SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Numerous bi-partisan commissions and study groups, including the Iraq Study Group co-chaired by James A. Baker III and Lee H. Hamilton, a 2004 working group established under the Council on Foreign Relations and co-chaired by Robert Gates and Zbigniew Brzezinski, and a 2001 Atlantic Council of the United States Working Group, co-chaired by Lee H. Hamilton, James Schlesinger, and Brent Scowcroft have called for various forms of dialogue and engagement with Iran in order to achieve United States strategic interests in the Middle East region. (2) Implementing effective strategies to deflect or deter Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, or pursuing the development of nuclear weapons capabilities, is an important United States strategic interest. (3) Establishing a diplomatic dialogue with the Government of Iran and deepening relationships with the Iranian people would help foster greater understanding between the people of Iran and the people of the United States and would enhance the stability and security of the Persian Gulf region, including by reducing the threat of the proliferation or use of nuclear weapons in the region, while advancing other United States foreign policy objectives in that region. (4) The Iraq Study Group Report states ``Iran's interests would not be served by a failure of U.S. policy that led to chaos and the territorial disintegration of the Iraqi state'', and therefore, the Government of the United States should build upon this mutual interest to develop a diplomatic dialogue with the Government of Iran concerning deteriorating conditions in Iraq, which can become a basis of broader future United States- Iranian engagement. (5) Given the dispersal of Iran's nuclear program at sites throughout the country and their proximity to urban centers, the use of military force against Iran would be extraordinarily difficult and probably ineffective, the immediate consequences and loss of life would be drastic, and the long-term instability generated would be against long-term United States interests in the region. (6) Any military action designed to eliminate Iran's capacity to produce nuclear weapons would run the significant risk of reinforcing and accelerating the desire of the Government of Iran to acquire a nuclear deterrent and compounding nationalist passions in defense of that very course, and would most likely also generate hostile Iranian initiatives in Iraq and Afghanistan. (7) Together, the ongoing efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) along with corresponding multilateral sanctions recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council offer a viable path for steering Iran's nuclear efforts along peaceful lines, provided that there is close multilateral coordination and steadfastness in the adherence to the sanctions and firm United States leadership in support of the multilateral effort. (8) According to the most definitive United States intelligence reports, Iran is likely a decade away from acquiring the know-how and material to have an option to build a nuclear weapon, and even the most pessimistic analysis by outside experts puts the timeline at least three years away, assuming Iran suffers no setbacks during development, which would be unprecedented. SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) full diplomatic, political, and economic relations between the United States and Iran cannot be normalized unless and until enforceable safeguards are put in place to prevent weaponization of Iran's nuclear program and the Government of Iran ends its support for international terrorist groups, but the attainment of these policy objectives should not constitute preconditions for any diplomatic dialogue; and (2) no congressional authorization for the use of military force in any Act of Congress enacted before the date of the enactment of this Act constitutes, either implicitly or explicitly, an authorization for the use of military force against Iran or its nuclear program. SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF POLICY. It is the policy of the United States not to enter into a preemptive war against Iran in the absence of an imminent threat, and then only in accordance with international law and constitutional and statutory requirements for congressional authorization. SEC. 5. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS. No funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense or any other department or agency of the Government of the United States may be used to carry out any covert action for the purpose of causing regime change in Iran or to carry out any military action against Iran in the absence of an imminent threat, in accordance with international law and constitutional and statutory requirements for congressional authorization.

Summary: Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) full diplomatic, political, and economic relations between the United States and Iran cannot be normalized unless enforceable safeguards are put in place to prevent weaponization of Iran's nuclear program and the government of Iran ends its support for international terrorist groups, but the attainment of these objectives should not constitute preconditions for any diplomatic dialogue; and (2) no congressional authorization for the use of military force in any Act enacted before the date of enactment of this Act constitutes an authorization for the use of military force against Iran or its nuclear program. States as the policy of the United States not to enter into a preemptive war against Iran in the absence of an immediate threat, and then only in accordance with international law and constitutional and statutory requirements for congressional authorization. Prohibits funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or any other federal department or agency from being used to carry out any covert action for the purpose of causing regime change in Iran or to carry out any military action against Iran in the absence of an imminent threat.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Radiation Experimentation Compensation Act of 1994''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND APOLOGY. (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that-- (1) since the 1940's, the Federal Government has intentionally conducted secret radiation experiments in the United States without the informed consent or knowledge of the individuals on whom the experiments were performed; (2) such radiation experiments included, but were not limited to, experiments involving injections of plutonium, ingestion of irradiated food, exposure to atmospheric radiation, and the prescription of radioactive medication to pregnant women; (3) the Federal Government performed such experiments not in order to achieve medical or health benefits for the individuals used in the tests, but for research purposes, to allow Federal Government scientists and health specialists to study the effects of radiation on the human body; (4) at the time of such experiments and in the years following the experiments, the Federal Government failed to inform the individuals tested, or their families, about the nature and effects of the tests; (5) the Federal Government has harmed the subjects of such radiation experiments; (6) the Congress presumes that the exposure to radiation of the subjects of such experiments has generated an excess of cancers and other debilitating diseases and health problems for such subjects; (7) the Federal Government should recognize that the lives and health of the innocent individuals who were the subjects of such experiments were put at risk by the individuals' unknowing and involuntary participation in radiation experiments; and (8) the Federal Government should assume responsibility for the harm caused by its actions regarding the experiments. (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to establish a procedure to make partial restitution to the individuals described in subsection (a) for the burdens they have borne for the Nation as a whole, although monetary compensation can never fully compensate them. (c) Apology.--The Congress apologizes on behalf of the Nation to the individuals described in subsection (a) and their families for the hardships they have endured because of the experiments described in subsection (a). SEC. 3. TRUST FUND. (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the ``Radiation Experimentation Compensation Trust Fund'' (in this Act referred to as the ``Fund''), which shall be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. (b) Investment of Amounts in Fund.--Amounts in the Fund shall be invested in accordance with section 9702 of title 31, United States Code, and any interest on, and proceeds from, any such investment shall be credited to and become a part of the Fund. (c) Availability of Fund.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available only for disbursement by the Attorney General under section 5. (d) Termination.-- (1) Time of termination.--The Fund shall terminate not later than the earlier of-- (A) the date on which the amount authorized to be appropriated to the Fund by subsection (e), and any income earned on such amount, have been expended from the Fund; or (B) 22 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Amounts remaining in fund.--At the end of the 22-year period referred to in paragraph (1)(B), if all of the amounts in the Fund have not been expended, investments of amounts in the Fund shall be liquidated, the receipts of such liquidation shall be deposited in the Fund, and all funds remaining in the Fund shall be deposited in the miscellaneous receipts account in the Treasury. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $100,000,000. Any amount appropriated pursuant to this subsection is authorized to remain available until expended. SEC. 4. CLAIMS ELIGIBLE FOR PAYMENT. (a) In General.