Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H10796)

Bill Text
To reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections in correctional facilities, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Justice for the Unprotected Against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed Act of 2007 or the JUSTICE Act of 2007 - Requires the Attorney General to direct the Bureau of Prisons to allow community organizations to distribute sexual barrier protection devices (e.g., condoms) and to engage in sexually transmitted infection (STI) counseling and prevention education in federal correctional facilities. Prohibits a federal correctional facility from taking adverse action against a prisoner who possesses or uses a sexual barrier protection device.Expresses the sense of Congress that states should allow for the legal distribution of sexual barrier protection devices in their correctional facilities. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a survey of all educational, testing, and other programs in federal and state [...]

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Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (Living Kidney Organ Donation Clarification Act of 2007)

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. 2/5/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; (2) full and equitable funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006; (3) appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; (4) the strengthening of stable African-American communities; (5) reducing the impact of incarceration as a driver of new HIV infections within the African-American community; (6) effective and comprehensive HIV prevention education programs to promote the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to treatment as early as possible; (7) reducing the number of HIV infections in the African-American community resulting from injection drug use; and (8) efforts to link those infected with HIV to accessible care and treatment options.[...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Bill Text
To provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 8/3/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission).Title I: Homeland Security Grants - (Sec. 101) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to establish Homeland Security Grant Programs (consisting of an Urban Area Security Initiative and a State Homeland Security Grant Program). Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to award Program grants through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Provides that none of the provisions regarding grants to states and high-risk urban areas shall be construed to affect programs authorized under the Federal Fire Prevention [...]

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Latest Action: 07/09/2007 - Senate incorporated this measure in H.R.1 as an amendment.

Bill Text
A bill to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security, and for other purposes. 3/13/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Improving America's Security Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission). Title I: Improving Intelligence and Information Sharing within the Federal Government and with State, Local, and Tribal Governments - Subtitle A: Homeland Security Information Sharing Enhancement - (Sec. 111) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to administer the Homeland Security Advisory System to provide warnings regarding the risk of terrorist attacks on the homeland to federal, state, local, and tribal government authorities [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S93)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Indian Tribes Methamphetamine Reduction Grants Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include territories and Indian tribes as eligible grant recipients (or reaffirm such eligibility) under the programs to: (1) address the manufacture, sale, and use of methamphetamine; (2) aid children in homes in which methamphetamine or other drugs are unlawfully manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or used; and (3) address methamphetamine use by pregnant and parenting women offenders.

Latest Action: 01/11/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S452)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine.

1/11/2007--Introduced.

Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include territories and Indian tribes as eligible grant recipients (or reaffirm that eligibility) under the programs to: (1) address the manufacture, sale, and use of methamphetamine; (2) aid children in homes in which methamphetamine or other drugs are unlawfully manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or used; and (3) address methamphetamine use by pregnant and parenting women offenders.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S754-755)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize secure borders and comprehensive immigration reform, and for other purposes. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Provides for increases in the numbers of federal immigration enforcement-related positions and technological assets for use along the borders, including Department of Defense (DOD) equipment. Provides for: (1) recruitment of former military personnel; (2) border control facilities construction; (3) land border port of entry construction and improvements; (4) border patrol checkpoints; and (5) fencing, barrier, and road construction and improvements in the Yuma and Tucson sectors. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to develop: (1) a comprehensive land and maritime border surveillance plan; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) a plan to combat human smuggling; (4) a southern border study; and (5) a schedule for equippng all land border ports of entry with the [...]

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Latest Action: 04/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5174-5175)

Bill Text
A bill to abolish the death penalty under Federal law.

1/31/2007--Introduced.

Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007 - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of homicide-related offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes relating to aircraft hijacking, espionage and treason, and offenses punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Prohibits the sentencing to death or execution of any person for any violation of federal law after the enactment of this Act. Commutes death penalties imposed prior to the enactment of this Act to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Latest Action: 03/26/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 85.

Bill Text
To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine.

3/22/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 21, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include territories and Indian tribes as eligible grant recipients (or reaffirm that eligibility) under the programs to: (1) address the manufacture, sale, and use of methamphetamine; (2) aid children in homes in which methamphetamine or other drugs are unlawfully manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or used; and (3) address methamphetamine use by pregnant and parenting women offenders.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

Bill Text
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe rules regulating inmate telephone service rates. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Family Telephone Connection Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider the following types of regulation of inmate telephone service: (1) prescribing a maximum uniform per-minute rate (paid to telephone service providers); (2) prescribing a maximum uniform service connection or other per-call rate; (3) prescribing variable maximum rates depending on factors such as carrier costs or the size of the correctional facility; (4) requiring providers of inmate telephone service to offer both collect calling and debit account services; (5) prohibiting the payment of commissions by such providers to administrators of correctional facilities; and (6) requiring such administrators to allow more than one service provider at a facility [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 615.

