Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Responsible, Equitable, and Fair
Insurance for Homeowners Act of 2009'' or the ``REFI for Homeowners Act
of 2009''.

SEC. 2. REPLACEMENT OF HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM WITH PROGRAM FOR
              INSURANCE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP RETENTION MORTGAGES.

    (a) Replacement of Program.--Title II of the National Housing Act
(12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 257 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-23), as added by
        section 1402(a) of Public Law 110-289--
                    (A) by striking subsections (a) through (k); and
                    (B) by striking subsections (n) through (v);
            (2) by redesignating section 257 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-24), as
        added by section 2124 of Public Law 110-289, as section 259;
        and
            (3) by inserting before such section 259 (as so
        redesignated) the following new section:

``SEC. 258. INSURANCE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP RETENTION MORTGAGES.

    ``(a) Authority.--The Secretary shall, subject only to the absence
of qualified requests for insurance under this section and to the
limitations under sections 257(m) and 531(a), make commitments to
insure and insure any mortgage covering a 1- to 4-family residence that
is made for the purpose of paying or prepaying outstanding obligations
under an existing mortgage or mortgages on the residence if the
mortgage being insured under this section meets the requirements of
this section, as established by the Secretary. The Secretary shall
establish such mortgage insurance products, and requirements and
standards, in accordance with this section as the Secretary considers
appropriate to carry out this section and shall prescribe such
regulations and provide such guidance as may be necessary or
appropriate to implement such products, requirements, and standards.
    ``(b) Requirements of Insured Mortgage.--To be eligible for
insurance under this section, a mortgage shall comply with all of the
following requirements:
            ``(1) Primary residence.--The mortgagor under the mortgage
        to be insured under this section shall provide documentation
        satisfactory in the determination of the Secretary to prove
        that the residence covered by the mortgage to be insured under
        this section is occupied by the mortgagor as the primary
        residence of the mortgagor, and that such residence is the only
        residence in which the mortgagor has any present ownership
        interest.
            ``(2) Troubled homeowner.--The mortgagor under the mortgage
        to be insured under this section shall be the mortgagor under
        the existing mortgage to be refinanced by the insured mortgage
        and shall--
                    ``(A) be in default on the mortgagor's obligations
                under the existing mortgage;
                    ``(B) be in danger of defaulting, as determined in
                accordance with standards established by the Secretary,
                on the mortgagor's obligations under the existing
                mortgage; or
                    ``(C) have a remaining principal obligation amount
                under such existing mortgage that exceeds, at the time
                of the commitment for mortgage insurance under this
                section, the appraised value of the property that is
                subject to such existing mortgage.
            ``(3) Prohibition on refinancing liar loans.--The Secretary
        may not insure a mortgage under this section if the mortgagor
        under such mortgage has knowingly, or willfully and with actual
        knowledge, furnished any material information regarding the
        income or financial worth of the mortgagor that is known to be
        false for the purpose of obtaining the existing mortgage that
        is to be refinanced by the mortgage to be insured under this
        section.
            ``(4) Prohibition on refinancing zero-down loans and loans
        with equity removed.--The Secretary may not insure a mortgage
        under this section if--
                    ``(A) under the existing mortgage to be refinanced,
                the mortgagor did not make any payment on account of
                the property (or any payment exceeding such nominal
                amount as the Secretary may establish), in cash or its
                equivalent, in connection with acquisition of the
                property; or
                    ``(B) during the term of the existing mortgage to
                be refinanced, the mortgagor withdrew all, or
                substantially all (in accordance with such standards
                and guidelines as the Secretary shall establish) of any
                equity of the mortgagor in the property subject to such
                existing mortgage.
            ``(5) Terms.--The mortgage to be insured under this section
        shall have such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall
        provide, except that such mortgage shall--
                    ``(A) have a term to maturity not exceeding 40
                years; and
                    ``(B) bear interest at an annual rate that is fixed
                for the entire term of the mortgage.
            ``(6) Required waiver of prepayment penalties and fees.--
        All penalties for prepayment or refinancing of the existing
        mortgage, and all fees and penalties related to default or
        delinquency on the existing mortgage, shall be waived or
        forgiven.
            ``(7) Shared appreciation.--The Secretary shall provide
        that, with respect to each mortgage insured under this section,
        upon any sale or disposition of the property subject to such
        mortgage occurring during the 5-year period beginning on the
        date of the insurance of the mortgage, to the extent of any
        principal write- down or interest rate subsidy provided in
        connection with the mortgage, the Secretary and the mortgagee
        shall be entitled to a percentage of any appreciation in value
        of such property that has occurred since the date that such
        mortgage was insured under this section, which percentage shall
        decrease over time, and the mortgagor shall be entitled to the
        remainder of any such appreciation.
            ``(8) Maximum loan amount.--The principal obligation amount
        of the mortgage to be insured under this section shall not
        exceed the applicable dollar amount limitation in effect under
        section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
        (12 U.S.C. 1452(a)(2)) for a property of the applicable size
        for the area in which the property is located.
            ``(9) Term; interest rate.--The refinanced eligible
        mortgage to be insured shall--
                    ``(A) bear interest at a single rate that is fixed
                for the entire term of the mortgage; and
                    ``(B) have a maturity of not less than 30 years
                from the date of the beginning of amortization of such
                refinanced eligible mortgage.
    ``(c) Exit Fee.--The Secretary may establish a fee, charge, or
other mechanism for recovering, upon sale or other disposition of the
property that is subject to the mortgage insured under this section or
upon the subsequent refinancing of the mortgage, a portion of the
equity or appreciation in the property.
    ``(d) GNMA Pricing.--In order to facilitate favorable pricing for
loans insured under this section, the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal National
Mortgage Association, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
are authorized to purchase mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the
Government National Mortgage Association that are backed by loans
originated under this section or whole loans originated and purchased
under this section. The Government National Mortgage Association is
authorized to hold, sell, and securitize whole loans originated under
this section.
    ``(e) Sunset.--The Secretary may not enter into any new commitment
to insure any refinanced eligible mortgage, or newly insure any
refinanced eligible mortgage pursuant to this section after the
expiration of the 3-year period beginning upon the date of the
enactment of this section.''.
    (b) Use of Aggregate Insurance Authority and Funds Under HOPE for
Homeowners Program.--Section 257 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1715z-24), as added by section 1402(a) of Public Law 110-289), is
amended--
            (1) in subsection (l)(1), by striking ``this section'' and
        inserting ``section 258'';
            (2) in subsection (m), by striking ``this section'' and
        inserting ``section 258'';
            (3) in subsection (w)--
                    (A) in paragraphs (1) and (3), by striking ``HOPE
                for Homeowners Program'' each place such term appears
                and inserting ``mortgage insurance program under
                section 258''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4) by striking ``HOPE for
                Homeowners Program in accordance with subsections (i)
                and (k)'' and inserting ``mortgage insurance program
                under section 258'';
            (4) by redesignating subsections (l), (m), and (w) as
        subsections (a), (b), and (c), respectively; and
            (5) by striking the section heading and inserting the
        following: ``hope fund and hope bonds.''
    (c) Reducing TARP Funds to Offset Costs of Program.--Paragraph (3)
of section 115(a) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
(12 U.S.C. 5225) is amended by inserting ``, as such amount is reduced
by $1,000,000,000,'' after ``$700,000,000,000''.

