Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To provide grants to establish veteran's treatment courts. 9/26/2008--Introduced. Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to delegate to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to administer the veteran's treatment courts program established by this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states and other entities: (1) to develop, implement, or enhance veteran's treatment courts or to expand operational drug courts to serve veterans; and (2) for programs that involve continuing judicial supervision over nonviolent offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the U.S. military. Requires such programs to include mandatory periodic testing for the use of drugs, substance abuse and mental health treatment, opportunities for diversion, probation, or supervised release, and programmatic, offender management, and aftercare [...]

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Latest Action: 09/22/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Bill Text
A bill to establish the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program. 9/22/2008--Introduced. Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2008 - Establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as Congressional Clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives.Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve as employees in their respective chambers.Specifies eligibility criteria for a Congressional Clerk, including that the selected candidate be a graduate of such a law school as of the starting date of his or her clerkship.Requires the committees to ensure that Congressional Clerks selected under this Act are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices.Entitles each clerk selected to the same compensation [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to provide grants to establish veteran's treatment courts. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to delegate to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to administer the veteran's treatment courts program established by this Act.Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states and other entities: (1) to develop, implement, or enhance veteran's treatment courts or to expand operational drug courts to serve veterans; and (2) for programs that involve continuing judicial supervision over nonviolent offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the U.S. military. Requires such programs to include mandatory periodic testing for the use of drugs, substance abuse and mental health treatment, opportunities for diversion, probation, or supervised release, and programmatic, offender management, and aftercare [...]

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Latest Action: 09/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Bill Text
To establish the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program. 9/11/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2008 - Establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as Congressional Clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives. Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve as employees in their respective chambers. Specifies eligibility criteria for a Congressional Clerk, including that the selected candidate be a graduate of such a law school as of the starting date of his or her clerkship.[...]

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Latest Action: 06/09/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and extend the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome prevention and services program, and for other purposes. 6/9/2008--Introduced. Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention and Services Program to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a research agenda for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); (2) facilitate surveillance, public health research, and prevention of FASD; and (3) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to states and other entities to provide services for individuals with FASD, to educate court, law enforcement, and adoption officials on how to treat and support individuals with FASD, and to provide transitional services for individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.Requires: (1) the Secretary to provide for continuation of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on [...]

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Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To implement certain measures to increase the effectiveness of international child abduction remedies, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. International and Parental Child Abduction Remedies Assistance Act - Directs the Attorney General to provide state and local law enforcement agencies information on instituting or assisting investigative searches for alien children believed to be in the United States who are the subject of an application under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Parental Child Abduction (Convention) or an Interpol yellow notice. Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require missing child reports to include a statement specifying whether a missing child is believed to have been taken outside of the United States. Amends the International Child Abduction Remedies Act to: (1) provide funding, technical assistance, and training to legal providers to assist victims of parental kidnappings; and (2) allow payment [...]

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Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To establish a domestic violence volunteer attorney network to represent domestic violence victims. 5/20/2008--Introduced. National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence to work in collaboration with the American Bar Association Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and other organizations to create, recruit lawyers for, and provide training, mentoring, and technical assistance for a National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network.Requires the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice to designate five states in which to implement the pilot program of a National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Referral Project and distribute funds under this Act.Requires the Attorney General to award grants to national domestic violence legal technical assistance providers to expand their services to provide training and [...]

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Latest Action: 10/15/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-424.

Bill Text
To authorize funding to conduct a national training program for State and local prosecutors.

10/15/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 31, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) award a grant to a nonprofit organization (such as the National District Attorneys Association) for a national training program to improve the professional skills of state and local prosecutors and to enhance the ability of federal, state, and local prosecutors to work together; and (2) provide assistance for carrying out such training program, including comprehensive continuing legal education in trial practice, substantive legal updates, and support staff training.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012.

Latest Action: 06/04/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize funding for the National Advocacy Center.

6/4/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Authorizes the National District Attorneys Association to use the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, for a national training program to improve the professional skills of state and local prosecutors and to enhance the ability of federal, state, and local prosecutors to work together. Authorizes the National Advocacy Center to provide comprehensive legal education in trial practice, substantive legal updates, and support staff training.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012.

Latest Action: 03/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the claims processing of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 3/11/2008--Introduced. Veteran Claims Backlog Reduction Act of 2008 - Requires that, in order to be recognized as an agent or attorney of a veteran in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of veterans' benefit claims, an individual must certify to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that he or she will assist the Secretary with the Secretary's duties to notify claimants of required claim information and evidence and to assist claimants in obtaining evidence. Directs the Secretary to establish a training program to provide training to individuals recognized as veterans' agents, attorneys, or representatives. Requires a claim certified as fully developed and submitted by a veteran and a recognized agent, attorney, or representative who is a training graduate to be considered as fully developed and evaluated [...]

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Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 - Title I: Enhancements to Civil Intellectual Property Laws - (Sec. 101) Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information, unless there was knowledge of the inaccurate information and the inaccuracy of the information, if known, would have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse registration; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; and (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement. (Sec. 104) Broadens the trademark infringement situations in which treble damages are allowed to include: (1) intentionally [...]

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Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To establish the William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers School of Law.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

William H. Rehnquist Law Center Establishment Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide a grant to the University of Arizona James E. Rogers School of Law to establish the William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government.

Requires the Law School to provide specified nonfederal contributions toward the establishment of the Law Center.

Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, to enhance measures to combat trafficking in persons, and for other purposes. 12/4/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Title I: Combatting International Trafficking in Persons - (Sec. 101) Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) to include the Secretary of Education on the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of State to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. (Current law authorizes such Office's establishment.) Revises responsibilities of the Director of the Office. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should locate the Office at the Department of State (Department) headquarters [...]

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Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12776-12777)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and extend the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome prevention and services program, and for other purposes. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention and Services Program to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a research agenda for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); (2) facilitate surveillance, public health research, and prevention of FASD; and (3) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to states and other entities to provide services for individuals with FASD, to educate court, law enforcement, and adoption officials on how to treat and support individuals with FASD, and to provide transitional services for individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.Requires: (1) the Secretary to provide for continuation of the Interagency Coordinating Committee [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To amend title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include law school and other graduate schools of the University of the District of Columbia as eligible professional and graduate institutions, and for other purposes.

6/15/2007--Introduced.

University of the District of Columbia Graduate Programs Act - Amends the Higher Education Act to: (1) make the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) David A. Clarke School of Law and other UDC qualified graduate programs eligible for federal grants for postgraduate programs substantially contributing to the legal, medical, dental, veterinary, or other graduate education opportunities in mathematics, engineering, or the physical or natural sciences for black Americans; and (2) authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 for such grant program.