United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Adoption Equality Act of 2003 - Amends title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to modify the requirements of a child with special needs whose adoptive parents are eligible to receive a State adoption assistance payment. Eliminates the requirement that the child with special needs meet specified income eligibility criteria under SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) relating solely to the biological parents whose rights have been terminated. (Thus makes all children with special needs eligible for adoption assistance.) Makes eligible to receive adoption assistance payments the adoptive parents of a child who is not a U.S. citizen or resident, but who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements for such payments, with the exception of a child adopted outside the United States or brought into it for adoption purposes. Declares that payments shall not be construed as prohibited with respect to the latter kind of child if he or she is placed in foster care following the failure of the initial adoption of the child by the adoptive parents. Requires treatment as meeting such requirements of any children determined eligible with respect to a prior adoption (or who would have been determined eligible had the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 been in effect at the time that such determination would have been made), and who are available for adoption again because the prior adoption has been dissolved and the parental rights of the adoptive parents have been terminated, or because the child's adoptive parents have died. Requires a State to spend an amount equal to the amount of savings (if any) in State expenditures resulting from the application of this Act to provide to children or families any service (including post-adoption services) that may be provided under this part or part B (Child-Welfare Services). Revises requirements for the determination under SSA of a child with special needs to require that: (1) the State determine, pursuant to criteria established by it (which may or may not include a judicial determination), that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of his/her parents (as under current law); or (2) the child meets all medical or disability requirements of title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI), and (as under current law) specific factors or conditions apply. (Currently, the first requirement and the specific factor requirement must both apply. This Act makes it sufficient to determine a child with special needs if the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of his/her parents. The specific factor requirement does not have to apply in such a case, but must apply in the case of any child who meets all SSI medical or disability requirements.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
National Guard and Reserve Comprehensive Health Benefits Act of 2003 - Makes members of the Selected Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve eligible for either the Prime or Standard option of the TRICARE Program (a Department of Defense managed health care program), allowing for either self-coverage or self-and-family coverage. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide at least one open enrollment period each year for such members; and (2) charge applicable premiums, deductibles, and copayments for such coverage. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay the applicable premium to continue in force any qualified health plan coverage for a reserve member (and his or her dependents) while the member is serving on active duty pursuant to a call or order issued during a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress. Requires the continuation of COBRA coverage during such period. Prohibits simultaneous coverage under both the qualified health plan and TRICARE.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Assure Access to Mammography Act of 2003 - Provides that, with respect to payment for a screening or diagnostic mammography furnished to a Medicare beneficiary, the amount of payment made to a hospital-based facility in which such screening or diagnostic mammography is performed during the applicable period is equal to 200 percent of the amount of payment that would otherwise apply under the Medicare fee schedule established under title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to the technical component of such screening or diagnostic mammography. Provides for not counting certain radiological residents against graduate medical education limitations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an arrangement with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Secretary on Medicare reimbursement for gender-specific services. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to study and report to Congress on Medicare reimbursement for screening services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 or CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 - Sets forth the determination of Congress that: (1) there is a substantial government interest in regulation of unsolicited commercial electronic mail ("spam"); (2) senders of spam should not mislead recipients as to the source or content of such mail; and (3) recipients of spam have a right to decline to receive additional spam from the same source. Amends Federal criminal law to subject to a fine or imprisonment any person who initiates the transmission to a protected computer of a spam message with knowledge and intent that it contains header information that is materially false or misleading. Sets forth protections against spam that include: (1) a prohibition of false or misleading transmission information; (2) a prohibition of deceptive subject headings; (3) mandatory inclusion of return address or comparable mechanism in unsolicited commercial electronic mail; (4) a prohibition of transmission of spam after objection; (5) mandatory inclusion of identifier, opt-out, and physical address in spam; and (6) a prohibition against initiating transmission to a protected computer of an unlawful, unsolicited commercial electron mail message, or to assist in the origination of such message through the provision of addresses, with knowledge or reckless disregard as to whether the recipient's address was obtained from an Internet website or proprietary online service or from a proprietary online service that included a notice that the operator will not provide addresses for initiating unsolicited messages. Confers enforcement powers for violations of this Act upon the Federal Trade Commission, designated Federal agencies, and States. Permits a provider of Internet access service adversely affected by a violation of this Act to bring a civil action. Sets forth a maximum civil penalty of $1.5 million for knowing and wilful violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program to protect the environmental integrity of undeveloped coastal and estuarine areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make program grants to coastal States, except to ones that have lost less than one percent of their wetlands to development or conversion to other