Output:
Responsible, Equitable, and Fair Insurance for Homeowners Act of 2009 or the REFI for Homeowners Act of 2009 - Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure any mortgage covering a troubled homeowner's one- to four-family primary residence that is made to pay or prepay (refinance) outstanding obligations under an existing mortgage or mortgages meeting specified requirements.

Prohibits the refinancing of liar loans, zero-down loans, or loans with equity removed.

Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) to purchase mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA [Ginnie Mae]) that are either backed by loans originated under this Act, or whole loans originated and purchased under this Act. Authorizes GNMA to hold, sell, and securitize such whole loans.

Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to reduce Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to offset costs of this Program.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Vaccine Safety Study Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Securing the health of the Nation's children is our
        most important concern as parents and stewards of the Nation's
        future.
            (2) The Nation's vaccine program has greatly reduced human
        suffering from infectious disease by preventing and reducing
        the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases.
            (3) Total health outcomes are the best measure of the
        success of any public health effort, including security from
        both chronic and infectious disease.
            (4) Childhood immunizations are an important tool in
        protecting children from infectious disease.
            (5) The number of immunizations administered to infants,
        pregnant women, children, teenagers, and adults has grown
        dramatically over recent years.
            (6) The incidence of chronic, unexplained diseases such as
        autism, learning disabilities, and other neurological disorders
        appears to have increased dramatically in recent years.
            (7) Individual vaccines are tested for safety, but little
        safety testing has been conducted for interaction effects of
        multiple vaccines.
            (8) The strategy of aggressive, early childhood
        immunization against a large number of infectious diseases has
        never been tested in its entirety against alternative
        strategies, either for safety or for total health outcomes.
            (9) Childhood immunizations are the only health
        interventions that are required by States of all citizens in
        order to participate in civic society.
            (10) Public confidence in the management of public health
        can only be maintained if these State government-mandated, mass
        vaccination programs--
                    (A) are tested rigorously and in their entirety
                against all reasonable safety concerns; and
                    (B) are verified in their entirety to produce
                superior health outcomes.
            (11) There are numerous United States populations in which
        a practice of no vaccination is followed and which therefore
        provide a natural comparison group for comparing total health
        outcomes.
            (12) No comparative study of such health outcomes has ever
        been conducted.
            (13) Given rising concern over the high rates of childhood
        neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and other chronic
        conditions, the need for such studies is becoming urgent.

SEC. 3. STUDY ON HEALTH OUTCOMES IN VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED
              AMERICAN POPULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in
this Act referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting through the Director
of the National Institutes of Health, shall conduct or support a
comprehensive study--
            (1) to compare total health outcomes, including the
        incidence and risk of autism, in vaccinated populations in the
        United States with such outcomes in unvaccinated populations in
        the United States; and
            (2) to determine whether exposure to vaccines or vaccine
        components is associated with autism spectrum disorders,
        chronic conditions, or other neurological conditions.
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to authorize the conduct or support of any study in which an individual
or population is encouraged or incentivized to remain unvaccinated.
    (c) Qualifications.--With respect to each investigator carrying out
the study under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the
investigator--
            (1) is objective;
            (2) is qualified to carry out such study, as evidenced by
        training experiences and demonstrated skill;
            (3) is not currently employed by any Federal, State, or
        local public health agency;
            (4) is not currently a member of a board, committee, or
        other entity responsible for formulating immunization policy on
        behalf of any Federal, State, or local public health agency or
        any component thereof;
            (5) has no history of a strong position on the thimerosal
        or vaccine safety controversy; and
            (6) is not currently an employee of, or otherwise directly
        or indirectly receiving funds from, a pharmaceutical company or
        the Centers for Disease Control.
    (d) Target Populations.--The Secretary shall seek to include in the
study under this section populations in the United States that have
traditionally remained unvaccinated for religious or other reasons,
which populations may include Old Order Amish, members of clinical
practices (such as the Homefirst practice in Chicago) who choose
alternative medical practices, practitioners of anthroposophic
lifestyles, and others who have chosen not to be vaccinated.
    (e) Timing.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a request for
proposals to conduct the study required by this section. Not later than
120 days after receipt of any such proposal, the Secretary shall
approve or disapprove the proposal. If the Secretary disapproves the
proposal, the Secretary shall provide the applicant involved with a
written explanation of the reasons for the disapproval.
    (f) Transparency.--To facilitate further research by the Secretary
or others, the Secretary shall ensure the preservation of all data,
including all data sets, collected or used for purposes of the study
under this section.

Output: Vaccine Safety Study Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to conduct a comprehensive study to: (1) compare total health outcomes, including the incidence and risk of autism, between vaccinated and unvaccinated U.S. populations; and (2) determine whether exposure to vaccines or vaccine components is associated with autism spectrum disorders, chronic conditions, or other neurological conditions. Requires the Secretary to seek to include in the study U.S. populations that have traditionally remained unvaccinated for religious or other reasons. Directs the Secretary to ensure the preservation of all data, including all data sets, collected or used for purposes of the study to facilitate further research by the Secretary or others. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the conduct or support of any study in which an individual or population is encouraged or incentivized to remain unvaccinated.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consortia-Led Energy Advancement
Networks Act'' or the ``CLEAN Act''.

