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351 records in US in 2005
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that secondary schools should begin classes after nine o'clock in the morning.
United States · United States Senate · 29 June 2005
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Lead-Free Drinking Water Act of 2005 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review and revise the national primary drinking water regulation for lead to provide the maximum feasible protection for individuals affected by lead contamination, particularly vulnerable populations (e.g., infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women). Requires the revised regulation to establish: (1) a maximum contaminant level for lead in drinking water as measured at the tap; or (2) a drinking water treatment technique that meets specified criteria. Directs community water systems or nontransient noncommunity water systems to: (1) annually replace a percentage of non-lead free service lines until all such lines are replaced; (2) provide notice in English and other appropriate languages to individuals and entities that may be exposed to lead contamination in the drinking water supply; (3) provide water lead test results to tested residences; (4) establish a public education program on lead in drinking water; and (5) provide water filters to residences, schools, and day care facilities. Requires the head of each federal agency to conduct water supply testing in federally-owned or occupied buildings. Directs each water system to test drinking water for lead contamination within one year. Requires the Administrator to revise monitoring requirements under the national primary drinking water regulation to incorporate specified criteria. Prohibits the use of lead pipes and plumbing equipment that is not lead free in public water systems or facilities that provide drinking water. Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue regulations to require states to establish programs to test and remediate lead contamination in school drinking water; and (2) carry out such programs in non-participating states.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Welcomes recent attempts by the U.N. Secretary General to address the issue of anti-Semitism, and calls on the United Nations to condemn anti-Semitic statements in its meetings and hold member states accountable for such statements. Urges the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to develop and implement Holocaust education programs as part of an effort against anti-Semitism and racial, religious, and ethnic intolerance. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should direct the Secretary of State to: (1) include in the Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and annual Report on International Religious Freedom information on activities at the United Nations and its constituent bodies relating to anti-Semitism by each of the countries included in these reports; and (2) use projects funded through the Middle East Partnership Initiative and U.S. overseas broadcasts to educate Arab and Muslim countries about anti-Semitism, religious intolerance, and incitement to violence.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Employee Stock Ownership Plan Promotion and Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt certain distributions, including dividends, by S corporations to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) from the penalty tax for premature employee benefit plan withdrawals; (2) exempt deductions for ESOP dividends from corporate alternative minimum tax adjustments based on adjusted earnings and profits; (3) allow deferral of the recognition of gain for certain sales to ESOPs sponsored by any domestic corporation, including S corporations; (4) allow reinvestment of ESOP stock proceeds eligible for nonrecognition of gain in certain mutual funds; (5) modify certain ESOP stock ownership rules; (6) allow early distributions from an ESOP for higher education expenses and first-time homebuyer purchases without penalty; and (7) allow a de minimis exception from pension plan diversification requirements for ESOP accounts with balances of $2,500 or less.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Cybersecurity Education Enhancement Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Cybersecurity, to establish, in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, a program to award grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) cybersecurity professional development programs; (2) associate degree programs in cybersecurity; and (3) the purchase of equipment to provide training in cybersecurity for either professional development or degree programs. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to operate the program. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to establish an e-security fellowship program to bring state, local, tribal, and private sector officials to participate in the work of the National Cybersecurity Division in order to become familar with Department of Homeland Security cybersecurity missions and capabilities.
