Education

Comprehensive Club Drug Abuse Reduction Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2001

Comprehensive Club Drug Abuse Reduction Act - Establishes the Club Drug Task Force, an interagency task force which shall have responsibility for designing, implementing, and evaluating the education and prevention and treatment practices and strategies of the Federal Government in conjunction with State, local, and community leaders with respect to club drugs and other synthetic stimulants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a public health monitoring program to monitor club drugs in the United States. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Director of the Prevention Center to make grants to and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with public and nonprofit private entities to enable such entities to: (1) carry out school-based programs concerning the dangers of club drug abuse and addiction, using methods that are effective and evidence-based, including initiatives that give students the responsibility to create their own anti-drug abuse education programs for their schools; and (2) carry out community-based club drug abuse and addiction prevention programs that are effective and evidence-based.

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2002

United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2001

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations to the District of Columbia for FY 2002, including amounts for the Federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) to District of Columbia Courts; (3) for Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (4) to the District of Columbia Corrections Trustee Operations; (5) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (including transfer of funds); (6) to the District of Columbia for security costs related to the presence of the Federal Government in the District; (7) to the Thurgood Marshall Academy Charter School; (8) to the District of Columbia Public Schools; (9) to the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Municipal Management; (10) to the Children's National Medical Center; (11) for a Child and Family Social Services Computer Integration Plan; (12) for District of Columbia and Federal Law Enforcement Mobile Wireless Interoperability; (13) to the Chief Financial Officer of the District; (14) to the District of Columbia Court Appointed Special Advocates Unit; and (15) to the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency for activities authorized by the Family Court Act of 2001. Requires the Federal payment made available in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001: (1) for the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Metropolitan Police Department to remain available for the purposes intended through FY 2002; and (2) for the Brownfield Remediation to be available until expended. Appropriates specified sums out of the District's general fund (and other funds, in some cases) for the current fiscal year for: (1) operating expenses (with limitations); (2) governmental direction and support; (3) economic development and regulation; (4) public safety and justice; (5) the public education system; (6) human support services (including transfer of funds); (7) public works; (8) receivership programs; (9) workforce investments; (10) the Reserve; (11) reserve relief; (12) the Emergency and Contingency Reserve Fund; (13) repayment of certain loans and interest; (14) repayment of General Fund Recovery Debt; (15) the John A. Wilson Building; (16) for certain non-departmental agency costs; (17) the Water and Sewer Authority; (18) the Washington Aqueduct; (19) the Stormwater Permit Compliance Enterprise Fund; (20) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (21) the Sports and Entertainment Commission; (22) the District of Columbia Retirement Board; (23) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund; (24) the Housing Finance Agency; (25) the National Capital Revitalization Corporation; and (26) capital outlay (including rescissions). Transfers limited funds to the Emergency Reserve Fund.

Technology Talent Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2001

Technology Talent Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to increase the number of students studying and receiving associate's or bachelor's degrees in established or emerging fields within science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Provides that an institution receiving such a grant shall be known as a National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Talent Expansion Center.

Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2001

Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) a regular timeline for the publication of final regulations; and (2) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors. Outlines requirements for provider education and technical assistance under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program making certain technical assistance available, upon request on a voluntary basis, to small providers of services or suppliers to evaluate their billing and related systems for compliance with the applicable Medicare requirements. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council to direct the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Provider Ombudsman to: (1) assist confidentially service providers, physicians, practitioners, and suppliers with respect to grievances and requests for information; and (2) submit recommendations to the Secretary for improvement in Medicare administration. Outlines requirements with respect to provider appeals. Directs the Secretary to establish a process for expedited access to judicial review. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to: (1) the Medicare Integrity Program to provide for the recovery of overpayments and prepayment review; and (2) agreements with service providers to direct the Secretary to establish a process (including an appeals process) for enrollment of Medicare service providers, services, physicians, practitioners, and suppliers. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program under which Medicare specialists employed by HHS advise and assist Medicare beneficiaries at the location of existing local offices of the Social Security Administration. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing any documentation guidelines for evaluation and management physician services under Medicare unless the Secretary has, among other things, established a plan with specific goals and a schedule for improving the use of such guidelines.

