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United States · Official source
5,795 records where Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize appropriations for the State criminal alien assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003 - MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2003 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish a MediKids program to meet the health needs of eligible children. Family Opportunity Act of 2003 or the Dylan Lee James Act - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to give States the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for them. Establishes a Commission on Children's Access to Care. Children's Health Insurance Accountability Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for children's health accountability standards. Kids Deserve Freedom from Tobacco Act of 2003 or the KIDS Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for additional restrictions on the marketing, advertising, and access to tobacco products. Comprehensive Insurance Coverage of Childhood Immunization Act of 2003 - Amends ERISA, PHSA, and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to outline standards relating to coverage of childhood immunization. Children's Environmental Protection Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to provide for environmental protection for children and other vulnerable subpopulations. School Environment Protection Act - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide for integrated pest management systems for public schools. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) to make grants to eligible States to support parenting support and education programs. Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act - Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Insurance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible entities to pay for the Federal share of projects to provide wage replacement for eligible individuals responding to family caregiving needs, including those resulting from the birth or adoption of a child. Family and Medical Leave Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to extend its coverage to private employers with 25 or more (currently, 50 or more) employees. Amends the Federal civil service law on family and medical leave to provide for an entitlement to leave for addressing domestic violence for Federal employees. Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2003 - Amends Federal civil service law on family and medical leave to authorize the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project that assists families by providing paid leave for eligible Federal employees who are responding to: (1) caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a son or daughter; or (2) other family caregiving needs. Time for Schools Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and Federal civil service law to provide for entitlement to school involvement leave of eligible individuals, including Federal employees. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to provide for optional FamilyCare coverage of targeted low-income parents and their children. Children's Environmental Protection and Right to Know Act - Amends: (1) the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 with respect to reporting toxic chemicals; and (2) the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to require publication of a list of substances or mixtures determined toxic to children. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to provide block grants to States for media campaigns promoting responsible fatherhood. Amends the Head Start Act and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to reserve specified funds for programs for infants and toddlers, especially programs to improve access to child care. Focus On Committed and Underpaid Staff for Children's Sake Act or the FOCUS Act - Establishes the Child Care Provider Development and Retention Grant Program and the Child Care Provider Scholarship Program. Federal Employees Child Care Act - Provides for child care centers in Federal facilities as well as for child care services for Federal employees. Amends the Early Learning Opportunities Act to extend the authorization of appropriations. Child Care Facilities Financing Act - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for the Federal share of the cost of the acquisition, construction, or improvement of child care facilities or equipment. Book Stamp Act - Directs the Secretary to make grants to State agencies to promote child literacy and improve children's access to books at home and in early learning and other child care programs. Amends the Higher Education Act regarding student loan forgiveness for teachers. America's Better Classroom Act of 2003 - Amends the IRC to establish an income tax credit for qualified public school modernization, school construction, and zone academy bonds. Child Opportunity Zone Family Center Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible partnerships to pay for the Federal share of the cost of establishing and expanding child opportunity zone family centers. Amends the IRC to increase the child tax credit and to make the credit partially refundable. Tax Relief for Working Families Act - Amends the IRC to increase the earned income tax credit for married couples and for two or more qualifying children. Extends the dependent care tax credit to respite care services. Establishes the Gateways Grant Program to improve the administration of State and county low-income families with children programs. Child Support Distribution Act - Amends SSA title IV parts A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) and B (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to provide for increased child support payments to families and enforcement of child support obligations. Child Support Assurance Act - Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to States for child support assurance demonstration projects. Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2003 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for a graduated increase in the minimum wage (and apply it to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Federal Living Wage Responsibility Act - Specifies minimum hourly wages and other employment terms for employees under Federal contracts. Amends the IRC concerning: (1) parity for part-time workers, fair counting of wages, and use of improved technology for making wage data available; (2) ensuring unemployment compensation for individuals that are separated from employment due to domestic violence; and (3) loss of child care as good cause for leaving employment. Amends the TANF program concerning: (1) disregard of months engaged in work for purposes of the five year TANF assistance limit; (2) replacement of case load reduction credit with employment credit; (3) elimination of limit on number of TANF recipients enrolled in vocational education or high school who may be counted towards the work participation requirement; (4) elimination of separate work participation rate for two parent families; and (5) strengthening of TANF individual responsibility plans. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 concerning the treatment of aliens under the TANF program. Amends the TANF program to provide for the reauthorization and extension of TANF State family assistance grants. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act concerning the child and adult care food program, and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 concerning the food stamp program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 concerning: (1) prevention of hunger among families with children; (2) encouragement of collection of child support; and (3) periodic redetermination of eligibility. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a rental assistance voucher program. Establishes in the Treasury the Voucher Success Fund and the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Housing Preservation Matching Grant Act of 2003 - Directs the HUD Secretary to make grants to States for low-income housing preservation. Amends SSA title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) to direct the HHS Secretary to reimburse States for preventive, protective, crisis, permanency, independent living, and post-permanency services. Social Services Block Grant Restoration Act - Amends SSA title IV part A (TANF) and SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to provide for restoration of funds for the social services block grant. Child Protection/Alcohol and Drug Partnership Act - Amends SSA title IV part B to provide for child protection and alcohol and drug partnerships for children. Amends SSA title IV part E to provide for a permanency grants program. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to authorize the HHS Secretary to award grants for programs to: (1) serve children who have been exposed to domestic violence; and (2) encourage the development and use of multisystem intervention models that respond to the needs of children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to establish a program through which the Secretary may make grants to States to address the mental health and developmental needs of young children. Younger Americans Act - Establishes a national youth policy. Establishes grants for State and community programs to encourage and assist States and youth development consortia in mobilizing and supporting communities in planning, implementing, and being accountable for strategies that link community-based organizations, local government, volunteer centers, schools, community colleges, colleges, universities, faith-based organizations, businesses, parks and recreation agencies, libraries and museums, arts and cultural organizations, other youth-serving organizations, and other segments of the community to ensure that all youth have access to, and participate in, the full array of described core resources. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a Coordinating Council for National Youth Policy. Mental Health Juvenile Justice Act - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) to establish grants for a State and local juvenile justice agency training program regarding access to mental health and substance abuse treatment for juveniles in contact with the State juvenile justice system. Establishes a Federal Coordinating Council on Criminalization of Juveniles With Mental Disorders. Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) provide for the regulation of firearms transfers at gun shows; and (2) require child handgun safety locks on firearms. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require child handgun safety locks. Prohibits weapons transfers to juveniles and imports of large capacity ammunition feeding devices. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to establish grants for: (1) State and local domestic violence offender recordkeeping improvements; and (2) local and antigun violence media campaigns. Provides for regulation of Internet firearms transfers. Prohibits multiple handgun sales or purchases. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish the Advisory Committee on Private Sector Support for Children and Families.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Organic Restoration Act of 2003 - Amends the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003, to repeal the provision permitting a farm to be certified as organic with respect to livestock produced on such farm if it uses non-organically produced feed under certain cost-based circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 - Adjusts the basic Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity amount for surviving spouses, age 62 and older, of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent (current law), for months before October 2004; (2) 40 percent for months during FY 2005; (3) 45 percent for months during FY 2006; (4) 50 percent for months during FY 2007; and (5) 55 percent for months after FY 2007. Adjusts similarly percentage amounts with respect to survivors of reserve personnel and survivors of persons who die while on active duty. Provides a corresponding phased elimination of the SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided to such surviving spouses. Requires periodic recomputation of: (1) annuity amounts beginning in October 2004; and (2) retired pay reductions for supplemental survivor annuities. Provides a one-year open enrollment period for SBP participation, commencing October 1, 2004, for those currently not participating, those electing to increase current coverage, and those wishing to participate in the supplemental SBP. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to require appropriate premiums for SBP participation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Reservists and Guardsmen Pay Protection Act of 2003 - Entitles a person who is absent from his or her position of Federal employment to perform service in the uniformed services or the National Guard to receive from his or her agency an amount that, when added to the pay and allowances for such service, equals the basic pay for such period of service. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of the general business credit, the Ready Reserve-National Guard employee credit for any taxable year is 50 percent of the actual compensation amount for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
