Summary: End Racial Profiling Act of 2011 - Prohibits any law enforcement agent or agency from engaging in racial profiling. Grants the United States or an individual injured by racial profiling the right to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief. Requires federal law enforcement agencies to maintain adequate policies and procedures to eliminate racial profiling and to cease existing practices that permit racial profiling. Requires state or local governmental entities or state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies that apply for grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and the Cops on the Beat Program to certify that they maintain adequate policies and procedures for eliminating racial profiling and have eliminated any existing practices that permit or encourage racial profiling. Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants and contracts for the collection of data relating to racial profiling and for the development of best practices and systems to eliminate racial profiling. Requires the Attorney General to issue regulations for the collection and compilation of data on racial profiling and for the implementation of this Act.

end racial act prohibits law enforcement agent agency engaging racial grants united_states individual injured racial right obtain declaratory injunctive relief requires federal law enforcement agencies maintain adequate policies procedures eliminate racial cease existing practices permit racial requires state local governmental entities state local tribal law enforcement agencies apply grants edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program cops beat program certify maintain adequate policies procedures eliminating racial eliminated existing practices permit encourage racial authorizes attorney general award grants contracts collection data relating racial development best practices systems eliminate racial requires attorney general issue regulations collection compilation data racial implementation act


Summary: National Bison Legacy Act - Designates the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States.

national bison legacy act designates north american bison national mammal united_states


Summary: Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act - Establishes the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans to examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

commission study proposals african americans act establishes_the_commission study proposals african americans examine slavery discrimination united_states present recommend appropriate remedies


Summary:
Racial Profiling Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to make a grant to a state that: (1) has enacted and is enforcing a law that prohibits a state or local law enforcement officer from using the race or ethnicity (racial profiling) of the driver or passengers in making routine or spontaneous law enforcement decisions, such as ordinary traffic stops on federal-aid highways; and (2) allows and maintains public inspection statistical information for each motor vehicle stop made by a law enforcement officer on a federal-aid highway regarding the race and ethnicity of the driver and any passengers. Requires grant-receiving states to provide assurances to the Secretary that they are undertaking activities to comply with such requirements.

Requires a state to use such grants for the costs of: (1) collecting, maintaining, and evaluating the results of data on traffic stops; and (2) activities to comply with the requirements of this Act.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall alter the manner in which a state or local law enforcement officer considers race or ethnicity whenever there is trustworthy information that links persons of a particular race or ethnicity to an identified criminal incident, scheme, or organization.

racial prevention act_-_directs secretary transportation dot grant state enacted enforcing law prohibits state local law enforcement officer race ethnicity racial driver passengers making routine spontaneous law enforcement decisions ordinary traffic stops federal aid highways allows maintains public inspection statistical information motor vehicle stop law enforcement officer federal aid highway race ethnicity driver passengers requires grant receiving states provide assurances secretary undertaking activities comply requirements requires state use grants costs collecting maintaining evaluating results data traffic stops activities comply requirements act declares act shall alter manner state local law enforcement officer considers race ethnicity information links persons particular race ethnicity identified criminal incident scheme organization


Summary:
End Racial Profiling Act of 2013 - Prohibits any law enforcement agent or agency from engaging in racial profiling. Defines "racial profiling" to mean the practice of a law enforcement agent or agency relying, to any degree, on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or religion in selecting which individual to subject to routine or spontaneous investigatory activities, or in deciding upon the scope and substance of law enforcement activity following the initial investigatory activity, except when there is trustworthy information relevant to the locality and timeframe that links a person of a particular race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or religion to an identified criminal incident or scheme.

Authorizes the United States or an individual injured by racial profiling to enforce this Act in a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.

Requires: (1) federal law enforcement agencies to maintain adequate policies and procedures to eliminate racial profiling and to cease existing practices that permit racial profiling; and (2) state or local governmental entities or state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies that apply for grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and the Cops on the Beat Program to certify that they maintain adequate policies and procedures for eliminating racial profiling and have eliminated any existing practices that permit or encourage racial profiling.

Requires the Attorney General to issue regulations to ensure that administrative complaint procedures and independent audit programs provide an appropriate response to allegations of racial profiling by law enforcement agents or agencies.

Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants and contracts for the collection of data relating to racial profiling and for the development of best practices and systems to eliminate racial profiling. Requires: (1) the Attorney General to issue regulations for the collection and compilation of data on racial profiling, and (2) the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics to analyze the data collected for any statistically significant disparities.

Requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports on racial profiling by law enforcement agencies.

end racial act prohibits law enforcement agent agency engaging racial defines racial mean practice law enforcement agent agency relying degree race ethnicity national origin gender religion selecting individual subject routine spontaneous investigatory activities deciding scope substance law enforcement activity following initial investigatory activity information relevant locality timeframe links person particular race ethnicity national origin gender religion identified criminal incident scheme authorizes united_states individual injured racial enforce act civil action declaratory injunctive relief requires federal law enforcement agencies maintain adequate policies procedures eliminate racial cease existing practices permit racial state local governmental entities state local tribal law enforcement agencies apply grants edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program cops beat program certify maintain adequate policies procedures eliminating racial eliminated existing practices permit encourage racial requires attorney general issue regulations ensure administrative complaint procedures independent audit programs provide appropriate response allegations racial law enforcement agents agencies authorizes attorney general award grants contracts collection data relating racial development best practices systems eliminate racial requires attorney general issue regulations collection compilation data racial department_of_justice bureau_of_justice_statistics analyze data collected statistically significant disparities requires attorney general submit annual reports racial law enforcement agencies


Summary:
Universal Racial Profiling Elimination Standards, and Procedures for Effective Constitutional Rights Training Act or the Universal RESPECT Act - Prohibits federal law enforcement agents from engaging in racial profiling. Requires: (1) the Attorney General to review all applicable law enforcement policies and procedures to ensure that they are sufficient to eliminate racial profiling while performing official law enforcement duties, and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that no recipient of covered federal law enforcement assistance engages in racial profiling.

Directs the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) to develop and incorporate any necessary changes to all training, curriculum, and professional certification classes to ensure consistency with the requirements of this Act.

Requires: (1) the Director to identify, develop, and update model practices that prevent racial profiling; and (2) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board (FLETAB) to incorporate such practices into the law enforcement community through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Model Practice Clearinghouse and other means.

Directs FLETAB to: (1) develop a standard of review of anti-racial profiling components of law enforcement training curricula, and (2) deny accreditation or reaccreditation to academies, programs, and instructors not meeting such standard.

Requires: (1) the Officer and the Office for State and Local Government Coordination to review the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) or equivalent program of the states to assess the anti-racial profiling education component of such curricula, and (2) the Secretary to notify states of deficiencies in the curriculum and to make available to the states assistance to develop sufficient curriculum to meet minimum anti-racial profiling standards.

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require state, local, and tribal government recipients of DHS grants for law enforcement to certify that they do not engage in racial profiling.

Directs the Officer and the FLETC to develop guidance, outreach, training, and programs that include civil rights and civil liberties training, in particular programs designed to prevent racial profiling.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and distribute to state, local, and tribal authorities courses and materials that comply with the Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin No. 373 or successor bulletin for integration into the curricula for recruits and recurrent training for experienced law enforcement officers; and (2) make available to the states assistance to develop sufficient curriculum to meet minimum anti-racial profiling standards.

Requires guidance for DHS grants for law enforcement to inform recipients that expenditures on any training, programs, presentations, and speakers that are acquired from an entity other than DHS must be approved in advance by the Chief Privacy Officer and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

Grants the Officer primary jurisdiction over all matters relating to the review, implementation, and oversight of the requirements of this Act.

