United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999
Y2K Act - Makes this Act: (1) applicable to any Y2K action brought in a Federal or State court after January 1, 1999, for a Y2K failure occurring before January 1, 2003; and (2) inapplicable to a claim for personal injury or wrongful death. Preempts inconsistent State law. (Sec. 5) Mandates that, in any Y2K action in which punitive damages are permitted, the defendant shall not be liable unless the plaintiff proves that the applicable standard for awarding damages has been met. Limits punitive damages in such an action to the lesser of three times the amount awarded for compensatory damages or $250,000. Makes such limitation applicable to: (1) individuals whose net worth does not exceed $500,000; or (2) an entity employing fewer than 50 full-time employees. Waives such limitation when specific intent to injure is established. Prohibits punitive damages from being awarded against a government entity. (Sec. 6) Requires the application of proportionate liability upon each person against whom a final judgment is entered in a Y2K action. Makes the liability of a defendant in such an action joint and several if the trier of fact determines that such defendant: (1) acted with specific intent to injure the plaintiff; or (2) knowingly committed fraud. Makes any other defendant proportionately liable for the uncollectible share of a judgment against a defendant for compensatory damages, with a limitation. States that a defendant who settles a Y2K action at any time before final verdict or judgment shall be discharged from all claims for contribution brought by other persons. Entitles a defendant who is jointly and severally liable in a Y2K action to recover contribution from any other person who, if joined in the original action, would have been liable for the same damages. Applies a six-month statute of limitations for such contribution. (Sec. 7) Requires a prospective plaintiff, before commencing a Y2K action (except in an action seeking only injunctive relief), to serve on each prospective defendant a written notice that identifies with particularity the manifestations of any material defect causing harm or loss, the harm or loss suffered, the remedy sought, and certain information identifying any individual authorized to negotiate on behalf of the plaintiff. Requires a response to such notice within 30 days proposing remedial actions. Allows a plaintiff to immediately commence a legal action if the defendant fails to respond to such notice or does not propose remedial actions. Allows a defendant 60 days after an appropriate response to complete any proposed remedial action. (Sec. 8) Outlines pleading requirements, including specification of the nature, amount, and factual basis for calculating damages. Requires damages awarded to exclude compensation for damages the plaintiff would reasonably have avoided in light of disclosures. (Sec. 10) Requires the application of the doctrines of impossibility and commercial impracticability, as such doctrines were in existence as of January 1, 1999, in any Y2K action involving breach or repudiation of contract. Prohibits the award of damages by contract unless such damages are allowed by the express terms of the contract or by operation of State or Federal law. (Sec. 12) Prohibits a party to a Y2K action making a tort claim from recovering damages for economic loss unless such damages are permitted under applicable Federal or State law and: (1) such recovery is provided for under a contract entered into by the party; or (2) such losses result directly from damage to tangible property caused by the Y2K failure. Excludes from such limitation patent, copyright, trade-secret, or trademark action, or any claim for defamation or invasion of privacy under Federal or State law. (Sec. 13) Requires the plaintiff, in a Y2K action other than a claim for breach or repudiation of contract, to prove a defendant's state of mind when the defendant's actual or constructive awareness of the Y2K failure is an element of the claim. Provides specific limitations on bystander liability for Y2K failures. Applies to this Act the protections for the exchange of information afforded under the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act. (Sec. 14) Authorizes the appointment in any U.S. district court of special masters or magistrate judges for hearing Y2K actions. (Sec. 15) Provides that, in any Y2K action involving a claim that a product or service is defective, a class action may be maintained only if: (1) it satisfies all other Federal or State class action procedural laws or rules; and (2) the court finds that the alleged defect would be material to the majority of such class. Requires specified notice to class members. Provides jurisdiction in U.S. district court for class action Y2K suits involving more than $1 million, with an exception when the parties concerned or the claims asserted primarily involve only one State.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1999
Children's Lead Screening Accountability For Early-Intervention Act of 1999 or Children's Lead SAFE Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require State Medicaid plans to provide for reporting to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) of the number of children who: (1) are under age three and enrolled in the State plan; and (2) have received a blood lead screening test. Requires each contract between the State and an entity responsible for provision of medical assistance under the State plan to provide for: (1) compliance with mandatory blood lead screening requirements consistent with prevailing guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for such screening; and (2) coverage of qualified lead treatment services. Allows reimbursement for qualified lead treatment services for children with elevated blood lead levels. Provides for enhanced Federal matching contributions for an information retrieval system that determines whether a child is enrolled under a State plan and whether an enrolled child has received mandatory early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Head Start Act to mandate blood lead poisoning screening tests for an infant or child to be eligible to participate in either the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) or early Head Start and Head Start programs. Amends SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP) to mandate CHIP coverage for blood lead poisoning screening tests for children Amends the Public Health Service Act and SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) with regard to grants for lead poisoning related activities. Authorizes appropriations. Imposes specified requirements on the CDC Director, including that the Director offer various assistance to the States with regard to children and lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. Outlines provisions for training and congressional reports with regard to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration and childhood lead poisoning and blood lead screening tests. Mandates a CDC bonus program to improve the blood lead screening rates of States for children under age three enrolled in Medicaid. Details program particulars. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1999
Bear Protection Act of 1999 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State to discuss issues involving such trade with the appropriate representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1999
Declares that the U.S. Government should pursue policies that: (1) support and encourage the U.S. people to master the English language plus other languages of the world, with special emphasis on the growing importance of Spanish for our Nation's economic and cultural relationships with Mexico, Central America, and South America; (2) recognize the value of Spanish to millions of U.S. people of Hispanic descent, who will be the Nation's largest minority by the year 2005, constituting one of every four U.S. people by the year 2030; (3) recognize the importance of English as the unifying language of the United States, and the importance of English fluency for individuals who want to succeed in U.S. society; (4) recognize that command of the English language is a critical component of the success and productivity of U.S. children, and should be encouraged at every age; (5) recognize that a skilled labor force is crucial to U.S. competitiveness in a global economy, and the ability to speak one or more languages in addition to English is a significant skill; (6) support literacy programs, including programs designed to teach English, as well as those dedicated to helping U.S. people learn and maintain other languages in addition to English; and (7) develop U.S. linguistic resources by encouraging U.S. citizens to learn and maintain Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Italian, Korean, Vietnamese, Farsi, African languages, sign language, and the many other languages of the world, in addition to English.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1999
Amends Federal law to reduce from five years to four years and six months as of December 12, 1980, the minimum length of a congressional employee's service with one or more specified congressional campaign committees necessary for it to qualify as creditable service for retirement purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1999