USA Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001

Uniting and Strengthening America Act or the USA Act of 2001 - Establishes a counterterrorism fund. Condemns discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans. Increases funding for the technical support center at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Authorizes the Attorney General to request military assistance to enforce laws related to any weapon of mass destruction. Requires the Director of the U.S. Secret Service to develop a national electronic crime task force. Grants the President authority to confiscate any property of any foreign person, country, or organization involved with an attack on or armed hostilities with the United States. Amends Federal criminal law to provide for authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to computer fraud and abuse offenses. Permits disclosure to specified Federal personnel of Federal grand jury matters pertaining to intelligence or counterintelligence. Allows sharing of electronic, wire, and oral interception information by Federal law enforcement and other specified Federal officials. Permits the similar sharing of foreign intelligence information. Requires the FBI Director to expedite the hiring of translators to support counterterrorism investigations and operations. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 with respect to roving surveillance authority and duration of surveillance of non-U.S. persons who are agents of a foreign power. Permits the seizure of voice mail messages pursuant to search warrants. Allows subpoenas for records of electronic communications to include temporarily assigned network addresses. Permits electronic communication and remote computing service providers to make emergency disclosures to a governmental entity of customer electronic communications to protect life and limb. Authorizes Federal district courts to allow a delay of required notices of the execution of a warrant if immediate notice may have an adverse result. Prohibits use of a pen register or trap and trace devices in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities that is conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (or designee) to apply for an court order requiring production of certain business records for foreign intelligence and international terrorism investigations. Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) require a trap and trace device to restrict recording or decoding so as not to include the contents of a wire or electronic communication; (2) apply a court order for a pen register or trap and trace devices to any person or entity providing wire or electronic communication service in the United States whose assistance may facilitate execution of the order; (3) allow a trap and trace device to identify the source (but not the contents) of a wire or electronic communication; and (4) provide for nationwide service of search warrants for electronic evidence. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to extend trade sanctions to the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for administrative discipline of Federal officers or employees who violate prohibitions against unauthorized disclosures of information gathered under this Act. Provides for civil actions against the United States for damages by any person aggrieved by such violations. Terminates specified provisions of this Act on December 31, 2004. Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) extend money laundering penalties to the laundering of the proceeds of terrorism; and (2) subject to civil forfeiture all assets, foreign or domestic, of terrorist organizations. Authorizes: (1) the Attorney General to waive certain Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel caps with respect to ensuring security needs on the Northern U.S. border; and (2) appropriations for increased Border Patrol, Customs Service, and INS personnel along such border. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Attorney General and the FBI to provide the Department of State and the INS with access to specified criminal history extracts in order to determine whether or not a visa or admissions applicant has a criminal history. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to develop a technology standard to identify visa and admissions applicants. Broadens the scope of aliens ineligible for admission and deportable for terrorist activities. Defines "terrorist organization" as: (1) a designated foreign or other terrorist organization; or (2) a group of two or more individuals which engage in specified terrorist-related activities. Provides for mandatory detention until removal from the United States (regardless of any relief from removal) of an alien certified by the Attorney General as a suspected terrorist or threat to national security. Requires release of such alien after seven days if removal proceedings have not commenced, or the alien has not been charged with a criminal offense. Limits judicial review to habeas corpus proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Broadens visa information disclosure requirements. Provides for: (1) special immigrant status for certain alien victims of terrorist activities; and (2) humanitarian relief for certain surviving alien spouses and children of U.S. citizens killed by such activities. (Excludes terrorists or family members from such benefits.) Authorizes the Attorney General and revises the Secretary of State's authority to pay rewards to combat terrorism. Qualifies a Federal terrorism offense for collection of DNA for identification Authorizes consultation among Federal law enforcement officers regarding information acquired from an electronic surveillance or physical search in terrorism and related investigations or protective measures. Allows the FBI to request telephone toll and transactional records, financial records, and consumer reports in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities only if the investigation is not conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Revises U.S. Secret Service jurisdiction with respect to fraud and related activity in connection with computers. Amends the General Education Provisions Act and the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 to provide for disclosure of educational records to the Attorney General in a terrorism investigation or prosecution. Provides for expedited payments for: (1) public safety officers involved in the prevention, investigation, rescue, or recovery efforts related to a terrorist attack; and (2) heroic public safety officers. Increases Public Safety Officers Benefit Program payments. Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to establish an antiterrorism emergency reserve in the Victims of Crime Fund. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Victims of Crime to make supplemental grants for victims of terrorism to States, victim service organizations, public agencies, and nongovernmental organizations the provide assistance to crime victims. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend Bureau of Justice Assistance regional information sharing system grants to systems that enhance the investigation and prosecution abilities of participating Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in addressing multi-jurisdictional terrorist conspiracies and activities. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against mass transportation systems. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over crimes committed at U.S. facilities abroad. Subjects to civil forfeiture all assets, foreign or domestic, of terrorist organizations. Extends the statute of limitations for certain terrorism offenses without limit. Provides for alternative maximum penalties for terrorism crimes. Makes the penalties for attempts and conspiracies the same as the penalties for terrorism offenses. Makes any term of years or life the supervised release terms for offenses with terrorism predicates. Makes specified terrorism crimes Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute predicates. Revises prohibitions and penalties with regard to fraud and related activity in connection with computers to include specified cyberterrorism offenses. Directs the Attorney General to establish regional computer forensic laboratories, and support existing laboratories, to develop specified cybersecurity capabilities. Requires the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to establish requirements and priorities for foreign intelligence collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and to provide assistance to the Attorney General to ensure that information derived from electronic surveillance or physical searches is disseminated for efficient and effective foreign intelligence purposes. Requires the inclusion of international terrorist activities within the scope of foreign intelligence under such Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that officers and employees of the intelligence community should establish and maintain intelligence relationships to acquire information on terrorists and terrorist organizations. Provides temporary authority to defer the submission to Congress of certain reports on intelligence and intelligence-related matters. Requires the Attorney General or head of any other Federal department or agency to disclose expeditiously to the DCI any foreign intelligence acquired in the course of a criminal investigation. Requires the Attorney General, DCI, and Secretary of the Treasury to report jointly to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of reconfiguring the Foreign Asset Tracking Center and the Office of Foreign Assets Control to provide for the analysis and dissemination of foreign intelligence relating to the financial capabilities and resources of international terrorist organizations. Requires the DCI to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the establishment and maintenance of the National Virtual Translation Center for timely and accurate translations of foreign intelligence for elements of the intelligence community. Requires the Attorney General to provide a program of training to Government officials regarding the identification and use of foreign intelligence.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that public schools may display the words "God Bless America" as an expression of support for the Nation.

United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001

Expresses the sense of the Congress that public schools may display the words "God Bless America" as an expression of support for the Nation.

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other trust funds; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program; (12) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (14) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (16) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (17) departmental management; (18) the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training; and (19) the Office of Inspector General. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (5) the National Institutes of Health; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; (8) the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (9) the Administration for Children and Families for payments to States for child support enforcement and family support programs; (10) low income home energy assistance; (11) refugee and entrant assistance; (12) payments to States for child care and development block grants; (13) social services block grants; (14) children and families services programs; (15) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (16) the Administration on Aging; (17) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (18) the Office of Inspector General; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; (20) policy research; and (21) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) bilingual and immigrant education; (6) special education; (7) rehabilitation services and disability research; (8) certain special institutions for persons with disabilities; (9) vocational and adult education; (10) certain student financial assistance programs; (11) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (12) specified higher education programs; (13) Howard University; (14) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (15) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (16) education research, statistics, and improvement; (17) departmental management; (18) the Office for Civil Rights; and (19) the Office of the Inspector General. Directs the Secretary of Education to make urgent school renovation grants to States and outlying areas on a specified basis. Requires that such grants be awarded to local educational agencies on a competitive basis that includes certain considerations. Limits local uses of such grants. Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Educational Goals Panel; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board; (15) Social Security Administration; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act. Prohibits, except in the case of emergency relief programs, any funds in this Act for the Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education from being used to make a discretionary grant or cooperative agreement at or above a specified amount unless specified congressional committees are notified beforehand. Mark-to-Market Extension Act of 2001 - Amends the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRAA) to revise and extend the Mark-to-Market program for multifamily assisted housing. Sets forth provisions relating to multifamily housing mortgage and assistance restructuring and section 8 contract renewal. Reauthorizes the Office of Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring and extends the Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring program. Amends various Federal housing laws with respect to: (1) extension of the community development block grant public services cap exception; (2) use of section 8 enhanced vouchers for prepayments; and (3) prepayment and refinancing of loans for section 202 supportive housing.

