SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``SMA Treatment Acceleration Act of
2009''.

SEC. 2. CLINICAL TRIALS NETWORK FOR SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY.

    Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 409J. CLINICAL TRIALS NETWORK FOR SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY.

    ``(a) Clinical Trials Network.--The Director of NIH, in
coordination with the Directors of the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development, and such other Institutes and Centers as
specified by the Director shall provide for the upgrading and
unification of spinal muscular atrophy clinical trial sites and the
recruitment of new investigators and sites to establish a national
clinical trials network for spinal muscular atrophy. The Director of
NIH shall ensure that such network--
            ``(1) conducts coordinated, multisite, clinical trials of
        therapies and clinical approaches to the treatment of spinal
        muscular atrophy; and
            ``(2) rapidly and efficiently disseminates scientific
        findings to the field.
    ``(b) Data Coordinating Center.--The Director of NIH, in
coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the Directors
of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and such
other Institutes and Centers as specified by the Director, shall
establish a data coordinating center with respect to spinal muscular
atrophy to--
            ``(1) provide expert assistance in the design, conduct,
        data analysis, data management, and data warehousing of
        collaborative clinical and descriptive research projects;
            ``(2) organize and conduct multi-site monitoring
        activities;
            ``(3) provide regular reports to the National Institute of
        Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of
        Child Health and Human Development, such other Institutes and
        Centers as specified by the Director, and the Food and Drug
        Administration on enrollment and the allocation of resources;
        and
            ``(4) conduct such other activities as are deemed necessary
        by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Pre-Clinical Activities.--The Director of NIH, in
coordination with the Directors of the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development, shall expand and intensify programs of
such Institutes with respect to pre-clinical translation research
related to spinal muscular atrophy.''.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL PATIENT REGISTRY.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 399S. NATIONAL SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY PATIENT REGISTRY.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in coordination with
the Director of the NIH, shall enhance and provide ongoing support to a
spinal muscular atrophy patient registry to provide for expanded
epidemiological research towards improving awareness, management,
treatment, and prevention of spinal muscular atrophy.
    ``(b) Longitudinal Data.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary shall ensure the collection and analysis of longitudinal data
related to individuals of all ages with spinal muscular atrophy,
including infants, young children, adolescents, and adults of all
ages.''.

SEC. 4. INTERAGENCY SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY RESEARCH COORDINATING
              COMMITTEE.

    Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by
section 2, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
section:

``SEC. 409K. INTERAGENCY SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY RESEARCH COORDINATING
              COMMITTEE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a committee,
to be known as the Interagency Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research
Coordinating Committee (in this section referred to as the
`Committee').
    ``(b) Duties.--The Committee shall--
            ``(1) share and coordinate information on existing research
        activities, and make recommendations to the National Institutes
        of Health and other Federal agencies regarding how to improve
        existing research programs, that are related to spinal muscular
        atrophy research and other related neurological diseases and
        disorders;
            ``(2) develop a comprehensive strategy related to spinal
        muscular atrophy research and other related neurological
        diseases and disorders and advise the National Institutes of
        Health and other Federal agencies, expanding proposals for
        collaborative, multidisciplinary research, including proposals
        for Common Fund research described in section 402(b)(7) and
        other proposals that involve collaboration between 2 or more
        national research institutes or national centers;
            ``(3) provide annual reports to the Secretary regarding the
        National Institutes of Health and other Federal agencies'
        collaborative multidisciplinary research efforts to support
        spinal muscular atrophy, including the Spinal Muscular Atrophy
        Project at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
        Stroke, the ongoing and future research needs to advance
        therapies for spinal muscular atrophy, and recommendations on
        how to strengthen the collaboration of research activities by
        the institutes and agencies to improve the results;
            ``(4) develop a summary of advances in research related to
        spinal muscular atrophy research and other related neurological
        diseases and disorders research supported or conducted by
        Federal agencies; and
            ``(5) not later than 1 year after the date of the
        establishment of the Committee, make recommendations to the
        Secretary--
                    ``(A) regarding any appropriate changes to research
                activities, including recommendations to improve the
                research portfolio of the National Institutes of Health
                to ensure that scientifically-based strategic planning
                is implemented in support of research priorities that
                impact research activities related to spinal muscular
                atrophy and other related neurological diseases and
                disorders;
                    ``(B) identifying barriers to the development of
                new treatments and cures for spinal muscular atrophy
                and other related neurological diseases and disorders;
                    ``(C) regarding public participation in decisions
                relating to spinal muscular atrophy research and other
                related neurological diseases and disorders to increase
                the involvement of patient advocacy and community
                organizations representing a broad geographical area;
                    ``(D) on how best to disseminate information on
                spinal muscular atrophy progress; and
                    ``(E) on how to expand partnerships between public
                entities, including Federal agencies, and private
                entities to expand collaborative, cross-cutting
                research.
    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--In carrying out the duties described
in subsection (b) with respect to research on spinal muscular atrophy,
nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the Secretary
from including other neurological or genetic disorders, as appropriate,
in such research if doing so may advance research in spinal muscular
atrophy or other related neurological diseases and disorders.
    ``(d) Membership.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of the
        following voting members:
                    ``(A) Not more than 11 voting Federal
                representatives as follows:
                            ``(i) The Director of the Centers for
                        Disease Control and Prevention.
                            ``(ii) The Director of the National
                        Institutes of Health and the directors of such
                        national research institutes and national
                        centers (which shall include the National
                        Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
                        the National Institute of Child Health and
                        Human Development, and the National Center for
                        Research Resources) as the Secretary determines
                        appropriate.
                            ``(iii) The Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
                            ``(iv) The heads of such other agencies and
                        advisory committees as the Secretary determines
                        appropriate, including the Health Resources and
                        Services Administration, the Agency for
                        Healthcare Research and Quality, and the
                        Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and
                        Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children.
                            ``(v) Representatives of other Federal
                        agencies that conduct or support neurological
                        research, or provide support services and
                        resources for individuals with spinal muscular
                        atrophy, such as the Department of Education
                        and the Social Security Administration.
                    ``(B) 9 additional voting members appointed under
                paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Additional members.--The Committee shall include
        additional voting members appointed by the Secretary as
        follows:
                    ``(A) 6 members shall be appointed from among
                scientists, physicians, and other health professionals,
                who--
                            ``(i) are not officers or employees of the
                        United States;
                            ``(ii) represent multiple disciplines,
                        including clinical, basic, and public health
                        sciences;
                            ``(iii) represent different geographical
                        regions of the United States;
                            ``(iv) are from practice settings,
                        academia, or other research settings; and
                            ``(v) are experienced in scientific peer
                        review process.
                    ``(B) 3 members shall be appointed from members of
                the general public, who represent individuals with
                spinal muscular atrophy.
            ``(3) Nonvoting members.--The Committee shall include such
        nonvoting members as the Secretary determines to be
        appropriate.
    ``(e) Chairperson.--The voting members of the Committee shall
select a chairperson from among the Federal members of the Committee
described in subsection (d)(1)(A). The selection of a chairperson may
be subject to the approval of the Secretary. The chairperson shall
serve for a term of not to exceed 2 years, but may be re-elected as
provided for in the first sentence.
    ``(f) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson of the Committee or upon the request of the Secretary, but
in no case less often than once each year.
    ``(g) Review.--In 2012, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary
shall review the necessity of the Committee.''.

SEC. 5. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ON SMA FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by
section 3, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
section:

``SEC. 399T. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ON SMA.

    ``The Secretary shall establish and implement a program to provide
information and education on spinal muscular atrophy to health
professionals and the general public, including information and
education on advances in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of
spinal muscular atrophy and training and continuing education through
programs for scientists, physicians, medical students, and other health
professionals who provide care for patients with spinal muscular
atrophy.''.

