 HR 2815 ENR: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 30 East Somerset Street in Raritan, New Jersey, as the “Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Post Office”.
U.S. House of Representatives

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

I
One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of AmericaAt the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen
H. R. 2815

AN ACT
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 30 East Somerset Street in Raritan, New Jersey, as the Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Post Office.

1.Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Post Office
(a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal Service located at 30 East Somerset Street in Raritan, New Jersey, shall be known and designated as the Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Post Office. (b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Post Office.
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


110 HR 34 : To establish a pilot program in certain

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-02-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IIB
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 34
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			February 13, 2007
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		AN ACT
		To establish a pilot program in certain
		  United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent
		  cases among district judges.

		1.Pilot program in certain
			 district courts
			(a)Establishment
				(1)In
			 generalThere is established a program, in each of the United
			 States district courts designated under subsection (b), under which—
					(A)those district
			 judges of that district court who request to hear cases under which one or more
			 issues arising under any Act of Congress relating to patents or plant variety
			 protection must be decided, are designated by the chief judge of the court to
			 hear those cases;
					(B)cases described in
			 subparagraph (A) are randomly assigned to the judges of the district court,
			 regardless of whether the judges are designated under subparagraph (A);
					(C)a judge not
			 designated under subparagraph (A) to whom a case is assigned under subparagraph
			 (B) may decline to accept the case; and
					(D)a case declined
			 under subparagraph (C) is randomly reassigned to one of those judges of the
			 court designated under subparagraph (A).
					(2)Senior
			 judgesSenior judges of a district court may be designated under
			 paragraph (1)(A) if at least 1 judge of the court in regular active service is
			 also so designated.
				(3)Right to transfer
			 cases preservedThis section shall not be construed to limit the
			 ability of a judge to request the reassignment of or otherwise transfer a case
			 to which the judge is assigned under this section, in accordance with otherwise
			 applicable rules of the court.
				(b)DesignationThe
			 Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall, not
			 later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, designate not
			 less than 5 United States district courts, in at least 3 different judicial
			 circuits, in which the program established under subsection (a) will be carried
			 out. The Director shall make such designation from among the 15 district courts
			 in which the largest number of patent and plant variety protection cases were
			 filed in the most recent calendar year that has ended, except that the Director
			 may only designate a court in which—
				(1)at least 10
			 district judges are authorized to be appointed by the President, whether under
			 section
			 133(a) of title 28, United States Code, or on a temporary basis
			 under other provisions of law; and
				(2)at least 3 judges
			 of the court have made the request under subsection (a)(1)(A).
				(c)DurationThe
			 program established under subsection (a) shall terminate 10 years after the end
			 of the 6-month period described in subsection (b).
			(d)ApplicabilityThe
			 program established under subsection (a) shall apply in a district court
			 designated under subsection (b) only to cases commenced on or after the date of
			 such designation.
			(e)Reporting to
			 Congress
				(1)In
			 generalAt the times specified in paragraph (2), the Director of
			 the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, in consultation with the
			 chief judge of each of the district courts designated under subsection (b) and
			 the Director of the Federal Judicial Center, shall submit to the Committee on
			 the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the
			 Judiciary of the Senate a report on the pilot program established under
			 subsection (a). The report shall include—
					(A)an analysis of the
			 extent to which the program has succeeded in developing expertise in patent and
			 plant variety protection cases among the district judges of the district courts
			 so designated;
					(B)an analysis of the
			 extent to which the program has improved the efficiency of the courts involved
			 by reason of such expertise;
					(C)with respect to
			 patent cases handled by the judges designated pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(A)
			 and judges not so designated, a comparison between the 2 groups of judges with
			 respect to—
						(i)the
			 rate of reversal by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, of such cases
			 on the issues of claim construction and substantive patent law; and
						(ii)the
			 period of time elapsed from the date on which a case is filed to the date on
			 which trial begins or summary judgment is entered;
						(D)a discussion of
			 any evidence indicating that litigants select certain of the judicial districts
			 designated under subsection (b) in an attempt to ensure a given outcome;
			 and
					(E)an analysis of
			 whether the pilot program should be extended to other district courts, or
			 should be made permanent and apply to all district courts.
					(2)Timetable for
			 reportsThe times referred to in paragraph (1) are—
					(A)not later than the
			 date that is 5 years and 3 months after the end of the 6-month period described
			 in subsection (b); and
					(B)not later than 5
			 years after the date described in subparagraph (A).
					(3)Periodic
			 reportingThe Director of the Administrative Office of the United
			 States Courts, in consultation with the chief judge of each of the district
			 courts designated under subsection (b) and the Director of the Federal Judicial
			 Center, shall keep the committees referred to in paragraph (1) informed, on a
			 periodic basis while the pilot program is in effect, with respect to the
			 matters referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1).
				(f)Authorization
			 for Training and ClerkshipsIn addition to any other funds made
			 available to carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated not
			 less than $5,000,000 in each fiscal year for—
				(1)educational and
			 professional development of those district judges designated under subsection
			 (a)(1)(A) in matters relating to patents and plant variety protection;
			 and
				(2)compensation of
			 law clerks with expertise in technical matters arising in patent and plant
			 variety protection cases, to be appointed by the courts designated under
			 subsection (b) to assist those courts in such cases.
				Amounts
			 made available pursuant to this subsection shall remain available until
			 expended.

			Passed the House of
			 Representatives February 12, 2007.
			Karen L. Haas,
			Clerk.


