117 HR 951 IH: Maternal Vaccination Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 951IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 8, 2021Ms. Sewell (for herself, Ms. Underwood, Ms. Adams, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Velázquez, Mrs. McBath, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Lawson of Florida, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Horsford, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Payne, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Soto, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Trone, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Bass, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Evans, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Jones, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Ms. Speier, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Carson, Mr. Kildee, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Ms. Norton, Mr. Suozzi, Ms. Williams of Georgia, and Mr. Cooper) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness of the importance of maternal vaccinations for the health of pregnant and postpartum individuals and their children, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Maternal Vaccination Act. 2.Maternal vaccination awareness and equity campaign(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall carry out a national campaign to—(1)increase awareness of the importance of maternal vaccinations for the health of pregnant and postpartum individuals and their children; and(2)increase maternal vaccination rates, with a focus on communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated individuals.(b)ConsultationIn carrying out the campaign under this Act, the Secretary shall consult with relevant community-based organizations, health care professional associations and public health associations, State public health departments and local public health departments, Tribal-serving organizations, nonprofit organizations, and nationally recognized private entities.(c)ActivitiesThe campaign under this section shall—(1)focus on increasing maternal vaccination rates in communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated individuals, including for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups;(2)include efforts to engage with pregnant and postpartum individuals in communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated individuals to seek input on the development and effectiveness of the campaign;(3)provide evidence-based, culturally congruent resources and communications efforts; and(4)be carried out in partnership with trusted individuals and entities in communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated individuals, including community-based organizations, community health centers, perinatal health workers, and maternity care providers.(d)CollaborationThe Secretary shall ensure that the information and resources developed for the campaign under this section are made publicly available and shared with relevant Federal, State, and local entities.(e)EvaluationNot later than the end of fiscal year 2025, the Secretary shall—(1)establish quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate the campaign under this section; and(2)submit a report detailing the campaign’s impact to the Congress.(f)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.3.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Culturally congruentThe term culturally congruent, with respect to care or maternity care, means care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, worldview, language, and practices of the health care consumer and other stakeholders.(2)Maternity care providerThe term maternity care provider means a health care provider who—(A)is a physician, physician assistant, midwife who meets at a minimum the international definition of the midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the International Confederation of Midwives, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist; and(B)has a focus on maternal or perinatal health.(3)Perinatal health workerThe term perinatal health worker means a doula, community health worker, peer supporter, breastfeeding and lactation educator or counselor, nutritionist or dietitian, childbirth educator, social worker, home visitor, language interpreter, or navigator.(4)Postpartum and postpartum periodThe terms postpartum and postpartum period refer to the 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy of an individual.(5)Racial and ethnic minority groupThe term racial and ethnic minority group has the meaning given such term in section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u–6(g)(1)).


 HR 1119 ENR: Purple Heart Family Equity Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
0
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		One Hundred Tenth Congress of the United States
		  of America
		At the Second
		  SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on
		Thursday, the third day of January, two thousand and eight
		H. R. 1119

		AN ACT
		To amend title 36, United States Code, to
		  revise the congressional charter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of
		  the United States of America, Incorporated, to authorize associate membership
		  in the corporation for the spouse and siblings of a recipient of the Purple
		  Heart medal.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Purple Heart Family Equity Act of
			 2007.
		2.Associate
			 membership in the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of
			 America, IncorporatedSection
			 140503(b) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking
			 parents and lineal descendants and inserting the parents,
			 spouse, siblings, and lineal descendants.

			Speaker of the House of Representatives.

			Vice President of the United States and President of the
			 Senate.


IV
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 493
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

December 14, 2011

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 1540) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; and providing for proceedings during the period from December 16, 2011, through January 16, 2012.

 That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 1540) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the conference report to its adoption without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate; and (2) one motion to recommit if applicable.
2.It shall be in order at any time through the remainder of the first session of the One Hundred Twelfth Congress for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules, as though under clause 1(c) of rule XV, if the text of the measure proposed in a motion is made available to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner (including pursuant to clause 3 of rule XXIX) on the calendar day before consideration.
3.On any legislative day of the first session of the One Hundred Twelfth Congress after December 16, 2011—
(a)the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved;
(b)the Chair may at any time declare the House adjourned to meet at a date and time, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution, to be announced by the Chair in declaring the adjournment; and
(c)bills and resolutions introduced during the period addressed by this section shall be numbered, listed in the Congressional Record, and when printed shall bear the date of introduction, but may be referred by the Speaker at a later time.
4.On any legislative day of the second session of the One Hundred Twelfth Congress before January 17, 2012—
(a)the Speaker may dispense with organizational and legislative business;
(b)the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved if applicable; and
(c)the Chair at any time may declare the House adjourned to meet at a date and time, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution, to be announced by the Chair in declaring the adjournment.
5.The Speaker may appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period addressed by sections 3 and 4 as though under clause 8(a) of rule I.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