Summary: SMA Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a national clinical trials network for spinal muscular atrophy by upgrading and unifying spinal muscular atrophy clinical trial sites and recruiting new investigators and sites. Requires the Director to ensure that such network: (1) conducts coordinated, multisite, clinical trials of therapies and clinical approaches to the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. And (2) rapidly and efficiently disseminates scientific findings to the field. Requires the Director to: (1) establish a data coordinating center with respect to spinal muscular atrophy. And (2) expand and intensify NIH programs with respect to preclinical translation research related to spinal muscular atrophy. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to enhance and support a spinal muscular atrophy patient registry to provide for expanded epidemiological research towards improving awareness, management, treatment, and prevention of spinal muscular atrophy. Requires the Secretary to ensure the collection and analysis of longitudinal data related to individuals of all ages. Directs the Secretary to establish the Interagency Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research Coordinating Committee. Sets forth the duties of the Committee, including to develop a comprehensive strategy related to spinal muscular atrophy research and other related neurological diseases and disorders. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide information and education on spinal muscular atrophy to health professionals and the general public.

A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct activities to rapidly advance treatments for spinal muscular atrophy, neuromuscular disease, and other pediatric diseases, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Human Cloning Prohibition Act of
1998''.

SEC. 2. FINDING.

    Congress finds that in order to prevent the creation of a cloned
human individual through human somatic cell nuclear transfer
technology, it is right and proper to prohibit the creation of cloned
human embryos that would never have the opportunity for implantation
and that would therefore be created solely for research that would
ultimately lead to their destruction.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON CLONING.

    (a) In General.--Title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after chapter 15, the following:

                         ``CHAPTER 16--CLONING

        ``Sec.
        ``301. Prohibition on cloning.
``Sec. 301 Prohibition on cloning
    ``(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful for any person or entity,
public or private, in or affecting interstate commerce, to use human
somatic cell nuclear transfer technology.
    ``(b) Importation.--It shall be unlawful for any person or entity,
public or private, to import an embryo produced through human somatic
cell nuclear transfer technology.
    ``(c) Penalties.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any person or entity who is convicted of
        violating any provision of this section shall be fined
        according to the provisions of this title or sentenced to up to
        10 years in prison, or both.
            ``(2) Civil penalty.--Any person or entity who is convicted
        of violating any provision of this section shall be subject to,
        in the case of a violation that involves the derivation of a
        pecuniary gain, a civil penalty of not more than an amount
        equal to the amount of the gross gain multiplied by 2.
    ``(d) Definition.--The term `human somatic cell nuclear transfer
technology' means taking the nuclear material of a human somatic cell
and incorporating it into an oocyte from which the nucleus has been
removed or rendered inert and producing an embryo (including a
preimplantation embryo).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for part I of title
18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
to chapter 15, the following:

``16. Cloning Sec. 301''....................................

SEC. 4. COMMISSION TO PROMOTE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON BIOETHICS.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Institute of
Medicine a commission to be known as the National Commission to Promote
a National Dialogue on Bioethics (referred to in this section as the
``Commission'').
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Number and appointment.--The Commission shall be
        composed of 25 members, of whom--
                    (A) 6 shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of
                the Senate;
                    (B) 6 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of
                the Senate;
                    (C) 6 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
                House of Representatives; and
                    (D) 6 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of
                the House of Representatives; and
                    (E) 1, who shall serve as the Chairperson of the
                Commission, to be appointed jointly by the Majority
                Leader of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
                Representatives, in consultation with the Minority
                Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the
                House of Representatives.
            (2) Requirements.--Each individual described in
        subparagraph (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) shall ensure that
        members appointed to the Commission are representative of the
        fields of law, theology, philosophy or ethics, medicine,
        science, and society.
            (3) Deadline for appointment.--Members of the Commission
        shall be appointed by not later than December 1, 1998.
            (4) Terms of appointment.--A member of the Commission
        appointed under paragraph (1) shall serve for a term of 3
        years. Members may not serve consecutive terms.
            (5) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of its
        Chairperson or a majority of its members.
            (6) Quorum.--A quorum shall consist of 13 members of the
        Commission.
            (7) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled
        in the same manner in which the original appointment was made
        not later than 30 days after the Commission is given notice of
        the vacancy and shall not affect the power of the remaining
        members to execute the duties of the Commission.
            (8) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall receive
        no additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their
        service on the Commission.
            (9) Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall receive
        travel expenses and per diem in lieu of subsistence in
        accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United
        States Code.
    (c) Duties of the Commission.--The Commission shall provide an
independent forum for broad public participation and discourse
concerning important bioethical issues including cloning, and provide
for a report to Congress concerning the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations of the Commission concerning Federal policy and
possible Congressional action.
    (d) Staff and Support Services.--
            (1) Staff.--With the approval of the Commission, the
        chairperson of the Commission may appoint such personnel as the
        chairperson considers appropriate.
            (2) Applicability of civil service laws.--The staff of the
        Commission shall be appointed without regard to the provisions
        of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
        competitive service, and shall be paid without regard to the
        provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
        such title (relating to classification and General Schedule pay
        rates).
            (3) Experts and consultants.--With the approval of the
        Commission, the chairperson may procure temporary and
        intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
        States Code.
            (4) Physical facilities.--The Administrator of the General
        Services Administration shall locate suitable office space for
        the operation of the Commission. The facilities shall serve as
        the headquarters of the Commission and shall include all
        necessary equipment and incidentals required for the proper
        functioning of the Commission.
    (e) Powers of Commission.--
            (1) Hearings and other activities.--For the purpose of
        carrying out its duties, the Commission may hold such public
        hearings and undertake such other activities as the Commission
        determines to be necessary to carry out its duties.
            (2) Detail of federal employees.--Upon the request of the
        Commission, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to
        detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of such
        agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying
        out its duties. Any such detail shall not interrupt or
        otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the
        Federal employee.
            (3) Technical assistance.--Upon the request of the
        Commission, the head of a Federal agency shall provide such
        technical assistance to the Commission as the Commission
        determines to be necessary to carry out its duties.
            (4) Use of mails.--The Commission may use the United States
        mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as
        Federal agencies and shall, for purposes of the frank, be
        considered a commission of Congress as described in section
        3215 of title 39, United States Code.
            (5) Obtaining information.--The Commission may secure
        directly from any Federal agency information necessary to
        enable it to carry out its duties, if the information may be
        disclosed under section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
        Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of
        such agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
            (6) Administrative support services.--Upon the request of
        the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall
        provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis such
        administrative support services as the Commission may request.
            (7) Printing.--For purposes of costs relating to printing
        and binding, including the cost of personnel detailed from the
        Government Printing Office, the Commission shall be deemed to
        be a committee of the Congress.
    (f) Subcommittees.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall establish 6
        subcommittees, including--
                    (A) a subcommittee on legal issues;
                    (B) a subcommittee on theological issues;
                    (C) a subcommittee on philosophical and ethical
                issues;
                    (D) a subcommittee on medical issues;
                    (E) a subcommittee on scientific issues; and
                    (F) a subcommittee on social issues.
            (2) Membership.--With respect to the issues for which each
        subcommittee has been established, each subcommittee shall be
        composed of--
                    (A) 1 expert to be appointed by the members of the
                Committee who were appointed under subparagraphs (A)
                and (C) of subsection (b)(1);
                    (B) 1 expert to be appointed by the members of the
                Committee who were appointed under subparagraphs (B)
                and (D) of subsection (b)(1);
                    (C) 1 individual operating in the private sector
                who is acquainted with the issues but who is not an
                expert to be appointed by the members of the Committee
                who were appointed under subparagraphs (A) and (C) of
                subsection (b)(1);
                    (D) 1 individual operating in the private sector
                who is acquainted with the issues but who is not an
                expert to be appointed by the members of the Committee
                who were appointed under subparagraphs (B) and (D) of
                subsection (b)(1); and
                    (E) 4 members of the Commission with relevant
                expertise.
            (3) Meetings.--Meetings of the subcommittees shall be
        approved by the Commission.
    (g) Report.--Not later than December 31, 1999, and annually
thereafter, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report which shall contain a detailed
statement of the recommendations, findings, and conclusions of the
Commission.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. UNRESTRICTED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

    Nothing in this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) shall be
construed to restrict areas of scientific research that are not
specifically prohibited by this Act (or amendments).