United States Life-Saving Service Heritage Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Maritime Initiative of the National Park Service, to establish a program to inventory, evaluate, document, and assist efforts to preserve surviving U.S. Life-Saving Service stations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) serve as a clearinghouse of information for persons interested in restoring and preserving historic lifesaving stations; (2) make information regarding the Service and related organizations that provided humanitarian assistance to shipwrecked mariners available to the public; and (3) make grants to coordinate and assist such preservation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Designates the second week in May each year as National Visiting Nurse Association Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Agriculture Security Preparedness Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish an agricultural disease management position in the Federal Emergency Management Agency to act as liaison between the Department and governmental and other entities in the emergency management community; (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a similar animal health liaison position in the Department of Health and Human Services; (3) the Secretary of Transportation to develop guidelines for restrictions on interstate transportation of commodities or products in response to an agricultural disease; (4) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consider potential environmental impacts of response activities in planning agricultural disease responses; (5) the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and implement agricultural risk information-sharing procedures among Federal, regional, State, and local entities; (6) the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a task force, consisting of agricultural producers and State and local emergency response officials, to identify best practices for regional and State agricultural disease programs; (7) the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct studies on the feasibility of establishing a national plant disease laboratory, and on international agricultural disease surveillance; (8) the Secretary of Homeland Security to improve the Department of Agriculture's ability to identify agricultural commodities, products, and livestock imported from locations that have experienced agricultural terrorist activities or unusual agricultural diseases; (9) the Secretary of State to enter into mutual assistance agreements with other countries for assistance in the event of an agricultural disease, including training of U.S. veterinarians and agriculture specialists in the identification, diagnosis, and control of foreign agricultural diseases, and to provide resources and personnel to foreign governments with limited response resources; (10) the Attorney General to study the feasibility of establishing a national agroterrorism and ecoterrorism incident clearinghouse; and (11) the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a system to share information during all stages of an agroterrorism act. Amends Federal criminal law to include attacks against private property, including agriculture- and livestock-related property, among terrorist acts involving weapons of mass destruction.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Agriculture Security Assistance Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) assist States to develop agricultural disease response plans, including regional and national plans; (2) conduct a related modeling and statistical analysis study; (3) provide State grants for epidemiological assessment use of geographic information and statistical analysis models in the event of agricultural disease emergencies; (4) implement a biosecurity awareness program for farmers and ranchers, including on-farm biosecurity guidelines and discretionary education programs; and (5) establish a farm and ranch biosecurity grant and loan pilot program. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide grants for State and local animal health care officials to participate in community emergency planning.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Anti-Terrorism Military Sniper Weapon Reclassification Act of 2003 - Amends Chapter 53 (Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms) of the Internal Revenue Code to include in the definition of the term "firearm" a 50 caliber sniper weapon.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals provisions providing for special compensation for certain severely disabled military retirees and certain combat-related disabled uniformed services retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends Federal provisions concerning the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to adjust the basic SBP annuity amount for surviving spouses age 62 or over of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent, for months beginning on or before the enactment of this Act (current law); (2) 40 percent of such pay, for months beginning after such date and before October 2007; (3) 45 percent, for months beginning after September 2007; and (4) 55 percent, for months beginning after September 2013. Adjusts similarly the authorized percentage amounts of SBP supplemental annuity authorized for such spouses. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate adjustments in the computation of retired pay deductions for such supplemental annuities made necessary by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Education for Retirement Security Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to provide financial education programs to mid-life and older individuals who reside in local communities in order to: (1) enhance their financial and retirement knowledge; and (2) reduce financial abuse and fraud, including telemarketing, mortgage, and pension fraud, among them. Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to one or more eligible entities to: (1) create and make available instructional materials and information that promote financial education; and (2) provide training and other related assistance regarding the establishment of financial education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Calls on executive branch officials and Members of Congress to raise the issue of anti-Semitism in their bilateral contacts with other countries and at multilateral fora, including meetings of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the July 2003 Twelfth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Calls on participating OSCE States to: (1) condemn anti-Semitism, racial and ethnic hatred, xenophobia, and discrimination, as well as persecution on religious grounds whenever it occurs; (2) ensure effective local and national law enforcement to prevent and counter criminal acts stemming from anti-Semitism, xenophobia, or racial or ethnic hatred, including maintaining mechanisms for the thorough investigation and prosecution of such acts; (3) promote the creation of educational efforts throughout the region to counter anti-Semitic stereotypes and attitudes among younger people, increase Holocaust awareness programs, and help identify the necessary resources to accomplish this goal; (4) play a leading role in combating anti-Semitism and ensure that the resolution adopted at the 2002 meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin is followed up by a series of concrete actions at the national level; and (5) organize a separately designated human dimension event on anti-Semitism as early as possible in 2003, consistent with the Porto Ministerial Declaration adopted by the OSCE at the Tenth Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in December 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to place limitations on mandatory overtime for nurses, protect nurses against retaliation in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment, and provide for civil money penalties for violations of such provisions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on standards to establish for the maximum number of hours that a nurse may work without compromising the safety of their patients. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study and report to Congress on the extent to which federally operated medical facilities have in effect practices and policies with respect to overtime requirements for nurses that are inconsistent with the overtime requirements added by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Clean Power Act of 2003 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to achieve specified reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and mercury from certain electric generation facilities by January 1, 2009 (January 1, 2008, for mercury emissions). Directs the Administrator to establish an emission allowance tracking and transfer system. Makes a special rule for mercury emissions. Directs the Administrator to study the impact of emission allowance trading. Limits the trading of allowances with facilities other than electricity generating facilities to certain carbon dioxide emission control programs. Provides an allocation to: (1) dislocated workers; (2) disproportionately adversely impacted communities; (3) electricity generating facilities; (4) renewable electricity generating units; (5) efficiency projects; (6) cleaner energy sources; and (7) biological carbon sequestration activities. Directs the Administrator to establish and annually review emission limitations for mercury. Requires that captured or recovered emissions not be re-released into the environment. Requires the Administrator to request information from owners/operators about hazardous air pollutants other than mercury. Directs the Administrator to then propose and promulgate emission standards. Requires facilities to achieve specified emission standards should the regulations not be promulgated. Requires an assessment and identification of sensitive ecosystems and the objectives necessary for their protection, including the Adirondack, the mid-Appalachian, Rocky, and southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Includes as well the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound, and the Chesapeake Bay.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Medical Malpractice Insurance Antitrust Act of 2003 - Provides that: (1) nothing in the McCarran-Ferguson Act shall be construed to permit commercial insurers to engage in any form of price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations in connection with the conduct of the business of providing medical malpractice insurance; and (2) such provision shall not apply to the information gathering and rate setting activities of any State insurance commissions or any other State regulatory body with authority to set insurance rates.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Social Security Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) pension offset provisions applicable to husband's and wife's insurance benefits, widow's and widower's insurance benefits, and mother's and father's insurance benefits with respect to Old-Age and Survivors insurance benefit payments; and (2) windfall elimination provisions with respect to computation of the primary insurance amount of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2003
Elder Justice Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Elder Justice) to establish: (1) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Office of Elder Justice; (2) within HHS an Intra-Agency Elder Justice Steering Committee to coordinate HHS elder justice programs and policy; (3) the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations for the coordination of activities to HHS, the Department of Justice, and other relevant Federal, State, local, and private agencies and entities; and (4) the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Outlines provisions with respect to uniform collection, maintenance, and dissemination of national data relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to award various grants, including grants for: (1) prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (2) five Centers of Excellence nationwide that shall specialize in research, clinical practice, and training relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (3) six diverse communities to examine various types of elder shelters and to test various models for establishing safe havens; (4) nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations to encourage such organizations to establish or continue volunteer programs that focus on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, or that provide related services; and (5) various multidisciplinary elder justice activities. Provides for: (1) reporting to law enforcement of crimes occurring in Federally-funded long-term care facilities; (2) revising the quality of long-term care; and (3) increasing consumer information about long-term care. Amends: (1) SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to establish programs to prevent abuse of skilled nursing facility and nursing facility residents; (2) the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of health care professionals with geriatric training; (3) the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to the long-term care ombudsman program; (4) part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to establish in HHS the Office of Adult Protective Services; and (5) SSA titles XVIII and XIX to assure safety of residents when nursing facilities close. Establishes in the Department of Justice an Office of Elder Justice. Amends the: (1) Federal criminal code to provide for a cause of action for elder abuse and neglect; and (2) Internal Revenue Code to provide for a long-term care facility worker employment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2003
Safe and Secure Skies Act - Bars the use of funds to privatize the functions of the air traffic control system in the United States (effectively requiring that air traffic control remain a Government function under the control of the Federal Aviation Administration).
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2003
Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to double from 12 to 24 the number of months allowed for vocational educational training that are counted as a work activity under TANF.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the special rule for the redistribution and availability of unexpended FY1998 and 1999 SCHIP allotments, including to: (1) extend the availability of FY 1998 and 1999 reallocated funds through FY 2004; and (2) permit 50 percent of the total amount of unexpended FY 2000 and 2001 SCHIP allotments that remain available to a State through the end of FY 2002 and 2003 to remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of FY 2004 and 2005, respectively. Makes this amendment effective as though it had been enacted on September 30, 2002. Grants authority to qualifying States, with respect to FY 1998 through 2001 SCHIP allotments, for fiscal years in which such allotments are available, to elect to use not more than 20 percent of them (instead of for expenditures under SCHIP) for Medicaid medical assistance payments with respect to certain children under SSA title XIX.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) conducting or attempting to conduct human cloning; (2) shipping the product of nuclear transplantation for the purpose of human cloning in the United States or elsewhere; or (3) exporting to a foreign country an unfertilized blastocyst if such country does not prohibit human cloning. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the congressional judiciary committees on: (1) actions taken to enforce such prohibitions; (2) actions of State attorneys general to enforce similar State laws; (3) the Federal-State-local government coordination of enforcement actions; and (4) international laws relating to human cloning. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require research involving nuclear transplantation to be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal standards for the protection of human subjects. Prohibits: (1) a somatic cell nucleus from being transplanted into a human oocyte (egg) that has undergone or will undergo fertilization; (2) an unfertilized blastocyst from being maintained after more than 14 days from its first cell division, not counting storage times at temperatures less than zero degrees centigrade; (3) an oocyte from being used in nuclear transplantation research unless donated voluntarily with the donor's informed consent; (4) an oocyte or unfertilized blastocyst from being acquired, received, or transferred for valuable consideration in interstate commerce; or (5) the conduct in a laboratory of nuclear transplantation in which human oocytes are subject to assisted reproductive technology treatments or procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act - Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Insurance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make five-year grants to a State or local government to pay for the Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects that assist families by providing wage replacement for eligible individuals responding to caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a son or daughter or other family caregiving needs. Family and Medical Leave Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to extend coverage to employees at worksites where the employer employs at least 25 (currently 50) employees at the worksite and within 75 miles of that worksite. Amends FMLA and Federal civil service law to entitle to leave those employees who must address the effects of domestic violence. Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2003 - Permits the Office of Personnel Management to contract with one or more employing agencies to conduct a demonstration project that provides paid leave for eligible individuals who are responding to caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a son or daughter or other family caregiving needs. Requires the leave to last for at least six weeks during a 12-month period. Time for Schools Act of 2003 - Amends FMLA to allow employees covered by such Act to take up to 24 hours, during any 12-month period, of school involvement leave to participate in: (1) an academic activity of their child's school, such as a parent-teacher conference or an interview for a school; or (2) literacy training under a family literacy program. Amends Federal civil service law to provide the same school involvement leave allowance for Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Chance to Succeed Act of 2003 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to include as a work activity satisfactory participation in services to address barriers designed to improve future employment opportunities, including substance abuse treatment, occupational therapy, physical rehabilitation, and mental health, mental retardation and developmental disabilities services. Requires the assessment for each assistance recipient to determine whether the recipient has any barriers to employment or program compliance. Prohibits a State to which a TANF grant is made from imposing a sanction against an individual or family on the basis of noncompliance with a program requirement: (1) unless the State satisfies specified notice and review requirements; or (2) if the individual whose conduct is the basis of the sanction is in the uncompleted process of being screened or assessed for a mental health problem, disability, substance abuse problem, or sexual or domestic violence situation, or if the services outlined in the service plan developed for the individual or family were not offered, available, and accessible to the individual or family at the time of the noncompliance. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting a State in compliance with the requirements of this Act from imposing a sanction for noncompliance with work requirements against an individual or family who opts to not take full advantage of the opportunity for assessment or the services and supports made available to ensure that the individual or family can comply with program requirements if such an individual or family is not complying with the State's work requirements. Requires each State receiving a State family assistance grant to establish an advisory panel to review the efficacy of each TANF-funded program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Designates April 2003 as Financial Literacy for Youth Month.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Requests the President to designate March 31, 2003, as National Civilian Conservation Corps Day.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Declares that the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy shall not dissuade or discourage this Nation from venturing ever farther into space. Restates the commitment to exploring the planets and celestial bodies of our solar system and beyond. Expresses condolences to the families of the seven astronauts and to friends and allies in Israel over the loss of Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli in space.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal in recognition of Jackie Robinson's contributions to the Nation to his family. Calls for designation of a national day recognizing Robinson's accomplishments.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2003
Commemorates with deep sorrow and regret the fate of the Columbia space shuttle mission.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Captive Wildlife Safety Act - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to define "prohibited wildlife species" as any live lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar. Declares it a prohibited act for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any prohibited wildlife species. Exempts from this prohibition licensed zoos, circuses, accredited sanctuaries, federally-licensed breeders, State entities (universities, wildlife rehabilitators or veterinarians), any incorporated humane society, animal shelter, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, persons transporting prohibited wildlife species to any such facility, and specified related organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Children First Act of 2003 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) exclude child care assistance from the determination of the five-year limit on assistance under TANF; and (2) increase funding for child care. Subjects to the individual and case data reporting requirements of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 any TANF funds expended for child care, whether or not transferred to that Act, and exempts such funds from SSA reporting requirements. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase the set-aside for child care quality.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
SUV Business Tax Loophole Closure Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in the limitation on depreciation of certain luxury automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2003 - Sets forth certain increased average fuel economy standards for certain light trucks, automobiles (up to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight), and certain classes of vehicles in the Federal fleet that are manufactured or purchased after specified dates.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Declares that the Senate: (1) reaffirms its commitment to ending all discrimination against women and girls in elementary, secondary, and higher education, and to equal opportunities for women and girls in athletics; (2) recognizes the continued importance of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in providing needed protections for women and girls; (3) expresses its concern that rolling back title IX regulations and compliance requirements may jeopardize the extraordinary progress of women and girl athletes; and (4) requests that the President maintain the integrity of title IX by rejecting any attempts to weaken current regulations and interpretations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA, which is subchapter B of MLSA) to extend authorizations of appropriations and revise programs under such Acts. Amends MLSA to establish the National Museum and Library Services Board within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Eliminates a National Museum Services Board.) Requires the IMLS Director to: (1) ensure coordination with certain activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), and other Federal activities; and (2) conduct and publish analyses of museum and library services impact. Revises requirements for annual national awards to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities. Includes specified entities under the term museum, for MLSA purposes. Revises museum services activities. Entitles subchapter C of MLSA as the Museum Services Act. Amends LSTA to provide for: (1) an increased portion for administrative costs; (2) an increased alternative minimum allotment to States under certain conditions; (3) State plans once every five years, as determined by the IMLS Director; (4) additional uses of grants to States for library programs; and (5) recruitment of library and information science personnel under the program of national leadership grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Amends the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act with respect to contributions and membership. Repeals requirements relating to Commission responsibilities to: (1) advise the IMLS Director; and (2) meet with the National Museum Services Board, which is eliminated by this Act. Amends the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act to increase maximum limits on liability amounts. Designates the Capital Children's Museum in Washington, D.C., as the National Children's Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area Act of 2003 - Establishes the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area in New Jersey. Designates the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association, Inc. as the Area's management entity. Directs the Association to submit, and to assist local governments, regional planing organizations, and nonprofit entities in implementing, an area management plan which includes strategies for conservation, funding, management, and development of the Area. Bars the Association from using Federal funds received under this Act to acquire real property, but allows it to use any other source of funding, including other Federal funding, intended for the acquisition of real property. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to: (1) the Area to develop and implement the management plan; and (2) State or local government or nonprofit organizations for treatment of historical objects or structures eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Authorizes the Superintendent of Morristown National Historical Park to provide operational assistance supporting implementation of the management plan to public and private organizations within the Area, including the Association.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2003
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2003 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.90 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; and (2) $6.65 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day. Makes Federal minimum wage requirements applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Sets forth a transition period during which a specified minimum wage there shall be gradually increased to equal the Federal minimum wage.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2003
Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to increase the penalty from one year to five years imprisonment (thus reinstating criminal felony penalties) for knowingly making false statements, representations, or entries in firearms records or for otherwise failing to maintain such records.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2003
Guaranteeing a United and Resolute Defense Act of 2003 or GUARD Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide funds to the governor of a State who submits, and receives approval of, a plan for the use of personnel and equipment of the State's National Guard in homeland security activities. Provides authorizes uses of such funding, including: (1) pay, allowances, and clothing; (2) equipment and facilities operation and maintenance; and (3) procurement of related services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2003
Designates January 2003 as National Mentoring Month.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2003
21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act - Directs the President to establish a National Nanotechnology Research Program. Requires such Program, through appropriate Federal agencies, councils, and the National Coordination Office, to: (1) establish goals, priorities, grand challenges (fundamental problems in science and engineering that will require the application of nanotechnology), and metrics for evaluating Federal nanotechnology research, development, and other activities; (2) invest in Federal research and development (R&D) programs in nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve those goals; and (3) provide for coordination of Federal nanotechnology activities. Requires the Program, through its participating agencies, to develop, fund, and manage Federal research programs concerning: (1) long-term basic nanoscience and engineering research; (2) essential grand challenges and interdisciplinary research and education teams; (3) interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers; (4) research infrastructure and equipment; (5) the Center for Ethical, Societal, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues Related to Nanotechnology to be established by the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF); (6) technology transition; and (7) research areas identified by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) which are not being adequately addressed by the agencies' current research programs. Directs NSTC to: (1) oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program; (2) establish an Information Services and Applications Council; and (3) submit an annual report to Congress on the Program.. Directs the President to establish a National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel and a National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Provides for the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial evaluation of the Program. Requires the NSF Director to: (1) collect and disseminate studies on the societal, ethical, educational, and workforce implications of nanotechnology; and (2) collect data on the size of the anticipated nanotechnology workforce needed and assess the adequacy of the trained talent pool to fill such needs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2003
Toxic Clean-up Polluter Pays Renewal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by reinstating the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate until January 1, 2014, and reinstating the Corporate Environmental Income Tax until January 1, 2014.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2003
Chemical Security Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to: (1) designate certain combinations of chemical sources and substances of concern as high priority categories based on the severity of the threat posed by an unauthorized release from chemical sources; and (2) require each owner and operator of a high priority category chemical source to conduct an assessment of the vulnerability of the source to a terrorist attack or other unauthorized release, identify hazards that may result from such release, and prepare a prevention, preparedness, and response plan. Sets forth: (1) certification requirements regarding assessments, and completion and review of response plans, by owners and operators of high priority chemical sources; and (2) protocols for protecting information disclosed in such certifications. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) certification by the Administrator of source assessment and plan compliance with requirements; (2) compliance assistance; and (3) compliance orders. Provides that if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that: (1) a threat of a terrorist attack exists that is beyond the scope of a submitted plan, or that plan implementation is insufficient, the Secretary shall notify each source of the elevated threat; and (2) a source has not taken appropriate action in response to the notification, the Secretary shall notify the source, the Administrator, and the Attorney General. Authorizes the Administrator or the Attorney General to then secure such relief as necessary to abate a threat. Sets forth: (1) source record-keeping requirements; (2) entry and access rights of the Administrator; and (3) civil, criminal, and administrative penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2003
Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend to certain Head Start teachers student loan forgiveness under both the Federal Family Education Loan program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003
Climate Stewardship Act of 2003 - Establishes Federal climate change research and related activities, including: (1) post-secondary scholarships; (2) a study of technology transfer barriers; (3) a report on the impact of the Kyoto Protocol on the United States; (4) research grants on priority areas; (5) research on potential abrupt climate change; and (6) enhancing measurements, standards, and technologies that enable the reduction of greenhouse gasses. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain the National Greenhouse Gas Database, including the development of measurement and verification methods and standards. Requires covered entities to submit to the Administrator one tradeable allowance for every metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalence, specifically: (1) the electric generation, industrial, and commercial sectors for greenhouse gases produced; (2) producers or importers for hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride produced or imported; and (3) petroleum refiners or importers for greenhouse gasses (when used for transportation). Permits: (1) the use of tradeable allowances to achieve compliance; (2) the conversion of fuel economy standard credits to tradeable allowances, as specified; (3) borrowing against future reductions; and (4) tradeable allowances to be sold, exchanged, purchased, retired, banked, or used. Permits the exemption of certain source categories if it is not feasible to measure or estimate emissions. Directs the Administrator to establish tradeable allowances in units of carbon dioxide equivalence. Provides for the allocation of such allowances according to economic impact factors. Establishes the Climate Change Credit Corporation to manage tradeable allowances.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003
Declares that, if the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for a State for FY 2003 is less than the FMAP for FY 2002, the FY 2002 FMAP shall be substituted for the State's FMAP for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY 2003. Declares similarly that if a State's FY 2004 FMAP is less than the FY 2003 FMAP, the FY 2003 FMAP shall be substituted for each calendar quarter of FY 2004. Requires each eligible State for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY 2003 and each calendar quarter of FY 2004 to have its FMAP increased by 2.45 percentage points. Mandates a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP). Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services), for the purpose of providing State fiscal relief allotments to States and territories in accordance with a specified table, to make appropriations to be available for obligation by the State through June 30, 2005, and for expenditure by the State through September 30, 2005. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the most appropriate data and methodology to use to determine the Federal medical assistance percentage for purposes of programs authorized under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003
Community Choice in Real Estate Act of 2003 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, and the Revised Statutes of the United States, to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003
Filipino Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 2003 - Authorizes: (1) payment of the full rate of compensation (currently, 50%) for the service-connected disability of members of the New Philippine Scouts (and their survivors) who served with U.S. armed forces during World War II and who now are U.S. citizens or lawfully reside in the United States; (2) full dependency and indemnity compensation for the surviving spouses of Filipino veterans who became U.S. citizens or lawfully resided in the United States; and (3) hospital and nursing home care and medical services for such veterans and new Philippine Scouts in the same manner as U.S. veterans. Limits the disability pension to $100 per month for such veterans who reside in the Philippines. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish care and services to veterans of World War II, Commonwealth Army veterans, and new Philippine Scouts for the treatment of service-connected disabilities and non-service connected disabilities of such veterans and scouts residing in the Philippines on an outpatient basis at the Manila VA Outpatient Clinic. Limits to $500,000 the amount to be expended during a fiscal year for such services.