Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 11/24/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
A bill to develop the next generation of parental control technology.

3/3/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007 - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a notice of inquiry to consider measures to examine: (1) the existence and availability of advanced blocking technologies that are compatible with various communications devices or platforms; and (2) methods of encouraging the development, deployment, and use of such technology by parents that do not affect the packaging or pricing of a content provider's offering.

Defines "advanced blocking technologies" as technologies that can improve or enhance the ability of a parent to protect his or her child from any indecent or objectionable video or audio programming, as determined by the parent, transmitted through wire, wireless, or radio communication.

Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to expand access to preventive health care services that help reduce unintended pregnancy, reduce abortions, and improve access to women's health care. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Prevention First Act - Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and PHSA to prohibit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage from excluding or restricting benefits in any way for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market. Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2007 - Directs [...]

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Latest Action: 05/17/2007 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United States to support and listen to children and to help children throughout the Nation achieve their hopes and dreams, and for other purposes.

5/16/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Supports the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the designation of a National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week, and for other purposes.

1/16/2007--Introduced.

Calls for the establishment of a National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.

Commends the hospitals, child care councils, schools, and other organizations that are working to increase awareness of the danger of shaking young children.

Latest Action: 02/28/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2434 text as passed Senate: CR S2434 text of measure as introduced: CR S2378)

Bill Text
A resolution designating March 2, 2007, as "Read Across America Day".

2/28/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates March 2, 2007, as Read Across America Day.

Honors Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) for his success in encouraging children to discover the joy of reading.

Honors the 10th anniversary of Read Across America Day.

Encourages parents to read with their children for at least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To reform Federal procedures relating to intercountry adoption. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2007 or the ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State to be headed by the Ambassador at Large for Intercountry Adoptions. Transfers to the Office all functions with respect to intercountry adoptions currently performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise: (1) conditions for automatic citizenship for children born outside the United States, including for adopted children; and (2) requirements concerning the history of parents' physical presence in the United States or its possessions. Defines the term "full and final adoption." Prescribes procedural requirements for the adoption of foreign-born children by U.S. citizens.Establishes a nonimmigrant W-visa for an adoptable child coming into the United States for adoption by [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act regarding residential treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women, a program to reduce substance abuse among nonviolent offenders, and for other purposes. 1/11/2007--Introduced. Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the grant program to provide residential substance abuse treatment to pregnant and postpartum women to include: (1) parenting women substance abuse treatment (including treatment for addiction to methamphetamine); and (2) outpatient treatment services. Requires that such treatment programs be accessible to pregnant and parenting women in health disparity populations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand, intensify, and coordinate efforts to provide treatment for methamphetamine addiction to pregnant and parenting women.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To make grants to carry out activities to prevent teen pregnancy in racial or ethnic minority or immigrant communities, and for other purposes. 1/12/2007--Introduced. Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for projects to prevent teen pregnancies in racial, ethnic minority, or immigrant communities with a substantial incidence or prevalence of cases of teen pregnancy as compared to the average number of such cases in communities in the state involved. Allows the Secretary to make grants to: (1) provide necessary social and cultural support services regarding teen pregnancy; (2) provide health and educational services related to the prevention of teen pregnancy; (3) promote better health and educational outcomes among pregnant teens; (4) provide training for individuals who plan to work in school-based support programs regarding the prevention of teen pregnancy; and (5) provide public [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
Recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father's Day. 6/12/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Commends the millions of fathers who serve as wonderful, caring parents for their children.Calls on fathers across the United States to use Father's Day to: (1) reconnect and rededicate themselves to their children's lives; (2) spend Father's Day with their children; and (3) express their love and support for their children.Urges men to understand the level of responsibility fathering a child requires, especially in the encouragement of children's moral, academic, and spiritual development.Encourages active involvement [...]

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Latest Action: 02/14/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5633-5634)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program to provide supportive services in permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals, and for other purposes. 2/14/2007--Introduced. Services for Ending Long-Term Homelessness Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to design national strategies for providing services in supportive housing that will assist in ending chronic homelessness and to implement programs that address chronic homelessness. Requires the Secretary to make matching grants to eligible entities to provide services that promote recovery and self-sufficiency and that address barriers to housing stability to chronically homeless individuals in, or who are scheduled to become residents of, permanent supportive housing and to other individuals and families who have [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Received in the Senate.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a drug-free workplace information clearinghouse, to support residential methamphetamine treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women, to improve the prevention and treatment of methamphetamine addiction, and for other purposes. 9/15/2008--Introduced. Meth Free Families and Communities Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to collaborate with professionals in the addiction field and primary health care providers to raise awareness about how to: (1) recognize the signs of a substance abuse disorder; and (2) apply evidence-based practices for screening and treating individuals with, or at-risk for developing, an addiction.Revises provisions governing a grant program for substance abuse residential treatment for pregnant and parenting women (currently, for postpartum women), to: (1) include treatment for addiction to [...]

