United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2002
Fostering Service Act of 2002 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to authorize additional appropriations to: (1) include youth who are aging out of foster care among those to be given opportunities for participating in various national service programs (NSPs); (2) make eligible as an NSP a community service program designed to engage former foster care youth as mentors for such youth; (3) authorize training to improve the ability of NSPs to recruit, retain, and integrate such youth as participants in NSPs; (4) assist such youth-participants in making the transition to independent living; and (5) include State and local agencies that provide services to youth in foster care and youth aging out of foster care among the entities through which the Corporation for National and Community Service and State commissions disseminate information on available approved national service positions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2002
International AIDS Treatment and Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), to carry out HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and related activities in countries with or at risk for severe HIV epidemic. Requires particular attention to resource constrained countries and the use of indigenous capacity to the degree practicable. Authorizes support and assistance relating to: (1) HIV prevention services, including post exposure prophylaxis and a safe blood supply; (2) HIV/AIDS care and treatment services, linked to prevention services; (3) infrastructure and training, including the availability of health care facilities; and (4) HIV/AIDS treatment protocols. Creates grant programs for: (1) clinical education and training in the delivery of HIV/AIDS care and treatment services; (2) activities to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV; and (3) research on innovative microbicide concepts. Requires the coordination of Department of Health and Human Services programs by the Director of the Office of International Affairs. Extends the tuberculosis prevention program, to be coordinated with the activities under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Administrator of AID, to carry out workplace-based HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs in at-risk, constrained countries, with emphasis on protections against discrimination and creating supportive environments for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2002
Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish: (1) a Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefit Program under new part D; (2) a Prescription Drug Account in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund; and (3) a Medicare Prescription Drug Advisory Committee. Provides for: (1) part D benefits under Medicare+Choice plans under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice); and (2) Medicare cost-sharing and other assistance for low-income individuals but only as it relates to benefits provided under new part D. Revises Medicare supplemental insurance policy (Medigap) benefit packages to conform to changes made by this Act, eliminating obsolete policies with no grandfathering. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of: (1) establishing a uniform format for pharmacy benefit cards provided to beneficiaries; and (2) developing systems to transfer electronically prescriptions under such program from the prescriber to the pharmacist. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an ongoing study and analysis of the program established under this Act, especially: (1) the extent to which the competitive bidding process under it fosters maximum competition and efficiency; and (2) the savings to the Medicare program resulting from it, including the reduction in the number or length of hospital visits. Expands the membership and duties of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC).
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2002
Congratulates: (1) the Government and people of Colombia for the successful completion of democratic elections held on May 26, 2002; (2) President-elect Alvaro Uribe Velez and Vice President-elect Francisco Santos Calderon; and (3) Colombian President Andres Pastrana for his commitment to democracy. Commends all Colombian citizens and political parties for working together to take risks for democracy, to pursue national reconciliation, and to strengthen democratic traditions. Supports Colombian attempts to: (1) ensure democracy, national reconciliation, and economic prosperity; (2) support human rights and the rule of law; and (3) abide by all the essential elements of representative democracy. Encourages such Government and people to continue: (1) their struggle against narcotics and terrorism; and (2) to promote the professionalism of the Colombian Armed Forces and National Police and judicial and legal reforms. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to encouraging and supporting democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and peaceful development throughout the Americas.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2002
Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to establish a Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program to protect the environmental integrity of undeveloped coastal and estuarine areas. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make program grants to coastal States for the purpose of acquiring property interests. Prohibits any more than 75 percent of the grant funding from being derived from Federal sources. Authorizes the Secretary to provide $5 million for a regional watershed protection demonstration project that: (1) leverages land acquisition funding from other Federal conservation or acquisition programs; (2) involves partnerships with Federal, State, and non-governmental entities; (3) creates conservation corridors; (4) protects habitats under imminent threat of development or conversion; (5) provides water quality protection for areas under the National Estuarine Research Reserve program; and (6) provides a model for future regional watershed protection projects. Reserves 15 percent of program funds for acquisitions benefitting the National Estuarine Research Reserve. Specifies that when property is acquired under this program: (1) title will be held by the grant recipient; (2) property will be managed consistent with the purpose of the program; and (3) funds will be returned to the Secretary if the property is sold, exchanged, or divested.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2002