--Any individual who, without the individual's informed consent, was intentionally exposed to radiation as a subject in an experiment of the Federal Government at any time during the period beginning on January 1, 1940, and ending on December 31, 1974, shall receive $50,000 if-- (1) a claim for such payment is filed with the Attorney General by or on behalf of such individual; and (2) the Attorney General determines, in accordance with section 5(b), that the claim meets the requirements of this Act. (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section: (1) The term ``experiment'' means a test or other action that is conducted primarily for research purposes to determine the effect of exposure to radiation on the human body. (2) The term ``exposed to radiation'' means caused to come into contact with any radioactive substance or material by means including, but not limited to, injection, ingestion, inhalation, or prescription of, or skin exposure to, any radioactive substance or material. (3) The term ``Federal Government'' means-- (A) the legislative, judicial, or executive branch of the government of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of such a branch; (B) any person or entity whose actions regarding an experiment under which humans were exposed to radiation were funded in any manner, approved, authorized, supervised, or contracted for, by an entity referred to in subparagraph (A); or (C) any person or entity that was funded in any manner, approved, authorized, supervised, or contracted with, wholly or partially, by an entity referred to in subparagraph (A) during a time period in which an entity referred to in subparagraph (A) had knowledge that such person or entity was conducting any experiment under which humans were exposed to radiation. (4) The term ``informed consent'' means consent by an individual (or the individual's parent or legal guardian, in the case of an individual who was a minor or was incompetent at the relevant time), to the individual's participation in an experiment, after a full disclosure of the nature and purpose of the experiment and its possible consequences that was sufficient to allow the individual (or the individual's parent or legal guardian, in the case of an individual who was a minor or was incompetent at the relevant time) to intelligently exercise judgment to decide whether the individual should participate in the experiment. SEC. 5. DETERMINATION AND PAYMENT OF CLAIMS. (a) Establishment of Filing Procedures.--The Attorney General shall establish procedures under which individuals may submit claims for payments under this Act. (b) Determination of Claims.--For each claim filed under this Act, the Attorney General shall determine whether the claim meets the requirements of section 4(a). (c) Payment of Claims.-- (1) In general.--The Attorney General shall pay, from amounts available in the Fund, each claim that the Attorney General determines meets the requirements of this Act. (2) Offset of payment.-- (A) Offset of payment made under this Act.--A payment under this Act to or on behalf of an individual described in section 4(a) shall be offset by the amount of any payment made to or on behalf of the individual pursuant to a final award or settlement on a claim (other than a claim for worker's compensation) against any person, that is based on the individual's participation in an experiment that is the basis for the payment under this Act, including any payment under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. 2210 note). (B) Offset of payment made under radiation exposure compensation act.--For purposes of section 6(c)(2) of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. 2210 note), a payment made under this Act shall be considered to be a final award or settlement on a claim described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such section. (3) Right of subrogation.--Upon payment of a claim under this section, the Federal Government is subrogated, for the amount of the payment, to a right or claim that the individual to whom the payment was made may have against any person on account of participation in an experiment that is the basis for the payment made under this Act. (4) Payments in case of deceased persons.-- (A) In general.--In the case of an individual who is deceased at the time of payment under this section, such payment may be made only as follows: (i) If the individual is survived by a spouse who is living at the time of payment, such payment shall be made to such surviving spouse. (ii) If the individual is not survived by a spouse described in clause (i), such payment shall be made in equal shares to the children of the individual who are living at the time of payment. (iii) If the individual is not survived by a person described in clause (i) or (ii), such payment shall be made in equal shares to the parents of the individual who are living at the time of payment. (iv) If the individual is not survived by a person described in any of clauses (i) through (iii), such payment shall be made in equal shares to the grandchildren of the individual who are living at the time of payment. (v) If the individual is not survived by a person described in any of clauses (i) through (iv), such payment shall be made in equal shares to the siblings of the individual who are living at the time of payment. (vi) If the individual is not survived by a person described in any of clauses (i) through (v), then such payment shall be made in equal shares to the grandparents of the individual who are living at the time of payment. (B) Filing of claim by survivor.--If an individual eligible for payment under this Act dies before filing a claim under this Act, a survivor of the individual who may receive payment under subparagraph (A) may file a claim for such payment on the individual's behalf. (C) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph: (i) The term ``child'' includes a recognized natural child, a stepchild who lived with an individual in a regular parent-child relationship, and an adopted child. (ii) The term ``grandchild of the individual'' means a child of a child of the individual. (iii) The term ``grandparent of the individual'' means a parent of a parent of the individual. (iv) The term ``parent'' includes fathers and mothers through adoption. (v) The term ``sibling of the individual'' means a child of the parent or parents of the individual. (vi) The term ``spouse'' means a person who was married to the relevant individual for at least the 12 months immediately preceding the death of the individual. (d) Action on Claims.--Within 18 months after the filing of any claim under this Act-- (1) the Attorney General shall make the determination required by subsection (b) regarding the claim; and (2) if the claim is determined to meet the requirements of section 4(a), the Attorney General shall make the payment required by subsection (c)(1). (e) Settlement in Full of Claims Against United States.--Payment under this Act, when accepted by an individual, or the individual's survivors, shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of or on behalf of the individual against the United States that arise out of the participation in the experiment that is the basis for the payment made under this Act. (f) Administrative Costs Not Deducted From Payment.--No costs incurred by the Attorney General in carrying out this Act may be paid from, set off against, or otherwise deducted from any payment made under subsection (c)(1). (g) Termination of Duties of Attorney General.--The duties of the Attorney General under this section shall cease when the Fund terminates. (h) Treatment of Payments Under Other Laws.--A payment under subsection (c)(1) to an individual-- (1) shall be treated for purposes of the internal revenue laws of the United States as damages for human suffering; and (2) shall not be considered as income or resources for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility to receive benefits described in section 3803(c)(2)(C) of title 31, United States Code, or the amount of such benefits. (i) Use of Existing Resources.--The Attorney General should, to the extent available, use funds and resources available to the Attorney General to carry out the Attorney General's functions under this Act. (j) Regulatory Authority.--The Attorney General may issue regulations necessary to carry out this Act. (k) Issuance of Regulations and Procedures.--The initial regulations and procedures to carry out this Act shall be issued not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (l) Judicial Review.--An individual whose claim for compensation under this Act is denied may seek initial judicial review solely in a district court of the United States. The court shall review the denial on the administrative record and shall hold unlawful and set aside the denial if it is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law. Such an individual may appeal the decision of the district court to the appropriate higher Federal courts. SEC. 6. CLAIMS NOT ASSIGNABLE OR TRANSFERABLE. No claim under this Act shall be assignable or transferable. SEC. 7. LIMITATION ON CLAIMS. An individual, or the individual's survivors, may not receive payment under section 5(c)(1) unless a claim by or on behalf of the individual is filed under this Act within 20 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 8. ATTORNEY OR AGENT FEES. The agent, attorney, or other representative of an individual or of an individual's survivor may not receive, for services rendered in connection with a claim made under this Act, an amount equal to more than 10 percent of the payment made under this Act on such claim. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be subject to a fine in the amount provided in title 18, United States Code. SEC. 9. CERTAIN CLAIMS NOT AFFECTED BY PAYMENT. A payment made under section 5(c)(1) shall not be considered a form of compensation, or reimbursement for a loss, for purposes of imposing liability on the individual who receives the payment to repay any insurance carrier for insurance payments, or to repay any person on account of worker's compensation payments. A payment under this Act shall not affect any claim against an insurance carrier with respect to insurance, or against any person with respect to worker's compensation. SEC. 10. BUDGET COMPLIANCE. No authority under this Act to enter into contracts or to make payments shall be effective in any fiscal year except to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts.

