United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2002
Small Business Investment Company Capital Access Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code concerning the unrelated business income limitation on investment in certain debt-financed properties to exclude from the definition of "acquisition indebtedness" indebtedness incurred by certain small business companies which is evidenced by specified debentures.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code by raising the section 179 expensing limitation to $40,000 and the total at which phaseout of maximum benefit begins to $325,000.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include associated development costs in the basis of any building which is part of a low-income housing project when calculating the low-income housing credit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Recognizes May 15, 2002, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit health discrimination on the basis of genetic information or services. Defines genetic information as genetic tests of an individual or family member or occurrence of a disease or disorder in family members used to predict risk of disease in asymptomatic or undiagnosed individuals. Defines genetic services as health services provided for genetic education and counseling. Prohibits group health plans or health insurers offering group coverage from using genetic information to impose enrollment restrictions or adjust group premiums. Prohibits requests for genetic testing or results except as necessary for treatment, payment, or health care operations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit such discrimination in coverage offered in the individual market. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue final regulations, coordinating with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor through an interagency memorandum of understanding. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate against an individual or deprive such individual of employment opportunities because of genetic information. Prohibits the collection of genetic information except where necessary to monitor the effects of toxic substances in the workplace when authorized by the employee, or as required by law. Requires genetic information to be treated as part of an individual's confidential medical record, limiting disclosure to the individual, the family, health researchers, or as required by law or court order. Grants enforcement powers to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2002
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible nonprofit community based pregnancy help medical clinics to purchase ultrasound equipment to provide free examinations to pregnant women, under the direction and supervision of a licensed medical physician. Conditions eligibility on a clinic agreeing to provide each examined woman a visual image, the age, and a physical description of the fetus and information on abortion and alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2002
Retirement Security Advice Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to allow prohibited transaction exemptions under specified conditions to: (1) a fiduciary adviser's providing certain investment advice to an employee benefit plan or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan; (2) sale, acquisition, or holding of securities or other property (including any lending of money or other extension of credit associated with these) pursuant to such advice; and (3) direct or indirect receipt of fees or other compensation by the fiduciary adviser or an affiliate in connection with providing such advice. Qualifies the following as such fiduciary advisers if they satisfy applicable laws: (1) registered investment advisers; (2) banks; (3) insurance companies; (4) registered broker-dealers; (5) affiliates of such entities; or (6) employees, agents, or registered representatives of such entities. Requires fiduciary advisers to keep for six years records necessary to determine whether the conditions of the exemption have been met. Requires such a fiduciary adviser to disclose: (1) fees or other compensation it receives relating to the provision of investment advice or a resulting sale or acquisition of securities or other property, including from third parties; (2) any interest it has and its affiliates have in any security or other property recommended, purchased, or sold; (3) any limitation placed on its ability to provide advice; (4) the advisory services offered; (5) that it is acting as a fiduciary of the plan in connection with the provision of such advice; and (6) any information required to be disclosed under applicable securities laws. Requires such disclosure to be: (1) written to be understandable by the average plan participant; and (2) maintained in currently accurate form. Allows any such investment advice provided to participants or beneficiaries to be implemented only at their direction. Requires the terms of the transaction to be at least as favorable to the plan as an arm's length transaction would be. Requires to be reasonable any compensation received by the fiduciary adviser and its affiliates in connection with any transaction. Requires such a fiduciary adviser to provide the plan sponsor a written acknowledgment that it is acting as a fiduciary of the plan. Exempts from the duty to monitor the specific investment advice given by the fiduciary adviser a plan sponsor or other fiduciary that arranges for a fiduciary adviser to provide investment advice to participants and beneficiaries, if certain conditions are met under this Act. Declares that the plan sponsor or other fiduciary retains the duty of prudent selection and periodic review of the fiduciary adviser. Allows plan assets to be used to pay for the expenses of providing investment advice to participants and beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Pension Security Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require individual account plans, including those with cash or deferred arrangements under IRC section 401(k), to furnish quarterly pension benefit statements to plan participants and beneficiaries with rights to direct investments. Requires individual account plan administrators to give 30 days notice (except in specified circumstances) to plan participants and beneficiaries before a period (lockdown, blackout) in which their ability to divest or diversify assets control over their account assets will be limited. Provides that, during such lockdown periods, employers are not exempt from liability for failing in fiduciary duty with respect to individual account plan investments; but states that this loss of exemption from liability is not triggered by any limitations or restrictions on employee ability to divest or diversify assets, if such limitations