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151 records in 1999
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Adopted Orphans Citizenship Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the acquisition of U.S. citizenship (as of the date of birth) by certain foreign-born children adopted by a U.S. citizen parent or parents.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who is adopted while under the age of 18 may be considered a child under such Act if adopted with or after a natural sibling who is a child (under the age of 16).
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Senior Citizenship Act of 1999 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt certain older persons from the naturalization U.S. history-government and English language requirements, and permit certain other older persons to take such history-government examination in a language other than English.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1999
Central American and Haitian Parity Act of 1999 - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (Act) to: (1) extend permanent resident status adjustment provisions to qualifying Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran, and Haitian nationals; and (2) extend the application filing deadline. Permits certain pending applications filed by Salvadoran or Guatemalan nationals under the Act or Haitian nationals under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to be converted to an application for status adjustment under the Act. Amends such Acts to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility; and (2) provide for issuance of immigrant visas to certain spouses and children. Provides for the limited reopening of certain orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal by certain Haitian, Cuban, or Nicaraguan nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1999
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for U.S. admission of spouses of permanent resident aliens without numerical limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1999
Directs the Attorney General to confer citizenship posthumously upon a named individual. (Requires such request to be filed by a next-of-kin within two years of enactment of this Act.)
Germany · German Bundestag · 8 September 1999
Strafrechtlich relevante Auffälligkeit eines bei der Abschiebung gestorbenen sudanesischen Asylbewerbers, Auskunftserteilung durch Bundesbehörden an die Medien
Germany · German Bundestag · 8 September 1999
Konsequenzen der Einstufung Deutschland als "kein sicheres Drittland" durch ein britisches Gericht für die deutsche Anerkennungspraxis und die Harmonisierung des Asylrechts auf europäischer Ebene, Ablehnung von Asylanträgen in den Jahren 1990 bis 1998 wegen ausschließlicher Verfolgung der Antragsteller durch nichtstaatliche Gruppen
Germany · German Bundestag · 8 September 1999
Legalisierung des Aufenthaltsstatus illegaler Einwanderer nach dem spanischen Vorbild, Probleme bei der Harmonisierung der Asyl- und Ausländerpolitik in der EU
Germany · German Bundestag · 8 September 1999
Maßnahmen der Bundesregierung betr. eines in Deutschland anerkannten kurdischen Asylbewerbers, der in Moldawien durch kurdische Behörden in die Türkei verschleppt und dort gefoltert wurde, Haftbefehle türkischer Gerichte gegen in Deutschland lebende Mitglieder des kurdischen Exilparlaments, Entführungsdrohungen gegen diese, Aktivitäten des türkischen Geheimdienstes MIT in der Bundesrepublik
Germany · German Bundestag · 7 September 1999
Vorlage eines jährlichen Migrationsberichts der Bundesregierung: Darstellung von Ursachen der Zu- und Abwanderung
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Legal Amnesty Restoration Act of 1999 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to repeal the judicial review limitation on denial of status adjustment to permanent resident with respect to certain aliens (effective as if enacted in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986). Extends the admission registry date for permanent residence, including a further extension in a case involving an unlawful act by an Immigration and Naturalization Service employee or officer, for certain aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
INS Reform and Border Security Act of 1999 - Title I: Immigration Affairs Agency - Establishes within the Department of Justice the Immigration Affairs Agency which shall consist of: (1) the Office of the Associate Attorney General for Immigration Affairs; (2) the Bureau of Immigration Services and Adjudications; and (3) the Bureau of Enforcement and Border Affairs. States that the Agency shall be headed by an Associate Attorney General for Immigration Affairs. Amends specified Federal laws to repeal authority for: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service; (2) the office of the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization; (3) compensation of assistant commissioners and district directors; and (4) special immigrant inspectors. Authorizes appropriations for the Agency. (Sec. 102) Establishes within the Agency the Office of the Associate Attorney General for Immigration Affairs. Establishes within the Office the position of General Counsel. Establishes within the Agency the position of Chief Financial Officer. (Sec. 103) Establishes within the Agency the Bureau of Immigration Services and Adjudications, which shall be headed by a Director of Immigration Services and Adjudications. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bureau's structure should be based on the organization of the Social Security Administration. Establishes within the Bureau the positions of: (1) Chief Financial Officer; (2) Regional Commissioners; (3) Area Directors; and (4) Field Office Managers. Establishes within the Bureau: (1) Service Centers; (2) an Office of Quality Assurance; (3) an Office of Professional Responsibility; and (4) an Office of the Ombudsman. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 105) Establishes within the Agency the Bureau of Enforcement and Border Affairs, which shall be headed by a Director of the Bureau of Enforcement and Border Affairs. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bureau's structure should be organized with the "best practices' of other Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Establishes within the Bureau: (1) the position of Chief Financial Officer; and (2) an Office of Professional Responsibility. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 108) Provides for the transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel. (Sec. 109) States that (prior to the effective date of this title) nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize or require transfer or delegation of any function of: (1) the Executive Office for Immigration Review of the Department of Justice; or (2) the Attorney General's litigation authorities. Title II: Personnel Flexibilities - Amends Federal law with respect to personnel provisions of the Agency, including: (1) personnel flexibilities; (2) specified pay authority; and (3) senior executives' performance awards. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Associate Attorney General for Immigration Affairs to provide voluntary separation incentive payments. Sets forth related provisions. (Sec. 204) Requires the Directors of the Bureaus to establish employee training programs. Title III: Additional Provisions - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General to: (1) provide for the expedited processing of specified nonimmigrant and immigrant applications, visas, and petitions; and (2) establish an electronic filing pilot program for certain temporary workers. (Sec. 303) Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act to extend the increase in Border Patrol agents and support personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Title I: Motor Carrier Safety - Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation, in prescribing regulations on minimum standards for testing and ensuring the fitness of an individual operating a commercial motor vehicle, to require that such individual has received training, including in-vehicle training, in the safe operation of a motor vehicle of the type the individual operates or will operate. (Sec. 102) Requires a State, in order to avoid withholding of its apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds, to comply with certain commercial driver's license requirements, including to: (1) record on a driver's commercial driver's license record each conviction for a moving traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; (2) not issue a commercial driver's license to an individual within three years after the date the individual was convicted of any drug- or alcohol-related traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; and (3) not issue a special license or permit to a commercial driver's license holder that permits the driver to drive a commercial motor vehicle during a period in which the individual is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle, or the individual's driver's license is revoked, suspended, or canceled. Requires the Secretary, if a State is not in substantial compliance with specified Federal commercial driver's license requirements, to transfer up to five percent of the State's apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds to amounts made available to such State for enforcement of Federal and State programs for improving motor carrier safety, including commercial motor vehicle safety and hazardous materials transportation safety. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary, in prescribing regulations for determining the safety fitness of an owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle, to require that no owners or operators beginning commercial motor vehicle operations after enactment of this Act will be determined fit unless they have attended a program that educates them on at least safety, size and weight, and financial responsibility regulations administered by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to assess a fee to defray the cost of the program. (Sec. 104) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to prohibit the redistribution to a State of its unused apportionment of funds for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs during a fiscal year, if the State that fails to reduce the number of fatalities in a year resulting from commercial motor vehicle crashes by at least five percent. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for comment, to issue regulations requiring the installation and use of on-board recorders or other technologies on commercial motor vehicles to manage driver hours of service. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods used to compensate drivers of commercial motor vehicles, and how they may affect safety and compliance with State and Federal motor carrier safety requirements (including hours of service regulations), including ways safety could be improved through changes in driver compensation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 107) Requires the Secretary to expend a specified amount from certain Federal-aid highway funds each fiscal year to carry out public information and education programs to prevent crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. (Sec. 108) Requires the Secretary to amend a specified regulation to require the periodic updating of the Motor Carrier Identification Report, Form MCS-150, by each motor carrier conducting operations in interstate or foreign commerce. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 109) Amends Federal transportation law to subject to civil and criminal penalties, to the same extent as the motor carrier or driver committing such violation, any person who knowingly aids, abets, commands, or induces a violation of Federal regulations pertaining to qualifications, hours of service, safety, and equipment standards with respect to motor carriers (including migrant worker motor carriers). (Sec. 110) Redefines "imminent hazard" for which a commercial motor vehicle may be ordered out of service to mean any violation, or series of violations, of specified Federal commercial motor carrier safety regulations that could result in a highway crash if not discontinued within 24 hours. (Sec.111) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program with one or more States to develop innovative methods (including use of photography and other imaging technologies) of improving compliance with traffic laws, including those pertaining to highway-rail grade crossings. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to conduct research on heavy vehicle safety, including measures to improve braking and stability, measures to improve vehicle compatibility in crashes between heavier and lighter vehicles, and measures to improve the performance of motor vehicle drivers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program, in cooperation with the States, to improve the collection and analysis of data on crashes involving commercial vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 114) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) grants to States for the development and enforcement of Federal and State regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety; and (2) the establishment and operation of motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver information systems and data analysis programs to support safety regulatory and enforcement activities. Title II: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety - Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal rail transportation law to promote the establishment of emergency notification systems utilizing toll-free telephone numbers that the public can use to convey to railroad carriers (either directly or through public safety personnel) information about malfunctions of automated warning devices or other safety problems at highway-rail grade crossings. (Sec. 203) Amends railroad trespassing and vandalism provisions to require the Secretary to evaluate and review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding, among other things, violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals, and develop model prevention strategies and enforcement laws to be used for the consideration of State and local legislatures and governmental entities. Requires the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. (Sec. 204) Directs each railroad carrier to report to the Secretary, with periodic updates, certain information concerning each highway-rail crossing through which such carrier operates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Brownfields Revitalization - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish programs to provide grants to eligible entities (including local government units, redevelopment agencies, States, and Indian tribes) for site characterization and assessment of, and performance of response actions at, brownfields facilities. Defines a "brownfield facility," with exceptions, as real property, the expansion or redevelopment of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, including property contaminated with a controlled substance or precursor chemical to such a substance. (Sec. 102) Adds CERCLA provisions governing owner-operator status of persons owning or operating property contiguous to a release site. Absolves such persons of liability as owners or operators, subject to certain conditions. Requires the President to delist up to 20 individual parcels of real property from the National Priorities List (NPL) annually in order to conform with amendments that exclude from the NPL properties at which no release has occurred but to which a hazardous substance has migrated. (Sec. 103) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of provisions limiting liability of fiduciaries and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. (Sec. 104) Deems a person, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to have undertaken appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that inquiries were undertaken in accordance with specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the Administrator). Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a site inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity. Title II: State Response Programs - Adds CERCLA provisions requiring the Administrator to provide grants to States to establish and expand qualifying State response programs, comprised of elements including public participation opportunities, oversight and enforcement authorities, and certification mechanisms. Restricts authority to take enforcement actions under CERCLA in cases of hazardous substance releases subject to a State response plan. Authorizes the President to bring enforcement actions in certain instances, including cases where a State requests assistance or is unable to conduct a response action or there is a public health or environmental emergency or migration of contamination across State lines. Authorizes the President, if a State is unwilling or unable to take action to address a health or environmental emergency, to require the State to reimburse the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) for response costs incurred by the United States, with exceptions. (Sec. 202) Replaces provisions regarding the revision of the National Contingency Plan with those requiring the President to complete the evaluation of facilities classified as awaiting an NPL decision to determine the risk to public health or welfare or the environment posed by each facility as compared with other facilities. Prohibits additions to the NPL without concurrence from the Governor of the State in which the affected facility is located. Directs the Administrator, from amounts appropriated under CERCLA, to fund a cooperative agreement for an independent analysis of the projected ten-year costs for the implementation of the Superfund program. (Sec. 203) Alters the criteria for the continuance of obligations for removal actions to provide that actions shall not continue after $5 million (currently, $2 million) has been obligated or three years (currently, 12 months) have elapsed from the date of initial response to a release or threatened release of hazardous substances. (Sec. 204) Revises conditions for State financial and other assurances with respect to remedial actions to prohibit the Administrator from providing any funding for such actions unless the State enters into an agreement that provides assurances for State payment of ten percent of the costs of the action and operation and maintenance costs. Permits the Administrator to require a State contribution of 50 percent of the costs of any sums expended in response to a release at a facility that was operated by a State or political subdivision at the time of any disposal of hazardous substances. Title III: Fair Share Liability Allocations and Protections - Creates exceptions to liability for response costs at NPL-listed facilities for certain: (1) home owners or renters, small businesses, or small nonprofit organizations with respect to certain arrangements for, or transport of, municipal solid waste (MSW) or sewage sludge; (2) de micromis contributors; and (3) small businesses. Establishes limitations to liability for certain codisposal landfills (certain MSW or sewage sludge landfills that may have received hazardous waste and that contain predominately MSW or sewage sludge transported from outside the facility). Provides for settlements with certain parties whose liability is based on arrangement, transport, or acceptance provisions with respect to MSW or sewage sludge at NPL facilities. Absolves persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of, or transported, recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Excludes from the definition of "recyclable material" certain shipping containers having hazardous substances and any material containing polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Considers transactions involving recyclable material that consists of used oil to be arranging for recycling if the person involved did not mix such material with a hazardous substance following the removal of the oil from service and demonstrates that the material was sent to a facility that recycled used oil by using it as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product or: (1) demonstrates that the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; (2) demonstrates that, with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; and (3) was in compliance with regulations or standards for the management of used oil under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Exempts from liability certain railroad owners or operators of spur tracks whose tracks meet specified conditions and who did not cause or contribute to the release concerned. Limits liability for certain organizations that hold title to a vessel or facility as a result of a charitable gift. (Sec. 302) Adds to the list of parties eligible for expedited final settlements certain persons, small businesses, or municipalities that demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs. Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties. (Sec. 303) Requires the President to initiate an impartial fair share allocation, conducted by a neutral third party at NPL facilities if: (1) there is more than one potentially responsible party (PRP) that is not eligible for specified exemptions or limitations to liability, eligible for an expedited final settlement, or insolvent, bankrupt, or defunct; and (2) at least one of the PRPs agrees to bear the costs of the allocation under conditions prescribed by the President. Requires the allocator to estimate the fair share of each PRP using specified equitable factors. Includes within such allocations response costs at NPL facilities that are not addressed in an administrative settlement or settlement or judgment approved by a Federal district court. Authorizes a party to settle any liability to the United States for response costs for its allocated fair share. Authorizes the President and the Attorney General to jointly reject an allocation report under certain conditions. Allocates shares attributable to insolvent, defunct, or bankrupt parties, or unattributable shares, among responsible parties, except certain parties with limited liability described by this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding orphan shares. Stays all contribution and cost recovery actions against parties eligible for expedited final settlements and those eligible for settlements based on certain limitations on liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW and sewage sludge until the Administrator offers a settlement. Suspends any statute of limitations applicable to such actions during the period that a stay is in effect. Bars the President from issuing orders with respect to abatement actions at a facility to any non-Federal party or commencing or maintaining any new or existing action to recover response costs if he fails to fund a statutory orphan share, reimburse a party, or include an orphan share estimate in any settlement when required to do so. Declares that settlements under allocation provisions, those regarding expedited final settlements, and settlements for parties with limited liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW and sewage sludge shall provide complete protection from all claims for contribution or cost recovery for response costs addressed in the settlement. Authorizes a party to retain the right to seek cost recovery or contribution for costs outside the scope of an allocation except from certain parties with limited liability described by this Act or those who have settled. Makes persons who commence contribution actions against parties who are not liable or who have resolved liability liable to such persons for all reasonable costs of defending the action. Provides that parties that settle liability under allocation provisions or provisions regarding expedited final settlements or limited liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW or sewage sludge waive rights to seek cost recovery or contribution. Authorizes the President, as a condition of a settlement under allocation provisions or those regarding limited liability for the arrangement of MSW or sewage sludge, to require parties to conduct a response action. Requires the President to reimburse such parties for costs incurred in excess of a party's allocated fair share. Bars a court from approving any settlement under this Act unless it includes an estimate of the statutory orphan share that is fair, reasonable, and consistent. Title IV: Remedy Selection and Natural Resource Damages - Revises provisions regarding selection of remedial actions to require the selection process to include, for any discrete area containing a principal hazardous constituent of a hazardous substance that poses a substantial health or environmental risk because of high toxicity or mobility, a preference for an action