United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2002
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as of October 2, 2002, to give a higher priority in the provision of hospital care and medical services under the veterans' patient enrollment system to veterans who are eligible for treatment as a low-income family under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for the area in which the veterans reside, regardless of whether such veterans are otherwise treated as single person families or families under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add the collection of data on benign brain-related tumors to provisions authorizing grants to States for the operation of statewide registries (currently, statewide cancer registries). Defines "brain-related tumor," with respect to a primary tumor, to mean a primary tumor that is listed in the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (commonly referred to as the ICD-O)
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2002 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide criteria to determine whether an employer has committed an unlawful employment practice by failing to provide a reasonable accommodation to the religious observance or practice of an employee. Deems an accommodation to be reasonable if it removes the conflict between employment requirements and the religious observance or practice of the employee. Declares that an employer shall be considered to commit an unlawful employment practice if the employer refuses to permit the employee to utilize leave of general usage to remove such a conflict solely because the leave will be used to accommodate the employee's religious observance or practice.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act of 2002 - Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to include the Commissioner of Social Security as a member of the Interagency Council on the Homeless. States that the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy within the Executive Office of the President shall oversee Council functioning. Provides for the establishment of community homeless assistance planning boards. Revises the emergency shelter grants program. Replaces the supportive housing program with a community homeless assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) take the lead in improving the lives of millions of mothers and children in the developing world through targeted, effective, and multifaceted health and development programs; and (2) increase its commitment to the world's mothers and children by increasing funding for basic child survival and maternal health programs by at least $500 million.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2002 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.75 an hour beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.25 an hour during the year beginning on January 1, 2003; and (3) $6.65 an hour beginning January 1, 2004. Makes Federal minimum wage requirements applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Sets forth a transition period during which a specified minimum wage there shall be gradually increased to equal the Federal minimum wage.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Education Works Act of 2002 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to: (1) expand the vocational educational training work activity category, removing the time limitation on such training, and adding participation in postsecondary education, an English-as-a-second-language program, or an adult basic education program; (2) eliminate the limit on the number of TANF recipients enrolled in vocational education or high school who may be counted towards the State work participation requirement; and (3) provide for nonapplication of the five year limit on TANF assistance to individuals who receive child care or transportation benefits under the State TANF program and participate in a full-time educational program or are employed.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Prohibits the use of funds appropriated to the Department of Justice or any other agency from being used to file any brief or to otherwise advocate before any judicial or administrative body any position regarding the meaning of the Second Amendment to the Constitution (right to bear arms) that is inconsistent with existing Supreme Court precedent.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2002
Expresses support for the constitutional right of Cuban citizens who have signed the Varela Project to petition the Cuban National Assembly for a national referendum on civil liberties. Calls on the Cuban Government to accept the petition and hold such referendum and to provide its citizens with internationally accepted standards for civil and human rights and the opportunity to vote in free and fair elections. Urges the President to: (1) take steps to support the Project and any future efforts by the Cuban people to assert their constitutional right to petition the National Assembly in support of a referendum; and (2) pursue an action-oriented policy of directly assisting the Cuban people and independent organizations to strengthen the forces of change and to improve human rights in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2002 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) survey each law enforcement jurisdiction to assess the backlog of DNA testing of rape kit samples and other sexual assault evidence; and (2) make grants to eligible entities to carry out sexual assault examiner training and certification, develop sexual assault examiner programs, acquire or improve forensic equipment, and train law enforcement personnel in the handling of sexual assault cases. Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) ensure that DNA testing and analysis of samples from rape kits and non-suspect cases are carried out in a timely manner; (2) reauthorize grants; (3) authorize local governments to apply for and receive grants; (4) direct the Attorney General to give priority in awarding grants to a State or local governmental unit that has a significant rape kit or non-suspect case backlog; (5) expand the scope of DNA samples subject to privacy protections; and (6) authorize appropriations to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the collection and use of DNA identification information from certain Federal offenders. Amends: (1) the Federal criminal code and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to authorize "John Doe" DNA indictments for sexual abuse (allows describing a person as an unknown individual who has a particular DNA profile if the identity of the accused or defendant is unknown); and (2) the DNA Identification Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations to the FBI to carry out a redesign of the Combined DNA Index System.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Disapproves a specified rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the Department of Health and Human Services relating to modification of the Medicaid upper payment limit for non-State government owned or operated hospitals. Declares such rule shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2002
