zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Student Loan Tax Relief Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income of an individual the discharge (in whole or in part) of student loans. The student loans covered by the bill include: (1) any loan provided expressly for postsecondary educational expenses and made by specified U.S. entities, states, political subdivisions, the District of Columbia, or any institution of higher education; (2) any private education loan; and (3) loans made by specified educational and tax-exempt organizations that meet certain requirements.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Taxation
Workforce Advance Act

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to include dual or concurrent enrollment and early college high school options as part of the Act's supported career technical education (CTE) programs. (Dual and concurrent enrollment programs and early college courses allow students to earn college credit while still in high school.)

The bill allows: (1) schools to use a portion of funding received under the Act for tuition and fees for CTE college courses, and (2) school districts to use such funding to support educators pursuing the credentials they need to teach these courses in their high schools.

The Department of Education may include in its demonstration and dissemination of best practices information on CTE programs methods and techniques for providing and integrating dual or concurrent enrollment, early college high schools, pre-apprenticeship programs, and other opportunities for secondary students to earn postsecondary education credit in CTE programs.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Labor and employment
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2016

 (Sec.3) This bill amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to reauthorize through FY2021 the National Sea Grant College Program.

The bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Currently, NOAA has discretion in awarding such fellowships. Those fellowships support the placement of graduate students in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in positions with the executive and legislative branches.

(Sec.4)NOAA must establish priorities for the use of donations given for the National Sea Grant Program.

(Sec.8)An agency may appoint a recipient of a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship to a federal position within two years after such recipient successfully completes a fellowship.

(Sec.9)The bill authorizes through FY2021 grants for university research on: (1) the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species; (2) oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks; (3) the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and (4) sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies. The bill also authorizes through FY2021 grants for: (1) fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance existing core program funding; and (2) priority issues identified in the National Sea Grant Program's strategic plan.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Know Before You Owe Private Student Loan Act of 2016

This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to revise requirements for disclosures in private education loan applications. Before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an institution of higher education (IHE), lenders must obtain the IHE's certification of the student's enrollment status, the student's cost of attendance, and the difference between that cost and the student's estimated financial assistance.

Lenders must: (1) send loan statements to borrowers at least once every three months a student is enrolled at an IHE, (2) notify the relevant IHE of the loan amount and the student to whom it applies no later than the date funds are issued, and (3) submit an annual report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) containing information the CFPB requires concerning private student loans.

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by requiring IHEs, before providing lenders with certifications, to determine whether students have exhausted their options for title IV assistance and notify borrowers of: (1) the availability of federal financial aid assistance, (2) their ability to choose their own private educational lender, (3) the impact of the proposed private education loan on their eligibility for other financial assistance, and (4) their right to accept or reject a private education loan within 30 days of the lender's approval of their application and to cancel the loan within 3 business days of its consummation.

Date: 2016-09-15
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Education
Campus Fire Safety Education Act of 2016

 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education or consortiums of such institutions, in a collaborative partnership with a nonprofit organization or a public safety department (eligible entity), for: (1) initiating, expanding, or improving fire safety education programs; and (2) increasing fire safety awareness among enrolled students.

ED shall give priority to institutions that plan to use funds to initiate, expand, or improve fire safety education programs that include educational material specifically prepared for students with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. The bill sets forth provisions regarding grant periods and matching and other requirements. An eligible entity may not be awarded more than $250,000 per fiscal year under this bill.

An eligible entity shall use grant funds to initiate, expand, or improve a fire safety education program that:

 reaches all enrolled students (for an institution of higher education); ensures maximum exposure to, increases awareness of, and effectuates change in behavior regarding, fire safety by students through conducting outreach to students a minimum of twice per academic year and through measures that provide fire safety information to any student upon request; includes minimum instruction regarding fire behavior, fire injury and death, ignition scenarios, fire safety systems and equipment, the importance of means of egress, fire prevention techniques, and actions to be taken if a fire occurs to minimize the potential for death, injury, and property damage; and includes a mechanism for carrying out evaluations of program effectiveness. ED shall publish a report of best practices for initiating, expanding, or improving fire safety education programs.