Summary: Radiation Experimentation Compensation Act of 1994 - Apologizes on behalf of the Nation to the individuals who were the subjects of radiation experiments conducted by the Federal Government, as well as to their families for the hardships they have endured as a result. Establishes in the Treasury the Radiation Experimentation Compensation Trust Fund for compensating the subjects of experiments conducted between January 1, 1940, and December 31, 1974, during which the subjects were intentionally exposed to radiation without their informed consent. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Attorney General to establish procedures for the submission of claims and pay from amounts in the Fund each claim meeting the requirements of this Act. Provides for payments in cases of deceased experimental subjects. States that payments under this Act which are accepted by a subject or the subject's survivors shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of or on behalf of the subject against the United States arising out of the subject's participation in the experiment. Provides for judicial review. Establishes a time limit for filing claims of 20 years after enactment of this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Equal Opportunity for Residential Representation Act''. SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS. The Congress finds that-- (1) eviction prevention programs provide important and effective social and economic benefits; (2) such programs help protect low-income and at-risk households from the trauma and disruption of homelessness and save property owners from the high costs of forced eviction and re-occupancy; and (3) investing more resources in eviction prevention helps communities save on the high cost of homelessness by stopping homelessness before it starts--for example, according to 2015 data, the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance estimates that a homeless individual residing in Massachusetts creates an additional cost burden for State-supported services (such as shelters, emergency room visits, and incarceration) that is $9,372 greater per year than for a housed individual. SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSING ISSUES FOR LOW- INCOME FAMILIES. (a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a program under this section, through the Office of Community Planning and Development, to make grants to the extent amounts for such grants are made available pursuant to subsection (f) to eligible organizations under subsection (d) to provide legal services and other related supportive services under subsection (e) on behalf of eligible low- income families under subsection (c). (b) Selection of Grantees.--The Secretary shall select eligible organizations under subsection (d) to receive grants under this section taking into consideration factors, including-- (1) factors necessary to ensure an equitable distribution of grants to grantees serving urban areas (as such term is defined by the Secretary) and to grantees serving rural areas (as such term is defined by the Secretary), except that the Secretary shall ensure that, of any amounts made available for any fiscal year for grants under this section, not less than 20 percent shall be used for grantees serving rural areas; (2) the number of rental units in the area served by the grantee that are affordable to low-income households having incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income and paying more than 30 percent of their incomes for rent; (3) the extent to which the population of the area served by the grantee uses eviction or other housing-related legal services or has a need for such services; (4) the extent to which tenants in the area served by the grantee are evicted; (5) the number of rental units in the area served by the grantee that are affordable to households having incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income; (6) the extent of poverty in the area served by the grantee; (7) the number of renter households in the area served by the grantee that-- (A) have incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income; (B) are not provided rental assistance, such as rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 or occupancy in a dwelling unit in public housing; or (C) live in severely inadequate housing, as measured using the American Housing Survey definition of housing having severe physical problems; and (8) any other factors that the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of this section, except that the Secretary may not consider data from a point-in-time count of the homeless (as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a))). (c) Eligible Low-Income Families.--Amounts from a grant under this section may be used only to provide eligible services under subsection (e) with respect to families (including individuals and including victims of domestic violence) who-- (1) reside in a rental dwelling unit; and (2) have an income (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))) that does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area in which the family resides. (d) Eligible Organizations.--Grants under this section may be made only to-- (1) a nonprofit organization that provides legal services on behalf of persons or families whose eligibility for such services includes a limitation on income, including any organizations that receive funding from the Legal Services Corporation (established under the Legal Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq.)) to provide such services on behalf of such persons or families; (2) legal clinics sponsored by law schools or other organizations; and (3) such other institutions, organizations, and entities as the Secretary considers appropriate. (e) Eligible Services.--Amounts from a grant under this section may be used only to provide, on behalf of eligible low-income families under subsection (c), legal services and other related supportive services in connection with-- (1) an eviction of such a family; (2) the prevention of an eviction of such a family; (3) a dispute between the landlord and a tenant who is a member of such a family; or (4) enforcing the legal rights of such a family under Federal, State, or local laws regarding tenancy or fair housing. (f) Use of Mortgage Interest Deduction Savings for Grants.-- (1) Determination of savings.--For each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, the Secretary of the Treasury shall determine the amount of revenues accruing to the general fund of the Treasury by reason of the enactment of the amendment made by section 4 of this Act. (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022 the amount determined under paragraph (1) for such fiscal year. SEC. 4. REDUCTION IN LIMITATION ON MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION RELATING TO ACQUISITION INDEBTEDNESS FOR CERTAIN TAXPAYERS. (a) Acquisition Indebtedness.--Clause (ii) of section 163(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: ``(ii) Limitation.--The aggregate amount treated as acquisition indebtedness for any period shall not exceed-- ``(I) $1,000,000 in the case of a joint return ($500,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return), and ``(II) the applicable amount in any other case. ``(iii) Applicable amount.--For purposes of clause (ii)(II), the applicable amount is as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The applicable ``For taxable years-- amount is-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Beginning in calendar year 2018......................... $900,000 Beginning in calendar year 2019......................... $800,000 Beginning in calendar year 2020......................... $700,000 Beginning in calendar year 2021......................... $600,000 Beginning in or after calendar year 2022................ $500,000.''. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2017.