that includes treatment that reduces the risk. Authorizes the President, with respect to such a discrete area, to select a final containment remedy at a landfill, mining site, or similar facility under certain conditions. Requires remedial actions to require a level or standard of control for each hazardous substance that at least attains the substantive requirements of all promulgated standards under: (1) each Federal environmental law legally applicable to the action or to the level of cleanup for the substance concerned; (2) any more stringent and legally applicable State environmental or facility siting law that the State demonstrates is of general applicability, is identified to the President as being applicable, and has consistently applied to other remedial actions in the State; and (3) any such State law promulgated after this Act's enactment. Sets forth conditions under which the President may select a remedial action that does not attain such level or standard of control. Requires a remedial action, if no applicable Federal or State standard is established for a specific hazardous substance, to attain a standard protective of human health and the environment. (Sec. 402) Directs the President, in selecting a remedial action, to conduct and utilize a facility-specific risk evaluation. Describes requirements for, and uses of, such evaluations. (Sec. 403) Revises provisions regarding natural resource damages to permit the measure of such damages to include only the reasonable costs of: (1) restoring, replacing, or acquiring the equivalent of an injured, destroyed, or lost natural resource to reinstate its human uses and environmental functions; (2) providing an equivalent resource during the period of any interim lost use to the extent that a substitute is not reasonably available; and (3) assessing the damages. (Sec. 404) Prohibits double recovery for natural resource damages under CERCLA and other laws. Title V: Funding - Revises provisions regarding uses of Superfund. Requires the President to use amounts appropriated out of Superfund only to: (1) enter into mixed funding agreements; (2) reimburse a party for response costs incurred in excess of the allocated share as described in a final settlement; and (3) perform response actions. Authorizes appropriations from Superfund for FY 2000 through 2004. Prohibits claims against Superfund from being valid or paid in excess of the total amount in Superfund at any one time. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health assessments and consultations and related activities; (2) hazardous substance research, demonstration, and training; (3) brownfields grant programs; (4) qualifying State response programs; and (5) the Department of Justice for enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Housing Opportunities for Migrant Employees - Amends the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act to: (1) exempt farm worker housing which is regulated or approved for health and safety by a Federal or a State agency from regulation under the housing safety and health provisions of such Act; (2) require health and safety compliance with Federal or (currently and) State standards; and (3) exempt an owner from liability for housing conditions caused by the migrant workers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Andean Adjustment Act of 1999 - Provides for the adjustment to permanent resident status of certain U.S.-resident Colombian and Peruvian nationals (and spouses, children, and certain unmarried sons or daughters)..
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Access to Excellence in Education for the 21st Century Act - Title I: Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards - Subtitle A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to extend through FY 2005 the authorization of appropriations under ESEA title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards) for: (1) local educational agency (LEA) grants under part A; (2) education of migratory children under part C; and (3) certain Federal activities under provisions for coordination of Federal, State, and local administration. (Sec. 104) Revises ESEA title I provisions for State and Federal reservations of funds for accountability and evaluation (currently reservation and allocation for school improvement). (Sec. 105) Revises ESEA title I part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) requirements for: (1) State plans; (2) LEA plans; (3) eligible school attendance areas; (4) schoolwide programs; (5) targeted assistance schools; (6) school choice; (7) assessment and LEA and school improvement; (8) State assistance for school support and improvement; (9) parental involvement; (10) parent training and information centers (currently parental information and resource centers); and (11) participation of children enrolled in private schools. (Sec. 115) Revises requirements for professional development activities under part A. Adds teacher qualification requirements. Requires each LEA receiving assistance under part A to: (1) hire qualified instructional staff; (2) provide high-quality professional development that will improve teaching and learning in core content areas; and (3) use at least five percent of its allocation under part A for FY 2001 and 2002, and ten percent of that allocation for subsequent fiscal years, for that professional development. Requires each LEA to ensure, in programs supported with part A funds, that: (1) all new teachers either are certified in the field in which they will teach or have a bachelors degree and are enrolled in a program through which they will obtain such certification within three years; and (2) all paraprofessionals meet specified educational requirements and perform only certain duties. (Sec. 117) Authorizes an LEA to use part A funds to provide certain preschool services: (1) directly to eligible preschool children in all or part of its jurisdiction; (2) through any school participating in the LEA's part A program; or (3) through a contract with a local Head Start agency, a partnership operating an Even Start program, a State-funded preschool program, or a comparable public early-childhood development program. Allows such preschool programs to be operated and funded jointly with Even Start programs (under ESEA title I part B), Head Start programs, or State-funded preschool programs. Requires all preschool programs funded under part A to: (1) focus on developmental needs of participating children and use research-based approaches that build on competencies, particularly in language, literacy development, and reading; and (2) ensure that participating children, at a minimum, understand and use language and an increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, and develop an appreciation of books and phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness. (Sec. 118) Revises the formula for determining minimum and maximum amounts of basic grants to LEAs and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Sec. 119) Requires each State receiving part A assistance to report annually to the Secretary of Education with respect to its progress in meeting specified program indicators for participating schools and LEAs, and to use such indicators to improve its program performance. Subtitle B: Education of Migratory Children - Amends ESEA title I part C (Education of Migratory Children) to repeal provisions for consortium arrangement grants. (Sec. 132) Revises provisions for shared student incentive grants to improve interstate coordination among programs for migratory children who attend school in more than one State. (Sec. 133) Revises part C provisions relating to: (1) parental involvement; (2) consolidated plans; (3) schoolwide programs; and (4) data collection. (Sec. 137) Establishes a National Parent Advisory Council to advise the Secretary on the implementation of part C programs and coordination with other programs serving migratory children and families. (Sec. 138) Sets forth part C requirements for regulations and negotiated rulemaking. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 139) Directs the Secretary to spend a specified minimum amount annually, from ESEA title I appropriations, to establish and maintain a technical assistance center to provide assistance to ESEA title I part C programs and to special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Subtitle C: Federal Evaluations - Revises provisions for evaluations of ESEA title I programs. Sets forth requirements relating to a national assessment of such programs, studies and data collection, and an ongoing national longitudinal study of schools. Title II: Bilingual Education - Revises part A (Bilingual Education) of title VII (Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs) of ESEA. (Sec. 202) Adds to the declaration of U.S. policy with respect to bilingual education programs: (1) ensuring limited English proficient children also meet challenging State standards in the core content areas, including the ability to understand, speak, read and write English at the same level as native English speakers; (2) developing fully bilingual-biliterate skills; and (3) developing the English and native language skills of such children and youth. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for part A. (Sec. 204) Establishes accountability requirements for programs funded under part A subpart 1 (Bilingual Education Capacity and Demonstration Grants). Requires such programs to assess annually the English proficiency of all limited English proficient students they serve. Requires such students to be: (1) included in State assessments of academic performance; and (2) assessed, to the extent practicable, in the language and form most likely to yield accurate and reliable information on what those students know, and can do, in content areas other than English. Provides that tests written in Spanish shall be deemed practicable when administered to Spanish-speaking students with limited English proficiency if such tests are more likely than tests written in English to yield accurate and reliable information on what those students know and can do in content areas other than English. Requires such students who have been in U.S. schools (not including Puerto Rico) for five consecutive years or more to be tested in reading and language arts using tests written in English. Authorizes a State or school district, based upon the scores of a student on the tests, to determine that a student is sufficiently proficient to be tested in reading and language arts using tests written in English, prior to the completion of five years in U.S. schools. Prohibits removal of any student from a program of bilingual education or English as a second language based upon performance on the test. (Sec. 205) Provides for multilingual education by requiring promotion of proficiency both in English and in their native language for limited English proficient students served under various grant programs of financial assistance for bilingual education, including program development and implementation grants. Revises application and evaluation provisions to reflect such requirement. Includes among criteria for priority funding the establishment of programs for dual language proficiency in English and students' native languages. (Sec. 206) Provides for three-year grants for program development and enhancement. (Replaces current provisions for two-year grants for program enhancement projects with a required activity involving inservice training for educational personnel, as well as other specified authorized activities.) Requires such program development and enhancement grants to be used for: (1) developing and implementing comprehensive, preschool, elementary, or secondary education programs for children and youth with limited English proficiency, that are aligned with standards-based State and local school reform efforts and coordinated with other relevant programs and services to meet the full range of educational needs of such children and youth; (2) providing high-quality professional development to classroom teachers, administrators, and other school or community-based organization personnel to improve the instruction and assessment of limited English proficient students; and (3) annually assessing the English proficiency of all limited English proficient students served by the program. Sets forth authorized uses of such grants. (Sec. 207) Revises provisions for comprehensive school grants to establish certain required uses of funds and to revise additional authorized uses. Prohibits a grant recipient from: (1) using funds for planning purposes for more than 90 days; or (2) carrying out a program for more than two schools for each such grant it receives. (Sec. 208) Revises provisions for systemwide improvement grants to establish certain required uses of funds and to revise additional authorized uses. Makes any entity not receiving a satisfactory evaluation of a grant ineligible to apply for another such grant for at least three years. (Sec. 209) Revises requirements for documentation, content, and other aspects of applications for awards under subpart 1. Limits to a maximum of 25 percent that portion of a grant or total funding under subpart 1 which may be used for programs that do not use students' native language. Transfers and retains certain provisions authorizing grant recipients to intensify instruction for limited English proficient students by expanding education services. (Sec. 210) Revises evaluation components under subpart 1. Requires such evaluations to be annual. Directs the Secretary to establish certain performance measures. (Sec. 211) Revises provisions for research under subpart 2 (Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination). (Sec. 212) Revises subpart 2 provisions for the State grant program to add to required uses of funds SEA assistance to LEAs in developing data collection and accountability systems for limited English proficient students that are aligned with State reform efforts. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to establish and support a National Clearinghouse on Education of Children and Youth with Limited English proficiency. (Replaces provisions for the National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education.) (Sec. 214) Revises subpart 2 provisions for instructional materials development to authorize grants for development, publication, and dissemination of instructional materials: (1) in other low-incidence languages (as well as in Native American, Hawaiian, Pacific islanders and other natives of outlying areas, as in current grant provisions) in the United States for which instruction materials are not readily available; and (2) on standards and assessments, and instructional programs related to the education of children and youth with limited English proficiency, for dissemination to parents of such children and youth. (Sec. 215) Revises subpart 3 (Professional Development) to eliminate a reference to dissemination of information on appropriate instructional practices. (Sec. 216) Revises the subpart 3 training for all teachers program to direct its professional development services to those educational personnel with baccalaureate degrees to improve their provision of services to limited English proficient students or to become certified as a bilingual or English as a second language teacher. Authorizes such program grants to LEAs or to LEAs in consortium with SEAs, higher education institutions, or nonprofit organizations. Limits grant duration to three years (currently five). Sets forth specified required and authorized uses of funds. (Sec. 217) Revises provisions for grants for preservice professional development of bilingual education teachers and personnel. Authorizes such grants to higher education institutions. Requires recipients to coordinate their grant programs with other appropriate programs. Sets forth specified required and authorized uses of funds. (Sec. 218) Revises the bilingual education career ladder program to require grant recipient consortia to coordinate with other relevant programs and use all existing sources of student financial aid before using grant funds to pay tuition and stipends for participating students. Requires special consideration for grant applications of programs that provide training in English as a second language, including developing proficiency in the instructional use of English and, as appropriate, a second language in classroom contexts. (Sec. 219) Revises provisions for graduate fellowships in bilingual education program to eliminate post-doctoral fellowships. (Sec. 220) Revises requirements for applications for awards under subpart 3. (Sec. 221) Revises provisions for program evaluations under subpart 3. (Sec. 222) Establishes a new subpart 4, Model Programs for Parent Involvement Applications. Directs the Secretary to make competitive grants to LEAs for model programs to: (1) assist parents of limited English proficient students in making informed educational decisions for their children; and (2) assist such parents in meeting their own educational needs. Includes as eligible to apply for such grants consortia consisting of at least one LEA and one community-based organization, and other entities. Sets forth separate requirements for such grant programs that provide information to such parents in making decisions about their children's education and those that assist such parents with their own educational needs. Requires that total funds for such grants be divided equally between those two purposes. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 223) Sets forth new subpart 5 transition provisions for part A of title VII of ESEA. (Sec. 224) Adds certain findings with respect to the Emergency Immigrant Education Program (EIEP) under part C of title VII of ESEA. (Sec. 225) Revises provisions for State administrative costs under EIEP. (Sec. 226) Defines reclassification rate as the annual percentage of limited English proficient students who have met the State criteria for no longer being considered limited English proficient. (Sec. 227) Revises title VII provisions for regulations, parental notification, and use of paraprofessionals. (Sec. 229) Repeals ESEA title VII part A current provisions for: (1) program development and implementation grants; (2) intensified instruction; (3) funding priorities; and (4) coordination with other programs. Repeals the Foreign Language Assistance Program (the entire current part B of title VII of ESEA). Title III: High School Reform - Revises ESEA title X (Programs of National Significance) to establish a new part H, High School Reform. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive grants to LEAs for high school reform activities. Limits each such grant to a maximum of three years. Prohibits assistance to any high school under more than one such grant. Sets forth required principles and components of educational reforms by grantees. Requires each grantee to: (1) provide for equitable participation of private school personnel in professional development activities it carries out with grant funds; and (2) make available to private schools, at their request, information about curricular materials developed using grant funds. Directs the Secretary to reserve some part H funds for: (1) incentive awards; (2) recognition, dissemination, networks, and peer review; and (3) evaluation. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Dropout Prevention and State Responsibilities - Revises ESEA title V part C Assistance to Address School Dropout Problems. (Replaces current part C provisions known as the School Dropout Assistance Act). (Sec. 402) Establishes: (1) a subpart 1 coordinated national strategy; and (2) a national school dropout prevention initiative. Sets forth the subpart 1 coordinated national strategy. Makes it a national priority, for the five-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to lower the school dropout rate, and increase school completion, for middle school and secondary school students in accordance with Federal law. Requires all Federal agencies that carry out activities that serve students at risk of dropping out of school or that are intended to help address the school dropout problem to make school dropout prevention a top priority in the agencies' funding priorities during such five-year period. Directs the Secretary to collect systematic data on the participation of different racial and ethnic groups (including migrant and limited English proficient students) in all Federal programs. Requires, as part of the national school dropout prevention strategy, the Director of the Office of Dropout Prevention and Program Completion to develop, implement, and monitor an interagency plan to assess the coordination, use of resources, and availability of funding under Federal law that can be used to address school dropout prevention, or middle school or secondary school reentry. Requires the plan to address: (1) program coordination, targeting of existing Federal services, and cost-effectiveness of various programs and approaches; (2) ways in which State and local agencies can implement effective school dropout prevention programs using funds from a variety of Federal programs; and (3) all Federal programs with school dropout prevention or school reentry elements or objectives. Requires the Director to establish, through a competitive grant or contract, a national clearinghouse on effective school dropout prevention, intervention and reentry programs. Requires the clearinghouse to: (1) disseminate such data by an electronically accessible database, a Worldwide Web site, and a national journal; and (2) provide technical assistance regarding securing resources for programs. Requires the Director to carry out a national recognition program that recognizes schools that have made extraordinary progress in lowering school dropout rates, under which a public middle school or secondary school from each State will be recognized, using uniform national guidelines and school nominations submitted by SEAs. Authorizes monetary awards to recognized schools, for dissemination activities within the school district or nationally. Sets forth the subpart 2 National School Dropout Prevention Initiative. Directs the Secretary to make State allotments for such program based on relative amounts received under ESEA title I. Authorizes SEAs to use allotments to award grants to public middle schools or secondary schools that have school dropout rates which are in the highest one-third of all school dropout rates in the State, for only the startup and implementation costs of effective, sustainable, coordinated, and whole school dropout prevention programs. Includes among authorized program activities: (1) professional development; (2) obtaining curricular materials; (3) release time for professional staff; (4) planning and research; (5) remedial education; (6) reduction in pupil-to-teacher ratios; (7) efforts to meet State student achievement standards; and (8) counseling for at-risk students. Expresses the intent of Congress that such activities shall be continued with funding provided under part A of title I of ESEA. Sets forth determining factors and limits relating to grant amounts and duration. Requires the Director to increase the amount awarded to a school under the initiative grant program by ten percent if the school creates smaller learning communities within the school and the creation is certified by the SEA. Requires each school receiving such a grant to implement research based, sustainable, and widely replicated, strategies for school dropout prevention and reentry that address the needs of an entire school population rather than a subset of students. Allows such strategies to include: (1) specific strategies for targeted purposes; and (2) approaches such as breaking larger schools down into smaller learning communities, and other comprehensive reform approaches, developing clear linkages to career skills and employment, and addressing specific gatekeeper hurdles that often limit student retention and academic success. Requires the Director to: (1) annually establish and publish the principles, criteria, models, and other parameters regarding the types of effective, proven program models that are allowed to be used under the initiative program, based on existing research; (2) conduct a capacity building and design initiative in order to increase the types of proven strategies for dropout prevention on a schoolwide level (through a limited contract with a non-Federal entity); (3) support eligible entities to provide training, materials, development, and staff assistance to schools assisted under the initiative program. Sets forth initiative program requirements relating to: (1) selection of schools; (2) dissemination activities; (3) progress incentives; (4) school dropout rate calculation; (5) reporting and accountability; and (6) a prohibition on tracking. Authorizes appropriations for the ESEA part C: (1) subpart 1 coordinated national strategy; and (2) subpart 2 national school dropout prevention initiative. (Sec. 403) Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish in the Department of Education an Office of Dropout Prevention and Program Completion, to be administered by the Director. Requires the Director, through the Office, to: (1) help coordinate Federal, State, and local efforts to lower school dropout rates and increase program completion by middle school, secondary school, and college students; (2) recommend Federal policies, objectives, and priorities to lower school dropout rates and increase program completion; (3) oversee the implementation of subpart 2 of part C of title V of ESEA; (4) develop and implement the National School Dropout Prevention Strategy under ESEA; (5) submit to Congress and the Secretary annual national reports describing efforts and recommended actions regarding school dropout prevention and program completion; (6) recommend action to the Secretary and the President, as appropriate, regarding school dropout prevention and program completion; and (7) consult with and assist State and local governments regarding school dropout prevention and program completion. Includes under the scope of the Director's duties examination of all Federal and non-Federal efforts related to: (1) promotion of program completion for children attending middle school or secondary school; (2) programs to obtain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including general equivalency diploma (GED) programs), or college degree programs; and (3) reentry programs for individuals aged 12 to 24 who are out of school. (Sec. 404) Revises ESEA title XIV (General Provisions) to add a new part I, Dropout Prevention. Requires SEAs, in order to receive any assistance under ESEA, to comply with specified provisions regarding school dropouts, including requirements relating to: (1) uniform data collection; (2) attendance neutral funding policies; and (3) suspension and expulsion policies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the inadmissibility or removal of an alien who unlawfully voted if: (1) such vote was unlawful solely because the alien was not a citizen; and (2) the alien committed such violation in a good faith belief of proper U.S. citizenship or voting eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Central American and Haitian Adjustment Act of 1999 - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (Act) to: (1) extend permanent resident status adjustment provisions to qualifying Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran, and Haitian nationals; and (2) extend the application filing deadline. Permits certain pending applications filed by Salvadoran or Guatemalan nationals under the Act or Haitian nationals under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to be converted to an application for status adjustment under the Act. Amends such Acts to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility; and (2) provide for issuance of immigrant visas to certain spouses and children. Provides for the limited reopening of certain orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal by certain Haitian, Cuban, or Nicaraguan nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1999
Adopted Orphans Citizenship Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the acquisition of U.S. citizenship (as of the date of birth) by certain foreign-born children adopted by a U.S. citizen parent or parents.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers Title II: Elimination of Earnings Penalty on Senior Citizens New Workers for Economic Growth Act - Title I: H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the permitted number of H-1B temporary worker and trainee visas for FY 2000 through 2002. Excludes from such limitation aliens with: (1) specified higher degrees and salaries; and (2) at least a bachelor's degree and a job or job offer at an institution of higher education (excludes such aliens from certain labor attestation requirements). Title II: Elimination of Earnings Penalty on Senior Citizens - Amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the reduction in Social Security benefits for individuals under 70 years old whose earnings exceed specified annual limits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Bringing Resources from Academia to the Industry of Our Nation Act or the BRAIN Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a pilot program under which certain aliens completing a postsecondary degree in mathematics, science, engineering, or computer science may have their nonimmigrant status adjusted to permit U.S. employment for up to five years in such fields. Sets forth related employer filing and enforcement provisions. Establishes in the Treasury the High-Tech Education Fund Account.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Immigration Restructuring and Accountability Act of 1999 - Title I: National Immigration Bureau - Establishes: (1) in the Department of Justice, the National Immigration Bureau, which shall be headed by a Director; and (2) in the Office of the Director, an Assistant Director for Community Liaison. Transfers all functions, personnel, and funding from the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Director. Establishes within the Bureau: (1) the Office of Immigration Adjudication, consisting of the Division of Adjudications, the Division of Refugees, Asylum, Parole, and Humanitarian Affairs, and the Division of Community Relations; (2) the Office of Immigration Enforcement, consisting of the Border Patrol Division, the Division of Removal, the Division of Intelligence and Investigations, and the Division of Community Relations; (3) the Office of Prehearing Services, consisting of the Division of Detention, the Division of Alternatives to Detention, the Division of Prehearing Services, and the Division of Community Relations; and (4) the Office of Shared Services. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions. (Sec. 105) Provides for the transfer and allocation of personnel and appropriations from the Department of Justice to the Bureau. (Sec. 106) States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authorities of the Secretary of State and agents of the Department of State and the Foreign Service to investigate illegal passport or visa activities. (Sec. 107) Directs the Attorney General to submit an implementation plan, which shall address management and other specified issues, within one year of enactment of this Act. Title II: Amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the restriction that only aliens with preference petitions or labor certifications filed by January 14, 1998, are eligible to adjust to permanent resident status without leaving the United States if they entered without inspection or fall within one of other specified classes (including aliens accepting unauthorized employment and aliens not maintaining legal nonimmigrant status). States that such amendment shall be effective as if included in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-119). (Sec. 202) States that Congress finds that U.S. policy is generally to fund nationality and naturalization activities through appropriations Acts. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the imposition of fees on asylum or refugee applicants. Revises adjudication and naturalization fee provisions to replace the current Treasury Immigration Examinations Fee Account with separate Treasury accounts for: (1) fees imposed for lack of appropriations (Naturalization Fee Account); (2) immigrant and nonimmigrant petition fees (Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Fee Account); (3) port of entry fees (Admission Fee Account); (4) other immigration adjudication fees (Miscellaneous Adjudication Fee Account); and (5) specified status adjustment fees (Application Fee Account). Sets forth: (1) a special rule for services provided without charge; (2) prohibited fee uses; and (3) reporting requirements. Title III: General Policy Against Detention of Asylum Seekers - States that Congress finds that U.S. policy is generally not to detain asylum seekers who have established a credible fear of persecution. (Sec. 301) Directs the Attorney General to develop alternatives to detention of asylum seekers, including: (1) noninstitutional settings for minors and a prohibition on their placement in adult facilities; (2) supervised or unsupervised release; (3) supervised shelters or group homes; and (4) alternatives to criminal detention. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for specified provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Title I: Motor Carrier Safety - Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation, in prescribing regulations on minimum standards for testing and ensuring the fitness of an individual operating a commercial motor vehicle, to require that such individual has received training, including in-vehicle training, in the safe operation of a motor vehicle of the type the individual operates or will operate. (Sec. 102) Requires a State, in order to avoid withholding of its apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds, to comply with certain commercial driver's license requirements, including to: (1) record on a driver's commercial driver's license record each conviction for a moving traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; (2) not issue a commercial driver's license to an individual within three years after the date the individual was convicted of any drug- or alcohol-related traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; and (3) not issue a special license or permit to a commercial driver's license holder that permits the driver to drive a commercial motor vehicle during a period in which the individual is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle, or the individual's driver's license is revoked, suspended, or canceled. Requires the Secretary, if a State is not in substantial compliance with specified Federal commercial driver's license requirements, to transfer up to five percent of the State's apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds to amounts made available to such State for enforcement of Federal and State programs for improving motor carrier safety, including commercial motor vehicle safety and hazardous materials transportation safety. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary, in prescribing regulations for determining the safety fitness of an owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle, to require that no owners or operators beginning commercial motor vehicle operations after enactment of this Act will be determined fit unless they have attended a program that educates them on at least safety, size and weight, and financial responsibility regulations administered by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to assess a fee to defray the cost of the program. (Sec. 104) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to prohibit the redistribution to a State of its unused apportionment of funds for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs during a fiscal year, if the State that fails to reduce the number of fatalities in a year resulting from commercial motor vehicle crashes by at least five percent. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for comment, to issue regulations requiring the installation and use of on-board recorders or other technologies on commercial motor vehicles to manage driver hours of service. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods used to compensate drivers of commercial motor vehicles, and how they may affect safety and compliance with State and Federal motor carrier safety requirements (including hours of service regulations), including ways safety could be improved through changes in driver compensation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 107) Requires the Secretary to expend a specified amount from certain Federal-aid highway funds each fiscal year to carry out public information and education programs to prevent crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. (Sec. 108) Requires the Secretary to amend a specified regulation to require the periodic updating of the Motor Carrier Identification Report, Form MCS-150, by each motor carrier conducting operations in interstate or foreign commerce. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 109) Amends Federal transportation law to subject to civil and criminal penalties, to the same extent as the motor carrier or driver committing such violation, any person who knowingly aids, abets, commands, or induces a violation of Federal regulations pertaining to qualifications, hours of service, safety, and equipment standards with respect to motor carriers (including migrant worker motor carriers). (Sec. 110) Redefines "imminent hazard" for which a commercial motor vehicle may be ordered out of service to mean any violation, or series of violations, of specified Federal commercial motor carrier safety regulations that could result in a highway crash if not discontinued within 24 hours. (Sec.111) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program with one or more States to develop innovative methods (including use of photography and other imaging technologies) of improving compliance with traffic laws, including those pertaining to highway-rail grade crossings. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to conduct research on heavy vehicle safety, including measures to improve braking and stability, measures to improve vehicle compatibility in crashes between heavier and lighter vehicles, and measures to improve the performance of motor vehicle drivers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program, in cooperation with the States, to improve the collection and analysis of data on crashes involving commercial vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 114) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) grants to States for the development and enforcement of Federal and State regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety; and (2) the establishment and operation of motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver information systems and data analysis programs to support safety regulatory and enforcement activities. Title II: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety - Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal rail transportation law to promote the establishment of emergency notification systems utilizing toll-free telephone numbers that the public can use to convey to railroad carriers (either directly or through public safety personnel) information about malfunctions of automated warning devices or other safety problems at highway-rail grade crossings. (Sec. 203) Amends railroad trespassing and vandalism provisions to require the Secretary to evaluate and review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding, among other things, violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals, and develop model prevention strategies and enforcement laws to be used for the consideration of State and local legislatures and governmental entities. Requires the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. (Sec. 204) Directs each railroad carrier to report to the Secretary, with periodic updates, certain information concerning each highway-rail crossing through which such carrier operates.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Justice Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Title III: The Judiciary Title IV: Department of State and Related Agency Title V: Related Agencies Title VI: General Provisions Title VII: Rescissions Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the judiciary, and related agencies. Title I: Department of Justice - Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Justice for: (1) general administration;(2) counterterrorism activities; (3) payments of costs of telecommunications carriers in complying with capability requirements; (4) administration of pardon and clemency petitions and immigration-related activities; (5) the Office of Inspector General; (6) the U.S. Parole Commission; (7) legal activities; (8) antitrust activities; (9) the Offices of U.S. Attorneys; (10) the U.S. Trustee Program; (11) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (12) the U.S. Marshals Service, including an amount for Federal prisoner detention; (13) fees and expenses of witnesses; (14) the Community Relations Service; (15) certain uses of the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (16) administrative expenses related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; (17) interagency law enforcement with respect to organized crime drug trafficking; (18) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (19) construction for specified agencies; (20) the Drug Enforcement Administration; (21) the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); (22) the Federal prison system, including an amount for buildings and facilities; (23) Office of Justice programs; (24) State and local law enforcement assistance; (25) the Executive Office for Weed and Seed; (26) community oriented policing services; (27) juvenile justice programs; and (28) public safety officers' benefits. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this title to: (1) pay for abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or in the case of rape; or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate an abortion. (Sec. 109) Makes certain provisions of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 relating to the obligation of certain counterterrorism funds without regard to Federal acquisition rules and restrictions on information disclosure in specified actions filed by prisoners applicable to FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 114) Makes a provision of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 relating to grants for assistance to the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 applicable for FY 2000. (Sec. 115) Amends the Federal judicial code to increase certain bankruptcy filing fees and the percentage of such fees to be deposited into the U.S. Trustee System Fund and a fund for operation and maintenance of the U.S. courts. Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies - Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) the International Trade Commission; (3) the International Trade Administration; (4) export administration and national security activities; (5) the Economic Development Administration; (6) minority business development; (7) economic and statistical analysis programs; (8) the Census Bureau; (9) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (10) public telecommunications facilities planning and construction grants; (11) information infrastructure grants; (12) the Patent and Trademark Office; (13) the Under Secretary for Technology-Office of Technology Policy; (14) the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including amounts for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and for construction of new research facilities; (15) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including an amount for procurement, acquisition, and construction of capital assets;(16) the Coastal Zone Management Fund; (17) the Fishermen's Contingency Fund; (18) the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund; (19) the fisheries finance program account; (20) general administration; and (21) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Rescinds all unobligated balances in the Fisheries Promotional Fund. Title III: The Judiciary - Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Supreme Court, including an amount for care of the building and grounds; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; (3) the U.S. Court of International Trade; (4) the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services; (5) defender services; (6) fees of jurors and commissioners; (7) court security; (8) the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; (9) the Federal Judicial Center; (10) judicial retirement funds; and (11) the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Department of State and Related Agency - Department of State and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs, diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Capital Investment Fund; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) educational and cultural exchange programs; (5) representation allowances; (6) protection of foreign missions and officials; (7) security and maintenance of U.S. missions; (8) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (9) the repatriation loans program account; (10) the American Institute in Taiwan; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) international organizations, conferences, peacekeeping, and commissions; (13) the Asia Foundation; (14) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (15) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; and (16) the National Endowment for Democracy. Makes appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations and capital improvements. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 404) Makes a certain provision of the Department of State and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 regarding a fee for the issuance of combined border crossing cards and nonimmigrant visas effective in FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 405) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act by the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors to provide assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. Title V: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Maritime Administration for maritime security, operations and training, and the maritime guaranteed loan program;(2) Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (3) Commission on Civil Rights; (4) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (5) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (6) Federal Communications Commission; (7) Federal Maritime Commission; (8) Federal Trade Commission; (9) Legal Services Corporation; (10) Marine Mammal Commission; (11) Securities and Exchange Commission; and (12) Small Business Administration (SBA), including amounts for the Office of Inspector General and business and disaster loans. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act. (Sec. 607) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 608) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to: (1) enforce any EEOC guidelines covering harassment based on religion if such guidelines do not differ from proposed guidelines of October 1, 1993; (2) pay for costs incurred in operating certain diplomatic or consular posts in Vietnam or increasing the number of personnel assigned to such posts until the President makes a specified certification; or (3) provide specified personal comforts in the Federal prison system. (Sec. 610) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act for any United Nations undertaking if: (1) such undertaking is a peacekeeping mission and will involve U.S. armed forces under the command of a foreign national; and (2) the President's military advisors have not submitted a recommendation that such involvement is in the national security interest and the President has not submitted such recommendation to Congress. (Sec. 616) Makes funds provided by this Act unavailable to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products or to seek the reduction or removal by any foreign country of restrictions on the marketing of such products, except for restrictions which are not applied equally to products of the same type. (Sec. 617) Bars funds appropriated under any law from being used for: (1) the implementation of any tax or fee in connection with any criminal background check system that implements requirements under the Federal criminal code in connection with certain restrictions on the transfer of firearms; or (2) any such system that does not result in the destruction of information submitted by persons determined not to be prohibited from owning a firearm. (Sec. 620) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. Title VII: Rescissions - Rescinds a specified amount of funds appropriated to the Department of Justice for the INS Immigration Emergency Fund. Rescinds a specified amount for the Department of State for international broadcasting operations of the U.S. Information Agency. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the SBA's business loans program account.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1999
CDFI Technical Corrections Act - Amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to include within the definition of "investment area" one that: (1) is located outside of a metropolitan statistical area; and (2) experienced a net migration loss of at least ten percent between 1980 and 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1999
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize spouses of intracompany transferee aliens to work in the United States if their country extends reciprocal treatment to U.S. citizens and nationals.
