United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2014
Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2014 - Exempts from liability for harm caused by the emergency administration of an opioid overdose drug: a health care professional who prescribes or provides such a drug to an individual at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose, or to another person in a position to assist such individual, if the individual has been educated about opioid overdose prevention and treatment by the health care professional or as part of a government opioid overdose program; a person who provides such a drug for emergency administration to an individual authorized to receive it as part of an opioid overdose program; and a person who provides for emergency administration of such a drug to an individual who reasonably appears to have suffered an overdose from heroin or another opioid if such person obtained such drug from a health care professional or as part of an opioid overdose program and was educated by such professional or program in the proper administration of such drug. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the harm was caused by gross negligence or reckless misconduct.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2014
Expresses support for: (1) the principles and values set forth in the Secondary School Student Athletes' Bill of Rights; and (2) secondary schools that have successfully implemented programs, policies, and practices to emphasize and encourage student athlete safety and well-being. Recognizes the importance of proper safety measures, timely medical assessments, and appropriate environmental conditions, and the role that teachers, parents, coaches, and athletic health care team members play, in ensuring the well-being of secondary school student athletes. Encourages secondary schools to continue to take all available and reasonable efforts to ensure student athlete safety.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2014
Transparency in Assertion of Patents Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate rules prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts and practices in the sending of written communications (commonly referred to as "demand letters") stating that the intended recipient, or any person affiliated with the intended recipient: (1) is infringing, or may be infringing, the patent of another; and (2) bears liability or owes compensation. Requires such rules to establish disclosures that such written communications must contain, including: each claim of each patent allegedly infringed; each product, device, business method, service, or technology that allegedly infringes each claim; a notice that the intended recipient may have the right to have the product manufacturer defend against the infringement; contact information necessary to determine the identity of a person with the right to enforce the patent or with a direct financial interest in the patent, including each owner, co-owner, assignee, exclusive licensee, and entity with the authority to enforce the patent, as well as the ultimate parent entity with such authority; any licensing commitment or obligation (such as reasonable and non-discriminatory terms) that applies to the patent or claim; the method used to calculate any proposed compensation; and each current instance of reexamination or other post-grant review of the patent at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), any litigation involving the patent, and the status of such review and any determinations as to the invalidity of the patent or any of its claims. Directs the FTC to: (1) prohibit unfair or deceptive assertions in such written communications, and (2) provide education and awareness to the public regarding deceptive communications. Sets forth the enforcement authority of the FTC and authorizes civil actions by states. Establishes civil penalties applicable to state actions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2014
Recognizes Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on U.S. history and recognize the contributions of African Americans. Calls for the United States to: (1) honor the contribution of pioneers who helped to ensure its legacy; and (2) move forward as "one Nation . . . indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2014
Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2014 - Establishes a national forensic science research program to improve, expand, and coordinate federal research in forensic sciences. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to develop a report identifying the most critical forensic science disciplines that require further research to strengthen the scientific foundation in those disciplines and making recommendations. Establishes a National Forensic Science Coordinating Office at the NSF to coordinate among federal agencies: (1) the development of a unified federal research strategy to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science disciplines; (2) the development of a five-year roadmap, updated triennially, for the unified strategy; and (3) any necessary programs, policies, and budgets to support implementation of the roadmap. Directs NSF to create a merit-reviewed, competitive forensic science research grants program to improve the foundation and practice of forensic science in the United States, based on recommendations in the unified strategy. Requires NSF to: (1) establish two forensic science research centers to conduct research consistent with the unified strategy, (2) award a grant of up to $10 million to each center, and (3) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the grants program every four years. Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to identify or coordinate the development of forensic science standards to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science activities. Requires NIST to establish a Forensic Science Advisory Committee to provide advice to federal agencies, NIST, and the Department of Justice. Instructs the Attorney General to promote the adoption of the standards developed under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2014
Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act to reauthorize through FY2021 the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Extends the distributions of appropriations to: (1) the Department of the Interior for coastal wetlands distributions, the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, boating infrastructure, and national outreach and communications; and (2) the Department of Homeland Security (the department in which the Coast Guard is operating) for state recreational boating safety programs. Sets forth a formula that determines the maximum amount Interior may spend on administrative expenses incurred to implement the Act. Sets forth separate set-aside amounts through FY2021 for Coast Guard national recreational boating safety personnel and activities, the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC), and boating safety activities of national nonprofit public service organizations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend Fund transfer restriction exceptions through September 30, 2021. Revokes a limitation on the amount the Coast Guard is authorized to allocate for national boating safety activities of national nonprofit public service organizations. Extends the NBSAC through September 30, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2014
Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act - Prohibits a data broker from obtaining or causing to be disclosed personal information or any other information relating to any person by making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation to any person, including by providing to any person any document that the data broker knows or should know to be forged, counterfeit, lost, stolen, or fraudulently obtained or that contains a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation. Defines "data broker" as a commercial entity that collects, assembles, or maintains personal information concerning an individual who is not a customer or an employee in order to sell, or provide third-party access to, such information. Requires data brokers to establish procedures to ensure the accuracy of the personal information they collect, assemble, or maintain and of any other information that specifically identifies an individual, unless the information identifies only names or addresses. Exempts from such requirements information that may be inaccurate if it is collected or maintained solely to: (1) indicate whether there may be a discrepancy or irregularity in the personal information associated with an individual; (2) identify or authenticate the identity of an individual; or (3) protect against or