Education

Communities Combating College Drinking and Drug Use Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Communities Combating College Drinking and Drug Use Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make matching grant allotments to applicant States to enhance or establish statewide coalitions to reduce the usage of drugs and alcohol by college students both on campus and in the surrounding community at large. Requires such a statewide coalition to be formed in cooperation with at least half of the institutions of higher education within the State, and with local communities, nonprofit groups, community anti-drug or anti-alcohol coalitions, and other substance abuse prevention groups within the State.

A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide loan forgiveness for attorneys who represent low-income families or individuals involved in the family or domestic relations court systems.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a demonstration program of student loan forgiveness for highly qualified attorneys who: (1) work for State or local government, or nonprofit private, entities on behalf of low-income families or individuals in the family or domestic relations court systems; and (2) have trained and worked in areas including juvenile justice, truancy, child abuse or neglect, adoption, domestic relations, child support, paternity, or others which State law determines to be in the field of family or domestic relations law.

Stable Transitions in Education for Armed Services' Dependent Youth Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Stable Transitions in Education for Armed Services' Dependent Youth Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a five-year demonstration program for competitive matching grants to eligible State educational agencies (SEAs) for subgrants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish and maintain high quality military charter schools as independent public elementary or secondary schools in areas of greatest need. Requires the commander of each military installation served by such a school to establish a nonprofit corporation or an oversight group to provide the applicable LEA with oversight and guidance regarding the day-to-day operations of the school. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award at least four grants in each fiscal year to establish or improve innovative credit enhancement initiatives that assist military charter schools in acquiring, constructing, and renovating facilities. Requires such grants to be made to eligible entities, which may be a public entity such as a military installation, a private nonprofit entity, or a consortium of those two types of entities. Includes among requirements for military charter schools: (1) an admissions policy providing for at least 60 percent and at most 80 percent military dependent students, except where such percentages are impossible to maintain because of the demographics of the area around the military installation; (2) an intensive high-quality program including practices relating to the academic-passport concept to ease transitions for mobile students; and (3) a curriculum aligned with State student performance standards which may incorporate a curriculum from the Department of Defense Education Activity.

A bill to provide loan forgiveness to social workers who work for child protective agencies.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a demonstration program of student loan forgiveness for child welfare workers employed by child protection agencies.

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Yuma East Wetlands Project in the vicinity of Yuma, Arizona.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and subject to specified cost-sharing requirements, to provide financial assistance and otherwise participate in the planning, design, and construction of the Yuma East Wetlands Project along the Colorado River in the vicinity of Yuma, Arizona. Lists as project purposes: (1) restoration of wetlands and riparian habitat; (2) revegetation of riparian areas; and (3) providing river access and opportunities for recreation and environmental education. Prohibits the use of Federal funds to pay operation and maintenance costs associated with the Project, except those directly attributable to the responsibilities of the Secretary for long-term environmental restoration on the Colorado River.

To provide for the use or distribution of the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota Chippewa Tribe v. United States, Docket Nos. 19 and 188, United States Court of Federal Claims.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to distribute the funds awarded to specified constituent bands of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota Chippewa Tribe v. United States, together with all interest and investment income accrued on deposit in trust account JA1041696. Requires that 20 percent of such funds be set aside for social and economic development, education, reservation infrastructure needs, and other governmental purposes.