SEC. 6. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should
advocate for and join an international effort to prohibit the use of
human somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce a human
embryo.

Summary: Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any person or entity: (1) in or affecting interstate commerce, from using human somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. And (2) from importing an embryo produced through such technology. Sets penalties for violations of this Act of: (1) up to ten years in prison, a fine, or both. And (2) not more than twice the amount of any gross pecuniary gain derived from such violation. Establishes within the Institute of Medicine the National Commission to Promote a National Dialogue on Bioethics. Directs the Commission to provide an independent forum for broad public participation and discourse concerning important bioethical issues, including cloning. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government should advocate and join an international effort to prohibit the use of human somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce a human embryo.

Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 1998


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Intermodal Equipment Safety and
Responsibility Act of 2003''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Promoting safety on our Nation's highways is a national
        priority. The Department of Transportation has promulgated the
        Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to further this
        purpose. The systematic maintenance, repair, and inspection of
        equipment traveling in interstate commerce are an integral part
        of the safety regime.
            (2) Intermodal transportation plays a significant role in
        expanding our Nation's commerce. The Nation's economy depends
        heavily upon the ability to transport goods via the various
        modes of transportation.
            (3) Motor carriers and their drivers often receive
        trailers, chassis, containers and other pieces of intermodal
        equipment to be transported in interstate commerce. Motor
        carriers do not, however, possess the requisite level of
        control or authority over this intermodal equipment to perform
        the systematic maintenance, repair and inspection necessary to
        ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
        Regulations and to ensure the safety of our Nation's highways.
            (4) As a result of roadside inspections, motor carriers and
        their drivers are cited and fined for violations of the Federal
        Motor Carrier Safety Regulations attributable to intermodal
        equipment that motor carriers and their drivers neither
        systematically maintain nor have the opportunity to
        systematically maintain. Additionally, violations of the
        Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations attributable to
        intermodal equipment are assigned to the motor carrier's safety
        record. Congress should exercise its power to ensure that only
        those parties who control the equipment, thus having the
        opportunity and authority to systematically maintain, repair
        and inspect intermodal equipment, assume responsibility for the
        safety of that equipment as it travels in interstate commerce.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 5901 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
            ``(9) Motor carrier.--The term `motor carrier' means a
        person providing motor vehicle transportation for compensation
        or a motor private carrier as that term is defined in chapter
        131 of this title.
            ``(10) Equipment.--The term `equipment' means equipment
        commonly used in the road transport of intermodal freight,
        including trailers, chassis, containers and associated devices,
        and used as an instrumentality of foreign or interstate
        commerce.
            ``(11) Equipment interchange agreement.--The term
        `equipment interchange agreement' means a written document
        executed by an equipment controller or its agent and a motor
        carrier which establishes the responsibilities and liabilities
        of both parties as they relate to the interchange of the
        equipment.
            ``(12) Equipment controller.--The term `equipment
        controller' means any party with any legal right, title, or
        interest in the equipment, except that a motor carrier is not
        an equipment controller only because of providing or arranging
        for any part of the intermodal transportation of the equipment.
        In no instance shall a motor carrier who has not been
        contractually delegated responsibility for systematic
        maintenance and repair of equipment be considered a controller
        of that equipment.
            ``(13) Interchange.--The term `interchange' means the act
        of providing equipment to a motor carrier for the purpose of
        transporting the equipment for loading or unloading by any
        party or repositioning the equipment for the benefit of the
        equipment controller. Such term does not mean the leasing of
        equipment to a motor carrier for use in the motor carrier's
        over-the-road freight hauling operations.
            ``(14) Federal motor carrier safety regulations.--The term
        `Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations' means the
        regulations promulgated by the United States Department of
        Transportation governing the condition and maintenance of
        commercial motor vehicles as set forth in title 49 of the Code
        of Federal Regulations.''.

SEC. 4. JURISDICTION OVER EQUIPMENT CONTROLLERS.

    Chapter 59 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5910. Jurisdiction over equipment controller
    ``The authority of the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe
regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety under section 31136
shall apply to controllers of equipment that is interchanged or
intended to be interchanged.''.

SEC. 5. EQUIPMENT CONTROLLER RESPONSIBILITY.

    Chapter 59 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5911. Equipment inspection, repair, and maintenance
    ``(a) Notwithstanding any provision in an equipment interchange
agreement to the contrary, an equipment controller shall be responsible
and held liable for the systematic inspection, maintenance, and repair
of equipment interchanged or intended for interchange. An equipment
controller shall, each time prior to offering a motor carrier agent the
equipment for interchange, inspect the equipment and provide such
maintenance on, and make such repairs to, the equipment to ensure such
equipment complies with all applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations at all times. At no time shall a motor carrier agent be
offered equipment that has not been inspected and repaired as necessary
to comply with such regulations.
    ``(b) In the event that a repair to the equipment interchanged is
required while in a motor carrier's possession in order to comply with
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, the equipment controller
shall promptly reimburse the motor carrier for the actual expenses
incurred and time spent by the motor carrier for the necessary repair.
    ``(c) The equipment controller shall not be liable under subsection
(b) if the motor carrier's negligence or willful misconduct caused the
condition requiring repair under subsection (b).''.

SEC. 6. SAFETY COMPLIANCE.

    Chapter 59 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5912. Compliance with safety regulations
    ``(a) Equipment Controller Liability.--Notwithstanding any
provision in an equipment interchange agreement to the contrary, the
equipment controller shall be liable for all violations of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations attributable to the controller's
equipment and shall pay any applicable fines, penalties, and damages
resulting from the equipment's violation of such regulations; except
that the equipment controller shall not be liable for violations of
such regulations attributable to the controller's equipment that are
proximately caused by the motor carrier's or motor carrier's agent's
negligence or willful misconduct.
    ``(b) Motor Carrier's Limited Liability.--Except as provided in
subsection (a), a motor carrier and any motor carrier agent who
receives equipment through interchange shall not be liable for any
violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations attributable
to that equipment.
    ``(c) Limitation on Effect.--No record or report of a violation of
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, whether issued by a
Federal, State, or local law enforcement authority, attributable to
equipment interchanged shall have any effect on a motor carrier's
overall safety rating or safety status measurement system score, as
determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or on a
motor carrier's agent's driving record unless such violation was
proximately caused by the motor carrier's or motor carrier's agent's
negligence or willful misconduct.
    ``(d) Procedure for Records Corrections.--The Secretary of
Transportation shall establish, within 6 months of the date of
enactment of this section, an expedited procedure to correct records or
reports of violations that should not have impacted a motor carrier or
a motor carrier agent under subsection (c).''.

SEC. 7. AUTHORITY TO INSPECT.

    Chapter 59 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5913. Authority to inspect
    ``(a) The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to enter into
the facility of an equipment controller to inspect and determine if
equipment intended to be interchanged for use on a public highway
complies with all applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
    ``(b) The Secretary shall establish and implement with appropriate
staffing an inspection and audit program at facilities of equipment
controllers to determine the compliance of equipment intended to be
interchanged for use on a public highway with the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations. Inspection of equipment and the equipment's
corresponding maintenance records shall take place no less than once
every 3 months.
    ``(c) Equipment that fails to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations during the inspection in subsection (b) shall be
placed out of service and shall not be used on a public highway until
such time as repairs have been completed. Repairs of equipment placed
out of service shall be documented in the equipment's corresponding
maintenance records.
    ``(d) The Secretary may establish fines against equipment
controllers for violations of section 5911.''.