SEC. 2. CLEAN ENERGY CONSORTIA.

    (a) Purpose.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to establish
Clean Energy Consortia to enhance the Nation's economic, environmental,
and energy security by promoting commercial application of clean energy
technology and ensuring that the United States maintains a
technological lead in the development and commercial application of
state-of-the-art energy technologies. To achieve these purposes the
program shall leverage the expertise and resources of the university
and private research communities, industry, venture capital, national
laboratories, and other participants in energy innovation to support
collaborative, cross-disciplinary research and development in areas not
being served by the private sector in order to develop and accelerate
the commercial application of innovative clean energy technologies.
    (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            (1) Clean energy technology.--The term ``clean energy
        technology'' means a technology that--
                    (A) produces energy from solar, wind, geothermal,
                biomass, tidal, wave, ocean, and other renewable energy
                resources (as such term is defined in section 610 of
                the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978);
                    (B) more efficiently transmits, distributes, or
                stores energy;
                    (C) enhances energy efficiency for buildings and
                industry, including combined heat and power;
                    (D) enables the development of a Smart Grid (as
                described in section 1301 of the Energy Independence
                and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17381)), including
                integration of renewable energy resources and
                distributed generation, demand response, demand side
                management, and systems analysis;
                    (E) produces an advanced or sustainable material
                with energy or energy efficiency applications;
                    (F) improves energy efficiency for transportation,
                including electric vehicles; or
                    (G) enhances water security through improved water
                management, conservation, distribution, and end use
                applications.
            (2) Cluster.--The term ``cluster'' means a network of
        entities directly involved in the research, development,
        finance, and commercial application of clean energy
        technologies whose geographic proximity facilitates utilization
        and sharing of skilled human resources, infrastructure,
        research facilities, educational and training institutions,
        venture capital, and input suppliers.
            (3) Consortium.--The term ``Consortium'' means a Clean
        Energy Consortium established in accordance with this section.
            (4) Project.--The term ``project'' means an activity with
        respect to which a Consortium provides support under subsection
        (e).
            (5) Qualifying entity.--The term ``qualifying entity''
        means each of the following:
                    (A) A research university.
                    (B) A State or Federal institution with a focus on
                the advancement of clean energy technologies.
                    (C) A nongovernmental organization with research or
                technology transfer expertise in clean energy
                technology development.
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Energy.
            (7) Technology development focus.--The term ``technology
        development focus'' means the unique clean energy technology or
        technologies in which a Consortium specializes.
            (8) Translational research.--The term ``translational
        research'' means coordination of basic or applied research with
        technical applications to enable promising discoveries or
        inventions to achieve commercial application of energy
        technology.
    (c) Role of the Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) have ultimate responsibility for, and oversight of, all
        aspects of the program under this section;
            (2) select recipients of grants for the establishment and
        operation of Consortia through a competitive selection process;
            (3) coordinate the innovation activities of Consortia with
        those occurring through other Department of Energy entities,
        including the National Laboratories, the Advanced Research
        Projects Agency--Energy, Energy Innovation Hubs, and Energy
        Frontier Research Collaborations, and within industry,
        including by annually--
                    (A) issuing guidance regarding national energy
                research and development priorities and strategic
                objectives; and
                    (B) convening a conference of staff of the
                Department of Energy and representatives from such
                other entities to share research results, program
                plans, and opportunities for collaboration.
    (d) Entities Eligible for Support.--A consortium shall be eligible
to receive support under this section if--
            (1) it is composed of--
                    (A) 2 research universities with a combined annual
                research budget of $500,000,000; and
                    (B) 1 or more additional qualifying entities;
            (2) its members have established a binding agreement that
        documents--
                    (A) the structure of the partnership agreement;
                    (B) a governance and management structure to enable
                cost-effective implementation of the program;
                    (C) a conflicts of interest policy consistent with
                subsection (e)(1)(B);
                    (D) an accounting structure that meets the
                requirements of the Department of Energy and can be
                audited under subsection (f)(4); and
                    (E) that it has an External Advisory Committee
                consistent with subsection (e)(3);
            (3) it receives funding from States, consortium
        participants, or other non-Federal sources, to be used to
        support project awards pursuant to subsection (e);
            (4) it is part of an existing cluster or demonstrates high
        potential to develop a new cluster; and
            (5) it operates as a nonprofit organization.
    (e) Clean Energy Consortia.--
            (1) Role.--A Consortium shall support translational
        research activities leading to commercial application of clean
        energy technologies, in accordance with the purposes of this
        section, through issuance of awards to projects managed by
        qualifying entities and other entities meeting the Consortium's
        project criteria. Each Consortium shall--
                    (A) develop and make available to the public
                through the Department of Energy's Web site proposed
                plans, programs, project selection criteria, and terms
                for individual project awards under this subsection;
                    (B) establish conflict of interest procedures,
                consistent with those of the Department of Energy, to
                ensure that employees and designees for Consortium
                activities who are in decisionmaking capacities
                disclose all material conflicts of interest, including
                financial, organizational, and personal conflicts of
                interest;
                    (C) establish policies--
                            (i) to prevent resources provided to the
                        Consortium from being used to displace private
                        sector investment otherwise likely to occur,
                        including investment from private sector
                        entities that are members of the Consortium;
                            (ii) to facilitate the participation of
                        private entities that invest in clean energy
                        technologies to perform due diligence on award
                        proposals, to participate in the award review
                        process, and to provide guidance to projects
                        supported by the Consortium; and
                            (iii) to facilitate the participation of
                        parties with a demonstrated history of
                        commercial application of clean energy
                        technologies in the development of Consortium
                        projects;
                    (D) oversee project solicitations, review proposed
                projects, and select projects for awards; and
                    (E) monitor project implementation.
            (2) Distribution of awards.--Consortia, with prior approval
        of the Secretary, shall distribute awards under this subsection
        to support clean energy technology projects conducting
        translational research, provided that at least 50 percent of
        such support shall be provided to projects related to a
        Consortium's clean energy technology development focus. Upon
        approval by the Secretary, all remaining funds shall be
        available to support any clean energy technology projects
        conducting translational research.
            (3) External advisory committee.--
                    (A) In general.--Each Consortium shall establish an
                External Advisory Committee, the members of which shall
                have extensive and relevant scientific, technical,
                industry, financial, or research management expertise.
                The External Advisory Committee shall review the
                Consortium's proposed plans, programs, project
                selection criteria, and projects and shall ensure that
                projects selected for awards meet the conflict of
                interest policies of the Consortium. External Advisory
                Committee members other than those representing
                Consortium members shall serve for no more than 3
                years. All External Advisory Committee members shall
                comply with the Consortium's conflict of interest
                policies and procedures.
                    (B) Members.--The External Advisory Committee shall
                consist of--
                            (i) 5 members selected by the Consortium's
                        research universities;
                            (ii) 2 members selected by the Consortium's
                        other qualifying entities;
                            (iii) 2 members selected at large by other
                        External Advisory Committee members to
                        represent the entrepreneur and venture capital
                        communities; and
                            (iv) 1 member appointed by the Secretary.
            (4) Conflict of interest.--The Secretary may disqualify an
        application or revoke funds distributed to a Consortium if the
        Secretary discovers a failure to comply with conflict of
        interest procedures established under paragraph (1)(B).
    (f) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants under this
        section in accordance with section 989 of the Energy Policy Act
        of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16353). The Secretary shall award grants, on
        a competitive basis, to 6 regional Consortia, each for an
        initial period not to exceed 5 years. The Secretary may extend
        the term of such award by up to 5 additional years, and a
        Consortium may compete to receive an increase in funding that
        it shall receive during any such extension. A Consortium shall
        be eligible to compete for a new award after the expiration of
        the term of any award, including any extension of such term,
        under this subsection.
            (2) Amount.--Grants under this subsection shall be in an
        aggregate amount not greater than $120,000,000 per fiscal year.
            (3) Use.--Grants distributed under this section shall be
        used exclusively to support project awards pursuant to
        subsection (e)(1) and (2), provided that a Consortium may use
        not more than 10 percent of the amount of its grant for its
        administrative expenses related to making such awards. Grants
        made under this section shall not be used for construction of
        new buildings or facilities, and construction of new buildings
        or facilities shall not be considered as part of the non-
        Federal share of a cost sharing agreement under this section.
            (4) Audit.--Consortia shall conduct, in accordance with
        such requirements as the Secretary may prescribe, annual audits
        to determine the extent to which grants distributed to
        Consortia under this subsection, and awards under subsection
        (e), have been utilized in a manner consistent with this
        section. Auditors shall transmit a report of the results of
        each audit to the Secretary and to the Government
        Accountability Office. The Secretary shall include such reports
        in an annual report to Congress, along with a plan to remedy
        any deficiencies cited in the reports. The Government
        Accountability Office may review such audits as appropriate and
        shall have full access to the books, records, and personnel of
        Consortia to ensure that grants distributed to Consortia under
        this subsection, and awards made under subsection (e), have
        been utilized in a manner consistent with this section.
            (5) Revocation of awards.--The Secretary shall have
        authority to review awards made under this subsection and to
        revoke such awards if the Secretary determines that a
        Consortium has used the award in a manner not consistent with
        the requirements of this section.