Medicare Reimbursement Equity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Medicare Reimbursement Equity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to rural health care and: (1) enhanced disproportionate share hospital (DSH) treatment for rural hospitals and urban hospitals; (2) phased-in increase in the standardized amount in rural and small urban areas; (3) update in weights used in hospital market basket; (4) the critical access hospital program; and (5) a temporary increase for home health services. Amends SSA title XVIII provisions relating to: (1) part A (Hospital Insurance) and inpatient hospital services, covered skilled nursing facility services payments, and coverage of hospice services; and (2) part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) and physicians' services. Revises requirements or provides for: (1) payment of ambulance services; (2) an extended moratorium on therapy caps; (3) renal dialysis; (4) coverage of an initial preventive physical examination; (5) modified payment for certain mammography services; (6) waiver of the part B late enrollment penalty for certain military retirees; and (7) part B coverage of cholesterol and other blood lipid screening tests. Amends SSA title XVIII provisions relating to parts A and B and home health services and direct graduate medical education. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and appoint an OASIS Task Force to examine the data collection and reporting requirements under the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS). Requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on payment margins of home health agencies under the home health prospective payment system. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects for: (1) the application of disease management to certain Medicare beneficiaries with diagnosed diabetes; and (2) medical adult day care services. Amends Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice) with respect to: (1) equalizing payments between fee-for-service and Medicare+Choice; (2) including Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs military facility service costs to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in calculation of Medicare+Choice payment rates; and (3) providing specialized Medicare+Choice plans for special needs beneficiaries.

Recognizing the 2002 United States Professors of the Year.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002

Recognizes, on behalf of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the following four professors as United States Professors of the Year: (1) Alicia Juarrero of Price George's Community College in Maryland; (2) James Adams of Manchester College in Indiana; (3) Francisco Jimenez of Santa Clara College in California; and (4) Dennis Jacobs of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Postenversorgung für Parteigänger für FPÖ und ÖVP

Austria · Federal Council · 13 November 2002

Anfrage der Bundesräte Albrecht Konecny, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an die Bundesministerin für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur betreffend Postenversorgung für Parteigänger für FPÖ und ÖVP

National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2002

National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for FY 2003 through 2005. Requires the NSF Director to: (1) carry out specified scientific research activities, including information technology, science, mathematics, and engineering, and plant genome research; (2) carry out the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research; (3) award grants for mathematics and science education partnership programs and for recruiting and training mathematics and science teachers; (4) award grants to establish Centers for Research on Learning and Education Improvement; (5) take steps to avoid NSF duplicative programs; (6) award grants to expand previously implemented reforms of undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, or technology education; (7) assess gender differences in the careers of science and engineering faculty; and (8) assess any increases in the number and quality of students completing degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education. Instructs the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering to describe NSF policies and activities to encourage the full participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science, mathematics, and engineering fields. Directs NSF and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to jointly establish an Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee. Authorizes the Director to establish a program to award grants to certain minority-serving institutions to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering education. Requires the Director to provide for a study to determine discrepancies in Federal reports on obligations and actual expenditures of Federal research and development spending.

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand and improve the program of loan forgiveness for teachers, and to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to focus the expenditure of certain recruitment and professional development funds on high-need local educational agencies.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2002

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise student loan forgiveness for teachers under the Federal Family Education Loan and Federal Direct Loan programs. Expands forgiveness eligibility by: (1) eliminating requirements allowing only certain new borrowers to participate; and (2) increasing the types of eligible teaching locations and subjects. Includes, as separate bases for eligibility, full-time teaching in: (1) a school qualifying for Perkins loan cancellation; (2) a school in a high-need local educational agency; (3) special education; or (4) mathematics or science. Eliminates a service requirement that an individual teach at least five consecutive complete school years before being eligible for program benefits. Increases to $20,000 the aggregate amount of an individual teacher's student loan obligation which may be forgiven, and revises the rate of repayment. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require State educational agencies to give priority to high-need local educational agencies, under a program of grants to States for preparing, training, and recruiting high-quality teachers and principals.

Homeland Security Information Sharing Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2002