Germany · German Bundestag · 30 July 1999
Anzahl der Ermittlungsverfahren, U-Haft, Verurteilungen, verletzte bzw. getötete Personen
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1999
Anti-Atrocity Alien Deportation Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the inadmissibility and removability of aliens who have committed acts of torture abroad. Directs the Attorney General to establish within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice an Office of Special Investigations to investigate and remove, denaturalize, or prosecute alien participants of Nazi persecutions, genocide, or torture abroad. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1999
New Workers for Economic Growth Act - Title I: H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the permitted number of H-1B temporary worker and trainee visas for FY 2000 through 2002. Excludes from such limitation aliens with: (1) specified higher degrees and salaries; and (2) at least a bachelor's degree and a job or job offer at an institution of higher education (excludes such aliens from certain labor attestation requirements). Title II: Elimination of Earnings Penalty on Senior Citizens - Amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the reduction in social security benefits for individuals under 70 years old whose earnings exceed specified annual limits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1999
Declares a named individual to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1999
Anti-Atrocity Alien Deportation Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the inadmissibility and removability of aliens who have committed acts of torture abroad. Directs the Attorney General to establish within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice an Office of Special Investigations to investigate and remove, denaturalize, or prosecute alien participants of Nazi persecutions, genocide, or torture abroad. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1999
Immigration Reorganization and Improvement Act of 1999 - Establishes in the Department of Justice: (1) the Bureau of Immigration Services; and (2) the Bureau of Immigration Enforcement. Sets forth provisions respecting the transfer of functions, personnel, and appropriations.
Austria · National Council · 14 July 1999
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Herbert Scheibner und Genossen betreffend verstärkte Kontrollen gegen illegale Einwanderung und Schlepperei an Österreichs Grenzen unter Anforderung des Bundesheeres und Abgeltung der Kosten hiefür
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1999
Adoption Awareness Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to national adoption organizations for programs to train the staff of eligible health centers in providing adoption counseling to pregnant women and infertile married couples. Makes it a condition for receipt of such a grant that the national adoption organization involved agree to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the eligible health centers with respect to which training under the grant is provided include centers that: (1) receive grants relating to voluntary family planning projects; (2) receive grants relating to community health centers, migrant health centers, and centers regarding homeless individuals and residents of public housing; (3) receive grants for the provision of services in schools; and (4) do not perform or make referrals for abortions, or provide or make referrals for counseling that presents abortion as an option. Directs the Secretary to require programs providing voluntary family planning services with such a grant to provide nondirective counseling and referrals regarding prenatal care and delivery, infant care, foster care, and adoption. Makes religious organizations eligible for such grants without discrimination and mandates their independence from Federal, State, and local governments, providing certain safeguards to ensure such independence. Provides the beneficiaries of assistance from religious organizations with certain rights, including the right not to be discriminated against by the religious organization. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Declares a named individual to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Declares as U.S. citizens certain deceased women who lost their (U.S.) citizenship solely because of marriage to an alien prior to September 22, 1922.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Waives grounds for removal or deportation of a named individual by reason of any act of his that is a ground for removal or denial of admission and is reflected in the records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice or the Visa Office of the Department of State.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Insurance Bill of Rights Subtitle A: Access to Care Subtitle B: Quality Assurance Subtitle C: Patient Information Subtitle D: Grievances and Appeals Procedures Subtitle E: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship Subtitle F: Promoting Good Medical Practice Subtitle G: Definitions Title II: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act Title III: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Title IV: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 1999 - Title I: Health Insurance Bill of Rights - Subtitle A: Access to Care - Requires any group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, providing emergency services benefits to cover emergency services furnished: (1) without the need for any prior authorization determination; (2) whether or not the health care provider furnishing such services is a participating health care provider; and (3) without regard to any other term or condition of such coverage (other than exclusion or coordination of benefits, or an affiliation or waiting period, permitted under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), or the Internal Revenue Code). Requires such coverage in a manner so that, if the emergency services are provided by a nonparticipating health care provider: (1) the participant, beneficiary, or enrollee is not liable for amounts exceeding the liability that would be incurred if the services were provided by a participating provider with prior authorization. Prescribes the same coverage for maintenance care or post-stabilization care (subject to certain guidelines) by nonparticipating health care providers. (Sec. 102) Requires a plan or coverage that provides benefits only through participating providers to offer a participant the option to purchase point-of-service coverage for benefits provided by a nonparticipating provider, unless the plan offers the participant a choice of health insurance coverage and one or more coverage options that do not provide benefits only through participating health care providers. (Sec. 103) Requires any plan and issuer to permit each participant, beneficiary, and enrollee to receive: (1) primary care from any participating primary care provider available to accept such individual; and (2) (unless the plan or issuer clearly declares choice limitations) medically necessary or appropriate specialty care, pursuant to appropriate referral procedures, from any qualified participating provider available to accept such individual for such care. (Sec. 104) Requires any plan or issuer that requires or provides for designation of a participating primary care provider to permit: (1) a female participant, beneficiary, or enrollee to designate a participating physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology as the individual's primary care provider; and (2) designation of a pediatrician as a child's primary provider. Prohibits the plan or issuer, in the absence of such a designation, from requiring authorization or a referral by the individual's primary care provider or otherwise for coverage of routine gynecological care (such as preventive women's health examinations) and pregnancy-related services provided by a participating specialist in obstetrics and gynecology to the extent such care is otherwise covered. Permits a plan or issuer to treat the ordering of other gynecological care by such a participating health professional as the primary care provider's authorization of such care. Requires the plan or issuer to refer to an available and accessible specialist any participant, beneficiary, or enrollee with a condition or disease of sufficient seriousness and complexity to require treatment by a specialist, if benefits for such treatment are covered. Requires a plan or issuer to refer an individual to a nonparticipating specialist only: (1) if a participating specialist is not available and accessible; and (2) at no additional cost to the individual. Requires a plan or issuer to have a procedure by which an individual with an ongoing special condition (life-threatening, degenerative, or disabling) may be referred to a specialist who shall be responsible for and capable of providing and coordinating the individual's primary and specialty care, without referral from the individual's primary care provider. Requires standing referrals to a specialist for any condition requiring ongoing specialist care. (Sec. 105) Prescribes requirements for continuity of care for participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees in the event of a termination of a health care provider or of the contract between a plan and an issuer. (Sec. 106) Prescribes requirements for participation in approved clinical trials of individuals with life-threatening or serious illnesses for which no standard treatment is effective. Prohibits denial of participation in such trials, or discrimination against participants. Limits plan or issuer payments to routine patient costs. (Sec. 107) Requires any plan or issuer that provides prescription drug benefits limited to drugs included in a formulary to: (1) ensure participation of participating physicians and pharmacists in the development of the formulary; (2) disclose to providers, and upon request to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees, the nature of the formulary restrictions; and (3) consistent with the standards for a utilization review program, provide for exceptions from the formulary limitation when a non-formulary alternative is medically indicated. Prohibits a plan or issuer from denying coverage of such a drug or device on the basis that the use is investigational, if certain labeling requirements are met. (Sec. 108) Requires each plan and issuer to have (in relation to the coverage) a sufficient number, distribution, and variety of qualified participating providers to ensure that all covered health care services, including specialty services, will be available and accessible in a timely manner to all participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees. Permits inclusion among such providers of federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, migrant