United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1998
Small Business and Financial Institutions Tax Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit S corporation eligible shareholders to include individual retirement accounts. (Sec. 3) Excludes investment securities income held by a bank from passive income limits for purposes of S status termination. (Sec. 4) Increases the number of eligible S corporation shareholders. (Sec. 5) States that stock held by a bank director as required by banking regulations (director qualifying stock) shall not be considered a disqualifying second class of S corporation stock. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify a certain Regulation to permit an S corporation bank to charge certain bad debt deductions over a related bad debt reserve recapture period. (Sec. 7) Includes all banks within the three-year deduction preference rule.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Enhanced Source and Transit Country Coverage Title II: Enhanced Eradication and Interdiction Strategy in Source Countries Title III: Enhanced Alterative Crop Development Support in Source Zone Title IV: Enhanced International Law Enforcement Training Title V: Enhanced Drug Transit and Source Zone Law Enforcement Operations and Equipment Title VI: Relationship to Other Laws Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) reduce the supply of drugs and drug use through an enhanced drug interdiction effort in the major drug transit countries and a comprehensive supply country eradication and crop substitution program, because a commitment of increased resources in international drug interdiction efforts will create a balanced national drug control strategy among demand reduction, law enforcement, and international drug interdiction efforts; and (2) support policies and dedicate the resources necessary to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States by not less than 80 percent by December 31, 2001. Title I: Enhanced Source and Transit Country Coverage - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Defense (DOD) for the enhancement of air coverage and operation for drug source and transit countries. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the enhancement of U.S. Coast Guard maritime coverage and operation in drug source and transit countries. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOD for the enhancement of radar coverage in drug source and transit countries. Title II: Enhanced Eradication and Interdiction Strategy in Source Countries - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State and the DOD for the enhancement of drug- related eradication efforts in Colombia. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for: (1) the Department of State for the establishment of a third drug interdiction site at Puerto Maldonado, Peru, to support air bridge and riverine missions for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts there; and (2) the DOD for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, for enhancement of drug interdiction efforts in Peru for support of multinational riverine and small boat maintenance training programs in Iquitos, Peru. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to the Congress on Peruvian counternarcotics air interdiction requirements. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts in Bolivia. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary of State to purchase six Bell 212 high altitude helicopters designated for opium eradication programs in Mexican states of Guerrero, Jalisco, and Sinaloa, for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts there. Makes this purchase mandate contingent on Mexico's agreement to approve full diplomatic immunity for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) personnel serving in Mexico with privileges granted to U.S. Government officials to carry weapons necessary for the performance of their duties. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all U.S. law enforcement personnel serving in Mexico should be accorded the same status as diplomatic and consular personnel serving at U.S. posts in Mexico; and (2) all Mexican narcotics law enforcement personnel serving in the United States should be accorded the same diplomatic and consular status as DEA personnel serving in Mexico. (Sec. 205) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for enhanced precursor chemical control projects. (Sec. 206) Requires any individual serving as an assistant secretary of any Federal agency or department who has primary responsibility for international narcotics control and law enforcement (including the principal deputy of any such assistant) to have substantial professional qualifications in the fields of management and Federal law enforcement, or intelligence. Declares that the DOD shall have sole responsibility in implementation and processing of counternarcotics foreign military sales requests (with the Department of State having a consultative role in such requests). (Sec. 207) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the responsiveness and effectiveness of Department of State international narcotics assistance activities have been hampered due, in part, to the lack of law enforcement expertise by responsible Department of State personnel. Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the responsiveness and effectiveness of such activities; and (2) the feasibility costs and steps needed to achieve a transfer of the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to the DEA. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Enhanced Alternative Crop Development Support in Source Zone - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) for certain alternative crop development programs in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Title IV: Enhanced International Law Enforcement Training - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Justice for the establishment and operation of international law enforcement academies to carry out law enforcement training activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, Thailand, and South Africa. (Sec. 401) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT and the Department of the Treasury for the joint establishment, operation, and maintenance in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of a center for training law enforcement personnel of countries located in Latin America and the Caribbean in matters relating to maritime law enforcement (including customs-related ports management matters). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of maritime training vessels. (Sec. 402) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Justice for: (1) substantial exchanges for Mexican judges, prosecutors, and police; and (2) enhanced support for the Brazilian Federal Police Training Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOD for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, for locating and operating Coast Guard and Navy assets so as to strengthen the capability of the Coast Guard of Panama to patrol the Atlantic and Pacific coasts for drug enforcement and interdiction activities. Makes members of the national police of Panama eligible to receive training through the International Military Education Training (IMET) program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOD for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, for support for the Venezuelan Joint National Guard and Judicial Technical Police Counterdrug Intelligence Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT and the Department of the Treasury for the buildup of local coast guard and port control in: (1) Guayaquil and Esmeraldas, Ecuador; (2) Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and (3) Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (Central America). (Sec. 403) Authorizes the DEA Administrator to transfer or lease a specified amount of nonlethal equipment to foreign law enforcement organizations for the purpose of establishing and carrying out cooperative illicit narcotics control activities. Title V: Enhanced Drug Transit and Source Zone Law Enforcement Operations and Equipment - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DEA, the DOT, the DOD, and the Department of the Treasury for enhancement of counternarcotics operations in drug transit and source countries. (Sec. 501) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for the deployment of commercial unclassified intelligence and imaging data and a Passive Coherent Location System for counternarcotics and interdiction purposes in the Western Hemisphere. (Sec. 502) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Defense should revise the DOD's Global Military Force Policy in order to: (1) treat the international drug interdiction and counter- drug activities of the DOD as a military operation other than war (thus elevating its priority to just below that for war); and (2) allocate DOD assets to drug interdiction and counter-drug activities in accordance with such priority. Title VI: Relationship to Other Laws - Declares that funds authorized to be appropriated for any Federal department or agency for FY 1999 through 2001 are in addition to funds authorized to be appropriated for that department or agency for those fiscal years by any other provision of law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that October 15, 1998, should be designated as National Inhalant Abuse Awareness Day, to be observed with appropriate activities. Requests the President to issue a proclamation designating such Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1998