Date: 2016-09-20
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Education
Access, Success, and Persistence in Reshaping Education Act of 2016 or the ASPIRE Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 by requiring the Department of Education (ED) to rank institutions of higher education based on the percentage of first-time, full-time students who receive Pell Grants and are enrolled at the institutions. The institutions in the bottom 5% must improve the enrollment of those students by specific deadlines or pay a fee-per-student penalty.

Additionally, ED must rank institutions of higher education based on the percentage of first-time, full-time students who enroll at the school and graduate within 6 years. The bill gives institutions in the bottom 5% the option of receiving funding to improve student graduation rates. Those institutions must improve those rates by specific deadlines or pay a penalty.

The bill establishes consumer warning requirements for institutions with low enrollment or graduation rates.

ED must establish: (1) grant programs for improving graduation rates, and (2) a bonus program for providing nonfinancial rewards to institutions of higher education that make college more affordable and increase college access and success for low-income or working class students and moderate-income students.

ED must collect the penalty fees and use them to fund the grant and award program.

Date: 2016-09-21
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Education
Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to revise standards governing accreditors of institutions of higher education.

 ED must establish student achievement criteria that accreditors must use when evaluating an institute of higher education, including retention rate, graduation and course completion rates, cohort default rate, repayment rate, transfer rate, student earnings after graduation, and job placement rates, professional and vocational certification and licensing examination pass rates, as applicable. Further, ED must establish criteria for evaluating: (1) the affordability of the institution, (2) actions taken against the institution by any state or the federal government, and (3) enrollment levels of students receiving Pell Grants.

ED must establish baseline thresholds for student achievement measures. Accreditors must require institutions to meet or exceed those thresholds.

Accreditors must: (1) carry out enhanced accreditation review immediately after learning of investigations or lawsuits by federal or state governments about the institution's fraud or abuse, deceptive practices, or material harm to students; and (2) take action when there are signs of institutional instability.

The bill addresses conflicts of interest between accreditors and the institutions.

The bill gives ED additional authority with respect to fining or terminating accreditors.

ED must establish standards for online accreditation disclosures by institutions of higher education.

Accreditors may designate an institution as accredited with distinction or accredited with risk.

Date: 2016-09-22
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Education
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education under the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program for encouraging: (1) undergraduate students to study abroad, (2) greater diversity of students studying abroad, and (3) greater diversity in study abroad destinations.

Date: 2016-09-22
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Education
Transparency in Student Lending Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand disclosure requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in the Direct Loan program. Specifically, it requires an IHE to disclose, prior to disbursement, the annual percentage rate applicable to a Direct Loan.

