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Bill· HRH.R. 1248 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services Subtitle D: Community Initiatives Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement Subtitle H. National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs Title II: Sexual Assault Prevention Violence Against Women Act of 1999 - Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (the Act) to authorize appropriations for grants to combat violent crimes against women. (Sec. 102) Revises grant allocation guidelines governing prosecution grants, victims' services and State court systems,. Expands grant purposes to include training that addresses sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking for State, local, and tribal judicial personnel, as well as training of sexual assault forensic nurse examiners, and supporting the development of sexual assault response teams. Directs the Attorney General to deny State grant applications that fail to provide documentation of collaborative efforts with other agencies or organizations. Redefines "victims' services" to include advocacy and assistance for victims seeking legal, social, and health care services. Includes as a prerequisite for Federal reimbursement of forensic medical exams of victims of sexual assault that the participating governmental entity notify all victims that such reimbursement is neither contingent upon the victim's report to law enforcement officials, nor upon the victim's cooperation in the prosecution of the assault. (Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for purposes of coordinating with: (1) victim services activities; and (2) Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence-against-women activities. Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize increased appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline grant. Requires grantees to submit a grant evaluation report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the HHS Secretary) for publication and public comment as a prerequisite to a grant award or renewal. Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services - Battered Women's Shelters and Services Act - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations for State grants. Modifies guidelines governing: (1) allotment of appropriations; (2) grants for information and technical assistance centers; and (3) authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 123) Instructs the HHS Secretary to award grants for: (1) State domestic violence coalitions and local domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, in order to develop model strategies to address domestic violence in underserved populations; (2) each State domestic violence coalition for an emergency assistance fund for domestic violence victims; (3) technical assistance and training for State and local domestic violence programs; and (4) private, nonprofit, tribal domestic violence coalitions with representatives from a majority of the programs for victims of domestic violence operating within Indian reservations, and programs whose primary focus is the populations of such Indian country. Subtitle D: Community Initiatives - Authorizes appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel - Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 to permit training grants for judges and court personnel to include: (1) child custody, visitation, and safety issues raised by domestic violence and child sexual assault; and (2) the extent to which addressing domestic violence and victim safety contributes to the efficient administration of justice. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies - Amends the Act to reauthorize appropriations to implement the functions of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. (Sec. 153) Mandates that at least five percent of appropriated funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments to treat domestic violence as a serious violation of criminal law. Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement. Mandates that five percent of such funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments. Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for grants to enter stalking and domestic violence data into crime information databases. Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors - Amends the Safe Streets for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for the United States Attorneys to appoint Victim-Witness counselors for the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for street-based outreach and education to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation. Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs - Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; and (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners. (Sec. 195) Amends the Act to authorize appropriations for grants for closed-circuit televising of testimony of child abuse victims. Title II: Sexual Assault Prevention - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the use of certain State funds exclusively for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers and private nonprofit nongovernmental State and tribal sexual assault coalitions for specified programs. (Sec. 201) Instructs the HHS Secretary to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault when appropriations reach a specified minimum level. Mandates that State grantors ensure that at least 25 percent of the funds are devoted to educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school aged students. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1236 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999
Designates the Department of Housing and Urban Development headquarters at 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C., as the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building.
Bill· HRH.R. 1112 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Children's Development Commission Act (Kiddie Mac) - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages for: (1) new or rehabilitated child care and development facilities, including mortgage insurance for fire safety equipment loans; and (2) purchase or refinance of existing child care and development facilities. Establishes the Children's Development Commission which shall: (1) issue facility standards and compliance certifications; and (2) make loans not in excess of $50,000 for facility rehabilitation or renovation. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of the availability of child care facility secondary mortgage markets.
Bill· HRH.R. 1139 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Funding for Child Care Title II: Dependent Care Tax Credit Reform Title III: Grants to Business Consortia Subtitle A: Grant Program Subtitle B: General Provisions Title IV: After School Program Subtitle A: 21st Century Community Learning Centers Subtitle B: After School Snacks Title V: Model States Early Learning Program Title VI: Child Care Worker Incentives Title VII: Research and Demonstration Program Title VIII: Miscellaneous Subtitle A: Child and Adult Food Program Subtitle B: Mortgage Insurance for Child Care and Development Facilities Subtitle C: Sense of the Congress Affordable Child Care, Education, Security, and Safety Act - Title I: Funding for Child Care - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to make appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for child care subsidy funding under the title IV part A program of Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). (Sec. 101) Reserves specified portions of such funds for payments to Indian tribes and for quality assurance and quality improvement activities relating to programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA). Provides for allotment of funds among the States and territories according to a specified formula, or for matching payments based on certain portions of their expenditures for specified purposes authorized under CCDBGA. Requires targeting of at least 70 percent of such subsidy for child care assistance funds to working non-welfare families, who are not TANF recipients under a State or territory program. Title II: Dependent Care Tax Credit Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the dependent care tax credit and to provide an equivalent benefit where one parent stays at home to provide child care for child under age one. (Sec. 202) Allows a business-related tax credit for employer expenses for employer-provided child care assistance. (Sec. 203) Allows the dependent care credit against the alternative minimum tax. Title III: Grants to Business Consortia - Subtitle A: Grant Program - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to States to provide grants to eligible entities to improve access to affordable, local, quality child care services. (Sec. 301) Makes eligible for such a grant a consortium that: (1) has not received a grant under this title; and (2) consists of representatives from at least five businesses (or a nonprofit organization that represents at least five businesses), each of which, to the maximum extent practicable, is located in the same geographic region. Requires States to give priority, in providing such grants, to eligible entities that consist of a majority of representatives from small businesses. Sets a maximum limit on the amount of any such grant provided to an eligible entity for any fiscal year. (Sec. 302) Sets forth requirements for grant applications, use of funds, and matching funds. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for such child care services grants to business consortia. Title IV: After School Program - Subtitle A: 21st Century Community Learning Centers - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 401) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 402) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 403) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 405) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. Subtitle B: After School Snacks - Amends the National School Lunch Act to provide for participation by certain additional institutions under the child and adult care food program. Allows such institutions to claim reimbursements for meal supplements which they serve without charge to children in afterschool care. (Sec. 411) Revises eligibility requirements for meal supplements for children in afterschool care. Title V: Model States Early Learning Program - Amends SSA title IV part A (TANF) to make appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for model States early learning programs. Provides for allotment of funds among the States, territories, and Indian tribes according to a specified formula, or for matching payments based on portions of their expenditures for an early learning program under CCDBGA. (Sec. 501) Amends CCDBGA to establish the Model States Early Learning Program. Sets forth program requirements for State participation and plans, allowable activities, and annual reports. Title VI: Child Care Worker Incentives - Child Care Worker Incentive Act of 1999 - Amends CCDBGA to establish a national child care provider scholarship program. (Sec. 602) Sets forth eligibility criteria for scholarship applicants, including: (1) demonstrated commitment to a child care career; (2) cost sharing by the applicant and employer; and (3) the employer's agreement to provide increased financial incentives to the employee upon completion of the education or training. Includes such program under requirements for State plans, allotments, payments, and annual reports. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Research and Demonstration Program - Amends CCDBGA to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), directly or through grants, contracts, or other arrangements, to carry out research, demonstration projects, and other activities relating to child care, including activities designed to improve the quality and increase the availability of child care. (Sec. 701) Includes among allowable activities under such research and demonstrations program: (1) research on child care needs of low-income families, on good policies and practices, and on retention of child care provider staff; (2) demonstrations of technology-based education and training; (3) demonstration projects for new methods; (4) a National Center on Child Care Statistics; and (5) a hotline to locate local child care resources, and child care consumer education activities. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Child and Adult Food Program - Amends the National School Lunch Act to increase reimbursement rates for family or group day care homes under the child and adult care food program. Subtitle B: Mortgage Insurance for Child Care and Development Facilities - Children's Development Commission Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages for: (1) new or rehabilitated child care and development facilities, including mortgage insurance for fire safety equipment loans; and (2) purchase or refinance of existing child care and development facilities. (Sec. 855) Establishes the Children's Development Commission which shall: (1) issue facility standards and compliance certifications; and (2) make loans not in excess of $50,000 for facility rehabilitation or renovation. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress on: (1) a plan for establishing an independent foundation to support research on child care and development facilities, fund pilot programs to test innovative methods for improving child care, and assist persons interested in mortgage insurance and other Commission assistance; and (2) a study of capital needs of center-based child care in low-income communities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 856) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study the availability of child care facility secondary mortgage markets. Subtitle C: Sense of the Congress - Expresses the sense of the Congress that funds should be appropriated under the amendments made by this Act to the maximum extent authorized and consistently with achieving a balanced Federal budget.
Bill· HRH.R. 1126 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Amends Federal law to repeal the provision providing certain newly-constructed multifamily housing in New York City, New York, with an exception from specified automatic sprinkler fire prevention requirements.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 39 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Constitutional Amendment - States that all U.S. citizens shall have a right to a home, which right shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State.
Bill· HRH.R. 1073 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999
Homeless Housing Programs Consolidation and Flexibility Act - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Act) to authorize appropriations through FY 2004 for the Federal Emergency Management Agency food and shelter program. (Sec. 5) Consolidates the existing homeless housing programs under title IV of such Act into a permanent housing development and flexible block grant homeless assistance program. Makes grants available to States, cities, urban counties, and insular areas. Defines "eligible grantees" to be: (1) with respect to grants for insular areas, the insular area, or a designated entity, including a private nonprofit entity; and (2) with respect to grants for permanent housing development and flexible assistance, the State, local government, or designated entity. Authorizes grantees to transfer funds for eligible activities to project sponsors. Sets forth selection criteria. Sets forth allocation provisions for: (1) insular areas; (2) permanent housing development grants; and (3) flexible block grant homeless assistance. Sets forth matching fund and program requirements. Requires consultation regarding the use of available National Guard facilities as homeless shelters. Establishes and obligates funds for a companion services block grant program to be carried out through the Interagency Council on the Homeless in cases of inadequate assistance for the homeless. Authorizes permanent housing development grant use to construct, rehabilitate, or acquire permanent housing. Prohibits fund use for supportive services. Requires: (1) at least 50 percent use through nonprofit organizations (with an available waiver); and (2) targeting of special populations. Authorizes flexible block grant use for: (1) construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, leasing, and operation of supportive housing; (2) homelessness prevention; (3) permanent housing activities; (4) emergency shelter; (5) supportive services; and (6) technical assistance. Requires at least 50 percent use through nonprofit organizations (with an available waiver). Includes within supportive housing transitional housing, single room occupancy dwellings, and safe haven housing. Considers a facility as emergency shelter if it is designed to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for the homeless, including eating and cooking accommodations. Sets forth reporting requirements for: (1) grantees; and (2) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. (Sec. 6) Revises responsibilities of the Interagency Council on the Homeless. Extends the Council's termination date through October 1, 2004. Obligates specified amounts for the Council from appropriations to carry out such Act. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to request that each executive agency identify facilities under its jurisdiction that would be suitable for overnight homeless shelters. (Sec. 8) Repeals specified provisions and makes conforming amendments to the following Acts: (1) HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 (innovative homeless initiatives); (2) Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (FHA single family property disposition for homeless use); (3) Housing Act of 1949 (housing for rural homeless and migrant farmworkers); (4) United States Housing Act of 1937 (SRO assistance program); and (5) Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (youthbuild). (Sec. 9) Provides that: (1) existing agreements will not be abrogated by this Act; and (2) previously obligated funds will be subject to such Act as in effect prior to enactment of this Act.
Bill· SS. 583 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Title II: Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Assistance Disaster Mitigation Act of 1999 - Title I: Predisaster Hazards Mitigation - Authorizes the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program of technical and financial assistance to States and local governments that implement predisaster mitigation measures to reduce injuries and loss of life and property damage and destruction, including damage to their critical public infrastructure and facilities. Requires the Director to provide financial assistance from the National Predisaster Mitigation Fund (established under this Act) to each State or local government that has identified all natural disaster hazards in its jurisdiction and has demonstrated its ability to form effective public-private disaster mitigation, to be used: (1) principally to implement the predisaster hazard mitigation measures contained in proposals approved by the Director; (2) to support effective public- private partnerships; (3) to ensure that new community growth and construction is disaster resistant; and (4) to improve the assessment of a community's natural hazards vulnerabilities or set a community's mitigation priorities. Requires the Director to take into account when establishing priorities for predisaster mitigation grants: (1) the level and nature of the risks to be mitigated; (2) grantee commitment to reduce damages from future disaster; and (3) commitment by the State or local government to support ongoing non-Federal support for the mitigation measures to be undertaken. Limits grant amounts to 75 percent of the total costs of the mitigation proposal(s) approved by the Director. (Sec. 103) Increases from 15 to 20 percent the maximum contribution for hazard mitigation costs with respect to a major disaster declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act after the enactment date of this Act. Title II: Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Assistance - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President to publish rules to require States, communities, or other applicants to protect property through self- insurance or adequate mitigation measures if the appropriate State insurance commissioner makes a certification regarding a reasonable amount of insurance and the President determines that the property is not adequately protected against natural or other disasters. (Sec. 202) Directs the President to: (1) establish management cost rates for disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance grantees and subgrantees; (2) review such rates at least every three years; and (3) promulgate regulations to define costs to be included in management costs. (Sec. 203) Limits the Federal share of assistance provided to 75 percent of the eligible costs of the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of damaged public and private facilities. Directs the President to publish rules to reduce the Federal share of assistance for such costs for eligible public or private facilities that have previously received significant disaster assistance on multiple occasions. Provides for the determination of eligible costs and the modification of such costs. Requires the President, through the Director of FEMA, to establish an expert panel for the determination of such costs. (Sec. 204) Rewrites temporary housing assistance provisions of such Act. Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to disaster victims who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means, including insurance proceeds or loan or other financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) or another Federal agency. (Provides that the inability to meet such expenses and needs through loan or other financial assistance from the SBA shall not apply to provisions governing temporary housing rental assistance, or permanent housing construction.) Authorizes the President to provide financial or other appropriate assistance (for up to 18 months) to households that are displaced or whose primary residences are rendered uninhabitable as a result of such a disaster. Authorizes the President to provide the following types of housing assistance: (1) financial assistance to households to rent alternate housing accommodations, existing rental units, manufactured housing, recreational vehicles, or other readily fabricated dwellings; (2) housing units, acquired by purchase or lease, directly to households who would be unable to use such financial assistance; (3) up to $5,000 in financial assistance to households for emergency repairs to return owner-occupied primary residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure damaged by a major disaster to a habitable or functioning condition; and (4) financial or direct assistance to construct permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United States and in other remote locations if no alternative housing resources are available. Sets forth terms and conditions governing the location and disposal of fabricated dwellings provided under this section. Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance to a household adversely affected by a major disaster: (1) to meet disaster-related medical, dental, or funeral expenses; and (2) to address personal property, transportation, and other expenses or needs. Directs the President to provide for substantial involvement of the affected State in administering assistance under this section. Limits to $25,000 the maximum amount of financial assistance that a household may receive under this section for a single major disaster.
Bill· SS. 576 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1999
Financial Regulatory Relief and Economic Efficiency Act of 1999 - Title I: Improving Monetary Policy and Financial Institution Management Practices - Amends the Federal Reserve Act (FRA) to permit interest payments on reserves maintained at a Federal reserve bank. (Sec. 102) Authorizes any depository institution, before January 1, 2001, to permit the owner of any interest- or dividend-bearing deposit or account to make up to 24 transfers per month, for any purpose, to another account of the owner in the same institution. Repeals the limitation on the authority of a depository institution to permit the owner of any deposit or account to make withdrawals by negotiable or transferable instruments for transfers to third parties. (Currently, the latter authority may be applied only with respect to the accounts of charitable, religious, and other nonprofit organizations, as well as to Federal, State, and local governments.) Amends the FRA, the Home Owners' Loan Act (HOLA), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to repeal the prohibition against interest or dividend payments on demand deposits. (Sec. 103) Amends HOLA to: (1) repeal savings association liquid asset and dividend notice requirements; (2) repeal certain restrictions on interstate acquisitions that result in the formation of a multiple savings and loan holding company which controls savings and loan associations in more than one State; and (3) permit a savings and loan holding company, with the prior approval by the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, to acquire more than five percent of the voting shares of a non-subsidiary savings association or non-subsidiary savings and loan holding company. (Sec. 108) Amends the FDIA to repeal deposit broker notification and recordkeeping requirements. (Sec. 109) Amends the FRA to reserve to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) (currently, the appropriate Federal banking agency) the authority to promulgate regulations on extensions of credit to executive officers of member banks. (Sec. 110) Amends the National Bank Consolidation and Merger Act to prescribe expedited procedures permitting a national banking association to: (1) reorganize as either a bank holding company, or as a bank holding company subsidiary; or (2) merge with subsidiaries or nonbank affiliates. (Sec. 111) Amends Federal banking law to increase from one year to three years the term of the national bank director. Amends the Banking Act of 1933 to authorize the Comptroller of the Currency to exempt a national banking association from the 25-member limit on the number of members of an association's governing body. (Sec. 113) Amends Federal banking law and the FDIA to: (1) repeal the mandate that the purchase or acquisition by a national banking association or depository institution of its own capital stock to prevent loss upon a previously contracted debt be disposed of within six months from the time of purchase; and (2) provide that if an institution acquires its own stock to prevent loss upon a debt previously contracted for in good faith, such transaction shall not be deemed to be a loan or discount on the security of its own capital stock. Exempts from the prohibition against depository institution affiliation with a Government-sponsored enterprise any investments in such an enterprise lawfully made before April 11, 1996. (Sec. 115) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to increase from 90 percent to 100 percent of fair market value the permissible valuation of readily marketable purchased mortgage servicing rights that may be included in calculating an insured depository institution's tangible capital, risk-based capital, or leverage limit, if the Federal regulatory agencies jointly find that such an increase will not adversely affect the deposit insurance funds or the safety and soundness of insured depository institutions. (Sec. 116) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (BHCA) to: (1) repeal certain cross-marketing restrictions placed upon banks controlled by certain companies that are not treated as bank holding companies; (2) preserve the exemption from bank holding company treatment of certain companies whose limited purpose bank subsidiary may have permitted overdrafts resulting from an inadvertent computer or accounting error beyond the control of both the bank and the affiliate (daylight overdrafts); (3) repeal the prohibition against activities of limited purpose banks in which they were not engaged before March 5, 1987 (but continuing the prohibition against their both accepting demand deposits and engaging in the business of commercial lending); and (4) authorize actions which limited purpose banks may take to avoid divestiture following loss of exemption from treatment as bank holding companies. Title II: Streamlining Activities of Institutions - Amends the HOLA to permit community development investments for the primary purpose of promoting the public welfare, including housing, services, and jobs for low- and moderate-income communities. (Sec. 202) Amends the FRA to terminate the power of the Board to set lending limitations upon member banks' extension of loans that are collateralized by stocks and bonds (thus eliminating the Board's duty to prevent undue use of bank loans for the speculative carrying of securities). (Sec. 203) Amends the BHCA to permit certain banks and bank holding companies to extend credit card accounts for business purposes, including the issuance of such accounts to small businesses. (Sec. 204) Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to exempt from its prohibition against kickbacks and unearned fees the transfer to an affinity group of any thing of value in connection with its written endorsement to a consumer of the products or services of a settlement service provider (other than as to a federally related mortgage loan), the proceeds of which are used to acquire the property securing the loan, if: (1) the consumer receives a direct financial benefit from such endorsement; and (2) such payment is clearly disclosed to the consumer at the time of the first written communication with the consumer. (Sec. 205) Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to permit: (1) debt collection in connection with certain bad-check penalties not exceeding $25; (2) continuation of collection activities and legal proceedings during the thirty-day initial notice period in which the debtor may dispute a debt and ask for its verification; and (3) a debt collector to engage in third-party communications without the consumer's consent if a prejudgment administrative wage garnishment has been obtained pursuant to the Higher Education Act of 1965. (Sec. 206) Amends BHCA to exempt from treatment as a bank holding company any company that acquires control from the Resolution Trust Corporation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision of more than five percent of the shares of an undercapitalized bank, savings association, or other insured institution. (Sec. 207) Revises HOLA guidelines governing reorganization by a mutual savings association into a holding company. (Sec. 208) Mandates that the Federal banking agencies work jointly to develop: (1) electronic filing and public dissemination of depository institution status reports (call reports); and (2) uniform formats and simplified filing instructions for such reports. Title III: Streamlining Agency Actions - Amends the FDIA to: (1) repeal the mandate that Federal banking agencies develop jointly a method for supplemental disclosures in required Federal filings of the estimated fair market value of depository institution assets and liabilities; (2) authorize the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to establish the interest rate for or make post- insolvency interest payments to creditors' claims against the receivership estates of insured Federal or State depository institutions following satisfaction by the receiver of the principal amount of all creditor claims; and (3) mandate that Federal banking agencies jointly submit an annual report to certain congressional banking committees regarding differences in accounting and capital standards used by such agencies (currently such reports must be filed by the agencies individually). (Sec. 304) Requires the agency responsible for review of the competitive factors in bank merger filings, to request a report solely from the Attorney General (currently, from the Attorney General and the other Federal banking agencies). Amends the BHCA and the FDIA to require the Board and the responsible agency, respectively, to consider specified criteria concerning competitive effects before disapproving a bank merger transaction on the grounds of disproportionate anticompetitive effects. (Sec. 305) Amends the FDIA and the Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 to eliminate the Special Reserve of the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF), and the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), respectively (established to provide emergency funds if the reserve ratio of either fund remains below 50 percent of its designated ratio for one year). Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth requirements for alternative compliance methods for advertising credit terms. (Sec. 402) Revises the positions of Board members on the Executive Schedule (increasing their salary levels). (Sec. 403) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (FHLBA) to eliminate the position of consumer representative from mandatory membership on the board of directors of the Federal Housing Finance Board. (Sec.404) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to exclude from the definition of "bank" an institution which engages only in credit card operations and making and purchasing specified aggregate loan amounts to help meet the credit needs of low-and moderate-income persons and neighborhoods or to promote economic development by financing small businesses or farms. Title V: Technical Corrections - Makes technical corrections to related Acts. (Sec. 503) Amends Federal banking law to: (1) authorize the Comptroller of the Currency to waive the citizenship requirement for a minority of the total number of directors sitting on the board of a national bank; (2) declare it is unlawful for the Comptroller to hold an interest in any national bank; and (3) repeal specified capital and surplus requirements for national banking associations. (Sec. 504) Amends the International Bank Act of 1978 to modify examination requirements pertaining to establishment and operation by a foreign bank of Federal branches and agencies.
Bill· HRH.R. 1050 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1999
A Living Wage, Jobs for All Act - Declares that the Congress affirms the basic economic rights and responsibilities under the 1944 "Economic Bill of Rights," while updating and extending it to include: (1) certain rights to decent jobs, income security for individuals unable to work for pay, a decent living for farm families, freedom from monopolies, decent housing, adequate health services, social security in old age, sickness, accidental injury, and unemployment, and education and work training; and (2) certain other rights relating to collective bargaining, a safe working environment, information on trends in pollution sources and products and processes that affect the well-being of workers throughout the world, voting and campaigning, and personal security. Recognizes specified personal responsibilities of persons benefitting from such rights. (Sec. 3) Sets forth requirements relating to corporate responsibility. Requires each corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to include in its annual reports to the SEC a full and fair disclosure of the impact of its activities in the United States and other countries on environmental quality and on the rights of other stakeholders, including employees, consumers, and communities. Requires each State, in order to be entitled to receive any Federal grants or enter into any Federal contracts, to have initiated a time-phased program to require that all State-chartered corporations submit annual reports including such disclosures of information. Requires the Secretary of Labor and the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) identify corporations that have gone the furthest in managing their enterprises with responsible action toward environmental quality and the rights of other stakeholders, including employees, consumers, and communities; and (2) recommend to the President a special annual award to those chief executives and boards of directors that have made the greatest progress in this direction. Directs the Attorney General, with the assistance of business leaders and organizations, to establish an ongoing computerized registration program of all corporations found guilty of violating a Federal or State law. Authorizes the President, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation, to deny Federal contracts, loans, or loan guarantees to non-compliant corporations. Makes it the responsibility of each Federal agency and commission, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, to perform so as to help establish and maintain conditions under which all adult Americans may freely exercise the economic rights specified in 1944 and in this Act. Prohibits Federal agencies or commissions from directly or indirectly promoting recession, stagnation, or unemployment as a means of reducing wages and salaries or inflation. (Sec. 4) Directs the President to establish a framework for the annual budget submitted to the Congress that meets specified goals with respect to: (1) quality of life and environment; (2) responsible and sustainable growth; (3) reduction of officially measured unemployment; and (4) support for international human rights declarations. Requires such framework also to include specific legislative proposals, budgets, and executive policies and initiatives such as: (1) conversion from military to civilian economy; (2) truth in budgets; (3) improved indicators of progress and regress; (4) anti-inflation policies; (5) lower real interest rates; (6) public works and services; (7) international economic policy; (8) international conferences on reducing unemployment and underemployment; (9) reductions in work hours; (10) part-time employment with social benefits; (11) insurance protection for pension fund investments; and (12) other specified matters. (Sec. 5) Mandates Joint Economic Committee oversight of actions under this Act. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to submit an annual Concurrent Resolution on Economic Policy setting forth its proposed goals for employment by type of employment, with special attention to hours, wages, and social benefits, and for reducing unemployment, underemployment, and poverty in urban, suburban and rural areas. Requires these goals to serve as the framework for any concurrent resolutions on the Federal budget. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 16 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1999
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government National Mortgage Association guaranty fee should not be increased.
