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United States · Official source
4,796 records where Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
Disabled Veterans' Caregiver Compensation Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay monthly compensation of $234 to a veteran if and while totally disabled and in need of regular aid and attendance and while unpaid aid and attendance is provided by an adult family member who is dependent upon such veteran for support.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2002
Urges the establishment of a National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
National Cancer Act of 2002 - Provides a comprehensive Federal effort relating to treatments for and the prevention of cancer. Amends the Public Health Service Act to fund prevention and treatment programs of the National Cancer Institute, including translational cancer research (research needed to transform scientific discoveries into approaches and products to treat and cure cancer). Addresses issues of cancer care, including: (1) clinical trial participation; (2) workforce needs; (3) Medicare coverage; (4) protocols and guidelines; (5) National Program of Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans; (5) the supply of researchers; (6) environmental risk factors research; and (7) a colorectal cancer screening demonstration program. Requires health insurance plans covered by the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide: (1) coverage for clinical trials; (2) coverage of cancer screening, including tobacco and nutrition counseling and genetic testing; and (3) patient access to benefit information. Addresses issues of managing physicians and quality of care for cancer patients covered by such plans, including designating a lead managing physician. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to regulate tobacco products. Sets forth requirements pertaining to: (1) adulteration; (2) misbranding; (3) the submission of health information; (4) annual registration and biennial inspection of processors; (5) biannual reporting of product list changes; (6) good manufacturing practices; (7) product performance standards; (8) information, notification, and other remedies; (9) records and reports; (10) premarket review; (11) judicial review; (12) postmarket surveillance; (13) reduced risk tobacco products; (14) preservation of State and local authority; and (15) equal treatment of retail outlets. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to: (1) revise cigarette labeling, advertising, and marketing requirements; and (2) authorize the Secretary to require disclosure of tar, nicotine, and other smoke constituents on package labels and/or advertisements. Amends the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 to revise smokeless tobacco warning label and advertising requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Act of 2002 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish and administer: (1) a national greenhouse gas emissions information system to collect annual lists required to be submitted under this Act of an entity's greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) a national greenhouse gas registry (included in such system) to collect voluntarily reported information on emissions reductions. Specifies factors for adjustment of emissions records by a reporting entity. Directs the Administrator and the Secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture, and Energy to develop greenhouse gas emissions quantification and verification protocols, electronic reporting methods, and accounting and reporting standards. Requires verification of reported emissions information. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual national greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Joseph Moakley Memorial Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 2002 - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prescribe fire safety standards for cigarettes to reduce the risk of ignition presented by cigarettes (including a proscription against the stockpiling of cigarettes to which the fire safety standards will apply). Sets forth general test requirements. Denies the Commission any jurisdiction over tobacco or tobacco products except as provided in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Expresses support for the goals of: (1) Autism Awareness Month; (2) increased Federal funding of autism research; and (3) early intervention services. Commends: (1) parents and relatives of autistic children for their sacrifice and dedication; and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services for swift implementation of the Children's Health Act of 2000, particularly for establishing Centers of Excellence for autism research.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2002 - Directs Secretary of Education to: (1) develop and publish instructional materials accessibility standards for the national electronic file format to be used by publishers of instructional materials in the preparation of electronic files suitable for efficient conversion into specialized formats; (2) establish a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise and guidance in creating such national electronic file format; (3) periodically review and amend such standards to reflect technological advances or changes; and (4) establish a National Instructional Materials Access Center. Requires State educational agencies, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to develop and implement statewide plans and make contracts with publishers to ensure that instructional materials for classroom use in elementary and secondary schools are made available in specialized formats to individuals who are blind or have other print disabilities at the same time such materials are provided to individuals without such disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to provide or improve their capacity to prepare or obtain instructional materials in specialized formats, including the national electronic format. Provides for enforcement of rights of children and parents under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, should conduct or support research on the effectiveness of medical screening techniques for ovarian cancer, including the use of proteomic patterns in blood serum in combination with other techniques. Requires a report to Congress and the inclusion of such technique in Federal health care programs and group and individual health plans if it proves effective.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Authorizes the President to award to Dr. Dorothy Height, on behalf of Congress, a congressional gold medal in recognition of her many contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
See summary of: H.Con.Res. 374
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2002
Directs the Customs Service to liquidate or reliquidate certain entries of tomato sauce preparation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2005, the duty on a certain synthetic filament yarn.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2005, the duty on a certain synthetic filament yarn.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that thousands of union ironworkers from New York City, and across North America, were instrumental in the emergency response operations in New York City and Virginia in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and as a result, the Nation owes a debt of gratitude for the service given by these men and women of the Iron Workers International Union.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2002 - Amends the Presidential Records Act to require the Archivist of the United States, when making available any Presidential record not previously made available publicly, to: (1) promptly provide written notice of such determination to the former President during whose term of office the record was created and the incumbent President; and (2) make the notice available to the public. Requires such a record to be made available upon the expiration of 20 days, except any record with respect to which the Archivist receives a specified written claim of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure from a former President or the incumbent President. Requires the provision of a copy of each such claim to: (1) the person seeking such record; (2) each chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and (3) any member of the public, upon request. Sets forth requirements regarding the release of a Presidential record that is subject to a privilege claim.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Declares that Congress expresses its deepest gratitude for the service of the District of Columbia Army National Guard in protecting Congress and increasing security around the Capitol complex. Congratulates the National Guard and Capitol Police on the fine work they have done to increase security around the Capitol grounds since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2002, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) destroying, altering, or falsifying records in Federal investigations or in bankruptcy; (2) failure of an accountant who conducts an audit of an issuer of securities to maintain all documents sent, received, or created in connection with the audit for a five year period; and (3) executing a scheme to defraud in connection with a registered security, or to obtain by false pretenses money or property in connection with its purchase or sale. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review the Federal sentencing guidelines for obstruction of justice, and for fraud when the number of victims adversely involved is significantly greater than 50 or when it endangers the solvency or financial security of multiple victims. Amends: (1) Federal bankruptcy law to make certain debts incurred in violation of Federal or State securities laws, or common law fraud in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, and to increase the amount of employees' wages protected under chapter 11 proceedings; and (2) the Federal judicial code to authorize a private right of action that involves a securities fraud-related claim to be brought by the earlier of five years after the date of the alleged violation or three years after its discovery. Authorizes a civil action to protect whistle-blowing employees against retaliation in fraud cases involving publicly traded companies. Amends the judicial code to direct the Attorney General to establish within the Department of Justice a Retirement Security Fraud Bureau.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Global Action and Investments for New Success for Women and Girls Act of 2002 (or GAINS for Women and Girls Act of 2002) - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and other specified Federal law to require administration of such law with particular attention to programs, projects, and activities which integrate women into the national economies of developing countries. Requires the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to appoint a head of the Office of Women in Development (WID) at the Deputy Assistant Administrator level or higher. Authorizes the President to establish a coordinating council to promote the advancement of women and girls in all Federal agency policies and programs. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, the USAID Administrator, and the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain actions with respect to: (1) reducing women's poverty in developing countries; (2) supporting women's businesses through access to resources and financial markets; and (3) improving the terms and conditions of women's work. Women and International Trade Act of 2002 - Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to: (1) establish a Trade, Gender, and Development Policy Advisory Committee to provide policy advice on issues involving trade, gender, and international development; and (2) review (with other specified Federal agency heads) the impacts of trade liberalization on women and their communities. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to: (1) quality education for women and girls in developing countries; and (2) tuberculosis treatment for very poor, at-risk, and affected populations. Directs the USAID Administrator to carry out programs of: (1) child survival and maternal health assistance to individuals in developing countries; (2) gender-sensitive sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention; and (3) topical microbicide development. Requires U.S. international programs to incorporate certain measures with respect to family planning and reproductive health and rights. Urges that funds for programs addressing female genital mutilation be targeted toward certain local nongovernmental organizations. Requires the USAID Administrator and other Federal agency heads to carry out projects to assist: (1) women farmers in accessing global and domestic markets; and (2) governments of developing countries to eliminate de jure discrimination against women. Expresses support for certain international conventions regarding economic, social, and cultural rights of women and girls, children, and migrant workers and their families, as well as civil and political rights. Requires the President to carry out programs in foreign countries to prevent trafficking in women and children. Access for Afghan Women Act of 2002 - Prescribes requirements relating to U.S. activities in Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries, especially with respect to women. Urges the Senate to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Requires U.S. international programs to incorporate activities and measures to: (1) prevent violence against women and girls; (2) support women's efforts in conflict prevention and resolution and post-conflict stability; (3) provide protection and assistance to refugee and internally displaced women; and (4) increase women's leadership and participation in civic life. Supports Senate ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Authorizes the President to establish a U.S. International Fund for Women's Leadership to award grants to women's organizations in developing countries. Supports establishment of an International Museum of Women. Requires U.S. international environmental programs to take specified measures with respect to women, children, and men in developing countries. Requires the Secretary of State to take into account women's roles in natural resource management as well as the health impacts of environmental toxins on women's health when negotiating international environmental treaties and protocols. Supports Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Directs the Secretary of State to the U.S. representatives to the Global Environment Facility Council and Assembly to urge the Facility to integrate women's special needs into its programming in developing and transitional countries.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Floyd D. Spence Organ Coordination Improvement Act- Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to assist qualified organ procurement entities in carrying out programs to coordinate the activities of eligible hospitals that relate to seeking organ donations, in order to increase the rate of organ donations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Rare Diseases Orphan Product Development Act of 2002 - Amends the Orphan Drug Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2002 through 2006 for grants and contracts for the development of drugs for rare diseases and conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Rare Diseases Act of 2002 - Amends the Pubic Health Service Act to: (1) establish an Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institutes of Health; and (2) provide for rare disease regional centers of excellence. Sets forth the duties of such Office and regional centers, including research and educational duties. Defines rare disease as any disease or condition affecting less than 200,000 persons in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain employee group health plans or related insurances providing both medical-surgical and mental health benefits from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. States that the foregoing shall not be construed as requiring a group health plan (or related insurances) to: (1) provide any mental health benefits; (2) prevent the medical management of mental health benefits; or (3) require the provision of specific mental health services, except to the extent that failure to provide such services would result in a disparity between the coverage of mental health and medical-surgical benefits. Exempts specified small employers from such requirements. Requires that, in the case of a group health plan that offers a participant or beneficiary two or more benefit package options, the coverage requirements shall be applied separately with respect to each such option. Provides that, in the case of a plan or insurance providing in-network mental health benefits, out-of-network mental health benefits need not be provided at parity to medical-surgical benefits, as long as in-network mental health benefits are provided at parity with medical-surgical benefits and the plan or insurance provides reasonable access to in-network providers and facilities. Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality and a cost estimation of extending such requirements to the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Veterans Judicial Review Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends Federal provisions relating to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) to: (1) hold unlawful and set aside a finding of material fact when not supported by a preponderance of the evidence (currently, only when clearly erroneous); (2) allow the Court to enter a default judgment against the Secretary of Veterans Affairs upon a determination that the Secretary has unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed action on a claim or has failed to plead or otherwise defend; and (3) allow judicial review by the Circuit Court of Appeals of any question of law, or application of law to the facts, that was relied upon by the Court. Directs the Secretary to provide for the expeditious treatment: (1) by the appropriate office of the Veterans Benefits Administration of any claim remanded to that office by the Board of Veterans' Appeals; and (2) by such Board of any claim remanded to the Secretary by the Court. Authorizes the Court, in claims remanded to the Secretary involving compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension, to order the Secretary to pay interim benefits when a decision on such claim is not rendered within 180 days. Authorizes the Court, upon a showing of excusable neglect or good cause, to extend the time for filing a notice of appeal.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Living Equitably: Grandparents Aiding Children and Youth Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out demonstration programs to provide: (1) intergenerational family housing in connection with the supportive housing program; and (2) section 8 rental assistance to grandparent-headed or relative-headed covered families. Makes such covered families eligible for the following programs: (1) family unification assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937; (2) cottage housing opportunity units under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; and (3) fair housing initiatives program education, and outreach under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to provide Department of Housing and Urban Development personnel with training respecting covered family issues.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Domestic Violence Screening and Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require that health benefits provided include coverage of domestic violence screening and treatment. Amends Federal civil service law to require the Office of Personal Management to require all contracted carriers of health coverage for Federal employees to include coverage for domestic violence screening and treatment services. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to require States to set aside a reasonable portion of maternal and child health services block grant funds to provide for domestic violence screening and treatment services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to such funds retained for certain projects, to provide preference to State applicants who include training of providers in how to screen for, and treat, domestic violence. Requires the Secretary to allot funds to States to provide for a separate program for domestic violence screening and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Nationwide Health Tracking Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) develop Nationwide and State Health Tracking Networks to monitor, investigate, and prevent increases in the incidence of certain chronic diseases and relevant environmental risk factors; and (2) establish within the Epidemic Intelligence Service a National Environmental Health Rapid Response Service. Direct the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to jointly establish the Commission on Nationwide Health Tracking. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director, to support State Health Tracking Networks through: (1) pilot programs; (2) awarding grants; and (3) providing technical assistance. Makes States, political subdivisions of States, territories, and Indian tribes eligible for participation, subject to an approved application. Requires such Networks to: (1) conduct surveillance activities; (2) collect and analyze data; (3) establish an early warning system and response capacity; (4) recruit and train public health employees; and (5) expand and integrate existing systems and activities to the extent practicable. Requires the Nationwide Health Tracking Network to coordinate State Networks and existing Federal public health and environmental surveillance systems and activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for research and demonstration centers concerning chronic conditions and relevant environmental factors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) expand the scope of biomonitoring data collection; (2) publish a Nationwide Network report; and (3) award John H. Chafee Public Health Scholarships for advanced training in chronic conditions and environmental epidemiology and health sciences.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Pet Safety and Protection Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act regarding sources of research facility dogs and cats, to prohibit a research facility from using, or a person (as defined by this Act) from selling or donating, a dog or cat for research or education purposes that was not obtained from specified dealers, public pounds, owners, or Department of Agriculture-licensed research facilities. Establishes monetary penalties for related violations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Jobs for Veterans Act - Entitles the following to priority under certain job training programs funded by the Department of Labor (Department): (1) a veteran; (2) the spouse of any veteran who died of a service-connected disability; (3) the spouse of a member serving on active duty who is listed as missing in action, captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power; and (4) the spouse of any veteran who has a total service-connected disability rating or who died while a disability so evaluated was in existence. Requires any Federal personal property and nonpersonal services procurement contract of $100,000 or more to contain a provision requiring the contractor to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment disabled veterans, veterans who served on active duty during a war or campaign for which a campaign badge has been authorized, and veterans who, while serving on active duty, participated in a military operation for which a service medal was awarded. Directs the Secretary of Labor to carry out a program of performance incentive awards to States to encourage the improvement and modernization of veterans' employment, training, and placement services. Establishes within the Department an Assistant and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, with specified duties. Requires the assignment of regional administrators, and State directors, for veterans' employment and training. Requires States to employ a sufficient number of disabled veterans' outreach specialists and local veterans' employment representatives. Establishes the President's National Hire Veterans Committee to take certain actions to facilitate the employment of veterans and disabled veterans. Expresses the sense of Congress commending veterans' and military service organizations. Requires a study to quantify the economic benefit attributable to veterans employment and training services.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Living Organ Donor Job Security Act of 2002 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow leave for living organ donation. Includes among authorized leave time spent for: (1) tests for medical suitability of the eligible employee; (2) physical, psychological, and social evaluations of the donor; (3) pre-transplant outpatient services; (4) post-operative inpatient and outpatient transplantation services; (5) travel in connection with such tests, evaluations, and services; and (6) recuperation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Medicare Safety Net Access Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the payment for certain Federally qualified health center (FQHC) services furnished to an individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice), allowing for supplemental reimbursement, among other changes. Amends Medicare+Choice to add additional Medicare+Choice contract requirements. Amends SSA title XI with respect to criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs, particularly illegal remunerations (kickbacks). Exempts from the prohibition against such remunerations any remuneration: (1) between a FQHC (or an entity controlled by such a health center) and a Medicare+Choice organization pursuant to a specified written agreement; and (2) between a certain kind of public or nonprofit private health center entity and any individual or entity providing goods, items, services, donations, loans, or a combination, to such health center entity pursuant to an agreement, if such agreement produces a community benefit that will be used by the health center entity to maintain or increase the availability or accessibility, or enhance the quality, of services provided to a medically underserved population served by the health center entity. Amends Medicare to provide for coverage of additional FQHC services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards relating to the exception for health center entity arrangements to described anti-kickback penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Long-Term Care Support and Incentive Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax deduction in an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of eligible long-term care premiums paid during the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer, his spouse, and dependents under a qualified long-term care insurance contract, including accelerated deduction percentages for individuals 65 and