Pediatric Research Initiative Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate establishment, in the National Institutes of Health, of a Pediatric Research Initiative. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make available within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development enhanced support for extramural activities relating to the training and career development of pediatric researchers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude distributions from an individual retirement account from inclusion in gross income to the extent that such distributions are used for charitable purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1999
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Treatment and Assistance Act of 1999 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for a waiver of the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals disabled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to provide for Medicare coverage of any drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or biological licensed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for use in the treatment or alleviation of ALS-related symptoms.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1999
Designates the Amtrak station to be constructed in the James A. Farley Post Office Building in New York, New York, as the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Station.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1999
Chile Fast Track Act of 1999 - Authorizes the President to enter into an agreement with Chile that provides for: (1) the accession of Chile to the North American Free Trade Agreement; or (2) the reduction and elimination of tariffs and other nontariff barriers to trade and the eventual establishment of a free trade area between it and the United States. Authorizes the inclusion of trade-related labor and environmental protection standards in any bills submitted to Congress implementing such agreements. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to apply fast-track procedures to implementing bills for agreements entered under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1999
Digital Education Act of 1999 - Amends title III (Technology for Education) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide for digital education partnerships. (Sec. 2) Renames and revises ESEA title III part C as Ready-to-Learn Digital Television (currently Ready-to-Learn Television). Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible public telecommunications entities to: (1) develop educational programming, and related support materials and services, for preschool and elementary school children; (2) develop programming and digital content designed for nationwide distribution over public television stations' digital broadcasting channels and the Internet, containing Ready-to-Learn-based children's programming and resources for parents and caregivers; and (3) disseminate and distribute such programs to the widest possible appropriate audience by the most appropriate distribution technologies. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3) Establishes the New Century Program for Distributed Teacher Professional Development as ESEA title III part D. (Replaces current part D provisions for a Technology Demonstration Project for Mathematics Project.) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to a nonprofit telecommunications entity, or partnership of such entities for a national telecommunications-based program to improve teaching in core curriculum areas. Requires such program to be designed to assist elementary school and secondary school teachers in preparing all students for achieving State content standards. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Establishes a Digital Education Content Collaborative as a new part F of ESEA title III. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible local public television communications entities to develop, produce, and distribute educational and instructional video programming designed for use by kindergarten through grade 12 schools and based on State standards. Requires such eligible entities to enter into multiyear content development collaborative arrangements with State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, businesses, or other agencies and organizations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1999
Children First Child Support Reform Act of 1999 - Amends title IV, part D of the Social Security Act (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to prescribe guidelines for the States to exercise the option of: (1) distributing State-collected child support payments directly to a family receiving assistance under the temporary assistance to needy families program; and (2) disregarding any such payments when determining the family's eligibility for assistance under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 1999 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments. (Sec. 4) Directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to determine whether State law provides specified rights and responsibilities for public safety officers, including: (1) granting public safety employees the right to form and join a labor organization which excludes management and supervisory employees, and which is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for such employees; and (2) requiring public safety employers to recognize and agree to bargain with the employees' labor organization. (Sec. 5) Requires the FLRA to issue regulations establishing collective bargaining procedures for public safety employers and employees in States that do not substantially provide for such public safety employee rights and responsibilities. Directs the FLRA, in such cases, to: (1) determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation; (2) supervise or conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a majority of the employees in an appropriate unit; (3) resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith; (4) conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices; and (5) resolve exceptions to arbitrator's awards. Grants a public safety employer, employee, or labor organization the right to seek enforcement of such FLRA regulations and authority through appropriate State courts. (Sec. 6) Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts or strikes. (Sec. 7) Provides that existing collective bargaining units and agreements shall not be invalidated by this Act. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999
Affordable Housing Opportunity Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase, and link to the cost-of-living adjustment, the State low-income housing credit ceiling.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999
Medicare HMO Protection Act of 1999 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with regard to contracts with Medicare+Choice organizations to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to delay the effectiveness of a Medicare+Choice organization's termination of its plan with respect to all individuals in an area, if: (1) the termination would cause an imminent and serious health risk to enrollees; (2) the termination would result in a significant reduction in the Medicare+Choice plans available in the area affected; or (3) the organization terminating coverage is offering Medicare+Choice plans in contract areas in close proximity to the area affected by the termination without suffering considerable financial losses. Permits the Secretary, in making the last determination, to audit and inspect the organization's books or records. Authorizes the Secretary to end such a delay early upon determining that an adequate provider network has been established that will provide at least an equal level of insurance coverage as existed in the area affected by the termination on the date the Medicare+Choice organization informed the Secretary of its intention to terminate the contract. Authorizes the Secretary and the Medicare+Choice organization terminating coverage to negotiate during the period of delay for a new contract that will enable the organization to continue coverage. Extends the initial Medicare+Choice contract period from one year to three years. Requires any Medicare+Choice organization contract to provide and pay for a written notice to enrollees at least 120 days before termination of the contract, together with a description of alternatives for obtaining benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999
