United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2001
Small Business Investment Company Amendments Act of 2001 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (the Act) to: (1) increase the amount that the Small Business Administration (SBA) may charge as a subsidy fee for guaranteeing the payment of a debenture from1.0 to 1.28 percent of the debenture amount; and (2) extend through FY 2001 the debenture maturity period. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to provide civil penalties for false statements or representations of securities for purposes of influencing SBA actions. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to serve upon any management official (currently, only upon a director or officer of a licensee) a written notice of the SBA's intention to remove such official for violations of such Act or breach of duty. Revises removal requirements, including provisions concerning hearings, issuance of an order of removal, the authority to suspend or prohibit the business participation of a management official, judicial review of suspensions, and the authority to suspend a management official due to the commission of or participation in a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2001
Home Health Nurse and Patient Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Task Force to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the comprehensive assessment of patients to determine whether: (1) the number of assessments required during an episode of care or the number of questions asked during each assessment should be decreased to eliminate redundant and uninformative clinical information; (2) a uniform data collection standard is needed to ensure that patients who are not Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA)) or Medicaid (SSA title XIX) beneficiaries receive the same quality of care as Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; and (3) OASIS data should be collected from Medicaid beneficiaries who are not Medicare beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary to promulgate a regulation revising the data collection requirements under the OASIS standard used as part of the comprehensive assessment of patients to: (1) make use of such requirements optional for patients of home health agencies who are not Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; and (2) eliminate such requirements for any home health agency patient to whom only personal care services are furnished. Requires the Secretary to review each regulation relating to the demand billing process for individuals who are both Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to determine whether it may be conducted in a manner that is efficient, allows for determination of Medicare coverage of home health services and expedient claims submission, and does not adversely affect Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries or home health agencies in determination of whether Medicare payment may be made for an item or service. Directs the Secretary to establish the Claims Review and Audit Task Force to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the processes and policies used to review medical claims submitted by home health agencies and on other specified matters. Provides for the implementation of Task Force recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2001
Condemns and deplores: (1) the continued detention of Li Shaomin, Gao Zhan, Wu Jianmin, Qin Guangguang, Teng Chunyan and other scholars detained on false charges by the Government of the People's Republic of China and calls for their release; (2) the lack of due process afforded to these detainees and the probable coercion of confessions from some of them; and (3) human rights violations by such Government. Urges the Chinese Government to consider: (1) the implications to the broader U.S.-Chinese relationship of detaining and coercing confessions from U.S. citizens and permanent residents on unsubstantiated spying charges or suspicions; and (2) releasing Liu Yaping on medical parole. Expresses the Senate's belief that human rights violations inflicted on U.S. citizens and residents will reduce opportunities for U.S.-Chinese cooperation. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) make release of the detained American scholars a top priority and continue to make every effort to assist such persons and their families while discussions are ongoing; (2) make it clear that the detention and violation of the human rights of U.S. citizens and residents is not in the Chinese Government's interests; and (3) send a special, high ranking representative to reiterate deep concern regarding continued imprisonment of such persons and to discuss their legal status and immediate humanitarian needs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2001
Requires the U.S. flags on all Federal facilities to be lowered to half-staff each year on the day of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmittsburg, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Dairy Consumers and Producers Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to include Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania within the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. Eliminates: (1) the Compact's termination date; and (2) certain restrictive authority respecting non-Compact milk. States that only Ohio may join such Compact. Eliminates and revises specified provisions regarding Compact implementation, duration, restricting authority, and Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. States that Congress consents to the Southern Dairy Compact entered into by Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. States that only Florida, Nebraska, and Texas 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. States that Congress consents to: (1) the Pacific Northwest Dairy Compact proposed for California, Oregon, and Washington; and (2) the Intermountain Dairy Compact proposed for Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Limits price regulatory authority to Class I fluid milk. Provides for Corporation compensation. States that such Compacts shall be the same as the Southern Dairy Compact with specified differences.