or restrictions are disclosed to participants and beneficiaries through summary plan description or materials describing specific investment alternatives under the plan. Amends ERISA and IRC to prohibit individual account plans from acquiring or holding employer securities with respect to which there is any restriction on divestment by a participant or beneficiary after the participant has completed three years of plan participation. Exempts employee stock ownership plans (ESOPS) from this prohibition. Allows ERISA prohibited transaction exemptions under specified conditions to: (1) a fiduciary adviser's providing certain investment advice to an employee benefit plan or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan; (2) sale, acquisition, or holding of securities or other property (including any lending of money or other extension of credit associated with these) pursuant to such advice; and (3) direct or indirect receipt of fees or other compensation by the fiduciary adviser or an affiliate in connection with providing such advice. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit certain insider trading during pension plan transaction suspension periods.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2002
Congratulates the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, on its bicentennial anniversary. Recognizes it as an outstanding leadership development institution that upholds and promotes the highest virtues of American society. Commends all those who have led and taught at the Academy for inculcating its graduates with moral, ethical, and intellectual values and skills that are the foundations for the dedicated service so honorably given by those graduates to the Army, the Nation, and friends of freedom and liberty around the world for 200 years.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2002
Designates March 2, 2002, as Read Across America Day. Honors Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) for his success in encouraging children to discover the joy of reading. Encourages parents to read with their children for at least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss and in celebration of reading.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish an interagency task force on organ donation and research; (2) award grants to carry out studies and demonstration projects to increase organ donation and recovery rates; (3) establish a public education program; and (4) support model curricula to train health care and other professionals in issues surrounding organ donation. Requires the President's Council on Bioethics to evaluate and report to the Secretary on the ethical implications of reducing economic barriers to organ donation. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants: (1) to qualified organ procurement organizations to establish programs to coordinate their efforts with hospitals; and (2) for reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses incurred by individuals toward making living organ donations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to: (1) develop scientific evidence supporting increased donation and improved recovery, preservation, and transportation of donated organs and tissues; and (2) support efforts to develop a uniform clinical vocabulary and technology and to enhance the skills of the organ procurement workforce. Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to evaluate: (1) existing organ donation practices; and (2) living donation practices and procedures. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) an advisory committee to study and report to Congress on existing organ donor registries; and (2) and maintain a registry of living organ donors.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Commends Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson for: (1) moving to make State Children's Health Insurance Program resources available to States to care for unborn children and pregnant mothers; and (2) recognizing pregnant mothers and unborn children as deserving of concern about their health and well-being.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
Charity Aid, Recovery, and Empowerment Act of 2002 (CARE Act of 2002) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, concerning charitable giving, to, among other things: (1) allow a charitable giving deduction to individuals not itemizing; (2) permit tax free distributions from IRA accounts for charitable purposes; and (3) increase the cap on corporate charitable contributions. Sets forth provisions concerning the treatment of nongovernmental providers of social services. Provides expedited procedures for obtaining tax exempt status. Provides financial for support nongovernmental community based organizations for, among other things: (1) grant writing, legal, program development, and management assistance; (2) capacity building; and (3) delivering assistance. Amends Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provisions of the Social Security Act (SSA) to restore State authority to transfer up to ten percent of TANF funds to carry out State programs under SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services). Amends title XX to restore funds to States and territories for FY 2003 and 2004. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to provide for maternity group homes and evaluation of such homes. Savings for Working Families Act of 2002 - Permits a qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to establish one or more qualified individual development account programs. Defines such an account as an account established for an eligible individual (income based) as part of a qualified individual development account program (matched individual and entity savings accounts for qualifying educational, first-time home purchase, or business expenses). Provides matching funds through a tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002 - Directs the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and Human Services to: (1) oversee and support a three-year national education campaign by the National Safety Council focusing on ways to reduce the risk of elder falls and prevent repeat falls; and (2) provide grants for State coalitions for local education campaigns addressing reduction and prevention of elder falls. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct and support research concerning high-risk elders, risk and protective factors, fall reduction strategies, fall prevention interventions, diagnosis and treatment of victims, barriers to adopting proven interventions, and the effectiveness of community programs in preventing assisted living and nursing home falls; and (2) award grants to enable organizations to provide professional education for physicians and health professionals in elder fall prevention. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to : (1) oversee and support demonstration and research projects to be carried out by the Council to assess the utility of targeted fall risk screening and referral programs and to include programs targeting newly-discharged fall victims at high risk for second falls and private-public partnerships involving home design and remodeling; and (2) provide grants to design and implement fall prevention programs in residential and institutional settings, including a multi-State demonstration project. Directs the Secretary to review the effects of falls on the costs of the Medicare and Medicaid Programs and the potential for reducing costs by expanding covered services, including a review of reimbursement policies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Mathematics, Science, and Special Education Teacher Recruitment Act of 2002 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish new programs of student guaranteed and direct loan forgiveness for highly qualified mathematics, science, and special education teachers in high-need schools. Requires for eligibility: (1) at least five consecutive complete school years of such teaching; and (2) an undergraduate or graduate degree in mathematics, life or physical sciences, technology, engineering, or special education, as certified by the chief administrative officer of the public or nonprofit private school where the borrower is employed. Requires that the teaching service be at a high-need school, defined under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as a public elementary, secondary, or charter school where: (1) at least half of the students are from low-income families; or (2) a large percentage of students qualify for assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2002
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 - Prohibits any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such embryo; or (4) importing such an embryo or product. Directs the General Accounting Office to assess the need for amendment of such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion of new developments, the need for somatic cell transfer to produce medical advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views, and potential legal implications; and (2) a review of technological developments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2002
Recognizes that America has lost one of its most dedicated and hardest working advocates for adoption, and honors Rex David "Dave" Thomas in his devotion to family, life, and business. Expresses the Senate's deep and heartfelt condolences to the family of Dave Thomas on their loss.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Nurse Reinvestment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the service required by the Nursing Workforce Development Student Loan Repayment program to be performed in a nursing home, in a hospice, in a home health agency, in a nurse-managed health center, or in a public health department, in addition to facilities where such service may currently be performed. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Nurse Corps Scholarship program to provide scholarships to individuals seeking nursing education in exchange for service from such individuals in critical nursing shortage areas or facilities upon completion of such education. Sets forth eligibility, application, payment, and reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary to award grants to schools of nursing and/or health care facilities to develop and support: (1) educational outreach programs to encourage entry into the profession, targeting primary, secondary, and other schools, the disadvantaged, underrepresented minorities, and underserved rural and urban communities; (2) career ladder programs; (3) gerontology curriculum and competencies and efforts to encourage long-term care nursing services for the elderly as a career choice; (4) nurse internship and residency programs; and (5) demonstrations of models and best practices in nursing care, including retention strategies. Requires the Secretary to develop and administer a comprehensive national multi-media public education campaign to encourage pursuit of the nursing profession. Includes grants for similar State campaigns. Requires the Secretary to award grants to area health education centers to develop models of excellence for nurses or expand existing school mentoring programs to include one for nurses. Establishes for advanced degree nursing students: (1) a fast-track nursing faculty loan program, providing loan forgiveness in exchange for teaching services; and (2) a scholarship and stipend program. Establishes a National Commission on the Recruitment and Retention of Nurses to make innovative and creative recommendations concerning recruitment, retention, and advancement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Expedited Remedy for Persistent Dumping Act of 2001 - Revises federal tariff law provisions concerning monitoring cases of suspected persistent dumping to: (1) provide for an expedited antidumping investigation of merchandise from an additional supplier country if the Commerce Department discerns imports of merchandise from the additional supplier country have increased by 15 percent or more during a period of 90 days or longer; and (2) establish Department Commerce and International Trade Commission procedures and deadlines for making determinations as to whether or not dumping and injury have occurred. Adds specific conditions for reducing the price used to establish export price or "constructed export price," meaning the amount at which the merchandise is first sold or agreed to be sold in the United States by or for the producer or exporter.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
Recognizes and honors the National Guard on the 365th anniversary of the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia and recognizes the critical importance of the National Guard to U.S. national security. Salutes members of the National Guard for their service on September 11, 2001, and their continued role in homeland defense and military operations against the al Qaeda terrorist network and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Expresses support for providing the National Guard with necessary resources to ensure its continued readiness.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Pharmacy Education Aid Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include pharmacist services within the National Health Service Corps program of scholarships, including first-year pharmacy studies, loans, and funding. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants and contracts to qualifying pharmacy schools for: (1) student and faculty recruitment and retraining, with scholarship preference for students with financial need; (2) computer-based pharmaceutical education systems; and (3) facilities construction. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a loan repayment program for qualifying individuals who become pharmacy school faculty.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