Museum and Library Services Act of 2002 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to extend authorizations of appropriations and revise programs under such Acts. Amends MLSA to establish the National Museum and Library Services Board, within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Eliminates a National Museum Services Board.) Requires the IMLS Director to: (1) ensure coordination with certain activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and other Federal activities; and (2) conduct and publish analyses of museum and library services impact. Revises requirements for annual national awards to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities. Amends LSTA to provide for: (1) an increased portion for administrative costs; (2) an increased alternative minimum allotment to States under certain conditions; (3) competitive grants to specified U.S. Territories; (4) State plans once every five years, as determined by the IMLS Director; (5) additional uses of grants to States for library programs; and (6) recruitment of library and information science personnel under the program of national leadership grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Includes specified entities under the term museum, for MLSA purposes. Revises museum services activities. Repeals requirements under the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act relating to Commission responsibilities to: (1) advise the IMLS Director; and (2) meet with the National Museum Services Board, which is eliminated by this Act. Revises Commission membership requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2002
Digital Opportunity Investment Trust Act - Establishes the Digital Opportunity Investment Trust (the Trust), which shall receive 50 percent of the cash payment received by the Federal Government each fiscal year quarter through FY 2020 from auctions of the publicly owned electromagnetic spectrum and spectrum-derived licensing fees. Establishes an Advisory Board with respect to administration of Trust funds. Permits the Director of the Trust to use Trust funds to: (1) supplement Federal funds for Federal education programs; (2) serve as a venture capital fund for American nonprofit educational and public service institutions by utilizing new telecommunications and information technologies; (3) invest in use of advanced telecommunications and information to deliver public information and education to all Americans; (4) enable schools, universities, libraries, museums, and other specified bodies to take advantage of information technologies; (5) use innovative technologies to reach nontraditional learners, including individuals with disabilities; and (6) further the teaching of mathematics and science. Allows the Director of the Trust to award contracts and grants to nonprofit public institutions (with or without private partners) for innovative and experimental ideas and techniques to enhance learning and achieve specified related goals. Directs the Director to invest funds of the Trust in U.S. interest bearing or U.S.-guaranteed obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2002
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 - Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Terrorism Insured Loss Shared Compensation Program, administered by the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall have general Program authorities. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) mandatory insurance company participation in the Program; and (2) mandatory availability of property and casualty insurance. Sets a Program termination date. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should make any determination to extend such Program in sufficient time to enable participating insurance companies to include coverage for acts of terrorism in their policies for 2003. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the insurance industry should build capacity and aggregate risk to provide affordable property and casualty insurance coverage for terrorism risk. Establishes a Federal cause of action for property damage, personal injury, or death arising out of or resulting from an act of terrorism, which shall be the exclusive cause of action and remedy for claims for such property damage, personal injury, or death (except for claims against terrorists or aiders and abettors, including governments and other entities).
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2002
Toxic Clean-up Polluter Pays Renewal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by reinstating the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate until January 1, 2013, and reinstating the Corporate Environmental Income Tax until January 1, 2013.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2002
Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend funding for the mammography facilities certification program through FY 2007. Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a temporary certificate to facilities seeking reaccreditation and awarded an accreditation extension for specified reasons, including inability of accrediting body to complete the process in time and unforeseen situations which cause the facility to be unable to meet the reaccreditation timeframes, but do not compromise the quality of mammography. Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate the Mammography Quality Standards Act, including the demonstration program's frequency of inspections, accessibility of services, and the role of States as both accreditation and certification bodies. Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to study health professional training in the area of mammography.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2002
Designates June 5, 2002, as National Hunger Awareness Day. Authorizes the office of Senator Richard J. Durbin to collect donations of food from June 5, until June 14, 2002, from concerned Members of Congress and staff to assist families suffering from hunger and food insecurity in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
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
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to expand activities addressing inflammatory bowel disease, emphasizing genetic, animal model, and clinical research. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a national program of prevention and epidemiology concerning such disease, addressing its prevalence and public and professional awareness. Directs the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science to study public and private insurance standards for coverage of inflammatory bowel therapies. Directs the General Accounting Office to study problems inflammatory bowel disease patients have applying for disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.
