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Bill· SS. 1372 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Title I Integrity Act of 2003 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require local educational agencies (LEAs) to use title I-A-1 funds only for direct or indirect instructional services. (Title I-A-1 funds are those received under ESEA title I Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards, part A Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies, subpart 1 Basic Program Requirements.) Limits to ten percent the portion of title I-A-1 funds that an LEA may use for indirect instructional services. Sets forth the types of direct and indirect instructional services for which title I-A-1 funds may be used.
Bill· SS. 1377 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Southwest Native American Language Revitalization Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants or enter into contracts to establish a demonstration program at the Native American Studies Department of the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, in consortium with the Linguistic Institute for Native Americans and other entities that will provide assistance to Native American language survival schools and community-based Native American language nests. Authorizes such program to: (1) establish endowments to further the activities of the program relating to the study and preservation of Native American languages; and (2) use funds to provide for the rental, lease, purchase, construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 2669 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Model Alternative Publicly Accountable Schools Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) public transformation schools in the District of Columbia to expand opportunities for low-income District parents to enroll their children in higher-performing schools, and to fund the additional services necessary to achieve continued improvements in the performance of such students; and (2) the Direct Loan Fund for Charter School Improvement, to be used to expand opportunities for District students to attend charter schools in the District.
Bill· HRH.R. 2660 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 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 the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits, including ones for disabled coal miners; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (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) veterans employment and training; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) a working capital fund for a new core accounting system. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration, for specified health resources and services activities; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), for disease control, research, and training; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of the Director; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for substance abuse and mental health services; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, 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 the child care and development block grant; (13) the social services block grant; (14) disabled voter services; (15) children and families services programs; (16) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (17) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (18) the Administration on Aging; (19) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (20) the Office of Inspector General; (21) the Office for Civil Rights; (22) policy research; (23) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (24) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations, and for activities to ensure a year-round influenza vaccine production capacity and the development and implementation of rapidly expandable influenza vaccine production technologies. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) innovation and improvement activities; (6) safe schools and citizenship education; (7) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as Federal administrative expenses for such programs (setting a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (13) specified higher education programs; (14) Howard University; (15) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (16) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (17) the Institute of Education Sciences; (18) departmental management and program administration; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; and (20) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses; (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 for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (14) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (15) U.S. Institute of Peace.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 309 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 438 (teacher recruitment and retention).
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 312 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2660 (FY 2004 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies appropriations).
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 310 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2211 (reauthorization of title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement) of the Higher Education Act of 1965).
Law· HRH.R. 2658 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2003
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2004 - Appropriates funds for FY 2004 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance (including for the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Account, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, environmental restoration, overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid, and former Soviet Union threat reduction); (3) procurement (including for shipbuilding and conversion, and purchases under the Defense Production Act of 1950); (4) research, development, test and evaluation; (5) revolving and management funds; (6) the Defense Health Program; (7) chemical agents and munitions destruction; (8) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; (9) the Office of the Inspector General; (10) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund; (11) the Intelligence Community Management Account; and (12) the National Security Education Trust Fund. Specifies authorized, restricted, and prohibited uses of appropriated funds. Rescinds specified funds from various accounts under prior defense appropriations Acts. Reduces the total amount appropriated in this Act to: (1) reduce excess funded carryover; (2) reduce cost growth in information technology development; (3) reflect cash balance and rate stabilization adjustments in the DOD Working Capital Fund and the DOD Transportation Working Capital Fund; (4) reflect savings attributable to improvements in the management of advisory and assistance services contracted by the military departments; and (5) reflect savings attributable to efficiencies and management improvements in the funding of miscellaneous or other contracts in military departments. Prohibits the use of funds in this Act for research, development, test, evaluation, procurement or deployment of nuclear armed interceptors of a missile defense system. Requires specific authorization by law from Congress for the deployment or implementation of the Terrorism Information Awareness program or any component, if and when research and development permit such deployment or implementation.
Bill· SS. 1348 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Federal Pell Grant Eligibility Clarification Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise eligibility requirements for certain Pell Grant awards by modifying the formula for determining total income to include consideration of current year circumstances for students residing in States in extended benefit periods under the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002.
Bill· SS. 1367 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Child Nutrition Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to revise school lunch program requirements relating to fluid milk. Requires school lunches to offer students a variety of flavored and unflavored milk, as determined by the school. Allows schools or institutions participating in the program to offer a la carte fluid milk products to be sold in addition to and, at the option of the school, adjacent to fluid milk offered as part of a reimbursable meal. Prohibits program participants from directly or indirectly restricting the sale or marketing of fluid milk products by the school or by a person approved by the school at any time or any place on the school premises or at any school-sponsored event. Establishes a program of increased reimbursement rates for school lunches under NSLA and for school breakfasts under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA), to be provided as an incentive to schools and institutions that increase consumption of fluid milk by children in their meals there. Establishes a program of grants to schools that implement healthy school environment programs with respect to the nutrition, including availability of healthy food choices, and the physical activity of the children there.