Bill· SS. 544 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture Chapter 2: Funds Appropriated to the President Chapter 3: Department of the Interior Chapter 4: Independent Agency Title II: Supplemental Appropriations Chapter 1: Department of Justice Chapter 2: Department of Defense--Military Chapter 3: Department of the Interior Chapter 4: Related Agency Chapter 5: Department of Defense Chapter 6: Department Of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Rescissions and Offsets Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture Chapter 2: Department of Justice Chapter 3: Department of Defense--Military Chapter 4: Bilateral Economic Assistance Chapter 5: Department of the Interior Chapter 6: Department of Labor Chapter 7: Department of Defense Chapter 8: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title IV: Technical Corrections Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations and rescissions for recovery from natural disasters and foreign assistance, for FY 1999. Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture, for emergency grants to assist low-income migrant and seasonal farm workers; (2) the Farm Service Agency, for salaries and expenses, the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund program account, and the Emergency Conservation Program; (3) the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund, for a livestock indemnity program; (4) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, for Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations; and (5) the Rural Housing Service, for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund program account and for rural housing assistance grants. Chapter 2 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the President for : (1) the Agency for International Development, for the Central America and the Caribbean Emergency Disaster Recovery Fund to provide relief from the effects of the hurricanes in Central America and the Caribbean and the earthquake in Colombia, international disaster assistance, and other bilateral economic assistance; and (2) the Foreign Military Financing Program. Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of the Treasury for debt restructuring, allowing a specified amount to be used for a contribution to the Central America Emergency Trust Fund, administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Provides that the value of articles, services, and military education and training authorized as of a specified date to be drawn down by the President under certain provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall not be counted against the ceiling limitation. Chapter 3 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Department of the Interior, for construction by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and (2) the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. Chapter 4 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance for unmet needs. Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Act of 1999 - Establishes the Emergency Steel Guaranteed Loan Program, to be administered by a Loan Guarantee Board, to provide loan guarantees to qualified steel companies. Sets limits on loan duration and on the aggregate amounts of loans and guarantees outstanding at any one time under the program or with respect to a single qualified company. Designates the entire amount made available for the program as an emergency requirement. Title II: Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Department of Justice, for the Immigration and Naturalization Service's salaries and expenses for enforcement and border affairs; (2) Department of Commerce, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's operations, research, and facilities; and (3) the U.S. Supreme Court. Chapter 2 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense: (1) for military personnel of the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air Force National Guard; (2) operation and maintenance, defense-wide and for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Army National Guard; (3) overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid; and (4) the New Horizons Exercise transfer fund. (Sec. 201) Allows a specified portion of appropriations for defense-wide operation and maintenance, under the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-262), to be made available for a grant to a consortium of non-profit, higher education institutions to create a computer network to enhance teaching and learning opportunities in science, technology and communications. (Sec. 202) Revises specified Federal law to raise the ceiling on the number of persons from a foreign country who may enter the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, or Air Force Academy. Chapter 3 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Indian Affairs operation of Indian programs, for suppression of western spruce budworm (transferring funds from previous appropriations for Forest Service wildland fire management); (2) the Bureau of Land Management, for its management of lands and resources through the Automated Land and Mineral Record System; and (3) the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, Federal Trust programs activities under the Trust Management Improvement Project High Level Implementation Plan. Requires transfer to the Knudson-Vandenberg fund of specified funds made available for the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service wildland fire management. Chapter 4 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's National Public Radio, for acquisition of satellite capacity for the Public Radio Satellite System. Chapter 5 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense, for military construction, Army National Guard, for incremental costs due to Hurricane Georges. Chapter 6 - Extends the period of availability for specified funds for management and administration of the Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Sec. 2001) Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, which is a specified part of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (OCESAA), to provide for direct payment to Auburn University, Alabama, of funds appropriated for Forest Service construction of a new forestry research facility there, in a limited amount prior to October 1, 1999. Requires Auburn University to provide rent-free any additional space within such new facility that the Forest Service may need for collaborative laboratory activities. (Sec. 2002) Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from using funds under this or any other Act to issue and finalize a rule to revise a specified regulation or the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Surface Management Regulations for Locatable Mineral Operations, unless a minimum 120-day period has been provided for accepting public comment on such proposed rule after a required report of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands is submitted to the appropriate Federal agencies, the Congress, and the Governors of the affected States. (Sec. 2003) Authorizes the Attorney General to transfer, from any funds available to the Department of Justice, a limited amount of additional funds to the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund to pay restitution to individuals who are : (1) eligible under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and have filed timely claims for the restitution; or (2) found eligible under the settlement agreement in the case of Carmen Mochizuki et al. vs.United States and filed timely claims covered by the agreement. (Sec. 2004) Revises a specified part of OCESAA to prohibit charging against a program of honey recourse loans any administrative costs other than those necessary for such program's operation. (Sec. 2005) Prohibits use of funds in this or any other Act to issue a notice of final rulemaking with respect to the valuation of crude oil for royalty purposes, including a rulemaking derived from specified proposed rules, until October 1, 1999, or until there is a negotiated agreement on the rule. (Sec. 2006) Requires a certain amount of funds for sewer infrastructure needs associated with the 2002 Winter Olympic Games to be awarded to Wasatch County, Utah, for both water and sewer. (Sec. 2007) Prohibits the Department of the Interior, for the remainder of FY 1999, from using any funds to implement a Secretarial Order regarding the Reorganization of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. Requires that FY 1999 appropriations for reforming trust funds management practices continue to be administered as if such Order had not been issued. (Sec. 2008) Revises specified Federal law, as amended by OCESAA, to extend the authorization of appropriations and the obligational authority for the Airport Improvement Program. Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, under OCESAA, to provide that a specified maximum amount of funds, which are limited under provisions for liquidation of contract authorization, may be obligated before the enactment of a bill extending contract authorization for the Grants-in-Aid for airports program beyond May 31, 1999. (Sec. 2009) Extends through FY 1999 the period of reenactment, under OCESAA, of specified Federal bankruptcy law relating to family farmers. (Sec. 2010) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to revise: (1) debt service margin requirements; and (2) a formula used in loan restructuring determinations. (Sec. 2011) Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit treatment of funds recovered or paid from tobacco companies to a State, in a comprehensive or individual State settlement or court judgement, as an overpayment under Medicaid. Allows States to use such funds for any expenditures they deem appropriate, but prohibits certain payments for administrative expenses incurred in pursuing such tobacco litigation. Title III: Rescissions and Offsets - Chapter 1 - Rescinds a specified amount of funds from the Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service food stamp program. Chapter 2 - Rescinds specified amounts of funds from the Department of Justice's: (1) Office of Inspector General; and (2) Immigration and Naturalization Service, for salaries and expenses for enforcement and border affairs, and for citizenship and benefits, immigration support and program direction. Rescinds specified amounts of funds from the Department Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for operations, research and facilities procurement, acquisition, and construction. Rescinds specified amounts of funds from the Department of State and related agencies, for international organizations and conferences, including contributions to international organizations, contributions for international peacekeeping activities, and international broadcasting operations. Chapter 3 - Rescinds a specified amount of funds from the Department of Defense for military operation and maintenance defense-wide. Chapter 4 - Rescinds specified amounts, from bilateral economic assistance funds appropriated to the President, from: (1) Haiti; (2) Bosnia and Herzegovina; and (3) Russia. Rescinds specified amounts, from multilateral economic assistance funds appropriated to the President, from: (1) the contribution to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development's global environment facility; and (2) international organizations and programs. Chapter 5 - Rescinds a specified amount of funds from the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management's management of lands and resources. Chapter 6 - Reduces the amount of specified funds for the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration's State unemployment insurance and employment service operations. Defers the availability for obligation of specified amounts of funds for the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Rescinds a specified amount of funds from the Department of Education for education research, statistics, and improvement. Chapter 7 - Rescinds a specified amount of funds from the Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure Account, Part IV. Chapter 8 - Rescinds a specified amount of funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for community development block grants. Rescinds a specified amount from the Environmental Protection Agency for research associated with the Climate Technology Initiative. (Sec. 3001) Repeals OCESAA provisions for FY 1999 emergency supplemental appropriations for the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture for counterdrug research and development activities, (Sec. 3002) Rescinds a specified amount of funds appropriated with an emergency designation in OCESAA emergency supplemental provisions, other than those appropriated to the Department of Defense--Military. Requires such reductions to be applied proportionally to each appropriation account and budget activity being reduced. (Sec. 3003) Rescinds a specified amount of FY 1999 funds from the non-defense discretionary category, as a result of revised economic assumptions from inflation adjusted accounts. (Sec. 3004) Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Comptroller General to audit, and report to the Congress on, HUD's compliance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 over the last two years. Title IV: Technical Corrections - Revises and makes technical corrections to various Acts contained in OCESAA, including: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999; (2) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1999 (and provisions of the International Financial Institutions Act added by such Act); (3) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999; (4) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999; (5) the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999; (6) the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 1999; and (7) the Denali Commission Act of 1998. Revises and makes other technical corrections to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1999, the American Fisheries Act, and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.
Bill· SS. 540 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disregard certain Native American housing assistance in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for low-income housing credit purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 979 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Public Safety Act - Provides that the recipient of a grant under the violent offender incarceration and truth-in-sentencing incentive grant program may not contract with a private contractor or vendor to provide services related to the operation of a correctional facility or the incarceration of inmates. Amends the Federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons to provide that: (1) any penal or correctional facility or institution (except for community correctional confinement such as halfway houses) confining any person convicted of offenses against the United States shall be under the direction of the Director of the Bureau and shall be managed and maintained by U.S. employees; and (2) the housing, safeguarding, care, subsistence, protection, instructing, and disciplining of any person charged with or convicted of any offense against the United States (with that exception) shall be conducted and carried out by U.S. employees.
Bill· HRH.R. 1008 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Robert Stodola Homeless Veterans Assistance Act - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to require each city, county, State, and Indian tribe which is provided assistance under the following programs to ensure that not less than 20 percent of the total amount received by such entity is used for activities benefiting homeless veterans: (1) the emergency shelter grants program; (2) the supportive housing program; (3) the safe havens for homeless individuals demonstration program; (4) a program for single room occupancy dwellings; (5) the shelter plus care program; and (6) the rural homelessness grant program. Provides for related technical assistance. Allows a waiver of such requirement in each case upon a determination that general program funds will remain unused for an unreasonable period of time unless the waiver is permitted.
Bill· HRH.R. 905 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999
Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act - Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to annually make a grant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which shall be used to: (1) operate a national 24-hour toll-free telephone line by which individuals may report information regarding the location of any missing child, or other child age 13 or younger whose whereabouts are unknown to such child's legal custodian, and request information pertaining to procedures necessary to reunite such child with the child's legal custodian; (2) coordinate the operation of such telephone line with the operation of the national communications system referred to in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act; (3) operate the official national resource center and information clearinghouse for missing and exploited children; (4) provide to State and local governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals information regarding free or low-cost legal, restaurant, lodging and transportation services that are available for the benefit of missing and exploited children and their families and the existence and nature of programs being carried out by Federal agencies to assist missing and exploited children and their families; (5) coordinate public and private programs that locate, recover, or reunite missing children with their families; (6) disseminate, on a national basis, information relating to innovative and model programs, services, and legislation that benefit missing and exploited children; (7) provide technical assistance and training to law enforcement agencies, State and local governments, elements of the criminal justice system, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of cases involving missing and exploited children; and (8) provide assistance to families and law enforcement agencies in locating and recovering missing and exploited children, both nationally and internationally. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Requires the Administrator, either by making grants to or entering into contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies, to: (1) periodically conduct national incidence studies to determine for a given year the actual number of children reported missing each year, abducted by strangers, kidnaped by parents, and recovered each year; and (2) provide to State and local governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals information to facilitate the lawful use of school records and birth certificates to identify and locate missing children. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to and enter contracts with the Center for specified purposes, such as for research, demonstration projects, or service programs designed to assist in the location and return of missing children. (Currently, such grants or contracts may be made with only public or nonprofit private organizations, or combinations thereof.) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Repeals requirements regarding a study to determine the obstacles that prevent or impede individuals who have legal custody of children from recovering such children from parents who have illegally removed such children from such individuals, and regarding a report on such study. (Sec. 3) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (the Act) to: (1) include findings that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to assist in the development of an accurate national reporting system on runaway and homeless youth and that services for such youth are needed in urban, suburban, and rural areas; (2) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to establish and operate local centers to provide services for such youth and their families; (3) require a grant applicant, to be eligible for assistance, to include assurances that the applicant shall submit an annual report that includes, with respect to the year for which the report is submitted, statistical summaries describing the number and the characteristics of such youth and youth at risk of family separation who participated in the project and the services provided to such youth by the project; and (4) modify the services that applicants must plan to provide in order to use grant money for street-based, home-based, and drug abuse education and prevention services. Revises Act provisions regarding: (1) approval of applications to direct the Secretary to consider the geographical distribution in the State of the proposed services and which areas of the State have the greatest need for such services, and to give priority to eligible applicants who have demonstrated experience in providing services to runaway and homeless youth and who request grants of less than $200,000; (2) authority for the transitional living grant program to repeal definitions of "homeless youth" and "transitional living youth project"; (3) eligibility for assistance by stating that the annual report submitted by grant applicants to the Secretary must include statistical summaries describing the number and characteristics of the services provided to the homeless youth; (4) coordination by the Secretary of the activities of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to matters relating to the health, education, employment, and housing of runaway and homeless youth; and (5) authority to make grants for research, demonstration, and service projects to repeal references to home-based and street based services from the research and demonstration projects. Repeals provisions of the Act directing that assistance to potential grantees include information on the need for the establishment of additional runaway and homeless youth centers in the geographical area identified by the potential grantee involved. Amends the Act to require the Secretary, by April 1, 1999, and biennially thereafter, to submit to specified congressional committees a report on the status, activities, and accomplishments of entities that receive grants under the Act. Lists information that must be included in the report. Requires the Secretary to include summaries of the Secretary's evaluations of grantees and descriptions of the qualifications and training of the individuals administering the evaluations. Modifies the Act to authorize the disclosure or transfer of records containing the identity of individual youths to an individual or public or private agency for purposes of the disposition of criminal or delinquency charges against, or the coordinated delivery of services to, individual youths. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through FY 2004. Sets forth the division of appropriations among the programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit private agencies to provide street-based services to runaway and homeless, and street youth, who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual abuse, prostitution, or sexual exploitation. Directs the Secretary to give priority to nonprofit private agencies that have experience in providing services to runaway and homeless, and street youth. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2004. Grants the Secretary authority to implement a single consolidated application review process.
Bill· HRH.R. 9 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1999
Securing America's Future Uniformed Services Act (SAFE-USA) of 1999 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must provide its armed forces with sufficient resources to maintain the capability to execute the national military strategy with minimal risk; and (2) a comprehensive effort is required to revitalize and sustain the all-volunteer force and to address the decline in the quality of life for military personnel and their families, especially with regard to military housing, pay, and retirement benefits. Increases by 4.8 percent, as of January 1, 2000, the rates of monthly basic pay for military personnel. Waives, during FY 2000, the required adjustment of such pay in conformance with the General Schedule of the Federal Government.
Bill· SS. 485 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Urban Homestead Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to: (1) semiannually publish in the Federal Register a list of unoccupied multifamily housing projects, substandard housing projects, and other residential property owned by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for at least six months; and (2) transfer ownership to a requesting community development corporation. Directs the Secretary to satisfy any related indebtedness. Exempts such property transfers from disposition requirements under the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994.
Bill· HRH.R. 875 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize States to use preventive health and health services block grant funds to establish, operate, and coordinate effective and cost-efficient systems to reduce the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related illnesses among urban populations, especially children, by reducing the level of exposure to cockroach allergen in public facilities through integrated pest management that minimizes or avoids the use of pesticide chemicals. Specifies among activities eligible for such funds: (1) structural rehabilitation of housing, public schools, and other public facilities to reduce cockroach infestation; (2) building maintenance; and (3) programs to promote community participation in carrying out integrated pest management at such sites.
Bill· HRH.R. 876 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the: (1) maximum deduction for individual retirement account contributions; and (2) income amount at which phase-out of that deduction begins. Exempts certain retirement account distributions (first homes, higher education expenses, unemployment, and medical) from the early distribution penalty.
Bill· SS. 463 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation Of and Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title II: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1999 - Title I: Designation of and Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 100 renewal communities, of which at least 20 percent shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to five qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. (Sec. 104) Permits a deduction for contributions to a family development account whether or not a taxpayer itemizes. Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. (Sec. 105) Sets forth reporting requirements. (Sec. 106) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget not to make any estimates of changes in receipts under the pay-as-you-go estimate provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 resulting from the enactment of this Act. Title II: Additional Provisions - Provides for local government transfer of unoccupied and substandard Department of Housing and Urban Development multifamily and single family housing in renewal communities, with subsequent disposition priority to be given to community development corporations. (202) Amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that the amendments made by this Act apply to each program that makes awards of Federal financial assistance to prevent or treat substance abuse. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization to be an award recipient, make subawards, provide services through vouchers, or accept vouchers for providing services. Makes religious organizations eligible on the same basis as any other nonprofit private organization. Prohibits Federal or State: (1) discrimination against an organization on the basis that the organization has a religious character; and (2) requirements that a religious organization, in order to be a program participant, remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols. Requires a religious organization to arrange for services through an alternative entity if an individual objects to the religious organization. Allows a religious organization to require a beneficiary who has elected to receive services from the organization to actively participate in religious practice, worship, and instruction. Prohibits using funds for sectarian worship or instruction, unless the beneficiary may choose where the assistance is redeemed or allocated. Declares that assistance to or on behalf of a beneficiary is aid to the beneficiary and not to the organization. Requires, if a State law or constitution would prevent the expenditure of State or local funds by religious organizations, that the Federal funds shall be segregated from State or other public funds. Requires, for personnel working in religious organization drug treatment programs, giving credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work. Mandates waiver of educational requirements if the religious organization has a record of successful drug treatment and the State or local government fails to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications are necessary. (Sec. 203) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that a financial institution's investments in community development organizations located in renewal communities may be considered in evaluations under such Act.
Bill· SS. 458 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (FHLBA) to instruct the Federal Housing Finance Board (the FHF Board) to divide the States into not fewer than one Federal Home Loan Bank district (currently 8 to 12 districts). (Sec. 4) Amends Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) membership parameters to make a Federal savings association's membership in the FHLB system voluntary instead of mandatory. (Sec. 5) Modifies guidelines governing long-term advances to: (1) allow advances to any community financial institution for small businesses, agricultural, rural development, or low-income community development lending; (2) make the cash (as well as the deposits) of an FHLB eligible collateral for securing a bank's interest in a loan or advance; and (3) repeal the 30 percent of capital cap on the aggregate amount of outstanding advances secured by real estate related collateral. Includes within the categories of collateral eligible for a bank loan secured loans for small business, agriculture, rural development, or low-income community development, or securities representing a whole interest in such secured loans in the case of any community financial institution. Authorizes the FHF Board to review certain collateral standards and require an increase in such standards for safety and soundness purposes. Authorizes an FHLB to renew certain advances on its own determination without concurrence by the FHF Board. Requires an FHLB member with an advance secured by insufficient eligible collateral to reduce its level of outstanding advances according to a schedule determined by the FHLB (currently, by the FHF Board). (Sec. 6) Revises eligibility criteria to permit certain community financial institutions to gain FHLB membership regardless of the percentage of total assets represented by residential mortgage loans. (Sec. 7) Repeals certain requirements for advances to qualified thrift lenders (QTLs) and to FHLB members that are not QTLs. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to repeal the ineligibility of a non-QTL savings association to obtain new advances from a FHLB bank (thus making such savings associations eligible for such advances). Declares that, beginning three years after a savings association should have become or ceases to be a QTL, the savings association shall not retain any investment (including an investment in any subsidiary) or engage, directly or indirectly, in any activity unless that investment or activity would be permissible for the savings association if it were a national bank, and is also permissible for the savings association as a savings association. (Sec. 8) Amends the FHLBA to establish the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation (Corporation) as a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States to issue and service consolidated debt obligations of the Federal Home Loan Banks. Vests management of the Corporation in a board of directors. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Corporation issuance of voting capital stock to each member Bank. Transfers to the Corporation the functions of the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Banks. (Sec. 9) Permits an FHLB to include as part of its capital structure plan provisions establishing a structure for its elective and appointive directors other than the structure prescribed by the FHLBA. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the Corporation to issue consolidated bonds. (Sec. 11) Modifies mergers and consolidations guidelines to permit: (1) voluntary mergers, combinations, or consolidations of FHLB banks; and (2) FHLBs to establish, subject to FHF Board approval and supervision, a subsidiary or holding company to perform administrative or operational functions. (Sec. 12) Terminates the Housing Opportunity Hotline program. Repeals the requirement that an FHLB receive prior approval of the FHF Board for the purchase, construction, or leasing of buildings. Specifies the FHF Board's power to issue notices of violations to any FHLB, and to take affirmative action to correct resulting conditions. Repeals: (1) the FHF Board's authority to approve FHLB advances; and (2) the attendant loan limitation restriction. Requires each Federal home loan bank to contribute annually ten percent of the preceding year's net income or the prorated sums required to assure that the aggregate contribution of the banks shall not be less than $100 million for each such year, to support subsidies, including subsidized advances, through the Affordable Housing Program. Declares that no FHLB dividends shall be paid except out of previously retained earnings or current net earnings (currently, net earnings) remaining after certain reductions. Repeals the FHF Board's authority to levy a special one-time assessment upon FHLBs for its estimated transitional expenses. (Sec. 13) States that FHLB payments to the Resolution Funding Corporation to cover interest payments on obligations shall be a specified percentage of net earnings (currently an aggregate sum certain). (Sec. 14) Revamps FHLB capital structure parameters to direct: (1) the Finance Board to issue uniform capital standards regulations governing FHLB leverage limitation and risk-based capital requirements; and (2) each FHLB board of directors to submit for FHF Board approval a capital structure plan determined to be best suited for the bank's condition and operation as well as for the interests of its shareholders. Prescribes plan contents.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 49 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from March 1, 1999, through September 30, 1999: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; (12) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. Authorizes the transfer of any unexpended balance of any committee for the period ending February 28, 1999, to a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.
Bill· HRH.R. 815 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation of and Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title II: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1999 - Title I: Designation of and Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 100 renewal communities, of which at least 20 percent shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to five qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. (Sec. 104) Permits a deduction for contributions to a family development account whether or not a taxpayer itemizes. Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. (Sec. 105) Sets forth reporting requirements. (Sec. 106) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget not to make any estimates of changes in receipts under the pay-as-you-go estimate provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 resulting from the enactment of this Act. Title II: Additional Provisions - Provides for local government transfer of unoccupied and substandard Department of Housing and Urban Development multifamily and single family housing in renewal communities, with subsequent disposition priority to be given to community development corporations. (202) Amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that the amendments made by this Act apply to each program that makes awards of Federal financial assistance to prevent or treat substance abuse. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization to be an award recipient, make subawards, provide services through vouchers, or accept vouchers for providing services. Makes religious organizations eligible on the same basis as any other nonprofit private organization. Prohibits Federal or State: (1) discrimination against an organization on the basis that the organization has a religious character; and (2) requirements that a religious organization, in order to be a program participant, remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols. Requires a religious organization to arrange for services through an alternative entity if an individual objects to the religious organization. Allows a religious organization to require a beneficiary who has elected to receive services from the organization to actively participate in religious practice, worship, and instruction. Prohibits using funds for sectarian worship or instruction, unless the beneficiary may choose where the assistance is redeemed or allocated. Declares that assistance to or on behalf of a beneficiary is aid to the beneficiary and not to the organization. Requires, if a State law or constitution would prevent the expenditure of State or local funds by religious organizations, that the Federal funds shall be segregated from State or other public funds. Requires, for personnel working in religious organization drug treatment programs, giving credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work. Mandates waiver of educational requirements if the religious organization has a record of successful drug treatment and the State or local government fails to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications are necessary. (Sec. 203) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that a financial institution's investments in community development organizations located in renewal communities may be considered in evaluations under such Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 822 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (FHLBA) to instruct the Federal Housing Finance Board (the FHF Board) to divide the States into not fewer than one Federal Home Loan Bank district (currently 8 to 12 districts). (Sec. 4) Amends Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) membership parameters to make a Federal savings association's membership in the FHLB system voluntary instead of mandatory. (Sec. 5) Modifies guidelines governing long-term advances to: (1) allow advances to any community financial institution for small businesses, agricultural, rural development, or low-income community development lending; (2) make the cash (as well as the deposits) of an FHLB eligible collateral for securing a bank's interest in a loan or advance; and (3) repeal the 30 percent of capital cap on the aggregate amount of outstanding advances secured by real estate related collateral. Includes within the categories of collateral eligible for a bank loan secured loans for small business, agriculture, rural development, or low-income community development, or securities representing a whole interest in such secured loans in the case of any community financial institution. Authorizes the FHF Board to review certain collateral standards and require an increase in such standards for safety and soundness purposes. Authorizes an FHLB to renew certain advances on its own determination without concurrence by the FHF Board. Requires an FHLB member with an advance secured by insufficient eligible collateral to reduce its level of outstanding advances according to a schedule determined by the FHLB (currently, by the FHF Board). (Sec. 6) Revises eligibility criteria to permit certain community financial institutions to gain FHLB membership regardless of the percentage of total assets represented by residential mortgage loans. (Sec. 7) Repeals certain requirements for advances to qualified thrift lenders (QTLs) and to FHLB members that are not QTLs. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to repeal the ineligibility of a non-QTL savings association to obtain new advances from a FHLB bank (thus making such savings associations eligible for such advances). Declares that, beginning three years after a savings association should have become or ceases to be a QTL, the savings association shall not retain any investment (including an investment in any subsidiary) or engage, directly or indirectly, in any activity unless that investment or activity would be permissible for the savings association if it were a national bank, and is also permissible for the savings association as a savings association. (Sec. 8) Amends the FHLBA to establish the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation (Corporation) as a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States to issue and service consolidated debt obligations of the Federal Home Loan Banks. Vests management of the Corporation in a board of directors. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Corporation issuance of voting capital stock to each member Bank. Transfers to the Corporation the functions of the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Banks. (Sec. 9) Permits an FHLB to include as part of its capital structure plan provisions establishing a structure for its elective and appointive directors other than the structure prescribed by the FHLBA. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the Corporation to issue consolidated bonds. (Sec. 11) Modifies mergers and consolidations guidelines to permit: (1) voluntary mergers, combinations, or consolidations of FHLB banks; and (2) FHLBs to establish, subject to FHF Board approval and supervision, a subsidiary or holding company to perform administrative or operational functions. (Sec. 12) Terminates the Housing Opportunity Hotline program. Repeals the requirement that an FHLB receive prior approval of the FHF Board for the purchase, construction, or leasing of buildings. Specifies the FHF Board's power to issue notices of violations to any FHLB, and to take affirmative action to correct resulting conditions. Repeals: (1) the FHF Board's authority to approve FHLB advances; and (2) the attendant loan limitation restriction. Requires each Federal home loan bank to contribute annually ten percent of the preceding year's net income or the prorated sums required to assure that the aggregate contribution of the banks shall not be less than $100 million for each such year, to support subsidies, including subsidized advances, through the Affordable Housing Program. Declares that no FHLB dividends shall be paid except out of previously retained earnings or current net earnings (currently, net earnings) remaining after certain reductions. Repeals the FHF Board's authority to levy a special one-time assessment upon FHLBs for its estimated transitional expenses. (Sec. 13) States that FHLB payments to the Resolution Funding Corporation to cover interest payments on obligations shall be a specified percentage of net earnings (currently an aggregate sum certain). (Sec. 14) Revamps FHLB capital structure parameters to direct: (1) the Finance Board to issue uniform capital standards regulations governing FHLB leverage limitation and risk-based capital requirements; and (2) each FHLB board of directors to submit for FHF Board approval a capital structure plan determined to be best suited for the bank's condition and operation as well as for the interests of its shareholders. Prescribes plan contents.