Output:
Consortia-Led Energy Advancement Networks Act or the CLEAN Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to carry out a program to establish Clean Energy Consortia to enhance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by promoting commercial application of clean energy technology and ensuring that the United States maintains a technological lead in the development and commercial application of state-of-the-art energy technologies.

Defines "clean energy technology" to mean a technology that: (1) produces energy from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, wave, ocean, and other renewable energy resources (as defined by the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978); (2) more efficiently transmits, distributes, or stores energy; (3) enhances energy efficiency for buildings and industry; (4) enables the development of a Smart Grid (as defined by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007); (5) produces an advanced or sustainable material with energy or energy efficiency applications; (6) improves energy efficiency for transportation; or (7) enhances water security through improved water management, conservation, distribution, and end use applications.

Requires such Consortia, with prior approval of the Secretary, to distribute awards to support clean energy technology projects conducting translational research. Defines "translational research" as coordination of research with technical applications to enable discoveries or inventions to achieve commercial application of energy technology. Requires at least 50% of such support to be provided to projects related to such Consortium's clean energy technology development focus.

Requires each Consortium to establish an External Advisory Committee to review the Consortium's proposed plans, programs, project selection, and projects.

Requires the Secretary to award grants to six regional Consortia, each for an initial period not to exceed five years for such clean energy technology projects. Authorizes the Secretary to extend such award term by up to five additional years. Prohibits grants from being used for construction of new buildings or facilities.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``International Student and Scholar
Access Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The United States has a strategic need to improve its
        student visa screening process to protect against terrorists
        who would abuse the system to harm the United States.
            (2) At the same time, openness to international students
        and exchange visitors serves longstanding and important United
        States foreign policy, educational, and economic interests, and
        the erosion of such exchanges is contrary to United States
        national security interests.
            (3) Educating successive generations of future world
        leaders in the United States has long been an important
        underpinning of United States international influence and
        leadership.
            (4) Open scientific exchange, which enables the United
        States to benefit from the knowledge of the world's top
        scientists, has long been an important underpinning of United
        States scientific leadership.
            (5) The United States has seen a dramatic increase in
        requests for Visa Mantis checks designed to protect against
        illegal transfers of sensitive technology, from 1,000 in fiscal
        year 2000 to 20,000 in fiscal year 2003.
            (6) Delays in issuing Visa Mantis security clearances have
        discouraged some international scholars from coming to the
        United States.
            (7) International students and their families studying in
        the United States contribute close to $12,000,000,000 to the
        United States economy each year, making higher education a
        major service sector export.
            (8) Delays in obtaining student visas have discouraged many
        international students from studying in the United States.
            (9) Total international applications to graduate schools in
        the United States for fall 2004 declined 32 percent from fall
        2003.
            (10) The number of international students enrolled in the
        United States, which in raw numbers consistently increased over
        time and grew by 6 percent during both the 2000-2001 and 2001-
        2002 school years, leveled off dramatically during the 2002-
        2003 school year to an increase of only .6 percent.
            (11) Concerns related to the anticipated international
        student monitoring system known as ``SEVIS'' have contributed
        to the decline in the number of foreign applicants to
        educational institutions in the United States.
            (12) The United States requires a visa system for exchange
        programs that maximizes United States national security.
            (13) The United States requires a comprehensive strategy
        for recruiting international students as well as enhancing the
        access of international students to higher education in the
        United States.

