United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1999
Trade Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to repeal the requirement that the cause of serious injury (or threat) be substantial to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an article that is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities with respect to the President taking action to facilitate efforts by such industry to make a positive adjustment to the import competition. Revises certain factors the International Trade Commission must consider when investigating to determine whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury (or threat) to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Repeals, similarly, the requirement that such injury be substantial. Declares that imports shall be considered to be a "cause of serious injury, or threat thereof," if a causal link is established between imports and injury to the domestic industry. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and implement a steel import permit and monitoring program. Requires: (1) a person to have a steel import permit before he or she can import certain steel products into the United States; and (2) the Secretary to issue such permit to any person who files an application that meets specified requirements. Requires the Secretary to compile and publish certain information with respect to such imported steel.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Financial Information Privacy Act of 1999 - Directs the Federal financial regulatory authorities (banking regulatory agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)) to jointly issue final rules to protect the privacy of confidential information relating to customers of institutions under their respective jurisdictions (covered institution). Mandates that such rules: (1) prohibit a covered institution from disclosing or sharing confidential customer information with any affiliate or agent if the customer has provided a written notice which forbids such disclosure; (2) prohibit a covered institution from disclosing or sharing confidential customer information with a non-affiliate or non-agent unless the customer has provided written or electronic consent; (3) require the covered institution to disclose to the customer the specific type of information disclosed or shared, under what circumstances, to what specific types of businesses, and for what types of purposes; (4) require customer access to information that could be disclosed so that it may be reviewed for accuracy and supplementation; and (5) establish a compliance and enforcement mechanism that includes consumer complaint resolution. Cites circumstances under which such information may be released.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Employee Educational Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permanently extend the exclusion from gross income of employer-provided educational assistance; and (2) restore the exclusion for such assistance on the graduate level.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1999 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage (currently $5.15 per hour) to: (1) $5.65 an hour during the year beginning on September 1, 1999; and (2) $6.15 an hour beginning on September 1, 2000. Makes Federal minimum requirements applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages (such FLSA prohibitions are also known as the Equal Pay Act). (Sec. 3) Amends FLSA to provide for enhanced enforcement of equal pay requirements, adding a nonretaliation requirement. Increases penalties for such violations. Provides for the Secretary of Labor to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in such cases. (Sec. 4) Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, including convening a national summit and carrying out other specified activities. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop guidelines for employer evaluations of job categories based on objective criteria, to be used voluntarily by employers to compare wages for different jobs to determine if pay scales adequately and fairly reflect each job's educational and skill requirements, independence, working conditions, and responsibility, in order to eliminate unfair pay disparities between occupations traditionally dominated by men or women; and (2) establish a program to recognize employers who use such guidelines to ensure that women are paid fairly in comparison to men without lowering men's wages. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance for employers to carry out such evaluations. (Sec. 7) Establishes the Robert Reich National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace, which shall be evidenced by a medal. Sets forth criteria for specified types of entities to receive such an award. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) take appropriate steps to increase the amount of information available with respect to wage disparities; and (2) consider ways to collect such information that maximize its utility, protect individual privacy, and minimize reporting burdens. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Designates the Department of Housing and Urban Development headquarters at 451 Seventh Street, SW. Washington, D.C., as the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Insurance Bill of Rights Subtitle A: Access to Care Subtitle B: Quality Assurance Subtitle C: Patient Information Subtitle D: Grievance and Appeals Procedures Subtitle E: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship Subtitle F: Promoting Good Medical Practice Subtitle G: Definitions Title II: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act Title III: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Title IV: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 1999 - Title I: Health Insurance Bill of Rights - Subtitle A: Access to Care - Requires any group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, providing emergency services benefits to cover emergency services furnished: (1) without the need for any prior authorization determination; (2) whether or not the health care provider furnishing such services is a participating health care provider; and (3) without regard to any other term or condition of such coverage (other than exclusion or coordination of benefits, or an affiliation or waiting period, permitted under the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), or the Internal Revenue Code, and other than applicable cost-sharing). Requires such coverage in a manner so that, if the emergency services are provided by a nonparticipating health care provider the participant, beneficiary, or enrollee is not liable for amounts exceeding the liability that would be incurred if the services were provided by a participating provider with prior authorization. Prescribes the same coverage for maintenance care or post-stabilization care (subject to certain guidelines) by nonparticipating health care providers. (Sec. 102) Requires a plan or coverage that provides benefits only through participating providers to offer a participant the option to purchase point-of-service coverage for benefits provided by a nonparticipating provider, unless the plan offers the participant a choice of health insurance coverage and one or more coverage options that do not provide benefits only through participating providers. (Sec. 103) Requires any plan and any health insurance issuer to permit each participant, beneficiary, and enrollee to receive: (1) primary care from any participating primary care provider available to accept such individual; and (2) (unless the plan or issuer clearly declares choice limitations) medically necessary or appropriate specialty care, pursuant to appropriate referral procedures, from any qualified participating provider available to accept such individual for such care. (Sec. 104) Requires any plan or issuer that requires or provides for designation of a participating primary care provider to permit a female participant, beneficiary, or enrollee to designate a participating physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology as the individual's primary care provider. Prohibits the plan or issuer, in the absence of such a designation, from requiring authorization or a referral by the individual's primary care provider or otherwise for coverage of routine gynecological care (such as preventive women's health examinations) and pregnancy-related services provided by a participating specialist in obstetrics and gynecology to the extent such care is otherwise covered. Permits a plan or issuer to treat the ordering of other gynecological care by such a participating health professional as the primary care provider's authorization of such care. Requires the plan or issuer to refer to an available and accessible specialist any participant, beneficiary, or enrollee with a condition or disease of sufficient seriousness and complexity to require treatment by a specialist, and benefits for such treatment are covered. Requires a plan or issuer to refer an individual to a nonparticipating specialist: (1) only if a participating specialist is not available and accessible; and (2) only at no additional cost to the individual. Requires a plan or issuer to have a procedure by which an individual with an ongoing special condition (life-threatening, degenerative, or disabling) may be referred to a specialist who shall be responsible for and capable of providing and coordinating the individual's primary and specialty care, without referral from the individual's primary care provider. Requires standing referrals to a specialist for any condition requiring ongoing specialist care. (Sec. 105) Prescribes requirements for continuity of care for participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees in the event of a termination of a health care provider or of the contract between a plan and an issuer. (Sec. 106) Prescribes requirements for participation in approved clinical trials of individuals with life-threatening or serious illnesses for which no standard treatment is effective. Prohibits denial of participation in such trials, or discrimination against participants. Limits plan or issuer payments to routine patient costs. (Sec. 107) Requires any plan or issuer that provides prescription drug benefits limited to drugs included in a formulary to: (1) ensure participation of participating physicians and pharmacists in the development of the formulary; (2) disclose to providers, and upon request to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees, the nature of the formulary restrictions; and (3) consistent with the standards for a utilization review program, provide for exceptions from the formulary limitation when a non-formulary alternative is medically indicated. Prohibits a plan or issuer from denying coverage of such a drug or device on the basis that the use is investigational, if certain labeling requirements are met. (Sec. 108) Requires each plan and issuer to have (in relation to the coverage) a sufficient number, distribution, and variety of qualified participating providers to ensure that all covered health care services, including specialty services, will be available and accessible in a timely manner to all participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees. Permits inclusion among such providers of federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, migrant health centers, and other essential community providers located in the service area. Requires inclusion of such providers if necessary to meet such number, distribution, and variety requirements. (Sec. 109) Prescribes nondiscrimination requirements. Subtitle B: Quality Assurance - Directs each plan and issuer to establish an ongoing, internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 112) Requires each plan and issuer to: (1) collect uniform quality data, including a minimum uniform data set specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) have a written process for the selection of participating health care professionals, including minimum professional requirements; and (3) establish and maintain, as part of any internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program including prescription drug benefits, a drug utilization program which encourages appropriate drug use and takes appropriate action to reduce the incidence of improper drug use and adverse drug reactions and interactions. (Sec. 115) Requires each plan and issuer to conduct (or arrange for qualified outside agents to conduct) benefit utilization review activities only in accordance with a utilization review program that meets certain requirements. Prohibits a program from permitting or providing contingent compensation arrangements with its employees, agents, or contractors in a manner that: (1) provides incentives, direct or indirect, for such persons to make inappropriate review decisions; or (2) is based, directly or indirectly, on the quantity or type of adverse determinations rendered. Requires a utilization review program to make determinations and notifications concerning: (1) prior authorization services within three business days after receiving any necessary information; (2) authorization for continued or extended health care services within one business day after receipt of such information; and (3) retrospective review of services previously provided, within 30 days of such receipt. (Sec. 116) Directs the President to establish an advisory board to provide information to Congress and the administration on issues relating to quality monitoring and improvement in the health care provided under group health plans and health insurance coverage. Subtitle C: Patient Information - Specifies benefits, access, emergency coverage, prior authorization, grievance and appeals, and other pertinent information which plans and issuers shall provide to participants and beneficiaries at the time of initial coverage, annually, within a reasonable period before or after the date of significant changes, and upon request. (Sec. 122) Requires plans and issuers to establish procedures to: (1) safeguard the privacy of any individually identifiable enrollee information; (2) maintain records and information in an accurate and timely manner; and (3) assure individuals timely access to such records and information. (Sec. 123) Provides for grants to States for creation and operation of a Health Insurance Ombudsman. Requires any State receiving such a grant to contract for such an Ombudsman with a not-for-profit organization that operates independent of group health plans and health insurance issuers. Requires the Secretary to provide through such a contract for an Ombudsman in any State that does not provide for one. Makes such an Ombudsman responsible to: (1) assist consumers in choosing among health insurance coverage or among coverage options offered within group health plans; and (2) provide counseling and assistance to enrollees dissatisfied with their treatment by issuers and plans, and with respect to grievances and appeals of coverage or plan determinations. Subtitle D: Grievances and Appeals Procedures - Requires each plan and issuer to establish a system for the presentation and resolution of oral and written grievances brought by participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees, or health care providers or other individuals acting on behalf of an individual and with the individual's consent. Requires the system to include grievances regarding access to and availability of services, quality of care, choice and accessibility of providers, network adequacy, and compliance with the requirements of this title. (Sec. 132) Requires each plan and issuer to establish an internal appeals process, and provide for an external appeals process, which meet certain requirements. Specifies the appeal rights of participants, beneficiaries, and their representatives, as well as the kinds of decisions which are appealable. Subtitle E: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship - Prohibits any contract or agreement between a plan or issuer and a health care provider from: (1) prohibiting or restricting the provider from engaging in medical communications with the provider's patient; or (2) containing any provision purporting to transfer to the health care provider by indemnification or otherwise any liability relating to activities, actions, or omissions of the plan, issuer, or agent (as opposed to the provider). Declares null and void any such contract or agreement provisions. (Sec. 142) Prohibits any plan or issuer from operating any physician incentive plan that does not meet certain requirements under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 143) Requires any plan or issuer to establish reasonable procedures relating to the participation of health care professionals, including notice of participation rules, written notice of adverse participation decisions, and a process for appealing adverse decisions. (Sec. 144) Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating against a participant, beneficiary, enrollee, or health care provider based on use of, or participation in, a utilization review or a grievance process. Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating or discriminating against a protected health care professional because the professional in good faith: (1) discloses information relating to the care, services, or conditions affecting one or more participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees to an appropriate public regulatory agency, private accreditation body, or management personnel of the plan or issuer; or (2) initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding by such an agency with respect to such care, services, or conditions. Defines good faith action. Subtitle F: Promoting Good Medical Practice - Prohibits a plan or issuer from arbitrarily interfering with or altering the decision of the treating physician regarding the manner or setting in which particular covered services are delivered (including the number of days in a hospital) if they are medically necessary or appropriate for treatment or diagnosis. Allows a plan or issuer to limit the delivery of services to one or more providers within a network. (Sec. 152) Requires a plan or issuer that provides medical and surgical benefits to provide inpatient coverage following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer for a period of time as is determined by the attending physician, in his or her professional judgment consistent with medical standards, to be medically appropriate. Prohibits a plan or issuer from: (1) denying to a woman eligibility to enroll or renew coverage solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this title; (2) providing monetary payments or rebates to encourage women to accept less than the minimum protections available under this title; (3) penalizing or otherwise reducing or limiting reimbursement because an attending provider gave care to a participant or beneficiary in accordance with this title; (4) providing incentives (monetary or otherwise) to induce an attending provider to provide care to a participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this title; or (5) restricting benefits (other than imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing) for any portion of a period within a required hospital length of stay in a manner less favorable than the benefits provided for any preceding portion of such stay. Subtitle G: Definitions - Sets forth definitions. Title II: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of this Act. (Sec. 202) Requires each health insurance issuer to comply with such requirements with respect to individual health insurance coverage. Title III: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends ERISA to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of this Act. (Sec. 302) Provides that nothing in ERISA shall be construed to invalidate, impair, or supersede any cause of action under State law to recover damages resulting from personal injury or wrongful death against any person (except employers and other plan sponsors): (1) in connection with the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by that person to or for a group health plan; or (2) that arises out of the arrangement by that person for the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by other persons. Allows such an action against an employer or other plan sponsor (or against an employee of such an employer or sponsor acting within the scope of employment) only if it is based on the employer's or sponsor's exercise of discretionary authority to decide a claim for covered benefits, and such exercise resulted in personal injury or wrongful death. Title IV: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan to comply with this Act. Deems this Act to be incorporated into the Internal Revenue Code. Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to provide for coordination in the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Federal Employees Group Long-Term Care Insurance Act of 1999 - Sets forth provisions for the establishment of a program under which long-term care insurance is made available to Federal employees and annuitants. Authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to purchase group long-term care insurance policies from, and design benefits packages and negotiate final offerings with, qualified carriers. Provides that policy coverage and benefits shall be guaranteed to be renewable and may not be canceled except for nonpayment of premiums. Requires provided benefits to be compliant with standards recommended by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Requires premium payments to be withheld from the pay or annuities of enrollees. Sets forth provisions governing the filing of claims, the administrative resolution of claims disputes, and the jurisdiction of U.S. district courts over related suits. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Helping Communities Modernize School Facilities Title II: Class Size Reduction Title III: Teacher Excellence Title IV: Strengthening After-School Programs Public Schools Excellence Act - Title I: Helping Communities Modernize School Facilities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise current incentives for education zones into incentives for qualified public school modernization bonds, including (currently existing) qualified zone academy bonds and (newly established) qualified school construction bonds. (Sec. 102) Allows a limited tax credit, computed according to a specified formula, to taxpayers holding such public school modernization bonds. Raises the national zone academy bond limitation from $400 million to $1.4 billion for each of calendar years 2000 and 2001, and eliminates the limitation after 2001. Prescribes requirements for national qualified school construction bonds, with a national limitation of $9.7 billion each for calendar years 2000 and 2001, and no limit after 2001. (Sec. 103) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) sufficient funds should be provided in FY 2000 to begin construction of four new Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) school facilities and to increase funds available for the improvement and repair of existing facilities; and (2) Congress should consider enacting legislation to establish other funding mechanisms that would leverage Federal investments on behalf of BIA schools to address the serious construction backlog which exists at tribal schools. Title II: Class Size Reduction - Class Size Reduction Act of 1999 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish a program to help States and local educational agencies (LEAs) recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional qualified teachers, over a seven-year period, to: (1) reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations. Entitles States with approved applications to allotments according to a specified formula. Reserves certain funds for State-level administrative expenses, outlying areas, and BIA schools. Sets forth requirements for: (1) within-State allocations; (2) local uses of funds; (3) matching funds; (4) carryover; (5) participation of private school teachers; and(6) reports. Title III: Teacher Excellence - Teacher Excellence and Classroom Help Act - Part A: Challenging States to Ensure that Every Child Is Taught by a Qualified Teacher - Establishes challenge grant programs to ensure that every elementary and secondary school student is taught by a qualified teacher. (Sec. 312) Authorizes appropriations. Reserves a specified portion for grants to BIA schools. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) in each State, from specified allotments, to implement statewide initiatives and programs to: (1) recruit, train, and retain beginning teachers; and (2) provide ongoing professional development to veteran teachers and principals. Allows each SEA to reserve up to ten percent of such grant funds for statewide activities to improve the quality of the teaching force, including: (1) assisting LEAs to reduce out-of-field placements; (2) reducing the use of emergency credentials; (3) improving alternative certification programs; (4) administrative costs and evaluation of assisted activities; (5) linking assisted programs with State standards; (6) supporting National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification of teachers who are or will teach in high-need schools; and (7) assisting LEA teacher recruitment, induction, and professional development programs. Sets forth State allotment formula and State application requirements. (Sec. 314) Requires each SEA to use 20 percent of such grant funds to: (1) award scholarships to qualified individuals who enter the elementary or secondary school teaching field; and (2) establish partnerships with LEAs that serve school districts with the greatest teacher shortages and colleges of education to assist in carrying out such scholarship program, including recruitment of prospective teachers and support services for the teachers. Allows SEAs to also include community-based and other organizations in such partnerships. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements for such scholarships. Allows SEAs to determine the amount of the scholarship, but requires that individual need be considered in determining such amount. Requires scholarship recipients to agree to teach for at least three years, after degree completion, in high-need school districts or high-need content areas. Requires that incentives under such scholarship program be coordinated with those under the Federal student loan forgiveness program under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). (Sec. 315) Requires each SEA to use at least 70 percent of such grant funds to award competitive grants to eligible LEAs for specified authorized activities. Sets forth requirements for LEA eligibility, applications, and evaluations of assisted programs. Part B: Improving Teacher Preparation - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Congress should fully fund Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships, under HEA title II, at $300 million; and (2) the 106th Congress should make a strong investment in accomplishing the goal of holding institutions of higher education accountable for improving the initial preparation of teachers, a goal to which the 105th Congress made a strong commitment. Part C: Improving Teacher Technology Training - Amends ESEA to provide for teacher technology training. Requires schools to give attention to professional development that incorporates technology used to improve teaching and learning. Requires professional development activities to include instruction in the use of technology. Adds technology to the list of core subject areas for the National Teacher Training Project grants program (Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program). Requires local plans for improving teaching and learning to include descriptions of how their core subject area programs will incorporate technologies which meet the educational needs of individuals who are from historically underrepresented groups, or are economically disadvantaged, or have limited English language abilities, or have disabilities. Requires authorized professional development activities to incorporate effective technology for meeting the educational needs of diverse groups of students. Includes technological innovation as a higher education activity to improve teacher education programs. Title IV: Strengthening After-School Programs - Part A: School-Aged Child Care - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize and to make appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for new and expanded programs for child care and development services, including direct services provided outside of normal school hours, to promote the health and academic achievement of school age children and assist the children in avoiding high risk behaviors. (Sec. 414) Requires each State that receives a block grant under such Act to make grants to elementary or secondary schools or community-based organizations to expand the availability and affordability of quality child care and development services, especially direct services provided outside of normal school hours (including before- and after-school care and weekend, holiday, and summer care) for school age children. Requires grant preference to entities that: (1) serve communities with a high rate of poverty and a high incidence of at-risk children; and (2) propose programs that make certain transportation services available to the children served. Requires the use of grant funds for direct services outside of normal school hours, related quality services, and indirect services. Part B: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 421) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 422) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project-assisted activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 423) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 424) Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1999 grants. (Sec. 425) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Safe Schools, Safe Streets, and Secure Borders Act of 1999 - Title I: Combating Violence in Schools and Punishing Juvenile Crime - Subtitle A: Assistance to Schools - Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Education (Secretary), and the Secretary of Energy to enter into an agreement for the establishment at the Sandia National Laboratories in partnership with the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center--Southeast of a School Security Technology Center. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1002) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary to award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to enable such agencies to acquire security technology, or carry out activities related to improving security at the middle and high schools served by the agencies, including obtaining school security assessments, and technical assistance for the development of a comprehensive school security plan from the School Security Technology Center. Directs the Secretary to give priority to agencies showing the highest security needs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1003) Directs the Attorney General to develop and submit to the Congress a proposal to further improve school security. Subtitle B: Federal Prosecution of Serious and Violent Juvenile Offenders - Part 1: Reform of Federal Juvenile System - Revises Federal criminal code (code) provisions regarding delinquency proceedings and criminal prosecutions in district courts to authorize a juvenile alleged to have committed an act on or after the day the juvenile attains age 16 to be prosecuted as an adult if specified conditions are met, such as if: (1) the juvenile has requested in writing upon advice of counsel to be prosecuted as an adult; and (2) the act, if committed by an adult, would be a felony crime of violence or a specified serious drug or other offense. Requires the approval of the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee to prosecute a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 16. (Under current law, the decision to charge a juvenile as an adult for specified crimes is a result of a motion by the United States to transfer the juvenile for criminal prosecution, and the offenses subject to this transfer authority are limited.) Makes a determination regarding approval or institution of prosecution under this title non-reviewable in court, with exceptions. Allows a juvenile to be prosecuted and convicted as an adult for any other offense which is properly joined under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and convicted of a lesser included offense. (Sec.1212) Limits the applicability of statutory minimum sentences in certain prosecutions of persons under age 16. (Sec. 1214) Requires: (1) an arresting officer to promptly take reasonable steps to notify the parents, guardian, or custodian of a juvenile taken into custody (current law requires immediate notification of such parties and the Attorney General); and (2) the juvenile to be taken before a judicial officer without unreasonable delay (current law prohibits a juvenile from being detained for longer than a reasonable period before being brought before a magistrate). (Sec. 1216) Requires juvenile delinquency proceedings for a juvenile in detention to begin within 45 (currently, 30) days after the beginning of such detention. Directs the court, in determining whether an information should be dismissed with or without prejudice, to consider the seriousness of the offense, the facts and circumstances of the case that led to the dismissal, and the impact of a re-prosecution on the administration of justice. (Sec. 1217) Modifies sentencing options under the code to make available increased detention, fines, and supervised release for adjudicated delinquents. Makes mandatory restitution applicable to adjudicated delinquents. Increases, for an adjudicated delinquent, the maximum period of: (1) probation to the same period applicable to an adult; and (2) official detention to the lesser of the maximum term of imprisonment authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult, ten years, or the date on which the juvenile attains age 26. Authorizes the court, pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission, to treat the conviction as adult of juveniles aged 13, 14, and 15 as an adjudication of delinquency. Directs the Commission to promulgate such guidelines within one year of this Act's enactment. (Sec. 1218) Modifies code provisions regarding the use of juvenile records to direct that the court records of the original proceeding be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Allows release of such records as necessary to meet inquiries from the official representative of the victim of such juvenile delinquency in appropriate cases, and in other specified circumstances, to: (1) apprise such victim or representative of the status or disposition of the proceeding; (2) effectuate any other legal provision; or (3) assist in a victim's, or the victim's official representative's, allocution at disposition. Directs that, if a juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent for an act that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony or for a violation of the prohibition under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act against selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun or ammunition suitable for use only in a handgun to a person known or reasonably believed to be a juvenile: (1) the juvenile shall be fingerprinted and photographed, and the fingerprints and photograph sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) the court shall transmit to the FBI the information concerning the adjudication; and (3) access to the fingerprints, photograph, and other records and information relating to the juvenile shall be restricted. Part 2: Incarceration of Juveniles in the Federal System - Amends code provisions regarding juvenile detention to require that juveniles being prosecuted as adults be detained prior to sentencing: (1) in such suitable place as the Attorney General may designate, with preference given to a place located within, or a reasonable distance of, the district in which the juvenile is being prosecuted, if the juvenile is 16 years of age or older; and (2) in such an available, suitable juvenile facility, in any other such facility, or if no such facility is available, in any other suitable place as the Attorney General may designate if the juvenile is under age 16. Directs that, to the extent practicable, violent juveniles be kept separate from nonviolent juveniles. Expands current protections for juveniles detained prior to disposition to cover detention prior to disposition or sentencing, and to provide for reasonable safety and security. (Sec. 1222) Amends code provisions regarding commitment to: (1) prohibit the Attorney General from causing any person under age 18 adjudicated delinquent, or under age 16 convicted of an offense, to be placed or retained in an adult jail or correctional facility in which the person has prohibited physical contact or sustained oral communication with adults incarcerated because they have been convicted of a crime or are awaiting trial on criminal charges; and (2) provide for reasonable safety and security for every juvenile adjudicated delinquent. Subtitle C: Assistance to States for Prosecuting and Punishing Juvenile Offenders, and Reducing Juvenile Crime - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, local governments, or any combination thereof, to assist them in planning, establishing, and operating secure facilities, staff-secure facilities, detention centers, and other correctional programs for violent juvenile offenders, to be used: (1) for collocated facilities for adult prisoners and violent juvenile offenders; and (2) only for the construction or operation of facilities in which violent juvenile offenders are substantially segregated from nonviolent juvenile offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements, minimum allocations, performance evaluation, technical assistance, juvenile facilities on tribal lands, and a report on the possible use of performance-based criteria in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of juvenile corrections facilities and programs. (Sec. 1302) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, State and local courts, local governments, and Indian tribes, for the purposes of: (1) providing juvenile courts with a range of sentencing options such that first time juvenile offenders face at least some level of punishment as a result of their initial contact with the juvenile justice system; and (2) increasing the sentencing options available to juvenile court judges so that juvenile offenders receive increasingly severe sanctions as the seriousness of their unlawful conduct increases and for each additional offense. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements, considerations in awarding grants, allocation of grant funds, use of grant amounts, grant limitations, the Federal share, and reporting and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund (Fund). (Sec. 1303) Directs the Attorney General to establish a pilot program to encourage and support communities who adopt a comprehensive approach to suppressing and preventing violent juvenile crime patterned after successful State juvenile crime reduction strategies. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1304) Amends: (1) the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to provide for the reimbursement of States for the costs of incarcerating juvenile alien offenders; and (2) the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require that the annual report on criminal aliens include details of the number of illegal juvenile aliens committed to State or local juvenile correctional facilities, including the type of offense committed by each juvenile. Subtitle D: Protecting Children From Violence - Part 1: Gun Offenses - Amends the Brady Act to: (1) define the term "act of juvenile delinquency" to mean an adjudication of delinquency based on a finding of the commission of an act by a person prior to his or her eighteenth birthday that, if committed by an adult, would be a serious drug offense or violent felony, on or after the date of this subtitle's enactment; and (2) cover adjudications of juvenile delinquency. (Sec. 1412) Requires an applicant for a license to deal in firearms to certify that secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any place in which firearms are sold under the license to persons who are not licensees, with an exception. Provides for the revocation of a dealer's license for failure to have available secure gun storage or safety devices. (Sec. 1413) Enhances penalties for discharging or possessing a firearm during a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, with exceptions. (Sec. 1414) Increases penalties for selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun or ammunition suitable for use only in a handgun to a person known or reasonably believed to be a juvenile. Subjects a person (currently, a person other than a juvenile) who knowingly violates such prohibition to such penalties. (Sec. 1415) Makes serious juvenile drug offenses predicates to violations of the Armed Career Criminal statute. (Sec. 1416) Increases penalties for: (1) transferring a firearm to a minor for use in a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and (2) firearms conspiracy. Part 2: Local Gun Violence Prevention Programs - Authorizes the Secretary or the State educational agency to award grants to eligible local educational agencies for the purposes of educating children about preventing gun violence. Sets forth provisions regarding State and local application requirements, including assurances that 90 percent of allotted funds be distributed to local educational agencies, priorities in grant awards, peer review of grant applications, eligible grant recipients, eligible grant recipients, reporting requirements, and authorized activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1422) Directs the Secretary to: (1) include on the Internet site of the Department of Education a description of programs that receive grants; and (2) publicize the competitive grant program through its Internet site, publications, and public service announcements. (Sec. 1423) Amends the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994 to include within a comprehensive drug and violence prevention program carried out by a local educational agency: (1) timely counseling; (2) evaluations of any student who possesses a weapon, or who threatens to bring or use a weapon, on school grounds; and (3) advice to public school students, staff, and administrators after an incident of violence on school grounds. (Sec. 1424) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) expand the number of cities and counties directly participating in the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative (YCGII) to 75 by October 1, 2000, 150 by October 1, 2002, and 250 by October 1, 2003; and (2) facilitate the identification and prosecution of individuals illegally trafficking firearms to prohibited individuals, utilizing information provided by YCGII, and award grants to States, cities, and counties to assist in the tracing of firearms and participation in YCGII. (Sec. 1425) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Safe Streets Act) to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in awarding discretionary grants to public agencies to undertake law enforcement gang-related initiatives, to give priority to a public agency that includes in its application a description of strategies or programs of that agency providing cooperation between Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities, through the use of firearms and ballistics identification systems, to disrupt illegal sale or transfer of firearms to or between juveniles through tracing the sources of guns used in crime that were provided to juveniles. Part 3: Juvenile Gun Courts - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to States, State and local courts, local governments, and Indian tribes for court-based juvenile justice programs that target juvenile firearm offenders through the establishment of juvenile gun courts. Requires each applicant to submit a comprehensive implementation plan. Provides for grant award uses and limitations, with a Federal share limit of 90 percent of total program costs. Sets forth reporting and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Part 4: Youth Violence Courts - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) to authorize the Attorney General to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements with States, State, local, and tribal courts, local governments, and Indian tribes to plan, develop, implement, and administer programs to adjudicate and better manage juvenile and youthful violent offenders within State, tribal, and local court systems. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements, the Federal share, geographic distribution, and training and technical assistance. Title II: Combating Gang Violence - Subtitle A: Enhanced Penalties for Gang-Related Activities - Amends the code to: (1) impose criminal penalties for travel in interstate or foreign commerce to recruit, solicit, induce, command, or cause to create, or attempt to create, a franchise of a criminal street gang; and (2) direct the Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate enhancement for the use of minors in a criminal street gang and the recruitment of minors in furtherance of the creation of a criminal street gang franchise. (Sec. 2103) Includes franchising a criminal street gang as a "racketeering activity" for purposes of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). (Sec. 2104) Directs the Commission to provide an appropriate enhancement with respect to any: (1) offense committed in connection with, or in furtherance of the activities of, a criminal street gang if the defendant is a member of the gang at the time of the offense; and (2) defendant who discharges a firearm during or in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. (Sec. 2106) Sets penalties for arson or bombings at facilities of any institution or organization receiving Federal financial assistance. (Sec. 2107) Eliminates any statute of limitations with respect to any offense punishable by death or for a Class A felony involving murder. (Sec. 2108) Extends to ten years after the commission of the offense the statute of limitations with respect to a Class A felony that is a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. (Sec.2109) Increases penalties under RICO for gang and violent crimes. Increases the penalty and broadens the scope of the statute against violent crimes in aid of racketeering. (Sec. 2111) Removes from the carjacking prohibition the requirement of intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. Amends RICO to provide that it is not necessary to establish that the defendant personally committed an act of racketeering activity to be guilty of conspiracy to violate the Act. (Sec. 2113) Provides for civil and criminal forfeiture for crimes of violence, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. (Sec. 2114) Expands the definition of "racketeering activity" under RICO to cover acts or threats occurring solely in Indian country. (Sec. 2115) Authorizes the Attorney General and the FBI to investigate serial killings in violation of the laws of a State or political subdivision, when requested by the head of a law enforcement agency with investigative or prosecutive jurisdiction over the offense. (Sec. 2116) Increases penalties for violence in the course of riot offenses. (Sec. 2117) Defines "prison" to include privately owned facilities housing Federal prisoners or prisoners who are serving a term of imprisonment under a commitment order from a State other than that in which the penal facility is located. Subtitle B: Targeting Gang-Related Gun Offenses - Amends the Brady Act to prohibit and set penalties for transferring a firearm having reasonable cause to believe that such firearm will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. (Sec. 2202) Increases the penalty for knowingly receiving a firearm with an obliterated serial number. (Sec. 2203) Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to increase the base offense level for certain offenses regarding transfers of firearms to prohibited persons. (Sec. 2204) Amends the code to provide for the forfeiture of firearms used to commit or facilitate the commission of any crime of violence or Federal felony. Sets forth provisions regarding disposal of forfeited property, the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to seize such property, and a 120-day rule for administrative forfeiture. Subtitle C: Using and Protecting Witnesses To Help Prosecute Gangs and Other Violent Criminals - Amends the code to prohibit, and set penalties for, traveling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to engage in witness intimidation or obstruction of justice. (Sec. 2302) Includes within the definition of: (1) "convicted" a finding that a person has committed an act of juvenile delinquency; and (2) "crime of violence" offenses relating to the possession of explosives or firearms by convicted felons. Directs the judicial officer, in determining whether conditions of release will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of any other person and the community, to take into account available information including whether the person was a member of or participated in a criminal street gang or racketeering enterprise. (Sec. 2303) Subjects those who conspire to commit obstruction of justice offenses involving victims, witnesses, and informants to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy. (Sec. 2304) Amends the code and Rule 35 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow a reduction of sentence for providing substantial assistance in the investigation of any offense. (Sec. 2305) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, using physical force or the threat of physical force, or attempts to do so, with intent to withhold testimony, evade legal process, or hinder the communication to a law enforcement officer or judge of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal offense or of conditions of probation, parole, or release pending judicial proceedings. (Sec. 2306) Expands the Federal kidnaping offense to cover circumstances where the victim's death occurs before crossing a State line and where the mail or a facility in interstate or foreign commerce is used in furtherance of the offense. (Sec. 2307) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, travel in interstate or foreign commerce to commit any felony crime of violence. (Sec. 2308) Amends Federal law regarding certain interstate communications (regarding kidnaping and extortion), mailing threatening communications (from within and outside of the United States) to specify that such law covers threats to kill. (Sec. 2309) Amends a code provision regarding obstruction of criminal investigations to define the term "subpoena for records" to mean a Federal grand jury subpoena or a Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoena for customer records that have been served relating to a violation of, or a conspiracy to violate, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code regarding returns relating to cash received in trade or business (including cash receipts of more than $10,000), and provisions relating to a Federal health care offense. (Sec. 2310) Eliminates the proof of value requirement for felony theft or conversion of grand jury material. Subtitle D: Gang Paraphernalia - Directs a provider of a paging or electronic communication service, upon the request of an attorney for the Government or an officer of a law enforcement agency authorized to use a clone pager, to furnish such investigative or law enforcement officer all information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the use of the pager unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the person so ordered by the court provides to the subscriber, if such assistance is directed by a court order. Sets forth requirements regarding applications for orders for the use of a clone pager and issuance of such orders. (Sec. 2402) Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for any: (1) offense in which the defendant used body armor; and (2) serious violent felony or serious drug offense in which the defendant possessed a firearm equipped with a laser-sighting device, or possessed a firearm and possessed such a device (capable of being readily attached to the firearm). (Sec. 2404) Amends the code to require a provider of mobile electronic communication service to provide to a governmental entity information generated by and disclosing, on a real time basis, the physical location of a subscriber's equipment only if such entity obtains a court order issued upon a finding that there is probable cause to believe that an individual using or possessing the subscriber equipment is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a felony. (Sec. 2405) Revises provisions regarding issuance of an order for a pen register or a trap and trace device to authorize the court, upon application for such order, to enter an ex parte order: (1) authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device within the jurisdiction of the court if the court finds, based on the certification by the attorney for the Government or the State law enforcement or investigative officer, that the information likely to be obtained by such installation and use is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation; and (2) directing that the use of the pen register or trap and trace device be conducted in such a way as to minimize the recording or decoding of any electronic or other impulses that are not related to the dialing and signaling information utilized in call processing. Subtitle E: Grants to Target Gang Crime and Violent Juveniles - Part 1: Grants to Prosecutors' Offices - Amends the VCCLEA to direct the Attorney General to include among uses of community-based justice grants for prosecutors: (1) the hiring of additional prosecutors; (2) funding to enable prosecutors to address drug, gang, and youth violence problems more effectively; (3) funding to assist prosecutors with funding for technology, equipment, and training to assist them in reducing the incidence of and increase the successful identification and speed of prosecution of young violent offenders; and (4) funding to assist prosecutors in their efforts to engage in community prosecution, problem solving, and conflict resolution techniques through collaborative efforts with police, school officials, probation officers, social service agencies, and community organizations. (Sec. 2512) Authorizes such grants to be made to combinations of State, Indian, and local prosecutors. (Sec. 2513) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2514) Earmarks appropriated funds for: (1) training and technical assistance (two percent); and (2) research, statistics, and evaluation (ten percent). Part 2: High Intensity Interstate Gang Activity Areas - Authorizes the Attorney General: (1) to designate as a high intensity interstate gang activity area a specified area that is located within a State or in more than one State; and (2) in order to provide Federal assistance to a high intensity interstate gang activity area, to facilitate the establishment of a regional task force and to direct the detailing from a Federal department or agency of personnel to such area. Sets forth criteria for area designation. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Combating Violence on the Streets - Subtitle A: More Police Officers on the Beat - Amends the Safe Streets Act to: (1) extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for public safety and community policing grants; and (2) limit to 20 percent of grant funds available in any fiscal year the amount authorized for grants for equipment, technology, and support systems. (Sec. 3103) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, local governmental units, Indian tribes, other public and private entities, and multijurisdictional or regional consortia to encourage the use of, and to implement, 311 nonemergency telecommunication systems for public safety. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund. Subtitle B: Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing Grants - Amends the VCCLEA to revise the formula allocation between States and U.S. territories and possessions for technical assistance and training to entities receiving grants under such grant program through FY 2002. Subtitle C: Domestic Violence - Extends through FY 2002: (1) grants to combat violent crimes against women; (2) education and prevention grants to reduce sexual assaults against women; (3) the grant for a national domestic violence hotline; (4) grants for battered women's shelters; and (5) programs for victims of child abuse. (Sec. 3302) Amends the Safe Streets Act to redefine "rural State" for purposes of rural domestic and child abuse enforcement assistance to include a State that has a population density of more than 60 persons per square mile. (Sec. 3303) Amends the interstate domestic violence statute to cover attempts to commit interstate domestic violence and intimidation. (Sec. 3305) Punishes interstate travel with intent to kill a spouse. Subtitle D: Assistance to Local Law Enforcement - Amends the Safe Streets Act and the VCCLEA to extend through FY 2002 the funding for: (1) law enforcement family support; (2) rural drug enforcement and training; (3) DNA identification grants; (4) Byrne grants (law enforcement training and education); (5) technical automation grants; and (6) grants for State court prosecutors. Requires no less than 20 percent of the funds made available during FY 2001 and 2002 for the latter grant program to be used to provide increased resources to State juvenile courts, including its prosecutors, public defenders, and other juvenile court system participants. Subtitle E: Protecting Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Officers and the Judiciary - Amends the code to expand coverage of a provision regarding the protection of U.S. officers and employees to cover killings or attempted killings of: (1) U.S. officers and employees because of the status of the victim as such an officer or employee; and (2) persons assisting who are officers or employees of a State or local government, because of the status of the victim as such an officer or employee. (Sec. 3502) Increases terms of imprisonment for: (1) assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees; and (2) influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a Federal official by threatening a family member. (Sec. 3504) Sets penalties for mailing threatening communications to a U.S. judge, a Federal law enforcement officer, and specified officers and employees. (Sec. 3505) Directs the Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and the Commissions policy state, if appropriate, to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for offenses involving influencing, assaulting, resisting, impeding, retaliating against, or threatening a Federal judge, magistrate judge, or other specified officials. (Sec. 3506) Extends the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 through FY 2004. (Sec. 3507) Expands the scope of code provisions regarding the killing of persons aiding Federal investigations or State correctional officers to cover specified persons killed in furtherance of State and joint Federal-State criminal investigations. (Sec. 3508) Includes within such a provision for a mandatory minimum of 20 years imprisonment, life imprisonment, or death, a circumstance where the incarcerated person is incarcerated pending an initial appearance, arraignment, trial, or appeal for an offense against the United States. (Sec. 3509) Amends the code to provide that testimony by Secret Service or former Secret Service personnel regarding information affecting a protectee (defined to include the President, Vice President, President-elect, Vice President-elect, and certain visiting heads of foreign states) that was acquired during the performance of a protective function in physical proximity to the protectee shall not be disclosed in any proceeding, with exceptions. Subtitle F: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the VCCLEA to reauthorize appropriations through FY 2002 for the Fund and to provide for a reduction in discretionary spending limits for FY 2001-2002. Subtitle G: Punishing Hate Crimes and Protecting Civil Rights - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the code to impose penalties upon persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. Directs the Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of DOJ to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting. (Sec. 3702) Amends the code to punish attempted deprivations of civil rights under color of law. (Sec. 3703) Amends the Hate Crimes Statistics Act to direct the Attorney General, beginning for calendar year 1999, to include data regarding the age of offenders. (Sec. 3704) Amends the VCCLEA to direct the Commission to promulgate, or amend existing, guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements of not less than three offense levels for offenses that the court at sentencing (currently, the finder of fact at trial) determines beyond a reasonable doubt are hate crimes. (Sec. 3705) Privacy Protection Against Bounty Hunters Act of 1999 - Amends the code to prohibit a bail enforcement officer from entering or searching any private dwelling in pursuit of a fugitive without being accompanied by a law enforcement officer. (Sec. 3706) Bounty Hunter Accountability and Quality Assistance Act of 1999 - Directs the Attorney General to develop model guidelines for the State control and regulation of bounty hunters, including recommendations regarding whether: (1) a person seeking employment as a bounty hunter should be required to submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check or should not be allowed to obtain such employment if he or she has been convicted of a Federal or State felony; (2) bounty hunters and their employers should be required to obtain adequate liability insurance for actions taken in the course of performing such duties; and (3) State laws should provide for the official recognition of bounty hunters from other States and should prohibit bounty hunters from entering any private dwelling without first knocking on the front door and announcing their presence. Requires published guidelines to include an analysis of their estimated effect on: (1) the cost and availability of bail; and (2) the bail bond agent industry. Directs the Attorney to publish model guidelines in the Federal Register. Subtitle H: Deterring Cargo Theft - Amends the code regarding thefts pertaining to interstate or foreign shipments by carrier to include thefts of trailers and air cargo containers and thefts from freight consolidation facilities. Increases the maximum penalty from one year to three years imprisonment. Specifies that goods and chattel shall be construed to be moving as an interstate or foreign shipment at all points between the point of origin and the final destination. Makes it an affirmative defense that the defendant bought, received, or possessed the goods at issue with the sole intent to report the matter to an appropriate law enforcement officer or to the owner. Directs: (1) the Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to promulgate amendments and to provide an appropriate enhancement; and (2) the Attorney General to annually submit to the Congress a report including an evaluation of law enforcement activities relating to the investigation and prosecution of such offenses. (Sec. 3803) Establishes the Advisory Committee on Cargo Theft to study, and develop recommendations regarding, the establishment of: (1) a national computer database for the collection and dissemination of information relating to violations of cargo theft provisions; and (2) an office within the Federal Government to promote, and to increase coordination between the Government and the private sector regarding, cargo security. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3804) Amends the code to add attempts to various theft and embezzlement-related prohibitions. (Sec. 3806) Expands a provision regarding breaking into a post office (including attempts) to include breaking into any post office box or postal stamp vending machine. (Sec. 3807) Makes provisions regarding transportation, and sale or receipt, of stolen vehicles applicable to vessels. Subtitle I: Improvements to Federal Criminal Law - Part 1: Sentencing Improvements - Amends the Federal judicial code to direct the Commission to promulgate and distribute to the courts sentencing guidelines and policy statements that are consistent with all pertinent provisions of any Federal statute. (Sec. 3912) Doubles the maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter. (Sec. 3913) Authorizes imposition of both a fine and imprisonment rather than only either penalty for contempt and for destruction of letter boxes or mail. (Sec. 3914) Adds a supervised release violation as a predicate for specified offenses. (Sec. 3915) Authorizes the court to impose a sentence of probation or supervised release when reducing a sentence of imprisonment in certain cases where it finds extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant a reduction or the defendant is at least age 70, has served at least 30 years imprisonment, and meets other specified criteria. (Sec. 3916) Doubles the penalty for attempting or conspiring to commit murder or kidnaping in aid of racketeering activity. Part 2: Additional Improvements to Federal Criminal Law - Includes among offenses committed within Indian country a felony involving willful and malicious destruction of, or attempts to destroy, buildings or property within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. (Sec. 3922) Revises the Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996 to prohibit and set penalties for (currently, crossing a State line with intent to engage in a sexual act with a person under age 12), in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States or in a Federal prison, knowingly engaging in a sexual act with another person who has attained age 12 but not age 16 and is at least four years younger than the person so engaging. (Sec. 3923) Eliminates the "with intent to do bodily harm" element in the assault with a dangerous weapon offense. (Sec. 3924) Provides that in a criminal case an appeal by the United States shall lie to a court of appeals from a decision, judgment, or order of a district court dismissing an indictment or information or granting a new trial after verdict or judgment as to any one or more counts (as under current law) or any part thereof, with a double jeopardy exception. (Sec. 3925) Authorizes injunctive relief against disposal of gains from violations of fraud statutes. (Sec. 3926) Expands the interstate travel fraud statute to cover interstate travel by the perpetrator. (Sec. 3928) Provides that if the value of property embezzled, stolen, or otherwise converted or misapplied in connection with a health care benefit program does not exceed $1,000 (currently, $100) the defendant shall be fined, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. (Sec. 3929) Expands jurisdiction over child buying and selling offenses. (Sec. 3930) Includes assault as a predicate offense under RICO. (Sec. 3931) Limits the application of wiretap order disclosure provisions to an aggrieved party. (Sec. 3932) Safe and Sober Streets Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the funds authorized for Federal aid highway programs for FY 2002, and ten percent of such amounts for subsequent fiscal years, from any State that has not enacted and is not enforcing a law providing that an individual who has an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in such State is guilty of driving while intoxicated or an equivalent offense that carries the greatest penalty under the law of the State for operating a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol. Allows funds withheld from a State on or before September 30, 2004, to remain available for up to three fiscal years after such date (to allow a State to meet such requirement within such period), but allows no grace period with respect to funds withheld during the subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 3933) Makes technical corrections to the code and the Economic Espionage Act of 1996. Changes fine amounts under various provisions of the code and CSA. Title IV: Preventing Juvenile Crime - Subtitle A: Grants to Youth Organizations - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, Indian tribes, and national or statewide nonprofit organizations in crime prone areas to: (1) provide constructive activities to youth during nonschool hours; (2) provide supervised activities in safe environments to youth in crime-prone areas; (3) provide antidrug education; (4) support police officer training, salaries, and educational materials to expand D.A.R.E. America's middle school campaign; or (5) provide constructive activities to youth in a safe environment through parks and other public recreation areas. (Sec. 4002) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) application requirements by national organizations and States; (2) allocations and grant limitations; and (3) report and evaluation. (Sec. 4006) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4007) Amends the JJDPA to direct the Administrator, subject to the availability of appropriations, to make grants to public and private agencies to fund effective after school juvenile crime prevention programs. Sets forth provisions regarding matching requirements and funding priorities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: "Say No to Drugs" Community Centers - Say No to Drugs Community Centers Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to certain approved recipients to provide the following services to youth during after-school hours or summer vacations: (1) rigorous drug prevention education; (2) drug counseling and treatment; (3) academic tutoring and mentoring; (4) activities promoting interaction between youth and law enforcement officials; (5) vaccinations and other preventive health care; (5) sexual abstinence education; and (7) other activities and instruction to reduce youth violence and substance abuse. Specifies the Federal and non-Federal share of costs, as well as grant allocation and reallocation requirements. (Sec. 4203) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Missing and Exploited Children - Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to direct that: (1) the national resource center and clearinghouse provide to foreign (currently, limited to State and local) governments information regarding programs and services to benefit or assist missing children and their families; and (2) the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention periodically conduct national incidence studies (as under current law) either by making grants to or entering into contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies. Subtitle D: Reauthorization of Incentive Grants for Local Delinquency Prevention Programs - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) to: (1) reauthorize appropriations through FY 2004 for incentive grants for local delinquency prevention programs; and (2) direct that, of amounts made available by appropriations for such programs, two percent be used for training and technical assistance, and ten percent for research, statistics, and evaluation. Subtitle E: Reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act - Reauthorizes appropriations for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act through FY 2004. Subtitle F: Authorization of Anti-Drug Abuse Programs - Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to reauthorize appropriations through FY 2004 for drug education and prevention relating to youth gangs, and for runaway and homeless youth. Subtitle G: Jump Ahead - JUMP Ahead Act of 1999 - Amends the JJDPA with respect to juvenile mentoring grants. Specifies goals for the grant program and limits the amount and duration of grants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4704) Authorizes the Administrator to make youth mentoring program implementation and evaluation grants to national organizations or agencies serving youth. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4705) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) contract with an evaluating organization for an ongoing evaluation of the programs and activities assisted under this Act or under JJDPA; (2) establish minimum criteria for evaluating such programs and activities; and (3) annually designate a program or activity assisted under this Act as the Juvenile Mentoring Program of the Year. Requires: (1) each grant recipient under this Act or under JJDPA to report annually to the evaluating organization on any program or activity so assisted; and (2) a report to the Congress evaluating such grants. Subtitle H: Truancy Prevention - Truancy Prevention and Juvenile Crime Reduction Act of 1999 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to eligible partnerships of local governmental units and local educational agencies to reduce truancy and the incidence of daytime juvenile crime. Sets forth provisions regarding maximum grant awards, allocation of such awards, and grant renewal. Authorizes the use of grant amounts to comprehensively address truancy through: (1) parental involvement in prevention activities; (2) sanctions; (3) parental accountability; (4) in-school truancy prevention programs; (5) involvement of local law enforcement, social services, judicial, business, and religious communities, and nonprofit organizations; (6) technology; or (7) elimination of 40-day count and other unintended incentives to allow students to be truant after a certain time of school year. Authorizes the Attorney General to give priority to funding programs that attempt to replicate specified model programs. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle I: Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act - Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the JJDPA to: (1) find that the juvenile crime problem should be addressed through a two-track approach by promoting quality prevention programs and programs that assist in holding juveniles accountable for their actions; (2) include as a purpose to support State and local programs that prevent juvenile involvement in delinquent behavior; and (3) define "violent crime" as murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, or robbery, or aggravated assault committed with the use of a firearm. (Sec. 4905) Redesignates the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention as the Office of Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention. (Sec. 4906) Modifies provisions of the Act regarding concentration of Federal effort to repeal the requirements that the Administrator of the Office develop for each fiscal year a comprehensive plan of activities and that each Federal agency administering a Federal juvenile delinquency program submit annually a juvenile delinquency development statement. (Sec. 4907) Eliminates certain allocations of funds to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. (Sec. 4908) Modifies Act requirements regarding State plans. Provides that the advisory group shall consist of the State attorney general or such other State official who has primary responsibility for overseeing the enforcement of State criminal laws. Requires State plans to: (1) contain plans for providing needed services for the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency in rural areas, mental health services to juveniles in the juvenile justice system, and gender-specific services for the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency; and (2) provide for the coordination and maximum utilization of existing juvenile delinquency programs, programs operated by private agencies, and other related programs in the State. Requires such plans to provide that not less than 75 percent of the funds available to the State be used for specified purposes, including: (1) programs that assist in holding juveniles accountable for their actions; (2) expanded use of probation officers; (3) boot camps for juvenile offenders; (4) other activities (such as court-appointed special advocates) that the State determines will hold juveniles accountable for their acts and decrease juvenile involvement in delinquent activities; (5) programs that utilize multidisciplinary interagency case management and information sharing that enable the juvenile justice and law enforcement agencies, schools, and social service agencies to make more informed decisions regarding early identification, control, supervision, and treatment of juveniles who repeatedly commit violent or serious delinquent acts; and (6) programs designed to prevent and reduce hate crimes committed by juveniles. Revises State plan requirements regarding limits on the placement of juveniles in secure detention or correctional facilities, juvenile contact with adults incarcerated or awaiting trial on criminal charges, and juvenile detention or confinement in adult jails and lockups. Modifies State plan requirements to allow juveniles to be housed in adult facilities for up to 48 (currently, 24) hours before their initial court appearance. (Sec. 4909) Revises the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Block Grant Program by: (1) repealing provisions governing grants for the National Institute for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, gang-free schools and communities, State challenge activities, treatment for juvenile offenders who are victims of child abuse or neglect, mentoring, boot camps, and the White House Conference on Juvenile Justice; and (2) authorizing the Administrator to make grants under the Juvenile Delinquency Block Grant Program to eligible States for the purpose of providing financial assistance to eligible entities to carry out projects designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. Includes among such projects: (1) projects that assist in holding juveniles accountable for their actions; (2) projects that provide treatment to juvenile offenders who are victims of child abuse or neglect; (3) education projects or supportive services for delinquent or other juveniles; (4) projects which expand the use of probation officers; (5) one-on-one mentoring projects; (6) community-based projects which work with juvenile offenders and their family members; (7) substance abuse programs; (8) postsecondary education and training projects; (9) projects designed to prevent or reduce gang participation; (10) employment and job training referral projects; (11) delinquency prevention activities; and (12) family strengthening activities. Directs that funding be allocated among eligible States so that .75 percent shall be allocated to each State, with the remainder allocated as follows: (1) 50 percent based on each State's relative population under 18 years of age; and (2) 50 percent based on each State's three year annual average number of arrests of juveniles for serious crimes. Prohibits the Administrator from approving a grant application for a fiscal year unless: (1) the State submitted a plan, which is approved by the Administrator, for such fiscal year; or (2) the Administrator waives this requirement to such State for such fiscal year after finding good cause. Includes among the eligible entities for which a State receiving a grant shall give special consideration for a local grant those entities that represent communities that have a comprehensive plan designed to identify at-risk juveniles and to prevent or reduce juvenile delinquency and that meet other specified requirements. (Sec. 4910) Authorizes the Administrator to undertake specified activities regarding research, evaluation, technical assistance, and training, including making agreements with: (1) the National Institute of Justice or another Federal agency to conduct research and evaluation relating to juvenile delinquency; and (2) the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) or another Federal agency to undertake statistical work in juvenile justice matters. Permits Federal agencies to carry out such agreements directly or by making grants to or contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, and organizations. (Sec. 4911) Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to and contracts with States, local governmental units, Indian tribal governments, public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to carry out projects for the development, testing, and demonstration of promising initiatives and programs for the prevention, control, or reduction of juvenile delinquency. Authorizes technical assistance for such grants. Sets forth provisions regarding eligibility and reports. (Sec. 4912) Authorizes appropriations for specified programs under such Act through FY 2002. (Sec. 4914) Amends the Act to prohibit the use of funds for: (1) the cost of facility construction, except that up to 15 percent of funds from a State's allocation may be used for replacement or renovation of juvenile facilities; or (2) advocacy or support for the unsecured release of juveniles charged with violent crime. (Sec. 4917) Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) receive surplus Federal property and lease such property to States and units of local government for use in or as facilities for juveniles offenders, or for use in or as facilities for delinquency prevention and treatment activities; and (2) issue rules that establish procedures and methods for making grants and contracts, and distributing funds available, to carry out the Act. Title V: Drug Testing and Intervention - Subtitle A: Protecting Children From Dangerous Drugs - Part 1: Targeting Serious Drug Crimes - Amends the CSA to increase penalties for: (1) using minors to distribute drugs; (2) distributing drugs to minors; (3) drug trafficking in or near a school or other protected location; and (4) using Federal property to grow or manufacture controlled substances. (Sec. 5006) Amends the CSA to require a specified period of supervised release after a conviction for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. Part 2: Comprehensive Drug Education - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to extend through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations from the Fund for the safe and drug-free schools and communities program. Part 3: Drug Treatment for Juveniles - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (Center) to award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, public and nonprofit private entities to provide treatment to juveniles for substance abuse through programs in which the juveniles reside in facilities made available under the programs. Requires the inclusion by grant recipients of an individualized plan for the provision of services to the juvenile or young adult. Includes as eligible supplemental services under such programs hospital referrals, HIV and AIDS counseling, domestic violence and sexual abuse counseling, and preparation for reentry into society. Requires the appropriate State agency or Indian tribe to certify that the applicant has the capacity to carry out the program and meets certain other requirements. Outlines provisions with respect to: (1) applicants who are also Medicaid providers; (2) the provision of treatment for mental diseases; (3) matching fund requirements; (4) program outreach and accessibility; (5) continuing education for individuals providing such services; (6) the imposition of appropriate charges for such services; (7) applicant reports to the Center Director; and (8) required equitable geographic allocation of grant awards. Limits to five years the period during which payments may be made to any entity under a program. Requires annual Director approval of program payments. Requires the Director to conduct program evaluations and disseminate findings. Requires an initial and periodic reports from the Director to specified congressional committees describing the programs carried out under this Part. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to established projects for the outpatient treatment of substance abuse among juveniles. Requires entities receiving such grants to engage in activities to prevent such abuse. Requires such Secretary to evaluate the projects and disseminate evaluation results. Part 4: Rescheduling Dangerous Drugs - Directs the Attorney General to add ketamine hydrochloride to schedule III of the CSA. (Sec. 5132) Grants the Attorney General authority to temporarily reschedule a previously scheduled substance to avoid an imminent public safety hazard. Subtitle B: Drug Courts - Repeals provisions of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, which repealed drug court provisions of the Safe Streets Act. Amends the Safe Streets Act, as amended by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the drug courts program (a program providing continuing judicial supervision over non-violent offenders with substance abuse problems). Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, State courts, local courts and governments, and Indian tribes to establish programs that: (1) involve continuous early judicial supervision over juvenile offenders, other than violent juvenile offenders, with substance abuse or related problems; and (2) integrate administration of other sanctions and services, including testing, treatment, and diversion, probation, or other forms of supervised release. Requires the Attorney General to issue regulations to ensure that such programs do not permit participation by violent offenders. Prohibits the Federal share of such programs from exceeding 75 percent of total program costs, with an authorized limit waiver by the Attorney General. Requires the Attorney General to ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grant awards, with a required specified allocation to Indian tribes. Requires annual reports to the Attorney General from grant recipients. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical assistance and training in furtherance of program goals and to carry out program evaluations. Provides for the reallocation of unawarded grant funds. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund through FY2003. Subtitle C: Development of Medicines for the Treatment of Drug Addiction - Part 1: Pharmacotherapy Research - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations from the Fund for FY 2001 and 2002 for the medication development program (a program providing research into medicines used to treat drug addiction). Part 2: Patent Protections for Pharmacotherapies - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) authorize the sponsor of a drug for the treatment of an addiction to illegal drugs to request the Secretary of Agriculture to make written recommendations for the investigation necessary for the approval or licensing of such drug; (2) authorize such a sponsor to request the Secretary to designate such drug as a drug for the treatment of addiction to illegal drugs; (3) provide exclusive approval or licensing of such drug as an unpatented drug for such purpose; and (4) provide open protocols for the clinical investigation of such drugs. Part 3: Encouraging Private Sector Development of Pharmacotherapies - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary to establish criteria for an acceptable drug for the treatment of an addiction to heroin and one for the treatment of an addiction to cocaine. Requires such criteria to be reviewed by specified congressional committees and published in the Federal Register. Authorizes the patent owner of a drug used for either such treatment to submit to the Secretary an application: (1) to contract to sell to the Secretary such patent rights; or (2) to enter into an exclusive licensing agreement with the Secretary for the manufacture and distribution of such drug. Provides for purchase amount limitations and the transfer of rights from the patent owner to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, within 90 days after purchasing patent rights or entering into such an agreement, to develop a plan for the manufacture and distribution of such drug. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2001. Subtitle E: National Drug Control Policy - Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to conduct a study on the effect of the 1996 voter referenda in California and Arizona concerning the medicinal use of marijuana and other controlled substances, and to report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Improving Effectiveness of Youth Crime and Drug Prevention Efforts - Directs the Attorney General to enter into a contract with a public or nonprofit private entity to conduct a study or studies to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of federally funded programs for preventing youth violence and substance abuse, and for preventing criminal victimization of juveniles; (2) identify specific Federal programs and programs that receive Federal funds that contribute to reductions in youth violence and substance abuse, and risk factors among youth that lead to such behavior and abuse, and specific programs that have not achieved their intended results; and (3) make recommendations. Directs the Attorney General to request the National Academy of Sciences to contract to conduct such study or studies. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5502) Directs the Attorney General to provide for comprehensive and thorough evaluation of crime prevention programs. (Sec. 5503) Requires evaluations and research studies to be independent, and employ rigorous and scientifically recognized standards and methodologies. (Sec. 5504) Authorizes the Attorney General to require the recipients of Federal assistance to collect, maintain, and report information relevant to such evaluations, and to conduct and participate in specified evaluation and assessment activities. (Sec. 5505) Directs the Attorney General to reserve specified sums for evaluation and research. (Sec. 5506) Expresses the sense of the Senate that programs identified in the study as being ineffective should not receive Federal funding. Title VI: Enhancement of Rights and Protections for Victims of Crime - Subtitle A: Crime Victims Assistance - Part 1: Protection of Crime Victims' Rights - Subpart A: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code - Amends the code to require that, in any case involving a defendant who is arrested for an offense involving death or bodily injury to any person, a threat of death or bodily injury, or a sexual assault or attempted sexual assault (listed offenses) in which a detention hearing is scheduled: (1) the Government make a reasonable effort to notify the victim of the hearing and of the victim's right to be heard on the issue of detention; and (2) the court, at such hearing, inquire of the Government as to whether notification efforts were successful and whether the victim wishes to be heard and, if so, afford the victim such opportunity. (Sec. 6112) Includes among the factors which a judge shall consider in determining whether to grant a continuance the interests of the victim (or the family of a victim who is deceased or incapacitated) in the prompt and appropriate disposition of the case, free from unreasonable delay. (Sec. 6113) Requires the probation officer, prior to submitting the presentence report, to provide notice to all identified victims of their right to attend the sentencing hearing and to make a statement to the court at the sentencing hearing. (Sec. 6114) Amends the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 to require, after trial, a responsible official to provide a victim the earliest possible notice of the escape, work release, furlough, or any other form of release of an offender from a psychiatric institution or other facility that provides mental health services to offenders. Subpart B: Amendments to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure - Amends rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (FRCrP) to require that, in any case involving a defendant who is charged with a listed offense: (1) the Government, prior to a hearing at which a plea of guilty or nolo contendere is entered, make a reasonable effort to notify the victim of the date and time of the hearing and of the victim's right to attend the hearing and to address the court; and (2) if the victim attends, the court, before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, afford the victim an opportunity to be heard on the proposed plea agreement. Authorizes the court, in cases involving more than 15 victims and after consultation with the Government and the victims, to appoint a number of victims to serve as representatives of the victims' interests. (Sec. 6122) Amends FRCrP 32 and 32.1 to provide for enhanced rights of notification and allocution at sentencing and at a probation revocation hearing. Subpart C: Amendment to Federal Rules of Evidence - Amends rule 615 of the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) to provide that such rule does not authorize exclusion of a person who is a victim of a listed offense for which a defendant is being tried in a criminal trial unless the court concludes that: (1) the testimony of the person will be materially affected by hearing the testimony of other witnesses, and the material effect of hearing the testimony of other witnesses on the testimony of that person will result in unfair prejudice to any party; or (2) due to the large number of victims or family members of victims who may be called as witnesses, permitting attendance in the courtroom itself when testimony is being heard is not feasible. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to submit to the Congress reports containing recommendations for amending: (1) the FRCrP to provide enhanced opportunities for victims of listed offenses to be heard on the issue of whether or not the court should accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and to participate during the presentencing phase of the criminal process, and to ensure that reasonable efforts are made to notify victims of such offenses of revocation hearings; and (2) the FRE to provide enhanced opportunities for victims of listed offenses to attend judicial proceedings, even if they may testify as a witness at the proceeding. Sets forth provisions regarding congressional action on such reports. Subpart D: Exceptions - Makes the rights promulgated by subparts A, B, and C inapplicable to any case in which the court reasonably believes that: (1) the defendant has cooperated with the Government in other proceedings against the victim or persons acting in concert with the victim; or (2) available evidence raises a significant expectation of physical violence or other retaliation by the victim against the defendant. Subpart E: Remedies for Noncompliance - Specifies that any failure to comply with any amendment made by this Act shall not give rise to a claim for damages, or any other action against the United States, any employee of the United States, any court official or officer of the court, or an entity contracting with the United States, or any action seeking a rehearing or other reconsideration of action taken in connection with a defendant. Directs the Attorney General and the Chairman of the United States Parole Commission to promulgate regulations to carry out this title. Subpart F: Victims of Fraud - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations to implement and enforce this part and the amendments made by this part with respect to natural persons against whom a defendant has been charged with committing fraud. Part 2: Assistance to Victims of Federal, State, and Local Crime - Authorizes appropriations to enable the Attorney General to: (1) hire 50 full-time or full-time equivalent employees to serve as victim-witness advocates to provide assistance to victims of any criminal offense investigated by any department or agency of the Federal Government; and (2) provide grants through the Office of Victims of Crime (the Office) to qualified private entities to fund 50 victim-witness advocate positions within those organizations. (Sec. 6202) Authorizes the use of sums collected under the False Claims Act to be used by the Office to make grants to States, units of local government, and qualified private entities, to provide training and information to prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, probation officers, and other officers and employees of Federal and State courts to assist them in responding effectively to the needs of crime victims. (Sec. 6203) Amends VCCLEA to authorize to the Office such sums as necessary for grants to State and local prosecutors' offices, State courts, county jails, State correctional institutions, and qualified private entities, to develop and implement state-of-the-art systems for notifying victims of crime of important dates and developments relating to the criminal proceedings at issue. Allows sums collected under the False Claims Act to be used for such grants. Authorizes the use of sums from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund for such grants. (Sec. 6204) Directs the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office, to establish and carry out a program to provide for pilot programs to establish and operate Victim Ombudsman Information Centers in Massachusetts, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. (Sec. 6205) Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to: (1) provide for the deposit into the Crime Victims Fund of any gifts, bequests, and donations from private entities or individuals; (2) direct that certain unobligated balances transferred to the judicial branch for administrative costs be returned to the Fund and be used by the Director of the Office to improve services for crime victims in the Federal criminal justice system; (3) require States that receive supplemental funding to respond to incidents of terrorism or mass violence to return to the Fund for deposit in the reserve fund, amounts subrogated to the State as a result of third-party payments to victims; (4) increase the percentage of amounts awarded by the Director to an eligible crime victim compensation program; (5) require the Director to make grants for training and technical assistance that address the significance of and effective delivery strategies for providing long-term psychological care; and (6) make funds available to the Director for fellowships and clinical internships, and to carry out programs of training and special workshops for the presentation and dissemination of information resulting from demonstrations, surveys, and special projects. (Sec. 6206) Directs that a specified statute not be construed to prohibit a recipient from using funds derived from a source other than the Legal Services Corporation to provide related legal assistance to any person with whom an alien has a relationship covered by the domestic violence laws of the State in which the alien resides or in which an incidence of violence occurred. (Sec. 6207) Authorizes the use of funds collected under the False Claims Act by the Office to make grants to States, units of local government, and qualified private entities for the establishment of pilot programs that implement balanced and restorative justice models. Subtitle B: Victims of Juvenile Crimes - Directs the Attorney General to establish guidelines for States' programs receiving grants for the establishment of juvenile gun courts to require, as appropriate under applicable State or local laws or rules, that: (1) prior to disposition of adjudicated juvenile delinquents, victims (or in appropriate cases, their official representatives) be provided the opportunity to make a statement to the court in person or to present any information in relation to the disposition; (2) victims of the juvenile adjudicated delinquent be given notice of the disposition; and (3) restitution to victims may be ordered as part of the disposition of adjudicated juvenile delinquents. Title VII: Combating Money Laundering - Money Laundering Enforcement Act of 1999 - Amends the code to provide for civil forfeiture for engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity and for conducting or certain other involvement in an illegal money transmitting business. Specifies that, regarding the prohibition of an illegal money transmitting business, it shall be sufficient for the Government to prove that the defendant knew that the business lacked a license required by State law, but it shall not be necessary to show that the defendant knew that the operation of such business without a license was an offense punishable as a felony or misdemeanor under State law. (Sec. 7003) Authorizes the Attorney General, if any person is arrested or charged in a foreign country in connection with an offense that would give rise to the forfeiture of property in the United States under the code or under the CSA, to apply to any Federal judge or magistrate judge in the district where the property is located for an ex parte order restraining the property subject to forfeiture for not more than 30 days, with extensions for good cause. (Sec. 7004) Directs that a claimant's refusal to provide financial records located in a foreign country in response to a discovery request or to take action necessary to make the records available in a civil forfeiture case, or in certain ancillary proceedings in a criminal forfeiture case under the CSA, shall result in the dismissal of the claim with prejudice if: (1) the financial records may be material to any claim or the ability of the Government to respond to such claim or, in a civil forfeiture case, to the Government's ability to establish the forfeitability of the property; and (2) it is within the claimant's capacity to waive his or her rights under such secrecy laws or to obtain the financial records himself or herself so that the records may be made available. (Sec. 7005) Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction over any foreign person, including any financial institution authorized under the laws of a foreign country, that commits an offense under civil money laundering provisions involving a financial transaction that occurs in the United States, subject to specified requirements. Authorizes the court to issue a pretrial restraining order or take any other action necessary to ensure that any bank account or other property held by the defendant in the United States is available to satisfy a judgment under such provisions. (Sec. 7006) Includes a foreign bank within the definition of "financial institution." (Sec. 7007) Expands the definition of "specified unlawful activity" to cover specified offenses, including, with respect to a financial transaction occurring in the United States, an offense against a foreign nation involving: (1) any act or acts constituting a crime of violence; (2) fraud committed against a foreign government; (3) bribery of a public official; (4) smuggling or export control violations involving munitions listed in the United States Munitions List or technologies with military applications; and (5) an offense under which the United States would be obligated by a multilateral treaty either to extradite the alleged offender or to submit the case for prosecution if the offender were found within U.S. territory. Includes within such activity an offense relating to goods falsely classified, unlawful importation of firearms, firearms trafficking, computer fraud and abuse, any felony violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, and Clean Air Act violations. (Sec. 7008) Amends the criminal code to: (1) provide for criminal forfeiture for money laundering conspiracies; and (2) authorize a party to request the Clerk of the Court in the district in which a proceeding for civil or criminal forfeiture is pending to issue a subpoena to a financial institution to produce documents. (Sec. 7011) Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) prohibit any person who purposely evades the jurisdiction of a U.S. court in which a criminal case is pending against such person from using the resources of the U.S. courts to further a claim in any related civil forfeiture action or in any third-party proceeding in any related criminal forfeiture action; and (2) provide for the admissibility of foreign business records. (Sec. 7013) Amends the criminal code to permit: (1) a person who commits multiple violations of money laundering provisions that are part of the same scheme or continuing course of conduct to be charged in a single count; (2) a prosecution for a money laundering offense to be brought in any district in which the financial or monetary transaction is conducted, or in which a prosecution for the underlying specified unlawful activity could be brought, with an exception; and (3) the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications where there is a violation of provisions dealing with the reporting and illegal structuring of currency transactions. (Sec. 7016) Provides criminal penalties for violations of anti-money laundering orders. (Sec. 7017) Amends the code to authorize the disclosure of the contents of a communication by a person or entity providing electronic communication, or remote computing, service to the public, to a supervisory (currently limited to a law enforcement) agency, if such contents appear to pertain to the commission of the crime, or to reveal a suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation. (Sec. 7018) Defines "State," as used in the International Banking Act of 1978, to include a U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession. (Sec. 7020) Extends U.S. jurisdiction over certain financial crimes committed abroad. Title VIII: Combating International Crime - Subtitle A: Investigating and Punishing Violent Crimes Against United States Nationals Abroad - Amends the code to prohibit, and set penalties for: (1) extortion committed against U.S. nationals abroad in furtherance of organized crime; and (2) murder or serious assault of a State or local official abroad. Subtitle B: Denying Safe Havens to International Criminals - Establishes procedures for extradition for specified serious offenses not covered by treaty. (Sec. 8104) Grants the Attorney General authority, with respect to a person being held in custody in a foreign country based upon a violation of the law in that country, where the person is found extraditable to the United States by competent authorities of that country, to: (1) request the temporary transfer of that person to the United States to proceed with their prosecution in a Federal or State criminal proceeding; (2) maintain the custody of that person while in the United States; and (3) return that person to the foreign country at the conclusion of the criminal prosecution, including any imposition of sentence. (Sec. 8106) Authorizes the Attorney General to permit the temporary transit through the United States of a person wanted for prosecution or imposition of sentence in a foreign country. Subtitle C: Seizing and Forfeiting the Assets of International Criminals - Amends the code to provide for the forfeiture of: (1) proceeds of foreign crimes; (2) property used to commit drug crimes abroad; and (3) property used to violate Federal explosives laws. (Sec. 8202) Amends the CSA to grant the court authority to order convicted criminals to return property located abroad. (Sec. 8203) Amends the Federal judicial code to