Expresses profound gratitude for the faithful service provided by flight attendants to make air travel safe and honors their courage and dedication. Supports all flight attendants who continue to display heroism on a daily basis, as they had been doing before, during, and after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Medicare Skilled Nursing Beneficiary Protection Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility services for determining updates for FY 2003 and for FY 2004 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2002
Federal Responsibility for Immigrant Health Act of 2002 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow Federal Medicaid payments to States for providing pregnancy-related services or services for the testing or treatment for communicable diseases of aliens who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Gives States the option to eliminate the residency requirement for certain aliens. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to increase the total amount available for allotments for payments to certain States for FY 2003 through 2007, requiring the use of funds from such allotments to assist hospitals and related providers of emergency health services to undocumented aliens that are located in areas that the Secretary of Health and Human Services or a State determines to be substantially impacted by health costs related to undocumented aliens. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to exclude health benefits from the list of State and local public benefits for which certain aliens who are not qualified aliens or nonimmigrants are ineligible (thus permits States and localities to provide health care to all individuals.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2002
Predatory Lending Consumer Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act guidelines for certain credit transactions secured by the consumer's principal dwelling (high-cost mortgage). Requires additional disclosures that the consumer is contracting to pay a much higher loan than most people pay. Specifies additional prohibitions against prepayment penalties, except in certain circumstances. Prohibits all balloon payments. Prohibits the terms of a high-cost mortgage from including advance collection of a premium on a single premium basis for specified credit insurance products. Restricts the amount of points and fees which a creditor may finance in connection with a high-cost mortgage. Prohibits certain creditors from financing the prepayment fees or penalties due from the consumer. Prohibits a high-cost mortgage creditor from engaging in specified practices, including requiring arbitration or any other nonjudicial procedure as a method for resolving any controversy or claims arising from the transaction. Declares a consumer's waiver of the right of rescission ineffective if the creditor either advised, or encouraged such waiver, or required it as a precondition for a transaction. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to mandate that each high-cost mortgage creditor (including the successor creditor) report the debtor's complete payment history to certain consumer reporting agencies in accordance with specified regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2002
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) conducting or attempting to conduct human cloning; or (2) shipping the product of nuclear transplantation in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of human cloning. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict practices not expressly prohibited. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations and subjects any real or personal property derived from or used to commit a violation to forfeiture. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require research involving nuclear transplantation to be conducted in accordance with certain Federal standards for the protection of human subjects.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to include an emphasis on management and collaboration between academia and the scientists and programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Requires the Secretary of Commerce's strategic plan to be developed at least every four years and integrate with the strategic plans of the Department of Commerce and of NOAA. Revises and expands the terms of membership for the sea grant review panel. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) FY 2004 through 2008; and (2) zebra mussel, oyster, harmful algal bloom, and additional support to the fisheries extension program. Limits the percentage of funds available for administration.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
Port Terrorism Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the nature of the liability of vessel, aircraft, or vehicle owners or operators, or other responsible parties for manifest irregularities. Specifies unreported shortages or overages instead of irregularities as the causes of liability. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit the use of certain descriptions of merchandise that do not provide adequate information regarding the merchandise on a required manifest. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to develop software to carry out the automated manifest system that will reject such prohibited merchandise descriptions. Doubles from $5,000 to $10,000 the civil penalties for inaccurate manifests, and raises from $10,000 to $15,000 the penalty for a second violation, and to $20,000 for each subsequent violation. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of automated systems for the review of manifest and bill of lading data. Requires the Customs Service to increase the number of manual inspections of merchandise carried on vessels required to make entry with a view toward manually inspecting ten percent of all such merchandise. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to research and develop technologies that can be used to secure the ports of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