Bill· HRH.R. 824 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should inform the Polish Government of Polish-Americans who deserve to have their citizenship restored and claims to their wrongfully expropriated homes and properties considered under a fair rule of law that provides for compensation and restitution regardless of a claimant's current nationality; (2) the Polish Government should fulfill its responsibilities to consider the claims of these victims under such rule; and (3) the President should instruct U.S. representatives to all multilateral treaty-based institutions to work to deny admission or financial benefits to the Polish Government until it fulfills these responsibilities.
Law· HRH.R. 707 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Disaster Mitigation and Cost Reduction Act of 1999 - Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to require a State, in submitting a disaster preparedness and prevention program plan prior to receiving assistance under such Act, to set forth a comprehensive and detailed State program for mitigating against emergencies and major disasters, including provisions for prioritizing mitigation measures. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the President to make grants for the costs of the development and application of floodplain mapping technologies that can be used by Federal, State, and local governments and that will likely result in substantial savings over current floodplain mapping methods. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the President to establish a program to provide financial assistance to States and local governments for undertaking predisaster hazard mitigation activities that are cost effective and substantially reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, or suffering from a major disaster. Provides, with respect to such assistance program, for: (1) minimum and maximum per-State allocation of funds; (2) criteria for granting such assistance and determining appropriate amounts; (3) State Governor recommendations of no less than five local governments to receive such assistance; (4) a requirement that at least ten percent of the amount provided in a fiscal year be furnished for activities in communities of 3,000 or fewer individuals that are economically disadvantaged; (5) a Federal cost-share limit (with a higher authorized Federal share for mitigation activities in small impoverished communities); (6) an authorization of appropriations for FY 1999 through 2000; and (7) a report from the President to the Congress evaluating implementation efforts and on a process for transferring to capable States greater responsibility for administering the program. (Sec. 105) Directs the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate the implementation of the predisaster hazard mitigation program authorized under the Act. (Sec. 106) Increases from 15 to 20 percent the maximum contribution for hazard mitigation costs with respect to a major disaster declared after January 1, 1997. Title II: Streamlining and Cost Reduction - Directs the President to: (1) establish management cost rates for disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance grantees and subgrantees; and (2) review such rates at least every three years. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the President to make contributions to a private nonprofit facility for the repair, restoration, or replacement of such facility which is damaged or destroyed by a major disaster only if its owner or operator has applied for a disaster loan under the Small Business Act and has been determined to be ineligible for such loan. Limits the Federal share of assistance provided to 75 percent of the eligible costs of the repair, restoration, or replacement of damaged public and private facilities. Allows a State, local government, or private nonprofit facility, in lieu of repairing, restoring, or replacing such damaged facilities, to receive the Federal cost share limit and repair other facilities or construct new facilities. Authorizes the President to modify the Federal cost share if such modification is likely to reduce the total amount of assistance provided. Provides for: (1) the determination of eligible costs and the modification of such costs; and (2) the use of any surplus funds. Requires the President to establish an expert panel for the determination of such costs. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to disaster victims who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. Authorizes the President to provide housing assistance to those who are displaced or whose residence is rendered uninhabitable as a result of such disaster. Includes as appropriate direct assistance the provision of other housing units. Limits the use of such units to 18 months, but allows the President to extend such period under extraordinary circumstances. Allows such assistance to include the repair or replacement of the original residence or permanent new housing construction in limited circumstances. Authorizes the provision of assistance for medical, dental, or funeral expenses and personal property, transportation, and other expenses. Limits to $25,000 the individual or household assistance amount. (Sec. 204) Repeals a provision of the Act authorizing the President to make community disaster loans following major disasters. (Sec. 205) Authorizes a State desiring to administer its own hazard mitigation assistance program to submit for the President's approval an application for the delegation of such authority, under specified criteria. (Sec. 206) Directs the President to conduct and report to the Congress on a pilot program to determine the desirability of State administration of parts of the disaster mitigation assistance program established under the Act. (Sec. 207) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct studies to: (1) estimate the reduction in Federal disaster assistance that has resulted and is likely to result from the enactment of this Act; and (2) determine the current and future expected availability of disaster insurance for public infrastructure eligible for assistance under the Act. (Sec. 208) Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to report to the Congress on methods and procedures recommended to accelerate the provision of Federal disaster assistance under the Act to agricultural communities. Title III: Miscellaneous - Makes a technical correction to the short title of the Act. (Sec. 302) Excludes the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands from the definition of a State for purposes of the Act. (Sec. 303) Permits the President to provide fire suppression grants to local governments.
Bill· HRH.R. 708 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
States that the remarriage of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of the following benefits to such person if the remarriage has been terminated by death or divorce unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that the divorce was secured through fraud or collusion: (1) dependency and indemnity compensation; (2) medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans; (3) educational assistance; and (4) housing loans.
Bill· HRH.R. 710 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council. Revises related fee provisions to: (1) apply such fees to manufactured home manufacturers (currently fees apply to manufacturers, distributors, and dealers); and (2) establish in the Treasury the Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund.
Bill· SS. 400 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 1999 - Makes amendments to the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), including: (1) setting forth a requirement for assistance to Indian families that are not low-income; (2) eliminating separate Indian housing plan requirements for small Indian tribes; (3) expanding the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to review Indian housing plans; (4) revising provisions regarding review and audit by the Secretary; (5) prescribing an allocation formula with respect to certain Indian tribes; (6) excepting from the hearing requirement certain actions by the Secretary affecting grant amounts if the Secretary makes a determination that the failure of a recipient of assistance to comply substantially with any material provision of the Act is resulting, and would continue to result, in a continuing unauthorized expenditure of Federal funds; and (7) revising requirements regarding noncompliance by recipients because of technical incapacity to permit the provision of technical assistance if the recipient enters into a performance agreement with the Secretary (limits the period of such an agreement to one year). (Sec. 10) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat block grants and guarantees provided under the HOME Investment Partnerships Act or NAHASDA not as Federal subsidies, under specified circumstances, for the purposes of determining eligibility for the low-income housing CREDIT. (Sec. 11) Amends NAHASDA to repeal the requirement regarding the certification of compliance with subsidy layering requirements with respect to housing assisted with grant amounts provided under the Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 649 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Real Estate Transaction Privacy Promotion Act - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to prohibit a creditor from requiring a borrower to furnish (through a copy of Internal Revenue Service Form 4506) open-ended access to such borrower's tax records as a condition of making a federally related mortgage loan, unless the form: (1) is fully completed before signing by the borrower; (2) specifically requests tax information for not more than the two tax periods most recently completed as of the date that the form is signed; and (3) is completed, signed, and dated not later than the date of settlement involving such loan. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to explain such proscription and attendant penalties in the special information booklet mandated by the Act.
Bill· SS. 371 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Central American and Caribbean Relief Act - Title I: United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement - United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) to accord, for a specified period, the same tariff and quota treatment (duty-free treatment, free of any quantitative limitations) given certain textile and apparel articles imported from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries to such articles from CBERA beneficiary countries planning to become parties to the Free Trade Area of the Americas, or a comparable trade agreement. Subjects to certain penalties exporters or countries that engage in the transshipment of such articles (preferential treatment claimed on the basis of material false information concerning the country of origin, manufacture, processing, or assembly of the article or any of its components). (Sec. 104) Directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to report biennially to Congress and the President on the economic impact of this Act on U.S. industries and consumers, including its effectiveness in promoting drug-related crop eradication and crop substitution efforts of CBERA beneficiary countries. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the President (with respect to factors considered in the designation of a country as a beneficiary country) to determine that a country is not providing adequate protection of intellectual property rights even if it is in compliance with its obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. (Sec. 106) Grants duty-free treatment of rum liqueurs and spirituous beverages from Canada and Mexico if certain conditions are met. Title II: Economic Support Fund and Other Assistance - Authorizes appropriations to: (1) provide economic support fund (ESF) assistance to areas of Central America and the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 for roads, agricultural investment, microcredit loans, water sanitation, health clinics, vaccinations, and technical assistance for housing; (2) provide international disaster assistance for such areas; and (3) the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct imaging and analysis in Honduras and Nicaragua to minimize future loss of life and property. Earmarks specified amounts, over a five year period, for eligible expenses in connection with developing new or renovating existing structures to provide decent, safe, and sanitary nonluxury dwellings (Habitat for Humanity) in the affected Central American and Caribbean countries. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior to develop a river monitoring system in Honduras. Title III: Department of Defense - Authorizes the President to direct the drawdown of defense articles and services from the stocks of the Department of Defense (DOD) for the purpose of providing disaster relief and reconstruction to the affected areas of Central America and the Caribbean. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the New Horizons Program, earmarking amounts for use for Central America and the Dominican Republic (including the National Guard and Reserve); (2) Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid programs; and (3) the Commanders-in-Chief CINC Initiative Fund. Title IV: International Monetary Relief - Authorizes the President, subject to specific appropriations, to reschedule the repayment of interest on, and reduce the amount of, the indebtedness owed by Honduran and Nicaraguan governments to the United States in FY 1999 and 2000. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the U.S. Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) to contribute $25 million to the Central American Emergency Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: OPIC - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should foster U.S. private investment and enhance the ability of private enterprise to make its full contribution in the hurricane-affected areas of Central America and the Caribbean. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 501) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make Central American and Caribbean countries affected by Hurricane Mitch and Hurricane Georges eligible for equity investment financing under the pilot equity finance program. Increases the amount of transfers that OPIC can make from its noncredit account revolving fund to its revolving fund for acquisition of equity. Title VI: Microcredit and Agricultural Assistance - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to use credit and microcredit assistance to provide disaster assistance to rehabilitate agriculture production in the hurricane-affected areas of Central America and the Caribbean. (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Administrator of AID to utilize relevant foreign assistance programs and initiatives for the Central America and Caribbean region to support private producer-owned cooperative marketing associations there, including rural business associations owned and controlled by farmer shareholders. (Sec. 604) Directs the Administrator of AID to develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate and build on the research and extension activities of U.S. land-grant universities, international agricultural research centers, and national agricultural research and extension centers in Central America and the Caribbean. (Sec. 605) Provides assistance through the nonemergency food assistance programs of the Agriculture Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to the hurricane- affected Central American and Caribbean areas.
Bill· HRH.R. 606 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Education Title II: Employment and Training Title III: Health Care Title IV: Economic Equity Title V: Organizational Restructuring Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Services Improvement Act of 1999 - Title I: Education - Amends Federal provisions relating to the veterans' educational assistance program (VEAP) to: (1) increase its monthly rates of educational assistance; (2) require the Secretary of Defense to notify a member of the armed forces of the availability of VEAP benefits and eligibility requirements within 90 days after such individual enters on active duty; (3) repeal a provision allowing individuals to elect not to receive VEAP assistance; (4) revise provisions concerning VEAP enrollment; and (5) authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to make accelerated payments of VEAP basic educational assistance. Provides an enhanced educational assistance entitlement under VEAP to each individual who: (1) after September 30, 1999, first enters on active duty, or reenlists or extends such duty, for at least four years; (2) serves on active duty and is discharged for reasons other than willful misconduct or inappropriate discharge of duty, or is discharged involuntarily for the convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force; (3) completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma within their period of active duty; and (4) after completing the required period of active duty, continues on active duty, is discharged honorably, is released honorably and is placed on an inactive status list, or is released for further service in a reserve component after honorable active-duty service. Provides definitions, exceptions, and conditions. Allows such qualifying individuals up to 36 months of educational assistance. Authorizes the transfer of such entitlement to a spouse or child, or combination thereof, under certain conditions. Provides for the payment of additional educational expenses (books and supplies). Provides educational assistance amounts, with amounts for fiscal years after 2000 based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. Allows qualifying individuals to also receive tutorial assistance, with a maximum of $1,200 in such assistance per individual. (Sec. 102) Requires each State veterans education development agency (currently, each State approving agency) to: (1) actively promote the development of on-job training programs for veterans; and (2) give priority to programs that provide training to veterans with disabilities. Requires (currently authorizes) such agency to approve educational courses offered for participation in VEAP. Title II: Education and Training - Makes eligible for veterans' job counseling, training, and placement services veterans with existing employment barriers and recently separated veterans. Designates veterans' case managers and veterans' employment facilitators for service under such programs. Replaces program references to the Job Training and Partnership Act and the Veterans' Job Training Act with references to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contract with entities which agree to provide employment and training services for veterans, requiring such grants or contracts to be awarded on a competitive basis. Outlines requirements for entities providing services under the program. Provides grant terms, conditions, and limitations. Directs the Secretary to make available necessary funds to support the veterans' case managers and veterans' employment facilitators designated above. Outlines veterans' services required to be performed by such managers and facilitators. Includes within a study to be conducted by the Secretary concerning unemployment among certain veterans those veterans who served on active duty after the Vietnam era who did or did not serve in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized. Directs the Secretary of Labor to resolve certain discrepancies regarding the number of veterans who use State employment services, and to report to the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to require that performance measurements for the veterans' vocational rehabilitation program focus on specified outcome measures, including those who actually enter employment. Requires all case management and employment services under such program to be provided exclusively by Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) personnel or by a veterans' case manager. Makes this section effective on October 1, 2000. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for a program under which the Secretary of Labor furnishes counseling and other employment and training assistance to military personnel being separated from active duty, and the spouses of such members. Requires appropriations increases for FY 2000 and each succeeding fiscal year based on Consumer Price Index increases. (Sec. 204) Provides deadlines for the commencement of preseparation counseling for military personnel prior to their retirement, discharge, or release from duty. Requires a member to be considered involuntarily separated, for purposes of such benefits, if the member is being discharged or released as the result of a force- management reduction. (Sec. 206) Requires appropriate support from the Secretary to the Secretary of Labor with respect to employment, training, and other transitional assistance provided to separated military personnel. (Sec. 207) Provides a priority in the provision of veterans' employment, training, or related services for disabled veterans, veterans with employment barriers, and veterans separated from active duty for less than four years. (Sec. 208) Establishes within the executive branch the Veterans' Employment Network to: (1) raise employer awareness of the advantages of hiring separating and recently separated servicemembers and veterans; (2) facilitate the employment of such individuals through national electronic labor exchanges; and (3) foster, and facilitate the coordination of, Federal, State, and local governmental programs marketing the employment of such individuals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 209) Directs the Secretary of Labor to design, establish, and maintain on the Internet an electronic site to be known as the Veterans and Servicemembers Internet Site which shall match veterans and servicemembers with prospective employers. Requires the site to be publicized to prospective employers, veterans, and military and veterans' associations. (Sec. 210) Amends Federal employment provisions to: (1) eliminate the reduction in retired pay for officers who become federally employed after such retirement, in the case of officers who become eligible to begin receiving such retired pay after December 31, 1999; (2) repeal a provision limiting post-retirement employment of retired military personnel within DOD; (3) provide that, for purposes of maximum age entry limitations for Federal fire fighters and law enforcement officers, a veteran's actual age shall be considered decreased by the period of active military duty served; and (4) authorize the accrual of annual leave with pay for Federal employees who are Vietnam era veterans. (Sec. 214) Requires any solicitation issued by the Departments of Defense, Labor, or Veterans Affairs for the procurement of real or personal property or nonpersonal services to require each offeror to include: (1) a description of the offeror's program for hiring and promoting qualified eligible veterans; and (2) an affirmative commitment to hire eligible veterans as a specific percentage of the workforce. Title III: Health Care - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to: (1) revise the fees charged for the provision of transitional health care coverage for certain former military personnel; (2) provide that such coverage shall be secondary to any other private health care plan or insurance; and (3) direct the Secretary of Defense to timely notify all persons eligible for such revised benefits. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs (the Secretaries) to: (1) jointly establish policies for the unified procurement within their respective departments of pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, and medical equipment; and (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding for implementing such policies. Provides funding. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretaries to develop and maintain a clinically-based medications formulary for use by their respective departments. Allows the Secretaries to procure items listed on the formulary without seeking competition. (Sec. 304) Prohibits, after one year after the enactment of this Act, any medical or surgical product from being procured for either department's health care system unless the product bears a universal product number, or unless such product has been excepted from such requirement by considerations of health and safety. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretaries to jointly: (1) establish a single solicitation for the replacement of the existing legacy medical information management systems within their departments with integrated and interoperable systems; (2) develop policies to ensure that commercially available technology is used to enhance or replace parts of such system; and (3) develop and maintain a common set of technical and data standards to facilitate data exchange between such systems. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretaries to undertake a program to ensure public awareness of the benefits of the health-care research that their departments conduct, requiring a financial return on such research programs. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretaries to conduct a pilot program during FY 2000 and 2001 under which hospital care and medical services authorized to be furnished by contract are furnished by contractors under contracts entered into under the TRICARE Program (a DOD managed health care program). (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretaries and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to jointly review the various forms of Federal support provided to teaching hospitals and medical schools. Directs the Secretaries to jointly review the extent and nature of the collaboration between the graduate medical programs of their departments and to take necessary action to achieve opportunities for greater collaboration. (Sec. 309) Amends the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 for the Department's program for homeless veterans. Requires the Secretary to direct that a significant portion of the savings achieved by the Veterans Health Administration through the closure of acute care beds is redirected to the furnishing of community-based residential treatment to homeless veterans. Directs the Secretary to utilize current authority to enter into enhanced-use leases to provide support for such care. Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend through FY 2001 the authorization of appropriations for the homeless veterans reintegration project. Title IV: Economic Equity - Part A: Home Loan Guaranty Program - Revises the loan limits for Department-guaranteed loans made to veterans for the purchase or construction of homes. (Sec. 402) Makes permanent (currently terminates on October 27, 1999) a program providing Department-guaranteed housing loans to members and former members of the Selected Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a system for issuing certificates to such members representing their eligibility for such loans after completion of their required duty period. (Sec. 403) Exempts from Department-guaranteed loan fee requirements a veteran who first entered active duty after the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to conduct in selected test sites a pilot program of revised procedures in cases of veterans' defaults of Department-guaranteed loans. Prohibits conveyance to the Secretary of the property that secured such loan. Directs the Secretary to publish proposed rules for notice and comment regarding the procedures for liquidating loans and paying guaranty claims under the program. Terminates the pilot program after five years. Part B: Other Programs - Authorizes members of the armed forces serving on active duty to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, limiting member contribution to five percent of basic pay plus any reenlistment bonus. Prohibits matching Federal contributions on behalf of such members. (Sec. 412) Establishes in the Office of the Secretary the Office of Veterans Business Assistance to provide veterans with: (1) access to information regarding services and assistance available to veterans who wish to operate small businesses and other subjects of use to such veterans; (2) assistance in gaining access to business capital; (3) management assistance; and (4) assistance in gaining access to markets for their products or services. Requires the Office to create and maintain an information clearinghouse through an Internet electronic site regarding Federal, State, local, and private sector programs of assistance to veterans and others. Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) provide a target of $10 million per fiscal year for loans to veterans' small businesses; (2) include disabled veterans' small businesses within certain Federal subcontracting goals; and (3) include veterans' and disabled veterans' small businesses within certain Federal procurement goals. Provides preliminary goals for the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs for participation by veterans' small businesses in Federal prime contract and subcontract awards. Directs the Secretary, the Secretary of Labor, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to jointly develop and submit to the President a program of comprehensive outreach to assist veteran entrepreneurs. (Sec. 413) Terminates the Persian Gulf War period on February 28, 1993, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits and assistance. Title V: Organizational Structure - Directs the Department's Under Secretary for Health and DOD's Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs to establish a unified, joint policy staff responsible for: (1) identifying opportunities to increase joint, cooperative, and coordinated operations of the health care systems of such departments and the sharing of health care resources; and (2) initiating, facilitating, and monitoring efforts to utilize such opportunities. (Sec. 502) Requires any person who is an eligible health care beneficiary of either the Department or DOD to be eligible to receive from the other department the same health care services that such beneficiary is eligible to receive from the department of which the person is a primary beneficiary. Directs the Secretaries to jointly establish policies and procedures for their respective departments to furnish health care to beneficiaries of the other department. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretaries to jointly enter into an agreement with an independent entity for the study of the physical infrastructure, the organizational structures, and the operations of the health care systems of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretaries to: (1) review the geographic boundaries of the administrative structures of the field operations of their respective health care systems; and (2) take such action to make such boundaries congruent, except where doing so would interfere with the efficient furnishing of quality health care services. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary of Defense, at the time of the award or extension of TRICARE contracts, to recognize as military treatment facility equivalents within the geographic areas covered under such contracts Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities that: (1) agree to furnish health care services to DOD beneficiaries at or below the prices than non-government facilities would charge; (2) are capable of furnishing care of acceptable quality; and (3) certify that they are able to provide such services without detriment to the furnishing of care to veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 595 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a mortgage emergency assistance program for qualifying homeowners with National Housing Act-insured mortgages who are temporarily unable to meet their obligations due to financial hardship beyond their control. Requires homeowner repayment of such assistance and interest.
Bill· HRH.R. 533 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Title II: Streamlining and Cost Reduction Title III: Miscellaneous Disaster Mitigation Act of 1999 - Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to require a State, in submitting a disaster preparedness and prevention program plan prior to receiving assistance under such Act, to set forth a comprehensive and detailed State program for mitigating against emergencies and major disasters, including provisions for prioritizing mitigation measures. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the President to make grants for the costs of the development and application of floodplain mapping technologies that can be used by Federal, State, and local governments and that will likely result in substantial savings over current floodplain mapping methods. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the President to establish a program to provide financial assistance to States and local governments for undertaking predisaster hazard mitigation activities that are cost effective and substantially reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, or suffering from a major disaster. Provides, with respect to such assistance program, for: (1) minimum and maximum per-State allocation of funds; (2) criteria for granting such assistance and determining appropriate amounts; (3) State Governor recommendations of no less than five local governments to receive such assistance; (4) a requirement that at least ten percent of the amount provided in a fiscal year be furnished for activities in communities of 3,000 or fewer individuals that are economically disadvantaged; (5) a Federal cost-share limit (with a higher authorized Federal share for mitigation activities in small impoverished communities); (6) an authorization of appropriations for FY 1998 through 2000; and (7) a report from the President to the Congress evaluating implementation efforts and on a process for transferring to capable States greater responsibility for administering the program. (Sec. 105) Directs the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate the implementation of the predisaster hazard mitigation program authorized under the Act. (Sec. 106) Increases from 15 to 20 percent the maximum contribution for hazard mitigation costs with respect to a major disaster declared after January 1, 1997. Title II: Streamlining and Cost Reduction - Directs the President to: (1) establish management cost rates for disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance grantees and subgrantees; and (2) review such rates at least every three years. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the President to make contributions to a private nonprofit facility for the repair, restoration, or replacement of such facility which is damaged or destroyed by a major disaster only if its owner or operator has applied for a disaster loan under the Small Business Act and has been determined to be ineligible for such loan. Limits the Federal share of assistance provided to 75 percent of the eligible costs of the repair, restoration, or replacement of damaged public and private facilities. Allows a State, local government, or private nonprofit facility, in lieu of repairing, restoring, or replacing such damaged facilities, to receive the Federal cost share limit and repair other facilities or construct new facilities. Authorizes the President to modify the Federal cost share if such modification is likely to reduce the total amount of assistance provided. Provides for the determination of eligible costs and the modification of such costs. Requires the President to establish an expert panel for the determination of such costs. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to disaster victims who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. Authorizes the President to provide housing assistance to those who are displaced or whose residence is rendered uninhabitable as a result of such disaster. Includes as appropriate direct assistance the provision of other housing units. Limits the use of such units to 18 months, but allows the President to extend such period under extraordinary circumstances. Allows such assistance to include the repair or replacement of the original residence or permanent new housing construction in limited circumstances. Authorizes the provision of assistance for medical, dental, or funeral expenses and personal property, transportation, and other expenses. Limits to $25,000 the individual or household assistance amount. (Sec. 204) Repeals a provision of the Act authorizing the President to make community disaster loans following major disasters. (Sec. 205) Authorizes a State desiring to administer its own hazard mitigation assistance program to submit for the President's approval an application for the delegation of such authority, under specified criteria. (Sec. 206) Directs the President to conduct and report to the Congress on a pilot program to determine the desirability of State administration of parts of the disaster mitigation assistance program established under the Act. (Sec. 207) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct studies to: (1) estimate the reduction in Federal disaster assistance that has resulted and is likely to result from the enactment of this Act; and (2) determine the current and future expected availability of disaster insurance for public infrastructure eligible for assistance under the Act. Title III: Miscellaneous - Makes a technical correction to the short title of the Act. (Sec. 302) Excludes the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands from the definition of a State for purposes of the Act.