establish procedures for U.S. enforcement of foreign forfeiture judgments. (Sec. 8204) Increases civil and criminal penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. (Sec. 8205) Amends the Trading with the Enemy Act to cover attempted violations. Subtitle D: Responding to Emerging International Crime Threats - Part 1: Computer and High-Tech Crime - Amends the code to authorize the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications, when such interception may provide or has provided evidence of a felony violation of provisions relating to computer fraud and attacks on computer systems. (Sec. 8312) Allows a governmental entity to require the disclosure by a provider of a remote computing service of the contents of an electronic record in networked electronic storage if the person who created the record is accorded the same protections that would be available if the record had remained in that person's possession, subject to specified requirements. Part 2: Enhancing Antiterrorism Laws - Amends the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 to extend the effective date of provisions regarding compensation of victims of terrorism through October 1, 2000. (Sec. 8322) Amends the code to revise the definition of: (1) "biological agent" to mean any microorganism (including, but not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious substance, or any naturally occurring, bioengineered or synthesized component of any such microorganism or infectious substance; (2) "toxin" to mean the toxic material or product of plants, animals, microorganisms, or infectious substances, or a recombinant or synthesized molecule, whatever their origin and method of production; and (3) "vector" to mean a living organism or molecule, including a recombinant or synthesized molecule capable of carrying a biological agent or toxin to a host. (Sec. 8323) Includes threats to use chemical weapons within the prohibition against the use of such weapons. Subtitle E: Promoting Global Cooperation in the Fight Against International Crime - Expands a code provision authorizing the sharing of proceeds of joint forfeiture operations with cooperating foreign agencies to cover situations where property is civilly or criminally forfeited under any provision of Federal law. (Sec. 8402) Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the Attorney General to present a request made by a foreign government for assistance with respect to a foreign investigation, prosecution, or proceeding regarding a criminal matter pursuant to a treaty, convention, or executive agreement for mutual legal assistance between the United States and that government, the execution of which requires or appears to require the use of compulsory measures in more than one judicial district, to a judge or judge magistrate of: (1) any of the districts in which persons who may be required to appear to testify or produce evidence or information reside or are found, or in which evidence or information to be produced is located; or (2) the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Grants such judge or judge magistrate authority to issue those orders necessary to execute the request. (Sec. 8403) Modifies provisions regarding custody and return of foreign witnesses to grant the Attorney General authority, if the testimony of a person who is serving a sentence, in pretrial detention, or otherwise being held in custody in the United States, is needed in a foreign criminal proceeding, to: (1) temporarily transfer that person to the foreign country for the purpose of giving testimony; (2) transport that person from the United States in custody; (3) make appropriate arrangements for custody for that person while outside the United States; and (4) return that person in custody to the United States from the foreign country. Sets forth provisions regarding the return of persons transferred, the applicability of international agreements, and rights of persons transferred. (Sec. 8404) Amends the judicial code to grant the Attorney General discretionary authority to make payments from the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund to return forfeited property repatriated to the United States by a foreign government under specified circumstances. Subtitle F: Streamlining the Investigation and Prosecution of International Crimes in United States Courts - Authorizes the Attorney General to obligate, as necessary expenses, from any appropriate appropriation account available to DOJ in FY 2000 or any fiscal year thereafter, the cost of reimbursement to State or local law enforcement agencies for translation services and related expenses, including transportation expenses, in cases involving extradition or requests for mutual legal assistance from foreign governments. (Sec. 8502) Expands a code provision regarding war crimes to make such provision applicable if the perpetrator is found in the United States after the crime is committed, or the crime occurs within the United States. (Sec. 8503) Authorizes the Attorney General to determine that, if a person located outside the United States is requested by a magistrate judge or Federal law enforcement officer to appear and provide testimony or answer questions in the United States in connection with any Federal or State criminal matter, the person shall not be subject to service of process, or be detained or subjected to any restriction of personal liberty, by reason of any acts or convictions that preceded the departure of that person from the foreign jurisdiction. (Sec. 8504) Prohibits fugitives from benefitting from time served abroad. (Sec. 8505) Suspends the statute of limitations for the collection of evidence located abroad. (Sec. 8507) Provides that whoever, while serving with, employed by, or accompanying the armed forces outside the United States, engages in conduct which would constitute an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year if engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be guilty of a like offense and subject to a like punishment. Authorizes the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation to designate and authorize any person serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation when the Coast Guard is not operating as part of the Navy to arrest outside the United States any such person who there is probable cause to believe engaged in conduct which constitutes a criminal offense under this section. Provides for the delivery of such individual to the appropriate authorities of the foreign country. Title IX: Strengthening the Air, Land, and Sea Borders of the United States - Subtitle A: Violence Committed Along United States Borders - Amends the code to provide felony punishment for violence while eluding inspection or during violation of arrival, reporting, entry, or clearance requirements, including conspiracy and reckless endangerment. Subtitle B: Strengthening Maritime Law Enforcement Along United States Borders - Provides sanctions for failure to heave to, obstructing a lawful boarding, and providing false information to a Federal law enforcement officer during a boarding of a vessel. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of a vessel used in violation of this subtitle. (Sec. 9102) Sets a $25,000 civil penalty for failure to comply with a lawful boarding, obstruction of boarding, or providing false information. (Sec. 9103) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to include within the definition of "authorized place," with respect to a vessel or vehicle, a location in a foreign country at which U.S. customs officers are permitted to conduct inspections, examinations, or searches. Subtitle C: Smuggling of Contraband and Other Illegal Products - Amends the code to prohibit, and set penalties for: (1) fraudulently or knowingly exporting or sending from the United States (or attempting to do so) any merchandise, article, or object (merchandise) contrary to any U.S. law; and (2) receiving, concealing, buying, selling, or otherwise facilitating the transportation, concealment, or sale of that merchandise, prior to exportation, knowing that merchandise to be intended for exportation contrary to any U.S. law. Amends the money laundering statute to define "specified unlawful activity" to include an offense of smuggling goods from the United States. Amends the Tariff Act to provide for forfeiture to the United States of merchandise exported from the United States (or attempted to be exported), or the value thereof, and property used to facilitate the receipt, purchase, transportation, concealment, or sale of that merchandise prior to exportation. (Sec. 9202) Expands code provisions regarding smuggling goods into foreign countries to cover situations where such goods are smuggled (or attempted to be smuggled) by vehicle, aircraft, conveyance, or other mode of transportation. Prohibits, and sets penalties for, the transport (including attempts) of more than 360 liters of distilled spirits from one State into another State or foreign country, or the receipt or possession of more than 360 liters that have been transported in interstate or foreign commerce in violation of Federal or State law. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to seize and forfeit any conveyance, liquor, or monetary instrument involved in, or property that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to, a violation of this section, with a limitation. (Sec. 9203) Expands the scope of the statute punishing entry of goods by means of false statements to cover theft, embezzlement, and misapplication of duties. Increases penalties for violations. (Sec. 9204) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, false certifications relating to exports. Subtitle D: Strengthening Immigration Laws to Exclude International Criminals From the United States - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to: (1) make inadmissible any alien coming to the United States to avoid lawful prosecution in a foreign country for a crime involving moral turpitude; and (2) direct the Attorney General to remove such alien to the country seeking prosecution unless, in the Attorney General's discretion, the removal is deemed to be impracticable, inadvisable, or impossible. (Sec. 9302) Amends the INA to provide for the inadmissibility of persons: (1) involved in racketeering and arms trafficking; (2) who have benefitted from illicit activities of drug traffickers; and (3) involved in international alien smuggling. Subtitle E: Alien Smuggling - Amends the INA to provide for the civil and criminal forfeiture of any conveyance used in the commission of an alien smuggling offense. Subtitle F: Trafficking in Chemicals Used to Produce Drugs - Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to require a person who proposes to engage in a transaction involving the importation or exportation of a listed chemical that requires advance notification pursuant to the regulations of the Attorney General or the importation or exportation of a tableting or encapsulating machine to notify the Attorney General at least 15 days before the transaction is to take place. Authorizes the Attorney General to require that the 15-day notification requirement apply to all imports of a listed chemical upon finding that such notification is necessary to support effective chemical diversion control programs or is required by international agreement to which the United States is a party. Sets forth additional restrictions regarding the transshipment and in-transit shipment of controlled substances. Authorizes injunctions barring persons convicted of a felony violation relating to the receipt, distribution, manufacture, importation, or exportation of a listed chemical from engaging in any transaction involving a listed chemical for up to ten years. Subtitle G: Arms Trafficking - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to create an exemption from Act requirements transactions arising out of an investigation by a Federal law enforcement agency concerning possible criminal violations of U.S. law.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Safe and Sober Streets Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the funds authorized for Federal aid highway programs for FY 2003, and ten percent of such amounts for subsequent fiscal years, from any State that has not enacted and is not enforcing a law that considers as intoxicated an individual who has an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in such State. Allows funds withheld from a State during FY 2003 to be available for up to three fiscal years after such date (to allow a State to meet such requirement within such period), but allows no grace period with respect to funds withheld during the subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Amends the International Maritime Satellite Telecommunications Act to authorize the President, in order to ensure the continued provision of global maritime distress and safety satellite telecommunications services after the privatization of the business operations of INMARSAT, to maintain U.S. membership in the International Mobile Satellite Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Health Insurance Tax Equity for Self-Employed Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for health insurance costs for self-employed individuals to 100 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children Title IV : Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Violence Against Women Act II - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States, Indian tribal governments, or local governmental units to provide technical assistance and computer and other equipment to police departments, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions to facilitate the widespread, including interstate, enforcement of protection orders. Instructs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applicants that: (1) have established cooperative agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the enforcement of protection orders from other jurisdictions; and (2) will give priority to using the grant to develop and install data collection and communication systems linking police, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions in order to identify and track protection orders and violations of such orders. Directs the Attorney General to compile and disseminate information about successful data collection and communication systems. Amends Federal criminal code provisions governing full faith and credit given to protection orders to provide that: (1) a State or Indian tribe shall not notify the party against whom a protection order has been made that the protection order has been registered or filed in the State or tribal jurisdiction unless requested to do so by the party protected under that order; and (2) nothing in this title may be construed to require prior filing or registration of such orders in the enforcing State as a prerequisite to enforcement by such State. Directs that a protection order that is otherwise consistent with this title shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced notwithstanding the failure to provide notice to the party against whom the order is made of its registration or filing in the enforcing State or Indian tribe. (Sec. 102) Amends such Act to designate State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees in the program to combat violent crimes against women. Revises allocation percentages for police and prosecutors, victim services, and State and local courts (not less than 25 percent, 30 percent, and ten percent, respectively). Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act to expand training that may be provided under domestic violence training grants to include training with respect to issues concerning individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. Includes State, local, and tribal courts among the grantees eligible for Federal grants to encourage arrest policies. Earmarks a minimum of five percent of the total amount available for grants each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments. (Sec. 103) Reauthorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for grants to combat violent crimes against women. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for coordinating State victim services activities and for coordinating with Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence against women activities. (Sec. 104) Instructs the Attorney General to transfer flunitrazepam (the "date-rape" drug) from schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule I (the strictest level of Federal drug penalty and control). (Sec. 105) Reauthorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for grants to encourage arrest policies. (Sec. 106) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person who, while employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States, engages in conduct that would constitute a domestic violence or sexual assault offense if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be subject to prosecution in a U.S. district court. Sets forth provisions regarding concurrent jurisdiction and priority of exercise of jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to designate and authorize any individual serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense to arrest such a person outside of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that such person committed such an offense. Provides for the release of such arrested persons to civilian law enforcement authorities in specified circumstances. Provides for delivery of such persons to the appropriate authorities of a foreign country if: (1) delivery is requested for trial for such conduct as an offense under the laws of that country; and (2) delivery is authorized by a treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to transmit to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation a copy of records of any penal actions taken, including certain nonjudicial punishments imposed, against a member of the armed forces who is discharged, dismissed, or released from active duty. (Sec. 107) Prohibits and sets penalties for willfully causing bodily injury to any person or attempting, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, to cause bodily injury to any person, whether or not acting under color of law, because of: (1) the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) the actual or perceived religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person if, in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or the offense is in or affects such commerce. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and of Justice through FY 2002 to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such alleged violations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 108) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to reauthorize through FY 2002: (1) rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants (and allots not less than five percent of the total made available for each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments); and (2) national stalker and domestic violence reduction grants. (Sec. 110) Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding interstate domestic violence, interstate stalking, and interstate violation of a protective order to cover situations where persons travel in interstate or foreign commerce or to or from Indian country. Deems a tribal court, for purposes of full faith and credit provisions, to have jurisdiction over any activity occurring in Indian country. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to private and nonprofit entities, publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity, and Indian tribal governments and affiliated organizations, to: (1) implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence and sexual assault victim advocacy organizations and civil legal assistance providers to strengthen a broad range of civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault; (2) implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to strengthen a broad range of civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of these victims; and (3) provide training, technical assistance, and data collection to improve the capacity of grantees and other entities to offer civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) make a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a national computer database of programs that provide civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault; and (2) evaluate the grants funded under this title through contracts or other arrangements with entities expert on domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault and on evaluation research. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund to carry out this title through FY 2002, with at least five percent of available amounts in each fiscal year used for grants for programs that assist victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault on lands within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. (Sec. 202) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act with respect to State demonstration grants for programs and projects to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Requires grant applicants to provide documentation, including memoranda of understanding, of the specific involvement of the State domestic violence coalition and other knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations, in the development of the application. Earmarks funds to provide emergency assistance directly to victims of family violence, or their dependents, who are in the process of fleeing an abusive situation. Changes from a formula amount to $500,000 the minimum allotment to each State for such grants. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to Indian tribes and organizations from any sums not distributed to them. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to private nonprofit organizations for information, training, and technical assistance initiatives in specified subject areas. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through FY 2002. Revises the formula for the allocation of appropriations for grants for State coalitions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a nationwide needs assessment relating to family violence prevention and services programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to up to ten State domestic violence coalitions, and up to ten local entities that carry out domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, to develop and implement model community intervention strategies to address family violence in underserved populations. Prescribes formulae for the redistribution of funds available due to certain limitations. (Sec. 203) Prohibits any insurer from, directly or indirectly, taking any adverse action against: (1) an innocent insured; or (2) an applicant or insured on the basis that the applicant or insured, or any person employed by the applicant or insured or with whom the applicant or insured is known to have a relationship or association is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse. Defines an innocent insured as a subject of abuse insured under the same policy as the abuser, but who is not (in light of all the facts and circumstances) the cause of any claim incurred or that may incur. Requires any insurer taking an adverse action against a known subject of abuse to advise the applicant or insured in writing of the specific reasons for the action. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce such prohibitions and policy. Provides for a private action against an insurer by an applicant or insured affected by a violation of this Act. (Sec. 204) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline. (Sec. 205) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend through FY 2002 and increase the authorization of appropriations for Federal victims' counselors. (Sec. 206) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle employees to leave to: (1) address domestic violence and its effects; or (2) care for a child or parent of the employee who is addressing domestic violence and its effects. Authorizes an employer to require an employee to provide documentation or other corroborating evidence. Amends Federal civil service law to entitle Federal employees to take such leave, subject to the same requirements. (Sec. 207) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize unemployment compensation where an individual is separated from employment due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require State laws to provide for methods of administration that will ensure that claims reviewers and hearing personnel are adequately trained in the nature and dynamics of claims for unemployment compensation based on domestic violence, including methods of ascertaining and keeping information confidential. (Sec. 208) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty to provide for waiver of certain immigration requirements. (Sec. 209) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to add a new Subtitle H (Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Including Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Older Individuals). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs for the purposes of funding the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and offer, or provide for the offering of, training programs to assist law enforcement officers and prosecutors in recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to programs addressing such issues, including related training for health professionals. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for programs and activities for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Requires the Secretary to make grants to: (1) support projects in local communities to coordinate activities concerning intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop and implement outreach programs directed toward assisting older individuals who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including those in senior housing complexes and senior centers. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act (as amended by the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998) to require the Secretary to give preference in the award of certain grants and contracts to any health professions educational entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that each student have had significant training in the identification and referral of victims of elder abuse and neglect. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States and Indian tribal governments to enable them to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to assist public or private nonprofit entities in establishing and operating supervised visitation centers for purposes of facilitating supervised visitation and visitation exchange of children by and between parents. Requires that priority be given to States that consider domestic violence in making a custody decision and require findings on the record. (Sec. 302) Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on Federal and State laws relating to child custody, including the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980, and their effect on child custody cases in which domestic violence is a factor. Requires such study to examine the sufficiency of defenses to parental abduction charges available in cases involving domestic violence, and the burdens and risks encountered by victims of domestic violence arising from compliance with the full faith and credit (and judicial jurisdiction) requirements of that Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for grants through FY 2002. Directs the Secretary to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. (Sec. 304) Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners; and (3) grants for televised testimony. Directs the Attorney General to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in awarding grants or contracts for health professions and nurse education, to give preference to a relevant health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that a student has had significant training in the identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence. (Sec. 401) Defines relevant health professions entity as a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic medicine, a graduate program in mental health practice, a school of nursing, a program for the training of physician assistants, or a program for the training of allied health professionals. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for the development and dissemination of model programs to provide education and training in appropriate and effective responses to victims of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault (including, as appropriate, the effects of domestic violence on children) to individuals (other than law enforcement officers and prosecutors) who are likely to come into contact with such victims during the course of their employment. Limits such grants to public and private nonprofit entities that have: (1) nationally recognized expertise in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) a record of commitment and quality responses to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires States to use certain transferred funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers, State sexual assault coalitions, and other public and private nonprofit entities for: (1) educational seminars; (2) hotlines; (3) training programs for professionals; (4) the preparation of informational material; (5) education and training programs for students and campus personnel designed to reduce the incidence of sexual assault at colleges and universities; and (6) other efforts to increase awareness of, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts to increase awareness in underserved communities and awareness among individuals with disabilities. Requires at least 25 percent of grant funds are used for educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school students. Directs the Secretary, through the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault (with a central resource library) to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, as well as to State sexual assault coalitions and local sexual assault programs and to other professionals and interested parties on issues relating to sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to individuals or organizations to carry out educational programs for elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education with respect to information regarding, and prevention of, domestic violence and violence among intimate partners. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 405) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and information on violence, abuse, and sexual assault against women who are individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 2002. (Sec. 406) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make grants to groups that provide services to or advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities eligible for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 2002. (Sec. 407) Directs the Attorney General to establish a multidisciplinary, multiagency national commission to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend minimum sexual assault forensic examination training for all health care students; (3) review national, State, and local protocols on sexual assault for forensic examinations, and develop a recommended national protocol and a mechanism for nationwide dissemination; and (4) study and evaluate State procedures for payment of forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault, and establish a recommended Federal protocol for such payment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 408) Authorizes the Attorney General to make a grant to a private, nonprofit entity meeting certain requirements to establish a national clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employers and labor organizations on appropriate workplace responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 409) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to make grants to entities, including domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, to: (1) support specified research and evaluation of education, prevention, and intervention programs on violent behavior against women; and (2) address gaps in research and knowledge about violence against women, including violence against women in underserved communities. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to report to Congress on: (1) Federal and State sentences for homicides or assaults in which the victim was a spouse, former spouse, or intimate partner of the offender; (2) the effect of illicit drugs and alcohol on domestic violence and the sentences imposed for offenses involving them in which domestic violence occurred; (3) the extent to which acts of domestic violence committed against the offender, including coercion, may have contributed to the commission of an offense; (4) an analysis delineated by race, gender, type of offense, and any other categories that would be useful for understanding the problem of domestic violence; and (5) recommendations with respect to all such offenses, including any basis for a downward adjustment in any applicable Federal sentencing guidelines determination. Directs the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities, including sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the experiences of minors and adults who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Requires the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on the status of the law with respect to rape and sexual assault offenses and the effectiveness of the implementation of laws in addressing such crimes and protecting their victims. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations to the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 2001 and 2002 in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) by specified offsetting amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 1999 - Authorizes appropriations for the Surface Transportation Board for FY 1999 through 2002. Requires Senate confirmation of the Chairman of the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving the Affordability of Child Care Title II: Enhancing the Quality of Child Care and Early Childhood Development Subtitle A: Child Care Subtitle B: Young Child Assistance Activities Subtitle C: Loan Cancellation for Child Care Providers Title III: Expanding the Availability and Quality of School- Age Child Care Title IV: Supporting Family choices in Child Care Title V: Encouraging Private Sector Involvement Title VI: Ensuring the Quality of Federal Child Care Centers Title VI(sic): Child Care in Federal Facilities Child Care ACCESS (Affordable Child Care for Early Success and Security) Act - Title I: Improving the Affordability of Child Care - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to make increased appropriations for State child care assistance grants for FY 1999 through 2003. Title II: Enhancing the Quality of Child Care and Early Childhood Development - Subtitle A: Child Care - Creates under TANF a State grant program for improving the quality of child care and early childhood development. Makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004. Subtitle B: Young Child Assistance Activities - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make allotments to eligible States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of State grants to local collaboratives for young child assistance activities. (Sec. 212) Requires a State to establish a State Early Learning Coordinating Board to receive the Federal allotment and make the grants. (Sec. 215) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Loan Cancellation for Child Care Providers - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require cancellation of a portion of a student loan for each complete year of full-time employment in a child care facility, for child care providers or educators who earn degrees in early childhood education and obtain such employment. Title III: Expanding the Availability and Quality of School-Age Child Care - Establishes under TANF a State grant program for increasing the availability and quality of school-age child care. Makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004. (Sec. 301) Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase from 13 to 16 the maximum age of an eligible child under the child care and development block grant program. (Sec. 302) Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Education to give priority to rural, urban, and low-income communities in awarding grants to public elementary and secondary schools for projects that benefit the educational, health, social services, cultural, and recreational needs of the community; (2) revise grant application requirements; (3) change from four to one the minimum number of specified activities for which community learning center grant funds may be used; (4) change children's day care services to child care services; and (5) authorize increased appropriations for 21st century community learning centers. Title IV: Supporting Family Choices in Child Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the formula to increase the dependent care income tax credit for certain taxpayers, indexed for inflation, with an even greater credit for employment-related dependent care expenses; (2) allow a minimum dependent care income tax credit for stay-at-home parents; and (3) provide for advance payment by the employer of an employee's dependent care income tax credit. Title V: Encouraging Private Sector Involvement - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an income tax credit for 25 percent of an employer qualified child care expenditures. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a program to award grants to local communities for the purpose of expanding the availability and improving the quality of child care on a community-wide basis. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Ensuring the Quality of Federal Child Care Centers - Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) for the executive branch, the Architect of the Capitol for the legislative branch, and the Administrator of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for the judicial branch to issue regulations to establish standards and ensure quality child care for Federal employees through accredited child care centers. (Sec. 601) Directs the GSA Administrator to establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices among the three branches, and to develop and coordinate policy, regarding the provision of child care in the Federal Government. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI (sic) Child Care in Federal Facilities - Quality Child Care for Federal Employees Act - Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) establish health, safety, and facility standards and compliance requirements for child care in executive branch facilities; (2) issue regulations requiring any entity sponsoring a child care center to comply with certain accreditation standards; and (3) establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 604) (sic) Amends Federal law to revise conditions for the allotment of space for child care services for Federal employees in Federal buildings. Makes available child care and related services to children of Federal employees or on-site Federal contractors, or dependent children who live with such employees or contractors. (Currently space may be allotted for the provision of child care services to children of whom at least 50 percent have one parent or guardian who is a Federal employee.) Declares that the Administrator of General Services must confirm that at least 50 percent of aggregate enrollment in Federal child care centers governmentwide are children of Federal employees or on-site Federal contractors, or dependent children who live with such employees or contractors. States that, if enrollment at a center drops below the goal, the provider shall develop and implement a business plan with the sponsoring Federal agency to achieve the goal within a reasonable time frame. Authorizes an agency without a child care program, or the Administrator upon identifying a need for child care at a Federal agency, to enter into an agreement with an existing non-Federal, licensed, and accredited child care facility, or a planned facility that will become licensed and accredited. Permits an agency, upon the approval of the agency head, to conduct a pilot project for up to two years to test innovative approaches to providing more cost-effective alternative forms of child care assistance for Federal employees. Requires the Administrator to serve as an information clearinghouse for such pilot projects initiated by other agencies. Requires all existing and newly hired workers in any child care center located in federally owned or leased facilities to undergo a criminal history background check. (Sec. 605) (sic) Directs each agency head to require that each child care facility the agency first operates, or contracts for, at least one year after enactment of this Act provide reasonable accommodations for the needs of breast fed infants and their mothers. (Sec. 606) (sic) Directs the Administrator of General Services and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to report jointly to Congress, including information on numbers of children using Federal child care facilities and numbers of families not using such facilities because of cost, as well as recommending quality and cost effectiveness improvements in such care.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Agricultural Market Failure Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to revise marketing assistance loan rates for wheat, corn (feed grains), upland cotton, and rice. Authorizes six-month loan extensions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily increase from two to ten the number of years permitted for the carryback of net operating losses for certain farmers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1999 - Title I: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to "soft money" to, among other changes: (1) prohibit a national committee of a political party (including specified related entities) from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to FECA; (2) require a State, district, or local committee of a political party to make Federal election year expenditures (with exceptions) for specified Federal election activities from funds subject to FECA; (3) prohibit a national, State, district, or local committee from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization; and (4) prohibit an incumbent or candidate for Federal office from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to FECA, including funds for any Federal election activity. (Sec. 102) Establishes an individual annual limit of $10,000 for State committee contributions. Increases the aggregate individual contribution limit to $10,000. (Sec. 103) Requires national and State committees to report all receipts and disbursements. Repeals the building fund exception to the definition of contribution. Title II: Independent and Coordinated Expenditures - Subtitle A: Electioneering Communications - Amends FECA to: (1) require every person who makes a disbursement for broadcast electioneering communications, as defined, in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000 per year to file, with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), a statement containing specified outlined information; (2) treat payment for any broadcast electioneering communication that is coordinated with a candidate or an authorized committee of such candidate, a Federal, State, or local political party or committee thereof, as a contribution to such candidate and as an expenditure by such candidate; and (3) set forth special operating rules prohibiting corporate and labor disbursements for electioneering communications. Subtitle B: Independent and Coordinated Expenditures - Amends FECA: (1) to define the term "independent expenditure" as an expenditure by a person expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate and that is not provided in coordination with a candidate; (2) regarding independent expenditure reporting requirements; (3) to revise the penalty for knowing and willful violations Act involving statements by other than political committees, prohibiting conciliation agreements and authorizing a civil action for relief in such situations; (4) to prohibit a party making both independent and coordinated expenditures with respect to a candidate during the same election cycle; (5) to define the term "coordinated activity" to mean anything of value provided by a person in coordination with a candidate for the purpose of influencing a Federal election in which such candidate seeks nomination or election to Federal office (with specific listed examples); and (6) to consider such a coordinated activity to be a contribution to the candidate, and in the case of a limitation on expenditures, treats such activity as an expenditure by the candidate. Title III: Disclosure - Amends FECA with regard to the use of computers and fax machines in filing FEC reports to require filing in an electronic form accessible by computers if there are, or there is a reason to expect to have, aggregate contributions or expenditures in excess of a FEC- determined threshold amount. Directs the FEC to make such a report publicly accessible on the Internet within 24 hours of its receipt. Requires designations, statements, and reports filed by Senate candidates to be filed directly with the FEC. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the treasurer of a candidate's authorized committee from depositing, except in an escrow account, or otherwise negotiating a contribution from a person who makes an aggregate amount of contributions in excess of $200 during a calendar year unless the treasurer verifies specified contributor information. (Sec. 303) Amends audit provisions, authorizing FEC random audits and investigations to ensure voluntary FECA compliance. (Sec. 304) Modifies reporting requirements for contributions of $50 or more. (Sec. 305) Requires the name of each authorized committee to include the name of the candidate who authorized the committee and prohibits a political committee that is not an authorized committee (except in the case of a national, State, or local party committee) from using the name of any candidate in any activity on behalf of the committee in such a context as to suggest that the committee is an authorized committee of the candidate or that the use of the candidate's name has been authorized by the candidate. (Sec. 306) Prohibits any person from soliciting contributions by falsely representing himself or herself as a candidate or as a representative of a candidate, a political committee, or a political party. (Sec. 307) Sets forth provisions governing soft money disbursements of persons other than political parties. Defines the term "generic campaign activity" as an activity that promotes a political party and does not promote a candidate or non- Federal candidate. (Sec. 308) Revises campaign advertising provisions, establishing specified requirements for printed communications, and adding additional provisions governing broadcast and cablecast communications. Title IV: Personal Wealth Option - Amends FECA to establish a voluntary personal funds expenditure limit for eligible Senate candidates in primary and general elections, provided the candidate files with FEC a declaration that the candidate and the candidate's authorized committees will not exceed such limit. Sets the voluntary personal funds expenditure limit at $50,000. Gives the FEC authority to certify such a declaration. (Sec. 402) Exempts such certified candidates from specified FECA requirements. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to declare it to be an unfair labor practice for a labor organization to receive payments from an employee pursuant to an agreement requiring such non-member employee to make payments in lieu of organization dues or fees without establishing a specified objection procedure under which the non-member's fees are reduced by the percent that would be used to support political activities (thus codifying the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Communications Workers of America et al. v. Beck et al). (Sec. 502) Amends FECA to revise provisions on permitted and prohibited uses of contributed amounts by candidates and incumbents for certain purposes. Specifies prohibited kinds of conversion of such funds to personal use. (Sec. 503) Revises Federal law concerning permitted time frames for mailing franked mail to prohibit any mass mailing as franked mail during a year in which there will be an election for the seat held by the Member of Congress during the period between January 1 of that year and the date of the general election for that Office, unless the Member has made a public announcement that the Member will not be a candidate for reelection to that year or for election to any other Federal office. (Sec. 504) Amends the Federal criminal code to revise the prohibition against fundraising on Federal property. Prohibits an officer or employee of the Federal Government, including the President, Vice President, and Members, from soliciting a donation of money or other thing of value in connection with a Federal, State, or local election from any person while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal officer or employee. Imposes on violators a monetary penalty, imprisonment, or both. Excepts from the prohibition contributions received by the staff of the Executive Office of the President. (Sec. 505) Amends FECA to double the penalties for knowing and willful violations of FECA, the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act (PECFA), and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act (such Acts). Permits conciliation agreements to correct or prevent such violations to include equitable remedies or penalties, including disgorgement of funds to the Treasury, or community service requirements (including requirements to participate in public education programs). Sets forth requirements for late filing of FECA reports, including requiring establishment of mandatory monetary penalties. (Sec. 506) Revises the ban on contributions by foreign nationals to, among other things, include a prohibition on donations by foreign nationals. (Sec. 507) Prohibits minors (age 17 or younger) from making contributions to candidates or contributions or donations to committees of political parties. (Sec. 508) Permits FEC to: (1) order expedited proceedings for certain complaints; and (2) refer, at any time, to the Attorney General possible violations of such Acts. (Sec. 509) Modifies the basis for mandatory FEC initiation of enforcement proceedings upon receipt of a complaint alleging a violation of such Acts by replacing "has reason to believe" a violation has been or is about to be committed with "has reason to investigate whether" such a violation has been or is about to be committed. Title VI: Severability; Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations - Sets forth provisions regarding severability, review of constitutional issues, effective date, and FEC regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup Title II: Prospective Purchasers Title III: Innocent Landowners Title IV: Contiguous Properties Brownfields and Environmental Cleanup Act of 1999 - Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to provide grants to States or local governments to inventory and conduct site assessments of brownfield sites. Defines a "brownfield site" as a facility that has or is suspected of having environmental contamination that: (1) could prevent the timely use, development, reuse, or redevelopment of the facility; and (2) is relatively limited in scope or severity and can be comprehensively characterized and readily analyzed. (Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide grants to State and local governments for capitalization of loan programs for brownfield site cleanup by either the State or locality or by an owner or prospective purchaser. (Sec. 104) Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to authorize the Administrator to award grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts or provide technical assistance to States, Indian tribes, political subdivisions, and other entities for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 105) Requires the Administrator to carry out a program to provide financial assistance for brownfield training programs. (Sec. 106) Makes amounts in the Hazardous Substance Superfund available to carry out the grant and assistance programs of this Act. (Sec. 107) Requires reports to specified congressional committees regarding the programs established under this title. (Sec. 108) Imposes funding limitations, including a restriction on use of funds to meet Federal cost-sharing requirements and a prohibition on the use of grants to pay fines or penalties. (Sec. 111) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the programs established under this title. Title II: Prospective Purchasers - Amends CERCLA to absolve from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of this Act and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. Title III: Innocent Landowners - Amends CERCLA, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the President) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, cooperation with those conducting response actions, and compliance with land use or activity restrictions. Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a site inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity. Title IV: Contiguous Properties - Exempts from liability under CERCLA certain owners or operators of real property contiguous to property on which there has been a release or threatened release. Authorizes the President to issue an assurance that no enforcement action will be initiated against such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Subtitle A: Senate Election Campaign spending Limits and Benefits Subtitle B: General Provisions Title II: Independent Expenditures Title III: Expenditures Subtitle A: Personal Funds; Credit Subtitle B: Soft Money of Political Parties Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties Title IV: Contributions Title V: Authorities and Duties of the Federal Election Commission Title VI: Miscellaneous Title VII: Effective Dates; Authorizations Congressional Election Campaign Spending Limit and Reform Act of 1999 - Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending - Subtitle A: Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to make a Senate candidate eligible for FECA benefits if the candidate: (1) files a primary election eligibility declaration; (2) files a general election eligibility certification and declaration; and (3) meets certain contribution and expenditure limits. Limits Senate primary expenditures for a candidate (or his or her authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) 67 percent of the general election expenditure limit; or (2) $2.75 million. Limits runoff expenditures. Sets a threshold contribution amount which triggers application of such primary and runoff limits. Limits the use by a Senate candidate (or authorized committees), during an entire election cycle, of the candidate's personal (or family) funds (including debt). Limits aggregate general election expenditures by an eligible Senate candidate (or authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) $5.5 million; or (2) the greater of $1.2 million, or $400,000 plus 30 cents times the voting age population up to 4 million and 25 cents times the voting age population over 4 million. Exempts from the general election expenditure limit qualified accounting or legal expenditures. Entitles eligible Senate candidates to certain broadcast media rates, and in certain circumstances, payments compensating for independent expenditures and excess expenditures on behalf of the candidate's opponent. Requires the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify an eligible Senate candidate within 48 hours after his or her application to the Secretary of the Senate. Requires the Commission to examine and audit, for FECA compliance, the campaign accounts of all candidates in five percent of the elections to the Senate in which there was an eligible Senate candidate on the ballot. Requires candidates to refund to the Commission any excess payments or expenditures. Sets civil penalties for excess expenditures and contributions. Provides for judicial review of Commission actions and requires Commission reports to the Senate after each general election. Requires closed captioning for eligible Senate candidates' television broadcasts. Authorizes reduced payments to an eligible Senate candidate under circumstances of insufficient funds. (Sec. 102) Sets forth reporting requirements for Senate candidates not eligible for FECA benefits. Requires reports to the Secretary within two days after aggregate contributions have been received and aggregate expenditures have been made or obligated to be made in excess of FECA limits. Requires any candidate for the Senate who, during the election cycle, expends more than the personal funds expenditure limit to report to the Secretary of the Senate within two days after expenditures have been made or loans incurred in excess of the personal funds expenditure limit. Requires certain expenditure reports from any Senate candidate who held Federal, State, or local office during the same election cycle, and made any expenditures, before becoming a Senate candidate, that would have been treated as Senate candidate expenditures. (Sec. 103) Requires Senate candidates ineligible for FECA benefits to place on every paid or authorized political commercial or communication the declaration: "This candidate has not agreed to voluntary campaign spending limits." (Sec. 104) Sets forth provisions governing excess campaign funds of Senate candidates. (Sec. 105) Sets forth a contribution limit for an eligible Senate candidate (and the candidate's authorized political committees) whose opponent fails to comply with the expenditure limits and has received contributions in excess of ten percent of the general election limits or has expended personal funds in excess of ten percent of the general election limits. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast station to make broadcast time available to all House and Senate candidates in the last 30 (currently 45) days before a primary at the lowest unit charge of the station for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time) for the same period on the same date. Allows Senate candidates to purchase broadcast time at 50 percent of the lowest unit rate for the 30 days before a primary or runoff election and 60 days before a general election. Prohibits broadcasters from preempting advertisements sold to political candidates at the lowest unit rate, unless the preemption is beyond the broadcaster's control. (Sec. 112) Amends FECA to set forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures. (Sec. 113) Makes certain amendments with regard to campaign advertising that includes certain requirements for printed as well as broadcast and cablecast communications. (Sec. 114) Adds various definitions to FECA for such specified terms as "general election," "general election period," and "primary election period." (Sec. 115) Amends Federal postal law to prohibit a Senator who is a candidate for election to any public office from making a mass mailing under the frank during the calendar year of any primary or general election for such office. Title II: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA to define "independent expenditure" as an expenditure by a person other than a candidate or candidate's authorized committee: (1) that is made for a communication that contains express advocacy; and (2) is made without the participation or cooperation of and without coordination with a candidate. Defines the following terms: (1)"express advocacy"; and (2) "without the participation or cooperation of and without coordination with a candidate." (Sec. 202) Defines "coordinated expenditure" to mean an expenditure that is made by a person other than the candidate and that is not an independent expenditure. Prohibits political party committees from making both a coordinated expenditure and an independent expenditure to the same candidate during a single election cycle. Requires political party committees to file with the Commission a certification signed by the treasurer stating whether the committee will make coordinated expenditures or independent expenditures to the candidate. Prohibits a party committee that certifies that it will make coordinated expenditures to a candidate from, in the same election cycle, making a transfer of funds to, or receiving a transfer of funds from, any other party committee that has certified that it will make independent expenditures to the candidate. (Sec. 203) Permits qualified nonprofit corporations to make independent expenditures. (Sec. 204) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for equal broadcast time, including notification and opportunity to purchase equal time on an independent expenditure basis. Title III: Expenditures - Subtitle A: Personal Funds; Credit - Amends FECA to prohibit the use of contributions after the date of a general election to repay loans to a candidate (or authorized committee) by the candidate or by members of the candidate's family. (Sec. 302) Treats as a contribution any extension of credit for goods or services relating to general political advertising of more than $1,000 for more than 60 days to candidates for Federal office (or authorized committees). Subtitle B: Soft Money of Political Parties - Amends FECA to exclude from the definition of "contribution" the preparation and distribution, by volunteers, of materials in connection with State and local party voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. (Sec. 312) Permits maximum contributions to a State Party Grassroots Fund of: (1) $20,000 by an individual; and (2) $15,000 from a multicandidate committee. Establishes an overall $60,000 annual limit on individual contributions, including specified limits for: (1) candidates and their political committees; and (2) State committees. (Sec. 313) Provides for the treatment of: (1) any amount solicited, received, or expended directly or indirectly by a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party (including any subordinate committee) with respect to an activity (such as voter registration and get-out-the vote activities among others) which is in connection with an election to Federal office as a contribution subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements; (2) any amount to raise funds that are used, in whole or in part, in connection with such activities as an expenditure subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements; and (3) any get-out-the-vote activity for a State and local candidate, or for a ballot measure conducted by a State, district, or local committee of a political party as an expenditure subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements. Limits the expenditures for which a State committee may use its State Party Grassroots Fund. (Sec. 314) Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from soliciting contributions: (1) not subject to FECA; and (2) on behalf of tax-exempt organizations, if a significant portion of the activities of the organization include voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities. (Sec. 315) Requires: (1) a national committee and a congressional campaign committee to report all receipts and disbursements whether or not in connection with a Federal election; and (2) other specified political committees to report all receipts and disbursements in connection with a Federal election. Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Requires that persons other than political parties who make (or obligate to make) aggregate disbursements totaling over $2,000 for specified election activities shall file a statement with the Commission within 48 hours after the disbursements or obligations are made, or in the case of disbursements or obligations that are made within 14 days of an election, on or before the 14th day before the election. Title IV: Contributions - Prohibits certain lobbyist contributions. (Sec. 402) Treats contributions by a dependent not of voting age as having been made by the individual on whom that dependent is a dependent. (Sec. 403) Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from accepting, with respect to any election, any contribution from a State or local political party committee (or subordinate committee) if such contribution, when added to the total of contributions previously accepted from all such committees of that political party, would cause the total amount of contributions to exceed the relevant contribution limitation. (Sec. 404) Makes it unlawful to use physical threat, intimidation, or taking or threatening to take other adverse action to: (1) coerce contributions or expenditures from another person; or (2) deter or prevent any person from filing a complaint, providing testimony, or otherwise cooperating with enforcement efforts under FECA; or (3) retaliate against any person who has filed a complaint, provided testimony, or otherwise cooperated with enforcement efforts under FECA. (Sec. 405) Prohibits acceptance by a candidate of cash contributions from any one person aggregating more than $100. Title V: Authorities and Duties of the Federal Election Commission - Authorizes the Commission to issue a regulation to require the filing of designations, statements, and reports using computers if the person has, or has reason to expect to have, aggregate contributions or expenditures in excess of a threshold amount determined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to prescribe a regulation allowing persons to file designations, statements, and reports using facsimile machines. (Sec. 502) Increases the threshold amount to $50 with respect to reporting the identification of certain contributors and disbursements. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Commission to conduct random audits and investigations to ensure voluntary compliance. Extends the period during which a campaign audit of a candidate's authorized committee may be begun. (Sec. 504) Grants authority to the Commission, to seek at any time in a proceeding, a temporary restraining order or a temporary injunction if the Commission believes there is a substantial likelihood that a violation is occurring or is about to occur. (Sec. 505) Revises specified enforcement requirements to provide for: (1) increased monetary penalties; and (2) equitable remedies if authorized by a conciliation agreement with the Commission. Directs the Commission to establish a schedule of automatic monetary penalties for the late filing of reports. (Sec. 506) Repeals requirements authorizing the Commission to appear in and defend against any action initiated under FECA. Replaces them with requirements authorizing the Commission to appear on its own behalf in any action related to the exercise of its statutory duties or powers in any court as a party or amicus curiae. Revises a requirement respecting the powers of the Commission to initiate civil actions to permit the Commission to petition the Supreme Court for certiorari to review judgements or decrees entered with respect to actions in which the Commission appears. (Sec. 507) Revises requirements concerning the referral of suspected violations to the Attorney General. (Sec. 508) Revises certain powers of the Commission. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from establishing, maintaining, or controlling any political committee (such as a "leadership committee") other than a principal campaign committee of the candidate, authorized committee, party committee, or other political committee designated as an authorized committee. (Sec. 602) Directs the Commission to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of developing a system by which persons with disabilities could vote by telephone. (Sec. 603) Exempts certain tax-exempt organizations from specified corporate expenditure limits. (Sec. 604) Provides that with respect to any provision of FECA that places a requirement or prohibition on any person acting in a particular capacity, any person who knowingly aids or abets the person in that capacity in violating that provision may be proceeded against as a principal in the violation. (Sec. 605) Requires exact copies of campaign advertising that refers to a candidate's opponent to be filed with the Commission and the Secretary of State of the candidate's State. (Sec. 606) Amends Federal postal law to prohibit a Member of Congress, during an election year, from using the franking privilege for a mass mailing from January 1 until the general election date. (Sec. 607) Amends FECA to make it unlawful for: (1) foreign nationals to make or promise to make donations of money or other things of value in connection with a Federal, State, or local election, or contributions or donations to a committee of a political party; or (2) any person to solicit, receive, or accept such contributions or donations from a foreign national. (Sec. 608) Requires that reports include a certification under penalty of perjury that the political committee has complied with foreign contribution and solicitation limitations. Title VII: Effective Dates; Authorizations - Sets forth the general effective date of this Act. Provides for direct, expedited appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court from any court rulings on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or amendment made by it.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Coverage Choices for 55 to 65 Year Olds Subtitle A: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to-65 Years of Age Subtitle B: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age Subtitle C: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees Title II: Expansion of Long-Term Care Protection Title III: Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act of 1965 Health Protection and Assistance for Older Americans Act of 1999 - Title I: Health Care Coverage Choices for 55-to-65 Year Olds - Subtitle A: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to-65 Years of Age - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 62-to-65 Years of Age). Makes eligible to enroll in Medicare during a specified period individuals between the ages of 62 and 65 who: (1) are not eligible for coverage under group health plans or Federal health insurance; but (2) would be Medicare-eligible if age 65. Requires prior notification of each individual seeking to enroll of the deferred monthly premium amount for which the individual will be liable upon attaining age 65. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine rates for: (1) the base monthly premium; (2) the base annual premium for individuals age 62 or older, reduced appropriately for a premium area that has costs below the national average, in order to assure participation in all areas of the country; and (3) the deferred premium for such individuals. Directs the Secretary to provide for payment and collection of the base monthly premium. Makes the enrollee liable for the deferred monthly premium payment. Requires collection of both premiums in the same manner as for the payment of monthly premiums under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Creates in the Treasury the Medicare Early Access Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to hold collected premiums. Directs: (1) the Trust Fund's Board of Trustees to report annually to the Congress on the need for adjustments in the new program in order to maintain its financial solvency; and (2) the Comptroller General to report periodically to the Congress on the adequacy of program financing along with appropriate recommendations to accomplish such end. Requires: (1) individuals enrolled under the new part D program to be treated for Medicare purposes as though they were entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B; and (2) new part D program benefits to be payable under Medicare to such individuals in the same manner as if they were so entitled and enrolled. Provides that the new part D program shall not be treated as Medicare for purposes of the Medicaid program (SSA title XIX), including the provision of Medicare cost-sharing assistance, nor for purposes of COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation requirements of the Public Health Service Act. Subtitle B: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age - Amends SSA title XVIII part D to rename the newly established part D program the Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 55-to-65 Years of Age. Provides for part D coverage for certain displaced workers and spouses between the ages of 55 and 62 under arrangements similar to those in title I. Directs the Secretary to provide for continued enrollment of displaced workers who attain 62 years of age. Subtitle C: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees - Chapter 1: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Chapter 2: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Title II: Expansion of Long-Term Care Protection - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an annual long-term care credit of $1000 per applicable person for whom a taxpayer is an eligible caregiver. (Sec. 202) Amends Federal law to set forth provisions for the establishment of a program under which long-term care insurance is made available to Federal employees and annuitants. Authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to purchase group long-term care insurance policies from, and design benefits packages and negotiate final offerings with, qualified carriers. Provides that policy coverage and benefits shall be guaranteed to be renewable and may not be canceled except for nonpayment of premiums. Requires provided benefits to be compliant with standards recommended by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Requires premium payments to be withheld from the pay or annuities of enrollees. Sets forth provisions governing the filing of claims, the administrative resolution of claims disputes, and the jurisdiction of U.S. district courts over related suits. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to extend through FY 2002 authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Federal Council on the Aging; (2) administration; (3) grants for State and community programs on aging; (4) the national family caregiver program; (5) availability of surplus commodities; (6) training, research, and discretionary projects and programs; (7) community service employment for older Americans; (8) grants for Native Americans; (9) allotments for vulnerable elder rights protection activities; and (10) the Native American program. (Sec. 302) Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to replace the program for in-home services for frail older individuals with a national family caregiver support program consisting of: (1) a State grant program of support for families and other informal providers of in-home and community care to older individuals; (2) a grant program to foster development of innovative approaches to caregiving, including minority and distant caregivers; and (3) grants or contracts for related activities of national significance. (Sec. 304) Makes funds under part D of title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 available for reallotment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Biomedical Revitalization Resolution of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that funding for the National Institutes of Health should be increased by $2 billion in FY 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
Establishes the National Museum of Women's History Advisory Committee. Directs the Advisory Committee to study matters relating to: (1) a site for the Museum in Washington, D.C.; (2) a business plan for the Museum's creation and maintenance, to be funded solely through private contributions; and (3) assisting the Museum's collection and programs. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide administrative services, facilities, support, and funds for the performance of the Advisory Committee's duties.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
Amends the International Maritime Satellite Telecommunications Act to authorize the President, in order to ensure the continued provision of global maritime distress and safety satellite telecommunications services after the privatization of the business operations of INMARSAT, to maintain U.S. membership in the International Mobile Satellite Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Condemns the repressive policies of the Government of the former Soviet Union during the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933. Expresses the sense of the Congress: (1) in remembrance of the victims of the Famine; and (2) that any supplemental material that will assist in disseminating information about the Famine should be compiled and made available worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1998
Calls upon the President to: (1) pursue enhanced enforcement of U.S. trade laws with respect to the increase in steel imports into the United States, including imposition of offsetting duties, quantitative restrictions, and other appropriate remedial measures; (2) pursue with all methods at the President's disposal to achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden of accepting imports of finished steel products from Asia and the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (3) establish a task force that has responsibility for closely monitoring U.S. imports of steel; and (4) report to the Congress by January 5, 1999, with a comprehensive plan for responding to the increase in steel imports, including ways of limiting the deleterious effects on employment, prices, and investment in the U.S. steel industry.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1998
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) repeal a provision which prohibits a State or local government from regulating the placement, construction, or modification of personal wireless service facilities (communications towers) on the basis of the environmental effects of frequency emissions from such facilities when such facilities comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations; (2) allow any person adversely affected by any final action or failure to act by a State or local government with respect to such facilities to commence an action in any court of competent jurisdiction within 30 days after exhaustion of any administrative remedies; (3) require that, in any action in which a person seeking to place, construct, or modify such a facility is a party, such person bear the burden of proof of its necessity; and (4) prohibit the FCC from adopting as a final rule a certain proposed rule which would preempt State and local zoning and land use restrictions on the siting, placement, and construction of broadcast station transmission facilities. Prohibits any provision of such Act from being interpreted to: (1) authorize any person to place, construct, or modify a broadcast or telecommunications tower in a manner that is inconsistent with State or local law or contrary to an official State decision if alternate technology is capable of delivering the broadcast or telecommunications signals without the use of such a tower; or (2) prohibit a State or local government from requiring a person seeking authority to locate such facilities within a local jurisdiction to produce appropriate documentation of compliance with FCC radio frequency exposure limits and aviation safety standards. Authorizes such State or local government to refuse to grant such location authority to any person who fails to produce such documentation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1998
Designates the U.S. Capitol Police headquarters building located at 119 D Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C., as the Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1998
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Study Act of 1998 - Amends the National Trails System Act to require study for potential addition to the national trails system of the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (the route of the War of 1812 British invasion of Maryland and Washington, DC, and the route of the American defense to victory at Fort McHenry on September 14, 1814).
