Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To 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
Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To 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
Latest Action: 03/14/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3136-3138)

Bill Text
A bill to require a pilot program on the facilitation of the transition of members of the Armed Forces to receipt of veterans health care benefits upon completion of military service, and for other purposes. 3/14/2007--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a five-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of awarding grants to eligible entities to assist members of the Armed Forces, particularly those with serious wounds, injuries, or mental disorders, women members, and members of the National Guard and reserves, in applying for and receiving health care benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and otherwise after completion of military service, in order to ensure that such members receive a continuity of care and assistance in and after the transition from military service to civilian life. Requires at least one location of the pilot program to be in the vicinity of: (1) a military medical facility [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4448-4450)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce cost-sharing under part D of such title for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals.

4/12/2007--Introduced.

Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate part D cost-sharing for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals with income below 135% of the poverty line who: (1) reside in an assisted living facility, a resident care program facility, a board and care facility, or any other appropriate licenced facility, including a community mental health center, a psychiatric health facility, a mental health rehabilitation center, and a mental retardation developmental disability facility; or (2) receive home and community-based services in a home setting under a home and community-based waiver.

Latest Action: 04/16/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
A bill to facilitate the provision of care and services for members of the Armed Forces for traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes. 4/16/2007--Introduced. Traumatic Brain Injury Access to Options Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each member of the Armed Forces who incurs a traumatic brain injury (where the member is unable to perform activities of daily living for at least five consecutive days from the date of a medical assessment) while on active duty shall be retained on active duty for one year after the date of the assessment. Prohibits such member from being evaluated during the one-year period by a physical evaluation board for determining eligibility for retirement or separation due to such disability. Allows a member (or his or her guardian or legal advocate) to choose to make such requirements inapplicable to the member. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to extend the one-year period as appropriate in light [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand and improve coverage of mental health services under the Medicare Program. 3/23/2007--Introduced. Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) elimination of the lifetime limit on inpatient mental health services; (2) parity in treatment for outpatient mental health services; (3) coverage of intensive residential services under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and of intensive outpatient services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (4) exclusion of clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system; and (5) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on whether the criteria for coverage of any [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - By Senator Kennedy from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 110-231.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 7/24/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Higher Education Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise HEA programs and to extend the authorization of appropriations for them through FY2013. Title I: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Adds definitions of a critical foreign language, distance education, and poverty line. Provides that critical foreign languages are those contained on the list designated by the Secretary of Education in the Federal Register on August 5, 1985, but allows the Secretary to set language priorities according to the purposes of a specific program and national security, economic competitiveness, and educational needs. States that poverty line refers to the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved. (Sec. 102) Revises [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase, expand the availability of, and repeal the sunset with respect to, the dependent care tax credit.

4/17/2007--Introduced.

Family Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the rate of the tax credit for expenses for household and dependent care services; and (2) allow an inflation adjustment after 2007 to the adjusted gross income limitation applicable to such credit. Makes such increased tax credit permanent.

Latest Action: 04/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3564-3565)

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the credit for expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment.

4/18/2007--Introduced.

Tax Relief for Working Caregivers Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from $15,000 to $75,000 the taxpayer adjusted gross income amount at which the tax credit for household and dependent care expenses is phased down; and (2) allow such credit for a physically or mentally incapacitated parent (or an ancestor of such parent) of the taxpayer who is a dependent of such taxpayer.

Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To facilitate the provision of care and services for members of the Armed Forces for traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes. 4/26/2007--Introduced. Traumatic Brain Injury Access to Options Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each member of the Armed Forces who incurs a traumatic brain injury (where the member is unable to perform activities of daily living for at least five consecutive days from the date of a medical assessment) while on active duty shall be retained on active duty for one year after the date of the assessment. Prohibits such member from being evaluated during the one-year period by a physical evaluation board for determining eligibility for retirement or separation due to such disability. Allows a member (or his or her guardian or legal advocate) to choose to make such requirements inapplicable to the member. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to extend the one-year period as appropriate in light of medical [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2008)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the President to award grants to improve the capacity of nongovernmental organizations and individuals in foreign countries to provide appropriate mental disability and mental trauma care training, and for other purposes.

3/12/2008--Introduced.