115 S1178 IS: Vulnerable Children and Families Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-05-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1178IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 18, 2017Mr. Blunt (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Burr, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Cotton, Ms. Warren, Mr. King, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsA BILLTo realign structures and reallocate resources in the Federal Government in keeping with the core
			 belief that families are the best protection for children and the bedrock
			 of any society to bolster United States diplomacy targeted at ensuring
			 that every child can grow up in a permanent, safe, nurturing, and loving
			 family, and to ensure that intercountry adoption to the United States
			 becomes a viable and fully developed option for providing families for
			 children in need, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of contents
 (a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Vulnerable Children and Families Act of 2017.
 (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Findings; purposes.Sec. 3. Definitions.TITLE I—Realignment of certain international child welfare responsibilities and functionsSec. 101. Redesignation of Office of Children’s Issues as Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security.TITLE II—Annual reportingSec. 201. Annual report on implementation of action plan.TITLE III—Promotion of a comprehensive approach for children in adversitySec. 301. USAID obligations for coordinating with Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security.TITLE IV—Funding, rule of construction, and effective datesSec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.Sec. 402. Rule of construction.Sec. 403. Effective dates. 2.Findings; purposes (a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
 (1)The people of the United States recognize and believe that children should grow up in permanent, safe, and nurturing families in order to develop and thrive.
 (2)Science shows that children, and particularly infants, living in impersonal, socially deprived institutions may suffer lasting, and in many cases, irreversible damage, including—
 (A)reduced brain activity and brain size; (B)lower intelligence quotients;
 (C)serious behavioral and emotional problems; and (D)disturbed relationships with others.
 (3)Governments in other countries seek models that promote the placement of children who are living outside family care in permanent, safe, and nurturing families, rather than in foster care or institutions; but many governments lack the resources or infrastructure to adequately address this need.
 (4)Despite the efforts of countless governments and nongovernmental organizations, millions of children remain uncounted and outside of the protection, nurturing care, permanence, safety, and love of a family.
 (5)No reliable data currently exists to define and document the number and needs of children in the world currently living without families, but available evidence demonstrates that there are millions of children in this situation needing immediate help.
 (6)The Action Plan on Children in Adversity commits the United States Government to achieving a world in which all children grow up within protective family care and free from deprivation, exploitation, and danger. To effectively and efficiently accomplish this goal, it is necessary to realign the United States Government’s current operational system for assisting orphans and vulnerable children and processing intercountry adoptions.
 (7)Significant resources are already dedicated to international assistance for orphans and vulnerable children, and a relatively small portion of these resources can be reallocated to achieve more timely, effective, nurturing, and permanent familial solutions for children living without families, resulting in fewer children worldwide living in institutions or on the streets, more families preserved or reunified, and increased domestic and international adoptions.
 (b)PurposesThe purposes of this Act are— (1)to support the core value that families are the bedrock of any society;
 (2)to protect the fundamental human right of all children to grow up within the loving care of permanent, safe, and nurturing families;
 (3)to address a critical gap in United States foreign policy implementation by authorizing a whole-of-government strategic approach to ensure coordination within and among the relevant Federal agencies for international policy and operational structures so that seeking permanent families for children living without families receives more prominence, focus, and resources (through the reallocation of existing personnel and resources);
 (4)to harness the diplomatic and operational power of the United States Government in the international sphere by helping to identify and implement timely, permanent, safe, and nurturing familial solutions for children living without families through effective implementation of the three core and three supporting objectives of the Action Plan on Children in Adversity;
 (5)to ensure that intercountry adoption by United States citizens becomes a viable and fully developed option for creating permanent families for children who need them;
 (6)to protect against abuses of children; and (7)to harmonize and strengthen existing intercountry adoption processes under United States law—
 (A)by ensuring that the same set of procedures and criteria govern suitability and eligibility determinations for prospective adoptive parents seeking to complete intercountry adoptions, whether or not the child is from a foreign state that is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention; and
 (B)by aligning the definitions of eligible children for Convention adoptions and non-Convention adoptions to the maximum extent possible.
 3.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Action plan on children in adversityThe term Action Plan on Children in Adversity means the policy document entitled United States Government Action Plan on Children in Adversity: A Framework for International Assistance: 2012–2017, released on December 19, 2012.
 (2)Ambassador-at-largeThe term Ambassador-at-Large means the individual appointed pursuant to section 101(b). (3)Appropriate, protective, and permanent family careThe term appropriate, protective, and permanent family care means a nurturing, lifelong, commitment to a child by an adult, or adults with parental roles and responsibilities that—
 (A)provides physical and emotional support; (B)provides the child with a sense of belonging; and
 (C)generally involves full legal recognition of the child’s status as child of the parents and of the parents’ rights and responsibilities regarding the child.
 (4)Central authorityThe term central authority has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14902).
 (5)Children in adversityThe term children in adversity means children and youth— (A)who are younger than 18 years of age;
 (B)who live outside of family care; and (C)whose safety, well-being, growth, and development are at significant risk due to inadequate care, protection, or access to essential services.
 (6)Convention adoptionThe term Convention adoption has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14902).
 (7)Convention countryThe term Convention country has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14902) and for which the Hague Adoption Convention has entered into force.
			(8)Guardianship
 (A)In generalThe term guardianship means a permanent legal relationship between an adult and a child, in which the adult is lawfully invested with the power, and charged with the duty, of taking care of the child.
 (B)Permanent guardianshipWhile some forms of guardianship are not truly permanent, the form of guardianship referred to and supported under this Act is permanent guardianship.
 (C)Kefala orderA Kefala order issued by a country that follows traditional Islamic law does not qualify as an adoption under United States law, but may be a form of guardianship in some circumstances.
 (D)Family-like group homesIndividual parent-child relationships in a small, family-like group home in which caretaking is provided only by one or more unpaid caretakers might, in some circumstances, qualify as a guardianship if legalized in that form.
 (E)Paid guardianshipThe term guardianship does not include a paid guardianship. (9)Habitual residence determinationThe term habitual residence determination means a factual determination of where a prospective adoptive parent (or parents) resides and where the child resides for purposes of an intercountry adoption case.
 (10)Hague adoption conventionThe term Hague Adoption Convention means the Convention of Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, concluded at The Hague May 29, 1993.
 (11)Institutional careThe term institutional care means care provided in any nonfamily-based group setting, including— (A)orphanages;
 (B)transit or interim care centers; (C)children’s homes;
 (D)children’s villages or cottage complexes; and (E)boarding schools used primarily for care purposes as an alternative to a children’s home.
 (12)Kinship careThe term kinship care— (A)means the full-time care, nurturing, and protection of children by relatives, members of their tribes or clans, godparents, stepparents, or any adult who has a kinship bond with a child, if such persons have the capacity and commitment to function as true parents for the child on a permanent basis; and
 (B)does not include paid kinship foster care. (13)Non-convention adoptionThe term non-Convention adoption means—
 (A)an adoption by United States parents of a child from a non-Convention country in accordance with subparagraph (F) of section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1));
 (B)an adoption by United States parents of a child under the laws of the child’s country of origin (generally when the parents are living in the child’s country of origin and therefore able legally to complete a domestic adoption); or
 (C)in certain circumstances (generally with respect to relative adoptions or adoptions by dual national parents), an adoption by United States parents of a child from a Convention country if that country allows legal and valid adoptions to take place outside the scope of the Convention.
 (14)Non-convention countryThe term non-Convention country means a country in which the Hague Adoption Convention has not entered into force, regardless of whether or not that country has signed the Convention.
 (15)Special AdvisorThe term Special Advisor means the Special Advisor for Assistance to Orphans and Vulnerable Children appointed pursuant to section 135(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2152f(e)), who is also referred to as the Senior coordinator for the USAID Administrator on Children in Adversity and who leads the Center of Excellence for Children in Adversity.
 (16)Unparented childrenThe term unparented children means children lacking the legally recognized, permanent, safe, and nurturing care of a parental figure or figures, either inside their country of origin, in the country of their habitual residence, or elsewhere.
			IRealignment of certain international child welfare responsibilities and functions
			101.Redesignation of Office of Children’s Issues as Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security
 (a)RedesignationThe Office of Children’s Issues of the Department of State is hereby redesignated as the Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security (referred to in this Act as the VCFS).
 (b)Appointment of Ambassador-at-LargeThe President, acting through the Secretary, shall appoint an Ambassador-at-Large to promote and support the following activities:
 (1)Oversight of the Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security. (2)The development and implementation in foreign countries of child welfare laws, regulations, policies, best practices, and procedures in keeping with the goals articulated in the Action Plan on Children in Adversity, including—
 (A)the sound development of children through the integration of health, nutrition, and family support; (B)supporting and enabling families to care for children through family preservation, reunification, and support of kinship care, guardianship, and domestic and intercountry adoption;
 (C)facilitating the efforts of national governments and partners to prevent, respond to, and protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect;
 (D)supporting partners to build and strengthen holistic and integrated models to promote the best interests of the child;
 (E)building and maintaining strong evidence base on which future activities to reach and assist the most vulnerable children can be effectively planned and implemented; and