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: State Grant Programs Title II: National Activities Subtitle A: Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Subtitle B: Other National Activities Title III: Alternative Financing Mechanisms Title IV: Repeal and Conforming Amendments Assistive Technology Act of 1998 - Title I: State Grant Programs - Directs the Secretary of Education to provide continuity grants, for assistive technology (AT) for individuals with disabilities, to States that have received less than ten years of funding under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988. (Sec. 101) Sets forth the following mandatory activities for any State receiving such a continuity grant: (1) a public awareness program to provide information on availability and benefits of AT devices and services, with an electronic link to the National Public Internet Site; (2) interagency coordination to improve access to AT devices and services; (3) technical assistance and training to promote access to AT devices and services; and (4) outreach activities that support statewide and community-based organizations to assist individuals with disabilities, especially the elderly and rural populations, use AT devices and services. Sets forth the following discretionary activities that such States may undertake with such continuity grants: (1) alternative State-financed systems that increase access to, and funding for, AT; (2) demonstrations of AT devices; (3) assistance to individuals with disabilities related to securing AT devices and services; (4) a system for public access to information concerning any such discretionary activity; (5) partnerships and cooperative initiatives between public and private sectors to promote greater participation by business and industry in development, demonstration, and dissemination of AT devices and ongoing provision of information about new products to assist individuals with disabilities; and (7) advocacy services. Authorizes States to enter cooperative agreements with other States to expand their capacity to assist individuals with disabilities of all ages to learn about, acquire, use, maintain, adapt, and upgrade AT devices and services. Authorizes States to operate or participate in a computer system through which the State may communicate electronically with other States to gain timely technical assistance and avoid duplication of efforts. Authorizes a State to pay for expenses (including travel expenses) and services (including services of qualified interpreters, readers, and personal care assistants) necessary for access to the comprehensive statewide program of technology-related assistance by individuals with disabilities in financial need who are ineligible for such services through another public agency or private entity. Provides for such payments to States according to a formula based on the number of years or portions of amounts that would have been provided by extension grants under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. Provides for payments to additional States under specified conditions. Limits the annual amount of any continuation grant to an outlying area. Sets forth continuation grant requirements for: (1) State designation of a lead agency; (2) State application supplements, including State goals, performance measures, involvement of individuals with disabilities and their families, and continuing obligations; and (3) options relating to funding for FY 1999 through 2004, under which a State may choose whether to receive a continuation grant or a challenge grant, but not both. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to provide challenge grants to States for five years to maintain and improve consumer-responsive comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities. Sets forth the following mandatory activities for States receiving such challenge grants: (1) interagency coordination; (2) continuation and enhancement of a statewide information and referral system, including an accessible Website with links to other appropriate sites, such as the National Public Internet Site, for individuals with disabilities and service providers; (3) a public awareness program; (4) capacity building and advocacy activities, and technical assistance and training; and (5) outreach activities. Allows States to use challenge grants for additional activities authorized under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act, or other activities identified by the State or the Secretary, with the Secretary's approval. Limits the amount of such a grant to an outlying area. Provides for a minimum allotment to all States. Determines any additional amount of such grants to States through a formula based on relative population and population density. Sets forth challenge grant requirements for: (1) State technology plans, including designation of a lead agency, goals, performance measures, involvement of individuals with disabilities and their families, personnel training, and coordination with State councils; and (2) progress reports. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to make competitive five-year supplementary millennium grants to States for State and local capacity building. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such grants to States that submit successful supplements to challenge grants, for one or more of the following State capacity-building activities: (1) obtaining compliance of all public agencies with specified AT-related requirements of the Rehabilitation Act; (2) developing, implementing, documenting, and reviewing a plan for enhancing the participation of all individuals with disabilities of the State in education, employment, transportation, communication, and general access in ways that complement and exceed what is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); (3) developing and implementing activities for incorporating the principles of universal design in the construction and renovation of facilities, information technology and telecommunications, and other products and services, such as transportation; (4) planning and adopting State personnel standards or professional certification procedures that apply to individuals or entities that provide AT services; (5) evaluating AT devices and AT; or (6) engaging in another activity, pursuant to a priority announced by the Secretary. Allows States to make competitive subgrants for local capacity building activities, including: (1) micro-loans and alternative financing programs; (2) equipment demonstrations; (3) long- and short-term equipment loan programs; (4) equipment recycling programs; (5) outreach and training, especially empowerment training; or (6) meeting unmet local AT-related needs. Provides for such grant payments to States and outlying areas. Requires matching funds when a grant exceeds a specified amount. Sets forth requirements for supplementary grant applications, including: (1) grant partners; (2) involvement of targeted individuals, especially individuals with disabilities who use AT, in grant development and activities; (3) data affecting selection grant focus; (4) State and other resources; (5) goals, activities, performance measures, and annual assessments; (6) limits on indirect costs; (7) joint submissions of applications with State technology plans, with distinct activities and separate budgets for challenge grants and supplementary grants; and (8) progress reports. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to make a six-year grant to an entity in each State to support protection and advocacy services through systems established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to assist in acquiring, utilizing, or maintaining AT or AT services for individuals with disabilities. Requires such grants, in the case of certain States, to be made to a designated lead agency or the State Assistive Technology Office. (Sec. 105) Sets forth administrative requirements, for grant programs under this title, for: (1) review of participating entities; (2) corrective action and sanctions; and (3) annual reports of the Secretary to the President and the Congress. Declares that this title may not be construed as authorizing a Federal or a State agency to reduce medical or other assistance available, or to alter eligibility for a benefit or service, under any other Federal law. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary to fund a program to provide AT technical assistance to entities, principally those funded under any grant program under this title. Requires, in designing such program, consideration of input from the directors of comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance and other appropriate individuals, especially: (1) individuals with disabilities who use AT and understand the barriers to the acquisition of AT and AT services; (2) family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives of such individuals; and (3) individuals employed by protection and advocacy systems funded by grants under this title. Directs the Secretary, as part of such technical assistance program, to fund the establishment and maintenance of a National Public Internet Site to provide individuals with disabilities and the general public technical assistance and information on increased access to AT devices and services and to other disability-related resources. Requires that an entity eligible to maintain such Internet site be an institution of higher education that emphasizes research and engineering, has a multidisciplinary research center, and has demonstrated expertise in specified matters. Sets forth required features and minimum library components of such Internet site. Sets forth eligibility, application, and program requirements for entities to receive grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under the technical assistance program. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for grants and other programs under this title. Title II: National Activities - Subtitle A: Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA, as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1988) to require increased coordination on disability, AT, and universal design research among Federal departments and agencies that are members of the Interagency Committee on Disability Research and other Federal departments and agencies. Authorizes the Committee to recommend funding for research projects that are jointly undertaken or administered by at least two departments or agencies with representatives on the Committee. (Sec. 202) Directs the National Council on Disability to report to specified congressional committees on the barriers in Federal AT policy to increasing availability of and access to AT devices and services for individuals with disabilities. Requires the Council to obtain input for such report from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the Association of Tech Act Projects, and targeted individuals. (Sec. 203) Directs the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board) to provide training to Federal and State employees concerning their responsibilities under RA to make their electronic and information technology accessible. Subtitle B: Other National Activities - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into contracts with small businesses to assist them with design, development, and marketing of AT devices and services, giving preference to such businesses owned or operated by individuals with disabilities; and (2) make grants to small businesses to work with entities funded by the Secretary to evaluate and disseminate information on the effects of technology transfer on the lives of individuals with disabilities, and to utilize such technology transfer and market research services to bring new AT devices and services to commerce. (Sec. 212) Authorizes the Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to collaborate in specified ways with the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (the Consortium) to promote technology transfer that will further development of AT and products that incorporate universal design principles. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or contracts or cooperative agreements with commercial, nonprofit, or other organizations, including institutions of higher education, to facilitate interaction with the Consortium to promote such technology transfer related to AT and universal design. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to require the Consortium to work with the NIDRR Director to compile a compendium of current and projected Federal Laboratory technologies and projects that have or will have an intended or recognized impact on the available range of AT for individuals with disabilities, including technologies and projects that incorporate universal design principles. (Sec. 213) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to commercial or other enterprises and institutions of higher education for research and development of universal design concepts for products (including information technology) and the built environment. Requires preference to be given to enterprises and institutions owned or operated by individuals with disabilities. (Sec. 214) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, enter into cooperative agreements, or provide financial assistance through other mechanisms, for specified AT outreach activities: (1) in rural or impoverished urban areas; and (2) for children and older individuals. (Sec. 215) Directs the Secretary to make grants, or enter into contracts, with public and private agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education, for specified types of training of rehabilitation engineers and technicians in careers related to providing AT devices and services. (Sec. 216) Authorizes the Secretary to study and report with recommendations to specified congressional committees on the benefits of, and obstacles to implementing throughout the Federal Government, a single assistive technology taxonomy developed by the Secretary. (Sec. 217) Authorizes the President's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities to design, develop, and implement programs to increase the voluntary participation of the private sector in making information technology accessible to individuals with disabilities, including increasing the involvement of such individuals in the design, development, and manufacturing of information technology. Includes a task force, outreach, and technical assistance among program activities. Requires the Committee to coordinate program activities with those of NIDRR and the Department of Labor. (Sec. 218) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Alternative Financing Mechanisms - Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for the Federal share of alternative financing programs to allow individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives to purchase AT devices and services. Requires such program to feature one or more alternative financing mechanisms, which may include: (1) a low-interest loan fund; (2) an interest buy-down program; (3) a revolving loan fund; (4) a loan guarantee or insurance program; (5) a program operated by a partnership among private entities for purchase, lease, or other acquisition of AT devices or services; or (6) another mechanism that meets the requirements of this title and is approved by the Secretary. (Sec. 301) Allows such a grant to be awarded for a one-year period. Limits each State to not more than one such grant. Limits the Federal share of program costs to not more than 50 percent. (Sec. 302) Limits the amount of such a grant to an outlying area. Sets minimum State grant allotments. Bases remaining State allotments on population and population density. (Sec. 303) Makes States eligible to compete for grants under this title if they are receiving or have received continuity grants or challenge grants under title I and comply with application requirements. Requires State assurances that the alternative financing program will: (1) continue on a permanent basis; (2) emphasize consumer choice and control; (3) have a permanent separate account; (4) only invest funds in low-risk securities in which a regulated insurance company may invest under the State law; and (5) not use more than ten percent of grant funds for indirect costs. Provides that interest and income from the program's investments shall not be taken into account in determining eligibility for any Federal program. (Sec. 304) Requires a State that receives a grant under this title to enter into a contract with a community-based organization (including a group of such organizations) that has individuals with disabilities involved in organizational decision making at all organizational levels, to administer the alternative financing program. Requires the community-based organization to contract with commercial lending institutions or organizations or State financing agencies to expand opportunities under this title and facilitate administration of the alternative financing program. (Sec. 305) Requires States that receive grants, and community-based organizations that contract with States, under this title to submit specified policies and procedures for administration of the alternative financing program, including ones to: (1) review and process in a timely manner requests for financial assistance for immediate and potential technology needs; (2) give program access to consumers regardless of type of disability, age, income level, location of residence in the State, or type of AT device or service requested; and (3) assure consumer-controlled oversight. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to provide information and technical assistance (through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with public or private agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education) to States to develop and implement alternative financing programs under this title. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on the progress of each alternative financing program funded under this title. (Sec. 308) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Repeal and Conforming Amendments - Repeals the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1998
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to expend from any available funds an additional $2 million for repair of the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Requires any funds received by the Secretary as a result of any claim against a contractor in connection with Memorial construction to be deposited in the general Treasury fund.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1998
Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (the Act) to replace titles I through VI of such Act with the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to cooperate with States and other entities to ensure that Federal economic development programs are compatible with and further the objectives of State, regional, and local economic development plans and comprehensive economic development strategies. Authorizes the Secretary to provide appropriate technical assistance to such entities in order to alleviate economic distress, encourage partnerships for economic development strategies, and promote investment in infrastructure and technological capacity to keep pace with the changing global economy. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for intergovernmental review of proposed economic development projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into economic development cooperation agreements with two or more adjoining States. Defines an "eligible recipient," for purposes of this Act, as: (1) an area with a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average or an unemployment rate at least one percent greater than the national average or one which has experienced or is about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems; (2) an economic development district; (3) an Indian tribe; (4) a State; (5) a political subdivision; (6) an institution of higher education; or (7) a nonprofit organization acting in cooperation with local officials. Sets forth provisions similar to existing provisions of law authorizing grants to eligible recipients for acquisition or development of public works and development facilities. Retains a limitation that prohibits more than 15 percent of the amounts made available for such assistance from being expended in any one State. Authorizes assistance for public works and economic development to be available for a project to be carried out on a military or Department of Energy installation that is closed or scheduled for closure or realignment without requiring an eligible recipient to have title to the property or a leasehold interest for any specified term. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law authorizing grants for economic planning. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for related administrative expenses as well. Provides a Federal cost-share limit of 50 percent of project costs. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary grants for a project for which the recipient is eligible but for which the recipient cannot provide the required non-Federal share. Provides supplementary grant conditions and requirements, authorizing the Secretary to reduce or waive the required non-Federal share in certain cases. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law that authorize technical assistance useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment. Authorizes grants for training and research for such purposes as well. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project so assisted if the project is not feasible without, and merits, such a reduction or waiver. Retains an existing provision of law regarding the prevention of unfair competition. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law which authorize grants for economic adjustment to alleviate long-term economic deterioration and sudden economic dislocation. Revises criteria for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) approve the use of grant funds for projects the scope or purpose for which has been modified after the grant has been made; and (2) use funds for projects constructed for less than the projected costs to improve such projects. Bars assistance for public works and economic development from being used for attorney's or consultants' fees incurred in connection with obtaining grants and contracts. Requires areas to have per capita incomes of 80 percent or less of the national average or unemployment rates at least one percent greater than the national average or to have experienced or be about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems in order to be eligible for grants for public works and economic development or economic adjustment. Requires from such applicants: (1) documentation of meeting such criteria; and (2) evidence of a comprehensive economic development strategy which identifies the economic problems to be addressed through such assistance, as well as related information. Revises conditions under which areas may be designated as economic development districts by the Secretary. Retains: (1) existing incentives for increasing grant assistance in districts where participants are actively participating in economic development activities and the project is consistent with the district's comprehensive economic development strategy; and (2) provisions authorizing assistance to parts of districts not in eligible areas. Directs the Secretary to carry out this Act through an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development who shall serve as the Administrator of the Economic Development Administration. Directs the Secretary to maintain an information clearinghouse on all matters relating to economic development and adjustment, disaster recovery, defense conversion, and trade adjustment programs and activities of Federal and State governments and to assist applicants for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish procurement divisions of the Federal Government with a list of business firms located in distressed areas that desire Federal contracts. Requires the Secretary to conduct reviews of university centers that receive grant assistance under this Act to assess their performance and contribution toward retention and creation of employment. Provides for penalty, administrative, and recordkeeping provisions similar to those under existing law. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense conversion activities and disaster economic recovery activities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding economic recovery for disaster areas, special economic development and adjustment assistance, and the job opportunities program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
Declares that the Congress honors the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the U.S. Capitol Police for the selfless acts of heroism they displayed on July 24, 1998, in sacrificing their lives in the line of duty so that others might live. Provides that, when the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourn on this date, they shall do so out of respect for the memory of Officers Gibson and Chestnut.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
Authorizes the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a memorial service for Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the U.S. Capitol Police. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to place a plaque in honor of the memory of Officers Gibson and Chestnut at an appropriate site in the U.S. Capitol, with the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Directs the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives to make arrangements for funeral services for Officers Gibson and Chestnut, including payments for travel expenses of immediate family members, and for expenses incurred by Members of the House of Representatives in attending such services. Directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to pay survivor's gratuities to the widows of Officers Gibson and Chestnut. Expresses the sense of the Congress that there should be established under law a U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund for the surviving spouses and children of members of the U.S. Capitol Police who are slain in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should issue a proclamation declaring the week that begins on the Sunday before Presidents' Day of each year, as United States Presidential History Week. Redesignates the legal public holiday of Washington's Birthday as Presidents' Day in honor of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt and in recognition of the importance of the institution of the Presidency and the contributions that Presidents have made to our nation's development and the principles of freedom and democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that October 15, 1998, should be designated as National Inhalant Abuse Awareness Day, to be observed with appropriate activities. Requests the President to issue a proclamation designating such Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1998
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to extend through FY 2001 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Federal Council on the Aging; (2) administration; (3) grants for State and community programs on aging; (4) the availability of surplus commodities; (5) training, research, and discretionary projects and programs; (6) community service employment for older Americans; (7) grants for Native Americans; (8) allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection activities; and (9) the Native American program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs Subtitle A: Nonemergency Food Assistance Programs Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Africa: Seeds of Hope Act of 1998 - Declares it to be U.S. policy, consistent with title XII of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act, to support governments of sub-Saharan African countries, U.S. and African nongovernmental organizations, universities, businesses, and international agencies to help ensure the availability of basic nutrition and economic opportunities for sub-Saharan individuals, through sustainable agricultural and rural development. Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), in providing development assistance under the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, to: (1) emphasize programs and projects that improve the food security of children, women, and food-insecure households, or that improve the agricultural productivity, incomes, and marketing of the rural poor in Africa; (2) solicit and take into consideration the views and needs of intended beneficiaries and program participants during the selection, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of projects; and (3) ensure that programs are designed and conducted in cooperation with African and U.S. organizations and institutions (such as private and voluntary organizations, cooperatives, land-grant and other appropriate universities, and local producer-owned cooperative marketing and buying associations) that have expertise in addressing the needs of the poor, small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, and rural workers, including women. (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, if there is an increase in funding for sub-Saharan programs, the Administrator of AID should proportionately increase resources to the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, for FY 2000 and subsequent fiscal years in order to meet the needs of the countries participating in such Initiative. (Sec. 102) Directs the Administrator of AID to use, through bilateral and multilateral assistance, microenterprise assistance (including credit) to improve the capacity and efficiency of agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa of small-scale farmers and small rural entrepreneurs (specifically taking into consideration the needs of women, and using the applied research and technical assistance capabilities of U.S. land-grant universities). (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Administrator of AID to utilize foreign assistance programs and initiatives for sub-Saharan Africa to support private producer-owned cooperative marketing associations there, including rural business associations owned by farmer shareholders. (Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should issue loans, guaranties, and insurance, and utilize existing equity funds and loan and insurance funds, to support private agricultural and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa (particularly intermediary organizations that directly serve the needs of small-scale farmers, small rural entrepreneurs, and rural producer-owned cooperative purchasing and marketing associations). (Sec. 105) Directs the Administrator of AID to develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate and build on the research and extension activities of U.S. land-grant universities, international agricultural research centers, and national agricultural research and extension centers in sub-Saharan Africa. Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs - Subtitle A: Non-Emergency Food Assistance Programs - Sets forth general requirements for the administration of non-emergency assistance programs under title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 - Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 - Amends the Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 1996 and the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 to rename specified provisions of the Food for Development Program as the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act. (Sec. 212) Includes, as part of the established trust stock of wheat, rice, corn, or sorghum used to meet emergency humanitarian food needs in developing countries, certain funds for Commodity Credit Corporation programs under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 that are available to acquire such eligible commodities through purchases from producers or in the market to replenish the trust. Authorizes the release of eligible commodities from the trust for emergency food assistance to developing countries, provided such release is at levels consistent with maintaining the long-term value of the trust. Makes permanent the authority for the trust. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Administrator of AID to report to the Congress on AID's plans for implementing the Africa Food Security Initiative and an estimate of all amounts expended or to be expended on related activities during the current and previous four years.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1998
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Research, Treatment, and Assistance Act of 1998 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for a waiver of the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals disabled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to provide for Medicare coverage of any drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment or alleviation of ALS-related symptoms. Authorizes additional appropriations for ALS research through the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Atlantic Coast Toxic Microorganism Environmental Remediation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to evaluate, develop, and implement a watershed strategic master plan for each State on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to address problems associated with the degradation of ecosystems and their dependent activities resulting from toxic microorganisms in wetlands and waters. Limits to 75 percent the Federal share of the cost of evaluating, developing, and implementing such a plan for each such State. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Federal Research Investment Act - Calls for Federal funding levels for fundamental, scientific, and pre-competitive engineering research to be increased to equal approximately 2.6 percent of the total annual Federal budget. Authorizes appropriations for civilian research and development (R&D) within specified agencies for FY 1999 through 2010. Directs the President to include with the annual budget request a report concerning Federal R&D program funding, future R&D strategies and targets, and an analysis of funding levels across Federal agencies by funding methodology. Requires the Director of the Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP) to enter in an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study to develop methods for evaluating federally-funded R&D programs. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), based on study results, to promulgate one or more alternative forms for Federal R&D performance goals. Permits an agency head to apply such an alternative form without further authorization by OMB. Requires agency heads carrying out R&D activities, upon updating a strategic plan, to describe the current and future use of methods for determining an acceptable level of R&D success as recommended by the study. Authorizes appropriations for the study. Requires: (1) the OMB Director, based upon program performance reports, to identify the civilian R&D program activities or components which do not meet an acceptable level of success; (2) an agency head to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a concise statement of the steps needed to terminate a program activity or component identified as being below the acceptable level of success for two consecutive fiscal years; (3) such a program to be terminated unless the Directors of OSTP and OMB and the agency head determine that it should be continued; and (4) the statement of termination to recommend disposition of unexpended and unobligated funds from terminated programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1998
Amends the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 to add to title I a new subtitle C, which may be cited as the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1998. Directs the Administrator of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (Administrator) to establish a microenterprise technical assistance and capacity building program to provide Fund grants to qualified non profit organizations to: (1) provide training and technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs; (2) provide training and capacity building services to help microenterprise development organizations and programs develop microenterprise training and services; and (3) aid in researching and developing the best practices in the field of microenterprise and technical assistance programs for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Sets forth an allocation formula for such assistance and for grants benefitting very low-income persons, including those residing on Indian reservations. Authorizes a qualified organization to provide subgrants to small and emerging microenterprise entities. Mandates matching funds from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1998 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard or if such material is an item of scrap paper containing, at the time of recycling, a concentration of a hazardous substance determined to present a significant human health or environmental risk.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998
Grants the consent of the Congress to the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority Compact entered into between the States of Maryland and West Virginia, with respect to operating an airport or landing field in Mineral County, on the Potomac River near Ridgeley, West Virginia.
![Official portrait of Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000064_200.jpg)