Summary: Equal Opportunity for Residential Representation Act This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Office of Community Planning and Development to carry out a program to make grants to organizations to provide legal services and other related supportive services on behalf of low-income families (including individuals and victims of domestic violence) who reside in a rental dwelling unit and have an income that does not exceed 80% of the median income for the area in which the family resides. The following organizations may receive such grants: nonprofit organizations that provide legal services to persons or families of limited income, including organizations that receive funding from the Legal Services Corporation; legal clinics sponsored by law schools or other organizations; and such other entities as HUD considers appropriate. These grants may be used only to provide legal services and other related supportive services in connection with: (1) an eviction of such a family, (2) the prevention of such eviction, (3) a dispute between the landlord and a tenant who is a family member, or (4) enforcing the family's legal rights regarding tenancy or fair housing. Funds for such program shall be derived from revenues resulting from amendments by this bill to the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the limitation on the mortgage interest deduction for the acquisition indebtedness of certain taxpayers.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Fraud and Abuse Control Act of 1995''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICARE FRAUD AND ABUSE CONTROL PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a program to improve the prevention, detection, and control of fraud and abuse under the medicare program. (b) Award of Portion of Amounts Collected to Individuals Providing Information.--Under the program established pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall pay a portion of any civil monetary penalty assessed under the medicare program to any individual or entity who provided information which served as the basis for the assessment of the penalty, under the same terms and conditions applicable to awards to qui tam plaintiffs under chapter 37 of title 31, United States Code. SEC. 3. PROVIDING INFORMATION ON REPORTING FRAUD AND ABUSE WITH MEDICARE CLAIMS AND BENEFIT FORMS. (a) In General.--Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``solicitation of information on fraud and abuse ``Sec. 1893. With each explanation of benefits provided to an individual to whom items or services are furnished under this title and with each notice of payment provided to an individual or entity furnishing an item or service for which payment is made under this title, the Secretary shall include a statement soliciting any information the individual or entity may possess on any fraud and abuse committed against the program under this title, together with a toll- free telephone number through which the individual or entity may report such information.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to items and services furnished and payments made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act on or after January 1, 1996. SEC. 4. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF PENALTIES. (a) In General.-- (1) General civil monetary penalties.--Section 1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7a) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)-- (i) by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000'', and (ii) by striking ``$15,000'' and inserting ``$30,000''; and (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``$2,000'' each place it appears and inserting ``$4,000''. (2) Criminal penalties.--Section 1128B of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)-- (i) by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000'', and (ii) by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$20,000''; (B) in subsections (b), (c), and (d), by striking ``$25,000'' each place it appears and inserting ``$50,000''; and (C) in subsection (e), by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''. (3) Standards for nursing facilities.-- (A) Providing advance notice of survey to nursing facility.--Section 1819(g)(2)(A)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i@3(g)(2)(A)(i)) is amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''. (B) Noncompliance with nursing facility standards.--Section 1819(h)(2)(B)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i@3(h)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$20,000''. (4) Failure to provide information on referring physician on unassigned claims.--Section 1833(q)(2)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(q)(2)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''. (5) Distribution by suppliers of medical equipment of medical necessity forms.--Section 1834(j)(2)(A)(iii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(j)(2)(A)(iii)), as added by section 131(a)(1) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994, is amended by striking ``$1,000'' and inserting ``$2,000''. (6) Failure to include diagnosis code on unassigned claims.--Section 1842(p)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(p)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''. (7) Intermediate sanctions for providers or suppliers of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests.--Section 1846(b)(2)(A)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w@2(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$20,000''. (8) Medicare secondary payer.-- (A) Offering financial incentives for beneficiaries not to enroll in primary plans.--The second sentence of section 1862(b)(3)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)(3)(C)) is amended by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$10,000''. (B) Failure of employer to provide matching information on secondary payer situations.--The second sentence of section 1862(b)(5)(C)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)(5)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking ``$1,000'' and inserting ``$2,000''. (C) Failure of provider to provide information on availability of other payers.--Section 1862(b)(6)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)(6)(B)), as added by section 151(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994, is amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''. (9) Improper billing by hospitals.--Section 1866(g) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(g)) is amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''. (10) Violation of anti-dumping restrictions.--Section 1867(d)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd(d)(1)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``$50,000'' each place it appears and inserting ``$100,000''; and (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''. (11) Sanctions against health maintenance organizations.-- Section 1876(i)(6)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395mm(i)(6)(B)(i)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''; (B) by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting ``$200,000''; and (C) by striking ``$15,000'' and inserting ``$30,000''. (12) Referrals by physicians with ownership or investment interests.-- (A) Improper claims.--Section 1877(g)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(g)(3)) is amended by striking ``$15,000'' and inserting ``$30,000''. (B) Circumvention schemes.--Section 1877(g)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(g)(4)) is amended by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting ``$200,000''. (C) Failure to report information.--Section 1877(g)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(g)(5)) is amended by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$20,000''. (13) Medicare supplemental policies.-- (A) Issuance of policies where no standards in effect.--The second sentence of section 1882(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''. (B) Misrepresentations of policies.--Section 1882(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(d)) is amended-- (i) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4)(A), by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$10,000''; and (ii) in paragraphs (3)(A) and (3)(B)(iv), by striking ``$25,000 (or $15,000'' and inserting ``$50,000 (or $30,000''. (C) Violation of benefits standards.--Section 1882(p) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(p)) is amended by striking ``$25,000 (or $15,000'' each place it appears in paragraphs (8) and (9)(C) and inserting ``$50,000 (or $30,000''. (D) Violation of guaranteed renewability standards.--Section 1882(q)(5)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(q)(5)(C)) is amended by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''. (E) Violation of loss ratio standards.--Section 1882(r)(6)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(r)(6)(A)) is amended by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''. (F) Violation of pre-existing condition standards.--Section 1882(s)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(s)(3)) is amended by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$10,000''. (G) Medicare select policies.--Section 1882(t)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ss(t)(2)) is amended by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''. (14) Violation of home health participation standards.-- Section 1891 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395bbb) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)(3)(D)(iii)(III), by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$10,000''; (B) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000'' ; and (C) in subsection (f)(2)(A)(i), by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$20,000''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to civil monetary penalties imposed with respect to acts or omissions occurring on or after January 1, 1996.

Summary: Medicare Fraud and Abuse Control Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a federal program to prevent, detect, and control fraud and abuse under Medicare. Requires the Secretary to pay a portion of any civil monetary penalty for a Medicare violation to any person or entity whose information led to the imposition of that penalty. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act: (1) to require that a statement soliciting information of any fraud or abuse be included with every explanation of benefits received and notice of payment made under Medicare; and (2) to double the amount of criminal and civil monetary penalties that are assessed for various Medicare violations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Voter Registration Modernization Act''. SEC. 2. REQUIRING AVAILABILITY OF INTERNET FOR VOTER REGISTRATION. (a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Registration.--The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section: ``SEC. 6A. INTERNET REGISTRATION. ``(a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Online Registration.-- ``(1) Availability of online registration.--Each State, acting through the chief State election official, shall ensure that the following services are available to the public at any time on the official public websites of the appropriate State and local election officials in the State, in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as the services provided by voter registration agencies under section 7(a): ``(A) Online application for voter registration. ``(B) Online assistance to applicants in applying to register to vote. ``(C) Online completion and submission by applicants of the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2), including assistance with providing a signature in electronic form as required under subsection (c). ``(D) Online receipt of completed voter registration applications. ``(b) Acceptance of Completed Applications.--A State shall accept an online voter registration application provided by an individual under this section, and ensure that the individual is registered to vote in the State, if-- ``(1) the individual meets the same voter registration requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by mail in accordance with section 6(a)(1) using the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2); and ``(2)(A) in the case of an individual who has a signature on file with the State motor vehicle authority, the information provided in the application matches the records of such State motor vehicle authority; and ``(B) in any other case, the individual provides a signature in electronic form in accordance with subsection (c). ``(c) Signatures in Electronic Form.--For purposes of this section, an individual provides a signature in electronic form by-- ``(1) executing a computerized mark in the signature field on an online voter registration application; or ``(2) submitting with the application an electronic copy of the individual's handwritten signature through electronic means. ``(d) Provision of Services in Nonpartisan Manner.