Federal lands and, with the owner's consent, on any non-Federal lands. Prohibits a trail from being considered feasible and desirable for designation as a national discovery trail unless it: (1) links one or more areas within the boundaries of a metropolitan area and should join with other trails, connecting the National Trails System to significant recreation and resources areas; (2) is supported by a competent trailwide volunteer- based organization and has extensive local and trailwide support by the public, user groups, and affected State and local governments; and (3) extends and passes through more than one State and, at a minimum, is a continuous, walkable route. Designates as a national discovery trail the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail which shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2001
Innocence Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize a person convicted of a Federal crime to apply to the appropriate Federal court for DNA testing to support a claim that the person did not commit: (1) the Federal crime of which the person was convicted; or (2) any other offense that a sentencing authority may have relied upon when it sentenced the person with respect to such crime. Sets forth: (1) guidelines for the court to use in ordering DNA testing; (2) post-testing procedures; (3) provisions regarding preservation of evidence; (4) criminal penalties for destroying or altering DNA evidence; and (5) provisions regarding post-conviction DNA testing in State criminal justice systems. Prohibits a State from denying an application for DNA testing made by a prisoner in State custody who is under sentence of death if specified conditions apply. Provides grants to prosecutors for DNA testing programs. Establishes the National Commission on Capital Representation. Withholds funds from States not complying with standards for capital representation. Provides for capital defense incentive grants and resource grants. Increases compensation in Federal cases, and sets forth provisions regarding compensation in State cases, where an individual is unjustly sentenced to death. Adds a certification requirement in Federal death penalty prosecutions. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the execution of juvenile offenders and the mentally retarded.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2001
National Teacher and Principal Recruitment Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education an Office of National Teacher and Principal Recruitment (Office). Directs the Secretary of Education, acting through the Office Director, to establish and carry out a National Teacher Corps program, to carry out recruitment and retention activities to relieve teacher shortages throughout the United States, particularly in high-need school districts and academic subjects. Includes in such program: (1) certain national activities; (2) grants to eligible partnerships of local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs), for local recruitment and retention activities, and for providing incentives through programs of scholarships, mid-career professional recruitment, paraprofessional-to-teacher, and volunteer training and support; (3) a competitive grant to one national coalition of teacher and media organizations, including the National Teacher Recruitment Clearinghouse, to jointly conduct a national public service campaign; and (4) studies relating to portability of teaching credentials and of teacher pensions. Directs the Secretary of Education, acting through the Office Director, to establish and carry out a national program of competitive grants to local educational agencies for recruiting and training principals and assistant principals. Gives priority to applications from LEAs that will carry out such activities in partnership with IHEs and nonprofit organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2001
Make College Affordable Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an annual income-adjusted deduction for qualified higher education expenses (tuition and academic fees) paid on behalf of a taxpayer, spouse, dependent, or grandchild. (Prohibits the use in the same year of such deduction and the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits.) Establishes an annual income-adjusted credit (up to $1,500) for the interest paid during the first 60 months of a qualified higher education loan by a non-dependent taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2001
Considers hepatitis C becoming manifest in a veteran to a degree of ten percent or more to be service-connected, and therefore compensable under veterans' disability provisions, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such illness during the period of such service, as long as it is shown that during such service the veteran experienced: (1) a blood transfusion before December 31, 1992; (2) blood exposure on or through skin or a mucous membrane; (3) hemodialysis; (4) a needle-stick accident or medical event involving a needle, not due to willful misconduct; (5) unexplained liver disease; (6) an unexplained liver dysfunction value or test; or (7) working in a health-care position or specialty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001
Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law governing: (1) conversion of bankruptcy petitions; (2) abusive creditor practices; (3) debt reaffirmation and credit counseling; (4) domestic support obligations; (5) personal injury claims resulting from drug or alcohol-impaired operation of a motor vehicle or vessel; (6) Federal criminal law enforcement regarding abusive reaffirmations of debt; (7) fraudulent bankruptcy schedules; (8) education and retirement benefits; (9) privacy protection of debtor's nonpublic personal information; and (10) nondischargeability of debts resulting from civil restitution or damages for debtor's willful or malicious injury that caused personal injury or death of an individual, or violations of laws relating to the provision of lawful goods and services. Prescribes guidelines regarding: (1) discouragement of bankruptcy abuse; (2) general and small business bankruptcy; (3) bankruptcy data dissemination and bankruptcy tax provisions; (4) incorporation into the bankruptcy code of the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency; and (5) financial contracts and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution before its conservatorship or receivership (including securities broker/commodity broker liquidation). Reenacts Chapter 12, Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income. Prescribes guidelines for insolvent health care businesses and attendant patients' rights. Mandates appointments and extensions for certain additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships. Prescribes additional consumer credit disclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001