Bill· SS. 1356 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 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 the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits, including ones for disabled coal miners; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (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) veterans employment and training; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) a working capital fund for a new core accounting system. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration, for specified health resources and services activities; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), for disease control, research, and training; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of the Director; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for substance abuse and mental health services; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, 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 the child care and development block grant; (13) the social services block grant; (14) children and families services programs; (15) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (16) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (17) the Administration on Aging; (18) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (19) the Office of Inspector General; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; (21) policy research; (22) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (23) 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, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) innovation and improvement activities; (6) safe schools and citizenship education; (7) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as Federal administrative expenses for such programs (and sets a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (13) specified higher education programs; (14) Howard University; (15) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (16) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (17) the Institute of Education Sciences; (18) departmental management and program administration; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; and (20) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses; (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 for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace.
Bill· SS. 1345 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Ferry Transportation Enhancement Act - Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2009 for construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities. Amends Federal highway law to make ferry maintenance (currently, only terminal) facilities eligible for Federal funding. Amends Federal transportation law to include ferries within the Federal clean fuels program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a Ferry Joint Program Office to coordinate Federal programs affecting ferry boat and facility construction, maintenance, and operation, and to promote ferry service as a component of the Nation's transportation system; (2) maintain a national ferry database containing ferry routes, vessels, passengers and vehicles carried, funding sources, and related information; and (3) make grants to an institution of higher education to establish a National Ferry Transportation Institute for research, development, training programs, etc. relating to U.S. ferry transportation systems.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 57 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Honors Dr. Norman Christopher Francis, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, for his steadfast commitment and dedication to education and commends him for recognizing the need for diversity in education. Expresses the hope that Dr. Francis will continue to be a leader of the best and brightest students and educators.
Bill· HRH.R. 2628 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Living Equitably: Grandparents Aiding Children and Youth Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out demonstration programs to provide: (1) intergenerational family housing in connection with the supportive housing program; and (2) section 8 rental assistance to grandparent-headed or relative-headed covered families. Makes such covered families eligible for the following programs: (1) family unification assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937; (2) cottage housing opportunity units under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; and (3) fair housing initiatives program education, and outreach under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to provide Department of Housing and Urban Development personnel with training respecting covered family issues.
Law· HRH.R. 2655 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 (IPPCTPA) to limit the number of participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program who have a degree from an institution of higher education to no more than 20 percent. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the nonimmigrant alien eligibility qualifications for program participants. Sets a minimum age of 21 (retaining the current age 35 maximum), and requires that the individual has: (1) been unemployed for at least six months; and (2) has resided for at least six months in Northern Ireland or one of designated border counties of the Republic of Ireland. Reduces from 36 to 24 months the temporary period of the visit to the United States for participation in the program. Denies any such person eligibility to apply for an immigrant visa, or for permanent residence, or for a nonimmigrant visa under such Act until he or she has resided and been physically present in the country of nationality or last residence for an aggregate of a least one year following departure from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive this requirement if: (1) departure from the United States would impose exceptional hardship upon the alien's spouse or child (if such spouse or child is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully resident alien); (2) the alien cannot return to the country of his or her nationality or last residence because he or she would be subject to persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion; or (3) the admission of the alien is in the U.S. public or national interest. Extends the authority of the IPPCTPA through FY 2008. Requires the Secretary to report each program year to Congress (currently, the third program year and the three subsequent years) on the number of aliens admitted who have overstayed their visas.
Bill· HRH.R. 2649 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Schools Safely Acquiring Faculty Excellence Act of 2003 - Prohibits the Secretary of Education from making any funds available to a State under any program administered by the Department of Education unless the Secretary determines that the State has in place a criminal information sharing system. Directs the Secretary to make such determination with regard to each State within one year after enactment of this Act. Requires such a system to be one under which the State shares with the Federal Government information (including for non-criminal justice purposes) on each arrest, charge, or conviction (including any no contest plea) in such State for specified covered offenses. Requires such information to include the identity of: (1) each individual so arrested, charged, or convicted; and (2) the identity of each individual under suspicion for such an offense. Requires such system to cover any offense that: (1) is a felony or involves violence, a controlled substance, child abuse, statutory rape, rape, molestation, or sexual abuse; and (2) occurs on or after the date that is 15 years before the date of the enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2626 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Farm-To-Cafeteria Projects Act of 2003 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive grants to private nonprofit entities and educational institutions to establish and carry out Farm-to-Cafeteria projects to improve access to local foods in schools and institutions receiving funds under NSLA and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) (except the special supplemental program for women, infants, and children (WIC) which already has a WIC Farmers Market Nutrition program). Requires such projects to be designed to: (1) procure local foods from small and medium-sized farms to provide foods for school meals; (2) support nutrition education activities or curriculum planning incorporating school children's participation in farm and agriculture education projects; and (3) develop a sustained commitment to farm-to-cafeteria projects in the community by linking schools, agricultural producers, parents, and other community stakeholders.