International Mental Disability and Mental Trauma Care Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to award grants to nongovernmental organizations (including faith-based and community-based organizations) and individuals to: (1) provide training and technical expertise for foreign governments in the adoption of a national mental disability and mental trauma care framework; (2) initiate system reform of mental disability and mental trauma care; (3) provide training for disability and mental trauma care providers; or (4) provide direct, short-term emergency mental trauma assistance for the victims of humanitarian or political crises.

Latest Action: 02/05/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To provide assistance to Best Buddies to support the expansion and development of mentoring programs, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to, or enter into agreements with, Best Buddies (a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities mesh with mainstream society) to promote the expansion of Best Buddies and the design and implementation of its education and outreach programs, including character education and volunteer programs, that can be integrated into classroom instruction. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to repeal authority for the Fund for the Improvement of Education: (1) educational, cultural, apprenticeship, and exchange programs for Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and their historical whaling and trading partners in Massachusetts; and (2) program [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2402)

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for expenses paid for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment and to increase, and make refundable, the credit for such expenses.

11/13/2007--Introduced.

Child Care Affordability Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax deduction for expenses paid for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment; (2) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for such expenses; (3) provide for an inflation adjustment after 2008 to the dollar amounts for such tax deduction and tax credit; and (4) make such tax credit refundable.

Latest Action: 10/30/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To protect the interests of each resident of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded in class action lawsuits on behalf of such resident.

10/30/2007--Introduced.

Prohibits any entity that receives funds from the federal government from using them to file a class action lawsuit against an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded on behalf of any facility resident unless the resident (or the resident's legal representative), after receiving notice of the proposed class action lawsuit, has the opportunity to elect not to have the action apply to the resident.

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965. 10/4/2007--Introduced. College Access and Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize appropriations for HEA programs. Establishes a single definition of institutions of higher education (IHEs) for purposes of their participation in all HEA programs, including title IV student aid programs. Allows IHEs to enroll students who are also enrolled in secondary school. Revises higher education consumer information and public accountability requirements. Imposes educational loan disclosure requirements on lenders and IHEs. Replaces the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships program under title II with a new Teacher Quality Partnership grant program for partnerships of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, IHEs, and public or private educational organizations. Repeals part B (Preparing Tomorrow's [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - By Senator Kennedy from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 110-231.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 7/24/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Higher Education Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise HEA programs and to extend the authorization of appropriations for them through FY2013. Title I: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Adds definitions of a critical foreign language, distance education, and poverty line. Provides that critical foreign languages are those contained on the list designated by the Secretary of Education in the Federal Register on August 5, 1985, but allows the Secretary to set language priorities according to the purposes of a specific program and national security, economic competitiveness, and educational needs. States that poverty line refers to the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved. (Sec. 102) Revises [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
To amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the limitation on the authority of the Department of Defense to issue security clearances for certain persons.

6/7/2007--Introduced.

Repeals a provision prohibiting the Department of Defense (DOD), after October 30, 2000, from granting or renewing a security clearance for a person who: (1) was convicted of a crime and served a sentence of not less than one year; (2) is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance; (3) is determined mentally incompetent; or (4) has been discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.

Latest Action: 05/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require staff working with developmentally disabled individuals to call emergency services in the event of a life-threatening situation.

5/17/2007--Introduced.

Danielle's Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid plans to require staff working with persons with a developmental disability or traumatic brain injury to call emergency services in the event of a life-threatening situation.

Latest Action: 05/24/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide certain improvements in the treatment of individuals with traumatic brain injuries, and for other purposes. 5/23/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to screen veterans eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, medical, and nursing home care for symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Requires the Secretary to develop and carry out a program of long-term care for post-acute TBI rehabilitation in four geographically dispersed polytrauma network sites designated by the Secretary. Makes eligible for such program veterans who: (1) served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or during a period of hostilities [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To facilitate the provision of care and services for members of the Armed Forces for traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes. 4/26/2007--Introduced. Traumatic Brain Injury Access to Options Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each member of the Armed Forces who incurs a traumatic brain injury (where the member is unable to perform activities of daily living for at least five consecutive days from the date of a medical assessment) while on active duty shall be retained on active duty for one year after the date of the assessment. Prohibits such member from being evaluated during the one-year period by a physical evaluation board for determining eligibility for retirement or separation due to such disability. Allows a member (or his or her guardian or legal advocate) to choose to make such requirements inapplicable to the member. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to extend the one-year period as appropriate in light of medical [...]

show full description