Requires the Officer: (1) using information gained by investigations of complaints and information indicating possible abuses of civil rights or civil liberties by DHS employees and officials or that are related to DHS activities, to make recommendations to DHS for improvements in policy, supervision, training, and practice related to civil rights or civil liberties or for the relevant office to review the matter and take appropriate action; and (2) to review and assess information alleging abuses of civil rights, civil liberties, and racial and ethnic profiling by law enforcement agencies receiving grants or assistance from DHS. Requires each DHS component and executive agency to ensure that it provides the Officer with access to requested information within 30 days after the Officer requests it. Authorizes the Officer to require access by subpoena to any institution or entity outside of the federal government and any record relating to such institution or entity that is the subject of or related to an investigation.

Authorizes the Officer to: (1) request the assistance of the Inspector General to investigate compliance with civil rights protection standards and complaints of racial profiling by law enforcement agencies; and (2) suspend the eligibility of a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency to receive grants or training at federal law enforcement training facilities for violating this Act until the practices of the agency are brought into compliance.

Requires law enforcement entities receiving grants or training from DHS to: (1) collect data on all routine or spontaneous investigatory activities, (2) provide that the data collected shall include detail sufficient to permit an analysis of whether a law enforcement agency is engaging in racial profiling, (3) utilize a standardized form that shall be made available to law enforcement agencies, (4) maintain all data collected for not less than four years, and (5) protect the privacy of individuals whose data is collected.

Directs the Officer to receive and maintain data from the states on: (1) the implementation of racial profiling education curricula in state POSTor equivalent state-level program peace officer certification, (2) the adoption rate by state POST programs of the FLETAB model practices on racial profiling, (3) the number of credible complaints of improper racial profiling practices filed against state law enforcement entities, (4) the disposition of such complaints, and (5) the disciplinary action by state law enforcement entities against officers and agents adjudicated guilty of improper racial profiling practices.

Requires the Secretary's annual report on the Officer to include a section related to the enforcement of this Act.

universal racial elimination standards procedures effective constitutional rights training_act universal respect act prohibits federal law enforcement agents engaging racial requires attorney general review applicable law enforcement policies procedures ensure sufficient eliminate racial performing official law enforcement duties secretary homeland_security dhs ensure recipient covered federal law enforcement assistance engages racial directs officer civil rights civil liberties director federal_law_enforcement_training_center develop incorporate necessary changes training curriculum professional certification classes ensure consistency requirements act requires director identify develop update model practices prevent racial federal law enforcement training accreditation board incorporate practices law enforcement community federal law enforcement training accreditation model practice clearinghouse means directs develop standard review anti racial components law enforcement training curricula deny accreditation academies programs instructors meeting standard requires officer office state local government coordination review peace officer standards training post equivalent program states assess anti racial education component curricula secretary notify states deficiencies curriculum available states assistance develop sufficient curriculum meet minimum anti racial standards amends homeland_security act require state local tribal government recipients dhs grants law enforcement certify engage racial directs officer develop guidance outreach training programs include civil rights civil liberties training particular programs designed prevent racial directs secretary develop distribute state local tribal authorities courses materials comply grant programs directorate information successor integration curricula recruits recurrent training experienced law enforcement officers available states assistance develop sufficient curriculum meet minimum anti racial standards requires guidance dhs grants law enforcement inform recipients expenditures training programs presentations speakers acquired entity dhs approved advance chief privacy officer office civil rights civil liberties grants officer primary jurisdiction matters relating review implementation oversight requirements act requires officer information gained investigations complaints information indicating possible abuses civil rights civil liberties dhs employees officials related dhs activities recommendations dhs improvements policy supervision training practice related civil rights civil liberties relevant office review matter appropriate action review assess information alleging abuses civil rights civil liberties racial ethnic law enforcement agencies receiving grants assistance dhs requires dhs component executive agency ensure provides officer access requested information days officer requests authorizes officer require access subpoena institution entity outside federal_government record relating institution entity subject related investigation authorizes officer request assistance inspector_general investigate compliance civil rights protection standards complaints racial law enforcement agencies suspend eligibility state local tribal law enforcement agency receive grants training federal law enforcement training facilities violating act practices agency brought compliance requires law enforcement entities receiving grants training dhs collect data routine spontaneous investigatory activities provide data collected shall include detail sufficient permit analysis law enforcement agency engaging racial utilize standardized form shall available law enforcement agencies maintain data collected years protect privacy individuals data collected directs officer receive maintain data states implementation racial education curricula state equivalent state level program peace officer certification adoption rate state post programs model practices racial number credible complaints improper racial practices filed state law enforcement entities disposition complaints disciplinary action state law enforcement entities officers agents adjudicated guilty improper racial practices requires secretary annual report officer include section related enforcement act


Summary:
Justice Integrity Act of 2014 - Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish a pilot program in 10 U.S. districts to promote fairness and the perception of fairness in the federal criminal justice system and to determine whether legislation is required, and (2) designate a U.S. attorney in each of the districts to implement a plan for carrying out such pilot program.

Requires each U.S. attorney designated to implement a pilot program to appoint an advisory group consisting of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other individuals and entities who play an important role in the criminal justice system. Requires each advisory group to: (1) collect and analyze data on the race and ethnicity of defendants at each stage of a criminal proceeding, (2) seek to determine causes of racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice process, and (3) submit to the U.S. attorney a report and proposed plan for addressing such disparities. Requires each U.S. attorney to annually evaluate the efficacy of a plan submitted by an advisory group.

Requires the Attorney General to: (1) prepare a comprehensive report on all advisory group plans and submit such report and plans to Congress, and (2) exercise continuing oversight of the criminal justice system to reduce unwarranted racial and ethnic disparities and improve such system.

justice integrity act requires attorney general establish pilot program districts promote fairness perception fairness federal criminal justice system determine legislation required designate attorney districts implement plan carrying pilot program requires attorney designated implement pilot program appoint advisory group consisting judges prosecutors defense attorneys individuals entities play important role criminal justice system requires advisory group collect analyze data race ethnicity defendants stage criminal proceeding seek determine causes racial ethnic disparities criminal justice process submit attorney report proposed plan addressing disparities requires attorney annually evaluate efficacy plan submitted advisory group requires attorney general prepare comprehensive report advisory group plans submit report plans congress exercise continuing oversight criminal justice system reduce unwarranted racial ethnic disparities improve system


Summary: Byrne/JAG Program Accountability Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require states and local governments receiving grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to implement policy, practice, and system improvement strategies to identify and reduce racial and ethnic disparities among individuals who come into contact with or are under the supervision of the criminal justice system, without establishing or requiring numerical standards or quotas.

byrne jag program accountability act_-_amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act require states local governments receiving grants edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program implement policy practice system improvement strategies identify reduce racial ethnic disparities individuals come contact supervision criminal justice system establishing requiring numerical standards quotas


Summary:
Establishes for the Federal Railroad Administration a program for disadvantaged business enterprises, that is, small business concerns owned or controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (including women).

Requires that at least 10% of federal funds for covered rail projects be expended on disadvantaged business enterprises.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish: (1) a unified certification program that lists disadvantaged business enterprises; (2) minimum uniform criteria for certifying small business concerns; and (3) minimum requirements for covered rail project federal funding recipients to report to the Secretary information on minority-owned and women-owned business awards, commitments, and achievements.

establishes federal_railroad_administration program disadvantaged business enterprises small business concerns owned controlled socially economically disadvantaged individuals including women requires federal funds covered rail projects expended disadvantaged business enterprises directs secretary transportation dot establish unified certification program lists disadvantaged business enterprises minimum uniform criteria certifying small business concerns minimum requirements covered rail project federal funding recipients report secretary information minority owned women owned business awards commitments achievements


Summary:
End Racial Profiling Act of 2013 - Prohibits any law enforcement agent or agency from engaging in racial profiling. Grants the United States or an individual injured by racial profiling the right to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief.

