116 HR 8586 IH: Medicaid Coverage for Addiction Recovery Expansion Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-10-13
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8586IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 13, 2020Mr. Foster (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide States with an option to provide medical assistance to individuals between the ages of 22 and 64 for inpatient services to treat substance use disorders at certain facilities, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Medicaid Coverage for Addiction Recovery Expansion Act.1.State option to provide medical assistance for residential addiction treatment facility services; modification of the IMD exclusion(a)In generalSection 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)(16)—(A)by striking and, (B) and inserting , (B); and(B)by inserting , and (C) effective January 1, 2021, residential addiction treatment facility services (as defined in subsection (h)(3)) for individuals over 21 years of age and under 65 years of age, if offered as part of a full continuum of evidence-based treatment services provided under the State plan, including residential, outpatient, and community-based care, for individuals with substance use disorders before the semicolon; and(2)in subsection (h)—(A)in paragraph (1), by striking paragraph (16) of subsection (a) and inserting subsection (a)(16)(A); and(B)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(3)(A)For purposes of subsection (a)(16)(C), the term residential addiction treatment facility services means, subject to subparagraph (B), inpatient services provided—(i)to an individual for the purpose of treating a substance use disorder that are furnished to an individual for not more than 2 consecutive periods of 30 consecutive days, provided that upon completion of the first 30-day period, the individual is assessed and determined to have progressed through the clinical continuum of care, in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary, in consultation with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and requires continued medically necessary treatment and social support services to promote recovery, stable transition to ongoing treatment, and discharge; and(ii)in a facility that is accredited for the treatment of substance use disorders by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Council on Accreditation, or any other accrediting agency that the Secretary deems appropriate as necessary to ensure nationwide applicability, including qualified national organizations and State-level accrediting agencies.(B)The State agency responsible for administering the State plan under this title shall establish procedures to ensure that, with respect to any facility providing residential addiction treatment facility services in a fiscal year, the average monthly number of beds used by the facility to provide such services during such year is not more than 40.(C)The provision of medical assistance for residential addiction treatment facility services to an individual shall not prohibit Federal financial participation for medical assistance for items or services that are provided to the individual in or away from the residential addiction treatment facility during any 30-day period in which the individual is receiving residential addiction treatment facility services.(D)A woman who is eligible for medical assistance on the basis of being pregnant and who is furnished residential addiction treatment facility services during any 30-day period may remain eligible for, and continue to be furnished with, such services for additional 30-day periods without regard to any eligibility limit that would otherwise apply to the woman as a result of her pregnancy ending, subject to assessment by the facility and a determination based on medical necessity related to substance use disorder and the impact of substance use disorder on birth outcomes..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2021.2.Grant program to expand youth addiction treatment facilities under Medicaid and CHIP(a)Establishment(1)In generalThe Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to States for the purpose of expanding the infrastructure and treatment capabilities, including augmenting equipment and bed capacity, of eligible youth addiction treatment facilities that provide addiction treatment services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries who have not attained the age of 21 and are in communities with high numbers of medically underserved populations of at-risk youth.(2)Use of fundsGrant funds awarded under this section may be used to expand the infrastructure and treatment capabilities of an existing facility (including through construction) but shall not be used for the construction of any new facility or for the provision of medical assistance or child health assistance under Medicaid or CHIP.(3)Timetable for implementation; duration(A)ImplementationNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award grants under the grant program.(B)DurationThe Secretary shall award grants under the grant program for a period not to exceed 5 years.(b)ApplicationA State seeking to participate in the grant program shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall require, an application that includes—(1)detailed information on the types of additional infrastructure and treatment capacity of eligible youth addiction treatment facilities that the State proposes to fund under the grant program;(2)a description of the communities in which the eligible youth addiction treatment facilities funded under the grant program operate;(3)an assurance that the eligible youth addiction treatment facilities that the State proposes to fund under the grant program shall give priority to providing addiction treatment services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries who have not attained the age of 21 and are in communities with high numbers of medically underserved populations of at-risk youth; and(4)such additional information and assurances as the Secretary shall require.(c)Rural areasNot less than 15 percent of the amount of a grant awarded to a State under this section shall be used for making payments to eligible youth addiction treatment facilities that are located in rural areas or that target the provision of addiction treatment services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries who have not attained the age of 21 and reside in rural areas.(d)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:(1)Addiction treatment servicesThe term addiction treatment services means services provided to an individual for the purpose of treating a substance use disorder.(2)CHIPThe term CHIP means the State children's health insurance program established under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.).(3)Eligible youth addiction treatment facilityThe term eligible youth addiction treatment facility means a facility that is a participating provider under the State Medicaid or CHIP programs for purposes of providing medical assistance or child health assistance to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries for youth addiction treatment services on an inpatient or outpatient basis (or both).(4)MedicaidThe term Medicaid means the medical assistance program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).(5)Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaryThe term Medicaid or CHIP beneficiary means an individual who is enrolled in the State Medicaid plan, the State child health plan under CHIP, or under a waiver of either such plan.(6)Medically underserved populationsThe term medically underserved populations has the meaning given that term in section 330(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)).(7)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.(e)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this section. Funds appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.


116 S4586 IS: Access to Emergency Credit Facilities Act of 2020
U.S. Senate
2020-09-22
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. 4586IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 16, 2020Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself and Ms. Sinema) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo amend the CARES Act to require the uniform treatment of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations under certain programs carried out in response to the COVID–19 emergency, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Access to Emergency Credit Facilities Act of 2020.2.Uniform treatment of NRSROS(a)In generalSection 4003 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9042) is amended by adding at the end the following:(i)Uniform treatment of NRSROS(1)DefinitionIn this subsection, the term nationally recognized statistical rating organization has the meaning given the term in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)).(2)TreatmentSubject to paragraph (3), if, in carrying out this section or any other program making use of a facility established under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 343(3)) in response to COVID–19, the Secretary or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System establishes a requirement for an entity, security, or other instrument to carry a minimum credit rating, the Secretary or the Board of Governors— (A)may not require that the credit rating with respect to that entity, security, or other instrument be issued by any specific— (i)nationally recognized statistical rating organization; or (ii)category or class of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and(B)shall accept a credit rating that is issued, before or during the operation of a program authorized under this section or section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 343(3)) in response to COVID–19, by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization that the Securities and Exchange Commission has approved to issue a rating for that entity, security, or other instrument.(3)Exclusion(A)In generalThe Secretary or the Board of Governors may exclude a nationally recognized statistical rating organization from the application of paragraph (2) if, in consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Secretary or Board of Governors, as applicable, determines that— (i)the nationally recognized statistical rating organization is unable to provide reliable and accurate ratings with respect to a particular asset class; and (ii)the exclusion is in the public interest.(B)ReportIf the Secretary or the Board of Governors excludes a nationally recognized statistical rating organization from the application of paragraph (2) under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary or Board of Governors, as applicable, shall, as soon as practicable after that exclusion, disclose to the public the reasoning for that exclusion.(4)Effective dateThe amendments made by this subsection shall take effect as if enacted on March 15, 2020..(b)GAO study and report(1)StudyThe Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study regarding—(A)the quality of credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical ratings organizations, as that term is defined in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)), including during the 2008 economic crisis;(B)the effect of competition on the quality of credit ratings and on the ability of small- and mid-size companies and financial institutions to access the capital markets; and(C)the implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a).(2)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1).


114 HCON 176 IH: Honoring in praise and remembrance the extraordinary life, steady leadership, and remarkable, 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-11-30
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.