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 · 15 May 2002
Coltsville Study Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the site known as Coltsville (a community in Connecticut inspired by Samuel Colt, founder of the Colt Manufacturing Company, which flourished during the Industrial Revolution) to evaluate its national significance, its importance to the history of precision manufacturing, and its suitability for designation as a unit of the National Park System.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2002
United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2002 - Requires the President to establish a comprehensive, integrated, five-year strategy to combat the global spread of HIV and AIDS. Requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a comprehensive plan to empower women to protect themselves against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Establishes within the Department of State a presidentially appointed Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally. Authorizes the United States to participate in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and increases financial assistance for vaccine contributions. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to conclude an agreement with the Paris Club of Official Creditors and other specified multilateral development institutions to modify the Enhanced HIPC Initiative with respect to debt cancellation for eligible countries. Authorizes the President to provide assistance and coordination between international organizations for the global prevention, treatment, monitoring, and control of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Requires the President to establish a program to demonstrate the feasibility of facilitating services of American health care professionals in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world severely affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Requires the Secretary of Defense to expand the Department of Defense program of HIV/AIDS prevention educational activities in sub-Saharan African countries. Requires the Administrator of USAID to establish a program of assistance that would demonstrate the feasibility of providing care and treatment to orphans, other children, and young people affected by HIV/AIDS in foreign countries. Sets forth principles for U.S. firms operating in countries affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Training for Realtime Writers Act of 2002 - Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to make grants to up to 20 eligible entities to promote training and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program, as realtime writers providing closed captioning in video programming. Limits grants to a two-year period and a maximum amount of $1 million.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Designates May 20, 2002 (the 100th birthday of the Weekly Reader), as a day for Americans to recognize the importance of teaching children about current events in an accessible way to their development as both students and citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) at the 54th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, should remain firmly opposed to commercial whaling, and take other specified related steps; (2) at the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, should oppose all efforts to reopen international trade in whale meat or to downlist any whale population; and (3) should make full use of all appropriate diplomatic mechanisms, relevant international laws and agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms to implement these goals. Urges the United States to take appropriate steps to convince foreign countries whose nationals are engaging in trade in whale meat or a taking which diminishes the effectiveness of the Convention to cease such trade or taking.
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 · 10 May 2002
Cultural Bridges Act of 2002 - Authorizes the President to establish an international exchange visitor program under which eligible students from the Islamic world would: (1) attend public secondary school in the United States; (2) live with an American host family; and (3) participate in activities designed to promote a greater understanding of American and Islamic values and cultures. Requires the Secretary of State (Secretary) to carry out this program with U.S. sponsoring organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to use the authorities of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 to establish new programs and expand existing programs to increase the number of educational and cultural activities involving persons from the Islamic world. Prohibits the participation of individuals who are nationals of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Uniting Families Act of 2002 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the petition filing deadline for certain alien spouses and children and employees seeking to adjust to permanent resident status without leaving the United States. Stipulates that such exclusion shall not apply to an alien who is: (1) inadmissible or deportable on security-related grounds; or (2) deportable on marriage fraud grounds.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