Protecting America's Children Against Terrorism Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001

Protecting America's Children Against Terrorism Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a Task Force on Children and Bioterrorism; (2) establish a Children and Terrorism Information Network; (3) provide for the inclusion of supplies, equipment, and instructions as are appropriate for use with respect to children in push packs and Vendor Management Inventories under the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program; (4) award grants concerning the implementation, development, expansion or increase in the capacity of 2-1-1 call centers, or other universal hotlines; (5) develop and maintain a secure and confidential list of drugs and biologics that may be used to prevent and treat illnesses and injury caused by biological or chemical agents; (6) award contracts for the conduct of pediatric clinical trials and studies concerning drugs and biologics that are used to prevent and treat illnesses and injuries caused by biological or chemical agents; and (7) award grants concerning training for pediatric issues surrounding biological and chemical agents used in warfare and terrorism. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 with respect to: (1) school evacuations, safe places and parental notifications; and (2) mental health services for children. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to assisting children who have lost parents in a disaster.

Protecting America's Children Against Terrorism Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001

Protecting America's Children Against Terrorism Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a Task Force on Children and Terrorism; (2) establish a Children and Terrorism Information Network; (3) provide for the inclusion of supplies, equipment, and instructions as are appropriate for use with respect to children in push packs and Vendor Management Inventories under the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program; (4) award grants concerning the implementation, development, expansion or increase in the capacity of 2-1-1 call centers, or other universal hotlines; (5) develop and maintain a list of drugs and biologics that may be used to prevent and treat illnesses and injury caused by biological or chemical agents and which require pediatric testing; (6) award contracts for the conduct of pediatric clinical trials and studies concerning drugs and biologics that are used to prevent and treat illnesses and injuries caused by biological or chemical agents; and (7) award grants concerning training for pediatric issues surrounding biological and chemical agents used in warfare and terrorism. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 with respect to: (1) school evacuations, safe places and medical partnerships, and parental notifications; and (2) mental health services for children. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to assisting children who have lost parents in a disaster, including appointment of a Children's Coordinating Officer in an affected disaster area.

Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001

Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify certain requirements of student financial aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with the national emergency declared by the President with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or any subsequent national emergency declared by reason of terrorist attacks (the emergency). Authorizes such waiver or modification of requirements in order to provide relief from certain financial and administrative burdens to affected individuals who: (1) are serving on active duty during the emergency; (2) reside or are employed in a disaster area declared by any Federal, State, or local official in connection with the emergency; or (3) suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of the emergency, as determined under a waiver or modification issued under this Act. Authorizes waiver or modification of certain reporting requirements for institutions of higher education, lenders, guarantee agencies, and other entities participating in such programs, if such entities are located in declared disaster areas connected to the emergency. Expresses the sense of Congress that institutions offering postsecondary education should provide refunds and waivers of certain requirements to students who are members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty during the national emergency.

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the establishment of National Character Counts Week.

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a National Character Counts Week should be established to promote character education; and (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to embrace the elements of character identified by their local schools and communities such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty.

Josephine Butler United States Health Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001

Josephine Butler United States Health Service Act - Establishes the United States Health Service (Service) as an independent executive branch entity. Provides that the authority of the Service shall be exercised by a National Health Board of the Service (Board) and by local and regional authorities affiliated with the Board. Requires the Board to establish health care delivery regions. Affords every user of the Service the right to receive high quality care and supplemental services from any facility within the Service capable of providing such services without charge and without discrimination. Sets forth a list of other basic health rights. Declares all individuals in the United States eligible to receive health care and supplemental services under this Act. Requires the Service to provide specified services. Provides for the reimbursement of emergency health services costs. Requires the establishment of health care facilities as necessary to provide services. Sets forth provisions concerning job categories, certification standards, qualifications, and the education of health workers. Requires the establishment of a health advocacy program to ensure patients rights. Imposes on individuals, estates and trusts, and on corporations additional taxes of specified percentages of the total taxes otherwise imposed, creates the Health Service Trust Fund, and appropriates to such Fund such additional taxes, the Federal Hospital Insurance employment taxes, and a Government contribution equal to 40 percent of the amount so appropriated. Transfers to the Fund all assets and liabilities of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.

Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001

Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2001 - Expresses the sense of Congress, in light of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States, that the Attorney General should: (1) implement the integrated entry and exit data system; and (2) establish the Integrated Entry and Exit Data System Task Force, which shall focus on biometric technology and tamper-proof identification, and integration with law enforcement databases. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) direct the Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide the Department of State with access to specified criminal history records in order to determine whether or not a visa or admissions applicant has a criminal history; and (2) include specified passport-related requirements as part of the visa waiver pilot program. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to expand the foreign student tracking system to: (1) include "other approved educational institutions" (including flight and language schools); and (2) require university reporting of student failure to commence studies. Requires an employer who terminates the employment of specified aliens (H-1b visa) to so notify the Attorney General.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3061) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001

Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 3061 (FY 2002 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies appropriations).

Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001

Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2001 - Expresses the sense of Congress, in light of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States, that the Attorney General should: (1) implement the integrated entry and exit data system; and (2) establish the Integrated Entry and Exit Data System Task Force, which shall focus on biometric technology and tamper-proof identification, and integration with law enforcement databases. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) direct the Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide the Department of State with access to specified criminal history records in order to determine whether or not a visa or admissions applicant has a criminal history; and (2) include specified passport-related requirements as part of the visa waiver pilot program. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to expand the foreign student tracking system to: (1) include "other approved educational institutions" (including flight and language schools); and (2) require university reporting of student failure to commence studies. Requires an employer who terminates the employment of specified aliens (H-1b visa) to so notify the Attorney General.

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other trust funds; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program; (12) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (14) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (16) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (17) departmental management; (18) the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training; and (19) the Office of Inspector General. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (5) the National Institutes of Health; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; (8) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (9) the Administration for Children and Families for payments to States for child support enforcement and family support programs; (10) low income home energy assistance; (11) refugee and entrant assistance; (12) payments to States for child care and development block grants; (13) social services block grants; (14) children and families services programs; (15) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (16) the Administration on Aging; (17) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (18) the Office of Inspector General; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; (20) policy research; (21) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; and (22) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) bilingual and immigrant education; (6) special education; (7) rehabilitation services and disability research; (8) certain special institutions for persons with disabilities; (9) vocational and adult education; (10) certain student financial assistance programs; (11) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (12) specified higher education programs; (13) Howard University; (14) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (15) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (16) education research, statistics, and improvement; (17) departmental management; (18) the Office for Civil Rights; and (19) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2002 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Labor Relations Board; (11) National Mediation Board; (12) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) Railroad Retirement Board; (14) Social Security Administration; and (15) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act. Mark-to-Market Extension Act of 2001 - Amends the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRAA) to revise and extend the Mark-to-Market program for multifamily assisted housing. Sets forth provisions relating to multifamily housing mortgage and assistance restructuring and section 8 contract renewal. Reauthorizes the Office of Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring and extends the Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring program. Amends various Federal housing laws with respect to: (1) extension of the community development block grant public services cap exception; (2) use of section 8 enhanced vouchers for prepayments; and (3) prepayment and refinancing of loans for section 202 supportive housing.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1992) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the opportunities for higher education via telecommunications.

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001

Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the consideration of H.R. 1992 (expanding the opportunities for higher education via telecommunications).

Afghanistan Freedom Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2001

Afghanistan Freedom Act of 2001- Declares it the policy of the United States to promote the removal from power of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in order to diminish the risk of terrorist attack on the United States and to restore basic freedoms to the Afghan people. Authorizes the President to provide military assistance, including defense articles, services, and education and training, for eligible Afghan resistance organizations. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, with emphasis on food, medicine, medical care, clothing, temporary shelter, and transportation for emergency supplies and personnel. Requires that such assistance be provided, to the extent practicable, through international agencies, private voluntary organizations, and eligible Afghan resistance organizations. Authorizes the Broadcasting Board of Governors to make grants for, and requires submission of a plan for establishing, surrogate radio broadcasting by RFE/RL, Incorporated (formerly known as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) to the people of Afghanistan (to be designated as Radio Free Afghanistan). Requires the President to submit quarterly reports to the appropriate congressional committees on violations by foreign countries or nationals of measures directed against the Taliban pursuant to specified United Nations Security Council resolutions. Requires such reports to evaluate the seriousness of any violations and authorizes the President to impose sanctions for violations that put at risk the lives of U.S. armed forces personnel or citizens, including: (1) denying assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act; (2) denying licenses for transfers of goods, services, or technology controlled under the Arms Export Control Act, the Export Administration Act of 1979, or the Export Administration Regulations; or (3) applying restrictions under the Trading With the Enemy Act.

USA Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001

Uniting and Strengthening America Act or the USA Act of 2001 - Establishes a counterterrorism fund. Condemns discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans. Increases funding for the technical support center at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Authorizes the Attorney General to request military assistance to enforce laws related to any weapon of mass destruction. Requires the Director of the U.S. Secret Service to develop a national electronic crime task force. Grants the President authority to confiscate any property of any foreign person, country, or organization involved with an attack on or armed hostilities with the United States. Amends Federal criminal law to provide for authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to computer fraud and abuse offenses. Permits disclosure to specified Federal personnel of Federal grand jury matters pertaining to intelligence or counterintelligence. Allows sharing of electronic, wire, and oral interception information by Federal law enforcement and other specified Federal officials. Permits the similar sharing of foreign intelligence information. Requires the FBI Director to expedite the hiring of translators to support counterterrorism investigations and operations. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 with respect to roving surveillance authority and duration of surveillance of non-U.S. persons who are agents of a foreign power. Permits the seizure of voice mail messages pursuant to search warrants. Allows subpoenas for records of electronic communications to include temporarily assigned network addresses. Permits electronic communication and remote computing service providers to make emergency disclosures to a governmental entity of customer electronic communications to protect life and limb. Authorizes Federal district courts to allow a delay of required notices of the execution of a warrant if immediate notice may have an adverse result. Prohibits use of a pen register or trap and trace devices in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities that is conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (or designee) to apply for an court order requiring production of certain business records for foreign intelligence and international terrorism investigations. Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) require a trap and trace device to restrict recording or decoding so as not to include the contents of a wire or electronic communication; (2) apply a court order for a pen register or trap and trace devices to any person or entity providing wire or electronic communication service in the United States whose assistance may facilitate execution of the order; (3) allow a trap and trace device to identify the source (but not the contents) of a wire or electronic communication; and (4) provide for nationwide service of search warrants for electronic evidence. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to extend trade sanctions to the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 - Sunsets this Act after the first day of FY2005 if Congress enacts specified legislation to that effect. Prescribes special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern, including a proscription against United States correspondent accounts with foreign shell banks. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over foreign money launderers, money that is laundered through a foreign bank, and foreign and domestic bank records related to anti-money laundering programs. Provides for forfeiture of money laundering funds in U.S. interbank accounts. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to declare inadmissible aliens who have engaged in proscribed money laundering activities. Authorizes Federal application for restraining orders to preserve the availability of property subject to a foreign forfeiture or confiscation judgment. Increases civil and criminal penalties for international money laundering. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations to ensure that concentration accounts of financial institutions are not used to prevent association of the identity of an individual customer with the movement of funds of which the customer is the direct or beneficial owner. Establishes civil liability immunity for disclosures by a financial institution that reports suspicious activities. Mandates that financial institutions institute anti-money laundering programs. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize the inclusion of suspicions of illegal activity in written employment references . Mandates that securities brokers and dealers report suspicious financial transactions. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to share monetary instruments transactions records with any U.S. intelligence agency upon request. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a consumer reporting agency to furnish all information in a consumer's file to a government agency authorized to conduct investigations of or intelligence activities related to international terrorism. Places within the ambit of mandatory records and reports on monetary instruments transactions any person who engages as a business in the transmission of funds, including through an informal value transfer banking system or network (e.g., hawala) of people facilitating the transfer of value domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system. Establishes as a bulk cash smuggling offense the knowing concealment and attempted transport (or transfer) across U.S. borders of currency and monetary instruments in excess of $10,000, with intent to evade specified currency reporting requirements. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) the corruption of foreign governments and ruling elites; (2) support for the anti-international money laundering objectives of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering; and (3) actions addressing terrorist funding through money laundering. Authorizes: (1) the Attorney General to waive certain Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel caps with respect to ensuring security needs on the Northern U.S. border; and (2) appropriations for increased Border Patrol, Customs Service, and INS personnel along such border. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Attorney General and the FBI to provide the Department of State and the INS with access to specified criminal history extracts in order to determine whether or not a visa or admissions applicant has a criminal history. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to develop a technology standard to identify visa and admissions applicants. Broadens the scope of aliens ineligible for admission and deportable for terrorist activities. Defines "terrorist organization" as: (1) a designated foreign or other terrorist organization; or (2) a group of two or more individuals which engage in specified terrorist-related activities. Provides for mandatory detention until removal from the United States (regardless of any relief from removal) of an alien certified by the Attorney General as a suspected terrorist or threat to national security. Requires release of such alien after seven days if removal proceedings have not commenced, or the alien has not been charged with a criminal offense. Limits judicial review to habeas corpus proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Broadens visa information disclosure requirements. Professional Standards for Government Attorneys Act of 2001 - Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to review areas of actual or potential conflicts of interest for Government attorneys and make recommendations for the Supreme Court, in its discretion, to prescribe a uniform national rule for such attorneys with respect to communications with represented persons and parties. Authorizes the Attorney General and revises the Secretary of State's authority to pay rewards to combat terrorism. Qualifies a Federal terrorism offense for collection of DNA for identification Authorizes consultation among Federal law enforcement officers regarding information acquired from an electronic surveillance or physical search in terrorism and related investigations or protective measures. Allows the FBI to request telephone toll and transactional records, financial records, and consumer reports in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities only if the investigation is not conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Revises U.S. Secret Service jurisdiction with respect to fraud and related activity in connection with computers. Amends the General Education Provisions Act and the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 to provide for disclosure of educational records to the Attorney General in a terrorism investigation or prosecution. Provides for expedited payments for: (1) public safety officers involved in the prevention, investigation, rescue, or recovery efforts related to a terrorist attack; and (2) heroic public safety officers. Increases Public Safety Officers Benefit Program payments. Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to establish an antiterrorism emergency reserve in the Victims of Crime Fund. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Victims of Crime to make supplemental grants for victims of terrorism to States, victim service organizations, public agencies, and nongovernmental organizations the provide assistance to crime victims. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend Bureau of Justice Assistance regional information sharing system grants to systems that enhance the investigation and prosecution abilities of participating Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in addressing multi-jurisdictional terrorist conspiracies and activities. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against mass transportation systems. Prescribes penalties for: (1) knowing possession in certain circumstances of biological agents, toxins, or delivery systems, especially by certain restricted persons; and (2) harboring any person known to have committed or to be about to commit a terrorism offense. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over crimes committed at U.S. facilities abroad. Subjects to civil forfeiture all assets, foreign or domestic, of terrorist organizations. Extends the statute of limitations for certain terrorism offenses without limit. Provides for alternative maximum penalties for terrorism crimes. Makes the penalties for attempts and conspiracies the same as the penalties for terrorism offenses. Makes any term of years or life the supervised release terms for offenses with terrorism predicates. Makes specified terrorism crimes Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute predicates. Revises prohibitions and penalties with regard to fraud and related activity in connection with computers to include specified cyberterrorism offenses. Directs the Attorney General to establish regional computer forensic laboratories, and support existing laboratories, to develop specified cybersecurity capabilities. Requires the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to establish requirements and priorities for foreign intelligence collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and to provide assistance to the Attorney General to ensure that information derived from electronic surveillance or physical searches is disseminated for efficient and effective foreign intelligence purposes. Requires the inclusion of international terrorist activities within the scope of foreign intelligence under such Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that officers and employees of the intelligence community should establish and maintain intelligence relationships to acquire information on terrorists and terrorist organizations. Provides temporary authority to defer the submission to Congress of certain reports on intelligence and intelligence-related matters. Requires the Attorney General or head of any other Federal department or agency to disclose expeditiously to the DCI any foreign intelligence acquired in the course of a criminal investigation. Requires the Attorney General, DCI, and Secretary of the Treasury to report jointly to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of reconfiguring the Foreign Asset Tracking Center and the Office of Foreign Assets Control to provide for the analysis and dissemination of foreign intelligence relating to the financial capabilities and resources of international terrorist organizations. Requires the DCI to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the establishment and maintenance of the National Virtual Translation Center for timely and accurate translations of foreign intelligence for elements of the intelligence community. Requires the Attorney General to provide a program of training to Government officials regarding the identification and use of foreign intelligence.