--The services made available under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that ensures that, consistent with section 7(a)(5)-- ``(1) the online application does not seek to influence an applicant's political preference or party registration; and ``(2) there is no display on the website promoting any political preference or party allegiance, except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant from registering to vote as a member of a political party. ``(e) Protection of Security of Information.--In meeting the requirements of this section, the State shall establish appropriate technological security measures to prevent to the greatest extent practicable any unauthorized access to information provided by individuals using the services made available under subsection (a). ``(f) Nondiscrimination Among Registered Voters Using Mail and Online Registration.--In carrying out this Act, the Help America Vote Act of 2002, or any other Federal, State, or local law governing the treatment of registered voters in the State or the administration of elections for public office in the State, a State shall treat a registered voter who registered to vote online in accordance with this section in the same manner as the State treats a registered voter who registered to vote by mail. ``(g) Accessibility of Online Registration.--The services provided under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that is accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those that are blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters.''. (b) Treatment as Individuals Registering To Vote by Mail for Purposes of First-Time Voter Identification Requirements.--Section 303(b)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``by mail'' and inserting ``by mail or online under section 6A of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993''. (c) Conforming Amendments.-- (1) Timing of registration.--Section 8(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (C); (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph: ``(D) in the case of online registration through the official public website of an election official under section 6A, if the valid voter registration application is submitted online not later than the lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election (as determined by treating the date on which the application is sent electronically as the date on which it is submitted); and''. (2) Informing applicants of eligibility requirements and penalties.--Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(5)) is amended by striking ``and 7'' and inserting ``6A, and 7''. SEC. 3. USE OF INTERNET TO UPDATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION. (a) In General.-- (1) Updates to information contained on computerized statewide voter registration list.--Section 303(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) Use of internet by registered voters to update information.-- ``(A) In general.--The appropriate State or local election official shall ensure that any registered voter on the computerized list may at any time update the voter's registration information, including the voter's address and electronic mail address, online through the official public website of the election official responsible for the maintenance of the list, so long as the voter attests to the contents of the update by providing a signature in electronic form in the same manner required under section 6A(c) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. ``(B) Processing of updated information by election officials.--If a registered voter updates registration information under subparagraph (A), the appropriate State or local election official shall-- ``(i) revise any information on the computerized list to reflect the update made by the voter; and ``(ii) if the updated registration information affects the voter's eligibility to vote in an election for Federal office, ensure that the information is processed with respect to the election if the voter updates the information not later than the lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election.''. (2) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.-- Section 303(d)(1)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (B) and subsection (a)(6)''. (b) Ability of Registrant To Use Online Update To Provide Information on Residence.--Section 8(d)(2)(A) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)(2)(A)) is amended-- (1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``return the card'' the following: ``or update the registrant's information on the computerized Statewide voter registration list using the online method provided under section 303(a)(6) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002''; and (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``returned,'' and inserting the following: ``returned or if the registrant does not update the registrant's information on the computerized Statewide voter registration list using such online method,''. SEC. 4. STUDY ON BEST PRACTICES FOR INTERNET REGISTRATION. (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall conduct an ongoing study on best practices for implementing the requirements for Internet registration under section 6A of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (as added by section 2) and the requirement to permit voters to update voter registration information online under section 303(a)(6) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by section 3) in a fully accessible manner. (b) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 4 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall make publicly available a report on the study conducted under subsection (a). (2) Quadrennial update.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall review and update the report made under paragraph (1). (c) Use of Best Practices in EAC Voluntary Guidance.--Subsection (a) of section 311 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21101(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``Such voluntary guidance shall utilize the best practices developed by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology under section 4 of the Voter Registration Modernization Act for the use of the Internet in voter registration.''. SEC. 5. PROVISION OF ELECTION INFORMATION BY ELECTRONIC MAIL TO INDIVIDUALS REGISTERED TO VOTE. (a) Including Option on Voter Registration Application To Provide E-Mail Address and Receive Information.-- (1) In general.--Section 9(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3); (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) shall include a space for the applicant to provide (at the applicant's option) an electronic mail address, together with a statement that, if the applicant so requests, instead of using regular mail the appropriate State and local election officials shall provide to the applicant, through electronic mail sent to that address, the same voting information (as defined in section 302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002) which the officials would provide to the applicant through regular mail.''. (2) Prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official duties of election officials.--Section 9 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20508) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(c) Prohibiting Use of Electronic Mail Addresses for Other Than Official Purposes.--The chief State election official shall ensure that any electronic mail address provided by an applicant under subsection (b)(5) is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of election officials and is not transmitted by any State or local election official (or any agent of such an official, including a contractor) to any person who does not require the address to carry out such official duties and who is not under the direct supervision and control of a State or local election official.''. (b) Requiring Provision of Information by Election Officials.-- Section 302(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) Provision of other information by electronic mail.-- If an individual who is a registered voter has provided the State or local election official with an electronic mail address for the purpose of receiving voting information (as described in section 9(b)(5) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993), the appropriate State or local election official, through electronic mail transmitted not later than 30 days before the date of the election involved, shall provide the individual with information on how to obtain the following information by electronic means: ``(A) The name and address of the polling place at which the individual is assigned to vote in the election. ``(B) The hours of operation for the polling place. ``(C) A description of any identification or other information the individual may be required to present at the polling place.''. SEC. 6. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT REGARDING NECESSARY INFORMATION TO SHOW ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE. Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new subsection: ``(j) Requirement for State To Register Applicants Providing Necessary Information To Show Eligibility To Vote.--For purposes meeting the requirement of subsection (a)(1) that an eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election for Federal office within the deadlines required under such subsection, the State shall consider an applicant to have provided a `valid voter registration form' if-- ``(1) the applicant has accurately completed the application form and attested to the statement required by section 9(b)(2); and ``(2) in the case of an applicant who registers to vote online in accordance with section 6A, the applicant provides a signature in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.''. SEC. 7. IMPLEMENTATION PAYMENTS. (a) In General.--The Election Assistance Commission shall make an implementation payment each year in an amount determined under subsection (c) to each State. (b) Use of Funds.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a State receiving a payment under subsection (a) shall use the payment only to meet the requirements of this Act. (2) Other activities.--A State may use implementation payments to carry out other activities to improve the administration of elections for Federal office if the State certifies to the Commission that-- (A) the State has implemented the requirements of this Act; and (B) the amount expended with respect to such other activities does not exceed the an amount equal to the minimum payment amount applicable to the State under subsection (c)(3). (3) Limitation.--Rules similar to the rules of section 251(f) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001(f)) shall apply for purposes of this section. (c) Allocation of Funds.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of an implementation payment made to a State for any year shall be equal to-- (A) the total amount appropriated for implementation payments for the year pursuant to the authorization under subsection (d); and (B) the State allocation percentage for the State. (2) State allocation percentage.--The term ``State allocation percentage'' has the same meaning as given such term under section 252(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21002(b)). (3) Minimum amount of payment; other rules.--Rules similar to the rules of subsections (c), (d), and (e) of section 252 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21002) shall apply for purposes of this subsection. (d) Authorization of Appropriations.-- (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated for implementation payments under this section $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2015. (2) Availability.--Any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of paragraph (1) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended. (e) Reports.--Not later than April 1, 2017, each State which received an implementation payment under this section shall submit a report to the Commission on the activities conducted with funds provided under this section. SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this Act (other than the amendments made by section 5) shall take effect January 1, 2016. (b) Waiver.--If a State certifies to the Election Assistance Commission not later than January 1, 2016, that the State will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection (a) for good cause and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet such deadline, subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such subsection to ``January 1, 2016'' were a reference to ``January 1, 2018''.