National Construction Safety Team Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish National Construction Safety Teams for deployment within 48 hours after events causing the failure of a building that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential for such loss of life. Requires Teams to: (1) consist of at least one NIST employee and other experts who are not NIST employees; (2) conduct investigations to establish the likely technical cause(s) of the building failure; (3) evaluate the technical aspects of evacuation and emergency response procedures; (4) recommend specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices; and (5) recommend research and other appropriate actions needed to improve the structural safety of buildings and evacuation and emergency response procedures. Requires such a Team to coordinate its investigations with any search and rescue efforts being undertaken at the site of the building failure. Requires the Director to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the head of each Federal agency that may conduct or sponsor an investigation related to a Team's investigation. Grants a Team investigation priority over any other investigation of any other Federal agency, with the exception of related investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board or building failures that may have been caused by criminal acts. Requires: (1) Teams to issue public reports after completing investigations; and (2) the Director to review such reports, to conduct or encourage appropriate recommended research, to promote adoption of Team recommendations by the Federal Government and encourage adoption by other agencies and organizations, to report to Congress on Team investigations and recommendations and on NIST actions in response, and to establish an advisory committee.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) small business participation is vital to U.S. defense and should play an active role in assisting the military, Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and State and local police to combat terrorism through the design and development of innovative products; and (2) Federal, State, and local governments should aggressively seek out and purchase innovative technologies and services from, and promote research opportunities for, American small businesses to help in homeland defense and the fight against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2002
Immigration Reform, Accountability, and Security Enhancement Act of 2002 - Abolishes the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish in the Department of Justice (Department) the Immigration Affairs Agency, which shall be headed by a Director of Immigration Affairs. States that the Agency shall perform the following functions: (1) policy, administration, and inspection; (2) service and adjudication; and (3) enforcement. Establishes within the Agency: (1) a General Counsel; (2) a Chief Financial Officer; (3) a Chief of Policy and Strategy; (4) a Chief of Congressional, Intergovernmental, and Public Affairs; (5) the Bureau of Immigration Services and Adjudications; and (6) the Bureau of Enforcement and Border Affairs. Sets forth Agency and Bureau offices and authorities. Establishes within the Department the Office of the Ombudsman. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish within the Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics the Office of Immigration Statistics. Provides for the transfer and allocation of functions, personnel, an other resources from INS and the Department to the Agency. Establishes in the Treasury the Immigration Affairs Agency Transition Account. Amends Federal law to set forth personnel flexibilities respecting the Agency, including voluntary separation incentives. Unaccompanied Child Protection Act of 2002 - Establishes within the Department the Office of Children's Services which shall: (1) not be an INS office; and (2) be responsible for coordinating and implementing law and policy, including foster care, for unaccompanied alien children. Establishes an Interagency Task Force on Unaccompanied Alien Children. Sets forth: (1) procedures for unaccompanied children found within the United States, or along the border or at ports of entry; and (2) a family reunification preference order. Prohibits, with an exception for violent children, detention in adult or delinquent children facilities. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Government should take efforts to ensure that alien children are not repatriated to unsafe settings. Directs the Office to provide that each unaccompanied child have counsel and guardian ad litem. Directs the Attorney General to establish a related pilot program. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a special immigrant juvenile visa (J Visa). Expresses congressional commendation of the Immigration and Naturalization Service' s issuance of its "Guidelines for Children's Asylum Claims." Provides related training for immigration officers. Amends the Act to exempt unaccompanied alien children from certain removal and asylum filing provisions. Provides for: (1) establishment of an Internet-based system for accessing immigration-related benefit filings; (2) conduct an on-line filing and improved processing feasibility study; and (3) establish a Technology Advisory Committee. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the utilization of alternatives to asylee detention.
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 · 29 April 2002
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require license applications for new drug and biological product to assess such drug's or product's safety and effectiveness for relevant pediatric subpopulations, including dosage. Permits extrapolation from adult studies where the course of the disease and the effects of the drug are sufficiently similar in all populations. Permits deferral of such assessments if adult studies are completed earlier and the applicant submits a plan for or a description of planned or ongoing pediatric studies. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to specify a date for submission of pediatric assessments if a drug's or product's use or need in the pediatric populations so dictates. States that drugs or products with delayed assessments will be deemed misbranded and subject to seizure and injunctive proceedings, though not penalties. Permits full waiver of such assessments if: (1) studies are highly impracticable or impossible and the evidence suggests that the drug or product would be ineffective or unsafe in all pediatric age groups; or (2) there is no meaningful therapeutic advantage or benefit in the pediatric population and little risk if used as labeled. Permits partial waivers at the request of an applicant for a specific pediatric subpopulation if any of the full waiver grounds apply to that subpopulation or reasonable attempts for a pediatric formulation for that subpopulation have failed. Requires labels of these drugs or products to reflect such waivers.