Date: 2016-09-27
Topic: Education (Higher)
Subject: Education
NSA Oversight Act - States that provisions of the federal criminal code concerning wire and electronic communications and their interception and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted until specific statutory authorization for any other such surveillance is enacted. Requires the President to report to the congressional intelligence committees on the Terrorist Surveillance Program of the National Security Agency (NSA) as well as any other program which involves electronic surveillance of U.S. persons in the United States conducted by a federal department or agency without fully complying with FISA procedures. Authorizes additional judges for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court). Extends from 72 to 168 hours the period after initiating an emergency electronic surveillance to apply for a court order authorizing such surveillance. States that a court order is not required for the acquisition of communications between persons not located within the United States for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence information, whether the communication passes through, or the surveillance device is located within, the United States. Authorizes the hiring of additional personnel within the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), NSA, and the Court.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit using a Social Security account number except for specified Social Security and tax purposes. Prohibits the Social Security Administration from divulging the Social Security account number of an individual to any federal, state, or local government agency or instrumentality, or to any other individual. Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to prohibit any federal, state, or local government agency or instrumentality from requesting an individual to disclose his Social Security account number on either a mandatory or a voluntary basis. Prohibits any two federal agencies or instrumentalities from implementing the same identifying number with respect to any individual (except as authorized by the Social Security Act). Prohibits any federal agency from: (1) establishing or mandating a uniform standard for identification of an individual that is required to be used by any other federal or state agency, or by a private person, for any purpose other than that of conducting the authorized activities of the standard-establishing or -mandating federal agency; or (2) conditioning receipt of any federal grant, contract, or other federal funding on the adoption, by a state or local government, or by a state agency, of such a uniform standard.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person in the United States, in connection with any telecommunication service or VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) service, to cause any caller identification service to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information ("spoofing") with the intent to defraud or cause harm. Prohibits construing these provisions to prevent blocking caller identification or to authorize or prohibit law enforcement or U.S. intelligence agency activities.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Traffic Stops Along the Border Statistics Study Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a nationwide study of stops for traffic violations by law enforcement officers; (2) perform an initial analysis of existing data, including complaints alleging and information concerning traffic stops motivated by race and other bias; and (3) gather specified data from a nationwide sample of jurisdictions, including the traffic infraction alleged to have been committed that led to the stop, identifying characteristics of the driver stopped, whether immigration status was questioned, and whether any warning or citation was issued as a result of the stop. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to law enforcement agencies to collect and submit data collected under this Act to the appropriate agency as designated by the Attorney General. Prohibits information released from revealing the identity of any individual who is stopped or any officer involved.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Soldiers Targeted by Offensive Profiteering Act of 2007 (STOP Act) - Prohibits any person, except with permission, from using the name or image of a protected individual in connection with any merchandise, retail product, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner calculated to connect the protected individual with that individual's service in the Armed Forces. Defines as a "protected individual" any person who: (1) is a member of the Armed Forces; or (2) was a member at any time after April 5, 1917, and, if not living, has a surviving spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring actions to enjoin violations of this Act.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Faster FOIA Act of 2007 - Establishes a 16-member Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays to conduct a study concerning methods to reduce delays in processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted to federal agencies.