Requires federal law enforcement agencies to maintain adequate policies and procedures to eliminate racial profiling and to cease existing practices that permit racial profiling.

Requires state or local governmental entities or state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies that apply for grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and the Cops on the Beat Program to certify that they maintain adequate policies and procedures for eliminating racial profiling and have eliminated any existing practices that permit or encourage racial profiling.

Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants and contracts for the collection of data relating to racial profiling and for the development of best practices and systems to eliminate racial profiling. Requires the Attorney General to issue regulations for the collection and compilation of data on racial profiling and for the implementation of this Act.


Summary:
Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

Establishes the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans to examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies.


Summary:
End Racial Profiling Act of 2015

 Prohibits any law enforcement agent or agency from engaging in racial profiling. Grants the United States or an individual injured by racial profiling the right to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief.

Requires federal law enforcement agencies to maintain adequate policies and procedures to eliminate racial profiling and to cease existing practices that permit racial profiling.

Requires state or local governmental entities or state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies that apply for grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and the Cops on the Beat Program to certify that they maintain adequate policies and procedures for eliminating racial profiling and have eliminated any existing practices that permit or encourage racial profiling.

Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants and contracts for the collection of data relating to racial profiling and for the development of best practices and systems to eliminate racial profiling. Requires the Attorney General to issue regulations for the collection and compilation of data on racial profiling and for the implementation of this Act.


Summary:
Racial Profiling Prevention Act

Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make a grant to a state that: (1) has enacted and is enforcing a law that prohibits a state or local law enforcement officer from using the race or ethnicity (racial profiling) of the driver or passengers in making routine or spontaneous law enforcement decisions, such as ordinary traffic stops on federal-aid highways; and (2) allows and maintains public inspection statistical information for each motor vehicle stop made by a law enforcement officer on a federal-aid highway regarding the race and ethnicity of the driver and any passengers. Requires grant-receiving states to provide assurances to DOT that they are undertaking activities to comply with such requirements.

Requires a state to use such grants for the costs of: (1) collecting, maintaining, and evaluating the results of data on traffic stops; and (2) activities to comply with the requirements of this Act.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall alter the manner in which a state or local law enforcement officer considers race or ethnicity whenever there is trustworthy information that links persons of a particular race or ethnicity to an identified criminal incident, scheme, or organization.

racial prevention act directs department_of_transportation dot grant state enacted enforcing law prohibits state local law enforcement officer race ethnicity racial driver passengers making routine spontaneous law enforcement decisions ordinary traffic stops federal aid highways allows maintains public inspection statistical information motor vehicle stop law enforcement officer federal aid highway race ethnicity driver passengers requires grant receiving states provide assurances dot undertaking activities comply requirements requires state use grants costs collecting maintaining evaluating results data traffic stops activities comply requirements act declares act shall alter manner state local law enforcement officer considers race ethnicity information links persons particular race ethnicity identified criminal incident scheme organization


Summary:
Minority Inclusion in Clinical Trials Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities shall include within its strategic plan ways to increase representation of underrepresented communities in clinical trials.

The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for expanding existing opportunities for scientists and researchers, and for promoting the inclusion of underrepresented minorities in the health professions, to eligible entities that demonstrate a commitment to health workforce development in underrepresented communities. To be eligible to receive a grant, an entity must be an educational institution or entity that historically produces or trains meaningful numbers of underrepresented minority health professionals.

Grants shall be used to implement, expand, or evaluate workforce diversity programs that shall enhance diversity by considering minority status as part of an individualized consideration of qualifications.

HHS must carry out the following activities to eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes:

 conduct research into the determinants and the distribution of disparities in maternal care, health risks, and health outcomes and improve the capacity of the performance measurement infrastructure to measure such disparities; expand access to services that have been demonstrated to improve the quality and outcomes of maternity care for vulnerable populations; and establish a demonstration project in up to eight states to compare the effectiveness of interventions to reduce disparities in maternity services and outcomes and implement and assess effective interventions. HHS must establish and coordinate a health and health care disparities education program to support, develop, and implement educational initiatives and outreach strategies that inform health care professionals and the public about the existence of, and methods to reduce, racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care.

minority inclusion clinical trials act bill expresses sense congress national institute minority health health disparities shall include strategic plan ways increase representation underrepresented communities clinical trials bill directs_the_department_of_health_and_human_services hhs award grants expanding existing opportunities scientists researchers promoting inclusion underrepresented minorities health professions eligible entities demonstrate commitment health workforce development underrepresented communities eligible receive grant entity educational institution entity historically produces trains meaningful numbers underrepresented minority health professionals grants shall implement expand evaluate workforce diversity programs shall enhance diversity considering minority status individualized consideration qualifications hhs carry following activities eliminate disparities maternal health outcomes conduct research determinants distribution disparities maternal care health risks health outcomes improve capacity performance measurement infrastructure measure disparities expand access services demonstrated improve quality outcomes maternity care vulnerable populations establish demonstration project states compare effectiveness interventions reduce disparities maternity services outcomes implement assess effective interventions hhs establish coordinate health health_care disparities education program support develop implement educational initiatives outreach strategies inform health_care professionals public existence methods reduce racial ethnic disparities health health_care


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill amends: (1) the Department of Energy Organization Act to revise the definition of "minority" to mean any U.S. citizen who is an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Native American, or Alaska Native; and (2) the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to revise the definition of "minority group members" (who own minority group enterprises) to mean U.S. citizens who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Alaska Natives.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill amends department_of_energy_organization_act revise definition minority mean citizen asian american native hawaiian pacific islander african american hispanic puerto native american alaska_native local public works capital development investment act revise definition minority group members minority group enterprises mean citizens asian american native hawaiian pacific african american hispanic native american alaska_natives


Summary:
Commission to Study Family Reconstruction Proposals for African-Americans Unjustly Impacted by the "War on Drugs" Act of 2016

This bill establishes a commission to examine and report on: the disparate incarceration and the institution of forced prison labor within the African-American community, government and private sector support for and profit from mass incarceration, discriminatory laws and other forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors, and the lingering negative effects of mass incarceration.

The commission must make recommendations for education and remedies.

commission study family reconstruction proposals african americans impacted war drugs act bill establishes commission examine report disparate incarceration institution forced prison labor african american community government private sector support profit mass incarceration discriminatory laws forms discrimination public private sectors negative effects mass incarceration commission recommendations education remedies


Summary:
Building and Lifting Trust In order to Multiply Opportunities and Racial Equality Act of 2015 or the BALTIMORE Act

End Racial Profiling Act of 2015

This bill prohibits racial profiling by federal, state, local, or tribal law enforcement agents or agencies.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) or an individual may bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief. Proof of disparate impact constitutes prima facie (i.e., sufficient) evidence of racial profiling.

This bills sets forth provisions to eliminate racial profiling, including creating administrative complaint procedures, increasing data collection, and making certain federal funds contingent on law enforcement agencies instituting appropriate policies and procedures.

Police Creating Accountability by Making Effective Recording Available Act of 2015 or the Police CAMERA Act

The DOJ Office of Justice Programs may award grants to states, local, governments, and Indian tribes to acquire body-worn cameras. Grant recipients must establish certain policies and protocols related to body-worn cameras.

 Democracy Restoration Act of 2015

The bill prohibits denial of the right to vote in any federal election due to a criminal conviction, unless the individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution at election time. It also makes convicted felons eligible for federal jury service.

