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United States · Official source
6,541 records where Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2010
Designates June 25, 2010, as National Huntington's Disease Awareness Day. Recognizes that all people of the United States should become more informed about and aware of Huntington's Disease.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2010
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants to encourage the establishment and operation of Teachers Institutes; and (2) provide technical assistance, all or some of which may be provided through the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) in establishing and operating Teachers Institutes. Sets forth selection criteria, including consideration of the extent to which the proposed Institute will serve schools that have a significant low-income population. Defines a Teachers Institute as a partnership or joint venture between one or more IHEs and one or more LEAs serving one or more schools with significant low-income populations that is established to improve the quality of teaching and learning through collaborative seminars.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2010
Designates the week beginning September 12, 2010, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct support professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and implement a birth defects prevention and public awareness program, which includes: (1) a nationwide media campaign to increase awareness among health care providers and at-risk populations about pregnancy and breastfeeding information services; (2) grants for the provision of, or campaigns to increase awareness about, pregnancy and breastfeeding information services; and (3) grants for the conduct or support of surveillance of or research on maternal exposures that may influence the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal exposures that may influence health risks to a breastfed infant, or of networking to facilitate such surveillance or research.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to construct a facility in which to conduct research and educational programs on National Zoological Park property in Front Royal, Virginia. Authorizes the Board of Regents to enter into agreements to provide (at no cost to the Smithsonian Institution) housing and other services to participants in such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 - Revises provisions concerning the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program to, among other things: (1) revise definitions concerning eligibility, and include certain National Guard service as service qualifying for such assistance; (2) revise assistance amounts (including monthly stipends), and types of approved programs of education; (3) allow the pursuit of educational programs at institutions other than institutions of higher learning, including on-job training and apprenticeships, flight training, and correspondence courses; (4) provide an assistance amount for programs of education pursued while on active duty; (5) repeal the limit on the use of such assistance for the payment of only one licensing or certification test; (6) allow an individual entitled to supplemental educational assistance to transfer such entitlement to the post-9/11 program; (7) provide for the transfer of unused educational benefits to family members in the case of individuals who are no longer members of the Armed Forces; (8) bar the duplication of benefits under other educational assistance programs; (9) include distance learning as an approved program of education; (10) increase the amount of the reporting fee paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to an educational institution for providing information concerning an individual's enrollment in a program of education; and (11) repeal the authority to make certain interval payments. Provides an alternate subsistence allowance amount for veterans entitled to such allowance due to service-connected disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program to provide rebates to contractors to be passed through as discounts to homeowners who retrofit their homes to achieve energy savings; (2) a Federal Rebate Processing System to enable rebate aggregators to submit claims for reimbursement; and (3) a national retrofit website and public information campaign that provide information on the Program. Requires the Secretary to ensure that rebates are available to homeowners within 90 days of this Act's enactment. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a network of rebate aggregators that can facilitate the delivery of rebates to reimburse participating contractors and vendors; and (2) develop guidelines for states to allow utilities participating as rebate aggregators to count the energy savings from their participation toward state-level energy saving targets. Sets forth eligibility criteria for rebate aggregators. Establishes: (1) a Silver Star Home Energy Retrofit Program to award rebates during the first year after this Act's enactment for the energy retrofit of a home for the installation of specified energy saving measures, including air-sealing and insulation measures, duct seal or replacement, window, door, skylight, or roof replacement, heating or cooling system replacement, water heater replacement, water temperature controllers, and window film installation; and (2) a Gold Star Home Energy Retrofit Program to award rebates for retrofits that achieve whole home energy savings. Authorizes Silver Star and Gold Star rebates to be provided for the same home under specified circumstances. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the amount of the rebates (up to $3,000 per home for Silver Star rebates or $8,000 per home for Gold Star rebates); and (2) the treatment of rebates for tax purposes (excluded from taxable income). Requires a state that receives funding under this Act to submit to the Secretary a plan to implement a quality assurance program that covers all federally assisted residential efficiency retrofit work administered, supervised, or sponsored by the state. Requires the Secretary to establish a Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program to make funds available to states to support financial assistance provided by qualified financing entities for making, to existing homes, energy efficiency improvements that qualify under the Silver Star or Gold Star programs. Terminates such program two years after this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Public Transportation Preservation Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make emergency grants to states and designated recipients (urbanized areas) for the operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation projects. Prescribes a formula for the apportionment of grant funds. Requires amounts apportioned to a state or urbanized area, with a specified exception, to be used for operating expenses necessary to restore or prevent a reduction in public transportation service and related workforce reductions, or to rescind all or a portion of a fare increase, that: (1) occurs between January 1, 2009, and September 30, 2011; and (2) is due to decreased state or local funding or farebox revenue. Authorizes a recipient which certifies that it has not had a major reduction in public transportation service, or a fare increase as a result of decreased state or local operating funding, and will be able to avoid such reductions or increases through FY2011 without the funds made available by this Act, to use such funds to replace, rehabilitate, or repair existing transit capital assets used in public transportation. Sets the amount of a grant, at the option of the recipient, at up to 100% of the net cost of a project.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2010
Student Nondiscrimination Act of 2010 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination. Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act. Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them. Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail. Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
States that the Senate: (1) welcomes the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon Hinojosa; (2) believes that together the governments of Mexico and the United States can bring immense benefits to their people and make enormous contributions to addressing the global challenges of the 21st century; (3) looks forward to the continuing progress in relations between the governments and people of Mexico and the United States; and (4) appreciates the social, economic, and cultural contributions of the Mexican community in the United States and desires closer relations between the people of the United States and the people of Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2010
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week 2010, which begins on May 9, 2010. Recognizes the importance of: (1) preventing diseases that commonly affect women; and (2) federally funded programs that provide research and collect data on common diseases in women. Calls on women to observe National Women's Check-Up Day by receiving preventive screenings.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
TRICARE Mental Health Care Access Act - Amends the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed care program) to authorize referrals to licensed or certified mental health counselors under the program for spouses and dependents of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 30 days. Authorizes DOD to enter into personal services contracts with mental health counselors. Makes applicable to such counselors DOD licensure requirements for health care professionals. Provides licensing and related requirements for such counselors practicing under TRICARE.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
FEHBP Dependent Coverage Extension Act - Extends eligibility for coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to a federal employee's, annuitant's, or former spouse's dependent child (currently, unmarried dependent child) who is under age 26 (currently, under age 22) or incapable of self-support because of mental or physical disability which existed before age 26 (currently, before age 22).
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2010
Acknowledges the significant accomplishments and contributions of AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners. Encourages the people of this country to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and raise awareness about the importance of national and community service.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2010
Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow sponsors of certain deferred compensation plans to elect to include length of service award plans for bona fide volunteers providing firefighting and fire prevention services, emergency medical services, ambulance services, and emergency rescue services. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations exempting a length of service award program from treatment as an employee pension benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2010
Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Coltsville National Historical Park Act - Establishes the Coltsville National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park Service (NPS) in Connecticut. Requires such Park to provide interpretation and viewing of specified sites, including the East Armory and Colt Park. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a written arrangement with the Connecticut State Library, Wadsworth Atheneum, and the Colt Trust, or other public entities, as appropriate, to gain access to Colt-related artifacts to have them on display in the East Armory or within the Park. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of any properties within the Coltsville Historic District or any national significant properties within the Park under which the Secretary may identify, interpret, restore and provide technical assistance for the preservation of such properties. Requires any federal funds under such an agreement to be matched on a one-to-one basis by non-federal funds. Permits the acquisition of lands or interests owned by the state or any political subdivision of the state by donation only. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and public interpretation of related historic and cultural resources within the Historic District. Requires the Secretary to complete a management plan for the Park, with the advice of the Coltsville National Historical Park Advisory Commission established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act - Reauthorizes the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004 for FY2011-FY2015. Directs the Secretary of State to act through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs in awarding grants or entering agreements with Special Olympics for activities outside the United States. Includes community-based prevention among the activities for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants or enter into agreements with Special Olympics. Requires grant or agreement applications to include a description of specific measurable annual benchmarks, as well as long-term goals and objectives, to be achieved through specified activities, which must include: (1) activities to increase the full participation of people with intellectual disabilities in inclusive school and community activities with nondisabled people; (2) education programs that dispel negative stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities; and (3) activities to increase the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics outside of the United States. Requires annual reports by Special Olympics to describe demographic data about Special Olympics participants. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements to promote the expansion of Best Buddies, including activities to increase the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in social relationships and other aspects of community life, including education and employment, within the United States. Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to establish Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institutes for Sport and Social Impact. Requires recipients to use grant funds to advance the quality of life and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through research and evaluation, technical assistance, training, data collection, evaluation, collaboration, and dissemination of evidence-based best practices.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act of 2010 or the STOP Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the sale, lease, importation, or delivery of tobacco production machines to persons lawfully engaged in: (1) the sale, lease, or delivery of such machines; (2) the manufacture or processing of tobacco products, including for personal use; or (3) the application of unique identification markings onto tobacco product packages. Defines "tobacco production machine" as a machine used to manufacture, process, or package tobacco products or to apply unique identification markings to packages of tobacco products. Requires any person leasing, importing, exporting, or delivering a tobacco production machine to keep records relating to any transfers or deliveries of such machines. Requires manufacturers and importers of tobacco products to affix a unique identification marking to each package of tobacco products prior to sale or distribution of such products. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design a system of unique identification markings that does not interfere with state and local tax stamps and markings. Requires wholesalers of tobacco products to obtain permits for selling or exporting tobacco products. Establishes new criminal offenses relating to the distribution of tobacco products. Increases the civil penalty for tobacco-related infractions from $1,000 to $10,000. Establishes in the Treasury the Anti-Contraband Tobacco Trafficking Fund to finance the enforcement provisions of this Act and other laws relating to contraband or illegal tobacco products using the increased civil and criminal fines provided by this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose a civil penalty for the importation of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes by fraudulent means.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2010 or the STANDUP Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award incentive grants to states with graduated driver licensing laws that require novice drivers younger than age 21 to comply with a two-stage licensing process before receiving an unrestricted driver's license. Requires such laws, at a minimum, to include: (1) a learner's permit stage that commences at age 16 or older, lasts at least six months, prohibits driver use of a cellular phone or other communications device in nonemergency situations, prohibits nighttime driving, and remains in effect until commencement of the intermediate stage or the driver attains age 18; (2) an intermediate stage in effect until the driver attains age 18 that commences immediately after expiration of the learner's permit stage, lasts at least six months, prohibits driver use of a cellular phone or other communications device in nonemergency situations, prohibits nighttime driving, prohibits more than one non-familial passenger under age 21 unless there is a licensed driver at least age 21 present in the vehicle; and (3) any other requirement that the Secretary may require. Directs the Secretary to withhold a certain percentage of federal-aid highway funds from states that do not comply with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2010
Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to reauthorize through FY2015 the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. Authorizes the Administrator of FEMA to award: (1) AFG grants on a competitive basis to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies; and (2) fire prevention and safety grants to fire departments for fire prevention programs and research to improve firefighter health and life safety. Establishes grant funding requirements and limitations for emergency medical services, awards to nonaffiliated EMS organizations, fire prevention and safety grants, state fire training academies, and purchasing firefighting vehicles. Requires the Administrator to: (1) appoint fire service and EMS personnel to conduct peer reviews of grant applications; and (2) publish guidelines in the Federal Register describing the grant application process and criteria for selecting grant recipients. Amends SAFER program provisions to: (1) reduce the period of SAFER grants from four to three years; (2) limit to 75% the portion of the cost of hiring firefighters provided by a grant in any fiscal year; and (3) allow a waiver, based upon economic hardship, of certain firefighter hiring and cost requirements. Terminates amendments made by this Act on October 1, 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate eating disorder research. Authorizes the Director to award grants for consortia in eating disorder research. Establishes the Interagency Eating Disorders Coordinating Council within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) improve the collection, analysis and reporting of state epidemiological data on eating disorders; (2) study the economic costs of eating disorders; and (3) award grants for programs to prevent eating disorders and obesity and to promote health body image and appropriate eating behaviors. Directs the National Center for Health Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics to study jointly the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement. Requires the Director of CDC to study mandatory reporting of body mass index. Requires the Secretary to provide for public service announcements on eating disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants for training and education programs to provide health professions students or residents with an understanding of, and clinical skills pertinent to identifying and treating, eating disorders. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to permit funds made available to local education agencies for innovative assistance programs to be used for eating disorder programs. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to expand coverage for eating disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to award grants for patient advocacy to help individuals with eating disorders obtain adequate health care services and insurance coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Custom Fabricated Prosthetic Breast Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to custom fabricated breast prostheses after a mastectomy.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Designates April 2010 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Designates the third week of April 2010 as National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week. Commends organizations that are: (1) working to increase awareness of the danger of shaking young children; (2) educating caregivers on protecting children from injuries caused by abusive shaking; and (3) helping families cope with the challenges of child rearing and other stresses. Encourages people to remember the victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome and to participate in educational programs to help prevent it.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act of 2010 or HEARTH Act of 2010 - Extends to any Indian tribe the discretion granted under current law only to the Navajo Nation to lease restricted lands without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior in specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program, headed by a Director, which designates veterans business centers to provide entrepreneurial training and counseling to veterans in areas in which the number of veterans, especially veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, exceed the national median. Requires the Director to establish a program of grants to veterans business centers to: (1) provide federal procurement assistance to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans; and (2) develop outreach programs to create or further develop service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Authorizes the Director to hold biennial veterans entrepreneurial development summits. Decreases from three years to one year the period for completion of training of new disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide a training subsistence allowance for each month that an unemployed veteran is enrolled in a full-time employment and training program that is offered by an eligible training provider and teaches a skill connected to a career in an in-demand industry. Provides for the use of veterans' post-9/11 educational assistance for the pursuit of apprenticeships and on-job training. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish: (1) a program to award grants to states to establish veterans conservation corps to give veterans volunteer and employment opportunities under state conservation projects; and (2) a center of excellence of methods for educational institutions to afford academic credit to veterans for previous military experience and training. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to establish: (1) information technology military pathways demonstration programs to enable veterans to build upon technical skills learned in the military when entering into the civilian information technology workforce; and (2) nursing, public health and allied health professional, and physician assistant military pathways demonstration programs to enable veterans to build upon military technical skills when entering into civilian positions in those fields. Requires the Secretary of Labor to carry out a veterans energy-related employment program to encourage the employment of veterans in the energy industry. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to carry out the Veterans to Work pilot program to provide veterans with employment in military construction projects. Requires: (1) a report on improvements and enhancements of the Transition Assistance Program to better meet the needs of members of the Armed Forces and veterans; and (2) a study on a program of transition assistance modeled on the Employment Enhancement Program of the Washington National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Designates April 23 through 25, 2010, as Global Youth Service Days.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 - Financial Stability Act of 2010 - Establishes the Financial Stability Oversight Council to: (1) identify risks to the financial stability of the United States; (2) promote market discipline; and (3) respond to emerging threats to the stability of the United States financial markets. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury: (1) the Office of Financial Research (Office) to support the Financial Stability Oversight Council; and (2) the Financial Research Fund to fund the Office. Grants the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) additional authority to require reports and conduct examinations of certain nonbank financial companies and bank holding companies. Revises supervision and prudential standards for nonbank financial companies supervised by the Board and for certain bank holding companies. Establishes in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware an Orderly Liquidation Authority Panel to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary), under specified circumstances, to appoint the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver of a financial company in default or in danger of default whose failure would have serious adverse effects on financial stability in the United States. Enhancing Financial Institution Safety and Soundness Act of 2010 - Transfers all functions of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the OTS Director to the Board, to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and to the FDIC. Abolishes OTS. Prohibits the issuance of charters for federal savings associations. Private Fund Investment Advisers Registration Act of 2010 - Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 with respect to: (1) the regulation of advisers to hedge funds; (2) collection of systemic risk data; and (3) the asset threshold for federal registration of investment advisers. Office of National Insurance Act of 2010 - Establishes within the Department of the Treasury the Office of National Insurance to monitor all aspects of the insurance industry, including identification of issues or gaps in the regulation of insurers that could contribute to a systemic crisis in the insurance industry or the United States financial system. Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 - Sets forth procedures for: (1) reporting, payment, and allocation of nonadmitted insurance premium taxes; and (2) regulation of credit for reinsurance and reinsurance agreements. Bank and Savings Association Holding Company and Depository Institution Regulatory Improvements Act of 2010 - Imposes a moratorium upon FDIC provision of federal deposit insurance for credit card banks, industrial loan companies, and certain other companies under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to revise requirements for reports, examinations, and regulation of functionally regulated subsidiaries, including concentration limits on large financial institutions. Over-the-Counter Derivatives Markets Act of 2010 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) extend joint rulemaking and regulatory authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to over-the-counter derivatives markets; and (2) require large swap trader reporting. Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to repeal the prohibition against the regulation of security-based swaps. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to set forth: (1) clearing requirements for security-based swaps; (2) registration and regulation procedures governing security-based swap dealers and major security-based swap participants; and (3) position limits and position accountability for security-based swaps. Directs the SEC, the CFTC, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, and the Treasury Department, individually and collectively, to consult and coordinate with foreign regulatory authorities on the establishment of consistent international standards with respect to the regulation of certain SWAPS. Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision Act of 2010 - Directs the Financial Stability Oversight Council to designate those financial market utilities or payment, clearing, or settlement activities which it determines are, or are likely to become, systemically important. Sets forth procedures governing examination of and enforcement actions against financial institutions subject to standards for designated activities, including: (1) financial and operational risks such activities may pose to other financial institutions, critical markets, or the broader financial system; and (2) information to assess systemic importance of financial institutions engaged in payment, clearing, or settlement activities. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to: (1) establish the Investor Advisory Committee and the Office of the Investor Advocate; (2) authorize the SEC to restrict mandatory predispute arbitration; (3) prescribe securities whistleblower incentives and protection; and (4) revise regulation, accountability, and transparency of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). Amends the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 to increase the borrowing limit on Treasury loans. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to: (1) direct the federal banking agencies and the SEC to prescribe joint regulations to require any securitizer to retain an economic interest in a portion of the credit risk for any asset that the securitizer, through the issuance of an asset-backed security, transfers, sells, or conveys to a third party; (2) require procedures for annual shareholder approval of executive compensation; and (3) require disclosures regarding employee and director hedging. Requires the SEC to report to certain congressional committees regarding: (1) its conduct of examinations of registered entities, enforcement investigations, and review of corporate financial securities filings; and (2) its oversight of national securities associations. Prescribes standards for: (1) corporate governance; and (2) regulation of municipal securities and changes to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. Establishes in the SEC the Office of Municipal Securities. Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to authorize the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to share certain information with foreign authorities. Amends the FDIA to direct the Inspector General of each federal banking agency to report to Congress semiannually on certain losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund. Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the risks and conflicts associated with proprietary trading by and within specified entities. Directs the Office of Financial Literacy of the Bureau to establish a program to make grants to states for enhanced protection of seniors from being misled by false designations. Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 - Establishes: (1) in the Federal Reserve System the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) to regulate the offering and provision of consumer financial products or services under the federal consumer financial laws; (2) the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity; (3) the Office of Financial Literacy; and (4) the Consumer Advisory Board. Grants the Bureau supervisory powers and enforcement authority over certain large-sized insured depository institutions and insured credit unions. Excludes from Bureau oversight certain merchants, retailers and other sellers of nonfinancial goods or services. Grants the Bureau specific authorities, including prohibiting unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. Transfers to the Bureau specified consumer financial protection functions. Prescribes requirements for collection of deposit account data. Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act regarding small business loan data collection. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit certain prepayment penalties. Amends the Federal Reserve Act with respect to emergency lending authority. Authorizes the Comptroller General, under specified circumstances, to conduct reviews of the Federal Reserve Board, a federal reserve bank, or a credit facility. Improving Access to Mainstream Financial Institutions Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a multiyear program of grants, cooperative agreements, financial agency agreements, and similar contracts or undertakings to promote initiatives to enable low- and moderate-income individuals to: (1) to establish one or more accounts in a federally insured depository institution that are appropriate to meet their financial needs; and (2) gain improved access to the provision of accounts on reasonable terms.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, to publish a summary statement of taxpayer rights and obligations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to develop, expand, or continue volunteer income tax assistance programs to assist low-income taxpayers. Increases the grant funding for low-income taxpayer clinics. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations for the regulation of tax return preparers; (2) require the annual registration of refund delivery product facilitators; and (3) furnish to the public the identity of any person who is an enrolled agent, attorney, or certified public accountant on file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), who is a tax return preparer, or who is registered as a refund delivery product facilitator. Applies the penalty for understatements of taxpayer liability by tax return preparers to tax submissions other than tax returns or claims for refunds. Requires the Secretary to make an individualized lien determination before filing a notice of lien and to consider specified factors in making such determination, including the amount due, the value of the taxpayer's equity in property, the taxpayer's compliance history, and extenuating circumstances, if any, that explain the tax delinquency. Prohibits persons licensed to practice before the Department of the Treasury from directly or indirectly offering or providing audit insurance. Authorizes the National Taxpayer Advocate to issue Taxpayer Advocate directives for granting relief to taxpayers. Expresses the sense of Congress that the IRS should take specified steps within two years to improve service to taxpayers. Authorizes the Secretary to award demonstration project grants to provide access to accounts at financial institutions for taxpayers who do not currently have such access. Requires studies to: (1) enable the IRS to receive and process information reporting documents before it processes tax returns; and (2) assess the effectiveness of collection alternatives, especially offers in compromise, on long-term tax compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Embassy Design and Security Act of 2010 - States that it is U.S. policy to adopt design excellence as a mandate for a new generation of secure, high-performance diplomatic and consular facilities. Urges the Secretary of State to establish: (1) a design excellence program modeled after the General Services Administration (GSA) program to integrate security, innovation, and design and construction best practices for all facilities constructed under the direction of the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations; and (2) a high-level board to track the design excellence program's progress. Directs the Secretary to reestablish the Architectural Advisory Board to: (1) advise the Department of State on design standards; and (2) review design quality and fitness.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Designates April 2010 as Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about the importance of personal financial education in the United States and the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by the 29 coal miners lost at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Extends the deepest condolences of the Senate to the families of the fallen coal miners. Honors the survivors of the tragedy. Recognizes all coal miners for enduring the immeasurable loss of co-workers and maintaining courage in the aftermath of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South. Commends the valiant efforts of the emergency response workers searching for the missing coal miners. Honors the many volunteers who provided support and comfort for the missing coal miners' families during the rescue and recovery operations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010 - Appropriates funds for an Education Jobs Fund. Allocates the bulk of such Fund for grants to states pursuant to a formula that considers each state's share of individuals age 5 through 24 and each state's share of the nation's total population. Authorizes states to reserve a portion of the grant funds for administrative costs and for retaining or creating state education positions. Requires states to use the bulk of the grant to award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and public institutions of higher education to restore the reductions in state funding for elementary and secondary education and for public institutions of higher education that remain for FY2010 and FY2011, after including the funds they received for such reductions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Requires states that receive a grant that is more than what is required to cover such activities to allocate the excess to their LEAs based on the LEAs' relative share of school improvement funds under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Limits the use of subgrant funds to retaining or hiring new employees, or on-the-job training activities for education careers. Designates this Act's appropriation as an emergency requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Expresses sympathy to the people of Poland and the families of those who perished for their profound loss resulting from the April 10, 2010, airplane crash that killed the country's President, First Lady, and 94 other high ranking government, military, and civic leaders. Expresses: (1) solidarity with the people of Poland and Polish-American communities in the United States; and (2) support for the Polish government as it addresses the loss of many key officials.