IV114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. CON. RES. 176IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 30, 2016Mr. Salmon (for himself, Mr. Heck of Nevada, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Judy Chu of California, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Barton, Mr. Marino, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Honda, Mr. Bishop of Michigan, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsCONCURRENT RESOLUTIONHonoring in praise and remembrance the extraordinary life, steady leadership, and remarkable,
			 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

 Whereas His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej enjoyed a special relationship with the United States, having been born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1927 while his father was completing his medical studies at Harvard University;
 Whereas King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended to the throne on June 9, 1946, and celebrated his 70th year as King of Thailand in 2016;
 Whereas, at the time of his death, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the longest-serving head of state in the world and the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Thailand;
 Whereas His Majesty dedicated his life to the well-being of the Thai people and the sustainable development of Thailand;
 Whereas His Majesty led by example and virtue with the interest of the people at heart, earning His Majesty the deep reverence of the Thai people and the respect of people around the world;
 Whereas His Majesty reached out to the poorest and most vulnerable people of Thailand, regardless of their status, ethnicity, or religion, listened to their problems, and empowered them to take their lives into their own hands;
 Whereas, in 2006, His Majesty received the first United Nations Human Development Award, recognizing him as the Development King for the extraordinary contribution of His Majesty to human development;
 Whereas His Majesty was recognized internationally in the areas of intellectual property, innovation, and creativity, and in 2006, the World Intellectual Property Organization presented His Majesty with the Global Leadership Award;
 Whereas His Majesty was an anchor of peace and stability for Thailand during the turbulent decades of the Cold War;
 Whereas His Majesty was always a trusted friend of the United States in advancing a strong and enduring alliance and partnership between the United States and Thailand;
 Whereas His Majesty addressed a joint session of Congress on June 29, 1960, during which His Majesty reaffirmed the strong friendship and goodwill between the United States and Thailand;
 Whereas the United States and Thailand remain strong security allies, as memorialized in the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty (commonly known as the Manila Pact of 1954) and later expanded under the Thanat-Rusk Communique of 1962;
 Whereas for decades, Thailand has hosted the annual Cobra Gold military exercises, the largest multilateral exercises in Asia, to improve regional defense cooperation;
 Whereas Thailand has allowed the Armed Forces of the United States to use the Utapao Air Base to coordinate international humanitarian relief efforts;
 Whereas President George W. Bush designated Thailand as a major non-NATO ally on December 30, 2003; Whereas close cooperation and mutual sacrifices in the face of common threats have bound the United States and Thailand together and established a firm foundation for the advancement of a mutually beneficial relationship; and
 Whereas, on October 13, 2016, at the age of 88, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away, leaving behind a lasting legacy for Thailand: Now, therefore, be it

 That the United States— (1)honors the extraordinary life, steady leadership, and remarkable, 70-year reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand;
 (2)extends our deepest sympathies to the members of the Royal Family and to the people of Thailand in their bereavement; and
 (3)celebrates the alliance and friendship between Thailand and the United States that reflects common interests, a 183-year diplomatic history, and a multifaceted partnership that has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3826
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 15, 2009
			Mrs. Biggert (for
			 herself and Mrs. Capps) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in
			 addition to the Committee on Ways and
			 Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
			 Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
			 jurisdiction of the committee concerned

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to
		  provide payments under the Medicare Program to licensed health care
		  practitioners for unscheduled telephone consultation services in the case that
		  such payments are determined to be cost and quality effective.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Tele-Care Act of
			 2009.
		2.Medicare payment
			 for unscheduled physician telephone services
			(a)Coverage under
			 part B
				(1)In
			 generalSection 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1395x(s)(2)) is amended—
					(A)in subparagraph
			 (DD), by striking and at the end;
					(B)in subparagraph
			 (EE), by adding at the end and; and
					(C)by adding at the
			 end the following new subparagraph:

							(FF)subject to section 2(c) of the
				Tele-Care Act of 2009,
				unscheduled telephone consultation services (as defined in subsection (hhh)(1))
				by a licensed health care practitioner, as defined by the Secretary (such as a
				physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or nurse midwife), with
				respect to the furnishing of primary care services to an individual, if—
								(i)the Medicare number of the individual is
				associated with the national provider identifier of the licensed health care
				practitioner;
								(ii)to ensure the quality and appropriateness
				of such consultation services, the utilization of such services by the
				individual can be reviewed by a utilization and quality control peer review
				organization or eligible entity with which the Secretary has entered into a
				contract under part B of title XI or section 1893, respectively, by the
				organization or entity applying for purposes of the review under this
				subparagraph the processes and standards used by such organization or entity
				under such part or section, respectively, in the same manner that such
				processes and standards apply for purposes of carrying out utilization and
				quality review under such part or section, respectively;
								(iii)such consultation
				services are securely recorded by the Secretary (or an entity described in
				subsection (hhh)(1) with which the Secretary enters into a contract) for
				purposes of appropriate review by peers of the licensed health care
				practitioner who practice in the same medical specialty as the licensed health
				care practitioner and Medicare administrative contractor oversight of such
				services; and
								(iv)the licensed
				health care practitioner provides for the submission to the Secretary (or an
				entity described in subsection (hhh)(1) with which the Secretary enters into a
				contract) and the Secretary (or such an entity) records and maintains a summary
				of each such consultation service furnished by the licensed health care
				practitioner that includes—
									(I)the date and time
				(including duration) of the consultation service;
									(II)a unique medical
				record number specified by the Secretary (or such entity) to identify the
				consultation service;
									(III)the name of the
				individual;
									(IV)the name of the
				licensed health care practitioner; and
									(V)a summary of the
				content of the consultation
				service;
									.
					(2)Unscheduled
			 telephone consultation services definedSection 1861 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x)
			 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

						(hhh)Unscheduled telephone consultation
		  services(1)The term
				unscheduled telephone consultation service means a consultation
				conducted by means of telephone or similar electronic communication device
				between a licensed health care practitioner described in subsection (s)(2)(FF)
				and an individual (or a representative of such individual), with respect to the
				furnishing of primary care services to such individual, that is not included as
				a scheduled physician service (as defined by the Secretary in regulations), and
				which is initiated by the individual (or representative) contacting a
				communication network operated by the Secretary (or an entity with which the
				Secretary enters into a contract) that connects the individual to the licensed
				health care practitioner, securely records the consultation for purposes of
				subsection (s)(2)(FF), and maintains the information described in clause (iv)
				of such subsection with respect to such consultation.
							(2)For purposes of applying the
				regulations promulgated pursuant to section 264(c) of the Health Insurance
				Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–191; 110 Stat. 2033)
				with respect to an unscheduled telephone consultation service furnished by a
				licensed health care practitioner—
								(A)an entity with which the Secretary
				contracts under this subsection shall be treated as a health oversight agency;
				and
								(B)activities of such an entity described
				in subparagraph (A) in relation to such licensed health care practitioner and
				such unscheduled telephone consultation service are deemed to be health
				oversight
				activities.
								.
				(b)Payment under
			 physician fee scheduleSection 1848(j)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting (2)(FF), after
			 (2)(EE),.
			(c)Contingent
			 effective date, demonstration program
				(1)Contingent
			 effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall become
			 effective (if at all) in accordance with paragraph (2).
				(2)Demonstration
			 program
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary of
			 Health and Human Services (in this paragraph referred to as the
			 Secretary) shall establish a demonstration program to begin not
			 later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act to test the
			 effectiveness of providing coverage under the Medicare program for unscheduled
			 telephone consultation services (as defined in section 1861(hhh) of the Social
			 Security Act, as added by subsection (a)(2)), by licensed health care
			 practitioners to the extent provided under the amendments made by this section
			 to a sample group of Medicare beneficiaries. For purposes of such demonstration
			 program, the Secretary shall find that the provision of such coverage is
			 effective if—
						(i)the
			 coverage reduces costs to the Medicare program (such as through a reduction in
			 admissions to the emergency departments of hospitals), whether or not such
			 reduction is demonstrated in a reduction in the facility fees of hospital
			 emergency departments, professional fees of emergency department licensed
			 health care practitioners, laboratory fees, pathologist fees, hospital
			 radiology department fees for technical components of x-rays, radiologist
			 professional fees for interpreting x-rays, hospital respiratory department fees
			 for respiratory treatments, hospital cardiology department fees for
			 electrocardiograms, professional fees for interpreting such electrocardiograms,
			 or any other cost specified by the Secretary; and
						(ii)the
			 coverage results in patient health outcomes that are at least as favorable as
			 would apply in the absence of such coverage (as determined in accordance with
			 criteria established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in
			 consultation with physician organizations).
						(B)Initial period
			 of demonstration programThe demonstration program under
			 subparagraph (A) shall be conducted for an initial period of 24 months.
					(C)Report to
			 Congress
						(i)In
			 generalNot later than 30 days after the last day of the initial
			 period under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
			 on the results of the demonstration program under this paragraph.
						(ii)Finding that
			 payments are effectiveIf the
			 Secretary finds, on the basis of the data derived from the demonstration
			 program under subparagraph (A) and in accordance with such subparagraph, that
			 providing coverage under the Medicare program for unscheduled telephone
			 consultation services by licensed health care practitioners (to the extent
			 provided under the amendments made by this section) is effective, the
			 amendments made by this section shall become effective on the first day of the
			 first month beginning after the date the report under clause (i) is submitted
			 to Congress.
						(iii)Finding that
			 payments are not effectiveIf
			 the Secretary finds, on the basis of the data derived from the demonstration
			 program under subparagraph (A) and in accordance with such subparagraph, that a
			 finding of effectiveness (as described in clause (ii)) cannot be made, the
			 demonstration program shall continue for a period of an additional 24 months.
			 Not later than 30 days after the last day of such period, the Secretary shall
			 submit to Congress a final report on the results of such program. The
			 amendments made by this section shall become effective on the first day of the
			 first month beginning after the date such report is submitted to Congress
			 unless the report contains a finding by the Secretary, on the basis of such
			 data and in accordance with such subparagraph, that providing coverage under
			 the Medicare program for unscheduled telephone consultation services by
			 licensed health care practitioners (to the extent provided under the amendments
			 made by this section) is not effective, in which case the amendments made by
			 this section shall not become effective.
						(d)ClarificationNothing
			 in the provisions of this section or the amendments made by this section shall
			 be construed as authorizing the creation of a national reporting system on
			 licensed health care practitioner quality.