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, should remain firmly opposed to commercial whaling, should initiate and support efforts to ensure that all activities conducted under reservations to the Commission's moratorium or sanctuaries are ceased, should oppose the lethal taking of whales for scientific purposes unless it is specifically authorized by the Scientific Committee of the Commission, should seek the Commission's support for specific efforts by member nations to end illegal trade in whale meat, and should support the permanent protection of whale populations through the establishment of whale sanctuaries in which commercial whaling is prohibited; (2) at the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, should oppose all efforts to reopen international trade in whale meat or to downlist any whale population; and (3) should make full use of all appropriate diplomatic mechanisms, relevant international laws and agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms to implement these goals.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Amends Rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to change the name of the Committee on Small Business to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
States that the Senate: (1) recognizes the tragedy of the AIDS pandemic in human terms, as well as its economic, political and social effects; (2) supports the formation of a Global AIDS and Health Fund, and urges the Administration to encourage other nations to contribute; (3) calls for financial and other assistance from the United States, other nations, and international and private organizations; and (4) urges international assistance programs to emphasize science-based best practices and prevention the context of comprehensive care and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Medicare Reform Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish the Medicare Coverage Commission to make national Medicare coverage determinations. Amends SSA part A (General Provisions) of title XI to require nine presidential appointees in addition to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to serve in such Centers. Authorizes programs for care coordination services, disease management services, competitive acquisition of items and services, bundled items and services related to specific medical conditions and surgical procedures, and preferred participants. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to revise the Medicare+Choice (SSA title XVIII part C) competitive pricing demonstration project. Amends SSA title XVIII to establish: (1) a Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefit Program; (2) a Prescription Drug Account in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund; and (3) a Medicare Prescription Drug Advisory Committee. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a Working Group on Disease Self-Management and Health Promotion. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to make healthy seniors promotion grants and conduct demonstration projects to promote disease self-management for certain conditions. Amends SSA title XVIII to outline Medicare coverage of various specified preventive services, including cessation of tobacco use, counseling for post-menopausal women, screening for diminished visual acuity and hypertension, and medical nutrition therapy services. Permits waiver of coinsurance and deductibles for certain preventive services, such as: (1) diabetes outpatient self-management training services; (2) colorectal and prostate cancer screening tests; and (3) bone mass measurement. Directs the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a national falls prevention and awareness campaign. Prescribes requirements for clinical depression screening demonstration projects. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a Medicare health education and risk appraisal program. Outlines an informatics systems grant program for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Provides for indexing of the Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) deductible to inflation, and for an income-related reduction in the Medicare subsidy for the Medicare part B premium.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Bear Protection Act of 2001 - 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 to continue discussions concerning trade in bear viscera with the appropriate representatives of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and with other representatives of countries that are not party to CITES which are determined to be the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products, in order to establish coordinated efforts with such countries to protect bears. Declares that nothing in this Act shall affect State regulation of bear population or the lawful hunting of bears under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for student loan forgiveness for public defenders under the Federal Perkins Loan program. Prohibits construing this Act to authorize refunding of any loan repayment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
National Rural Development Partnership Act of 2001 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the National Rural Development Partnership composed of the National Rural Development Coordinating Committee (established by this Act) and State development councils (authorized by this Act). Includes among Partnership purposes: (1) enhancement of State and local rural development capacities; and (2) engagement of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private and nonprofit sectors in such efforts. Provides for State rural development council matching requirements. Terminates the Partnership five years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to prohibit employer discrimination, during and at the conclusion of labor disputes, against employees who participate in such disputes. Prohibits employers from offering: (1) permanent replacement status to individuals who replace strikers or otherwise work or express a willingness to work during such disputes; or (2) certain employment preferences to such individuals over striking workers who have returned or have made unconditional offers to return to work.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2001
