United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Alzheimer's Disease Research, Prevention, and Care Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the purposes of the National Institute on Aging to include conducting programs regarding Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Requires the Director of the Institute to: (1) undertake an Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Initiative, including accelerating the discovery of new risk and protective factors, rapidly identifying therapies and preventive interventions, and implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies; (2) establish and support a national consortium for cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's; and (3) conduct, or make grants to conduct, research concerning early detection and diagnosis, the relationship between Alzheimer's and vascular disease, and interventions designed to help caregivers. Authorizes the Director to establish a National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to facilitate collaboration among Alzheimer's Disease Centers and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize additional appropriations for grants to States to increase influenza immunization rates in high risk populations, including medically underserved adults and adolescents, and extend vaccine availability. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a program of research, demonstration projects, and education to ensure that immunizations are routinely offered to adults and adolescents by public and private health care providers. Requires such program to collect data on adverse impacts associated with immunizations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and disseminate information concerning certain diseases and their vaccines, including bacterial meningitis and hepatitis A and B; and (2) maintain a 6 months supply of prioritized vaccines. Revises provisions governing the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, including provisions regarding: (1) equitable relief; (2) third party petitions; (3) jurisdiction to dismiss improperly brought claims; (4) vaccine-unrelated injury; (5) an increase in the award for pain and suffering in the case of a vaccine-related death; (6) the basis for calculating projected lost earnings; (7) compensation for family counseling and establishing guardianship expenses; (8) payment of interim costs; (9) procedures for paying attorney's fees; (10) extending the statute of limitations; (11) the composition and meeting schedule of the Advisory Committee on Childhood Vaccines; and (12) standards of responsibility and the definitions of manufacturer, vaccine-related injury or death, and vaccine. Requires the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science to conduct an ongoing, comprehensive review of new scientific data on childhood vaccines.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Removes, for months beginning on or after October 1, 2002, the requirement that qualifying offsetting legislation be enacted before a member or former member of the armed forces may be paid military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation concurrently without deduction. Repeals, as of such date, a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Domestic Spirits Tax Equity Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a distilled spirits wholesaler a distilled spirits wholesalers credit equal to the product of: (1) the number of cases of bottled distilled spirits which were bottled in the United States and which are purchased by such wholesaler during the taxable year directly from the distiller or importer of such spirits; and (2) the average tax-financing cost per case for the most recent calendar year ending before the beginning of such taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2002
Living American Hero Appreciation Act - Increases from $600 to $1,000 the monthly special pension for Medal of Honor (Medal) recipients, makes such award effective from the first day of the month that begins after the date of the act for which the Medal was awarded, and makes such amount subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make a lump-sum payment to existing Medal recipients for any retroactive amounts due as a result of such increase. Provides criminal penalties for the unauthorized purchase or possession of a Medal or for false representation as a Medal recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) destroying, altering, or falsifying records in Federal investigations or in bankruptcy; and (2) failure of an accountant who conducts an audit of an issuer of securities to maintain all documents sent, received, or created in connection with the audit for a five year period. Amends: (1) the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to authorize State attorneys general and the Securities and Exchange Commission (current law limits such authority to the Attorney General) to institute proceedings under the Act; (2) Federal bankruptcy law to make certain debts incurred in violation of Federal or State securities laws, or common law fraud in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, non-dischargeable in bankruptcy; and (3) the Federal judicial code to authorize a private right of action that involves a securities fraud-related claim to be brought by the earlier of five years after the date of the alleged violation or three years after its discovery. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review the Federal sentencing guidelines for obstruction of justice, and for fraud when the number of victims adversely involved is significantly greater than 50 or when it endangers the solvency or financial security of multiple victims. Authorizes a civil action to protect whistle-blowing employees against retaliation in fraud cases involving publicly traded companies. Sets forth criminal penalties for defrauding shareholders of such companies.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include associated development costs in the basis of any building which is part of a low-income housing project when calculating the low-income housing credit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Declares that the Senate expresses support for the democratically elected Government and people of Colombia and deplores the continuing criminal terrorist acts by U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations in Colombia against U.S. citizens and Colombian civilians and authorities. Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that the President should transmit to Congress proposed legislation, consistent with U.S. law for the protection of human rights, to assist the Colombian Government in protecting its democracy from such terrorist organizations and the scourge of illicit narcotics.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