older; (2) permit qualified long-term care insurance contracts to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements under certain conditions; and (3) allow a tax credit limited by income for the taxable year for the number of applicable individuals with long-term care needs with respect to whom the taxpayer is an eligible caregiver for the taxable year. Revises specified requirements for qualifying long-term insurance contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Designates the U.S. courthouse located at 100 Federal Plaza in Central Islip, New York, as the Alfonse M. D'Amato United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Supports the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month. Commends the 41 States that have implemented routine hearing screenings for every newborn before they leave the hospital. Supports the efforts of speech and hearing professionals in their efforts to improve the speech and hearing development of children. Encourages the U.S. people to have their hearing checked regularly and to avoid environmental noise that can lead to hearing loss.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2002
Captain Jack Punches Memorial Act - Amends the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish Government markers for the private cemetery graves of veterans dying on or after September 11, 2001 (currently December 27, 2001) who: (1) would have been eligible for burial in a national cemetery; or (2) would have been eligible for military retired or retainer pay except for not having attained 60 years of age.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2002 - Amends Federal Civil Service provisions to require that, of the 12 weeks of leave available to a Federal employee during any 12-month period based on the birth of a child or the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care, up to one-half of that time (as the employee may designate) shall be with pay, in addition to any annual or sick leave which the employee may otherwise elect to use as part of the same12-week period.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by determining that acquiring corporations in"corporate expatriation transactions" shall be considered domestic corporations. Defines a "corporate expatriation transaction" as, with certain exceptions, one in which a "nominally foreign corporation" acquires substantially all of the properties held by a domestic corporation and in which, immediately after the transaction, more than 80 percent of the stock of the acquiring corporation is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation. Lowers the 80 percent threshold to 50 percent when the acquiring "nominally foreign corporation" lacks substantial business activities in the foreign country in which it was created and organized compared to the total activities of the "expanded affiliated group" and the stock is publicly traded, with the principal market of trading being the United States. Defines the terms "nominally foreign corporation" and "expanded affiliated group." Applies similar rules to partnership transactions. Establishes that a series of related transactions relevant to the Act shall be handled as a single transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2002
Comprehensive Investor Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to set forth auditor independence requirements, including a prohibition against: (1) nonaudit services for audit clients; and (2) improper influence exerted upon the conduct of audits. Establishes the Public Accounting Regulatory Board to: (1) establish audit quality standards; (2) review public accounting firms and individual audits; (3) conduct disciplinary and investigation proceedings; and (4) suspend or revoke registration for noncompliance. Permits State licensing boards to participate in such proceedings and impose sanctions. Authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to oversee the Board. Subjects to Board jurisdiction foreign accounting firms that already fall within SEC jurisdiction. Proscribes insider trades during pension fund blackout periods. Mandates an SEC rulemaking proceeding to attain increased financial disclosure of : (1) off-balance sheet transactions; (2) insider transactions; (3) relationships between SEC registrants and philanthropic organizations; (4) insider controlled affiliates; and (5) provision of services by related persons. Instructs the SEC to: (1) initiate additional rulemaking proceedings regarding plain language financial reports; (2) implement a current disclosure reporting system; and (3) conduct enhanced oversight of issuers' periodic financial statements. Mandates electronic disclosure of affiliate transactions. Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, to establish liability for aiding and abetting securities violations. Mandates preservation of audit records for seven years. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933 to require preservation of records during shareholder litigation. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 establish a statute of limitations for an implied private right of action. Directs the SEC to study and report to specified congressional committees on credit rating agencies and analyst conflicts of interest.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2002
Former Prisoners of War Equitable Dental Benefits Act - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions with respect to former prisoners of war to repeal the 90-day minimum period of internment required for eligibility for dental care furnished through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) Federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Prohibits veterans otherwise eligible for health care or medical services through the Department of Veterans Affairs from being denied such care or services by reason of being held as a prisoner in a county or city jail.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - Prohibits a person from: (1) slaughtering a horse for human consumption; (2) importing to, or exporting from, the United States horseflesh or horses for human consumption; or (3) selling, bartering, transferring, receiving, or distributing horseflesh or horses for human consumption. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) criminal and civil penalties; (2) enforcement authority of the Secretary of Agriculture; (3) placement of confiscated horses; (4) euthanasia of unplaceable or severely injured or diseased horses; (4) funding of animal rescue facilities; and (5) exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Veterans' Claims Continuation Act - Authorizes the substitution of any of the following parties in the case of a veteran's claim for benefits provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs when the original claimant dies while the claim is pending: (1) the surviving spouse; (2) any surviving child at least 21 years of age; (3) a surviving parent; (4) the legal representative of the deceased claimant's estate; or (5) the next of kin of the veteran. Requires: (1) the substituting party to file a substitution application or motion within one year of the original claimant's death; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify the estate and legal representative of the deceased claimant that the claim will be dismissed if a substitute application or motion is not filed within such time period. Authorizes: (1) the payment of accrued benefits in the case of deaths occurring before the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) the substitution of the above eligible parties in cases pending before a U.S. Circuit Court or the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Calls for: (1) recognition of private organizations and health care providers for promoting awareness and research of scleroderma; (2) greater awareness of the symptoms of scleroderma and contributions to the fight against it; (3) the Government to promote awareness, to adequately fund scleroderma research projects, and to continue to consider ways to improve the quality of health care services for scleroderma patients; (4) the National Institutes of Health to continue to play a leadership role in the fight against scleroderma; and (5) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to give priority to establishing a national epidemiological study to better track and gather information about scleroderma.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2002
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Fishermen, Communities, and Firms Act of 2002 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements with respect to: (1) agreements between the United States and cooperating States for certain services for workers adversely affected by import competition; (2) eligibility certification of a group of adversely affected workers for trade adjustment assistance; (3) payment to them of trade adjustment allowances; (4) training programs for them; and (5) the maximum amount of job search and relocation allowances payable to an adversely affected worker. Provides for the eligibility certification for such assistance of adversely affected secondary workers employed at a downstream producer (a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes to articles produced by another firm) or a supplier. Establishes a self-employment training pilot program to be administered by the Small Business Administration for adversely affected workers. Reauthorizes the trade adjustment assistance program for firms adversely affected by import competition. Revises eligibility requirements for certification of communities for trade adjustment assistance. Establishes trade adjustment assistance programs for adversely affected groups of agricultural commodity producers and commercial fishermen or U.S. fish processors. Establishes a program to provide 75 percent of the premium for COBRA continuation health coverage for workers (and their families) eligible for trade adjustment assistance. Allows a State to elect to provide temporary coverage under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for: (1) certain uninsured workers; and (2) for the unsubsidized portion of COBRA continuation premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Veterans Health-Care Items Procurement Reform and Improvement Act of 2002 - Requires any procurement of a health-care item by any element of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be made through the use of a Federal Supply Schedule contract or national contract that meets specified requirements, including the presence of pre-award and post-award audit clauses and a price reduction clause. Allows, in limited circumstances including the presence of a medical emergency at a Department medical center, the use of a contract other than the above contracts, as long as it meets such requirements. Requires, in the case of an emergency Department procurement of a health-care item, that the quantity procured not exceed that reasonably necessary to meet the emergency at the medical center concerned. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish annual goals for Department medical centers for the purchase of health-care items using the above contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Sammy Davis, Jr. Recognition Act - Authorizes the President to present posthumously, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to a surviving family member of Sammy Davis, Jr. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2002
Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2002 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) mandatory coverage of community-based attendant services and supports; and (2) increased Federal financial participation for early coverage States for certain expenditures with respect to community-based attendant services and supports. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible States to carry out certain capacity building activities with respect to community-based attendant services and supports. Requires each State to establish a Consumer Task Force to assist the State in the development, implementation, and evaluation of real choice systems change initiatives. Directs the Secretary to conduct a project to evaluate service coordination and cost-sharing approaches with respect to the provision of community-based services and supports to non-elderly dually eligible individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2002
Accountability for Accountants Act of 2002 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to extend joint and several liability to an auditor of financial statements: (1) who has been found by a jury to have failed to detect and report illegal acts of the issuer of securities that are the subject of a class action; (2) who has performed non-audit functions for such issuer during the time within which an alleged violation of securities occurred; or (3) the issuer of such securities is insolvent. Declares stay of discovery procedures inapplicable in any private action against such auditor. Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to extend liability to persons who aid or abet violations of such Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to mandate maintenance of audit records of an issuer of securities and to impose criminal sanctions for non-compliance. Requires an accountant/auditor of a securities issuer to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on its decision to: (1) divest itself of interests in non-audit businesses in light of the inherent potential conflicts of interest in providing both audit and non-audit services to an issuer; or (2) cease providing non-audit services to companies whose financial statements it audits. Mandates preservation of records during shareholder litigation.