SEC. 8. PENALTIES FOR RETALIATION.

    Chapter 59 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5914. Penalties for retaliation
    ``(a) An equipment controller shall not take any action to
threaten, coerce, discipline, discriminate, or otherwise retaliate
against a motor carrier or motor carrier agent who requests maintenance
or repair of equipment intended for interchange in order to comply with
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
    ``(b) For purposes of this section, `retaliation' shall include,
but not be limited to, failing to provide compliant equipment within 60
minutes from the time an agent for a motor carrier that has been
requested to pick up equipment arrives to pick up such equipment.
    ``(c) An equipment controller who violates subsection (a) shall be
liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of up to
$10,000 for each violation.''.

SEC. 9. DELEGATION OF MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY.

    Chapter 59 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5915. Maintenance responsibility
    ``An equipment controller is prohibited from delegating its
responsibility to systematically maintain and repair equipment intended
for interchange to a motor carrier or motor carrier agent in an
equipment interchange agreement.''.

SEC. 10. COMPATIBILITY OF STATE LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 59 of title 49, United States Code, is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5916. Compatibility of State laws
    ``(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and unless authorized by
another law of the United States, a law, regulation, order, or other
requirement of a State, political subdivision of a State, or Indian
tribe is preempted if complying with a requirement of the State,
political subdivision, or tribe and a requirement of this chapter or a
regulation prescribed under this chapter is not possible.
    ``(b) A law, regulation, order, or other requirement of a State,
political subdivision of a State, or Indian tribe shall remain in
effect if compatible with this chapter or any regulations prescribed
under this chapter but more stringent.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended
by adding at the end the following:

``5910. Jurisdiction over equipment controller.
``5911. Equipment inspection, repair, and maintenance.
``5912. Compliance with safety regulations.
``5913. Authority to inspect.
``5914. Penalties for retaliation.
``5915. Maintenance responsibility.
``5916. Compatibility of State laws.''.

SEC. 11. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.

    (a) Federal Regulations.--The Secretary of Transportation, after
notice and opportunity for comment, shall issue regulations, as
appropriate, implementing the provisions of this Act. The regulations
shall be issued as part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations. The implementing regulations shall include provisions to--
            (1) identify controllers of equipment interchanged or
        intended for interchange;
            (2) match such equipment readily to its controller through
        a unique identifying number;
            (3) ensure that each equipment controller maintains a
        system of maintenance and repair records;
            (4) evaluate equipment controllers' compliance with the
        Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;
            (5) prohibit equipment controllers who fail to attain
        satisfactory compliance with such regulations from authorizing
        the placement of equipment on the public highways;
            (6) consider the effect that adequate maintenance
        facilities may have on the resulting safe condition of
        equipment;
            (7) provide for a process by which motor carriers and
        agents may anonymously petition the Federal Motor Carrier
        Safety Administration to undertake an investigation of a
        noncompliant equipment controller;
            (8) establish administrative procedures to resolve disputes
        arising under this Act, including the amendments made by this
        Act; and
            (9) establish the inspection and audit program 5913(b) of
        title 49, United States Code.
    (b) Deadlines.--The regulations required under subsection (a) shall
be developed pursuant to a rulemaking proceeding initiated within 120
days after the date of enactment of this Act and shall be issued not
later than one year after such date of enactment. Effective on the date
of enactment of this Act, and until such time as final regulations are
issued, no motor carrier or motor carrier agent may be issued a
citation for violations on equipment interchanged (as defined in
section 5901 of title 49, United States Code) to them except by the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated $7,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 to the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration for the establishment and implementation
of the inspection program under section 5913 of title 49, United States
Code.

SEC. 13. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this Act shall be effective
30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Intermodal Equipment Safety and Responsibility Act of 2003 - Subjects an equipment controller to liability for the systematic inspection, maintenance, and repair of equipment interchanged or intended for interchange. Requires an equipment controller: (1) prior to offering a motor carrier agent the equipment for interchange, to inspect the equipment and perform maintenance and repairs to the equipment to ensure that it complies with all applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. And (2) to promptly reimburse the motor carrier for actual expenses incurred and time spent by the motor carrier for any repair required to interchanged equipment to comply with the Regulations while in a motor carrier's possession. Makes an equipment controller liable for all violations of the Regulations attributable to the controller's equipment. Directs the controller to pay any applicable fines, penalties, and damages resulting from such violations, except for violations attributable to the controller's equipment that are proximately caused by the motor carrier's negligence or willful misconduct. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to conduct inspections. Prohibits an equipment controller from: (1) retaliating against a motor carrier who requests maintenance or repair of equipment intended for interchange to comply with the Regulations. And (2) delegating its responsibility to systematically maintain and repair equipment intended for interchange to a motor carrier in an equipment interchange agreement.

To amend title 49, United States Code, relating to responsibility for intermodal equipment compliance with commercial motor vehicle safety requirements, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse
Through Enforcement Act'' or the ``PIRATE Act''.

SEC. 2. PIRATE RADIO ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENTS.

    Title V of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 501 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 511. ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR PIRATE RADIO BROADCASTING;
              ENFORCEMENT SWEEPS; REPORTING.

    ``(a) Increased General Penalty.--Any person who willfully and
knowingly does or causes or suffers to be done any pirate radio
broadcasting shall be subject to a fine of not more than $2,000,000.
    ``(b) Violation of This Act, Rules, or Regulations.--Any person who
willfully and knowingly violates this Act or any rule, regulation,
restriction, or condition made or imposed by the Commission under
authority of this Act, or any rule, regulation, restriction, or
condition made or imposed by any international radio or wire
communications treaty or convention, or regulations annexed thereto, to
which the United States is or may hereafter become party, relating to
pirate radio broadcasting shall, in addition to any other penalties
provided by law, be subject to a fine of not more than $100,000 for
each day during which such offense occurs, in accordance with the limit
described in subsection (a).
    ``(c) Facilitation.--Any person who knowingly and intentionally
facilitates pirate radio broadcasting shall be subject to a fine of not
more than $2,000,000.
    ``(d) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the PIRATE Act, and annually thereafter, the Commission
shall submit to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation a report
summarizing the implementation of this section and associated
enforcement activities for the previous fiscal year, which may include
the efforts by the Commission to enlist the cooperation of Federal,
State, and local law enforcement personnel (including United States
Attorneys and the United States Marshals Service) for service of
process, collection of fines or forfeitures, seizures of equipment, and
enforcement of orders.
    ``(e) Enforcement Sweeps.--
            ``(1) Annual sweeps.--Not less than once each year, the
        Commission shall assign appropriate enforcement personnel to
        focus specific and sustained attention on the elimination of
        pirate radio broadcasting within the top five radio markets
        identified as prevalent for such broadcasts. Such effort shall
        include identifying, locating, and taking enforcement actions
        designed to terminate such operations.
            ``(2) Additional monitoring.--Within 6 months after
        conducting the enforcement sweeps required by paragraph (1),
        the Commission shall conduct monitoring sweeps to ascertain
        whether the pirate radio broadcasting identified by enforcement
        sweeps is continuing to broadcast and whether additional pirate
        radio broadcasting is occurring.
            ``(3) No effect on remaining enforcement.--Notwithstanding
        paragraph (1), the Commission shall not decrease or diminish
        the regular enforcement efforts targeted to pirate radio
        broadcast stations for other times of the year.
    ``(f) State and Local Government Authority.--The Commission may not
preempt any State or local law prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting.
    ``(g) Revision of Commission Rules Required.--The Commission shall
revise its rules to require that, absent good cause, in any case
alleging a violation of subsection (a) or (b), the Commission shall
proceed directly to issue a `Notice of Apparent Liability' without
first issuing a `Notice of Unlicensed Operations'.
    ``(h) Pirate Radio Broadcasting Database.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
        the enactment of this section, and semi-annually thereafter,
        the Commission shall publish a database in a clear and legible
        format of all licensed radio stations operating in the AM and
        FM bands. The database shall be easily accessible from the
        Commission home page through a direct link. The database shall
        include the following information:
                    ``(A) Each licensed station, listed by the assigned
                frequency, channel number, or Commission call letters.
                    ``(B) All entities that have received a Notice of
                Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or
                Forfeiture Order by the Commission.
            ``(2) Clear identification.--The Commission shall clearly
        identify in the database--
                    ``(A) each licensed station as a station licensed
                by the Commission; and
                    ``(B) each entity described in paragraph (1)(B) as
                operating without a Commission license or
                authorization.
    ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Pirate radio broadcasting.--The term `pirate radio
        broadcasting' means the transmission of communications on
        spectrum frequencies between 535 to 1705 kHz or 87.7 to 108 MHz
        without a license issued by the Federal Communications
        Commission, but does not include unlicensed operations in
        compliance with part 15 of title 47, Code of Federal
        Regulations.
            ``(2) Facilitates.--The term `facilitates' means providing
        access to property (and improvements thereon) or providing
        physical goods or services, including providing housing,
        facilities, or financing, that directly aid pirate radio
        broadcasting.
            ``(3) Knowingly and intentionally.--The term `knowingly and
        intentionally' means the person was previously served by the
        Commission with a notice of unlicensed operations, notice of
        apparent liability, or citation for efforts to facilitate
        pirate radio broadcasting.''.

SEC. 3. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

    No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act or the amendment made by

 this Act. This Act and the amendment made by this Act shall be carried
out using amounts otherwise authorized.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 23, 2018.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlicensed radio broadcasting , including: increasing the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violationnbsp. To not more than $2 million, imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit, and establishingnbsp, anbsp, fine of up tonbsp, $2 millionnbsp, for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting . nbsp, nbsp, nbsp. The FCC must: (1) annually report to Congress summarizing implementation of this bill and associated enforcement activities for the previous fiscal year. And (2) at least once a year, assign appropriate enforcement personnel to focus specific and sustained attention on the elimination of pirate radio broadcasting within the top five radio markets. The FCC may not preempt any state or local law prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting. The FCC shall: (1) revise its rules to require that, absent good cause, in any case alleging a violation, it shall proceed directly to issue a Notice of Apparent Liability without first issuing a Notice of Unlicensed Operations. And (2) publish a database of all licensed radio stations operating in the AM and FM bands, which shall be easily accessible from the FCC home page, identifying each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order by the FCC. No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Maritime Safety Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF REQUIREMENT FOR RESPONSE PLANS FOR NONTANK
              VESSELS.

    Subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the analysis at the beginning of the subtitle, by
        adding after the item relating to chapter 147 the following:

``48. Response plans for nontank vessels...................     4801'';
        and
            (2) by adding at the end of part B the following:

            ``CHAPTER 48--RESPONSE PLANS FOR NONTANK VESSELS

``Sec.
``4801. Definitions.
``4802. Application.
``4803. General response plan requirement.
``4804. Regulations.
``4805. Submittal of response plans.
``4806. Review and approval of response plans.
``Sec. 4801. Definitions
    ``In this chapter:
            ``(1) The term `covered vessel' means a vessel to which
        this chapter applies.
            ``(2) The term `maritime cooperative' means any association
        established by any combination of owners or operators of marine
        terminals, marine facilities, or vessels, vessel agents, or
        maritime industry groups, that provides oil spill response
        planning and oil spill-related communications services.
            ``(3) The term `response plan' means a plan for the
        prevention of oil spills and the containment and cleanup of oil
        spills from the navigable waters of the United States and for
        the protection of fisheries and wildlife, natural resources,
        and public and private property from such a spill.
``Sec. 4802. Application
    ``This chapter applies to any vessel over 300 gross tons carrying
oil as fuel on the navigable waters of the United States, other than--
            ``(1) a tank vessel; and
            ``(2) a fishing vessel.
``Sec. 4803. General response plan requirement
    ``(a) After June 1, 2001, a vessel subject to this chapter may not
operate on the navigable waters of the United States unless a response
plan for that operation has been approved by the Secretary and
implemented.
    ``(b) Approval of a response plan by the Secretary under this
section must be renewed at least once every 5 years.
``Sec. 4804. Regulations
    ``Not later than January 1, 2003, the Secretary shall issue
regulations establishing the minimum requirements for approval of
response plans required under this chapter. The regulations shall
require that each such response plan--
            ``(1) include complete details concerning the response to
        oil spills of various sizes from vessels to which the plan
        applies;
            ``(2) to the maximum extent practicable, be designed in
        terms of personnel, materials, and equipment, necessary to
        remove oil and minimize any damage to the environment resulting
        from a maximum probable spill and a worse case spill;
            ``(3) describe how the response plan relates to and is
        coordinated with contingency plans developed by a State,
        cooperative, port, or regional entity;
            ``(4) provide procedures for early detection of an oil
        spill and timely notification of appropriate Federal, State,
        and local authorities about the spill in accordance with
        applicable State and Federal law;
            ``(5) demonstrate ownership of or access to an emergency
        response communications network that--
                    ``(A) covers all locations of operation or transit
                by the vessel to which the response plan applies; and
                    ``(B) provides for immediate notification and
                continual emergency communications during cleanup
                response;
            ``(6) state the number, training preparedness, and fitness
        of all dedicated, prepositioned personnel assigned to implement
        the plan;
            ``(7) incorporate periodic training and drill programs to
        evaluate whether the personnel and equipment provided under the
        plan are in a state of operational readiness at all times;
            ``(8) state the means of protecting and mitigating the
        effects of an oil spill on the environment;
            ``(9) provide a detailed description of equipment,
        training, and procedures to be used by the crew of a vessel to
        minimize vessel damage, and to stop or reduce oil spilling from
        the vessel;
            ``(10) provide arrangements for prepositioning oil spill
        containment and cleanup equipment and trained personnel;
            ``(11) provide arrangements for enlisting the use of
        qualified and trained cleanup personnel to implement the plan;
            ``(12) provide for the disposal of recovered oil in
        accordance with local, State, and Federal law;
            ``(13) state the measures that have been taken to reduce
        the likelihood that an oil spill will occur; and
            ``(14) state the amount and type of equipment available to
        respond to a spill, where the equipment is located, and the
        extent to which other response plans rely on the same
        equipment.
``Sec. 4805. Submittal of response plans
    ``(a) A response plan under this chapter shall be submitted to the
Secretary for each vessel to which this chapter applies, within 12
months after the Secretary prescribes regulations under this chapter.
    ``(b) A response plan under this chapter for operations of a vessel
may be submitted by--
            ``(1) the owner or operator of the vessel, including a
        person authorized to submit a plan under a contract with the
        owner or operator pursuant to subsection (c);
            ``(2) the owner or operator of any facility at which the
        vessel will be loading or unloading its cargo; or
            ``(3) a qualified maritime cooperative in which the owner
        or operator of the vessel is a participating member.
    ``(c)(1) A person that has contracted with the owner or operator of
a vessel to provide containment and cleanup services for operations of
the vessel and that meets the standards prescribed by the Secretary
under this chapter may submit the response plan required under this
chapter for those operations.
    ``(2) Subject to conditions imposed by the Secretary, a person
referred to in paragraph (1) may submit a single plan under this
chapter for more than one vessel with respect to which the person is
contractually obligated to provide containment and cleanup services.
    ``(d)(1) A maritime cooperative may submit a response plan under
this chapter for a group of vessels owned or operated by members of the
cooperative.
    ``(2) A maritime cooperative shall have a lien on a vessel owned or
operated by a member of the cooperative--
            ``(A) for any regular operating assessments made by the
        cooperative with respect to the vessel; and
            ``(B) for any direct costs incurred by the cooperative in
        providing oil spill response or oil spill-related
        communications services for the vessel.
``Sec. 4806. Review and approval of response plans
    ``(a) In reviewing a response plan submitted under this chapter,
the Secretary shall consider, among other matters, the following
factors:
            ``(1) The adequacy of containment and cleanup equipment,
        personnel, communications equipment, notification procedures,
        response time, and logistical arrangements for coordination and
        implementation of response efforts to remove oil spills
        promptly and properly and to protect the environment.
            ``(2) The nature and amount of vessel traffic within the
        area covered by the plan.
            ``(3) The volume and type of oil being transported within
        the area covered by the plan.
            ``(4) The existence of navigational hazards within the area
        covered by the plan.
            ``(5) The history and circumstances surrounding prior
        spills of oil within the area covered by the plan.
            ``(6) The sensitivity of fisheries and wildlife and other
        natural resources within the area covered by the plan.
            ``(7) Relevant information on previous spills contained in
        on-scene coordinator reports covered by the plan.
            ``(8) The extent to which reasonable, cost-effective
        measures to reduce the likelihood that a spill will occur have
        been incorporated into the plan.
            ``(9) The number of covered vessels calling in and the
        facilities located in the geographic area and the resulting
        ability of State and local agencies and industry groups to
        develop, finance, and maintain a response plan and spill
        response system for those vessels.
            ``(10) The spill response equipment and resources available
        to a person providing a response plan for vessels under the
        response plans filed by the person under State or Federal law
        for other covered vessels or facilities owned or operated by
        that person.
    ``(b) The Secretary may approve a response plan only if the
Secretary determines that the plan--
            ``(1) meets the requirements established under section 4804
        of this title; and
            ``(2) will ensure, to the maximum extent practicable,
        removal of oil promptly, properly, and with minimal damage to
        the environment.
    ``(c) On approval of a response plan, the Secretary shall issue to
the person that submitted the plan a certificate stating that the plan
has been approved. The certificate shall include the name of each
vessel for which the certificate is issued, the effective date of the
plan, and the date by which the plan must be submitted for renewal.
    ``(d) An owner or operator of a covered vessel or facility shall
notify the Secretary in writing immediately of any significant change
affecting any response plan approved for the vessel or facility under
this chapter, including changes in any factor set forth in this section
or regulations prescribed under this section. The Secretary may require
the owner or operator to update a response plan as a result of these
changes.
    ``(e) A holder of an approved response plan shall not be considered
to have violated the terms of the response plan by furnishing to
another person having a response plan approved under this chapter,
after notifying the Secretary, equipment, materials or personnel to
assist the other person in a response to an oil discharge.
    ``(f) The Secretary may impose any reasonable term or condition on
approval or modification of a response plan under this chapter that the
Secretary determines is necessary to ensure that the applicant--
            ``(1) has access to sufficient resources to protect
        environmentally sensitive areas and to prevent, contain, clean
        up and mitigate potential oil discharges from the vessel to
        which the plan applies;
            ``(2) maintains personnel levels sufficient to carry out
        emergency operations; and
            ``(3) complies with the response plan.
    ``(g) The Secretary may not approve or renew a response plan under
this chapter unless the plan ensures the use by the applicant of the
best technology available at the time the response plan was submitted
or renewed.
    ``(h) The Secretary may require an applicant or a holder of an
approved response plan to take steps necessary to demonstrate its
ability to carry out the response plan, including--
            ``(1) periodic training;
            ``(2) response team exercises; and
            ``(3) verification of access to inventories of equipment,
        supplies, and personnel identified as available in the response
        plan.
    ``(i)(1) The Secretary may delegate to a State the authority to
approve response plans under this chapter for vessel operations in that
State, to the extent that the laws of the State establish response plan
requirements that are substantially similar to requirements established
by the Secretary under section 4804 of this title.
    ``(2) This subsection does not authorize the Secretary to delegate
to a State the authority to regulate vessel design, construction,
equipment, manning, training, or operational requirements.
    ``(j) The approval of a response plan by the Secretary does not
constitute an express assurance regarding the adequacy of the plan or
constitute a defense to liability imposed under Federal or State
law.''.