Reclassification to Ensure Smarter and Equal Treatment Act of 2015 or the RESET Act

The bill reduces the penalties for simple possession of a controlled substance by a person with one or more prior drug convictions. It establishes penalties for simple possession of a date rape drug, including flunitrasepam, by person with one or more prior drug conviction.

 It eliminates the sentencing disparity between trafficking in powder cocaine and trafficking in crack cocaine.

building lifting trust order opportunities racial equality act baltimore act end racial act bill prohibits racial federal state local tribal law enforcement agents agencies department_of_justice doj individual bring civil action declaratory injunctive relief proof disparate impact constitutes prima facie sufficient evidence racial bills sets forth provisions eliminate racial including creating administrative complaint procedures increasing data collection making certain federal funds contingent law enforcement agencies instituting appropriate policies procedures police creating accountability making effective recording available act police camera act doj office_of_justice_programs award grants states local governments indian tribes acquire body worn cameras grant recipients establish certain policies protocols related body worn cameras democracy restoration act bill prohibits denial right vote federal election criminal conviction individual serving felony sentence correctional institution election time makes convicted felons eligible federal jury service reclassification ensure smarter equal treatment act reset act bill reduces penalties simple possession controlled substance person prior drug convictions establishes penalties simple possession date rape drug including person prior drug conviction eliminates sentencing disparity trafficking powder cocaine trafficking crack cocaine


Summary:
Advancing NIH Strategic Planning and Representation in Medical Research Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to publish a strategic plan that addresses research, training, the biomedical workforce, and collaboration with other agencies. Common Fund strategic planning is included in this strategic plan.

(Sec. 3) In assessing research priorities, the NIH must publish data on certain clinical research study populations. The NIH must foster collaboration among clinical research projects that use human subjects and that collect similar data to increase the number and diversity of subjects.

(Sec. 4) The strategic plans of the national research institutes must ensure that future activities take into account women and minorities and are focused on reducing health disparities. Advisory council reports must include certain demographic data for clinical research subjects. The results of NIH-funded clinical trials that include women and minorities must be submitted to NIH's clinical trial data bank.

(Sec. 5) The NIH must encourage efforts to improve research related to the health of sexual and gender minority populations, including by facilitating participation by such populations and addressing methodological challenges. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the NIH, must continue to support development of measures related to reporting health information about sexual and gender minority populations and must publish such measures.

(Sec. 6) The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities may foster partnerships among the national research institutes and encourage the funding of collaborative research projects to achieve NIH goals related to minority health and health disparities.

(Sec. 7) The NIH must convene a working group to make recommendations to enhance the rigor and reproducibility of NIH-funded research.

(Sec. 8) HHS must establish the Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women to report on issues including development of safe and effective therapies for such women.

(Sec. 9) The NIH must develop policies for NIH-funded basic research projects to assess how differences between male and female cells, tissues, or animals may be examined and analyzed.

advancing nih strategic planning representation medical research_act sec bill amends public_health_service_act require national_institutes_of_health nih publish strategic plan addresses research training biomedical workforce collaboration agencies common fund strategic planning included strategic plan sec assessing research priorities nih publish data certain clinical research study populations nih foster collaboration clinical research projects use human subjects collect similar data increase number diversity subjects sec strategic plans national research institutes ensure future activities account women minorities focused reducing health disparities advisory_council reports include certain demographic data clinical research subjects results nih funded clinical trials include women minorities submitted nih clinical trial data bank sec nih encourage efforts improve research related health sexual gender minority populations including facilitating participation populations addressing challenges department_of_health_and_human_services hhs collaboration nih continue support development measures related reporting health information sexual gender minority populations publish measures sec national institute minority health health disparities foster partnerships national research institutes encourage funding collaborative research projects achieve nih goals related minority health health disparities sec nih convene working_group recommendations enhance rigor nih funded research sec hhs establish task_force research specific pregnant women women report issues including development safe effective therapies women sec nih develop policies nih funded basic research projects assess differences male female cells tissues animals examined analyzed


Summary: Serving Everyone with Reliable, Vital Internet, Communications, and Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program. Requires a report to Congress on the benefit level for the programs that will encourage low-income consumers to seek broadband service, projections on potential broadband consumers if the service was economically feasible, industry requirements to provide broadband service in underserved areas, and policy proposals regarding gaps in broadband availability.

serving reliable vital internet communications education act amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc expand lifeline assistance program link program requires report congress benefit level programs encourage low income consumers seek broadband service projections potential broadband consumers service economically feasible industry requirements provide broadband service underserved areas policy proposals gaps broadband availability


Summary: Healthy Foods for Healthy Living Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to community-based organizations and local redevelopment agencies operating in low-income communities to: (1) assist in purchasing appropriate equipment or in hiring and training personnel to expand the inventory of fresh fruits and vegetables or other healthy food alternatives available for residents of a low-income community; and (2) carry out related consumer education and outreach activities. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to cover additional primary and preventive services relating to obesity treatment and prevention, supervised exercise sessions, stress testing, lifestyle modification education, and nutrition education.

healthy foods healthy living act_-_authorizes secretary agriculture grants community based organizations local redevelopment agencies operating low income communities assist purchasing appropriate equipment hiring training personnel expand inventory fresh fruits vegetables healthy food alternatives available residents low income community carry related consumer education outreach activities amends title xviii medicare title xix medicaid social_security_act cover additional primary preventive services relating obesity treatment prevention supervised exercise sessions stress testing lifestyle modification education nutrition education


Summary: LIHEAP Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 governing state allotments under the low-income energy assistance program (LIHEAP) to limit to 50% the earmark for home heating purposes of amounts appropriated for program implementation.

equity act amends low income home energy assistance_act governing state allotments low income energy assistance program limit earmark home heating purposes amounts appropriated program implementation


Summary: Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to replace current food stamp program (program) administrative cost provisions with provisions authorizing 75% reimbursement for specified state activities to increase program access. States that fingerprinting shall not be required for program participation. Beyond the Soup Kitchen Grants Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Beyond the Soup Kitchen pilot program to provide grants: (1) to a primary community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group in each designated pilot community which shall allocate subgrants to other nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups in such community; and (2) for technical assistance grants. Sets forth program provisions.

anti hunger empowerment act amends food_stamp_act replace current food stamp program program administrative cost provisions provisions authorizing reimbursement specified state activities increase program access states fingerprinting shall required program participation kitchen grants program act directs secretary agriculture establish kitchen pilot program provide grants primary community based nonprofit feeding anti hunger group designated pilot community shall allocate subgrants nonprofit feeding anti hunger groups community technical assistance grants sets forth program provisions


Summary: Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to: (1) expand the fruit and vegetable pilot program to five states, including New York; and (2) include Head Start programs (as well as elementary and secondary schools) in the program.

amends richard national school lunch act expand fruit vegetable pilot program states including new_york include head_start programs elementary secondary schools program


Summary: Poverty Impact Trigger Act of 2007 - Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order to consider a public bill or joint resolution authorizing an appropriation of $10 million or more, unless: (1) the accompanying committee report includes a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Poverty Impact Division impact statement; or (2) the chairman of the committee reporting the legislation submits such statement for publication in the Congressional Record before consideration of the measure. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish the CBO Poverty Impact Division to prepare and submit poverty impact statements to the chairmen of House committees.

poverty impact trigger act amends rule xxi restrictions certain bills rules house_of_representatives order consider public bill joint resolution authorizing appropriation million accompanying committee report includes congressional_budget_office cbo poverty impact division impact statement chairman committee reporting legislation submits statement publication congressional_record consideration measure amends congressional_budget_act establish cbo poverty impact division prepare submit poverty impact statements chairmen house committees