National Defense Rail Act - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak security assistance. Requires studies or assessments of: (1) foreign rail transport security programs; (2) the feasibility of passenger, baggage, and cargo screening; (3) existing rail safety regulations; (4) security priorities; and (5) rail crossing delay security issues. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a national high-speed ground transportation policy; and (2) provide 100 percent financial assistance to develop and implement high-speed rail corridors according to designated priorities, including the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings. Requires such projects to comply with specified labor standards, including the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act. Defines the national rail passenger transportation system. Authorizes Amtrak to operate an intercity rail service or route not included in such system, as specified. Authorizes additional appropriations for Amtrak for principal and interest, and environmental and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance. Repeals the requirement that Amtrak be self-sufficient. Authorizes appropriations for the Northeast Corridor, long and short distance trains, and State-supported routes. Directs the Secretary to re-establish the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee. Revises requirements concerning the Amtrak board of directors. Requires an independent audit of Amtrak operations. Revises requirements of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 concerning loans and loan guarantees. Directs the Secretary to establish a rail passenger cooperative research program, including an advisory board.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2002
Water Investment Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) to increase the limit on amounts authorized for grants for development of waste management plans and sewage treatment works to serve Indians. Revises State water pollution control revolving fund provisions concerning: (1) project eligibility; (2) loan payments and subsidization; (3) community development conditions; (4) priorities; (5) strategies for technical, managerial, operations, maintenance, and capital investments and sustaining compliance with applicable laws; (6) project restructuring conditions; (7) technical assistance for small treatment works; (8) competitive bidding; (9) funding; and (10) intended use plans and progress reports. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to revise State revolving loan fund provisions concerning: (1) project restructuring conditions; (2) intended use plans; (3) uses of assistance; (4) community development conditions; (5) additional authorized activities; (6) loan subsidization for disadvantaged users; (7) capital improvement needs surveys; (8) competitive bidding; and (9) funding. Includes technology assessment among the responsibilities of small public water system technology assistance centers and imposes review requirements. Extends funding for university-based environmental finance centers. Amends FWPCA and SDWA to allow a Governor to reserve and transfer a specified percentage of capitalization grants made under each Act between the water pollution control and drinking water treatment revolving funds. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a demonstration program to promote technological innovations and alternative approaches to water quality management or water supply and to reduce municipalities' FWPCA and SDWA compliance costs. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to study public water system and treatment works rate structures of selected communities. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, to: (1) assess the state of the Nation's water resources; and (2) coordinate a process to develop and publish a list of water resource research priorities focusing on monitoring and improving the quality of information available to water resource managers and a process to develop an effective system to communicate water resource information.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
Charity Aid, Recovery, and Empowerment Act of 2002 (CARE Act of 2002) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, concerning charitable giving, to, among other things: (1) allow a charitable giving deduction to individuals not itemizing; (2) permit tax free distributions from IRA accounts for charitable purposes; and (3) increase the cap on corporate charitable contributions. Sets forth provisions concerning the treatment of nongovernmental providers of social services. Provides expedited procedures for obtaining tax exempt status. Provides financial for support nongovernmental community based organizations for, among other things: (1) grant writing, legal, program development, and management assistance; (2) capacity building; and (3) delivering assistance. Amends Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provisions of the Social Security Act (SSA) to restore State authority to transfer up to ten percent of TANF funds to carry out State programs under SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services). Amends title XX to restore funds to States and territories for FY 2003 and 2004. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to provide for maternity group homes and evaluation of such homes. Savings for Working Families Act of 2002 - Permits a qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to establish one or more qualified individual development account programs. Defines such an account as an account established for an eligible individual (income based) as part of a qualified individual development account program (matched individual and entity savings accounts for qualifying educational, first-time home purchase, or business expenses). Provides matching funds through a tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002 - Directs the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and Human Services to: (1) oversee and support a three-year national education campaign by the National Safety Council focusing on ways to reduce the risk of elder falls and prevent repeat falls; and (2) provide grants for State coalitions for local education campaigns addressing reduction and prevention of elder falls. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct and support research concerning high-risk elders, risk and protective factors, fall reduction strategies, fall prevention interventions, diagnosis and treatment of victims, barriers to adopting proven interventions, and the effectiveness of community programs in preventing assisted living and nursing home falls; and (2) award grants to enable organizations to provide professional education for physicians and health professionals in elder fall prevention. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to : (1) oversee and support demonstration and research projects to be carried out by the Council to assess the utility of targeted fall risk screening and referral programs and to include programs targeting newly-discharged fall victims at high risk for second falls and private-public partnerships involving home design and remodeling; and (2) provide grants to design and implement fall prevention programs in residential and institutional settings, including a multi-State demonstration project. Directs the Secretary to review the effects of falls on the costs of the Medicare and Medicaid Programs and the potential for reducing costs by expanding covered services, including a review of reimbursement policies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal transportation code to require any contract or agreement for truckload transportation or service regularly provided by a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder subject to the Secretary of Transportation and the Surface Transportation Board to include a requirement to assess a payor of transportation charges a minimum surcharge based on mileage or percentage of revenue for fuel used in the transportation provided to such payor. Requires such a surcharge whenever an increase in the price of such fuel surpasses by $0.05 per gallon the benchmark price of $1.10 per gallon. Requires the surcharge to be the amount necessary to compensate the person responsible for paying for fuel for any increase in the price from the fuel price norm. Requires any motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder providing transportation or service using motor vehicles not owned by it and using fuel not paid for by it to pass any fuel surcharge through, with due notice in writing, to the person responsible for paying for fuel. Prohibits any reduction in compensatory transportation costs (other than the fuel surcharge) to the payor of fuel for the purpose of adjusting for or avoiding the pass through of the fuel surcharge.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Calls for establishment of a National Importance of Health Care Coverage Month to promote education and awareness of available health care coverage options and to inform those eligible for public insurance programs about program access.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Establishes a National Commission on Terrorist Acts Upon the United States. Directs the Commission to: (1) investigate facts and circumstances relating to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; and (2) evaluate lessons learned from the such attacks regarding the Federal Government's abilities to detect, prevent and respond to such attacks. Empowers the Commission to hold hearings, collect relevant materials and subpoena witnesses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Nurse Reinvestment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the service required by the Nursing Workforce Development Student Loan Repayment program to be performed in a nursing home, in a hospice, in a home health agency, in a nurse-managed health center, or in a public health department, in addition to facilities where such service may currently be performed. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Nurse Corps Scholarship program to provide scholarships to individuals seeking nursing education in exchange for service from such individuals in critical nursing shortage areas or facilities upon completion of such education. Sets forth eligibility, application, payment, and reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary to award grants to schools of nursing and/or health care facilities to develop and support: (1) educational outreach programs to encourage entry into the profession, targeting primary, secondary, and other schools, the disadvantaged, underrepresented minorities, and underserved rural and urban communities; (2) career ladder programs; (3) gerontology curriculum and competencies and efforts to encourage long-term care nursing services for the elderly as a career choice; (4) nurse internship and residency programs; and (5) demonstrations of models and best practices in nursing care, including retention strategies. Requires the Secretary to develop and administer a comprehensive national multi-media public education campaign to encourage pursuit of the nursing profession. Includes grants for similar State campaigns. Requires the Secretary to award grants to area health education centers to develop models of excellence for nurses or expand existing school mentoring programs to include one for nurses. Establishes for advanced degree nursing students: (1) a fast-track nursing faculty loan program, providing loan forgiveness in exchange for teaching services; and (2) a scholarship and stipend program. Establishes a National Commission on the Recruitment and Retention of Nurses to make innovative and creative recommendations concerning recruitment, retention, and advancement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Telemarketing Intrusive Practices Act of 2001 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission to: (1) establish, maintain, and periodically update for each State a list of consumers who request not to receive telephone sales calls; and (2) notify consumers of the establishment of the lists. Makes the consumer responsible for requesting the Commission to be included on such list. Mandates: (1) deletion of consumer information from such list upon consumer request; and (2) maintenance of a no call list by a telephone solicitor. Prohibits telephone solicitations to a consumer: (1) who has previously requested inclusion in the solicitor's no-call list; (2) who is included in the then current quarterly lists made available by the Commission; and (3) between specified evening hours. Provides for a civil cause of action by the Commission, and a private right of action by a person or entity, for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