 (F)integrating this plan with United States Government departments and agencies. (3)Addressing the gap in United States Government diplomacy, policy, and operations with respect to promoting appropriate, protective, and permanent family care for children living without families by leading the development and implementation of policies that will ensure the timely provision of appropriate, protective, and permanent family care for children living without families through the full continuum of permanence solutions, including family preservation and reunification, kinship care, guardianship, and domestic and intercountry adoption.
 (c)Qualifications of Ambassador-at-LargeThe Ambassador-at-Large shall— (1)have experience in the development of policies and systems and the implementation of programs that promote the goals of the Action Plan on Children in Adversity;
 (2)be knowledgeable of international child welfare, family permanence, and family creation through domestic and intercountry adoption; and
 (3)be committed to developing an integrated United States Government approach to international child welfare that places equal emphasis on—
 (A)early childhood survival and development; (B)family permanence; and
 (C)protection from abuse and exploitation. (d)Functions (1)AdvisoryThe Ambassador-at-Large shall serve as a primary advisor to the Secretary of State and the President in all matters related to vulnerable children and family security in foreign countries.
 (2)Diplomatic representationSubject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, and in consultation and coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Ambassador-at-Large shall represent the United States in matters relevant to international child welfare, family preservation and reunification, and provision of permanent, safe parental care through kinship, domestic and intercountry adoption in—
 (A)contacts with foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, intergovernmental agencies, and specialized agencies of the United Nations and other international organizations of which the United States is a member;
 (B)multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to family preservation, reunification, and creating appropriate, protective, and permanent care for unparented children; and
 (C)fulfillment of the diplomatic responsibilities designated to the central authority under title I of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14911 et seq.).
						(3)Policy development with respect to permanence for unparented children
 (A)In generalThe Ambassador-at-Large shall— (i)develop and advocate for policies and practices to ensure that children in foreign countries who are living without families find appropriate, protective, and permanent family care;
 (ii)give consideration to family preservation and reunification, kinship care, guardianship, and domestic and intercountry adoption; and
 (iii)seek to develop and implement policies that lead to the use of all options for providing appropriate, protective, and permanent family care to children living without families as quickly as possible.
							(B)Advocate for concurrent planning
 (i)In generalIn developing policies and programs under this Act, the Ambassador-at-Large shall advocate that all options for providing appropriate, protective, and permanent family care to children living without families must be considered concurrently and permanent solutions must be put in place as quickly as possible. Solutions include family preservation and reunification, kinship care, guardianship, domestic and intercountry adoption, and other culturally acceptable forms of care that will result in appropriate, protective, and permanent family care. Preference should be given to options that optimize the child’s well-being, which generally means options which provide children with fully protected legal status and parents with full legal status as parents, including full parental rights and responsibilities. The principle of subsidiarity, which gives preference to in-country solutions, should be implemented within the context of a concurrent planning strategy, exploring in- and out-of-country options simultaneously. If an in-country placement providing appropriate, protective, and permanent care is not quickly available, and such an international home is available, encourage policies that allow the child to be placed in an international home without delay.
 (ii)Interim placementsNothing in this subsection may be construed to preclude interim placements, including in kinship care, foster care, and small group homes, to temporarily improve children’s living conditions in individual circumstances in which—
 (I)a permanent solution is not immediately available if ongoing efforts are made to move the child from interim to permanent placement as soon as possible; and
 (II)the child’s best interests will be served. (iii)ExceptionsExceptions to the general rule set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) may be made, as needed in individual cases, to serve the child’s best interests, including the following:
 (I)Permanent guardianship may be preferable to adoption in certain cases where the child has developed a powerful bond to a loving guardian who prefers not to adopt because of the child’s ties to birth parents who love the child, but are not in a position to provide appropriate nurturing.
 (II)Options generally viewed as interim solutions, such as foster care and small group homes, may be preferable to family reunification when the parents are not in a position to provide appropriate nurturing.
 (III)For children with disabilities, solutions to prevent institutionalization and to assist with reintegration into the community from institutions, include payment and support to families, substitute families, small group homes, or kinship care.
 (C)Best practicesIn developing policies and programs under this Act, the Ambassador-at-Large shall identify and utilize evidence-based programs and best practices in family preservation and reunification and provision of permanent parental care through guardianship, kinship care, and domestic and intercountry adoption as derived from a wide variety of domestic, foreign, and global policies and practices.
 (D)Technical assistanceThe Ambassador-at-Large, in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies, shall provide technical assistance to governments of foreign countries to help build their child welfare capacities, particularly pertaining to family-based permanence. Such assistance should aim to strengthen family preservation and reunification and the provision of appropriate, protective, and permanent family care through kinship care, guardianship, and domestic and intercountry adoption, including assistance with—
 (i)drafting, disseminating, and implementing legislation; (ii)developing implementing systems and procedures;
 (iii)establishing public, private, and faith- and community-based partnerships; (iv)developing workforce training for governmental and nongovernmental staff; and
 (v)infrastructure development and data collection techniques necessary to identify and document the number and needs of children living without appropriate, protective, and permanent family care.
							(4)Responsibilities with respect to intercountry adoption
 (A)In generalThe VCFS, in coordination with other offices of the Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, shall have lead responsibility for representing the United States Government in discussions, negotiations, and diplomatic contacts pertaining to intercountry adoptions.
 (B)Central authority responsibility under the intercountry adoption act of 2000Section 101(b)(2) of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 14911(b)(2)) is amended by striking Office of Children’s Issues and inserting Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security.
 (C)Determinations of hague adoption convention complianceThe VCFS, in consultation with other offices of the Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security, shall have lead responsibility for determining whether a Convention partner country has met its obligations under the Hague Adoption Convention and is eligible to participate in intercountry adoptions in accordance with United States law. Such determinations shall be documented in writing, based on standardized criteria, and available for public review and comment.
 (5)Policy coordinationThe Ambassador-at-Large shall coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to maintain consistency in United States foreign and domestic policy and operations with respect to children living outside family care in foreign countries.
 (6)Information coordinationThe Ambassador-at-Large shall transmit— (A)any intercountry adoption related case information received from the Central Authority of another Convention country to the Secretary of Homeland Security; and
 (B)any intercountry adoption related case information that the Secretary of Homeland Security requests to the central authority of another Convention country.
						IIAnnual reporting
 201.Annual report on implementation of action planNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Ambassador-at-Large, in coordination with the Special Advisor, shall submit to Congress a report on implementation of the Action Plan on Children in Adversity, including the technical assistance provided under section 101(d)(3)(D).
			IIIPromotion of a comprehensive approach for children in adversity
			301.USAID obligations for coordinating with Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security
 (a)ObjectivesThe Special Advisor shall work in consultation with the Ambassador-at-Large to promote greater United States Government coherence and accountability for whole-of-government assistance to children in adversity and ensure that United States foreign assistance and development programs are focused on—
 (1)the sound development of children through the integration of health, nutrition, and family support; (2)supporting and enabling families to care for children through family preservation, reunification, and support of kinship care, guardianship, and domestic and intercountry adoption;
 (3)facilitating the efforts of national governments and partners to prevent, respond to, and protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect;
 (4)supporting partners to build and strengthen holistic and integrated child welfare and protection systems to promote the best interests of the child;
 (5)building and maintaining a strong evidence base on which future activities to reach and assist the most vulnerable children can be effectively planned and implemented; and
 (6)integrating the objectives set forth in paragraphs (1) through (5) with Federal departments and agencies.
 (b)ApproachThe Special Advisor shall ensure that efforts to assist children in adversity through the Action Plan on Children in Adversity are coordinated with the efforts by the Ambassador-at-Large in implementing its adoption strategy in priority countries.
 (c)RepealSection 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2152f) is repealed. IVFunding, rule of construction, and effective dates 401.Authorization of appropriations (a)Prohibition on new appropriations (1)In generalNothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing additional funds to be appropriated to carry out this Act or any amendments made by this Act.
 (2)Use of existing fundsThis Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for such purposes, including unobligated balances of funds made available to carry out activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.).
					(b)Limitations on use of funds
 (1)Segregated servicesNo funds obligated in accordance with this Act may be awarded for building, renovating, or refurbishing residential facilities that segregate children with disabilities from society. The limitation under this paragraph does not prohibit funding for small, community-based group homes that house up to six children.
 (2)Administrative expensesNot more than two percent of the amounts described in subsection (a)(2) may be used for administrative expenses.
 (c)Focus of assistanceAssistance provided under this Act— (1)shall focus primarily on promoting international child welfare, as set forth in this Act, for all children in adversity; and
 (2)may be provided on such terms and conditions as the President determines appropriate. 402.Rule of constructionNothing in this Act shall be construed as precluding the provision of stipends or subsidies to those caring for children with disabilities.
			403.Effective dates
 (a)Effective upon enactmentSections 104 and 201 and titles III and IV shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (b)Delayed effective dateSections 101, 102, and 103 shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.