Bill Text
A bill to identify and remove criminal aliens incarcerated in correctional facilities in the United States and for other purposes. 3/10/2008--Introduced. Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2008 - Directs the the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a Criminal Alien Program to: (1) identify incarcerated criminal aliens (as defined by this Act); (2) ensure that such aliens are not released into the community; and (3) remove such aliens from the United States upon release. Makes a state that does not cooperate with the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out the Program ineligible for Department of Justice law enforcement grant programs (including the criminal alien incarceration program under the Immigration and Nationality Act). Authorizes appropriate state officials to: (1) hold an illegal alien for up to 14 days after completion of the term of incarceration in order to effectuate transfer to federal custody if the alien is removable or not lawfully present [...]

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Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee

Bill Text
To require the safe, complete, and fully-funded redeployment of United States Armed Forces and contractor security forces from Iraq and to prohibit the establishment of any enduring or permanent United States military bases in Iraq, and for other purposes. 2/27/2008--Introduced. Fully-Funded United States Military Redeployment and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act of 2008 - States that it is the policy of the United States to: (1) commence the safe and orderly redeployment of U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq; (2) pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy; (3) help preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq and establish a democratic central government there; (4) account for missing U.S. personnel and citizens in Iraq; and (5) turn over all internal security activities and military operations in Iraq to its elected government within one year after the enactment of this Act. Repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14850-14851)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax benefits to individuals who have been wrongfully incarcerated. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Wrongful Convictions Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow wrongfully incarcerated individuals: (1) an exclusion from gross income for compensation received relating to their incarceration and for the first $50,000 of annual income received by such an individual after release from incarceration; and (2) a refundable tax credit for 50% of payroll taxes on employment and self-employment income, up to $50,000 of such income. Limits the duration of such tax benefits to the lesser of 15 years or the number of years such an individual was incarcerated.Defines "wrongfully incarcerated individual" as an individual who was convicted of a criminal offense and was then pardoned or found not guilty of such offense because of innocence after serving all or a portion of a prison term. Disqualifies [...]

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Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To modify certain provisions of law relating to torture.

11/8/2007--Introduced.

American Anti-Torture Act of 2007 - Amends the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 to prohibit any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) from being subject to any treatment or technique of interrogation not authorized by and listed in the U.S. Army Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogation.

Makes such prohibition inapplicable with respect to any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) pursuant to a U.S. criminal or immigration law.

Latest Action: 04/22/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To provide for the redress of prison abuses, and for other purposes. 11/7/2007--Introduced. Prison Abuse Remedies Act of 2007 - Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to: (1) eliminate the requirement of a prior showing of physical injury before a prisoner may bring a claim for mental or emotional injury suffered while in custody; and (2) provide for a 90-day stay of nonfrivolous claims relating to prison conditions to allow prison officials to consider such claims through the administrative process; (3) exclude from the application of such Act prisoners under the age of 18; and (4) eliminate certain restrictions on awarding attorney fees in civil actions brought by prisoners. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) exempt prisoners under the age of 18 from the restrictions imposed by the Prison Litigation Reform Act; and (2) expand the discretionary authority of judges in awarding relief in actions involving prison conditions.Amends the federal [...]

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Latest Action: 04/01/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide grants for the improved mental health treatment and services provided to offenders with mental illnesses, and for other purposes. 4/1/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase the authorization of appropriations for the grant program for adult and juvenile collaboration for access to adequate mental health treatment and to extend such funding through FY2014. Directs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applications that promote effective strategies to identify and treat mentally-ill offenders and that meet other criteria.(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations [...]

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Latest Action: 01/24/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide grants for the improved mental health treatment and services provided to offenders with mental illnesses, and for other purposes. 1/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase the authorization of appropriations for the grant program for adult and juvenile collaboration for access to adequate mental health treatment and to extend such funding through FY2014. Directs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applications that promote effective strategies to identify and treat mentally-ill offenders and meet other criteria.(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes and tribal organizations for training programs [...]

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Latest Action: 01/24/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To encourage States to report to the Attorney General certain information regarding the deaths of individuals in the custody of law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes. 1/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2008 - Requires states that receive criminal justice assistance grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to report to the Attorney General on a quarterly basis information on the death of any person who is detained, under arrest, or incarcerated in a municipal or county jail, state prison, state-run boot camp, contract facility, or other state or local correctional facility (including any juvenile facility). Requires such information to include: (1) the name, gender, race, ethnicity, and age of the deceased; (2) the date, time, and location of death; (3) the law enforcement agency that detained or arrested the deceased; and (4) a description of the circumstances [...]

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Latest Action: 10/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13451-13452)

Bill Text
A bill to fight crime. 10/25/2007--Introduced. Crime Control and Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, and other federal laws to establish and reauthorize programs to prevent and control crime. Reauthorizes and expands the program for community-oriented policing services (COPS program). Authorizes the hiring of an additional 1,000 agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in FY2008-FY2012. Authorizes the hiring of additional Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents.Establishes a National Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice to study the role of law enforcement after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for: (1) early Head [...]

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Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, education, research, and medical management program that will lead to a marked reduction in liver cirrhosis and a reduction in the cases of, and improved survival of, liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis B infection. 10/23/2007--Introduced. National Hepatitis B Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for hepatitis B prevention, control, and medical management. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) support the integration of testing, counseling, immunization, and medical referral activities into existing clinical and public health programs at state, local, and tribal levels; and (2) provide hepatitis B coordinators to health departments in order to ensure the [...]

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