New Homestead Economic Opportunity Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to repay a specified percentage (up to $3,000 per year) of certain education loans to an individual who completes a degree and both resides and is employed in a qualifying county outside a metropolitan statistical area which for 20 years has a net out-migration of inhabitants of at least ten percent of the county population. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for a specified portion of the purchase price of a qualified residence in such a rural county. Allows a capital loss deduction with respect to sale or exchange of principal residence in certain rural areas. Provides for the creation of tax-exempt individual homestead accounts, which shall receive matching Federal contributions according to a specified formula, whose tax-free distributions after five years are used for qualified higher education or medical expenses, first-time homebuyer or business capitalization costs, or rollovers. Establishes a rural investment tax credit of 70 percent of the present value of new buildings (including rehabilitation projects) or 30 percent of the present value of existing buildings. Provides for accelerated depreciation of property in rural investment projects. New Homestead Venture Capital Fund Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide for establishment of new homestead venture capital funds, owned by private investors, which shall generate and provide equity capital to rural businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2001
Modifies the project for beach erosion control at Tybee Island, Georgia, authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1965, to include the northern end of Tybee Island, extending from the north terminal groin to the mouth of Lazaretto Creek.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2001
Airport Checkpoint Enhancement Act - Amends Federal aviation law to subject to criminal penalties an individual in an area within a U.S. commercial service airport who intentionally circumvents, in an unauthorized manner, a security system or procedure in the airport.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2001
White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should establish the White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month to make recommendations to the President on the proclamation of National Military Appreciation Month to be celebrated in May of each year; and (2) any such Commission should be composed of specified members. Expresses the sense of Congress that if such Commission is established, the President should also establish the Spirit of America Alliance to assist the Commission: (1) in the planning, organization, and conduct of an annual White House Conference on National Military Appreciation and other similar events; (2) in the promotion of the observance of such Month and other military commemorative events through appropriate means, subject to any guidelines developed by the Commission; (3) in the establishment of necessary incentives for Federal, State, and local governments and private sector entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or the Alliance; (4) in the evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts by the Commission and the Alliance in carrying out this Act; and (5) by the performance of any other related duties that are assigned by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Commends the staffs of Members of Congress, the Capitol Police, the Office of the Attending Physician and his health care staff, and other members of the Capitol Hill community for their courage, professionalism, and dedication to serving the public in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks and the release of anthrax in Senator Daschle's office. Recognizes congressional leadership, congressional employees, the Capitol Police, and the Office of the Attending Physician and the health care professionals in his office, in particular, who by their quick actions and early intervention prevented actual cases of anthrax within the Capitol Complex. Requests that the President recognize the courage and professionalism of congressional staff, the Capitol Police, and other members of the Capitol Hill community for their public service in continuing to do the public's business in defiance of terrorist attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness. Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness. Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins. Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities. Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism. Requires, under the Public Health Service Act, the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities. Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to food presenting a serious threat to humans or animals. Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2001
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 - 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; and (3) using funds made available under Federal law for any such activity. Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action to enjoin a violation. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict areas of biomedical and agricultural research or practices not expressly prohibited, including nuclear transplantation to produce human stem cells or to create nonhuman animals. Subjects to forfeiture any real or personal property derived from or used to commit a violation. Directs the Attorney General, upon request, to render binding advisory opinions regarding the applicability of such prohibition with respect to specific research projects or practices. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should cooperate with foreign countries to enforce mutually supported restrictions on such prohibited activities. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2001