investigate fraud or other unlawful conduct. Requires data brokers to provide individuals a means to review certain information collected, assembled, or maintained on such individuals, unless a regulatory exception promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) applies. Requires data brokers to maintain an Internet website that instructs individuals how to: (1) review their information, and (2) express a preference with respect to the use of their personal information for marketing purposes. Permits individuals to dispute the accuracy of their information with a written request that the data broker make a correction. Requires a data broker, with regard to disputed public record information, to: (1) inform the individual of the source of the information and, if reasonably available, where to direct the individual's request for correction; or (2) correct the inaccuracy in the data broker's records if the individual provides proof that the public record has been corrected or that the data broker was reporting the information incorrectly. Defines "public record information" as information obtained originally from records of a federal, state, or local government entity that are available for public inspection. Requires a data broker, with regard to disputed non-public information, to: (1) note the information that is disputed, (2) use reasonable procedures to independently verify the information, and (3) correct the inaccuracy in the data broker's records if the data broker was reporting the information incorrectly. Requires data brokers that use, share, or sell certain information for marketing purposes to provide individuals a reasonable means of expressing a preference to exclude their information from being used for such purposes. Sets forth the authority of the FTC and states to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2014
Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014 - Amends federal veterans provisions to revise or add provisions concerning medical services and other benefits provided to veterans and/or their dependents through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) relating to the following areas: survivor and dependent matters, including benefits for children of certain veterans born with spina bifida; education matters, including the approval of courses for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs; the expansion and extension of certain health care benefits, including immunizations, chiropractic care, treatment for traumatic brain injury, and wellness promotion; health care administration, including extension of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program, and complementary and alternative medicine; mental health care, including an education program and peer support program for family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders; dental care eligibility and expansion, including a program of education to promote dental health in veterans; health care related to sexual trauma, including appropriate counseling and treatment and a screening mechanism to detect incidents of domestic abuse; reproductive treatment and services, including fertility counseling as well as adoption assistance for severely wounded veterans; major medical facility leases; veterans' employment training and related services; veterans' employment, including within the federal government and as first responders; career transition services; employment and reemployment rights of members of the Armed Forces after active duty service; small business matters, including contracting and subcontracting participation goals with federal departments and agencies; administrative matters, including regional support centers for Veterans Integrated Service Networks; the revision of claims based on military sexual trauma as well as claims for dependency and indemnity compensation; jurisdictional matters, including with respect to the Board of Veterans' Appeals and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; the revision of certain rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, including protections with respect to the expiration of professional licenses, a prohibition on the denial of credit or the termination of residential leases due to military service, and the temporary protection of surviving spouses under mortgage foreclosures; and outreach and miscellaneous matters, including: (1) repeal of the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirement pay of members of the Armed Forces under age 62, and (2) the accounting for discretionary accounts designated for overseas contingency operations/global war on terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2014
Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Quality Act of 2014 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a state Medicaid plan to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual, regardless of age. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) identify methods that promote the retention of individuals who are enrolled under the state plan and remain eligible for medical assistance beyond the 12-month period, (2) actively promote the adoption of such enrollment retention methods by states, (3) publish the procedures that states are expected to use to provide annual enrollment and retention reports, and (4) publish annually enrollment and retention performance results for all states. Amends SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) to: (1) require a state CHIP plan also to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual, (2) prohibit eligibility standards from applying a waiting period for a targeted low-income child (including a child provided dental-only supplemental coverage), and (3) extend the authorization of CHIP performance bonuses through FY2015. Amends SSA title XIX to allow a state to qualify for performance bonuses for the enrollment and retention in Medicaid of certain low-income individuals. Requires a state to develop and implement a quality assessment and improvement strategy if it provides contracts with comparable primary care case management services providers as well as health care services furnished in fee-for-service settings. Directs the Secretary to require states to use certain adult health quality measures and approaches to report on the initial core set of quality measures for Medicaid eligible adults and for the quality of pediatric health care. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a Medicaid Quality Performance Bonus fund for awarding performance bonuses to select states for high attainment and improvement on a core set of quality measures related to the goals and purposes of the Medicaid program, as well as (2) a methodology for awarding Medicaid Quality Performance bonuses to states Requires a state, as a condition of receiving a bonus fund award, to designate at least 75% of the performance bonus funds for the development and operation of quality-related initiatives that will directly benefit providers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2014
Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2014 - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations requiring each covered entity (proprietorships, partnerships, estates, trusts, cooperatives, and nonprofit and for-profit corporations) that owns or possesses data containing personal information to implement policies and procedures regarding information security practices for the treatment and protection of such information. Establishes procedures to be followed in the event of an information security breach. Requires a covered entity that discovers a breach to notify the FTC (unless the covered entity has already notified a federal entity designated by the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] to receive such information) and affected individuals. Sets forth requirements concerning such notification, including methods of notification and timeliness requirements. Allows an exemption from notification requirements if such entity reasonably concludes that there is no reasonable risk of identity theft, fraud, or other unlawful conduct. Establishes a presumption that there is no such risk for encrypted data. Directs DHS to designate a federal entity that covered entities would be required to notify if a security breach involves: (1) the personal information of more than 10,000 individuals, (2) a database containing the personal information of more than 1 million individuals, (3) federal government databases, or (4) the personal information of federal employees or contractors known to be involved in national security or law enforcement. Requires the designated entity to provide each notice it receives to: the U.S. Secret Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the FTC; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, if mail fraud is involved; attorneys general of affected states; and appropriate federal agencies for law enforcement, national security, or data security purposes. Sets forth enforcement provisions for the FTC, state attorneys general, and the Attorney General (DOJ). Establishes criminal penalties of a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for concealment of a security breach that results in economic harm of at least $1,000 to an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2014
Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act of 2014 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or each state exercising primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems to carry out a state chemical storage facility source water protection program. Requires such a program to provide for oversight and inspection of each covered chemical storage facility in accordance with minimum requirements, described in this Act, to prevent the release of chemicals into the water supply in watersheds with public water systems that rely on surface water, including a covered chemical storage facility located pursuant to a source water quality assessment (carried out upon state modification of monitoring requirements). Defines "covered chemical storage facility" as a facility at which a chemical is stored and the Administrator or state determines that a release from the facility poses a risk of harm to a public water system. Deems a state program and its requirements, for purposes of primary enforcement responsibility, to be part of the national primary drinking water regulations and requires that they be implemented and enforced in accordance with the procedures applicable to such responsibility. Authorizes the issuance of orders by the Administrator to carry out this Act. Sets forth requirements concerning: (1) liability of a facility owner or operator for costs of response actions, (2) pre-transfer inspections of facilities, and (3) information for public water systems regarding emergency response plans and chemical inventories. Authorizes an owner or operator of a public water system to commence, or to petition the Administrator to commence, a civil action for equitable relief to address possible imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons supplied by the water system. Provides a special rule to expedite the Administrator's response to a petition in emergency situations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2014
Expresses support for the designation of January 28, 2014, as National Data Privacy Day. Encourages: (1) state and local governments to raise awareness about data privacy and security; (2) privacy professionals and educators to discuss such privacy and security; (3) corporations, governments, and other organizations to take steps to protect the privacy and security of individuals and to promote trust in technologies; (4) individuals to learn about the specific steps they can take to protect the privacy of information they possess about themselves and others; and (5) everyone to respect privacy, safeguard data they possess, and enable trust.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2014
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to raise from $2 million to $4 million the amount that may be obligated from the Hazardous Substance Superfund for a response action after which obligations may not continue unless certain criteria are met.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2014
Restore Honor to Service Members Act - Requires appropriate military record correction boards or discharge review boards to review the discharge characterization of any former members of the Armed Forces requesting a review who were discharged because of their sexual orientation. Permits such boards to change a characterization to honorable if such characterization is any characterization except honorable. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to ensure that any such changes are carried out consistently and uniformly across the military departments using specified criteria, including that: (1) the original discharge was based on the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell (as in effect before it was repealed pursuant to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010) or a similar earlier policy; and (2) the discharge characterization will be changed if, with respect to the original discharge, there were no aggravating circumstances, such as misconduct, that would have independently led to any discharge characterization except honorable. Prohibits "aggravating circumstances" from including: (1) an offense of sodomy committed by the member against a consenting person of the same sex; or (2) statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation or identity, or the disclosure of such statements, conduct, or acts, that were prohibited at the time of discharge but that became permitted after such discharge. Directs the Secretary of each military department to ensure that oral historians of the department: (1) review discharges between World War II and September 2011 based on sexual orientation, and (2) receive oral testimony of individuals who personally experienced discrimination and discharge because of actual or perceived sexual orientation so that such testimony may serve as an official record of such discriminatory policies and their impact on American lives. Requires the reissuance of specified military personnel records and discharge forms in a manner that shall not reflect the sexual orientation of the member.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2014
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to impose liability for hazardous substances releases of pollutants or contaminants if the President takes any response measure pursuant to CERCLA response authorities with respect to the pollutants or contaminants. Excepts otherwise liable persons who engage in conduct with respect to such pollutants or contaminants from liability for damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources, including the reasonable costs of assessing the injury, destruction, or resulting loss.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2014
Expresses the support of the Senate for the goals and ideals of the USA Science & Engineering Festival to promote scholarship in science and an interest in scientific research and development as the cornerstones of innovation and competition in the United States. Supports festivals such as the USA Science & Engineering Festival, that focus on the importance of science and engineering to the daily lives of individuals in the United States through exhibits on topics that include human spaceflight, medicine, engineering, biotechnology, physics, and astronomy. Congratulates all the individuals and organizations whose efforts will make possible the USA Science & Engineering Festival, highlighting the accomplishments of the United States in science and engineering. Designates April 21-27, 2014, as National Science and Technology Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2013
Protecting Youth At-Risk for Sex Trafficking Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the state agency under its foster care and adoption assistance program plan to demonstrate to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) that it has developed, and is implementing, policies and procedures for identifying and screening any child who the state has reasonable cause to believe is a victim of sex trafficking or is at risk of being a victim of trafficking. Prescribes additional case plan and case review system requirements for placement of a child in another planned permanent living arrangement. Requires a permanency plan for a child age 14 or older to be developed in consultation with the child, and allows the child to choose up to two members of his or her case planning team. Requires foster youth to be discharged from care only if provided with an official birth certificate, a Social Security card, a driver's license or equivalent state-issued identification care, and a fee-free (or low-fee) bank account. Subjects any state to an administrative penalty for noncompliance. Requires the state plan to require the state agency to: (1) identify and document each child who is a victim of sex trafficking or a victim of severe forms of trafficking in persons, and (2) report to law enforcement authorities within 24 hours after receiving any information on missing or abducted children for entry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Amends part A of SSA title XI to require the head of each federal agency to report to Congress recommendations for expanding safe housing for youth victims of trafficking. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex Trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2013