Fallen Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Flag Memorial Act of 2001 - Allows the family of a law enforcement officer or paid or volunteer firefighter who dies in the line of duty to request, and the Attorney General or the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide, a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in honor of the officer or firefighter.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001
Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001
Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 to extend the Victims of Violence Grant Program to include legal assistance for victims of dating violence.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2001
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize and revise provisions for the National Writing Project (NWP). Increases the maximum amount for any one contractor under limits on the Federal share of NWP teacher training programs. Repeals the classroom teacher grants program under NWP. Increases and extends the authorization of appropriations for NWP.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2001
Global Democracy Promotion Act of 2001 - Declares that, in eligibility determinations for certain assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, foreign nongovernmental organizations shall not be: (1) ineligible for such assistance solely on the basis of health or medical services (including counseling and referral services) provided by them with non-U.S. Government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided, and would not violate U.S. Federal law if provided in the United States; and (2) subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. Government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2001
Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to provide for grant programs for inventorying, characterizing, assessing, remediating, and conducting planning related to brownfield sites. Defines a "brownfield site," with exceptions, as real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance or pollutant. Exempts from liability under CERCLA certain owners of real property contiguous to property on which there has been a hazardous substance release or threatened release and bona fide prospective purchasers. Provides for grants to States or Indian tribes for establishing or enhancing response programs. Restricts authority to take enforcement actions under CERCLA in cases of hazardous substance releases addressed by a State response plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2001
Amends the Animal Welfare Act to eliminate the provision permitting interstate movement of live fighting birds if the fighting venture is to take place in a State allowing such fights.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Breast Reconstruction Implementation Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that provides mastectomy-related medical and surgical benefits to ensure that, if a mastectomy patient elects breast reconstruction, coverage is provided for: (1) all stages of reconstruction of the affected breast; (2) surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance; and (3) prostheses and physical complications of mastectomy, including lymphedemas, as determined appropriate by attending physician and patient. States that such coverage may be subject to deductible and coinsurance provisions consistent with other benefits of the plan. Prohibits a plan from: (1) denying a patient new or renewed enrollment in order to avoid such requirements; or (2) limiting reimbursement or providing incentives to induce an attending provider to provide care inconsistent with such requirements. States that in the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, any plan change to comply with such requirements shall not be treated as terminating the agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Supports the goals and ideas of National Donor Day. Encourages all Americans to learn about the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation and to discuss such donations with their families and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Building Health Promotion and Disease Prevention into the National Agenda Resolution of 2001 - Calls on the Federal Government to: (1) increase resources to enhance the science base required to further develop the field of health promotion and disease prevention; and (2) explore strategies to integrate life-style improvement programs into national policy, health care, schools, workplaces, families, and communities in order to promote health and prevent disease.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2001
Family Opportunity Act of 2001 or Dylan Lee James Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) give States the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for such children; and (2) provide for treatment of inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21 under waivers allowing for payment of part or all of the cost of home or community-based services. Authorizes a State to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for approval of a demonstration project to provide Medicaid coverage of up to a specified maximum number of children with a potentially severe disability. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to make appropriations to the Secretary for special projects of regional and national significance for development and support of family-to-family health information centers. Amends SSA title XIX to provide for the restoration of Medicaid eligibility to certain SSI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSA title XVI) beneficiaries under age 21.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2001
Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance and Employment Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (regarding a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group insurance through a group plan) the Public Health Service Act (regarding such a plan or issuer, and with regard to an issuer offering health insurance in the individual market), the Internal Revenue Code (regarding a group health plan), and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (regarding Medicare supplemental policies) to prohibit, with respect to genetic information: (1) discriminating in individual enrollment; (2) discriminating in group eligibility or group premium or contribution rates; (3) requesting or requiring test performance; and (4) requesting, requiring, collecting, purchasing, or disclosing information, unless authorized by the individual. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate because of protected genetic information, including making it unlawful to request, require, collect, or purchase such information. Allows an employer to request, require, collect, or purchase such information: (1) where used for genetic monitoring of biological effects of workplace toxic substances; or (2) with consent of the employee, if results are received only by the employee.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2001
Drug Abuse Education, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2001 - Increases penalties for drug offenses involving juveniles, including trafficking in or near a school. Provides for: (1) grants to encourage drug-free prisons and jails; and (2) mandatory revocation of probation and supervised release for failing a drug test. Authorizes: (1) grants to develop, implement, or expand drug treatment alternative to prison programs; (2) a study of the effect of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses; and (3) grants for substance abuse education and prevention efforts, residential and outpatient treatment programs for juveniles, and drug abuse research. Provides for a National Academy of Sciences study regarding youth violence and substance abuse. Provides for grants for: (1) alternative education for at-risk youth; and (2) counseling, training, and mentoring services in low-income, high-crime communities for children of prisoners. Authorizes: (1) the President to award to individuals under age 18 a National Character Achievement Award; and (2) grants for after school programs. Reestablishes drug courts. Prohibits participation by violent offenders. Offender Reentry and Community Safety Act of 2001 - Establishes: (1) the Federal Reentry Center Demonstration project; (2) the Federal High-Risk Offender Reentry Demonstration project; (3) the District of Columbia and Federal Intensive Supervision, Tracking, and Reentry Training Demonstration projects; and (4) the Federal Enhanced In-Prison Vocational Assessment and Training Demonstration project. Directs the Attorney General to make grants for: (1) adult and juvenile offender reentry demonstration projects and programs; and (2) research, development, and evaluation. Requires that the Government consider religious organizations for assistance under Government programs funded under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2001
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Act - Authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., to construct a temporary education center for educating people about the Memorial. Requires the center to remain for ten years, after which Congress may reevaluate the continuing need for the center. Sets forth conditions for the use of excess coin funds under the United States Veterans Commemorative Coin Act of 1993 in the construction of such center, including that the Fund provide detailed information with respect to the use of such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2001
Constitutional Amendment - Grants authority to: (1) Congress to set reasonable limits on contributions and expenditures made by, in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for nomination or election to Federal office; as well as (2) a State to set similar reasonable limits with regard to nomination or election to State or local office.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Amends the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 to revise a certain condition prohibiting the obligation of appropriated funds for the payment of U.S. arrearages for assessed contributions to the United Nations (UN) until the share of the budget for each assessed UN peacekeeping operation does not exceed 28.15 percent (currently, 25 percent) for any single UN member.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit (to be included in gross income as interest) to holders of qualified Amtrak bonds issued by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Requires, with exceptions, State matching contributions for qualifying projects, which shall be used to redeem project-specific bonds, and if amounts remain, to fund other projects or bonds. Treats such contributions as tax-exempt facility bonds. Eliminates, for tax exemption for purposes, the governmental ownership requirement for mass commuting facility bonds. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to allocate bond funds for Alaska Railroad issuances. Requires the Corporation to annually submit a multi-year capital spending plan.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law governing: (1) conversion of bankruptcy petitions; (2) abusive creditor practices; (3) debt reaffirmation and credit counseling; (4) domestic support obligations; (5) personal injury claims resulting from drug or alcohol-impaired operation of a motor vehicle or vessel; (6) Federal criminal law enforcement with regard to abusive reaffirmations of debt; (7) fraudulent bankruptcy schedules; (8) education and retirement benefits; and (9) nondischarge from a debt for restitution or damages awarded in a civil action against the debtor for willful or malicious injury that caused personal injury or death of an individual. Prescribes guidelines regarding: (1) discouragement of bankruptcy abuse; (2) general and small business bankruptcy; (3) bankruptcy data dissemination and bankruptcy tax provisions; (4) ancillary and other cross-border cases to incorporate the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency; and (5) financial contracts and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution before its conservatorship or receivership. Reenacts Chapter 12, Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income. Prescribes guidelines for insolvent health care businesses and attendant patients' rights. Mandates appointments and extensions for certain additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships. Prescribes additional consumer credit disclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Commission on the Comprehensive Study of Voting Procedures Act of 2001 - Establishes the Commission on the Comprehensive Study of Voting Procedures to: (1) study and report to the President and Congress on all issues relating to voting procedures in Federal, State, and local elections; and (2) develop recommendations with respect to Federal election matters. Directs the Attorney General to award grants to eligible State and local government applicants to enable them to implement Commission recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Expresses sympathy to the citizens of India for the losses suffered as a result of the January 26, 2001, earthquake. Expresses support for the people of India, for the efforts of the World Bank, for continuing and substantially increasing the amount of disaster assistance being provided by the United States Agency for International Development and other relief agencies, and for providing future economic assistance. Encourages assistance from other nations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2001
Offender Reentry and Community Safety Act of 2001 - Requires the: (1) Attorney General (AG) to establish the Federal Reentry Center Demonstration project to assist Federal prisoners in preparing for and adjusting to reentry into the community after their release; (2) Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (Director) to establish the Federal High-Risk Offender Reentry Demonstration project involving Federal offenders who have previously violated release terms; (3) Trustee of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency of the District of Columbia to establish the District of Columbia Intensive Supervision, Tracking and Reentry Training Demonstration project involving District parolees who would otherwise be released without confinement in a community corrections facility; (4) Director to establish the Federal Intensive Supervision, Tracking and Reentry Training Demonstration project involving Federal offenders who are being released without confinement in a community corrections facility; and (5) AG to establish the Federal Enhanced In-Prison Vocational Assessment and Training Demonstration project to prepare Federal prisoners for release and reentry into the community. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct the AG to make grants to: (1) States, territories, and Indian tribes to establish adult reentry demonstration projects; (2) State and local courts, and entities having agreements with courts, to establish reentry courts; (3) States to establish juvenile offender reentry programs; and (4) conduct State reentry program research, development, and evaluation. Reauthorizes a program of substance abuse treatment in Federal prisons and a program for residential substance abuse treatment for State prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2001
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the U.S. Postal Service in honor of the U.S.S. Wisconsin and all those who served aboard her; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a postage stamp be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2001 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to change the amount of monthly veterans' educational assistance allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill from a fixed amount adjusted for inflation to an amount equal to the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for commuter students at public institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees (75 percent of such amount for veterans whose initial obligated period of active duty is two years). Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine such average monthly costs each year and to publish such amounts in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Public Safety Medal of Valor Act- Authorizes the President to award, and present in the name of the Congress, a Medal of Valor to a public safety officer cited by the Attorney General, upon the recommendation of the Medal of Valor Review Board, for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. States that the Public Safety Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. Establishes a Medal of Valor Review Board to select candidates to receive the Medal from among applications received by the National Medal Office. Establishes within the Department of Justice a National Medal Office to support the Board and establish criteria and procedures for the submission of nominee recommendations for the Medal. Repeals provisions of the Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 establishing the President's Award for Outstanding Public Safety Service and the Secretary of Commerce's Award for Distinguished Public Safety Service.
![Official portrait of Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000444_200.jpg)