 TITLE I--NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ACCESS
                          TO THE UNITED STATES

SEC. 101. STRATEGIC PLAN.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the President, in consultation with United States higher education
institutions, organizations that participate in international exchange
programs, and other appropriate groups, shall submit to the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives a strategic plan for
enhancing international student access to the United States for study
and exchange activities that includes:
            (1) A marketing plan to makes use of Internet and other
        media resources to promote and facilitate study in the United
        States by international students.
            (2) A clear division of responsibility that eliminates
        duplication and promotes inter-agency cooperation with regard
        to the roles of the Departments of State, Commerce, Education,
        and Homeland Security in promoting and facilitating access
to the United States for international student and exchange visitors.
            (3) A mechanism for institutionalized coordination of the
        efforts of Departments of State, Commerce, Education, and
        Homeland Security in facilitating access to the United States
        for international student and exchange visitors.
            (4) An effective mandate and strategic plan for use of the
        overseas educational advising centers of the Department of
        State to promote study in the United States and to prescreen
        visa applicants.
            (5) Well-defined lines of authority and responsibility for
        international students in the Department of Commerce.
            (6) A clear mandate related to international student access
        for the Department of Education.
            (7) Streamlined procedures within the Department of
        Homeland Security related to international student and exchange
        visitors.

SEC. 102. ANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--The President, acting through the Secretary of
State and in consultation with the Secretary of Education, Secretary of
Commerce, and Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit an annual
report on the implementation of the national strategy developed in
accordance with section 101 to Congress that would describe the
following:
            (1) Measures undertaken to enhance international student
        access to the United States and improve inter-agency
        coordination with regard to international students and exchange
        visitors as provided in section 101.
            (2) Measures taken to implement section 202.
            (3) The number of student and exchange visitors who apply
        for visas from the United States, and the number whose visas
        are approved.
            (4) The average processing time for student and
        international visitor visas.
            (5) The number of student and international visitor visas
        requiring inter-agency review.
            (6) The number of student and international visitor visas
        approved after submission of the visa applications during each
        of the following durations:
                    (A) Less than 15 days.
                    (B) 15-30 days.
                    (C) 31-45 days.
                    (D) 46-60 days.
                    (E) 61-90 days.
                    (F) More than 90 days.
    (b) Submission of Report.--Not later than May 30 of 2005, and
annually thereafter through 2008, the President shall submit to
Congress the report described in subsection (a).

SEC. 103. REFORMING SEVIS FEE PROCESS.

    (a) Reduced Fee for Short-Term Study.--Section 641(e)(4)(A) of the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8
U.S.C. 1372(e)(4)(A)) is amended in the second sentence, by inserting
before the period the following: ``or the admission of an alien under
section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101(a)(15)(F)) for a program that does not exceed 90 days''.
    (b) Improving Fee Collection.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security and
the Secretary of State shall jointly submit to the Committee on Foreign
Relations and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the
Committee on International Relations and the Committee on the Judiciary
of the House of Representatives a report on the feasibility of
collecting the fee required by section 641(e) of the Illegal
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C.
1372(e))--
            (1) in local currency at local financial institutions under
        procedures established by the Secretary of State; and
            (2) by universities as part of a student's tuition and
        fees.

SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State,
Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, and
Department of Commerce such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
activities described in section 101.

                  TITLE II--IMPROVING THE VISA PROCESS

SEC. 201. SENSE OF CONGRESS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) improvements in visa processing would enhance the
        national security of the United States by--
                    (A) permitting closer scrutiny of visa applicants
                who might pose risks; and
                    (B) permitting the timely adjudication of visa
                applications of those whose presence in the United
                States serves important national interests; and
            (2) improvements must include--
                    (A) an operational visa policy that articulates the
                national interest of the United States in denying entry
                to visitors who seek to harm the United States and in
                opening entry to legitimate visitors, to guide consular
                officers in achieving the appropriate balance;
                    (B) a greater focus by the visa system on visitors
                who require special screening, while minimizing delays
                for legitimate visitors;
                    (C) a timely, transparent, and predictable visa
                process, through appropriate guidelines for inter-
                agency review of visa applications; and
                    (D) a provision of the necessary resources to fund
                a visa processing system that meets the requirements of
                this title.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to specify the
improvements described in subsection (a).

SEC. 202. VISA PROCESSING GUIDANCE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of State--
            (1) shall issue appropriate guidance to consular officers
        in order to--
                    (A) give consulates appropriate discretion to grant
                waivers of personal appearance in order to minimize
delays for legitimate travelers while permitting more thorough
interviews of visa applicants in appropriate cases;
                    (B) give consulates appropriate discretion to allow
                security clearances under the Visas Mantis system to be
                valid for the duration of status or program, in order
                to avoid repetitive reviews of those visitors who leave
                the United States temporarily; and
                    (C) establish a presumption of visa approval for
                frequent visitors who have previously been granted
                visas for the same purpose and who have no status
                violations; and
            (2) in consultation with the Director of the Office of
        Science and Technology Policy and appropriate representatives
        of the United States scientific community, shall issue
        appropriate guidance to consular officers in order to refine
        controls on the entry of visitors who propose to engage in
        study or research in advanced science and technology in order
        to ensure that only cases of concern, and not nonsensitive
        cases, are subjected to special review.
    (b) Timeliness Standards.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the President shall institute guidelines for
inter-agency review of visa applications requiring security clearances
which establish the following standards for timeliness in international
student and visitor visas:
            (1) Establish a 15-day standard for responses to the
        Department of State by other agencies involved in the clearance
        process.
            (2) Establish a 30-day standard for completing the entire
        inter-agency review and advising the consulate of the result of
        the review.
            (3) Provide for expedited processing of any visa
        application with respect to which a review is not completed
        within 30 days, and for advising the consulate of the delay and
        the estimated processing time remaining.
            (4) Require the establishment of a process by which the
        applicant, or the program to which the applicant seeks access,
        can inquire about the application's status and the estimated
        processing time remaining.
            (5) Establish a special review process to resolve any cases
        whose resolution is still pending after 60 days.

SEC. 203. INTEROPERABLE DATA SYSTEMS AT THE FBI.