Youth Drug and Mental Health Services Act - Title I: Provisions Relating to Services for Children and Adolescents - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) with regard to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Administration) to provide for a program to assist local communities in developing ways to assist children in dealing with violence. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to public and non-profit private entities for: (1) establishing a national as well as regional centers of excellence on psychological trauma response; and (2) developing knowledge with regard to evidence-based practices for treating psychiatric disorders resulting from witnessing or experiencing such stress. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Secretary to make noncompetitive grants to, or contracts or cooperative agreements with, public entities to address emergency substance abuse or mental health needs in local communities. (Sec. 104) Reauthorizes and extends prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation model projects for high risk youth. (Sec. 105) Replaces provisions for outpatient treatment programs and postpartum women with grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for projects to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment for children and adolescents. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 106) Reauthorizes and extends the grant program for comprehensive community mental health services to children with serious emotional disturbances, with an increase in maximum grant duration from five to six fiscal years. (Sec. 107) Reauthorizes and extends the grant program for providing services to children of substance abusers. Transfers responsibility for the program from the Health Resources and Services Administration to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for training health, substance abuse, and mental health professionals and other specified providers of services to children and families. Requires grant recipients which are Medicaid providers to identify children who may be eligible for medical assistance under Medicaid or the State's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Requires a grant recipient to make available to such children drug and alcohol early intervention, treatment, and prevention services. Requires services for affected families to include: (1) aggressive outreach to family members with substance abuse problems; and (2) consumers in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Family Services Plan. Repeals the mandate for peer review of grant applications. (Sec. 108) Requires the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to ensure that emphasis is placed on children and adolescents in the development of treatment programs, among other changes in organizational and general provisions. Title II: Provisions Relating to Mental Health - Replaces grant programs for demonstration projects with projects for priority mental health needs of regional and national significance. Directs the Secretary to establish related information dissemination and education programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Reauthorizes and extends the grant program for developing and expanding mental health and substance abuse treatment services for homeless individuals. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to waive requirements for projects for assistance in transition from homelessness with respect to the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Reauthorizes and extends formula grants to States for programs for individuals suffering from serious mental illness or substance abuse and for the homeless. (Sec. 204) Revises the criteria for State plans for grants for comprehensive community mental health services for certain individuals, as well as application deadlines. Reauthorizes and extends the program of formula block grants for community mental health services and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse. (Sec. 205) Makes permanent at the level it received for FY 1998 the minimum formula grant allotment of any State for its plan for comprehensive community mental health services for certain individuals. (Currently, such level applies only with respect to FY 1999). (Sec. 206) Renames the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 as the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act. Includes as an individual with mental illness one who otherwise meets certain current criteria but lives in a community setting or at home. Authorizes an eligible system (established in a State to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities) to represent an individual with a mental illness only if: (1) its total allotment is $30 million or more; and (2) it gives priority to representing such individuals. Revises an eligible system's minimum allotment, with different specified base amounts for States and for certain territories. Specifies a trigger level of total appropriations at which the Secretary must make an allotment to the eligible system serving the American Indian consortium. Reauthorizes and extends allotments for use in eligible protection and advocacy systems for mentally ill individuals. Title III: Provisions Relating to Substance Abuse - Replaces provisions on residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women with provisions on priority substance abuse treatment needs of regional and national significance. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Repeals the requirement that funding agreements specify certain minimum State expenditures for prevention and treatment activities regarding alcohol and other drugs. Changes from mandatory to discretionary a State's authority to establish a revolving fund to support group homes for recovering substance abusers. Authorizes the Secretary, upon a State's request, to waive requirements with regard to substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant allocations regarding pregnant women and women with dependent children, treatment of intravenous substance abuse, tuberculosis services and HIV early intervention services, and specified kinds of additional agreements. Reauthorizes and extends appropriations. (Sec. 304) Revises the formula for minimum State allotments of block grants for preventing and treating substance abuse, and makes it permanent. Title IV: Provisions Relating to Flexibility and Accountability - Changes the mandate for an Associate Director for Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Policy to an option. Revises peer review requirements, eliminating those for regulations promulgated pursuant to peer review provisions. (Sec. 402) Reduces from three times a year to twice a year the minimum number of times each fiscal year that specified advisory councils on mental health services and substance abuse treatment must meet. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary in conjunction with States and other interested groups to develop separate plans for performance partnerships for creating more flexibility among the States and outcome-based accountability for programs for pregnant addicts and for programs for emotionally disturbed children and mentally ill adults. Makes grant payments to States available for obligation and expenditure through the fiscal year following the one for which the payments were made. Repeals the special treatment of grant amounts in the case of a State which has terminated or reduced financial assistance to noncompliant subgrantees. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or contracts or cooperative agreements with, States to develop and operate mental health or substance abuse data collection analysis and reporting systems (data infrastructure development) with regard to performance measures including capacity, process, and outcomes measures. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999
Services for Children of Substance Abusers Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (currently, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services administration) make grants for: (1) services for children and families of substance abusers; (2) identification of such children and families; and (3) education and training of providers of such services. Requires grantees to identify children who may be eligible for medical assistance under titles XIX (Medicare) or XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Adds developmentally and age-appropriate alcohol and drug evaluation, early intervention, treatment, and prevention to the services to be provided to children (replacing provisions mandating preventive counseling services). Requires that certain services be provided by a public health nurse, social worker, or similar professional, or by a trained worker from the community supervised by a professional. Allows services to be delivered to families through an entity that meets State licensure or certification requirements for that service. Mandates aggressive outreach to family members with substance abuse problems. Modifies requirements regarding: (1) mandated services for substance abusers and other people involved in abusers' lives; (2) grant eligibility; and (3) information submitted by grant applicants. Modifies reporting and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Removes provisions mandating: (1) coordination with the State lead agency and the State Interagency Coordinating Council under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and (2) peer review as part of the grant awarding process. Authorizes grants for the training of personnel who provide services to children and families to assist the professionals in recognizing drug and alcohol problems and to enhance their skills in identifying substance abuse and obtaining early intervention, prevention, and treatment resources.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999
Violence Prevention Training for Early Childhood Educators Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants for a specified period to enable certain institutions to provide violence prevention training as part of early childhood education training programs. Prescribes application procedures. Directs the Secretary to give priority to awarding grants to institutions whose violence prevention programs include specified components. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999
Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants, contacts, or cooperative agreements to nonprofit entities to provide substance abuse treatment services for youth. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1999
Oceans Act of 1999 - Directs the President to develop and maintain a coordinated, comprehensive, and long-range national policy, consistent with U.S. international obligations, on ocean and coastal activities and, regarding Federal agencies and departments, to review ocean and coastal activities, plan and implement an integrated and cost-effective program of ocean and coastal activities, designate responsibility for funding and conducting ocean and coastal activities, and ensure cooperation and resolve differences arising from laws and regulations. (Sec. 5) Establishes the National Ocean Council to serve as the forum for developing a national policy and program, improve coordination and cooperation among Federal agencies, and take other actions. Terminates the Council one year after submission of its final report. (Sec. 6) Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy, requiring it to report to the President and the Congress on a comprehensive national ocean and coastal policy to carry out the purpose and objectives of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Directs the President to report to the Congress biennially on ocean and coastal activities, budgets, and accomplishments. Directs the President to annually provide general guidance to each Federal agency or department involved in coastal activities regarding the preparation of appropriations requests. Requires each such agency or department to include with its annual appropriations request a report identifying budget elements relating to ocean and coastal activities and specifying how each element contributes to the implementation of a national ocean and coastal policy. (Sec. 8) Repeals the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1999
Small Business Y2K Compliance Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business to deduct up to $40,000 for Y2K computer conversion costs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Response to the Public Health Crisis of Pain Title II: Developing Community Resources Title III: Reimbursement Barriers Title IV: Improving Federal Coordination of Policy, Research, and Information Title V: Demonstration Projects Conquering Pain Act of 1999 - Title I: Emergency Response to the Public Health Crisis of Pain - Requires development and maintenance of an Internet website on evidence-based practice guidelines for pain treatment. (Sec. 102) Requires the Medicare and Medicaid programs (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act), programs through the Public Health Service Act, programs through the Indian Health Service, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), and other programs administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, where relevant, to inform individuals that they should expect to have their pain managed under such programs. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to provide funds for implementation of special education projects carried out by peer review organizations to improve the quality of pain and symptom management. (Sec. 105) Amends Medicare provisions relating to the Medicare+Choice program to provide for dissemination to Medicare beneficiaries and prospective beneficiaries of information about an organization's coverage, and an evaluation of plan performance and quality, regarding pain and symptom management. Directs the Secretary to determine how to include measurements of pain and symptom management in Medicare, Medicaid, and other appropriate Federal programs. (Sec. 106) Mandates a report by the Surgeon General to appropriate congressional committees and the public on the state of pain and symptom management in the United States. Title II: Developing Community Resources - Mandates grants to health care provider training entities for the establishment of six National Family Support Networks in Pain and Symptom Management. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Reimbursement Barriers - Requires the existing Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) to study and report to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the way Medicare policies may limit pain and symptom management and palliative care services; (2) Medicare and Medicaid financial barriers to continuity of care and interdisciplinary or supportive care for chronic pain patients and those who are terminally ill; (3) reimbursement barriers in providing pain and symptom management through hospice care; (4) whether the Medicare reimbursement system provides providers incentives to delay informing terminally ill patients of hospice and palliative care availability; and (5) the impact of providing payments for drug therapy management services in pain and symptom management and palliative care. (Sec. 302) Requires the General Accounting Office to survey public and private health insurance providers and report to appropriate congressional committees on whether the insurers' reimbursement policies inhibit patient access to pain and symptom management. Title IV: Improving Federal Coordination of Policy, Research, and Information - Establishes the Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary, through a contract with the Institute of Medicine, to review research findings and report to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the effects of controlled substance regulation on patient access to effective care; (2) factors that may contribute to the underuse of pain medications, including opioids; and (3) State legal and regulatory barriers that may impact patient access to medications for pain and symptom management. (Sec. 403) Mandates the convening of a national conference to discuss the translation of pain research into the delivery of health services, using unobligated amounts appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services. Title V: Demonstration Projects - Mandates grants to establish at least five demonstration projects on effective methods to measure improvement in the skills and knowledge of health care personnel in pain and symptom management. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1999
Prostate Cancer Research Commitment Resolution of 1999 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) finding treatment breakthroughs and a cure for prostate cancer should be made a national health priority; (2) significant increases in prostate cancer research funding, commensurate with the impact of the disease, should be made available at the National Institutes of Health and to the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program; and (3) these agencies should prioritize prostate cancer research that is directed toward innovative clinical and translational research projects in order that treatment breakthroughs can be more rapidly offered to patients.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1999
Flag Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions regarding desecration of the flag to set penalties with respect to persons who: (1) destroy or damage a U.S. flag with the primary purpose and intent to incite or produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace under circumstances in which the person knows that it is reasonably likely to produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace; (2) steal or knowingly convert to their use, or the use of another, a U.S. flag belonging to the United States and intentionally destroy or damage that flag; and (3) within any lands reserved for the use of the United States, or under the exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction thereof, steal or knowingly convert to their use, or the use of another, a U.S. flag belonging to another person and intentionally destroy or damage that flag.