Date: 2007-01-17
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act - Makes it unlawful to attempt to obtain, or cause to be disclosed to any person, customer proprietary network information (CPNI) relating to any other person by: (1) making a false or fraudulent statement to an officer, employee, or agent of a telecommunications carrier; or (2) providing any document or other information to such officer, employee, or agent that the presenter knows or should have known to be forged, lost, stolen, or otherwise fraudulently obtained, or to contain a false or fraudulent statement or representation. Prohibits also: (1) the solicitation of another person to fraudulently obtain such information; and (2) the sale or other disclosure of CPNI obtained under false pretenses. Provides for enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to expand responsibilities of telecommunications carriers with respect to the confidentiality of subscriber (customer) calling records, both cellular and land-line based. Allows a carrier to use individual calling records only for purposes such as increasing business or publishing directories, and prohibits a carrier from otherwise disclosing CPNI without express prior authorization by the subscriber. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations adopting more stringent security standards for CPNI (including detailed customer telephone records) to detect and prevent confidentiality violations. Provides penalties for such violations.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Commerce
Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act or Spy Act - (Sec. 2) Makes it unlawful for any person who is not the owner or authorized user (user) of a protected computer (a computer exclusively for the use of a financial institution or the U.S. government, or a computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication) to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with specified conduct, including: (1) taking unsolicited control of the computer; (2) modifying computer settings; (3) collecting personally identifiable information; (4) inducing the owner or authorized user to disclose personally identifiable information; (5) inducing the unsolicited installation of computer software; and (6) removing or disabling a security, anti-spyware, or anti-virus technology. (Sec. 3) Makes it unlawful for a person to: (1) transmit to a protected computer any information collection program (a program that collects personally identifiable information and uses the information to send advertising), unless such program provides notice required by this Act before downloading or installing any of the information collection program; or (2) execute any collection information program installed on a protected computer unless, before execution, the user has consented to such execution under notice requirements of this Act. Provides an exception with respect to Internet activity within a particular website when the information collected is sent only to the provider of the website accessed or Internet-based search function. (Sec. 5) Sets forth various exceptions and limitations. (Sec. 7) Requires reports.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit transporting a minor child across a state line to obtain an abortion (deems such transporting to be a de facto abridgment of the right of a parent under any law in the minors state of residence that requires parental involvement in the minors abortion decision). Makes an exception for an abortion necessary to safe the life of the minor. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution or civil action under this Act that a defendant: (1) reasonably believed that before the minor obtained the abortion, the required parental consent or notification or judicial authorization took place; or (2) was presented with documentation showing that a court waived parental notification requirements or authorized the minor's abortion.Defines "abortion" as the termination of a pregnancy with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth, preserve the life or health of the child after live birth, remove a dead unborn child who died as the result of a spontaneous abortion, accidental trauma, or a criminal assault on the pregnant female or her unborn child. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to one year on a physician who performs or induces an abortion on an out-of-state minor in violation of parental notification requirements. Requires such physician to give 24-hour actual or constructive notice to a parent of the minor seeking an abortion, subject to certain exceptions.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Sanctity of Life Act of 2007 - Declares that: (1) human life shall be deemed to exist from conception, without regard to race, sex, age, health, defect, or condition of dependency; and (2) the term "person" shall include all such human life. Recognizes that each state has authority to protect the lives of unborn children residing in the jurisdiction of that state . Amends the federal judicial code to remove Supreme Court and district court jurisdiction to review cases arising out of any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, or practice, or any act interpreting such a measure, on the grounds that such measure: (1) protects the rights of human persons between conception and birth; or (2) prohibits, limits, or regulates the performance of abortions or the provision of public funds, facilities, personnel, or other assistance for abortions. Makes this Act applicable to any case pending on the date of enactment.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act of 2007 or the OPEN Government Act of 2007 - Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to prohibit a federal agency from denying a requester status as a news media representative for purposes of determining FOIA request processing fees solely on the absence of institutional association. Requires an agency to consider the requester's prior publication history or stated intent to distribute information to a reasonably broad audience. Provides that, for purposes of recovery of attorney fees and other litigation costs under FOIA, a complainant has substantially prevailed if the complainant has obtained relief through either: (1) a judicial order, an administrative action, or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree; or (2) a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party in a case in which the complainant's claim or defense was not frivolous. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Special Counsel of and report to Congress on civil actions taken for arbitrary and capricious rejections of requests for agency records. Prohibits the tolling of the time limit within which agencies determine whether to comply with a request for records without the consent of the party filing the request. Requires agencies to establish systems to track requests. Adds requirements for reports by agencies to the Attorney General on such requests. Establishes the Office of Government Information Services in the National Archives to: (1) provide, as a non-exclusive alternative to litigation, guidance to FOIA requesters; (2) review policies and procedures by administrative agencies under FOIA; and (3) recommend to Congress and the President policy changes to improve FOIA's administration. Requires the: (1) Comptroller General to annually report on implementation of provisions for the protection of voluntarily shared critical infrastructure information; and (2) Office of Personnel Management to report on personnel policies related to FOIA.

Date: 2007-03-05
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to authorize the disclosure to government agencies of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) records on assistance provided to individuals in connection with a major disaster or emergency for purposes of complying with a federal or state sex offender registry or notification law. Conditions receipt of federal funds by non-governmental organizations under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act on the organization providing assurances satisfactory to the President that it will disclose its records for the purpose of permitting a requesting jurisdiction to comply with a federal or state sex offender registry or notification law.

Date: 2007-03-22
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Freedom of Information Improvement Act - Amends the Freedom of Information Act concerning requests involving access to records relating to federal contracts. Provides that information submitted to the federal government to obtain, amend, or clarify a contract shall not be considered to be trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, unless the information is proprietary information. Requires an agency to release requested information (unless shown to be exempt): (1) relating to whether a contractor performed the work required; (2) indicating the use of substandard materials or work practices; (3) relating to information that is discovered as part of a government investigation of a contract or that is revealed because of the existence of credible evidence raising doubts concerning the contractor's performance because of investigations for past poor performance or because the contractor has been the subject of credible and consistent press reports pertaining to performance of government contracts; or (4) if disclosure of the information will contribute to public understanding and knowledge.Requires any information released pursuant to this Act to relate solely to the federal contract involved and not to unrelated aspects of the company concerned.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Financial Privacy Notice Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to exempt from its annual privacy policy notice requirement any financial institution which: (1) provides nonpublic personal information only in accordance with specified requirements; (2) does not share information with affiliates under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; and (3) has not changed its policies and practices with regard to disclosing nonpublic personal information from those disclosed in the most recent disclosure sent to consumers.