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Latest Action: 10/07/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to connect and support relative caregivers, improve outcomes for children in foster care, provide for tribal foster care and adoption access, improve incentives for adoption, and for other purposes. 10/7/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 - Title I: Connecting and Supporting Relative Caregivers - (Sec. 101) Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give state plans the option of providing for the state to enter into agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have: (1) [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to strengthen communities through English literacy, civic education, and immigrant integration programs. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Strengthening Communities Through Education and Integration Act of 2008 - Amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (the Act) to allow state leadership activities grants to be used to: (1) provide technical assistance to faith and community-based organizations desiring grants under the Act; and (2) study the effectiveness of distance learning or self-study programs for English language learners. Directs the National Institute for Literacy to disseminate information regarding integrated English literacy and civics education programs. Makes such programs eligible for assistance under the Secretary of Education's national leadership activities program. Requires the Secretary to award grants to states for integrated English literacy and civics education programs, with each state's grant amount tied to the size and growth [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the commi

Bill Text
To strengthen communities through English literacy, civics, education, and immigrant integration programs. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Strengthening Communities Through Education and Integration Act of 2008 - Amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (the Act) to allow state leadership activities grants to be used to: (1) provide technical assistance to faith and community-based organizations desiring grants under the Act; and (2) study the effectiveness of distance learning or self-study programs for English language learners. Directs the National Institute for Literacy to disseminate information regarding integrated English literacy and civics education programs. Makes such programs eligible for assistance under the Secretary of Education's national leadership activities program. Requires the Secretary to award grants to states for integrated English literacy and civics education programs, with each state's grant amount tied to the size and growth of their [...]

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Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to promote the safe use of the Internet by students, and for other purposes.

7/14/2008--Introduced.

Promoting the Safe Use of the Internet by Students Act of 2008 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow local educational agencies to use state subgrants under the Enhancing Education through Technology program and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program to develop and implement programs promoting safe internet use by students.

Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To require certain standards and enforcement provisions to prevent child abuse and neglect in residential programs, and for other purposes. 6/25/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to require each location of a covered program to meet specified minimum standards if individually or together with other locations it has an effect on interstate commerce. Defines "covered program" as one operated by a public or private entity that with respect to one or more children unrelated to the program owner or operator: (1) provides a residential environment; and (2) operates with a focus on serving [...]

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Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require local educational agencies to provide to parents, on request, information regarding the professional qualifications of their child's specialized instructional support persons. 6/18/2008--Introduced. Parents’ Right to Know Improvement Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require local educational agencies (LEAs) to notify the parents of each student at the beginning of each school year that they will provide the parents, upon request, with timely information regarding the professional qualifications of their child's specialized instructional support persons. (This is in addition to the current requirement that LEAs provide parents, upon request, with information regarding the professional qualifications of their child's classroom teachers.) Defines "specialized instructional support persons" as school counselors, social workers, psychologists, or other [...]

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Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To provide States with the resources needed to rid our schools of performance-enhancing drug use.

6/17/2008--Introduced.

High School Sports Anti-Drug Act - Directs the Secretary of Education, acting through the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, to award competitive grants to states to develop and carry out statewide pilot programs that randomly test secondary school students for performance-enhancing drug use.

Requires a parent's or guardian's written consent before a student may be tested.

Directs grantees to: (1) provide recovery, counseling, and treatment programs for students who test positive for performance-enhancing drug use; and (2) spend at least 10% of grant funds on preventing such drug use.

Latest Action: 06/09/2008 - Mr. Yarmuth moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

Bill Text
Recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father's Day. 6/9/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Commends the millions of fathers who serve as wonderful, caring parents for their children.Calls on fathers across the United States to use Father's Day to: (1) reconnect and rededicate themselves to their children's lives; (2) spend Father's Day with their children; and (3) express their love and support for their children.Urges men to understand the level of responsibility fathering a child requires, especially in the encouragement of children's moral, academic, and spiritual development.Encourages active involvement [...]

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Latest Action: 06/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to establish a grant program to provide Internet crime prevention education.

6/2/2008--Introduced.

Internet Safety Education Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to award grants to certain U.S. entities that assist elementary and secondary school administrators, faculty and staff, and law enforcement officials in implementing Internet crime prevention education. Defines "Internet crime prevention education" to mean programs that help parents, educators, and law enforcement officials to educate children and communities about how to recognize and prevent potentially criminal activity on the Internet, telephone, and other electronic means.