Summary: Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the pass-through of child support collected on behalf of families receiving assistance under the program of block grants to states for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF).Requires pass-through to a family receiving TANF of the total amount of collected child support. (Currently the federal government receives its share and the state retains or distributes to the family the state share of such child support.) Requires payment to: (1) the federal government of its share of foster care maintenance payments; (2) the state for retention, or distribution to the family, of the state share of such payments; and (3) the family of any remaining amount.

amends child support establishment paternity title social_security_act revise requirements pass child support collected behalf families receiving assistance program block grants states temporary_assistance needy families pass family receiving tanf total collected child support currently federal_government receives share state retains distributes family state share child support requires payment federal_government share foster care maintenance payments state retention distribution family state share payments family remaining


Summary: Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to obligate funds for the administrative costs of commodity distributions on Indian reservations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an annual survey of foods purchased by school authorities with federal cash assistance. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the transfer of funds in FY2007-FY2009 for the free lunch and breakfast eligibility program.

amends food_stamp_act obligate funds administrative costs commodity distributions indian reservations directs secretary agriculture carry annual survey foods purchased school authorities federal cash assistance amends richard national school lunch act direct transfer funds fy2007 fy2009 free lunch breakfast eligibility program


Summary: Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to revise the definition of "food of minimal nutritional value," the sale of which in areas where school meals are sold or eaten is prohibited as a condition for federal funding of school lunch and breakfast programs. Applies such definition (and prohibition) to all food sold outside such programs anywhere on school campuses at any time of the day, with the possible limited exemption of food sold at school fundraisers. Requires the Secretary, when revising such definition, to consider the recommendations of authoritative scientific organizations and evidence concerning the relationship between diet and health.

child nutrition promotion school lunch protection act amends child nutrition act require secretary agriculture revise definition food minimal nutritional value sale areas school meals sold prohibited condition federal funding school lunch breakfast programs applies definition prohibition food sold outside programs school campuses time day possible limited exemption food sold school requires secretary revising definition consider recommendations authoritative scientific organizations evidence concerning relationship diet health


Summary: Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act with respect to payment rates for meals and meal supplements provided by service institutions under summer food service programs for children. Requires payments for administrative costs to be set at levels determined by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to a specified study. (Currently, payments to service institutions shall equal the full cost of food service operations, excluding administrative costs. Payments for administrative costs shall equal the full amount of state-approved administrative costs incurred, not to exceed the maximum allowable levels the Secretary determines pursuant to such study.) Repeals authority for simplified summer food pilot projects.

amends richard national school lunch act respect payment rates meals meal supplements provided service institutions summer food service programs children requires payments administrative costs set levels determined secretary agriculture pursuant specified study currently payments service institutions shall equal cost food service operations excluding administrative costs payments administrative costs shall equal state approved administrative costs incurred exceed maximum allowable levels secretary determines pursuant study repeals authority simplified summer food pilot projects


Summary: Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80%.) Sets forth grant priorities.

hunger free communities act directs secretary agriculture conduct study hunger united_states develop recommendations reducing domestic hunger directs secretary hunger free communities collaborative grants eligible public food program service providers nonprofit organizations hunger free communities infrastructure grants eligible emergency feeding organizations hunger free communities training technical assistance grants eligible national regional nonprofit organizations states grants federal share shall exceed sets forth grant priorities


Summary: Feeding America's Families Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 with respect to: (1) inflation adjustments; (2) standard deduction increases; (3) combat pay, retirement account, and education account exclusions; (4) minimum benefit increases; (5) countable resource increases; (6) legal immigrant eligibility; (7) work requirements; (8) state option to provide food assistance to foster community reintegration; (9) program administration; (10) cash payment pilot projects; (11) food stamp program reauthorization; (12) block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa; (13) outreach; (14) food stamp use at farmers' markets; (15) community food projects, community food assistance, and food bank infrastructure; (16) creation of the national food for the hungry transportation, self-help, and job-training fund; and (17) hunger-free communities collaborative grants. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program and the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship Program. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the hunger fellowship program. Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend the commodity supplemental food program.

feeding america families act amends food_stamp_act respect inflation adjustments standard deduction increases combat pay retirement account education account exclusions minimum benefit increases resource increases legal immigrant eligibility work requirements state option provide food assistance foster community reintegration program administration cash payment pilot projects food stamp program reauthorization block grants puerto_rico american_samoa outreach food stamp use farmers markets community food projects community food assistance food bank infrastructure creation national food transportation self help job training fund hunger free communities collaborative grants establishes department_of_agriculture bill emerson national hunger fellowship program mickey leland international hunger fellowship program amends farm_security rural investment act repeal hunger fellowship program amends agriculture consumer protection act extend commodity supplemental food program


Summary: Strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the reduction in the marriage penalty applicable to the earned income tax credit; (2) increase the rate of such credit for families with three or more children; (3) increase the rate and the phase-out percentage of such credit for individuals without children; and (4) make permanent provisions treating combat pay as earned income for purposes of calculating such credit.

strengthen earned income tax credit act amends_the_internal_revenue_code permanent reduction marriage penalty applicable earned income tax credit increase rate credit families children increase rate phase percentage credit individuals children permanent provisions treating combat pay earned income purposes calculating credit


Summary: Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to increase payments to states for expenditures for short term training of staff of certain child welfare agencies.

amends foster care adoption assistance title social_security_act increase payments states expenditures short term training staff certain child welfare agencies


Summary: Summer Food Service Rural Expansion Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act with respect to the summer food service programs for children in service institutions (e.g., schools and summer camps). Revises the condition limiting eligibility to institutions conducting a regularly scheduled food service for children from areas in which poor economic conditions exist (i.e., where at least 50% of the children meet eligibility requirements for certain free or reduced price school meals.) Eliminates the special 2005 and 2006 exemption from this requirement for rural areas in Pennsylvania which lowers the threshold eligibility to areas where at least 40% of the children meet eligibility requirements for free or reduced price school meals. Applies such 40% threshold to rural areas of all states and makes it permanent.

summer food service rural expansion act_-_amends richard national school lunch act respect summer food service programs children service institutions schools summer camps revises condition limiting eligibility institutions conducting regularly scheduled food service children areas poor economic conditions exist children meet eligibility requirements certain free reduced price school meals eliminates special exemption requirement rural areas pennsylvania lowers threshold eligibility areas children meet eligibility requirements free reduced price school meals applies threshold rural areas states makes permanent


Summary: Home Energy Assistance Targeted for Seniors Act - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to rename it the Low-Income and Senior Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. Redefines low-income households as households with incomes which do not exceed that of state median income, with at least 50% of the household income attributable to persons who are at least 65 years old.

home energy assistance targeted seniors act_-_amends low income home energy assistance_act rename low income senior home energy assistance_act redefines low income households households incomes exceed state median income household income attributable persons years old


Summary: Summer Food Service Program Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to revise requirements for the summer food service program for children. Provides for a redefinition of rural areas in which poor economic conditions exist. Revises requirements relating to payments to service institutions for operating expenses and administrative costs. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive startup grants to ten states to assist eligible service institutions in initiating summer food service program sites.

summer food service program improvement act amends richard national school lunch act revise requirements summer food service program children provides rural areas poor economic conditions exist revises requirements relating payments service institutions operating expenses administrative costs directs secretary agriculture competitive startup grants states assist eligible service institutions initiating summer food service program sites


Summary: Freedom to Save Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to modify the asset test for food stamp program eligibility by increasing the amounts of allowable financial resources, with annual inflation adjustments, and excluding from countable financial resources any retirement accounts, education accounts, and licensed vehicles. Prohibits the use of any asset test under the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act. Prescribes an administrative penalty for any state imposing such a test. Eliminates any asset test for disabled persons under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income (SSI)) of the Social Security Act (SSA) and for any eligible individual under SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)).