Bill· SS. 254 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Juvenile Justice Reform Title II: Juvenile Gangs Title III: Juvenile Crime Control, Accountability, and Delinquency Prevention Subtitle A: Reform of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 Subtitle B: Accountability for Juvenile Offenders and Public Protection Incentive Grants Subtitle C: Alternative Education and Delinquency Prevention Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Jail-Based Substance Abuse Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Accountability and Rehabilitation Act of 1999 - Title I: Juvenile Justice Reform - Repeals provisions of the Federal criminal code (the code) regarding the surrender to State authorities of juveniles arrested for the commission of Federal offenses. (Sec. 102) Authorizes juveniles age 14 years or older to be tried as adults, with an exception involving Indian country, at the discretion of the U.S. Attorney, in Federal district court for violations of Federal law which are serious violent felonies or serious drug offenses or which are other felony offenses, if the U.S. Attorney certifies that there is a substantial Federal interest to warrant the exercise of Federal jurisdiction or that the ends of justice otherwise so require. Authorizes the U.S. Attorney (or in the case of certain felony offenses, the Attorney General), upon declining prosecution of the charged person as a juvenile, to refer the matter to the appropriate legal authorities of the State or Indian tribe with jurisdiction over both the offense and the juvenile. Directs the U.S. Attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction (or in the case of certain felony offenses, the Attorney General), in cases of concurrent jurisdiction between the Federal Government and a State or Indian tribe over both the offense and the juvenile, to exercise a presumption in favor of referral unless the U.S. Attorney (or Attorney General) certifies that: (1) the prosecuting authority or the juvenile court or other appropriate court of the State or Indian tribe refuses, declines, or will refuse or decline to assume jurisdiction over the offense or the juvenile; and (2) there is a substantial Federal interest in the case or the offense to warrant the exercise of Federal jurisdiction. Authorizes a juvenile to be prosecuted and convicted as an adult for an offense that is properly joined under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure with a Federal offense that is a serious violent felony or serious drug offense, or that is a conspiracy or attempt to commit such offense. Permits conviction of a lesser included offense. Makes a determination to approve or not to approve, or to institute or not to institute, such a prosecution unreviewable. Directs the court in which criminal charges have been filed in such prosecution, if the juvenile was less than age 16 at the time of the offense, or in the case of certain felonies, upon motion of the defendant and after a hearing, to determine whether to issue an order to provide for the transfer of the defendant to juvenile status for purposes of proceeding against the defendant. Sets forth time requirements. Prohibits the court from ordering the transfer of a defendant to juvenile status unless the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence or information that removal to juvenile status would be in the interest of justice. Sets forth provisions regarding status of orders, inadmissibility of evidence, and applicable procedures. Subjects juveniles prosecuted as adults in U.S. district court to the same procedures and penalties as adults, except that no person under age 18 shall be subject to the death penalty. Makes mandatory restitution provisions applicable to juveniles tried as adults for specified offenses. Grants the U.S. Attorney (or, as appropriate, the Attorney General), in making determinations concerning juvenile arrest or prosecution, complete access to prior Federal and State (if permitted by State law) juvenile records. Specifies that certification regarding the trial of a juvenile as an adult shall not be made nor granted with respect to a juvenile who is subject to the criminal jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government if the juvenile is under age 15 at the time of the offense and is alleged to have committed an offense for which there would be Federal jurisdiction solely based on commission of the offense in Indian country, unless the governing body of the tribe having jurisdiction over the place where the alleged offense was committed has, before the occurrence of the alleged offense, notified the Attorney General in writing of its election that prosecution as an adult take place. Requires the court, in the case of a defendant convicted for conduct that occurred before the juvenile attained age 16, to impose a sentence without regard to any statutory minimum sentence upon finding at sentencing, after affording the Government an opportunity to make a recommendation, that the juvenile has not been previously adjudicated delinquent for, or convicted of, a serious violent felony or a serious drug offense. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to: (1) amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to require that prior juvenile convictions and adjudications for crimes of violence, controlled substance offenses, any other offense for which the defendant received a sentence or disposition of imprisonment for one year or more, and any other offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year for which the defendant was prosecuted as an adult, receive a criminal history score for any juvenile offender being sentenced as an adult similar to that which the defendant would have received if those offenses had been committed by the defendant as an adult, if any portion of the sentence had been imposed or served within 15 years; (2) determine whether the criminal history treatment of juvenile adjudications or convictions for other offenses should be similarly adjusted and make any additional guideline amendments necessary; (3) assign criminal history points for juvenile adjudication based principally on the nature of the acts committed (and authorizes adjusting the score in light of the length of sentence the juvenile received); (4) submit emergency guidelines or amendments to Congress; and (5) amend the guidelines to provide for inclusion in any determination regarding whether a juvenile or adult defendant is a career offender, and in any computation of the sentence that any defendant found to be a career offender should receive, of any act for which the defendant was previously convicted or adjudicated delinquent as a juvenile that would be a felony if committed by the defendant as an adult. (Sec. 104) Modifies code provisions regarding custody prior to appearance before a magistrate to direct that: (1) the arresting officer notify the U.S. Attorney of the appropriate jurisdiction as soon as practicable and promptly take reasonable steps to notify the juvenile's parents, guardian, or custodian of custody; and (2) the juvenile not be subject to detention under conditions that permit prohibited physical contact or sustained oral communication with adult inmates. (Sec. 105) Provides for pretrial detention of juveniles tried as adults on the same basis as adults. Prohibits the pretrial or predisposition detention of juveniles with adults. (Sec. 106) Extends the period in which the trial of a juvenile in detention must be commenced from 30 to 70 days after the beginning of detention. Applies in juvenile cases the same tolling provisions for such time period that apply in adult prosecutions. Directs the court, in determining whether an information should be dismissed with or without prejudice, to consider the seriousness of the alleged act of juvenile delinquency, the facts and circumstances of the case that led to the dismissal, and the impact of a re-prosecution on the administration of justice. (Sec. 107) Revises code provisions regarding the sentencing of juveniles found to be delinquent but not tried as adults to direct the court to hold a dispositional hearing within 40 court days after the finding of delinquency, unless the court has ordered further study. Requires: (1) a predisposition report to be prepared by the probation officer who shall promptly provide a copy to the juvenile, the juvenile's counsel, and the attorney for the Government; (2) victim impact information to be included in the report; (3) victims or their official representatives to be provided the opportunity to make a statement to the court or present information in relation to the disposition; and (4) the court to place the juvenile on probation or commit the juvenile to official detention and to impose any fine that would be authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult. Directs the court to enter an order of restitution. Requires that any such imprisonment be terminated on the juvenile's 26th birthday and prohibits a juvenile sentenced to a term of imprisonment from being released from custody simply because the juvenile reaches age 18. (Sec. 108) Rewrites code provisions regarding the use of juvenile records to permit disclosure to unauthorized persons of the records of a juvenile proceeding and release of such records only to the extent necessary for specified purposes, including (subject to specified requirements): (1) docketing and processing by the court; (2) responding to inquiries from courts, law enforcement agencies, the director of certain treatment agencies or facilities, and victims and their immediate family; and (3) communicating with a victim or the victim's official representative. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) records transmission to, and maintenance by, the FBI; (2) availability of records to schools in limited circumstances; (3) notification of the juvenile, and the juvenile's parent or guardian, of the juvenile's rights vis-a-vis adjudication record; and (4) records of juveniles tried as adults. (Sec. 109) Revises code provisions regarding juvenile commitment to require the sentence for a juvenile who is adjudicated delinquent or found guilty of an offense in U.S. district court to be carried out in the same manner as for an adult defendant, with exceptions. Specifies that the parent, guardian, or custodian of a juvenile sentenced to pay a fine or ordered to pay restitution or a special assessment may not be made liable for such payment by any court. Prohibits a juvenile under age 18 who is committed to the custody of the Attorney General for incarceration from being placed or retained in any jail or correctional institution in which the juvenile has prohibited physical contact with an adult inmate or can engage in sustained oral communication with adult inmates. Directs that violent juveniles be kept separate from nonviolent juveniles. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) commit a juvenile to a foster home or community-based facility located in or near the juvenile's home community if such commitment is practicable, in the juvenile's best interest, and consistent with community safety, with an exception; and (2) study and report to Congress on the capabilities of Indian tribal courts and criminal justice systems relating to the prosecution of juvenile criminals under tribal jurisdiction; and (3) evaluate an expansion of tribal court criminal jurisdiction. (Sec. 110) Extends the jurisdiction of Federal magistrate judges to class A misdemeanors. Permits magistrate judges to impose terms of imprisonment on juveniles. (Sec. 111) Amends the Sentencing Reform Act to: (1) apply Federal sentencing guidelines regarding maximum penalties for violent crimes and serious drug crimes to juveniles tried as adults; and (2) direct the Commission, by affirmative vote of not fewer than four of its members, to promulgate and distribute to all U.S. courts and to the U.S. Probation System guidelines for sentencing juveniles tried as adults in Federal court and for dispositional hearings for juveniles adjudicated delinquent in the Federal system. (Sec. 112) Directs the Attorney General to conduct a study of the juvenile justice systems of Indian tribes, and to report to specified congressional committees. Title II: Juvenile Gangs - Prohibits and sets penalties for recruiting or soliciting persons to be or to remain as a member of a criminal street gang. (Sec. 202) Amends: (1) the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to increase penalties for employing or using persons under age 18 in drug operations; and (2) the code to set penalties for the use of minors to commit a Federal offense that is a crime of violence, or to assist in avoiding detection or apprehension for such offense. (Sec. 204) James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1999 - Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to increase the offense level by not less than two levels for any offense in which the defendant used body armor. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Attorney General to designate "high intensity interstate gang activity areas." Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth allocation formulas. (Sec. 206) Increases penalties for using physical force to tamper with witnesses, victims, or informants. Title III: Juvenile Crime Control, Accountability, and Delinquency Prevention - Subtitle A: Reform of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 - Rewrites provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish in the Department of Justice an Office of Juvenile Crime Control and Prevention, headed by an Administrator. Directs the Administrator to develop objectives, priorities, and short- and long-term plans, and implement overall policy and strategy to carry out such plan, for all Federal juvenile crime control, prevention, and juvenile offender accountability programs and activities relating to improving juvenile crime control, the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, the prevention of juvenile crime, and the enhancement of accountability by offenders within the U.S. juvenile justice system. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to eligible States to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to carry out projects designed to prevent juvenile delinquency, including educational projects or supportive services for juveniles to encourage juveniles to remain in elementary and secondary schools or in alternative learning situations in educational settings, projects that use neighborhood courts or panels that increase victim satisfaction and require juveniles to make restitution or perform community service for the damage caused by their delinquent acts, projects that expand the use of probation officers, and projects that leverage funds to provide scholarships for postsecondary education and training for low-income juveniles who reside in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty, violence, and drug-related crimes. Sets forth provisions regarding State eligibility to receive grants, State plan approval and modification by a State Advisory Group, compliance with statutory requirements, and grant allocations. Establishes within the National Institute of Justice a National Institute for Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish within the latter a training program designed to train enrollees regarding methods and techniques for the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency; and (2) conduct a study, and report, on the effect of incarceration on status offenders compared to similarly situated individuals who are not placed in secure detention. Requires the Administrator to make grants to or enter into contracts with public and private nonprofit agencies, organizations, and institutions to establish and support programs and activities that: (1) involve families and communities and that are designed to carry out specified purposes, such as preventing and reducing juvenile participation in the activities of gangs that commit crimes, targeting elementary school students in steering students away from gang involvement, and providing treatment to juvenile gang members; and (2) reduce juvenile participation in illegal gang activities, develop regional task forces involving State, local, and community-based organizations to coordinate gang disruption, prosecution, and curtailment, facilitate coordination and cooperation among specified agencies and community-based programs, and support programs that are designed to encourage courts to develop and implement a specified continuum of post-adjudication restraints, and assist in the provision by the Administrator of information and technical assistance to States in the design and utilization of risk assessment mechanisms to aid juvenile justice personnel in determining appropriate sanctions for delinquent behavior. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, organizations, and institutions, and individuals, or combinations thereof, to carry out projects for the development, testing, and demonstration of promising initiatives and programs for the prevention, control, or reduction of juvenile delinquency. Directs the Administrator: (1) by making grants to and entering into contracts with local educational agencies, to establish and support programs and activities for the purpose of implementing mentoring programs; and (2) to make a grant to a qualified cooperative extension service for the purpose of expanding and replicating family mentoring programs to reduce the incidence of juvenile crime and delinquency among at-risk youth. Authorizes the Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to make grants to cooperative extension services to establish such family mentoring programs. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Makes religious nondiscrimination provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 applicable to a State or local government exercising its authority to distribute grants to applicants under this title. Sets forth restrictions on the use of appropriations for experimentation on individuals, construction by private agencies, lobbying, and legal action against Federal, State, or local agencies, institutions, or employees. Sets penalties for violations. Repeals provisions regarding incentive grants for local delinquency prevention programs. (Sec. 303) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (the Act) to: (1) include findings that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to assist in the development of an accurate national reporting system on runaway and homeless youth and that services for such youth are needed in urban, suburban, and rural areas; (2) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to establish and operate local centers to provide services for such youth and their families; (3) require a grant applicant, to be eligible for assistance, to include assurances that the applicant shall submit an annual report that includes, with respect to the year for which the report is submitted, statistical summaries describing the number and the characteristics of such youth and youth at risk of family separation who participated in the project and the services provided to such youth by the project; and (4) modify the services that applicants must plan to provide in order to use grant money for street-based, home-based, and drug abuse education and prevention services. Revises Act provisions regarding: (1) approval of applications to direct the Secretary to consider the geographical distribution in the State of the proposed services and which areas of the State have the greatest need for such services, and to give priority to eligible applicants who have demonstrated experience in providing services to runaway and homeless youth and who request grants of less than $200,000; (2) authority for the transitional living grant program to repeal definitions of "homeless youth" and "transitional living youth project"; (3) eligibility for assistance by stating that the annual report submitted by grant applicants to the Secretary must include statistical summaries describing the number and characteristics of the services provided to the homeless youth;(4) coordination by the Secretary of the activities of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to matters relating to the health, education, employment, and housing of runaway and homeless youth; and (5) authority to make grants for research, demonstration, and service projects to repeal references to home-based and street based services from the research and demonstration projects. Repeals provisions of the Act directing that assistance to potential grantees include information on the need for the establishment of additional runaway and homeless youth centers in the geographical area identified by the potential grantee involved. Amends the Act to require the Secretary, by April 1, 1999, and biennially thereafter, to submit to specified congressional committees a report on the status, activities, and accomplishments of entities that receive grants under the Act. Lists information that must be included in the report. Requires the Secretary to include summaries of the Secretary's evaluations of grantees and descriptions of the qualifications and training of the individuals administering the evaluations. Modifies the Act to authorize the disclosure or transfer of records containing the identity of individual youths to an individual or public or private agency for purposes of the disposition of criminal or delinquency charges against, or the coordinated delivery of services to, individual youths. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through FY 2004. Sets forth the division of appropriations among the programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit private agencies to provide street-based services to runaway and homeless, and street youth, who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual abuse, prostitution, or sexual exploitation. Directs the Secretary to give priority to nonprofit private agencies that have experience in providing services to runaway and homeless, and street youth. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2004. Grants the Secretary authority to implement a single consolidated application review process. (Sec. 304) Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to annually make a grant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which shall be used to: (1) operate a national 24-hour toll-free telephone line by which individuals may report information regarding the location of any missing child, or other child age 13 or younger whose whereabouts are unknown to such child's legal custodian, and request information pertaining to procedures necessary to reunite such child with the child's legal custodian; (2) coordinate the operation of such telephone line with the operation of the national communications system referred to in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act; (3) operate the official national resource center and information clearinghouse for missing and exploited children; (4) provide to State and local governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals, information regarding free or low-cost legal, restaurant, lodging and transportation services that are available for the benefit of missing and exploited children and their families and the existence and nature of programs being carried out by Federal agencies to assist missing and exploited children and their families; (5) coordinate public and private programs that locate, recover, or reunite missing children with their families; (6) disseminate, on a national basis, information relating to innovative and model programs, services, and legislation that benefit missing and exploited children; (7) provide technical assistance and training to law enforcement agencies, State and local governments, elements of the criminal justice system, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of cases involving missing and exploited children; and (8) provide assistance to families and law enforcement agencies in locating and recovering missing and exploited children, both nationally and internationally. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Requires the Administrator, either by making grants to or entering into contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies, to: (1) periodically conduct national incidence studies to determine for a given year the actual number of children reported missing each year, abducted by strangers, kidnaped by parents, and recovered each year; and (2) provide to State and local governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals information to facilitate the lawful use of school records and birth certificates to identify and locate missing children. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to and enter contracts with the Center for specified purposes, such as for research, demonstration projects, or service programs designed to assist in the locating and return of missing children. (Currently, such grants or contracts may only be made with public or nonprofit private organizations, or combinations thereof.) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Repeals requirements regarding a study to determine the obstacles that prevent or impede individuals who have legal custody of children from recovering such children from parents who have illegally removed such children from such individuals, and regarding a report on such study. (Sec. 305) Transfers functions and allocates appropriations and personnel to the new Office of Juvenile Crime Control and Prevention. Subtitle B: Accountability for Juvenile Offenders and Public Protection Incentive Grants - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Safe Streets Act) to direct the Attorney General, subject to the availability of appropriations, to make grants to States for use by States and local governments in planning, establishing, operating, coordinating, and evaluating projects for the development of more effective investigation, prosecution, and punishment of crimes or acts of delinquency committed by juveniles, programs to improve the administration of justice for and ensure accountability by juvenile offenders, and programs to reduce the risk factors associated with juvenile crime or delinquency. Sets forth provisions regarding use of grants, State grant allocation and distribution, grant allocation among qualifying States and restrictions on use, and grants to Indian tribes. Directs the Attorney General, upon application from a State, to makes grants to eligible States that maintain certain records regarding juvenile criminal history and fingerprints and that will establish procedures by which an official of an elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school may, as appropriate, gain access to the juvenile adjudication record of a student enrolled or seeking to enroll at that school. (Sec. 322) Directs the Attorney General to establish a pilot program to encourage and support communities that adopt a comprehensive approach to suppressing and preventing violent juvenile crime patterned after successful State juvenile crime reduction strategies. Sets forth program requirements. (Sec. 324) Extends the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. (Sec. 325) Amends: (1) the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to provide for the reimbursement of States for costs of incarcerating juvenile aliens; and (2) the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require annual reporting of the number of illegal juvenile aliens committed to State or local juvenile correctional facilities. (Sec. 326) Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should enact legislation to provide, on motion of the prosecution and with court approval, that an individual who is between age ten and fourteen may be tried as an adult and, upon conviction, may be subject to any penalty (other than a sentence of death) if the individual is charged with an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony offense for which the maximum penalty is a sentence of death. Subtitle C: Alternative Education and Delinquency Prevention - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct: (1) the Secretary of Education to make grants to State or local education agencies for not less than ten demonstration projects that enable the agencies to develop models for and carry out alternative education for at-risk youth; and (2) each agency receiving such a grant to enter into a partnership with a private sector entity to provide alternative educational services to at-risk youth. Sets forth application, grantee selection, matching, and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit firearms possession by persons who have committed an act of violent juvenile delinquency. Subtitle B: Jail-Based Substance Abuse - Amends the Safe Streets Act to authorize the use of residential substance abuse treatment grants to provide nonresidential substance abuse treatment aftercare services for inmates or former inmates if the State's chief executive officer certifies to the Attorney General that the State is providing, and will continue to provide, an adequate level of residential treatment services. Makes specified funds available to a State to make grants to local correctional facilities in the State for the purpose of assisting jail-based substance abuse treatment programs established by those facilities. Sets forth provisions regarding the Federal share, application requirements, review of applications, State implementation of a statewide communications network to track the participants in jail-based substance abuse treatment programs established by local correctional facilities in the State as those participants move between such facilities within the State, the use of grant sums, reporting requirements, and performance review.
Bill· SS. 225 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Amendments of 1999 - Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to add a new title, Title VIII - Housing Assistance for Native Hawaiians. Directs the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make block grants to carry out affordable housing activities for Native Hawaiian families on or near Hawaiian Home Lands.. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands only if the Director of the Department has submitted a housing plan that meets requirements under this Act. Sets forth plan terms, conditions, and requirements. Provides for plan review by the Secretary. Sets forth provisions regarding the treatment of program income, project labor standards, and environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Limits assistance for affordable housing activities under the program to low-income Native Hawaiian families, with specified exceptions for: (1) certain homeownership activities; and (2) assistance to non-Native Hawaiians if the presence of the family in the housing involved is essential to the well-being of Native Hawaiian families and the housing need cannot be met without assistance. Describes eligible affordable housing activities. Sets forth program requirements, including the development of policies governing rents, homebuyer payments, eligibility, management, leases, and tenant selection. Sets the maximum monthly rent or homebuyer payment at 30 percent of the monthly adjusted family income. Reduces future grant payments and requires repayment if housing does not remain affordable for the longest feasible time determined by the Secretary. Sets forth additional remedies for noncompliance with program requirements, including termination of grants and civil actions against the Department. Provides for monitoring by the Director to assess compliance with this Act and progress reports to the Secretary. Sets forth additional review, auditing, and reporting requirements for the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize the Secretary to guarantee up to $100 million in loans from approved lenders in each of FY 2000 through 2004 to provide access to sources of private financing to Native Hawaiian families who could otherwise not acquire housing financing because of the unique legal status of the Hawaiian Home Lands or as a result of a lack of access to private financial markets. Provides that a loan will be used to construct, acquire, or rehabilitate not more than four-family dwellings that are standard housing and located on Hawaiian Home Lands for which an approved housing plan to provide affordable homeownership housing applies. Limits loans to 30-year terms. Permits the Secretary to guarantee a loan only upon determining that there is a reasonable prospect of repayment. Sets forth remedies for the Secretary if lenders fail to meet certain requirements, including the imposition of monetary penalties. Establishes a Hawaiian Housing Guarantee Fund for the purpose of providing loan guarantees under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish safety and quality standards for housing financed under these provisions.