American Economic Security and Stimulus Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require employers to provide eligible employees with a simplified application for an earned income eligibility certificate. Extends eligibility for advanced payment of the earned income credit to employees without qualifying children. Makes the 25 percent individual income tax rate effective in calender year 2002 rather than 2006. Temporarily expands penalty-free retirement plan distributions for health insurance premiums for individuals receiving unemployment compensation, as specified. Increases the child tax credit to $1,000. Allows a tax credit of up to $500 for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses (computer technology or equipment). Allows for certain property acquired after September 10, 2001, and before September 11, 2002: (1) an additional first year 10 percent depreciation allowance; and (2) an additional allowance against the alternative minimum tax. Temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2001 - Provides for a program of temporary emergency unemployment compensation. Provides for a temporary reduction in the interest rate applicable to repayments of advances to State unemployment funds. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to temporarily expand the National Emergency Grant program to address employment needs resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including: (1) assistance for employment and training and temporary health care coverage premiums for workers affected by major economic dislocations (2) personal/business income compensation to a dislocated worker/ independently owned business or proprietorship if such worker/business is unable to work/fully function; and (3) COBRA continuation coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2001
Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify certain requirements of student financial aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as necessary in connection with the national emergency declared by the President with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or any subsequent national emergency declared by reason of terrorist attacks (the emergency). Authorizes such waiver or modification of requirements in order to provide relief from certain financial and administrative burdens to affected individuals who: (1) are serving on active duty during the emergency; (2) are serving on National Guard duty during the emergency; (3) reside or are employed in a disaster area declared by any Federal, State, or local official in connection with the emergency; or (4) suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of the emergency, as determined under a waiver or modification issued under this Act. Authorizes waiver or modification of certain reporting requirements for institutions of higher education, lenders, guarantee agencies, and other entities participating in such programs, if such entities are located in declared disaster areas connected to the emergency. Expresses the sense of Congress that institutions offering postsecondary education should provide refunds and waivers of certain requirements to students who are members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty during the national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Agroterrorism Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit plant enterprise terrorism. Enhances penalties for animal enterprise terrorism and establishes penalties for plant enterprise terrorism. Prohibits the use of explosives or arson against the enterprise. Provides for the death penalty under specified circumstances. Makes animal and plant enterprise terrorism a predicate offense under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish and maintain a national clearinghouse for information on incidents of crime and terrorism committed against or directed at any: (1) animal or plant enterprise; (2) commercial activity because of the perceived impact of such activity on the environment; or (3) person because of such person's perceived connection with or support of any enterprise or activity. Requires the Director to: (1) award grants on a competitive basis to colleges and universities for technical assistance, threat and risk assessments, and other activities related to improving security at individual research universities; and (2) develop a comprehensive security report for universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations which examines the threat posed by animal and plant enterprise terrorism on research activities and includes strategies for reducing such threat.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Condemns the terrorist murders of 26 innocent people in Israel within 14 hours during December 1-2, 2001, and extends the deepest sympathies of Congress to Israel and to the families of the victims. Expresses outrage at the ongoing Palestinian terrorist campaign and insists that the Palestinian Authority take all necessary steps to end it. Urges the President to suspend all relations with Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority if they fail to take specified action to stop Palestinian terrorist groups from committing acts of terrorism. Urges the President to insist that countries harboring or materially supporting Palestinian terrorist groups end their support, dismantle the groups, and bring them to justice. Expresses U.S. solidarity with Israel in their struggle against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness. Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness. Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins. Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities. Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism. Requires, under the Public Health Service Act, the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities. Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to food presenting a serious threat to humans or animals. Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Delays until at least January 1, 2003, any changes in Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) regulations that modify the Medicaid upper payment limit for services of non-State government-owned or operated hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Medicare Appeals, Regulatory, and Contracting Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) timelines for publication of final regulations and compliance with substantive changes after notice; (2) timeframes for the completion of the record in the appeals process; (3) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors for determining payment amounts, making payments, and providing certain provider services; (4) coordination of funding for education of service providers; and (5) standardization of random prepayment review and recovery of overpayments from Medicare administrative contractors. Grants a one-year delay in the lock-in procedures for Medicare+Choice plans under SSA title XVIII part C. Provides a temporary moratorium on the requirement that home health agencies collect Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data from non-Medicare patients.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Class Action Fairness Act of 2001 - Establishes a consumer class action bill of rights, including provision for: (1) judicial review and approval of noncash settlements; (2) protection against loss by class members because of payments to class counsel; (3) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for greater payments to class members because they are located in closer geographic proximity to the court; (4) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for payment of a greater share of the award to a class representative serving on behalf of a class; (5) standardized settlement notification information; and (6) specific requirements regarding proposed settlement notifications to Federal and State officials. Grants the district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $2 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is a class action in which any member of a class of plaintiffs is: (1) a citizen of a State different from any defendant; (2) a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state and any defendant is a citizen of a State; or (3) a citizen of a State and any defendant is a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state. Lists exceptions, such as where a class action brought by shareholders solely involves a claim concerning a covered security or relating to the internal governance of a corporation. Sets forth procedures for removal of interstate class actions to U.S. district court and for review of orders remanding class actions to State courts. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on class action settlements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments with a factor that more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness. Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness. Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins. Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities. Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism. Requires the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities. Directs the Secretary to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to: (1) increase inspections to ensure the safety of the food supply; and (2) improve linkages between the Agency and other regulatory agencies of the Federal Government, the States, and Indian tribes with shared responsibilities. Provides for food manufacturing, processing, and distribution biosecurity, agricultural biosecurity and biosecurity upgrades at the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Military Homeowners Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to state that members of the Uniformed or Foreign Services on qualified official extended duty shall be considered to be using already owned and used property as a principal residence for purposes of determining exclusion of gain upon such residence's sale.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2001
Farm Security Act of 2001 - Amends specified Acts to extend and revise agricultural and related programs with respect to: (1) commodities and price supports; (2) conservation; (3) agricultural trade; (4) nutrition; (5) agricultural credit; (6) rural development; (7) agricultural research, extension, and education; (8) forestry and tree assistance; and (9) miscellaneous programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Terrorist Hoax Costs Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for knowingly communicating false information concerning the existence of activity which would constitute a violation of prohibitions regarding biological weapons, chemical weapons, or nuclear materials, under circumstances in which such information may reasonably be believed. Provides that a person committing such offense shall be liable for a civil penalty of the greater of $10,000 or the amount expended by the United States incident to the investigation of such conduct, including the cost of any response made by any Federal military or civilian agency to protect public health or safety. Directs the sentencing court to order convicted defendants to reimburse the United States for expenses incurred incident to the investigation of, or response to, the offense.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Widows of Wartime Veterans Assistance Act - Increases the maximum annual rates of pensions for surviving spouses of veterans of a period of war. Amends the Social Security Act to require such rate increases to be disregarded for purposes of Medicaid (title XIX) eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2001
Pathogen Research, Emergency Preparedness and Response Efforts Act of 2001 (PREPARE Act) - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage the development and manufacture of new products or new uses for products which can identify, prevent, or treat chemical or biological agents. Permits a limited antitrust exemption for the cooperative efforts of the pharmaceutical, biotechnical, medical device, and research industries when working to develop and bring such countermeasure products to market. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and provide assistance for product development, including good manufacturing practices and facility security. Requires the Secretary to ensure that medical supplies from the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile are located in appropriate proximity to the site of special events. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit: (1) fast-track designation and priority review for unapproved countermeasure products; and (2) the use of animal trials for drugs useful against lethal or disabling agents. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prohibit the unauthorized transportation of chemical or biological agents; (2) establish and maintain a list of each biological agent and toxin potentially threatening to public health and another list of those agents and toxins potentially threatening to national security; and (3) establish safety procedures for the transfer of such agents and toxins. Requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to coordinate the creation of a government-owned, contractor-operated vaccine production facility on a military installation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Children's Dental Health Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to improve dental services to children enrolled in a State plan under title XIX (Medicaid) or title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP). Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program for eligible entities and individuals (including Indian tribes) to expand the availability of primary dental care services where necessary. Offers retention bonuses for eligible dental officers of the Indian Health Service. Revises the process for designating dental health professional shortage areas. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) demonstration projects to increase access to dental services for children in underserved areas; (2) an oral health initiative to reduce disparities in oral health, targeting low-income children and including community water fluoridation and dental sealants; and (3) a Chief Dental Officer for the Medicaid and State children's health insurance programs. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to annually collect data on the dental, craniofacial, and oral health of residents of at least one State and one Indian tribe from each region. Requires the Secretary to identify populations at high risk for early childhood caries and provide for the development of prevention programs. Revises the eligibility requirements for the school-based dental sealant program to include Indian tribes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Provides a one year extension for providers, State health programs, health plans, and others to implement the administrative simplification standards for electronic transactions and code sets required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Differentiates these electronic transaction and code set requirements from the medical privacy regulations under HIPAA which remain unaffected.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2001
Internet Tax Moratorium and Equity Act - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend: (1) permanently provisions which prohibit a State or political subdivision from imposing taxes on Internet access, unless such tax was generally imposed and actually enforced prior to October 1, 1998; and (2) until December 31, 2005, the State or political subdivision prohibition on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) States and localities should work together to develop a uniform streamlined sales and use tax system that addresses remote sales; and (2) a study should be commissioned to determine seller costs of collecting and remitting State and local sales and use taxes from remote sales. Authorizes States to enter into an Interstate Sales and Use Tax Compact which shall describe a uniform, streamlined sales and use tax system consistent with the above system.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2001
Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify certain requirements of student financial aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with the national emergency declared by the President with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or any subsequent national emergency declared by reason of terrorist attacks (the emergency). Authorizes such waiver or modification of requirements in order to provide relief from certain financial and administrative burdens to affected individuals who: (1) are serving on active duty during the emergency; (2) reside or are employed in a disaster area declared by any Federal, State, or local official in connection with the emergency; or (3) suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of the emergency, as determined under a waiver or modification issued under this Act. Authorizes waiver or modification of certain reporting requirements for institutions of higher education, lenders, guarantee agencies, and other entities participating in such programs, if such entities are located in declared disaster areas connected to the emergency. Expresses the sense of Congress that institutions offering postsecondary education should provide refunds and waivers of certain requirements to students who are members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty during the national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2001 - Provides for a program of emergency extended unemployment compensation (EEUC). Sets forth EEUC program requirements for Federal-State agreements, formulae for determining amounts in individual EEUC accounts and weekly benefits, payments to States, and financing. Includes among eligibility requirements an individual's not having rights, with respect to a week, to other compensation (including both regular and extended compensation). Reduces an individual EEUC account by the aggregate amount of any extended compensation for the same benefit year. Makes EEUC agreements applicable to weeks of unemployment: (1) beginning on or after the first day of the first week after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and (2) ending before the date that is 18 months after enactment of this Act. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations to expand the National Emergency Grant program, for an 18-month period, to include grants to States to provide certain employment and training assistance and temporary health care coverage premium assistance for workers affected by major economic dislocations, such as plant closures, mass layoffs, or multiple layoffs, caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should make a substantial new investment this year in bioterrorism preparedness and response, including: (1) improving State and local preparedness capabilities, hospital response capabilities, disaster response medical systems, and the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile program; (2) upgrading the capabilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); (3) targeting research for therapeutics and vaccines for bioterrorist agents and food safety activities; and (4) increasing international cooperation in securing biological agents, increasing surveillance, and retraining biological warfare specialists.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a National Character Counts Week should be established to promote character education; and (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to embrace the elements of character identified by their local schools and communities such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide reservists and National Guard members activated on or after September 11, 2001, and other eligible persons with specified farm credit assistance, including loan modification, debt restructuring, and emergency loans.
![Official portrait of Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h001015_200.jpg)