116 S1737 IS: Mental Health Parity Compliance Act
U.S. Senate
2019-06-05
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 CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1737IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 5, 2019Mr. Murphy (for himself and Mr. Cassidy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Mental Health Parity Compliance Act.
		2.Strengthening parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits
 (a)Employee retirement income security act of 1974Section 712(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185a(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(6)Compliance requirements
 (A)Nonquantitative treatment limitation (nqtl) requirementsIn the case of a group health plan (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan) that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, the plan or coverage shall perform comparative analyses about the design and application of nonquantitative treatment limitations (referred to in this paragraph as the NQTL) in accordance with the following process, and make available to the Secretary upon request within 60 days beginning January 1, 2020, and immediately upon request beginning January 1, 2021 the following information:
 (i)The specific plan or coverage language regarding the NQTL and a description of all mental health or substance use disorder and medical/surgical services to which it applies in each respective benefits classification.
 (ii)The factors used to determine that an NQTL will apply to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits, including factors that were considered but rejected.
 (iii)The evidentiary standard (both identified and deidentified) for each of the factors identified in clause (ii) and any other evidence relied upon to design and apply the NQTL to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits.
 (iv)The comparative analyses demonstrating that the processes and strategies used to design the NQTL, as written, and the as written processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL for mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and are applied no more stringently than, the processes and strategies used to design the NQTL, as written, and the as written processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL to medical/surgical benefits.
 (v)The comparative analyses demonstrating that the processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL, in operation, for mental health and substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and are applied no more stringently than, the processes and strategies used to apply each NQTL, in operation, for medical and surgical benefits.
 (vi)A disclosure of the specific findings and conclusions reached by the plan or coverage that the results of the analyses described in this subparagraph indicate that the plan or coverage is in compliance with this section.
							(B)Secretary request process
 (i)Submission upon complaintThe Secretary shall request that a group health plan (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan) submit the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary has received any complaints about such a plan or coverage that involve mental health or substance use disorder benefits.
 (ii)Random submissionsThe Secretary shall request the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) from no fewer than 50 plans or coverages selected at random, annually, and such plans or coverages shall not be the same plans or coverages for which the comparative analyses are requested under clause (i).
 (iii)Additional informationIn instances in which the Secretary has concluded that the plan or coverage has not submitted sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A), as requested under clauses (i) and (ii), the Secretary shall specify to the plan or coverage the additional information the plan or coverage must submit for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) for compliance with this section.
 (iv)Required actionIn instances in which the Secretary has reviewed the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A), as requested under clauses (i) and (ii), and determined that the plan or coverage is not in compliance with this section, the Secretary shall specify to the plan or coverage the actions the plan or coverage must take to be in compliance with this section.
 (v)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that contains—
 (I)each of the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii), except that the identity of each plan or coverage and any contracted entity of a plan or coverage shall be redacted;
 (II)the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether each plan or coverage submitted sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) for compliance with this section;
 (III)for each plan or coverage that did submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clause (i), the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether the plan or coverage is in compliance with this section;
 (IV)the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (iii) for each plan or coverage that the Secretary determined did not submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) for compliance with this section; and
 (V)the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (iv) of the actions each plan or coverage that the Secretary determined is not in compliance with this section must take to be in compliance with this section.
								(C)Compliance program guidance document update process
 (i)In generalThe Secretary shall include select instances of noncompliance that the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) in the compliance program guidance document described in section 2726(a)(6) of the Public Health Service Act, as it is updated every 2 years, except that all instances shall be deidentified and such instances shall not disclose any protected health information or individually identifiable information.
 (ii)Inspector generalAny instances of noncompliance the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall be shared with Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, and the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury, in accordance with section 2726(a)(6)(B)(iii)(I) of the Public Health Service Act.
 (iii)StateAny instances of noncompliance the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall be shared with a State, in accordance with section 2726(a)(6)(B)(iii)(II) of the Public Health Service Act..
 (b)Internal revenue code of 1986Section 9812(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:  (6)Compliance requirements (A)Nonquantitative treatment limitation (nqtl) requirementsIn the case of a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, the plan shall perform comparative analyses about the design and application of nonquantitative treatment limitations (referred to in this paragraph as the NQTL) in accordance with the following process, and make available to the Secretary upon request within 60 days beginning January 1, 2020, and immediately upon request beginning January 1, 2021 the following information:
 (i)The specific plan language regarding the NQTL and a description of all mental health or substance use disorder and medical/surgical services to which it applies in each respective benefits classification.
 (ii)The factors used to determine that an NQTL will apply to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits, including factors that were considered but rejected.
 (iii)The evidentiary standard (both identified and deidentified) for each of the factors identified in clause (ii) and any other evidence relied upon to design and apply the NQTL to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits.
 (iv)The comparative analyses demonstrating that the processes and strategies used to design the NQTL, as written, and the as written processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL for mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and are applied no more stringently than, the processes and strategies used to design the NQTL, as written, and the as written processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL to medical/surgical benefits.
 (v)The comparative analyses demonstrating that the processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL, in operation, for mental health and substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and are applied no more stringently than, the processes and strategies used to apply each NQTL, in operation, for medical and surgical benefits.
 (vi)A disclosure of the specific findings and conclusions reached by the plan that the results of the analyses described in this subparagraph indicate that the plan or coverage is in compliance with this section.
							(B)Secretary request process
 (i)Submission upon complaintThe Secretary shall request that a group health plan submit the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary has received any complaints about such a plan that involve mental health or substance use disorder benefits.
 (ii)Random submissionsThe Secretary shall request the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) from no fewer than 50 plans selected at random, annually, and such plans shall not be the same plans for which the comparative analyses are requested under clause (i).
 (iii)Additional informationIn instances in which the Secretary has concluded that the plan has not submitted sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A), as requested under clauses (i) and (ii), the Secretary shall specify to the plan the additional information the plan must submit for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) for compliance with this section.
 (iv)Required actionIn instances in which the Secretary has reviewed the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A), as requested under clauses (i) and (ii), and determined that the plan is not in compliance with this section, the Secretary shall specify to the plan the actions the plan must take to be in compliance with this section.
 (v)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report that contains—
 (I)each of the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii), except that the identity of each plan and any contracted entity of a plan shall be redacted;
 (II)the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether each plan submitted sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) for compliance with this section;
 (III)for each plan that did submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clause (i), the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether the plan is in compliance with this section;
 (IV)the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (iii) for each plan that the Secretary determined did not submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) for compliance with this section; and
 (V)the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (iv) of the actions each plan that the Secretary determined is not in compliance with this section must take to be in compliance with this section.
								(C)Compliance program guidance document update process
 (i)In generalThe Secretary shall include select instances of noncompliance that the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) in the compliance program guidance document described in section 2726(a)(6) of the Public Health Service Act, as it is updated every 2 years, except that all instances shall be deidentified and such instances shall not disclose any protected health information or individually identifiable information.
 (ii)Inspector generalAny instances of noncompliance the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall be shared with Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, and the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury, in accordance with section 2726(a)(6)(B)(iii)(I) of the Public Health Service Act.
 (iii)StateAny instances of noncompliance the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall be shared with a State, in accordance with section 2726(a)(6)(B)(iii)(II) of the Public Health Service Act..
 (c)Public health service actSection 2726 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–26) is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:

						(8)Compliance requirements
 (A)Nonquantitative treatment limitation (nqtl) requirementsIn the case of a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, the plan or issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall perform comparative analyses about the design and application of nonquantitative treatment limitations (referred to in this paragraph as the NQTL) in accordance with the following process, and make available to State, or to the Secretary as permitted under subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of section 2723, upon request within 60 days beginning January 1, 2020, and immediately upon request beginning January 1, 2021, the following information:
 (i)The specific plan or coverage language regarding the NQTL and a description of all mental health or substance use disorder and medical/surgical services to which it applies in each respective benefits classification.
 (ii)The factors used to determine that an NQTL will apply to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits, including factors that were considered but rejected.
 (iii)The evidentiary standard (both identified and deidentified) for each of the factors identified in clause (ii) and any other evidence relied upon to design and apply the NQTL to mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits.
 (iv)The comparative analyses demonstrating that the processes and strategies used to design the NQTL, as written, and the as written processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL for mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and are applied no more stringently than, the processes and strategies used to design the NQTL, as written, and the as written processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL to medical/surgical benefits.
 (v)The comparative analyses demonstrating that the processes and strategies used to apply the NQTL, in operation, for mental health and substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and are applied no more stringently than, the processes and strategies used to apply each NQTL, in operation, for medical and surgical benefits.
 (vi)A disclosure of the specific findings and conclusions reached by the plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that the results of the analyses described in this subparagraph indicate that the plan or coverage is in compliance with this section.
								(B)Secretary request process
 (i)Submission upon complaintAs permitted under subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of section 2723, the Secretary shall request that a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage submit the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary has received any complaints about such a plan or issuer that involve mental health or substance use disorder benefits.
 (ii)Random submissionsAs permitted under subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of section 2723, the Secretary shall request the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) from no fewer than 50 plans or issuers selected at random, annually, and such plans or issuers shall not be the same plans or issuers for which the comparative analyses are requested under clause (i).
 (iii)Additional informationIn instances in which the Secretary has concluded that the plan or issuer has not submitted sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A), as requested under clauses (i) and (ii), the Secretary shall specify to the plan or issuer the additional information the plan or issuer must submit for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A) for compliance with this section.
 (iv)Required actionIn instances in which the Secretary has reviewed the comparative analyses described in subparagraph (A), as requested under clauses (i) and (ii), and determined that the plan or issuer is not in compliance with this section, the Secretary shall specify to the plan or issuer the actions the plan or issuer must take to be in compliance with this section.
 (v)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that contains—
 (I)each of the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii), except that the identity of each plan or issuer and any contracted entity of a plan or issuer shall be redacted;
 (II)the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether each plan or issuer submitted sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) for compliance with this section;
 (III)for each plan or issuer that did submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clause (i), the Secretary’s conclusions as to whether the plan or issuer is in compliance with this section;
 (IV)the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (iii) for each plan or issuer that the Secretary determined did not submit sufficient information for the Secretary to review the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) for compliance with this section; and
 (V)the Secretary’s specifications described in clause (iv) of the actions each plan or issuer that the Secretary determined is not in compliance with this section must take to be in compliance with this section.
									(C)Compliance program guidance document update process
 (i)In generalThe Secretary shall include select instances of noncompliance that the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) in the compliance program guidance document described in subsection (a)(6), as it is updated every 2 years, except that all instances shall be deidentified and such instances shall not disclose any protected health information or individually identifiable information.
 (ii)Inspector generalAny instances of noncompliance the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall be shared with Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, and the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury, in accordance with subsection (a)(6)(B)(iii)(I).
 (iii)StateAny instances of noncompliance the Secretary discovers upon reviewing the comparative analyses requested under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall be shared with a State, in accordance with subsection (a)(6)(B)(iii)(II)..


IV
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1010
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

January 20, 2010

RESOLUTION
Celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 30th anniversary of the Stevie Wonder song tribute to Dr. King, Happy Birthday, and for other purposes.

Whereas the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was properly captured in Dr. King’s most famed speech, “I Have A Dream”, on August 28, 1963, when he said, I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal;
Whereas beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott on December 1, 1955, Dr. King led protests, demonstrations, rallies, freedom rides, sit-ins, vigils, all in non-violent fashion, to combat hate, inequality, and racial injustice in the United States;
Whereas following the end of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1956, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others, including Dr. Ralph Abernathy, formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 to promote civil rights and to bring an absolute and nonviolent end to segregation;
Whereas the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and those that joined him in the civil rights movement resulted in the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968;
Whereas several U.S. Supreme Court cases decided during the era of the civil rights movement, like Browder v. Gayle (352 U.S. 903 (1956)), Boynton v. Virginia (364 U.S. 454 (1960)), and Heart of Atlanta Motel Inc. v. United States (379 U.S. 241 (1964)) were consistent with the work of Dr. King and others to eradicate segregation and discrimination and deem such practices unconstitutional;
Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Spingarn Medal in 1957 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, distinctions that were given to him at the young ages of 28 and 35, respectively, for the selflessness and dedication he exhibited in advancing civil rights;
Whereas the life and work of Dr. King, to advance justice, equality, and peace for the entire human race, ended prematurely, when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, while challenging the inequitable wages and treatment of Memphis sanitation workers;
Whereas Martin Luther King, Jr., was survived by Coretta Scott King, an activist in her own right, and 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters, who would also continue the fight for civil rights and equality;
Whereas 4 days after the assassination of Dr. King, on April 8, 1968, Representative John Conyers, Jr. introduced legislation to recognize Dr. King with a Federal holiday that coincided with the great civil rights leader’s birthday, January 15, 1929;
Whereas the campaign to secure a Federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lasted 15 years, with the 1980 Stevie Wonder song tribute to Dr. King, “Happy Birthday”, solidifying the campaign’s success;
Whereas Stevie Wonder dedicated his album sleeve for “Hotter Than July”, an album released on September 29, 1980, and upon which “Happy Birthday” is recorded, to Dr. King, with an inscription that read, “[Martin Luther King, Jr.] showed us, non-violently, a better way of life, a way of mutual respect, helping us to avoid much bitter confrontation and inevitable bloodshed”;
Whereas Mr. Wonder also wrote on his album sleeve for “Hotter Than July” the following, “We still have a long road to travel until we reach the world that was [Dr. King’s] dream. We in the United States must not forget either his supreme sacrifice or that dream”;
Whereas Stevie Wonder encouraged the establishment of a Federal holiday in recognition of Dr. King on his album sleeve for “Hotter Than July” by expressing that, “I and a growing number of people believe that it is time for our country to adopt legislation that will make January 15, Martin Luther King’s birthday, a national holiday, both in recognition of what he achieved and as a reminder of the distance which still has to be traveled”;
Whereas the song, “Happy Birthday”, became a rallying cry, which led to the collection of 6,000,000 signatures in support of a Federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which Stevie Wonder and Coretta Scott King presented to Congressional Leadership in 1982;
Whereas ultimate enactment of legislation designating the third Monday of January as a Federal holiday in observance of Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. was realized on November 3, 1983, when such legislation was signed into law;
Whereas the first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal holiday was observed on January 20, 1986, and celebrated with a concert headlined by Stevie Wonder, who has, in the years since, continued his commitment to promoting peace and equality, for which he has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee;
Whereas the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is continued today, as evidenced by the work of organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which is currently led by Dr. King’s daughter, Bernice King, and was at one time led by Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King, III;
Whereas today, the very mission of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference states, In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is renewing its commitment to bring about the promise of one nation, under God, indivisible together with the commitment to activate the strength to love within the community of humankind; and
Whereas in addition to organizations, the legacy of Dr. King continues on today with people in the United States and throughout the world, with individual acts of compassion, courage, and peace: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 30th anniversary of the Stevie Wonder song tribute to Dr. King, “Happy Birthday”;
(2)recognizes that the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continues on with commitments to freedom, equality, and justice, as exhibited by Stevie Wonder and so many others; and
(3)encourages the people of the United States to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King by renewing pledges to advance those principles and actions that are consistent with Dr. King’s belief that “all men are created equal”.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