Law· SS. 249 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act - Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to annually make a grant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which shall be used to: (1) operate a national 24-hour toll- free telephone line by which individuals may report information regarding the location of any missing child, or other child age 13 or younger whose whereabouts are unknown to such child's legal custodian, and request information pertaining to procedures necessary to reunite such child with the child's legal custodian; (2) coordinate the operation of such telephone line with the operation of the national communications system referred to in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act; (3) operate the official national resource center and information clearinghouse for missing and exploited children; (4) provide to State and local governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals information regarding free or low-cost legal, restaurant, lodging and transportation services that are available for the benefit of missing and exploited children and their families and the existence and nature of programs being carried out by Federal agencies to assist missing and exploited children and their families; (5) coordinate public and private programs that locate, recover, or reunite missing children with their families; (6) disseminate, on a national basis, information relating to innovative and model programs, services, and legislation that benefit missing and exploited children; (7) provide technical assistance and training to law enforcement agencies, State and local governments, elements of the criminal justice system, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of cases involving missing and exploited children; and (8) provide assistance to families and law enforcement agencies in locating and recovering missing and exploited children, both nationally and internationally. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Requires the Administrator, either by making grants to or entering into contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies, to: (1) periodically conduct national incidence studies to determine for a given year the actual number of children reported missing each year, abducted by strangers, kidnaped by parents, and recovered each year; and (2) provide to State and local governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, and individuals information to facilitate the lawful use of school records and birth certificates to identify and locate missing children. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to and enter contracts with the Center for specified purposes, such as for research, demonstration projects, or service programs designed to assist in the location and return of missing children. (Currently, such grants or contracts may be made with only public or nonprofit private organizations, or combinations thereof.) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Repeals requirements regarding a study to determine the obstacles that prevent or impede individuals who have legal custody of children from recovering such children from parents who have illegally removed such children from such individuals, and regarding a report on such study. (Sec. 3) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (the Act) to: (1) include findings that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to assist in the development of an accurate national reporting system on runaway and homeless youth and that services for such youth are needed in urban, suburban, and rural areas; (2) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to establish and operate local centers to provide services for such youth and their families; (3) require a grant applicant, to be eligible for assistance, to include assurances that the applicant shall submit an annual report that includes, with respect to the year for which the report is submitted, statistical summaries describing the number and the characteristics of such youth and youth at risk of family separation who participated in the project and the services provided to such youth by the project; and (4) modify the services that applicants must plan to provide in order to use grant money for street-based, home-based, and drug abuse education and prevention services. Revises Act provisions regarding: (1) approval of applications to direct the Secretary to consider the geographical distribution in the State of the proposed services and which areas of the State have the greatest need for such services, and to give priority to eligible applicants who have demonstrated experience in providing services to runaway and homeless youth and who request grants of less than $200,000; (2) authority for the transitional living grant program to repeal definitions of "homeless youth" and "transitional living youth project"; (3) eligibility for assistance by stating that the annual report submitted by grant applicants to the Secretary must include statistical summaries describing the number and characteristics of the services provided to the homeless youth;(4) coordination by the Secretary of the activities of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to matters relating to the health, education, employment, and housing of runaway and homeless youth; and (5) authority to make grants for research, demonstration, and service projects to repeal references to home-based and street based services from the research and demonstration projects. Repeals provisions of the Act directing that assistance to potential grantees include information on the need for the establishment of additional runaway and homeless youth centers in the geographical area identified by the potential grantee involved. . Amends the Act to require the Secretary, by April 1, 1999, and biennially thereafter, to submit to specified congressional committees a report on the status, activities, and accomplishments of entities that receive grants under the Act. Lists information that must be included in the report. Requires the Secretary to include summaries of the Secretary's evaluations of grantees and descriptions of the qualifications and training of the individuals administering the evaluations. Modifies the Act to authorize the disclosure or transfer of records containing the identity of individual youths to an individual or public or private agency for purposes of the disposition of criminal or delinquency charges against, or the coordinated delivery of services to, individual youths. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through FY 2004. Sets forth the division of appropriations among the programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit private agencies to provide street-based services to runaway and homeless, and street youth, who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual abuse, prostitution, or sexual exploitation. Directs the Secretary to give priority to nonprofit private agencies that have experience in providing services to runaway and homeless, and street youth. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2004. Grants the Secretary authority to implement a single consolidated application review process.
Law· SS. 67 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Designates the Department of Housing and Urban Development headquarters at 451 Seventh Street, SW. Washington, D.C., as the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building.
Bill· SS. 9 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Safe Schools, Safe Streets, and Secure Borders Act of 1999 - Title I: Combating Violence in Schools and Punishing Juvenile Crime - Subtitle A: Assistance to Schools - Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Education (Secretary), and the Secretary of Energy to enter into an agreement for the establishment at the Sandia National Laboratories in partnership with the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center--Southeast of a School Security Technology Center. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1002) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary to award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to enable such agencies to acquire security technology, or carry out activities related to improving security at the middle and high schools served by the agencies, including obtaining school security assessments, and technical assistance for the development of a comprehensive school security plan from the School Security Technology Center. Directs the Secretary to give priority to agencies showing the highest security needs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1003) Directs the Attorney General to develop and submit to the Congress a proposal to further improve school security. Subtitle B: Federal Prosecution of Serious and Violent Juvenile Offenders - Part 1: Reform of Federal Juvenile System - Revises Federal criminal code (code) provisions regarding delinquency proceedings and criminal prosecutions in district courts to authorize a juvenile alleged to have committed an act on or after the day the juvenile attains age 16 to be prosecuted as an adult if specified conditions are met, such as if: (1) the juvenile has requested in writing upon advice of counsel to be prosecuted as an adult; and (2) the act, if committed by an adult, would be a felony crime of violence or a specified serious drug or other offense. Requires the approval of the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee to prosecute a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 16. (Under current law, the decision to charge a juvenile as an adult for specified crimes is a result of a motion by the United States to transfer the juvenile for criminal prosecution, and the offenses subject to this transfer authority are limited.) Makes a determination regarding approval or institution of prosecution under this title non-reviewable in court, with exceptions. Allows a juvenile to be prosecuted and convicted as an adult for any other offense which is properly joined under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and convicted of a lesser included offense. (Sec.1212) Limits the applicability of statutory minimum sentences in certain prosecutions of persons under age 16. (Sec. 1214) Requires: (1) an arresting officer to promptly take reasonable steps to notify the parents, guardian, or custodian of a juvenile taken into custody (current law requires immediate notification of such parties and the Attorney General); and (2) the juvenile to be taken before a judicial officer without unreasonable delay (current law prohibits a juvenile from being detained for longer than a reasonable period before being brought before a magistrate). (Sec. 1216) Requires juvenile delinquency proceedings for a juvenile in detention to begin within 45 (currently, 30) days after the beginning of such detention. Directs the court, in determining whether an information should be dismissed with or without prejudice, to consider the seriousness of the offense, the facts and circumstances of the case that led to the dismissal, and the impact of a re-prosecution on the administration of justice. (Sec. 1217) Modifies sentencing options under the code to make available increased detention, fines, and supervised release for adjudicated delinquents. Makes mandatory restitution applicable to adjudicated delinquents. Increases, for an adjudicated delinquent, the maximum period of: (1) probation to the same period applicable to an adult; and (2) official detention to the lesser of the maximum term of imprisonment authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult, ten years, or the date on which the juvenile attains age 26. Authorizes the court, pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission, to treat the conviction as adult of juveniles aged 13, 14, and 15 as an adjudication of delinquency. Directs the Commission to promulgate such guidelines within one year of this Act's enactment. (Sec. 1218) Modifies code provisions regarding the use of juvenile records to direct that the court records of the original proceeding be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Allows release of such records as necessary to meet inquiries from the official representative of the victim of such juvenile delinquency in appropriate cases, and in other specified circumstances, to: (1) apprise such victim or representative of the status or disposition of the proceeding; (2) effectuate any other legal provision; or (3) assist in a victim's, or the victim's official representative's, allocution at disposition. Directs that, if a juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent for an act that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony or for a violation of the prohibition under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act against selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun or ammunition suitable for use only in a handgun to a person known or reasonably believed to be a juvenile: (1) the juvenile shall be fingerprinted and photographed, and the fingerprints and photograph sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) the court shall transmit to the FBI the information concerning the adjudication; and (3) access to the fingerprints, photograph, and other records and information relating to the juvenile shall be restricted. Part 2: Incarceration of Juveniles in the Federal System - Amends code provisions regarding juvenile detention to require that juveniles being prosecuted as adults be detained prior to sentencing: (1) in such suitable place as the Attorney General may designate, with preference given to a place located within, or a reasonable distance of, the district in which the juvenile is being prosecuted, if the juvenile is 16 years of age or older; and (2) in such an available, suitable juvenile facility, in any other such facility, or if no such facility is available, in any other suitable place as the Attorney General may designate if the juvenile is under age 16. Directs that, to the extent practicable, violent juveniles be kept separate from nonviolent juveniles. Expands current protections for juveniles detained prior to disposition to cover detention prior to disposition or sentencing, and to provide for reasonable safety and security. (Sec. 1222) Amends code provisions regarding commitment to: (1) prohibit the Attorney General from causing any person under age 18 adjudicated delinquent, or under age 16 convicted of an offense, to be placed or retained in an adult jail or correctional facility in which the person has prohibited physical contact or sustained oral communication with adults incarcerated because they have been convicted of a crime or are awaiting trial on criminal charges; and (2) provide for reasonable safety and security for every juvenile adjudicated delinquent. Subtitle C: Assistance to States for Prosecuting and Punishing Juvenile Offenders, and Reducing Juvenile Crime - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, local governments, or any combination thereof, to assist them in planning, establishing, and operating secure facilities, staff-secure facilities, detention centers, and other correctional programs for violent juvenile offenders, to be used: (1) for collocated facilities for adult prisoners and violent juvenile offenders; and (2) only for the construction or operation of facilities in which violent juvenile offenders are substantially segregated from nonviolent juvenile offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements, minimum allocations, performance evaluation, technical assistance, juvenile facilities on tribal lands, and a report on the possible use of performance-based criteria in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of juvenile corrections facilities and programs. (Sec. 1302) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, State and local courts, local governments, and Indian tribes, for the purposes of: (1) providing juvenile courts with a range of sentencing options such that first time juvenile offenders face at least some level of punishment as a result of their initial contact with the juvenile justice system; and (2) increasing the sentencing options available to juvenile court judges so that juvenile offenders receive increasingly severe sanctions as the seriousness of their unlawful conduct increases and for each additional offense. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements, considerations in awarding grants, allocation of grant funds, use of grant amounts, grant limitations, the Federal share, and reporting and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund (Fund). (Sec. 1303) Directs the Attorney General to establish a pilot program to encourage and support communities who adopt a comprehensive approach to suppressing and preventing violent juvenile crime patterned after successful State juvenile crime reduction strategies. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1304) Amends: (1) the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to provide for the reimbursement of States for the costs of incarcerating juvenile alien offenders; and (2) the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require that the annual report on criminal aliens include details of the number of illegal juvenile aliens committed to State or local juvenile correctional facilities, including the type of offense committed by each juvenile. Subtitle D: Protecting Children From Violence - Part 1: Gun Offenses - Amends the Brady Act to: (1) define the term "act of juvenile delinquency" to mean an adjudication of delinquency based on a finding of the commission of an act by a person prior to his or her eighteenth birthday that, if committed by an adult, would be a serious drug offense or violent felony, on or after the date of this subtitle's enactment; and (2) cover adjudications of juvenile delinquency. (Sec. 1412) Requires an applicant for a license to deal in firearms to certify that secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any place in which firearms are sold under the license to persons who are not licensees, with an exception. Provides for the revocation of a dealer's license for failure to have available secure gun storage or safety devices. (Sec. 1413) Enhances penalties for discharging or possessing a firearm during a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, with exceptions. (Sec. 1414) Increases penalties for selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun or ammunition suitable for use only in a handgun to a person known or reasonably believed to be a juvenile. Subjects a person (currently, a person other than a juvenile) who knowingly violates such prohibition to such penalties. (Sec. 1415) Makes serious juvenile drug offenses predicates to violations of the Armed Career Criminal statute. (Sec. 1416) Increases penalties for: (1) transferring a firearm to a minor for use in a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and (2) firearms conspiracy. Part 2: Local Gun Violence Prevention Programs - Authorizes the Secretary or the State educational agency to award grants to eligible local educational agencies for the purposes of educating children about preventing gun violence. Sets forth provisions regarding State and local application requirements, including assurances that 90 percent of allotted funds be distributed to local educational agencies, priorities in grant awards, peer review of grant applications, eligible grant recipients, eligible grant recipients, reporting requirements, and authorized activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1422) Directs the Secretary to: (1) include on the Internet site of the Department of Education a description of programs that receive grants; and (2) publicize the competitive grant program through its Internet site, publications, and public service announcements. (Sec. 1423) Amends the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994 to include within a comprehensive drug and violence prevention program carried out by a local educational agency: (1) timely counseling; (2) evaluations of any student who possesses a weapon, or who threatens to bring or use a weapon, on school grounds; and (3) advice to public school students, staff, and administrators after an incident of violence on school grounds. (Sec. 1424) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) expand the number of cities and counties directly participating in the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative (YCGII) to 75 by October 1, 2000, 150 by October 1, 2002, and 250 by October 1, 2003; and (2) facilitate the identification and prosecution of individuals illegally trafficking firearms to prohibited individuals, utilizing information provided by YCGII, and award grants to States, cities, and counties to assist in the tracing of firearms and participation in YCGII. (Sec. 1425) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Safe Streets Act) to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in awarding discretionary grants to public agencies to undertake law enforcement gang-related initiatives, to give priority to a public agency that includes in its application a description of strategies or programs of that agency providing cooperation between Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities, through the use of firearms and ballistics identification systems, to disrupt illegal sale or transfer of firearms to or between juveniles through tracing the sources of guns used in crime that were provided to juveniles. Part 3: Juvenile Gun Courts - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to States, State and local courts, local governments, and Indian tribes for court-based juvenile justice programs that target juvenile firearm offenders through the establishment of juvenile gun courts. Requires each applicant to submit a comprehensive implementation plan. Provides for grant award uses and limitations, with a Federal share limit of 90 percent of total program costs. Sets forth reporting and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Part 4: Youth Violence Courts - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) to authorize the Attorney General to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements with States, State, local, and tribal courts, local governments, and Indian tribes to plan, develop, implement, and administer programs to adjudicate and better manage juvenile and youthful violent offenders within State, tribal, and local court systems. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements, the Federal share, geographic distribution, and training and technical assistance. Title II: Combating Gang Violence - Subtitle A: Enhanced Penalties for Gang-Related Activities - Amends the code to: (1) impose criminal penalties for travel in interstate or foreign commerce to recruit, solicit, induce, command, or cause to create, or attempt to create, a franchise of a criminal street gang; and (2) direct the Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate enhancement for the use of minors in a criminal street gang and the recruitment of minors in furtherance of the creation of a criminal street gang franchise. (Sec. 2103) Includes franchising a criminal street gang as a "racketeering activity" for purposes of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). (Sec. 2104) Directs the Commission to provide an appropriate enhancement with respect to any: (1) offense committed in connection with, or in furtherance of the activities of, a criminal street gang if the defendant is a member of the gang at the time of the offense; and (2) defendant who discharges a firearm during or in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. (Sec. 2106) Sets penalties for arson or bombings at facilities of any institution or organization receiving Federal financial assistance. (Sec. 2107) Eliminates any statute of limitations with respect to any offense punishable by death or for a Class A felony involving murder. (Sec. 2108) Extends to ten years after the commission of the offense the statute of limitations with respect to a Class A felony that is a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. (Sec.2109) Increases penalties under RICO for gang and violent crimes. Increases the penalty and broadens the scope of the statute against violent crimes in aid of racketeering. (Sec. 2111) Removes from the carjacking prohibition the requirement of intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. Amends RICO to provide that it is not necessary to establish that the defendant personally committed an act of racketeering activity to be guilty of conspiracy to violate the Act. (Sec. 2113) Provides for civil and criminal forfeiture for crimes of violence, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. (Sec. 2114) Expands the definition of "racketeering activity" under RICO to cover acts or threats occurring solely in Indian country. (Sec. 2115) Authorizes the Attorney General and the FBI to investigate serial killings in violation of the laws of a State or political subdivision, when requested by the head of a law enforcement agency with investigative or prosecutive jurisdiction over the offense. (Sec. 2116) Increases penalties for violence in the course of riot offenses. (Sec. 2117) Defines "prison" to include privately owned facilities housing Federal prisoners or prisoners who are serving a term of imprisonment under a commitment order from a State other than that in which the penal facility is located. Subtitle B: Targeting Gang-Related Gun Offenses - Amends the Brady Act to prohibit and set penalties for transferring a firearm having reasonable cause to believe that such firearm will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. (Sec. 2202) Increases the penalty for knowingly receiving a firearm with an obliterated serial number. (Sec. 2203) Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to increase the base offense level for certain offenses regarding transfers of firearms to prohibited persons. (Sec. 2204) Amends the code to provide for the forfeiture of firearms used to commit or facilitate the commission of any crime of violence or Federal felony. Sets forth provisions regarding disposal of forfeited property, the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to seize such property, and a 120-day rule for administrative forfeiture. Subtitle C: Using and Protecting Witnesses To Help Prosecute Gangs and Other Violent Criminals - Amends the code to prohibit, and set penalties for, traveling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to engage in witness intimidation or obstruction of justice. (Sec. 2302) Includes within the definition of: (1) "convicted" a finding that a person has committed an act of juvenile delinquency; and (2) "crime of violence" offenses relating to the possession of explosives or firearms by convicted felons. Directs the judicial officer, in determining whether conditions of release will reasonably assure the appearance of the person as required and the safety of any other person and the community, to take into account available information including whether the person was a member of or participated in a criminal street gang or racketeering enterprise. (Sec. 2303) Subjects those who conspire to commit obstruction of justice offenses involving victims, witnesses, and informants to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy. (Sec. 2304) Amends the code and Rule 35 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow a reduction of sentence for providing substantial assistance in the investigation of any offense. (Sec. 2305) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, using physical force or the threat of physical force, or attempts to do so, with intent to withhold testimony, evade legal process, or hinder the communication to a law enforcement officer or judge of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal offense or of conditions of probation, parole, or release pending judicial proceedings. (Sec. 2306) Expands the Federal kidnaping offense to cover circumstances where the victim's death occurs before crossing a State line and where the mail or a facility in interstate or foreign commerce is used in furtherance of the offense. (Sec. 2307) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, travel in interstate or foreign commerce to commit any felony crime of violence. (Sec. 2308) Amends Federal law regarding certain interstate communications (regarding kidnaping and extortion), mailing threatening communications (from within and outside of the United States) to specify that such law covers threats to kill. (Sec. 2309) Amends a code provision regarding obstruction of criminal investigations to define the term "subpoena for records" to mean a Federal grand jury subpoena or a Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoena for customer records that have been served relating to a violation of, or a conspiracy to violate, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code regarding returns relating to cash received in trade or business (including cash receipts of more than $10,000), and provisions relating to a Federal health care offense. (Sec. 2310) Eliminates the proof of value requirement for felony theft or conversion of grand jury material. Subtitle D: Gang Paraphernalia - Directs a provider of a paging or electronic communication service, upon the request of an attorney for the Government or an officer of a law enforcement agency authorized to use a clone pager, to furnish such investigative or law enforcement officer all information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the use of the pager unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the person so ordered by the court provides to the subscriber, if such assistance is directed by a court order. Sets forth requirements regarding applications for orders for the use of a clone pager and issuance of such orders. (Sec. 2402) Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for any: (1) offense in which the defendant used body armor; and (2) serious violent felony or serious drug offense in which the defendant possessed a firearm equipped with a laser-sighting device, or possessed a firearm and possessed such a device (capable of being readily attached to the firearm). (Sec. 2404) Amends the code to require a provider of mobile electronic communication service to provide to a governmental entity information generated by and disclosing, on a real time basis, the physical location of a subscriber's equipment only if such entity obtains a court order issued upon a finding that there is probable cause to believe that an individual using or possessing the subscriber equipment is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a felony. (Sec. 2405) Revises provisions regarding issuance of an order for a pen register or a trap and trace device to authorize the court, upon application for such order, to enter an ex parte order: (1) authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device within the jurisdiction of the court if the court finds, based on the certification by the attorney for the Government or the State law enforcement or investigative officer, that the information likely to be obtained by such installation and use is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation; and (2) directing that the use of the pen register or trap and trace device be conducted in such a way as to minimize the recording or decoding of any electronic or other impulses that are not related to the dialing and signaling information utilized in call processing. Subtitle E: Grants to Target Gang Crime and Violent Juveniles - Part 1: Grants to Prosecutors' Offices - Amends the VCCLEA to direct the Attorney General to include among uses of community-based justice grants for prosecutors: (1) the hiring of additional prosecutors; (2) funding to enable prosecutors to address drug, gang, and youth violence problems more effectively; (3) funding to assist prosecutors with funding for technology, equipment, and training to assist them in reducing the incidence of and increase the successful identification and speed of prosecution of young violent offenders; and (4) funding to assist prosecutors in their efforts to engage in community prosecution, problem solving, and conflict resolution techniques through collaborative efforts with police, school officials, probation officers, social service agencies, and community organizations. (Sec. 2512) Authorizes such grants to be made to combinations of State, Indian, and local prosecutors. (Sec. 2513) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2514) Earmarks appropriated funds for: (1) training and technical assistance (two percent); and (2) research, statistics, and evaluation (ten percent). Part 2: High Intensity Interstate Gang Activity Areas - Authorizes the Attorney General: (1) to designate as a high intensity interstate gang activity area a specified area that is located within a State or in more than one State; and (2) in order to provide Federal assistance to a high intensity interstate gang activity area, to facilitate the establishment of a regional task force and to direct the detailing from a Federal department or agency of personnel to such area. Sets forth criteria for area designation. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Combating Violence on the Streets - Subtitle A: More Police Officers on the Beat - Amends the Safe Streets Act to: (1) extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for public safety and community policing grants; and (2) limit to 20 percent of grant funds available in any fiscal year the amount authorized for grants for equipment, technology, and support systems. (Sec. 3103) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, local governmental units, Indian tribes, other public and private entities, and multijurisdictional or regional consortia to encourage the use of, and to implement, 311 nonemergency telecommunication systems for public safety. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund. Subtitle B: Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing Grants - Amends the VCCLEA to revise the formula allocation between States and U.S. territories and possessions for technical assistance and training to entities receiving grants under such grant program through FY 2002. Subtitle C: Domestic Violence - Extends through FY 2002: (1) grants to combat violent crimes against women; (2) education and prevention grants to reduce sexual assaults against women; (3) the grant for a national domestic violence hotline; (4) grants for battered women's shelters; and (5) programs for victims of child abuse. (Sec. 3302) Amends the Safe Streets Act to redefine "rural State" for purposes of rural domestic and child abuse enforcement assistance to include a State that has a population density of more than 60 persons per square mile. (Sec. 3303) Amends the interstate domestic violence statute to cover attempts to commit interstate domestic violence and intimidation. (Sec. 3305) Punishes interstate travel with intent to kill a spouse. Subtitle D: Assistance to Local Law Enforcement - Amends the Safe Streets Act and the VCCLEA to extend through FY 2002 the funding for: (1) law enforcement family support; (2) rural drug enforcement and training; (3) DNA identification grants; (4) Byrne grants (law enforcement training and education); (5) technical automation grants; and (6) grants for State court prosecutors. Requires no less than 20 percent of the funds made available during FY 2001 and 2002 for the latter grant program to be used to provide increased resources to State juvenile courts, including its prosecutors, public defenders, and other juvenile court system participants. Subtitle E: Protecting Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Officers and the Judiciary - Amends the code to expand coverage of a provision regarding the protection of U.S. officers and employees to cover killings or attempted killings of: (1) U.S. officers and employees because of the status of the victim as such an officer or employee; and (2) persons assisting who are officers or employees of a State or local government, because of the status of the victim as such an officer or employee. (Sec. 3502) Increases terms of imprisonment for: (1) assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees; and (2) influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a Federal official by threatening a family member. (Sec. 3504) Sets penalties for mailing threatening communications to a U.S. judge, a Federal law enforcement officer, and specified officers and employees. (Sec. 3505) Directs the Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and the Commissions policy state, if appropriate, to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for offenses involving influencing, assaulting, resisting, impeding, retaliating against, or threatening a Federal judge, magistrate judge, or other specified officials. (Sec. 3506) Extends the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 through FY 2004. (Sec. 3507) Expands the scope of code provisions regarding the killing of persons aiding Federal investigations or State correctional officers to cover specified persons killed in furtherance of State and joint Federal-State criminal investigations. (Sec. 3508) Includes within such a provision for a mandatory minimum of 20 years imprisonment, life imprisonment, or death, a circumstance where the incarcerated person is incarcerated pending an initial appearance, arraignment, trial, or appeal for an offense against the United States. (Sec. 3509) Amends the code to provide that testimony by Secret Service or former Secret Service personnel regarding information affecting a protectee (defined to include the President, Vice President, President-elect, Vice President-elect, and certain visiting heads of foreign states) that was acquired during the performance of a protective function in physical proximity to the protectee shall not be disclosed in any proceeding, with exceptions. Subtitle F: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the VCCLEA to reauthorize appropriations through FY 2002 for the Fund and to provide for a reduction in discretionary spending limits for FY 2001-2002. Subtitle G: Punishing Hate Crimes and Protecting Civil Rights - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the code to impose penalties upon persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. Directs the Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of DOJ to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting. (Sec. 3702) Amends the code to punish attempted deprivations of civil rights under color of law. (Sec. 3703) Amends the Hate Crimes Statistics Act to direct the Attorney General, beginning for calendar year 1999, to include data regarding the age of offenders. (Sec. 3704) Amends the VCCLEA to direct the Commission to promulgate, or amend existing, guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements of not less than three offense levels for offenses that the court at sentencing (currently, the finder of fact at trial) determines beyond a reasonable doubt are hate crimes. (Sec. 3705) Privacy Protection Against Bounty Hunters Act of 1999 - Amends the code to prohibit a bail enforcement officer from entering or searching any private dwelling in pursuit of a fugitive without being accompanied by a law enforcement officer. (Sec. 3706) Bounty Hunter Accountability and Quality Assistance Act of 1999 - Directs the Attorney General to develop model guidelines for the State control and regulation of bounty hunters, including recommendations regarding whether: (1) a person seeking employment as a bounty hunter should be required to submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check or should not be allowed to obtain such employment if he or she has been convicted of a Federal or State felony; (2) bounty hunters and their employers should be required to obtain adequate liability insurance for actions taken in the course of performing such duties; and (3) State laws should provide for the official recognition of bounty hunters from other States and should prohibit bounty hunters from entering any private dwelling without first knocking on the front door and announcing their presence. Requires published guidelines to include an analysis of their estimated effect on: (1) the cost and availability of bail; and (2) the bail bond agent industry. Directs the Attorney to publish model guidelines in the Federal Register. Subtitle H: Deterring Cargo Theft - Amends the code regarding thefts pertaining to interstate or foreign shipments by carrier to include thefts of trailers and air cargo containers and thefts from freight consolidation facilities. Increases the maximum penalty from one year to three years imprisonment. Specifies that goods and chattel shall be construed to be moving as an interstate or foreign shipment at all points between the point of origin and the final destination. Makes it an affirmative defense that the defendant bought, received, or possessed the goods at issue with the sole intent to report the matter to an appropriate law enforcement officer or to the owner. Directs: (1) the Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to promulgate amendments and to provide an appropriate enhancement; and (2) the Attorney General to annually submit to the Congress a report including an evaluation of law enforcement activities relating to the investigation and prosecution of such offenses. (Sec. 3803) Establishes the Advisory Committee on Cargo Theft to study, and develop recommendations regarding, the establishment of: (1) a national computer database for the collection and dissemination of information relating to violations of cargo theft provisions; and (2) an office within the Federal Government to promote, and to increase coordination between the Government and the private sector regarding, cargo security. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3804) Amends the code to add attempts to various theft and embezzlement-related prohibitions. (Sec. 3806) Expands a provision regarding breaking into a post office (including attempts) to include breaking into any post office box or postal stamp vending machine. (Sec. 3807) Makes provisions regarding transportation, and sale or receipt, of stolen vehicles applicable to vessels. Subtitle I: Improvements to Federal Criminal Law - Part 1: Sentencing Improvements - Amends the Federal judicial code to direct the Commission to promulgate and distribute to the courts sentencing guidelines and policy statements that are consistent with all pertinent provisions of any Federal statute. (Sec. 3912) Doubles the maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter. (Sec. 3913) Authorizes imposition of both a fine and imprisonment rather than only either penalty for contempt and for destruction of letter boxes or mail. (Sec. 3914) Adds a supervised release violation as a predicate for specified offenses. (Sec. 3915) Authorizes the court to impose a sentence of probation or supervised release when reducing a sentence of imprisonment in certain cases where it finds extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant a reduction or the defendant is at least age 70, has served at least 30 years imprisonment, and meets other specified criteria. (Sec. 3916) Doubles the penalty for attempting or conspiring to commit murder or kidnaping in aid of racketeering activity. Part 2: Additional Improvements to Federal Criminal Law - Includes among offenses committed within Indian country a felony involving willful and malicious destruction of, or attempts to destroy, buildings or property within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. (Sec. 3922) Revises the Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996 to prohibit and set penalties for (currently, crossing a State line with intent to engage in a sexual act with a person under age 12), in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States or in a Federal prison, knowingly engaging in a sexual act with another person who has attained age 12 but not age 16 and is at least four years younger than the person so engaging. (Sec. 3923) Eliminates the "with intent to do bodily harm" element in the assault with a dangerous weapon offense. (Sec. 3924) Provides that in a criminal case an appeal by the United States shall lie to a court of appeals from a decision, judgment, or order of a district court dismissing an indictment or information or granting a new trial after verdict or judgment as to any one or more counts (as under current law) or any part thereof, with a double jeopardy exception. (Sec. 3925) Authorizes injunctive relief against disposal of gains from violations of fraud statutes. (Sec. 3926) Expands the interstate travel fraud statute to cover interstate travel by the perpetrator. (Sec. 3928) Provides that if the value of property embezzled, stolen, or otherwise converted or misapplied in connection with a health care benefit program does not exceed $1,000 (currently, $100) the defendant shall be fined, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. (Sec. 3929) Expands jurisdiction over child buying and selling offenses. (Sec. 3930) Includes assault as a predicate offense under RICO. (Sec. 3931) Limits the application of wiretap order disclosure provisions to an aggrieved party. (Sec. 3932) Safe and Sober Streets Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the funds authorized for Federal aid highway programs for FY 2002, and ten percent of such amounts for subsequent fiscal years, from any State that has not enacted and is not enforcing a law providing that an individual who has an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in such State is guilty of driving while intoxicated or an equivalent offense that carries the greatest penalty under the law of the State for operating a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol. Allows funds withheld from a State on or before September 30, 2004, to remain available for up to three fiscal years after such date (to allow a State to meet such requirement within such period), but allows no grace period with respect to funds withheld during the subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 3933) Makes technical corrections to the code and the Economic Espionage Act of 1996. Changes fine amounts under various provisions of the code and CSA. Title IV: Preventing Juvenile Crime - Subtitle A: Grants to Youth Organizations - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, Indian tribes, and national or statewide nonprofit organizations in crime prone areas to: (1) provide constructive activities to youth during nonschool hours; (2) provide supervised activities in safe environments to youth in crime-prone areas; (3) provide antidrug education; (4) support police officer training, salaries, and educational materials to expand D.A.R.E. America's middle school campaign; or (5) provide constructive activities to youth in a safe environment through parks and other public recreation areas. (Sec. 4002) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) application requirements by national organizations and States; (2) allocations and grant limitations; and (3) report and evaluation. (Sec. 4006) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4007) Amends the JJDPA to direct the Administrator, subject to the availability of appropriations, to make grants to public and private agencies to fund effective after school juvenile crime prevention programs. Sets forth provisions regarding matching requirements and funding priorities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: "Say No to Drugs" Community Centers - Say No to Drugs Community Centers Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to certain approved recipients to provide the following services to youth during after-school hours or summer vacations: (1) rigorous drug prevention education; (2) drug counseling and treatment; (3) academic tutoring and mentoring; (4) activities promoting interaction between youth and law enforcement officials; (5) vaccinations and other preventive health care; (5) sexual abstinence education; and (7) other activities and instruction to reduce youth violence and substance abuse. Specifies the Federal and non-Federal share of costs, as well as grant allocation and reallocation requirements. (Sec. 4203) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Missing and Exploited Children - Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to direct that: (1) the national resource center and clearinghouse provide to foreign (currently, limited to State and local) governments information regarding programs and services to benefit or assist missing children and their families; and (2) the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention periodically conduct national incidence studies (as under current law) either by making grants to or entering into contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies. Subtitle D: Reauthorization of Incentive Grants for Local Delinquency Prevention Programs - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) to: (1) reauthorize appropriations through FY 2004 for incentive grants for local delinquency prevention programs; and (2) direct that, of amounts made available by appropriations for such programs, two percent be used for training and technical assistance, and ten percent for research, statistics, and evaluation. Subtitle E: Reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act - Reauthorizes appropriations for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act through FY 2004. Subtitle F: Authorization of Anti-Drug Abuse Programs - Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to reauthorize appropriations through FY 2004 for drug education and prevention relating to youth gangs, and for runaway and homeless youth. Subtitle G: Jump Ahead - JUMP Ahead Act of 1999 - Amends the JJDPA with respect to juvenile mentoring grants. Specifies goals for the grant program and limits the amount and duration of grants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4704) Authorizes the Administrator to make youth mentoring program implementation and evaluation grants to national organizations or agencies serving youth. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4705) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) contract with an evaluating organization for an ongoing evaluation of the programs and activities assisted under this Act or under JJDPA; (2) establish minimum criteria for evaluating such programs and activities; and (3) annually designate a program or activity assisted under this Act as the Juvenile Mentoring Program of the Year. Requires: (1) each grant recipient under this Act or under JJDPA to report annually to the evaluating organization on any program or activity so assisted; and (2) a report to the Congress evaluating such grants. Subtitle H: Truancy Prevention - Truancy Prevention and Juvenile Crime Reduction Act of 1999 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to eligible partnerships of local governmental units and local educational agencies to reduce truancy and the incidence of daytime juvenile crime. Sets forth provisions regarding maximum grant awards, allocation of such awards, and grant renewal. Authorizes the use of grant amounts to comprehensively address truancy through: (1) parental involvement in prevention activities; (2) sanctions; (3) parental accountability; (4) in-school truancy prevention programs; (5) involvement of local law enforcement, social services, judicial, business, and religious communities, and nonprofit organizations; (6) technology; or (7) elimination of 40-day count and other unintended incentives to allow students to be truant after a certain time of school year. Authorizes the Attorney General to give priority to funding programs that attempt to replicate specified model programs. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle I: Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act - Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the JJDPA to: (1) find that the juvenile crime problem should be addressed through a two-track approach by promoting quality prevention programs and programs that assist in holding juveniles accountable for their actions; (2) include as a purpose to support State and local programs that prevent juvenile involvement in delinquent behavior; and (3) define "violent crime" as murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, or robbery, or aggravated assault committed with the use of a firearm. (Sec. 4905) Redesignates the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention as the Office of Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention. (Sec. 4906) Modifies provisions of the Act regarding concentration of Federal effort to repeal the requirements that the Administrator of the Office develop for each fiscal year a comprehensive plan of activities and that each Federal agency administering a Federal juvenile delinquency program submit annually a juvenile delinquency development statement. (Sec. 4907) Eliminates certain allocations of funds to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. (Sec. 4908) Modifies Act requirements regarding State plans. Provides that the advisory group shall consist of the State attorney general or such other State official who has primary responsibility for overseeing the enforcement of State criminal laws. Requires State plans to: (1) contain plans for providing needed services for the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency in rural areas, mental health services to juveniles in the juvenile justice system, and gender-specific services for the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency; and (2) provide for the coordination and maximum utilization of existing juvenile delinquency programs, programs operated by private agencies, and other related programs in the State. Requires such plans to provide that not less than 75 percent of the funds available to the State be used for specified purposes, including: (1) programs that assist in holding juveniles accountable for their actions; (2) expanded use of probation officers; (3) boot camps for juvenile offenders; (4) other activities (such as court-appointed special advocates) that the State determines will hold juveniles accountable for their acts and decrease juvenile involvement in delinquent activities; (5) programs that utilize multidisciplinary interagency case management and information sharing that enable the juvenile justice and law enforcement agencies, schools, and social service agencies to make more informed decisions regarding early identification, control, supervision, and treatment of juveniles who repeatedly commit violent or serious delinquent acts; and (6) programs designed to prevent and reduce hate crimes committed by juveniles. Revises State plan requirements regarding limits on the placement of juveniles in secure detention or correctional facilities, juvenile contact with adults incarcerated or awaiting trial on criminal charges, and juvenile detention or confinement in adult jails and lockups. Modifies State plan requirements to allow juveniles to be housed in adult facilities for up to 48 (currently, 24) hours before their initial court appearance. (Sec. 4909) Revises the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Block Grant Program by: (1) repealing provisions governing grants for the National Institute for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, gang-free schools and communities, State challenge activities, treatment for juvenile offenders who are victims of child abuse or neglect, mentoring, boot camps, and the White House Conference on Juvenile Justice; and (2) authorizing the Administrator to make grants under the Juvenile Delinquency Block Grant Program to eligible States for the purpose of providing financial assistance to eligible entities to carry out projects designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. Includes among such projects: (1) projects that assist in holding juveniles accountable for their actions; (2) projects that provide treatment to juvenile offenders who are victims of child abuse or neglect; (3) education projects or supportive services for delinquent or other juveniles; (4) projects which expand the use of probation officers; (5) one-on-one mentoring projects; (6) community-based projects which work with juvenile offenders and their family members; (7) substance abuse programs; (8) postsecondary education and training projects; (9) projects designed to prevent or reduce gang participation; (10) employment and job training referral projects; (11) delinquency prevention activities; and (12) family strengthening activities. Directs that funding be allocated among eligible States so that .75 percent shall be allocated to each State, with the remainder allocated as follows: (1) 50 percent based on each State's relative population under 18 years of age; and (2) 50 percent based on each State's three year annual average number of arrests of juveniles for serious crimes. Prohibits the Administrator from approving a grant application for a fiscal year unless: (1) the State submitted a plan, which is approved by the Administrator, for such fiscal year; or (2) the Administrator waives this requirement to such State for such fiscal year after finding good cause. Includes among the eligible entities for which a State receiving a grant shall give special consideration for a local grant those entities that represent communities that have a comprehensive plan designed to identify at-risk juveniles and to prevent or reduce juvenile delinquency and that meet other specified requirements. (Sec. 4910) Authorizes the Administrator to undertake specified activities regarding research, evaluation, technical assistance, and training, including making agreements with: (1) the National Institute of Justice or another Federal agency to conduct research and evaluation relating to juvenile delinquency; and (2) the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) or another Federal agency to undertake statistical work in juvenile justice matters. Permits Federal agencies to carry out such agreements directly or by making grants to or contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, and organizations. (Sec. 4911) Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to and contracts with States, local governmental units, Indian tribal governments, public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to carry out projects for the development, testing, and demonstration of promising initiatives and programs for the prevention, control, or reduction of juvenile delinquency. Authorizes technical assistance for such grants. Sets forth provisions regarding eligibility and reports. (Sec. 4912) Authorizes appropriations for specified programs under such Act through FY 2002. (Sec. 4914) Amends the Act to prohibit the use of funds for: (1) the cost of facility construction, except that up to 15 percent of funds from a State's allocation may be used for replacement or renovation of juvenile facilities; or (2) advocacy or support for the unsecured release of juveniles charged with violent crime. (Sec. 4917) Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) receive surplus Federal property and lease such property to States and units of local government for use in or as facilities for juveniles offenders, or for use in or as facilities for delinquency prevention and treatment activities; and (2) issue rules that establish procedures and methods for making grants and contracts, and distributing funds available, to carry out the Act. Title V: Drug Testing and Intervention - Subtitle A: Protecting Children From Dangerous Drugs - Part 1: Targeting Serious Drug Crimes - Amends the CSA to increase penalties for: (1) using minors to distribute drugs; (2) distributing drugs to minors; (3) drug trafficking in or near a school or other protected location; and (4) using Federal property to grow or manufacture controlled substances. (Sec. 5006) Amends the CSA to require a specified period of supervised release after a conviction for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. Part 2: Comprehensive Drug Education - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to extend through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations from the Fund for the safe and drug-free schools and communities program. Part 3: Drug Treatment for Juveniles - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (Center) to award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, public and nonprofit private entities to provide treatment to juveniles for substance abuse through programs in which the juveniles reside in facilities made available under the programs. Requires the inclusion by grant recipients of an individualized plan for the provision of services to the juvenile or young adult. Includes as eligible supplemental services under such programs hospital referrals, HIV and AIDS counseling, domestic violence and sexual abuse counseling, and preparation for reentry into society. Requires the appropriate State agency or Indian tribe to certify that the applicant has the capacity to carry out the program and meets certain other requirements. Outlines provisions with respect to: (1) applicants who are also Medicaid providers; (2) the provision of treatment for mental diseases; (3) matching fund requirements; (4) program outreach and accessibility; (5) continuing education for individuals providing such services; (6) the imposition of appropriate charges for such services; (7) applicant reports to the Center Director; and (8) required equitable geographic allocation of grant awards. Limits to five years the period during which payments may be made to any entity under a program. Requires annual Director approval of program payments. Requires the Director to conduct program evaluations and disseminate findings. Requires an initial and periodic reports from the Director to specified congressional committees describing the programs carried out under this Part. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to established projects for the outpatient treatment of substance abuse among juveniles. Requires entities receiving such grants to engage in activities to prevent such abuse. Requires such Secretary to evaluate the projects and disseminate evaluation results. Part 4: Rescheduling Dangerous Drugs - Directs the Attorney General to add ketamine hydrochloride to schedule III of the CSA. (Sec. 5132) Grants the Attorney General authority to temporarily reschedule a previously scheduled substance to avoid an imminent public safety hazard. Subtitle B: Drug Courts - Repeals provisions of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, which repealed drug court provisions of the Safe Streets Act. Amends the Safe Streets Act, as amended by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the drug courts program (a program providing continuing judicial supervision over non-violent offenders with substance abuse problems). Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, State courts, local courts and governments, and Indian tribes to establish programs that: (1) involve continuous early judicial supervision over juvenile offenders, other than violent juvenile offenders, with substance abuse or related problems; and (2) integrate administration of other sanctions and services, including testing, treatment, and diversion, probation, or other forms of supervised release. Requires the Attorney General to issue regulations to ensure that such programs do not permit participation by violent offenders. Prohibits the Federal share of such programs from exceeding 75 percent of total program costs, with an authorized limit waiver by the Attorney General. Requires the Attorney General to ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grant awards, with a required specified allocation to Indian tribes. Requires annual reports to the Attorney General from grant recipients. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical assistance and training in furtherance of program goals and to carry out program evaluations. Provides for the reallocation of unawarded grant funds. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund through FY2003. Subtitle C: Development of Medicines for the Treatment of Drug Addiction - Part 1: Pharmacotherapy Research - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations from the Fund for FY 2001 and 2002 for the medication development program (a program providing research into medicines used to treat drug addiction). Part 2: Patent Protections for Pharmacotherapies - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) authorize the sponsor of a drug for the treatment of an addiction to illegal drugs to request the Secretary of Agriculture to make written recommendations for the investigation necessary for the approval or licensing of such drug; (2) authorize such a sponsor to request the Secretary to designate such drug as a drug for the treatment of addiction to illegal drugs; (3) provide exclusive approval or licensing of such drug as an unpatented drug for such purpose; and (4) provide open protocols for the clinical investigation of such drugs. Part 3: Encouraging Private Sector Development of Pharmacotherapies - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary to establish criteria for an acceptable drug for the treatment of an addiction to heroin and one for the treatment of an addiction to cocaine. Requires such criteria to be reviewed by specified congressional committees and published in the Federal Register. Authorizes the patent owner of a drug used for either such treatment to submit to the Secretary an application: (1) to contract to sell to the Secretary such patent rights; or (2) to enter into an exclusive licensing agreement with the Secretary for the manufacture and distribution of such drug. Provides for purchase amount limitations and the transfer of rights from the patent owner to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, within 90 days after purchasing patent rights or entering into such an agreement, to develop a plan for the manufacture and distribution of such drug. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2001. Subtitle E: National Drug Control Policy - Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to conduct a study on the effect of the 1996 voter referenda in California and Arizona concerning the medicinal use of marijuana and other controlled substances, and to report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Improving Effectiveness of Youth Crime and Drug Prevention Efforts - Directs the Attorney General to enter into a contract with a public or nonprofit private entity to conduct a study or studies to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of federally funded programs for preventing youth violence and substance abuse, and for preventing criminal victimization of juveniles; (2) identify specific Federal programs and programs that receive Federal funds that contribute to reductions in youth violence and substance abuse, and risk factors among youth that lead to such behavior and abuse, and specific programs that have not achieved their intended results; and (3) make recommendations. Directs the Attorney General to request the National Academy of Sciences to contract to conduct such study or studies. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5502) Directs the Attorney General to provide for comprehensive and thorough evaluation of crime prevention programs. (Sec. 5503) Requires evaluations and research studies to be independent, and employ rigorous and scientifically recognized standards and methodologies. (Sec. 5504) Authorizes the Attorney General to require the recipients of Federal assistance to collect, maintain, and report information relevant to such evaluations, and to conduct and participate in specified evaluation and assessment activities. (Sec. 5505) Directs the Attorney General to reserve specified sums for evaluation and research. (Sec. 5506) Expresses the sense of the Senate that programs identified in the study as being ineffective should not receive Federal funding. Title VI: Enhancement of Rights and Protections for Victims of Crime - Subtitle A: Crime Victims Assistance - Part 1: Protection of Crime Victims' Rights - Subpart A: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code - Amends the code to require that, in any case involving a defendant who is arrested for an offense involving death or bodily injury to any person, a threat of death or bodily injury, or a sexual assault or attempted sexual assault (listed offenses) in which a detention hearing is scheduled: (1) the Government make a reasonable effort to notify the victim of the hearing and of the victim's right to be heard on the issue of detention; and (2) the court, at such hearing, inquire of the Government as to whether notification efforts were successful and whether the victim wishes to be heard and, if so, afford the victim such opportunity. (Sec. 6112) Includes among the factors which a judge shall consider in determining whether to grant a continuance the interests of the victim (or the family of a victim who is deceased or incapacitated) in the prompt and appropriate disposition of the case, free from unreasonable delay. (Sec. 6113) Requires the probation officer, prior to submitting the presentence report, to provide notice to all identified victims of their right to attend the sentencing hearing and to make a statement to the court at the sentencing hearing. (Sec. 6114) Amends the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 to require, after trial, a responsible official to provide a victim the earliest possible notice of the escape, work release, furlough, or any other form of release of an offender from a psychiatric institution or other facility that provides mental health services to offenders. Subpart B: Amendments to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure - Amends rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (FRCrP) to require that, in any case involving a defendant who is charged with a listed offense: (1) the Government, prior to a hearing at which a plea of guilty or nolo contendere is entered, make a reasonable effort to notify the victim of the date and time of the hearing and of the victim's right to attend the hearing and to address the court; and (2) if the victim attends, the court, before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, afford the victim an opportunity to be heard on the proposed plea agreement. Authorizes the court, in cases involving more than 15 victims and after consultation with the Government and the victims, to appoint a number of victims to serve as representatives of the victims' interests. (Sec. 6122) Amends FRCrP 32 and 32.1 to provide for enhanced rights of notification and allocution at sentencing and at a probation revocation hearing. Subpart C: Amendment to Federal Rules of Evidence - Amends rule 615 of the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) to provide that such rule does not authorize exclusion of a person who is a victim of a listed offense for which a defendant is being tried in a criminal trial unless the court concludes that: (1) the testimony of the person will be materially affected by hearing the testimony of other witnesses, and the material effect of hearing the testimony of other witnesses on the testimony of that person will result in unfair prejudice to any party; or (2) due to the large number of victims or family members of victims who may be called as witnesses, permitting attendance in the courtroom itself when testimony is being heard is not feasible. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to submit to the Congress reports containing recommendations for amending: (1) the FRCrP to provide enhanced opportunities for victims of listed offenses to be heard on the issue of whether or not the court should accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and to participate during the presentencing phase of the criminal process, and to ensure that reasonable efforts are made to notify victims of such offenses of revocation hearings; and (2) the FRE to provide enhanced opportunities for victims of listed offenses to attend judicial proceedings, even if they may testify as a witness at the proceeding. Sets forth provisions regarding congressional action on such reports. Subpart D: Exceptions - Makes the rights promulgated by subparts A, B, and C inapplicable to any case in which the court reasonably believes that: (1) the defendant has cooperated with the Government in other proceedings against the victim or persons acting in concert with the victim; or (2) available evidence raises a significant expectation of physical violence or other retaliation by the victim against the defendant. Subpart E: Remedies for Noncompliance - Specifies that any failure to comply with any amendment made by this Act shall not give rise to a claim for damages, or any other action against the United States, any employee of the United States, any court official or officer of the court, or an entity contracting with the United States, or any action seeking a rehearing or other reconsideration of action taken in connection with a defendant. Directs the Attorney General and the Chairman of the United States Parole Commission to promulgate regulations to carry out this title. Subpart F: Victims of Fraud - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations to implement and enforce this part and the amendments made by this part with respect to natural persons against whom a defendant has been charged with committing fraud. Part 2: Assistance to Victims of Federal, State, and Local Crime - Authorizes appropriations to enable the Attorney General to: (1) hire 50 full-time or full-time equivalent employees to serve as victim-witness advocates to provide assistance to victims of any criminal offense investigated by any department or agency of the Federal Government; and (2) provide grants through the Office of Victims of Crime (the Office) to qualified private entities to fund 50 victim-witness advocate positions within those organizations. (Sec. 6202) Authorizes the use of sums collected under the False Claims Act to be used by the Office to make grants to States, units of local government, and qualified private entities, to provide training and information to prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, probation officers, and other officers and employees of Federal and State courts to assist them in responding effectively to the needs of crime victims. (Sec. 6203) Amends VCCLEA to authorize to the Office such sums as necessary for grants to State and local prosecutors' offices, State courts, county jails, State correctional institutions, and qualified private entities, to develop and implement state-of-the-art systems for notifying victims of crime of important dates and developments relating to the criminal proceedings at issue. Allows sums collected under the False Claims Act to be used for such grants. Authorizes the use of sums from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund for such grants. (Sec. 6204) Directs the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office, to establish and carry out a program to provide for pilot programs to establish and operate Victim Ombudsman Information Centers in Massachusetts, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. (Sec. 6205) Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to: (1) provide for the deposit into the Crime Victims Fund of any gifts, bequests, and donations from private entities or individuals; (2) direct that certain unobligated balances transferred to the judicial branch for administrative costs be returned to the Fund and be used by the Director of the Office to improve services for crime victims in the Federal criminal justice system; (3) require States that receive supplemental funding to respond to incidents of terrorism or mass violence to return to the Fund for deposit in the reserve fund, amounts subrogated to the State as a result of third-party payments to victims; (4) increase the percentage of amounts awarded by the Director to an eligible crime victim compensation program; (5) require the Director to make grants for training and technical assistance that address the significance of and effective delivery strategies for providing long-term psychological care; and (6) make funds available to the Director for fellowships and clinical internships, and to carry out programs of training and special workshops for the presentation and dissemination of information resulting from demonstrations, surveys, and special projects. (Sec. 6206) Directs that a specified statute not be construed to prohibit a recipient from using funds derived from a source other than the Legal Services Corporation to provide related legal assistance to any person with whom an alien has a relationship covered by the domestic violence laws of the State in which the alien resides or in which an incidence of violence occurred. (Sec. 6207) Authorizes the use of funds collected under the False Claims Act by the Office to make grants to States, units of local government, and qualified private entities for the establishment of pilot programs that implement balanced and restorative justice models. Subtitle B: Victims of Juvenile Crimes - Directs the Attorney General to establish guidelines for States' programs receiving grants for the establishment of juvenile gun courts to require, as appropriate under applicable State or local laws or rules, that: (1) prior to disposition of adjudicated juvenile delinquents, victims (or in appropriate cases, their official representatives) be provided the opportunity to make a statement to the court in person or to present any information in relation to the disposition; (2) victims of the juvenile adjudicated delinquent be given notice of the disposition; and (3) restitution to victims may be ordered as part of the disposition of adjudicated juvenile delinquents. Title VII: Combating Money Laundering - Money Laundering Enforcement Act of 1999 - Amends the code to provide for civil forfeiture for engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity and for conducting or certain other involvement in an illegal money transmitting business. Specifies that, regarding the prohibition of an illegal money transmitting business, it shall be sufficient for the Government to prove that the defendant knew that the business lacked a license required by State law, but it shall not be necessary to show that the defendant knew that the operation of such business without a license was an offense punishable as a felony or misdemeanor under State law. (Sec. 7003) Authorizes the Attorney General, if any person is arrested or charged in a foreign country in connection with an offense that would give rise to the forfeiture of property in the United States under the code or under the CSA, to apply to any Federal judge or magistrate judge in the district where the property is located for an ex parte order restraining the property subject to forfeiture for not more than 30 days, with extensions for good cause. (Sec. 7004) Directs that a claimant's refusal to provide financial records located in a foreign country in response to a discovery request or to take action necessary to make the records available in a civil forfeiture case, or in certain ancillary proceedings in a criminal forfeiture case under the CSA, shall result in the dismissal of the claim with prejudice if: (1) the financial records may be material to any claim or the ability of the Government to respond to such claim or, in a civil forfeiture case, to the Government's ability to establish the forfeitability of the property; and (2) it is within the claimant's capacity to waive his or her rights under such secrecy laws or to obtain the financial records himself or herself so that the records may be made available. (Sec. 7005) Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction over any foreign person, including any financial institution authorized under the laws of a foreign country, that commits an offense under civil money laundering provisions involving a financial transaction that occurs in the United States, subject to specified requirements. Authorizes the court to issue a pretrial restraining order or take any other action necessary to ensure that any bank account or other property held by the defendant in the United States is available to satisfy a judgment under such provisions. (Sec. 7006) Includes a foreign bank within the definition of "financial institution." (Sec. 7007) Expands the definition of "specified unlawful activity" to cover specified offenses, including, with respect to a financial transaction occurring in the United States, an offense against a foreign nation involving: (1) any act or acts constituting a crime of violence; (2) fraud committed against a foreign government; (3) bribery of a public official; (4) smuggling or export control violations involving munitions listed in the United States Munitions List or technologies with military applications; and (5) an offense under which the United States would be obligated by a multilateral treaty either to extradite the alleged offender or to submit the case for prosecution if the offender were found within U.S. territory. Includes within such activity an offense relating to goods falsely classified, unlawful importation of firearms, firearms trafficking, computer fraud and abuse, any felony violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, and Clean Air Act violations. (Sec. 7008) Amends the criminal code to: (1) provide for criminal forfeiture for money laundering conspiracies; and (2) authorize a party to request the Clerk of the Court in the district in which a proceeding for civil or criminal forfeiture is pending to issue a subpoena to a financial institution to produce documents. (Sec. 7011) Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) prohibit any person who purposely evades the jurisdiction of a U.S. court in which a criminal case is pending against such person from using the resources of the U.S. courts to further a claim in any related civil forfeiture action or in any third-party proceeding in any related criminal forfeiture action; and (2) provide for the admissibility of foreign business records. (Sec. 7013) Amends the criminal code to permit: (1) a person who commits multiple violations of money laundering provisions that are part of the same scheme or continuing course of conduct to be charged in a single count; (2) a prosecution for a money laundering offense to be brought in any district in which the financial or monetary transaction is conducted, or in which a prosecution for the underlying specified unlawful activity could be brought, with an exception; and (3) the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications where there is a violation of provisions dealing with the reporting and illegal structuring of currency transactions. (Sec. 7016) Provides criminal penalties for violations of anti-money laundering orders. (Sec. 7017) Amends the code to authorize the disclosure of the contents of a communication by a person or entity providing electronic communication, or remote computing, service to the public, to a supervisory (currently limited to a law enforcement) agency, if such contents appear to pertain to the commission of the crime, or to reveal a suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation. (Sec. 7018) Defines "State," as used in the International Banking Act of 1978, to include a U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession. (Sec. 7020) Extends U.S. jurisdiction over certain financial crimes committed abroad. Title VIII: Combating International Crime - Subtitle A: Investigating and Punishing Violent Crimes Against United States Nationals Abroad - Amends the code to prohibit, and set penalties for: (1) extortion committed against U.S. nationals abroad in furtherance of organized crime; and (2) murder or serious assault of a State or local official abroad. Subtitle B: Denying Safe Havens to International Criminals - Establishes procedures for extradition for specified serious offenses not covered by treaty. (Sec. 8104) Grants the Attorney General authority, with respect to a person being held in custody in a foreign country based upon a violation of the law in that country, where the person is found extraditable to the United States by competent authorities of that country, to: (1) request the temporary transfer of that person to the United States to proceed with their prosecution in a Federal or State criminal proceeding; (2) maintain the custody of that person while in the United States; and (3) return that person to the foreign country at the conclusion of the criminal prosecution, including any imposition of sentence. (Sec. 8106) Authorizes the Attorney General to permit the temporary transit through the United States of a person wanted for prosecution or imposition of sentence in a foreign country. Subtitle C: Seizing and Forfeiting the Assets of International Criminals - Amends the code to provide for the forfeiture of: (1) proceeds of foreign crimes; (2) property used to commit drug crimes abroad; and (3) property used to violate Federal explosives laws. (Sec. 8202) Amends the CSA to grant the court authority to order convicted criminals to return property located abroad. (Sec. 8203) Amends the Federal judicial code to establish procedures for U.S. enforcement of foreign forfeiture judgments. (Sec. 8204) Increases civil and criminal penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. (Sec. 8205) Amends the Trading with the Enemy Act to cover attempted violations. Subtitle D: Responding to Emerging International Crime Threats - Part 1: Computer and High-Tech Crime - Amends the code to authorize the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications, when such interception may provide or has provided evidence of a felony violation of provisions relating to computer fraud and attacks on computer systems. (Sec. 8312) Allows a governmental entity to require the disclosure by a provider of a remote computing service of the contents of an electronic record in networked electronic storage if the person who created the record is accorded the same protections that would be available if the record had remained in that person's possession, subject to specified requirements. Part 2: Enhancing Antiterrorism Laws - Amends the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 to extend the effective date of provisions regarding compensation of victims of terrorism through October 1, 2000. (Sec. 8322) Amends the code to revise the definition of: (1) "biological agent" to mean any microorganism (including, but not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious substance, or any naturally occurring, bioengineered or synthesized component of any such microorganism or infectious substance; (2) "toxin" to mean the toxic material or product of plants, animals, microorganisms, or infectious substances, or a recombinant or synthesized molecule, whatever their origin and method of production; and (3) "vector" to mean a living organism or molecule, including a recombinant or synthesized molecule capable of carrying a biological agent or toxin to a host. (Sec. 8323) Includes threats to use chemical weapons within the prohibition against the use of such weapons. Subtitle E: Promoting Global Cooperation in the Fight Against International Crime - Expands a code provision authorizing the sharing of proceeds of joint forfeiture operations with cooperating foreign agencies to cover situations where property is civilly or criminally forfeited under any provision of Federal law. (Sec. 8402) Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the Attorney General to present a request made by a foreign government for assistance with respect to a foreign investigation, prosecution, or proceeding regarding a criminal matter pursuant to a treaty, convention, or executive agreement for mutual legal assistance between the United States and that government, the execution of which requires or appears to require the use of compulsory measures in more than one judicial district, to a judge or judge magistrate of: (1) any of the districts in which persons who may be required to appear to testify or produce evidence or information reside or are found, or in which evidence or information to be produced is located; or (2) the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Grants such judge or judge magistrate authority to issue those orders necessary to execute the request. (Sec. 8403) Modifies provisions regarding custody and return of foreign witnesses to grant the Attorney General authority, if the testimony of a person who is serving a sentence, in pretrial detention, or otherwise being held in custody in the United States, is needed in a foreign criminal proceeding, to: (1) temporarily transfer that person to the foreign country for the purpose of giving testimony; (2) transport that person from the United States in custody; (3) make appropriate arrangements for custody for that person while outside the United States; and (4) return that person in custody to the United States from the foreign country. Sets forth provisions regarding the return of persons transferred, the applicability of international agreements, and rights of persons transferred. (Sec. 8404) Amends the judicial code to grant the Attorney General discretionary authority to make payments from the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund to return forfeited property repatriated to the United States by a foreign government under specified circumstances. Subtitle F: Streamlining the Investigation and Prosecution of International Crimes in United States Courts - Authorizes the Attorney General to obligate, as necessary expenses, from any appropriate appropriation account available to DOJ in FY 2000 or any fiscal year thereafter, the cost of reimbursement to State or local law enforcement agencies for translation services and related expenses, including transportation expenses, in cases involving extradition or requests for mutual legal assistance from foreign governments. (Sec. 8502) Expands a code provision regarding war crimes to make such provision applicable if the perpetrator is found in the United States after the crime is committed, or the crime occurs within the United States. (Sec. 8503) Authorizes the Attorney General to determine that, if a person located outside the United States is requested by a magistrate judge or Federal law enforcement officer to appear and provide testimony or answer questions in the United States in connection with any Federal or State criminal matter, the person shall not be subject to service of process, or be detained or subjected to any restriction of personal liberty, by reason of any acts or convictions that preceded the departure of that person from the foreign jurisdiction. (Sec. 8504) Prohibits fugitives from benefitting from time served abroad. (Sec. 8505) Suspends the statute of limitations for the collection of evidence located abroad. (Sec. 8507) Provides that whoever, while serving with, employed by, or accompanying the armed forces outside the United States, engages in conduct which would constitute an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year if engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be guilty of a like offense and subject to a like punishment. Authorizes the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation to designate and authorize any person serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation when the Coast Guard is not operating as part of the Navy to arrest outside the United States any such person who there is probable cause to believe engaged in conduct which constitutes a criminal offense under this section. Provides for the delivery of such individual to the appropriate authorities of the foreign country. Title IX: Strengthening the Air, Land, and Sea Borders of the United States - Subtitle A: Violence Committed Along United States Borders - Amends the code to provide felony punishment for violence while eluding inspection or during violation of arrival, reporting, entry, or clearance requirements, including conspiracy and reckless endangerment. Subtitle B: Strengthening Maritime Law Enforcement Along United States Borders - Provides sanctions for failure to heave to, obstructing a lawful boarding, and providing false information to a Federal law enforcement officer during a boarding of a vessel. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of a vessel used in violation of this subtitle. (Sec. 9102) Sets a $25,000 civil penalty for failure to comply with a lawful boarding, obstruction of boarding, or providing false information. (Sec. 9103) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to include within the definition of "authorized place," with respect to a vessel or vehicle, a location in a foreign country at which U.S. customs officers are permitted to conduct inspections, examinations, or searches. Subtitle C: Smuggling of Contraband and Other Illegal Products - Amends the code to prohibit, and set penalties for: (1) fraudulently or knowingly exporting or sending from the United States (or attempting to do so) any merchandise, article, or object (merchandise) contrary to any U.S. law; and (2) receiving, concealing, buying, selling, or otherwise facilitating the transportation, concealment, or sale of that merchandise, prior to exportation, knowing that merchandise to be intended for exportation contrary to any U.S. law. Amends the money laundering statute to define "specified unlawful activity" to include an offense of smuggling goods from the United States. Amends the Tariff Act to provide for forfeiture to the United States of merchandise exported from the United States (or attempted to be exported), or the value thereof, and property used to facilitate the receipt, purchase, transportation, concealment, or sale of that merchandise prior to exportation. (Sec. 9202) Expands code provisions regarding smuggling goods into foreign countries to cover situations where such goods are smuggled (or attempted to be smuggled) by vehicle, aircraft, conveyance, or other mode of transportation. Prohibits, and sets penalties for, the transport (including attempts) of more than 360 liters of distilled spirits from one State into another State or foreign country, or the receipt or possession of more than 360 liters that have been transported in interstate or foreign commerce in violation of Federal or State law. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to seize and forfeit any conveyance, liquor, or monetary instrument involved in, or property that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to, a violation of this section, with a limitation. (Sec. 9203) Expands the scope of the statute punishing entry of goods by means of false statements to cover theft, embezzlement, and misapplication of duties. Increases penalties for violations. (Sec. 9204) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, false certifications relating to exports. Subtitle D: Strengthening Immigration Laws to Exclude International Criminals From the United States - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to: (1) make inadmissible any alien coming to the United States to avoid lawful prosecution in a foreign country for a crime involving moral turpitude; and (2) direct the Attorney General to remove such alien to the country seeking prosecution unless, in the Attorney General's discretion, the removal is deemed to be impracticable, inadvisable, or impossible. (Sec. 9302) Amends the INA to provide for the inadmissibility of persons: (1) involved in racketeering and arms trafficking; (2) who have benefitted from illicit activities of drug traffickers; and (3) involved in international alien smuggling. Subtitle E: Alien Smuggling - Amends the INA to provide for the civil and criminal forfeiture of any conveyance used in the commission of an alien smuggling offense. Subtitle F: Trafficking in Chemicals Used to Produce Drugs - Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to require a person who proposes to engage in a transaction involving the importation or exportation of a listed chemical that requires advance notification pursuant to the regulations of the Attorney General or the importation or exportation of a tableting or encapsulating machine to notify the Attorney General at least 15 days before the transaction is to take place. Authorizes the Attorney General to require that the 15-day notification requirement apply to all imports of a listed chemical upon finding that such notification is necessary to support effective chemical diversion control programs or is required by international agreement to which the United States is a party. Sets forth additional restrictions regarding the transshipment and in-transit shipment of controlled substances. Authorizes injunctions barring persons convicted of a felony violation relating to the receipt, distribution, manufacture, importation, or exportation of a listed chemical from engaging in any transaction involving a listed chemical for up to ten years. Subtitle G: Arms Trafficking - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to create an exemption from Act requirements transactions arising out of an investigation by a Federal law enforcement agency concerning possible criminal violations of U.S. law.
Bill· SS. 208 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assistance for Children Title II: Parent Grants Enhancing Family Life Act of 1999 - Title I: Assistance for Children - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to entitle States and Indian tribes to funds to establish second chance homes for custodial parents under age 19 and their children. Defines a second chance home as one with a supportive and supervised living arrangement in which such parents would be required to learn parenting skills, including child development, family budgeting, health and nutrition, and other skills to promote their long-term economic independence and the well-being of their children. Specifies funds for such program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit recommendations to the Congress on the extent to which surplus Federal properties may be used for such homes. (Sec. 102) Amends SSA title IV (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) (TANF) to revise eligibility criteria for children with special needs with respect to the adoption assistance program. Prohibits adoption assistance payments to parents of any child with special needs who is not a U.S. citizen or resident, and was adopted outside the United States or was brought into the United States in order to be adopted. Allows such payments for such a child placed in foster care subsequent to the failure of the initial adoption by such parents. Requires a State to spend, for specified services (including post-adoption services) to children or families, an amount equal to the amount of any savings in State expenditures resulting from the application of revised eligibility criteria for children with special needs. Instructs the Secretary to approve at least three child welfare demonstration projects designed to test a per capita approach for the successful resolution of a foster care placement under which a private entity contracts to either restore a child in foster care to the child's parents or locate an adoptive placement. (Sec. 103) Amends SSA title IV to create part F (Assistance for Young Children) to establish a statutory mechanism for the Secretary to make allotments to eligible States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of State grants to local collaboratives for young child assistance activities. Requires a State to establish a State Early Learning Coordinating Board to receive the Federal allotment and make the grants. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Parent Grants - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make payments to enable a qualifying institution of higher education to make grants to certain custodial parents of a child under the age of six for career development and retraining after a period of child rearing. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 204 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Poverty Data Correction Act of 1999 - Requires any data relating to the incidence of poverty produced or published by or for the Secretary of Commerce for subnational areas to be corrected for differences in the cost of living and data produced for State and sub-State areas to be corrected for differences in the cost of living for at least all States of the United States. Requires such corrected data to be published in 1999 and biennially thereafter. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop or cause to be developed a State cost-of-living index which ranks and assigns an index value to each State using data on wage, housing, and other costs relevant to the cost of living; and (2) multiply the Federal Government's statistical poverty thresholds by the index value for each State's cost of living to produce State poverty thresholds for each State. Requires the State cost-of-living index and resulting State poverty thresholds to be published before September 30, 2000, for calendar year 1999 and to be updated annually thereafter.
Bill· SS. 51 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children Title IV : Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Violence Against Women Act II - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States, Indian tribal governments, or local governmental units to provide technical assistance and computer and other equipment to police departments, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions to facilitate the widespread, including interstate, enforcement of protection orders. Instructs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applicants that: (1) have established cooperative agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the enforcement of protection orders from other jurisdictions; and (2) will give priority to using the grant to develop and install data collection and communication systems linking police, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions in order to identify and track protection orders and violations of such orders. Directs the Attorney General to compile and disseminate information about successful data collection and communication systems. Amends Federal criminal code provisions governing full faith and credit given to protection orders to provide that: (1) a State or Indian tribe shall not notify the party against whom a protection order has been made that the protection order has been registered or filed in the State or tribal jurisdiction unless requested to do so by the party protected under that order; and (2) nothing in this title may be construed to require prior filing or registration of such orders in the enforcing State as a prerequisite to enforcement by such State. Directs that a protection order that is otherwise consistent with this title shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced notwithstanding the failure to provide notice to the party against whom the order is made of its registration or filing in the enforcing State or Indian tribe. (Sec. 102) Amends such Act to designate State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees in the program to combat violent crimes against women. Revises allocation percentages for police and prosecutors, victim services, and State and local courts (not less than 25 percent, 30 percent, and ten percent, respectively). Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act to expand training that may be provided under domestic violence training grants to include training with respect to issues concerning individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. Includes State, local, and tribal courts among the grantees eligible for Federal grants to encourage arrest policies. Earmarks a minimum of five percent of the total amount available for grants each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments. (Sec. 103) Reauthorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for grants to combat violent crimes against women. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for coordinating State victim services activities and for coordinating with Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence against women activities. (Sec. 104) Instructs the Attorney General to transfer flunitrazepam (the "date-rape" drug) from schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule I (the strictest level of Federal drug penalty and control). (Sec. 105) Reauthorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for grants to encourage arrest policies. (Sec. 106) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person who, while employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States, engages in conduct that would constitute a domestic violence or sexual assault offense if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be subject to prosecution in a U.S. district court. Sets forth provisions regarding concurrent jurisdiction and priority of exercise of jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to designate and authorize any individual serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense to arrest such a person outside of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that such person committed such an offense. Provides for the release of such arrested persons to civilian law enforcement authorities in specified circumstances. Provides for delivery of such persons to the appropriate authorities of a foreign country if: (1) delivery is requested for trial for such conduct as an offense under the laws of that country; and (2) delivery is authorized by a treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to transmit to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation a copy of records of any penal actions taken, including certain nonjudicial punishments imposed, against a member of the armed forces who is discharged, dismissed, or released from active duty. (Sec. 107) Prohibits and sets penalties for willfully causing bodily injury to any person or attempting, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, to cause bodily injury to any person, whether or not acting under color of law, because of: (1) the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) the actual or perceived religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person if, in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or the offense is in or affects such commerce. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and of Justice through FY 2002 to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such alleged violations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 108) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to reauthorize through FY 2002: (1) rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants (and allots not less than five percent of the total made available for each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments); and (2) national stalker and domestic violence reduction grants. (Sec. 110) Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding interstate domestic violence, interstate stalking, and interstate violation of a protective order to cover situations where persons travel in interstate or foreign commerce or to or from Indian country. Deems a tribal court, for purposes of full faith and credit provisions, to have jurisdiction over any activity occurring in Indian country. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to private and nonprofit entities, publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity, and Indian tribal governments and affiliated organizations, to: (1) implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence and sexual assault victim advocacy organizations and civil legal assistance providers to strengthen a broad range of civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault; (2) implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to strengthen a broad range of civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of these victims; and (3) provide training, technical assistance, and data collection to improve the capacity of grantees and other entities to offer civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) make a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a national computer database of programs that provide civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault; and (2) evaluate the grants funded under this title through contracts or other arrangements with entities expert on domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault and on evaluation research. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund to carry out this title through FY 2002, with at least five percent of available amounts in each fiscal year used for grants for programs that assist victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault on lands within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. (Sec. 202) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act with respect to State demonstration grants for programs and projects to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Requires grant applicants to provide documentation, including memoranda of understanding, of the specific involvement of the State domestic violence coalition and other knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations, in the development of the application. Earmarks funds to provide emergency assistance directly to victims of family violence, or their dependents, who are in the process of fleeing an abusive situation. Changes from a formula amount to $500,000 the minimum allotment to each State for such grants. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to Indian tribes and organizations from any sums not distributed to them. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to private nonprofit organizations for information, training, and technical assistance initiatives in specified subject areas. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through FY 2002. Revises the formula for the allocation of appropriations for grants for State coalitions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a nationwide needs assessment relating to family violence prevention and services programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to up to ten State domestic violence coalitions, and up to ten local entities that carry out domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, to develop and implement model community intervention strategies to address family violence in underserved populations. Prescribes formulae for the redistribution of funds available due to certain limitations. (Sec. 203) Prohibits any insurer from, directly or indirectly, taking any adverse action against: (1) an innocent insured; or (2) an applicant or insured on the basis that the applicant or insured, or any person employed by the applicant or insured or with whom the applicant or insured is known to have a relationship or association is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse. Defines an innocent insured as a subject of abuse insured under the same policy as the abuser, but who is not (in light of all the facts and circumstances) the cause of any claim incurred or that may incur. Requires any insurer taking an adverse action against a known subject of abuse to advise the applicant or insured in writing of the specific reasons for the action. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce such prohibitions and policy. Provides for a private action against an insurer by an applicant or insured affected by a violation of this Act. (Sec. 204) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline. (Sec. 205) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend through FY 2002 and increase the authorization of appropriations for Federal victims' counselors. (Sec. 206) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle employees to leave to: (1) address domestic violence and its effects; or (2) care for a child or parent of the employee who is addressing domestic violence and its effects. Authorizes an employer to require an employee to provide documentation or other corroborating evidence. Amends Federal civil service law to entitle Federal employees to take such leave, subject to the same requirements. (Sec. 207) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize unemployment compensation where an individual is separated from employment due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require State laws to provide for methods of administration that will ensure that claims reviewers and hearing personnel are adequately trained in the nature and dynamics of claims for unemployment compensation based on domestic violence, including methods of ascertaining and keeping information confidential. (Sec. 208) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty to provide for waiver of certain immigration requirements. (Sec. 209) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to add a new Subtitle H (Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Including Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Older Individuals). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs for the purposes of funding the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and offer, or provide for the offering of, training programs to assist law enforcement officers and prosecutors in recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to programs addressing such issues, including related training for health professionals. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for programs and activities for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Requires the Secretary to make grants to: (1) support projects in local communities to coordinate activities concerning intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop and implement outreach programs directed toward assisting older individuals who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including those in senior housing complexes and senior centers. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act (as amended by the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998) to require the Secretary to give preference in the award of certain grants and contracts to any health professions educational entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that each student have had significant training in the identification and referral of victims of elder abuse and neglect. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States and Indian tribal governments to enable them to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to assist public or private nonprofit entities in establishing and operating supervised visitation centers for purposes of facilitating supervised visitation and visitation exchange of children by and between parents. Requires that priority be given to States that consider domestic violence in making a custody decision and require findings on the record. (Sec. 302) Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on Federal and State laws relating to child custody, including the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980, and their effect on child custody cases in which domestic violence is a factor. Requires such study to examine the sufficiency of defenses to parental abduction charges available in cases involving domestic violence, and the burdens and risks encountered by victims of domestic violence arising from compliance with the full faith and credit (and judicial jurisdiction) requirements of that Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for grants through FY 2002. Directs the Secretary to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. (Sec. 304) Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners; and (3) grants for televised testimony. Directs the Attorney General to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in awarding grants or contracts for health professions and nurse education, to give preference to a relevant health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that a student has had significant training in the identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence. (Sec. 401) Defines relevant health professions entity as a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic medicine, a graduate program in mental health practice, a school of nursing, a program for the training of physician assistants, or a program for the training of allied health professionals. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for the development and dissemination of model programs to provide education and training in appropriate and effective responses to victims of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault (including, as appropriate, the effects of domestic violence on children) to individuals (other than law enforcement officers and prosecutors) who are likely to come into contact with such victims during the course of their employment. Limits such grants to public and private nonprofit entities that have: (1) nationally recognized expertise in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) a record of commitment and quality responses to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires States to use certain transferred funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers, State sexual assault coalitions, and other public and private nonprofit entities for: (1) educational seminars; (2) hotlines; (3) training programs for professionals; (4) the preparation of informational material; (5) education and training programs for students and campus personnel designed to reduce the incidence of sexual assault at colleges and universities; and (6) other efforts to increase awareness of, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts to increase awareness in underserved communities and awareness among individuals with disabilities. Requires at least 25 percent of grant funds are used for educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school students. Directs the Secretary, through the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault (with a central resource library) to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, as well as to State sexual assault coalitions and local sexual assault programs and to other professionals and interested parties on issues relating to sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to individuals or organizations to carry out educational programs for elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education with respect to information regarding, and prevention of, domestic violence and violence among intimate partners. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 405) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and information on violence, abuse, and sexual assault against women who are individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 2002. (Sec. 406) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make grants to groups that provide services to or advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities eligible for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 2002. (Sec. 407) Directs the Attorney General to establish a multidisciplinary, multiagency national commission to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend minimum sexual assault forensic examination training for all health care students; (3) review national, State, and local protocols on sexual assault for forensic examinations, and develop a recommended national protocol and a mechanism for nationwide dissemination; and (4) study and evaluate State procedures for payment of forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault, and establish a recommended Federal protocol for such payment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 408) Authorizes the Attorney General to make a grant to a private, nonprofit entity meeting certain requirements to establish a national clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employers and labor organizations on appropriate workplace responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 409) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to make grants to entities, including domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, to: (1) support specified research and evaluation of education, prevention, and intervention programs on violent behavior against women; and (2) address gaps in research and knowledge about violence against women, including violence against women in underserved communities. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to report to Congress on: (1) Federal and State sentences for homicides or assaults in which the victim was a spouse, former spouse, or intimate partner of the offender; (2) the effect of illicit drugs and alcohol on domestic violence and the sentences imposed for offenses involving them in which domestic violence occurred; (3) the extent to which acts of domestic violence committed against the offender, including coercion, may have contributed to the commission of an offense; (4) an analysis delineated by race, gender, type of offense, and any other categories that would be useful for understanding the problem of domestic violence; and (5) recommendations with respect to all such offenses, including any basis for a downward adjustment in any applicable Federal sentencing guidelines determination. Directs the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities, including sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the experiences of minors and adults who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Requires the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on the status of the law with respect to rape and sexual assault offenses and the effectiveness of the implementation of laws in addressing such crimes and protecting their victims. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations to the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 2001 and 2002 in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) by specified offsetting amounts.