110 HR 723 IH: To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 723
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 30, 2007
			Mr. Bishop of New
			 York (for himself, Mr.
			 LoBiondo, Mr. Buchanan,
			 Mr. Israel,
			 Mr. Saxton,
			 Mr. Smith of New Jersey, and
			 Mrs. Drake) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Transportation and Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to
		  reauthorize programs to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters, and
		  for other purposes.

		1.Coastal recreation water
			 quality monitoring and notificationSection 406(i) of the Federal Water
			 Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1346(i)) is amended by striking
			 2005 and inserting 2012.
		2.Authorization of
			 appropriationsSection 8 of
			 the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 (Public Law
			 106–284; 114 Stat. 877) is amended by striking 2005 and
			 inserting 2012.


116 S3301 IS: Women’s Global Empowerment, Development and Prosperity Act of 2020
U.S. Senate
2020-02-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3301IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 13, 2020Mrs. Shaheen (for herself and Mr. Graham) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsA BILLTo promote the empowerment, development, and prosperity of women globally, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Women’s Global Empowerment, Development and Prosperity Act of 2020.2.Establishment of the women’s global development and prosperity initiative(a)In generalThe Secretary of State shall establish within the Office of Women’s Empowerment an office for the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W–GDP) to lead and coordinate efforts related to the objectives set forth in subsection (b).(b)ObjectivesThe W–GDP Initiative should be based on the following three pillars:(1)Women prospering in the workforceAdvance women in the workforce by improving access to quality vocational education and skills training, enabling women to secure jobs in their local economies.(2)Women succeeding as entrepreneursPromote women’s entrepreneurship and increase access to capital, markets, technical assistance, and mentorship.(3)Women enabled in the economyIdentify and reduce the legal, regulatory, and cultural barriers that constrain women’s full and free participation in the global economy and promote improved practices.(c)Sense of Congress on enabling women in the economyIt is the sense of Congress that, recognizing the breadth of work necessary to address the overall enabling environment and supporting efforts related to the third pillar set forth under subsection (b)(3), it should be the policy of the United States to ensure that the United States Government promotes the following five types of foundational legal reforms:(1)Accessing institutionsLifting barriers that prevent women from fully participating in the workforce, ensuring women’s authority to sign legal documents such as contracts and court documents, and addressing unequal access to courts and administrative bodies for women, whether officially, through lack of proper enforcement, or through the unequal access of education that may prevent women’s literacy.(2)Building creditEnsuring women’s equal access to credit and capital to start and grow their businesses, and prohibiting discrimination in access to credit on the basis of gender or marital status.(3)Owning and managing propertyLifting restrictions on women’s possessing and managing property, including limitations on inheritance and the ability to transfer, purchase, or lease property.(4)Traveling freelyAddressing constraints on women’s freedom of movement, including restrictions on obtaining passports on the basis of gender.(5)Removing restrictions on employmentEliminating barriers that limit working hours, occupations, or tasks on the basis of gender.(d)Policy alignmentThe Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative shall be closely aligned and coordinated with ongoing United States Government efforts to advance women’s empowerment globally, including requirements under the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–68) and the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–428).3.Leveraging United States assistanceThe Secretary of State, in coordination with the Ambassador-at-Large overseeing the Office of Women’s Empowerment and the heads of relevant Federal agencies, including those set forth in section 5(b), may work with the private sector and nongovernmental organizations to leverage public and private capital to complement W–GDP Initiative programs and related efforts, including financing infrastructure investments and supporting capacity building activities, and enter into cost-sharing, cost-matching, and other cooperative agreements to support and finance such programs.4.Authorization of appropriations(a)In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated not less than $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and for each fiscal year thereafter until 2025 for a W–GDP Fund, established at the United States Agency for International Development, with a focus on sourcing and scaling the most impactful programs for women’s economic empowerment and ensuring there is not duplication of effort with other departments and agencies.(b)Appropriations requirementFunds authorized to be appropriated by this section shall only be made available subject to the availability of appropriations.(c)OversightFunds authorized to be appropriated by this section shall be jointly overseen by the United States Agency for International Development and the Ambassador described in section 6.5.Interagency steering group(a)EstablishmentThe President shall establish a steering group (the Steering Group), with representation from appropriate Federal departments and agencies, to carry out the policy goals of this Act. The President shall designate a chair or co-chairs to lead the activities of the Steering Group in coordination with the Ambassador-at-Large.(b)MembershipThe Steering Group shall include representatives from—(1)the Department of State;(2)the Department of the Treasury;(3)the Department of Commerce;(4)the Department of Labor;(5)the Department of Defense;(6)the United States Agency for International Development (USAID);(7)the Millennium Challenge Corporation;(8)the Peace Corps;(9)the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC);(10)the Inter-American Foundation;(11)the United States African Development Foundation;(12)the components of the executive offices of the President, including the Office of Management and Budget, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative; and(13)other Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by guidelines developed by the co-chairs.6.Office of women’s empowerment(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary of State shall establish in the Office of the Secretary of the Department of State the Office of Women’s Empowerment. The Office shall be headed by an Ambassador-at-Large, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Ambassador shall report directly to the Secretary and shall have the rank and status of Ambassador-at-Large.(b)PurposeIn addition to the duties described in this Act and duties determined by the Secretary of State, the Ambassador shall coordinate efforts of the United States Government as directed by the Secretary regarding approaches that promote equality and advance the status and development of women and girls in United States foreign policy.(c)Duties(1)In generalThe Ambassador shall—(A)direct activities, policies, programs, and funding relating to gender equality and the advancement of women and girls internationally; (B)actively promote and advance the integration of gender analysis into the formulation of policy, programs, structures, process, and capacities throughout the bureaus and offices of the Department of State and in the international programs of other Federal agencies;(C)direct United States Government resources, as appropriate, to respond to needs for promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in United States Government foreign policies and international programs;(D)design, support, and implement activities regarding—(i)the empowerment of women internationally, including for the prevention of and response to gender-based violence internationally;(ii)the policies and goals of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–68) and the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–428);(iii)the Global Women’s Development and Prosperity (W–GDP) Initiative as described in section 2; and(iv)the reduction of legal, regulatory, and cultural barriers that constrain women worldwide;(E)ensure that programs, projects, and activities designed to promote and empower women internationally are subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation, and oversee the development of indicators and standards for such monitoring and evaluation, with the intent of using these across relevant Federal agencies;(F)partner, consult, and coordinate with other governments, bilateral and multilateral institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private-sector partners, and represent the United States in diplomatic and multilateral fora as appropriate, to advance the objectives of this Act;(G)serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State regarding gender equality, women’s empowerment, and gender-based violence as a foreign policy matter; and(H)undertake other relevant duties that the Secretary of State shall determine, as appropriate.(2)Information sharing and transparencyThe Office of Women’s Empowerment shall—(A)be the central repository of data on all United States programs, projects, and activities that relate to empowering, promoting, including, and advancing women worldwide; and(B)produce a full accounting of United States Government spending on such programs, projects, and activities not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.(d)Service of current senior officialA senior official appointed by the President as an Ambassador-at-Large and confirmed by the Senate for a position that addresses global women’s issues may also serve in the Ambassador-at-Large position established under this section.7.Senior coordinator for gender equality and women’s empowerment(a)EstablishmentThere is established in the United States Agency for International Development the position of Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. The Senior Coordinator shall—(1)report to the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development; and(2)conduct duties as directed by the Administrator to promote the purposes of this Act.(b)In generalThe Senior Coordinator—(1)in consultation with the Ambassador-at-Large described in section 6, shall coordinate activities, policies, programs, and funding of the Agency relating to gender equality and women’s empowerment;.(2)shall actively promote and advance the integration of gender analysis into the programs, structures, processes, and capacities of all bureaus and offices of the Agency as dictated by the Agency’s Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy;(3)may design, support, and implement activities led by the Agency regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment, including for the prevention and response to gender-based violence internationally;(4)shall serve as the principal advisor to the Administrator on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and gender-based violence;(5)shall track and analyze monitoring and evaluation data and findings on gender equality and women’s empowerment programs of the Agency; and(6)shall partner, consult, and coordinate with other governments, bilateral and multilateral institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private-sector partners to advance the objectives of this Act.8.Reporting to Congress(a)Annual reportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until 2025, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that—(1)summarizes and evaluates the implementation of United States diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance programs, projects, and activities to advance the policy objectives set forth in section 2;(2)describes the nature and extent of the coordination among the relevant departments and agencies;(3)describes the monitoring and evaluation tools, mechanisms, and common indicators to assess progress made on the policy objectives of this Act;(4)describes partnerships and collaborations with the private sector, including amount of funding leveraged by United States contributions to support the objectives described in section 2; and(5)describes partnerships, consultation, and coordination being undertaken with other governments, bilateral and multilateral institutions, and nongovernmental organizations.(b)BriefingNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Ambassador and Senior Coordinator shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on barriers preventing gender equality and women’s inclusion and empowerment worldwide and response strategies, programming, and associated outcomes.9.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)AgencyThe term Agency means the United States Agency for International Development.(2)AmbassadorThe term Ambassador means the Ambassador-at-Large overseeing the Office of Women’s Empowerment appointed by the President pursuant to section 6(a).(3)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—(A)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;(B)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;(C)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and(D)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.(4)Gender analysisThe term gender analysis refers to the definition as outlined in the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–428), namely to undertake analysis of quantitative and qualitative information to identify, understand, and explain gaps between men and women.(5)OfficeThe term Office means the Office of Women’s Empowerment established by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 6(a).(6)Senior coordinatorThe term Senior Coordinator means the Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment at the Agency.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1084
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 10, 2007
			Mr. Reid (for
			 Mr. Obama (for himself,
			 Mr. Schumer, Mr. Menendez, Mr.
			 Brown, and Ms. Cantwell))
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To provide housing assistance for very low-income
		  veterans.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Homes for Heroes Act of
			 2007.
		2.Special
			 assistant for veterans affairs in office of secretary of housing and urban
			 developmentSection 4 of the
			 Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533) is amended by
			 adding at the end the following new subsection:

				(g)Special
				assistant for veterans affairs
					(1)EstablishmentThere
				shall be in the Department a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs, who shall
				be in the Office of the Secretary.
					(2)AppointmentThe
				Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs shall be appointed based solely on merit
				and shall be covered under the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
				governing appointments in the competitive service.
					(3)ResponsibilitiesThe
				Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs shall be responsible for—
						(A)ensuring veterans
				have access to housing and homeless assistance under each program of the
				Department providing either such assistance;
						(B)coordinating all
				programs and activities of the Department relating to veterans;
						(C)serving as a
				liaison for the Department with the Department of Veterans Affairs, including
				establishing and maintaining relationships with the Secretary of Veterans
				Affairs;
						(D)serving as a
				liaison for the Department, and establishing and maintaining relationships with
				officials of State, local, regional, and nongovernmental organizations
				concerned with veterans;
						(E)providing
				information and advice regarding—
							(i)sponsoring
				housing projects for veterans assisted under programs administered by the
				Department; or
							(ii)assisting
				veterans in obtaining housing or homeless assistance under programs
				administered by the Department;
							(F)administering the
				technical assistance grants program under section 7 of the Homes for Heroes Act
				of 2006;
						(G)preparing the
				annual report under section 8 of such Act; and
						(H)carrying out such
				other duties as may be assigned to the Special Assistant by the Secretary or by
				law.
						.
		3.Supportive
			 housing for very low-income veteran families
			(a)PurposeThe
			 purposes of this section are—
				(1)to expand the
			 supply of permanent housing for very low-income veteran families; and
				(2)to provide
			 supportive services through such housing to support the needs of such veteran
			 families.
				(b)Authority
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to
			 the extent amounts are made available for assistance under this section and the
			 Secretary receives approvable applications for such assistance, provide
			 assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to
			 expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran
			 families.
				(2)Nature of
			 assistanceThe assistance provided under paragraph (1)—
					(A)shall be
			 available for use to plan for and finance the acquisition, construction,
			 reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of a structure or a
			 portion of a structure to be used as supportive housing for very low-income
			 veteran families in accordance with this section; and
					(B)may also cover
			 the cost of real property acquisition, site improvement, conversion,
			 demolition, relocation, and other expenses that the Secretary determines are
			 necessary to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income
			 veteran families.
					(3)ConsultationIn
			 meeting the requirement of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult
			 with—
					(A)the Secretary of
			 Veterans Affairs; and
					(B)the Special
			 Assistant for Veterans Affairs, as such Special Assistant was established under
			 section 4(g) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act.
					(c)Forms of
			 assistanceAssistance under this section shall be made available
			 in the following forms:
				(1)Assistance may be
			 provided as a grant for costs of planning a project to be used as supportive
			 housing for very low-income veteran families.
				(2)Assistance may be
			 provided as a capital advance under this paragraph for a project, such advance
			 shall—
					(A)bear no
			 interest;
					(B)not be required
			 to be repaid so long as the housing remains available for occupancy by very
			 low-income veteran families in accordance with this section; and
					(C)be in an amount
			 calculated in accordance with the development cost limitation established
			 pursuant to subsection (j).
					(3)Assistance may be
			 provided as project rental assistance, under an annual contract that—
					(A)obligates the
			 Secretary to make monthly payments to cover any part of the costs attributed to
			 units occupied (or, as approved by the Secretary, held for occupancy) by very
			 low-income veteran families that is not met from project income;
					(B)provides for the
			 project not more than the sum of the initial annual project rentals for all
			 units so occupied and any initial utility allowances for such units, as
			 approved by the Secretary;
					(C)any contract
			 amounts not used by a project in any year shall remain available to the project
			 until the expiration of the contract; and
					(D)provides that the
			 Secretary shall, to the extent appropriations for such purpose are made
			 available, adjust the annual contract amount if the sum of the project income
			 and the amount of assistance payments available under this paragraph are
			 inadequate to provide for reasonable project costs.
					(d)Tenant rent
			 contributionA very low-income veteran family shall pay as rent
			 for a dwelling unit assisted under this section the highest of the following
			 amounts, rounded to the nearest dollar:
				(1)30 percent of the
			 veteran family's adjusted monthly income.
				(2)10 percent of the
			 veteran family's monthly income.
				(3)If the veteran
			 family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency and a
			 part of such payments, adjusted in accordance with the veteran family's actual
			 housing costs, is specifically designated by such agency to meet the veteran
			 family's housing costs, the portion of such payments which is so
			 designated.
				(e)Term of
			 commitment
				(1)Use
			 limitationsAll units in housing assisted under this section
			 shall be made available for occupancy by very low-income veteran families for
			 not less than 15 years.
				(2)Contract
			 terms
					(A)Initial
			 termThe initial term of a contract entered into under subsection
			 (c)(2) shall be 60 months.
					(B)ExtensionThe
			 Secretary shall, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, extend any
			 expiring contract for a term of not less than 12 months.
					(C)Authority of
			 Secretary to make early commitmentsIn order to facilitate the
			 orderly extension of expiring contracts, the Secretary may make commitments to
			 extend expiring contracts during the year prior to the date of
			 expiration.
					(f)Applications
				(1)In
			 generalAmounts made available under this section shall be
			 allocated by the Secretary among approvable applications submitted by private
			 nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives.
				(2)Content of
			 application
					(A)In
			 generalApplications for assistance under this section shall be
			 submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures
			 as the Secretary shall establish.
					(B)Required
			 contentApplications for assistance under this section shall
			 contain—
						(i)a
			 description of the proposed housing;
						(ii)a
			 description of the assistance the applicant seeks under this section;
						(iii)a
			 description of—
							(I)the supportive
			 services to be provided to the persons occupying such housing;
							(II)the manner in
			 which such services will be provided to such persons, including, in the case of
			 frail elderly persons (as such term is defined in section 202 of the Housing
			 Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q)), evidence of such residential supervision as the
			 Secretary determines is necessary to facilitate the adequate provision of such
			 services; and
							(III)the public or
			 private sources of assistance that can reasonably be expected to fund or
			 provide such services;
							(iv)a
			 certification from the public official responsible for submitting a housing
			 strategy for the jurisdiction to be served in accordance with section 105 of
			 the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705) that
			 the proposed project is consistent with the approved housing strategy;
			 and
						(v)such other
			 information or certifications that the Secretary determines to be necessary or
			 appropriate to achieve the purposes of this section.
						(3)RejectionThe
			 Secretary shall not reject any application for assistance under this section on
			 technical grounds without giving notice of that rejection and the basis
			 therefore to the applicant.
				(g)Selection
			 criteriaThe Secretary shall establish selection criteria for
			 assistance under this section, which shall include—
				(1)criteria based
			 upon—
					(A)the ability of
			 the applicant to develop and operate the proposed housing;
					(B)the need for
			 supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in the area to be
			 served;
					(C)the extent to
			 which the proposed size and unit mix of the housing will enable the applicant
			 to manage and operate the housing efficiently and ensure that the provision of
			 supportive services will be accomplished in an economical fashion;
					(D)the extent to
			 which the proposed design of the housing will meet the physical needs of very
			 low-income veteran families;
					(E)the extent to
			 which the applicant has demonstrated that the supportive services identified
			 pursuant to subsection (f)(2)(B)(iii) will be provided on a consistent,
			 long-term basis;
					(F)the extent to
			 which the proposed design of the housing will accommodate the provision of
			 supportive services that are expected to be needed, either initially or over
			 the useful life of the housing, by the very low-income veterans the housing is
