Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should take action to meet its obligations, and to ensure that all other member states of the United Nations meet their obligations, to women as agreed to in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 relating to women, peace, and security, and the United States should fully assume the implementation of international law relating to human rights that protects the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) member states of the United Nations should meet their obligations to women as agreed to in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, including increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes; and (2) the United States should fully implement international law relating to human rights that protects the rights of women and [...]

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Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Education Right to Privacy Act to improve the access of the victims of crimes to information concerning the outcome of disciplinary proceedings by institutions of higher education.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

David Shick Honesty in Campus Justice Act - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to require an institution of postsecondary education to disclose to the alleged victim of any crime of violence or a nonforcible sex offense (or to a deceased victim's next of kin) the final results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by such institution against a student who is the alleged perpetrator. (Current law states that such disclosure is not prohibited.)

Latest Action: 07/30/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 121.

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women into sexual slavery, known to the world as "comfort women", during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II. 7/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the government of Japan should: (1) formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility for its Imperial Armed Force's coercion of young women into sexual slavery (comfort women) during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II; (2) have this official and public apology presented by the Prime Minister [...]

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

Bill Text
To prohibit a convicted sex offender from obtaining approval of immigration petitions filed by the offender on behalf of family members.

1/9/2007--Introduced.

Sex Offender Visa Loophole Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit a convicted U.S.-citizen sex offender from filing a family-based immigration petition.

Defines "sex offense" and "specified offense against a minor."

Prohibits approval of a fiance/fiancee or waiting nonimmigrant spouse visa petition filed by a convicted sex offender.

Latest Action: 12/17/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A resolution designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week".

12/17/2007--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.)

Designates the week of February 4, 2007, as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

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: 06/22/2007 - By Senator Leahy from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 110-88.

Bill Text
A bill to establish an Unsolved Crimes Section in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Investigative Office in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and for other purposes. 6/20/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act - Directs the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Makes the Deputy Chief responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the alleged violation occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death. (Sec. 4) Directs the Attorney General to designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the Department of Justice to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred before [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2007 - Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 237.

Bill Text
To provide for the investigation of certain unsolved civil rights crimes, and for other purposes. 6/20/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Makes the Deputy Chief responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the alleged violation occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death. (Sec. 4) Directs the Attorney General to designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the DOJ to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in a death. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local law enforcement agencies for the investigation [...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12087-12089)

Bill Text
A bill to provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes. 4/12/2007--Introduced. Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that: (1) constitutes a crime of violence under federal law or a felony under state, local, or Indian tribal laws; and (2) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim or is a violation of state, local, or tribal hate crime laws. Directs the Attorney General to give priority for such assistance: (1) with respect to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one state; and (2) to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to promote the economic security and safety of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and for other purposes. 4/17/2007--Introduced. Survivors' Empowerment and Economic Security Act - Sets forth entitlement standards and implementation guidelines for employee use of emergency leave to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (domestic or sexual violence). Permits victims of domestic or sexual violence to substitute existing leave in lieu of emergency leave. Authorizes state use of funds under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) to provide nonrecurrent short-term emergency benefits for victims of domestic or sexual violence on emergency leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit denial of unemployment compensation to individuals separated from employment due to their experience of domestic or sexual violence. Amends the Social [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6809-6817, S6820-6857)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and for other purposes. 4/15/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Policy Planning and Coordination: (Sec. 101) Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Act) to revise the provisions of the President's comprehensive five-year global strategy (and related report) to combat HIV/AIDS. Directs the Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally (Coordinator) to: (1) commission a study by the Institute of Medicine to assess progress and outcomes of U.S. global HIV/AIDS programs; and (2) publish a best practices report. Requires a report [...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and for other purposes. 7/30/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 16, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Policy Planning and Coordination - (Sec. 101) Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Act) to revise the provisions of the President's comprehensive five-year global strategy (and related report) to combat HIV/AIDS. Directs the Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally (Coordinator) to: (1) commission a study by the Institute of Medicine [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) require state and local governments to implement a process for the collection of DNA samples from all felons in their prisons for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) allow use of grant funds for DNA analyses of samples from missing or unidentified persons; and (3) increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for such Act for FY2010-FY2014. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that as a result of the DNA analysis backlog violent crimes remain unsolved and wrongfully convicted individuals have not been determined to be innocent. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Attorney General [...]

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Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and title 18, United States Code, to combat the crime of alien smuggling and related activities, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to check against all available terrorist watchlists those alien smugglers and smuggled individuals who are interdicted at U.S. land, air, and sea borders. Revises alien smuggling and related criminal offense and penalty provisions. Provides extraterritorial jurisdiction over such offenses. Limits a defense of necessity for knowingly bringing an illegal alien into the United States from the high seas. Exempts from certain of such violations (transporting or harboring in the United States) a bona fide nonprofit, religious organization in the United States (or its agents or officers) that encourages, invites, or enables an alien who is present in the United States to [...]

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Latest Action: 12/17/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A resolution designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week".

12/17/2007--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.)

Designates the week of February 4, 2007, as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14798-14799)

Bill Text
A bill to require the President and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator to establish a comprehensive and integrated HIV prevention strategy to address the vulnerabilities of women and girls in countries for which the United States provides assistance to combat HIV/AIDS, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth Act of 2007 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) pursue a global HIV prevention strategy that emphasizes the needs of married and unmarried women and girls and addresses the factors that lead to gender disparities in HIV infection rates; and (2) balance funding for HIV prevention methods. Directs the President to: (1) formulate and submit to the appropriate congressional committees, and make available to the public, a comprehensive and culturally appropriate global HIV prevention strategy that addresses the HIV vulnerability of married and unmarried women and girls and seeks to reduce [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to develop a national system of oversight of States for sexual misconduct in the elementary and secondary school system. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Student Protection Act - Requires that by FY2010 states have in effect laws and policies that require disciplining of any school, state, or local educational agency employee or volunteer who, having reason to believe another employee or volunteer has committed an act of sexual misconduct against a student, fails to report such act in the same manner the state requires the reporting of child abuse and neglect or, in the absence of such a requirement, as quickly as practicable. Requires each state to have a single, statewide commission for receiving and documenting such reports that: (1) establishes policies for investigating and reporting such allegations; and (2) has a toll-free number that can be used to report such allegations. Directs states to report to the Secretary of Education whenever an employee or volunteer [...]

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Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13632-13633, S13639-13641)

Bill Text
A bill to combat international violence against women and girls. 10/31/2007--Introduced. International Violence Against Women Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of State the Office of Women's Global Initiatives (which shall replace the Office of International Women's Issues) to coordinate U.S. government efforts respecting international women's issues. Establishes within the Department an Advisory Commission on International Violence Against Women. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls. Directs the Coordinator of the Women's Global Initiatives to ensure that foreign assistance programs incorporate measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Provides that U.S. training of foreign military and police forces incorporates training on prevention of violence against women and girls. Directs the Department [...]

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Latest Action: 03/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.

Bill Text
To prohibit discrimination in insurance coverage to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Insurance Non-Discrimination for Survivors Act - Prohibits an insurer from denying or terminating an insurance policy or health benefit plan, restricting or excluding coverage for losses or denying a claim, or adding a premium differential to any policy or health benefit plan on the basis that the insured (or any employee or any person with whom the insured is known to have a relationship or association) is the subject of, or incurs a claim related to, domestic abuse. Prohibits: (1) an insurer from denying or limiting payment to an insured who is the subject of abuse if the claim for payment is a result of the abuse; (2) an insurer or health carrier from terminating health coverage for a subject of abuse because coverage was originally issued in the name of the abuser and the abuser has divorced, separated from, or lost [...]

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Latest Action: 01/15/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To provide job protection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Job Protection for Survivors Act - Prohibits an employer from failing to hire, or to discharge, harass, or otherwise discriminate against an individual with respect to his or her employment because he or she was a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Entitles such employee to: (1) a total of 15 days of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to obtain certain victim services; and (2) leave for court proceedings resulting from an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Makes it unlawful for an employer to interfere with, or discriminate against, any employee exercising any right provided under this Act. Authorizes an employee to file an action for damages or equitable relief in federal or state court against an employer who violates the requirements of this Act.[...]

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