    (a) Responsibilities of the FBI Director.--The Director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation shall take the steps necessary to
ensure that--
            (1) the Federal Bureau of Investigation's databases and
        systems used in the National Name Check Program are
        interoperable with the requisite databases and systems at the
        Department of State;
            (2) the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation are
        automated and a common database is set up between the field
        offices and headquarters of the Federal Bureau of
        Investigation; and
            (3) the Federal Bureau of Investigation has full
        connectivity to the Consular Consolidated Database through the
        Open Source Information System.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall
report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House
of Representatives on progress in implementing subsection (a).

SEC. 204. SETTING REALISTIC STANDARDS FOR VISA EVALUATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``having a residence in a foreign country
        which he has no intention of abandoning'' and inserting
        ``having the intention, capability, and sufficient financial
        resources to complete a course of study in the United States'';
        and
            (2) by striking ``and solely'' after ``temporarily''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 214(b) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(b)) is amended by
striking ``subparagraph (L) or'' and inserting ``subparagraph (F), (J),
(L), or''.

SEC. 205. REPORT.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of State shall report to the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of
the House of Representatives on--
            (1) the feasibility of expediting visa processing for
        participants in official exchange programs, and for students,
        scholars, and exchange visitors through prescreening of
        applicants by sending countries, sending universities, State
        Department overseas educational advising centers, or other
        appropriate entities;
            (2) the feasibility of developing abilities to collect
        biometric data without requiring a visit to the Embassy by the
        visa applicant; and
            (3) the implementation of the guidance described in
        subsections (a) and (b) of section 202, including the training
        of consular officers, and the effect of this guidance and
        training on visa processing volume and timeliness.

SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out to carry out this Act for the consular affairs
function of the Department of State, the visa application review
function of the Department of Homeland Security, and for database
improvements in the Federal Bureau of Investigations as specified in
section 203.

Output:
International Student and Scholar Access Act of 2004 - Directs the President to submit to specified congressional committees a strategic plan for enhancing international student access to the United States for study and exchange activities.

Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to provide for reduced fees in cases of short-term study, under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Directs the Secretaries of State and of Homeland Security to report on improving SEVIS fee collection.

Expresses the sense of Congress on improving the visa process. Directs the Secretary of State to issue certain guidance on visa processing.

Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure that: (1) FBI databases and systems used in the National Name Check Program are interoperable with the requisite databases and systems at the Department of State; (2) FBI files are automated and a common database is set up between FBI field offices and headquarters; and (3) the FBI has full connectivity to the Consular Consolidated Database through the Open Source Information System.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise standards for visa evaluations for those having the intention, capability, and financial resources to complete a course of study in the United States.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Kids Wish II Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (9)(C) by inserting ``child care,'' after
        ``educational,'';
            (2) in paragraph (10)(A) by inserting ``child care,'' after
        ``educational,''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) Children.--The term `children' means individuals who
        are 18 years of age or younger.
            ``(12) Emergency child care.--The term `emergency child
        care' means supervision, recreation, and other services offered
        by a State or local government (or a child care provider
        regulated by a State) for the purpose of providing nonparental
        care for children in the event of a major disaster or
        emergency.''.

SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY OF FOR-PROFIT CHILD CARE FACILITIES FOR DISASTER
              ASSISTANCE.

    Title I of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:

``SEC. 103. FOR-PROFIT CHILD CARE FACILITIES.

    ``Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a private for-
profit child care facility shall be eligible for assistance under this
Act to the same extent as a private nonprofit child care facility.''.

SEC. 4. DISASTER PLANNING.

    Title III of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:

``SEC. 327. DISASTER PLANNING TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND
              FAMILIES.

    ``(a) State and Local Disaster Planning.--
            ``(1) In general.--The President shall encourage States and
        localities to include consideration of services and facilities
        for children within all phases of their disaster planning,
        training, and exercises.
            ``(2) Services and facilities for children defined.--In
        this subsection, the term `services and facilities for
        children' includes--
                    ``(A) health and mental health services and
                facilities for children;
                    ``(B) school services and facilities;
                    ``(C) child care services and facilities;
                    ``(D) services and facilities associated with early
                education programs, including the Head Start program;
                    ``(E) juvenile corrections, detention, and court
                services and facilities;
                    ``(F) child welfare services and facilities; and
                    ``(G) residential care services and facilities for
                children, including residential treatment centers and
                group homes.
    ``(b) National Disaster Planning.--The President shall take such
actions as may be necessary to include the provision of services and
facilities for children within national planning activities, including
the National Response Framework and the National Disaster Recovery
Framework.
    ``(c) Specific Measurable Capabilities of Disaster Plans.--The
President shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that
disaster plans for services and facilities for children, at a minimum,
incorporate specific measurable capabilities for shelter-in-place,
evacuation, relocation, family reunification, temporary operating
standards, and accommodation of children with disabilities and chronic
health needs and other special needs child populations.''.

SEC. 5. DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES AND FACILITIES.

    (a) Essential Assistance.--Section 403(a)(3) of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5170b(a)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (D) by inserting ``, child care,''
        after ``schools'';
            (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (I);
            (3) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (J)
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(K) provision of emergency child care and
                assistance to families for child placement in emergency
                child care.''.
    (b) Repair, Restoration, and Replacement of Damaged Facilities.--
Section 406(a)(3)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(a)(3)(B)) is amended
by inserting ``child care,'' after ``education,''.
    (c) Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households.--Section
408(e)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(e)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading by inserting ``child care,''
        after ``transportation,''; and
            (2) by inserting ``child care,'' after ``transportation,''.

SEC. 6. CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

    Section 426 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189d) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The
        President''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Program Requirements.--
            ``(1) Emphasis on children and families.--In carrying out
        this section, the President shall establish a single Federal
        disaster case management program with an emphasis on achieving
        tangible, positive outcomes for all children and families who
        are victims of a major disaster.
            ``(2) Components.--The program shall--
                    ``(A) adequately address the physical health,
                mental health, nutrition, education, housing,
                transportation, and other human services needs of
                children and families who are victims of a major
                disaster;
                    ``(B) provide for the involvement of nonprofit
                agencies that provide disaster case management
                services;
                    ``(C) provide access to funding that supports all
                aspects of disaster case management, including direct
                services to survivors;
                    ``(D) provide for a single point of contact for
                disaster assistance applicants who need a wide variety
                of services that may be provided by many different
                organizations; and
                    ``(E) provide funding to support case manager
                training.''.