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Reauthorization Act of 1999 - Amends the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994 to extend the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor through the town of Union, Connecticut, and the following towns in Massachusetts: Brimfield, Charlton, Dudley, East Brookfield, Holland, Oxford, Southbridge, Sturbridge, and Webster. Names Quinebaug- Shetucket Heritage Corridor, Inc. the management entity for the Corridor, with authority to make grants or loans to the States, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other persons to further the goals set forth in the management plan adopted by the Governor of Connecticut on February 16, 1999. Specifies regional planning organizations in Massachusetts which shall be involved in preserving the Corridor and ensuring appropriate use of lands and structures throughout it. Increases the authorization of appropriations, and makes it permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Sanctions Rationalization Act of 1999 - Authorizes the President to delay, suspend, or terminate any economic sanction with respect to a foreign country, if the President determines and reports to the Congress that initiating or continuing such sanction does not serve important U.S. national interests. Declares that suspension or termination of a sanction shall take effect 30 days after submission of such report, and delay of a sanction shall take effect immediately following such submission, unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Military Reservists Small Business Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration (SBA), upon written request, to defer repayment of principal and interest due on a direct general business or disaster loan made to a member of the reserves ordered to active duty during a period of military conflict, as long as such reservist: (1) received the loan before being ordered to such duty; and (2) is the owner, manager, or key employee of a small business for which the loan was made. Extends such deferral period until 180 days after such reservist is discharged or released from active duty. Directs the SBA to encourage lenders and loan intermediaries participating in other SBA loan programs to defer repayment of similar loans as well as loans made under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Authorizes the SBA to make disaster loans to assist a small business that has or is likely to suffer economic injury as the result of the owner, manager, or key employee of such business being ordered to active duty during a period of military conflict. Extends such assistance until 180 days after such reservist is discharged or released from such duty. Provides a loan limitation. Applies such assistance to periods of military conflict occurring on or after March 24, 1999. Directs the SBA to utilize its entrepreneurial development and management assistance programs to provide business counseling and training to any small business adversely affected by the deployment of units of U.S. armed forces in support of a period of military conflict. Requires the SBA, for the duration of Operation Allied Force and 120 days thereafter, to enhance its publicity of the availability of such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Cuban Food and Medicine Security Act of 1999 - Exempts from the embargo on trade with Cuba the export of food and other agricultural products (including fertilizer), medicines, medical supplies, instruments, or equipment, or any travel incident to the delivery of such items. Declares that such exemption shall not apply to certain restrictions imposed under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to specified congressional committees on existing U.S. agricultural export promotion and credit programs to determine how such programs can be carried out to promote the consumption of U.S. agricultural commodities in Cuba. Directs the President to report to Congress on: (1) the extent (expressed in volume and dollar amounts) of sales to Cuba of food and other agricultural products (including fertilizer), medicines, medical supplies, instruments, and equipment; (2) the types and end users of such items; and (3) whether there has been any indication that any medicines, medical supplies, instruments, or equipment exported to Cuba since enactment of this Act have been used for torture or other human rights abuses, were reexported, or were used in the production of any bio-technological product.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Made in USA Label Defense Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to prohibit the affixation of the "Made in the USA" label to a product of the Northern Mariana Islands. Prohibits such products from being imported into the United States free of duty or quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact Title II: Southern Dairy Compact Title I: Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to include Maryland, New Jersey, and New York within the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. Includes Ohio among the additional States that may join such Compact, and eliminates Virginia from such group. Eliminates and revises specified provisions regarding Compact implementation, duration, restricting authority, and Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. Title II: Southern Dairy Compact - States that the Congress consents to the Southern Dairy Compact entered into by Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Includes Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas as additional States that may join such Compact. Limits price regulatory authority to Class I fluid milk unless otherwise consented to by the Congress. Provides for Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. Sets forth the Southern Dairy Compact.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
Commends Thomas B. Griffith for his more than four years of exemplary service to the Senate, including three and one half years as Senate Legal Counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
Authorizes the National Park Service, during each of calendar 1999 and 2000, subject to specified requirements, to sponsor a series of three concerts (free of charge and open to the public) by the National Symphony Orchestra on the Capitol Grounds on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1999
Urges the Congress and the President, working within the constraints of the balanced budget agreement, to make student scholarship aid the highest priority for higher education funding by, prior to authorizing or appropriating funds for any new education initiative: (1) increasing by $400 the maximum Pell Grant awarded to low-income students; and (2) increasing other existing campus-based aid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1999
Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999 - Establishes the Estuary Habitat Restoration Collaborative Council, to be composed of specified Federal officials. Directs the Council to develop an estuary habitat restoration strategy to ensure a comprehensive approach to the selection and prioritization of estuary habitat restoration projects and the coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities related to such restoration. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Council in determining project assistance eligibility. Grants a restoration project a higher priority for funding if it meets selection criteria and: (1) it is part of an approved Federal estuary management or habitat restoration plan; (2) the non-Federal share of the project exceeds 50 percent; or (3) there is a program within the project watershed that addresses sources of water pollution that would otherwise re-impair the restored habitat. Permits the Council to pay up to 25 percent of the cost of interim actions of restoration activity, pending completion of the strategy. Prohibits selection of a project until non-Federal interests have entered into specified written cooperation agreements. Requires such agreements to provide for project maintenance and monitoring. Authorizes appropriations for the Council. Requires non-Federal applicants for assistance to demonstrate that a project meets this title's requirements and criteria established by the Council. Limits the Federal share of assistance to 65 percent of a project's cost. Directs the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce to maintain a database of information on projects funded under this title. Makes certain funds provided under the Water Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1996 available to States and non-Federal persons in carrying out interim actions or projects under this title. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to permit certain grants for the development of estuary conservation and management plans to be used for the implementation of plans as well. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Estuary Program through FY 2001. Requires the Secretary of the Army to give estuary habitat restoration projects the same consideration as irrigation, navigation, or flood control projects and to establish such restoration as a primary mission of the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such projects. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress and the Secretary on the extent to which the Council needs additional personnel and administrative resources to carry out this title, including recommendations for necessary additional funding.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1999