113 HR 4176 IH: Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-03-06
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
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4176
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 6, 2014
			Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Ms. Shea-Porter, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Peters of California, Mr. Collins of New York, Mr. Michaud, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Polis, Mr. Takano, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Cárdenas, Ms. Esty, and Ms. Kuster) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

		A BILL
		To establish a position of Science Laureate of the United States.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2014.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Scientific research and advancement has driven success in the United States and global success for
			 centuries.
			(2)Scientific research has saved, improved, and extended lives, increased the standard of living,
			 expanded economic opportunity, and advanced human understanding.
			(3)Such research holds the promise of continuing this progress, protecting the environment, creating
			 jobs, growing the economy through innovative ideas and discoveries, and
			 generally advancing all mankind.
			(4)People in the United States can benefit when scientific research is conducted and communicated in a
			 transparent manner to better inform citizens about the nature and status
			 of such research.
			(5)Scientific education is a critical element of preparing our Nation and our citizens for a
			 technology-intensive future and ensuring that the United States remains
			 the world leader in innovation and high-tech success.
			(6)A spokesperson who can embody, demonstrate, and articulate the importance and excitement of
			 scientific research and education will help improve the current and future
			 state of science to the benefit of all people in the United States.
			3.Establishment of Science Laureates of the United States
			(a)Position establishedCongress recognizes that science contributes to the economic prosperity and general welfare of the
			 United States, and that increasing the public’s awareness about the
			 sciences will increase such benefits. Congress also recognizes that
			 scientists who are both accomplished in their fields and who foster the
			 public’s interest in science do a special service to the United States. To
			 honor their service and to further increase the public’s awareness about
			 the sciences, there is established the position of Science Laureate of the
			 United States.
			(b)Appointment
				(1)In GeneralThe National Academy of Sciences shall appoint a Science Laureate on the basis of merit,
			 particularly the ability of an individual to—
					(A)foster and enhance public awareness and interest in science; and
					(B)provide ongoing significant scientific contributions; and
					(2)Variety of Scientific DisciplinesThe National Academy of Sciences shall strive to choose for the position of Science Laureate of the
			 United States individuals, in different years, from different scientific
			 disciplines, including biology, physics, geosciences, astronomy,
			 mathematics, chemistry, and other science disciplines.
				(c)DutiesEach Science Laureate shall engage the public, from time to time, to increase the public’s
			 awareness about science. A Science Laureate is encouraged to continue the
			 Science Laureate's scientific work. The National Academy of Sciences shall
			 facilitate the duties of a Science Laureate.
			(d)LimitationThe Science Laureate position shall not have the effect of duplicating or superseding the role of
			 the President’s Science Advisor.
			(e)TermEach Science Laureate shall serve a 1-year term. A Science Laureate may be reappointed for
			 additional terms.
			(f)Compensation; Reimbursement
				(1)CompensationA Science Laureate shall serve without pay and shall not be considered to be a Federal employee
			 based on such individual's appointment as a Science Laureate.
				(2)Reimbursement for travelThe National Academy of Sciences may in its discretion provide a Science Laureate with
			 reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while performing duties as a
			 Science Laureate, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance
			 with applicable provisions in the same manner as persons employed
			 intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under
			 section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.


114 S1208 IS: Pipeline Modernization and Consumer Protection Act
U.S. Senate
2015-05-06
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1208IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 6, 2015Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, to require gas pipeline facilities to accelerate the repair,
			 rehabilitation, and replacement of high-risk pipelines used in commerce,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Pipeline Modernization and Consumer Protection Act.
		2.Replacement programs
			 for high-risk natural gas pipelines
 (a)FindingsCongress finds that—
 (1)Federal requirements related to repairing pipeline leaks are limited to hazardous leaks, which are leaks that represent an existing or probable hazard to persons or property and require immediate repair;
 (2)there are no Federal requirements to address slower or less hazardous leaks, which can allow the leaks to persist unrepaired indefinitely;
 (3)in States without a standard definition and methodology for calculating unaccounted-for gas (the difference between the amount of gas purchased by a utility and the amount used or sold to customers), data inconsistencies may be pervasive and these inconsistencies hinder the ability of regulators to monitor gas system and utility performance;
 (4)the cost of leaked or otherwise unaccounted-for natural gas in the distribution system is typically passed on to ratepayers without limitation as an accepted cost of service, which removes financial incentive for utilities to minimize the leaks;
 (5)methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, is a greenhouse gas at least 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide;
 (6)according to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the United States natural gas distribution system still includes 61,000 miles of bare steel pipe without adequate corrosion protection and 32,000 miles of cast iron pipe, which was installed beginning in the 1830s and can be prone to failure;
 (7)major recent pipeline explosions that led to human fatalities, including those in Austin, Texas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, have been traced to aging, leaking, and high-risk pipeline infrastructure;
 (8)natural gas distribution utilities may be discouraged from making capital expenditures for the replacement of leaking and failure-prone pipelines because traditional ratemaking structures may not allow for cost recovery on a timely basis; and
 (9)according to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the natural gas pipeline replacement programs established as part of the ratemaking process in 27 States and the District of Columbia have played a vital role in enhancing public safety by better ensuring the prompt rehabilitation, repair, or replacement of high-risk natural gas distribution infrastructure.
				(b)Natural gas
			 distribution companies
				(1)In
 generalChapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 60112 the following:

						60112A.Replacement
				programs for high-risk natural gas pipelines
 (a)Definition of gas pipeline facilityIn this section, the term gas pipeline facility includes— (1)a distribution facility; and
 (2)a gas utility. (b)In generalEach operator of a gas pipeline facility shall, in accordance with an integrity management program required under section 60109 of this title, if applicable, accelerate the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of gas piping or equipment that—
 (1)is leaking; or
 (2)may pose high risks of leaking, or may no longer be fit for service, because of—
 (A)inferior materials;
 (B)poor construction practices;
 (C)lack of maintenance; or
 (D)age. (c)Policy options (1)In generalIn complying with subsection (b), each State regulatory authority and each nonregulated gas utility shall consider—
 (A)developing prioritized timelines to repair all leaks based on the severity of the leak, including non-hazardous leaks, or replace identified leaking or high-risk piping or equipment, including leaks identified as part of an integrity management plan developed under section 192.1007 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, if applicable;
 (B)adopting a cost-recovery program that includes—
 (i)replacement plans with targets and benchmarks for leaking or high-risk infrastructure replacement;
 (ii)consideration of the economic, safety, and environmental benefits of reduced gas leakage, including consideration of reduced operation and maintenance costs and reduced costs attributable to lost or unaccounted-for natural gas; and
 (iii)reporting on the reductions in lost or unaccounted-for gas as a result of pipeline replacements;
 (C)adopting a standard definition and methodology for calculating and reporting unaccounted-for gas to improve data quality;
 (D)adopting limits on cost recovery for lost and unaccounted-for gas; and
 (E)requiring use of best available technology to detect gas leaks..
 (2)Technical and conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 601 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 60112 the following:
					60112A. Replacement programs for high-risk natural gas pipelines..
				(c)Non-Binding
			 guidelines for identifying and classifying high-Risk pipeline
			 infrastructure
				(1)In
 generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall, after consultation with State regulatory authorities, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other appropriate Federal agencies, and after notice and opportunity for comment, issue non-binding guidelines identifying best practices under section 60112A of title 49, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)).
				(2)Preserving the
			 integrity of actions already taken by State regulatory
 authoritiesIn formulating guidelines under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall, to the extent practicable, preserve the integrity of, and be guided by, actions already taken by State regulatory authorities to ensure proper identification, classification, and timely repair of high-risk pipeline infrastructure and leaks, including actions taken after consideration of the standard under section 303(b)(6) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3203(b)(6)).
				(3)Revision of
 guidelinesNot less frequently than once every 7 years, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall review and, as appropriate, revise the guidelines issued under paragraph (1) to reflect changes in the composition and safety performance of the pipeline infrastructure in the United States.
				3.Data standardization
 (a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the heads of other applicable Federal agencies shall, in consultation with State and local agencies under subsection (c), work jointly to establish and publish forms that adopt a standard definition and methodology for calculating and reporting unaccounted-for gas, including, when possible, information on the causes of unaccounted-for gas and the quantities associated with each cause, for use by applicable Federal agencies to standardize the data collected on unaccounted-for gas.
 (b)AdministrationIn carrying out this section, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the heads of other applicable Federal agencies may—
 (1)establish an interagency working group; and (2)enter into a memorandum of understanding.
 (c)Consultation with State and local agenciesThe Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the heads of other applicable Federal agencies shall offer to work with State and local regulatory authorities to adopt a standard definition and methodology for calculating and reporting unaccounted-for gas to standardize the data collected by Federal, State, and local governments.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2144
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. Alexander (for
			 himself and Mr. Corker) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To extend the duty suspension on Titanium
		  Mononitride.

		1.Titanium mononitride
			(a)In
			 GeneralHeading 9902.22.80 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
			 the United States (relating to Titanium mononitride) is amended by striking
			 12/31/2009 and inserting 12/31/2011.
			(b)Effective
			 DateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies with respect to
			 goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the
			 date that is 15 days after the date of enactment of this Act.


IV
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1411
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

July 21, 2010

RESOLUTION
Honoring the service and commitment of the 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Whereas the 111th Fighter Wing’s roots date back to the establishment of the 103rd Observation Squadron on June 27, 1924, in the sod fields of the Philadelphia Airport;
Whereas on February 17, 1941, the 103rd was ordered to active service, performing antisubmarine patrols off the coast of New England;
Whereas the squadron deployed to the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater of World War II in 1943, executing support operations for the duration of the war;
Whereas the 391st Bombardment Group (Medium), constituted on January 15, 1943, earned the Distinguished Unit Citation for its service during World War II, performing ground attack missions in France and the Low Countries in advance of the invasion of Normandy, and in Germany in support of and in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge;
Whereas in 1946, the 391st was redesignated the 111th Bomb Group (Light), and the 111th Bomb Group and the 103rd Squad were designated to the Pennsylvania National Guard;
Whereas when the 111th Composite Wing was activated in April 1951, members honorably performed various missions in support of the U.S. war effort in Korea;
Whereas in 1963, the 111th ended its 39-year history at Philadelphia Airport, and moved into new housing on the north end of the Willow Grove Naval Air Station;
Whereas the 111th Air Transport Group flew numerous airlift missions in support of the U.S. war effort in Vietnam;
Whereas in 1995, the newly designated 111th Fighter Wing volunteered for deployment to Kuwait, where they conducted Combat Search and Rescue alert, Kill Box flights over Iraq, Airborne Forward Air Control, and joint training missions in support of Operation Southern Watch;
Whereas in 1999, the 111th again deployed to Al Jaber, Kuwait, to support joint combat flight operations for Operation Southern Watch;
Whereas immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the 111th Fighter Wing voluntarily deployed on very short notice to support joint combat operations for Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom;
Whereas between 2002 and 2003, the wing was the lead unit for short notice, voluntary, out-of-cycle Air Expeditionary Force deployments to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, performing joint combat flight operations with the Army, Special Forces, and coalition ground troops despite total ‘black out’ conditions, a substantial number of mines on and around the airfield, extreme weather conditions, and unremitting enemy shelling;
Whereas in 2003, the 111th once again volunteered for deployment to Al Jaber, Kuwait, directly supporting coalition armor forces during the invasion of Iraq from the Kuwaiti border;
Whereas the 111th Fighter Wing was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with Valor, for voluntarily deploying to austere bases in two separate combat operations within a five-month period;
Whereas the unit was also awarded the Reserve Family Readiness Award in 2003 and the Air National Guard Distinguished Flying Unit Award in 2004;
Whereas in its 86-year history, the wing has flown aircraft that includes the JN–4 Jenny, PT–1 Trusty, BT–1, Curtiss O–1 Falcon, Douglas O–2H, Curtiss O–11 Falcon, Douglas O–38, North American O–47A and O–47B, Stinson O–49 Vigilant, Curtiss O–52 Owl, Taylorcraft O–57 Grasshopper, Piper L–4 Grasshopper, Stinson L–1B Vigilant, Lockheed P–38(F–5) Lightning, Douglas A–26 Invader, Boeing RB–29 Superfortress, North American F–51 Mustang, Lockheed T–33 Shooting Star, Republic F–84 Thunderjet, Lockheed F–94 Starfire, Northrop F–89 Scorpion, Boeing C–97 Stratofreighter, Cessna U–3A Blue Canoe, Cessna O–2 Skymaster, Cessna OA–37 Dragonfly, and Fairchild A–10 Thunderbolt II;
Whereas the members of the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard have served with courage, selflessness, and compassion in every role they have been asked to fulfill, and have earned the respect and gratitude of the citizens of Pennsylvania and of all Americans;
Whereas the ruling of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission of 2005 marks the end of an era for the 111th Fighter Wing at Willow Grove Naval Air Station; and
Whereas even though the Base Realignment and Closure Commission of 2005 removed the 111th’s flying mission, the unit will continue proudly serving the United States through new missions: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)recognizes the exemplary service of members of the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard; and
(2)honors and thanks all members of the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, past and present, for their tremendous contributions to the defense and security of the United States.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


113 HR 5670 IH: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to implement security measures in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated with electronic identity theft.
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-09-18
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.

I
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5670
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 18, 2014
Mr. Yoho (for himself, Mr. Murphy of Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Grayson, Mr. Collins of New York, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mr. Jolly, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Ms. Brown of Florida, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Stockman, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Southerland, and Mr. Bilirakis) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to implement security measures in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated with electronic identity theft.

1.Implementation of security measures in electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraudThe Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary’s designee, shall implement security measures in the electronic tax return filing process designed to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated through the use of electronic identity theft. Such measures shall include the use of security questions which allow for electronic matching of the answers to such questions to establish the identity of the taxpayer before the electronic filing of a tax return by such taxpayer.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2780
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 17, 2009
			Mr. Levin introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Small Business and
			 Entrepreneurship

		A BILL
		To amend the Small Business Act to establish a small
		  business intermediary lending pilot program.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Small Business Intermediary
			 Lending Pilot Program Act of 2009.
		2.Small business
			 intermediary lending pilot program
			(a)In
			 generalSection 7 of the Small Business Act is amended by
			 striking subsection (l) and inserting the following:

					(l)Small Business
				Intermediary Lending Pilot Program
						(1)DefinitionsIn
				this subsection—
							(A)the term
				eligible intermediary—
								(i)means a private,
				nonprofit entity that—
									(I)seeks or has been
				awarded a loan from the Administrator to make loans to small business concerns
				under this subsection; and
									(II)has not less
				than 1 year of experience making loans to startup, newly established, or
				growing small business concerns; and
									(ii)includes—
									(I)a private,
				nonprofit community development corporation;
									(II)a consortium of
				private, nonprofit organizations or nonprofit community development
				corporations; and
									(III)an agency of or
				nonprofit entity established by a Native American Tribal Government; and
									(B)the term
				Program means the small business intermediary lending pilot
				program established under paragraph (2).
							(2)EstablishmentThere
				is established a 3-year small business intermediary lending pilot program,
				under which the Administrator may make direct loans to eligible intermediaries,
				for the purpose of making loans to startup, newly established, and growing
				small business concerns.
						(3)PurposesThe
				purposes of the Program are—
							(A)to assist small
				business concerns in areas suffering from a lack of credit due to poor economic
				conditions or changes in the financial market; and
							(B)to establish a
				loan program under which the Administrator may provide loans to eligible
				intermediaries to enable the eligible intermediaries to provide loans to
				startup, newly established, and growing small business concerns for working
				capital, real estate, or the acquisition of materials, supplies, or
				equipment.
							(4)Loans to
				eligible intermediaries
							(A)ApplicationEach
				eligible intermediary desiring a loan under this subsection shall submit an
				application to the Administrator that describes—
								(i)the type of small
				business concerns to be assisted;
								(ii)the size and
				range of loans to be made;
								(iii)the interest
				rate and terms of loans to be made;
								(iv)the geographic
				area to be served and the economic, poverty, and unemployment characteristics
				of the area;
								(v)the status of
				small business concerns in the area to be served and an analysis of the
				availability of credit; and
								(vi)the
				qualifications of the applicant to carry out this subsection.
								(B)Loan
				limitsNo loan may be made to an eligible intermediary under this
				subsection if the total amount outstanding and committed to the eligible
				intermediary by the Administrator would, as a result of such loan, exceed
				$3,000,000 during the participation of the eligible intermediary in the
				Program.
							(C)Loan
				durationLoans made by the Administrator under this subsection
				shall be for a term of 20 years.
							(D)Applicable
				interest ratesLoans made by the Administrator to an eligible
				intermediary under the Program shall bear an annual interest rate equal to 1.00
				percent.
							(E)Fees;
				collateralThe Administrator may not charge any fees or require
				collateral with respect to any loan made to an eligible intermediary under this
				subsection.
							(F)Delayed
				paymentsThe Administrator shall not require the repayment of
				principal or interest on a loan made to an eligible intermediary under the
				Program during the 2-year period beginning on the date of the initial
				disbursement of funds under that loan.
							(G)Maximum
				participants and amountsDuring each of fiscal years 2010, 2011,
				and 2012, the Administrator may make loans under the Program—
								(i)to not more than
				20 eligible intermediaries; and
								(ii)in a total
				amount of not more than $60,000,000.
								(5)Loans to small
				business concerns
							(A)In
				generalThe Administrator, through an eligible intermediary,
				shall make loans to startup, newly established, and growing small business
				concerns for working capital, real estate, and the acquisition of materials,
				supplies, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
							(B)Maximum
				loanAn eligible intermediary may not make a loan under this
				subsection of more than $200,000 to any 1 small business concern.
							(C)Applicable
				interest ratesA loan made by an eligible intermediary to a small
				business concern under this subsection, may have a fixed or a variable interest
				rate, and shall bear an interest rate specified by the eligible intermediary in
				the application of the eligible intermediary for a loan under this
				subsection.
							(D)Review
				restrictionsThe Administrator may not review individual loans
				made by an eligible intermediary to a small business concern before approval of
				the loan by the eligible intermediary.
							(6)TerminationThe
				authority of the Administrator to make loans under the Program shall terminate
				3 years after the date of enactment of the Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot Program Act of
				2009.
						.
			(b)Rulemaking
			 authorityNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
			 this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations to carry out section 7(l)
			 of the Small Business Act, as amended by subsection (a).
			(c)Availability of
			 fundsAny amounts provided to the Administrator for the purposes
			 of carrying out section 7(l) of the Small Business Act, as amended by
			 subsection (a), shall remain available until expended.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5612
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 28, 2010
			Mr. Blumenauer (for
			 himself, Mr. Thompson of California,
			 Ms. Berkley,
			 Ms. Giffords,
			 Mr. McDermott, and
			 Mr. Garamendi) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily
		  increase the investment tax credit for geothermal energy
		  property.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Geothermal Energy Investment Act of
			 2010.
		2.Temporary
			 increase in investment tax credit for geothermal energy property
			(a)In
			 generalSubclause (II) of
			 section 48(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
			 striking paragraph (3)(A)(i) and inserting clause (i) or
			 (iii) of paragraph (3)(A).
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by
			 this section shall apply to periods after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act, under rules similar to the rules of section 48(m) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the
			 Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990).


116 HR 5678 IH: Privacy Office Enhancement Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-01-27
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5678IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 27, 2020Mr. Van Drew (for himself and Mr. Rogers of Alabama) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland SecurityA BILLTo amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 relating to the responsibilities and functions of Chief
			 Privacy Officer of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Privacy Office Enhancement Act. 2.Responsibilities and functions of Chief Privacy Officer (a)In generalSection 222 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 142) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
 (i)by inserting to be the Chief Privacy Officer of the Department, after in the Department,; and (ii)by striking to the Secretary, to assume and inserting to the Secretary. Such official shall have;
 (B)in paragraph (5)(B), by striking and at the end; and (C)by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following new paragraphs:

 (6)developing guidance to assist components of the Department in developing privacy policies and practices;
 (7)establishing a mechanism to ensure such components are in compliance with Federal, regulatory, statutory, and Department privacy requirements, mandates, directives, and policies;
 (8)working with the Chief Information Officer of the Department to identify methods for managing and overseeing the records, management policies, and procedures of the Department;
 (9)working with components and offices of the Department to ensure that information sharing activities incorporate privacy protections;
 (10)serving as the Chief FOIA Officer of the Department for purposes of subsection (j) of section 552 of title 5, United States Code (popularly known as the Freedom of Information Act), to manage and process requests related to such section;
 (11)developing guidance on procedures to be followed by individuals making requests for information under such section 552;
 (12)overseeing the management and processing of requests for information under such section 552 within Department Headquarters and relevant Department component offices;
 (13)providing component heads with input on the management of their respective FOIA offices, including recruiting and hiring component FOIA officers, budget formulation, and organizational placement within each such component;
 (14)identifying and eliminating unnecessary and duplicative actions taken by the Department in the course of processing requests for information under such section 552;
 (15)preparing an annual report to Congress that includes— (A)a description of the activities of the Department that affect privacy during the fiscal year covered by the report, including complaints of privacy violations, implementation of section 552a of title 5, United States Code (popularly known as the Privacy Act of 1974), internal controls, and other matters; and
 (B)the number of new technology programs implemented in the Department during the fiscal year covered by the report, the number of such programs that the Chief Privacy Officer has evaluated to ensure that privacy protections are considered and implemented, the number of such programs that effectively implemented privacy protections into new technology programs, and an explanation of why any new programs did not effectively implement privacy protections; and
 (16)carrying out such other responsibilities as the Secretary determines are appropriate, consistent with this section.; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:  (f)Reassignment of functionsNotwithstanding subsection (a)(10), the Secretary may reassign the functions related to managing and processing requests for information under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, to another officer within the Department, consistent with requirements of such section..


114 S2872 IS: Nurturing And Supporting Healthy Babies Act
U.S. Senate
2016-04-28
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.

II114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2872IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 28, 2016Mrs. Capito (for herself, Mr. Brown, and Mr. King) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo require the Government Accountability Office to submit to Congress a report on neonatal
			 abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the United States and its treatment under
			 Medicaid.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Nurturing And Supporting Healthy Babies Act or as the NAS Healthy Babies Act. 2.GAO report on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) (a)In generalNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on neonatal abstinence syndrome (in this section referred to as NAS) in the United States.
 (b)Information To be included in reportSuch report shall include information on the following: (1)The prevalence of NAS in the United States, including the proportion of children born in the United States with NAS who are eligible for medical assistance under State Medicaid programs under title XIX of the Social Security Act at birth and the costs associated with NAS through such programs.
 (2)The services for which coverage is available under State Medicaid programs for treatment of infants with NAS.
 (3)The settings (including inpatient, outpatient, hospital-based, and other settings) for the treatment of infants with NAS and the reimbursement methodologies and costs associated with such treatment in such settings.
 (4)The prevalence of utilization of various care settings under State Medicaid programs for treatment of infants with NAS and any Federal barriers to treating such infants under such programs, particularly in nonhospital-based settings.
 (c)RecommendationsSuch report also shall include such recommendations as the Comptroller General determines appropriate for improvements that will ensure access to treatment for infants with NAS under State Medicaid programs.


I
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5489
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2012
Mr. Reichert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To modify and extend the suspension of duty on certain cases or containers used for electronic drawing toys, electronic games, or educational toys or devices.

1.Certain cases or containers used for electronic drawing toys, electronic games, or educational toys or devices
(a)In generalHeading 9902.11.90 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to certain cases or containers to be used for electronic drawing toys, electronic games, or educational toys or devices) is amended—
(1)in the article description, by inserting (including the zipper pull) after exterior of the case or container; and
(2)by striking the date in the effective period column, and inserting 12/31/2016.
(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) apply to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this Act.


I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6337IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 17, 2016Mr. Weber of Texas (for himself, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Babin, and Mr. Smith of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, with respect to the definition of urbanized area, and for other purposes.
1.Definition of urbanized areaSection 5302(23) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1)by striking The term and inserting the following:

(A)In generalThe term; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

(B)Additional areasNotwithstanding subparagraph (A), an area shall be treated as an urbanized area if the Secretary of Commerce determines that— (i)the area was defined and designated in a previous decennial census as an urbanized area;
(ii)the area was not defined and designated in the most recent decennial census as an urbanized area as the result of a natural disaster that caused the population of the area to fall below 50,000 people; and (iii)the most recent annual estimate of the Bureau of the Census estimates the population of the area to be restored to 50,000 or more people..


114 HR 4550 IH: PASS Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-02-11
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
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4550
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 11, 2016
			Mr. Weber of Texas (for himself, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Babin, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Neugebauer, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Russell, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Olson, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Rohrabacher, and Mr. Barton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To permit qualified law enforcement officers, qualified retired law enforcement officers, and
			 persons not prohibited by State law from carrying a concealed firearm to
			 carry a firearm, and to discharge a firearm in defense of self or others,
			 in a school zone.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protect Against School Shootings Act or the PASS Act. 2.Use of firearms in school zones by qualified law enforcement officers, qualified retired law enforcement officers, and persons not prohibited by State law from carrying a concealed firearm (a)Override of the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990Section 922(q) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)in paragraph (2)— (A)by striking or at the end of clause (vi);
 (B)by striking the period at the end of clause (vii) and inserting ; or; and (C)by adding at the end the following:

 (viii)by a person who, under section 926D, may carry a concealed firearm in a school zone.; and (2)in paragraph (3)—
 (A)by striking or at the end of clause (iii); (B)by striking the period at the end of clause (iv) and inserting ; or; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (v)by a person who, under section 926D, may carry a concealed firearm in a school zone..
					(b)Override of State law
 (1)In generalChapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 926C the following:

						926D.Use of firearms in school zones by qualified law enforcement officers, qualified retired law
			 enforcement officers, and persons not prohibited by State law from
 carrying a concealed firearmNotwithstanding the law of any State or any political subdivision thereof, a person who, under section 926B or 926C or the law of a State, may carry a concealed firearm may carry the firearm, and discharge the firearm in defense of self or others, in a school zone in any State..
 (2)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 926C the following new item:

							926D. Use of firearms in school zones by qualified law enforcement officers, qualified retired law
			 enforcement officers, and persons not prohibited by State law from
			 carrying a concealed firearm..


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1514
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 24, 2009
			Ms. Murkowski introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation

		A BILL
		To ensure safe, secure, and reliable marine shipping in
		  the Arctic including the availability of aids to navigation, vessel escorts,
		  spill response capability, and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic, and
		  for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment
			 Implementation Act of 2009.
		2.Findings and
			 purpose
			(a)FindingsThe Congress finds and declares the
			 following:
				(1)The Arctic Ocean
			 and adjacent seas are becoming increasingly accessible to shipping, due to
			 thinning ice cover, technological improvements allowing greater efficiencies in
			 the operation of ice-breakers and ice-strengthened cargo and passenger vessels,
			 satellite support for navigation and real-time ice-charting, and growing demand
			 for Arctic tourism and natural resources.
				(2)It is in the interests of the United States
			 to work with the State of Alaska and our neighbors in the Arctic Region to
			 ensure that shipping in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas is safe for
			 mariners, protective of the natural environment, including the air, land,
			 water, and wildlife of the Arctic, and mindful of the needs of longstanding
			 subsistence users of Arctic resources.
				(3)It is further in the interests of the
			 United States to ensure that shipping in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas is
			 secure, and that United States sovereign and security interests, including the
			 rights of United States vessels to innocent passage through international
			 straits, are respected and protected, that access is provided throughout the
			 Arctic Ocean for legitimate research vessels of all nations, and that peaceful
			 relations are maintained in the Arctic region.
				(4)It is further in
			 the interests of the United States to see that a system of international
			 cooperation is established to support reliable shipping, with methods for joint
			 investment in providing mariners aids to navigation, ports of refuge,
			 vessel-to-shore communication, hydrographic mapping, and search and rescue
			 capability.
				(5)For nearly 500
			 years, mariners and sea-faring nations have sought national and global benefits
			 from sea routes in the Arctic similar to those provided now by the Panama and
			 Suez canals, but as those benefits may finally be realized, expanded shipping
			 will present risks to residents of the Arctic, and coordinated shipping
			 regulations are needed to protect United States interests even from shipping
			 that may occur in the Arctic region outside United States territorial
			 waters.
				(6)Proven models for
			 international cooperation in management of regional waterways exist, including
			 United States joint administration of the St. Lawrence Seaway with Canada, and
			 existing cooperation between the Coast Guard and its Russian Federation
			 counterpart for fisheries enforcement in the Bering Sea and North Pacific
			 regions.
				(7)The United States
			 has continuing research, security, environmental, and commercial interests in
			 the Arctic region that rely on the availability of icebreaker platforms of the
			 Coast Guard. The Polar Class icebreakers commissioned in the 1970s are in need
			 of replacement.
				(8)Sovereign
			 interests of the United States in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea regions may
			 grow with submission of a United States claim for an extended continental
			 shelf.
				(9)Building new
			 icebreakers, mustering international plans for aids to navigation and other
			 facilities, and establishing coordinated shipping regulations and oil spill
			 prevention and response capability through international cooperation, including
			 the approval of the International Maritime Organization, requires long lead
			 times. Beginning those efforts now, with the completion of an Arctic Marine
			 Shipping Assessment by the eight-nation Arctic Council, is essential to protect
			 United States interests given the extensive current use of the Arctic Ocean and
			 adjacent seas by vessels of many nations.
				(b)PurposeThe
			 purpose of this Act is to ensure safe, secure, and reliable maritime shipping
			 in the Arctic including the availability of aids to navigation, vessel escorts,
			 spill response capability, and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic.
			3.International
			 maritime organization agreementsTo carry out the purpose of this Act, the
			 Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall work
			 through the International Maritime Organization to establish agreements to
			 promote coordinated action among the United States, Russia, Canada, and other
			 seafaring and Arctic nations to ensure, in the Arctic—
			(1)placement and
			 maintenance of aids to navigation;
			(2)appropriate
			 icebreaking escort, tug, and salvage capabilities;
			(3)oil spill
			 prevention and response capability;
			(4)maritime domain
			 awareness, including long-range vessel tracking; and
			(5)search and
			 rescue.
			4.Coordination by
			 Committee on the Maritime Transportation SystemThe Committee on the Maritime Transportation
			 System established under a directive of the President in the Ocean Action Plan,
			 issued December 17, 2004, shall coordinate the establishment of domestic
			 transportation policies in the Arctic necessary to carry out the purpose of the
			 Act.
		5.Agreements and
			 contractsThe Secretary of the
			 department in which the Coast Guard is operating may, subject to the
			 availability of appropriations, enter into cooperative agreements, contracts,
			 or other agreements with, or make grants to individuals and governments to
			 carry out the purpose of this Act or any agreements established under section
			 3.
		6.IcebreakingThe Secretary of the department in which the
			 Coast Guard is operating shall promote safe maritime navigation by means of
			 icebreaking where needed to assure the reasonable demands of commerce.
		7.Demonstration
			 projectsThe Secretary of
			 Transportation may enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, or other
			 agreements with, or make grants to, individuals to conduct demonstration
			 projects to reduce emissions or discharges from vessels operating in the
			 Arctic.
		8.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated—
			(1)to the Secretary
			 of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating—
				(A)$750,000,000 for
			 each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012 for the construction of two polar capable
			 icebreakers;
				(B)$5,000,000 for
			 each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015 for seasonal operations in the Arctic;
			 and
				(C)$10,000,000 for
			 each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 to carry out agreements established
			 under section 5; and
				(2)to the Secretary
			 of Transportation $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015 to
			 conduct demonstration projects under section 7.
			9.Arctic
			 definitionIn this Act the
			 term Arctic has the same meaning as in section 112 of the Arctic
			 Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111).


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 829
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 14, 2011
			Mr. Cardin (for himself,
			 Ms. Collins, Mr. Inouye, Mr.
			 Blunt, Mr. Leahy,
			 Mr. Johnson of South Dakota,
			 Mr. Franken, Mr. Akaka, Mr.
			 Reed, and Mr. Graham)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security
		  Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy
		  caps.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Medicare Access to Rehabilitation
			 Services Act of 2011.
		2.Outpatient therapy cap
			 repealSection 1833 of the
			 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(l))
			 is amended by striking subsection (g).


116 S4062 IS: Stopping Big Tech's Censorship Act
U.S. Senate
2020-06-24
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. 4062IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 24, 2020Mrs. Loeffler introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo amend section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 to require that providers and users of an interactive computer service meet certain standards to qualify for liability protections.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Stopping Big Tech's Censorship Act.2.Scope of liabilitySection 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230) is amended—(1)in subsection (c)—(A)in paragraph (1)—(i)by striking No provider and inserting the following:(A)In generalNo provider;(ii)in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by inserting after interactive computer service the following: that takes reasonable steps to prevent or address the unlawful use of the interactive computer service or unlawful publication of information on the interactive computer service; and(iii)by adding at the end the following:(B)DefinitionFor purposes of this paragraph, the term unlawful use of the interactive computer service or unlawful publication of information on the interactive computer service includes cyberstalking, sex trafficking, trafficking in illegal products or activities, child sexual exploitation, and any other activity relating to the use of, or publication of information on, an interactive computer service that is otherwise proscribed by Federal law.;(B)in paragraph (2)—(i)by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;(ii)in the matter preceding clause (i), as so redesignated, by striking No provider and inserting the following:(A)In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), no provider; and(iii)by adding at the end the following:(B)First Amendment requirements(i)In generalSubject to clause (ii), a provider or user of an interactive computer service that takes action under clause (i) of subparagraph (A) to restrict access to or availability of constitutionally protected material shall not be eligible for the protection under that subparagraph unless—(I)the action is taken in a viewpoint-neutral manner;(II)the restriction limits only the time, place, or manner in which the material is available; and(III)there is a compelling reason for restricting that access or availability.(ii)No punitive damagesA court that holds a provider or user of an information computer service liable on account of action taken to restrict access to or availability of material as described in subparagraph (A)(i) because the provider or user did not meet the requirements under clause (i) of this subparagraph may not award punitive damages against the provider or user for taking that action.; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(3)Notice requirementsTo be eligible for protection under this subsection—(A)a provider of an interactive computer service shall, in any terms of service or user agreement produced by the provider, clearly explain the practices and procedures used by the provider in restricting access to or availability of any material; and(B)a provider or user of an interactive computer service that decides to restrict access to or availability of any material shall provide a clear explanation of that decision to the information content provider that created or developed the material.(4)Burden of proofIn any action or proceeding in which a party asserts paragraph (1) or (2) as a defense to liability, the party alleging liability shall bear the burden of demonstrating that the other party is not entitled to immunity under that paragraph.;(2)in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:(6)No effect on Federal civil liabilityNothing in this section shall be construed to impair or limit any civil enforcement action brought by a Federal agency, office, or other establishment arising from any violation of a Federal statute or regulation.; and(3)in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:(5)Constitutionally protected materialThe term constitutionally protected material means any material protected by a right under the Constitution of the United States, regardless of whether the right is otherwise enforceable against a nongovernmental entity..


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2464
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 8, 2011
			Mr. Rush (for
			 himself, Ms. Moore,
			 Mr. Jackson of Illinois,
			 Mr. Stark,
			 Mr. Grijalva,
			 Ms. Hirono,
			 Mr. Ellison,
			 Mr. Cohen, and
			 Mr. Hastings of Florida) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and the
			 Workforce

		A BILL
		To authorize a program to provide grants to nonprofit
		  organizations that carry out child-parent visitation programs for children with
		  incarcerated parents.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Families Beyond Bars Act of
			 2011.
		2.FindingsCongress finds as follows:
			(1)The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates
			 that 1,500,000 children in the United States have at least one incarcerated
			 parent, and an estimated 10,000,000 more individuals have at least one parent
			 who was incarcerated at some point during the individual’s childhood.
			(2)In 2006, the
			 Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated that 75 percent of incarcerated women
			 were mothers, two-thirds of whom were mothers of children under the age of 18,
			 and an estimated 32 percent of incarcerated men were fathers of children under
			 the age of 18.
			(3)The trauma
			 associated with having an incarcerated parent has been well-documented, and
			 includes depression, aggression, low self-esteem, poor academic performance,
			 truancy, attention deficit disorders, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and
			 symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
			(4)The Bureau of
			 Justice Statistics estimates that children with imprisoned parents may be
			 almost 6 times more likely than their peers to be incarcerated.
			(5)Increased
			 visitation between incarcerated parents and their children can reduce the
			 anxiety and sense of loss children of incarcerated parents experience. This
			 beneficial, low-cost activity may also contribute to a reduction in future
			 crime committed by, and incarceration of, children of incarcerated
			 parents.
			(6)Participation in a
			 comprehensive visitation program allows children of incarcerated parents to
			 build relationships with caring adults and experience opportunities for
			 meaningful involvement and membership, helping to reduce the negative effects
			 of parent-child separation.
			(7)The incarceration
			 of women who are mothers introduces significant changes to the family
			 structure, income level, living arrangements, and emotional support systems of
			 their children. The incarceration of mothers is often more disruptive than the
			 incarceration of fathers, because an estimated two-thirds of mothers who are
			 incarcerated serve as the primary caregiver for at least one child before
			 arrest.
			(8)Incarceration can present an opportunity to
			 enhance parenting skills, encourage children to resist peer pressure, and
			 foster high parental expectations for their children’s school work.
			3.Beyond Bars grant
			 program
			(a)Grant program
			 established
				(1)Grants
			 authorizedThe Attorney
			 General is authorized to award grants to qualified organizations to carry out,
			 directly or through subgrants to other entities, child-parent visitation
			 programs that foster and develop familial ties between eligible children and
			 their incarcerated parents.
				(2)Grant period;
			 renewabilityA grant awarded under this section shall be for not
			 less than a 3-year period and not more than a 5-year period, and may be
			 renewed.
				(b)Grant
			 usesGrants awarded under
			 this section may be used by a qualified organization to—
				(1)organize and lead
			 group meetings, in accordance with
			 subsection (c);
				(2)provide counseling
			 to eligible children, and to their incarcerated parents;
				(3)select one or more
			 qualified program facilitators to—
					(A)organize and lead
			 group meetings, in accordance with
			 subsection (c); and
					(B)provide counseling
			 to eligible children, and to their incarcerated parents;
					(4)provide to one or more such qualified
			 program facilitators a monthly stipend in accordance with
			 subsection (d);
				(5)provide
			 transportation for eligible children to attend such group meetings, and provide
			 volunteer support to assist in such transportation;
				(6)provide security
			 for eligible children during such group meetings, and comply with applicable
			 security procedures required by the facility at which the eligible children’s
			 parents are incarcerated;
				(7)provide enrichment activities for
			 incarcerated parents of eligible children during incarceration and pre-release,
			 including parenting classes and transition programs;
				(8)provide
			 connections to and coordination with community and social services and other
			 support to eligible children, incarcerated parents, and individuals who serve
			 as guardians of eligible children while the eligible children’s parents are
			 incarcerated;
				(9)obtain program
			 materials and other supplies necessary to carry out other grant activities
			 required or permitted under this subsection;
				(10)conduct periodic evaluations of the
			 activities carried out with a grant under this section, including volunteer
			 recruitment, parental support and development, measurement of children’s
			 opportunities to build meaningful relationships with caring adults, and
			 measurement of children’s opportunities for meaningful involvement and
			 membership;
				(11)develop best
			 practices regarding child-parent visitation programs for eligible children and
			 their incarcerated parents, based on the evaluations conducted under
			 paragraph (10);
				(12)provide
			 age-appropriate enrichment activities for children, including activities
			 related to basic life skills, hygiene, healthy and drug-free habits, social
			 skills, and building self-esteem and confidence;
				(13)coordinate the logistics of the
			 child-parent visitation program with the correctional facility at which the
			 eligible children’s parents are incarcerated;
				(14)supervise adult volunteers who are
			 assisting with the child-parent visitation program, whether such volunteers are
			 working as individuals or as part of a team; and
				(15)conduct outreach
			 activities to recruit eligible children.
				(c)Group
			 meetingsThe group meetings organized and led by a qualified
			 organization with a grant under this section shall be supervised and
			 facilitated by a qualified program facilitator in accordance with the
			 provisions of this section, and—
				(1)may include meetings for parents that
			 provide an opportunity for incarcerated parents of eligible children to obtain
			 and improve parenting skills to ensure strong family foundations upon release,
			 which may include evidence-based programs and emerging best practices;
			 and
				(2)shall include the
			 following:
					(A)Child-parent
			 meetingsAt least one day
			 each month, a meeting that provides an opportunity for eligible children to
			 visit their incarcerated parents in the prison facility in which their parents
			 are incarcerated, and to take part in child-parent activities based on
			 evidence-based programs and emerging best practices that foster and develop
			 familial ties. Such meeting shall provide a supportive environment for
			 child-parent interaction, and may include arts and crafts, games, community
			 service projects, and informal group mentoring sessions.
					(B)Meetings for
			 childrenAt least one day
			 each month, on a day other than the day described in
			 subparagraph (A), a meeting in a
			 location other than a prison facility that provides an opportunity for eligible
			 children to build interpersonal problem-solving skills, character,
			 self-confidence, and self-esteem by—
						(i)taking part
			 in—
							(I)activities based
			 on evidence-based programs and emerging best practices;
							(II)community service
			 projects; and
							(III)recreational
			 activities; and
							(ii)holding planning
			 meetings.
						(d)Stipend for
			 qualified program facilitatorsNot more than 45 percent of the
			 grant funds provided to a qualified organization under this section may be used
			 to provide a monthly stipend to qualified program facilitators. To be eligible
			 to receive such a stipend, a qualified program facilitator shall enter into an
			 agreement with a qualified organization to facilitate and supervise group
			 meetings in accordance with the provisions of this section for not less than a
			 one-year period, in exchange for such stipend. Such agreement may be renewable,
			 at the discretion of the qualified organization, for additional one-year
			 periods.
			(e)Applications;
			 Priority
				(1)ApplicationsA
			 qualified organization interested in receiving a grant under this section shall
			 submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and
			 containing such information as the Attorney General may require. Such
			 application shall include an assurance by the qualified organization that the
			 organization will provide the non-Federal share of the costs of the activities
			 funded by a grant under this section in accordance with
			 subsection (f).
				(2)PriorityIn awarding grants under this section, the
			 Attorney General may give priority as follows:
					(A)First, to qualified organizations that,
			 before and on the date of enactment of this Act, are carrying out a
			 child-parent visitation program for eligible children.
					(B)Second, to
			 qualified organizations that have a track record of providing research-based,
			 evaluated, and effective leadership development programming.
					(C)Third, to qualified organizations based on
			 the quality of the organization’s plan for measuring and assessing success of
			 the program to be carried out with such a grant.
					(D)Fourth, to qualified organizations based on
			 the likelihood that the objectives of the program will be achieved by the
			 organization.
					(f)Non-Federal
			 shareA qualified
			 organization receiving a grant under this section shall provide a percentage of
			 the costs described in
			 subsection (e)(1) from non-Federal
			 sources, which may be contributed in cash or in-kind, and which may be provided
			 from State or local public sources, or through donations from private entities.
			 Such percentage of the costs shall be equal to—
				(1)in the case of a
			 qualified organization that was established before the date of the enactment of
			 this Act—
					(A)2.5 percent for
			 the first year of such grant;
					(B)5 percent for the second year of such
			 grant;
					(C)10 percent for the third year of such
			 grant;
					(D)10 percent for the fourth year of such
			 grant; and
					(E)10 percent for the fifth year of such
			 grant; and
					(2)in the case of a qualified organization
			 that was established on or after the date of the enactment of this Act—
					(A)5 percent for the
			 first year of such grant;
					(B)10 percent for the second year of such
			 grant;
					(C)15 percent for the third year of such
			 grant;
					(D)15 percent for the fourth year of such
			 grant; and
					(E)15 percent for the fifth year of such
			 grant.
					(g)Regulations;
			 Reports
				(1)RegulationsThe Attorney General is authorized to issue
			 such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
				(2)Reports by
			 organizationsEach qualified
			 organization receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Attorney
			 General an annual report relating to the activities carried out with a grant
			 under this section. Each such report shall include—
					(A)the evaluations
			 conducted under
			 section 3(b)(10), and the best practices
			 developed, if any, under
			 section 3(b)(11);
					(B)demographic information about the eligible
			 children served by the qualified organization;
					(C)demographic
			 information about any eligible children who applied to participate in the
			 activities carried out with a grant under this section by the qualified
			 organization, but who were not accepted for participation; and
					(D)an evaluation of the effect of leadership
			 development programming on the social and emotional learning of the eligible
			 children served by the qualified organization.
					(3)Reports by the
			 Attorney GeneralNot later than one year after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall
			 submit to Congress a report summarizing the annual reports submitted to the
			 Attorney General under
			 paragraph (2).
				4.DefinitionsFor the purposes of this Act:
			(1)Qualified
			 organizationThe term
			 qualified organization means an entity that carries out
			 child-parent visitation programs that foster and develop familial ties between
			 eligible children and their incarcerated parents, and that is—
				(A)a national nonprofit organization with the
			 capacity (as determined by the Attorney General) to carry out such visitation
			 programs in each of the several States;
				(B)a nonprofit
			 community-based or faith-based organization; or
				(C)a partnership of
			 two or more organizations or entities described in subparagraphs (A) or
			 (B).
				(2)Eligible
			 childrenThe term eligible children means
			 individuals who—
				(A)are not younger
			 than age 5 and are not older than age 18; and
				(B)have at least one
			 parent who—
					(i)is
			 incarcerated in a Federal or State prison;
					(ii)during the 3-month period preceding
			 participation in the activities carried out by a qualified organization under
			 section 3, has displayed exemplary compliance
			 with the disciplinary regulations of the prison, and during such participation,
			 continues to display exemplary compliance with such disciplinary regulations;
			 and
					(iii)has never been
			 convicted of or pled guilty to any offense involving child abuse or any sex
			 offense against a minor.
					(3)PrisonThe term prison means any
			 correctional, detention, penal, pre-release, or other confinement facility that
			 is administered by the Federal Government or a State, or by a private
			 organization on behalf of the Federal Government or a State.
			(4)Qualified
			 program facilitatorThe term qualified program
			 facilitator means an individual who—
				(A)is licensed as a clinical psychologist,
			 psychiatrist, or mental health professional, or is working under the direct
			 supervision of such a licensed individual;
				(B)is licensed as a social worker or working
			 under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker;
				(C)is a licensed or certified counselor of
			 mental health, including an individual, school, or family counselor or
			 therapist;
				(D)is an otherwise licensed or certified
			 mental health professional qualified to provide services to children and
			 adolescents;
				(E)has 5 or more
			 years of experience working with children in a counseling capacity; or
				(F)has undergone a
			 criminal background check, and has completed an orientation and all in-service
			 training that is provided by a grantee for facilitators of a child-parent
			 visitation program for eligible children.
				(5)StateThe term State means each of
			 the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any
			 commonwealth, possession, or territory of the United States.
			(6)Leadership
			 development programmingThe
			 term leadership development programming means programs that help
			 children and adults acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills associated
			 with the core areas of social and emotional competency, including—
				(A)self-awareness and
			 self-management to achieve school and life success, such as identifying and
			 recognizing strengths, needs, emotions, values and self-efficacy, impulse
			 control and stress management, self-motivation and discipline, and goal setting
			 and organizational skills;
				(B)social awareness
			 and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships, such
			 as self-esteem and respect for others, communication, working cooperatively,
			 negotiation, conflict management, and help-seeking; and
				(C)decisionmaking
			 skills and responsible behaviors in personal, academic and community contexts,
			 such as situational analysis, problem solving, reflection, and personal,
			 social, and ethical responsibility.
				5.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $2,500,000 for each of the
			 fiscal years 2012 through 2017. Such sum shall be derived from amounts
			 appropriated in each such fiscal for the Office of Juvenile Justice and
			 Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice for research, evaluation,
			 and training and technical services.