Bill· HRH.R. 2651 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
School Safety and Violence Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to applicant States for antibullying programs that consist of: (1) antibullying educational, counseling, mentoring, and peer programs; (2) a statewide database for schools to report, in real time, school-related crimes, violence, and bullying; (3) a statewide hotline for anonymous reporting by students and staff of information on bullying; and (4) an emergency plan for responding to school-related crimes, violence, and bullying.
Bill· HRH.R. 2640 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Prescription Affordability and Medicine Safety Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for generic drug application review and the continuation of the education program on the use and therapeutic equivalency of drugs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States in support of State pharmacy benefit assistance programs. Requires a percentage of profits from the sale of certain drugs and biological products to be placed in a revolving fund and used to support the grants program. Limits the tax deductions for advertising for prescription drug manufacturers. Limits the extension of the 30-month stay of FDA approval for any new (generic) drug, as specified, thereby limiting the brand name drug's patent owner's period of exclusive sales. Makes a patent owner's failure to timely file a civil action for infringement a bar to later action. Sets forth requirements for filing drug patent information with the FDA. Makes a patent owner's failure to timely file with the FDA a bar to civil actions for patent infringement. Requires the first generic drug applicant with a specified certification to forfeit the 180-day marketing exclusivity period to a subsequent generic drug applicant if the first generic drug applicant engages in certain behaviors which delay or prevent the marketing of the generic drug.
Bill· HRH.R. 2647 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act of 2003 - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for world peace and security; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2618 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 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 the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits, including ones for disabled coal miners; (11) adminisrative expenses for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (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) veterans employment and training; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) a working capital fund for a new core accounting system. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration, for specified health resources and services activities; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), for disease control, research, and training; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of the Director; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for substance abuse and mental health services; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, 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 the child care and development block grant; (13) the social services block grant; (14) disabled voter services; (15) children and families services programs; (16) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (17) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (18) the Administration on Aging; (19) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (20) the Office of Inspector General; (21) the Office for Civil Rights; (22) policy research; (23) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, including payments to survivors and medical care of active duty and retired members and dependents and beneficiaries; and (24) 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, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) innovation and improvement activities; (6) safe schools and citizenship education; (7) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as Federal administrative expenses for such programs (and sets a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (13) specified higher education programs; (14) Howard University; (15) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (16) the Historically Black College and University capital financing program account; (17) the Institute of Education Sciences; (18) departmental management and program administration; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; and (20) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses; (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 for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 300 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Recognizes the university campuses affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and other faith-based campuses. Supports the goals and ideas of Christian Higher Education Month.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 239 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Conflict Diamonds Resolution - Urges the global diamond industry, as represented by the World Diamond Council, to: (1) establish a fund that supports demobilization centers and rehabilitation training programs for excombatants in the civil wars in Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly child soldiers, provides health care treatment, education, training, and other needs of women and girls victimized in those wars by rape, forced domestic servitude, and other gender-related abuses, helps strengthen governmental and nongovernmental health care infrastructure to support HIV/AIDS programs in such countries, supports economic development and civil society-building programs in those countries, and supports diamond training in the latest technologies to African workers; (2) establish a program through which humanitarian assistance from the diamond industry can be made available to the amputees of, and others permanently disabled by, the civil wars in such countries; (3) continue deliberations with the United Nations, governments, charitable organizations, and nongovernmental organizations in the Kimberly Process to develop a diamond certification system for rough diamonds to stem the trade in conflict diamonds; and (4) support the activities of all reconciliation processes (including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Sierra Leone) that will play a critical role in healing the wounds of war and promoting a lasting peace in Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Urges the Secretary of State to assist the World Diamond Council in establishing and administering the fund, and to report to the appropriate congressional committees on progress made by the Council toward addressing the goals and objectives of this Act.