			 intended to serve; and
					(G)such other
			 factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to ensure that funds made
			 available under this section are used effectively;
					(2)a preference in
			 such selection for applications proposing housing to be reserved for occupancy
			 by very low-income veteran families who are homeless (as such term is defined
			 in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
			 11302)); and
				(3)criteria
			 appropriate to consider the need for supportive housing for very low-income
			 veteran families in nonmetropolitan areas and by Indian tribes.
				(h)Provision of
			 supportive services to veteran families
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of
			 Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any housing assistance provided to veterans
			 or veteran families includes a range of services tailored to the needs of the
			 very low-income veteran families occupying such housing, which may include
			 services for—
					(A)outreach;
					(B)health (including counseling, mental
			 health, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain
			 injury) diagnosis and treatment;
					(C)habilitation and rehabilitation;
					(D)case management;
					(E)daily living;
					(F)personal financial planning;
					(G)transportation;
					(H)vocation;
					(I)employment and training;
					(J)education;
					(K)assistance in obtaining veterans benefits
			 and public benefits, including health and medical care provided by the
			 Department of Veterans Affairs;
					(L)assistance in obtaining income
			 support;
					(M)assistance in obtaining health
			 insurance;
					(N)fiduciary and representative payee;
					(O)legal aid;
					(P)child care;
					(Q)housing counseling;
					(R)service coordination; and
					(S)other services necessary for maintaining
			 independent living.
					(2)Local
			 coordination of services
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall
			 ensure that owners of housing assisted under this section have the managerial
			 capacity to—
						(i)assess on an ongoing basis the service
			 needs of residents;
						(ii)coordinate the provision of supportive
			 services and tailor such services to the individual needs of residents;
			 and
						(iii)seek on a continuous basis new sources of
			 assistance to ensure the long-term provision of supportive services.
						(B)Classification
			 of costsAny cost associated
			 with this subsection shall be an eligible cost under subsections (c)(3) and
			 (i).
					(i)Financial
			 assistance for services
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of
			 Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent amounts are available for assistance
			 under this subsection, provide financial assistance for the provision of
			 supportive services, and for coordinating the provision of such services, to
			 very low-income veteran families occupying assisted housing. Such assistance
			 shall be made through payments to owners of such housing for each resident of
			 the housing based on the formula established under paragraph (2).
				(2)FormulaThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
			 establish a formula to determine the rate of the payments to be provided under
			 this subsection. The formula shall determine a rate for each resident of the
			 housing assisted under this section (which shall be adjusted not less than
			 annually to take into consideration changes in the cost of living).
				(3)Authorization
			 of appropriations
					(A)In
			 generalThere is authorized
			 to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out this
			 subsection amounts as follows:
						(i)For fiscal year 2008, $25,000,000.
						(ii)For each fiscal year after fiscal year
			 2008, such sums as may be necessary for such fiscal year.
						(B)AvailabilityAmounts authorized to be appropriated by
			 subparagraph (A) shall remain available until expended.
					(j)Development
			 cost limitations
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall periodically establish development
			 cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of supportive
			 housing for very low-income veteran families by publishing a notice of the cost
			 limitations in the Federal Register.
				(2)ConsiderationsThe
			 cost limitations established under paragraph (1) shall reflect—
					(A)the cost of
			 construction, reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of
			 supportive housing for very low-income veteran families that meets applicable
			 State and local housing and building codes;
					(B)the cost of
			 movables necessary to the basic operation of the housing, as determined by the
			 Secretary;
					(C)the cost of
			 special design features necessary to make the housing accessible to very
			 low-income veteran families;
					(D)the cost of
			 congregate space necessary to accommodate the provision of supportive services
			 to veteran families;
					(E)if the housing is
			 newly constructed, the cost of meeting the energy efficiency standards
			 promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section 109 of the
			 Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12709); and
					(F)the cost of land,
			 including necessary site improvement.
					(3)Use of
			 dataIn establishing development cost limitations for a given
			 market area under this subsection, the Secretary shall use data that reflect
			 currently prevailing costs of construction, reconstruction, or moderate or
			 substantial rehabilitation, and land acquisition in the area.
				(4)Congregate
			 spaceFor purposes of paragraph (1), a congregate space shall
			 include space for cafeterias or dining halls, community rooms or buildings,
			 workshops, child care, adult day health facilities or other outpatient health
			 facilities, or other essential service facilities.
				(5)Commercial
			 facilitiesNeither this section nor any other provision of law
			 may be construed as prohibiting or preventing the location and operation, in a
			 project assisted under this section, of commercial facilities for the benefit
			 of residents of the project and the community in which the project is located,
			 except that assistance made available under this section may not be used to
			 subsidize any such commercial facility.
				(6)AcquisitionIn
			 the case of existing housing and related facilities to be acquired, the cost
			 limitations shall include—
					(A)the cost of
			 acquiring such housing;
					(B)the cost of
			 rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement, including the moderate
			 or substantial rehabilitation thereof; and
					(C)the cost of the
			 land on which the housing and related facilities are located.
					(7)Annual
			 adjustmentsThe Secretary shall adjust the cost limitation not
			 less than annually to reflect changes in the general level of construction,
			 reconstruction, and moderate and substantial rehabilitation costs.
				(8)Incentives for
			 savings
					(A)Special housing
			 account
						(i)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall use the development cost limitations
			 established under paragraph (1) or (6) to calculate the amount of financing to
			 be made available to individual owners.
						(ii)Actual
			 developmental costs less than financingOwners which incur actual
			 development costs that are less than the amount of financing shall be entitled
			 to retain 50 percent of the savings in a special housing account.
						(iii)Bonus for
			 energy efficiencyThe percentage established under clause (ii)
			 shall be increased to 75 percent for owners which add energy efficiency
			 features which—
							(I)exceed the energy
			 efficiency standards promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section
			 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
			 12709);
							(II)substantially
			 reduce the life-cycle cost of the housing; and
							(III)reduce gross
			 rent requirements.
							(B)UsesThe
			 special housing account established under subparagraph (A) may be used—
						(i)to
			 provide services to residents of the housing or funds set aside for replacement
			 reserves; or
						(ii)for such other
			 purposes as determined by the Secretary.
						(9)Design
			 flexibilityThe Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, give
			 owners the flexibility to design housing appropriate to their location and
			 proposed resident population within broadly defined parameters.
				(10)Use of funds
			 from other sourcesAn owner shall be permitted voluntarily to
			 provide funds from sources other than this section for amenities and other
			 features of appropriate design and construction suitable for supportive housing
			 under this section if the cost of such amenities is—
					(A)not financed with
			 the advance; and
					(B)is not taken into
			 account in determining the amount of Federal assistance or of the rent
			 contribution of tenants.
					(k)Tenant
			 selection
				(1)In
			 generalAn owner shall adopt written tenant selection procedures
			 that are—
					(A)satisfactory to
			 the Secretary and which are—
						(i)consistent with
			 the purpose of improving housing opportunities for very low-income veteran
			 families; and
						(ii)reasonably
			 related to program eligibility and an applicant's ability to perform the
			 obligations of the lease; and
						(B)compliant with
			 subtitle C of title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42
			 U.S.C. 13601 et seq.) and any regulations issued under such subtitle.
					(2)Notification of
			 rejectionOwners shall promptly notify in writing any rejected
			 applicant of the grounds for any rejection.
				(3)Information
			 regarding housing
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall provide, to the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, information regarding the availability of
			 the housing assisted under this section.