United States · United States House of Representatives · 28 June 2005
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Childhood Obesity Reduction Act - Establishes a Congressional Council on Childhood Obesity to engage in the following activities to encourage every U.S. elementary and middle school to develop and implement a plan to reduce and prevent obesity, promote improved nutritional choices, and promote increased physical activity: (1) work with outside experts to develop the Congressional Challenge to Reduce and Prevent Childhood Obesity; (2) develop and maintain a website on best practices for reducing and preventing childhood obesity; (3) assist schools in establishing goals for the healthy reduction and prevention of childhood obesity; (4) consult and coordinate with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and other federal initiatives that are conducting activities to reduce and prevent childhood obesity; (5) reward elementary schools, middle schools, and local educational agencies promoting innovative, successful strategies; (6) provide information to secondary schools; and (7) designate model plans for reducing and preventing childhood obesity that are submitted by schools as Congressional Challenge winners. Establishes the National Foundation for the Prevention and Reduction of Childhood Obesity as a nonprofit private corporation to support and carry out activities to prevent and reduce childhood obesity, including by: (1) establishing a fund to provide endowments for positions within the Council and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) associated with reducing childhood obesity; (2) evaluating model plans used by schools; and (3) making Challenge awards to schools and local agencies for developing and implementing such plans. Requires creation of a committee to incorporate the Foundation under state laws, establish its policies and bylaws, provide for its initial operation, and appoint members of its board of directors.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act or the IMPACT Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand an existing grant program for training for health profession students to include the treatment of overweight, obesity, and eating disorders. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the training of primary care physicians and other health professions on how to identify, treat, and prevent obesity or eating disorders and aid individuals who are overweight, obese, or who suffer from eating disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting though the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants for the planning and implementation of programs that promote healthy eating behaviors and physical activity. Allows the Secretary, acting through the National Center for Health Statistics, to provide for the collection and analysis of data for determining the fitness levels and energy expenditures of children and data collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to review the research to determine if the information might be important for the health disparities report. Permits states to use preventive health and health services block grants for activities and community education programs designed to address and prevent obesity and eating disorders. Requires the Secretary to report to the relevant congressional committees on: (1) the causes and health implications of being overweight, obese, or having an eating disorder; and (2) the effectiveness of campaigns to change children's behaviors and reduce obesity.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Employee Stock Ownership Plan Promotion and Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt certain distributions, including dividends, by S corporations to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) from the penalty tax for premature employee benefit plan withdrawals; (2) exempt deductions for ESOP dividends from corporate alternative minimum tax adjustments based on adjusted earnings and profits; (3) allow deferral of the recognition of gain for certain sales to ESOPs sponsored by any domestic corporation, including S corporations; (4) allow reinvestment of ESOP stock proceeds eligible for nonrecognition of gain in certain mutual funds; (5) modify certain ESOP stock ownership rules; (6) allow early distributions from an ESOP for higher education expenses and first-time homebuyer purchases without penalty; and (7) allow a de minimis exception from pension plan diversification requirements for ESOP accounts with balances of $2,500 or less.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Calls for Congress to support: (1) efforts to promote awareness of cancer in children; (2) increased investment in childhood cancer research; (3) incentives to encourage medical trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric oncology; (4) incentives to encourage the development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric cancers; (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical trials; (6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients; and (7) enhanced education, services, and other resources related to late effects from treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
WISEWOMAN Expansion Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) remove the limit on the number of states that may receive preventive heath services grants; (2) require a competitive review process; and (3) include among the uses for such grants health education, counseling, and interventions for behavioral risk factors and diseases. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Reducing Conflicts of Interests in the Representation of Indian Tribes Act of 2005 - Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act with respect to certain additional employment rights of officers and employees of the United States assigned to an Indian tribe, and former U.S. officers and employees employed by Indian tribes, to act as agents or attorneys for or appear on behalf of such tribes in connection with any matter pending before any department, agency, court, or commission. Limits these additional employment rights of a former U.S. officer or employee employed by an Indian tribe to any former U.S. officer or employee who performs the same services, pursuant to a self-governance contract or compact under such Act, that the individual formerly performed for the United States. Repeals the specific authority of such current or former U.S. officers or employees to act as agents or attorneys for or to appear on behalf of such tribes in connection with any matter pending before any department, agency, court, or commission. Authorizes such individuals, however, to communicate with and appear before any such department, agency, court, or commission on behalf of the Indian tribe, but only with respect to any matter relating to the contract or compact (including, as currently, any matter in which the United States is a party or has direct and substantial interest).