SEC. 3. LIMITS OF LIABILITY AND CERTIFICATES OF FINANCIAL
              RESPONSIBILITY FOR NONTANK VESSELS.

    Section 1004 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2703) is
amended--
            (1) by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$806''; and
            (2) by striking ``$500,000'' and inserting ``$672,000''.

SEC. 4. VOYAGE DATA RECORDERS.

    Section 3305 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
    ``(d)(1) A passenger vessel, small passenger vessel, and freight
vessel (including a foreign vessel) to which this paragraph applies
shall be equipped with a voyage data recorder of a type prescribed by
the Secretary. In prescribing the type of voyage data recorder for a
vessel, the Secretary shall consider the type, size, and
characteristics of the vessel.
    ``(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection applies as follows:
            ``(A) To any small passenger vessel certified by the
        Secretary to carry more than 100 passengers, a high speed
        commercial vessel, or a passenger vessel built after June 30,
        2002.
            ``(B) On and after June 30, 2002, to any roll-on-roll-off
        passenger vessel on an international voyage (including a
        voyage-to-nowhere), if the vessel was built before July 1,
        2000.
            ``(C) On and after January 1, 2004, to any passenger vessel
        or small passenger vessel on an international voyage (including
        a voyage-to-nowhere), if the vessel was built before July 1,
        2002.
            ``(D) On and after January 1, 2004, to any freight vessel
        of 20,000 or more gross tons, if the vessel was built after
        June 30, 2002.
            ``(E) On and after January 1, 2006, to any freight vessel
        of 3,000 or more gross tons and less than 20,000 gross tons, if
        the vessel was built after June 30, 2002.
            ``(F) On and after January 1, 2007, to any freight vessel
        of 20,000 or more gross tons on an international voyage
        (including a voyage-to-nowhere), if the vessel was built before
        July 1, 2002.
            ``(G) On and after January 1, 2009, to any freight vessel
        of 3,000 or more gross tons and less than 20,000 gross tons, on
        an international voyage (including a voyage-to-nowhere), if the
        vessel was built before July 1, 2002.''.

SEC. 5. INVESTIGATIONS OF CASUALTY RESPONSE.

    Section 6301 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``, and responses to those casualties,''
        after ``marine casualties''; and
            (2) in paragraph (6) by inserting ``or improve the response
        to future casualties'' after ``recurrence of the casualty''.

SEC. 6. AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM.

    (a) Transponder Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the following
        vessels, while operating on the navigable waters of the United
        States, shall be equipped with a position indicating
        transponder and an appropriate situation display or other
        device suitable for accessing information made available by the
        transponder system, in accordance with regulations prescribed
        by the Secretary of Transportation:
                    (A) Vessels subject to Public Law 92-63.
                    (B) Small passenger vessels carrying more than a
                number of passengers determined by the Secretary of
                Transportation.
                    (C) Towing vessels while towing astern or pushing
                ahead or alongside, except commercial assistance towing
                vessels rendering assistance to disabled small vessels.
            (2) Exemption.--The Secretary may exempt a vessel from
        paragraph (1) if the Secretary finds that a transponder is not
        necessary for the safe navigation of the vessel on the waters
        on which the vessel operates.
    (b) Regulations.--The Secretary of Transportation shall issue
regulations implementing subsection (a), including requirements for the
operation and maintenance of transponders required under subsection
(a).
    (c) Application.--Subsection (a) shall apply as follows:
            (1) On and after July 1, 2002, to--
                    (A) vessels built after that date; and
                    (B) vessels operating within the geographic
                boundaries of a Vessel Traffic Service.
            (2) On and after July 1, 2003, to--
                    (A) passenger vessels;
                    (B) tankers; and
                    (C) towing vessels engaged in moving a tank vessel.
            (3) On and after July 1, 2005, to all other vessels.

SEC. 7. AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT LOADING AND UNLOADING OF VESSELS.

    (a) Prohibition.--The Port and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1221
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 15. AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT LOADING AND UNLOADING OF VESSELS.

    ``The Secretary may prohibit the loading or unloading of a vessel
in any port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
if the vessel is registered in a country that the Secretary finds fails
to adequately enforce safety standards prescribed by the International
Maritime Organization.''.
    (b) Review.--Within one year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall--
            (1) determine the 5 countries having the greatest number of
        vessels registered in the country that were detained by the
        Coast Guard in 1999 for violation of a safety standard
        prescribed by the International Maritime Organization; and
            (2) review and report to the Congress regarding whether
        those countries have, since December 31, 1999, adequately
        enforced safety standards prescribed by such organization.
    (c) Innocent Passage and Transit Not Affected.--Nothing in this
section is intended to prevent entry into waters subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States by a vessel under an international
agreement to which the United States is a party.

SEC. 8. ELIMINATION OF SINGLE HULLS OVER BUNKER TANKS.

    The Secretary of Transportation shall propose to and seek to
negotiate at the International Maritime Organization the elimination of
single hull bunker tanks on commercial vessels capable of carrying more
than 1,000 barrels of fuel on board. The proposal shall include--
            (1) a requirement prohibiting the operation of any such
        vessel built after January 1, 2004, that has a single hull
        bunker tank; and
            (2) a phaseout schedule for such vessels built before that
        date that have a single hull bunker tank.

Summary: Increases the maximum liability of nontank vessels for oil spills to the greater of : (1) $806 per gross ton. Or (2) $672,000 . Requires any passenger vessel, small passenger vessel, and freight vessel subject to inspection to be equipped with a voyage data recorder of a type prescribed by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the immediate investigation of responses to marine casualties. Requires certain vessels, including small passenger and towing vessels, to be equipped with a position indicating transponder and an appropriate situation display or other device suitable for accessing information made available by the transponder system. Authorizes the Secretary to prohibit the loading or unloading of a vessel in any port or place subject to US jurisdiction if the vessel is registered in a country that fails to adequately enforce safety standards prescribed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on: (1) the five such countries with the greatest number of registered vessels detained by the Coast Guard in 1999 for violation of such safety standards. And (2) whether those countries have, since December 31, 1999, adequately enforced such standards. Directs the Secretary to seek to negotiate at the IMO the elimination of single hull bunker tanks on commercial vessels capable of carrying more than 1,000 barrels of fuel on board.

Maritime Safety Act of 2000


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of
2013''.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF INITIAL PERIOD FOR INCREASED DEPENDENCY AND
              INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES WITH
              CHILDREN.

    Section 1311(f)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``two-year'' and inserting ``five-year''.

SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION, HEALTH
              CARE, AND HOUSING LOANS FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES WHO REMARRY
              AFTER AGE 55.

    Subparagraph (B) of section 103(d)(2) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(B) The remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a
veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph
(5) to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran.''.

SEC. 4. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF CERTAIN THAILAND SERVICE VETERANS BORN
              WITH SPINA BIFIDA.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 18 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans
              born with spina bifida
    ``(a) Benefits Authorized.--The Secretary may provide to any child
of a veteran of covered service in Thailand who is suffering from spina
bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and
monetary allowance required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran
who is suffering from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter
as if such child of a veteran of covered service in Thailand were a
child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under
such subchapter.
    ``(b) Spina Bifida Conditions Covered.--This section applies with
respect to all forms and manifestations of spina bifida, except spina
bifida occulta.
    ``(c) Veteran of Covered Service in Thailand.--For purposes of this
section, a veteran of covered service in Thailand is any individual,
without regard to the characterization of that individual's service,
who--
            ``(1) served in the active military, naval, or air service
        in Thailand, as determined by the Secretary in consultation
        with the Secretary of Defense, during the period beginning on
        January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975; and
            ``(2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with
        the Secretary of Defense, to have been exposed to a herbicide
        agent during such service in Thailand.
    ``(d) Herbicide Agent.--For purposes of this section, the term
`herbicide agent' means a chemical in a herbicide used in support of
United States and allied military operations in Thailand, as determined
by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, during
the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Subchapter heading.--The heading for subchapter III of
        chapter 18 of such title is amended by inserting ``AND
        THAILAND'' after ``KOREA''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
        beginning of chapter 18 of such title is amended--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to subchapter III
                and inserting the following new item:

   ``subchapter iii--children of certain korea and thailand service
                   veterans born with spina bifida'';

        and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section
                1821 the following new item:

``1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service veterans born
                            with spina bifida.''.

SEC. 5. PILOT PROGRAM ON GRIEF COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR
              SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WHO DIE WHILE SERVING ON
              ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--
            (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 180 days after
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
        Veterans Affairs shall carry out, through the Readjustment
        Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a
        pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of
        providing grief counseling services described in subsection (b)
        in group retreat settings to surviving spouses of veterans who
        die while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces.
            (2) Participation at election of surviving spouse.--The
        participation of a surviving spouse in the pilot program under
        this section shall be at the election of the surviving spouse.
    (b) Covered Services.--The services provided to a surviving spouse
under the pilot program shall include the following:
            (1) Information and counseling on coping with grief.
            (2) Information about benefits and services available to
        surviving spouses under laws administered by the Secretary.
            (3) Such other information and counseling as the Secretary
        considers appropriate to assist a surviving spouse under the
        pilot program with adjusting to the death of a spouse.
    (c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at
not fewer than six locations as follows:
            (1) Three locations at which surviving spouses with
        dependent children are encouraged to bring their children.
            (2) Three locations at which surviving spouses with
        dependent children are not encouraged to bring their children.
    (d) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the
two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot
program.
    (e) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
        completion of the first year of the pilot program and not later
        than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program, the
        Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot
        program.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
        shall contain the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as
        a result of the pilot program, and shall include such
        recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot
        program as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``active duty'',
``surviving spouse'', and ``veteran'' have the meanings given such
terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

Summary: Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 - Allows dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) paid through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the surviving spouses of veterans to be increased for months occurring during the five-year period beginning on the date of entitlement. Provides that the remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of VA DIC, health care, educational assistance, and housing loans. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, to any spina bifida-affected child of a veteran who served on active duty in Thailand beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, and was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service, the same health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a similarly-affected child of a Vietnam veteran. Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing grief counseling services for the surviving spouses of veterans who die while serving on active duty.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Encroachment on Military Bases
Prevention Act''.

SEC. 2. MILITARY READINESS AND THE CONSERVATION OF PROTECTED SPECIES.

    (a) Limitation on Designation of Critical Habitat.--Section 4(a) of
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)) is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(4)(A) The Secretary may not designate as critical habitat any
lands or other geographical areas owned or controlled by the Department
of Defense, or designated for its use, that are subject to an
integrated natural resources management plan prepared under section 101
of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if the Secretary determines that
such plan addresses special management considerations or protection (as
those terms are used in section 3(5)(A)(i)).
    ``(B) Nothing in this paragraph affects the requirement to consult
under section 7(a)(2) with respect to an agency action (as that term is
defined in that section).
    ``(C) Nothing in this paragraph affects the obligation of the
Department of Defense to comply with section 9, including the
prohibition preventing extinction and taking of endangered species and
threatened species.''.
    (b) Consideration of Effects of Designation of Critical Habitat.--
Section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1533(b)(2)) is amended by inserting ``the impact on national
security,'' after ``the economic impact,''.

SEC. 3. RESTRICTION ON CONSIDERATION OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN
              SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDIES.

    Section 8 of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5; commonly known as
the National Park System General Authorities Act) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Exclusion of Military Installations From Special Resource
Studies.--
            ``(1) Notification of secretary of defense.--If a study
        under this section or any other provision of law of an area for
        potential inclusion in the National Park System will include,
        or the study will be expanded to include, the consideration of
        any military lands, the Secretary of the Interior shall provide
        written notice to the Secretary of Defense of the exact
        military lands to be covered by the study. The written notice
        shall be provided not later than 30 days before the date on
        which the Secretary of the Interior will commence the study or
        expand the study to include the military lands.
            ``(2) Authority to exclude military lands.--Upon receipt of
        written notification under paragraph (1), the Secretary of
        Defense shall evaluate the existing environmental protections
        for the military lands described in the notice and the
        importance of the military lands to military readiness and
        preparedness. The Secretary of Defense may require the
        Secretary of the Interior to exclude all or a portion of the
        military lands from the study if the Secretary of Defense
        determines that the environmental protections for the military
        lands are sufficient and that inclusion of the military lands
        in the National Park System could adversely impact military
        readiness and preparedness. Notice to the Secretary of the
        Interior shall include the reasons of the Secretary of Defense
        for requiring the exclusion of the military lands.
            ``(3) Time for making determination; effect.--The Secretary
        of Defense shall make the determination required under
        paragraph (2), and transmit notice of the determination to the
        Secretary of the Interior, before the end of the 90-day period
        beginning on the date on which the Secretary of Defense
        receives the written notice required under paragraph (1) of a
        study that covers military lands. If the notice of the
        Secretary of Defense is timely, the Secretary of the Interior
        may not consider the military lands covered by the notice for
        possible inclusion in the National Park System in that study or
        any subsequent study. If the notice is not received by the
        Secretary of the Interior before the end of the 90-day period,
        the Secretary of the Interior may proceed with the
        consideration of the military lands under the study
        notwithstanding the determination.
            ``(4) Military lands.--In this subsection, the term
        `military lands' means lands included as part of a military
        installation, as that term is defined in section 100 of the
        Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670).''.

SEC. 4. RESTRICTION ON INCLUSION IN NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES OF
              AREAS USED FOR MILITARY READINESS ACTIVITIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 305 of the National Marine Sanctuary Act
(16 U.S.C. 1433) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)
        by inserting ``(subject to subsection (c))'' after ``any
        discrete area of the marine environment''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Restriction on Inclusion of Areas Used for Military Readiness
Activities.--The Secretary may not designate as a national marine
sanctuary, or add to an existing national marine sanctuary, any area
that the Secretary of Defense has designated for use for military
readiness activities, including any area the use or navigation of which
is prohibited under regulations issued by the Secretary of the Army
under the first section of chapter XIX of the Act of July 9, 1918 (33
U.S.C. 3), popularly known as the Army Appropriation Act of 1919.''.
    (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not
apply with respect to any designation of an area as, or addition of an
area to, a national marine sanctuary that takes effect before the date
of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Encroachment on Military Bases Prevention Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) from designating as critical habitat any lands or areas owned and controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management plan under the Sikes Act if the Secretary determines that such plan addresses special management considerations or protection. Requires the Secretary to consider impact on national security when making critical habitat determinations. Amends the Act commonly known as the National Park System General Authorities Act to require: (1) the Secretary to notify the Secretary of Defense of the exact military lands included in any study of an area for potential inclusion in the National Park System (NPS). And (2) the Secretary of Defense to evaluate the existing environmental protections for such lands and the importance of such lands to military readiness and preparation. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to require the Secretary to exclude such lands if it is determined that current environmental protections are adequate and that their inclusion in the NPS would adversely affect military readiness and preparation. Amends the National Marine Sanctuary Act to prohibit the Secretary from including as a national marine sanctuary any area that the Secretary of Defense has designated for use for military readiness activities.

To provide for the management of critical habitat of endangered species and threatened species on military installations in a manner compatible with the demands of military readiness, to ensure that the application of other resource laws on military installations is compatible with military readiness, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Research and
Care Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic bone marrow
        failure disorder, which develops in infancy and results in
        severe anemia due to failure to make red blood cells.
            (2) Diamond-Blackfan anemia patients have an increased risk
        of leukemia, solid tumors, and complete bone marrow failure.
            (3) Fifty percent of patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia
        are born with birth defects, including abnormalities to the
        face, head, upper arm and hand, genitourinary, and heart, and
        21 percent of the affected patients have more than 1 defect.
            (4) Treatments for Diamond-Blackfan anemia, including the
        use of blood transfusions and steroids such as prednisone, have
        potential long-term side effects, including osteoporosis, iron
        overload (because of the transfusions), and impaired growth
        (because of the steroids).
            (5) The only cure for Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a bone
        marrow transplant, a procedure that carries serious risks and,
        since most patients lack an acceptable donor, is an option for
        only about 25 percent of patients.
            (6) Because Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a genetic disorder
        of red cell production and a cancer predisposition syndrome
        with a high rate of congenital anomalies, the Federal
        investment regarding Diamond-Blackfan anemia must be expanded
        to allow the careful dissection of this disease, which will
        provide valuable insights into the biology of blood disorders
        and cancer predisposition and serve as an important model for
        understanding the genetics of birth defects.

SEC. 3. DIAMOND-BLACKFAN ANEMIA.

    (a) DBA-Related Activities of NIH.--Part A of title IV of the
Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 404G
(42 U.S.C. 283i) the following:

                       ``diamond-blackfan anemia

    ``Sec. 404H. (a) In General.--The Director of NIH, in coordination
with the Directors of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,
and the Office of Rare Diseases, shall expand and intensify research
and related activities of the National Institutes of Health with regard
to Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
    ``(b) Comprehensive Research Initiative.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the
        Director of NIH shall make grants to, or enter into contracts
        with, public or private entities to support a comprehensive
        research initiative to study, develop better treatments for,
        and ultimately find a cure for Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
            ``(2) Research.--The initiative supported under this
        subsection may include research on the following:
                    ``(A) The links of Diamond-Blackfan anemia to
                chronic diseases.
                    ``(B) Red cell differentiation.
                    ``(C) The pathophysiology of Diamond-Blackfan
                anemia.
                    ``(D) The relationship between Diamond-Blackfan
                anemia and predisposition to cancer.
                    ``(E) Congenital anomalies in Diamond-Blackfan
                anemia patients.''.
    (b) DBA-Related Activities of CDC.--Part B of title III of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by moving section 317R so that it follows section 317Q;
        and
            (2) by inserting after section 317R the following:

``SEC. 317S. REGISTRY AND CLINICAL CARE CENTER FOR DIAMOND-BLACKFAN
              ANEMIA.

    ``(a) Registry.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall maintain and expand
the Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Registry (in this section referred to as
the `Registry').
    ``(b) Comprehensive Clinical Care Center.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
        shall establish a comprehensive clinical care center for
        Diamond-Blackfan anemia where a majority of the patients with
        the disease are examined, treated, and tracked through the
        Registry, by experts in the disease.
            ``(2) Duties.--The center established under this section
        shall--
                    ``(A) gather and analyze extensive data on Diamond-
                Blackfan anemia to be used for public, non-profit, and
                government research initiatives involving gene
                discovery, ribosomal protein function, genetics of
                birth defects, blood cell formation (recovery from
                cancer chemotherapy), cancer predisposition, red cell
                differentiation, and a comparison of therapeutic
                treatments including blood transfusion, steroids, and
                bone marrow transplants;
                    ``(B) provide thorough examinations of Diamond-
                Blackfan anemia patients by experts in the disease to
                confirm diagnosis and provide genetic typing along with
                a multi-system evaluation; and
                    ``(C) provide clinical care for Diamond-Blackfan
                anemia.''.

Summary: Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Research and Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health, in coordination with other specified officials, to expand and intensify research and related activities of the Institute with regard to Diamond-Blackfan Anemia. States that the Director shall as part of such effort award grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or private entities to support a comprehensive research initiative. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) maintain and expand the Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Registry. And (2) establish a comprehensive clinical care center for Diamond-Blackfan Anemia.

To require increased activities by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding Diamond-Blackfan anemia, and for other purposes.