Safe Food Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001

Safe Food Act of 2001 - Establishes in the executive branch an independent Food Safety Administration which shall administer and enforce the food safety laws for the protection of the public health. Directs the Administrator of Food Safety to oversee the: (1) implementation of Federal food safety inspection, enforcement, and research efforts, based on scientifically supportable assessments of risks to public health; (2) development of consistent and science-based standards for safe food; (3) coordination and prioritization of food safety research and education programs with other Federal agencies; (4) coordination of the Federal response to food-borne illness outbreaks with other Federal agencies and State agencies; and (5) integration of Federal food safety activities with State and local agencies. Transfers to the Administration all functions of the following Federal agencies that relate to administration or enforcement of the food safety laws, as determined by the President: (1) the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture; (2) the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); (3) the Center for Veterinary Medicine of FDA; (4) the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce as it relates to the Seafood Inspection Program; and (5) such others as the President may designate by executive order.

Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001

Medicare Regulatory, Appeals, Contracting, and Education Reform Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) timelines for publication of final regulations and compliance with substantive changes after notice; (2) timeframes for the completion of the record in the appeals process; (3) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors for determining payment amounts, making payments, and providing certain provider services; (4) coordination of funding for education of service providers; and (5) standardization of random prepayment review and recovery of overpayments from Medicare administrative contractors.

Geriatric Care Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001

Geriatric Care Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payments to hospitals, rural health clinics, or Federally qualified health centers for direct graduate medical education costs and the limitation on the number of full-time-equivalent residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Provides for the disregard of up to three geriatric residents in applying such limitation. Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide for Medicare coverage of care coordination and assessment services to an individual with a serious and disabling chronic condition.

NEED Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001

Nursing Employment and Education Development Act (the NEED Act) - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for the nursing workforce development student loan repayment program and permit the service required by such program to be performed in a skilled nursing facility, in a home health agency, in a public health department, or in a nurse-managed health center. Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) establish a Nurse Corps Scholarship program to provide scholarships to individuals seeking nursing education in exchange for later service in a critical nursing shortage area; and (2) address nurse recruitment through developing a public awareness and education campaign and making grants to eligible entities to develop models of excellence for nursing, establish recruiting and retention programs, and provide assistance to disadvantaged individuals interested in pursuing nursing. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to address the needs of individuals already in the nursing profession in the areas of career ladder programs, nurse training, internship and residency, and current trends in nursing for registered nurses. Authorizes the Secretary to establish programs to provide financial assistance in the form of loans, scholarships, and stipends for individuals seeking a masters or doctoral degree at a school of nursing. Establishes the National Commission on the Nursing Crisis.