Summary: Voter Registration Modernization Act - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require each state to make available official public websites for online voter registration. Directs the appropriate state or local election official to ensure that information on the computerized statewide voter registration list may be updated through the official public website. Directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to study best practices for implementing the requirements for Internet registration and the online updating of voter registration information. Authorizes the provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote who have requested to receive it. Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make an implementation payment each year to enable each state to meet the requirements of this Act and to carry out activities to improve the administration of federal elections.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Child Safety Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) The problem of family violence does not necessarily cease when the victimized family is legally separated, divorced, or otherwise not sharing a household. During separation and divorce, family violence often escalates, and child custody and visitation become the new forum for the continuation of abuse. (2) Current child custody and visitation laws are based on incorrect assumptions that divorcing parents are in relatively equal positions of power and that such parents always act in the children's best interest. These laws often work against the protection of the children and the abused spouse or intimate partner in families with a history of family violence. (3) Some perpetrators use the children as pawns to control the abused party after the couple is separated. (4) Every year an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 children are killed by their parents in the United States. (5) In 1988, the Department of Justice reported that 354,100 children were abducted by family members who violated custody agreements or decrees. Most victims were children from ages 2 to 11 years. (6) Approximately 160,000 children are seriously injured or impaired by abuse or neglect each year. (7) Studies by the American Humane Association indicate that reports of child abuse and neglect have increased by over 200 percent from 1976 to 1986. (8) Approximately 90 percent of children in homes in which their mothers are abused witness the abuse. (9) Data indicates that women and children are at elevated risk for violence during the process of and after separation. (10) Fifty to 70 percent of men who abuse their spouses or partners also abuse their children. (11) Up to 75 percent of all domestic assaults reported to law enforcement agencies were inflicted after the separation of the couples. (12) In one study of spousal homicide, over half of the male defendants were separated from their victims. (13) Seventy-three percent of battered women seeking emergency medical services do so after separation. SEC. 3. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to authorize funding to enable supervised visitation centers to provide the following: (1) Supervised visitation in cases where there is documented sexual, physical or emotional abuse as determined by the appropriate court. (2) Supervised visitation in cases where there is suspected or elevated risk of sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or where there have been threats of parental abduction of the child. (3) Supervised visitation for children who have been placed in foster homes as a result of abuse. (4) An evaluation of visitation between parents and children for child protection social services to assist such service providers in making determinations of whether the children should be returned to a previously abusive home. (5) A safe location for custodial parents to temporarily transfer custody of their children with non-custodial parents, or to provide a protected visitation environment, where there has been a history of domestic violence or an order for protection is involved. (6) An additional safeguard against the child witnessing abuse or a safeguard against the injury or death of a child or parent. (7) An environment for families to have healthy interaction activities, quality time, non-violent memory building experiences during visitation to help build the parent/child relationship. (8) Parent and child education and support groups to help parents heal and learn new skills, and to help children heal from past abuse. SEC. 4. DEMONSTRATION GRANTS FOR SUPERVISED VISITATION CENTERS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (hereafter referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') is authorized to award grants to and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with public or nonprofit private entities to assist such entities in the establishment and operation of supervised visitation centers. (b) Considerations.--In awarding grants, contracts and agreements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into account-- (1) the number of families to be served by the proposed visitation center to be established under the grant, contract or agreement; (2) the extent to which supervised visitation centers are needed locally; (3) the relative need of the applicant; and (4) the capacity of the applicant to make rapid and effective use of assistance provided under the grant, contract or agreement. (c) Use of Funds.-- (1) In general.--Amounts provided under a grant, contract or cooperative agreement awarded under this section shall be used to establish supervised visitation centers and for the purposes described in section 3. In using such amounts, grantees shall target the economically disadvantaged and those individuals who could not otherwise afford such visitation services. Other individuals may be permitted to utilize the services provided by the center on a fee basis. (2) Costs.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that, with respect to recipients of grants, contracts or agreements under this section, the perpetrators of the family violence, abuse or neglect will be responsible for any and all costs associated with the supervised visitation undertaken at the center. SEC. 5. DEMONSTRATION GRANT APPLICATION. (a) In General.--A grant, contract or cooperative agreement may not be made or entered into under this Act unless an application for such grant, contract or cooperative agreement has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary. (b) Approval.--Grants, contracts and cooperative agreements under this Act shall be awarded in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may promulgate. At a minimum, to be approved by the Secretary under this section an application shall-- (1) demonstrate that the applicant has recognized expertise in the area of family violence and a record of high quality service to victims of family violence; and (2) be submitted from an entity located in a State where State law requires the courts to consider evidence of violence in custody decisions. SEC. 6. EVALUATION OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS. (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, a recipient of a grant, contract or cooperative agreement under this Act shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a report that contains information concerning-- (1) the number of families served per year; (2) the number of families served per year categorized by-- (A) families who require that supervised visitation because of child abuse only; (B) families who require supervised visitation because of a combination of child abuse and domestic violence; and (C) families who require supervised visitation because of domestic violence only; (3) the number of visits per family in the report year categorized by-- (A) supervised visitation required by the courts; (B) supervised visitation based on suspected or elevated risk of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, or threats of parental abduction of the child that is not court mandated; (C) supervised visitation that is part of a foster care arrangement; and (D) supervised visitation because of an order of protection; (4) the number of supervised visitation arrangements terminated because of violations of visitation terms, including violence; (5) the number of protective temporary transfers of custody during the report year; (6) the number of parental abduction cases in a judicial district using supervised visitation services, both as identified in criminal prosecution and custody violations; (7) the number of safety and security problems that occur during the report year; (8) the number of families who are turned away because the center cannot accommodate the demand for services; (9) the process by which children or abused partners will be protected during visitations, temporary custody transfers and other activities for which the supervised visitation centers are created; and (10) any other information determined appropriate in regulations promulgated by the Secretary. (b) Evaluation.--In addition to submitting the reports required under subsection (a), an entity receiving a grant, contract or cooperative agreement under this Act shall have a collateral agreement with the court, the child protection social services division of the State, and local domestic violence agencies or State and local domestic violence coalitions to evaluate the supervised visitation center operated under the grant, contract or agreement. The entities conducting such evaluations shall submit a narrative evaluation of the center to both the center and the grantee. (c) Demonstration of Need.--The recipient of a grant, contract or cooperative agreement under this Act shall demonstrate, during the first 3 years of the project operated under the grant, contract or agreement, the need for continued funding. SEC. 7. SPECIAL GRANTS TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF SUPERVISED VISITATION ON SEXUALLY ABUSED OR SEVERELY PHYSICALLY ABUSED CHILDREN. (a) Authorization.--The Secretary is authorized to award special grants to public or nonprofit private entities to assist such entities in collecting clinical data for supervised visitation centers established under this Act to determine-- (1) the extent to which supervised visitation should be allowed between children who are sexually abused or severely physically abused by a parent, where the visitation is not predicated on the abusive parent having successively completed a specialized course of therapy for such abusers; (2) the effect of supervised visitation on child victims of sexual abuse or severe physical abuse when the abusive parent exercising visitation has not completed specialized therapy and does not use the visitation to alleviate the child victim's guilt, fear, or confusion; (3) the relationship between the type of abuse or neglect experienced by the child and the use of supervised visitation centers by the maltreating parent; and (4) in cases of spouse or partner abuse only, the extent to which supervised visitation should be predicated on participation by the abusive spouse in a specialized treatment program. (b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section an entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including documentary evidence to demonstrate that the entity possesses a high level of clinical expertise and experience in child abuse treatment and prevention as they relate to visitation. The level of clinical expertise and experience required will be determined by the Secretary. (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which a grant is received under this section, and each year thereafter for the duration of the grant, the grantee shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a report containing the clinical data collected under such grant. SEC. 8. REPORTING. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the information collected under the reports received under sections 6 and 7, including recommendations made by the Secretary concerning whether or not the supervised visitation center demonstration and clinical data programs should be reauthorized. SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--For the purpose of awarding grants, contracts and cooperative agreements under this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1996. (b) Distribution.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year-- (1) not less than 80 percent shall be used to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under section 5; and (2) not more than 20 percent shall be used to award grants under section 7. (c) Disbursement.--Amounts appropriated under this section shall be disbursed as categorical grants through the 10 regional offices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Summary: Child Safety Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with public or nonprofit private entities to: (1) establish and operate supervised visitation centers for child abuse victims; and (2) assist such organizations in collecting data on the effect of supervised visitation on sexually abused or severely physically abused children. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF 1986 CODE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Amendment of 1986 Code; table of contents. TITLE I--TAXPAYER ACCESS TO UNITED STATES TAX COURT Sec. 101. Filing period for interest abatement cases. Sec. 102. Small tax case election for interest abatement cases. Sec. 103. Venue for appeal of spousal relief and collection cases. Sec. 104. Suspension of running of period for filing petition of spousal relief and collection cases. Sec. 105. Application of Federal rules of evidence. TITLE II--UNITED STATES TAX COURT ADMINISTRATION Sec. 201. Judicial conduct and disability procedures. Sec. 202. Administration, judicial conference, and fees. TITLE III--CLARIFICATION RELATING TO UNITED STATES TAX COURT Sec. 301. Clarification relating to United States Tax Court. TITLE I--TAXPAYER ACCESS TO UNITED STATES TAX COURT SEC. 101. FILING PERIOD FOR INTEREST ABATEMENT CASES. (a) In General.--Subsection (h) of section 6404 is amended-- (1) by striking ``Review of Denial'' in the heading and inserting ``Judicial Review'', and (2) by striking ``if such action is brought'' and all that follows in paragraph (1) and inserting ``if such action is brought-- ``(A) at any time after the earlier of-- ``(i) the date of the mailing of the Secretary's final determination not to abate such interest, or ``(ii) the date which is 180 days after the date of the filing with the Secretary (in such form as the Secretary may prescribe) of a claim for abatement under this section, and ``(B) not later than the date which is 180 days after the date described in subparagraph (A)(i).''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to claims for abatement of interest filed with the Secretary of the Treasury after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 102. SMALL TAX CASE ELECTION FOR INTEREST ABATEMENT CASES. (a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 7463 is amended-- (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1), (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ``, and'', and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) a petition to the Tax Court under section 6404(h) in which the amount of the abatement sought does not exceed $50,000.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to cases pending as of the day after the date of the enactment of this Act, and cases commenced after such date of enactment. SEC. 103. VENUE FOR APPEAL OF SPOUSAL RELIEF AND COLLECTION CASES. (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 7482(b) is amended-- (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (E), (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting a comma, and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraphs: ``(G) in the case of a petition under section 6015(e), the legal residence of the petitioner, or ``(H) in the case of a petition under section 6320 or 6330-- ``(i) the legal residence of the petitioner if the petitioner is an individual, and ``(ii) the principal place of business or principal office or agency if the petitioner is an entity other than an individual.''. (b) Effective Date.-- (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to petitions filed after the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Effect on existing proceedings.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to create any inference with respect to the application of section 7482 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to court proceedings filed on or before the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 104. SUSPENSION OF RUNNING OF PERIOD FOR FILING PETITION OF SPOUSAL RELIEF AND COLLECTION CASES. (a) Petitions for Spousal Relief.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (e) of section 6015 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) Suspension of running of period for filing petition in title 11 cases.--In the case of a person who is prohibited by reason of a case under title 11, United States Code, from filing a petition under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to a final determination of relief under this section, the running of the period prescribed by such paragraph for filing such a petition with respect to such final determination shall be suspended for the period during which the person is so prohibited from filing such a petition, and for 60 days thereafter.''. (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection shall apply to petitions filed under section 6015(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Collection Proceedings.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (d) of section 6330 is amended-- (A) by striking ``appeal such determination to the Tax Court'' in paragraph (1) and inserting ``petition the Tax Court for review of such determination'', (B) by striking ``Judicial review of determination'' in the heading of paragraph (1) and inserting ``Petition for review by tax court'', (C) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3), and (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph: ``(2) Suspension of running of period for filing petition in title 11 cases.--In the case of a person who is prohibited by reason of a case under title 11, United States Code, from filing a petition under paragraph (1) with respect to a determination under this section, the running of the period prescribed by such subsection for filing such a petition with respect to such determination shall be suspended for the period during which the person is so prohibited from filing such a petition, and for 30 days thereafter, and''. (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to petitions filed under section 6330 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (c) of section 6320 is amended by striking ``(2)(B)'' and inserting ``(3)(B)''. SEC. 105. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE. (a) In General.--Section 7453 is amended by striking ``the rules of evidence applicable in trials without a jury in the United States District Court of the District of Columbia'' and inserting ``the Federal Rules of Evidence''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to proceedings commenced after the date of the enactment of this Act and, to the extent that it is just and practicable, to all proceedings pending on such date. TITLE II--UNITED STATES TAX COURT ADMINISTRATION SEC. 201. JUDICIAL CONDUCT AND DISABILITY PROCEDURES. (a) In General.--Part II of subchapter C of chapter 76 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 7466. JUDICIAL CONDUCT AND DISABILITY PROCEDURES. ``(a) In General.--The Tax Court shall prescribe rules, consistent with the provisions of chapter 16 of title 28, United States Code, establishing procedures for the filing of complaints with respect to the conduct of any judge or magistrate judge of the Tax Court and for the investigation and resolution of such complaints. In investigating and taking action with respect to any such complaint, the Tax Court shall have the powers granted to a judicial council under such chapter. ``(b) Judicial Council.--The provisions of sections 354(b) through 360 of title 28, United States Code, regarding referral or certification to, and petition for review in the Judicial Conference of the United States, and action thereon, shall apply to the exercise by the Tax Court of the powers of a judicial council under subsection (a). The determination pursuant to section 354(b) or 355 of title 28, United States Code, shall be made based on the grounds for removal of a judge from office under section 7443(f), and certification and transmittal by the Conference of any complaint shall be made to the President for consideration under section 7443(f). ``(c) Hearings.-- ``(1) In general.--In conducting hearings pursuant to subsection (a), the Tax Court may exercise the authority provided under section 1821 of title 28, United States Code, to pay the fees and allowances described in that section. ``(2) Reimbursement for expenses.--The Tax Court shall have the power provided under section 361 of such title 28 to award reimbursement for the reasonable expenses described in that section. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall be made out of any funds appropriated for purposes of the Tax Court.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part II of subchapter C of chapter 76 is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``Sec. 7466. Judicial conduct and disability procedures.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to proceedings commenced after the date which is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and, to the extent just and practicable, all proceedings pending on such date. SEC. 202. ADMINISTRATION, JUDICIAL CONFERENCE, AND FEES. (a) In General.--Part III of subchapter C of chapter 76 is amended by inserting before section 7471 the following new sections: ``SEC. 7470. ADMINISTRATION. ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Tax Court may exercise, for purposes of management, administration, and expenditure of funds of the Court, the authorities provided for such purposes by any provision of law (including any limitation with respect to such provision of law) applicable to a court of the United States (as that term is defined in section 451 of title 28, United States Code), except to the extent that such provision of law is inconsistent with a provision of this subchapter. ``SEC. 7470A. JUDICIAL CONFERENCE. ``(a) Judicial Conference.--The chief judge may summon the judges and magistrate judges of the Tax Court to an annual judicial conference, at such time and place as the chief judge shall designate, for the purpose of considering the business of the Tax Court and recommending means of improving the administration of justice within the jurisdiction of the Tax Court. The Tax Court shall provide by its rules for representation and active participation at such conferences by persons admitted to practice before the Tax Court and by other persons active in the legal profession. ``(b) Registration Fee.--The Tax Court may impose a reasonable registration fee on persons (other than judges and magistrate judges of the Tax Court) participating at judicial conferences convened pursuant to subsection (a). Amounts so received by the Tax Court shall be available to the Tax Court to defray the expenses of such conferences.''. (b) Disposition of Fees.--Section 7473 is amended to read as follows: ``SEC. 7473. DISPOSITION OF FEES. ``Except as provided in sections 7470A and 7475, all fees received by the Tax Court pursuant to this title shall be deposited into a special fund of the Treasury to be available to offset funds appropriated for the operation and maintenance of the Tax Court.''. (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections for part III of subchapter C of chapter 76 is amended by inserting before the item relating to section 7471 the following new items: ``Sec. 7470. Administration. ``Sec. 7470A. Judicial conference.''. TITLE III--CLARIFICATION RELATING TO UNITED STATES TAX COURT SEC. 301. CLARIFICATION RELATING TO UNITED STATES TAX COURT. Section 7441 is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The Tax Court is not an agency of, and shall be independent of, the executive branch of the Government.''.

Summary: . This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the rules and administrative provisions governing the U.S. Tax Court, a court established under Article I of the Constitution. TITLE I--TAXPAYER ACCESS TO UNITED STATES TAX COURT (Sec. 101) This section changes the period for filing an action in the Tax Court for review of a denial by the Department of the Treasury of a request to abate interest. The action may be filed in Tax Court at any time after the earlier of the date of the mailing of Treasury's final determination not to abate such interest or the date that is 180 days after the filing of a claim for abatement, but not later that 180 days after Treasury's final determination. (Sec. 102) This section allows the filing of an action in Tax Court for review of a denial to abate interest not exceeding $50,000 as a small tax case, thus providing for expedited review. (Sec. 103) This section provides that: (1) venue in an innocent spouse relief petition is the legal residence of the petitioner; and (2) venue in a collection due process proceeding is the legal residence of an individual petitioner or the principal place of business or principal office or agency if the the petitioner is an entity other than an individual. An innocent spouse relief petition is a petition filed by a husband or wife claiming, in good faith, ignorance of violations of tax law by the other spouse (e.g., failure to report income or improper claims of tax credits or deductions), thus resulting in unexpected tax liability for the innocent spouse. (Sec. 104) This section provides for a suspension of the running of the period of limitations on filing petitions for innocent spouse relief and a collection due process hearing for taxpayers in bankruptcy who are prohibited from filing such petitions. (Sec. 105) This section makes the Federal Rules of Evidence applicable to proceedings of the Tax Court. TITLE II--UNITED STATES TAX COURT ADMINISTRATION (Sec. 201) This section directs the Tax Court to prescribe rules for the filing of complaints with respect to the conduct of any judge or magistrate judge of the Court and for the investigation and resolution of such complaints. In investigating and taking action on any complaint, the Court shall have the powers granted to a judicial council under the federal judicial code. (Sec.202) This section grants the Tax Court the same management, administrative, and expenditure authority as is granted to other federal courts with general jurisdiction under Article III of the Constitution. The Chief Judge may summon the judges and magistrate judges of the Court to an annual judicial conference to consider the business of the Court and make recommendations to improve the administration of justice with the jurisdiction of the Court. The Court may impose a reasonable registration fee on persons, other than judges and magistrate judges, who attend the judicial conference to defray costs of the conference. All fees received by the Tax Court shall be deposited into a special fund of the Treasury and made available to offset funds appropriated for the operation and maintenance of the Court. TITLE III--CLARIFICATION RELATING TO UNITED STATES TAX COURT (Sec. 301) This section declares that the Tax Court is not an agency of, and shall be independent of, the executive branch.


SECTION 1. VOLUNTEER MENTORING PROGRAMS. (a) In General.--Section 9 of the Small Business Administration Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(u) Volunteer Mentoring Programs.-- ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection-- ``(A) the term `eligible association' means a national or regional association, organization, coalition, or other entity (including an individual) that represents small business concerns participating in SBIR or STTR programs under this section; ``(B) the term `qualified mentoring organization' means a small business concern that has successfully completed 1 or more SBIR or STTR funding agreements under this section; and ``(C) the term `low participation area' means an area within a State that, in the determination of the Administrator, receives a disproportionately low number of SBIR awards, as compared with other areas in the State or in the United States. ``(2) Grant authority.--In order to assist small business concerns in successfully completing the SBIR and STTR programs under this section, the Administration may award, on competitive basis, a grant to 1 or more eligible associations for use in accordance with paragraph (5). ``(3) Applications.--In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible association shall submit to the Administration an application in such form and containing such information as the Administration may require. ``(4) Amount of assistance.--The amount of a grant to an eligible association under this subsection shall be equal to not less than $50,000 and not more than $200,000. An eligible association that has received a grant under this subsection may reapply for 1 or more additional grants under this subsection, as may be necessary to carry out the program established and implemented with the initial grant in accordance with paragraph (5). ``(5) Use of assistance.--Amounts made available under a grant awarded under this subsection-- ``(A) shall be used by the eligible association to establish and carry out a program under which 1 or more qualified mentoring organizations provide technical assistance (which may include marketing, proposal writing, government accounting, government audits, facilities and equipment, project management, human resources, phase III partners, commercialization, and venture capital networking) to small business concerns located in low participation areas in order to advise and guide them through the SBIR and STTR program processes from application to award and successful completion of each phase of the program; and ``(B) may be used to reimburse qualified mentoring organizations participating in the program-- ``(i) for necessary out-of-pocket expenses incident to the provision of services by employees of such organizations under the program; and ``(ii) while employees of such organizations are providing such services away from their homes or regular places of business, for travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals serving without pay, and for reasonable communications expenses (including telephone calls and facsimiles). ``(6) Status of employees of qualified mentoring organizations.--An employee of a qualified mentoring organization, while carrying out activities under a program carried out with grant awarded under this subsection-- ``(A) shall be deemed to be a Federal employee for purposes of the Federal tort claims provisions in title 28, United States Code; and ``(B) for purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (relative to compensation to Federal employees for work injuries) shall be deemed to be a civil employee of the United States within the meaning of the term ``employee'' as defined in section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, and the provisions of that subchapter shall apply to such employee, except that in computing compensation benefits for disability or death, the monthly pay of such employee shall be deemed to be that received under the entrance salary for a grade GS-11 employee. ``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for each fiscal year.''. (b) Regulations.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue final regulations to implement section 9(u) of the Small Business Act, as added by this section. (2) Maximum amount.--Not later than 18 months after the date on which regulations are issued under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report, which shall include recommendations regarding any change in the maximum grant amount under section 9(u)(4) of the Small Business Act, as added by this section.

Summary: Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA), in order to assist small businesses in successfully completing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to award, on a competitive basis, a grant to one or more eligible associations (an association that represents small businesses participating in SBIR and STTR programs) to establish and carry out a program under which one or more qualified mentoring organizations provide technical assistance to small businesses located in low participation areas in order to advise and guide them through the SBIR and STTR processes from application and award through successful program completion. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Requires a report from the SBA Administrator to the small business committees regarding recommended changes in maximum grant amounts (no less than $50,000 or more than $200,000 per association).