Bill· SS. 1334 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Check Truncation Act of 2003 - Sets forth a statutory framework under which a substitute check is the legal equivalent of an original check for all purposes, if the substitute check: (1) accurately represents all of the information on the front and back of the original check as of the time the original check was truncated; and (2) bears the legend: "This is a legal copy of your check. You can use it the same way you would use the original check." Prescribes implementation guidelines, including: (1) substitute check warranties; (2) indemnity procedures; (3) expedited recredit claims for consumers and for banks; (4) procedures for claims; (5) measure of damages; (6) statute of limitations; and (7) consumer education materials.
Bill· SS. 1332 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Medicare Education, Regulatory Reform, and Contracting Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) coordination of educational funding; (2) transfer of responsibility for Medicare appeals; (3) provision of expedited access to judicial review of Medicare appeals; (4) recovery of overpayments; and (5) revision of reassignment provisions. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the access of health care providers and beneficiaries under the Medicare program to judicial review of the actions of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the effects of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Shalala v. Illinois Council on Long Term Care, Inc., on such access.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 185 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) National Internet Safety Month provides an opportunity to educate the public on the dangers of the Internet and the importance of being safe and responsible online; (2) national and community organizations should be recognized and applauded for their work in promoting awareness of such dangers and providing information on developing critical thinking and decision-making skills to be safe online; and (3) Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, educators, and volunteers should increase their efforts to raise awareness of online safety.
Bill· HRH.R. 2606 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Delivery Program) (VPDBDP) under which each individual who is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) is entitled to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage. Authorizes the individual to elect to enroll: (1) in a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan (replacing the current Medicare+Choice plans under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice)); or (2) if a fee-for-service enrollee not in an MA plan, in a Medicare Prescription Drug (MPD) plan. Makes separate provision for: (1) enrollees in a MedicareAdvantage medical savings account (MSA) plan; and (2) enrollees in MedicareAdvantage private fee-for-service plans. Makes the Administrator of the Center for Medicare Choices (CMC), established under this Act, responsible for administration of the VPDBDP. Outlines standard coverage benefit packages for FY 2006. Includes for the standard package an annual deductible of $ 275 , and requires insurers to cover 50 percent of enrollees drug costs up to the initial coverage limit of $ 4,500 . Requires enrollees to cover all costs over $ 4,500 until out-of-pocket expenses reach $3,700 (catastrophic threshhold), after which an enrollee would be responsible only for a ten-percent co-pay . Prescribes a formula for adjustment of such deductible and annual limits for inflation. Establishes a bidding process for negotiating the terms and conditions of MPD plan sponsors. Provides for full premium subsidy and reduction of cost-sharing for individuals with incomes below 135 percent of the Federal poverty level. Establishes a Prescription Drug Account in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Sets out a new Medicare prescription drug discount card and assistance program under the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to develop or adopt standards for electronic prescribing transactions. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services the CMC, which shall be separate from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including an Office of Beneficiary Assistance (containing a Medicare Ombudsman) and a Medicare Competitive Policy Advisory Board. Revises Medicare requirements with regard to: (1) part A concerning rural health care, inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facility services, hospices, and the Federal rate for hospitals in Puerto Rico; (2) part B concerning physicians services and other specified services, as well as demonstration projects for coverage of chiropractic services, Medicare health care quality, Medicare complex clinical case management payment, and Medicare fee-for-service care coordination; and (3) part A and B concerning home health services, as well as a demonstration program for substitute adult day care services. Revises requirements with respect to regulatory procedures, the Medicare appeals process, contracting with Medicare administrative contractors, provider education, a Medicare Provider Ombudsman, beneficiary outreach demonstration programs, prepayment review, recovery of overpayments, enforcement, and establishment of a Consumer Ombudsman Account in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) with regard to: (1) the 30-month of Food and Drug Administration approval for any new drug in certain circumstances; and (2) forfeiture of the 180-day marketing exclusivity period by the first new drug applicant to a subsequent applicant. Amends the FFDCA to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations permitting pharmacists, wholesalers, and individuals to import prescription drugs from Canada into the United States, subject to specified conditions.