land uses, for the purpose of acquiring property interests. Prohibits any more than 75 percent of the grant funding from being derived from Federal sources. Authorizes the Secretary to provide $5 million for a regional watershed protection demonstration project that: (1) leverages land acquisition funding from other Federal conservation or acquisition programs; (2) involves partnerships with Federal, State, and non-governmental entities; (3) creates conservation corridors; (4) protects habitats under imminent threat of development or conversion; (5) provides water quality protection for areas under the National Estuarine Research Reserve program; and (6) provides a model for future regional watershed protection projects. Reserves 15 percent of program funds for acquisitions benefitting the National Estuarine Research Reserve. Specifies that when property is acquired under this program: (1) title will be held by the grant recipient; (2) property will be managed consistent with the purpose of the program; and (3) funds will be returned to the Secretary if the property is sold, exchanged, or divested. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to allow the Secretary to enter into contracts or other arrangements with other Federal agencies (including interagency financing of Coastal America activities) as well as any other qualified person for the purposes of carrying out technical assistance and research to support coastal zone management. (Current law allows the Secretary to enter into such arrangements only with any qualified person).
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish a minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services furnished under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Incentives to Educate American Children (I Teach) Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax credit of $1,000 for: (1) teachers in public elementary or secondary schools or public kindergartens in rural areas or areas with high poverty; and (2) teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Grants a credit of $2,000 for a teacher meeting both criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Community Development Homeownership Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a community homeownership tax credit based upon an applicable percentage of each qualified residence's eligible basis. Makes such credit available to residences (including factory built homes) located: (1) in a census tract with a median gross income not exceeding 80 percent of the greater area or statewide median gross income; (2) in a rural area; (3) on an Indian reservation; or (4) in an area of chronic economic distress. Prohibits a buyer's income from exceeding 80 percent (70 percent for families of less than three) of the area gross median income and requires owner occupancy. Specifies that the aggregate homeownership credit dollar amount which a homeownership credit agency (an "agency") may disburse is the portion of the "State homeownership credit ceiling" (the "ceiling") allocated to such agency. Allows "unused homeownership credit carryovers" to be allocated among qualified States. Sets aside up to 90 percent of a State's ceiling for certain housing projects in which a qualified nonprofit organization owns an interest and materially participates in the given project's development and operation throughout the credit period. Requires allocation of credit to residences to be in accordance with a "qualified allocation plan" of the agency issuing credit. Lists certain specified criteria such a plan must include and specifies that the plan must be approved by the governmental unit of which such agency is a part.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2003 - 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. Provides States taking advantage of this option with an enhanced Federal Medicaid match.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to grant States the option of covering certain categories of eligible women and child resident aliens under the Medicaid and SCHIP programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Consolidation Student Loan Flexibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow student loan borrowers to choose a lender for loan consolidation. (Eliminates the requirement that: (1) the consolidation loan lender must already hold an outstanding student loan of the borrower; or (2) the borrower must certify to having sought and been unable to obtain a consolidation loan with income-sensitive repayment terms from any holders of the outstanding loans selected for consolidation.) Requires clear and conspicuous notice to be provided to student loan applicants, and to student loan borrowers at their exit interviews, describing the effects of using consolidation loans, and including specified information for applicants or borrowers respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Requests the President to designate April 11, 2003, as National Youth Service Day. Commends the contributions of American youth and encourages the cultivation of a common civic bond among young people dedicated to serving their neighbors, their communities, and the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Child Care Lending Pilot Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to allow the proceeds of loans made through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to local development companies for plant acquisition, construction, or expansion to be used to assist small, nonprofit child care businesses, provided that: (1) the loan will be used for a sound business purpose approved by the SBA; and (2) each business receiving the assistance meets eligibility requirements applicable to for-profit businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Independent Office of Advocacy Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Act regarding the establishment of the Office of Advocacy to: (1) require each annual budget submitted by the President to include a separate statement of the amount of appropriations requested for such Office; (2) require the Office to recommend methods for the delivery of financial assistance to women-owned businesses, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or veterans, and businesses designated as HUBZone small businesses, and evaluate the efforts of Federal agencies and the private sector in assisting such businesses; (3) require the Office to make recommendations and submit specified reports concerning issues and regulations affecting small business and any necessity for corrective action; and (4) require the Office to evaluate the efforts of the Federal Government and private industry to assist small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans. Requires the SBA to provide appropriate administrative support to the Office. Requires the Chief Counsel to report annually to the President and specified congressional committees on agency compliance with Federal regulatory analysis requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer who owns and operates a shipyard to elect to use the completed contract accounting method with respect to an qualified naval construction contract (more than 24 months in duration).