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs employee incentive scholarship program to: (1) repeal a provision requiring commencement of participation in the program prior to December 31, 2001; (2) reduce from two years to one the required period of continuous Department employment for program participation; (3) revise scholarship amounts; and (4) increase from three to six years the number of school years for which a scholarship may be paid while limiting the total payment to the cost of three years of full-time coursework. Repeals a provision terminating on December 31, 2001, the education debt reduction program. Increases the maximum debt reduction amount under such program and allows the annual adjustment of such amount. Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, until December 31, 2001, to expand the number of individuals eligible under such program. Authorizes additional pay for Saturday duty for health care professionals in the Department's Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Allows unused sick leave to be included in the annuity computation for VHA registered nurses. Directs the Secretary to: (1) evaluate the efficacy of the Department's nurse managed health care clinics; (2) establish a nationwide policy on the staffing of Department medical facilities; (3) report on the use of authorities for retaining experienced nurses; and (4) report on mandatory overtime required of licensed nurses and nurse assistants providing direct patient care.

Children Who Witness Domestic Violence Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001

Children Who Witness Domestic Violence Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants for: (1) programs to serve children who have been exposed to domestic violence; (2) programs to combat the impact upon children of experiencing or witnessing domestic violence; (3) training and collaboration among child welfare agencies, domestic violence and sexual assault service providers, the courts, and law enforcement agencies; and (4) multi-system interventions for such children. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a crisis nursery demonstration grant program for private nonprofit and public agencies to assist children who are: (1) exposed to or at risk of abuse and neglect; (2) in families experiencing domestic violence; or (3) in families receiving child protective services. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to enable eligible entities to conduct research and data collection activities concerning the impact of domestic violence on children.

Flight School Security Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001

Flight School Security Act of 2001 - Amends Federal aviation law to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of the enrollment practices of civilian flight schools and schools providing instruction in the repair of aircraft; and (2) issue regulations to prevent instruction in flying aircraft (or the repair of such aircraft) by such schools to individuals that the Administrator has determined are a threat to security. Prohibits an individual from enrolling or being enrolled in a school for instruction as a pilot of an aircraft unless the individual has a card issued by the Administrator that certifies that such individual is eligible, based on specified requirements, for such instruction. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act.

Medicare+Choice Stabilization and Improvement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001

Medicare+Choice Stabilization and Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) base the Medicare+Choice payment floor on fee-for-service payments; and (2) establish a limitation on the reduction in payment for graduate medical education.

Expressing the sense of Congress that schools in the United States should set aside a sufficient period of time to allow children to pray for, or quietly reflect on behalf of, the Nation during this time of struggle against the forces of international terrorism.

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001

Declares the sense of Congress that schools in the United States should set aside a sufficient period of time to allow children to pray for, or quietly reflect on behalf of, the Nation during this time of struggle against the forces of international terrorism.

DROP Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2001

Dropout Reduction Outreach Program Act of 2001- DROP Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to carry out a school dropout prevention demonstration program. Provides for awards of program grants to at least two States for: (1) specialized professional development opportunities for guidance counselors, teachers, or administrators who work with students at risk of dropping out, at secondary and middle schools that have among the highest dropout rates; (2) hiring additional guidance counselors who have been trained to work with such students; and (3) school and State program evaluation strategies to disseminate best practices on effective school-based dropout prevention. Requires a State, to be eligible for such a grant, to have provided the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) with at least three contiguous years of State and school dropout data that are in compliance with NCES common core data standards.

Gerald Reynolds, of Missouri, to be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Education, vice Norma V. Cantu, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 25 September 2001

Secure Aviation Employment and Training Enhancement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2001

Secure Aviation Employment and Training Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amend Federal aviation law to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to implement a criminal background check program for individuals enrolled or to be enrolled in civilian schools giving instruction in flying or repairing, altering, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances. Sets forth program requirements, including: (1) establishment of a standard application form for all civilian schools giving such instruction; (2) maintenance of a database of all processed applications; (3) completion of a standard application by each applicant and a criminal background check; and (4) if a check reveals evidence of criminal, espionage, or terrorist activity or any other evidence that the Administrator determines to be a security threat, establishment of procedures to ensure the applicant does not receive training at such school. Requires the Administrator to establish reasonable fees (not to exceed $100 per individual) to pay expenses incurred in carrying out this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Homeland Security to conduct a review of the current air carrier employee criminal background check procedures.

Home Equity Loss Prevention and Economic Recovery Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2001

Home Equity Loss Prevention and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a personal interest deduction (up to $10,000, adjustable for inflation) for individuals. Repeals restrictions on the deduction for education loans.

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2002

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2001

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for the District of Columbia for FY 2002, including amounts for the Federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) for incentives for adoption of children; (3) to the Capitol City Career Development and Job Training Partnership; (4) to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department; (5) to the Chief Medical Examiner; (6) to the Youth Life Foundation; (7) to Food and Friends for their Capital Campaign; (8) to the City Administrator for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the District; (9) to the Southeastern University; (10) to the Voyager Expanded Learning to implement the Voyager Universal Literacy System in the District; (11) to the Chief Technology Officer of the District to carry out the Local-Federal Mobile Wireless Interoperability Demonstration Project; (12) for emergency planning; (13) to the Chief Financial Officer; (14) to the District of Columbia Corrections Trustee Operations; (15) to the District of Columbia Courts; (16) for the Family Court Act; (17) for Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (18) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (including transfer of funds); (19) to the Children's National Medical Center; (20) to the St. Coletta of Greater Washington Expansion Project; (21) to the Faith and Politics Institute; and (22) to the District Metropolitan Police Department to enforce a District law when enacted to ban possession of tobacco products by minors. Requires the Federal payment made available in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001 for Brownfield Remediation to be available until expended. Appropriates specified sums out of the District's general fund (and other funds, in some cases) for the current fiscal year for: (1) operating expenses (with limitations); (2) governmental direction and support; (3) economic development and regulation; (4) public safety and justice; (5) the public education system; (6) human support services; (7) public works; (8) receivership programs; (9) workforce investments; (10) the Reserve (subject to specified conditions); (11) the contingency reserve fund; (12) repayment of certain loans and interest; (13) repayment of General Fund Recovery Debt; (14) emergency planning; (15) the John A. Wilson Building; (16) for certain non-departmental agency costs; (17) the Water and Sewer Authority; (18) the Washington Aqueduct; (19) the Stormwater Permit Compliance Enterprise Fund; (20) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (21) the Sports and Entertainment Commission; (22) the District of Columbia Retirement Board; (23) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund; (24) the Housing Finance Agency; (25) the National Capital Revitalization Corporation; and (26) capital outlay (including rescissions). Transfers limited funds to the Emergency Reserve Fund.

Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2002, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2001

Makes continuing appropriations for FY 2002. Appropriates amounts for continuing, at the current rate of operations, projects or activities which were conducted in FY 2001 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority would be available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002; (2) the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002; (3) the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002; (4) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2002; (5) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002; (6) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002; (7) the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2002; (8) the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002; (9) the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002; and (10) the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002. Appropriates amounts for continuing, at the current rate of operations, projects or activities which were conducted in FY 2001 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority was made available under: (1) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2001; (2) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001; and (3) the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001. Provides funding under this resolution until enactment into law of any covered appropriation or the applicable appropriations Act (without any provision for the covered appropriation) or October 16, 2001, whichever occurs first. Authorizes continuation of other specified activities through such date.

A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain public land in Clark County, Nevada, for use as a shooting range.

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey specified parcels of public land in Clark County, Nevada, to the County: (1) for establishment of a centralized shooting facility in the Las Vegas valley; and (2) to provide the public with opportunities for education and recreation and to provide a location for competitive events and marksmanship training. Declares that parcels to be conveyed that comprise a portion of the Quail Springs Wilderness Study Area are no longer subject to requirements under the Federal Land Management Policy Act of 1976 pertaining to the management of wilderness study areas.

Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001

Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to exempt courses offered through telecommunications from certain limitations on student financial assistance with respect to correspondence courses. Allows such exemption if the institution offering such course through telecommunications: (1) is participating in the guaranteed or the direct student loan program; and (2) has a cohort default rate of less than ten percent for each of the most recent fiscal years for which data are available. Defines a week of instruction as one in which at least one day of instruction, examination preparation, or examination occurs, for purposes of determining an academic year for HEA student aid programs. Prohibits higher education institutions participating in HEA student assistance programs from making any incentive, non-salary payment, based directly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid, to any person or entity directly engaged in student recruiting or admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance. Exempts from such prohibition recruitment of foreign students not eligible to receive Federal student assistance.

To provide for the conveyance of certain public land in Clark County, Nevada, for use as a shooting range.

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey specified parcels of public land in Clark County, Nevada, to the County: (1) for establishment of a centralized shooting facility in the Las Vegas Valley; and (2) to provide the public with opportunities for education and recreation and to provide a location for competitive events and marksmanship training. Declares that parcels to be conveyed that comprise a portion of the Quail Springs Wilderness Study Area are no longer subject to requirements under the Federal Land Management Policy Act of 1976 pertaining to the management of wilderness study areas.

To authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a grant program for partnerships between United States research organizations and those in developing countries for research on plant biotechnology.

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001

Directs the National Science Foundation to establish a program to award grants to institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or consortia of such entities to establish research partnerships for supporting the development of plant biotechnology targeted to the needs of the developing world. Requires grantees, in order to be eligible to receive a grant, to enter into a partnership with at least one research institution in at least one developing nation. Requires the NSF to give special consideration to partnerships that include a historically black college or university, a Hispanic serving institution, or a tribal college or university.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2001

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; (2) research, development, test and evaluation; (3) operation and maintenance, including defense working capital funds; (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (5) active and reserve military personnel, including authorized end strengths. Increases as of January 1, 2002, the rates of military basic pay. Extends certain bonus and special and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes: (1) an accession bonus program for officers with critical skills; and (2) certain travel and transportation allowances. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) commissaries and nonappropriated fund instrumentalities; (2) active and reserve military personnel policy, including the discharge or retirement of reserve personnel for years of service or age; (3) military education and training, including medical training; (4) military decorations, awards, and commendations; (5) retirement and survivor benefits; (6) military health care; (7) acquisition policy and management, including acquisition workforce development; (8) general contracting procedures and limitations; (9) Department of Defense (DOD) organization and management; (10) funds for combatant commands for combating terrorism; (11) reporting requirements, including a report on DOD policies, plans, and procedures for combating terrorism; (12) DOD civilian personnel authority, including authority for additional intelligence personnel; (13) matters relating to other nations, including cooperative threat reduction programs; (14) military construction, military family housing, military land conveyances, and defense base closures and realignment; and (15) Department of Energy national security authorizations. Authorizes the President to dispose of specified obsolete and excess materials in the National Defense Stockpile.

Hospice Improvement Program Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2001

Hospice Improvement Program Act of 2001- Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish Hospice Demonstration Projects to increase the utility of Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA)) hospice services for seriously ill Medicare beneficiaries. Includes a supportive and comfort care benefit within such program. Requires the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects in at least three, but not more than six, sites. Sets forth the criteria for selecting such sites, including geographic diversity and accessibility. Requires special rules for adjusting payment to any Medicare+Choice (SSA title XVIII part C) organization offering a Medicare+Choice plan to reflect an enrolled member's participation in such a project. Directs the Secretary to establish a Hospice Education Grant program under which the Secretary awards education grants to entities participating in the demonstration projects for the purpose of providing information about the Medicare hospice benefit and the benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries under the demonstration projects.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; (2) research, development, test and evaluation; (3) operation and maintenance, including defense working capital funds; (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (5) active and reserve military personnel, including authorized end strengths. Increases as of January 1, 2002, the rates of military basic pay. Extends certain bonus and special and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes: (1) an accession bonus program for officers with critical skills; and (2) certain travel and transportation allowances. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) commissaries and nonappropriated fund instrumentalities; (2) active and reserve military personnel policy, including the discharge or retirement of reserve personnel for years of service or age; (3) military education and training, including medical training; (4) military decorations, awards, and commendations; (5) retirement and survivor benefits; (6) military health care; (7) acquisition policy and management, including acquisition workforce development; (8) general contracting procedures and limitations; (9) Department of Defense (DOD) organization and management; (10) funds for combatant commands for combating terrorism; (11) reporting requirements, including a report on DOD policies, plans, and procedures for combating terrorism; (12) DOD civilian personnel authority, including authority for additional intelligence personnel; (13) matters relating to other nations, including cooperative threat reduction programs; (14) military construction, military family housing, military land conveyances, and defense base closures and realignment; and (15) Department of Energy national security authorizations. Authorizes the President to dispose of specified obsolete and excess materials in the National Defense Stockpile.

Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001

Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; (2) research, development, test and evaluation; (3) operation and maintenance, including defense working capital funds; (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (5) active and reserve military personnel, including authorized end strengths. Increases as of January 1, 2002, the rates of military basic pay. Extends certain bonus and special and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes: (1) an accession bonus program for officers with critical skills; and (2) certain travel and transportation allowances. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) commissaries and nonappropriated fund instrumentalities; (2) active and reserve military personnel policy, including the discharge or retirement of reserve personnel for years of service or age; (3) military education and training, including medical training; (4) military decorations, awards, and commendations; (5) retirement and survivor benefits; (6) military health care; (7) acquisition policy and management, including acquisition workforce development; (8) general contracting procedures and limitations; (9) Department of Defense (DOD) organization and management; (10) funds for combatant commands for combating terrorism; (11) reporting requirements, including a report on DOD policies, plans, and procedures for combating terrorism; (12) DOD civilian personnel authority, including authority for additional intelligence personnel; and (13) matters relating to other nations, including cooperative threat reduction programs.

A resolution designating the week beginning September 16, 2001, as "National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week".

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001

Designates the week beginning September 16, 2001, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.

Parent and Teacher Achievement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2001

Parent and Teacher Achievement Act of 2001 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a program for State incentives for teacher testing and merit pay. Directs the Secretary of Education to make an award of such program funds to each State that: (1) administers a test to each elementary and secondary school teacher in the State, with respect to the subjects taught by the teacher, every three to five years; (2) has school teacher compensation system that is based on merit; and (3) requires school teachers to earn continuing education credits as part of a State recertification process. Allows States, regardless of any other Federal law, to use Federal education funds to: (1) test elementary or secondary school teachers in the subjects they teach; or (2) establish a merit pay program for such teachers. Amends the Internal Revenue Act to provide certain tax credits for: (1) elementary and secondary school expenses; (2) contributions for the benefit of elementary and secondary schools; and (3) elementary and secondary school teachers who provide classroom materials. Allows elementary and secondary school teachers to take a tax deduction for certain professional development expenses.

Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2001

Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 - Amends part B (Child and Family Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the stated purpose of the Child and Family Services program to enable States to develop and establish, or expand, and to operate coordinated programs of community-based family support services, family preservation services, time-limited family reunification services, and adoption promotion and support services to: (1) prevent child maltreatment among families at risk through the provision of supportive family services; (2) assure children's safety within the home and preserve intact families in which children have been maltreated, when the family's problems can be addressed effectively; (3) address the problems of families whose children have been placed in foster care so that reunification may occur in a safe and stable manner in accordance with the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997; and (4) support adoptive families by providing necessary support services. Revises requirements for administration of the Child and Family Services program. Amends SSA title IV part B to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for FY 2002 through 2006 to qualified applicant local governments in areas that have significant numbers of children of prisoners. Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of SSA title IV to: (1) eliminate State authority to opt-out of the requirement to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster or adoptive parents; and (2) make it a purpose of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to make available vouchers for education and training, including postsecondary training and education, to youth who have aged out of foster care.

Rural America Technology Enhancement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2001

Rural America Technology Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utility Service, to: (1) establish a National Centers for Distance Working Program to provide grants to eligible organizations for the Federal share of the cost of establishing National Centers for Distance Working in rural areas (and Indian reservations) to conduct five-year projects to support the use of teleworking in information technology fields; and (2) make grants for studies on teleworking in rural areas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the rural telecommunications facilities investment tax credit. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a proceeding to provide Federal universal service support for the deployment of broadband telecommunications service to eligible rural communities. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administrative Organization Act to direct the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture to make loans or other credit extensions to eligible telecommunications carrier providers, or to companies that accept the obligations of such carriers, to finance the deployment of broadband service to eligible rural communities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an Office of Rural Technology to act as an information center about programs that offer technology assistance to entities in rural areas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a rural high tech employment tax credit. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to support the expansion of opportunities in rural areas for instruction in high technology fields and enterprises.

New Century Health Advantage Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2001

New Century Health Advantage Act - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to conduct or support research using pluripotent stem cells derived from human embryos that were created for the purposes of fertility treatment and were in excess of the clinical need of the individuals seeking such treatment. Repeals provisions of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 prohibiting the use of funds for certain research involving human embryos.

Brian Jones, of California, to be General Counsel, Department of Education, vice Judith A. Winston, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 4 September 2001

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2001

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 and 2003 for: (1) the Department of State; and (2) U.S. international broadcasting activities. Amends specified Federal laws with respect to certain Department of State authorities and activities, including: (1) educational, cultural, public diplomacy, and consular activities; and (2) migration and refugee activities. Sets forth certain requirements with respect to: (1) the organization and personnel of the Department of State; (2) international organizations; (3) U.S. international broadcasting activities; and (4) specified reports. Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2001 - Imposes specified sanctions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organization or the Palestinian Authority if the President determines that such entities have not complied with certain commitments made with Israel. Tibetan Policy Act of 2001 - Urges the President and the Secretary of State to encourage the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into negotiations with the Dalai Lama or his representatives leading to an agreement on Tibet. Declares it is U.S. policy to support economic development, cultural preservation, health care, education and environmental sustainability, release of, and access to, political prisoners, and an end to religious persecution in Tibet. East Timor Transition to Independence Act of 2001 - Authorizes bilateral and multilateral assistance and certain other assistance to support economic and democratic development in East Timor. Modifies, for a three year period, certain procedures for the provision of development assistance to major drug-transit and major illicit drug producing countries. Clean Water for the Americas Partnership Act of 2001 - Establishes the Clean Water for the Americas Partnership program. Authorizes the President to: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental problems in countries of the Organization of American States; and (2) establish Technology America Centers (TEAMs). Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) international religious freedom and human rights; (2) improvement in building construction and practices in Latin American countries; (3) sanctions against persons or entities that transfer proscribed weapons to Palestinian entities in the West Bank or Gaza; and (4) global warming.

Rural States Physician Recruitment and Retention Demonstration Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2001

Rural States Physician Recruitment and Retention Demonstration Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Rural States Physician Recruitment and Retention demonstration program for ameliorating physician shortage, recruitment, and retention problems in rural States. Directs the Secretary to: (1) increase by up to 50 percent the number of residency and fellowship positions at each medical residency training program in each of two demonstration States selected by the Secretary; (2) negotiate with representatives of each approved medical residency training program in a demonstration State for such additional positions; and (3) establish a loan repayment and forgiveness program under which the Secretary assumes the obligation to repay the educational loan of a participating residency or fellowship graduate (with limitations). Authorizes the Secretary to waive any requirements under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act if necessary to carry out the ten-year demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to establish a State-specific health professions database to track health professionals in each demonstration State with respect to specialty certifications and related practice, license, and training information. Requires a joint demonstration program evaluation by the Council on Graduate Medical Education and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.