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize a group of agricultural commodity producers to petition the Secretary of Agriculture for a certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance. Requires the Secretary to determine whether the petitioning group meets certain requirements and, if so, to issue such a certification. Requires the International Trade Commission to notify the Secretary immediately whenever it begins an investigation into whether an agricultural commodity is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause or threat of serious injury to a domestic industry producing an agricultural commodity like or directly competitive with the imported agricultural commodity. Directs the Secretary to provide agricultural commodity producers with information about trade adjustment assistance petition and application procedures, benefit allowances, training, and other employment services. Sets forth certain eligibility requirements for the payment of trade adjustment assistance to adversely affected agricultural commodity producers. Limits to $10,000 the maximum annual amount of cash benefits a producer may receive. Provides for the repayment and recovery of overpayments of trade adjustment assistance made to such producers due to fraud. Sets forth penalties for such fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2001
Veterans' Educational Assistance Restoration Act of 2001 - Makes eligible for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill an individual who: (1) was not on active duty on October 19, 1984; (2) reenlists or reenters into active duty after such date; and (3) after July 2, 1985, either serves at least three years of continuous active duty or is discharged or released for a service-connected disability, preexisting medical condition, hardship, or a physical or mental condition for the convenience of the Government, as long as such individual completed not less than 30 months of continuous active duty on that date; or (4) is involuntarily released at the convenience of the Government due to a reduction in force. Makes eligible for such assistance a member of the Selected Reserve who: (1) was not on active duty on October 19, 1984, (2) reenlists or reenters active duty after such date; and (3) after July 2, 1985, serves at least two years of continuous active duty and at least four continuous years in the Selected Reserve during which the individual participates satisfactorily in required training.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Clean Diamonds Act - Prohibits the importation of rough diamonds into the United States unless the exporting country is implementing: (1) a system of controls on the export or import of rough diamonds that meets specified requirements, consistent with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 adopted on December 1, 2000, or consistent with an international agreement which requires such controls and to which the United States is a party; or (2) a system of controls that is functionally equivalent. Prohibits the importation of polished diamonds (including jewelry containing diamonds) into the United States unless the exporting country: (1) is implementing a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds, except such system shall not be required for countries that do not import rough diamonds; and (2) requires that its own imports of diamonds originate from countries that have implemented a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds. Prohibits the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank of the United States from engaging in certain transactions in connection with a project involving the mining, polishing or other processing, or sale of diamonds in a country that fails to meet the requirements of this Act. Provides a waiver for the requirements of this Act. Urges the President to negotiate an international agreement to eliminate trade in diamonds used to support conflict in the country or regions in which such diamonds are mined.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Hunger to Harvest: Decade of Support for Sub-Saharan Africa Resolution - Calls for: (1) the years 2002 through 2012 to be declared "A Decade of Support for Sub-Saharan Africa"; (2) the President to submit to Congress a five-year strategy and a ten-year strategy to achieve a reversal of current levels of hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, including a commitment to contribute an appropriate U.S. share of increased bilateral and multilateral poverty-focused resources for that region; (3) the President to work with the heads of other donor countries and sub-Saharan African countries, and with U.S. and sub-Saharan African private and voluntary organizations and other civic organizations, to implement such strategies; (4) Congress to undertake a multi-year commitment to provide the resources to implement those strategies; and (5) the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit to Congress a report on the implementation of those strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) reducing crime in public housing should be a priority; and (2) the successful Public Housing Drug Elimination Program should be fully funded.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Medicare Patient Access to Preventive and Diagnostic Tests Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish procedures for determining the basis for, and amount of, Medicare payment for any clinical diagnostic laboratory test with respect to which a new or substantially revised Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code is assigned on or after January 1, 2002; (2) set the national fee schedule amounts for tests performed; (3) establish a mechanism for review of the adequacy of payment amounts for a particular test; and (4) prohibit the Secretary from delegating the authority to make determinations with respect to clinical diagnostics laboratory tests to a regional office of the Health Care Financing Administration or to a certain contracted entity. Prohibits the Secretary from establishing a payment level for a new test that is lower than the level for an existing, clinically similar test solely on the basis that the new test may be performed by a laboratory