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Agriculture Education Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual any gain from the sale of any animal raised and sold by such individual as part of his or her participation in the 4-H program under the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture, the Future Farmers of America, any tax-exempt similar organization, or any program of a tax-exempt educational organization.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2005
Bus Utility and Safety in School Transportation Opportunity and Purchasing Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Education to provide grants, on a competitive basis, to rural local educational agencies (LEAs) to pay the federal share (75%) of costs of purchasing new school buses. Requires the Secretary, in providing such grants, to give priority to rural LEAs that: (1) are transporting students in a bus manufactured before 1977; (2) have a grossly depleted fleet of school buses; or (3) serve a school required by law to provide transportation to students to enable them to transfer to another public school served by the rural LEA.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2005
Pursuit of International Education Act of 2005 - Prohibits the use Treasury funds to implement regulations restricting certain educational travel to Cuba.
United States · United States Senate · 23 June 2005
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005
Community College Partnership Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a community college opportunity program to help students at community or technical colleges to transfer to four-year institutions and complete bachelor's degrees. Directs the Secretary of Education to award program grants to eligible partnerships that include one or more community or technical colleges that award associate's degrees and one or more institutions of higher education that offer a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree not awarded by the partner colleges (or to statewide boards or partnerships with jurisdiction over such educational entities). Requires funds from such grants to be used for: (1) development of policies to expand opportunities for community or technical college students to earn bachelor's degrees, including transfer of academic credits between institutions and expanded articulation and guaranteed transfer agreements; (2) support services to students participating in the program, including tutoring, mentoring, academic and personal counseling, and transition facilitation; (3) academic program enhancements at the community or technical college that increase program quality and the number of student participants in the dual degree program offered in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree-granting institution; and (4) programs to identify barriers that inhibit student transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2005
Fostering Adoption to Further Student Achievement Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include, under the definition of independent student for financial need analysis purposes, individuals who were adopted from the foster care system when they were 13 years of age or older.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2005
Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2005 - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of uterine fibroids research. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information regarding uterine fibroids, including information on: (1) the incidence and prevalence of uterine fibroids among women; (2) the elevated risk for minority women; and (3) the availability of a range of treatment options. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to develop and disseminate uterine fibroids information to health care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2005
Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2005 - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of uterine fibroids research. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information regarding uterine fibroids, including information on: (1) the incidence and prevalence of uterine fibroids among women; (2) the elevated risk for minority women; and (3) the availability of a range of treatment options. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to develop and disseminate uterine fibroids information to health care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2005
No Qualified Teacher Left Behind Act of 2005 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) with respect to teacher qualifications. Revises the definition of highly qualified teacher, in the case of middle or secondary school teachers who are new to the profession. Includes consideration of any professional development being pursued, in determining such qualifications for elementary, middle, or secondary school teachers who are not new to the profession. Provides for rural school districts: (1) an extension of a deadline for having highly qualified teachers; and (2) an authorization of additional appropriations for grants for teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development. Revises requirements for qualified teachers under ESEA title I part A (I-A) programs for disadvantaged students to: (1) apply only to teachers of core subjects; and (2) eliminate reference to the proportion of inexperienced teachers. Requires all ESEA grantees, whether under I-A or not, to meet specified qualification deadlines for all teachers of core subjects whom they employ.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2005
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3010) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include physical education among the subjects for which states are required to have academic content and achievement standards for all public school students, beginning in school year 2006-2007. Requires physical education assessment to begin by school year 2008-2009, including measurement of students' proficiency at least one time during: (1) grades 3 through 6; (2) grades 6 through 9; and (3) grades 10 through 12.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 - Makes appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for FY 2006. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2006 - Makes appropriations for FY 2006 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration; (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) workers compensation programs; (8) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (9) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (10) the Employment Standards Administration; (11) certain special benefits, including ones for disabled coal miners; (12) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (13) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (14) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (16) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (17) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (18) departmental management; (19) veterans employment and training; (20) the Office of Inspector General; and (21) a working capital fund for a new core accounting system. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2006 - Makes appropriations for FY 2006 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 (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; (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, and program management; (9) the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (10) the Administration for Children and Families for payments to states for child support enforcement and family support programs; (11) low-income home energy assistance; (12) refugee and entrant assistance; (13) payments to states for the child care and development block grant; (14) the social services block grant; (15) disabled voter services; (16) children and families services programs; (17) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (18) payments to states for foster care and adoption assistance; (19) the Administration on Aging; (20) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (21) administrative law judges for Medicare appeals; (22) the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; (23) the Office of Inspector General; (24) the Office for Civil Rights; (25) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (26) the public health and social services emergency fund, for activities related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations, and to developing and implementing rapidly expandable influenza vaccine production technologies and purchasing influenza vaccine as necessary. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2006 - Makes appropriations for FY 2006 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 2006 to the: (1) Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses, administrative expenses and salaries, and the Office of Inspector General; (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; and (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.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005
Pulmonary Hypertension Research Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute with respect to research on pulmonary hypertension and to coordinate the Director's activities with related activities of other national research institutes and National Institutes of Health (NIH) agencies. Requires the Director to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of centers to conduct research and programs on pulmonary hypertension, including: (1) basic and clinical research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control, and treatment of the disease; (2) training programs for scientists and health professionals; (3) programs to provide information and continuing education to health professionals; and (4) programs for the dissemination of information to the public. Requires the Director to establish: (1) a data system for the collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and dissemination of data derived from patient populations with pulmonary hypertension; and (2) an information clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding of pulmonary hypertension by health professionals, patients, industry, and the public.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2005
Spectrum Availability for Emergency-Response and Law-Enforcement to Improve Vital Emergency Services Act or SAVE LIVES Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through December 31, 2008 (currently, 2006) the termination date for television broadcast licenses that authorize analog television service. Repeals provisions authorizing analog service extensions in limited circumstances. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take specified actions within specified deadlines for the final television channel assignment of full-power broadcast television stations authorized for digital service. Provides deadlines for the auction of recovered analog spectrum to be used for providing public emergency services. Directs the FCC to distribute to eligible persons analog-to-digital signal converter devices. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a grant program to provide enhanced interoperability of communications equipment for first responders. Provides certain consumer education requirements regarding the transition to digital television service. Authorizes, with a sunset, temporary digital-to-analog signal conversion for certain cable television subscribers. Directs the: (1) Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study establishing a nationwide recycling program for electronic waste; and (2) FCC to complete certain pending proceedings relating to conversion to digital television and related matters.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2005
Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2005 - Directs the President to establish a Green Chemistry Research and Development Program to promote and coordinate Federal research, development, demonstration, education, and technology transfer activities related to green chemistry. Requires the President to establish an Interagency Working Group to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program. Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to provide for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. manufacturing through the enabling of supply chain manufacturers to continuously make improvements with the aim of reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out a program to award grants to institutions of higher education to support their efforts to revise their undergraduate curriculum in chemistry and chemical engineering to incorporate green chemistry concepts and strategies. Requires such Director to enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council to conduct a study of, and report on, the factors that constitute barriers to the successful commercial application of promising results from green chemistry research and development. Directs the agencies participating in the Program to carry out a joint, coordinated program to award grants to institutions of higher education to establish partnerships with companies in the chemical industry to retrain chemists and chemical engineers in the use of green chemistry concepts and strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2005
Josephine Butler United States Health Service Act - Establishes the United States Health Service as an independent executive branch entity to provide health care and supplemental health services to all individuals within the United States. Requires the President to appoint members to a National Health Board to exercise the authority of the Service. Establishes an Office of the Inspector General for Health Services. Requires the Service to ensure that every individual is given certain basic health rights, including 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. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide employees with leave to receive necessary health care services. Requires the Board to: (1) establish any necessary health care facilities; (2) establish guidelines for the classification, certification, and employment of health workers by job category; (3) provide for the education of health workers through health team schools and loan repayment; (4) establish a health advocacy program to ensure the realization of patients' rights; (5) oversee occupational safety and health programs; and (6) conduct research concerning health and health care delivery. Transfers to the Board the agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that conduct research on health and health care. Requires the Board to establish additional research institutes. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a health services tax on the income of individuals and corporations to fund the Health Service Trust Fund (established under this Act). Transfers to the Service certain authority of the Secretary of HHS.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2005
Securing Affordable Vocational and Collegiate Education (SAVE) Act of 2005 - Makes permanent the qualified tuition programs enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction from gross income for payments to a qualified tuition program. Limits the annual amount of such deduction to $5,000 ($10,000 on joint returns).