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Chief Martin Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Chief Phillip Martin in recognition of his leadership of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians for over 45 years and for his contributions to the American Indian community, particularly to the native and non-native communities of Mississippi.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Fair Treatment and Due Process Protection Act of 2003 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a State to which a family assistance grant is made to provide appropriate interpretation and translation services to individuals who lack English proficiency if the number or percentage of persons lacking English proficiency meets certain standards. Provides for a reduced family assistance grant as a penalty for States failing to provide such services. Requires a pre-sanction review process. Provides for a similar penalty for States not following such process. Revises data collection and reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct longitudinal studies of a representative sample of families that receive TANF assistance; and (2) ensure that public disclosure with respect to any information concerning TANF recipients or applicants is made in a manner that protects their privacy.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Clean Diamond Trade Act -Directs the President to prohibit the importation into, or exportation from, the United States of any rough diamond, from whatever source, that has not been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Prescribes criteria for waiver of such prohibition. Directs the President to require the appropriate Government agency to conduct annual reviews of the standards, practices, and procedures of any entity in the United States that issues Kimberley Process Certificates for the exportation from the United States of rough diamonds to determine whether they accord with the KPCS. Makes the importing authority under this Act the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the exporting authority the Bureau of the Census. Declares that the Congress supports the policy that the President take appropriate steps to promote and facilitate the adoption of the KPCS by the international community. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes the President to direct the appropriate Federal agencies to make available technical assistance to countries seeking to implement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Urges the President to work with Participants to strengthen the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme through the adoption of measures for: (1) sharing statistics on rough diamonds production and trade; and (2) monitoring the effectiveness of the KPCS in stemming trade in diamonds whose importation or exportation is not controlled through the KPCS. Urges the executive branch to continue to: (1) keep and publish statistics on imports and exports of rough diamonds; (2) make them available for analysis by interested parties and by Participants; and (3) take a leadership role in negotiating a standardized methodology among Participants for reporting such statistics. Declares the sense of Congress that the President should establish a Kimberley Process Implementation Coordinating Committee to coordinate the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Votes for Women History Trail Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an automobile tour route, to be known as the Votes for Women History Trail, to link properties in New York State which are historically and thematically related to the struggle for women's suffrage. Requires the Secretary to administer the Trail through the Women's Rights National Historical Park. Requires the Secretary to: (1) produce and disseminate educational materials relating to the Trail; (2) coordinate, in partnership with properties designated as official stops, other Federal agencies, and State and local governments, the management, planning, and standards of the Trail; and (3) adopt an official symbol or device to mark the Trail and issue guidelines for its use. Authorizes the Secretary to designate as an official stop on the Trail: (1) a Park unit or program that relates to the struggle for women's suffrage; (2) a Federal, State, local, or privately owned property that has a verifiable connection to such struggle; and (3) an educational, commemorative, research, or interpretive facility or program that is directly related to such struggle. Allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical and financial assistance to, other Federal agencies, New York State, units of local government, regional governmental bodies, and private entities to coordinate such stops.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Blind Empowerment Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase, by specified increments over five years, the level of earnings demonstrating the ability of a blind person to engage in substantial gainful activity for purposes of determining disability insurance benefit payments.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define: "minor species" as animals other than cattle, horses, swine, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats; and (2) "minor use" as use on minor species or on other species for a disease or condition that occurs infrequently or in limited geographic areas. Provides for: (1) designation of new animal drugs for minor use; and (2) three-year approval exclusivity. Provides for establishment of an index of unapproved new animal drugs for minor species, and allows marketing of such drugs that evidence no human food safety concern. Authorizes: (1) designation of new animal drugs for minor use or minor species; and (2) grants or contracts for development (and exclusivity) of designated new animal drugs. Modifies new animal drug approval requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Combat and Family Separation Pay Improvement Act of 2003 - Increases to $400 monthly the rates of imminent danger special pay and the family separation allowance for qualifying military personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether such screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Democracy Day Act of 2003 - Requires the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2004 and in each even-number year thereafter (Election Day) to be treated as a legal public holiday for purposes relating to the pay and leave of Federal employees. Urges private employers to provide their employees flexibility on that day to enable them to vote. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the impact of such requirement on voter participation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Expresses the outrage of Congress at the flagrant violations by the Government of Iraq of the customary international law of war and the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, dated at Geneva August 12 1949, and entered into force October 21, 1950. Supports in the strongest terms the President's warning to Iraq that the United States will hold the Government of Iraq, its officials, and military personnel involved accountable for any and all such violations. Expects Iraq to comply with the requirements of the international law of war and the explicit provisions of the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which afford prisoners of war the proper and humane treatment to which they are entitled. Expects that Iraq will afford prisoners of war access to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, as required by the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike such gold medal and to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals; and (2) deposit sums received from the sale of the bronze medals into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to non-taxed "combat zone" compensation to: (1) include "direct transit to the combat zone" within such definition; and (2) eliminate the enlisted personnel compensation ceiling for commissioned officers. Entitles military personnel eligible for special pay for hostile fire or imminent danger for services at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, Cuba, and in the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or any successor operation to specified tax benefits as if such services were performed in a combat zone.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Federal Power Act Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Power Act to provide that Federal regulation of electric energy transmission and sales shall not extend to those matters which are subject to regulation by the States, including the retail sale of electric energy and any component service. Denies the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdiction over: (1) bundled retail sales of electric energy (sales of electric energy to retail customers where generation, transmission, distribution, and other services necessary to supply electric energy to such customers are sold as a single delivered service by a single seller); and (2) the transmission component of sales of electric energy to retail customers. Requires FERC, upon request of a Regional Transmission Organization or any FERC-authorized transmission entity, to authorize the recovery of costs on a participant-funding basis of transmission facilities that increase the transfer capability of the transmission system. Directs FERC to establish technical standards and procedures for the interconnection of facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce with facilities used for the generation of electric energy. Instructs FERC to ensure, in setting rates for transmission services, that all jurisdictional uses of transmission facilities bear an allocation of the embedded costs of the facilities, as well as the costs of other services ancillary to the transmission of electric energy. Directs FERC to promulgate pricing policies and standards to promote expansion and improvement of interstate transmission networks through incentive-based, performance-based, participant-funded and cost of service-based rate treatments to ensure reliability of the electric system, to support interstate wholesale markets for electric power, and to expand transmission transfer capacity needed to sustain wholesale competition. Directs FERC to convene regional discussions with State and other retail regulatory commissions to address whether wholesale electric markets in each region (especially regions without a regional transmission organization) are working effectively to provide reliable service to electric consumers in the region at the lowest reasonable cost. Authorizes FERC to require an unregulated transmitting utility to provide open access transmission services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Urges the President to designate the week of October 12 through 18, 2003, as National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week. Declares that the Senate commits to increasing the quality of life for individuals with cystic fibrosis by promoting public knowledge and understanding in a manner that will result in earlier diagnoses, more fund-raising efforts for research, and increased levels of support for those with cystic fibrosis and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on March 26, 2003, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Moynihan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out the hurricane and storm damage reduction project from Morganza, Louisiana, to the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River and its tributaries substantially in accordance with the plans and conditions described in the Report of the Chief of Engineers dated August 23, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production during any taxable year in the amount of $3 per barrel of qualified crude oil production and 50 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of qualified natural gas production, reduced, but not below zero, as oil and gas prices increase. States that the limitation to the general business credit, based on the amount of tax, shall not be reduced by the amount of the marginal oil and gas well credit. Allows both geological and geophysical expenditures on domestic oil and gas exploration and development and delay rental payments, at the taxpayer's election, to be deducted from gross income at the time incurred.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2003
Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $250 to $500 the maximum above-the-line deduction allowed for classroom supply expenses incurred by elementary and secondary school teachers, effective after December 31, 2002. Expands such deduction to include qualified professional development expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2003