Authorizes the President to use all necessary force and other means, in concert with U.S. allies, to accomplish U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) objectives in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Traffic Stops Statistics Study Act of 1999 - Directs the Attorney General to conduct a nationwide study for traffic violations by law enforcement officers. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) perform an initial analysis of existing data, including complaints alleging and other information concerning traffic stops motivated by race and other bias; (2) gather specified data on traffic stops from a nationwide sample of jurisdictions; and (3) report the results to Congress and make such report available to the public. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to law enforcement agencies to collect and submit the data to the appropriate agency as designated by the Attorney General. (Sec. 4) Prohibits information released pursuant to this Act from revealing the identity of any individual who is stopped or any law enforcement officer involved in a traffic stop. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Federal Employees Child Care Act - 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 entity sponsoring a child care facility to comply with standards of a child care accreditation entity; and (3) establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices. Directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, the Librarian of Congress, and the head of a designated entity in the Senate to ensure that the corresponding child care facility obtains accreditation by a child care accreditation entity in accordance with such entity's accreditation standards, and if it does not maintain accreditation status with a child care accreditation entity, to issue regulations governing its operation to ensure the safety and quality of care of children placed in it. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to issue regulations for child care facilities, and entities sponsoring child care facilities, in judicial facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to jointly submit to Congress a report that evaluates child care provided by entities sponsoring child care facilities in executive, legislative, or judicial facilities. (Sec. 5) Permits an executive agency to use agency funds to provide child care services, in a facility owned or leased by an executive agency, or through a contractor, for its civilian employees. Requires funds so used to be applied to improve the affordability of child care for lower income employees. (Sec. 6) Amends Federal law to revise conditions for the allotment of space for child care services for Federal employees in Federal buildings. Makes available child care and related services to children of Federal employees or on-site Federal contractors, or dependent children who live with such employees or contractors. (Currently space may be allotted for the provision of child care services to children of whom at least 50 percent have one parent or guardian who is a Federal employee.) Requires the Administrator to 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. States that, if enrollment at a center does not meet the percentage goal, the provider shall develop and implement a business plan with the sponsoring Federal agency to achieve the goal within a reasonable time frame. 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, upon the approval of the agency head, to conduct a pilot project for no more than two years to test innovative approaches to providing more cost-effective alternative forms of child care assistance for Federal employees. Requires the Administrator to serve as an information clearinghouse for such pilot projects initiated by other Federal agencies. Requires each Federal child care center located in a Federal space to ensure that each employee undergoes a criminal history background check consistent with the Crime Control Act of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Tax Relief for Families With Children Act - Title I: Tax Benefits for Families With Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the dependent care tax credit to: (1) increase the dollar limit on creditable employment-related expenses; (2) increase the percentage of employment-related expenses; and (3) include transportation costs and costs of educational programs. (Sec. 102) Increases the child care credit from $400 to $900. (Sec. 103) Increases the dollar limit for dependent care services, and allows payments for infant care, including stay-at-home care. Allows carryovers of certain unused dependent care assistance to later taxable years. Allows payments to certain related individuals for routine care. Amends Federal civil service law to direct the Office of Personnel Management to establish a dependent care assistance program for Federal employees. (Sec. 104) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to elect either the dependent care tax credit, the child tax credit, or the dependent care assistance program exclusion for each dependent, but only one of such tax benefits. (Sec. 105) Revises the home office deduction to include the use of the office for dependent care. (Sec. 106) Amends title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to require child support orders to include an equitable division between the custodial and noncustodial parents of any costs of providing child care services in any case where the custodial parent is employed or is actively seeking employment. Title II: Activities to Improve the Quality of Child Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer-provided child care credit equal to 40 percent of an employer's qualified child care expenditures to: (1) acquire, construct, rehabilitate, or expand property for, or operate a qualified child care facility for employees; or (2) contract with a qualified child care facility to provide child care services to employees. (Sec. 202) Revises the business charitable deduction for contributions of scientific property used for research to include contributions of scientific equipment, computer technology and equipment, and other services to child care providers and to elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Children's Asthma Relief Act of 1999 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish an asthma treatment grants program providing comprehensive asthma services for children and other individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage States to implement plans to carry out activities to assist children with respect to asthma in accordance with the guidelines of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Institute). Provides that if a State CHIP plan under SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) provides for such activities to the Secretary's satisfaction, the Secretary shall make a grant to assist the State in carrying them out. Sets forth certain matching funds requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to include, within the preventive health and health services block grant, any systems for reducing asthma and asthma-related illnesses, especially with regard to children, through urban cockroach pest management in public facilities that minimizes or avoids chemical pesticides through a combination of appropriate practices involving the maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring of such sites. Directs the Institute Director to: (1) identify all Federal programs carrying out asthma-related activities; (2) develop a Federal plan for responding to asthma; and (3) submit recommendations to Congress on ways to strengthen and to improve the coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to: (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (2) compile and publish annually data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State, and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally and in each State.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Activities to Improve the Quality of Child Care Subtitle A: Child Care Quality Improvement Incentive Program Subtitle B: Increased Enforcement of State Health and Safety Standards Subtitle C: Distribution of Information about Quality Child Care Title II: Expanding Professional Development Opportunities Title III: Expanding Youth Development Opportunities During Non-School Hours Title IV: Expanding Child Care Subsidy for Low-Income Families Creating Healthy Opportunities and Improving Child Education and Support Act - CHOICES Act - Title I: Activities to Improve the Quality of Child Care - Subtitle A: Child Care Quality Improvement Incentive Program - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Secretary) to establish a program to award grants to States to help fund activities to improve the quality of child care. (Sec. 103) Allocates funds to the States (tribal organizations, and U.S. territories and possessions) based on a specified formula, and a minimum allocation for small States. (Sec. 104) Requires States, as a condition of receiving such grant funds, to: (1) certify that, since 1995, they have not reduced the scope of State child care standards requirements, or further limited State licensing requirements with respect to the types of child care providers required to be licensed, or otherwise restricted the application of such licensing requirements; (2) comply with the provisions of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA); (3) expend at least 80 percent of the funds allocated to the State for child care matching funds under the Social Security Act program of temporary assistance to needy families (TANF); and (4) make a ten percent non-Federal matching fund contribution from State or local public sources or private donations. (Sec. 105) Sets forth various authorized uses of grant funds to improve the quality of child care within a State, including supplementing child care provider salaries, assistance to small businesses desiring to provide child care assistance to employees, expansion of resource and referral services, educational and training scholarship for child care providers, increasing subsidies for recipients under CCDBGA, subsidizing child care for special needs children, conducting background checks, and increasing the monitoring of child care providers. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Increased Enforcement of State Health and Safety Standards - Amends CCDBGA to: (1) provide a bonus for States that effectively enforce existing State laws and regulations regarding the inspection of child care facilities; and (2) decrease administrative funds for States that do not adequately enforce such State child care inspection requirements. Subtitle C: Distribution of Information About Quality Child Care - Directs the Secretary to: (1) award competitive contracts to qualified entities to collect and disseminate information on the importance of high quality child care, conduct a public awareness campaign promoting such care, and provide technical assistance to States, local governments, private nonprofit child care organizations, child care credentialing or accreditation entities, child care providers, and parents; (2) develop a mechanism for the collection and dissemination of statistical data on the supply and demand for child care services; and (3) award competitive grants to improve their procedures and methods to child care credentialing and accreditation entities that have been providing such services to child care providers for not more than ten years. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Expanding Professional Development Opportunities - Directs the Secretary to establish a child care training infrastructure using the Internet and existing distance learning resources to provide high quality, interactive skills training for child care providers. (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Reserves at least ten percent of the authorized funds, within the child care training infrastructure, to establish and operate a revolving loan fund to enable child care providers to purchase computers and other equipment to access the child care training infrastructure through no-interest loans. Title III: Expanding Youth Development Opportunities During Non-School Hours - Establishes various programs that provide care for school-aged children during the non-school hours, and that focus on youth development. (Sec. 303) Directs the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of HHS to award grants to eligible States for quality non-school hours programs for school-aged children and youth. (Sec. 304) Allocates funds to States (and certain U.S. territories and possessions) based on the numbers of youth aged five through 17 and of children qualifying for free or reduced-price school lunches, with a minimum allocation for small States. (Sec. 305) Requires an applicant State to designate the regions (administrative regions or political subdivisions) to which it will allocate grant funds. (Sec. 306) Requires State allocation of funds to such regions based on numbers of five to 17-year-olds and of children qualifying for free or reduced-price school lunches. Directs the State to use the funds allocated to each region to award competitive grants to local entities in that region. Requires grant preference to be given to entities that assure such funds will be used for a non-school hours program with: (1) activities designed to remove barriers to availability of non-school hours child care; and (2) a variety of youth activities in a cohesive network that coordinates public and private resources. (Sec. 307) Sets forth grant application requirements for local entities. (Sec. 308) Requires local entities to use grant funds for activities that: (1) meet the child care needs of working parents during the non-school hours including before- and after-school, weekends, school holidays, vacation periods and other non-school hours; (2) activities that will promote at least two youth development competencies (social, physical, emotional, moral or cognitive); and (3) designed to reduce risk factors, increase youth protective factors, and assis-- in youth acquistion of skills and competencies for transition from childhood to adulthood. Authorizes local entities to use grant funds for activities for youth, including various specified types of programs and other locally determined programs. Requires local entities to use at least 50 percent of grant funds to subsidize the cost of participation in the non-school hours program for low-income youth. (Sec. 309) Directs the Assistant Secretary to: (1) establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of funded activities; (2) coordinate the grant program with similar activities in other Federal agencies; (3) provide appropriate training and technical assistance to States and local entities; and (4) terminate funding for States or entities upon determining that they fail to comply with the requirements of this title. (Sec. 310) Requires grantee State Governors to designate an entity to administer the State grant activities under this title. Requires grantee States to: (1) establish mechanisms for receiving program advice and input from service providers and recipients; (2) review, monitor, assist, and enforce program compliance; and (3) provide technical assistance. (Sec. 311) Requires activities funded under this title to be coordinated with activities receiving funds from the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act. (Sec. 312) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Expanding Child Care Subsidy for Low-Income Families - Amends CCDBGA to double the amount of an authorization of appropriations for CCDBGA programs. (Sec. 402) Requires assurances that specified uses of automated payment systems under CCDBGA: (1) not limit parental choice; and (2) facilitate the prompt, accurate payment of child care providers. Revises the portion of CCDBGA funds which may be used for low-income families who are not TANF qualified recipients of child care subsidies. Establishes separate State subsidy rates dependent upon the age of the child, the setting of the child care services (home, center, group), special needs, and geographic location. Requires States to reduce any State-required parental co-payment by the amount of the difference between the child care subsidy provided and 85 percent of the State-established market rate for that child. (Sec. 403) Authorizes States receiving CCDBGA funds to use automated systems, including electronic benefit transfer systems for: (1) monitoring or tracking child care attendance or otherwise conducting data collection under CCDBGA; (2) ensuring prompt and accurate payment for child care services under CCDBGA; or (3) other purposes that increase State efficiency in administering such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Caring for America's Children Act - Title I: Tax Benefits for Families with Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) by: (1) increasing the amount of allowable expenses from $2,400 to $3,600 for one dependent, and from $4,800 to $6,000 for two or more; (2) increasing the maximum percentage of the allowable employment-related expenses to 40 percent; (3) raising the adjusted gross income level receiving the maximum percentage to $50,000; and (4) permitting educational programs and third party transportation costs to be counted as allowable expenses. (Sec. 102) Increases the Child Tax Credit from $500 per year to $900 per year. (Sec. 103) Increases the dollar contribution limit in the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) to $7,000 a year for two or more dependents. Permits contributions to DCAP accounts during pregnancy, usable for one year after the birth of a child. Permits the use of DCAP funds to pay a spouse or grandparent to care for a pre-school aged child at home. Establishes a DCAP for Federal employees. (Sec. 104) Permits parents to choose between the DCTC, Child Tax Credit, and the DCAP for each dependent child (each tax benefit mutually exclusive for each child). (Sec. 105) Revises the Home Office tax deduction to permit parents to care for a dependent child within the home office space and maintain the "exclusive use" designation for the home office tax deduction. (Sec. 106) Amends title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) the Social Security Act to require States to include the cost of child care in the calculation of child support orders. Title II: Activities to Improve the Quality of Child Care - Subtitle A: Encouraging Business Involvement in Child Care - Establishes a child care tax credit for employers up to $150,000 a year ($250,000 a year with respect to three or more company child care facilities in different locations) in allowable employee-related child care expenses such as the construction or renovation of facilities and employee subsidies. (Sec. 202) Extends the charitable tax deduction for contributions of scientific property used for research to include the contribution of scientific and computer equipment, transportation services, qualified employee volunteer time, and the use of facilities and equipment to public schools and child care providers. Subtitle B: Child Care Quality Improvement Incentive Program - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a State grant program to fund activities designed to improve the quality of child care. (Sec. 213) Allocates funds to the States (based on the Child Care and Development formula). (Sec. 214) Requires States, in order to receive grant funds, to: (1) certify that the State has not reduced the scope of State child care requirements since 1995; (2) be in compliance with the Child Care and Development Block Grant; and (3) have expended at