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 - Directs the Attorney General to waive Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel limits. Authorizes appropriations for INS, Border Patrol, United States Customs Service, and consular personnel, training, facilities, and security-related technology. Provides for machine-readable visa fees. Directs U.S. law enforcement and intelligence entities to share alien admissibility- and deportation-related information with INS and the Department of State. Directs the President to develop and implement an interoperable law enforcement and intelligence data system (with name-matching and linguistic capacity) for visa, admissibility, or deportation determination purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) to require a consular officer issuing a visa to provide INS with an electronic version of the alien's visa file prior to the alien's U.S. entry. Sets forth technology standard and interoperability requirements respecting development and implementation of the integrated entry and exit data system and related tamper-resistant, machine-readable documents containing biometric identifiers. Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to: (1) establish a Terrorist Lookout Committee at each U.S. mission in which there is a consular post; and (2) provide consular staff with visa screening training. Prohibits the admission of an alien from a country designated to be a state sponsor of terrorism until a determination has been made that such individual does not pose a risk to the United States. Conditions participation in the visa waiver program upon a country's timely reporting to the United States of its stolen blank passports. Requires the Attorney General to enter stolen passport identification numbers into the interoperable data system.. Directs the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Commissioner of INS to study the feasibility of establishing a North American Perimeter National Security Program (United States, Canada, Mexico), including consideration of alien preclearance and preinspection. Amends the Act to require commercial aircraft or vessels arriving at, or departing from, the United States to provide immigration officers with specified passenger and crew manifest information. Authorizes such provisions' extension to land carriers. Requires electronic manifest transmission by a specified date. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to revise and specify vessel prearrival message requirements. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to direct the Attorney General to develop an electronic means of verifying and monitoring the foreign student information program, including aspects of documentation and visas issuance, and registration and enrollment. Increases student data requirements. Specifies information required for foreign student visa applications. Sets forth transitional monitoring requirements, including a requirement that an educational institution report student failure to enroll information to INS. Provides for INS and Department of State review of institutions authorized to enroll foreign students and exchange visitors. Amends Federal law to treat INS immigration inspectors as law enforcement officers for Federal retirement purposes. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to extend the deadline for presentation of biometric border crossing identification cards. Directs: (1) the Comptroller General to determine the feasibility of requiring each nonimmigrant alien to report annually to INS respecting his or her address and employer's address; and (2) the Secretary and INS to study alternative approaches to international electronic data cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Delays until at least January 1, 2003, any changes in Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) regulations that modify the Medicaid upper payment limit for services of non-State government-owned or operated hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an Over-the-road Bus Security Fund in the Treasury, with amounts available to the Secretary of Transportation for direct grants to persons engaged in the business of providing over-the-road bus transportation for specified system-wide security upgrades, including the reimbursement of extraordinary security-related costs incurred since September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Technical Amendment Act of 2001 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000, to include in the optional Medicaid eligibility category for such illnesses Indian women with breast or cervical cancer who are eligible for health services under a medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Medicare Appeals, Regulatory, and Contracting Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) timelines for publication of final regulations and compliance with substantive changes after notice; (2) timeframes for the completion of the record in the appeals process; (3) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors for determining payment amounts, making payments, and providing certain provider services; (4) coordination of funding for education of service providers; and (5) standardization of random prepayment review and recovery of overpayments from Medicare administrative contractors. Grants a one-year delay in the lock-in procedures for Medicare+Choice plans under SSA title XVIII part C. Provides a temporary moratorium on the requirement that home health agencies collect Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data from non-Medicare patients.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Arrow Excise Tax Simplification Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the excise tax provisions on bows, arrows, and other archery equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Class Action Fairness Act of 2001 - Establishes a consumer class action bill of rights, including provision for: (1) judicial review and approval of noncash settlements; (2) protection against loss by class members because of payments to class counsel; (3) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for greater payments to class members because they are located in closer geographic proximity to the court; (4) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for payment of a greater share of the award to a class representative serving on behalf of a class; (5) standardized settlement notification information; and (6) specific requirements regarding proposed settlement notifications to Federal and State officials. Grants the district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $2 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is a class action in which any member of a class of plaintiffs is: (1) a citizen of a State different from any defendant; (2) a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state and any defendant is a citizen of a State; or (3) a citizen of a State and any defendant is a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state. Lists exceptions, such as where a class action brought by shareholders solely involves a claim concerning a covered security or relating to the internal governance of a corporation. Sets forth procedures for removal of interstate class actions to U.S. district court and for review of orders remanding class actions to State courts. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on class action settlements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments with a factor that more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Parity in Emergency Preparedness and Response Act of 2001 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) make private for-profit medical facilities (including hospitals and long-term care facilities) eligible for Federal disaster assistance (currently limited to non-profits); (2) revise the definition of "emergency preparedness" to include under measures to be undertaken in preparation for anticipated hazards the preparation of private nonprofit and for-profit medical facilities; (3) include the preparation of such medical facilities to withstand such disasters within emergency preparedness for purposes of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's contribution to States; and (4) define the term "long-term care facility" to mean any skilled nursing facility, any nursing facility, and any other long-term care facility, such as an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Military Homeowners Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to state that members of the Uniformed or Foreign Services on qualified official extended duty shall be considered to be using already owned and used property as a principal residence for purposes of determining exclusion of gain upon such residence's sale.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2001
Farm Security Act of 2001 - Amends specified Acts to extend and revise agricultural and related programs with respect to: (1) commodities and price supports; (2) conservation; (3) agricultural trade; (4) nutrition; (5) agricultural credit; (6) rural development; (7) agricultural research, extension, and education; (8) forestry and tree assistance; and (9) miscellaneous programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act of 2001 - Establishes a Veterans' Memorial Restoration Fund to repair, restore, and maintain veterans' memorials. Provides criminal and civil penalties for desecrating veterans' memorials. States that a veterans cemetery shall be treated as a site for which a supplemental guide sign may be placed on any Federal-aid highway.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Historically Women's Public Colleges or Universities Historic Building Restoration and Preservation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to award grants to historically women's public colleges or universities for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and structures on their campuses. Specifies eight institutions to receive such grants in FY 2002 through 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Extends the Senate's appreciation to the United Kingdom for its unwavering solidarity and leadership as an ally of the United States. Reaffirms the special relationship of history, shared values, and common strategic interests that the United States enjoys with the United Kingdom.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2001
American Security Enhancement Investment Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow businesses to expense the costs of purchasing and installing qualifying security enhancement property.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2001
Freedom Consolidation Act of 2001 - Reaffirms support for continued enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance. Designates Slovakia for participation in the Partnership for Peace and eligible to receive certain security assistance under the NATO Participation Act of 1994. Authorizes specified amounts of security assistance for FY 2002 for Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Romania.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2001
Agricultural Bioterrorism Countermeasures Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to bioterrorism countermeasures, to: (1) expand Agricultural Research Service programs to protect the domestic food supply; (2) establish a Consortium for Countermeasures Against Agricultural Bioterrorism comprised of institutions of higher education in partnership with Federal agencies to develop long-term biosecurity programs; (3) enhance the National Research Initiative of the Competitive Grants Program of the Award Grants Program of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service by awarding grants for bioterrorism protective measures; and (4) expand the capacities of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Food Safety Inspection Service. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an increased low-income housing credit for property which is contiguous to a qualified census tract and which meets qualified allocation plan criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2001
Technology Talent Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to increase the number of students studying and receiving associate's or bachelor's degrees in established or emerging fields within science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Provides that an institution receiving such a grant shall be known as a National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Talent Expansion Center.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should make a substantial new investment this year in bioterrorism preparedness and response, including: (1) improving State and local preparedness capabilities, hospital response capabilities, disaster response medical systems, and the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile program; (2) upgrading the capabilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); (3) targeting research for therapeutics and vaccines for bioterrorist agents and food safety activities; and (4) increasing international cooperation in securing biological agents, increasing surveillance, and retraining biological warfare specialists.