freedom save act amends food_stamp_act modify asset test food stamp program eligibility increasing amounts allowable financial resources annual inflation adjustments excluding financial resources retirement accounts education accounts licensed vehicles prohibits use asset test temporary_assistance needy families tanf program title social_security_act prescribes administrative penalty state imposing test eliminates asset test disabled persons title xvi supplemental security income ssi social_security_act ssa eligible individual ssa title xxi state children health insurance program schip


Summary: TANF Marriage Penalty Elimination Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to eliminate the separate work participation rate requirements for two-parent families.

tanf marriage penalty elimination act_-_amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act eliminate separate work participation rate requirements parent families


Summary: Poverty Measurement Improvement Act - Requires the Bureau of the Census to publish, annually, statistics on levels of family income in the United States in order to more accurately determine the extent of poverty and the antipoverty effectiveness of means-tested benefit and tax programs. Requires such statistics to be based on the following measures of income: (1) full benefits poverty income (equal to the sum of partial benefits poverty income and noncash benefits attributable to the members of a household); and (2) full benefits and taxes poverty income (equal to full benefits poverty income increased by state and federal earned income tax credits, refundable child credits, and any other refundable tax credit and decreased by state and federal income and payroll taxes attributable to the members of a household).Requires the Bureau to use such measures to produce corresponding tables and graphs showing for each year: (1) the partial benefits poverty rate; (2) the full benefits poverty rate; and (3) the full benefits and taxes poverty rate.

poverty measurement improvement act_-_requires bureau_of_the_census publish annually statistics levels family income united_states order accurately determine extent poverty effectiveness means tested benefit tax programs requires statistics based following measures income benefits poverty income equal sum partial benefits poverty income benefits attributable members household benefits taxes poverty income equal benefits poverty income increased state federal earned income tax credits refundable child credits refundable tax credit decreased state federal income payroll taxes attributable members bureau use measures produce corresponding tables showing year partial benefits poverty rate benefits poverty rate benefits taxes poverty rate


Summary: Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2007 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) funding for responsible fatherhood programs; (2) requirements to ensure procedures to address domestic violence; (3) activities promoting responsible fatherhood; (4) grants to healthy family partnerships for domestic violence prevention, for services for families and individuals affected by domestic violence, and for developing and implementing best practices; and (5) elimination of separate TANF work participation rate for two-parent families.Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to prohibit a state from collecting any amount owed it by reason of costs it has incurred for the birth of a child for whom support rights have been assigned.Requires a state to make a full distribution of collected child support to the family.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states for an employment demonstration project involving a court- or state child support agency-supervised program for noncustodial parents so they can pay child support obligations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants for transitional jobs programs and for public-private career pathways partnerships.Conditions continued approval of a state plan under part D upon state assessment of its policies with respect to barriers to employment and financial support of children.Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 with respect to: (1) deductions from family income for child support received in order to qualify for food stamps; (2) verification of child support payments; and (3) inclusion of economic opportunities programs in qualifying work programs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the earned income tax credit (EIC); (2) raise the EIC phase-out amount for couples (further easing the "marriage penalty"); and (3) require information pertaining to the customer's adjusted basis in broker's returns in the case of securities transactions. Amends the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 with respect to the effective date of leasing provisions of the Act.Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the economic substance doctrine.

responsible fatherhood healthy_families_act amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act ssa respect funding responsible fatherhood programs requirements ensure procedures address domestic violence activities promoting responsible fatherhood grants healthy family partnerships domestic violence prevention services families individuals affected domestic violence developing implementing best practices elimination separate tanf work participation rate parent families amends ssa title child support establishment paternity prohibit state collecting owed reason costs incurred birth child support rights assigned requires state distribution collected child support family directs secretary health_and_human_services award grants states employment demonstration project involving state child support agency supervised program noncustodial parents pay child support obligations directs secretary labor award grants transitional jobs programs public private career pathways partnerships conditions continued approval state plan state assessment policies respect barriers employment financial support children amends food_stamp_act respect deductions family income child support received order qualify food stamps verification child support payments inclusion economic opportunities programs qualifying work programs amends_the_internal_revenue_code modify earned income tax credit raise phase couples easing marriage penalty require information pertaining customer adjusted basis broker returns case securities transactions amends american_jobs_creation_act respect effective date leasing provisions act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect economic substance doctrine


Summary: Creating Access to Rides Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states, counties, localties, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and nonprofit entities to promote improving access to ownership of dependable, affordable automobiles by low-income families. Authorizes the use of funds in TANF individual development accounts for automobile ownership, maintenance, and insurance.

creating access act_-_amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services grants states counties indian tribes tribal organizations nonprofit entities promote improving access ownership dependable affordable automobiles low income families authorizes use funds tanf individual development accounts automobile ownership maintenance insurance


Summary: Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to subject applicants for, and recipients of, TANF to drug testing and the withholding of assistance when there is substantial evidence of recent unlawful drug use.

amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act subject applicants recipients tanf drug testing withholding assistance substantial evidence recent unlawful drug use


Summary: Food Stamp Equality Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make individuals convicted of specified federal or state drug-related offenses eligible for food stamp or similar benefits. (Current law denies food stamp benefits to such individuals.) Authorizes a state to: (1) deny or limit food stamp benefits to such individuals; or (2) continue to provide such benefits under a previous opt-out provision.

food stamp equality act amends food_stamp_act individuals convicted specified federal state drug related offenses eligible food stamp similar benefits current law denies food stamp benefits individuals authorizes state deny limit food stamp benefits individuals continue provide benefits previous opt provision


Summary: Student Breakfast and Education Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states or local educational agencies (LEAs) for the establishment or enhancement of school breakfast programs at, and through the provision of subgrants to, schools where at least 65% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches under the school lunch program. Authorizes schools to use the school breakfast subgrants to: (1) increase the quantity of local or fresh food available under their programs; (2) provide nutrition education and first-hand knowledge of food systems to students; (3) extend the period during which breakfast is available, including during the school day; (4) increase participation in their breakfast programs, including through the provision of universal free breakfasts; or (5) collaborate with institutions of higher education or other research entities in compiling data and reports on their breakfast programs. Gives priority to subgrant applicant schools at least 75% of whose students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches and which intend to use the funds to procure local produce, provide universal free breakfasts, or provide breakfast during the school day. Directs state and LEA grantees, at least 180 days before the end of a grant term, to evaluate whether it would be cost-effective for subgrantee schools to provide universal free breakfasts under the school breakfast program.

student breakfast education improvement act amends elementary secondary education act require secretary education award competitive grants states local educational agencies leas establishment enhancement school breakfast programs provision subgrants schools students eligible free reduced price school lunches school lunch program authorizes schools use school breakfast subgrants increase quantity local fresh food available programs provide nutrition education hand knowledge food systems students extend period breakfast available including school day increase participation breakfast programs including provision universal free breakfasts collaborate institutions higher education research entities compiling data reports breakfast programs gives priority subgrant applicant schools students eligible free reduced price school lunches intend use funds procure local produce provide universal free breakfasts provide breakfast school day directs state lea grantees days end grant term evaluate cost effective subgrantee schools provide universal free breakfasts school breakfast program


Summary: Federal Food Donation Act of 2007 - Revises the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide that each contract in an amount greater than $25,000 for the provision, service, or sale of food, or for the lease or rental of federal property to a private entity for events at which food is provided shall include a clause that: (1) encourages the donation of excess, apparently wholesome food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to food-insecure people; (2) provides that the head of an executive agency shall not assume responsibility for the costs and logistics of collecting, transporting, maintaining the safety of, or distributing such food; and (3) states that executive agencies and contractors making donations are protected from civil or criminal liability under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.

federal food donation act revises federal_acquisition_regulation provide contract greater provision service sale food lease rental federal property private entity events food provided shall include clause encourages donation excess apparently wholesome food nonprofit organizations provide assistance food people provides head executive agency shall assume responsibility costs logistics collecting transporting maintaining safety distributing food states executive agencies contractors making donations protected civil criminal liability bill emerson good samaritan food donation act


Summary: Keeping Americans Warm Act of 2007 - Appropriates funds for FY2008 to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for emergency payments to states under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, notwithstanding such Act's requirement that funds be made available only after the President's submission to Congress of a formal budget request that includes a designation of the requested amount as an emergency requirement.

keeping americans warm act appropriates funds fy2008 secretary health_and_human_services emergency payments states low income home energy assistance_act notwithstanding act requirement funds available president submission congress formal budget request includes designation requested emergency requirement


Summary: Food Assistance to Improve Reintegration Act of 2008 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to repeal the denial of food stamp eligibility for a person convicted of a felony which has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance. .

food assistance improve reintegration act amends personal_responsibility_and_work_opportunity reconciliation act repeal denial food stamp eligibility person convicted felony element possession use distribution controlled substance


Summary: Access to Books for Children Act, or the ABC Act - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to local agencies to provide vouchers to women participating in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) for the purchase of educational books for their infants and children. Limits to one $5 voucher the maximum amount any one woman may receive, regardless of the number of her infants or children.

access books children act act_-_amends child nutrition act direct secretary agriculture grants local agencies provide vouchers women participating special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic purchase educational books infants children limits voucher maximum woman receive regardless number infants children


Summary: Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act of 2008 or the HEATR Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income-based refundable tax credit for residential energy costs. Limits such credit to the lesser of 33% of such costs or $500.

home energy affordability tax relief_act act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow individual taxpayers income based refundable tax credit residential energy costs limits credit lesser costs


Summary: Children and Family Food Relief Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to increase the benefits provided under the supplemental nutrition assistance program by the earlier of the date of the enactment of this Act or October 1, 2008. (Current law requires that such adjustment be made on October 1, 2008.)

children family food relief_act directs secretary agriculture increase benefits provided supplemental nutrition assistance program earlier date enactment act october current law requires adjustment october


Summary: Earned Income Credit Information Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require certain employers (with more than 25 employees) to provide their employees with a notice explaining the earned income tax credit and eligibility rules for such credit.

earned income credit information act amends_the_internal_revenue_code require certain employers employees provide employees notice explaining earned income tax credit eligibility rules credit


Summary: Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for payments under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAP Program).

warm winter cool summer act makes appropriations fy2008 payments low income home energy assistance_act program


Summary: Home Energy Assistance Through Emergency Relief Act - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for payments under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAP Program). Makes appropriations for FY2008 to carry out the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons under the Energy Conservation and Production Act.

home energy assistance emergency relief_act makes appropriations fy2008 payments low income home energy assistance_act program makes appropriations fy2008 carry weatherization_assistance_program low income persons energy_conservation_and_production_act


Summary: Emergency Gasoline Assistance Act - Increases funding for the social services block grant under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act for FY2008 and 2009. Requires the state to use such increased funding to provide a gasoline subsidy to assist individuals who are members of families with incomes that do not exceed 300% of the federal poverty line.

emergency gasoline assistance_act increases funding social_services block grant title block grants states social_services social_security_act fy2008 requires state use increased funding provide gasoline subsidy assist individuals members families incomes exceed federal poverty line


Summary: Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to increase from 12 to 24 the number of months allowed for vocational educational training that are counted as a work activity under TANF.

amends temporary_assistance needy families tanf title social_security_act increase number months allowed vocational educational training counted work activity tanf


Summary: Measuring American Poverty Act of 2008 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to calculate modern poverty thresholds and modern poverty rates for each calendar year. Declares that the modern poverty threshold for a reference family consisting of two adults and their two related children shall be an amount equal to the average of 120% of the 33rd percentile of the distribution of annual expenditures by such families on food, clothing, and shelter during each of the three most recent years for which data is available from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, a superior federal government source of data, or some combination of such sources. Prescribes requirements for determining modern poverty rates. Directs the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to develop and publish methods of: (1) calculating a decent living standard threshold; and (2) measuring the extent to which the income of families in the United States is sufficient to meet it. Directs the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with BLS, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to contract with NAS to develop and publish a method of: (1) measuring the extent of medical care risk in the United States; and (2) calculating the number and percentage of individuals in the United States who lack adequate health insurance, leaving them at risk of being unable to afford needed treatment.

measuring american poverty act amends title social_security_act direct bureau_of_the_census collaboration bureau_of_labor_statistics calculate modern poverty thresholds modern poverty rates calendar year declares modern poverty threshold reference family consisting adults related children shall equal average percentile distribution annual expenditures families food clothing shelter recent years data available consumer expenditure survey superior federal_government source data combination sources prescribes requirements determining modern poverty rates directs bureau_of_the_census collaboration bureau_of_labor_statistics bls contract national_academy_of_sciences nas develop publish methods calculating decent living standard threshold measuring extent income families united_states sufficient meet directs bureau_of_the_census collaboration bls agency healthcare_research_and_quality centers medicare medicaid_services contract nas develop publish method measuring extent medical care risk united_states calculating number percentage individuals united_states lack adequate health insurance leaving risk unable afford needed treatment


Summary: Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to eligible institutions of higher education to improve mental and behavioral health services and outreach on college and university campuses. Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to programs that: (1) demonstrate the greatest need; (2) propose effective approaches for initiating or expanding campus services; (3) target underserved and at-risk populations; (4) coordinate with a community mental health center or other community mental health resources; (5) identify how the college or university will address psychiatric emergencies; and (6) demonstrate the greatest potential for replication and dissemination. Allows the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to convene an interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health on college campuses. Requires the Secretary to establish the College Campus Task Force to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns on college and university campuses.

mental health campus improvement act_-_amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration award grants eligible institutions higher education improve mental behavioral health services outreach college university campuses directs secretary special consideration programs demonstrate greatest need propose effective approaches initiating expanding campus services target underserved risk populations coordinate community mental health center community mental health resources identify college university address psychiatric emergencies demonstrate greatest potential replication dissemination allows secretary provide technical assistance grantees requires secretary acting administrator convene interagency public private sector working_group plan establish begin coordinating evaluating targeted public education campaign designed focus mental behavioral health college campuses requires secretary establish college_campus_task_force discuss mental behavioral health concerns college university campuses


Summary: Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to replace "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008" with "Food Stamp Act of 1977" in a provision reauthorizing grant funds to assist eligible private nonprofit entities to establish and carry out community food projects. Makes such grant funds for FY2008 available until September 30, 2009, to fund proposals solicited in FY2008.

amends food conservation energy act replace food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 food_stamp_act provision reauthorizing grant funds assist eligible private nonprofit entities establish carry community food projects makes grant funds fy2008 available september fund proposals solicited fy2008


Summary: Healthy Activity for Lifelong Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to enable state health departments to maintain community action teams to work within the local community to promote healthier lifestyles through physical activity and good nutrition and thereby prevent obesity and chronic disease. Requires such departments to collect data on the effectiveness of the community action team program.Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct training institutes to jump-start the work of such teams; (2) provide the teams with access to national experts in ongoing community change; and (3) disseminate information about success achieved through the teams to communities across the nation.

healthy activity lifelong energy act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services grants enable state health departments maintain community action teams work local community promote healthier lifestyles physical activity good nutrition prevent obesity chronic disease requires departments collect data effectiveness community action team program requires secretary conduct training institutes start work teams provide teams access national experts ongoing community change disseminate information success achieved teams communities nation


