Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S149-150)

Bill Text
A bill to expand access to affordable health care and to strengthen the health care safety net and make health care services more available in rural and underserved areas. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Access to Affordable Health Care Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) tax credits to small businesses for qualified employee health insurance expenses; (2) tax credits for qualified health insurance; (3) deductions for long-term care premiums; and (4) tax credits for individuals with long-term care needs. Requires the Secretary of Labor to award grants to states to assist in planning, developing, and operating qualified small employer purchasing groups for health insurance. Directs the Small Business Administration to award grants to states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to provide health insurance information to small employers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to award demonstration grants for [...]

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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: 04/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

Bill Text
To amend section 12(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt residents of public housing who are determined by the Veterans Administration to be permanently and totally disabled from the requirement to perform community service.

1/11/2007--Introduced.

Disabled Veteran Housing Simplification Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to exempt from the community service requirement applicable to adult residents of a public housing project an individual who has been determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled, and who is unable to comply with such requirement, or is a primary caretaker of such individual.

Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To enhance and further research into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities, and for other purposes. 1/12/2007--Introduced. Christopher and Dana Reeve Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH): (1) acting through the Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to expand and coordinate NIH activities on paralysis research; (2) to award grants to plan, establish, improve, and provide basic operating support for Christopher Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia; (3) to educate and disseminate information and receive public comment on NIH programs and research regarding paralysis; (4) acting through the Director of the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development and the National Center for Rehabilitation Research, to expand and coordinate NIH [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Brain Cancer Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

5/21/2007--Introduced.

Calls for establishment of a National Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Applauds the actions of those who strive to combat and raise public awareness of brain tumors and brain cancer.

Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase the availability and affordability of quality child care services by creating incentives for older individuals to join the child care workforce, and for other purposes. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Seniors Offering Quality Child Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA) to: (1) increase the portion of funds states must use for activities to improve the quality of child care services; (2) include among such activities examining methods to increase recruitment, retention, and compensation of child care workers age 55 and older; and (3) exempt allowances, earnings, and payments to such older individuals under CCDBGA from consideration as income in determining eligibility for and amount of income transfer and in-kind aid under any federal or federally assisted program based on need. Amends the Social Security Act to exempt compensation for child caregiving [...]

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Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to double the child tax credit for the first year, to expand the credit dependent care services, to provide relief from the alternative minimum tax, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--Introduced. Middle Class Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the child tax credit for the first year in which a child is claimed as a qualifying child; (2) expand eligibility for the dependent care tax credit and allow such credit for expenses to care for parents (and ancestors of such parents) not residing with the taxpayer; and (3) provide for an increased alternative minimum tax exemption amount through 2008Replaces the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits with an expanded education tax credit which provides for a 100% education tax credit for qualified tuition and related expenses (including a certain allowance for books) up to $1,000, 50% for such expenses between $1,000 and $3,000, and 20% of such [...]

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Latest Action: 02/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2171-2172)

Bill Text
A bill to establish kinship navigator programs, to establish guardianship assistance payments for children, and for other purposes. 2/16/2007--Introduced. Kinship Caregiver Support Act - Authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants for kinship navigator programs to state agencies, metropolitan agencies, or tribal organizations with experience in addressing needs of kinship caregivers or children and connecting them with services and assistance.Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize all states to opt to enter agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have cared as foster parents and have committed to care for on a permanent basis. Allows states to use part E funds to [...]

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Latest Action: 02/16/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2173-2178)

Bill Text
A bill to expand programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delays, including potential mental health concerns, and for other purposes. 2/16/2007--Introduced. Education Begins at Home Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, to make: (1) grants to states for programs of early childhood home visitation; and (2) competitive grants to local educational agencies and other eligible applicants for early home visitation for families with English language learners. Directs the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, to make competitive grants to eligible applicants for early home visitation for military families. Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of HHS to establish standards for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs with respect [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2366-2367)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services. 2/28/2007--Introduced. Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services Act of 2007 - Establishes the Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services. Requires the Consortium to conduct a study of all matters relating to the potential use of new technology to assist older adults and their caregivers, including: (1) methods for identifying technology that may be adapted to meet their needs; (2) methods for fostering scientific innovation in aging services technology within the business and academic communities; (3) barriers to innovation in and the adoption of technology and strategies for removing such barriers; (4) developments in such technology in other countries; and (5) methods for ensuring that U.S. businesses have a leadership role in the global market of such technology. Requires the Consortium to develop recommendations concerning: (1) developments [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the phasedown of the credit percentage for the dependent care credit.