					(B)Sharing of
			 information with additional agenciesWithin 30 days of receipt of
			 the information, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Labor shall
			 provide such information to agencies in the area of the housing that receive
			 assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor
			 for providing medical care, housing, supportive services or employment and
			 training services to homeless veterans.
					(l)Miscellaneous
			 provisions
				(1)Technical
			 assistanceThe Secretary shall make available appropriate
			 technical assistance to ensure that prospective applicants are able to
			 participate more fully in the program carried out under this section.
				(2)Civil rights
			 complianceEach owner shall certify, to the satisfaction of the
			 Secretary, that assistance made available under this section will be conducted
			 and administered in conformity with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
			 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.), the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), and
			 other Federal, State, and local laws prohibiting discrimination and promoting
			 equal opportunity.
				(3)Owner
			 deposit
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall require an owner of housing, assisted
			 under this section, to deposit an amount not to exceed $15,000 in a special
			 escrow account to ensure the owner's commitment to the housing.
					(B)Reduction of
			 requirement
						(i)In
			 generalThe Secretary may reduce or waive the owner deposit
			 specified under subparagraph (A) for individual applicants if the Secretary
			 finds that such waiver or reduction is necessary to achieve the purposes of
			 this section and the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
			 Secretary that it has the capacity to manage and maintain the housing in
			 accordance with this section.
						(ii)NonprofitsThe
			 Secretary may reduce or waive the requirement of the owner deposit under
			 subparagraph (A) in the case of a nonprofit applicant that is not affiliated
			 with a national sponsor, as determined by the Secretary.
						(4)Notice of
			 appeal
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall notify an owner not less than 30 days
			 prior to canceling any reservation of assistance provided under this
			 section.
					(B)Appeal
						(i)filing
			 deadlineDuring the 30-day period following the receipt of any
			 notice required under subparagraph (A), an owner may appeal the proposed
			 cancellation.
						(ii)timing of
			 decisionAny appeal undertaken under clause (i), including review
			 by the Secretary, shall be completed not later than 45 days after the appeal is
			 filed.
						(5)Labor
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary
			 to ensure that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and
			 subcontractors in the construction of housing with 12 or more units assisted
			 under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than the rates
			 prevailing in the locality involved for the corresponding classes of laborers
			 and mechanics employed on construction of a similar character, as determined by
			 the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title
			 40, United States Code.
					(B)ExemptionSubparagraph
			 (A) shall not apply to any individual who—
						(i)performs services
			 for which the individual volunteered;
						(ii)does not receive
			 compensation for such services or is paid expenses, reasonable benefits, or a
			 nominal fee for such services; and
						(iii)is not
			 otherwise employed at any time in the construction work.
						(6)Access to
			 residual receipts
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall authorize the owner of a housing
			 project assisted under this section to use any residual receipts held for the
			 project in excess of $500 per unit (or in excess of such other amount
			 prescribed by the Secretary based on the needs of the project) for activities
			 to retrofit and renovate the project as described under section 802(d)(3) of
			 the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8011(d)(3)) or
			 to provide supportive services to residents of the project.
					(B)ReportAny
			 owner that uses residual receipts under this paragraph shall submit to the
			 Secretary a report, not less than annually, describing the uses of the residual
			 receipts.
					(C)Determination
			 of amountIn determining the amount of project rental assistance
			 to be provided to a project under subsection (c)(3) of this section, the
			 Secretary may take into consideration the residual receipts held for the
			 project only if, and to the extent that, excess residual receipts are not used
			 under this paragraph.
					(7)Occupancy
			 standards and obligationsEach owner shall operate housing
			 assisted under this section in compliance with subtitle C of title VI of the
			 Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13601 et seq.) and any
			 regulations issued under such subtitle.
				(8)Use of project
			 reserves
					(A)In
			 generalAmounts for project reserves for a project assisted under
			 this section may be used for costs, subject to reasonable limitations as the
			 Secretary determines appropriate, for reducing the number of dwelling units in
			 the project.
					(B)Approval of
			 Secretary requiredAny use described in subparagraph (A) of
			 amounts for project reserves for a project assisted under this section shall be
			 subject to the approval of the Secretary to ensure that such use is designed to
			 retrofit units that are currently obsolete or unmarketable.
					(m)DefinitionsIn
			 this section, the following definitions shall apply:
				(1)Consumer
			 cooperativeThe term consumer cooperative has the
			 same meaning given such term for purposes of the supportive housing for the
			 elderly program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C.
			 1701q).
				(2)Very low-income
			 veteran familyThe term very low-income veteran
			 family means a veteran family whose income does not exceed 50 percent of
			 the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments
			 for smaller and larger families, except that the Secretary may establish an
			 income ceiling higher or lower than 50 percent of the median for the area on
			 the basis of the Secretary's findings that such variations are necessary
			 because of prevailing levels of construction costs or fair market rents (as
			 determined under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
			 1437f)), or unusually high or low family incomes.
				(3)OwnerThe
			 term owner means a private nonprofit organization or consumer
			 cooperative that receives assistance under this section to develop and operate
			 supportive housing for very low-income veteran families.
				(4)Private
			 nonprofit organizationThe term private nonprofit
			 organization means—
					(A)any incorporated
			 private institution or foundation—
						(i)no
			 part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder,
			 contributor, or individual;
						(ii)which has a
			 governing board that is responsible for the operation of the housing assisted
			 under this section; and
						(iii)which is
			 approved by the Secretary as to financial responsibility;
						(B)a for-profit
			 limited partnership the sole general partner of which is an organization
			 meeting the requirements under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph
			 (A);
					(C)a corporation
			 wholly owned and controlled by an organization meeting the requirements under
			 clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A); and
					(D)a tribally
			 designated housing entity, as such term is defined in section 4 of the Native
			 American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C.
			 4103).
					(5)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban
			 Development, except where specifically provided otherwise.
				(6)StateThe
			 term State includes the several States, the District of Columbia,
			 the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United
			 States.
				(7)Supportive
			 housing for very low-income veteran familiesThe term
			 supportive housing for very low-income veteran families means
			 housing that is designed to accommodate the provision of supportive services
			 that are expected to be needed, either initially or over the useful life of the
			 housing, by the veteran families that the housing is intended to serve.
				(8)VeteranThe
			 term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 101 of
			 title 38, United States Code.
				(9)Veteran
			 familyThe term veteran family includes a veteran
			 who is a single person, a family (including families with children) whose head
			 of household (or whose spouse) is a veteran, and one or more veterans living
			 together with 1 or more persons.
				(n)Allocation of
			 fundsOf any amounts made available for assistance under this
			 section:
				(1)Planning
			 grantsNot more than 2.5 percent shall be available for planning
			 grants in accordance with subsection (c)(1).
				(2)Capital
			 advancesSuch sums as may be necessary shall be available for
			 capital advances in accordance with subsection (c)(2).
				(3)Project rental
			 assistanceSuch sums as may be necessary shall be available for
			 project rental assistance in accordance with subsection (c)(3).
				(4)Technical
			 assistanceNot more than 1 percent shall be available for
			 technical assistance in accordance with subsection (l)(1).
				(o)Authorization
			 of appropriations for housing assistanceThere is authorized to
			 be appropriated for assistance under this section $200,000,000 for fiscal year
			 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.
			4.Housing choice
			 vouchers for homeless veteransSection 8(o)(19) of the United States
			 Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended to read as follows:

				(19)Rental
				vouchers for homeless veterans
					(A)Additional
				vouchersIn addition to any amount made available for rental
				assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall make available the amount
				specified in subparagraph (B), for use only for providing rental assistance for
				homeless veterans in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
					(B)AmountThe
				amount specified in this subparagraph is, for each fiscal year, the amount
				necessary to provide not fewer than 20,000 vouchers for rental assistance under
				this subsection.
					(C)FundingThe
				budget authority made available under any other provisions of law for rental
				assistance under this subsection for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year
				thereafter is authorized to be increased in each such fiscal year by such sums
				as may be necessary to provide the number of vouchers specified in subparagraph
				(B) for such fiscal
				year.
					.
		5.Inclusion of
			 veterans in housing planning
			(a)Public housing
			 agency plansSection 5A(d)(1) of the United States Housing Act of
			 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c–1(d)(1)) is amended by striking and disabled
			 families and inserting , disabled families, and veterans (as
			 such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States
			 Code).
			(b)Comprehensive
			 housing affordability strategies
				(1)In
			 generalSection 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable
			 Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705) is amended—
					(A)in subsection
			 (b)(1), by inserting veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of
			 title 38, United States Code), after acquired immunodeficiency
			 syndrome,;
					(B)in subsection
			 (b)(20), by striking and service and inserting veterans
			 service, and other service; and
					(C)in subsection
			 (e)(1), by inserting veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of
			 title 38, United States Code), after homeless
			 persons,.
					(2)Consolidated
			 plansThe Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall revise
			 the regulations relating to submission of consolidated plans (part 91 of title
			 24, Code of Federal Regulations) in accordance with the amendments made by
			 paragraph (1) of this subsection to require inclusion of appropriate
			 information relating to veterans and veterans service agencies in all such
			 plans.
				6.Exclusion of
			 veterans benefits from assisted housing rent considerations
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes
			 of determining the amount of rent paid by a family for occupancy of a dwelling
			 unit assisted under a federally assisted housing program under subsection (b)
			 or in housing assisted under any other federally assisted housing program, the
			 income and the adjusted income of the family shall not be considered to include
			 any amounts received by any member of the family from the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs as—
				(1)compensation, as
			 such term is defined in section 101(13) of title 38, United States Code;
				(2)dependency and
			 indemnity compensation, as such term is defined in section 101(14) of such
			 title; and
				(3)a pension, as
			 such term is defined in section 101(15) of such title.
				(b)Federally
			 assisted housing programThe federally assisted housing programs
			 under this subsection are—
				(1)the public
			 housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et
			 seq.);
				(2)the tenant-based
			 rental assistance program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of
			 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), including the program under subsection (o)(19) of such
			 section for housing rental vouchers for low-income veteran families;
				(3)the project-based
			 rental assistance program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of
			 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);
				(4)the program for
			 housing opportunities for persons with AIDS under subtitle D of title VIII of
			 the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12901 et
			 seq.);
				(5)the supportive
			 housing for the elderly program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959
			 (12 U.S.C. 1701q);
				(6)the supportive
			 housing for persons with disabilities program under section 811 of the
			 Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013);
				(7)the supportive
			 housing for the homeless program under subtitle C of title IV of the
			 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.);
				(8)the program for
			 moderate rehabilitation of single room occupancy dwellings for occupancy by the
			 homeless under section 441 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
			 U.S.C. 11401);
				(9)the shelter plus
			 care for the homeless program under subtitle F of title IV of the
			 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11403 et seq.);
				(10)the supportive
			 housing for very low-income veteran families program under section 3 of this
			 Act;
				(11)the rental
			 assistance payments program under section 521(a)(2)(A) of the Housing Act of
			 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a(a)(2)(A);
				(12)the rental
			 assistance program under section 236 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
			 1715z–1);
				(13)the rural
			 housing programs under section 515 and 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42
			 U.S.C. 1485, 1490p–2);
				(14)the HOME
			 investment partnerships program under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez
			 National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.);
				(15)the block grant
			 programs for affordable housing for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians under
			 titles I through IV and VIII of the Native American Housing Assistance and
			 Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq., 4221 et seq.);
				(16)the low-income
			 housing tax credit program under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of
			 1986; and
				(17)any other
			 program for housing assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and
			 Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture under which eligibility for
			 occupancy in the housing assisted or for housing assistance is based upon
			 income.
				7.Technical
			 assistance grants for housing assistance for veterans
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to
			 the extent amounts are made available in appropriation Acts for grants under
			 this section, make grants to eligible entities under subsection (b) to provide
			 to nonprofit organizations technical assistance appropriate to assist such
			 organizations in—
				(1)sponsoring
			 housing projects for veterans assisted under programs administered by the
			 Department of Housing and Urban Development;
				(2)fulfilling the
			 planning and application processes and requirements necessary under such
			 programs administered by the Department; and
				(3)assisting
			 veterans in obtaining housing or homeless assistance under programs
			 administered by the Department.
				(b)Eligible
			 entitiesAn eligible entity under this subsection is a nonprofit
			 entity or organization having such expertise as the Secretary shall require in
			 providing technical assistance to providers of services for veterans.
			(c)Selection of
			 grant recipientsThe Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
			 shall establish criteria for selecting applicants for grants under this section
			 to receive such grants and shall select applicants based upon such
			 criteria.
			(d)FundingOf
			 any amounts made available in fiscal year 2008 or any fiscal year thereafter to
			 the Department of Housing and Urban Development for salaries and expenses,
			 $1,000,000 shall be available, and shall remain available until expended, for
			 grants under this section.
			8.Annual report on
			 housing assistance to veterans
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than December 31 each year, the Secretary of
			 Housing and Urban Development shall submit a report on the activities of the
			 Department of Housing and Urban Development relating to veterans during such
			 year to the following:
				(1)The Committee on
			 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
				(2)The Committee on
			 Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
				(3)The Committee on
			 Appropriations of the Senate.
				(4)The Committee on
			 Financial Services of the House of Representatives.
				(5)The Committee on
			 Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
				(6)The Committee on
			 Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
				(7)The Secretary of
			 Veterans Affairs.
				(b)ContentsEach
			 report required under subsection (a) shall include the following information
			 with respect to the year for which the report is submitted:
				(1)The number of
			 very low-income veteran families provided assistance under the program of
			 supportive housing for very low-income veteran families under section 3, the
			 socioeconomic characteristics of such families, the types of assistance
			 provided such families, and the number, types, and locations of owners of
			 housing assisted under such section.
				(2)The number of
			 homeless veterans provided assistance under the program of housing choice
			 vouchers for homeless veterans under section 8(o)(19) of the United States
			 Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) (as amended by section 4), the
			 socioeconomic characteristics of such homeless veterans, and the number, types,
			 and locations of entities contracted under such section to administer the
			 vouchers.
				(3)A summary
			 description of the special considerations made for veterans under public
			 housing agency plans submitted pursuant to section 5A of the United States
			 Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c–1) and under comprehensive housing
			 affordability strategies submitted pursuant to section 105 of the
			 Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705).
				(4)A description of
			 the technical assistance provided to organizations pursuant to grants under
			 section 7.
				(5)A description of
			 the activities of the Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs.
				(6)A description of
			 the efforts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate
			 the delivery of housing and services to veterans with other Federal departments
			 and agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice,
			 Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of
			 Veterans Affairs, Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Social Security
			 Administration.
				(7)The cost to the
			 Department of Housing and Urban Development of administering the programs and
			 activities relating to veterans.
				(8)Any other
			 information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing the programs and
			 activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development relating to
			 veterans .
				(c)Assessment of
			 housing needs of very low-income veteran families
				(1)In
			 generalFor the first report submitted pursuant to subsection (a)
			 and every fifth report thereafter, the Secretary of Housing and Urban
			 Development shall—
					(A)conduct an
			 assessment of the housing needs of very low-income veteran families (as such
			 term is defined in section 3); and
					(B)shall include in
			 each such report findings regarding such assessment.
					(2)ContentEach
			 assessment under this subsection shall include—
					(A)conducting a
			 survey of, and direct interviews with, a representative sample of very
			 low-income veteran families (as such term is defined in section 3) to determine
			 past and current—
						(i)socioeconomic
			 characteristics of such veteran families;
						(ii)barriers to such
			 veteran families obtaining safe, quality, and affordable housing;
						(iii)levels of
			 homelessness among such veteran families; and
						(iv)levels and
			 circumstances of, and barriers to, receipt by such veteran families of rental
			 housing and homeownership assistance; and
						(B)such other
			 information that the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Secretary
			 of Veterans Affairs and national nongovernmental organizations concerned with
			 veterans, homelessness, and very low-income housing, may be useful to the
			 assessment.
					(3)ConductIf
			 the Secretary contracts with an entity other than the Department of Housing and
			 Urban Development to conduct the assessment under this subsection, such entity
			 shall be a nongovernmental organization determined by the Secretary to have
			 appropriate expertise in quantitative and qualitative social science
			 research.
				(4)FundingOf
			 any amounts made available pursuant to section 501 of the Housing and Urban
			 Development Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1701z–1) for programs of research, studies,
			 testing, or demonstration relating to the mission or programs of the Department
			 of Housing and Urban Development for any fiscal year in which an assessment
			 under this subsection is required pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection,
			 $1,000,000 shall be available until expended for costs of the assessment under
			 this subsection.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2376
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. Voinovich introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on certain
		  dimming ballasts for fluorescent lighting.

		1.Certain dimming ballasts for fluorescent
			 lighting
			(a)In generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the
			 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in
			 numerical sequence the following new heading:

								9902.01.00Electronic ballasts capable of allowing the dimming of
						fluorescent discharge lamps or tubes (provided for in subheading
						8504.10.00)FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2011

					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by
			 subsection (a) applies to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for
			 consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act.