Date: 2007-04-19
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act - Requires emergency contraception to be included on the basic core formulary of the uniform formulary of pharmaceutical agents for the pharmacy benefits program of the Department of Defense. States that prior authorization shall not be required for such contraception.

Date: 2007-04-26
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Federal Agency Data Breach Protection Act - Amends federal law governing public printing and documents to instruct the Director of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish policies, procedures, and standards for agencies to follow in the event of a breach of data security involving disclosure of sensitive personal information for which harm to an individual could reasonably be expected to result. Requires such policies and procedures to include: (1) timely notification to individuals whose sensitive personal information could be compromised as a result of a breach; (2) guidance on determining how to provide timely notice; and (3) guidance regarding whether additional special actions are necessary and appropriate, including data breach analysis, fraud resolution services, identity theft insurance, and credit protection or monitoring services. Authorizes each agency Chief Information Officer to: (1) enforce data breach policies; and (2) develop an inventory of all personal computers, laptops, or any other hardware containing sensitive personal information. Requires federal agency information security programs to include data breach notification procedures to alert individuals whose sensitive personal information is compromised. Makes it the duty of each agency Chief Human Capital Officer to prescribe policies and procedures for employee exit interviews, including a full accounting of all federal personal property assigned to the employee during the course of employment.

Date: 2007-05-03
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Mental Health Security for America's Families in Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to allow an educational agency or institution of higher education to disclose to a parent or legal guardian of a student who is a dependent (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) information related to any conduct of, or expression by, the student that demonstrates that the student poses a significant risk of harm to himself or herself or to others, including a significant risk of suicide, homicide, or assault.Requires, for the disclosure of any such information not otherwise authorized to be disclosed: (1) consultation with an approved mental health professional; and (2) a written certification from such professional that the student poses a significant risk of harm to himself or herself or to others, including a significant risk of suicide, homicide, or assault and that possession of such information by the parent or legal guardian my protect the student's, or others', health or safety.Permits disclosure under this Act as long as the student is a dependent, regardless of whether the student has attained 18 years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education. Provides protections of educational agencies and institutions from liability for disclosure.

Date: 2007-05-08
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Education
Social Security Number Non-Proliferation Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the sale, purchase, and display to the general public of an individual's Social Security account number without the individual's voluntary and written consent, with certain law enforcement, national security, public health, and other exceptions. Makes it unlawful, also, to obtain or use any individual's Social Security number for the purpose of: (1) locating or identifying the individual with the intent to physically injure or harm him or her; or (2) using the individual's identity for any illegal purpose. Makes it unlawful for any person to communicate to any agency or instrumentality of the United States or of any state or local government the Social Security account number of an individual, other than his or her own, without the individual's written permission, unless the number was requested by the agency or instrumentality.Prohibits displays of Social Security account numbers on cards or tags required for access to goods, services, or benefits, and displays on employee identification cards or tags.Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.

Date: 2007-05-23
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Social welfare
Congressional Research Accessibility Act - Requires the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to make available through a centralized electronic database, for purposes of access by the public through the websites maintained by Members and committees of the House of Representatives, the following information: (1) CRS issue briefs; (2) CRS reports that are available to Members of Congress through the CRS website; and (3) CRS authorization of appropriations products and appropriations products. Excludes any information that is either confidential or the product of an individual, office, or committee research request. Requires the information to be made accessible between 30 and 40 days after the first day it is available to Members of Congress through the CRS website. Allows the Director to make such information available without the prior approval of specified congressional committees.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Congress
Sanctity of Life Act of 2007 - Declares that: (1) human life shall be deemed to exist from conception, without regard to race, sex, age, health, defect, or condition of dependency; and (2) the term "person" shall include all such human life. Recognizes that each state has authority to protect the lives of unborn children residing in the jurisdiction of that state . Amends the federal judicial code to remove Supreme Court and district court jurisdiction to review cases arising out of any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, or practice, or any act interpreting such a measure, on the grounds that such measure: (1) protects the rights of human persons between conception and birth; or (2) prohibits, limits, or regulates the performance of abortions or the provision of public funds, facilities, personnel, or other assistance for abortions. Makes federal court decisions not binding precedent on the courts of any state or their subdivisions, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States or their subdivisions. Makes this Act applicable to any case pending on the date of enactment.