Agricultural Job Opportunity Benefits and Security Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a database system of U.S. agricultural worker registries to provide temporary and seasonal agricultural job opportunity and referral information. Bases registry coverage on job opportunities in a State or group of contiguous States with a common pool of workers. Sets forth individual registrant requirements, including validation of employment status. (Sec. 4) Requires an employer (including employer associations) prior to hiring a temporary agricultural worker to apply to the Secretary for a U.S. worker referral from the appropriate registry. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) employer application and labor- related assurance requirements; and (2) registry search and worker referral by the Secretary, including alien worker visa issuances in cases of insufficient registered workers. (Sec. 7) Sets forth employer requirements regarding: (1) wages; (2) housing, including an allowance in lieu of housing; and (3) transportation reimbursement, including establishment of a pilot program to provide certain registered workers with vouchers to purchase employment location transportation. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to establish an enforcement process with respect to employer application violations, including: (1) written notice of finding and opportunity for administrative appeal; (2) payment of back wages; (3) civil monetary penalties; and (4) temporary and permanent program disqualification. (Sec. 9) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the existing H-2A temporary agricultural worker admissions program with an alternative admissions program. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) admissibility criteria; (2) length of stay; (3) abandonment of employment; (4) issuance of identification and employment documents; and (5) extension of stay for aliens in the United States. Establishes a trust fund in the Treasury to administer such program, and to provide monetary incentives for alien workers to return to their country of origin upon a finding by the Attorney General that such financial inducements are necessary to assure departures. Prohibits admission of H-2A alien family members. (Sec. 10) Includes certain H-2A workers who have complied with applicable visa conditions in the employment-based immigration preference allocation. (Sec. 11) Amends the Head Start Act to make certain seasonal agricultural worker families eligible for the migrant and seasonal (as added by this section) Head Start program. Increases the set-aside for specified Head Start programs. (Sec. 13) States that additional funds for the registry program, if necessary, shall come from amounts available to Federal and State entities under the Wagner-Peyser Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Patients' Bill of Rights Subtitle A: Right to Advice and Care Subtitle B: Right to Information about Plans and Providers Subtitle C: Right to Hold Health Plans Accountable Title II: Individual Rights with Respect to Personal Medical Information Subtitle A: Access to Medical Records Subtitle B: Establishment of Safeguards Subtitle C: Enforcement; Definitions Title III: Genetic Information and Services Title IV: Healthcare Quality Research Title V: Women's Health Research and Prevention Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Women's Health Research at the National Institutes of Health Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Women's Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Subtitle C: Women's Health and Cancer Rights Title VI: Enhanced Access to Health Insurance Coverage Patients' Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Patients' Bill of Rights - Subtitle A: Right to Advice and Care - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan covering emergency medical care to provide coverage, without requiring preauthorization, for appropriate emergency medical screening examinations to the extent that a prudent layperson, possessing an average knowledge of health and medicine, would determine such examinations to be necessary to determine whether emergency medical care is necessary. (Sec. 101) Requires a plan to cover additional emergency medical services following such an examination to the extent that a prudent emergency medical professional would determine such services to be necessary to avoid specified serious consequences. Requires a plan (other than a small employer's plan) providing benefit coverage only through a defined set of participating health care professionals to offer the option of point-of-service coverage (of the same benefits provided by a nonparticipating health care professional), unless the plan offers multiple issuer or coverage options. Requires any plan offering gynecological, obstetric, or pediatric care not to require prior authorization from a participant's primary care provider if such provider is not a gynecologist, obstetrician, or pediatrician. Requires a plan to permit a participant or beneficiary undergoing a course of treatment to continue such treatment for a period of time even though the contract between the plan and a health care provider is terminated, or the schedule of benefits or coverage is terminated by a change in the terms of the provider's participation in the plan. Specifies a 90-day continuation of coverage generally, and other transitional periods for institutionalization (until discharge), pregnancy (through post-partum care), and terminal illness (remainder of life). Declares that a plan shall not prohibit a health care professional from advising a patient about the patient's health status, medical care, or treatment for the patient's condition or disease, regardless of whether coverage for such care or treatment is provided under the contract, if the professional is acting within the lawful scope of the practice. Applies the requirements of this subtitle to group health plans, but not to a health insurance issuer licensed by a State and subject to State insurance regulation while engaged in the business of insurance in such State. Subtitle B: Right to Information about Plans and Providers - Requires plans and group health insurance issuers to disclose specified plan information to enrollees and (upon request) potential enrollees. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to contract with the Institute of Medicine for a study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) health care professionals information currently available to patients, consumers, States, and professional societies, nationally and on a State-by-State basis; (2) the legal and other barriers to the sharing of information about health care professionals; and (3) recommendations for disclosure of such information on health care professionals, including their competencies and professional qualifications, to better facilitate patient choice, quality improvement, and market competition. Subtitle C: Right to Hold Health Plans Accountable - Revises requirements for plan provision of a procedure for appealing denied claims. (Sec. 121) Requires a plan or health insurance issuer conducting utilization review to have: (1) specified procedures in place for coverage determinations, including expedited determinations; (2) written procedures for addressing grievances between a plan and enrollees; (3) an internal procedure for coverage determination appeals; and (4) an external review procedure for enrollee appeals, involving specified entities and independent medical experts, whose determination shall be binding. Prescribes external review standards. Directs the General Accounting Office to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on a statistically appropriate sample of completed external reviews. Title II: Individual Rights with Respect to Personal Medical Information - Personal Medical Information Access Act - Subtitle A: Access to Medical Records - Amends ERISA to require any health care provider, health plan, employer, health or life insurer, school, or university, except in specified circumstances, to: (1) permit an individual who is the subject of protected health information (or the individual's designee) to inspect and copy protected health information concerning the individual; (2) amend such information upon the individual's request; and (3) make reasonable efforts to inform any person to whom the unamended portion of the information was previously disclosed of any nontechnical amendment that has been made. (Sec. 212) Prescribes procedures for: (1) an entity's denial of a request to amend such information; and (2) an individual's filing of a statement of disagreement with such denial, which shall accompany any subsequent disclosure of the disputed portion of the information. (Sec. 213) Requires any health care provider, health plan, employer, health or life insurer, school, or university to post notice of the entity's confidentiality practices, including specified information. Requires the Secretary to develop and disseminate model notices of confidentiality practices. Subtitle B: Establishment of Safeguards - Requires any health care provider, health plan, employer, health or life insurer, school, or university to establish and maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, security, accuracy, and integrity of protected health information the entity creates, receives, obtains, maintains, uses, transmits, or disposes of. Subtitle C: Enforcement; Definitions - Prescribes civil money penalties for substantial and material failure to comply with this Act. (Sec. 232) Sets forth definitions. Title III: Genetic Information and Services - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act of 1998 - Amends ERISA, the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a health care plan or health insurance issuer from restricting enrollment or adjusting premium or contribution amounts for a group on the basis of predictive genetic information concerning an individual in the group or a family member of the individual (including information about a request for or receipt of genetic services). (Sec. 302) Prohibits a plan or issuer from requesting or requiring predictive genetic information concerning an individual or a family member of the individual (including information about a request for or receipt of genetic services). Permits a plan or issuer to request, but not require, such information for diagnosis, treatment, or payment purposes only. Title IV: Healthcare Quality Research - Healthcare Quality Research Act of 1998 - Amends PHSA to establish within the Public Health Service (PHS) an Agency for Healthcare Quality Research to replace the current Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. (Sec. 402) Directs the Agency to identify and disseminate methods or systems used to assess healthcare research results, particularly to rate the strength of the scientific evidence behind healthcare practice and technology recommendations in the research. Requires the Agency to employ research strategies and mechanisms that will link research directly with clinical practice in geographically diverse locations throughout the United States, including: (1) Healthcare Improvement Research Centers that combine demonstrated multidisciplinary expertise in outcomes or quality improvement research with linkages to relevant sites of care; (2) Practice-based Research Networks, including plan, facility, or delivery system sites of care (especially primary care), that can evaluate and promote quality improvement; and (3) other innovative mechanisms or strategies. Directs the Agency to: (1) award grants to enable eligible entities at geographically diverse locations throughout the United States to carry out research training programs dedicated to health services research training at the doctoral, post-doctoral, and junior faculty levels; and (2) provide specified scientific and technical support for private and public efforts to improve healthcare quality, including accrediting organizations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Agency Director, to establish a demonstration program of grants for one or more centers to conduct: (1) state-of-the-art clinical research on drugs, biological products, and devices; (2) research on the comparative effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and safety of drugs, biological products, and devices; and (3) other appropriate activities (excluding the review of new drugs). Requires the Agency Director to: (1) collect certain data on the cost and quality of healthcare; (2) support research on and initiatives to advance the use of information systems for the study of healthcare quality; and (3) provide ongoing administrative, research, and technical support for the Preventive Services Task Force, which shall review scientific evidence on the effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services regarding their usefulness in daily clinical practice. Establishes within the Agency a Center for Primary Care Delivery Research to serve as the principal funding source for HHS primary care delivery research and demonstrations with respect to the first contact when illness or health concerns arise, the diagnosis, treatment or referral to specialty care, preventive care, and the relationship between the clinician and the patient in the context of the family and community. Requires the Agency Director by specified activities to promote innovation in evidence-based clinical practice and healthcare technologies. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to coordinate all research, evaluations, and demonstrations related to health services research and quality measurement and improvement activities undertaken and supported by the Federal Government. Requires the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to: (1) describe and evaluate current quality improvement research and monitoring processes; and (2) recommend options to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of such processes, and optimize public- private sector accreditation bodies. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish a nonprofit, nongovernmental Foundation for Healthcare Research, which shall: (1) support the Agency and foster public-private partnerships to support Agency programs and activities; (2) advance collaboration with healthcare researchers from universities, industry, and nonprofit organizations; and (4) develop linkages with users of healthcare and quality research. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Agency Director, to make grants each fiscal year to support the Foundation. Establishes an Advisory Council for Healthcare Quality Research to replace the current Advisory Council for Health Care Policy, Research, and Evaluation. Requires the Agency Director to establish technical and scientific peer review groups to review each application for a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this title. Repeals the mandates for: (1) a demonstration program regarding centers for education and research on therapeutics; and (2) the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Requires the Secretary, within 30 days after enactment of any Act providing for a qualifying health care benefit, to evaluate scientifically and report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the safety, efficacy, cost, benefits and value of such benefit; (2) alternative approaches in improving care compared with such benefit; and (3) the benefit's overall impact on health care as measured through research. Title V: Women's Health Research and Prevention - Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendments of 1998 - Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Women's Health Research at the National Institutes of Health - Amends PHSA to extend the authorization of appropriations for research on the drug diethylstilbestrol (commonly known as DES). Directs the Secretary, acting through PHS agency heads, to carry out a national program to educate health professionals and the public about DES. (Sec. 512) Extends the authorization of appropriations for research on: (1) osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and related bone disorders; (2) breast and ovarian cancers; and (3) aging processes relating to women. (Sec. 514) Requires the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and related activities with respect to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women. (Sec. 516) Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (currently, the Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health) to appoint members of the Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Women's Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Amends PHSA to extend the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the National Center for Health Statistics; (2) the National Program of Cancer Registries; (3) the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program; (4) Centers for Research and Demonstration of Health Promotion; and (5) community programs on domestic violence. (Sec. 523) Authorizes a State receiving a Federal grant to make grants to or contract with for-profit private entities to carry out programs of preventive health measures for breast and cervical cancers. Subtitle C: Women's Health and Cancer Rights - Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 - Amends ERISA, PHSA, and the Internal Revenue Code to require certain group health plans and health insurance issuers to ensure specified minimum coverage regarding: (1) breast cancer mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissections; (2) post-mastectomy breast reconstruction on both breasts; and (3) the costs of prostheses and complications of mastectomy, including lymphedemas. Prohibits: (1) denial of eligibility to a patient, and other related practices, solely to avoid the requirements of this subtitle; (2) incentives or rebates to encourage individuals to accept less than the minimum coverage; and (2) certain penalties or incentives to providers to evade application of this subtitle. (Sec. 535) Amends PHSA to apply the same requirements to health insurance issuers in the individual market. (Sec. 537) Directs the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the scientific issues relating to prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Title VI: Enhanced Access to Health Insurance Coverage - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow the annual carryover of up to $500 of unused benefits from cafeteria plans, flexible spending arrangements, and health flexible spending accounts; (2) allow a full deduction from gross income of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals; and (3) repeal the limitation of the availability of medical savings accounts (MSAs) to employees of small employers and the self-employed. (Sec. 603) Reduces from $1,500 to $1,000 (self-only coverage) and from $3,000 to $2,000 (family coverage) the minimum annual deductible of a high deductible health plan. Revises the formula for the monthly limitation on the allowable deduction for MSAs to increase the contribution limit to 100 percent of the annual deductible under a high deductible health plan. Waives the additional tax on MSA distributions not used for qualified medical expenses to the extent any payment or distribution does not reduce the fair market value of the MSA assets to an amount less than the annual deductible for the account holder's high deductible health plan. (Sec. 604) Authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to contract for or approve catastrophic FEHBP plans, whose covered expenses exceed $500. Amends Federal civil service law, with respect to Government contributions under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), to require an additional Government contribution, according to a certain formula, to an individual's MSA with respect to a catastrophic plan. Increases the Government's biweekly contribution to an employee's or annuitant's FEHBP catastrophic plan from 75 percent to 100 percent of the subscription charge.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
Home Health Access Preservation Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to the computation formula of the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies, in order to mandate a new interim system, as of October 1, 1998, with a revised formula and specific amounts for the agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation, according to the census division in which an agency is located. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) estimate the amount of savings (if any) to Medicare resulting from this Act for each fiscal year beginning after FY 1998 and before the first fiscal year in which the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health agencies applies; (2) prescribe rules for increased payments to such an agency, if there will be estimated savings; and (3) establish procedures to provide heightened scrutiny of claims for reimbursement under Medicare for items and services provided to certain agency beneficiaries. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for a three percent increase in per visit cost limits for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997. Directs the Secretary to meet every 90 days with appropriate congressional committee staff to provide informal updates of progress in implementing the PPS above.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1998
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing facilities as a result of a facility's voluntary withdrawal from participation in the Medicaid program as long as such residents resided in the facility before the withdrawal. Requires a withdrawn facility to provide appropriate notice to new residents who begin residence after the withdrawal that the facility: (1) is not participating in the Medicaid program with respect to that resident; and (2) may transfer or discharge the resident from the facility at such time as the resident is unable to pay facility charges, even though the resident may have become eligible for Medicaid's nursing facility services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1998
Defense Jobs and Trade Promotion Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on the amount of receipts attributable to military property which may be treated as exempt foreign trade income.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1998
Declares that the Congress affirms: (1) its longstanding commitment to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act; (2) its expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means with the consent of the people of Taiwan and that it considers any effort to determine Taiwan's future by other than peaceful means a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific and of grave concern to the United States; (3) its commitment to make available to Taiwan such defense articles and services as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability; and (4) its commitment that only the President and Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of defense articles and services needed by Taiwan. Urges the President to seek a public renunciation by the People's Republic of China of any use of force, or threat to use force, against democratic Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Mortgage Litigation Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to provide a moratorium between the date of enactment of this Act and July 1, 1999, on class certification orders, discovery, sanctions, or other proceedings with regard to civil actions alleging improper payments by one lender to another lender or mortgage broker.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Florida Coast Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from conducting any preleasing or lease sale activity in the following Areas ("covered areas"): (1) the Eastern Gulf of Mexico; (2) the Straits of Florida; and (3) the South Atlantic. Cites circumstances under which the Secretary may approve or permit an exploration, production, or drilling activity in such areas with respect to any existing lease. Establishes a Joint Federal-State Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Force to: (1) ensure acquisition and consideration of needed information in all relevant disciplines to understand environmental risks; (2) provide scientific expertise to the Secretary; (3) facilitate the resolution of conflicts between the State of Florida and Federal agencies with respect to OCS activities and environmental studies; and (4) participate in peer review of certain required studies and research. Subjects approval of oil and gas exploration plans in the covered areas to the detailed environmental impact statement requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Expands the scope of required oil and gas development and production plans to include analyses of the effects upon environmental, human, social and economic resources of the affected areas. Provides that a State's consistency response to the consistency certification accompanying such plans shall be considered preliminary and provisional until receipt and review of such expanded analyses. Requires State concurrence for any approval by the Secretary of either a Development and Production Plan or a Development Operations Coordination Document. Requires the Secretary to consult with and obtain the concurrence of each affected State in determining if the approval of a development and production plan constitutes a major Federal action for NEPA purposes. Requires the Secretary, upon a finding that such plan is a major Federal action, to ensure that each affected State receives the final environmental impact statement six months before determining concurrence or objection to the coastal zone consistency certification. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to apply the mandated oil and gas development and production plans to an oil or gas lease located in that area of the Gulf of Mexico which is adjacent to the State of Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit Title III: Other Provisions International Tax Simplification for American Competitiveness Act of 1998 - Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations which will eliminate multiple inclusion of any item in income if there is a redemption through the use of related corporations and either the acquiring or issuing corporation is a foreign corporation. (Sec. 102) Excludes from the definition of "foreign personal holding company income" income which is derived in the active conduct by a controlled foreign corporation of a banking, financing, or similar business, subject to stated conditions. (Sec. 103) Requires a study and a report on the feasibility of treating all countries in the European Union as one country under subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) of part III (Income From Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N (Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of chapter 1 (Normal Taxes and Surtaxes) of the IRC. Provides, with respect to subpart F, for: (1) expansion of the de minimis rule; (2) the determination of earnings and profits under generally accepted accounting rules; (3) the treatment of pipeline transportation income and income from the transmission of high voltage electricity; and (4) look-through treatment for certain sales of partnership interests. Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit - Extends the period to which excess foreign taxes may be carried. (Sec. 202) Defines overall domestic loss and sets forth provisions for determining taxable income for any taxpayer sustaining such a loss. (Sec. 203) Sets forth special rules relating to financial services income. (Sec. 204) Sets forth provisions, concerning the foreign tax credit and: (1) the treatment of dividends from certain corporations; (2) the look-through rules; (3) ordering rules for foreign tax credit carryovers; and (4) the repeal of the limitation of such credit under the alternative minimum tax. Title III: Other Provisions - Applies constructive ownership rules for purposes of determining certain post-1986 undistributed U.S. earnings. (Sec. 302) Applies capitalization rules to nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. (Sec. 303) Repeals the special rule for military property with respect to exempt foreign trade income. (Sec. 304) Revises the definition of U.S. property to exclude certain assets acquired by dealers in the ordinary course of business. (Sec. 305) Exempts from the taxes on nonresident aliens and foreign corporations certain regulated investment company dividends. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit, to exclude from the definition of the term "intangible property" any preliminary agreement which is not legally enforceable. (Sec. 307) Sets forth provisions concerning airline mileage awards to certain foreign persons. (Sec. 308) Repeals subpart G (Export Trade Corporations) of part III of subchapter N of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
Healthcare Quality Enhancement Act of 1998 - Replaces all provisions of title IX (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research) of the Public Health Service Act with a new title IX (Agency for Healthcare Quality). Sets forth the mission, duties, and general authorities of the new Agency for Healthcare Quality. Requires the Agency to promote health care quality improvement by: (1) conducting and supporting research that develops and presents scientific evidence regarding all aspects of health care; (2) synthesizing and disseminating available scientific evidence for use by patients, consumers, practitioners, providers, purchasers, policy makers, and educators; and (3) advancing private and public efforts to improve health care quality. Directs the Agency, in collaboration with experts from the public and private sector, to identify and disseminate methods or systems used to assess health care research projects. Directs the Agency to employ research strategies and mechanisms that will link research directly with clinical practice in geographically diverse locations throughout the United States. Provides for grants to carry out research training programs that are dedicated to health services research training at the doctoral, post-doctoral, and junior faculty levels at geographically diverse eligible entities. Directs the Agency to provide scientific and technical support for private and public efforts to improve health care quality, including accrediting organizations. Requires the Agency to provide scientific and technical support for private and public efforts to improve health care quality, including accrediting organizations. Requires the collection of data from a nationally representative population sample on the cost and use of health care. Requires the Agency to support research to evaluate and initiatives to advance the use of information systems in connection with health care. Requires the Agency to provide ongoing support to the Preventive Services Task Force. Establishes within the Agency a Center for Primary Care Research. Requires the Director of the Agency to promote innovation in evidence-based clinical practice and health care technologies. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Agency's Director, to coordinate all research, evaluations, and demonstrations related to health services research and quality improvement activities undertaken and supported by the Federal Government. Establishes the Advisory Council for Healthcare Quality. Establishes, as a nonprofit corporation, the Foundation for Healthcare Research to: (1) support the Agency; (2) foster public-private partnerships; (3) advance collaboration with health care researchers; and (4) develop linkages with users of health care and quality research. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) peer review with respect to grants under this Act; (2) standards with respect to the utility of data collected and statistics developed; (3) the dissemination of information; and (4) administrative authority. Authorizes appropriations. Deems any reference in law to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to be deemed a reference to the Agency for Healthcare Quality.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1998
Sets a one-year moratorium during which the Secretary of Health and Human Services may not modify regulations governing the operation of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, including pertinent regulations under the Social Security Act. States that a related final rule published in the Federal Register has no legal effect. Directs the Secretary to: (1) consult with the medical community and organ donation organizations to develop workable guidelines for Network operation; and (2) study the impact of proposed regulations on indigent care, economic and geographic access to transplantation services, transplantation outcome and survival rate, and waiting list time by organ.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1998 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard or if such material is an item of scrap paper containing, at the time of recycling, a concentration of a hazardous substance determined to present a significant human health or environmental risk.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Printed Circuit Investment Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify as three-year depreciable property any printed wiring board or printed wiring assembly equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, on June 1, 1998, relating to surety bond requirements for home health agencies under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998
Expresses grave concern regarding the findings of the December 1997 International Commission of Jurists report on Tibet concerning religious and cultural repression in Tibet. Supports report recommendations that call on: (1) the People's Republic of China to enter into discussions with the Dalai Lama on a solution to the question of Tibet, to ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people, to end practices which threaten to erode the distinct cultural, religious, and national identity of the Tibetan people, and to cease policies which result in the movement of Chinese people to Tibetan territory; (2) the United Nations General Assembly to resume its debate on the question of Tibet and to hold a referendum in Tibet; and (3) the Dalai Lama to enter into discussions with the Chinese Government on a solution to the question of Tibet. Commends the appointment by the Secretary of State of a U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Calls on: (1) the People's Republic of China to release from detention the nine-year old Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, to his home in Tibet from which he was taken on May 17,1995, and to allow him to pursue his religious studies; and (2) the President, as a central objective of the 1998 presidential summit meeting with Jiang Zemin in Beijing, to secure an agreement to begin substantive negotiations between the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should reconsider his decision to be formally received in Tiananmen Square until the Government of the People's Republic of China acknowledges the Tiananmen Square massacre, pledges that such atrocities will never happen again, and releases those Chinese students still imprisoned for supporting freedom and democracy that day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Campus Crime Disclosure Act of 1998 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to the categories of crimes on which higher education institutions are required to report under the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. Adds reporting requirements for the offenses of manslaughter, larceny, arson, and for arrests or persons referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug-related violations, and weapons violations. (Sec. 4) Requires that an institution's campus crime reports be readily available to its students and employees through various media, such as resident advisors, electronic mail, school newspapers, and announcement postings throughout the campus. (Sec. 5) Revises the definition of campus, for purposes of such campus crime disclosures, to include: (1) any building or property owned and controlled by the institution, or by a student organization recognized by the institution, within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution; (2) all public property within such area that provides immediate access to the facilities of the institution; (3) any building or property owned, controlled, or used by the institution for educational purposes, and is used by students, even if is not within the contiguous area; and (4) all dormitories or other student residential facilities owned or controlled by the institution. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) report to the Congress each institution not in compliance with campus crime reporting requirements; and (2) provide data on successful campus security measures as well as technical assistance to institutions having difficulty with or not in compliance with such reporting requirements. Requires institutions to distinguish in their reports crimes committed: (1) on public property within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution; and (2) in student residential facilities or other facilities affiliated with the institution. (Sec. 7) Establishes civil penalties for institutions for certain violations of, failures to comply with, or misrepresentations with respect to such campus crime reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Cuban Solidarity (SOLIDARIDAD) Act of 1998 - Directs the President to: (1) instruct the heads of all relevant U.S. agencies to increase support for democratic opposition groups in Cuba; (2) initiate broadcasting of Radio Marti and Television Marti from the United States Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, or other suitable sites in proximity to Cuba; (3) provide not less than $5 million of funds otherwise available for U.S. voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) in FY 1999, solely for the purpose of establishing a fund for the deployment of human rights observers, election support, and election observation in Cuba; (4) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to increase the number of personnel of the Office of Foreign Assets Control having responsibilities with respect to the economic embargo on Cuba in order to enforce the embargo more vigorously and to license expeditiously lawful transactions involving Cuba; and (5) take steps to secure a commitment from the Cuban government to allow the direct delivery of mail from the United States to Cuba. (Sec. 5) Urges the President to instruct: (1) the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) to introduce a resolution in the UN Security Council calling upon the Cuban government to immediately respect all human rights, free all political prisoners, legalize independent political parties, allow independent trade unions, and conduct internationally monitored and freely contested elections; and (2) the Attorney General to seek an indictment of Fidel Castro and-or other Cuban government officials for the willful, premeditated attack on and destruction of two unarmed "Brothers to the Rescue" humanitarian aircraft on February 24, 1996 within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, and the violence against and incapacitation and murder of four individuals on such aircraft, Pablo Morales, Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena, and Armando Alejandre. Requires specified reports on Cuba. (Sec. 6) Earmarks specified amounts of economic support fund and development assistance funds for individuals and independent nongovernmental organizations to support democracy-building efforts, and to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of political repression, in Cuba. Requires notification of the appropriate congressional committees with respect to such funds. Prohibits the provision of assistance under this Act to the Cuban government, to any organization affiliated with the Cuban government, or to any organization that has violated any U.S. law prohibiting or restricting trade or other financial transactions with Cuba. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the President to authorize air transportation flights directly from the United States to Cuba for a period of six months (including additional six month periods) only if the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) those flights are necessary for, and will be used solely for, the delivery of humanitarian assistance (including medicines and medical supplies) by independent nongovernmental organizations to victims of political repression in Cuba; and (2) adequate monitoring is in place to ensure that such assistance will be delivered by such organizations only to the intended recipients and will not be diverted to ineligible persons.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998
Children's Hospitals Education and Research Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payment as specified to each children's hospital for each hospital cost reporting period between FY 1998 and 2003 for the direct and indirect expenses associated with operating approved medical residency training programs. States that such payments are in lieu of certain Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services, but shall not affect the amounts otherwise payable to such hospitals under a State Medicaid plan. Makes appropriations for such payments for such fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1998
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Gainesville, Florida, as the Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Recognizes the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Israel. Commends the Israeli people for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel. Extends congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and her people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Authorizes the printing of the books entitled "Minutes of the Senate Republican Conference, 1911-1964" and "Minutes of the Senate Democratic Conference, 1903-1964" as Senate documents.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1998
Marriage Tax Penalty Elimination Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise standard deduction amounts and individual income tax rate bracket amounts, including providing that amounts for married filing jointly categories shall be twice that of amounts for single filers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998
Truth in Employment Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that nothing in specified prohibitions against unfair labor practices by employers shall be construed as requiring an employer to employ any person who is not a bona fide employee applicant, in that such person seeks or has sought employment with the employer with the primary purpose of furthering another employment or agency status.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998
Expresses congratulations and gratitude to the participants in, and supporters of, the negotiations resulting in the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, particularly British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, President Clinton, and Senator George Mitchell.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1998
Technical Workers Fairness Act of 1998 - Amends the Revenue Act of 1978, as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, with respect to the standards that a taxpayer must apply to treat certain individuals as not being employees for employment tax purposes. Repeals the exception to such standards for an individual who, pursuant to an arrangement between the taxpayer and another person, provides services for such other person as an engineer, designer, drafter, computer programmer, systems analyst, or other similarly skilled worker (technical worker) engaged in a similar line of work. (Thus, restores the standards used for determining whether technical workers are not employees as in effect before the Tax Reform Act of 1986.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of crimes of violence the right to: (1) reasonable notice of, and to not be excluded from, all public proceedings relating to the crime; (2) be heard, if present, and to submit a statement at all public proceedings to determine a release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence (grants such rights at a non-public parole proceeding to the extent they are afforded to the convicted offender); (3) reasonable notice of a release or escape from custody relating to the crime; (4) consideration for the interest of the victim in a trial free from unreasonable delay; (5) an order of restitution from the convicted offender; (6) consideration for the safety of the victim in determining any release from custody; and (7) reasonable notice of the rights established by this amendment. Grants the victim or the victim's representative standing to assert such rights. Provides that nothing in this amendment shall: (1) provide grounds for the victim to challenge a charging decision or a conviction, to overturn a sentence or negotiated plea, to obtain a stay of trial, or to compel a new trial; and (2) give rise to a claim for damages against the United States, a State, a political subdivision, or a public official. Empowers the Congress and the States to implement and enforce this amendment within their respective jurisdictions by appropriate legislation, including by enacting exceptions when necessary to achieve a compelling interest.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1998
American Missile Protection Act of 1998 - States as U.S. policy to deploy as soon as technologically possible an effective National Missile Defense system capable of defending U.S. territory against limited ballistic missile attack (whether accidental, unauthorized, or deliberate).