113 HR 5468 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1103 USPS Building 1103 in Camp Pendleton, California, as the “Camp Pendleton Medal of Honor Post Office”.
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-11-18
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.

		IIB
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5468
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		November 18, 2014Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsAN ACT
		To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1103 USPS Building 1103 in
			 Camp Pendleton, California, as the Camp Pendleton Medal of Honor Post Office.

		1. Camp Pendleton Medal of Honor Post Office
			(a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1103 USPS Building 1103 in Camp
			 Pendleton, California, shall be known and designated as the Camp Pendleton Medal of Honor Post Office.
			(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to
			 the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a
			 reference to the Camp Pendleton Medal of Honor Post Office.

	Passed the House of Representatives November 17, 2014.Karen L. Haas,Clerk


V
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 736
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 28, 2009
Mr. Filner introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
For the relief of Aluisa Zace and Ledia Zace.

1.Permanent resident status for Aluisa Zace and Ledia Zace
(a)In generalNotwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Aluisa Zace and Ledia Zace shall each be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon filing an application for issuance of an immigrant visa under section 204 of such Act or for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
(b)Adjustment of statusIf Aluisa Zace or Ledia Zace enters the United States before the filing deadline specified in subsection (c), she shall be considered to have entered and remained lawfully and shall, if otherwise eligible, be eligible for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c)Deadline for application and payment of feesSubsections (a) and (b) shall apply only if the application for issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d)Reduction of immigrant visa numberUpon the granting of an immigrant visa or permanent residence to Aluisa Zace and Ledia Zace, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper officer to reduce by 2, during the current or next following fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of the aliens’ birth under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act or, if applicable, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of the aliens’ birth under section 202(e) of such Act.
(e)Denial of preferential immigration treatment for certain relativesThe natural parents, brothers, and sisters of Aluisa Zace and Ledia Zace shall not, by virtue of such relationship, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.