Homeland Security Act of 2002 - Establishes a Department of Homeland Security (DHS), headed by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Establishes in DHS the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, headed by an Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. Critical Infrastructure Information Act of 2002 - Exempts from the Freedom of Information Act and other Federal and State disclosure requirements critical infrastructure information voluntarily submitted to a covered Federal agency for its use regarding the security of critical infrastructure and protected systems, analysis, warning, interdependency study, recovery, reconstitution, or other informational purpose. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish procedures for sharing information; and (2) appoint a senior Privacy Officer to assume primary responsibility for privacy policy. Cyber Security Enhancement Act of 2002 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend Federal sentencing guidelines and otherwise address crimes involving fraud in connection with computers and access to protected information, protected computers or restricted data in interstate or foreign commerce or involving a computer used by or for the Federal Government. Exempts from criminal penalties any emergency disclosures to a governmental entity by an electronic communication service and specified disclosures made in good faith. Abolishes the Office of Science and Technology of the National Institute of Justice and transfers its functions to an Office of Science and Technology hereby established within the Department of Justice. Requires the Director of the Office to operate and support National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers. Establishes in DHS: (1) a Directorate of Science and Technology, headed by an Under Secretary for Science and Technology; (2) a Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency; (3) a Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee; (4) a Homeland Security Institute; (5) a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security, headed by an Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security; and (6) the U.S. Customs Service (transferred from the Department of the Treasury, but with certain customs revenue functions remaining with the Secretary of the Treasury). Transfers to DHS certain agricultural inspection functions of the Department of Agriculture. Maintains the Transportation Security Administration, transferred to DHS from the Department of Transportation, as a distinct entity. Vests in the Secretary of DHS all authority relating to U.S. consular officials to grant or refuse visas for entry into the Unite States. Establishes in DHS an Office for Domestic Preparedness to prepare the United States for acts of terrorism. Transfers to Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization (INS Commissioner) all functions performed under the Border Patrol, detention and removal, intelligence, investigations, and inspections programs. Establishes in DHS: (1) a Bureau of Border Security, headed by an Assistant Secretary; (2) a Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, headed by a Director; and (3) a Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. Transfers from the INS Commissioner to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) functions under Federal immigration law with respect to the care of unaccompanied alien children. Abolishes the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) of the Department of Justice. Authorizes the Attorney General and the Secretary to: (1) make voluntary separation incentive payments to employees of the INS, the DHS Bureau of Border Security, and the DHS Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; and (2) conduct a demonstration project to determine whether changes in the policies or procedures relating to methods for disciplining employees would result in improved personnel management. Establishes within the Office of Deputy DHS Secretary a Director of Shared Services to coordinate resources for the Bureau of Border Security and the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Establishes in DHS a Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response, headed by an Under Secretary. Declares that, at the direction of the DHS Secretary (in connection with an actual or threatened terrorist attack, major disaster, or other emergency in the United States), the Nuclear Incident Response Team shall operate as an organizational unit of DHS. Provides for Johnny Micheal Spann Patriot Trusts for surviving spouses, children, or dependent parents, grandparents, or siblings of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, certain personnel (including contractors) of elements of the intelligence community, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employees, and Federal officers, employees, or contract employees whose deaths occur in the line of duty and arise out of terrorist attacks, military operations, intelligence operations, or law enforcement operations or accidents connected with activities occurring after September 11, 2001, and related to domestic or foreign efforts to curb international terrorism. Specifies the duties of the DHS Under Secretary for Management. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to assess information alleging abuses of civil rights, civil liberties, and racial and ethnic profiling by DHS employees and officials. Establishes within the Office of the DHS Secretary an Office for State and Local Government Coordination to oversee and coordinate departmental programs for and relationships with State and local governments. Subjects the DHS Inspector General to the Secretary's authority with respect to audits or investigations, or issuance of subpoenas, that require access to sensitive information concerning specified matters the disclosure of which would constitute a serious threat to national security. Specifies the law enforcement powers of Inspector General agents. Transfers the United States Secret Service to DHS. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into contracts with any foreign incorporated entity treated as an inverted domestic corporation (corporate expatriate). Authorizes the Secretary to establish a human resources management system for the organizational units of DHS. Declares that no agency or agency subdivision transferred to DHS shall be excluded from coverage of Federal civil service labor-management relations law unless: (1) the agency's (or subdivision's) mission and responsibilities materially change; and (2) a majority of the employees within such agency (or subdivision) have as their primary duty intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative work directly related to terrorism investigation. Prescribes requirements, including expedited procedures, for procurements for defense against or recovery from terrorism or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack. Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002' or the SAFETY Act - Authorizes the Secretary to designate anti-terrorism technologies that qualify for protection under a prescribed system of risk management (including mandatory liability insurance). Creates a Federal cause of action for claims arising out of, relating to, or resulting from an act of terrorism when qualified anti-terrorism technologies have been deployed in defense against or response or recovery from such act and such claims result or may result in loss to the Seller. Directs the Secretary to appoint a senior DHS counternarcotics officer to coordinate policy and operations within DHS and between it and other Federal agencies with respect to interdicting the entry of illegal drugs into the United States, and tracking and severing connections between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary an Office of International Affairs. Prohibits all Federal activities to implement the proposed component program of the Citizen Corps known as Operation TIPS (Terrorism Information and Prevention System). Establishes within the Office of the Secretary an Office for National Capital Region to oversee and coordinate Federal programs for and relationships with State, local, and regional authorities in the National Capital Region Coordination. Requires DHS to comply with Federal laws protecting equal employment opportunity and providing whistleblower protections. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a permanent Joint Interagency Homeland Security Task Force composed of representatives from military and civilian Federal agencies to anticipate terrorist threats and prevent terrorist attacks against the United States. Declares the sense of Congress reaffirming the continued importance and applicability of the Posse Comitatus Act prohibiting the use of the Armed Forces as a posse comitatus to execute the law except as expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress. Transfers the Coast Guard to DHS, but prohibits the Secretary from substantially or significantly reducing the missions of the Coast Guard or its capability to perform them, except as specified in subsequent Acts. Homeland Security Information Sharing Act - Directs the President to prescribe and implement procedures under which relevant Federal agencies: (1) share relevant and appropriate homeland security information with other Federal agencies, including DHS, and appropriate State and local personnel; (2) identify and safeguard homeland security information that is sensitive but unclassified; and (3) to the extent such information is in classified form, determine whether, how, and to what extent to remove classified information, as appropriate, and with which such personnel it may be shared after such information is removed. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to authorize the disclosure of grand jury information: (1) to personnel of a foreign government; and (2) to appropriate Federal, State, local, or foreign government officials to prevent or respond to specified hostile foreign power or domestic or international terrorist threats or actions, or foreign intelligence gathering activities. Authorizes Federal investigative or law enforcement officers to share electronic, wire, and oral interception information with foreign investigative or law enforcement officers. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President a National Homeland Security Council to: (1) assess U.S. objectives, commitments, and risks in the interest of homeland security; (2) oversee and review Federal homeland security policies; and (3) make recommendations to the President. Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 - Amends Federal law to revise requirements for the coordination of Federal information policy to require: (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oversee agency information security policies and practices; and (2) each Federal agency head to provide information security protections. Requires the Director to prescribe standards for Federal information systems based on proposals by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Renames the Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board. Transfers the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice. Establishes within ATF an Explosives Training and Research Facility at Fort AP Hill, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Safe Explosives Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for $50 one-year limited permits to receive explosive materials no more than six times during the permit period, and only from licensees or permittees whose premises are located in the State where the limited permittee resides. Prohibits limited permit holders from transporting, shipping, or receiving explosive materials in interstate or foreign commerce. Prohibits knowing distribution of explosive materials to or possession by: (1) certain illegal aliens; (2) persons with a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces; or (3) anyone who has renounced U.S. citizenship. Authorizes the Secretary to grant relief from specified prohibitions, depending on the relief applicant's record and reputation. Extends through calendar 2003 the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to declare an air carrier a victim of terrorism not liable for third party claims arising out of acts of terrorism. Grants the Secretary of Transportation authority to extend through calendar 2003 the termination date of any insurance policy issued to an air carrier. Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002 - Amends Federal civil service law to require the heads of specified agencies to appoint or designate Agency Chief Human Capital Officers to set agency workforce development strategy. Establishes a Chief Human Capital Officers Council. Requires OMB to design a set of systems for assessing the management of human capital by Federal agencies. Amends Federal civil service law to authorize OMB to establish alternative ranking and selection procedures for the competitive service hiring process. Provides for permanent extension and revision of authorities for use of voluntary separation incentive pay and voluntary early retirement. Amends Federal civil service law to repeal recertification requirements of the Senior Executive Service. Revises requirements with respect to employee academic degree training and the National Security Education Program. Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program to deputize volunteer pilots of passenger air carriers as Federal law enforcement officers to defend the aircraft flight decks with firearms or less-than-lethal weapons against acts of criminal violence or air piracy (Federal flight deck officers). Provides for flight crew training. Requires the President to transmit a DHS reorganization plan to the appropriate congressional committees within 60 days after enactment of this Act. Revises Federal transportation law with respect to airline transportation security. Allows U.S. nationals, as well as U.S. citizens, as airport screeners. Transfers to the DHS Secretary the mandate to protect Federal Government officers, employees, and property. of certain security and law enforcement functions and authorities. Establishes in the Department of Defense a National Bio-Weapons Defense Analysis Center. Amends Federal transportation law to extend certain requirements with respect to railroad and hazardous materials (hazmat) safety to railroad and hazmat security.