with a certificate of waiver under the Public Health Services Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Small Business Liability Protection Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide (with exceptions) that persons shall be liable for response costs at a National Priorities List (NPL) facility as non-owners or operators only if the total of material containing a hazardous substance that the business arranged for disposal, transport, or treatment of, or accepted for transport, was greater than 110 gallons of liquid material or 200 pounds of solid material. Applies this exemption only to activities taking place before April 1, 2001. Exempts a person from liability for response costs (with exceptions) at a NPL facility for municipal solid waste (MSW) as a non-owner or operator if the person is an owner, operator, or lessee of residential property from which all of the person's MSW was generated, or a certain small business or small charitable tax-exempt organization that generated all its MSW, with respect to the facility concerned. Makes nongovernmental entities that commence a contribution action liable to the defendant for all reasonable costs of defending the action if the defendant is not liable based on the above-described exemptions. Adds to the list of parties eligible for de minimis final settlements certain persons and businesses that demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs. Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Patient Abuse Prevention Act - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish programs to prevent abuse of recipients of home health or of long-term care services in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or other long-term care facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including background checks on workers and a hiring ban on abusive workers. Prescribes criminal and civil penalties for violation of this Act. Requires State Medicare and Medicaid registries to collect information about nursing facility employees other than nurse aides. Amends SSA title XI to include abusive long-term care facility employees in the national health care fraud and abuse data collection program database. Includes SNFs, certain other nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospices, intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded, and providers of home health or long-term care services as long-term care facilities. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program to provide grants to develop information on best practices in patient abuse prevention training for managers and staff of hospital and health care facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Health and Higher Education Facilities Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a small tax-exempt bond issuer, the proceeds of the obligations of which are to be used to make or finance eligible loans for health care or educational purposes, to elect to apply specified current limitations on the amount of obligations by treating each borrower as the issuer of a separate issue.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
International Infectious Diseases Control Act of 2001 - Directs the President to work with foreign governments, the United Nations (UN), the World bank, and the private sector to agree to the establishment of a global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis through the provision of grants to governments and nongovernmental organizations for implementation of effective and affordable HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis programs (with initial priority to programs to combat HIV/AIDS), urging emphasis be given to ensuring strong political leadership in recipient countries. Amends the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 to repeal the establishment of the World Bank AIDS Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals; (2) revision in the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment adjustment for rural hospitals equalizing DSH payment amounts; (3) a single, standardized amount under the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS); (4) treatment of certain physician pathology services; and (5) one-time opportunity of critical access hospitals to return to the Medicare inpatient hospital PPS. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to establish: (1) a capital infrastructure revolving loan program under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make described loans to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements from the loan and loan guarantee fund under PHSA; (2) a high technology acquisition grant and loan program under which the Secretary may award grants and make loans to any eligible entity for any costs incurred by the entity in acquiring eligible equipment and services for improving the quality of health care in rural areas; and (3) a program of grants to eligible entities under which the Secretary shall award such grants to public or nonprofit private entities to establish telehealth resource centers for the health care needs of individuals in rural areas. Amends SSA title XVIII concerning: (1) rural health clinics and Medicare reimbursement; and (2) exclusion of certain rural health clinic services and federally qualified health center services from the Medicare PPS for skilled nursing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Bridges to the Cuban People Act of 2001 - Exempts from the embargo on trade with Cuba (including prohibitions under the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 against the unloading at a U.S. port of vessels that previously entered a Cuban port to engage in trade) the export of any agricultural commodity, farm machinery or equipment, medicine, or medical device, or any travel incident to the delivery of such items. Prohibits the President from prohibiting or regulating travel to or from or within Cuba by U.S. nationals or lawful resident aliens, including specified transactions ordinarily incident to such travel, financial or otherwise. Authorizes the President to provide scholarships for Cuban nationals who seek to undertake graduate study in public health, public policy, economics, law, or other field of social science. Authorizes the President to waive certain sanctions against, and restrictions on assistance to, Cuba, including the exclusion from the United States of certain aliens who have confiscated property in Cuba of U.S. nationals or who traffics in such property, if he determines that it will promote the peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba or will further U.S. national economic interests. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from limiting the amount of remittances to Cuba that any U.S. person may make. Exempts from prohibitions or restrictions on trade with Cuba the import of certain drugs, biological products, and medical devices into the United States. Prohibits the use of funds to enforce unilateral sanctions on the export of goods and services intended for the exclusive use of children in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Amends the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations through FY 2004 for the cost for the reduction of debt owed by a foreign country to the United States as a result of concessional loans made or credits extended to such country under specified laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide crop year 2000 market loss assistance to apple producers. Establishes a quantity limit, but stipulates that there shall be no payment nor gross income eligibility limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Designates the second Sunday in the month of December as National Children's Memorial Day and the last Friday in the month of April as Children's Memorial Flag Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2001
Climate Change Strategy and Technology Innovation Act of 2001 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require the Director of the National Office of Climate Change Response (established in the Executive Office of the President by this Act) to: (1) develop the United States Climate Change Response Strategy; and (2) establish the United States Climate Change Response Interagency Task Force to assist in developing and updating the Strategy and preparing annual reports. Requires the directors of the major national laboratories to annually meet with the President and certify whether U.S. energy technology research and development programs are proceeding consistent with the Strategy and the long-term goal of stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations. Establishes in the Department of Energy: (1) the Office of Carbon Management to plan and manage an energy technology research and development program that directly supports the Strategy and advise the Secretary on climate change-related issues; and (2) the Center for Strategic Climate Change Response to support integrated assessment of alternative climate change response scenarios and Strategy implementation, including designing and carrying out an international carbon dioxide sequestration monitoring and data program. Establishes the United States Climate Change Response Strategy Review Board to review the Strategy and updates to it, the President's progress reports, and national laboratory certifications.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Child Care Quality Incentive Act of 2001 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to establish a program of incentive grants to States to improve the quality of, and access to, child care by increasing child care payment rates. Sets the maximum Federal share of activity costs at 75 percent. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make an annual payment to an eligible State only if: (1) the Secretary determines that the State has made progress, through the assisted activities, in maintaining increased payment rates; and (2) the State updates an initial child care services market rate survey at least once every two years. Requires an eligible State that receives such a grant to make priority use of its funds to increase significantly (up to the 100th percentile of the market rate survey) the rate of reimbursement to providers for subsidized child care.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Korea Defense Service Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue a campaign medal, to be known as the Korea Defense Service Medal, to each member who served in the Republic of Korea or its adjacent waters after July 27, 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2001
End Racial Profiling Act of 2001 - Prohibits any law enforcement agency or agent from engaging in racial profiling. Authorizes the United States, or an individual injured by racial profiling, to bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief to enforce this prohibition. Specifies that proof that the routine investigatory activities of law enforcement agents in a jurisdiction have had a disparate impact on racial or ethnic minorities shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation. Authorizes the court to allow a prevailing plaintiff, other than the United States, reasonable attorneys' fees as part of the costs, including expert fees. Requires Federal law enforcement agencies to: (1) maintain adequate policies and procedures designed to eliminate racial profiling; and (2) cease existing practices that encourage racial profiling. Directs that any application by a State or governmental unit for funding under a covered program include a certification that such unit and any agency to which it is redistributing program funds: (1) maintains adequate policies and procedures designed to eliminate racial profiling; and (2) has ceased existing practices that encourage racial profiling. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, law enforcement agencies and other governmental units, Indian tribal governments, or other public and private entities to develop and implement best practice devices and systems to ensure the racially neutral administration of justice. Directs the Attorney General to submit to Congress a report on racial profiling by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions: (1) providing for the reduction in certain deductions of mutual life insurance companies; and (2) relating to distributions to shareholders from pre-1984 policyholders surplus accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2001
Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2001 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of providing Medicaid coverage for certain low-income HIV-infected individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2001
Child Passenger Protection Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish a safety standard for booster seats used in passenger motor vehicles as a form of child restraint. Directs the Secretary to complete a rulemaking proceeding to amend certain Code of Federal Regulations motor vehicle safety standards in order to: (1) require each seat belt assembly in the rear seats of a passenger motor vehicle to be a lap and shoulder belt assembly; and (2) apply such requirement to passenger motor vehicles beginning after the production year in which such regulations are prescribed in compliance with the implementation of a certain phase-in schedule. Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to extend the occupant protection incentive grants program for a two-year period. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary to make: (1) a basic grant to any State that enacts a child restraint law by October 1, 2003; and (2) a supplemental grant to any such State if the child restraint law is an enhanced child restraint law. Sets forth certain grant requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Lyme and Infectious Disease Information and Fairness in Treatment (LIFT) Act - Establishes the Tick-Borne Disorders Advisory Committee in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Directs the Committee to advise the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of HHS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner regarding how to: (1) provide public input on the public's needs regarding tick-borne disorders (lyme and other infectious diseases) so that government agencies can coordinate and more effectively plan and execute their activities; and (2) develop informed responses to constituency groups regarding the efforts and progress of the HHS and SAA. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to focus on developing better diagnostic tools and tests, expanding educational efforts, and re-educating clinicians, medical license boards, and health care insurers about the inappropriate uses of the Lyme disease case surveillance definition in patient diagnosis and treatment; and (2) the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine to increase risk assessment evaluations of U.S. military bases in the United States for all tick-borne disorders, and continue to study preventive methods to decrease troop exposure to tick-borne disorders. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to coordinate activities and research regarding tick-borne diseases across Institutes to encourage collaborative research.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Calls for the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service to recommend and the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor Dr. Edgar J. Helms (founder of Goodwill Industries, Inc.).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2001 - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition and construction; (3) research and development; (4) retired pay; (5) environmental compliance; and (6) bridge alteration or removal. Authorizes: (1) the Coast Guard end-of-year strength for active duty personnel and its average military training student loads; (2) appropriations for Coast Guard operation of the LORAN-C system; (3) the Secretary of Transportation to accept for Coast Guard drug interdiction activities up to seven PC-170 patrol craft from the Department of Defense; (4) suspension of retired pay of a service member or former member who willfully remains outside the United States to avoid criminal prosecution or civil liability; (5) compensatory absence from duty for military Coast Guard personnel serving at isolated duty stations in certain circumstances; (6) the Coast Guard to provide fishing vessel safety training; (7) conveyance and 30-year lease-back of the Naval Reserve Pier property in Portland, Maine, to the Gulf of Maine Aquarium Development Corporation; and (8) a student pre-commissioning assistance program. Adds the Secretary of Transportation (when the Coast Guard is not operating under the Department of the Navy) to the required members of the Board of Governors of the United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO). Extends specified Coast Guard housing authorities. Allows a promotion selection board to recommend officers of particular merit for placement at the top of the list of selectees. Amends the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act to revise requirements regarding the waters on which vessels, dredges, and floating plants must carry a radiotelephone. Prohibits the Coast Guard from planning or implementing decommissioning of icebreaking vessels until replacements have been procured. Exempts certain passenger vessel service personnel from a requirement that a vessel employee have a merchant mariner's document. Extends time for recreational vessel and associated equipment recalls. Renames and extends the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee. Extends: (1) the Houston-Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee; (2) the Lower Mississippi River Waterway Advisory Committee; (3) the Navigation Safety Advisory Council; (4) the Towing Safety Advisory Committee; and (5) the National Boating Safety Advisory Council. Requires the Coast Guard to: (1) study existing local harbor safety coordinating committees regarding cooperation with interested groups, organizational models, technological assistance, and recurring resources; and (2) test the feasibility of expanding the harbor safety committee concept to ceratin small and medium-sized ports. States that Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service pilots shall not be liable for damages related to their official assistance unless such assistance constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct. Amends the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 to repeal certain endorsement revocation authority.