Law· HRH.R. 1 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) under which each individual who is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) is entitled to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage. Authorizes the individual to elect to enroll: (1) in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan (replacing the current Medicare+Choice plans under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice)); (2) in an enhanced fee-for-service (EFFS) plan; or (3) in a prescription drug plan (PDP) if the individual is not enrolled in an MA-EFFS plan (a Medicare Advantage plan and an EFFS plan). Establishes a Medicare Prescription Drug Trust Fund. Outlines standard coverage benefit packages for FY 2006. Includes for the standard package an annual deductible of $250, and requires insurers to cover 80 percent of enrollees drug costs up to the initial coverage limit of $2,000. Requires enrollees to cover all costs between $2,001 and $3,500, and Medicare to cover the entire cost once the beneficiary has reached the $3,500 catastrophic out-of-pocket threshold. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of: (1) such deductible and annual limits for inflation; and (2) such catastrophic limit for each enrollee in a PDP or in an MA-EFFS Rx plan (an MA-EFFS plan which provides qualified prescription drug coverage) whose adjusted gross income exceeds $60,000. Establishes a competitive bidding process for negotiating the terms and conditions of PDP sponsors. Provides for full premium subsidy and reduction of cost-sharing for individuals with incomes below 135 percent of the Federal poverty level. Contains subsidy payments for qualifying entities to promote the participation of PDP and MA-EFFS Rx plan sponsors. Sets out: (1) a new Medicare prescription drug discount card and assistance program under the Medicare program; and (2) requirements for combating waste, fraud, and abuse under Medicare. Makes a number of other changes with regard to Medicare: (1) part A concerning rural health care, inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facility services, and hospices; (2) part B concerning physicians services and other services; and (3) part A and B concerning home health services, direct graduate medical education, and voluntary chronic care improvement. Establishes the Medicare Benefits Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services. Amends SSA title XVIII part F (Miscellaneous) (currently part D) to include a number of regulatory, contracting, and administrative changes, such as the: (1) coordination of educational funding; (2) transfer of responsibility for Medicare appeals; (3) provision of expedited access to judicial review of Medicare appeals; (4) recovery of overpayments; and (5) revision of reassignment provisions. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) with regard to: (1) the 30-month of Food and Drug Administration approval for any new drug in certain circumstances; and (2) forfeiture of the 180-day marketing exclusivity period by the first new drug applicant to a subsequent applicant. Provides for manufacture, marketing, or sale agreements between a generic drug applicant and a brand name drug applicant, subject to Federal Trade Commission review. Amends the FFDCA to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations permitting pharmacists, wholesalers, and individuals to import prescription drugs from Canada into the United States, subject to specified conditions.
Bill· SS. 1321 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants for: (1) establishing or expanding behavioral supports and whole school behavioral interventions by providing for effective research-based practices; or (2) improving interim alternative educational settings. Sets forth some authorized types of activities, including ones related to: (1) early screening for students at risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties; (2) staff training, recruitment, and retention; (3) curricula, interventions, programs, and practices; (4) on-site counseling; (5) instructional technology for individualized instruction; (6) ensuring services consistent with the individualized education plan; (7) case management and collaboration among school staff, parents, physicians, and related services personnel; (8) links between school- and community-based services; and (9) interagency coordination. Makes eligible for such grants a local educational agency (LEA), or a consortium consisting of an LEA and one or more of the following entities: (1) another LEA; (2) a community-based organization with a demonstrated record of effectiveness in helping special needs students with behavioral challenges succeed; (3) an institution of higher education; (4) a mental health provider; or (5) an educational service agency. Directs the Secretary to make available on the Department of Education's web site information for parents, teachers, and school administrators on best practices for interim alternative educational settings, behavior supports, and whole school intervention.
Bill· HRH.R. 2592 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Healthy America Act - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to require schools participating in the school breakfast program to make available fruits and juices. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (the Act) to direct the Secretary to expand the fruit and vegetable school pilot program. Amends the Act to direct the Secretary, in conjunction with the National 5 a Day for Better Health program, to carry out a Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids program to provide grants to school districts for innovative projects to increase the availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Amends the Act to require States to ensure that meals in the summer food service program include fruits, vegetables, and juices. Directs the Secretary to revise in specified ways the regulations relating to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Amends the Farm and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to increase the minimum amount to be spent on the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and service institutions. Directs the Secretary to develop a fruit and vegetable research agenda that coordinates research between agencies of the Department of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to appoint a national 5 A Day for Better Health program coordinator and seven regional coordinators to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should establish partnerships with State and local organizations to improve access to and efficient distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to schools and nutrition programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2563 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Amends the Head Start Act to authorize additional appropriations for each of FY 2004 through 2008, to be allocated for Head Start program purposes to States that have an increase in the total number of children under six below the poverty level.
Bill· HRH.R. 2562 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Public Interest Lawyer Assistance and Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a student loan forgiveness program for any borrower who agrees to complete three years of service as a public interest lawyer. Directs the Secretary, under such program, to: (1) repay up to $20,000 of such borrower's obligation on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B (Federal Family Education Loan Program) or D (Federal Perkins Loans) of title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA); and (2) provide for deferment of repayment of such loans by such borrower while employed as a public interest lawyer. Excludes from such program Federal PLUS loans (to parents) and Federal consolidation loans under part B or comparable loans made under part D. Allows certain amounts under consolidation loans to qualify for such program. Treats an individual as serving as a public interest lawyer eligible to apply for such program after completion of a year of service as a practicing attorney in: (1) local, State, or Federal government; (2) a tax-exempt organization; or (3) a judicial clerkship. Provides such loan repayment on a first-come, first-serve basis, and subject to the availability of appropriations and to any limitations imposed by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to create or designate an administering entity for such program within the Department of Education.