International Cooperative Antiterrorism Act of 2002 - Prohibits the provision of U.S. economic assistance (except humanitarian assistance), or the issuance of a license for the export of an item on the U.S. Munitions List, to any country or entity that the President has determined is not making a maximum effort to be fully cooperative in the global war against international terrorism. Declares that the United States shall oppose and vote against any lending from any international financial institution, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, or other related institutions to such a country or entity. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2002
Mental Health Patients' Rights Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health insurance issuer to impose a preexisting condition exclusion relating to a preexisting mental condition only if: (1) such exclusion relates to a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the six-month period ending on the enrollment date; (2) such exclusion extends for no more than 12 months after the enrollment date; and (3) the exclusion period is reduced by the aggregate periods of creditable coverage applicable to the individual or dependent as of the enrollment date. Prohibits any such issuer from requiring an individual or dependent with a preexisting mental health condition to pay a premium or contribution which is greater than that charged to an individual without such condition when the additional charge is based solely on such preexisting condition. Defines `preexisting mental health condition' to mean a mental health condition, including all categories of mental health conditions listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM IV-TR), or the most recent edition if different than the Fourth Edition, that was present before the date of enrollment of such coverage, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before such date.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2005, the duty on Methyl Cinnamate (methyl-3-phenylpropenoate).
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Calls upon European governments to: (1) acknowledge the anti-Semitic character of the attacks on Jewish institutions in cities across Europe in the last 18 months as violations of human rights and to utilize their law enforcement tools to investigate the crimes and punish the perpetrators; (2) decry the rationalizing of attitudes and attacks against Jews as merely a result of popular frustration with the Middle East conflict; and (3) take measures to protect and ensure the security of Jewish citizens and institutions. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Congress and the Administration must raise this issue in bilateral contacts; (2) the State Department's Annual Country Reports on Human Rights should document this phenomenon worldwide; and (3) the Commission on International Religious Freedom should continue to document and report on this phenomenon.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2002
Calls for the governments of Europe to: (1) protect the safety and well-being of their Jewish communities; and (2) cultivate an atmosphere of cooperation and reconciliation among Jewish and non-Jewish residents.
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 · 22 April 2002
Declares that the Senate: (1) stands in solidarity with Israel as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas; (2) remains committed to Israel's right to self-defense; and (3) will continue to assist Israel in strengthening its homeland defenses. Condemns Palestinian suicide bombings. Demands that the Palestinian Authority fulfill its commitment to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas. Urges: (1) all Arab states, particularly Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to declare their unqualified opposition to all forms of terrorism, particularly suicide bombing, and to act in concert with the United States to stop the violence; and (2) all parties in the region to pursue vigorous efforts to establish comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
1993 World Trade Center Victims Compensation Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to provide compensation for victims physically injured or killed as a result of the terrorist-related bombing of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993. Directs the Attorney General, acting through the Special Master, to administer the compensation program and establish procedural and substantive rules. Establishes claimants' rights during the review process. Excludes punitive damages from compensation. Reduces compensation by the amount of collateral source compensation received, or expected to be received, by claimant as a result of the bombing. Determines submission of a claim to be a waiver of a claimant's right to file a civil action (or to be party to an action) in any Federal or State court for damages sustained as a result of the bombing. Directs the Attorney General and Special Master to promulgate certain regulations related to carrying out the Act including procedures for hearings and presentation of evidence. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include victims of the February 26, 1993, World Trade Center attack under Code provisions exempting terrorist victims from certain tax liabilities. Allows for a refund or credit which would otherwise be prevented before the close of the one-year period following enactment of the Act, provided the claim is filed before the close of such period.
![Official portrait of Sen. Corzine, Jon S. [D-NJ]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001042_200.jpg)