Child Support Improvement and Work Promotion Act - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to utilize federal and state enforcement mechanisms and take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the U.S. treaty obligations under any multilateral child support convention in the event that a state plan does not comply with those obligations. Authorizes a Central Authority for child support enforcement in a foreign reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country to obtain information from the Federal Parent Locator Service for the purpose of establishing parentage or child support obligations, and enforcing them. Authorizes a state to require residents of a foreign reciprocating country or foreign treaty country who apply for services relating to establishment of paternity or child support obligations to make such an application through the foreign country's Central Authority for child support enforcement. Allows the state to accept or reject the application of any individual residing in a foreign country that is not a foreign reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country. Allows collection of past-due support from federal tax refunds in response to a request from a foreign reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country. Amends the federal judicial code with respect to full faith and credit for child support orders to revise requirements for state tribunals with appropriate jurisdiction to modify child support orders including an order issued in that state if one party resides in another state. Allows individual contestants to a child support order to consent to allow a state tribunal to continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify the order, or to change the tribunal and jurisdiction, in certain circumstances, to those of another state. Allows issuance of passports to certain individuals with annual incomes of under $100,000 who owe arrearages of child support but have been making such payments over a period of time. Authorizes child support enforcement programs operated by Indian tribes to conduct an experimental, pilot, or demonstration project to assist in promoting the SSA title IV part D objectives. Authorizes establishment of voluntary parenting time arrangements under state part D plans. Increases from 24 to 48 months the length of time information entered into the data base maintained by the National Directory of New Hires shall remain before being deleted. Authorizes the Secretary to provide access to data in each component of the Federal Parent Locator Service for certain related federal or state research as well as assessments of the effectiveness of a federal program in achieving positive labor market outcomes. Establishes in the executive branch a Child Support Enforcement Task Force.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2013
Strengthening And Finding Families for Children Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the adoption incentives grant program (renaming it the adoption and legal guardianship incentive program), creating a new formula for determining adoption incentive payments, and extending the program through FY2016. Revises the program's award structure, including limitations on the use of incentive payments. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase the adoption incentive payment for timely adoption award states. Requires states to use amounts paid to them under the program to supplement, and not supplant, any federal or non-federal funds used to provide any service under SSA title IV parts B (Child and Family Services) or E. Requires a state to calculate the savings (if any) resulting from the application of specified eligibility requirements for adoption assistance to all applicable children for a fiscal year, using a methodology specified by the Secretary or an alternative methodology proposed by the state and approved by the Secretary. Requires a state to spend at least 40% of any such savings on: (1) post-adoption or post-guardianship services (as applicable) for children placed in adoptive, kinship guardianship, or guardianship placements and their families; and (2) services to support and sustain positive permanent outcomes for children who otherwise might enter into foster care under the responsibility of the state. Declares that, in the event of the death or incapacity of the relative guardian, the eligibility of a child for a kinship guardianship assistance payment shall not be affected by reason of the replacement of the relative guardian with a successor legal guardian named in the kinship guardianship assistance agreement. Directs the Secretary, as part of the data collection system, to promulgate final regulations providing for the collection and analysis of information regarding children who enter into foster care under state supervision as a result of the disruption of a placement for adoption or foster care guardianship or the dissolution of an adoption or foster care guardianship. Requires a state plan for foster care and adoption assistance to require the state, within 30 days after removal of a child from parental custody, to exercise due diligence to identify and provide notice to all parents of a sibling of such a child, where such parent has legal custody of such sibling (as well as all adult grandparents as under current law). Amends SSA title IV part B to extend the Family Connection Grant Program through FY20016, and make universities eligible for matching grants under such programs. Amends SSA title III (Unemployment Compensation) with respect to the requirement that a state have an unemployment compensation law containing certain provisions in order to receive a specified federal grant. Requires a state owed an unemployment compensation debt meeting specified criteria that remains uncollected within two years after it was first incurred to take specified action under the Internal Revenue Code to recover it, including through a tax refund offset.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2013
Condemns the senseless and appalling shooting carried out at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 1, 2013. Offers the Senate's deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of deceased Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer Gerardo Hernandez. Honors the dedicated public service of TSA Officers Gerardo Hernandez, James Speer, and Tony Grisby and sends its hope for a quick recovery to the other victims of the horrific attack. Remains committed to preventing similar tragedies from happening again.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2013
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to extend emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) payments for eligible individuals to weeks of employment ending on or before April 1, 2014. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until March 31, 2014, requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and September 30, 2014, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from December 31, 2013, to March 31, 2014, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula. Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to appropriate funds out of the employment security administration account through the first quarter of FY2015 to assist states in providing reemployment and eligibility assessment activities. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through March 31, 2014, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits. Makes a change in application of a certain requirement (nonreduction rule) to a state that has entered a federal-state EUC agreement, under which the federal government would reimburse the state's unemployment compensation agency making EUC payments to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under state or federal law and meet specified other criteria. (Under the nonreduction rule such an agreement does not apply with respect to a state whose method for computing regular unemployment compensation under state law has been modified to make the average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid on or after June 2, 2010, less than what would have been paid before June 2, 2010.) Declares that the nonreduction rule shall not apply to a state which has enacted a law before December 1, 2013, that, upon taking effect, would violate the nonreduction rule. Allows a state whose agreement was terminated, however, to enter into a subsequent federal-state EUC agreement on or after enactment of this Act if, taking into account this inapplicability of the nonreduction rule, it would otherwise meet the requirements for an EUC agreement. (Thus allows such a subsequent EUC agreement to permit payment of less than the average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid on or after June 2, 2010.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2013
Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5-gold coins, 400,000 $1-silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins emblematic of the game of professional football. Requires all sales of such coins to include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to help finance the construction of a new building and the renovation of existing Pro Football Hall of Fame facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2013
American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to the American Fighter Aces, collectively, in recognition of their heroic military service and defense of the nation's freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2013
Honors the life, accomplishments, and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Extends condolences to the members of his family and his fellow citizens. Requests: (1) the Secretary of State to communicate these expressions of honor and condolence to Nelson Mandela's family and to the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, and (2) the President to identify an appropriate and lasting U.S. government program to honor Nelson Mandela's legacy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2013
National Silver Alert Act of 2013 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Silver Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors; (2) ensure that, when feasible, the network is able to operate in coordination with the AMBER Alert communications network; and (3) designate an individual of DOJ to serve as the Silver Alert Coordinator to coordinate the network with states. Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported as missing to or by a law enforcement agency and who meets state requirements for designation as a missing senior. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) establish minimum standards for the issuance and dissemination of alerts issued through the network; and (2) make available to states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other concerned entities network training and information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2013
Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require private educational lenders to disclose to borrowers at least 30 days before the first fully amortized payment on their loan is due: certain information concerning the terms of the loan, the date on which the first payment is due, the name of the lender and servicer and certain contact information, and a description of alternative repayment plans. Requires private educational lenders to disclose to borrowers who become 30 days delinquent on their loan: the date on which the loan will be charged-off or assigned to collections, including the consequences of those actions; the minimum payment that the borrower must make to avoid the loan being charged off or assigned to collection; the minimum payment that the borrower must make to bring the loan current; and a statement informing the borrower that paying less than the minimum could result in the loan being charged off or assigned to collection. Requires a private educational lender, when a borrower becomes 60 days delinquent or provides notice that he or she is having difficulty making payment, to: complete a full review of the loan and make a reasonable effort to determine if the borrower is eligible for an alternative repayment plan or servicemember or veteran benefits related to private education loans, inform the borrower about alternative repayment plans and benefits for which the borrower may be eligible, and give the borrower at least 30 days to apply for such a plan or benefit. Requires private educational lenders in all these situations to notify the borrower that a Servicemember and Veterans Liaison is available to answer inquiries about servicemember and veteran benefits related to private education loans. Provides that if such a borrower notifies a private educational lender that a long-term alternative repayment plan is not needed, the lender may provide the borrower with information about forbearance or deferment options instead. Requires lenders to establish a process that enables borrowers to provide such notice. Requires the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to develop and issue model forms to allow borrowers to compare their private education loan repayment plan with alternative repayment plans and forbearance and deferment options. Establishes a student loan borrower bill of rights under the Truth in Lending Act and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Imposes specified notification and payment transfer and receipt obligations on transferors and transferees of student loans if the transfer of those loans results in a change of the party to whom the borrower must direct communications or send payments. Prohibits student loan servicers from imposing late payment fees or finance charges on borrowers whose late payment is due to a change in the servicer's mailing address, office, or payment handling procedures. Requires private education loan servicers, absent alternative instructions from the borrower, to apply payments first to the interest and fees a borrower owes on the payment due date and then to the principal of the borrower's private education loan that bears the highest interest rate. Considers a private education loan to be rehabilitated if the borrower: (1) makes 9 payments of amounts owed on the loan within 20 days of the due date for 10 consecutive months, or (2) otherwise brings the loan current after it has been charged-off. Requires student loan servicers to: (1) designate an employee who is specially trained on servicemember and veteran benefits to act as the servicemember and veterans liaison responsible for answering inquiries from servicemembers and veterans, and (2) provide servicemembers and veterans with a toll-free number to access that liaison. Prohibits student loan lenders or servicers from charging-off or reporting a student loan as delinquent, assigned to collection, or charged-off to a credit reporting agency if the borrower is on active duty in a combat zone. Requires student loan servicers to make available to borrowers: (1) through a secure website or in writing upon request, their loan history; and (2) upon request and at no charge, copies of the original loan documents. Requires the Director of the CFPB to promulgate rules requiring student loan servicers to establish error resolution procedures. Requires consumer credit information that is required to be disclosed to borrowers under the Truth in Lending Act to be available at no charge to such borrowers. Requires the Director of the CFPB, under the HEA, to issue rules: (1) requiring lenders and servicers to contact borrowers who may be eligible to have their student loans discharged by the Secretary of Education and to provide them with information and a streamlined process for doing so, and (2) for the application of student loan payments in a manner that best benefits borrowers and is compatible with existing repayment options. Amends the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program to require eligible lenders to provide borrowers, before repayment, when they are having difficulty making payments, and when they are delinquent, a statement that: (1) they may be entitled to servicemember and veteran benefits, and (2) a Servicemember and Veterans Liaison is available to answer their inquiries about those benefits. Requires eligible lenders, under the FFEL program, and the Secretary, under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program, to inform borrowers of alternative repayment options and offer to enroll them in alternative repayment plans. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a lender, before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an institution of higher education (IHE), to obtain the IHE's certification of: (1) the student's enrollment status, (2) the student's cost of attendance, and (3) the difference between that cost and the student's estimated financial assistance. Eliminates the requirement that such lenders obtain a self-certification form from the private education loan applicant. Allows a lender to issue such a loan without a certification if the relevant IHE does not notify the lender, within 15 business days of the creditor's request for such certification, that it refuses to issue the certification or that it needs more time to comply with the request. Requires private educational lenders to: (1) send loan statements to borrowers at least once every three months a student is enrolled at an IHE; (2) notify the relevant IHE, in writing, of the loan amount and the student to whom it applies no later than the date funds are issued; and (3) submit an annual report to the CFPB containing information the CFPB requires concerning private student loans. Amends the HEA to require IHEs, before providing lenders with certifications or notice of their refusal to do so, to determine whether students have exhausted their options for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA and notify borrowers of: (1) the availability of such assistance, (2) their ability to choose their own private educational lender, (3) the impact of the proposed private education loan on their eligibility for other financial assistance, and (4) their right to accept or reject a private education loan within 30 days of the lender's approval of their application and to cancel the loan within 3 business days of its consummation. Prohibits an IHE from providing a private lender with a certification unless: (1) the loan provides the borrower with alternative repayment plans, including loan consolidation or refinancing; and (2) loan liability is cancelled upon the death or disability of the borrower or co-borrower. Treats lenders that receive a certification from an IHE as being in a preferred lender arrangement with that IHE.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2013
Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a qualified emergency services volunteer shall not be counted in determining the number of full-time employees of an employer for the purpose of shared responsibility requirements for employers with respect to health coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Defines "qualified emergency services volunteer" as a bona fide volunteer performing fire fighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, or ambulance services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2013
Fair Competition for Hospitals Act of 2013 - Requires the wage index applying to a certain kind of subsection (d) hospital under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to be the highest wage index assigned to hospitals in the core-based statistical area in which the hospital is located (regardless of which state the hospital is located in) as a result of the requirement of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that the area wage index applicable to any hospital which is not located in a rural area be not less than the area wage index applicable to hospitals located in rural areas in the state in which the hospital is located. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Limits the application of this Act to a subsection (d) hospital: (1) located in a core-based statistical area comprising counties from more than one state, but (2) not located in a core-based statistical area in which one or more hospitals are subject to a specified minimum wage index, and (3) not located in a core-based statistical area in which the highest wage index applies to hospitals covered by this Act under a state Medicare reimbursement system.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2013
Medicaid Managed Care Responsibility and Equity Act - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to managed care requirements. Requires a minimum medical loss ratio of at least 85% for Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans under contracts between a state and a managed medical care entity (health maintenance organization), but a minimum ratio of only 80% for an entity in which at least 10% of the enrollees are optional targeted low-income children. Prescribes administrative penalties for failure to maintain such ratios. Applies the same minimum medical loss ratios to a state child health (CHIP) plan, except for a medical loss ratio of at least 80% for managed care organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2013
Child Support Enforcement Effectiveness Act of 2013 - Establishes the Commission on Child Support to evaluate the effectiveness of existing child support enforcement programs and collection practices employed by state agencies administering programs under part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends part D of SSA title IV to repeal the exclusion from federal matching payments of any amounts expended by a state from child support incentive payments it has received from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). (Thus reinstates federal matching of state spending of child support incentive payments.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2013
Poison Center Network Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize through FY2019: (1) a poison control nationwide-toll free phone number; and (2) a national media campaign to educate the public and health care providers about poison prevention and the availability of poison control center resources in local communities and to conduct advertising campaigns about the nationwide toll-free number. Revises and reauthorizes through FY2019 a grant program for accredited (currently, certified) poison control centers. Allows grant funds to be used to research, improve, and enhance the communications and response capability and capacity of the poison control centers to facilitate increased access to such centers through the integration and modernization of communications and data systems.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013
Affordable College Textbook Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to support pilot programs that expand the use of open textbooks in order to achieve savings for students. Requires the grants to be used for: professional development for IHE faculty and staff, including the search for and review of open textbooks; the creation or adaptation of open educational resources, especially open textbooks; the development or improvement of tools and informational resources that support the use of open textbooks; research evaluating the efficacy of using open textbooks to achieve savings for students; and partnerships with other entities to carry out the preceding activities. Requires the full and complete digital content of the educational resources created or adopted using such grant funds to be made available free of charge to the public: (1) on an easily accessible and interoperable website; and (2) in a machine readable, digital format that anyone can directly download, edit, and redistribute. Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to grant applicants that demonstrate the greatest potential to: achieve the highest level of savings for students; expand the use of open textbooks at other IHEs; and produce open textbooks that are of the highest quality, that can be most easily utilized and adapted by faculty members, that correspond to the highest enrollment courses, and that are created or adopted in partnership with entities that will assist in their marketing and distribution. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include any educational material developed to accompany a college textbook as supplemental material that is subject to college textbook information disclosure requirements. Expresses the sense of Congress that IHEs should encourage the consideration of open textbooks by faculty within the generally accepted principles of academic freedom that establish the right and responsibility of faculty members to select the most appropriate course materials for their classes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2013
Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act - Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to the members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in recognition of their superior service and major contributions during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013