Koby Mandell Act of 2003 - Establishes within the Department of Justice an Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism. Requires the Office to: (1) assume responsibility for administration of the Rewards for Justice program and its website; (2) ensure that rewards are offered to capture all terrorists involved in harming American citizens overseas; (3) establish and administer a program comparable to the VINE system for notification of crime victims to notify or update American victims of overseas terrorism or their families on the status of efforts to capture the terrorists; (4) send an official U.S. Government representative to attend the funeral of every American victim of terrorism overseas; (5) work to expand restrictions on the ability of murderers to reap profits from books or movies concerning their crimes; (6) determine if terrorists who have harmed Americans overseas are serving in their local police or security forces and alert U.S. agencies that provide assistance to those forces; (7) undertake a comprehensive assessment to determine the reasons for the absence of indictments of terrorists residing in some regions; (8) monitor public actions pertaining to terrorists by governments and regimes overseas, such as naming streets or public institutions after terrorists; (9) initiate negotiations to secure financial compensation for American citizens who were harmed by an organization that claims responsibility for terrorist acts against Americans overseas and that subsequently become part of a governing regime with which the U.S. Government maintains diplomatic or official contacts; (10) monitor the incarceration abroad of terrorists who harmed Americans overseas; and (11) ensure that all terrorists who have harmed Americans overseas are treated by the Government as persona non grata.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2003
Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Poison Control Enhancement and Awareness Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) the maintenance of a national toll-free number to access regional poison control centers; and (2) the nationwide media campaign to promote poison control center utilization. Amends provisions pertaining to the poison control center grant program, including to provide funds for: (1) developing standardized poison prevention and poison control centers; and (2) improving national toxic exposure surveillance. Modifies provisions pertaining to the renewal of a waiver of the certification requirements for receiving poison control center grants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assist in the implementation and maintenance of continuos national toxicosurveillance of poison control center data to detect new hazards from various sources, including household products.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training In Our Neighborhoods Act of 2003 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 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; and (3) promote higher education among in-service State and local law enforcement officers by reimbursing them for certain educational costs. 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 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 local governmental units 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 for police officer retention.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the President, as Commander in Chief, in the conflict against Iraq. Commends, and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to all members of the United States Armed Forces (whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves) and the civilian employees who support their efforts, as well as the men and women of civilian national security agencies who are participating in the military operations in the Persian Gulf region, for their professional excellence, dedicated patriotism and exemplary bravery. Commends and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to the family members of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians serving in operations against Iraq who have borne the burden of sacrifice and separation from their loved ones. Expresses the deep condolences of the Senate to the families of brave Americans who have lost their lives in this undertaking, over many years, against Iraq. Joins all Americans in remembering those who lost their lives during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, those still missing from that conflict, including Captain Scott Speicher, USN, and the thousands of Americans who have lost their lives in terrorist attacks over the years, and in the Global War on Terrorism. Expresses sincere gratitude to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government for their courageous and steadfast support, as well as gratitude to other allied nations for their military support, logistical support, and other assistance in the campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Condemns the practice of execution by stoning as a gross violation of human rights, and appeals to the international community to end the practice. Requests the President to: (1) communicate this resolution formally to governments that permit this cruel punishment, and urge the termination of execution by stoning; and (2) direct the Secretary of State to work with the international community to promote adherence to international standards of human rights and repeal laws that permit execution by stoning.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Recognizes that a strong domestic steel industry and strong domestic manufacturing base are vital to national defense and economic security. Urges the President to request the United States International Trade Commission, in addition to fulfilling certain monitoring and reporting requirements under the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to the progress of workers in a domestic industry to make a positive adjustment to import competition, to monitor and report on the impact that temporary tariff increases and tariff-rate quotas on certain steel imports proclaimed by the President on March 5, 2002, have had on steel-consuming industries and ports of entry in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits any qualified civil liability action from being brought in any State or Federal court and requires pending actions to be dismissed. Defines such an action to: (1) include an action brought against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm; and (2) exclude an action brought against persons who transfer a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; an action brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; an action in which a manufacturer or seller of a firearm willfully violated a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the firearm and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; an action for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the firearm; or an action for physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the firearm when used as intended.