SEC. 7. ASSISTANCE TO MEET NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

    Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the second section 425, relating to
        essential service providers, as section 427; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 428. ASSISTANCE TO MEET NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

    ``(a) Mass Care Shelters.--
            ``(1) In general.--The President may provide mass care
        shelters for victims of major disasters. Such shelters shall
        provide a safe and secure mass care shelter environment for
        children, including appropriate access to essential services
        and supplies.
            ``(2) Standards.--In carrying out this subsection, the
        President shall--
                    ``(A) develop and implement national standards and
                indicators for mass care shelters that are specific and
                responsive to children;
                    ``(B) develop a list of essential age-appropriate
                shelter supplies for infants and children and fund the
                addition of child-specific supplies to caches for
                immediate deployment to support shelter operations;
                    ``(C) ensure the implementation of standards and
                training to mitigate risks unique to children in
                shelters, including child abduction and sex offenders;
                and
                    ``(D) ensure all shelter operators have access to a
                fast, accurate, and low-cost system for conducting
                national fingerprint-based criminal history background
                checks for shelter workers and volunteers.
    ``(b) Housing.--The President--
            ``(1) shall give priority to families with children in
        providing disaster housing assistance under this title; and
            ``(2) may provide financial and other assistance for
        individuals and families who are victims of a major disaster to
        ensure an expedited transition into permanent housing,
        especially for families with children who have disabilities or
        other special health, mental health, or educational needs.
    ``(c) Evacuation.--The President, in coordination with the heads of
other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop a standardized,
interoperable national evacuee tracking and family reunification system
that ensures the safety and well-being of children.''.

SEC. 8. DISASTER RELATED INFORMATION SERVICES.

    Section 616(a)(2)(B) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196f(a)(2)(B)) is amended by
inserting ``children and'' before ``individuals with disabilities''.

Output:
Kids Wish II Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) include child care facilities among public or private nonprofit facilities covered by such Act; (2) make a private for-profit child care facility eligible for assistance under the Act to the same extent as a private nonprofit child care facility; and (3) include child care within provisions regarding essential services, critical services, and federal assistance to individuals and households to address necessary expenses from a major disaster.

Directs the President to: (1) encourage states and localities to include consideration of services and facilities for children within all phases of their disaster planning, training, and exercises; (2) take necessary actions to include the provision of services and facilities for children within national planning activities; (3) ensure that disaster plans for services and facilities for children incorporate specific measurable capabilities for shelter-in-place, evacuation, relocation, family reunification, temporary operating standards, and accommodation of children with disabilities and chronic health needs and other special needs child populations; and (4) establish a single federal disaster case management program with an emphasis on achieving tangible, positive outcomes for all children and families who are victims of a major disaster.

Authorizes the President to: (1) provide mass care shelters for victims of major disasters, which shall provide a safe and secure mass care shelter environment for children; and (2) provide financial and other assistance for victims of a major disaster to ensure an expedited transition into permanent housing, especially for families with children who have disabilities or other special health, mental health, or educational needs.

Directs the President to: (1) give priority to families with children in providing disaster housing assistance; and (2) develop a standardized, interoperable national evacuee tracking and family reunification system that ensures the safety and well-being of children.

Requires disaster related information to be made available to individuals affected by a major disaster or emergency in formats that can be understood by children.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Family Violence Prevention Act of
2002''.

SEC. 2. FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

    Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

                  ``PART R--FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION

``SEC. 399AA. DEFINITION.

    ``In this part the term `family violence' means any act or
threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention of an
individual, that--
            ``(1) results or threatens to result in physical injury;
        and
            ``(2) is committed by a person against another individual
        (including an elderly individual or a child)--
                    ``(A) to whom such person is or was related by
                blood or marriage or is otherwise legally related;
                    ``(B) with whom such person is or was lawfully
                residing; or
                    ``(C) with whom such person is or has been in a
                social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature
                where the existence of such a relationship shall be
                determined based on a consideration of--
                            ``(i) the length of the relationship;
                            ``(ii) the type of the relationship; and
                            ``(iii) the frequency of interaction
                        between the individuals involved in the
                        relationship.

``SEC. 399AA-1. OFFICE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established within the
        Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Family
        Violence (in this part referred to as the `Office') under the
        general authority of the Secretary.
            ``(2) Separate office.--The Office shall be a separate
        office headed by a Director who shall report to the Secretary
        through the Assistant Secretary for Health, and who shall also
        serve as Counsel to the Secretary.
    ``(b) Jurisdiction.--The Office shall--
            ``(1) facilitate coordination between all programs within
        the Department of Health and Human Services relating to the
        prevention of family violence;
            ``(2) collaborate with family violence programs (including
        child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse programs)
        administered by other Federal departments or agencies to
        develop a Federal family violence prevention Internet website
        to provide information--
                    ``(A) to the public concerning the Federal
                resources available to combat family violence,
                including child abuse, domestic violence, and elder
                abuse; and
                    ``(B) concerning ongoing or prospective research
                efforts that might be of use to family violence
                prevention advocates, researchers, and others; and
            ``(3) carry out other activities related to family violence
        (including child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse)
        prevention that are determined appropriate by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Director.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The President, by and with the advice
        and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a Director for the
        Office of Family Violence (in this part referred to as the
        `Director') to be responsible for the administration,
        coordination, and implementation of the programs and activities
        of the Office.
            ``(2) Other employment.--The Director shall not--
                    ``(A) engage in any employment other than that of
                serving as Director; or
                    ``(B) hold any office in, or act in any capacity
                for, any organization, agency, or institution with
                which the Office makes any contract or other agreement.
            ``(3) Vacancy.--In the case of a vacancy, the President may
        designate an officer or employee who shall act as Director
        during the vacancy.
            ``(4) Compensation.--The Director shall be compensated at a
        rate of pay not to exceed the rate payable for level V of the
        Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States
        Code.
    ``(d) Regulations.--The Director may, after appropriate
consultation with representatives of States and units of local
government, establish such rules, regulations, and procedures as are
necessary to the exercise of the functions of the Office.
    ``(e) Staff.--The Secretary shall ensure that there is adequate
staff to support the Director in carrying out the responsibilities of
the Director under this part.
    ``(f) Report.--The Director shall annually report to the
appropriate authorizing and appropriating committees of Congress
concerning the coordination of activities that are being carried out by
all family violence program within the Department of Health and Human
Services.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, $5,000,000 for fiscal year
2003, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2004
through 2007.