Consumer Choice in Online Video Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide plain language disclosures to assist consumers in making informed decisions about the purchase of Internet service, including: (1) network management practices that limit service speeds or prioritize content, (2) usage-based billing terms, and (3) information regarding different tiers of service. Directs ISPs offering usage-based billing to establish an appeals process for consumers to challenge an ISP's determination of a consumer's data usage. Requires the FCC to extend its truth-in-billing rules to ISPs. Prohibits ISPs, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), online video distributors (OVDs), and video programming vendors (VPVs), in various circumstances and in their relationships with one another, from engaging in unfair methods of competition, or unfair or deceptive acts or practices, that hinder significantly or prevent an OVD from providing video programming to consumers. Prohibits MVPDs or OVDs from entering agreements (for periods longer than 30 days) that limit or prohibit a VPV from making its video content available to consumers for free over the Internet. Permits VPVs to establish different prices, terms, and conditions that: (1) relate to substantial, real, and legitimate business concerns; and (2) are not used in an anticompetitive manner. Prohibits broadcast television licensees or television networks from: (1) refusing to negotiate with OVDs for the carriage of television content, or (2) restricting an OVD's ability to make such content available to subscribers on any platform or device. Prohibits broadcast television licensees from providing an over-the-air signal that differs from a retransmission of that signal provided to a MVPD or an OVD, subject to exceptions for certain commercial advertisements embedded in such signal when the variation is not used to increase overall advertising time. Permits antenna rental services to rent to a consumer access to an individual antenna to view over-the-air broadcast television signals transmitted directly to: (1) the consumer over the Internet or another IP-based transmission path; or (2) an individual data storage system, including an online remote system, for recording and then made accessible to that consumer through an IP-based path. Exempts such antenna rental services from certain retransmission consent fees. Prohibits a VPV that has made its video programming available to consumers online from restricting access for a subscriber of an MVPD or its affiliate, or an OVD or its affiliate, during the time when such vendor is involved in a dispute with such distributor. Provides exceptions from such prohibition when a vendor requires a consumer to purchase access through a contract with a distributor. Authorizes an aggrieved consumer, distributor, or affiliate to bring a civil action for an injunction to prevent or restrain such restricted access. Permits OVDs that provide programming in a manner reasonably equivalent to MVPDs (based on subscriber experience, not underlying technology, and which may include services that record programming to watch at another time) to elect to be treated as non-facilities based MVPDs (NFB-MVPDs) in order to operate under a special category of modified communications laws and FCC regulations. Directs the FCC to prohibit practices and arrangements, including exclusive video programming contracts, that prevent an NFB-MVPD from obtaining programming from any VPV. Requires local commercial television broadcast stations, at the request of an NFB-MVPD serving a designated market area, to negotiate for carriage of their content over that distributor's system. Allows NFB-MVPDs to also deliver a non-local (out-of-market) commercial broadcast television station. Deems a signal of such a non-local commercial broadcast television station delivered by an NFB-MVPD to be significantly viewed under FCC regulations, thereby enabling NFP-MVPDs to carry such non-local stations without incurring distant signal copyright fees. Exempts such signals from specified non-duplication, program exclusivity, and sports blackout rules. Provides for an NFB-MVPD subscriber to: (1) receive programming from up to two commercial television stations that are affiliates of the same television network, provided that not more than one of the affiliates is located in a designated market area where the subscriber does not reside; and (2) view any subscribed commercial television station signals at any time and on any device, including a mobile device, that an NFB-MVPD has made capable of delivering the distributor's service. Prohibits NFB-MVPDs from being required to carry the signal of a local commercial television station as a condition for carrying and delivering a non-local commercial broadcast television signal. Requires NFB-MVPDs to reserve a portion of their channel capacity exclusively for educational or informational programming. Provides for an NFB-MVPD carrying a broadcast television station signal to be considered a cable system under copyright laws addressing secondary transmissions, thereby authorizing such NFB-MVPDs to retransmit copyrighted works subject to compulsory licensing requirements and the payment of royalty fees.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2013
Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to the treatment of revocable trusts for the benefit of an individual for purposes of meeting income requirements for Medicaid coverage. Extends the supplemental needs trust exemption from treatment of a trust as resources available to the individual to supplemental needs trusts for Medicaid beneficiaries established by those beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2013
Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers Act of 2013 or the POST Act of 2013 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require proprietary institutions of higher education to derive at least 15% of their revenue from sources other than federal funds or become ineligible for title IV funding. (Currently, the 90/10 rule requires these schools to derive at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV or become ineligible for title IV funding.) Defines "federal funds" as federal financial assistance provided through a grant, contract, subsidy, loan, guarantee, insurance, or other means to a proprietary institution, including federal financial assistance that is provided to an institution on behalf of a student or to a student to attend the institution. Excludes monthly housing stipends provided under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance program from consideration as federal funds. Limits what a proprietary institution may treat as revenue to the school in calculating whether it derives at least 15% of its revenue from non-federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2013
West Virginia National Heritage Area Act of 2013 - Establishes the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area in the states of Maryland and West Virginia. Designates the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, Inc., as the local coordinating entity for the Area. Requires the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, Inc., to submit a management plan that provides for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of cultural, natural, historical, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the Area. Amends the National Coal Heritage Area Act of 1996 and the Wheeling National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to extend through FY2017 the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to make grants or provide assistance with respect to the National Coal Heritage Area and the Wheeling National Heritage Area.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2013
Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to extend through FY2014 the benefit calculation of 113.6 % of the June 2008 value of the thrifty food plan for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) as well as the consolidated block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2013
Commemorates the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Recognizes the Corporation's work to improve lives, strengthen communities, expand economic opportunity, foster innovation and civic engagement, and engage millions of U.S. people in solving critical problems through national service.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013
Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act - Establishes the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children in the Office of Tribal Justice of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Requires the President and Members of Congress serving in specified leadership positions to appoint to the Commission individuals who have significant experience and expertise in Indian affairs and the matters to be studied by the Commission. Requires the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of federal, state, local, and tribal programs that serve Native children, including an evaluation of: the impact of concurrent jurisdiction on child welfare systems; barriers Indian tribes and Native Hawaiians face in applying, reporting on, and using existing public and private grant resources; obstacles to nongovernmental financial support for programs benefitting Native children; issues relating to the validity and statistical significance of data on Native children; barriers to the development of sustainable, multidisciplinary programs designed to assist high-risk Native children and their families, as well as any examples of successful program models and use of best practices; and barriers to interagency coordination on programs benefitting Native children. Directs the Commission to use the results of the study and analyses of existing federal data relating to Native children to: develop plans and goals for federal policy relating to Native children in the short-, mid-, and long-term, which shall be informed by the development of accurate child well-being measures; recommend modifications and improvements to programs that serve Native children at the federal, state, and tribal level that would integrate the cultural strengths of Native communities and improve those programs; recommend improvements to the collection of data regarding Native children and the programs that serve them; and identify models of successful federal, state, and tribal programs in the areas studied by the Commission. Requires the Commission to submit a report to the President, Congress, and the White House Council on Native American Affairs on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for appropriate legislative and administrative action.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2013