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Child Care Quality Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to revise requirements relating to child care payment rates. Requires States to conduct market rate surveys, at least once every two years, to determine their child care payment rates under the block grant program, including cost-of-living adjustments and consideration of variations in localities, children's ages, and types of services. Establishes a program of incentive grants to States and Indian tribes to improve the quality of, and access to, child care by increasing child care payment rates. Makes separate appropriations for such incentive grants in specified amounts for FY 2004 through FY 2008 (prohibiting use of block grant funds for such incentive grants). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make an annual incentive grant payment to an eligible State only if the State has conducted a statistically valid survey of the market rates for child care services in the State within the two years before it submits an application containing information on such survey and the State's plans to increase its child care payment rates. 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 (with any remaining funds to be used to improve the quality of child care services). Requires a State matching contribution of at least 20 percent of incentive grant program activity costs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Investment in America Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities. Increases the alternative incremental credit rates. Provides an alternative credit for qualified research expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Child Support Distribution Act of 2003 - Amends title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for: (1) denial of assistance to families that do not assign certain support rights to the State; and (2) the distribution of child support collected by States on behalf of children receiving certain welfare benefits. Reduces from $5,000 to $2,500 the amount of child support arrearage which shall trigger denial of a passport. Revises requirements for the use of the tax refund intercept program to collect past-due child support on behalf of non-minor children. Prohibits garnishment of certain compensation for a service-connected disability paid to a former member of the Armed Forces for: (1) alimony; or (2) child support less than 60 days in arrears. Permits no more than 50 percent of such compensation to be garnished to pay for such child support. Provides for mandatory review and adjustment of child support orders for families receiving TANF. Requires the Secretary to disclose new hire information to a State to assist in the administration of unemployment compensation programs. Provides for a payment rate increase to States for short term training of staff of State-licensed or State-approved child welfare agencies providing services.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Pharmacy Education Aid Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit payments of up to $35,000 on behalf of an individual (recipient) for the repayment of pharmacy education loans for each year the recipient serves in a health care facility with a critical shortage of pharmacists. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments to recipients to offset tax liability. Requires repayment to the Federal Government by recipients who fail to maintain acceptable levels of academic standing, are dismissed for disciplinary reasons, voluntarily terminate their programs, or fail to provide health services in accordance with their commitments after their academic program is completed. Permits a waiver of liability under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish student loan programs to increase the number of faculty at schools of pharmacy. Directs each school in which such a program is established to pay at least one-ninth of the Federal capital contributions. Caps loans from such programs to individual students at $35,000 annually. Requires, upon completion of specified employment requirements as a faculty member, that an amount up to 85 percent of loans (plus interest thereon) from such a program be canceled, with the Federal Government reimbursing the school for its proportionate share of the canceled amount. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants or contracts to qualifying pharmacy schools for computer-based pharmaceutical education systems.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Federal Prosecutors Retirement Benefit Equity Act of 2003 - Amends Federal civil service law to include Federal prosecutors within the definition of "law enforcement officer" (LEO). Extends LEO benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees' Retirement System to Federal prosecutors, including Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), and such other attorneys in the Department of Justice (DOJ) as may be designated by the Attorney General. Exempts Federal prosecutors from mandatory retirement provisions for LEOs under the civil service laws. Requires DOJ to provide notice to incumbent Federal prosecutors of their rights under this Act. Allows incumbents to opt out of the LEO retirement program. Sets forth provisions governing the crediting of prior service by incumbents. Provides for make-up contributions for prior service of incumbents to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Gives incumbents the option of either contributing to their own share of any make-up contributions or receiving a proportionally lesser retirement benefit. Allows the Government to contribute its share of any make-up contribution ratably over a ten-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Access to Hospitals Act of 2003 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to repeal specified reductions after FY 2000 and thereby extend certain modifications to disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments provided under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000. Increases the Medicaid DSH allotment for the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) elimination of the lifetime limit on inpatient mental health services; (2) parity in treatment for outpatient mental health services; (3) coverage of intensive residential services under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and of intensive outpatient services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (4) exclusion of clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system; and (5) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Constitutional Amendment - States that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
![Official portrait of Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000550_200.jpg)