116 S3005 IS: Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-12-10
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 CONGRESS1st SessionS. 3005IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 10, 2019Mr. Isakson (for himself and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo require the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate standards and regulations requiring all
			 new commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with technology to limit
			 maximum operating speed, to require existing speed-limiting technologies
			 already installed in commercial motor vehicles manufactured after 1992 to
			 be used while in operation, and to require that the maximum safe operating
			 speed of commercial motor vehicles shall not exceed 65 miles per hour, or
			 70 miles per hour with certain safety technologies.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019.
		2.Federal motor vehicle safety standard and Federal motor carrier safety regulation for
			 speed-limiting technologies
 (a)FindingsCongress finds that— (1)according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, during the period beginning on January 1, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2013, 10,440 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in which the speed of a commercial motor vehicle likely contributed to severity;
 (2)a 2007 survey of truck drivers by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety determined that 64 percent of the drivers were in favor of a speed-limiting requirement;
 (3)according to a 2012 study commissioned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, trucks not using a speed-limiting technology had a speed limit-relevant crash rate almost 2 times higher than the rate of trucks using a speed-limiting technology;
 (4)speed-limiting devices have been required to be installed and used on commercial motor vehicles throughout the world, including in—
 (A)Australia, which has required the use of those devices since 1990; (B)the United Kingdom, which has required the use of those devices since 1992; and
 (C)the European Union, which has required the use of those devices since 1994; and (5)the Department of Transportation has been examining the issues involving speed-limiting technologies since at least 2006.
 (b)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Adaptive cruise control systemThe term adaptive cruise control system means a system on a commercial motor vehicle that is designed—
 (A)to maintain a set speed; and (B)when applicable, to adjust the set speed to maintain a specified distance from a lead vehicle.
 (2)Automatic emergency braking systemThe term automatic emergency braking system means a system on a commercial motor vehicle that— (A)detects potential collisions;
 (B)provides to the driver a warning of each detected potential collision; and (C)applies brakes automatically when a forward collision is imminent.
 (3)Commercial motor vehicleThe term commercial motor vehicle means a motor vehicle that—
 (A)is used in interstate commerce; and (B)has a gross vehicle weight rating or a gross vehicle weight of not less than 26,001 pounds.
 (4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. (5)Speed-limiting technologyThe term speed-limiting technology means a technology that prevents a commercial motor vehicle from exceeding a preprogrammed maximum speed.
				(c)Federal motor vehicle safety standard and motor carrier safety regulation
 (1)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (A)acting through the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, issue a final rule that—
 (i)establishes a Federal motor vehicle safety standard that requires that all commercial motor vehicles manufactured after the effective date of the standard shall be equipped with a speed-limiting technology; and
 (ii)prescribes performance standards for speed-limiting technologies, automatic emergency braking systems, and adaptive cruise control systems that reduce or mitigate collisions at speeds of not faster than 70 miles per hour; and
 (B)acting through the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, issue a final rule that establishes a Federal motor carrier safety regulation that requires that any existing speed-limiting technology already installed in a commercial motor vehicle manufactured after December 31, 1992, shall be used at any time during which the commercial motor vehicle is in operation, in accordance with paragraph (2).
 (2)RequirementsIn issuing a final rule pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A)include requirements to ensure that each speed-limiting technology—
 (i)accurately measures the speed of the applicable commercial motor vehicle; and (ii)maintains a maximum speed of not faster than 65 miles per hour, or not faster than 70 miles per hour with the use of an adaptive cruise control system and an automatic emergency braking system, to ensure the safety of commercial motor vehicle drivers and the public, regardless of whether the speed-limiting technology was installed in the commercial motor vehicle—
 (I)prior to the effective date of the standard or regulation; or (II)for purposes of achieving compliance with the standard under paragraph (1)(A); and
 (B)as necessary, amend any Federal motor vehicle safety standards or Federal motor carrier safety regulations to require that all commercial motor vehicles shall travel at a speed of not faster than—
 (i)65 miles per hour; or (ii)70 miles per hour with the use of adaptive cruise control systems and automatic emergency braking systems.
						(3)Secretarial review
 (A)In generalNot less frequently than once every 5 years, the Secretary shall conduct a review of all applicable Federal speed-governing regulations, taking into consideration—
 (i)deployed safety technologies available in commercial motor vehicles; (ii)the overall impact of the safety technologies described in clause (i) on highway safety; and
 (iii)available data relating to the use of speed-limiting technologies by commercial motor vehicles. (B)PurposeThe purpose of each review under this paragraph shall be to ensure that proven technologies and data are considered in the context of speed-governing regulations to enhance road safety.
 (C)Recommendations; publicationOn conclusion of each review under this paragraph, the Secretary shall— (i)submit to Congress recommendations for improvement of Federal speed-governing regulations, if any; and
 (ii)publish and provide an opportunity for public comment regarding the findings of the review and recommendations, if any.
						(d)Implementation
 (1)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each commercial motor vehicle that is subject to the standard established under subsection (c)(1)(A) shall ensure that a speed-limiting technology establishes and maintains for the commercial motor vehicle a maximum safe speed of not faster than—
 (A)65 miles per hour; or (B)70 miles per hour with the use of an adaptive cruise control system and an automatic emergency braking system.
 (2)Verification of compliance with requirementsThe owner of each commercial motor vehicle subject to a requirement under this section shall verify, and submit to the Secretary a certification of, compliance with the requirement at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may establish, by regulation.


115 SJ 5 IS: Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.
U.S. Senate
2017-01-17
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.

IIA115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. J. RES. 5IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 17, 2017Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Reed, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Franken, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Markey, Mr. Udall, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Booker, Mr. Warner, Ms. Warren, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Menendez) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryJOINT RESOLUTIONRemoving the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.

 That notwithstanding any time limit contained in House Joint Resolution 208, 92d Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972, the article of amendment proposed to the States in that joint resolution shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.


115 HR 1559 IH: United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-16
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1559IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 16, 2017Mr. Sensenbrenner (for himself, Mr. Young of Alaska, Ms. Pingree, and Mr. Garamendi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsA BILLTo amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish a United States Ambassador
			 at Large for Arctic Affairs, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2017. 2.United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic AffairsTitle I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

				63.United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs
 (a)EstablishmentThere is established within the Department of State an Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs (referred to in this section as the Ambassador), appointed in accordance with subsection (b).
 (b)AppointmentThe Ambassador shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
					(c)Duties
 (1)Diplomatic representationSubject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, the Ambassador is authorized to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to Arctic affairs in—
 (A)contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations, the Arctic Council, and other international organizations of which the United States is a member; and
 (B)multilateral conferences and meetings relating to Arctic affairs. (2)Chair of the Arctic CouncilThe Ambassador shall serve as the Chair of the Arctic Council when the United States holds the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
 (3)Policies and proceduresThe Ambassador shall coordinate United States Arctic policies..


116 S1725 IS: Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-06-05
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 CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1725IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 5, 2019Mr. Cardin (for himself and Mr. Young) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo permit occupational therapists to conduct the initial assessment visit and complete the
			 comprehensive assessment under a Medicare home health plan of care for
 certain rehabilitation cases.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2019.2.Permitting occupational therapists to
			 conduct the
			 initial assessment visit and complete the comprehensive assessment under a
			 Medicare home health plan of care for
			 certain rehabilitation cases(a)In
 generalNotwithstanding section 484.55(a)(2) or 484.55(b)(3) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, or any other provision of law, an occupational therapist may be designated to conduct the initial assessment visit and to complete the comprehensive assessment for an individual who is eligible for home health services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act if the referral order by the physician—(1)does not include skilled nursing care;(2)includes occupational therapy; and(3)includes physical therapy or speech language pathology.(b)Rule of
 constructionNothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to provide for initial eligibility for coverage of home health services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act solely on the basis of a need for occupational therapy.


		One Hundred Twelfth Congress of the United States of
		  America
		2d SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third
		day of January, two thousand and twelve
		S. 3202
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES
		AN ACT
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to
		  ensure that deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a dignified
		  burial, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of contents
			(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Dignified Burial and Other Veterans'
			 Benefits Improvement Act of 2012.
			(b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as
			 follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title;
				table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Scoring of budgetary effects.
					TITLE I—Cemetery matters
					Sec. 101. Furnishing caskets and urns for deceased veterans
				with no known next of kin.
					Sec. 102. Veterans
				freedom of conscience protection.
					Sec. 103. Improved
				communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and
				funeral directors.
					Sec. 104.
				Identification and burial of unclaimed or abandoned human remains.
					Sec. 105. Exclusion
				of persons convicted of committing certain sex offenses from interment or
				memorialization in national cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery, and
				certain State veterans’ cemeteries and from receiving certain funeral
				honors.
					Sec. 106. Restoration, operation, and maintenance of Clark
				Veterans Cemetery by American Battle Monuments Commission.
					Sec. 107. Report on compliance of Department of Veterans
				Affairs with industry standards for caskets and urns.
					TITLE II—Health care
					Sec. 201. Establishment of open burn pit registry.
					Sec. 202. Transportation of beneficiaries to and from
				facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs.
					Sec. 203. Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans
				covered by medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing
				facilities.
					Sec. 204. Extension of report requirement for Special Committee
				on Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder.
					TITLE III—Other matters
					Sec. 301. Off-base
				transition training for veterans and their spouses.
					Sec. 302. Requirement that judges on United States Court of
				Appeals for Veterans Claims reside within 50 miles of District of
				Columbia.
					Sec. 303. Designation
				of Trinka Davis Veterans Village.
					Sec. 304. Designation
				of William Bill Kling Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient
				Clinic.
					Sec. 305. Designation
				of Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
					Sec. 306. Designation of David F. Winder Department of Veterans
				Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

			2.Scoring of budgetary effectsThe budgetary effects of this Act, for the
			 purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall be
			 determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects
			 of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the
			 Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided
			 that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
		ICemetery matters
			101.Furnishing caskets and urns for deceased
			 veterans with no known next of kin
				(a)In generalSection 2306 of title 38, United States
			 Code, is amended—
					(1)by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as
			 subsections (g) and (h), respectively;
					(2)by inserting after subsection (e) the
			 following new subsection (f):

							(f)The Secretary may furnish a casket or urn,
				of such quality as the Secretary considers appropriate for a dignified burial,
				for burial in a national cemetery of a deceased veteran in any case in which
				the Secretary—
								(1)is unable to identify the veteran's next of
				kin, if any; and
								(2)determines that sufficient resources for
				the furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the veteran in a national
				cemetery are not otherwise available.
								;
				and
					(3)in subsection (h), as redesignated by
			 paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

							(4)A
				casket or urn may not be furnished under subsection (f) for burial of a person
				described in section 2411(b) of this
				title.
							.
					(b)Effective
			 dateSubsections (f) and
			 (h)(4) of section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
			 (a), shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or
			 after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act.
				102.Veterans freedom of conscience
			 protection
				(a)In generalSection 2404 of title 38, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

						(h)(1)With respect to the interment or funeral,
				memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery, the
				Secretary shall ensure that—
								(A)the expressed wishes of the next of kin or
				other agent of the deceased veteran are respected and given appropriate
				deference when evaluating whether the proposed interment or funeral, memorial
				service, or ceremony affects the safety and security of the national cemetery
				and visitors to the cemetery;
								(B)to the extent possible, all appropriate
				public areas of the cemetery, including committal shelters, chapels, and
				benches, may be used by the family of the deceased veteran for contemplation,
				prayer, mourning, or reflection; and
								(C)during such interment or funeral, memorial
				service, or ceremony, the family of the deceased veteran may display any
				religious or other symbols chosen by the family.
								(2)Subject to regulations prescribed by the
				Secretary under paragraph (4), including such regulations ensuring the security
				of a national cemetery, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
				provide to any military or volunteer veterans honor guard, including such
				guards belonging to a veterans service organization or other nongovernmental
				group that provides services to veterans, access to public areas of a national
				cemetery if such access is requested by the next of kin or other agent of a
				deceased veteran whose interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony is
				being held in such cemetery.
							(3)With respect to the interment or funeral,
				memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery, the
				Secretary shall notify the next of kin or other agent of the deceased veteran
				of funeral honors available to the deceased veteran, including such honors
				provided by any military or volunteer veterans honor guard described in
				paragraph (2).
							(4)The Secretary shall prescribe regulations
				to carry out this
				subsection.
							.
				(b)Interim implementationThe Secretary may carry out paragraphs (1)
			 through (3) of section 2404(h) of such title, as added by subsection (a),
			 before the Secretary prescribes regulations pursuant to paragraph (4) of such
			 section, as so added.
				(c)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
			 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of
			 section 2404(h) of such title, as added by subsection (a). Such report shall
			 include a certification of whether the Secretary is in compliance with all of
			 the provisions of such section.
				103.Improved communication between Department
			 of Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and funeral directors
				(a)In generalChapter 24 of title 38, United States Code,
			 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

						2414.Communication between Department of
				Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and funeral directors
							(a)Required informationWith respect to each deceased veteran
				described in subsection (b) who is transported to a national cemetery for
				burial, the Secretary shall ensure that the local medical examiner, funeral
				director, county service group, or other entity responsible for the body of the
				deceased veteran before such transportation submits to the Secretary the
				following information:
								(1)Whether the deceased veteran was
				cremated.
								(2)The steps taken to ensure that the deceased
				veteran has no next of kin.
								(b)Deceased veteran describedA deceased veteran described in this
				subsection is a deceased veteran—
								(1)with respect to whom the Secretary
				determines that there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body of
				the deceased veteran; and
								(2)who does not have sufficient resources for
				the furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the deceased veteran in a
				national cemetery, as determined by the
				Secretary.
								.
				(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of
			 such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2413
			 the following new item:

							2414. Communication between
				Department of Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and funeral
				directors.

						.
				(c)Effective
			 dateSection 2414 of title
			 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the
			 date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to deaths
			 occurring on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment
			 of this Act.
				104.Identification and burial of unclaimed or
			 abandoned human remains
				(a)Identification of unclaimed or abandoned
			 human remainsThe Secretary
			 of Veterans Affairs shall cooperate with veterans service organizations to
			 assist entities in possession of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in
			 determining if any such remains are the remains of veterans or other
			 individuals eligible for burial in a national cemetery under the jurisdiction
			 of the Secretary.
				(b)Burial of unclaimed or abandoned human
			 remains
					(1)Funeral expensesSection 2302(a)(2) of title 38, United
			 States Code, is amended by striking who was a veteran of any war or was
			 discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service for a
			 disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, whose body is held by a
			 State (or a political subdivision of a State), and.
					(2)Transportation costsSection 2308 of such title is
			 amended—
						(A)by striking Where a veteran
			 and all that follows through compensation, the and inserting
			 (a) In
			 general.—The;
						(B)in subsection (a), as designated by
			 subparagraph (A), by inserting described in subsection (b) after
			 of the deceased veteran; and
						(C)by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

								(b)Deceased veteran describedA deceased veteran described in this
				subsection is any of the following veterans:
									(1)A veteran who dies as the result of a
				service-connected disability.
									(2)A veteran who dies while in receipt of
				disability compensation (or who but for the receipt of retirement pay or
				pension under this title, would have been entitled to compensation).
									(3)A veteran whom the Secretary determines is
				eligible for funeral expenses under section 2302 of this title by virtue of the
				Secretary determining that the veteran has no next of kin or other person
				claiming the body of such veteran pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A) of such
				section.
									.
						(3)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by
			 this subsection shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date
			 of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to burials and
			 funerals occurring on or after the date that is one year after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.
					105.Exclusion of persons convicted of
			 committing certain sex offenses from interment or memorialization in national
			 cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery, and certain State veterans’ cemeteries
			 and from receiving certain funeral honors
				(a)Prohibition AgainstSection 2411(b) of title 38, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(4)A person—
							(A)who has been convicted of a Federal or
				State crime causing the person to be a tier III sex offender for purposes of
				the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (42 U.S.C. 16901 et
				seq.);
							(B)who, for such crime, is sentenced to a
				minimum of life imprisonment; and
							(C)whose conviction is final (other than a
				person whose sentence was commuted by the President or Governor of a State, as
				the case may
				be).
							.
				(b)Conforming amendmentsSection 2411(a)(2) of such title is
			 amended—
					(1)by striking or (b)(2) each
			 place it appears and inserting , (b)(2), or (b)(4); and
					(2)by striking capital each
			 place it appears.
					(c)Effective
			 DateThe amendments made by
			 this section shall apply with respect to interments and memorializations that
			 occur on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
				106.Restoration, operation, and maintenance of
			 Clark Veterans Cemetery by American Battle Monuments Commission
				(a)In generalAfter an agreement is made between the
			 Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the United States Government,
			 Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Republic of the Philippines shall be treated,
			 for purposes of section 2104 of title 36, United States Code, as a cemetery for
			 which it was decided under such section that the cemetery will become a
			 permanent cemetery and the American Battle Monuments Commission shall restore,
			 operate, and maintain Clark Veterans Cemetery (to the degree the Commission
			 considers appropriate) under such section in cooperation with the Government of
			 the Republic of the Philippines.
				(b)Limitation on future burialsBurials at the cemetery described in
			 subsection (a) after the date of the agreement described in such subsection
			 shall be limited to eligible veterans, as determined by the Commission, whose
			 burial does not incur any cost to the Commission.
				(c)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to the Commission—
					(1)$5,000,000 for site preparation, design,
			 planning, construction, and associated administrative costs for the restoration
			 of the cemetery described in subsection (a); and
					(2)amounts necessary to operate and maintain
			 the cemetery described in subsection (a).
					107.Report on compliance of Department of
			 Veterans Affairs with industry standards for caskets and urns
				(a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
			 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the compliance of the
			 Department of Veterans Affairs with industry standards for caskets and
			 urns.
				(b)ElementsThe report required by subsection (a) shall
			 include the following:
					(1)A description of industry standards for
			 caskets and urns.
					(2)An assessment of compliance with such
			 standards at national cemeteries administered by the Department with respect to
			 caskets and urns used for the interment of those eligible for burial at such
			 cemeteries.
					IIHealth care
			201.Establishment of open burn pit
			 registry
				(a)Establishment of registry
					(1)In generalNot later than one year after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—
						(A)establish and maintain an open burn pit
			 registry for eligible individuals who may have been exposed to toxic airborne
			 chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits;
						(B)include any information in such registry
			 that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines necessary to ascertain and
			 monitor the health effects of the exposure of members of the Armed Forces to
			 toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits;
						(C)develop a public information campaign to
			 inform eligible individuals about the open burn pit registry, including how to
			 register and the benefits of registering; and
						(D)periodically notify eligible individuals of
			 significant developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated
			 with exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn
			 pits.
						(2)CoordinationThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
			 coordinate with the Secretary of Defense in carrying out paragraph (1).
					(b)Report to Congress
					(1)Reports by independent scientific
			 organizationThe Secretary of
			 Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with an independent scientific
			 organization to prepare reports as follows:
						(A)Not later than two years after the date on
			 which the registry under subsection (a) is established, an initial report
			 containing the following:
							(i)An assessment of the effectiveness of
			 actions taken by the Secretaries to collect and maintain information on the
			 health effects of exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open
			 burn pits.
							(ii)Recommendations to improve the collection
			 and maintenance of such information.
							(iii)Using established and previously published
			 epidemiological studies, recommendations regarding the most effective and
			 prudent means of addressing the medical needs of eligible individuals with
			 respect to conditions that are likely to result from exposure to open burn
			 pits.
							(B)Not later than five years after completing
			 the initial report described in subparagraph (A), a follow-up report containing
			 the following:
							(i)An update to the initial report described
			 in subparagraph (A).
							(ii)An assessment of whether and to what degree
			 the content of the registry established under subsection (a) is current and
			 scientifically up-to-date.
							(2)Submittal to Congress
						(A)Initial
			 reportNot later than two
			 years after the date on which the registry under subsection (a) is established,
			 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress the initial report
			 prepared under paragraph (1)(A).
						(B)Follow-up reportNot later than five years after submitting
			 the report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
			 submit to Congress the follow-up report prepared under paragraph (1)(B).
						(c)DefinitionsIn this section:
					(1)Eligible individualThe term eligible individual
			 means any individual who, on or after September 11, 2001—
						(A)was deployed in support of a contingency
			 operation while serving in the Armed Forces; and
						(B)during such deployment, was based or
			 stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used.
						(2)Open burn pitThe term open burn pit means
			 an area of land located in Afghanistan or Iraq that—
						(A)is designated by the Secretary of Defense
			 to be used for disposing solid waste by burning in the outdoor air; and
						(B)does not contain a commercially
			 manufactured incinerator or other equipment specifically designed and
			 manufactured for the burning of solid waste.
						202.Transportation of beneficiaries to and from
			 facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs
				(a)In generalChapter 1 of title 38, United States Code,
			 is amended by inserting after section 111 the following new section:

						111A.Transportation of individuals to and from
				Department facilities
							(a)Transportation by Secretary(1)The Secretary may transport any person to
				or from a Department facility or other place in connection with vocational
				rehabilitation, counseling required by the Secretary pursuant to chapter 34 or
				35 of this title, or for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care.
								(2)The authority granted by paragraph (1)
				shall expire on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of
				this
				section.
								.
				(b)Conforming amendmentSubsection (h) of section 111 of such title
			 is—
					(1)transferred to section 111A of such title,
			 as added by subsection (a);
					(2)redesignated as subsection (b);
					(3)inserted after subsection (a) of such
			 section; and
					(4)amended by inserting Transportation by
			 third-parties.— before The
			 Secretary.
					(c)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of
			 chapter 1 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to
			 section 111 the following new item:

							111A. Transportation of
				individuals to and from Department
				facilities.