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2005
College Opportunity for All Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize requirements relating to: (1) Pell Grants and other student aid amounts and access to higher education for all students; (2) elimination of borrower origination fees; (3) allowance of refinancing of consolidation loans; (4) student loan forgiveness for certain public service employment; (5) termination of government payment of special allowances at excessive interest rates to lenders and holders of student loans; (6) simplification of the student aid process; (7) an initiative to enhance college graduation rates and accelerate time to degree; (8) reduction of guaranty agency payments; (9) teacher preparation and recruiting programs of TEACH grants and for teachers of mathematics, science, and languages; (10) TRIO, GEAR UP, LEAP outreach programs to disadvantaged students pursuing a postsecondary education; (11) postbaccalaureate opportunities at Hispanic-serving institutions; and (12) support and educational opportunities for students at historically Black colleges and universities and at other minority-serving institutions, including centers of excellence for teacher education.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2005
FCC Reorganization Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to organize its staff into integrated bureaus based on the purposes of the regulations to be administered by such bureau. Requires the following bureaus within the FCC: (1) spectrum management; (2) government affairs and consumer education; (3) economic regulations; (4) public interest; (5) broadcast content; (6) licensing; (7) enforcement; and (8) international. Directs the FCC, at least once every five years, to reexamine such organization and carry out any necessary reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2005
Directs the Secretary of Veterans to designate, establish, and operate at selected Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facilities six centers for Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical activities. Requires the Under Secretary for Health to establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals submitted by a facility for the operation of such a center.
United States · United States Senate · 16 June 2005
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Higher Education Simplification and Deregulation Act of 2005 - Amends Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements relating to: (1) student access to financial aid; and (2) regulating student aid programs of institutions of higher education (IHEs). Provides for: (1) simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in an EZ FAFSA form, as well as electronic applications, and reapplications; (2) a system of early financial aid information; (3) revised processes for students with special circumstances; (4) eligibility verification; (5) year-round Pell Grants; (6) flexible loan limits for year-round study; (7) an annual listing of IHEs that are best buys in specified categories; (8) eliminating requirements to demonstrate financial need for certain types of graduate education assistance; (9) electronic voter registration; (10) review of regulatory and reporting requirements for student financial aid programs; (11) developing different environmental, health, and safety standards for research and teaching laboratories and facilities at IHES than for industrial facilities; (12) accelerated negotiated rulemaking; (13) compliance and master calendars; (14) exempting nonprofit IHEs from certain default management plan and eligibility and certification procedures; (15) renewing provisions relating to loan disbursement; and (16) IHE foreign gift or contract disclosure reports to be made available to the public rather than filed with the Secretary of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Gearing Up for Academic Success Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize and revise Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Revises fund allocation to provide, under certain conditions, for formula grants to states and competitive grants to partnerships. Requires partnerships, through a cohort approach, to provide activities designed to ensure: (1) secondary school completion and college enrollment of students at risk of dropping out; and (2) systemic changes in schools, so future cohorts of children will benefit. Requires such activities to include: (1) enrollment in college preparation curricula; (2) professional development for college preparation course instructors; and (3) curriculum development. Requires states to provide: (1) policy leadership to promote college readiness of students, especially those at risk of dropping out and those who are economically disadvantaged; and (2) services to promote coordination and information sharing among grantees. Eliminates authority for a scholarship program component and for 21st Century Scholar Certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
HBCU Expansion Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) as eligible under title III part B provisions for strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Defines a PBI as any institution of higher education that: (1) offers a bachelor's degree program, and meets title III eligibility requirements including a certain enrollment of needy students; and (2) at the time of application, has a student enrollment of at least 500 full-time students, at least 51 percent of whom are African Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