SCRA Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to: extend the period during which a contract for the purchase of real or personal property or the lease or bailment of such property entered into by a member of the uniformed services (servicemember) may not be rescinded or terminated for a breach to one year after such member's period of military service; change the period during which an action to enforce a mortgage, trust deed, or other security against a servicemember is covered by a stay of proceedings or adjustment of obligation to the period in which such action is pending (instead of the period in which such action is filed); prohibit the accrual of a mortgage prepayment penalty incurred by a servicemember during military service; delay the expiration of a license issued by a state or local licensing authority to a servicemember, or a continuing education requirement to maintain such a license, to 180 days after such servicemember is no longer eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay; expand protections against collection of taxes owned by a servicemember with respect to personal property or real property occupied for dwelling, professional, trade, business, or agricultural purposes; prohibit the denial of credit to a servicemember solely by reason of entitlement to protections under SCRA; expand due diligence requirements for determining whether an individual is a servicemember prior to taking a default judgment against such individual; extend the protections of SCRA to servicemembers who are personally liable as a guarantor or co-maker of a mortgage, trust deed, or other security in the nature of a mortgage; permit the use of arbitration to settle a dispute under SCRA; authorize the Attorney General to issue a civil investigate demand for documents relating to an investigation under SCRA prior to initiating a civil action for violations of such Act; and double the amount of civil penalties for a first violation of SCRA and for subsequent violations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2013
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Rod Grams, former Member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on October 9, 2013, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Grams.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2013
Offers: (1) condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims killed or wounded during the violence that took place at the Washington Navy Yard on September 16, 2013; and (2) support and hope for all the individuals who were wounded and discomforted by the mass shooting. Recognizes the difficult healing and recovery process that lies ahead for the affected communities. Honors the courageous and professional service of: (1) the uniformed men and women of the Navy and other members of the U.S. Armed Forces; (2) all civilian employees who provide support for the Armed Forces; and (3) the law enforcement personnel, emergency responders, and medical professionals who responded to and assisted victims of that shooting. Remains committed to preventing the occurrence of similar tragedies.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2013
Repeals federal provisions that prohibit collective bargaining and related grievance procedures provided under a collective bargaining agreement for certain employees of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from covering any matter or question concerning or arising out of: (1) professional conduct or competence; (2) peer review; or (3) the establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2013
Rebuilding America's Schools Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax-exempt bond funding for educational facilities, to: (1) reinstate the national qualified school construction bond limitation amount for calendar years after 2013, (2) make permanent the qualified zone academy bond (QZAB) limitation amount, (3) permit private entities to waive the 10% matching requirement for QZABs, and (4) revise the definition of QZAB for purposes of the credit for issuers of qualified tax credit bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2013
Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include as a health care provider behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, psychiatric hospitals, certain community mental health centers (including one operated by a county behavioral health agency), and residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), with respect to incentives for meaningful use of certified electronic health records (EHR) technology under the pay schedule for physician's services, to include as additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services and clinical social workers. Subjects any additional eligible professionals, including those under a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan, to reductions in incentive payments after a certain date for failure to be a meaningful EHR user. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to treat as Medicaid providers the following additional Medicaid providers: (1) public and certain private hospitals that are principally psychiatric hospitals, (2) certain community mental health centers, and (3) certain residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities. Makes eligible professionals under the Medicaid program certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services and certain clinical social workers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2013
Removing Barriers to Adoption and Supporting Families Act of 2013 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reauthorize the adoption incentive payment program through FY2018. Adds a new adoption incentive payment for states involved in sending and receiving interstate adoptions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay each state that was a receiving state for an interstate adoptive placement for a fiscal year a pro rata share of the portion of the adoption incentive payment paid to the sending state. Requires a state to report to the Secretary data on interstate adoptions. Directs the Secretary to develop national standards for home studies for use in evaluating potential foster and adoptive parents. Establishes a matching rate for states adopting home study in compliance with national standards. Limits planned permanent living arrangements to children who have attained age 17. Directs the Comptroller General to study: (1) the number of children in each state that are assigned a permanency goal of another planned permanent living arrangement for the most recent fiscal year for which data are available; (2) the ages, gender, race, and special needs of children whose permanency goal is another planned permanent living arrangement; (3) a review and analysis of court practices for determining that another planned permanent living arrangement is the appropriate placement for a child; (4) information with respect to foster youths' involvement in deciding to enter into a permanency goal of another planned permanent living arrangement; and (5) a summary of the reasons that reunification, adoption, kinship care, or guardianship were not found to be in the best interests of the child. Requires a state to spend an amount equal to 20% of the amount of savings from adoption assistance de-linkage to provide post-adoption and post-permanency services to children and families. Requires the state foster care and adoption assistance plan to: (1) commit the state to engage in public-private partnerships to promote evidence-based child-focused recruitment practices that focus measurable attention on the adoption of children out of foster care with an emphasis on those children most at risk of aging out of care, and (2) encourage placement of children with siblings.
![Official portrait of Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000361_200.jpg)