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 · 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 · 23 April 2002
Proclaims the week of May 4-11, 2002, as National Safe Kids Week. Supports the efforts and activities of the National Safe Kids Campaign to prevent childhood injuries, including bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries and equestrian-related brain injuries.
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
Syria Accountability Act of 2002 - Prohibits the President from exporting any item on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations, providing any U.S. assistance to U.S. businesses with respect to investment or other activities, or conducting Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Trade Development Agency programs in or with respect to Syria. Directs the President to impose two or more specified sanctions against Syria. Requires maintenance of such prohibition and sanctions until the President certifies that Syria meets specified requirements, including that it: (1) does not support international terrorist groups; (2) has withdrawn all of its military personnel from Lebanon: (3) has ceased the development and deployment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons; and (4) is no longer in violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions.
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 · 11 April 2002
Access to High Quality Child Care Act - 2002 ACCESS Act - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to extend the authorization of appropriations, and to revise or set forth provisions relating to: (1) lead agency; (2) State plan requirements; (3) activities to improve the quality of child care; (4) parent access to quality child care; (5) child care research and data; (6) child care provider development; (7) activities for infants and toddlers; (8) technical and financial assistance grants; and (9) quality child care, development, and education incentive grants. Federal Employees Child Care Act - Establishes requirements for enhancing security at child care centers in Federal facilities. Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) establish health, safety, and facility standards and compliance requirements for child care in executive branch facilities; (2) issue regulations requiring any child care facility sponsor to comply with standards of a child care accreditation entity; (3) establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices; and (4) confirm that at least 50 percent of aggregate enrollment in Federal child care centers Government-wide are children of Federal employees or on-site Federal contractors, or dependent children who live with such employees or contractors. Authorizes a Federal agency without a child care program, or the Administrator upon identifying a need for child care at a Federal agency, to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal, licensed, and accredited child care facility, or a planned facility that will become licensed and accredited. Permits a Federal agency to conduct a pilot project to test innovative approaches to providing more cost-effective alternative forms of child care assistance for Federal employees. Amends the Social Security Act's title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) with respect to child care assistance for TANF recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Reversing the Expatriation of Profits Offshore Act - Sets forth the following conditions in which a foreign incorporated entity shall be treated as an inverted domestic corporation for purposes of taxation: (1) if such an entity acquires substantially all properties held by a domestic corporation or substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership; (2)at least 80 percent of the stock (by vote or value) is held by former shareholders (or partners, in the case of a partnership) of the domestic corporation or partnership (with certain exceptions); and (3) if the "expanded affiliated group" lacks substantial business activities in its country of origin compared to its total activities. Sets specific rules covering "inversion gains" of certain "acquired entities" and party transactions of such entities not covered by the above provisions, including: (1) that taxable income of "inversion gains" of such entities cannot be offset; (2) that tax credits shall not be permitted to be used against tax on "inversion gains" of such entities; and (3) that such entities submit to the Secretary of the Treasury an annual prefiling, advance pricing, or other agreement specified by the Secretary. Establishes penalties for failure to make such agreements. Modifies limitation on interest deduction for such entities. Invalidates certain transfers of liabilities deemed to be aimed at avoiding the Act. Increases scope under which the Secretary may act to modify reinsurance agreements to take account of the amount of taxable income of each party. Defines "acquired entities, "inversion gain," and "expanded affiliated group."
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Holocaust Education Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to educational organizations to carry out educational programs about the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Commends the Huskies of the University of Connecticut for completing the 2001-2002 women's basketball season with a 39-0 record and for winning the 2002 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Alzheimer's Disease Research, Prevention, and Care Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the purposes of the National Institute on Aging to include conducting programs regarding Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Requires the Director of the Institute to: (1) undertake an Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Initiative, including accelerating the discovery of new risk and protective factors, rapidly identifying therapies and preventive interventions, and implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies; (2) establish and support a national consortium for cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's; and (3) conduct, or make grants to conduct, research concerning early detection and diagnosis, the relationship between Alzheimer's and vascular disease, and interventions designed to help caregivers. Authorizes the Director to establish a National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to facilitate collaboration among Alzheimer's Disease Centers and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers.