College Opportunity for All Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize requirements relating to: (1) Pell Grants and other student aid amounts and access to higher education for all students; (2) elimination of borrower origination fees; (3) allowance of refinancing of consolidation loans; (4) student loan forgiveness for certain public service employment; (5) termination of government payment of special allowances at excessive interest rates to lenders and holders of student loans; (6) simplification of the student aid process; (7) an initiative to enhance college graduation rates and accelerate time to degree; (8) teacher preparation and recruiting programs of TEACH grants and for teachers of mathematics, science, and languages; (9) TRIO, GEAR UP, LEAP outreach programs to disadvantaged students pursuing a postsecondary education; (10) postbaccalaureate opportunities at Hispanic-serving institutions; and (11) support and educational opportunities for students at historically Black colleges and universities and at other minority-serving institutions, including centers of excellence for teacher education.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Teen Dating Violence Education Act of 2005 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide that authorized domestic violence education programs include state-specific information on the legal rights of teenage victims of dating violence.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act - Specifies a national oceans policy. Establishes national standards to require any federal agency or federally funded activities that affect U.S. ocean waters or ocean resources to be conducted in a manner that protects and maintains healthy marine ecosystems and, where appropriate, restores degraded marine ecosystems. Reestablishes in the Department of Commerce (what already exists under Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), administered by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Administrator). Directs the President to submit to Congress recommendations on, and a plan and proposed schedule for, the transfer of oceanic or atmospheric programs, functions, services, and associated resources to NOAA from other federal agencies. Establishes: (1) a National Oceans Advisor; (2) a Committee on Ocean Policy; and (3) the Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy. Designates certain ocean regions for ecosystem-based management. Establishes a Regional Ocean Partnership for each designated ocean region. Requires each Partnership to prepare a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan for each ocean region. Establishes a Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and Operations (OSEO Committee). Directs the Chair of the Committee on Ocean Policy to develop a National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science. Establishes: (1) a Subcommittee on Ocean Education within the OSEO Committee; (2) an interagency ocean and coastal education program; (3) a National Marine Scholarship Program; and (4) a NOAA Office of Education. Establishes: (1) an Office of Ocean Exploration within the Ocean and Atmospheric Research and Data Services Office; and (2) a Subcommittee on Ocean Exploration within the OSEO Committee. Establishes in the Treasury the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Accutane Safety and Risk Management Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to withdraw approval within 30 days for the sale of drugs that contain isotretinoin as an active ingredient, including Accutane. Allows the Secretary to approve subsequent supplemental applications for such drugs subject to certain restrictions, including safety reporting. Requires that distribution of such subsequently approved drugs be limited, including by: (1) allowing distribution only directly from manufacturers to pharmacists; (2) requiring pharmacists to register, receive education on side effects, dispense only those prescriptions from physicians at certified treatment centers, and file a statement of compliance; (3) developing educational materials for patients, including monthly questionnaires for patients to monitor the development of adverse side effects; (4) requiring patients to register, receive counseling on the drug, sign a statement providing informed consent for treatment, and undergo appropriate tests; and (5) limiting prescriptions to a 30-day supply with no refills. Specifies conditions for a clinic to be certified as a treatment center for a drug containing isotretinoin, including requiring each practitioner to meet certain conditions, such as requirements for registration, an agreement to prescribe in accordance with this Act, and reporting of adverse events. Requires the Secretary to monitor the distribution of such drugs to determine whether the drug is being distributed in accordance with this Act. Specifies conditions under which the Secretary may approve a drug that contains isotretinoin as an active ingredient for a new use. Requires manufacturers and distributors of isotretinoin to report any information on adverse events associated with the drug to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to conduct and support studies to explore the effects of isotretinoin on the central nervous system and behavior, including depression, suicide, and violent behavior.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) individuals diagnosed with bone marrow failure diseases and their families should have access to a variety of treatment and counseling options; and (2) such families should be linked to support networks and counseling information serviced provided by nonprofit organizations like the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation. Calls for the federal government to: (1) raise awareness about the importance of early detection of and proper treatment for such diseases; (2) provide adequate funding for research on such diseases; (3) engage in such public health initiatives as surveillance, education, and awareness of such diseases; and (4) continue to consider ways to improve health care services for such diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2005