Date: 2007-06-06
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act to replace provisions relating to fees regarding the "do-not-call" registry of the Telemarketing Sales Rule with provisions requiring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to collect an annual fee to implement and enforce the registry or any other regulation issued by the FTC under specified provisions of the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act. Sets the fee amount per area code accessed, subject to a maximum amount, and indexes the amount to inflation. Prohibits any arrangement to divide the fee among various clients of a telemarketer or service provider. (Sec. 3) Replaces current reporting requirements with provisions requiring the FTC to report biennially to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. Requires an additional, one-time FTC report to those committees on the effectiveness of do-not-call outreach and enforcement efforts to senior citizens and immigrant communities, the impact of the exceptions to the do-not-call registry on businesses and consumers, and the impact on do-not-call enforcement of abandoned calls made by predictive dialing devices.

Date: 2007-06-06
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Commerce
United Nations Population Fund Women's Health and Dignity Act - Authorizes the President to make a voluntary contribution on a grant basis to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to: (1) provide and distribute equipment, medicine, supplies, and expertise to ensure safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care; (2) make contraceptives available for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS; (3) reduce abortion and related maternal mortality; (4) reduce and eliminate coercive family planning practices; (5) reduce and eliminate sex selection; (6) prevent and treat cases of obstetric fistula; (7) promote abandonment of harmful traditional practices, including female genital cutting and child marriage; (8) reestablish maternal health services in areas where medical infrastructure has been destroyed by natural disasters; and (9) promote the access of unaccompanied women and other vulnerable people to vital services, including access to water, sanitation facilities, food, and health care, in emergency situations.

Date: 2007-06-07
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: International affairs
Sunshine in Monetary Policy Act - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to continue to compile and to publish on a weekly basis the measure of the M3 monetary aggregate and the components of the M3 that are not included in the measure of the M2 monetary aggregate. Defines "M3 monetary aggregate" as the inclusive measure of money compiled by: (1) currency in circulation (plus traveler's checks), demand deposits, Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) accounts, and similar interest-earning checking account balances; (2) household holdings of savings deposits, small time deposits, and retail money market mutual fund balances (exclusive of balances held in IRA and Keogh accounts); and (3) institutional money market mutual fund balances and managed liabilities of depositories consisting of large time deposits, repurchase agreements, and Eurodollars.

Date: 2007-06-15
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Social Security Account Number Protection Act - Prohibits any financial or related institution covered by this Act (covered entity), unless for a specific use for which no other identifier reasonably can be employed, from soliciting a Social Security number from an individual except: (1) for use in an identification, verification, accuracy, or identity proofing process; (2) for any purpose permitted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act or the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; or (3) to comply with the requirements of federal, state, or local law. Specifies further exceptions to this prohibition. Prohibits a covered entity from displaying an individual's Social Security account number (or any derivative) on any card or tag commonly provided to employees (or to their family members), faculty, staff, or students for purposes of identification. Prohibits a state from displaying an individual's Social Security account number on his or her driver's license. Prohibits prisoner access to Social Security numbers. Prohibits the sale, provision, or display of Social Security numbers to the general public, or its acquisition or use to identify or locate a person with intent to injure or harm that person, or to use the person's identity for an illegal purpose. Specifies exceptions to this prohibition. Allows the sale, provision, or display of an individual's Social Security account number to the general public to the extent consistent with the individual's voluntary and affirmative written consent, but only if: (1) the terms of the consent and the right to refuse are presented to the individual in a clear, conspicuous, and understandable manner; (2) the individual is placed under no obligation to provide such consent; and (3) the terms and conditions of the consent authorize the individual to limit the sale, provision, or display to purposes directly associated with the transaction with respect to which the consent is sought. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and certain other federal regulatory agencies to enforce this Act.

