SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction
Act of 2008''.

                     TITLE I--CRIMINAL PROHIBITION

SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.

    Congress finds and declares that operating or embarking in a
submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and
on an international voyage is a serious international problem,
facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and
terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime
navigation and the security of the United States.

SEC. 102. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL
              WITHOUT NATIONALITY.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 111 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``2285. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL
            WITHOUT NATIONALITY.

    ``(a) Offense.--Whoever knowingly operates, or attempts or
conspires to operate, by any means, or embarks in any submersible
vessel or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that
is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the
outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral
limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with
the intent to evade detection, shall be fined under this title,
imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
    ``(b) Evidence of Intent To Evade Detection.--For purposes of
subsection (a), the presence of any of the indicia described in
paragraph (1)(A), (E), (F), or (G), or in paragraph (4), (5), or (6),
of section 70507(b) of title 46 may be considered, in the totality of
the circumstances, to be prima facie evidence of intent to evade
detection.
    ``(c) Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.--There is extraterritorial
Federal jurisdiction over an offense under this section, including an
attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense.
    ``(d) Claim of Nationality or Registry.--A claim of nationality or
registry under this section includes only--
        ``(1) possession on board the vessel and production of
    documents evidencing the vessel's nationality as provided in
    article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
        ``(2) flying its nation's ensign or flag; or
        ``(3) a verbal claim of nationality or registry by the master
    or individual in charge of the vessel.
    ``(e) Affirmative Defenses.--
        ``(1) In general.--It is an affirmative defense to a
    prosecution for a violation of subsection (a), which the defendant
    has the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence, that
    the submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel involved was, at
    the time of the offense--
            ``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered
        in a foreign nation as claimed by the master or individual in
        charge of the vessel when requested to make a claim by an
        officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable
        provisions of United States law;
            ``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules
        of a classification society;
            ``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed
        activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or
            ``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic
        identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long range
        identification and tracking system.
        ``(2) Production of documents.--The affirmative defenses
    provided by this subsection are proved conclusively by the
    production of--
            ``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's
        nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in article
        5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
            ``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the
        vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant
        classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense; or
            ``(C) government documents evidencing licensure,
        regulation, or registration for commerce, research, or
        exploration.
    ``(f) Federal Activities Excepted.--Nothing in this section applies
to lawfully authorized activities carried out by or at the direction of
the United States Government.
    ``(g) Applicability of Other Provisions.--Sections 70504 and 70505
of title 46 apply to offenses under this section in the same manner as
they apply to offenses under section 70503 of such title.
    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `submersible
vessel', `semi-submersible vessel', `vessel of the United States', and
`vessel without nationality' have the meaning given those terms in
section 70502 of title 46.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter 111 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 2284 the following:

``2285. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel
          without nationality''.

SEC. 103. SENTENCING GUIDELINES.

    (a) In General.--Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of
title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the
United States Sentencing Commission shall promulgate sentencing
guidelines (including policy statements) or amend existing sentencing
guidelines (including policy statements) to provide adequate penalties
for persons convicted of knowingly operating by any means or embarking
in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel in violation of
section 2285 of title 18, United States Code.
    (b) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the United States
Sentencing Commission shall--
        (1) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy statements
    reflect the serious nature of the offense described in section 2285
    of title 18, United States Code, and the need for deterrence to
    prevent such offenses;
        (2) account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances
    that might justify exceptions, including--
            (A) the use of a submersible vessel or semi-submersible
        vessel described in section 2285 of title 18, United States
        Code, to facilitate other felonies;
            (B) the repeated use of a submersible vessel or semi-
        submersible vessel described in section 2285 of title 18,
        United States Code, to facilitate other felonies, including
        whether such use is part of an ongoing criminal organization or
        enterprise;
            (C) whether the use of such a vessel involves a pattern of
        continued and flagrant violations of section 2285 of title 18,
        United States Code;
            (D) whether the persons operating or embarking in a
        submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel willfully caused,
        attempted to cause, or permitted the destruction or damage of
        such vessel or failed to heave to when directed by law
        enforcement officers; and
            (E) circumstances for which the sentencing guidelines (and
        policy statements) provide sentencing enhancements;
        (3) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant
    directives, other sentencing guidelines and policy statements, and
    statutory provisions;
        (4) make any necessary and conforming changes to the sentencing
    guidelines and policy statements; and
        (5) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy statements
    adequately meet the purposes of sentencing set forth in section
    3553(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code.

                      TITLE II--CIVIL PROHIBITION

SEC. 201. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL
              WITHOUT NATIONALITY.

    (a) Finding and declaration.--Section 70501 of title 46, United
States Code, is amended--
        (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``that''; and
        (2) by striking ``States.'' and inserting ``States and (2)
    operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible
    vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a
    serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime,
    including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific
    threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the
    United States.''.

SEC. 202. OPERATION PROHIBITED.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 705 of title 46, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

``70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel
            without nationality

    ``(a) In General.--An individual may not operate by any means or
embark in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel that is
without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into,
through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea
of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial
sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to evade detection.
    ``(b) Evidence of Intent To Evade Detection.--In any civil
enforcement proceeding for a violation of subsection (a), the presence
of any of the indicia described in paragraph (1)(A), (E), (F), or (G),
or in paragraph (4), (5), or (6), of section 70507(b) may be
considered, in the totality of the circumstances, to be prima facie
evidence of intent to evade detection.
    ``(c) Defenses.--
        ``(1) In general.--It is a defense in any civil enforcement
    proceeding for a violation of subsection (a) that the submersible
    vessel or semi-submersible vessel involved was, at the time of the
    violation--
            ``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered
        in a foreign nation as claimed by the master or individual in
        charge of the vessel when requested to make a claim by an
        officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable
        provisions of United States law;
            ``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules
        of a classification society;
            ``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed
        activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or
            ``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic
        identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long range
        identification and tracking system.
        ``(2) Production of documents.--The defenses provided by this
    subsection are proved conclusively by the production of--
            ``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's
        nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in article
        5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas;
            ``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the
        vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant
        classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense; or
            ``(C) government documents evidencing licensure,
        regulation, or registration for research or exploration.
    ``(d) Civil Penalty.--A person violating this section shall be
liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not more than
$1,000,000.''
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
        (1) The chapter analysis for chapter 705 of title 46, United
    States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
    section 70507 the following:

``70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel
          without nationality''.
        (2) Section 70504(b) of title 46, United States Code, is
    amended by inserting ``or 70508'' after ``70503''.
        (3) Section 70505 of title 46, United States Code, is amended
    by striking ``this title'' and inserting ``this title, or against
    whom a civil enforcement proceeding is brought under section
    70508,''.

SEC. 203. SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL AND SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL DEFINED.

    Section 70502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end thereof the following:
    ``(f) Semi-submersible Vessel; Submersible Vessel.--In this
chapter:
        ``(1) Semi-submersible vessel.--The term `semi-submersible
    vessel' means any watercraft constructed or adapted to be capable
    of operating with most of its hull and bulk under the surface of
    the water, including both manned and unmanned watercraft.
        ``(2) Submersible vessel.--The term `submersible vessel' means
    a vessel that is capable of operating completely below the surface
    of the water, including both manned and unmanned watercraft.''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and
                                               President of the Senate.

Summary: Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Title I: Criminal Prohibition - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine andor prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating, attempting or conspiring to operate, or embarking in any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality in, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over an offense under this Act. Specifies that a claim of nationality or registry under this Act includes only: (1) possession on board the vessel and production of documents evidencing the vessel's nationality as provided in the 1958 Convention on the High Seas, (2) flying its nation's ensign or flag. Or (3) a verbal claim of nationality or registry by the person in charge of the vessel. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this Act that a vessel operated at the time of a violation was: (1) a vessel of the Untied States or lawfully registered in a foreign nation. (2) classed by and designated in accordance with the rules of a classification society, (3) lawfully operated in a government regulated or licensed activity. Or (4) equipped with and using an operable automatic identification system, vessel monitoring system, or a long range identification and tracking system. Specifies the documents required to conclusively prove an affirmative defense. Directs the US Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide adequate penalties for violating the criminal prohibition imposed by this Act. Title II: Civil Prohibition - Imposes a civil penalty of up to $1 million for a violation of this Act. Allows the same defenses to a civil enforcement proceeding as for a criminal prosecution under this Act. Defines a semi-submersible vessel as any manned or unmanned watercraft constructed or adapted to operate with most of its hull and bulk under the surface of the water. Defines a submersible vessel as a manned or unmanned vessel capable of operating completely below the surface of the water.

A bill to amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Franked Mail Savings Act''.

SEC. 2. OFFICIAL MASS MAILING ALLOWANCE.

    Section 311(f) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991
(2 U.S.C. 59e(f)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f)(1) There is established in the House of Representatives an
Official Mass Mailing Allowance for Members of the House of
Representatives.
    ``(2) The Official Mass Mailing Allowance of a Member of the House
of Representatives--
            ``(A) shall be available only for postage for any mass
        mailing sent by such Member as franked mail;
            ``(B) shall be the sole source of funding for any such
        postage; and
            ``(C) shall be available, in a session of Congress (subject
        to paragraph (5)(A)(ii)), in an amount not to exceed the total
        amount allocated to the Official Mail Allowance of such Member
        in such session.
    ``(3) No amount may be transferred to or from the Official Mass
Mailing Allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives
(including as described in the parenthetical matter in subsection
(a)(2)(A)), except as provided in subsection (e)(3)(B).
    ``(4) For purposes of subsection (b), the Official Mass Mailing
Allowance of (and any mass mailing sent by) a Member of the House of
Representatives shall be treated separately from the Official Mail
Allowance of (and any other official mail sent by) such Member.
    ``(5) Otherwise applicable provisions of law relating to mass
mailings sent by a Member of (or Member-elect to) the House of
Representatives shall continue to govern such mass mailings--
            ``(A) except that--
                    ``(i) for purposes of carrying out those other
                provisions of law, the term `mass mailing' shall have
                the meaning given it under paragraph (8); and
                    ``(ii) a mass mailing may not be sent if it would
                be postmarked during any session that begins in an
                even-numbered calendar year (excluding any mail sent
                after the Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November
                of such year, and any mass mailing described in section
                3210(a)(6)(B) of title 39, United States Code); and
            ``(B) except as otherwise provided in this subsection.
    ``(6) A Member of the House of Representatives shall--
            ``(A) before making any mass mailing, submit a sample of
        the mail matter involved to the House Commission on
        Congressional Mailing Standards for an advisory opinion as to
        whether such proposed mailing is in compliance with applicable
        provisions of law, rule, or regulation;
            ``(B) before making any mailing of substantially identical
        mail which totals 250 pieces or less (but more than 50), and
        which in every other respect meets the definition of a mass
        mailing, submit a sample of the mail matter involved to such
        Commission; and
            ``(C) before making any mailing of substantially identical
        mail, in the nature of a town meeting notice, which totals more
        than 50 pieces, and which in every other respect (aside from
        such nature and number) meets the definition of a mass mailing,
        submit a sample of the mail matter involved to such Commission.
    ``(7)(A) The regulations prescribed in connection with subsection
(a)(3) shall be amended to require, in addition to the information
otherwise required to be included in the quarterly report referred to
therein, a statement of--
            ``(i) costs charged against the Official Mass Mailing
        Allowance of each Member; and
            ``(ii) the number of pieces of mail in any mass mailing
        sent by a Member.
    ``(B) The House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards shall
by regulation establish procedures under which there shall be made
available to the public for review and copying any matter submitted to
the Commission under paragraph (6). Any copying under the preceding
sentence shall be at the expense of the person who requests the
copying.
    ``(8) For the purpose of this subsection--
            ``(A) the term `mass mailing' means, with respect to a
        session of Congress, any mailing of newsletters or other pieces
        of mail with substantially identical content (whether such mail
        is deposited singly or in bulk, or at the same time or
        different times), totaling more than 250 pieces in that
        session, except that such term does not include any mailing--
                    ``(i) of matter in direct response to a
                communication from a person to whom the matter is
                mailed;
                    ``(ii) from a Member of Congress to other Members
                of Congress, or to Federal, State, or local government
                officials;
                    ``(iii) of a news release to the communications
                media; or
                    ``(iv) described in clause (iv) or (v) of section
                6(b)(1)(B) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations
                Act, 1995 (39 U.S.C. 3210 note), subject to the same
                restriction as specified in such clause (iv) with
                respect to a Member of the Senate;
            ``(B) the term `franked mail' has the meaning given such
        term by section 3201(4) of title 39, United States Code; and
            ``(C) the term `town meeting notice' means (including for
        purposes of subparagraph (A)(iv)) any mailing which--
                    ``(i) relates solely to a notice of the time and
                place at which a Member of the House of Representatives
                or 1 or more members of the Member's staff will be
                available to meet constituents regarding legislative
                issues or problems with Federal programs;
                    ``(ii) appears on a mailing 5\1/2\" x 8" or
                smaller;
                    ``(iii) includes not more than 3 references to the
                Member (excluding any reference appearing as the frank,
                consisting of the signature and name at the end of the
                mailing, or otherwise specified in regulations of the
                House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards);
                and
                    ``(iv) does not include any picture, sketch, or
                other likeness of the Member.''.

SEC. 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO MEMBERS' OFFICIAL MAIL ALLOWANCE.

    (a) Reduction in Maximum Allocation.--Section 311(e)(2)(B)(i) of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 (2 U.S.C.
59e(e)(2)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ``3'' and inserting ``0.5''.
    (b) Limitation on Transfers.--Paragraph (3) of section 311(e) of
such Act is amended to read as follows:
    ``(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no amount may be
transferred to or from the Official Mail Allowance of a Member of the
House of Representatives.
    ``(B) A Member of the House of Representatives may transfer amounts
from the Official Mass Mailing Allowance of the Member to the Official
Mail Allowance of the Member.''.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect as of the first
day of the first regular session of Congress beginning after the date
of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Franked Mail Savings Act - Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to establish an Official Mass Mailing Allowance for Members of the House of Representatives. Requires the Official Mass Mailing Allowance to be: (1) available only for postage for any mass mailing sent by a Member as franked mail, (2) the sole source of funding for any such postage. And (3) available in a session of Congress in an amount that does not exceed the total amount allocated to the Official Mail Allowance of a Member in such session. Treats the Official Mass Mailing Allowance and mass mailings separately from the Official Mail Allowance. Continues the applicability of current provisions of law relating to mass mailings sent by a Member or Member-elect subject to certain conditions. Sets forth requirements for the submission of samples of mass mailings to the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards. Revises the formula for determining the Official Mail Allowance . Prohibits the transfer of any amount to or from the Official Mail Allowance of a Member.

Franked Mail Savings Act


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Act of
2006''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) According to President George W. Bush, ``America's
        leadership and national security rest on our commitment to
        educate and prepare our youth for active engagement in the
        international community.''.
            (2) According to former President William J. Clinton,
        ``Today, the defense of United States interests, the effective
        management of global issues, and even an understanding of our
        Nation's diversity require ever-greater contact with, and
        understanding of, people and cultures beyond our borders.''.
            (3) Congress created the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln
        Study Abroad Fellowship Program in section 104(a) of Division H
        of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Public Law 108-
        199). Pursuant to its mandate, the Commission has submitted to
        Congress and the President a report of its recommendations for
        greatly expanding the opportunity for students at institutions
        of higher education in the United States to study abroad, with
        special emphasis on studying in developing nations and
        nontraditional study abroad destinations.
            (4) Studies consistently show that United States students
        score below their counterparts in other advanced countries on
        indicators of international knowledge. This lack of global
        literacy is a national liability in an age of global trade and
        business, global interdependence, and global terror.
            (5) By numbers ranging from 77 to more than 90 percent,
        Americans believe that it is important for their children to
        learn other languages, study abroad, attend a college where
        they can interact with international students, learn about
        other countries and cultures, and generally be prepared for the
        global age, according to a December 2005 national survey
        conducted by Lake Research Partners and the Tarrance Group.
            (6) In today's world, it is more important than ever for
        the United States to be a responsible, constructive leader that
        other countries are willing to follow. Such leadership cannot
        be sustained without an informed citizenry with much more
        knowledge and awareness of the world than most Americans tend
        to possess.
            (7) Study abroad has proven to be a very effective means of
        imparting international and foreign-language competency to
        students.
            (8) In the 2003-2004 academic year, an estimated 16,910,000
        students were enrolled in United States postsecondary
        institutions, yet only 191,321, representing approximately 1
        percent of those students, studied abroad for academic credit,
        according to the National Center for Education Statistics and
        the Institute of International Education, respectively.
            (9) Less than 10 percent of the students who graduate from
        United States institutions of higher education with bachelors
        degrees have studied abroad.
            (10) Far more study abroad must take place in the
        developing countries. Ninety-five percent of the world's
        population growth is anticipated to occur outside of Europe in
        the future. Yet in the academic year 2003-2004, 61 percent of
        United States students studying abroad studied in Europe, and
        46 percent studied in the 4 countries of the United Kingdom,
        Italy, Spain, and France, according to the Institute of
        International Education.
            (11) Study abroad helps to build mutual understanding among
        nations and serves to promote national leadership in the United
        States, international effectiveness, and economic
        competitiveness by helping to create a globally literate
        citizenry.
            (12) The Senate designated 2006 as the Year of Study
        Abroad, raising awareness of the importance of study abroad.
            (13) To complement such worthwhile Federal programs as the
        Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and the
        National Security Education Program, a broad-based
        undergraduate study abroad program is needed that will
        democratize study abroad and make opportunities of study abroad
        accessible to all undergraduate students, regardless of their
        field of study, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or gender.
            (14) A majority of barriers to study abroad are due to
        institutional policies at the campus level, according to a
        report of the Strategic Task Force on Education Abroad issued
        by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
            (15) To make study abroad an integral part of undergraduate
        students' education, regardless of field of study, ethnicity,
        socio-economic status, or gender, institutions of higher
        education should address institutional barriers that stand in
        the way of study abroad.
            (16) According to the Institute of International Education,
        the percentages of African-American, Asian-American, and
        Hispanic-American students among individuals studying abroad
        are extremely low and underrepresentative of the numbers of
        those students in the general student population.
            (17) The majority of students who study abroad are students
        in the social sciences, humanities, and foreign languages,
        while students who major in engineering, mathematics, computer
        science, or education are underrepresented in study abroad
        programs. Within the total enrolled United States undergraduate
        population, approximately 10.7 percent of United States
        students majoring in business have studied abroad, 8 percent of
        United States students majoring in engineering have studied
        abroad, and 5.9 percent of United States students majoring in
        education have studied abroad.
            (18) Recognizing that the international scope of scientific
        research in United States institutions of higher education and
        government facilities is often conducted by foreign-born
        scientists, the effectiveness of their work will be greatly
        enhanced by United States researchers who have similarly spent
        time studying abroad.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act--
            (1) to encourage not less than 1,000,000 undergraduate
        students in United States institutions of higher education to
        study abroad for academic credit within 10 years of the date of
        enactment of this Act; and
            (2) to establish an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program
        that--
                    (A) reflects the demographics of the United States
                undergraduate population, including undergraduate
                students in technical and scientific fields of study;
                    (B) ensures an increasing portion of study abroad
                takes place in nontraditional study abroad
                destinations, with a substantial portion of such
                increases taking place in developing countries; and
                    (C) is accessible by students at diverse types of
                institutions of higher education, including 2-year
                institutions, minority-serving institutions, and
                institutions that serve nontraditional students.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Institution of higher education.--The term
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (2) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
        serving institution'' means--
                    (A) a part B institution, as defined in section 322
                of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061);
                    (B) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in
                section 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)); or
                    (C) another school that traditionally serves a
                racial or ethnic minority, as determined by the
                Secretary after consultation with the Secretary of
                Education.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of State.

SEC. 4. ABRAHAM LINCOLN STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to establish and carry
out an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program to facilitate the
participation of undergraduate students in study abroad for academic
credit. The program shall consist of the following:
            (1) Fellowships for undergraduate students.--
                    (A) Fellowships.--From amounts made available under
                section 5(1), the Secretary shall award fellowships to
                undergraduate students to enable the students to study
                abroad for academic credit.
                    (B) Designation.--Fellowships awarded under this
                paragraph shall be known as ``Lincoln Fellowships''.
            (2) Grants to institutions of higher education.--
                    (A) In general.--From amounts made available under
                section 5(2), the Secretary shall award grants to
                institutions of higher education--
                            (i) to enable the institutions of higher
                        education to award fellowships to undergraduate
                        students to enable the students to study abroad
                        for academic credit; and
                            (ii) for the reform of academic programs
                        and institutional policies that inhibit
                        participation by students in study abroad.
                    (B) Designation.--Grants awarded under this
                paragraph shall be known as ``Lincoln Institutional
                Leverage Grants''.
                    (C) Limitation.--Each institution of higher
                education that receives a grant under this paragraph
                shall use not less than 85 percent of the grant funds
                to award fellowships to students under subparagraph
                (A)(i).
    (b) Fellowship Award Rules.--The Secretary shall ensure that--
            (1) fellowships awarded under subsections (a)(1)(A) and
        (a)(2)(A)(i) reflect the demographics of the United States
        undergraduate population; and
            (2) there is an annual increase in the number or percentage
        of fellowships awarded under subsections (a)(1)(A) and
        (a)(2)(A)(i) for study abroad taking place in nontraditional
        study abroad destinations, with a substantial portion of such
        increase taking place in developing countries.
    (c) Program Development and Implementation.--The Secretary shall,
to the extent practicable, consult with nonprofit and private
organizations with experience in programs involving study abroad for
academic credit, in establishing and carrying out the Abraham Lincoln
Study Abroad Program.
    (d) Coordination With Other Federal Study Abroad Activities.--The
Secretary may integrate the activities assisted under this section with
other undergraduate study abroad activities supported by the Department
of State, the Department of Education, and the Department of Defense.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and for each of the 4
succeeding fiscal years, of which--
            (1) 25 percent of such sums shall be available to carry out
        section 4(a)(1) for each fiscal year; and
            (2) 75 percent of such sums shall be available to carry out
        section 4(a)(2) for each fiscal year.

Summary: Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program to facilitate undergraduate study abroad for academic credit. States that the Program shall consist of: (1) undergraduate fellowships, and (2) grants to institutions of higher education .

A bill to establish the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Launch Services Corporation Act of
1994''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Corporation'' means the Launch Services
        Corporation created under section 4 of this Act; and
            (2) the terms ``launch'', ``launch property'', ``launch
        services'', ``launch site'', and ``launch vehicle'' have the
        meaning given such terms under section 4 of the Commercial
        Space Launch Act (49 U.S.C. App. 2603), except that the
        provisions of this Act shall not apply to activities relating
        to suborbital trajectories.

SEC. 3. FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

    (a) President.--The President shall--
            (1) coordinate the activities of Federal agencies with
        space launch responsibilities, so as to ensure that there is
        full and effective compliance at all times with this Act;
            (2) ensure that timely treaties, trade agreements, and
        other appropriate arrangements are made, and appropriate
        regulations are issued, to enable foreign customers to obtain
        launch services from the Corporation and to otherwise
        participate in the launch services system established pursuant
        to this Act; and
            (3) after consultation with appropriate Federal agencies,
        issue a statement of the technical requirements of the Federal
        Government for the system referred to in paragraph (2).
    (b) Research and Development.--The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration and the Department of Defense shall cooperate with the
Corporation on research and development related to the purposes of the
Corporation.
    (c) Federal Agencies in General.--The Federal Government shall--
            (1) procure, to the maximum extent feasible, needed launch
        services from the Corporation;
            (2) pay fair market value for services provided to the
        Federal Government by the Corporation;
            (3) extend to the Corporation first priority for access to
        launch property and launch sites in a mutually agreeable
        manner;
            (4) furnish range safety for launches from Government-owned
        facilities; and
            (5) to the extent feasible, furnish other services to the
        Corporation as may be required in connection with the
        establishment and operation of the Corporation.

SEC. 4. LAUNCH SERVICES CORPORATION.

    (a) Creation.--There is authorized to be created a Launch Services
Corporation, a for-profit corporation which shall not be an agency or
establishment of the United States Government and which shall be
incorporated under the laws of a State of the United States.
    (b) Purposes.--(1) The purposes of the Corporation shall be--
            (A) to broaden and speed the economic use of space;
            (B) to enhance the economic competitiveness of the United
        States launch services industry and all industrial, commercial,
        and financial businesses related thereto;
            (C) to enhance national security;
            (D) to serve the launch needs of--
                    (i) the Federal Government;
                    (ii) private sector customers in the United States;
                and
                    (iii) appropriate foreign customers; and
            (E) to remain a viable and competitive corporation.
    (2) It shall not be a purpose of the Corporation to construct
launch vehicles.
    (c) Process of Organization.--The President shall, as expeditiously
as possible, appoint incorporators, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, who shall serve as the initial board of directors of the
Corporation until the first annual meeting of stockholders or until
their successors are elected and appointed under subsection (d) and
qualified. Such incorporators shall arrange for an initial stock
offering and shall take whatever other actions are necessary to
establish the Corporation, including the filing of articles of
incorporation, subject to the approval of the President.
    (d) Directors and Officers.--
            (1) Directors.--The Corporation shall have a board of
        directors consisting of 15 individuals who are citizens of the
        United States, of whom one shall be elected annually by the
        board to serve as chairman. Three members of the board shall be
        appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent
        of the Senate, for terms of three years or until their
        successors have been appointed and qualified, except that one
        of the members first appointed under this sentence shall be
        appointed to a term of one year, and one of such members shall
        be appointed to a term of two years. Any member appointed to
        fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the unexpired term
        of the director being replaced. The remaining 12 members of the
        board shall be elected annually by the stockholders.
            (2) Officers.--The Corporation shall have such officers as
        may be named and appointed by the board, at rates of
        compensation fixed by the board, and serving at the pleasure of
        the board. No individual other than a citizen of the United
        States may be an officer of the Corporation. No officer of the
        Corporation shall receive any salary from any source other than
        the Corporation while employed by the Corporation.
    (e) Financing.--
            (1) Stock.--The Corporation may issue and have outstanding,
        in such amounts as it shall determine, shares of capital stock,
        without par value, which shall carry voting rights and be
        eligible for dividends. The stock shall be sold in a manner to
        encourage the widest distribution to the public. No company,
        including any company controlling, controlled by, or under
        common control with such company, may hold more than 15 percent
        of the capital stock of the Corporation.
            (2) Additional instruments.--The Corporation may issue, in
        addition to the stock authorized by paragraph (1), nonvoting
        securities, bonds, debentures, and other certificates of
        indebtedness.
    (f) Powers.--In order to achieve its purposes, the Corporation
may--
            (1) plan, initiate, own, manage, and operate itself, or in
        conjunction with other business entities, a commercial launch
        services system;
            (2) furnish, for hire, launch services to public and
        private entities of the United States and, except as otherwise
        prohibited by law, to foreign customers;
            (3) own and operate launch property, launch sites, and one
        or more types of launch vehicle, provide or contract for range
        safety operations at those launch sites, and provide or
        contract for any other such services as may be required to
        carry out its purposes; and
            (4) conduct appropriate research and development.
    (g) Recoupment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the President shall establish procedures for the
repayment by the Corporation to the Federal Government of an amount
equal to the amount of Federal funding that has been provided to the
Corporation.

SEC. 5. FOREIGN BUSINESS NEGOTIATIONS.

    Whenever the Corporation shall enter into business negotiations
with respect to launch property, operations, or services authorized by
this Act with any international or foreign entity, it shall notify the
Department of State of the negotiations, and the Department of State
shall advise the Corporation of relevant foreign policy considerations.
Throughout such negotiations the Corporation shall keep the Department
of State informed with respect to such considerations. The Corporation
may request the Department of State to assist in the negotiations, and
that Department shall render such assistance as may be appropriate.

SEC. 6. REPORTS TO THE CONGRESS.

    (a) President's Report.--The President shall transmit to the
Congress in January of each year a report which shall include a
comprehensive description of the activities and accomplishments of the
Federal Government and the Corporation during the preceding calendar
year under this Act, together with an evaluation of such activities and
accomplishments in terms of the purposes of the Corporation and any
recommendations for additional legislative or other action which the
President may consider necessary for such purposes.
    (b) Corporation's Report.--The Corporation shall transmit to the
President and Congress, annually and at such other times as it
considers appropriate, a comprehensive and detailed report of its
operations, activities, and accomplishments under this Act.

SEC. 7. SUNSET.

    No Federal funding shall be provided to the Corporation after
December 31, 2000, except as payment for services provided to the
Federal Government by the Corporation.

Summary: Launch Services Corporation Act of 1994 - Authorizes the creation of a non-Federal, for profit Launch Services Corporation to provide space launch services to the Federal Government and other domestic and foreign customers. Ends Federal funding for the Corporation after the year 2000.

Launch Services Corporation Act of 1994


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. INCREASED PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE
              THAT BECOMES PERMANENT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2012(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as
        subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
            (2) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated, by striking ``in
        subparagraph (D)'' and inserting ``in subparagraph (E)'';
            (3) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking
        ``under subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``under subparagraph
        (C)'';
            (4) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated, by striking ``in
        subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting ``in subparagraphs
        (C) and (D)''; and
            (5) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``The rate'' and inserting ``Except
                as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the rate'';
                and
                    (B) by striking ``under subparagraph (B)'' and all
                that follows through the end and inserting the
                following: ``under subparagraph (C).
    ``(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case may the rate
determined under this paragraph exceed the rate authorized for State
homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741
of this title, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under
subsection (c) of that section.
    ``(ii) In the case of services furnished to a homeless veteran who
is placed in housing that will become permanent housing for the veteran
upon termination of the furnishing of such services to such veteran,
the maximum rate of per diem authorized under this section is 150
percent of the rate described in clause (i).''.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR FURNISHING CARE TO
              DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Subsection (a) of section 2012 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(4) Services for which a recipient of a grant under section 2011
of this title (or an entity described in paragraph (1)) may receive per
diem payments under this subsection may include furnishing care for a
dependent of a homeless veteran who is under the care of such homeless
veteran while such homeless veteran receives services from the grant
recipient (or entity).''.

SEC. 4. PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO PROVIDE LEGAL
              SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS AND VETERANS AT RISK OF
              HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 2022 the following new section:
``Sec. 2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide
              legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk
              of homelessness
    ``(a) Partnerships Authorized.--Subject to the availability of
funds for that purpose, the Secretary may enter into partnerships with
public or private entities to fund a portion of the general legal
services specified in subsection (c) that are provided by such entities
to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness.
    ``(b) Locations.--The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent
practicable, partnerships under this section are made with entities
equitably distributed across the geographic regions of the United
States, including rural communities and tribal lands.
    ``(c) Legal Services.--Legal services specified in this subsection
include legal services provided by public or private entities that
address the needs of homeless veterans and veterans at risk of
homelessness as follows:
            ``(1) Legal services related to housing, including eviction
        defense and representation in landlord-tenant cases.
            ``(2) Legal services related to family law, including
        assistance in court proceedings for child support, divorce, and
        estate planning.
            ``(3) Legal services related to income support, including
        assistance in obtaining public benefits.
            ``(4) Legal services related to criminal defense, including
        defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness, such as
        outstanding warrants, fines, and driver's license revocation,
        to reduce recidivism and facilitate the overcoming of reentry
        obstacles in employment or housing.
    ``(d) Consultation.--In developing and carrying out partnerships
under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable,
consult with public and private entities--
            ``(1) for assistance in identifying and contacting
        organizations described in subsection (c); and
            ``(2) to coordinate appropriate outreach relationships with
        such organizations.
    ``(e) Reports.--The Secretary may require entities that have
entered into partnerships under this section to submit to the Secretary
periodic reports on legal services provided to homeless veterans and
veterans at risk of homelessness pursuant to such partnerships.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding after the item relating
to section 2022 the following new item:

``2022A. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal
                            services to homeless veterans and veterans
                            at risk of homelessness.''.

SEC. 5. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AUTHORITY TO
              PROVIDE DENTAL CARE TO HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Subsection (b) of section 2062 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--(1) Subsection (a) applies to a veteran
who--
            ``(A) is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this
        title; and
            ``(B) for a period of 60 consecutive days, is receiving--
                    ``(i) assistance under section 8(o) of the United
                States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)); or
                    ``(ii) care (directly or by contract) in any of the
                following settings:
                            ``(I) A domiciliary under section 1710 of
                        this title.
                            ``(II) A therapeutic residence under
                        section 2032 of this title.
                            ``(III) Community residential care
                        coordinated by the Secretary under section 1730
                        of this title.
                            ``(IV) A setting for which the Secretary
                        provides funds for a grant and per diem
                        provider.
    ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), in determining whether a
veteran has received assistance or care for a period of 60 consecutive
days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the continuity of
assistance or care for which the veteran is not responsible.''.

SEC. 6. REPEAL OF SUNSET ON AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT PROGRAM OF REFERRAL
              AND COUNSELING SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK FOR
              HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN
              INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 2023 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (d); and
            (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).

SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE
              SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN
              PERMANENT HOUSING.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 2044(e) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph (F):
            ``(F) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.''.
    (b) Training Entities for Provision of Supportive Services.--
Paragraph (3) of such section is amended by inserting ``and 2015''
after ``through 2012''.

SEC. 8. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSESS
              COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assess
and measure the capacity of programs for which entities receive grants
under section 2011 of title 38, United States Code, or per diem
payments under section 2012 or 2061 of such title.
    (b) Assessment at National and Local Levels.--In assessing and
measuring under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop and use
tools to examine the capacity of programs described in such subsection
at both the national and local level in order to assess the following:
            (1) Whether sufficient capacity exists to meet the needs of
        homeless veterans in each geographic area.
            (2) Whether existing capacity meets the needs of the
        subpopulations of homeless veterans located in each geographic
        area.
            (3) The amount of capacity that recipients of grants under
        sections 2011 and 2061 and per diem payments under section 2012
        of such title have to provide services for which the recipients
        are eligible to receive per diem under section
        2012(a)(2)(B)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, as added by
        section 3(5)(B).
    (c) Use of Information.--The Secretary shall use the information
collected under this section as follows:
            (1) To set specific goals to ensure that programs described
        in subsection (a) are effectively serving the needs of homeless
        veterans.
            (2) To assess whether programs described in subsection (a)
        are meeting goals set under paragraph (1).
            (3) To inform funding allocations for programs described in
        subsection (a).
            (4) To improve the referral of homeless veterans to
        programs described in subsection (a).
    (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the
assessment required by subsection (b) is completed, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report
on such assessment and such recommendations for legislative and
administrative action as the Secretary may have to improve the programs
and per diem payments described in subsection (a).

SEC. 9. REQUIREMENT FOR COMPTROLLER GENERAL TO STUDY DEPARTMENT OF
              VETERANS AFFAIRS HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall complete a study of programs of the Department of Veterans
Affairs that provide assistance to homeless veterans.
    (b) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall include
the following:
            (1) An assessment of whether programs described in
        subsection (a) are meeting the needs of veterans who are
        eligible for assistance provided by such programs.
            (2) A review of recent efforts of the Secretary of Veterans
        Affairs to improve the privacy, safety, and security of female
        veterans receiving assistance from such programs.

SEC. 10. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORTS ON ASSISTANCE TO
              HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 2065 of title 38, United States Code, is
hereby repealed.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to
section 2065.

Summary: Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015 Increases the per diem payment for transitional housing assistance for homeless veterans who are placed in housing that will become permanent upon the termination of such assistance to a maximum of 150 of the per diem rate authorized for veterans receiving domiciliary care in state homes. Allows services for which a homeless veteran receives a grant under the comprehensive service programs to include furnishing care for a dependent. Authorizes the the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into partnerships with public or private entities to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. Revises VA authority to provide dental care to veterans receiving certain other assistance through the VA to include those veterans receiving assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Repeals the September 30, 2013, sunset on the authority of the VA and the Department of Labor to carry out a program of referral and counseling for veterans who are at risk of homelessness and are transitioning from certain institutions, including penal institutions. Extends supportive services assistance for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. Directs the VA to: (1) assess and measure the capacity of programs for which entities receive grants or per diem payments to assist homeless veterans, and (2) use such information to ensure that such programs effectively serve the needs of such veterans. Requires a VA report on activities under such programs. Requires a Comptroller General study of VA assistance to homeless veterans. Repeals the requirement for annual VA reports on assistance to homeless veterans.


-S-E-C-T-I-O-N -1-. -S-H-O-R-T -T-I-T-L-E-.

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            -(-5-) -t-h-e -d-i-s-e-a-s-e -c-a-n
        -s-i-m-u-l-t-a-n-e-o-u-s-l-y -a-f-f-e-c-t -v-a-r-i-o-u-s
        -a-r-e-a-s -o-f -t-h-e -b-o-d-y-, -s-u-c-h -a-s -t-h-e
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        -s-i-m-i-l-a-r -t-o -t-h-o-s-e -o-f -m-a-n-y -o-t-h-e-r
        -d-i-s-e-a-s-e-s-;
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        -1-5 -a-n-d -6-5 -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-s -t-h-e -d-i-s-e-a-s-e-;
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        -t-h-a-t -m-a-n-y -m-o-r-e -h-a-v-e -u-n-d-i-a-g-n-o-s-e-d
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        -d-i-s-e-a-s-e -c-a-n -b-e -e-f-f-e-c-t-i-v-e-, -b-u-t -m-a-y
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        -f-a-t-i-g-u-e-, -m-a-k-i-n-g -i-t -d-i-f-f-i-c-u-l-t -t-o
        -m-a-i-n-t-a-i-n -e-m-p-l-o-y-m-e-n-t -a-n-d -l-e-a-d
        -n-o-r-m-a-l -l-i-v-e-s-.

-S-E-C-. -3-. -E-X-P-A-N-S-I-O-N -A-N-D -I-N-T-E-N-S-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N
              -O-F -A-C-T-I-V-I-T-I-E-S -R-E-G-A-R-D-I-N-G -L-U-P-U-S-.

    -S-u-b-p-a-r-t -4 -o-f -p-a-r-t -C -o-f -t-i-t-l-e -I-V -o-f -t-h-e
-P-u-b-l-i-c -H-e-a-l-t-h -S-e-r-v-i-c-e -A-c-t -(-4-2 -U-.-S-.-C-.
-2-8-5-d -e-t -s-e-q-.-) -i-s -a-m-e-n-d-e-d -b-y -i-n-s-e-r-t-i-n-g
-a-f-t-e-r -s-e-c-t-i-o-n -4-4-1 -t-h-e -f-o-l-l-o-w-i-n-g -n-e-w
-s-e-c-t-i-o-n-:

                             -`-`-l-u-p-u-s

    -`-`-S-e-c-. -4-4-1-A-. -(-a-) -I-n -G-e-n-e-r-a-l-.----T-h-e
-D-i-r-e-c-t-o-r -o-f -t-h-e -I-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e -s-h-a-l-l -e-x-p-a-n-d
-a-n-d -i-n-t-e-n-s-i-f-y -r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h -a-n-d -r-e-l-a-t-e-d
-a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -o-f -t-h-e -I-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e -w-i-t-h
-r-e-s-p-e-c-t -t-o -l-u-p-u-s-.
    -`-`-(-b-) -C-o-o-r-d-i-n-a-t-i-o-n -W-i-t-h -O-t-h-e-r
-I-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e-s-.----T-h-e -D-i-r-e-c-t-o-r -o-f -t-h-e
-I-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e -s-h-a-l-l -c-o-o-r-d-i-n-a-t-e -t-h-e
-a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -o-f -t-h-e -D-i-r-e-c-t-o-r -u-n-d-e-r
-s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n -(-a-) -w-i-t-h -s-i-m-i-l-a-r
-a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -c-o-n-d-u-c-t-e-d -b-y -t-h-e -o-t-h-e-r
-n-a-t-i-o-n-a-l -r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h -i-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e-s -a-n-d
-a-g-e-n-c-i-e-s -o-f -t-h-e -N-a-t-i-o-n-a-l -I-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e-s -o-f
-H-e-a-l-t-h -t-o -t-h-e -e-x-t-e-n-t -t-h-a-t -s-u-c-h
-I-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e-s -a-n-d -a-g-e-n-c-i-e-s -h-a-v-e
-r-e-s-p-o-n-s-i-b-i-l-i-t-i-e-s -t-h-a-t -a-r-e -r-e-l-a-t-e-d -t-o
-l-u-p-u-s-.
    -`-`-(-c-) -P-r-o-g-r-a-m-s -f-o-r -L-u-p-u-s-.----I-n
-c-a-r-r-y-i-n-g -o-u-t -s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n -(-a-)-, -t-h-e
-D-i-r-e-c-t-o-r -o-f -t-h-e -I-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-e -s-h-a-l-l
-c-o-n-d-u-c-t -o-r -s-u-p-p-o-r-t -r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h -t-o -e-x-p-a-n-d
-t-h-e -u-n-d-e-r-s-t-a-n-d-i-n-g -o-f -t-h-e -c-a-u-s-e-s -o-f-,
-a-n-d -t-o -f-i-n-d -a -c-u-r-e -f-o-r-, -l-u-p-u-s-.
-A-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -u-n-d-e-r -s-u-c-h -s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n
-s-h-a-l-l -i-n-c-l-u-d-e -r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h -t-o -d-e-t-e-r-m-i-n-e
-t-h-e -r-e-a-s-o-n-s -u-n-d-e-r-l-y-i-n-g -t-h-e -e-l-e-v-a-t-e-d
-p-r-e-v-a-l-e-n-c-e -o-f -t-h-e -d-i-s-e-a-s-e -a-m-o-n-g
-A-f-r-i-c-a-n---A-m-e-r-i-c-a-n -a-n-d -o-t-h-e-r -w-o-m-e-n-.
-A-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -u-n-d-e-r -s-u-c-h -s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n
-s-h-a-l-l -p-r-o-v-i-d-e -f-o-r -a-n -e-x-p-a-n-s-i-o-n -a-n-d
-i-n-t-e-n-s-i-f-i-c-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -t-h-e -c-o-n-d-u-c-t -a-n-d
-s-u-p-p-o-r-t -o-f---
            -`-`-(-1-) -b-a-s-i-c -r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h -c-o-n-c-e-r-n-i-n-g
        -t-h-e -e-t-i-o-l-o-g-y -a-n-d -c-a-u-s-e-s -o-f -l-u-p-u-s-;
            -`-`-(-2-) -e-p-i-d-e-m-i-o-l-o-g-i-c-a-l -s-t-u-d-i-e-s
        -t-o -a-d-d-r-e-s-s -t-h-e -f-r-e-q-u-e-n-c-y -a-n-d
        -n-a-t-u-r-a-l -h-i-s-t-o-r-y -o-f -t-h-e -d-i-s-e-a-s-e -a-n-d
        -t-h-e -d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-c-e-s -a-m-o-n-g -t-h-e -s-e-x-e-s
        -a-n-d -a-m-o-n-g -r-a-c-i-a-l -a-n-d -e-t-h-n-i-c -g-r-o-u-p-s
        -w-i-t-h -r-e-s-p-e-c-t -t-o -t-h-e -d-i-s-e-a-s-e-;
            -`-`-(-3-) -t-h-e -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -o-f
        -i-m-p-r-o-v-e-d -s-c-r-e-e-n-i-n-g -t-e-c-h-n-i-q-u-e-s-;
            -`-`-(-4-) -c-l-i-n-i-c-a-l -r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h -f-o-r -t-h-e
        -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -a-n-d -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w
        -t-r-e-a-t-m-e-n-t-s-, -i-n-c-l-u-d-i-n-g -n-e-w
        -b-i-o-l-o-g-i-c-a-l -a-g-e-n-t-s-; -a-n-d
            -`-`-(-5-) -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d -e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n
        -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s -f-o-r -h-e-a-l-t-h -c-a-r-e
        -p-r-o-f-e-s-s-i-o-n-a-l-s -a-n-d -t-h-e -p-u-b-l-i-c-.
    -`-`-(-d-) -A-u-t-h-o-r-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -o-f
-A-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-i-o-n-s-.----F-o-r -t-h-e -p-u-r-p-o-s-e -o-f
-c-a-r-r-y-i-n-g -o-u-t -t-h-i-s -s-e-c-t-i-o-n-, -t-h-e-r-e -a-r-e
-a-u-t-h-o-r-i-z-e-d -t-o -b-e -a-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-e-d
-$-2-0-,-0-0-0-,-0-0-0 -f-o-r -f-i-s-c-a-l -y-e-a-r -1-9-9-4-, -a-n-d
-s-u-c-h -s-u-m-s -a-s -m-a-y -b-e -n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y -f-o-r -e-a-c-h
-o-f -t-h-e -f-i-s-c-a-l -y-e-a-r-s -1-9-9-4 -t-h-r-o-u-g-h -1-9-9-6-.
-T-h-e -a-u-t-h-o-r-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -a-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-i-o-n-s
-e-s-t-a-b-l-i-s-h-e-d -i-n -t-h-e -p-r-e-c-e-d-i-n-g -s-e-n-t-e-n-c-e
-i-s -i-n -a-d-d-i-t-i-o-n -t-o -a-n-y -o-t-h-e-r
-a-u-t-h-o-r-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -a-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-i-o-n-s -t-h-a-t
-i-s -a-v-a-i-l-a-b-l-e -f-o-r -s-u-c-h -p-u-r-p-o-s-e-.-'-'-.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Lupus Research Amendments of 1994''.

SEC. 2. EXPANSION AND INTENSIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES REGARDING LUPUS.

    Subpart 4 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 285d et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 441 the
following new section:

                                ``lupus

    ``Sec. 441A. (a) In General.--The Director of the Institute shall
conduct lupus research and related activities.
    ``(b) Coordination With Other Institutes.--The Director of the
Institute shall coordinate the activities of the Director under
subsection (a) with similar activities conducted by the other national
research institutes and agencies of the National Institutes of Health
to the extent that such Institutes and agencies have responsibilities
that are related to lupus.
    ``(c) Programs for Lupus.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Director of the Institute shall conduct or support research to expand
the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, lupus.
Activities under such subsection shall provide for the conduct and
support of--
            ``(1) research to determine the reasons for the elevated
        prevalence of the disease in women, including African American
        women;
            ``(2) basic research concerning the etiology and causes of
        lupus;
            ``(3) epidemiological studies to address the frequency and
        natural history of the disease and the differences among the
        sexes and among racial and ethnic groups with respect to the
        disease;
            ``(4) the development of improved diagnostic techniques;
            ``(5) clinical research for the development and evaluation
        of new treatments, including new biological agents;
            ``(6) information and education programs for health care
        professionals and the public; and
            ``(7) other relevant activities.''.

Summary: Lupus Research Amendments of 1994 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to conduct lupus research and related activities. Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate such activities with similar activities conducted by other national research institutes and agencies of the National Institutes of Health. And (2) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, lupus, including research to determine the reasons underlying the elevated prevalence of the disease among African-American and other women.

Lupus Research Amendments of 1994


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Right of Passage Community Service
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The teenage years are a pivotal time of life, when
        young people are making choices that will effect them for the
        rest of their lives.
            (2) How young people spend their time during their teenage
        years may set them on a course of active citizenship and
        engaged learning, or down a path of risky behavior with the
        likelihood of failure.
            (3) Research suggests that when young people see that they
        are able to improve the lives of others they feel that they are
        able to control and improve their own lives.
            (4) If properly trained, organized, and supervised,
        teenagers are a resource that can make a significant
        contribution to their communities.
            (5) Opportunities for volunteer service during the teenage
        years could become a right of passage for future generations.
            (6) The National Academy of Sciences Report on Youth
        Development concluded that ``the future well-being of the
        country depends on raising generations of skilled, competent,
        and responsible adults''.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to--
            (1) create a national network of service programs for
        middle school students to serve in their communities after
        school and during the summer;
            (2) provide students with opportunities to serve in their
        communities and participate in other programs such as workshops
        in leadership development, public speaking, conflict
        resolution, team-building, and other character-building
        programs;
            (3) provide young people an experience that reinforces
        their connection to the community, enriches their education,
        and strengthens their personal and civic values; and
            (4) instill an ethic of service in young people which will
        stay with them throughout their lives.

SEC. 3. RIGHT OF PASSAGE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Section 122(a) of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12572(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (15) as paragraph (16); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
            ``(15) A community-based Right of Passage after school and
        summer service corps program that offers young people--
                    ``(A) the opportunity to perform service in their
                communities;
                    ``(B) the opportunity to participate in activities
                that would provide training in leadership development,
                public speaking, conflict resolution, team building,
                and other critical skills;
                    ``(C) service-learning curricula linked to academic
                goals; and
                    ``(D) the opportunity to work with older AmeriCorps
                members who can organize service projects and act as
                mentors.''.
    (b) Eligibility.--Section 137 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12591) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Special Rules for Right of Passage Program.--An individual
shall be considered to be a participant in a Right of Passage
community-based after school or summer service corps program described
in section 122(a)(15) (42 U.S.C. 12591) that is carried out with
assistance provided under section 121(a) (42 U.S.C. 12571) if the
individual--
            ``(1) satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2),
        and (6) of subsection (a); and
            ``(2) is between the ages of 12 and 16, inclusive at the
        time the individual begins the term of service.''.
    (c) Terms of Service.--Section 139(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
12593(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Special rule for right of passage program.--An
        individual participating in a Right of Passage community-based
        after school or summer service corps program described in
        section 122(a)(15) shall agree to participate in the program
        for not less than 160 hours during a period of not less than 2
        months and not more than 1 year.''.
    (d) National Service Educational Award.--
            (1) Special rule for right of passage program.--Section 141
        of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12595) is amended by adding at the end
        the following:
    ``(c) Special Rule for Right of Passage Program.--An individual
participating in a Right of Passage community-based after school or
summer service corps program described in section 122(a)(15), upon
completion of the required 160 hours of service shall receive an
education award of $500.''.
            (2) Eligible individuals.--Section 146 is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2) by striking ``or a program
                described in section 122(a)(9);'' and inserting ``, a
                program described in section 122(a)(9), or a program
                described in section 122(a)(15);''; and
                    (B) in subsection (d)(2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
                        ``or'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
                        ``period.'' and inserting ``period; or''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) participated in a program described in
                section 12572(a)(15).''.

SEC. 4. REPORT.

    Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Corporation shall transmit to the Congress a report and evaluation of
the program authorized by this Act.

Summary: Right of Passage Community Service Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to add to the list of national service programs eligible for Federal assistance a community-based Right of Passage after school and summer service corps program. Establishes qualifications for participating students, including that they be between ages 12 and 16 at the time they begin serving. Specifies skills such as leadership and conflict resolution that the program will help students develop. Requires participants to spend at least 160 hours in the program during a period of between two months and one year. Rewards participants upon service completion with a national service education award of $500.

To amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to create the Right of Passage Community Service Program.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Credit Reporting Act Amendments
of 2000''.

SEC. 2. FREE CREDIT REPORT ANNUALLY UPON REQUEST OF CONSUMER.

    Section 612 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681j) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
        (d) and (e), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new
        subsection:
    ``(c) Free Credit Report Annually Upon Request of Consumer.--Upon
the request of any consumer, each consumer reporting agency shall make
all disclosures pursuant to section 609 without charge to such consumer
at least once each calendar year.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 612(a)(1) of the
Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681j(a)(1)) is amended by
striking ``(c), and (d)'' and inserting ``(c), (d), and (e)''.

SEC. 3. DISCLOSURE OF WORLD WIDE WEB SITE.

    Section 609(c)(9)(1)(B) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681(c)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting ``and information sufficient to
allow the consumer to contact the agency, or request a consumer report
relating to the consumer from the agency, through the Internet or the
World Wide Web'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 4. DISCLOSURE OF CREDIT SCORES AND EXPLANATION OF CREDIT SCORES.

    Section 609(a)(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681g(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) All information in the consumer's file at the time of
        the request, including any information concerning credit scores
        or any other risk scores or predictors relating to the
        consumer, together with--
                    ``(A) a clear and concise summary of how the scores
                and predictors are derived;
                    ``(B) the factors taken into account in deriving a
                score or predictor;
                    ``(C) how such factors are applied to the consumer;
                    ``(D) the relative weight given to each factor; and
                    ``(E) the manner and extent to which such factors
                raise or lower the score or predictor.''

SEC. 5. SHORTER PERIOD FOR INCLUSION OF SMALL DEBTS UNDER CERTAIN
              CIRCUMSTANCES.

    Section 605(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681c(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), any account placed for
        collection or charged to profit and loss in which the amount
        placed to collection or charged to profit and loss did not
        exceed $100 and which antedates the report by more than 3
        years, if--
                    ``(A) the consumer to whom the report relates
                completed a credit and financial management class
                during such 3-year period; and
                    ``(B) the consumer has not previously had an
                account excluded from paragraph (4) by virtue of this
                paragraph.''.

SEC. 6. PROMPT INVESTIGATION AND CORRECTION OR DELETION OF INACCURATE,
              INCOMPLETE, OR UNVERIFIABLE CONSUMER INFORMATION.

    (A) Review and Monitoring Required.--The Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission shall each
review and monitor the extent to which, and the manner in which,
consumer reporting agencies and furnishers of consumer information to
consumer reporting agencies are complying with the procedures, time
lines, and requirements under the Fair Credit Reporting Act for the
prompt investigation of the disputed accuracy of any consumer
information and the prompt correction or deletion, in accordance with
such Act, of any inaccurate or incomplete information or information
that cannot be verified.
    (b) Report Required.--Before the end of the 6-month period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade
Commission shall each submit a progress report to the Congress on the
results of the review required under subsection (a).
    (c) Recommendations.--The report under subsection (b) shall include
such recommendations as the Board and the Commission determine to be
appropriate for legislative or administrative action to ensure that--
            (1) consumer disputes with consumer reporting agencies over
        the accuracy or completeness of information in a consumer's
        file are promptly and fully investigated and any incorrect,
        incomplete, or unverifiable information is immediately
        corrected or deleted;
            (2) furnishers of information to consumer reporting
        agencies maintain full and prompt compliance with the duties
        and responsibilities established under section 623 of the Fair
        Credit Reporting Act; and
            (3) consumer reporting agencies establish and maintain
        appropriate internal controls and management review procedures
        for maintaining full and continuous compliance with the
        procedures, time lines, and requirements under the Fair Credit
        Reporting Act for the prompt investigation of the disputed
        accuracy of any consumer information and the prompt correction
        or deletion, in accordance with such Act, of any inaccurate or
        incomplete information or information that cannot be verified.
    (d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms
``consumer'', ``consumer report'', and ``consumer reporting agency''
have the same meaning as in the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect at the end of the
90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Prohibits the inclusion of certain small debts in a consumer report under specified circumstances. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission to: (1) monitor and review the extent to which consumer reporting agencies and purveyors of information to such agencies comply with FCRA requirements for the prompt investigation of matters in dispute and the prompt correction of inaccurate or incomplete information, or information that cannot be verified, and (2) present a progress report to Congress.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Immigration
Services Consumer Protection Act of 2000''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Criminal penalty for immigration consultants not meeting
                            requirements.
Sec. 4. Exception for attorneys, representatives of recognized
                            organizations, and others; recognition and
                            accreditation of representatives.
Sec. 5. Education through community outreach programs.
Sec. 6. Non-preemption of more protective State laws.
Sec. 7. Confidentiality of information.
Sec. 8. Effective date.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Attorney.--The term ``attorney'' means a person
        licensed and authorized to practice law in the area in which
        the person is acting as an immigration consultant.
            (2) Compensation.--The term ``compensation'' means money,
        property, promise of payment, or anything of value, provided
        directly or indirectly.
            (3) Immigration consultant.--The term ``immigration
        consultant'' means any person that provides assistance or
        advice on an immigration matter, including--
                    (A) completing a form provided by a Federal or
                State agency;
                    (B) translating a person's answer to questions
                asked on such a form;
                    (C) securing for a person supporting documents
                (such as birth and marriage certificates) which may be
                necessary to complete those forms;
                    (D) submitting completed forms, on a client's
                behalf and at the client's request, to the Immigration
                and Naturalization Service;
                    (E) making referrals to attorneys to represent the
                client in the matter; or
                    (F) preparing or arranging for the preparation of
                photograph or fingerprint in connection with the
                matter.
            (4) Immigration matter.--the term ``immigration matter''
        means any proceeding, filing, or action affecting the
        immigration or citizenship status of any person which arises
        under any immigration or naturalization law, Executive order,
        or Presidential proclamation, or action of the Immigration and
        Naturalization Service, the Department of State, or the
        Department of Labor.

SEC. 3. CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS NOT MEETING
              REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in section 4, any person who
acts as an immigration consultant with respect to an immigration matter
for any client for compensation and who knowingly fails to meet a
requirement of subsection (b) shall be fined under title 18, United
States Code, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
    (b) Requirements.--The requirements of this subsection for a person
acting as an immigration consultant in an immigration matter for a
client are as follows:
            (1) Consultant license required.--The person shall have a
        license as an immigration consultant issued by the Immigration
        and Naturalization Service after the person has made an
        application that meets such requirements as the Attorney
        General may impose.
            (2) Written contract.--The person shall not act as an
        immigration consultant in the immigration matter on behalf of
        the client unless the person has entered into a written
        agreement with the client that meets the following
        requirements:
                    (A) The agreement includes a description of--
                            (i) the services to be performed by the
                        person under the agreement, and
                            (ii) the amounts to be paid by the client.
                    (B) The agreement includes a statement, printed on
                the face of the contract in boldface type no smaller
                than 10 point, that the person is not an attorney and
                may not perform legal services.
                    (C) The agreement includes a conspicuous statement
                (in both English and the other principal language of
                the client, if it is not English) that the client has
                the right to rescind the agreement within 72 hours of
                the time it is executed.
                    (D) The agreement shall not include--
                            (i) any guarantee or promise with respect
                        to the disposition of the Immigration and
                        Naturalization Service and the Attorney General
                        on the matter; or
                            (ii) any statement that the person can or
                        will obtain special favors from or has special
                        influence with the Service or the Attorney
                        General on the matter.
            (3) Office notice.--The person shall conspicuously display
        in any office in which the person meets with clients a notice,
        not smaller than 12 inches by 20 inches and in boldface print
no smaller one inch in height, that includes the following information:
                    (A) A copy of the license issued under paragraph
                (1), including the full name, address, and license
                number of the person.
                    (B) A statement that the person is not an attorney.
            (4) Notice of change of address.--The person shall notify
        the Immigration and Naturalization Service within 30 days of
        any change of name, address, or telephone number.
            (5) Delivery of documents.--The person shall deliver to the
        client a copy of each document or form completed on the
        client's behalf.
            (6) Returning documents to client.--The person shall, upon
        request of the client, return to the client any original
        documents of the client in the possession of the person that
        were delivered to the person in order to provide services for
        the client.

SEC. 4. EXCEPTION FOR ATTORNEYS, REPRESENTATIVES OF RECOGNIZED
              ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHERS; RECOGNITION AND ACCREDITATION
              OF REPRESENTATIVES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3(a) shall not apply to the following:
            (1) Attorneys.--An attorney.
            (2) Law students and law graduates not yet admitted to the
        bar.--A law student who is enrolled in an accredited law
        school, or a law graduate who is not yet admitted to the bar,
        where the following conditions are satisfied:
                    (A) Request.--The student or graduate is appearing
                at the request of the person entitled to
                representation.
                    (B) Statement of law student.--In the case of a law
                student, the student has filed a statement that the
                student is participating, under the direct supervision
                of a faculty member or an attorney, in a legal aid
                program or clinic conducted by a law school or non-
                profit organization, and that the student is appearing
                without direct or indirect remuneration from person
                represented.
                    (C) Statement of law graduate.--In the case of a
                law graduate, the graduate has filed a statement that
                the graduate is appearing under the supervision of a
                licensed attorney or accredited representative and that
                the graduate is appearing without direct or indirect
                remuneration from the person represented.
                    (D) Official permission.--The law student's or law
                graduate's appearance is permitted by the official or
                officials before whom the student or graduate wishes to
                appear. The official or officials may require that a
                law student be accompanied by the supervising faculty
                member or attorney.
            (3) Accredited representatives of recognized
        organizations.--An individual who is an accredited
        representative of an organization that is recognized under
        subsection (b).
            (4) Accredited officials.--An accredited official, in the
        United States, of the government to which an alien owes
        allegiance, if the official appears solely in an official
        capacity and with the alien's consent.
            (5) Grandfather.--A person, other than a representative of
        an organization described in subsection (b), who on December
        23, 1952, was authorized to practice before the Board of
        Immigration Appeals and the Immigration and Naturalization
        Service.
    (b) Recognition of Qualified Organizations; Accreditation of
Representatives.--
            (1) In general.--The Attorney General shall establish a
        process--
                    (A) for the recognition of nonprofit religious,
                charitable, social service, or similar organization
                established in the United States; and
                    (B) for the accreditation of representatives of a
                recognized organization to provide immigration
                services, including practicing before the Immigration
                and Naturalization Service and the Board of Immigration
                Appeals, on behalf of the organization.
            (2) Qualifications.--
                    (A) Recognition.--An organization shall not be
                recognized under paragraph (1)(A) unless the
                organization establishes to the satisfaction of the
                Attorney General that it has at its disposal adequate
                knowledge, information and experience.
                    (B) Accreditation of representatives.--A
                representative may not be accredited under paragraph
(1)(B) unless the representative--
                            (i) is of good moral character; and
                            (ii) has sufficient experience and
                        knowledge of immigration and naturalization law
                        and procedure to adequately represent clients
                        of the organization in immigration matters.
            (3) Application process.--The Attorney General shall
        establish an application process for the recognition of
        organizations and accreditation of representatives of such
        organizations under this subsection. As a condition for
        continuing the recognition of an organization or accreditation
        of a representative, the Attorney General may require the
        periodic submission of such application or information as the
        Attorney General may specify.
            (4) Withdrawal of recognition or accreditation.--The
        Attorney General may withdraw recognition of any organization
        or accreditation of a representative if the organization or
        representative has failed to maintain the qualifications to be
        so recognized or accredited, under a process specified by the
        Attorney General.
            (5) Use of current standards.--To the extent practicable,
        the Attorney General shall carry out this subsection in a
        manner consistent with the recognition and accreditation
        process provided by the Board of Immigration Appeals under
        section 292.2 of title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, as in
        effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Construction.--Nothing in section 3 shall be construed as
applying to a person who does not receive direct or indirect
compensation for provision of services.

SEC. 5. EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

    The Attorney General is authorized to provide grants to States in
order to provide community outreach programs through State and local
government agencies to educate individuals who use immigration
consultants regarding the requirements of this Act.

SEC. 6. NON-PREEMPTION OF MORE PROTECTIVE STATE LAWS.

    The provisions of this Act supersede State laws only to the extent
the State laws prevent the application of section 3. States may impose
requirements that are in addition to the requirements established under
this Act.

SEC. 7. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in this section, neither the
Attorney General, nor any other official or employee of the Department
of Justice, or bureau or agency thereof, may use the information
furnished by any person (including an alien who is not lawfully present
in the United States) specifically in relation to a violation of this
Act for any purpose other than to carry out this Act (including
prosecutions under section 3). If such information is furnished by an
alien who is not lawfully present in the United States, such
information shall not be used for the purpose of identifying and
removing the person from the United States or imposing other sanctions
against the person, except if the information furnished is false or
fraudulent.
    (b) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
limit the use, or release, for immigration enforcement purposes or law
enforcement purposes of information contained in files or records of
the Immigration and Naturalization Service, other than information
furnished under subsection (a) that is not available from any other
source.
    (c) Crime.--Whoever knowingly uses information in violation of this
section shall be fined not more than $10,000.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act applies to actions taken as an immigration consultant on
and after such date (not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act) as the Attorney General shall specify in
regulations.

Summary: Authorizes the Attorney General to provide State grants to educate persons respecting the requirements of this Act. Provides for confidentiality of information provided under this Act, and fines for knowing violation of such confidentiality.