						.
				203.Extension of reduced pension for certain
			 veterans covered by medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing
			 facilitiesSection 5503(d)(7)
			 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking September 30,
			 2016 and inserting November 30, 2016.
			204.Extension of report requirement for Special
			 Committee on Post-Traumatic-Stress DisorderSection 110(e)(2) of the Veterans' Health
			 Care Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–528; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by
			 striking through 2012 and inserting through
			 2016.
			IIIOther matters
			301.Off-base transition training for veterans
			 and their spouses
				(a)Provision of off-base transition
			 trainingDuring the two-year
			 period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
			 Labor shall provide the Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 of
			 title 10, United States Code, to eligible individuals at locations other than
			 military installations to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing
			 such program to eligible individuals at locations other than military
			 installations.
				(b)Eligible individualsFor purposes of this section, an eligible
			 individual is a veteran or the spouse of a veteran.
				(c)Locations
					(1)Number of StatesThe Secretary shall carry out the training
			 under subsection (a) in not less than three and not more than five States
			 selected by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
					(2)Selection of States with high
			 unemploymentOf the States
			 selected by the Secretary under paragraph (1), at least two shall be States
			 with high rates of unemployment among veterans.
					(3)Number of locations in each
			 StateThe Secretary shall
			 provide training under subsection (a) to eligible individuals at a sufficient
			 number of locations within each State selected under this subsection to meet
			 the needs of eligible individuals in such State.
					(4)Selection of locationsThe Secretary shall select locations for
			 the provision of training under subsection (a) to facilitate access by
			 participants and may not select any location on a military installation other
			 than a National Guard or reserve facility that is not located on an active duty
			 military installation.
					(d)Inclusion of information about veterans
			 benefitsThe Secretary shall
			 ensure that the training provided under subsection (a) generally follows the
			 content of the Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 of title 10,
			 United States Code.
				(e)Annual reportNot later than March 1 of any year during
			 which the Secretary provides training under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
			 submit to Congress a report on the provision of such training.
				(f)Comptroller General reportNot later than 180 days after the
			 termination of the one-year period described in subsection (a), the Comptroller
			 General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the training
			 provided under such subsection. The report shall include the evaluation of the
			 Comptroller General regarding the feasibility and advisability of carrying out
			 off-base transition training at locations nationwide.
				302.Requirement that judges on United States
			 Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims reside within 50 miles of District of
			 Columbia
				(a)Residency requirement
					(1)In generalSection 7255 is amended to read as
			 follows:

							7255.Offices, duty stations, and
				residences
								(a)Principal officeThe principal office of the Court of
				Appeals for Veterans Claims shall be in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan
				area, but the Court may sit at any place within the United States.
								(b)Official duty stations(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
				official duty station of each judge while in active service shall be the
				principal office of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
									(2)The place where a recall-eligible retired
				judge maintains the actual abode in which such judge customarily lives shall be
				considered the recall-eligible retired judge's official duty station.
									(c)Residences(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), after
				appointment and while in active service, each judge of the Court of Appeals for
				Veterans Claims shall reside within 50 miles of the Washington, D.C.,
				metropolitan area.
									(2)Paragraph (1) shall not apply to
				recall-eligible retired judges of the Court of Appeals for Veterans
				Claims.
									.
					(2)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of
			 chapter 72 is amended by striking the item relating to section 7255 and
			 inserting the following new item:

								7255. Offices, duty stations,
				and
				residences.

							.
					(b)RemovalSection 7253(f)(1) is amended by striking
			 or engaging in the practice of law and inserting engaging
			 in the practice of law, or violating section 7255(c) of this
			 title.
				(c)Effective date
					(1)In generalSubsection (c) of section 7255, as added by
			 subsection (a), and the amendment made by subsection (b) shall take effect on
			 the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
					(2)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by subsection (b) shall
			 apply with respect to judges confirmed on or after January 1, 2012.
					303.Designation of Trinka Davis Veterans
			 Village
				(a)DesignationThe facility of the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs located at 180 Martin Drive in Carrollton, Georgia, shall after the
			 date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the Trinka
			 Davis Veterans Village.
				(b)ReferencesAny reference in any law, regulation, map,
			 document, record, or other paper of the United States to the facility referred
			 to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Trinka
			 Davis Veterans Village.
				304.Designation of William Bill
			 Kling Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic
				(a)DesignationThe facility of the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs located at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in Sunrise, Florida, shall
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the
			 William Bill Kling Department of Veterans Affairs
			 Outpatient Clinic.
				(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation,
			 document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred
			 to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the William
			 Bill Kling Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient
			 Clinic.
				305.Designation of Mann-Grandstaff Department
			 of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
				(a)DesignationThe Department of Veterans Affairs medical
			 center in Spokane, Washington, shall after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act be known and designated as the Mann-Grandstaff Department of
			 Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
				(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation,
			 document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Department of
			 Veterans Affairs medical center referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed
			 to be a reference to the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs
			 Medical Center.
				306.Designation of David F. Winder Department
			 of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic
				(a)DesignationThe Department of Veterans Affairs
			 community based outpatient clinic located in Mansfield, Ohio, shall after the
			 date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the David
			 F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient
			 Clinic.
				(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation,
			 document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Department of
			 Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic referred to in subsection
			 (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the David F. Winder Department
			 of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

			Speaker of the House of Representatives

			Vice President of the United States and President of the
			 Senate