United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Safe Motherhood Act for Research and Treatment or SMART Mom Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through either the Office of Woman's Health, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, or the Centers for Disease Control, to address the health issues of pregnant women. Establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Safe Motherhood to evaluate and coordinate Federal research and information efforts and establish and implement the national Safe Motherhood Campaign. Requires the development and maintenance of a single Internet website. Requires expanded and intensified research activities concerning pregnancy-related illness, injury, and death and the impact of chronic conditions, physical impairments, and mental health problems on the health of women during pregnancy. Requires the establishment of a Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit Network. Awards research and demonstration project grants to address racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy outcomes. Requires: (1) studies of the quality of maternal health care (from a patient's perspective) and the effects of pregnancy on women's health; and (2) surveillance of pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity data. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary to address issues concerning certain drugs and medical devices and their appropriate use by or effects on pregnant or lactating women and/or fetuses, through: (1) identification and study; (2) pharmacoepidemiological data bases; (3) biennial review and prioritization (drugs); (4) labeling; and (5) the Women's Health: Take Time to Care (or a new) program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Native American Small Business Development Act - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Native American Affairs, headed by an Assistant Administrator, to implement SBA programs for the development of business enterprises by Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). Requires the Office to assist Native American entrepreneurs to: (1) start, operate, and grow small businesses; (2) develop management and technical skills; (3) seek Federal procurement opportunities; (4) increase Native American employment opportunities; and (5) increase Native American access to capital markets. Requires the SBA to provide financial assistance to tribal governments, tribal colleges, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Alaska Native corporations to create Native American business centers. Requires each business center to conduct five-year projects for business education aid to such entities. Requires each assistance applicant to submit a five-year plan on proposed assistance and training activities. Establishes a four-year pilot program under which the SBA is authorized to award Native American development grants to provide culturally-tailored business development training and related services to Native Americans and Native American small businesses. Establishes a four-year pilot program under which the SBA shall award at least three American Indian Tribal Assistance Center grants to establish joint projects to provide culturally-tailored business development assistance to prospective and current owners of small businesses on or near tribal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2002 - Directs Secretary of Education to: (1) develop and publish instructional materials accessibility standards for the national electronic file format to be used by publishers of instructional materials in the preparation of electronic files suitable for efficient conversion into specialized formats; (2) establish a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise and guidance in creating such national electronic file format; (3) periodically review and amend such standards to reflect technological advances or changes; and (4) establish a National Instructional Materials Access Center. Requires State educational agencies, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to develop and implement statewide plans and make contracts with publishers to ensure that instructional materials for classroom use in elementary and secondary schools are made available in specialized formats to individuals who are blind or have other print disabilities at the same time such materials are provided to individuals without such disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to provide or improve their capacity to prepare or obtain instructional materials in specialized formats, including the national electronic format. Provides for enforcement of rights of children and parents under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Seniors Safety Act of 2002 - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend Federal sentencing guidelines: (1) to include the age of a crime victim as an enhancement factor; and (2) with respect to health care benefit program fraud. Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) provide increased penalties for fraud which results in serious injury or death; and (2) set penalties for fraud in relation to retirement arrangements. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish procedures regarding telemarketing fraud, including referrals of complaints for potential law enforcement action. Provides for the blocking or termination of telephone service associated with telemarketing fraud. Includes within Federal injunctive authority against fraudulent actions certain offenses under the Social Security Act relating to false claims and illegal kickback schemes involving Federal health care programs. Amends the Social Security Act to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to bring an action to enforce such authority; and (2) extend certain anti-fraud safeguards to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Nursing Home Resident Protection Act of 2002 - Provides civil penalties for violations that affect the health, safety, or care of individuals in a residential health care facility and result in significant harm. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to state that a defendant may not use property subject to criminal forfeiture to satisfy a restitution order, with an exception. Prohibits: (1) the use of bankruptcy proceedings to shield illegal gains from false claims brought against the Government; and (2) the debt arising from such illegal gains from being discharged in bankruptcy proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Promoting Healthy Eating Behaviors in Youth Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to award research grants or make cooperative agreements for up to four years for the promotion of healthy eating behaviors in youth, specifically at-risk populations such as adolescent girls. Includes nutritional content, hunger and satiety, positive body image and self-esteem development, and life skills among the components of such a program. Requires the Director to evaluate the results and identify "Programs that Work" for dissemination to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2002
Declares that, if the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for a State for FY 2002 is less than the FMAP for FY 2001, the FY 2001 FMAP shall be substituted for the State's FMAP for the last three calendar quarters of FY 2002. Declares similarly that: (1) if a State's FY 2003 FMAP is less than the FY 2002 FMAP, the FY 2002 FMAP shall be substituted for each calendar quarter of FY 2003; and (2) if a State's FY 2004 FMAP is less than the FY 2003 FMAP, the FY 2003 FMAP shall be substituted for each calendar quarter of FY 2004. Requires each eligible State for each calendar quarter for the last three calendar quarters of FY 2002 and each calendar quarter for FY 2003 through FY 2004 to be increased by 1.5 percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Perinatal Dental Health Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, to award grants for research and demonstration projects applying new scientific evidence about maternal and child oral health linkages related to adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal transmission of dental caries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2002
Directs the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with specified provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, to issue a final rule relating to ergonomics.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2002
Community Health Workers Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to promote positive health behaviors for women in target populations, especially racial and ethnic minorities in underserved communities. Permits the use of grant funds for the support of community health workers' education and outreach efforts concerning: (1) prevalent health problems; (2) learning opportunities targeting behavioral risk factors including poor nutrition, obesity, physical activity, and substance abuse; (3) health insurance enrollment, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicare, and Medicaid; and (4) health care agencies and community-based programs. Sets forth application procedures for State, local or tribal units, granting priority to experienced providers in geographic areas with high percentages of un-or under-insured families where English is the second language, and the U.S.-Mexico border region. Requires the Secretary to establish and monitor quality-control guidelines for community health workers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
Rural Hospital Access and Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend the authorization for appropriations through FY 2007 for rural hospital flexibility grants with respect to rural health care plans, rural health networks, critical access hospitals, rural emergency medical services, and assistance to eligible small rural hospitals in meeting the costs of implementing Medicare-required data systems.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2002
Uterine Fibroids Research and Education Act of 2002 - Authorizes appropriations for National Institutes of Health uterine fibroid research. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a related public awareness program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to include a "qualified home-based worker" within the definition of employee for the purposes of the IRC. Defines "qualified home-based worker" as a worker providing in-home household or personal care services for disabled and elderly individuals under a program which has its funding administered by a State, State agency, or an intermediate services organization.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Senior Nutrition Act of 2002 - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to make a person who is at least 60 years old eligible for the commodity supplemental food program (program) if such person: (1) is eligible for the food stamp program; or (2) has a household income that is not more than 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. Authorizes permanent program appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to give employers a tax credit of 40% (60% in the case of a small employer) of the qualified independent investment advice services they provide in a taxable year to their employees. Limits to $50 the amount of services which may be taken into account annually per employee per firm and sets an annual maximum limit of $50,000 (when added to such credits allowed for all previous years) per employer. Stipulates that investment advice shall not be considered valid unless such services are offered in a way that does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Emergency Agriculture Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency agricultural assistance to: (1) producers who have incurred qualifying losses in 2001, including losses due to army worms; (2) livestock producers for 2001 losses in disaster-designated counties, with a set-aside for the American Indian livestock program; and (3) apple producers for market losses in crop year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Approves the site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, for the development of a repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2002
Medicaid Intensive Community Mental Health Treatment Act of 2001 (sic) - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide States with the option of covering intensive community mental health treatment under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2002
Medicare Safety Net Access Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the payment for certain Federally qualified health center (FQHC) services furnished to an individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice), allowing for supplemental reimbursement, among other changes. Amends Medicare+Choice to add additional Medicare+Choice contract requirements. Amends SSA title XI with respect to criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs, particularly illegal remunerations (kickbacks). Exempts from the prohibition against such remunerations any remuneration: (1) between a FQHC (or an entity controlled by such a health center) and a Medicare+Choice organization pursuant to a specified written agreement; and (2) between a certain kind of public or nonprofit private health center entity and any individual or entity providing goods, items, services, donations, loans, or a combination, to such health center entity pursuant to an agreement, if such agreement produces a community benefit that will be used by the health center entity to maintain or increase the availability or accessibility, or enhance the quality, of services provided to a medically underserved population served by the health center entity. Amends Medicare to provide for coverage of additional FQHC services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards relating to the exception for health center entity arrangements to specified anti-kickback penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2002
Children First Act of 2002 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) exclude child care assistance from the determination of the five year limit on assistance under TANF; (2) increase funding for child care; and (3) require State TANF plans to include a certification of procedures to ensure that child care providers comply with applicable State or local health and safety standards. Raises from six years to 13 years the age of a child whose single custodial parent may refuse to engage in required work without incurring a reduction or termination of TANF under the State program. Subjects to the individual and case data reporting requirements of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 any TANF funds expended for child care, whether or not transferred to that Act, and exempts such funds from SSA reporting requirements. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase the set-aside for child care quality.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Geriatric Care Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payments to hospitals, rural health clinics, or Federally qualified health centers for direct graduate medical education costs and the limitation on the number of full-time-equivalent residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Provides for the disregard of up to three geriatric residents in applying such limitation. Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide for Medicare coverage of care coordination and assessment services to an individual with a serious and disabling chronic condition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Removes, for months beginning on or after October 1, 2002, the requirement that qualifying offsetting legislation be enacted before a member or former member of the armed forces may be paid military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation concurrently without deduction. Repeals, as of such date, a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Rural Health Care Facility Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a loan guarantee program for rural health facilities. Defines rural health facility to include the following facilities found in rural areas: health clinics, critical access hospitals, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, health centers, federally qualified health centers, and nursing homes. Covers the purchase of new and the repair of existing infrastructure and technology. Sets forth loan limits. Entitles the United States to subrogation and makes such loan guarantees incontestable. Authorizes the Secretary to take such action as may be necessary to prevent a default, subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. Permits the Secretary to foreclose, as specified.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act of 2002 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to implement the redesign and reconstruction of Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Cook and Dupage Counties, Illinois, in accordance with a specified runway design plan, and the development of a south suburban airport in the Chicago metropolitan region, by facilitating their approval, funding, construction, and implementation. Requires an implementation plan to be prepared by the State of Illinois under the Clean Air Act for regulating emissions associated with activity at commercial service airports. Makes the Administrator's approval of an airport layout plan submitted by Chicago that includes the runway redesign plan conditional on the meeting of specified requirements. Requires the withholding of all airport grant funds for O'Hare (other than grants involving national security and safety) until January 1, 2026, unless specified conditions with respect to operations at Merrill C. Meigs Field have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
T'uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area Act - Establishes the T'uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area within the Cibola National Forest and the Sandia Mountain Wilderness in New Mexico. Recognizes and protects in perpetuity: (1) the Pueblo of Sandia's rights and interests in such Area; (2) the wilderness and National Forest character of the Area; and (3) the public's longstanding use and enjoyment of the Area. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to continue to administer the Area as National Forest System lands. Sets forth the rights and interests of the Pueblo in such Area: (1) including free and unrestricted access for traditional and cultural uses (except as they conflict with the Wilderness Act and Federal wildlife protection laws); and (2) excluding the conveyance or exchange of land interests and the exclusion of persons or governmental entities. Allocates criminal and civil jurisdiction over such Area among the Pueblo, New Mexico, and the United States, as applicable. Requires the transfer of the La Luz tract and the Piedra Lisa tract (if later acquired) by the Pueblo to the United States to be held in trust. Requires the transfer of certain lands within the Evergreen Hills subdivision to the Pueblo. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to grant specified rights-of-way for roads, utilities, and the Forest Service. Extinguishes all Pueblo claims not specifically recognized within this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include associated development costs in the basis of any building which is part of a low-income housing project when calculating the low-income housing credit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2002
Veterans Benefits and Pensions Protection Act of 2002 - Includes as a prohibited assignment of veterans' benefits any agreement entered into by a beneficiary under which another person acquires for consideration the right to receive any compensation, pension, or dependency and indemnity compensation of such beneficiary. Provides criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an outreach program to inform veterans and other potential recipients of such compensation or pension of the prohibition against the assignment of such benefits, including information on various schemes to evade the prohibition and means of avoiding such schemes.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2002
Designates March 8, 2002, as International Women's Day. Reaffirms the Senate's commitment to ending discrimination and violence against women, ensuring their safety and welfare, and pursuing policies that guarantee their basic rights both in the United States and in the world. Calls upon the U.S. people to observe International Women's Day with appropriate programs and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Recognizes May 15, 2002, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Protecting America's Pensions Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to set forth requirements for disclosure, diversification, account access, and accountability under defined contribution plans that are individual account plans (IAPs) (401(k) and similar plans). Allows IAPs either to permit employees' elective deferrals to be invested in employer securities, or to make the employer's contribution in employer securities; but prohibits an IAP from doing both. Exempts from such limitation any employer who maintains a certain kind of defined benefit plan (DBP) coverage besides the IAP. Requires IAPs to offer at least three investment options in addition to an option to invest in employer securities or real property. Requires IAPs to grant a participant or beneficiary the right to reinvest in any other option provided by the IAP any assets that are in employer securities or real property within certain time limits. Exempts IAP sponsors from fiduciary liability for IAP investments only if they designate independent investment advisors, who shall be fiduciaries with respect to such investments. Requires IAPs to furnish quarterly pension benefit statements with certain information to plan participants if they and beneficiaries have rights to direct investments. Requires sponsors and administrators of IAPs to provide all material investment information to participants and beneficiaries in an accurate form, and treats misleading investment information as a violation. Requires same day electronic disclosures of insider trading to the Securities Exchange Commission, to the public through the Commission, on the issuer's internal corporate website, and, in appropriate form, to any employees of the issuer who do not have access to such website. Requires disclosure on paper within seven calendar days after any electronic disclosure. Requires IAPs to give 30 days notice to participants and beneficiaries before a period (lockdown) in which their ability to divest or diversify assets control over their account assets will be limited. Provides that, during such lockdowns, employers are not exempt from liability for failing in fiduciary duty with respect to IAP investments. Requires fiduciaries of IAPs which cover more than 100 participants to have adequate insurance to protect the interests of participants and beneficiaries. Requires joint boards of trustees, representing interests of employers and those of employee participants and beneficiaries, to hold in trust the assets of single-employer IAPs which cover more than 100 participants. Establishes an Office of Pension Participant Advocacy in the Department of Labor (DOL). Requires studies: (1) by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation on IAP insurance system feasibility; and (2) by DOL on fees charged by IAPs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to collectively bargained 401(k) plans.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to include the Southwest Passage Initiative for Regional and Interstate Transportation Corridor (or SPIRIT Corridor) that passes through Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas as a high priority corridor on the National Highway System.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2002
Congratulates the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, on its bicentennial anniversary. Recognizes it as an outstanding leadership development institution that upholds and promotes the highest virtues of American society. Commends all those who have led and taught at the Academy for inculcating its graduates with moral, ethical, and intellectual values and skills that are the foundations for the dedicated service so honorably given by those graduates to the Army, the Nation, and friends of freedom and liberty around the world for 200 years.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2002
Designates March 2, 2002, as Read Across America Day. Honors Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) for his success in encouraging children to discover the joy of reading. Encourages parents to read with their children for at least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss and in celebration of reading.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Old Spanish Trail Recognition Act of 2002 - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the Old Spanish National Historic Trail (extending from Sante Fe New Mexico, to Los Angeles, California, that served as a major trade route between 1829 and 1848) as a National Historic Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2002
Law Enforcement Officers Retirement Equity Act of 2002 - Amends Federal civil service law to include as Federal law enforcement officers eligible under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees' Retirement System revenue officers in the Internal Revenue Service, customs inspectors and canine enforcement officers in the U.S. Customs Service, and inspectors in the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Calls for: (1) an increased role of U.S. foreign assistance in the global fight against terrorism to complement national security objectives; (2) the United States to lead coordinated international efforts to provide increased financial assistance to countries with impoverished and disadvantaged populations that are the breeding grounds for terrorism; (3) use of economic incentives, consistent with U.S. foreign policy, to end state support or tolerance of terrorism; and (4) the United States Agency for International Development and the Department of Agriculture to substantially increase humanitarian, economic development, and agricultural assistance to foster international peace and stability and the promotion of human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2002
Business Retained Income During Growth and Expansion Act of 2002 or the BRIDGE Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an eligible small business to elect to pay its tax in four equal installments. Limits the maximum amount of tax which may be paid in installments for any taxable year to whichever of the following is the least: (1) the tax imposed for the taxable year; (2) the amount contributed by the taxpayer into a BRIDGE Account during such year; or (3) the excess of $250,000 over the aggregate amount of tax for which an election was made by the taxpayer for all prior taxable years. Limits the above provisions to taxes imposed for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2001, and before January 1, 2006. Sets forth provisions: (1) defining an eligible small business; (2) setting dates for installment payments and interest payments; (3) establishing BRIDGE accounts; and (4) providing for a study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Calls for establishment of a National Importance of Health Care Coverage Month to promote education and awareness of available health care coverage options and to inform those eligible for public insurance programs about program access.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
United States/Mexico Border Health Improvement Act of 2001- Creates programs to improve health care for the residents of the United States-Mexico Border Area, which is considered to be United States territory within 100 kilometers of Mexico. Includes the following: (1) formation of an Office of Border Health to monitor health care delivery to Border Area residents and award grants to eligible entities and programs seeking to improve health care to such residents; (2) creation of a National Border Health Databank by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as a Border Health Surveillance Network within the CDC to grants for development of border health epidemiology training programs; (3) authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to Southwestern border States or localities for increasing resources available for community water fluoridation; and (4) creation of a United States Hispanic Nutrition Education and Research Center at a regional academic health center. Amends the Public Health Service Act by directing the Secretary to: (1) award grants to eligible entities to open community health centers in medically underserved parts of the Border Area; (2) initiate a higher education loan repayment program and recruit National Health Service Corps members to provide health services for Border Area residents in exchange for participation in the program; and (3) set aside certain grant funds for any State that proposes to increase screening of Border Area residents for breast and cervical cancer.
![Official portrait of Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000468_200.jpg)