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Child Protection Compact Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of State, through the Ambassador-at-Large of the Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, to provide assistance (grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts) for an eligible country with a significant prevalence of trafficking in children that enters into a Child Protection Compact with the United States to support policies and programs to eradicate the trafficking of children.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2010 - Requires the manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold, leased, or otherwise introduced into commerce in the United States to provide to the owner of the motor vehicle and the service provider of the motor vehicle, using reasonable business means and on a non-discriminatory basis, all information and tools needed to diagnose, service, maintain, or repair the motor vehicle. Provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Permits civil actions by: (1) states on behalf of the state's residents; and (2) consumers and service providers. Provides for the protection of trade secrets, except that no information may be withheld by a manufacturer on the ground that it is a trade secret if that information is provided (directly or indirectly) to authorized dealers or service providers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Ponzi Scheme Victim's Bill of Rights Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a special tax deduction for qualified fraudulent investment losses held in an individual retirement account (IRA); (2) a six-year carryback of net operating losses which are qualified fraudulent investment losses; (3) withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans for a 10-year period without penalty to replace qualified fraudulent investment losses; (4) catch-up contributions to retirement plans to compensate for fraudulent investment losses; and (5) an extension of the limitation period for filing refund claims for overpayments of tax in connection with gifts and bequests of an interest in an investment for which there is a qualified fraudulent investment loss. Defines "qualified fraudulent investment loss" as a loss discovered in 2008 or 2009 resulting from a fraudulent arrangement in which a person receives cash or property from investors, purports to earn income for investors, reports partially or wholly fictitious income to such investors, makes payments to some investors from payments made by other investors, and appropriates some or all of the investors' cash or property.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Counternarcotics and Citizen Security for the Americas Act of 2010 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include a report on interagency counternarcotics strategy for the region of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean (Region) in the President's annual international narcotics control strategy report to Congress. Directs the President to ensure coordination of counternarcotics programs among relevant agencies, including: (1) the Department of State; (2) the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ); (4) the Department of Defense (DOD); (5) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and (6) the intelligence community. Prohibits any U.S. government international counternarcotics or anti-crime foreign assistance-related activity from being implemented without the Secretary of State's approval, under the direction of the President. Requires federal assistance through current counternarcotics programs to be provided in the Region for: (1) operational, intelligence, and forensic support; and (2) capacity- and institution-building. Requires that U.S. Armed Forces, law enforcement, and civilian contractor personnel employed by the United States comply with specified requirements under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 regarding participation in foreign police actions. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to: (1) permit a U.S. officer or employee to make a foreign arrest as part of a foreign police narcotics control action conducted in connection with a declared contingency operation if the foreign country agrees to the waiver and such waiver has been approved by the Secretary; and (2) make aircraft available to foreign countries for emergency rescue and humanitarian operations on a case-by-case basis upon Chief of Mission approval. Directs the President to take steps to ensure the immediate U.S return of any helicopter procured with U.S. funds that is used to aid any terrorist, illegal self-defense group, paramilitary organization, or guerrilla organization in Colombia. Directs the Secretary to monitor the environmental and health effects of counternarcotics herbicide use in the Region. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the use of contractors in recipient countries.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Congratulates the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy and its staff for 100 years of operation of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2010
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include children of Vietnam War and certain Korean War veterans receiving care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for spina bifida-related medical conditions and children of women Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects as meeting the definition of minimum essential coverage under requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2010
Supports the goals of World Water Day. Urges the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and all relevant federal departments and agencies to increase efforts and resources dedicated to: (1) providing sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and (2) improving the capacity for water resource management for the poor.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that health care coverage provided by the TRICARE program and the Nonappropriated Fund Health Benefits Program of the Department of Defense (DOD) shall constitute minimal essential health care coverage as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010
Congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 189th anniversary of the independence of Greece. Supports the principles of democratic governance to which the people of Greece are committed. Notes the important role that Greece has played in the wider European region and in the community of nations since gaining its independence.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2010
Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions allowing a tax exclusion for benefits paid to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers by states and local government by: (1) increasing the amount of benefits excludible; and (2) extending such tax exclusion through 2013.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010
Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to expand the duties of the Office of Management Conference of the Long Island Sound Study by requiring the Office to cooperate with other federal agencies which have jurisdiction over Long Island Sound and with national and regional marine monitoring and research programs established pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. Amends the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 to terminate the Long Island Sound Stewardship Advisory Committee on December 31, 2015 (currently 2011). Declares that the Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply to the Advisory Committee or to any board, committee, or other group established under the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006. Extends reporting requirements by requiring the Advisory Committee to submit to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Act (EPA) and the decision making body of the Long Island Sound Study Management Conference an annual report through FY2015 on stewardship sites. Extends through FY2015 the authorization of appropriations to the Administrator for the implementation of the Management Conference of the Long Island Sound Study. Extends and increases the authorization for the Long Island Sound Grants. Authorizes such sums as are necessary (currently, $25 million through FY2011) through FY2015 for the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2010
Recognizes the life of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, whose death on February 23, 2010, highlights the lack of democracy in Cuba and the injustice of the treatment of more than 200 political prisoners by the government of Cuba. Calls for the release of all political prisoners in Cuba. Pays tribute to the courageous citizens of Cuba who are suffering abuses for engaging in peaceful efforts to exercise their basic human rights. Supports freedom of speech and the rights of journalists and bloggers in Cuba to express their views without government repression. Calls on the United States to continue policies that focus on respect for the fundamental tenets of freedom, democracy, and human rights in Cuba and encourage peaceful democratic change consistent with the aspirations of the people of Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2010
Equity in Excellence Act of 2010 - Amends title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish an Equity in Excellence Grant program authorizing the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities for efforts to ensure that the academic achievement rates of high-achieving students in grades one through four, who are from impoverished families and served by high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), do not fall behind the achievement rates of their more advantaged, high-achieving peers. Lists as eligible grantees: (1) high-need LEAs; (2) consortia of LEAs that include high-need LEAs; and (3) partnerships composed of high-need LEAs and institutions of higher education or nonprofits that have expertise in educating gifted students. Requires the use of grant funds to: (1) ensure that assessments provide diagnostic information that informs the instruction of high-achieving students; (2) implement evidence-based, innovative educational strategies, such as enrichment programs and academic acceleration strategies; (3) procure or use high-quality instructional materials; (4) train school personnel involved in teaching high-achieving students from impoverished families; and (5) conduct education and training for such students' parents that supports their children's excellence. Allows the Secretary to extend such grants based on recipient performance. Directs the Secretary to: (1) collect data annually comparing the longitudinal achievement levels of the students served by this Act's grants with their more advantaged peers; and (2) release such data for analysis to independent research institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Reaffirms the U.S. people's commitment to combating multiple sclerosis by promoting awareness about its causes and risks, promoting new education programs, supporting research, and expanding access to medical treatment. Recognizes people living with multiple sclerosis and salutes the health care professionals and medical researchers who assist those living with multiple sclerosis and continue to work to find cures and improve treatments.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 - Repeals current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces. Prohibits the Secretary of Defense (Secretary), and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation against any member of the Armed Forces or any person seeking to become a member. Authorizes the re-accession into the Armed Forces of otherwise qualified individuals previously separated on the basis of sexual orientation. Directs the Secretary to establish in DOD the Pentagon Working Group to report recommendations regarding the implementation of this Act. Requires such report to be submitted to the congressional defense committees. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revise DOD regulations and issue new regulations as necessary to implement this Act; and (2) direct each military department Secretary to do the same. Directs the Secretary to report on the compliance of institutions of higher education with federal law concerning the denial of access by such institutions to Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) military recruiting on campus, as well as a description of actions taken to effect the denial of certain federal funding to institutions that continue to prevent ROTC access.