Bill· SS. 23 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development Title III: Community-Based Housing Development Title IV: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges New Urban Agenda Act of 1999 - Title I: Federal Commitment to Urban Economic Development - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require executive agencies to expend not less than 15 percent in each fiscal year for the purchase of goods from businesses located in empowerment zones or enterprise communities. Requires agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to purchase recycled products from businesses located in such zones or communities. Requires the Administrator of General Services to submit to the Congress, in writing, the Administrator's assessment of the extent to which executive agencies are committed, by policy and practice, to encouraging and supporting economic renewal in such zones and enterprise communities. (Sec. 102) Requires not less than 15 percent of foreign assistance provided in a fiscal year to be in the form of credits for the purchase of U.S. goods produced, manufactured, or assembled in such zones or communities. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in designating and providing financial assistance to Manufacturing Technology Outreach Centers, to give preference to centers located in such zones and communities. (Sec. 104) Establishes a preference for the construction, improvement, or relocation of Federal facilities in distressed urban areas. Title II: Tax Incentives to Stimulate Urban Economic Development - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the offset for rental real estate activities under passive activity rules to increase the rehabilitation credit under such rules. (Sec. 202) Allows the rehabilitation investment credit to offset a portion of tentative minimum tax. (Sec. 203) Allows the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for sports facilities, convention or trade show facilities, freestanding parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities, or industrial parks. Makes termination dates on such tax-exempt bonds inapplicable to bonds issued to finance manufacturing facilities. (Sec. 204) Increases the permitted amount of qualified small issue bonds for facilities to be used by related persons. (Sec. 205) Provides an exception to arbitrage interest rebate provisions if 100 percent of available construction proceeds are spent for governmental purposes within three years of the issuance of the tax-exempt bonds. (Sec. 206) Makes 75 percent of a qualified residential project bond exempt from State agency volume caps for the issuance of tax-exempt private activity bonds. (Sec. 207) Increases the amount and duration of the targeted jobs tax credit to 50 (currently 40) percent of the qualifying wages earned for the first three years (currently, only for the first year) of the employment. (Sec. 208) Excludes from gross income any qualified capital gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a qualified zone asset (stock, property, or partnership interest that was part of an enterprise zone business) held more than three years. Provides for the tax treatment of pass-thru entities and sales and exchanges of interests in partnerships and S corporations which are qualified zone businesses. (Sec. 209) Allows a homebuyer tax credit of up to $5,000 for individuals who purchase a principal residence in an empowerment zone or enterprise community. Title III: Community-Based Housing Development - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to study and report to the Comptroller General on the feasibility of consolidating existing public and low-income housing programs into a comprehensive block grant system of Federal aid and on the possibility of administering future programs through such a system. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress with an analysis of such report and recommendations. Title IV: Response to Urban Environmental Challenges -Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to prohibit the President or any other person from bringing an enforcement action under such Act, with respect to an urban nonlisted facility against a person that has fulfilled all requirements under State and local law to conduct environmental response actions at such facility. (Sec. 402) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to maintain the brownfield program (a program for the expansion or redevelopment of abandoned or underused commercial or industrial property at which a hazardous substance may be present) established by the Administrator before the enactment of this section. Limits to $200,000 the maximum grant to any single brownfield facility. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 2000 through 2002 out of the Hazardous Substance Superfund. (Sec. 403) Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for the urban and community forestry assistance program.
Bill· HRH.R. 357 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Violence Against Women Act of 1999- Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (the Act) to authorize appropriations for grants to combat violent crimes against women. (Sec. 102) Revises grant allocation guidelines governing prosecution grants, victims' services and State court systems. Expands grant purposes to include training that addresses sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking for State, local, and tribal judicial personnel, as well as training of sexual assault forensic nurse examiners, and supporting the development of sexual assault response teams. Directs the Attorney General to deny State grant applications that fail to provide documentation of collaborative efforts with other agencies or organizations. Redefines "victims' services" to include advocacy and assistance for victims seeking legal, social, and health care services. Includes as a prerequisite for Federal reimbursement of forensic medical exams of victims of sexual assault that the participating governmental entity notify all victims that such reimbursement is neither contingent upon the victim's report to law enforcement officials nor upon the victim's cooperation in the prosecution of the assault. (Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for purposes of coordinating with: (1) victim services activities; and (2) Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence-against-women activities. Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize increased appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline grant. Requires grantees to submit a grant evaluation report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the HHS Secretary) for publication and public comment as a prerequisite to a grant award or renewal. Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services - Battered Women's Shelters and Services Act - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations for State grants. Modifies guidelines governing: (1) allotment of appropriations; (2) grants for information and technical assistance centers; and (3) authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 123) Instructs the HHS Secretary to award grants for: (1) State domestic violence coalitions and local domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, in order to develop model strategies to address domestic violence in underserved populations; (2) each State domestic violence coalition for an emergency assistance fund for domestic violence victims; (3) technical assistance and training for State and local domestic violence programs; and (4) private, nonprofit, tribal domestic violence coalitions with representatives from a majority of the programs for victims of domestic violence operating within Indian reservations, and programs whose primary focus is the populations of such Indian country. Subtitle D: Community Initiatives - Authorizes appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel - Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 to permit training grants for judges and court personnel to include: (1) child custody, visitation, and safety issues raised by domestic violence and child sexual assault; and (2) the extent to which addressing domestic violence and victim safety contributes to the efficient administration of justice. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies - Amends the Act to reauthorize appropriations to implement the functions of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. (Sec. 153) Mandates that at least five percent of appropriated funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments to treat domestic violence as a serious violation of criminal law. Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement. Mandates that five percent of such funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments. Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for grants to enter stalking and domestic violence data into crime information databases. Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors - Amends the Safe Streets for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for the United States Attorneys to appoint Victim-Witness counselors for the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for street-based outreach and education to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation. Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs - Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; and (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners. (Sec. 195) Amends the Act to authorize appropriations for grants for closed-circuit televising of testimony of child abuse victims. Title II: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Subtitle A: Safe Havens for Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public or private nonprofit nongovernmental entities to establish and operate supervised visitation centers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Violence Against Women Prevention in Schools - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Education to provide grants to State, local, or tribal school systems to implement programs for elementary, middle, and secondary schools which address domestic violence, assault and stalking. Subtitle C: Family Safety - Family Safety Act - Amends the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980 to include among its purposes: (1) the promotion of cooperation between State and tribal courts to protect parents and children from domestic violence or sexual assault; (2) the promotion of realistic and protective standards for interstate relocation when parents dispute custody; (3) the avoidance of jurisdictional conflicts between State courts in matters of child custody and visitation consistent with not endangering or inappropriately punishing parents who are victims of domestic violence, or children who are victims of sexual assault. (Sec. 233) Amends the Federal criminal code (the code) to provide as a defense to prosecution of either a criminal custodial interference or parental abduction charge, or criminal contempt of court relating to an underlying child custody or visitation determination, that the defendant was fleeing an incident or pattern of domestic violence or sexual assault of the child, or would otherwise have a defense under the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines to assist U.S. Attorneys and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether to initiate or terminate an action due to the potential availability of such defense. (Sec. 234) Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) provide that no State shall be required to enforce any order obtained in a proceeding which would violate the constitution of the enforcing State if the proceeding were conducted in the enforcing State; and (2) declare that the intent of full faith and credit doctrine in child custody determinations is to preempt inconsistent State law. Declares that a protection order regarding custody and visitation of a minor child that is consistent with this Act shall be given full faith and credit by the courts of any State where the party who sought the order seeks enforcement. Modifies State court jurisdiction guidelines governing: (1) relocation of the child due to domestic violence or sexual assault; and (2) court authority to decline to exercise jurisdiction on behalf of parents engaged in specified conduct. Subtitle D: Domestic Violence and Children - Expresses the sense of the Congress that for purposes of determining child custody: (1) it is in the best interest of children to have a presumption that their main physical residence should be with their primary caretaker parent unless such parent is unfit; (2) child abuse and sexual abuse allegations shall be fully investigated regardless of when raised, or whether the child has withdrawn the allegation; (3) States shall not order specified measures if they may endanger either parent or child; and (4) States shall provide training to all relevant professionals on how domestic violence and sexual assault affects determinations of custody, child support, and visitation. Subtitle E: Child Welfare Worker Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - Directs the Attorney General to make grants in consultation with the HHS Secretary to enable child welfare service agencies to train their staffs and modify their policies, procedures, programs, and practices in order to make them consistent with specified principles and goals. Sets forth grantee eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Child Abuse Accountability - Child Abuse Accountability Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the assignment or alienation of any pension benefit payable to a participant pursuant to a qualified child abuse order. Exempts qualified child abuse orders from preemption by ERISA. Title III: Sexual Assault Prevention - Subtitle A: Rape Prevention Education - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the use of certain State funds exclusively for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers and private nonprofit nongovernmental State and tribal sexual assault coalitions for specified programs. Instructs the HHS Secretary to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault when appropriations reach a specified minimum level. Mandates that State grantors ensure that at least 25 percent of the funds are devoted to educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school aged students. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations - Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations Act - Directs the Attorney General, in conjunction with the HHS Secretary, to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend sexual assault examination training for health care students to improve recognition of injuries suggestive of rape and sexual assault; and (3) establish a mechanism for nationwide dissemination of a national protocol on sexual assault for forensic examinations. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions - Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary, when making health care grants for rural areas, to give preference to a health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, each student to have had significant training in identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle: D: Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff - Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish and disseminate to the States certain guidelines regarding the prevention of custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff. Requires withholding of specified correctional facilities funds from any State that fails to implement: (1) such guidelines; or (2) criminal penalties explicitly prohibiting custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff against prisoners. (Sec. 345) Directs the Attorney General to create a national, confidential, toll-free telephone hotline to collect data, and to provide information and assistance to prisoners who have experienced custodial sexual misconduct by corrections staff. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Hate Crimes Prevention - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the code to establish criminal penalties for willfully causing bodily injury because of a person's race, color, religion, or national origin. (Sec. 355) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes, and, where appropriate, to amend Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who do such recruiting. (Sec. 356) Directs the Administrator of the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to State and local programs to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. (Sec. 357) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice (including the Community Relations Service), to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such hate crimes. Subtitle F: Rescheduling and Classification of Date-Rape Drugs - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) transfer flunitrazepam from schedule IV to schedule I; and (2) add ketamine hydrochloride to schedule III and, by order, add Gamma Hydroxy Butyric Acid to schedule I. Subtitle G: Access to Safety and Advocacy for Victims of Sexual Assault - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to designated grantees and services to improve legal assistance to victims of sexual violence through access to the justice system, legal advocacy, and representation. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Domestic Violence Prevention - Subtitle A: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims' Housing - Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims Housing Act - Authorizes increased appropriations under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act exclusively for qualified, nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations, and solely to provide supportive housing andtenant-based rental and financial assistance for persons leaving a residence due to victimization by domestic violence, stalking, or adult or child sexual assault. Subtitle B: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders - Amends the code to: (1) grant a tribal court civil and criminal jurisdiction over any person who violates a protection order within its jurisdiction, subject to Federal habeas corpus review, and after tribal court remedies are exhausted; and (2) require the Attorney General to reduce the amount of certain grants to any State that fails to comply with Federal full faith and credit requirements for protection orders. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to assist governmental entities to develop and strengthen law enforcement and recordkeeping strategies to enforce protective orders issued by other governmental entities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection - Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits an insurer from denying or restricting insurance coverage on the basis that the applicant or insured (or any employee or associated person) is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse or has incurred or may incur abuse-related claims. Confers enforcement jurisdiction upon the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes a private cause of action by an applicant or insured adversely affected by a violation of this Act. Subtitle D: National Summit on Sports and Violence - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) a national summit should be promptly convened to develop a multifaceted action plan to deter acts of violence, especially domestic violence and sexual assault; (2) the members of such summit should include sports, community, political, and media leaders, as well as Members of Congress and other governmental and community leaders with relevant expertise; and (3) summit members should assume leadership roles deterring acts of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle E: Keeping Firearms from Intoxicated Persons - Amends the code to declare unlawful the transfer of a firearm or ammunition to any person reasonably believed to be intoxicated. Subtitle F: Access to Safety and Advocacy - Access to Safety and Advocacy Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to designated grantees and services to improve legal assistance to victims of domestic violence through access to the justice system, legal advocacy, and representation. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Strengthening Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the code to revise guidelines governing persons who travel in interstate and foreign commerce and engage in domestic violence and stalking, or who violate protection orders. Subtitle H: Disclosure Protections - Amends the Social Security Act , Title IV part D, to modify disclosure protections in connection with the Federal Parent Locator Service and State plan requirements for child and spousal support. Title V: Violence Against Women in the Military System - Subtitle A: Civilian Jurisdiction for Crimes of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence - Amends the code to declare that domestic violence and sexual assault offenses committed by persons formerly serving with, or presently employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States shall be subject to prosecution in the Federal District Court of the jurisdiction of origin of the person arrested. Provides for concurrent jurisdiction with other military tribunals and foreign governments. (Sec. 502) Amends Federal law governing separation from the armed forces to mandate that: (1) a copy of records of any penal action taken against the departing member of the armed forces be transmitted to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) any member convicted by court-martial of an offense of a sexual nature provide whatever specimen is necessary to conduct DNA analysis for inclusion in the Combined DNA Identification System of the FBI. Subtitle B: Transitional Compensation for Abused Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces - Revises Federal guidelines governing transitional compensation for abused dependents of former members of the armed forces. Subtitle C: Confidentiality of Records - Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of Defense is directed to: (1) study procedures of military departments for protecting the confidentiality of communications between military dependents involved in sexual or intrafamily abuse and the professionals from whom they seek services in connection with the effects of such abuse; and (2) issue regulations to provide the maximum protections for the confidentiality of such communications; and (3) report to the Congress on results of such study and implementation of the regulations. Title VI: Preventing Violence Against Women in Traditionally Underserved Communities - Subtitle A: Older Women's Protection From Violence - Older Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1999 - Chapter 1: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs to fund the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and provide for training programs in those issues for law enforcement officers and prosecutors (including tribal authorities). Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 2: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to require federally-funded State domestic violence coalitions to include programs and providers of direct services targeted to older individuals. 606) Authorizes entities eligible for a community initiatives demonstration grant to include representatives of adult protective services entities. Chapter 3: Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Aging to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of older women when establishing research priorities for grants or contracts for research and demonstration projects on elder abuse. (Sec. 609) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for grants to implement a State long-term care ombudsman program. (Sec. 610) Directs such Assistant Secretary to update and improve curricula and implement continuing education training programs to improve the ability of designated health care and social services providers to recognize and address instances of elder abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault. (Sec.611) Directs the Assistant Secretary, when making grants and contracts, to give special consideration to projects designed to: (1) expand access to domestic violence shelters and programs for older individuals and encourage the use of certain facilities as emergency short-term shelters; and (2) promote research on legal, organizational, or training impediments to providing services to older individuals through shelters and programs. (Sec. 612) Authorizes appropriations for the ombudsman and the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 613) Directs the Assistant HHS Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit private or tribal organizations to support projects in local communities to coordinate activities for intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) develop outreach programs for assisting elder abuse victims, including some for assisting individuals in certain senior housing facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 4: Public Health Service Act - Elder Abuse Identification and Referral Act of 1999 - Amends the Health Service Act to instruct the HHS Secretary, when awarding grants or contracts, to give preferences to health professions schools or programs that condition the awarding of their degrees or certificates upon significant student training in specified areas of elder abuse identification and treatment. (Sec. 616) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize: (1) area health education centers to include training in domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse screening and referral protocols; and (2) Federal grants to geriatric education centers for training and retraining of faculty to provide instruction regarding elder abuse situations. Subtitle B: Protections Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities - Protections Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities Act - Makes the protection of women with disabilities eligible for grants and research under the following Acts: (1) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; (2) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act; (3) Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994; and (4) Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994. (Sec. 625) Authorizes the HHS Secretary to: (1) develop curricula and implement training programs to improve the ability of social service and health providers to recognize and address domestic violence directed against women with disabilities; and (2) make grants and enter into contracts for such training programs for health professionals. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 627) Directs the HHS Secretary to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of, and violence against, women with disabilities in establishing certain research priorities. (Sec. 628 ) Directs the Attorney General to establish a grants program for States, nongovernmental private entities, and tribal organizations to provide education and technical assistance for information dissemination on abuse and violence against women with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Battered Immigrant Women -. VAWA Restoration Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify procedures and provide special rules for battered spouses and children with respect to: (1) adjustment of status; (2) removal and deportation; (3) implementation of immigration provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); (4) waivers and exceptions to inadmissibility for otherwise qualified battered immigrants; (5) calculation of physical presence in VAWA cancellation of removal proceedings and suspension of deportation proceedings; (6) VAWA immigration protections; (7) VAWA cancellation of removal and adjustment of status for certain nonpermanent residents; and (8) good moral character determinations for self-petitioning immediate relatives. (Sec. 638) Prescribes guidelines for: (1) discretionary first time offender waivers for aliens making child support payments; (2) misrepresentation waivers for battered spouses of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents; (3) waiver of deportability; (4) inapplicability of public charge determinations for designated aliens; and (5) access to naturalization for divorced victims of abuse. Authorizes the Attorney General to grant certain battered applicants documentation signifying authorization of employment during the pendency of certain application procedures.. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to redefine "qualified alien" to include certain battered aliens for purposes of welfare and public benefits eligibility. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 to declare restrictions on the use of assisted housing inapplicable to certain battered aliens. (Sec. 639) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to provide that requirements and restrictions placed upon Legal Services Corporation funding shall not be construed to prohibit a recipient from providing related legal assistance to certain aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. (Sec. 640) Amends the Act to require each branch of the U.S. military to train its supervisory military officers in domestic violence dynamics in military families, and the protections available for battered immigrant women and children. Expands the purposes of training grants to combat violent crimes against women to include: (1) training immigration and asylum officers and judges; and (2) training justice system personnel on the judicial ramifications of the Violence Against Women Act, and the potential immigration consequences for perpetrators of domestic violence. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to express the intent of the Congress that statutory constraints upon the powers of immigration personnel not be construed as discouraging crime and domestic violence victims from reporting crimes to the police, from cooperating in criminal prosecutions, or from obtaining the legal relief needed for protection from ongoing violence. Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments to the Violence Against Women Act - Amends the Act to make technical and conforming amendments to law enforcement and prosecution grants. Title VII: Violence Against Women and the Workplace - Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Workplace Grant - Authorizes the Attorney General to award a grant to a private non-profit entity, including a tribal organization, to provide for establishment of a national clearinghouse and resource center to disseminate information and assistance to employers and labor organizations responding to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights - Victim s' Employment Rights Act - Prohibits an employer from taking any discriminatory employment action towards an individual for reasons pertaining to sexual or domestic violence, or stalking.. Prohibits any adverse job action for an employee's participation in related judicial proceedings requiring absence from work. Prescribes enforcement guidelines, including civil action by an affected employee for actual and treble punitive damages. (Sec. 726) Sets forth defenses to such an action, including extraordinary threats to workplace safety, and undue hardship. Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit - Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer a workplace safety program tax credit for 40 percent of the costs of implementing workplace safety and education programs to combat violence against women. Subtitle D: Battered Women's Employment Protection - Battered Women's Employment Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for unemployment compensation for separation from employment as a direct result of an employee's experience of domestic violence. (Sec. 743) Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the training of claims reviewers and hearing personnel in the nature and dynamics of domestic violence, and in methods of ascertaining and keeping confidential information about domestic violence experiences so that employment separations stemming from such violence are identified and adjudicated while full confidentiality is provided for the employee's claim and submitted evidence. (Sec. 744) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to establish an entitlement for leave resulting from certain domestic violence situations for both Federal and non-Federal employees. Prescribes confidentiality guidelines for an employee's situation of domestic violence. Requires that employees, under State law, be permitted to use existing leave for domestic violence situations. Empowers the Secretary of Labor to enforce the entitlement for leave due to an employee's domestic violence situation. Subtitle E: Education and Training Grants to Promote Responses to Violence Against Women - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public and private nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations for the education and training of individuals who, as a result of their employment responsibilities, are likely to come into contact with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Workers' Compensation - Expresses the sense of the Congress that State workers' compensation laws should: (1) provide benefits to eligible female victims of workplace violence, including full compensation for physical and nonphysical injuries; and (2) permit the employee to pursue an action at law (other than statutory workers' compensation benefits) against an employer's role in the act of workplace violence. Title VIII : - Violence Against Women Intervention, Prevention, and Education Research - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the HHS Secretary and the Attorney General to establish a multi-agency task force coordinating research on violence against women. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 901) Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to entities to: (1) support research to further the understanding of the causes of violent behavior against women; and (2) evaluate education, prevention, and intervention programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Departments of Health and Human Services and of Justice to make grants to domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations and academic institutions to expand knowledge about violence against women, with a particular emphasis on exploring such issues as they affect underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and report to the Congress on specified aspects of domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to award grants to designated entities to gather data on the experiences of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State and tribal health care, judicial, and social services systems. Authorizes appropriations. Instructs the Attorney General to conduct a national study and report to the Congress on the status, implementation and efficacy of Federal, State, and tribal laws regarding rape and sexual assault offenses and their effectiveness in addressing those crimes and protecting the victims. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to establish three research centers to: (1) support the development of research and training programs that focus on violence against women; (2) provide collaboration mechanisms between researchers and practitioners; and (3) provide technical assistance for integrating research into the provision of services. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 365 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Let Our Military Personnel Buy a Home Act of 1999 - Extends through FY 1999 a pilot program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may make payments on behalf of eligible veterans for buying down the interest rate on federally guaranteed veterans' loans for housing within housing shortage areas at military installations. Makes $25 million available from the Department of Defense during each of FY 2000 through 2002 for such purpose.
Bill· HRH.R. 370 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
No Frills Prison Act - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to require a State, to be eligible for truth in sentencing incentive grants, to demonstrate that it: (1) provides living conditions and opportunities within its prisons that are not more luxurious than those that the average prisoner would have experienced if not incarcerated; (2) does not provide to any such prisoner specified benefits or privileges, including earned good time credits, less than 40 hours a week of work that either offsets or reduces the expenses of keeping the prisoner or provides resources toward restitution of victims, unmonitored phone calls (with exceptions), in-cell television viewing, possession of pornographic materials, instruction or training equipment for any martial art or bodybuilding or weightlifting equipment, or dress or hygiene other than as is uniform or standard in the prison; and (3) does not provide, for a prisoner serving a sentence for a crime of violence which resulted in serious bodily injury to another, housing other than in separate cell blocks intended for violent prisoners, less than nine hours a day of physical labor (with exceptions), any release from the prison for any purpose unless under physical or mechanical restraint, any viewing of television, any inter-prison travel for competitive sports, more than one hour a day spent in sports or exercise, or possession of personal property exceeding 75 pounds in total weight or that cannot be stowed in a standard size U.S. military issue duffel bag. Directs the Attorney General to establish similar conditions in the Federal prison system.
Bill· HRH.R. 425 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Housing Preservation Matching Grant Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make matching grants to States for low-income housing preservation. Sets forth requirements for projects: (1) with Department of Housing and Urban Development-insured mortgages; (2) with section 8 assistance; or (3) purchased by the residents. Authorizes appropriations.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 12 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1999
Makes majority party appointments to the following Senate Committees for the 106th Congress: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; and (12) Labor and Human Resources.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 14 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1999
Makes minority party appointments to the following Senate Committees: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; and (12) Labor and Human Resources.