health centers, and other essential community providers located in the service area. Requires inclusion of such providers if necessary to meet such number, distribution, and variety requirements. (Sec. 109) Prescribes nondiscrimination requirements. Subtitle B: Quality Assurance - Directs each plan and issuer to establish an ongoing, internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 112) Requires each plan and issuer to: (1) collect uniform quality data, including a minimum uniform data set specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) have a written process for the selection of participating health care professionals, including minimum professional requirements; and (3) establish and maintain, as part of any internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program including prescription drug benefits, a drug utilization program which encourages appropriate drug use and takes appropriate action to reduce the incidence of improper drug use and adverse drug reactions and interactions. (Sec. 115) Requires each plan and issuer to conduct (or arrange for qualified outside agents to conduct) benefit utilization review activities only in accordance with a utilization review program that meets certain requirements. Prohibits a program from permitting or providing contingent compensation arrangements with its employees, agents, or contractors in a manner that: (1) provides incentives, direct or indirect, for such persons to make inappropriate review decisions; or (2) is based, directly or indirectly, on the quantity or type of adverse determinations rendered. Requires a utilization review program to make determinations and notifications concerning: (1) prior authorization services within three business days after receiving any necessary information; (2) authorization for continued or extended health care services within one business day after receipt of such information; and (3) retrospective review of services previously provided, within 30 days of such receipt. (Sec. 116) Directs the President to establish an advisory board to provide information to Congress and the administration on issues relating to quality monitoring and improvement in the health care provided under group health plans and health insurance coverage. Subtitle C: Patient Information - Specifies benefits, access, emergency coverage, prior authorization, grievance and appeals, and other pertinent information which plans and issuers shall provide to participants and beneficiaries at the time of initial coverage, annually, within a reasonable period before or after the date of significant changes, and upon request. (Sec. 122) Requires plans and issuers to establish procedures to: (1) safeguard the privacy of any individually identifiable enrollee information; (2) maintain records and information in an accurate and timely manner; and (3) assure individuals timely access to such records and information. (Sec. 123) Provides for grants to States for creation and operation of a Health Insurance Ombudsman. Requires any State receiving such a grant to contract for such an Ombudsman with a not-for-profit organization that operates independent of group health plans and health insurance issuers. Requires the Secretary to provide through such a contract for an Ombudsman in any State that does not provide for one. Makes such an Ombudsman responsible to: (1) assist consumers in choosing among health insurance coverage or among coverage options offered within group health plans; and (2) provide counseling and assistance to enrollees dissatisfied with their treatment by issuers and plans, and with respect to grievances and appeals of coverage or plan determinations. Subtitle D: Grievances and Appeals Procedures - Requires each plan and issuer to establish a system for the presentation and resolution of oral and written grievances brought by participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees, or health care providers or other individuals acting on behalf of an individual and with the individual's consent. Requires the system to include grievances regarding access to and availability of services, quality of care, choice and accessibility of providers, network adequacy, and compliance with the requirements of this title. (Sec. 132) Requires each plan and issuer to establish an internal appeals process, and provide for an external appeals process, which meet certain requirements. Specifies the appeal rights of participants, beneficiaries, and their representatives, as well as the kinds of decisions which are appealable. Subtitle E: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship - Prohibits any contract or agreement between a plan or issuer and a health care provider from: (1) prohibiting or restricting the provider from engaging in medical communications with the provider's patient; or (2) containing any provision purporting to transfer to the health care provider by indemnification or otherwise any liability relating to activities, actions, or omissions of the plan, issuer, or agent (as opposed to the provider). Declares null and void any such contract or agreement provisions. (Sec. 142) Prohibits any plan or issuer from operating any physician incentive plan that does not meet certain requirements under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 143) Requires any plan or issuer to establish reasonable procedures relating to the participation of health care professionals, including notice of participation rules, written notice of adverse participation decisions, and a process for appealing adverse decisions. (Sec. 144) Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating against a participant, beneficiary, enrollee, or health care provider based on use of, or participation in, a utilization review or a grievance process. Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating or discriminating against a protected health care professional because the professional in good faith: (1) discloses information relating to the care, services, or conditions affecting one or more participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees to an appropriate public regulatory agency, private accreditation body, or management personnel of the plan or issuer; or (2) initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding by such an agency with respect to such care, services, or conditions. Defines good faith action. Subtitle F: Promoting Good Medical Practice - Prohibits a plan or issuer from arbitrarily interfering with or altering the decision of the treating physician regarding the manner or setting in which particular covered services are delivered (including the number of days in a hospital) if they are medically necessary or appropriate for treatment or diagnosis. Allows a plan or issuer to limit the delivery of services to one or more providers within a network. (Sec. 152) Requires a plan or issuer that provides medical and surgical benefits to provide inpatient coverage following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer for a period of time as is determined by the attending physician, in his or her professional judgment consistent with medical standards, to be medically appropriate. Prohibits a plan or issuer from: (1) denying to a woman eligibility to enroll or renew coverage solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this title; (2) providing monetary payments or rebates to encourage women to accept less than the minimum protections available under this title; (3) penalizing or otherwise reducing or limiting reimbursement because an attending provider gave care to a participant or beneficiary in accordance with this title; (4) providing incentives (monetary or otherwise) to induce an attending provider to provide care to a participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this title; or (5) restricting benefits (other than imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing) for any portion of a period within a required hospital length of stay in a manner less favorable than the benefits provided for any preceding portion of such stay. Subtitle G: Definitions - Sets forth definitions. Title II: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of this Act. (Sec. 202) Requires each health insurance issuer to comply with such requirements with respect to individual health insurance coverage. Title III: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends ERISA to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of this Act. (Sec. 302) Provides that nothing in ERISA shall be construed to invalidate, impair, or supersede any cause of action under State law to recover damages resulting from personal injury or wrongful death against any person (except employers and other plan sponsors): (1) in connection with the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by that person to or for a group health plan; or (2) that arises out of the arrangement by that person for the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by other persons. Allows such an action against an employer or other plan sponsor (or against an employee of such an employer or sponsor acting within the scope of employment) only if it is based on the employer's or sponsor's exercise of discretionary authority to decide a claim for covered benefits, and such exercise resulted in personal injury or wrongful death. Title IV: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan to comply with the requirements of this Act. Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to provide for coordination in the implementation of this Act.
Germany · German Bundestag · 8 July 1999
Aussetzung der Abschiebungen für Flüchtlinge mit langjährigem Aufenthalt
Germany · German Bundestag · 8 July 1999
Nachfragen zur Kleinen Anfrage auf Drs. 14/1127
Germany · German Bundestag · 2 July 1999
Rechtslage bei der Abschiebung auf dem Luftweg, Status der begleitenden Beamten des Bundesgrenzschutzes
Germany · German Bundestag · 2 July 1999
Verläßlichkeit der Lageberichte zum Kosovo 1998 und 1999, Auswirkungen auf Entscheidungen in Asylverfahren gegen Kosovo-Albaner
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent immigrants from waiting longer for immigrant visas as a result of reclassification from family second preference to family first preference.
Germany · German Bundestag · 1 July 1999
Arbeitserlaubnis für rechtmäßig in Deutschland lebende Ausländer unabhängig von einer bestimmten Beschäftigung bei einem bestimmten Arbeitgeber bei Erteilung des Aufenthaltsstatus
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 30 June 1999
The Select Committee divided: Tá,
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 30 June 1999
The Select Committee divided: Tá,
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 30 June 1999
The Select Committee divided: Tá,
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 29 June 1999
The Select Committee divided: Tá,