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
Childhood Vaccine Supply Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require a sole manufacturer of a biological product (currently, a drug) subject to licensure to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services no later than one year before discontinuing its manufacture. Permits a shorter notification period if the manufacturer can continue the distribution of the product involved for one year. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase pediatric and adult vaccines for national stockpiles using preventive health services project grant funds.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Debbie Smith Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to carry out sexual assault nurse examiner programs and to train law enforcement personnel and first responders in the handling of sexual assault cases and the collection and use of DNA samples for forensic evidence. Provides that for a State to be eligible to receive a grant, the chief executive officer of the State shall submit to the Attorney General an application which shall include a certification that the State shall comply with specified quality assurance and proficiency testing standards. Sets forth provisions regarding restrictions on the use of funds and expenditure records. Amends the DNA Identification Act of 1994 to require the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to issue (and revise periodically) standards for collecting and processing, for use as forensic evidence, samples on which DNA analysis may be carried out. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to carry out DNA analyses of samples from crime scenes for inclusion in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System. Sets forth provisions regarding State eligibility, restrictions on uses of funds, and expenditure records.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2002
Investor Confidence in Public Accounting Act of 2002 Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to designate an Independent Public Accounting Board (IPAB), subject to SEC oversight, which shall exercise regulatory jurisdiction over public accounting firms. Directs IPAB to: (1) establish and enforce auditor quality control and auditing standards to be used by registered independent public accounting firms (RIPA firm); (2) assess periodically RIPA firm compliance; and (3) establish record retention criteria. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit RIPA firms from conducting specified non-audit services for a securities issuer contemporaneously with either: (1) auditing the issuer; or (2) receiving general revenues from it. Prohibits a RIPA firm from performing auditing services for an issuer if any management-level personnel of that issuer had been an employee of the RIPA during the 2-year period preceding such audit (thereby preventing revolving-door conflicts-of-interest). Sets forth procedures for: (1) mandatory registration of RIPA firms with IPAB; and (2) IPAB investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Directs the SEC to recognize generally accepted accounting principles established by a U.S. standard setting body that meets prescribed criteria. Makes it unlawful for any officer, director, or affiliated person of an issuer registered with the SEC to make material misrepresentations to a RIPA. Increases the number of SEC professional accountant positions to provide enhanced oversight of auditors and auditing services. Instructs the SEC to require issuers to submit periodic financial disclosures pertaining to transactions and relationships: (1) likely to expose the issuer to liability or impaired financial status; and (2) necessary for an understanding of their business purpose and economic substance. Mandates prompt electronic disclosure of affiliate transactions. Directs the SEC to submit recommendations to IPAB regarding: (1) the treatment of stock options; and (2) the consolidation and disclosure of special purpose entities and similar types of affiliates or related parties under IPAB accounting standards.
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 · 6 March 2002
National Defense Rail Act - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak security assistance. Requires studies or assessments of: (1) foreign rail transport security programs; (2) the feasibility of passenger, baggage, and cargo screening; (3) existing rail safety regulations; (4) security priorities; and (5) rail crossing delay security issues. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a national high-speed ground transportation policy; and (2) provide 100 percent financial assistance to develop and implement high-speed rail corridors according to designated priorities, including the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings. Requires such projects to comply with specified labor standards, including the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act. Defines the national rail passenger transportation system. Authorizes Amtrak to operate an intercity rail service or route not included in such system, as specified. Authorizes additional appropriations for Amtrak for principal and interest, and environmental and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance. Repeals the requirement that Amtrak be self-sufficient. Authorizes appropriations for the Northeast Corridor, long and short distance trains, and State-supported routes. Directs the Secretary to re-establish the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee. Revises requirements concerning the Amtrak board of directors. Requires an independent audit of Amtrak operations. Revises requirements of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 concerning loans and loan guarantees. Directs the Secretary to establish a rail passenger cooperative research program, including an advisory board.
![Official portrait of Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000388_200.jpg)