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of State Activities Title II: Commission on International Religious Persecution Title II: National Security Council Title IV: Sanctions Subtitle I: Targeted Responses to Religious Persecution Abroad Subtitle II: Strengthening Existing Law Title V: Promotion of Religious Freedom Title VI: Refugee, Asylum, and Consular Matters Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) condemn religious persecution, and to promote, and to assist other governments in the promotion of, the fundamental right to religious freedom; and (2) seek to channel U.S. security and development assistance to governments that are found not to be engaged in gross violations of human rights, including the right to religious freedom. Title I: Department of State Activities - Establishes within the Department of State an Office on International Religious Freedom which shall be headed by an Ambassador at Large on International Religious Freedom. (Sec. 102) Directs the Ambassador at Large to assist the Secretary of State in preparing those portions of the Human Rights Reports that relate to freedom of religion and religious discrimination, and to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, in conjunction with the Human Rights Reports, an Annual Report on Religious Persecution: (1) identifying foreign countries that engage in or tolerate acts of religious persecution; and (2) describing U.S. policies in support of religious freedom in such countries. (Sec. 103) Requires the Ambassador at Large, in order to facilitate access by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the public around the world to international documents on the protection of religious freedom, to establish an Internet site containing major international documents relating to religious freedom, the Annual Report on Religious Persecution, and any other relevant documentation or references to other sites. (Sec. 104) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary and the Ambassador at Large to establish as part of the standard training for Foreign Service officers, including chiefs of mission, instruction in the field of internationally-recognized human rights. (Sec. 105) Directs U.S. chiefs of mission to seek out and meet with religious NGOs, including imprisoned religious leaders where appropriate. (Sec. 106) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) U.S. diplomatic missions in countries where the government engages in or tolerates religious persecution should develop, as part of annual program planning, a strategy to promote freedom of religion; and (2) in allocating funds or recommending candidates for U.S. programs and grants, U.S. missions should give particular consideration to those programs and candidates deemed to assist in the promotion of the right to religious freedom. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to permit, on terms no less favorable than that accorded other nongovernmental activities, access to the premises of U.S. diplomatic missions by U.S. citizens seeking to conduct religious activities. (Sec. 108) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in order to encourage involvement with religious persecution concerns at every possible opportunity and by all appropriate U.S. Government representatives, officials of the executive branch should promote increased advocacy with respect to the preparation of issue briefs consisting of lists of persons believed to be imprisoned for their religious faith during meetings between executive branch and congressional leaders and foreign dignitaries. Title II: Commission on International Religious Persecution - Establishes the United States Commission on International Religious Persecution. (Sec. 202) Makes the Commission's primary responsibility to: (1) consider the facts and circumstances of religious persecution presented in the Annual Report on Religious Persecution, as well as information from other appropriate sources; and (2) make appropriate policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary, and the Congress. Title III: National Security Council - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to express the sense of the Congress that there should be within the staff of the National Security Council a Special Adviser to the President on Religious Persecution, serving as a resource for executive branch officials, compiling information on the facts and circumstances of religious persecution and violations of religious freedom, and making policy recommendations. Title IV: Sanctions - Subtitle I: Targeted Responses to Religious Persecution Abroad - Directs the President, for each foreign country in which the government engages in or tolerates religious persecution, to oppose that persecution by certain measures and promote the right to freedom of religion in that country. Prescribes a procedure for determining, before the President imposes any sanctions or commensurate actions, whether a foreign government has engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of the right to religious freedom. (Sec. 403) Directs the President to: (1) consult with the violating foreign government prior to imposing such sanctions; and (2) report to the Congress. (Sec. 405) Specifies among the measures and sanctions the President may take: (1) public condemnation; (2) cancellation of scientific and cultural exchanges; (3) withdrawal, limitation, or suspension of U.S. development assistance and U.S. security assistance; (4) withdrawal, limitation, or suspension of certain preferential tariff treatment; (5) instruction of U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to vote against loans primarily benefiting the foreign government responsible for such persecution; (6) restrictions on the issuance of licenses to export any goods or technology to such foreign government; (7) prohibition against the making, guaranteeing, or insuring of loans, or extension of credit by certain U.S. financial institutions to the violating government; and (8) prohibition of U.S. Government procurement of goods or services from such government. Provides for commensurate actions in substitution for any of such measures and sanctions. Declares that any such action may not: (1) prohibit or restrict the provision of humanitarian assistance; or (2) impede any U.S. Government action to enforce the right to maintain intellectual property rights. (Sec. 407) Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 409) Provides for congressional review of any sanctions imposed, or the waiver of any requirements, under this Act. Subtitle II: Strengthening Existing Law - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Financial Institutions Act to add as a factor for consideration in formulating U.S. development assistance, military assistance, and multilateral assistance programs whether the government of a foreign country has: (1) engaged in gross violations of the right to freedom of religion; or (2) failed to undertake serious and sustained efforts to combat gross violations of the right to freedom of religion, when such efforts could have been reasonably undertaken. (Sec. 423) Requires the inclusion on the list of crime control and detection instruments or equipment controlled for export or reexport under the Export Administration Act of 1979 (and so subject to mandatory licensing) items the Secretary of State has determined are being used or are intended for use directly and in significant measure to carry out gross violations of the right to freedom of religion. Declares that the prohibition on the issuance of a license for export of crime control and detection instruments or equipment under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall apply to the export or reexport of such items. Title V: Promotion of Religious Freedom - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the use of development assistance funds to carry out programs and activities in foreign countries which will encourage and promote the right to free religious belief and practice. (Sec. 502) Amends the International Broadcasting Act of 1994 and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 with respect to promoting respect for freedom of religion. (Sec. 504) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to state that service in the promotion of internationally recognized human rights, including the right to religious freedom, shall serve as a basis for the award of performance pay and Foreign Service awards to Foreign Service employees. Title VI: Refugee, Asylum, and Consular Matters - Requires the Annual Report on Religious Persecution to serve as a resource for immigration judges and consular, refugee, and asylum officers in cases involving claims of persecution on the grounds of religion. (Sec. 602) Directs the Attorney General to provide all U.S. officials adjudicating refugee cases with the same training provided to officers adjudicating asylum cases, including training on the right to religious freedom and religious persecution. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to develop and implement guidelines that address potential hostile biases in Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel hired abroad and involved with duties which could constitute an effective barrier to a refugee claim if such personnel carry a hostile bias toward the claimant on the grounds of religion, race, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to: (1) develop guidelines to ensure uniform procedures to the extent possible with Joint Voluntary Agencies; and (2) ensure that the Joint Voluntary Agencies process is enhanced, and faulty preparation of claims does not result in the failure of a genuine claim to refugee status. (Sec. 603) Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to develop guidelines to ensure that interpreters with hostile biases, including personnel of airlines owned by governments known to be involved in practices which would meet the definition of persecution under international refugee law, shall not in any manner be used to interpret conversations between aliens and inspection or asylum officers. Requires the Attorney General to provide training to all officers adjudicating asylum cases on the right to religious freedom and the nature of religious persecution abroad, including country-specific conditions. Requires the Executive Office of Immigration Review of the Department of Justice to incorporate into its initial and ongoing training of immigration judges training on the extent and nature of religious persecution internationally, including country-specific conditions. (Sec. 604) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make inadmissible for naturalization any alien (including a spouse and children) who, while serving as a foreign government official, directly engaged in gross violations of the right to religious freedom. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that transnational corporations operating in countries in which the government engages in gross violations of the right to religious freedom should adopt codes of conduct: (1) upholding the right to religious freedom of their employees; and (2) ensuring that a worker's religious views in no way affect the status or terms of his or her employment. (Sec. 702) Expresses the sense of the Congress that in negotiating the definitions of crimes to be included in the subject matter jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the President should pursue the inclusion of gross violations of the right to religious freedom, to the extent they fall within the meaning in international law of crimes against humanity or genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2001, the duty on dual thrust chamber rocket engines having a maximum static sea level thrust exceeding 800,000 pounds and nozzle exit diameter exceeding 50 inches.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses gratitude to, and calls upon all Americans to show their gratitude to, John McCain and the men who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and for the return of Senator McCain to the United States; and (2) will not forget that more than 2,000 members of the armed forces remain unaccounted for from such conflict and will continue to press for the fullest accounting for such members.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1998
Taxpayer Confidentiality Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend common law confidentiality protections to a communication between a taxpayer and a federally authorized tax practitioner (as defined by this Act) if such communication would be considered a privileged taxpayer-attorney communication. Limits such privilege to noncriminal matters before the Internal Revenue Service and related Federal court proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Provisions Relating to Women's Health Research at the National Institutes of Health Title II: Provisions Relating to Women's Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendments of 1998 - Title I: Provisions Relating to Women's Health Research at the National Institutes of Health - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for programs regarding diethylstilbestrol (DES). Mandates a program of education of health professionals and the public concerning DES. (Sec. 102) Extends the authorizations of appropriations for: (1) research on osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and related bone disorders; (2) the National Cancer Institute; (3) breast cancer programs; and (4) programs on ovarian and other cancers of the reproductive system of women. (Sec. 104) Mandates expansion, intensification, and coordination of research and related activities of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute regarding heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 105) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Institute on Aging. (Sec. 106) Requires that the Director of the National Institutes of Health (currently, the Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health) appoint members of the Advisory Committee on Women's Health. Title II: Provisions Relating to Women's Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Center for Health Statistics and the National Program of Cancer Registries. (Sec. 203) Requires that certain breast and cervical cancer programs be carried out through public or private (currently, public or nonprofit private) entities. Extends authorizations of appropriations for various preventive health measures relating to breast and cervical cancers. (Sec. 204) Extends the authorizations of appropriations for: (1) centers for research and demonstration regarding health promotion and disease prevention; and (2) community projects to coordinate intervention and prevention of domestic violence.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1998
American Competitiveness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H1-C nonimmigrant category of nonphysician health care workers. (Removes such aliens from the H-1B skilled worker category.) Increases H1-B visa levels, and makes available to such category a certain number of unused visas from specified other temporary visa categories. (Sec. 4) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for the State Student Incentive Grant program. Obligates specified amounts for grants to low-income students in higher education programs of mathematics, computer science, or engineering. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish or improve an Internet technology employment data bank. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Revises and increases penalties for violations of the H1-B or H1-C programs. Transfers labor condition application authority from the Secretary to the Attorney General. Defines "prevailing wage." (Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to submit an annual H1-B visa report. (Sec. 7) Exempts employment-based immigrants from per country limitations if unused visas are available during a calendar quarter. Authorizes nonimmigrant status extension for certain aliens who: (1) have petitions pending for employment-based immigrant status adjustment; and (2) are subject to per country limitations. (Sec. 8) Authorizes H1-B aliens to accept academic honorarium payments for services on behalf of an institution of higher education or other nonprofit entity.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it should be U.S. policy to support Israel's efforts to enter an appropriate United Nations (UN) regional group; (2) the President should instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN to carry out this policy; (3) the United States should insist that any effort to reform the UN, including the Security Council, also resolve this anomaly and should ensure that the principle of sovereign equality be upheld without exception; and (4) the Secretary of State should submit a report to the Congress on the steps taken by the United States, the UN Secretary General, and others to help secure Israel's membership in an appropriate UN regional group.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States, at the annual meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, should introduce and make all efforts necessary to pass a resolution criticizing the People's Republic of China for its human rights abuses in China and Tibet.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it should be U.S. policy to support Israel's efforts to enter an appropriate United Nations (UN) regional group; (2) the President should instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN to carry out this policy; (3) the United States should insist that any effort to reform the UN, including the Security Council, also resolve this anomaly and should ensure that the principle of sovereign equality be upheld without exception; and (4) the Secretary of State should submit a report to the Congress on the steps taken by the United States, the UN Secretary General, and others to help secure Israel's membership in an appropriate UN regional group.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Fair Hearing Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to direct the National Labor Relations Board to provide for a hearing to determine the unit's appropriateness, if a petition for an election requests the Board to certify a bargaining unit which includes the employees employed at one or more facilities of a multi-facility employer, and there is an absence of agreement by the parties (in the form of a stipulation for certification upon consent election or agreement for consent election). Specifies factors for the Board to consider in making such determination.
![Official portrait of Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000019_200.jpg)