Bill· HRH.R. 2561 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Prekindergarten Access Act of 2003 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish Prekindergarten Programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide grants to applicant States to establish or expand prekindergarten early learning programs by eligible prekindergarten providers and local educational agencies in partnership with early childhood programs, organizations, or agencies that serve three-, four-, and five-year old children.
Bill· HRH.R. 2568 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Pedestrian and Cyclist Equity Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish and carry out a transportation and active living program to create, enhance, and promote, through changes in transportation, community design, and architectural policies and programs, community environments that improve opportunities for people to be physically active in their daily lives. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State, local, and regional agencies, including nonprofit organizations, for eligible activities. Authorizes the Secretary to consider initiatives that: (1) adopt community design, land use, and transportation policies to promote active living or remove barriers to physical activity; and (2) implement communications and marketing strategies to promote physical activity. Requires the Secretary to establish and carry out a safe routes to school program for the benefit of children in primary and middle schools. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants to a national nonprofit organization to operate a national safe routes to school clearinghouse; and (2) establish a national safe routes to school task force. Allows amounts apportioned to a State to be used for the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure-related projects (including sidewalk improvements) and for non-infrastructure-related activities (including public awareness campaigns) to encourage walking and bicycling to school. Requires the Secretary to establish and carry out a non-motorized transportation pilot program, including developing specified statistical information and assessing how changes promote livable community concepts, decreased traffic and energy usage, a cleaner environment, and healthier lifestyles.
Bill· HRH.R. 2556 (108th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
DC Parental Choice Incentive Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities to provide students from low-income families in the District of Columbia (DC) with scholarships to enable them to attend the DC private elementary or secondary school of their choice. Requires priority to be given to applications from eligible entities which will most effectively: (1) give priority to eligible students who attend an elementary or secondary school identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under specified provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (2) target resources to students and families that lack the financial resources to take advantage of available educational options; (3) provide students and families with the widest range of educational options; and (4) serve students of varying age and grade levels. Makes DC public educational entities, or nonprofit organizations and consortia, eligible to apply for such grants. Allows award of a single grant or multiple grants for up to five years. Allows scholarship payments to parents in varying amounts according to need, up to $7,500, to cover costs of tuition, fees, and transportation expenses. Requires scholarships to be considered assistance to the student, not to the school, and to be treated as parental income. Allows a parent to choose, and a school to offer, a single-sex school, class, or activity. Allows religiously affiliated schools to participate in the program and use funds made available under this Act: (1) for religious education purposes; and (2) to employ persons of the same religion. Allows such a school to: (1) take sex into account consistent with its religious tenets or beliefs; (2) have religious art, icons, scriptures, or other symbols in the school, religious terms in its name, and religious references in its mission statements and other chartering or governing documents; and (3) select its board members on a religious basis. Requires each school that chooses to participate in the program to accept participating eligible students: (1) on a first-come, first-served basis; or (2) if the school cannot accommodate all such students that seek admission, through a random selection process.
Bill· SS. 1294 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Community Telecommunications Planning Act of 2003 - Authorizes each of the Secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture, and Education to make grants to a local or tribal government, local non-profit entity, cooperative, public utility, or other public entity for community telecommunications infrastructure planning and market development purposes. Requires, in each case, the development of a telecommunications infrastructure and market development plan. Requires the Secretary concerned to give priority to grants for such planning and development for rural or underserved areas.
Bill· SS. 1302 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Global Affairs Institute Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Syracuse University to establish an endowment fund to support a Daniel Patrick Moynihan Global Affairs Institute. Requires the University, to be eligible for such grant, to designate the global affairs institute within the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs as the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Global Affairs Institute.
Bill· HRH.R. 2543 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate a two-year wait-out period between grants under a program for Hispanic-serving institutions (thus permitting an eligible institution to apply for a subsequent five-year grant award immediately after the expiration of its most recent five-year award).
Bill· HRH.R. 2539 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Violence Against Children Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prescribe penalties to be imposed for injuring or attempting to injure a person under 18 years of age (including life imprisonment if death results or if the offense includes kidnaping, aggravated sexual abuse, or attempting to kill) under circumstances in which: (1) the conduct occurs during the course of, or as a result of, the travel of the defendant or victim across a State line or national border; or (2) in connection with such conduct, the defendant employs a weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce. Directs the: (1) United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend its guidelines to provide enhanced penalties when the victim of a Federal crime is under 18; and (2) the Comptroller General to review State penalties and sentencing guidelines for crimes against children. Requires the Attorney General: (1) at the request of a State, Indian tribal government, or local government, to provide assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any felony crime of violence against a child; and (2) to award grants to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution of crimes against children and to provide education, prevention, intervention, and victims' assistance services regarding crimes against children. Requires each State receiving: (1) law enforcement grants under this Act to have in place a statewide AMBER Alert communications network for child abduction cases and to use the National Incident-Based Reporting System; (2) education, prevention, and victims' assistance grants to have in effect a statute allowing a parent to leave a newborn baby at a hospital anonymously; and (3) certain allotments for child welfare allotments to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report on the State's funded program, including the process for maintaining records and verifying the well-being of the children under the State's care.
Bill· HRH.R. 2517 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2003 - Directs the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to: (1) develop a program (including suitable warnings) to deter members of the public from committing acts of copyright infringement by offering on the Internet copies of copyrighted works, or making copies of copyrighted works from the Internet, without the authorization of the copyright owners; and (2) facilitate the sharing among law enforcement agencies, Internet service providers, and copyright owners of information concerning such activities. Requires the Attorney General to ensure that: (1) any unit in the Department of Justice responsible for investigating computer hacking or responsible for investigating intellectual property crimes is assigned at least one agent to support such unit for the purpose of investigating crimes relating to the theft of intellectual property; and (2) each agent so assigned has received training in the investigation and enforcement of intellectual property crimes. Establishes within the Office of the Associate Attorney General of the United States an Internet Use Education Program. Amends Federal copyright law to make importation into the United States without the copyright owner's authorization of copies and phonorecords of a work that have been acquired outside the United State an infringement of the exclusive right to distribute such copies or phonorecords, regardless of whether that work has been registered with the Copyright Office or recorded with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) of the Department of Homeland Security. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Postal Service to make regulations prohibiting such importations regardless of registration with the Copyright Office or recordation with the BCBP. Directs the Attorney General to set forth criteria under which copyright owners designated by the Attorney General will be able to use the FBI seal for deterrent purposes in connection with physical and digital copies and phonorecords and digital transmission of their works of authorship.
Bill· HRH.R. 2530 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Community Telecommunications Planning Act of 2003 - Authorizes each of the Secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture, and Education to make grants to a local or tribal government, local non-profit entity, cooperative, public utility, or other public entity for community telecommunications infrastructure planning and market development purposes. Requires, in each case, the development of a telecommunications infrastructure and market development plan. Requires the Secretary concerned to give priority to grants for such planning and development for rural or underserved areas.
Bill· HRH.R. 2540 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Fairness to All Vietnam Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to Congress: (1) to identify veterans who died after October 31, 1955, as a result of military operations in southeast Asia whose names are not eligible for inscription on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and (2) on the feasibility and equitability of revising the eligibility requirements to be more inclusive of such veterans or of creating an alternative means for recognizing them, including alternatives involving an education center at the Memorial.
Bill· SS. 1278 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Conquering Pain Act of 2003 - Requires development and maintenance of an Internet website on evidence-based practice guidelines for pain treatment. Requires the Medicare and Medicaid programs, programs through the Public Health Service Act, programs through the Indian Health Service, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), and other programs administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to inform individuals concerning such programs' pain management benefits. Directs the Secretary to provide funds for special education projects to improve pain and symptom management. Amends Medicare provisions relating to the Medicare+Choice program to provide for dissemination of pain and symptom management information. Mandates a report by the Surgeon General on the state of pain and symptom management in the United States. Mandates grants to health care provider training entities to establish six National Family Support Networks in Pain and Symptom Management. Requires the existing Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) to report on specified financial, policy, and reimbursement barriers in providing pain and symptom management and palliative care. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management. Mandates an Institute of Medicine report on controlled substance regulation and the use of pain medications. Mandates grants for demonstration projects on: (1) effective methods to measure improvement in the skills and knowledge of health care personnel in pain and symptom management; and (2) end of life care.
Bill· SS. 1287 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the definition of a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) under title V (Developing Institutions). Eliminates the requirement that an HSI provide assurances that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income students in order to be eligible for certain grants.
Bill· HRH.R. 2504 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Student Loan Fairness Consolidation Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise student aid requirements for Federal consolidation loans under the Federal Family Education Loan program, and establish parallel requirements under a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan program, to: (1) allow borrowers to refinance existing consolidation loans; and (2) make available variable interest rate consolidation loans. Excludes consolidation loans for repaying Federal PLUS loans (taken out by parents of students) from such provisions for refinancing and variable interest rates.
Bill· HRH.R. 2507 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Conquering Pain Act of 2003 - Requires development and maintenance of an Internet website on evidence-based practice guidelines for pain treatment. Requires the Medicare and Medicaid programs, programs through the Public Health Service Act, programs through the Indian Health Service, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), and other programs administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to inform individuals concerning such programs' pain management benefits. Directs the Secretary to provide funds for special education projects to improve pain and symptom management. Amends Medicare provisions relating to the Medicare+Choice program to provide for dissemination of pain and symptom management information. Mandates a report by the Surgeon General on the state of pain and symptom management in the United States. Mandates grants to health care provider training entities to establish six National Family Support Networks in Pain and Symptom Management. Requires the existing Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) to report on specified financial, policy, and reimbursement barriers in providing pain and symptom management and palliative care. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management. Mandates an Institute of Medicine report on controlled substance regulation and the use of pain medications. Mandates grants for demonstration projects on: (1) effective methods to measure improvement in the skills and knowledge of health care personnel in pain and symptom management; and (2) end of life care.
Bill· HRH.R. 2505 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
College Loan Assistance Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise student aid requirements for student loans and Pell Grants. Allows refinancing of student consolidation loans under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. Reduces the amount of a cap on interest rate under the FFEL program. Extends authority for the Pell Grant program. Increases the maximum amount of an individual Pell Grant award to $7,000 for each of academic years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. Prohibits eligible lenders or the Secretary of Education from collecting origination fees from borrowers, under the FFEL or the Federal direct loan program, for any loan made on or after the first July 1 after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Relief Act of 2003 (sic).
Bill· SS. 1274 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2003
Call to Service Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to reauthorize appropriations and revise requirements for national volunteer service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Revises NCSA programs, including: (1) Learn and Serve America programs of service-learning for elementary and secondary students, for higher education and work-study, as well as for community-based training, programs, and initiatives, and for a service-learning clearinghouse; (2) a National Service Trust Program (AmeriCorps grants), including an E-Corps; (3) the National Service Trust and provision of National Service Educational Awards (to AmeriCorps members and participants in certain other community service programs, including a new program of service-based awards to secondary students); and (4) the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); (5) grants to America's Promise: The Alliance for Youth; and (6) grants to the Points of Light Foundation. Establishes a service-based scholarship program to recognize secondary school juniors and seniors who are engaged in outstanding community service and scholarship. Authorizes CNCS to pay up to $500 to match an equal local contribution for a scholarship to help cover an individual's postsecondary education or job training costs. Revises NCSA requirements for investment for quality and innovation to authorize grants to assist Internet volunteer recruiting entities to locate, promote, and match volunteers with local service and volunteer organizations. Repeals provisions for a special demonstration project for the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta of Alaska. Revises DVSA programs for: (1) Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) (National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs); and (2) the National Senior Service Corps, including the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions. Lowers the age for senior service from 60 to 55. Revises NCSA and DVSA requirements for CNCS administration of national volunteer service programs and for accountability of recipients of funds. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1)programs established or authorized by this Act, and those which receive funding under NCSA or DVSA, are encouraged to provide recruitment and application materials in languages other than English in order to serve communities of limited English proficiency; and (2) such programs may use such funding to provide and distribute such materials.
Bill· SS. 1273 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2003
Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Secretary of Education and the appropriate congressional committees on proposed changes to the tables used in the Federal Needs Analysis Methodology to determine a student's expected family contribution for the award year 2004-2005 under general provisions for student assistance of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Requires such study to examine the impact of such changes on students to ensure that they are not adversely affected. Amends HEA to direct the Secretary to consult with the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance before publishing any notice or promulgating any regulation with respect to updated tables to be used in such needs analysis.
Law· HRH.R. 2489 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2003
Cowlitz Indian Tribe Distribution of Judgment Funds Act - Creates a plan under which the Secretary of the Interior shall distribute the judgment funds and certain accrued interest awarded to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe of Washington by the Indian Claims Commission Docket No. 218 (ICCD). Prohibits the distribution of principal (funds awarded by ICCD and all accrued interest as of one year before enactment of this Act) under this Act except as provided by this Act. Requires the Secretary to set aside 20 percent of the current judgment fund (funds awarded by ICCD and all accrued interest as of the enactment of this Act) for a tribal elderly assistance program. Requires the Secretary to set aside specified percentages of the principal for tribal: (1) emergency assistance; (2) education, vocation, and cultural training; (3) housing assistance; (4) economic development and construction and maintenance of tribal and cultural centers; (5) natural resources; (6) cultural resources; (7) health; and (8) administration. Prescribes general conditions for the management and use of all available funds by the tribe's governing body.