Summary: America's Right-to-Eat Rescue Act of 2008 - Applies, for a specified six-month period, the poverty line used in making eligibility determinations under the Food Stamp and School Lunch programs in Alaska to the same eligibility determinations in all states and the District of Columbia.

america right eat rescue act applies specified month period poverty line making eligibility determinations food stamp school lunch programs alaska eligibility determinations states district_of_columbia


Summary: Food Stamp Personal Savings and Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide an annual financial resource inflation adjustment for purposes of household food stamp program eligibility. Excludes from countable financial resources specified retirement and education accounts. (Authorizes the exclusion of other such programs.)

food stamp personal savings investment act amends food_stamp_act provide annual financial resource inflation adjustment purposes household food stamp program eligibility excludes financial resources specified retirement education accounts authorizes exclusion programs


Summary: Commuter Benefits Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to equalize and increase to $200, with a modified cost-of-living adjustment, the tax exclusion for both transportation and parking fringe benefits. Extends such benefits to federal employees.

commuter benefits equity act amends_the_internal_revenue_code equalize increase modified cost living adjustment tax exclusion transportation parking fringe benefits extends benefits federal employees


Summary: Food Stamp Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit food stamp program purchases of nutritional supplements providing a vitamin or mineral, or both.

food stamp mineral improvement act amends food_stamp_act permit food stamp program purchases nutritional supplements providing mineral


Summary: Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to revise the definition of "food of minimal nutritional value," the sale of which in areas where school meals are sold or eaten is prohibited as a condition for federal funding of school lunch and breakfast programs. Applies such definition (and prohibition) to all food sold outside such programs anywhere on school campuses at any time of the day, with the possible limited exemption of food sold at school fundraisers. Requires the Secretary, when revising such definition, to consider the recommendations of authoritative scientific organizations and evidence concerning the relationship between diet and health.

child nutrition promotion school lunch protection act amends child nutrition act require secretary agriculture revise definition food minimal nutritional value sale areas school meals sold prohibited condition federal funding school lunch breakfast programs applies definition prohibition food sold outside programs school campuses time day possible limited exemption food sold school requires secretary revising definition consider recommendations authoritative scientific organizations evidence concerning relationship diet health


Summary: Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act with respect to payment rates for meals and meal supplements provided by service institutions under summer food service programs for children. Requires payments for administrative costs to be set at levels determined by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to a specified study. (Currently, payments to service institutions shall equal the full cost of food service operations, excluding administrative costs. Payments for administrative costs shall equal the full amount of state-approved administrative costs incurred, not to exceed the maximum allowable levels the Secretary determines pursuant to such study.) Repeals authority for simplified summer food pilot projects.

amends richard national school lunch act respect payment rates meals meal supplements provided service institutions summer food service programs children requires payments administrative costs set levels determined secretary agriculture pursuant specified study currently payments service institutions shall equal cost food service operations excluding administrative costs payments administrative costs shall equal state approved administrative costs incurred exceed maximum allowable levels secretary determines pursuant study repeals authority simplified summer food pilot projects


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax deduction for attorney's fees and courts costs to allow an above-the-line deduction for such fees and costs paid in connection with any legal action involving a civil claim (currently, limited to actions involving unlawful discrimination, the False Claims Act, and Medicare payments).

amends_the_internal_revenue_code expand tax deduction attorney fees courts costs allow line deduction fees costs paid connection legal action involving civil claim currently limited actions involving unlawful discrimination false claims act medicare payments


Summary: On-farm Energy Production Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make cost-share payments for on-farm energy production (including solar and wind energy and renewable fuel) under the environmental quality incentives program.

farm energy production act amends food security act require secretary agriculture cost share payments farm energy production including solar wind energy renewable fuel environmental quality incentives program


Summary: Savings for Working Families Act of 2007 - Allows certain low-income individuals between age 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Sets forth rules for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of IDAs. Permits tax-free withdrawals from IDAs for qualified expenses, but requires IDA beneficiaries to complete one or more financial education courses prior to making an IDA withdrawal.Allows certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, and Indian tribes to sponsor and administer IDAs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow such entities a business-related tax credit for the cost of administering IDAs and for making matching contributions to IDAs in parallel accounts. Provides that IDA amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under certain means-tested federal programs.

savings working_families act allows certain low income individuals age establish tax exempt individual development accounts idas pay certain qualified expenses including education expenses time homebuyer costs business capitalization expansion costs sets forth rules establishment maintenance termination idas permits tax free withdrawals idas qualified expenses requires ida beneficiaries complete financial education courses prior making ida withdrawal allows certain financial institutions tax exempt organizations indian tribes sponsor administer idas amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow entities business related tax credit cost administering idas making matching contributions idas parallel accounts provides ida amounts shall disregarded purposes determining eligibility assistance certain means tested federal programs


Summary: Older Americans Reauthorization Technical Corrections Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to incentives for effective performance by states and tribal organizations in the efficient delivery of nutritious meals to older individuals. Repeals certain provisions regarding state agency and tribal grantee commodity purchases, as added by the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006. Restores former commodity purchase provisions, with revisions. Entitles each state agency and tribal grantee to use its allotments to obtain from the Secretary of Agriculture commodities available through any food program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the rates at which such commodities are valued for such program. (Currently, such purchases are not limited to commodities from USDA food programs, but may be any U.S. agricultural commodity and other foods.) Repeals the authority of a state agency or tribal grantee to opt to use part or all of the amounts it receives to pay a school food authority to obtain U.S. agricultural commodities for its nutrition projects. Prescribes requirements for Secretary of Agriculture determination of state agency and tribal grantee allotments. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture to agree on reimbursement amounts and procedures.

older americans reauthorization technical corrections act_-_amends older americans act respect incentives effective performance states tribal organizations efficient delivery nutritious meals older individuals repeals certain provisions state agency tribal grantee commodity purchases added older americans act amendments restores commodity purchase provisions revisions entitles state agency tribal grantee use allotments obtain secretary agriculture commodities available food program department_of_agriculture usda rates commodities valued program currently purchases limited commodities usda food programs agricultural commodity foods repeals authority state agency tribal grantee opt use amounts receives pay school food authority obtain agricultural commodities nutrition projects prescribes requirements secretary agriculture determination state agency tribal grantee allotments requires secretary health_and_human_services secretary agriculture agree reimbursement amounts procedures


Summary: Senior Nutrition Act of 2007 - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to make a person who is at least 60 years old eligible for the commodity supplemental food program if such person: (1) is eligible for the food stamp program; or (2) has a household income that is not more than 185% of federal poverty income guidelines. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such program and prohibits using such funds to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for commodities donated to such program.

senior nutrition act amends agriculture consumer protection act person years old eligible commodity supplemental food program person eligible food stamp program household income federal poverty income guidelines authorizes appropriations carry program prohibits funds reimburse commodity_credit_corporation commodities donated program


Summary: Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80%.) Sets forth grant priorities.

hunger free communities act directs secretary agriculture conduct study hunger united_states develop recommendations reducing domestic hunger directs secretary hunger free communities collaborative grants eligible public food program service providers nonprofit organizations hunger free communities infrastructure grants eligible emergency feeding organizations hunger free communities training technical assistance grants eligible national regional nonprofit organizations states grants federal share shall exceed sets forth grant priorities


Summary: Strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the reduction in the marriage penalty applicable to the earned income tax credit; (2) increase the rate of such credit for families with three or more children; (3) increase the rate and the phase-out percentage of such credit for individuals without children; and (4) make permanent provisions treating combat pay as earned income for purposes of calculating such credit.

strengthen earned income tax credit act amends_the_internal_revenue_code permanent reduction marriage penalty applicable earned income tax credit increase rate credit families children increase rate phase percentage credit individuals children permanent provisions treating combat pay earned income purposes calculating credit