9/29/2008--Introduced.

Middle Class Dependent Care Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the mandatory reduction in the rate of the tax credit for household and dependent care services for taxpayers whose adjusted gross incomes exceed $15,000.

Latest Action: 09/30/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2164)

Bill Text
To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow employees to take, as additional leave, parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's and grandchildren's educational and extracurricular activities and to clarify that leave may be taken for routine family medical needs and to assist elderly relatives, and for other purposes. 9/29/2008--Introduced. Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to cover employees at worksites that employ fewer than 50 employees, but not fewer than 25 employees. Continues to exempt from FMLA coverage employees at worksites that employ fewer than 25 employees (currently 50), if the total number of employees employed by that employer within 75 miles of that worksite is fewer than 25 (currently 50).Allows an employee covered by FMLA to take up to 4 hours during any 30-day period, and up to 24 hours during any 12-month period, of parental involvement [...]

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Latest Action: 09/30/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
A bill to provide additional respite care for spouses of members of the Armed Forces who deploy overseas, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the dependent care credit to take into account expenses for care of parents and grandparents who do not live with the taxpayer.

9/24/2008--Introduced.

Elder Care Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the tax credit for dependent care expenses for parents (or ancestors of such parents) of the taxpayer who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care, regardless of whether such a parent has the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of the taxable year.

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: 07/31/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7975-7976)

Bill Text
A resolution supporting legislation promoting improved health care and access to health care for women. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Declares that the Senate commits to pass, and urges the President sign, within 18 months, legislation that guarantees health care for all people of the United States and that: (1) recognizes the role of women as health care consumers, caregivers, and providers; (2) guarantees inclusion of benefits essential to achieving and maintaining good health; (3) promotes primary and preventive care; (4) provides a choice of public and private plans and direct access to a choice of doctors and health providers that ensures continuity of coverage and a delivery system that meets the needs of women; (5) eliminates disparities on the basis of gender, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health status, or sexual orientation; (6) shares financing responsibility among employers, individuals, and the government while taking into account small business needs;[...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1697)

Bill Text
Expressing the support of the Congress regarding the need to ensure health care for women and health care for all in national health care reform. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Declares that Congress commits to pass, and urges the President sign, within 18 months, legislation that guarantees health care for all and that: (1) recognizes the role of women as health care consumers, caregivers, and providers; (2) guarantees inclusion of benefits essential to achieving and maintaining good health; (3) promotes primary and preventive care; (4) provides a choice of public and private plans and direct access to a choice of doctors and health care providers to ensure continuity of coverage and a delivery system that meets the need of women; (5) eliminates disparities on the basis of gender, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health status, or sexual orientation; (6) shares financing responsibility among employers, individuals, and the government while taking into account small [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7291-7292)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid program, and for other purposes. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Empowered at Home Act of 2008 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the income eligibility level for home and community-based (HCBS) services for elderly and disabled individuals. Gives states the option to provide HCBS services under a waiver to eligible individuals whose income does not exceed 300% of the supplemental security income (SSI) benefit rate. Gives states the option to provide HCBS waiver services to individuals for whom such services are likely to prevent, delay, or decrease the likelihood of an individual's need for institutionalized care. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award assistance grants to states electing to provide HCBS waiver services under Medicaid through [...]

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Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6671-6672; text as passed Senate: CR S6671-6672; text of measure as introduced: CR S6654)

Bill Text
A resolution designating the week beginning September 8, 2008, as "National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week".

7/14/2008--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 the week beginning September 8, 2008, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.

Recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct support professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit against tax for certain caregivers, to expand the dependent care credit, and to increase the exclusion limitation for dependent care assistance programs.

6/26/2008--Introduced.

Caregiver Financial Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow caregivers of family members with long-term care needs a refundable tax credit of $3,000 for up to two such family members each year through 2010; (2) allow in 2009 and 2010 the tax credit for dependent care expenses for parents (or ancestors of such parents) who do not reside with the taxpayer; and (3) allow in 2009 and 2010 an increased exclusion from gross income for employer-provided dependent care assistance.