Student Fairness Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to rebate the amount of aid lost to students whose Pell Grants were reduced or eliminated for academic year 2005-2006 as a result of the update to the tables for state and other taxes in the student aid need analysis determination of expected family contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2005
Families Learning and Understanding English Together Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to providers of family literacy services to improve the literacy and English skills of limited English proficient individuals who are parents or children in families where each parent is at least 16 years old and where at least one child is under age eight. Directs the Secretary to reserve certain funds to: (1) provide technical assistance and training to such grantees through an experienced entity; and (2) evaluate and improve such grant program. Requires grantees to meet specified types of outcome measures.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2005
Student Fairness Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to rebate the amount of aid lost to students whose Pell Grants were reduced or eliminated for academic year 2005-2006 as a result of the update to the tables for state and other taxes in the student aid need analysis determination of expected family contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2005
Calls for Congress to support: (1) efforts to promote awareness of cancer in children; (2) increased investment in childhood cancer research; (3) incentives to encourage medical trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric oncology; (4) incentives to encourage the development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric cancers; (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical trials; (6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients; and (7) enhanced education, services, and other resources related to late effects from treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005
National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act with respect to the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education (Foundation). Requires the Foundation Board to appoint a chief operating officer for the Foundation separate from the Secretary of the Interior (who currently acts as chief operating officer). Authorizes the Seceretary to provide funds to pay the operating expenses of the Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005
Medical Education Affordability Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to revise specified regulations regarding student loan repayment deferment under certain programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to borrowers who are in postgraduate medical or dental internship, residency, or fellowship programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005
Youth Service Scholarship Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a Public Service Incentives college scholarship program to reward low-income students who have, during high school, and who continue, during college, to make significant public service contributions to their communities. Requires 300 hours of public service by the student: (1) during each of two academic years of secondary school, to be eligible for a scholarship for the first year of college; and (2) during the preceding postsecondary academic year, to be eligible for a second, third, or fourth year. Requires such students to: (1) have been eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act; and (2) be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants in the year in which the scholarships are awarded. Sets the scholarship amount at $5,000 for any academic year during a student's first four years of undergraduate education, and provides for adjustments of such amount in the event of insufficient appropriations. Requires applications to demonstrate maintenance of satisfactory academic progress and at least a 3.0 grade point average. Requires program dissemination and promotion.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005
Spectrum Availability for Emergency-Response and Law-Enforcement to Improve Vital Emergency Services Act or SAVE LIVES Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through December 31, 2008 (currently, 2006) the termination date for television broadcast licenses that authorize analog television service. Repeals provisions authorizing analog service extensions in limited circumstances. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take specified actions within specified deadlines for the final television channel assignment of full-power broadcast television stations authorized for digital service. Provides deadlines for the auction of recovered analog spectrum to be used for providing public emergency services. Directs the FCC to distribute to eligible persons analog-to-digital signal converter devices. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a grant program to provide enhanced interoperability of communications equipment for first responders. Provides certain consumer education requirements regarding the transition to digital television service. Authorizes, with a sunset, temporary digital-to-analog signal conversion for certain cable television subscribers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for qualified electronic waste (television display screens) collected from consumers and recycled. Directs the: (1) Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study establishing a nationwide recycling program for electronic waste; and (2) FCC to complete certain pending proceedings relating to conversion to digital television and related matters.