Date: 2007-08-01
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Social welfare
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure that includes a statement that there is substantial evidence that the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child. Creates an exception to save the life of the mother. Establishes civil penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act. Authorizes: (1) the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action under this Act; and (2) private rights of action for violations of this Act.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Health
Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the "Do-Not-Call" Implementation Act to prohibit removing numbers from the do-not-call registry unless: (1) the number is invalid, disconnected, or reassigned; or (2) the individual to whom the number is assigned so requests. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to periodically check numbers on the registry and remove invalid, disconnected, or reassigned numbers.Requires the FTC to report to Congress on the FTC's efforts, after enactment of this Act, to improve the accuracy of the registry.

Date: 2007-09-17
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Commerce
State Video Tax Fairness Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state from imposing a direct or indirect tax that results in different charges being imposed on substantially equivalent multichannel video programming services based on the means by which those services are delivered, including Internet protocol (or any successor protocol), direct broadcast satellite delivery, and cable television services.

Date: 2007-09-27
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Consumer Cellphone Number Distribution Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to six months for knowingly disclosing a wireless subscriber's unlisted cell phone number to another, for gain, without the express permission of such subscriber.

Date: 2007-10-09
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Homeland Security Open Source Information Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Assistant Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Open Source and the Director of National Intelligence, to establish an open source collection, analysis, and dissemination program within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Defines "open source information" to mean publicly available information that can be lawfully obtained by a member of the public by request, purchase, or observation. Requires the program to make full and efficient use of open source information to develop and disseminate open source alerts, warnings, and other intelligence products relating to the mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that DHS makes full and efficient use of such information in intelligence analysis to identify terrorist threats; and (2) make DHS open source information available to federal, state, local, tribal, and private-sector entities, using systems and networks for the dissemination of homeland security information. Directs: (1) the Secretary to ensure that the manner in which open source information is gathered and disseminated complies with all relevant federal laws; and (2) the Chief Privacy Officer of DHS to include in such Officer's annual report submitted to Congress an assessment of compliance by federal departments and agencies with laws relating to the use of open source information.

Date: 2007-10-10
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Emergency management
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Service from providing any federal family planning assistance to an entity unless the entity certifies that, during the period of such assistance, the entity will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion. Excludes an abortion where: (1) the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or an act of incest against a minor; or (2) a physician certifies that the woman suffered from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy. Excludes hospitals from such requirement so long as the hospital does not provide funds to any non-hospital entity that performs an abortion.Requires the Secretary to annually provide Congress: (1) information on grantees who performed abortions under the exceptions; and (2) a list of entities to which grant funds are made available.

Date: 2007-11-09
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Health
Sanctity of Human Life Act - Declares that: (1) the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human and is the person's paramount and most fundamental right; (2) each human life begins with fertilization, cloning, or its functional equivalent, at which time every human has all legal and constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood; and (3) Congress, each state, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories have the authority to protect all human lives.

Date: 2007-11-13
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Privacy and Cybercrime Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends federal criminal code provisions relating to computer fraud and unauthorized access to computers to: (1) include computer fraud within the definition of racketeering activity; (2) provide criminal penalties for intentional failures to provide required notices of a security breach involving sensitive personally identifiable information; (3) expand penalties for conspiracies to commit computer fraud and extortion attempts involving threats to access computers without authorization; (4) provide for forfeiture of property used to commit computer fraud; and (5) require restitution for victims of identity theft and computer fraud.Authorizes additional appropriations for investigating and prosecuting criminal activity involving computers. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines and policies related to identity theft and computer fraud offenses.Authorizes the Attorney General and state attorneys general to bring civil actions and obtain injunctive relief for violations of federal laws relating to data security. Requires federal agencies as part of their rulemaking process to prepare and make available to the public privacy impact assessments that describe the impact of proposed agency rules on the privacy of individuals.Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to states for programs to increase enforcement efforts involving fraudulent, unauthorized, or other criminal use of personally identifiable information. Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to improve the identification, investigation, and prosecution of criminal or terrorist conspiracies or activities that span jurisdictional boundaries, including terrorism, economic crime, and high-tech crime.

Date: 2007-11-14
Topic: Civil Rights (Right to Privacy)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement