Top Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Aliens, Ammunition, Armed forces, Arrest, Auditing, Automation, Budgets, Civil liberties, Computer networks, Confidential communications, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Court records, Criminal justice, Criminal justice information, Criminal statistics, Defense policy, Department of Justice, Drug abuse, Drug addiction, Due process of law, Electronic data interchange, Electronic government information, Executive departments, Expatriation, Families, Family violence, Federal aid to Indians, Federal aid to law enforcement, Federal-state relations, Firearms, Firearms control, Fugitives from justice, Government information, Government paperwork, Identification of criminals, Illegal aliens, Immigration, Intergovernmental fiscal relations, Juries, Law, Medical care, Medical records, Medicine, Mental illness, Military discharges, Minorities, Pardons, Right of privacy, State and local government, State courts, Technology, Telecommunication, User charges
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Bill TextTo improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and for other purposes. 1/5/2007--Introduced. NICS Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require: (1) the head of each federal agency that has records relating to persons for whom receipt of a firearm would violate federal or state law to provide that information to the Attorney General for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); (2) the agency, upon being made aware that the basis under which a record was made available no longer applies, to correct the record and notify the Attorney General; and (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security to make available to the Attorney General records relevant to a determination that a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm and information about a change in such person's status for removal from NICS, where appropriate.Directs the Attorney General to make grants to: (1) states [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative remedies, Civil liberties, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Disciplining of employees, Dismissal of employees, Due process of law, Election candidates, Elections, Employee rights, Evidence (Law), Federal preemption, Fines (Penalties), Government employee unions, Government employees, Government employees' political activities, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Grievance procedures, Injunctions, Judicial opinions, Labor, Law, Law enforcement officers, Leave of absence, Local employees, Local government, Local laws, Personnel records, Police, Police brutality, Police corruption, Police questioning, Police-community relations, Politics and government, Polygraphs, Right of privacy, Self-incrimination, Sound recording and reproducing, State and local government, State employees, State laws, State police, State politics and government, Subpoena, Witnesses
Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1421-1422) Bill TextA bill to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide standards and procedures to guide both State and local law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officers during internal investigations, interrogation of law enforcement officers, and administrative disciplinary hearings, to ensure accountability of law enforcement officers, to guarantee the due process rights of law enforcement officers, and to require States to enact law enforcement discipline, accountability, and due process laws. 1/31/2007--Introduced. State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability, and Due Process Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to set forth the due process rights, including procedures, that shall be afforded a law enforcement officer (officer) who is the subject of an investigation or disciplinary hearing. Declares that an officer shall not be: (1) prohibited from engaging in political activity or be [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative remedies, Civil liberties, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Disciplining of employees, Dismissal of employees, Due process of law, Election candidates, Elections, Employee rights, Evidence (Law), Federal preemption, Fines (Penalties), Government employee unions, Government employees, Government employees' political activities, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Grievance procedures, Injunctions, Judicial opinions, Labor, Law, Law enforcement officers, Leave of absence, Local employees, Local government, Local laws, Personnel records, Police, Police brutality, Police corruption, Police questioning, Police-community relations, Politics and government, Polygraphs, Right of privacy, Self-incrimination, Sound recording and reproducing, State and local government, State employees, State laws, State police, State politics and government, Subpoena, Witnesses
Latest Action: 01/24/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Bill TextTo amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide standards and procedures to guide both State and local law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officers during internal investigations, interrogation of law enforcement officers, and administrative disciplinary hearings, to ensure accountability of law enforcement officers, to guarantee the due process rights of law enforcement officers, and to require States to enact law enforcement discipline, accountability, and due process laws. 1/24/2007--Introduced. State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability, and Due Process Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to set forth the due process rights, including procedures, that shall be afforded a law enforcement officer (officer) who is the subject of an investigation or disciplinary hearing. Declares that an officer shall not be: (1) prohibited from engaging in political activity or be denied [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Admission of nonimmigrants, Adoption, Aged, Alien labor, Aliens, Arrest, Awards, medals, prizes, Border patrols, Boundaries, Budgets, Child abuse, Child sexual abuse, Children, Citizenship, Civil rights, Civil rights enforcement, Civil service retirement, Commemorations, Communications, Computers, Confidential communications, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Criminal justice, Criminal justice information, Data banks, Death, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Deportation, Detention of persons, Disabled, Discrimination in employment, Drug abuse, Drug traffic, Education, Employee rights, Employers' liability, English language, Equipment and supplies, Ethics, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Families, Family violence, Federal aid to education, Federal employees, Federal law enforcement officers, Federal-local relations, Federal-state relations, Fines (Penalties), Fingerprints, Firearms, Fraud, Fringe benefits, Gambling, Geographic information systems, Government employees, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Government vehicles, Governmental investigations, Grandparents, Haitians, Helicopters, Higher education, Hours of labor, Illegal aliens, Immigrants, Immigration, Informers, Job training, Labor, Language and languages, Larceny, Law, Legislation, Legislative amendments, Legislative resolutions, Marriage, Married people, Mentally disabled, Naturalization, Night vision devices, Office of Personnel Management, Patrol aircraft, Patrol ships, Pensions, Personnel management, Police training, Pregnant women, Prison alternatives, Prisons, Prosecution, Radio, Recruiting of employees, Refugees, Relocation, Residence requirements, Right of asylum, Salaries, Scholarships, Senate rules and procedure, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Sex discrimination, Sex offenders, Siblings, Single-parent families, Skilled labor, Smuggling, Spanish language, Sports, State and local government, Student loan funds, Sunset legislation, Technology, Telecommunication, Victims of crimes, Violence, Visas, Wages, Women
Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held. Bill TextTo amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to comprehensively reform immigration law, and for other purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to provide increased protections and eligibility for family-sponsored immigrants. Directs the Secretary of State to establish a Board of Family-based Visa Appeals within the Department of State. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to deny a family-based immigration petition by a U.S. petitioner for an alien spouse or child if: (1) the petitioner is on the national sex offender registry for a conviction that resulted in more than one year's imprisonment; (2) the petitioner has failed to rebut such information within 90 days; and (3) granting the petition would put a spouse or child beneficiary in danger of sexual abuse. Directs the Secretary to establish the Task Force to Rescue Immigrant Victims of [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Airports, Capital punishment, Civil liberties, Civil rights, Civil rights enforcement, Conspiracy, Correctional personnel, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, Department of Justice, Disabled, Drug abuse, Drug traffic, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Federal employees, Firearms, Government employees, Habeas corpus, Homicide, Informers, Juries, Kidnapping, Law, Life imprisonment, Medical care, Medical tests, Medicine, Mentally disabled, Obstruction of justice, Pretrial procedure, Public defenders, Recidivists, Religion, Religious liberty, Right of privacy, Sentences (Criminal procedure), State and local government, State employees, Terrorism, Terrorists, Transportation, Victims of crimes, Violence, Witnesses
Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Bill TextTo modify the law with respect to the death penalty, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Death Penalty Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to modify substantive law and procedures relating to the death penalty. Adds certain crimes that result in death, including obstruction of justice, as aggravating factors in death penalty deliberations.Defines "mentally retarded" for death penalty purposes. Requires a defendant to give notice to the government of any mitigating factors, including mental retardation, which the defendant intends to present in a death penalty proceeding. Grants the government the right to an independent mental health examination of a defendant claiming mental retardation. Grants the Attorney General regulatory authority over the implementation of the death penalty. Repeals the prohibition against executing a person who is mentally retarded. Grants the government an unlimited right to rehearings of [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Adoption, Age, Aliens, Armed forces, Authorization, Border patrols, Budgets, Canada, Child abuse, Child health, Child safety, Child sexual abuse, Child welfare, Children, Children's rights, Civil liberties, Civil rights, Communications, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional reporting requirements, Correctional institutions, Court records, Criminal aliens, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Curricula, Custody of children, Damages, Defense policy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Deportation, Detention of persons, Diet, Disabled, Disciplining of employees, Education, Elementary and secondary education, Employee training, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Families, Federal employees, Federal law enforcement officers, Finance, Fines (Penalties), Food, Foreign policy, Foster home care, Government employees, Government information, Government service contracts, Government statistics, Grants-in-aid, Group homes, Guardian and ward, Human rights, Illegal aliens, Immigrant education, Immigrant health, Immigrants, Immigration, International affairs, Job training, Juvenile delinquency, Language and languages, Latin America, Law, Legal aid, Legal education, Legal ethics, Legal fees, Legal services, Licenses, Limitation of actions, Local officials, Medical care, Medicine, Mental health services, Mexicans, Mexico, National security, Nonprofit organizations, Parent and child, Parole, Political persecution, Prosecution, Public contracts, Recruiting of employees, Refugees, Religion, Repatriation, Right of asylum, Right of privacy, Smuggling, Social services, Social work, Standards, State and local government, State officials, Subcontractors, Surety and fidelity, Teacher education, Translating and interpreting, Trauma care, Treaties, Visas, Welfare, Witnesses
Latest Action: 03/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3004-3005) Bill TextA bill to provide for the protection of unaccompanied alien children, and for other purposes. 3/12/2007--Introduced. Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2007 - Addresses the care and custody of unaccompanied alien children (children), defined as children under the age of 18 with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States who is available to provide care and physical custody. Directs immigration officers who find such children at U.S. land borders or ports of entry to permit them to withdraw their applications for admission and return to their country of nationality or last habitual residence. States that such children shall have the right to consult with a consular officer prior to repatriation and with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (the Office) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Gives the Office jurisdiction over the care and custody of all unaccompanied alien children except: (1) the Department [...] show full description
Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4614-4615) Bill TextA bill to amend chapter 1 of title 9, United States Code, to establish fair procedures for arbitration clauses in contracts. 4/17/2007--Introduced. Fair Arbitration Act of 2007 - Requires a contract containing an arbitration clause, in order to be binding on the parties, to: (1) have a heading "ARBITRATION CLAUSE" printed in bold, capital letters; (2) state explicitly whether participation in arbitration is mandatory or optional; (3) identify a source that a consumer or employee can contact for additional information regarding the arbitration program; and (4) provide notice that all parties retain the right to resolve a dispute in a small claims court for a claim of $50,000 or less. Entitles each party under arbitration to: (1) a competent, neutral arbitrator and independent, neutral administration of the dispute; (2) representation by an attorney or other representative at such party's expense; (3) a fair arbitration hearing; (4) a face-to-face hearing; (5) [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Civil liberties, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, Depositions, Due process of law, Executive departments, Jurisdiction, Law, Parole, Pleas (Criminal procedure), Pretrial procedure, Probation, Right of privacy, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Sentencing guidelines, Speedy trial, Subpoena, Trials, U.S. Sentencing Commission, Victims of crimes
Latest Action: 06/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8745-8748) Bill TextA bill to amend the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide adequate protection to the rights of crime victims, and for other purposes. 6/29/2007--Introduced. Crime Victims' Rights Rules Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to ensuring that the rights and standing of crime victims are accounted for in the federal criminal justice system.Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow for the involvement of crime victims in the various phases of the criminal justice process, including: (1) the initial court appearance of a defendant; (2) the preliminary hearing; (3) the pretrial conference; (4) transfers of trial venues; and (5) revocations or modifications of probation or supervised release. Sets forth requirements for giving notice to crime victims of criminal proceedings and their right to participate in such proceedings.Requires a court to consider the views of crime victims before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Agricultural assistance, Agriculture, American investments, Business, Civil liberties, Communications, Compensation (Law), Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Constitution, Counterterrorism, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Democracy, Economic assistance, Economic development, Economic policy, Election administration, Elections, Electronic mail systems, Energy, Ethiopia, Export finance, Expropriation, Extradition, Famines, Food, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Free enterprise, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Hydroelectric plants, Hydroelectric power, Immigration, International affairs, International broadcasting, International finance, Internet, Investment guaranty insurance, Irrigation, Joint ventures, Law, Law enforcement officers, Legal aid, Licenses, Opposition (Political science), Parliamentary government, Police, Political participation, Political parties, Political persecution, Political prisoners, Political violence, Politics and government, Prisoners' rights, Public demonstrations, Punishment, Radio broadcasting, Right of property, Rule of law, Sanctions (International law), Small business, Speedy trial, Sustainable development, Technical assistance, Technology, Telecommunication, Television broadcasting, Terrorism, Torture, Trade, Victims of crimes, Visas, Voter registration, Water resources
Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Bill TextTo encourage and facilitate the consolidation of security, human rights, democracy, and economic freedom in Ethiopia. 5/9/2007--Introduced. Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2007 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; and (5) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations. Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia. Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping or counter-terrorism [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Appellate procedure, Civil liberties, Compensation for victims of crime, Criminal justice, Death, Forfeiture, Indictments, Law, Pleas (Criminal procedure), Probation, Sentences (Criminal procedure)
Latest Action: 01/30/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill. Bill TextA bill to address the effect of the death of a defendant in Federal criminal proceedings. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Preserving Crime Victims' Restitution Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to establish guidelines for cases in which a defendant in a criminal prosecution dies prior to the final adjudication of guilt. Sets forth rules for restitution to victims, appeals, motions, petitions, and civil forfeiture in such cases. Provides, as a general rule, that the death of a defendant who has been convicted of a federal criminal offense shall not be the basis for abating or otherwise invalidating a plea of guilty or nolo contendere accepted, a verdict returned, a sentence announced, or a judgment entered prior to the death of such defendant, or for dismissing or otherwise invalidating the indictment, information, or complaint, except as provided by this Act.
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Latest Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Administrative remedies, Armed forces, Brain, Civil liberties, Defense policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Head injuries, Iraq compilation, Law, Legal services, Limitation of actions, Medical care, Medical screening, Medical tests, Medicine, Mental health, Military discharges, Military medicine, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Right of privacy, Veterans, Veterans' benefits, War casualties
Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Bill TextA bill to clarify and improve information for members and former members of the Armed Forces on upgrades of discharge, to prohibit personality disorder discharges in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes. 2/14/2008--Introduced. Requires: (1) each member of the Armed Forces being considered for any type of military discharge to receive written notice that an upgrade in the characterization of such discharge will not automatically result from review by a discharge review board; (2) such notice to also advise the member of the right to discuss discharge options with military legal counsel prior to electing a characterization or type of discharge; (3) each member to acknowledge receipt of such notice; and (4) each military department Secretary to annually make public information on discharge reviews. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each member receives, at the time of discharge, comprehensive information [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Appellate procedure, Arrest, Birth control, Civil liberties, Civil rights, Communications, Congress, Congressional hearings, Congressional reporting requirements, Congressional-executive relations, Criminal justice, Democracy, Deportation, Directories, East Asia, Employee rights, Equality before the law, Ethnic relations, Exchange of persons programs, Executive departments, Federal advisory bodies, Foreign policy, Freedom of speech, Government information, Government paperwork, House rules and procedure, Human rights, Immigration, International affairs, Labor, Law, Legal aid, Medical care, Medicine, Minorities, Nongovernmental organizations, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Prisoners' rights, Punishment, Religion, Religious liberty, Right of assembly, Right to travel, Rule of law, Speedy trial, Torture, Treaties, Vietnam
Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 concerne Bill TextTo establish the Congressional-Executive Commission on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Establishes a Congressional-Executive Commission on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which shall: (1) monitor the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's human rights compliance, with particular emphasis on the Montagnard peoples and the Central and Northwest Highlands; (2) maintain lists of persons believed to be imprisoned, detained, tortured, or otherwise persecuted by the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam due to their pursuit of the rights described in this Act; (3) monitor the development of the rule of law in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with particular emphasis on the Montagnard peoples and the Central and Northwest Highlands; and (4) monitor and encourage the development of programs and activities of the U.S. government and private organizations with a view toward increasing the U.S.-Vietnam interchange.
Also tagged in: Appellate procedure, Civil liberties, Compensation for victims of crime, Criminal justice, Death, Forfeiture, Indictments, Law, Pleas (Criminal procedure), Probation, Sentences (Criminal procedure)
Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Bill TextTo address the effect of the death of a defendant in Federal criminal proceedings. 11/7/2007--Introduced. Preserving Crime Victims' Restitution Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to establish guidelines for cases in which a defendant in a criminal prosecution dies prior to the final adjudication of guilt. Sets forth rules for restitution to victims, appeals, motions, petitions, and civil forfeiture in such cases. Provides, as a general rule, that the death of a defendant who has been convicted of a federal criminal offense shall not be the basis for abating or otherwise invalidating a plea of guilty or nolo contendere accepted, a verdict returned, a sentence announced, or a judgment entered prior to the death of such defendant, or for dismissing or otherwise invalidating the indictment, information, or complaint, except as provided by this Act.
Also tagged in: Administration of justice, American investments, Armed forces, Arms control, Arms sales, Arrest, Cambodia, Charities, Civil liberties, Civil rights, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Criminal justice, Cultural relations, Democracy, Deportation, Detention of persons, Development credit institutions, Dissenters, Due process of law, East Asia, Economic assistance, Education, Educational exchanges, Elementary and secondary education, Employee rights, Equality before the law, Ethnic relations, Export finance, Expropriation, Forced labor, Foreign aid, Foreign loans, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of speech, Government employees, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Higher education, Human rights, Humanities, Immigration, International affairs, International broadcasting, International finance, Investment guaranty insurance, Labor, Law, Legal aid, Legal services, Military assistance, Minorities, Misconduct in office, Nongovernmental organizations, Political persecution, Political prisoners, Politics and government, President and foreign policy, Presidents, Prosecution, Prostitution, Punishment, Radio broadcasting, Refugees, Religion, Religious liberty, Right of assembly, Right of asylum, Right of property, Right to travel, Rule of law, Slavery, Social services, Suspects' rights, Telecommunication, Torture, Trade, Transportation, Vietnam, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Bill TextTo promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam. 9/18/2007--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007 - Title I: Prohibition on Nonhumanitarian Assistance to the Government of Vietnam - (Sec. 101) Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam for FY2008 in excess of FY2007 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting: (1) the release of political and religious prisoners; (2) the right of religious freedom, including the return of church properties; (3) the rights of ethnic minorities; and (4) access to U.S. refugee programs by Vietnamese nationals. Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam for subsequent fiscal years in excess of FY2007 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that in addition to such requirements: (1) no government of Vietnam official, agency, or [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Civil liberties, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, Depositions, Due process of law, Executive departments, Jurisdiction, Law, Parole, Pleas (Criminal procedure), Pretrial procedure, Probation, Right of privacy, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Sentencing guidelines, Speedy trial, Subpoena, Trials, U.S. Sentencing Commission, Victims of crimes
Latest Action: 06/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8745-8748) Bill TextA bill to amend the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide adequate protection to the rights of crime victims, and for other purposes. 6/29/2007--Introduced. Crime Victims' Rights Rules Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to ensuring that the rights and standing of crime victims are accounted for in the federal criminal justice system.Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow for the involvement of crime victims in the various phases of the criminal justice process, including: (1) the initial court appearance of a defendant; (2) the preliminary hearing; (3) the pretrial conference; (4) transfers of trial venues; and (5) revocations or modifications of probation or supervised release. Sets forth requirements for giving notice to crime victims of criminal proceedings and their right to participate in such proceedings.Requires a court to consider the views of crime victims before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Anniversaries, Children, Civil liberties, Commemorations, Congressional tributes, Criminal justice, Due process of law, Juvenile delinquency, Law, Self-incrimination, Supreme Court decisions
Latest Action: 05/11/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6030-6031 text as passed Senate: CR S6031 text of measure as introduced: CR S6023) Bill TextA resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the landmark case In re Gault, et. al., in which the Supreme Court held that all children accused of delinquent acts and facing a proceeding in which their freedom may be curtailed have a right to counsel in the proceedings against them. 5/11/2007--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.) Recognizes and honors the 40th anniversary of In re Gault, et. al., the Supreme Court decision that extended the right to counsel to juveniles in criminal proceedings.
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Agricultural assistance, Agriculture, American investments, Business, Civil liberties, Communications, Compensation (Law), Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Constitution, Counterterrorism, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Democracy, Economic assistance, Economic development, Economic policy, Election administration, Elections, Electronic mail systems, Energy, Ethiopia, Export finance, Expropriation, Extradition, Famines, Food, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Free enterprise, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Hydroelectric plants, Hydroelectric power, Immigration, International affairs, International broadcasting, International finance, Internet, Investment guaranty insurance, Irrigation, Joint ventures, Law, Law enforcement officers, Legal aid, Licenses, Opposition (Political science), Parliamentary government, Police, Political participation, Political parties, Political persecution, Political prisoners, Political violence, Politics and government, Prisoners' rights, Public demonstrations, Punishment, Radio broadcasting, Right of property, Rule of law, Sanctions (International law), Small business, Speedy trial, Sustainable development, Technical assistance, Technology, Telecommunication, Television broadcasting, Terrorism, Torture, Trade, Victims of crimes, Visas, Voter registration, Water resources
Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Bill TextTo encourage and facilitate the consolidation of security, human rights, democracy, and economic freedom in Ethiopia. 5/9/2007--Introduced. Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2007 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; and (5) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations. Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia. Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping or counter-terrorism [...] show full description
Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4614-4615) Bill TextA bill to amend chapter 1 of title 9, United States Code, to establish fair procedures for arbitration clauses in contracts. 4/17/2007--Introduced. Fair Arbitration Act of 2007 - Requires a contract containing an arbitration clause, in order to be binding on the parties, to: (1) have a heading "ARBITRATION CLAUSE" printed in bold, capital letters; (2) state explicitly whether participation in arbitration is mandatory or optional; (3) identify a source that a consumer or employee can contact for additional information regarding the arbitration program; and (4) provide notice that all parties retain the right to resolve a dispute in a small claims court for a claim of $50,000 or less. Entitles each party under arbitration to: (1) a competent, neutral arbitrator and independent, neutral administration of the dispute; (2) representation by an attorney or other representative at such party's expense; (3) a fair arbitration hearing; (4) a face-to-face hearing; (5) [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Adoption, Age, Aliens, Armed forces, Authorization, Border patrols, Budgets, Canada, Child abuse, Child health, Child safety, Child sexual abuse, Child welfare, Children, Children's rights, Civil liberties, Civil rights, Communications, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional reporting requirements, Correctional institutions, Court records, Criminal aliens, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Curricula, Custody of children, Damages, Defense policy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Deportation, Detention of persons, Diet, Disabled, Disciplining of employees, Education, Elementary and secondary education, Employee training, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Families, Federal employees, Federal law enforcement officers, Finance, Fines (Penalties), Food, Foreign policy, Foster home care, Government employees, Government information, Government service contracts, Government statistics, Grants-in-aid, Group homes, Guardian and ward, Human rights, Illegal aliens, Immigrant education, Immigrant health, Immigrants, Immigration, International affairs, Job training, Juvenile delinquency, Language and languages, Latin America, Law, Legal aid, Legal education, Legal ethics, Legal fees, Legal services, Licenses, Limitation of actions, Local officials, Medical care, Medicine, Mental health services, Mexicans, Mexico, National security, Nonprofit organizations, Parent and child, Parole, Political persecution, Prosecution, Public contracts, Recruiting of employees, Refugees, Religion, Repatriation, Right of asylum, Right of privacy, Smuggling, Social services, Social work, Standards, State and local government, State officials, Subcontractors, Surety and fidelity, Teacher education, Translating and interpreting, Trauma care, Treaties, Visas, Welfare, Witnesses
Latest Action: 03/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3004-3005) Bill TextA bill to provide for the protection of unaccompanied alien children, and for other purposes. 3/12/2007--Introduced. Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2007 - Addresses the care and custody of unaccompanied alien children (children), defined as children under the age of 18 with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States who is available to provide care and physical custody. Directs immigration officers who find such children at U.S. land borders or ports of entry to permit them to withdraw their applications for admission and return to their country of nationality or last habitual residence. States that such children shall have the right to consult with a consular officer prior to repatriation and with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (the Office) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Gives the Office jurisdiction over the care and custody of all unaccompanied alien children except: (1) the Department [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Airports, Capital punishment, Civil liberties, Civil rights, Civil rights enforcement, Conspiracy, Correctional personnel, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, Department of Justice, Disabled, Drug abuse, Drug traffic, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Federal employees, Firearms, Government employees, Habeas corpus, Homicide, Informers, Juries, Kidnapping, Law, Life imprisonment, Medical care, Medical tests, Medicine, Mentally disabled, Obstruction of justice, Pretrial procedure, Public defenders, Recidivists, Religion, Religious liberty, Right of privacy, Sentences (Criminal procedure), State and local government, State employees, Terrorism, Terrorists, Transportation, Victims of crimes, Violence, Witnesses
Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Bill TextTo modify the law with respect to the death penalty, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Death Penalty Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to modify substantive law and procedures relating to the death penalty. Adds certain crimes that result in death, including obstruction of justice, as aggravating factors in death penalty deliberations.Defines "mentally retarded" for death penalty purposes. Requires a defendant to give notice to the government of any mitigating factors, including mental retardation, which the defendant intends to present in a death penalty proceeding. Grants the government the right to an independent mental health examination of a defendant claiming mental retardation. Grants the Attorney General regulatory authority over the implementation of the death penalty. Repeals the prohibition against executing a person who is mentally retarded. Grants the government an unlimited right to rehearings of [...] show full description |
