United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Social Security and Medicare Off-Budget Lockbox Act of 2001 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide that the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of the Federal or congressional budgets or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) (thus, making it off-budget). Provides for related points of order in the House of Representatives and the Senate to enforce such requirement. Amends the Social Security Act to provide the same budgetary treatment for the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund as is provided to the Federal Disability and Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Funds. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide a point of order in the House or the Senate against consideration of any budget resolution or legislation that would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for any fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Federal Elections Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to soft money to prohibit: (1) a national committee of a political party from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to FECA; (2) a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization; and (3) a candidate or an incumbent for Federal office from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to FECA, and from soliciting, receiving, directing, transferring, or spending funds in connection with any election other than an election for Federal office, or disbursing funds in connection with such an election unless the funds meet specified requirements. Establishes an individual annual limit of $10,000 for State committee contributions. Increases the aggregate individual contribution limit to $30,000. Requires national and State committees to report all receipts and disbursements. Repeals the building fund exception to the definition of contribution. Adds requirements for reporting certain independent expenditures to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Prohibits a committee of a political party from making both independent and coordinated expenditures for a nominee. Requires coordinated activities to be considered as contributions to and expenditures by the candidate. Authorizes the FEC to conduct random audits to ensure voluntary FECA compliance. Prohibits false representation to solicit contributions. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to codify the U. S. Supreme Court decision in Communications Workers of America et al. v. Beck et al. Lists the permitted and prohibited uses of contributions received by a candidate or an incumbent. Amends Federal postal law to limit congressional use of the franking privilege. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit campaign fundraising on Federal property. Amends FECA to: (1) increase penalties for certain violations; (2) revise restrictions on contributions and donations by foreign nationals in Federal, State, or local elections; and (3) protect equal participation of eligible voters in campaigns and elections. Establishes within FEC a clearinghouse of public information regarding the political activities of foreign principals and their agents. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to condition the receipt of amounts from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund in a presidential election upon the candidate's certification not to solicit any funds for influencing such election unless the funds are subject to FECA. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit use of White House meals and accommodations for political fundraising. Amends FECA to require reimbursement for certain political fundraising involving use of Federal property. Amends IRC to ban coordination of soft money for issue advocacy by presidential candidates receiving public financing. Establishes the Commission on Voting Rights and Procedures to study and make recommendations on matters such as election technology and systems, designs and uniformity of ballots, and voter education. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States to implement the Commission's recommendations. Military Voting Rights Act of 2001 - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, with respect to voting, to require that a person absent from a State in compliance with military or naval orders shall not, solely by reason of that absence, be deemed to have: (1) lost a residence or domicile in that State; (2) acquired a residence or domicile in any other State; or (3) become resident in or a resident of any other State. Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require States, with respect to elections for State and local offices, to permit absentee voting by uniformed services members.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Educational Excellence for All Learners Act of 2001 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and reauthorize certain ESEA programs. School Improvement Accountability Act - Revises ESEA title I programs for helping disadvantaged schoolchildren, with respect to: (1) reservations of funds for schools identified for corrective action or improvement; (2) accountability for yearly progress under State plans, assessments, and improvement aid; and (3) financial incentives for comprehensive school reform. Revises teacher professional development programs to require: (1) State plans to include goals for increasing numbers of fully qualified teachers; and (2) local educational agencies (LEA) to notify parents of their right to information about teacher qualifications. Revises innovative education programs to add requirements for State plans, sanctions, reports, standards, and assessment enhancements. Requires performance objectives for States and LEAs receiving funds for programs to assist limited English proficiency students. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) grants to States for annual State, LEA, and school report cards on elementary and secondary educational quality; and (2) awards to States for high performance in education. Extends the authorization of appropriations for ESEA title I programs for helping disadvantaged schoolchildren. Directs the Secretary annually to review how such funds are allocated to ensure that LEAs with the highest need are receiving funds in proportion to that need as compared to other LEAs. Establishes the Opportunities to Improve Our Nation's Schools (OPTIONS) program, under which the Secretary may make grants to States and LEAs to support programs that promote innovative approaches to high-quality public school choice. Sets forth parental involvement requirements for State plans for improving basic programs operated by LEAs. Establishes a program for Parental Assistance and Child Opportunity (which replaces current provisions relating to programs for children and youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at-risk of dropping out). Authorizes the Secretary, under such program, to make: (1) grants to nonprofit organizations, and such organizations in consortia with LEAs, to establish school-linked or school-based parental information and resource centers; and (2) grants to and contracts with local nonprofit parent organizations to support local family information centers to help ensure that parents of students in schools assisted under State plans for improving basic programs have training, information, and support they need to participate effectively in helping their children to meet challenging State standards. Revises, and reauthorizes appropriations for, ESEA title II teacher quality under professional development programs. Renames and revises such programs to emphasize provision of a qualified teacher in every classroom. Authorizes the Secretary to make: (1) grant allotments to States for State- and local-level teacher professional development, mentoring, and recruitment activities, including subgrants to LEAs, recruiting partnerships using teacher corps programs, and partnerships of higher education institutions and LEAs; and (2) grants to and contracts with various entities for national activities for the improvement of teaching and school leadership, including the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education, Transition-to-Teaching programs, Hometown Teacher programs, and Early Childhood Educator Professional Development. Establishes a program of grants for school renovation. Directs SEAs to reserve certain amounts for grants to LEAs for repair and renovation and for technology and activities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Amends the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2001 to revise the authorization of appropriations for a charter school credit enhancement initiative program. America's Better Classrooms Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish a limited tax credit for: (1) qualified public school modernization bonds (construction and zone academy bonds); and (2) qualified tribal school modernization bonds. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to establish provisions concerning employment and training activities related to the construction or reconstruction of public school facilities. Reauthorizes appropriations for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program under ESEA. Establishes an ESEA program of grants for class size reduction. Reading Excellence Act - Revises, renames, and reauthorizes appropriations for certain reading excellence programs under ESEA. Repeals ESEA provisions for tutorial assistance grants. Training for Technology Act of 2001 - Revises ESEA title III technology for education provisions. Requires local applications for school technology resource grants to demonstrate how LEAs will use portions of such funds for in-service teacher training. Establishes a program authorizing the Secretary, through the Office of Educational Technology, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible consortia for developing or redesigning teacher preparation programs to enable prospective teachers to use technology effectively in their classrooms. Allows technology-specific professional development grant funds to be used to provide incentives, including bonus payments, to teachers who achieve certain technology standards or information-technology certification. Makes appropriations for FY 2002 for assistance for education of all children with disabilities (part B of IDEA). Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding full funding of IDEA. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the maximum Pell grant should be increased under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Establishes an IRC tax deduction for higher education expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
21st Century Law Enforcement, Crime Prevention, and Victims Assistance Act - Extends: (1) the community policing (COPS) program by providing for hiring more police and prosecutors; (2) Project Exile; and (3) the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative. Imposes a gun ban for juveniles convicted or adjudicated delinquent for violent crimes. Requires revocation of a firearms dealer's license for failing to have secure gun safety devices available for sale with firearms. Requires criminal background checks for all gun sales at gun shows. Establishes new crimes and increases penalties for killing Federal officers. Enhances the penalty for assaults and threats against Federal officials engaged in official duties. Provides a limited protective function privilege for Secret Service agents. Prohibits the interstate franchising of street gangs. Increases penalties for crimes involving the use of body armor or laser-sighting devices. Doubles the maximum criminal penalties for: (1) using or threatening physical violence against witnesses; and (2) voluntary manslaughter. Provides for jurisdiction over foreign banks engaged in money laundering that have U.S. accounts and for criminal forfeiture for money laundering conspiracies. Provides: (1) a model Bill of Rights for crime victims in the Federal system; and (2) assistance for shelters and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence. Makes available to States grants for victim-related training and notification systems. Authorizes grants for pilot programs to operate Victim Ombudsman Information Centers. Establishes new offenses and increases penalties for crimes against senior citizens. Reauthorizes the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and creates a new juvenile justice block grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefit Program) (OPDBP) to provide Medicare coverage of certain outpatient prescription drugs and biological products for individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for an outpatient prescription drug benefit program for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Outlines premiums and cost-sharing provisions, including those for a $250 deductible waivable for generic drugs, as well as coinsurance provisions. Sets out patient protections. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and implement an Employer Incentive Program that encourages sponsors of employment-based health care coverage to provide adequate prescription drug benefits to retired individuals. Establishes a Medicare Pharmacy and Therapeutics Advisory Committee. Amends SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) to require each Medicare+Choice plan, with specified exceptions, to provide enrolled members items and services for which benefits are available under new part D. Amends SSA title XVIII part D to exclude Medicare part D costs from determination of the part B monthly premium. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) include in Medicare cost-sharing for qualified Medicare beneficiaries premiums under OPDBP; and (2) provide for expanding medical assistance with regard to OPDBP coinsurance and deductible. Sets at 100 percent the Federal Medicaid percentage with respect to such medical assistance. Amends SSA title XI to increase Medicaid payments to territories. Amends SSA title XVIII to revise requirements for benefit packages for Medicare supplemental policies, and with regard to comprehensive immunosuppressive drug coverage for transplant patients. Directs the Secretary to study whether to: (1) establish a uniform format for pharmacy benefit cards provided to beneficiaries by eligible entities under OPDBP; and (2) develop systems to transfer prescriptions electronically under OPDBP from the prescriber to the pharmacist. Outlines provisions for General Accounting Office and Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) studies involving OPDBP.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Patients' Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to protect consumers in managed care plans and other health coverage. Sets forth standards relating to: (1) grievance and appeals procedures; (2) access to care; (3) access to information; and (4) protection of the doctor-patient relationship. Applies such quality care and patient protection standards to group health plans, group health coverage, and individual health coverage under specified provisions of PHSA, ERISA, and IRC. Directs the Secretaries of Labor, of Health and Human Services (HHS), and of the Treasury to ensure coordination in the implementation of this Act. Establishes the Health Care Panel to Devise a Uniform Explanation of Benefits. Requires the Panel to devise a single form for use by third-party health care payers for remittance of claims to providers. Directs the Secretary of HHS to determine the composition of the Panel, including equal numbers of representatives from specified types of groups. Prohibits this Act from having any effect upon the Social Security Act or its trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Self-Employed Health Insurance Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for 100 percent of a self-employed individual's health insurance costs for himself or herself, spouse, and dependents, unless such individual participates in an employer-maintained health plan. (Current law provides for a phased-in 100 percent deduction and disallowance upon participation eligibility.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Protecting Civil Rights for All Americans Act - Title I: Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001 - Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Attorney General (AG), at the request of a State law enforcement official or Indian tribe, to provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that: (1) constitutes a crime of violence under the Federal criminal code; (2) constitutes a felony under the laws of a State or Indian tribe; and (3) is motivated by prejudice based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, or is a violation of the hate crime laws of a State or Indian tribe. Requires assistance priority to be given to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one State and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary expenses relating to the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Authorizes the AG to award grants to assist State, local, or Indian law enforcement officials with the extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. Outlines grant application requirements and requires grant approval or disapproval within 30 days. Limits such grants to no more than $100,000 for any single jurisdiction within a one-year period. Requires a report from the AG to Congress on grant applications awarded. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 105) Directs the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice to award grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and Justice for FY 2001 through 2003 to increase the number of personnel preventing and responding to alleged violations of hate crime acts. (Sec. 107) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for Federal violations of hate crime acts. (Sec. 108) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who engage in such recruitment. (Sec. 109) Amends the Hate Crimes Statistics Act to require the AG to acquire and maintain statistics on gender-related hate crimes. Title II: Traffic Stops Statistics Study Act - Traffic Stops Statistics Study Act of 2001 - Directs the AG to conduct a nationwide study for traffic violations by law enforcement officers. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) perform an initial analysis of existing data, including complaints alleging and other information concerning traffic stops motivated by race and other bias; (2) gather specified data on traffic stops from a nationwide sample of jurisdictions; and (3) report the results to Congress and make such report available to the public. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the AG to provide grants to law enforcement agencies to collect and submit the data to the appropriate agency as designated by the AG. (Sec. 204) Prohibits information released pursuant to this title from revealing the identity of any individual who is stopped or any law enforcement officer involved in a traffic stop. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Supporting Indigent Representation - Authorizes appropriations for the Legal Services Corporation. Title IV: Genetic Nondiscrimination of Health Insurance Discrimination on the Basis of Predictive Genetic Information - Subtitle A: Prohibition of Health Insurance Discrimination on the Basis of Predictive Genetic Information - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (regarding a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group insurance through a group plan) the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) (regarding such a plan or issuer, and with regard to an issuer offering health insurance in the individual market), the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) (regarding a group health plan), and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) (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. Allows a plan or issuer: (1) regarding payment for genetic services, to request evidence that the services were performed; and (2) regarding payment for other benefits, to request predictive genetic information in certain circumstances. Allows a court, for violations, to award any appropriate legal or equitable relief, attorney's fees and costs, and expert witness costs. Allows civil monetary penalties. Applies the requirements of this paragraph to plans that have fewer than two participants who are current employees. Amends ERISA and the PHSA to: (1) declare that the provisions of paragraph above do not preempt any provision of State law that protects genetic information confidentiality or privacy, or prohibits genetic discrimination, more completely than ERISA's and the PHSA's group health plan provisions; and (2) apply the requirements of the paragraph above to Medicare supplemental health insurance and similar supplemental coverage, if provided under a separate policy, certificate, or contract of insurance. Amends the PHSA to disallow nonfederal governmental group plans from electing to be exempted from the requirements of this title. Subtitle B: Prohibition of Employment Discrimination on the Basis of Predictive Genetic Information - Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate because of predictive 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 (or the employee's family). (Sec. 416) Requires employers possessing such information to treat and maintain the information as part of the employee's confidential medical records. Prohibits disclosure, subject to exception. (Sec. 417) Empowers one or more employees, labor organization members, or training participants to bring an action in Federal or State court for violations. Applies to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), for enforcement of this title, the powers, remedies, and procedures under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Allows a court to award any appropriate legal or equitable relief, attorney's fees and costs, and costs of experts. (Sec. 419) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Title V: Employment Nondiscrimination - Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2001 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities. Declares that a disparate impact does not establish a prima facie violation of this Act. Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares that this Act does not apply to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's domestic partner. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from: (1) collecting statistics on sexual orientation from covered entities; and (2) compelling covered entities to collect such statistics. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) an order or consent decree for a violation of this Act that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares that this Act does not apply to: (1) religious organizations (except regarding employment in a position the duties of which pertain solely to activities of the organization that generate unrelated business income subject to taxation under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions); (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Provides for enforcement. Prohibits the imposition of affirmative action for a violation of this Act. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for all remedies (except punitive damages, with compensatory damages available to the extent specified in certain existing provisions of law) to the same extent as under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Requires posting notices for employees, applicants, and members. Title VI: Promoting Civil Rights Enforcement - Establishes, in the Department of Justice, a National Task Force on Violence Against Health Care Providers which shall: (1) coordinate the national investigation and prosecution of incidents of violence and other unlawful acts directed against reproductive health care providers; (2) serve as a clearinghouse of information, for use by investigators and prosecutors, relating to acts of violence against reproductive health care providers; (3) make available security information and recommendations to enhance the safety and protection of reproductive health care providers; (4) provide training to Federal, State, and local law enforcement on issues relating to clinic violence; and (5) support Federal civil investigation and litigation of violence and other unlawful acts directed at reproductive health care providers. Authorizes increased FY 2002 (as compared to FY 2001) appropriations to specified Federal offices involved in the enforcement of civil rights.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2000
National Child Protection Improvement Act - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to create a new title which may be cited as the National Child Protection Improvement Act. Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) a national center for volunteer and provider screening to serve qualified provider care entities requesting a nationwide background check on providers of care to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities; and (2) a National Volunteer Screening Task Force to oversee the work of the center and report on the progress of States in complying with provisions of the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (the Act). Amends the Act to require national background check requests to be submitted to the National Center for Volunteer Screening, which shall conduct a search using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System or other appropriate criminal record check. Requires a model program to be established in each State and the District of Columbia providing grants to improve fingerprinting technology.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2000
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 participation and support by U.S. multinational companies and other elements of the private sector for cultural, arts, and educational exchange programs, including those programs that will enhance international appreciation of America's cultural and artistic accomplishments; (2) solicit and receive contributions from the private sector to support such cultural arts and educational exchange programs; and (3) provide grants and other assistance for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2000
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Heritage Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct and submit to specified congressional committees a resource study of the 600 mile route through Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia, used by George Washington and General Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau during the American Revolutionary War.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2000
Dangerous Biological Agent and Toxin Control Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make unlawful: (1) the possession of any biological agent, toxin, or delivery system not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, or other peaceful purpose; (2) the handling of such an agent, toxin, or system in a manner that grossly deviates from accepted norms; and (3) the communication of false information concerning the existence of such prohibited activities. Requires a person to report the possession and transfer of select biological agents. Provides: (1) criminal and civil penalties; and (2) authorized waivers with respect to persons possessing select agents in the course of employment. Protects all information provided from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2000
Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2000 - Title I: Needs Based Bankruptcy - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to revamp guidelines governing dismissal or conversion of a Chapter 7 liquidation petition (complete relief in bankruptcy) to one under Chapter 11 (Reorganization) or Chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income). Allows a bankruptcy panel trustee and any party in interest to move for such dismissal or conversion (current law prohibits a party in interest from such motions). Lowers the "substantial abuse" standard for dismissal or conversion to one of simple abuse. Replaces the presumption in favor of granting the relief sought by the debtor with a presumption that abuse exists if the debtor's current monthly income exceeds specified formulae. (Sec. 102) Includes within the calculation of debtor's monthly expenses: (1) those expenses incurred to maintain the safety of the debtor and the debtor's family from family violence as identified under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act or other applicable Federal law; and (2) continuation of actual expenses paid by the debtor for the care and support of an elderly, chronically ill, or disabled household or non-dependent immediate family member. Provides that the presumption of abuse may only be rebutted with detailed documentation of special circumstances requiring additional expenses or adjustment of currently monthly total income for which there is no reasonable alternative. Requires the debtor's counsel to reimburse the bankruptcy trustee for legal fees in prosecuting a dismissal or conversion motion if the court finds that counsel's filing under Chapter 7 was in violation of certain bankruptcy rules. Requires the court, upon motion by the victim of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime (or at the request of a party in interest), to dismiss a voluntary case filed by an individual debtor convicted of that crime (unless the debtor establishes that filing of the case is necessary to satisfy a claim for a domestic support obligation). Redefines "disposable income" of a chapter 13 debtor to exclude such debtor's domestic support obligation that first becomes payable after the date the petition is filed. (Sec. 103) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury has the authority to alter Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standards established to set guidelines for repayment plans as needed to accommodate their use under the Bankruptcy Code. Instructs the Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees to report to certain congressional committees regarding the utilization of Internal Revenue standards for determining specified monthly expenses of a debtor and the impact of such standards upon debtors and the bankruptcy courts. (Sec. 104) Revises procedural guidelines to mandate a written notice to the individual consumer debtor before commencement of a case stating: (1) the types of services available from credit counseling agencies; (2) the criminal penalties for fraudulent concealment of assets; and (3) that all creditor-supplied information is subject to examination by the Attorney General. (Sec. 105) Instructs the Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees to: (1) develop a financial management training curriculum and materials to educate individual debtors on how to better manage their finances; and (2) test, evaluate, and report to the Congress on the curriculum's effectiveness. (Sec. 106) Precludes an individual debtor from filing under Federal bankruptcy law unless the individual has received a briefing from an approved nonprofit budget and credit counseling service prior to filing a bankruptcy petition, unless the U.S. trustee or bankruptcy administrator determines that the service for the district in which the debtor lives is not reasonably able to provide adequate services to the additional individuals who would otherwise seek credit counseling because of such requirement. Conditions a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 discharge in bankruptcy upon the debtor's completion of an approved instructional course concerning personal financial management. Requires the clerk of each district to maintain a public list of credit counseling agencies and instructional courses concerning personal financial management. Prescribes criteria for approval of such agencies and courses. Prohibits such counseling service from informing a credit reporting agency whether an individual debtor has received or sought personal financial management instruction. Establishes civil penalties for noncompliance. Title II: Enhanced Consumer Protection - Subtitle A: Penalties for Abusive Creditor Practices - Cites circumstances under which the court may reduce by up to 20 percent a claim based in whole upon unsecured consumer debts if the debtor can show by clear and convincing evidence that the claim was filed by a creditor who unreasonably refused to negotiate a reasonable alternative repayment schedule proposed by an approved credit counseling agency acting on the debtor's behalf. (Sec. 202) Makes a creditor's willful failure to credit payments received from a debtor (with a specified exception), if such failure caused material injury to the debtor, a violation of a discharge operating as an injunction. (Sec. 203) Modifies debt reaffirmation guidelines governing wholly unsecured consumer debts to mandate specified detailed disclosures and explanations to the debtor for dischargeable debt agreements. Exempts a credit union creditor from such detailed disclosures and explanations. Amends Federal criminal law to instruct the Attorney General to designate U.S. attorneys and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to implement enforcement activities in addressing: (1) abusive reaffirmations of debt; and (2) materially fraudulent statements in bankruptcy schedules that are intentionally false or misleading. Directs the bankruptcy court to establish procedures for referring those cases to such U.S. attorneys and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Subtitle B: Priority Child Support - Revises priority payment guidelines to place within the first priority claim category certain unsecured claims for domestic support obligations, on the condition that funds received by a governmental unit be applied in a prescribed order. (Sec. 213) Conditions court confirmation of a debt repayment plan under Chapters 11, 12 (Debts of a Family Farmer), and 13 (and the subsequent discharge of debts) upon certification of debtor's full payment of all adjudicated domestic support obligations that are due after the petition filing date. (Sec. 214) Excepts from an automatic stay specified choses-in-action pertaining to domestic support obligations proceedings including: (1) child custody or visitation; (2) dissolution of marriage; (3) domestic violence; (4) withholding of income that is property of the bankrupt estate for payment of domestic support obligations; (5) suspension of drivers' licenses and professional licenses; (6) reporting of overdue support owed by a parent to certain consumer reporting agencies; (7) interception of specified tax refunds; (8) establishment of paternity; (9) establishment or modification of an order for domestic support obligations; and (10) enforcement of medical obligations under title IV, part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 215) Revamps guidelines governing the nondischargeability of certain debts for alimony, maintenance, and support to repeal the exceptions granted the debtor under specified conditions. (Sec. 216) Modifies guidelines governing property exempt from the bankruptcy estate to declare such property liable for a debt arising from domestic support obligations. (Sec. 217) Prohibits the bankruptcy trustee from avoiding a transfer that is a bona fide payment of a debt for a domestic support obligation. (Sec. 218) Redefines "disposable income" received by certain debtors, with respect to confirmation of a plan under Chapter 12 or 13, to include income not reasonably expected to be expended for a domestic support obligation that first becomes payable after the date on which a petition for debt relief is filed. (Sec. 219) Sets forth the duties of the bankruptcy trustee under chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13 regarding a claim against an individual debtor for the collection of child support, including notifying the claim holder and the appropriate State child support agency of the debtor's last known address. (Sec. 220) Makes dischargeable any debts for certain qualified educational loans which, if not discharged, would impose an undue hardship upon either the debtor or the debtor's dependent. Subtitle C: Other Consumer Protections - Modifies guidelines governing nonattorney bankruptcy petition preparers to mandate that as a prerequisite to any collection of fees for services: (1) such preparers officially disclose to debtors that they cannot practice law or give legal advice; and (2) such disclosure be signed by the debtor and filed with the requisite court documents. Prescribes enforcement and penalty guidelines for preparer noncompliance. (Sec. 222) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should develop curricula relating to the subject of personal finance, designed for use in elementary and secondary schools. (Sec. 223) Places in the tenth order of prioritized claims against the bankrupt estate any death or personal injury claims resulting from the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle or vessel because the debtor was drug or alcohol-impaired. (Sec. 224) Permits an individual debtor to exempt from the property of the bankrupt estate certain tax-exempt retirement funds that have not been obligated in connection with any extension of credit. Exempts from either an automatic stay or a discharge in bankruptcy specified income withheld from the debtor pursuant to pension or profit sharing plans sponsored by such debtor's employer to pay certain loans from such plans. (Sec. 225) Sets forth criteria for excluding certain education individual retirement accounts from the property of the bankruptcy estate if the designated beneficiary is a child or grandchild of the debtor. (Sec. 227) Sets forth restrictions on and requirements for debt relief agency practices. Provides for civil penalties for intentional violations. Requires a debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to provide prescribed disclosures to an assisted person. (Sec. 230) Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of requiring trustees or the bankruptcy courts to provide the Office of Child Support Enforcement with the names and address of an individual debtor promptly after such debtor commences a case. Title III: Discouraging Bankruptcy Abuse - Modifies exceptions to a discharge in bankruptcy to prohibit discharge of a filing fee imposed by any court upon a prisoner. (Sec. 302) Terminates the automatic stay 30 days after filing of a petition if a chapter 7, 11, or 13 petition was pending and dismissed the previous year, unless the subsequent filing is in good faith. Delineates conditions under which a history of previous petitions in bankruptcy give rise to a rebuttable presumption that the case is not filed in good faith. (Sec. 303) Directs the court to grant two-year relief from the automatic stay upon request of a party in interest with respect to certain real property actions if the court finds that filing the bankruptcy petition was part of a scheme to delay, hinder, and defraud creditors. (Sec. 304) Modifies debtor's duties to mandate specified affirmative actions to be taken by a chapter 7 debtor, including reaffirmation of the debt, or redemption of the property within 45 days, in order to retain possession of personal property. Allows a creditor to take action with respect to such property under nonbankruptcy law if the debtor fails to act within 45 days, unless the court determines upon trustee motion that such property is of consequential value or benefit to the estate. (Sec. 305) Declares that the automatic stay is terminated regarding property of the debtor's estate securing a claim or subject to an unexpired lease, if the debtor fails to complete an intended surrender of consumer debt collateral, or an intended property redemption or debt reaffirmation in order to retain such collateral, within a revised, accelerated time frame (unless the court determines upon trustee motion that such property is of consequential value or benefit to the estate). (Sec. 306) Requires the bankruptcy court to confirm a Chapter 13 plan if it provides that the holder of a secured allowed claim shall retain the attendant lien until payment or discharge of all debts. Provides that if a Chapter 13 proceeding is dismissed or converted without completion of the plan, the holder shall retain such lien to the extent recognized by applicable nonbankruptcy law. Provides that statutory guidelines to determine the secured status of a creditor's claim do not apply if: (1) the creditor has a purchase money security interest securing the debt; (2) the underlying debt was incurred within the five-year period preceding the filing of the bankruptcy petition; and (3) the collateral for that debt consists of a motor vehicle acquired for the debtor's personal use (or if the collateral consists of any other thing of value if the debt was incurred during the one-year period preceding such filing). (Sec. 307) Increases from 180 to 730 days the length of a debtor's location of domicile for purposes of determining which State law governs the debtor's selection of property exempt from the bankrupt estate. Moderates such time frame if the debtor's domicile has not been located at a single State for such 730-day period. (Sec. 308) Reduces the value of the homestead exemption and debtor's burial plot to the extent it is attributable to any portion of any property: (1) disposed of by the debtor within the seven-year period ending on the bankruptcy petition filing date with the intent to obstruct or defraud a creditor; and (2) which the debtor could not exempt. (Sec. 309) Revamps prescriptions governing the effects of conversion from chapter 13 to another chapter. Declares that: (1) valuations of property and of allowed secured claims in a chapter 13 case shall not apply in a case converted to chapter 7; and (2) with respect to cases converted from Chapter 13, the claim of any creditor holding security as of the date of the petition shall continue to be secured by that security unless the full claim amount, as determined under applicable nonbankruptcy law, has been paid in full as of the conversion date. States that a prebankruptcy default shall have the effect given under applicable nonbankruptcy law unless it has been fully cured pursuant to the plan at the time of conversion. Provides for a Chapter 7 debtor's assumption of unexpired leases of personal property. Declares that in a Chapter 11 case in which the debtor is an individual, and in a Chapter 13 case, if the lease is not assumed in the plan, it is rejected (thus no longer subject to an automatic stay) as of the conclusion of the hearing on confirmation. Delineates a cash payment plan for chapter 13 debtors for payments to any lessor of personal property and to any creditor holding a claim secured by personal property in order to ensure adequate protection to the claim holder during the payment period. Mandates that a debtor-in-possession provide reasonable evidence of any requisite insurance coverage with respect to the use or ownership of such property. (Sec. 310) Reduces from the threshold amounts of luxury goods and consumer credit any consumer debts owed to a single creditor presumed nondischargeable in bankruptcy, if acquired within 90 days and 70 days, respectively (currently 60 days) before an order for relief is issued. (Sec. 311) Precludes an automatic stay of any eviction, unlawful detainer action, or similar proceeding by a lessor against a debtor involving residential real property in which: (1) the debtor resides as a tenant under a rental agreement; (2) the debtor resides as a tenant under a rental agreement that has terminated; or (3) eviction actions are based upon endangerment to property or person or the use of illegal drugs. Denies an automatic stay of any transfer not avoidable by the trustee. (Sec. 312) Extends the period between Chapter 7 discharges to eight years, and between Chapter 13 discharges to five years. (Sec . 313) Requires the Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees to report to specified congressional committees about utilization of the definition of household goods under this Act with respect to: (1) the avoidance of nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interests in household goods; and (2) the impact that such definition has had on debtors and on the bankruptcy courts. (Sec. 314) Lists among debts that are not dischargeable in bankruptcy a debt incurred to pay a tax to a non-Federal governmental unit. Revamps Chapter 13 debt discharge guidelines. Prohibits discharge 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. (Sec. 315) Prescribes notice procedures for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 creditors. Expands debtor's duties to require filing with the bankruptcy court of: (1) all tax returns; (2) evidence of employer payments received; (3) monthly net income projections; and (4) anticipated income or expenditure increases. Permits a Chapter 7 or chapter 13 creditor to request the debtor's petition, schedules, and statement of affairs, including the debt adjustment plan filed by the debtor. Requires dismissal of a Chapter 7 or 13 case upon debtor's failure to provide to the bankruptcy trustee not later than seven days before the date first set for the first meeting of creditors a tax return for the latest taxable period prior to filing. Mandates that, at the time of filing with the taxing authority, a Chapter 7 or 13 debtor file with the bankruptcy court specified tax documentation pertaining to the period from case commencement until case termination. Requires a Chapter 13 debtor to file with the court a statement of income and expenditures in the preceding tax year, and monthly net income, showing how calculated. Makes debtor's mandatory documentation available for inspection and copying to certain bankruptcy officers and any party in interest. Requires debtors to furnish driver's license, passport, or other photograph-containing documentation establishing debtor identification. (Sec. 316) Provides for automatic dismissal if a Chapter 7 or 13 debtor fails to furnish all mandatory information, or fails to timely file the requisite schedules. Requires the court to order dismissal within five days of a request by a party in interest for debtor's failure to timely submit requisite documentation. (Sec. 317) Requires a Chapter 13 confirmation hearing to be held not later than 45 days after the first meeting of creditors. (Sec. 318). Sets forth a statutory formula to determine whether a Chapter 13 debt readjustment payment plan shall be of either three-year or five-year duration. (Sec. 319) Expresses the sense of the Congress that rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure should include a requirement that all debtors' documents be submitted to the court only after debtors have made reasonable inquiry to verify that all information therein is well grounded in fact, and warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for extension, modification or reversal of existing law. (Sec. 320) Revises automatic stay guidelines to provide that in the case of an individual filing under Chapters 7, 11, or 13, the automatic stay shall terminate 60 days after a request for its release by a party in interest, unless the court orders or the parties agree to a longer time. (Sec. 321) Revamps guidelines governing a Chapter 11 business reorganization case filed by an individual to: (1) identify the property of the estate in bankruptcy; and (2) revise the contents, confirmation, and modification of a reorganization plan. (Sec. 322) Prohibits a debtor from exempting from the estate in bankruptcy any amount of interest acquired during the two years before petition filing that exceeds in the aggregate $100,000 in value in: (1) real or personal property used as a residence; (2) a cooperative that owns property used as a residency by the debtor or debtor's dependent; or (3) a burial plot for the debtor or debtor's dependent. (Sec. 323) Excludes employee benefit plan participant contributions from the property of the bankruptcy estate. (Sec. 324) Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) grant the district court presiding over a title 11 case exclusive jurisdiction over property of the debtor and of the estate, as well as to claims relating to employment or disclosure of bankruptcy professionals; and (2) increase bankruptcy fees and the amounts deposited as offsetting collections to both the United States Trustee Systems Fund, and to a special fund of the Treasury available to offset funds appropriated for court operation and maintenance. (Sec. 326) Exempts from the prohibition against sharing of compensation or reimbursement with respect to administrative expenses of a debtor's estate any sharing, or agreeing to share, compensation with a bona fide public service attorney referral program that operates in accordance with non-Federal law regulating attorney referral services, and with rules of professional responsibility applicable to attorney acceptance of referrals. (Sec. 327) Declares that the value of personal property securing an allowed claim shall be determined based on its replacement value as of the date of petition filing without deduction for costs of sale or marketing. (Sec. 328) Revises requirements for the assumption by a trustee of a defaulted executory contract or unexpired lease. Exempts from the requirement that the trustee cure such a default any default that is a breach of a provision relating to the satisfaction of any non-penalty provision relating to a default arising from any failure to perform nonmonetary obligations under an unexpired lease of real property, if it is impossible for the trustee to cure such default by performing nonmonetary acts at and after the time of assumption. Provides, however, that if such default arises from a failure to operate in accordance with a nonresidential real property lease, then such default shall be cured by performance at and after the time of assumption in accordance with such lease, and pecuniary losses resulting from such default shall be compensated in accordance with specified law. Makes the same exception to requirements a plan must meet to avoid impairing a class of claims or interests. Requires a plan, to avoid impairment, to compensate a claim holder for any actual pecuniary loss incurred by such holder as a result of any failure to perform a nonmonetary obligation, other than a default arising from failure to operate a non-residential real property lease subject to certain requirements. Title IV: General and Small Business Bankruptcy Provisions - Subtitle A: General Business Bankruptcy Provisions - Denies a debtor an automatic stay of the commencement of an investigation or action by a securities self-regulatory organization to enforce compliance with its regulations, or of the enforcement of any order or decision obtained by such an organization, other than for monetary sanctions. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the bankruptcy court, upon request of a party in interest, to order that the U.S. trustee not convene a meeting of creditors or equity security holders if the debtor has filed a plan for which acceptances have been solicited before commencement of the case. (Sec. 403) Increases from ten days to 30 days the length of time for the perfection of a transfer of property with respect to a trustee's authority to avoid such a transfer. (Sec. 404) Amends guidelines for rejection and surrender of executory contracts and unexpired leases. (Sec. 405) Authorizes a Chapter 11 trustee to increase the membership of a committee of creditors and equity security holders to include a creditor that is a small business concern following the court's determination that such creditor holds claims of the kind represented by the committee, the aggregate amount of which is disproportionately large in comparison to the creditor's annual gross revenue. Requires such committee to provide to certain creditors who are not committee members access to information. (Sec. 406) Prohibits the bankruptcy trustee from avoiding a warehouseman's lien for costs incidental to the storage and handling of certain goods. (Sec. 407) Directs the bankruptcy court to treat the compensation awarded a trustee as a commission. (Sec. 408) States that acceptance or rejection of a chapter 11 plan may be solicited from a holder of a claim or interest if: (1) the solicitation complies with applicable nonbankruptcy law; and (2) it was made before commencement of the case in a manner complying with applicable nonbankruptcy law. (Sec. 409) Prohibits the bankruptcy trustee from avoiding a transfer if, in a case filed by a debtor whose debts are not primarily consumer debts, the aggregate value of all property that constitutes or is affected by such transfer is less than $5,000. (Sec. 411) Limits the extensions of time permitted for filing a Chapter 11 reorganization plan. (Sec. 412) Denies a discharge in bankruptcy for a debt for a fee or assessment arising from a debtor's interest in a lot in a homeowners association for as long as the debtor retains specified interests in such lot. (Sec. 413) Authorizes a creditor holding a consumer debt to participate in a meeting of creditors in a chapter 7 or 13 case, either alone or in conjunction with an attorney. (Sec. 414) Revises the definition of "disinterested person" to remove persons who are not investment bankers (thus allowing investment bankers for any outstanding security of the debtor to be treated as a disinterested person). (Sec. 418) Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the district court or bankruptcy court to waive the Chapter 7 filing fee and other attendant fees for certain Chapter 7 debtors whom the court has determined to be unable to pay fees in installments. (Sec. 419) Directs the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference of the United States to propose amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Official Bankruptcy Forms directing chapter 11 debtors to disclose information relating to the value, operations, and profitability of any closely held corporation, partnership, or other entity in which the debtor holds a substantial or controlling interest. Subtitle B: Small Business Bankruptcy Provisions - Sets forth mandatory factors for court consideration in determining whether the disclosure statement regarding a small business reorganization plan provides adequate information. (Sec. 432) Defines a small business debtor, generally, as a person (including a debtor affiliate) with not more than $3 million in aggregate non-contingent, liquidated secured and unsecured debts as of the date of the petition or the order for relief (excluding debts owed to one or more affiliates or insiders). (Sec. 433) Directs the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference (Advisory Committee) to propose for adoption standardized disclosure statements and plans of reorganization for small business debtors. (Sec. 434) Sets forth uniform national reporting requirements for small business debtors. (Sec. 435) Directs the Advisory Committee to propose for adoption revisions to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Official Bankruptcy Forms enabling small business debtors to comply with such uniform national reporting requirements. (Sec. 436) Sets forth duties and administrative procedures in small business reorganization cases, including serial filer provisions and expanded grounds for dismissal or conversion and appointment of a trustee. (Sec. 443) Directs the Small Business Administration to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the factors that cause small businesses to become debtors in bankruptcy; and (2) how Federal bankruptcy laws can be made more efficient in assisting small businesses to retain their viability. (Sec. 444) Revises the circumstance precluding a secured single asset real estate interest creditor's relief from an automatic stay where a debtor has commenced monthly payments to each such creditor to allow the debtor, in the debtor's sole discretion, to make such payments from rents or other income generated before or after the commencement of the case by or from the property. Requires such payments in an amount equal to the interest on the value of the creditor's interest in the real estate, determined at the then-applicable nondefault contract rate of interest (currently, at the fair market rate). (Sec. 445) Allows as an administrative expense, for the two-year period following either the later of the rejection date or date of actual turnover of the premises, all monetary obligations due from a nonresidential real property lease previously assumed and subsequently rejected under the requirements governing executory contracts and unexpired leases. Title V: Municipal Bankruptcy Provisions - Makes technical amendments to requirements for a municipal bankruptcy petition. Title VI: Bankruptcy Data - Amends the Federal judicial code to require the clerk of each district to compile bankruptcy statistics for individual debtors with primarily consumer debts seeking relief under chapters 7, 11, and 13. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (Administrative Office) to make such statistics public and to report them annually to the Congress. (Sec. 602) Instructs the Attorney General to promulgate requirements for uniform forms for: (1) final reports by trustees in cases under chapters 7, 12, and 13; and (2) periodic reports by chapter 11 debtors or trustees in possession. Prescribes report contents. (Sec. 603) Prescribes guidelines for the Attorney General and the Judicial Conference of the United States (as appropriate) to establish procedures to audit debtors. (Sec. 604) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the national policy should be that all public record data held in electronic form by bankruptcy clerks should be released in electronic form in bulk to the public subject to appropriate privacy concerns and safeguards as Congress and the Judicial Conference of the United States may determine; and (2) a bankruptcy data system should be established in which a single set of data definitions are used to collect data nationwide, and in which all data for any particular bankruptcy case are aggregated in the same electronic record. Title VII: Bankruptcy Tax Provisions - Amends the bankruptcy code to modify the treatment of certain tax liens. (Sec. 702) Provides that a claim for debtor's liability for fuel tax which is filed by the base jurisdiction designated under the International Fuel Tax Agreement shall be allowed as a single claim. (Sec. 703) Mandates that the clerk of each district maintain a listing under which a governmental entity responsible for the collection of taxes within such district may designate an address for service of requests and describe where further information for filing such requests may be found. (Sec. 704) Prescribes the rate of interest to be paid on mandatory interest payments on tax claims. (Sec. 705) Revises the specifications for income tax claims receiving eighth priority (allowed unsecured claims of governmental units). Provides for tolling of the time periods covering such tax claims for stays of proceedings in a prior bankruptcy case, and the pendency or effect of offers in compromise or installment agreements. (Sec. 707) Prohibits discharge under Chapter 13 of any debt for fraudulent tax payments. (Sec. 708) States that confirmation of a bankruptcy plan does not discharge a corporate debtor from any debt for a tax or customs duty with respect to which the debtor made a fraudulent return or willfully attempted to evade or defeat such tax. (Sec. 709) Amends the automatic stay of U.S. Tax Court proceedings concerning the debtor to restrict such stay to: (1) a corporate debtor's tax liability for a taxable period the bankruptcy court may determine; or (2) concerning an individual debtor's tax liability for a taxable period ending before the order for relief. (Sec. 710) Includes among the requirements for court confirmation of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan which includes tax claims, that the debtor, at the minimum, make regular cash installment payments over a period ending not later than five years after the date of entry of the order for relief, and in a manner not less favorable than the most favored nonpriority unsecured claim provided for in the plan. (Sec. 711) Prohibits the avoidance of statutory tax liens by certain purchasers. (Sec. 712) Amends the Federal judicial code to require officers and agents conducting any business under court authority to pay all Federal, State and local taxes when due in the course of the business, unless it is a property tax secured by a lien against estate property which is abandoned by the bankruptcy trustee, or payment of the tax is excused under a specific bankruptcy law. Cites circumstances in which payment of such taxes may be deferred in a case pending under chapter 7 until final distribution is made. Entitles to administrative expense priority payment certain secured and postpetition unsecured taxes incurred by the bankruptcy estate, including ad valorem property taxes. Declares that a governmental unit shall not be required to file a request for the payment of administrative expenses relating to a tax liability or tax penalty. Allows a trustee to recover from property securing a claim for the payment of all ad valorem property taxes relating to such property. (Sec. 713) Requires as a condition for payment of tardily filed priority tax claims that they be filed either before the trustee commences distribution or ten days following the mailing to creditors of the summary of the trustee's final report, whichever is earlier (currently, before the trustee commences distribution of the estate). (Sec. 714) Makes nondischargeable any obligations based on income tax returns or equivalent reports or notices prepared by tax authorities. (Sec. 715) Declares that an estate's liability for unpaid tax is discharged upon payment of such tax according to certain requirements. (Sec. 716) Conditions court confirmation of a chapter 13 bankruptcy plan upon filing by the debtor: (1) of all prepetition tax returns; and (2) before the day on which the first meeting of the creditors is convened, of all tax returns for taxable periods ending in the four-year period that ends on the date of the filing of the petition. Authorizes the court to dismiss a plan or convert it to chapter 7, whichever is in the best interests of the creditors and the estate, if a chapter 13 debtor fails to comply with such time frame. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference should propose for adoption amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure pertaining to objections to tax returns and to plan confirmation. (Sec. 717) Redefines "adequate disclosure," for postpetition disclosure and solicitation purposes, to include full discussion of the potential material Federal and State tax consequences of the plan to the debtor and to a hypothetical investor domiciled in the State in which the debtor resides or has its principal place of business typical of the holders of claims or interests in the case. (Sec. 718) Denies an automatic stay (unless specified conditions are met) to the setoff of an income tax refund for a taxable period which ended before the order for relief against an income tax liability for a taxable period which also ended before the order for relief. (Sec. 719) Revises special provisions related to the treatment of State and local taxes, including the creation of a separate taxable estate when such is done for Federal tax purposes. (Sec. 720) Provides that if the debtor fails to timely file a tax return or obtain an extension, a taxing authority may petition the court to convert or dismiss a case, whichever is in the best interests of creditors and the estate. Title VIII: Ancillary and Other Cross-Border Cases - Expands the scope of bankruptcy law to incorporate the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency, and to establish a statutory mechanism for: (1) dealing with cases of cross-border insolvency; and (2) cooperation between U.S. courts, trustees, and debtors and their foreign counterparts. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) access of foreign representatives and creditors to Federal and State courts; (2) recognition of a foreign proceeding and relief; (3) cooperation and direct communication with foreign courts and representatives; and (4) concurrent proceedings and the coordination of foreign and domestic proceedings. Title IX: Financial Contract Provisions - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to redefine specified contracts, agreements, and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution before the appointment of a conservator or receiver for it. (Sec. 901) Declares that no person shall be stayed or prohibited from exercising any right to cause the acceleration of any qualified financial contract with an insured depository institution which arises upon the appointment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver at any time after such appointment. (Sec. 902) Declares that no provision of law shall be construed as limiting the right or power of the FDIC, or authorizing any court or agency to limit or delay, in any manner, the FDIC's right or power to transfer, disaffirm, or repudiate any qualified financial contract of a failed institution. Prohibits enforcement of a walkaway clause in a qualified financial contract of a failed insured depository institution (a clause that either does not create a payment obligation of a party, or extinguishes it solely because of such party's status as a nondefaulting party). (Sec. 903) Revises guidelines governing transfers of qualified financial contracts of an insolvent institution to include: (1) transfers to a foreign bank or foreign financial institution (including its branch or agency) (but only when the contractual rights of the parties to such qualified financial contracts are enforceable substantially to the same extent as permitted under such Act); and (2) transfers of contracts subject to the rules of a clearing organization. Defines financial institution to include a broker or dealer, a depository institution, a futures commission merchant, or any other institution as determined by FDIC regulation. Suspends certain termination rights of counterparties to a qualified financial contract with an insolvent insured depository institution until after the receiver's appointment, or after receipt of notice that the contract has been transferred. Declares that none of the following institutions shall be considered a financial institution for which a conservator, receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has been appointed or which is otherwise the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding: (1) a bridge bank; or (2) an FDIC-organized depository institution for which a conservator is appointed either immediately upon organization, or at the time of a purchase and assumption transaction between such institution and the FDIC as receiver for a depository institution in default. (Sec. 904) Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the disaffirmance or repudiation of qualified financial contracts by the conservator or receiver for a failed depository institution; and (2) the treatment of a master agreement as a single agreement and a single qualified financial contract. (Sec. 906) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to make conforming amendments with respect to: (1) bilateral netting contracts; (2) security agreements; (3) clearing organization netting contracts; (4) contracts with uninsured national banks; and (5) contracts with uninsured Federal branches or agencies. (Sec. 907) Amends the Federal Bankruptcy Code to reflect the changes made by this Act and to: (1) deny an automatic stay to set-offs under certain swap agreements and netting agreements; and (2) restrict the avoidance power of the bankruptcy trustee regarding certain master netting agreement transfers to those transfers that are fraudulent in nature. Sets forth statutory guidelines for: (1) the termination or acceleration of designated contracts and agreements; and (2) commodity broker and stockbroker liquidation with respect to the priority of unsecured claims, or customer property or distributions. (Sec. 908) Amends the FDIA to authorize the FDIC to prescribe more detailed recordkeeping requirements for qualified financial contracts (including market valuations) by insured depository institutions. (Sec. 909) Exempts specified collateralization agreements from the contemporaneous execution requirement that renders invalid certain agreements against FDIC interests in certain asset acquisitions. (Sec. 910) Amends Federal bankruptcy law to specify the date for the measure of damages in connection with: (1) rejection by the bankruptcy trustee of designated contracts and agreements relating to executory contracts and unexpired leases; or (2) the liquidation, acceleration, or termination of such contracts and agreements. (Sec. 911) Amends the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 to provide that neither the filing of a protective decree by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, nor any court protective order, shall operate as a stay of a creditor's contractual rights to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate designated contracts and agreements. Allows such application, order, or decree, however, to operate as a stay of foreclosure on securities collateral pledged by the debtor, whether or not with respect to one or more of such contracts, agreements, or securities sold by the debtor under a repurchase agreement. (Sec. 912) Declares that property of the bankrupt estate does not include any eligible asset (or its proceeds) to the extent that it was transferred by the debtor before commencement of the case to an eligible entity in connection with an asset-backed securitization (except to the extent that such asset, or its proceeds or value, may be recovered through avoidance by the bankruptcy trustee). Title X: Protection of Family Farmers - Amends the Federal bankruptcy code to: (1) reenact Chapter 12, Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income (thereby reinstating family farmer bankruptcy relief); and (2) cite circumstances under which the claim of a governmental unit that arises as a result of the disposition of a farm asset used in the debtor's farming operation shall be treated as an unsecured claim not entitled to priority. Title XI: Health Care and Employee Benefits - Amends bankruptcy provisions to prescribe guidelines for disposal of the patient records of a health care business (not including a health maintenance organization) that commences a proceeding for debtor relief and the trustee does not have sufficient funds to pay for the storage of patient records as required by law. (Sec. 1103) Allows an administrative expense claim for the costs of closing a health care business, including disposal of patient records and transfer of patients to another health care business. (Sec. 1104) Requires the bankruptcy court to appoint an ombudsman to represent the interests of the patients of a health care business within 30 days after commencement of a case under chapter 7 (Liquidation), 9 (Adjustment of Debts of a Municipality), or 11 (Reorganization). (Sec. 1105) Requires the bankruptcy trustee to use all reasonable and best efforts to transfer patients from the health care business in the process of being closed to an appropriate substitute. (Sec. 1106) Denies an automatic stay to a debtor's exclusion by the Secretary of Health and Human Services from participation in the Medicare program or any other Federal health care program (thus precluding the debtor's continuation or reinstatement in such a program). Title XIV: Technical Amendments - Makes technical corrections to Federal bankruptcy, judicial, and criminal law. (Sec. 1201) Redefines single asset real estate to exclude family farms and to repeal the $4 million ceiling on the amount of noncontingent, liquidated secured debts on such property. Defines the term "transfer" to include: (1) creation of a lien; (2) retention of title as a security interest; (3) foreclosure of the debtor's equity of redemption; and (4) every mode of disposing of property or parting with an interest in property. (Sec. 1202) Requires triennial adjustment of the $5,000 value of certain implements, professional books, tools of the trade, farm animals, and crops which a debtor may exempt from the property of the estate (protecting them from creditors' liens). (Sec. 1206) Provides that a trustee or a creditors' and equity security holders' committee may pay a professional person they employ on a fixed or percentage fee basis, as well as on other bases already permitted. (Sec. 1208) Excludes from compensable professional services any expenses incurred for an attorney or an accountant by an individual member of a creditors' and equity security holders' committee. (Sec. 1209) Declares nondischargeable in bankruptcy a debt for death or personal injury caused by the debtor's operation of a vessel or aircraft while intoxicated from alcohol, a drug, or other substance. (Sec. 1213) Revises guidelines governing preferences to provide that, if the trustee avoids a security interest given between 90 days and one year before the date of the filing of the petition, by the debtor to a non-insider for the benefit of a creditor that is an insider, then such security interest shall be considered to be avoided only with respect to the insider creditor. (Sec. 1222) Permits the bankruptcy trustee to sell, use, or lease property in accordance with nonbankruptcy law governing the transfer of property by nonprofit charitable corporations, if doing so is not inconsistent with certain relief granted under the automatic stay. (Sec. 1223) Extends from 20 to 30 days the length of time after a debtor receives possession of property for perfection of a security interest in such property created by a transfer which the trustee may not avoid. (Sec. 1224) Amends the Bankruptcy Judges, United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986 to repeal the October 1, 2002, alternate effective date for application of specified amendments of such Act regarding U.S. Trustees to certain judicial districts for Alabama and North Carolina. (Makes such amendments applicable to such districts only if they elect to be included in certain bankruptcy regions.) (Sec. 1225) Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal judicial code to mandate appointments for additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Virginia. Provides that the first vacancy occurring in such district five years or more after a judge is appointed under this Act shall not be filled. Extends temporary bankruptcy judgeship positions authorized for the northern district of Alabama, and the districts of Delaware, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina, and the eastern district of Tennessee. (Sec. 1226) Prescribes compensation guidelines for the services and expenses of a trustee who has petitioned the court to convert or dismiss a chapter 7 case. (Sec. 1227) Denies an automatic stay with respect to creation or perfection of a statutory lien for a special tax or special assessment on real property whether or not ad valorem, if the tax or assessment comes due after the filing of a petition for debtor relief. (Sec. 1228) Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to develop materials and conduct training useful to courts in implementing this Act. (Sec. 1229) Amends Federal bankruptcy law to modify the right of the seller of goods to the debtor to reclaim such goods if the debtor received such goods while insolvent. Limits the period of receipt to 45 days after commencement of the case, and the time during which the seller may demand reclamation to 45 days after receipt, or before 20 days after commencement of the bankruptcy case. (Sec. 1230) Prohibits a court from granting a discharge in a chapter 7 case, or from confirming a reorganization plan in a chapter 11 or 13 case, unless requested tax documents are filed with or otherwise provided to the court. (Sec. 1231) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) consumer credit may sometimes be offered indiscriminately without lender action to ensure consumer repayment capacity, and in a manner which may encourage additional debt accumulation; and (2) resulting consumer debt may increasingly be a major contributing factor to consumer insolvency. Instructs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to study indiscriminate solicitation and extension of credit by the credit industry. Authorizes the Board to: (1) promulgate regulations requiring additional disclosures to consumers; and (2) take measures to ensure responsible industrywide practices and to prevent resulting consumer debt and insolvency. (Sec. 1232) Excludes from property of the estate in bankruptcy certain tangible personal property (other than securities or written or printed evidences of indebtedness or title) pledged or sold by the debtor as collateral for a loan or money advance, and: (1) the pledgee or transferee possesses such property; (2) the debtor has no obligation to repay or redeem; and (3) neither the debtor nor the trustee has exercised any right to redeem in a timely manner. (Sec. 1233) Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize private trustees and standing trustees, after exhausting administrative remedies, to obtain judicial review in a U.S. district court of: (1) any suspension or termination; or (2) denial of a claim of actual, necessary expenses. (Sec. 1235) Prescribes requirements for expedited appeals of bankruptcy cases to courts of appeals. Deems any judgment, decision, order, or decree of a bankruptcy judge to be the judgment, decision, order, or decree of an appellate district court, unless the district court files its own decision on the appeal within 30 days after the appeal from the bankruptcy judge is filed. Title XIII: Consumer Credit Disclosure - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require: (1) specified minimum payment warnings governing an open end credit plan on which finance charges are accruing; and (2) disclosure of a toll-free number to call for an estimate of the time required to repay the balance making only minimum payments. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish a toll-free number for the same purpose in the case of a creditor with respect to which the FTC is enforcing compliance with such Act. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) to promulgate implementing regulations. (Sec. 1301) Authorizes the Board to study and report to Congress on the types of information available to potential borrowers from consumer credit lending institutions regarding factors qualifying such borrowers for credit, repayment requirements, and the consequences of default. (Sec. 1302) Mandates additional disclosures in credit applications and advertising about credit extensions secured by a dwelling which exceed the dwelling's fair market value, stating that the interest on the excess portion of such extension is not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes. (Sec. 1303) Requires specified additional disclosures for: (1) introductory rates and temporary annual percentage rates of interest; (2) Internet-based credit card solicitations; and (3) late payment deadlines and penalties. (Sec. 1306) Prohibits a creditor from terminating an open end consumer credit account before its expiration date solely because finance charges have not been incurred on such account. (Sec. 1307) Authorizes the Board to study and report to Congress on certain consumer protections limiting consumer liability for unauthorized use of a debit card or similar access device. (Sec. 1308) Instructs the Board to study and report to Congress on the impact that credit extensions to dependent students have upon the rate of bankruptcy cases filed under Federal law. (Sec. 1309) Instructs the Board to promulgate regulations to provide guidance regarding the meaning of the term "clear and conspicuous" as used in the Truth in Lending Act. (Sec. 1310) Prohibits a Federal court from recognizing or enforcing any judgment rendered in a foreign court if such Federal court determines that the foreign judgment effectuates a right or interest derived from fraudulent misrepresentation or omission that occurred in the United States during a specified period. Title XIV: General Effective Date; Application of Amendments - Sets forth the effective date of this Act and the application of its amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Commends the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for their courage in participating in the September 24, 2000, elections and for their decision to embrace democracy, the rule of law, and integration into the international community by rejecting dictatorship and isolationism. Reasserts the strong desire to reestablish the historic friendship between the American and Serbian people. Expresses support for a comprehensive assistance program and full economic integration for Yugoslavia once a democratic government that respects the rule of law, human rights, and a market economy is established.
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 · 27 September 2000
Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise congressional declarations of policy with respect to famine prevention and freedom from hunger in developing countries. (Sec. 2) Urges the United States, among other things, to: (1) engage the U.S. university community more extensively in the agricultural research, trade, and development initiatives undertaken outside the United States with the objectives of strengthening its capacity to carry out research, teaching, and extension activities for solving problems in food production, processing, marketing, and consumption in agriculturally developing nations, and for transforming progress in global agricultural research and development (R&D) into economic growth, trade, and trade benefits for aid recipient countries and U.S. communities and industries and for the wise use of natural resources; and (2) ensure that all federally funded support to universities and their public and private partners relating to the goals of this Act is periodically reviewed for its performance. Includes Native American land-grant colleges within the definition of "universities". (Sec. 3) Authorizes the President to provide U.S. foreign assistance for long-term program support for U.S. university global agricultural and related environmental collaborative research and learning opportunities for students, teachers, extension specialists, researchers, and the general public. Urges the involvement of multilateral banks and U.S. and foreign nongovernmental organizations supporting extension and other productivity-enhancing programs in the international network of agricultural science in order to help agriculturally developing countries in international agricultural problem-solving efforts to prevent famine and hunger in such countries. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to establish and carry out special programs as part of ongoing programs for child survival, democratization, development of free enterprise, environmental and natural resource management, and other related programs. (Sec. 4) Revises the duties of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development to include: (1) improving agricultural production, trade, and natural resource management in developing countries; and (2) with private organizations seeking to increase agricultural production and trade, natural resources management, and household food security in developing and transition countries.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2000
Requires the American flags on all Federal office buildings to be lowered to half-staff each year on the day of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emittsburg, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2000
Requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the Lifetime Learning credit percentage; and (2) provide, as an option, a specified deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program Act of 2000 - Amends specified Federal law to redesignate, as the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, the Peace Corps Fellows-USA Program promoting the work of returning Peace Corps volunteers in underserved U.S. communities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
International Malaria Control Act of 2000 - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to undertake activities designed to control malaria in recipient countries by coordinating: (1) with appropriate Federal officials and appropriate organizations to develop and implement, in partnership with recipient nations, a comprehensive malaria prevention and control program; and (2) malaria prevention and control activities with efforts by recipient nations to prevent and control HIV and tuberculosis. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to take appropriate steps to provide recipient countries with information concerning: (1) the development of vaccines and therapeutic agents for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis; and (2) participation in, and the results of, clinical trials conducted for such vaccines and therapeutic agents.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Offender Reentry and Community Safety Act of 2000 - Title I: Federal Reentry Demonstration Projects - 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. Title II: State Reentry Grant Programs - 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. Title III: Substance Abuse Treatment in Federal Prisons Reauthorization - Reauthorizes through FY 2001 a program of substance abuse treatment in Federal prisons. Title IV: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Reauthorization - Reauthorizes through FY 2006 a program for residential substance abuse treatment for State prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000
Commemorates the 20th anniversary of the workers' strikes in Poland that led to the creation of the independent trade union Solidarnosc. Honors the leaders of Poland who risked and lost their lives in attempting to restore democracy in their country and return Poland to the democratic community of nations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Congratulates: (1) the Mexican people for their struggle for representative democracy and the rule of law: (2) Vincente Fox Quesada for his electoral triumph; and (3) Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, current President of the United Mexican States, for his commitment to ensure the peaceful and stable transition of power. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) expand and intensify its cooperation with the newly elected Government of Mexico to promote economic development and to reduce poverty to achieve an improved quality of life for citizens of both countries; (2) confront common threats such as the trafficking in illicit narcotics; and (3) act in solidarity to promote representative democracy and the rule of law throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000
Commends the Government of Japan for its choice of Okinawa as the site for hosting the leaders of the G-8 countries. Expresses the Senate's: (1) hope for a successful summit; and (2) deep appreciation to the people of Okinawa for hosting the U.S. military facilities in Okinawa. Urges the President to work with Japanese leaders to devise a joint U.S.-Japan education initiative that strengthens the human resource base in Okinawa, particularly with a view to meeting Okinawa's economic needs and Asia-Pacific aspirations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Plan Colombia Trade Act - Amends the Andean Trade Preference Act to accord, for a specified transition period, duty-free treatment to certain textile and apparel articles imported into the United States from beneficiary countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru) designated under such Act. Requires the President, in determining whether to designate a country a beneficiary country, to take into account, among other things, the extent to which such country adheres to democratic principles and the rule of law.
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 · 14 June 2000
Recognizes that eating dinner as a family is a critical step toward raising healthy, drug-free children. Designates Monday, June 19, 2000, as National Eat-Dinner-With-Your-Children Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2000 - Title I: Brownfields Revitalization Funding - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish programs to provide grants to eligible entities (including local government units, redevelopment agencies, States, and Indian tribes) for: (1) inventorying, characterizing, assessing, and conducting planning related to brownfield sites; and (2) remediating brownfield sites through loans. 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. Includes within such definition a site contaminated by a controlled substance or mine-scarred land. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Brownfields Liability Clarifications - 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 that is not owned by such persons. (Sec. 202) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any casefor which the owner is not liable by reason of this section and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed before the action was taken. (Sec. 203) Deems a person, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to have undertaken appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person demonstrates that inquiries were undertaken in accordance with specified requirements (for property purchased after May 31, 1997, compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard until standards are issued by the Administrator). Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a facility inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity. Title III: State Response Programs - Adds CERCLA provisions authorizing the Administrator to provide grants to States or Indian tribes to establish or enhance response programs comprised of elements including survey and inventory of brownfield sites, public participation opportunities, oversight and enforcement authorities, and certification mechanisms. Authorizes appropriations. Restricts authority to take enforcement actions under CERCLA in cases of hazardous substance releases addressed by a State response plan. Authorizes the President to bring enforcement actions in certain instances, including cases where a State requests assistance, there is migration of contamination across State lines or onto Federal property, or there is an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment and additional response actions are likely to be necessary. Makes restrictions on the President's authority to take such actions applicable only at sites in States that maintain, update at least annually, and make publicly available a record of sites at which response actions have been completed in the previous year and are planned to be addressed under the State response program in the upcoming year. Applies enforcement action requirements only to response actions conducted after June 8, 2000. (Sec. 302) Requires the President to defer final listing of an eligible response site on the National Priorities List if the State is conducting a response action in compliance with a State response program that will provide long-term health and environmental protection or is actively pursuing an agreement to perform such an action with a capable person. Requires reasonable progress toward completion of actions for deferral of listing. Permits the President to decline to defer, or discontinue a deferral if: (1) deferral would be inappropriate because the State, as an owner, operator, or significant contributor is a potentially responsible party; (2) the criteria under the National Contingency Plan for issuance of a health advisory have been met; or (3) the other conditions under this section for deferral are no longer being met.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Calls upon the President to: (1) issue a proclamation recognizing the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, reasserting the U.S. commitment to full implementation of the Act, and urging all signatory states to abide by their obligations under the Act; and (2) convey to all signatory states that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic principles, economic liberty, and the implementation of related commitments continue to be vital elements in promoting a new era of democracy, peace, and unity in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2000
Authorizes the Broadcasting Board of Governors to make available to the Institute for Media Development, at the Institute's request, and in accordance with an agreement meeting specified requirements, previously broadcast audio and video materials produced by the Africa Division of the Voice of America, for academic and research purposes only. Permits deposit of such materials with the University of California, Los Angeles, or another appropriate institution of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Urges the U.S. Government to do all in its power to help ensure that the Revolutionary United Front and its leaders, as well as other groups committing human rights abuses in Sierra Leone, are held accountable for the crimes and abuses committed against the people of Sierra Leone. Declares that the U.S. Government should not: (1) condone, support, or be a party to, any agreement that provides amnesty to those responsible; and (2) provide incentives to regional supporters of the Front until all support from them to the Front has ceased.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Declares that Congress: (1) remembers and honors those Polish officers, government officials, and civilians who were murdered in April and May 1940 by the NKVD; (2) recognizes all those scholars, researchers, and writers from Poland, Russia, the United States, and elsewhere and, particularly, those who worked under Soviet and communist domination and who had the courage to tell the truth about the crimes committed at Katyn, Miednoye, and Kharkiv; and (3) urges all people to remember and honor these and other victims of communism so that such crimes will never be repeated.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2000
Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) support the integration of the Republic of Slovenia into transatlantic and European political, economic, and security institutions, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union; and (2) continue and reinforce the partnership between the United States and Slovenia, particularly their joint efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to all of Europe. Commends the Republic of Slovenia for its commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law, its transition from a communist, centrally planned economic system to a free market economy, and its partnership with the United States and NATO during the recent conflicts that have undermined peace and stability in Southeastern Europe.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2000
Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal judicial code to direct the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines regarding any offense relating to the manufacture, importation, or exportation of, or trafficking in, 3-4 methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA, or Ecstasy), 3-4 methylenedioxy amphetamine, 3-4 methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine, or any other controlled substance that is marketed as Ecstasy and that has either a chemical structure substantially similar to, or an effect on the central nervous system substantially similar to or greater than that of, MDMA (including an attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, or the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act). Directs the Commission: (1) with respect to each such offense, to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties comparable to the base offense levels for offenses involving any methamphetamine mixture; and (2) to ensure that the Federal sentencing guidelines for offenders convicted of such offenses reflect the need for aggressive law enforcement action regarding offenses involving such controlled substances and the dangers associated with unlawful activity involving such substances. (Sec. 4) Sets forth similar provisions with respect to offenses relating to the manufacture, importation, or exportation of, or trafficking in, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and its salts (GHB), or the List I chemical gamma- butyrolactone. (Sec. 5) Directs the Commission to promulgate amendments under this Act as soon as practicable after this Act's enactment date in accordance with a procedure set forth in the Sentencing Act of 1987 (emergency guidelines promulgation authority), as though the authority under that Act had not expired. (Sec. 6) Amends the CSA to prohibit any person from teaching, demonstrating, or distributing information pertaining to the manufacture of: (1) a controlled substance with the intent that the teaching, demonstration, or information be used for, or in furtherance of, an activity that constitutes a crime; or (2) a controlled substance to any person knowing that such person intends to use the teaching, demonstration, or information for, or in furtherance of, an activity that constitutes an offense. Sets penalties for violations. (Sec. 7) Requires the head of each Federal department, agency, and establishment (department) to place anti-drug messages on appropriate Internet websites controlled by such department which shall contain an electronic hyperlink to the Internet website of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. (Sec. 8) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to make grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public and nonprofit private entities to carry out: (1) school-based programs concerning the dangers of abuse of and addiction to MDMA or related drugs, using methods that are effective and science-based, including initiatives that give students the responsibility to create their own anti-drug abuse education programs for their schools; and (2) community-based abuse and addiction prevention programs relating to MDMA or related drugs that are effective and science-based. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) permissible uses of grant funds; (2) priorities for grants; (3) a specified annual allocation to support and conduct periodic analyses and evaluations of effective prevention programs for abuse of and addiction to MDMA or related drugs and the development of strategies for disseminating information about and implementing such programs; and (4) reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, in conducting the national media campaign under the Drug-Free Media Campaign Act of 1998, to ensure that such campaign addresses the reduction and prevention of abuse of MDMA or related drugs among young people in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2000
Commends Israel for its decision to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and for taking risks for peace in the Middle East. Calls upon the United Nations Security Council to: (1) recognize Israel's fulfillment of its obligations under Security Council Resolution 425 and to provide the necessary resources for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to implement its mandate under that resolution; and (2) insist upon the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanese territory. Urges UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese armed forces, to gain full control over southern Lebanon, including by taking actions to ensure the disarmament of Hezbollah and all other such groups to eliminate all terrorist activity originating from that area. Appeals to the Government of Lebanon to grant clemency and assure the safety and rehabilitation into Lebanese society of all members of the South Lebanon Army and their families. Calls upon the international community to ensure that southern Lebanon does not once again become a staging ground for attacks against Israel and to cooperate in bringing about the reconstruction and reintegration of southern Lebanon. Recognizes Israel's right to defend itself and its people from attack and reasserts U.S. support for maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge to ensure Israel's long-term security. Urges all parties to reenter the peace process with the Government of Israel to bring peace and stability to all the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2000
Amends provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to extend the same public safety officer survivor tax benefits to survivors of officers killed in the line of duty before December 31, 1996, as are available to the survivors of officers killed after date.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2000
Rural Access to Emergency Devices Act or the Rural AED Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Rural Health Outreach Office of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants to qualified community partnerships to enable such partnerships to purchase automatic external defibrillators and to provide defibrillator and basic life support training in automated external defibrillator usage. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2000
Medicare Expansion for Needed Drugs (MEND) Act of 2000 - Title I: Prescription Drug Benefit Program - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Prescription Drug Benefit for the Aged and Disabled) outlining the following program components: (1) establishment of a voluntary insurance program to provide prescription drug benefits for individuals who are aged or disabled or have end-stage renal disease and who elect to enroll under such program, to be financed from enrollee premium payments together with contributions from Federal appropriations; (2) scope of benefits; (3) payment of benefits and benefit limits; (4) eligibility and enrollment; (5) monthly premium rates; (6) creation within the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Prescription Drug Insurance Account for payments; (7) administration of benefits through private entities; (8) authorization for the Employer Incentive Program to encourage employers to provide adequate prescription drug benefits to retired individuals and to maintain such existing benefit programs by subsidizing, in part, the sponsor's cost of providing coverage under qualifying plans; and (9) authorization of appropriations to the Account to cover Government contributions. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report on the feasibility and advisability of establishing an annual open enrollment period under the new part D program. (Sec. 102) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) provide for coverage for certain low-income individuals of part D premiums; (2) require State Medicaid plans to provide that in the case of any individual whose eligibility for medical assistance is not limited to Medicare or Medicare drug cost-sharing, and for whom the State elects to pay monthly premiums under part D, the State will purchase all prescription drugs, without regard to whether the benefit limit for such individual has been reached; (3) require Government payment of Medicare drug cost-sharing for qualified Medicare beneficiaries and for Medicare-eligible individuals with incomes between 100 and 150 percent of the Federal poverty line; and (4) make provisions on payment for covered outpatient drugs inapplicable to prescription drugs purchased under part D pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary under the special eligibility, enrollment, and copayment rules below for low-income individuals. Amends SSA title XVIII part D to outline special eligibility, enrollment, and copayment rules for low-income individuals, which include options for continuation of Medicaid coverage or enrollment under such part. Amends SSA title XIX to remove the sunset date for cost-sharing in Medicare part B premiums for certain qualifying individuals. Repeals provisions on State coverage of Medicare cost-sharing for additional low-income Medicare beneficiaries. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress recommendations on structuring a catastrophic drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries. Establishes the Catastrophic Prescription Drug Coverage Reserve Fund and makes appropriations to it. (Sec. 104) Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for comprehensive immunosuppressive drug Medicare coverage for organ transplant patients. (Sec. 105) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the prescription drug benefit program under part D. (Sec. 106) Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to take similar action, including an analysis of such program's impact on the pharmaceutical market, franchise, independent, and rural pharmacies, and beneficiary access to prescription drugs. Title II: Enhanced Medicare Prevention Program - Amends SSA title XVIII to direct MEDPAC to report annually to Congress on the actuarial equivalence of Medicare and private sector benefit packages. (Sec. 202) Requires the Director of the National Institute on Aging to conduct studies on improving the quality of life for the elderly, developing better ways to prevent or delay the onset of age-related functional decline and disease among the elderly, and developing means of assessing the long-term development of cost-effective and cost-saving benefits for health promotion and disease among the elderly. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to study and report to the President along with appropriate legislative recommendations for Congress with respect to current literature and best practices in the field of health promotion and disease prevention among Medicare beneficiaries. Provides for fast-track consideration by Congress of such presidential report and accompanying recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Secretary of Education should work with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Day National Committee, and veterans service organizations to encourage, prepare, and disseminate educational materials and activities for elementary and secondary school students aimed at increasing awareness of the contributions of veterans; and (2) the week that includes Veterans Day should be designated as National Veterans Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2000
Fugitive Apprehension Act of 2000 - Requires the Director of the United States Marshals Service to establish permanent Fugitive Apprehension Task Forces in areas of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Attorney General, in any investigation with respect to the apprehension of a fugitive, to subpoena witnesses for the production of relevant records from any place subject to U.S. jurisdiction, except that a witness shall not be required to appear more than 500 miles the place where the witness was served. Directs: (1) the Marshals Service to report to the Attorney General on a quarterly basis regarding administrative subpoenas issued pursuant to this Act; and (2) the Attorney General to transmit the report to Congress and to issue guidelines which mandate that such Marshals Service subpoenas shall issue only after review and approval of the Director or his designee in a position of Assistant Director or higher.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2000
Nuclear Weapons Complex Conversion Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to expand and enhance the activities under the Nuclear Cities Initiative (Initiative) so as to: (1) assist the Russian Federation in the downsizing of its nuclear complex; and (2) coordinate such downsizing with other U.S. nuclear nonproliferation programs. Requires the Secretary, in carrying out such actions, to: (1) facilitate the enhanced use of the technology, research and development services of the Russia Ministry of Atomic Energy; and (2) accelerate the Initiative by implementing programs at specified Russian cities in which nuclear weapons facilities exist in order to convert significant portions of activities from military to civilian activities. Urges the President to enter into negotiations with the Russian Federation for the Federation's development of a plan to restructure its nuclear complex in order to meet changes in Russian nuclear security requirements by 2010. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to encourage students in the United States and the Russian Federation to pursue careers in nonproliferation. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of Congress that availability of Initiative funds after FY 2001 should be contingent upon: (1) demonstrable progress in enhancing and accelerating Initiative activities; and (2) the development and implementation of Russia's nuclear restructuring plan. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there should be a National Coordinator for Nonproliferation Matters to coordinate various Federal nonproliferation programs, including the Initiative; and (2) such Coordinator position should be similar to the Coordinator position filled by the President under the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996.
![Official portrait of Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000444_200.jpg)