least 80 percent of the funds allocated to the State for child care matching funds under SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) (TANF). Sets the Federal share of the cost of State activities at 90 percent. (Sec. 215) Authorizes a State to use grant funds for specified activities designed to improve the quality of child care, including: (1) supplements to child care provider salaries; (2) assistance to small businesses desiring to provide child care assistance to employees; (3) expansion of resource and referral services, educational and training scholarship for child care providers; (4) increased subsidies for Child Care and Development Block Grant recipients; (5) subsidies for child care for special needs children; and (6) background checks and increasing the monitoring of child care providers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Increased Enforcement of State Health and Safety Standards - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA) to provide for: (1) a bonus for States which effectively enforce existing state law and regulations regarding the inspection of child care facilities; and (2) a decrease in CCDBG administrative funds for States which do not adequately enforce State child care inspection requirements. Subtitle D: Distribution of Information About Quality Child Care - Directs the Secretary, through the award of competitive contracts, to: (1) provide technical assistance and disseminate information on high quality child care to parents, local governments, child care organizations, and child care providers; and (2) conduct a public awareness campaign promoting quality child care. (Sec. 231) Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a mechanism for the collection and dissemination of information on the supply and demand for child care services; and (4) award competitive grants to existing child care credentialing or accreditation entities to assist them in improving their procedures and methods. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Expanding Professional Development Opportunities - Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible organizations to develop and operate technology-based child care training infrastructures utilizing the Internet and existing distance learning resources to provide high quality, interactive skills training for child care providers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Directs the Chief Executive Project Officer to use at least ten percent of the authorized funds, within the child care training infrastructure, to establish and operate a revolving fund to make no-interest loans to enable child care providers to purchase computers and other equipment to access the child care training infrastructure. Title IV: Expanding Youth Development Opportunities During the Non-School Hours - Directs the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of HHS to award grants to States for the Federal share (80 percent) of the cost of establishing programs that provide care for school-aged children during the non-school hours. (Sec. 408) Requires the use of grant funds for activities that: (1) meet the child care needs of working parents during the non-school hours, including before- and after-school, weekends, school holidays, and vacation periods; (2) will promote at least two youth development competencies (social, physical, emotional, moral or cognitive); (3) are designed to increase youth protective factors and reduce risk factors; and (4) include leadership development, delinquency prevention, sports and recreation, arts and cultural activities, character development, tutoring and academic enrichment, mentoring, and other locally determined programs. Requires that at least 50 percent of the funds made available to an entity be used to subsidize the cost of participation in the non-school hours program for low-income youth. (Sec. 409) Directs the Assistant Secretary to: (1) establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of funded activities; (2) coordinate the grant program with similar activities in other Federal agencies; (3) provide appropriate training and technical assistance to States and local entities; and (4) terminate funding for States or entities which fail to comply with the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 410) Requires the Governor of each State to designate an entity to administer the grant activities. (Sec. 412) Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Child Care in Federal Facilities - Federal Employees Child Care Act - Requires any Federal agency operating, or entity contracting with a Federal agency to operate, a child care facility primarily for the use of Federal employees (including executive and judicial branch employees) to comply with child care standards no less stringent than those required of other child care facilities in the same geographical area within six months, and within three years with those established by a child care accreditation entity. (Sec. 503) Requires the Administrator of General Services to establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices, and develop and coordinate policy, regarding the provision of child care, including the provision of areas for nursing mothers and other lactation support facilities and services, in the Federal Government. (Sec. 504) Directs the Administrator and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to evaluate jointly for Congress of child care services in executive, legislative, or judicial facilities. (Sec. 505) Authorizes Federal agencies to use appropriated funds to subsidize or otherwise assist lower income Federal employees meet the costs of child care provided through contract or on-site. (Sec. 506) Amends Federal law to re-authorize the Trible Amendment which permits federal facilities to provide on-site child care services. Authorizes Federal agencies to conduct pilot projects on innovative approaches to providing employee child care services. Requires criminal background checks for employees of child care facilities located in Federal facilities. Title VI: Expanding Child Care Subsidy for Low-Income Families - Amends the CCDBGA to increase the authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 602) Requires a State CCDBG plan to assure that the use of automated payment systems will not limit parental choice and will facilitate the prompt, accurate payment of child care providers. Requires a State to ensure that 70 percent (currently, a substantial portion) of CCDBG funds are used for low-income families who are not TANF-qualified recipients of child care subsidies. Requires States to ensure maximum parental choice of child care providers by establishing separate subsidy rates dependent upon the age of the child, the setting of the child care services (home, center, group), special needs, and geographic location. Requires States to reduce any required parental co-payment by the amount of the difference between the market rate and any State child care subsidy that is less than 85 percent of such market rate. Title VII: Construction and Renovation of Child Care Facilities - Subtitle A: Community Development Block Grants - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the use of Community Development Block Grant funds to renovate or construct child care facilities. Subtitle B: Mortgage Insurance For Child Care Facilities - Amends title II of the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure mortgages on new and rehabilitated child care facilities, as well as fire safety equipment loans to such facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 712) Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to insure mortgages for the purchase or refinancing of existing child care facilities. (Sec. 713) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to Congress on the secondary mortgage markets to determine: (1) whether markets exist for purchase of mortgages eligible for insurance under the National Housing Act; (2) whether the market will affect the availability of credit for development of child care facilities; and (3) the extent to which the market will provide credit enhancement for loans for such facilities. (Sec. 714) Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to award competitive grants to eligible private, nonprofit intermediary organizations to provide technical and financial assistance to child care providers for the renovation, construction, and purchase of child care facilities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Child Care Construction and Renovation Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the use of community development block grants to construct and renovate child care facilities. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to insure mortgages for: (1) new or rehabilitated child care and development facilities, including for fire safety equipment loans (authorizes specified appropriations); and (2) purchase or refinance of existing child care facilities. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of the availability of child care facility secondary mortgage markets. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations for technical and financial assistance to assist eligible child care providers in acquiring or improving facilities or equipment. Authorizes specified appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000388_200.jpg)