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Community Rail Line Relocation Assistance Act of 2001 - Amends Federal highway law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a grant program to provide financial assistance to States for up to 90 percent of the cost of local rail line relocation projects.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2001 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments. 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. 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 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. Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts or strikes, or sickouts, work slowdowns, or other actions designed to compel agreement to a proposed contract which will measurably disrupt the delivery of emergency services.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Bipartisan Federal Election Reform Act of 2001 - Establishes the Blue Ribbon Study Panel to study, with respect to Federal elections, methods of: (1) voting and counting votes, of ballot design, of voter registration, of maintaining secure and accurate lists of registered voters, and of ensuring that all registered voters appear on the polling list at the appropriate polling site; (2) provisional voting; (3) ensuring accessibility of voting, registration, polling places, and voting equipment to all voters; (4) registering members of the armed forces and overseas citizens to vote, and ensuring that they timely receive ballots that will be properly and expeditiously handled and counted; (5) recruiting and improving the performance of poll workers; and (6) educating voters. Requires the Panel also to study: (1) Federal and State voting eligibility laws; (2) matters relevant to voting and administering elections in rural and urban areas; and (3) how the Federal Government can assist State and local authorities to improve election administration and what levels of funding would be necessary for such assistance. Requires the Panel to make related recommendations. Establishes the Election Administration Commission to: (1) adopt or modify and periodically update Panel recommendations; (2) issue or adopt updated voting system standards; and (3) perform a variety of other specified duties. Establishes the Federal Election Reform Grant Program under which the Commission may award grants to applicant States and localities to pay the Federal share of costs associated with implementing any recommendation adopted or modified by the Commission. Establishes the Election Administration Advisory Board. Amends the Voting Act concerning maximum access to polls by absent uniformed services and overseas voters to replace the current recommendation imposed upon the States to achieve such maximum access with a requirement that each State, in each Federal election, perform certain tasks.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Amendment Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for certain Medicare beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Immigrant Fairness Restoration Act of 2001 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise specified restrictions respecting: (1) cancellation of removal; (2) deportability and admissibility; (3) judicial review; (4) right to counsel; (5) detention; (6) applicants for admission; (7) removal of aliens who are not permanent residents and who have no relief from removal; (8) reopening of certain proceedings and parole of certain aliens; and (9) aliens who have made false citizenship claims or who have unlawfully voted.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training In Our Neighborhoods Act of 2001 or PROTECTION Act - Modifies provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 regarding public safety and community policing ("cops on the beat" program, COPS) to authorize the Attorney General to use funding under COPS grants to: (1) increase prosecutor presence and to enhance law enforcement access to new technologies; (2) pay overtime to existing career law enforcement officers to the extent that such overtime is devoted to community policing efforts; and (3) promote higher education among in-service State and local law enforcement officers by reimbursing them for the costs associated with seeking a college or graduate school education. Includes among permitted additional grant projects: (1) specialized integrity and ethics training; and (2) innovative proactive crime control and prevention programs involving school officials and religiously-affiliated organizations. Authorizes the Attorney General to use up to five percent of appropriated funds for technical assistance and training to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, and other public and private entities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding termination of grants for hiring officers. Allows grants to be used to assist: (1) police departments in employing specified professional, scientific, and technological advancements; and (2) State, local, or tribal prosecutors' offices in implementation of community-based prosecution programs that build on local community policing efforts. Reserves specified funds for units of local government with a population of less than 50,000. Authorizes the Attorney General to use no more than 50 percent of grant renewal funds to award grants targeted specifically for retention of police officers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Prohibits the importation into the United States of any Burmese products until the President determines and certifies to Congress that the State Peace and Development Council in Burma has made progress in: (1) reversing gross violations of internationally-recognized human rights and worker rights; (2) implementing democratic government; and (3) cooperating with U.S. counter-narcotics efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Conservation Security Act of 2001 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a conservation security program to assist agricultural owners and operators promote conservation of soil, water, and related resources such as wildlife and wetlands. Requires a participant to submit a resource security plan. Sets forth three tiers of resource security plan conservation practices, and bases a participant's annual payments upon implemented tiers.
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