Judgment of the Court of First Instance (Second Chamber) of 12 November 2002. # José Manuel López Cejudo v Commission of the European Communities. # Officials - Remuneration - Dependent child allowance and education allowance paid to the parent with custody of the child - Refusal to recognise the other parent's entitlement to the allowances for the purpose of calculating the tax abatement and the expatriation allowance - Default interest. # Case T-271/01.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 12 November 2002

Befragung der Bundesregierung (G-SIG: 15000049)

Germany · German Bundestag · 6 November 2002

OECD-Bildungsbericht 2002

Council Regulation No 2322/2002 (Euratom) of 5 November 2002 concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in the implementation of the sixth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2002 to 2006)

European Union · EUR-Lex · 5 November 2002

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2002

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Associate Administrator of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants for newborn screening education and training, including followup.

Bekanntgabe der Bildung der Bundesregierung und Vereidigung der Bundesminister (G-SIG: 15000012)

Germany · German Bundestag · 22 October 2002

Joseph Fischer, Bundesminister des Auswärtigen; Otto Schily, Bundesminister des Innern; Brigitte Zypries, Bundesministerin der Justiz; Hans Eichel, Bundesminister der Finanzen; Wolfgang Clement, Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit; Renate Künast, Bundesministerin für Verbraucherschutz, Ernährung und Landwirtschaft; Dr. Peter Struck, Bundesminister der Verteidigung; Renate Schmidt, Bundesministerin für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend; Ulla Schmidt, Bundesministerin für Gesundheit und soziale Sicherung; Manfred Stolpe, Bundesminister für Verkehr, Bau- und Wohnungswesen; Jürgen Trittin, Bundesminister für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit; Edelgard Bulmahn, Bundesministerin für Bildung und Forschung; Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, Bundesministerin für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung

Sicherung der hohen Bildungsqualität

Austria · Federal Council · 21 October 2002

Anfrage der Bundesräte Jürgen Weiss, Christoph Hagen, Ilse Giesinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an die Bundesministerin für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur betreffend Sicherung der hohen Bildungsqualität

Smithsonian Institution Personnel Flexibility Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2002

Smithsonian Institution Personnel Flexibility Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (SI) to make voluntary separation incentives to certain SI employees. Requires such payments to be in accordance with a plan developed by SI in consultation with the Office of Management and the Budget. Sets forth the effect of such payments on an individual's subsequent employment with the Federal Government. Amends specified Federal law to authorize the SI Board of Regents to provide for additional space and resources for national collections held at the SI support facility in Suitland, Maryland. Authorizes the SI Board of Regents to provide for certain improvements to the Patent Office Building. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) SI has played a vital role in the preservation of American culture, including art and music; (2) SI's National Museum of American History should be commended for establishing a Jazz Appreciation Month; and (3) musicians, schools, colleges, libraries, concert halls, museums, radio and television stations, and other organizations should develop programs to explore, perpetuate, and honor jazz as a national and world treasure.

Youth Service Scholarship Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2002

Youth Service Scholarship Act of 2002 - 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.

Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2002

Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2002 - Amends title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using networks of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care. Prescribes program implementation guidelines, including: (1) application requirements; (2) screening; (3) training; (4) educational requirements; (5) Federal and non-Federal share of funds for the Program; (6) considerations in awarding grants; and (7) use of funds. Sets forth a maximum grant amount to be awarded to a State. Authorizes the Secretary to award a competitive grant to an eligible entity to establish a National Hotline Service or Website to provide information to individuals interested in becoming mentors to youth in foster care. Instructs the Secretary of Education to implement a program to provide for the discharge or cancellation of the Federal student loan indebtedness of an eligible mentor.

BLAST Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

Ballistics, Law Assistance, and Safety Technology Act (BLAST Act) - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require a licensed manufacturer or importer of firearms to: (1) test fire manufactured or imported firearms as specified by the Secretary of the Treasury; (2) prepare ballistics images of the fired bullet and cartridge casings; (3) make the records available to the Secretary for entry into a computerized database; and (4) store the fired bullet and cartridge casings. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary to assist firearm manufacturers and importers in complying with these requirements through: (1) the acquisition, disposition, and upgrades of ballistics equipment and bullet and cartridge casing recovery equipment; (2) the hiring or designation of personnel necessary to develop and maintain a ballistics database; (3) providing education about the role of ballistics; and (4) providing for the coordination among law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and the firearm industry to curb firearm-related crime and illegal firearm trafficking. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary to: (1) establish a computer system through which State and local law enforcement agencies can promptly access ballistics records; (2) encourage training for ballistics examiners; (3) report to Congress on the impact of this Act on criminal investigations, arrests, indictments, and prosecutions; and (4) conduct mandatory ballistics testing of all firearms obtained by or in the possession of their respective agencies. Prohibits the use of ballistics information of individual guns for prosecutorial purposes unless officials have a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that ballistics information would assist in the investigation.

Healthy Early Education Workforce Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

Healthy Early Education Workforce Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make an annual allotment to each State that submits an application for formula grants to provide access to affordable health benefits coverage for: (1) eligible child care providers and the staff of center-based child care providers; and (2) certain relatives of such providers and staff, at the discretion of the State involved. Sets forth the following permissible activities for such grants: (1) to reimburse an employer or other individual specified under this Act for premiums or other costs for coverage under group or individual plans; (2) to offset the cost of enrolling individuals in public health benefits plans; and (3) to otherwise subsidize the cost of health benefits coverage to individuals specified under this Act. Requires a State to match at least 50 percent of the costs of the activities for which it receives a grant. Specifies portions of the funds appropriated under this Act to go to U.S. territories and possessions and Indian tribes. Sets forth a formula for calculating the amount to be received by each State (including the District of Columbia). Directs the Secretary to conduct an evaluation of several State programs representing various approaches to raising the rate of child workers with health benefits coverage.

Obesity Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

Obesity Prevention Act - Amends the National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Education to award grants to State educational agencies to assist in creating model nutrition education and physical fitness programs. Lists activities that grant funds may be used for, including the development and implementation of State standards in health. Directs the Secretary to award grants to educational agencies, at least one per State, for the establishment of pilot projects for purposes of promoting healthy eating habits and increasing physical fitness. Lists activities that grant funds may be used for, including the development and implementation of nutrition education programs and curricula. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program that encourages States to implement plans to carry out activities to assist obese children or children at risk of becoming obese. Sets forth a matching requirement for Federal grants of at least 15 percent of the costs of such activities. Establishes a Commission on Obesity Treatment and Prevention to oversee research, policy formation, and other activities of the Federal Government regarding the prevention and treatment of obesity. Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Education to establish the "President's Health and Fitness Awards" for elementary and secondary schools. Requires the Secretaries to establish "President's Health and Fitness Teacher Achievement Awards" for teachers, coaches, or related personnel and for local educational agencies. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to include nutrition and health education programs in authorized local activities under 21st century community learning centers.

Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2002 - Deauthorizes the Blunt Reservoir feature of the Oahe Irrigation Project authorized as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program. Allows preferential leaseholders (original landowners or descendants, or operators of the land at the time of purchase) of parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal an option to purchase from the Commission of Schools and Public Lands of South Dakota the land they lease. Sets terms for such purchases. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey all preferential lease parcels not purchased by the leaseholder to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project. Directs the Secretary to convey to the Department the nonpreferential leased parcels and unleased parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project. Requires the Governor of South Dakota, or a designee of the Governor (the "Governor"), to accept certain conditions of conveyance, including that: (1) the State receives the land conveyed in "as is" condition; (2) the State assumes responsibility for any liabilities accruing after the date of conveyance as a result of ownership, operation or maintenance of such land; (3) the Federal Government retains all oil, gas, and mineral rights; (4) the property shall continue to be used for wildlife conservation; and (5) title shall revert to the United States if the land is needed for national defense purposes. Authorizes the Governor to allow a person to exchange other land in South Dakota for a nonpreferential lease parcel or unleased parcel at Blunt Reservoir or Pierre Canal. Permits the United States a perpetual easement for a water conveyance structure over, under, across, or through the Pierre Canal Feature.

Medically Accurate and Objective Sex Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

Medically Accurate and Objective Sex Education Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit elementary or schools that receive ESEA funds from providing any factual information that is not medically accurate and objective in the course material or instruction for any sex education course.

College Tuition Assistance Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

College Tuition Assistance Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the applicable dollar amount for the qualified tuition and related expenses deduction from $3,000 (for 2002 and 2003) and $4,000 (for 2004 and 2005) to $10,000. Increases the Lifetime Learning Credit percentage from 20 to 28 percent. Permits the student loan interest deduction on a per student basis. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend and increase Pell grant maximum amounts ($6,500 for academic year 2003-2004 and $7,000 for academic year 2004-2005).

Early Education Employee Benefit Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

Early Education Employee Benefit Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make competitive matching grants to States and local governments to: (1) enter Early Education Benefit Agreements with private partners to provide part of the cost of Early Education Benefits, which reduce costs incurred by employees and union members to obtain early education (including child care, preschool, and other early childhood programs); or (2) make Early Education Start-Up Grants to assist private partners to pay part of the cost of acquiring, building, and renovating physical premises to be used as new early education facilities, if such partners subsidize attendance at those facilities for children of lower-paid employees or union members.

Disaster Relief for Our Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002

Disaster Relief for Our Schools Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants for disaster relief to local educational agencies in any area for which the President has declared a major disaster pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

337 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will enter into negotiations with his colleagues, the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science, with a view to dramatically addressing the urgent need for custodial or care places for juveniles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18393/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

337 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will enter into negotiations with his colleagues, the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science, with a view to dramatically addressing the urgent need for custodial or care places for juveniles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18393/02]

257 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy training places announced by him and by the Minister for Education and Science in May 2002 to commence in autumn 2002 which have been provided and have commenced training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

257 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy training places announced by him and by the Minister for Education and Science in May 2002 to commence in autumn 2002 which have been provided and have commenced training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/02]

241 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his estimate of the average index of inflation between the last quarter of 2001 and the last quarter of 2002 in the cost of employment goods and services which make up his Department's expenditure. [18424/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

241 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his estimate of the average index of inflation between the last quarter of 2001 and the last quarter of 2002 in the cost of employment goods and services which make up his Department's expenditure. [18424/02]

240 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the adjustments which he plans to introduce in the last quarter of 2002 in order to bring the overall spending for the year in line with the moneys provided in the Estimates. [18417/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

240 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the adjustments which he plans to introduce in the last quarter of 2002 in order to bring the overall spending for the year in line with the moneys provided in the Estimates. [18417/02]

239 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money that remains available to his Department from the voted spending allocation agreed in the Revised Estimates 2002, to spend in the last quarter of 2002 for capital spending and for current spending; and the way in which this compares with the amount spent for current and for capital purposes in the last quarter of 2001. [18410/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

239 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money that remains available to his Department from the voted spending allocation agreed in the Revised Estimates 2002, to spend in the last quarter of 2002 for capital spending and for current spending; and the way in which this compares with the amount spent for current and for capital purposes in the last quarter of 2001. [18410/02]

238 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the stage the building and upgrading of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford is at; and if his attention has been drawn to the condition of this school and to the fact that this school was to be brought up to standard by the end of 2002. [18376/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

238 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the stage the building and upgrading of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford is at; and if his attention has been drawn to the condition of this school and to the fact that this school was to be brought up to standard by the end of 2002. [18376/02]

237 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the stage an application for building works at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford is at; when the building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

237 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the stage an application for building works at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford is at; when the building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/02]

236 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if additional hours of teaching of a learning support resource teacher on a one-to-one basis can be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [18374/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

236 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if additional hours of teaching of a learning support resource teacher on a one-to-one basis can be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [18374/02]

234 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the acquisition of a suitable site for the provision of a new facility for Ballytarsna national school, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18358/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

234 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the acquisition of a suitable site for the provision of a new facility for Ballytarsna national school, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18358/02]

233 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science when free primary school transport will be provided for a disabled pupil who is confined to a wheelchair and has failed to locate a wheelchair-accessible taxi to go to a school (details supplied). [18325/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

233 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science when free primary school transport will be provided for a disabled pupil who is confined to a wheelchair and has failed to locate a wheelchair-accessible taxi to go to a school (details supplied). [18325/02]

232 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will attend to matters for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [18290/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

232 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will attend to matters for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [18290/02]

231 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the programmes in place to ensure primary school teachers receive training in teaching of special needs pupils who are in mainstream education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18262/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

231 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the programmes in place to ensure primary school teachers receive training in teaching of special needs pupils who are in mainstream education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18262/02]

230 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends to provide a special needs class in the Naas town area of County Kildare to cater for special needs pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18261/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

230 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends to provide a special needs class in the Naas town area of County Kildare to cater for special needs pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18261/02]

229 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will explain the reason for the delay in providing a laptop computer to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18260/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

229 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will explain the reason for the delay in providing a laptop computer to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18260/02]

228 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will find a suitable secondary school placement for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who has verbal dyspraxia; the role his Department can play in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18258/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

228 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will find a suitable secondary school placement for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who has verbal dyspraxia; the role his Department can play in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18258/02]

227 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science his aims and objectives regarding the provision of special needs education for primary and secondary school students; the legislation proposed to deal with this issue; the legislative rights of students in relation to such education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18256/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

227 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science his aims and objectives regarding the provision of special needs education for primary and secondary school students; the legislation proposed to deal with this issue; the legislative rights of students in relation to such education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18256/02]

226 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if an investigation will be carried out into the alleged major injustice that occurred in the results of the 2002 leaving certificate classical studies at Hewitt College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18213/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

226 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if an investigation will be carried out into the alleged major injustice that occurred in the results of the 2002 leaving certificate classical studies at Hewitt College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18213/02]

225 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) is being charged fees in view of the fact that this person has never received support in the past from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18199/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

225 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) is being charged fees in view of the fact that this person has never received support in the past from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18199/02]

224 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's evaluation of the cost of going to college for an adjacent student and one living away from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18198/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

224 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's evaluation of the cost of going to college for an adjacent student and one living away from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18198/02]

223 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost in today's terms of administering the third level fees scheme prior to the removal of such fees in the mid-1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18196/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

223 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost in today's terms of administering the third level fees scheme prior to the removal of such fees in the mid-1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18196/02]

221 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of secondary schools in County Kerry with and without a full time career guidance teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18193/02]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 October 2002

221 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of secondary schools in County Kerry with and without a full time career guidance teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18193/02]