``SEC. 399AA-2. FAMILY VIOLENCE RESEARCH CENTERS.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall provide for the
establishment of 5 family violence research and education centers to
conduct research and disseminate information, including professional
and public education, concerning family violence.
    ``(b) Linkages.--In establishing centers under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall ensure that--
            ``(1) one center is linked to the Centers for Disease
        Control and Prevention;
            ``(2) one center is linked to the National Institute of
        Mental Health; and
            ``(3) each center is linked to national, State, and local
        community resources, including domestic violence coalition
        shelters, community health centers, health care delivery
        systems, and domestic and sexual assault hotlines, through
        which information may be distributed.
    ``(c) General Duties.--Each center established under subsection
(a)--
            ``(1) shall provide for the conduct of family violence
        research, including, in collaboration with the Centers for
        Disease Control and Prevention, the administration of annual
        national surveys concerning the prevalence and characteristics
        of different forms of family violence, including child abuse,
        domestic violence, and elder abuse; and
            ``(2) may provide for the conduct of family violence
        research, including--
                    ``(A) research concerning the development,
                implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of
                appropriate curricula for health professional training
                in the area of family violence;
                    ``(B) research concerning the effectiveness of
                different educational methodologies that are used to
                present the curricula described in subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) research concerning patterns of health care
                utilization by victims of family violence and child
                witnesses of family violence, the effects that family
                violence has on other health behaviors and the health
                status of individuals, families, and populations, and
                the health care costs attributable to family violence;
                    ``(D) research concerning the effects of mandatory
                family violence reporting requirements, including--
                            ``(i) the effects of such requirements on--
                                    ``(I) the prevalence and incidence
                                of family violence;
                                    ``(II) victim and dependent safety
                                and self-efficacy;
                                    ``(III) referral and treatment
                                patterns; and
                                    ``(IV) access to health care,
                                legal, and advocacy services;
                            ``(ii) the development of mechanisms to
                        provide resources, consultation, and technical
                        assistance to State and local governments and
                        to agencies and non-profit entities that are
                        concerned with evaluating the effect of
                        mandatory reporting on the health and safety of
                        victims and dependents;
                    ``(E) research and testing of best messages and
                strategies to mobilize public action concerning the
                prevention of family violence;
                    ``(F) research on the relationship between
                childhood exposure to domestic violence and child and
                adult health and safety outcomes;
                    ``(G) research on effective interventions for
                children exposed to violence; and
                    ``(H) research on the effects of family violence on
                other health behaviors and health conditions.
    ``(d) Grants and Contracts.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
        Secretary may make grants to and enter into contracts with
        public and nonprofit private entities.
            ``(2) Application for award.--The Secretary may make an
        award of a grant or contract under paragraph (1) only if an
        application for the award is submitted to the Secretary and the
        application is in such form, is made in such manner, and
        contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the
        Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the purposes
        for which the award is to be made.
    ``(e) Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an
        advisory board to make recommendations concerning the research
        agenda carried out by the research centers under this section.
            ``(2) Composition.--
                    ``(A) Appointed members.--The advisory board shall
                be composed of 19 members to be appointed by the
                Secretary as follows:
                            ``(i) Twelve members shall be appointed
                        from among individuals who are scientific or
                        health care experts in the areas of elder
                        abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, mental
                        health, epidemiology, social work, or health
                        education.
                            ``(ii) Seven members shall be appointed
                        from among nationally recognized experts in
                        domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse
                        who have a documented history of effective and
                        respected work in their respective field, of
                        which--
                                    ``(I) at least one member shall be
                                an expert in domestic violence and
                                dating violence;
                                    ``(II) at least one member shall be
                                an expert in child abuse;
                                    ``(III) at least one member shall
                                be an expert in elder abuse;
                                    ``(IV) at least one member shall be
                                an expert in the impact of domestic
                                violence on children and youth; and
                                    ``(V) at least one member shall be
                                an expert in domestic violence against
                                older or disabled women.
                    ``(B) Ex officio members.--The following shall be
                ex-officio members of the advisory board:
                            ``(i) The Assistant Secretary for Health.
                            ``(ii) The Director of the National
                        Institutes of Health.
                            ``(iii) The Director of the National
                        Institute for Mental Health.
                            ``(iv) The Director of the Centers for
                        Disease Control and Prevention.
                            ``(v) The Assistant Secretary for Children
                        and Families.
                            ``(vi) The Assistant Secretary for Aging.
                            ``(vii) The Administrator of the Health
                        Resources and Services Administration.
                            ``(viii) The Director of the Substance
                        Abuse and Mental Health Services
                        Administration.
                            ``(ix) The Assistant Attorney General for
                        the Office of Justice Programs.
                    ``(C) Chairperson.--The members of the advisory
                board appointed under subparagraph (A) shall elect a
                chairperson from among such members.
            ``(3) Meetings.--The advisory board shall meet at the call
        of the chairperson or upon the request of the Secretary, but
        not less often than 4 times each year.
            ``(4) Duties.--In order to ensure the most effective use
        and organization of Federal resources concerning family
        violence, the advisory board shall provide advice and make
        recommendations to Congress and the Secretary with respect to
        the implementation and revision of the research agenda of the
        research centers established under this section.
            ``(5) Subcommittees.--In carrying out its functions under
        this subsection, the advisory board may establish
        subcommittees, convene workshops and conferences, and collect
        data. Such subcommittees may be composed of advisory board
        members and nonmember consultants with expertise in the
        particular area addressed by such subcommittees.
            ``(6) Reports.--The advisory committee shall annually
        report to the appropriate authorizing and appropriations
        committees of Congress concerning the research agenda for the
        centers established under this section and the progress made in
        fulfilling that research agenda.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, $25,000,000 for fiscal year
2003, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2004
through 2007.

``SEC. 399AA-3. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING GRANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director of the Office shall award grants to
eligible entities to enable such entities to develop, implement,
evaluate, and disseminate family violence education and training
curricula, programs, and strategies.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (a), an entity shall--
            ``(1) be--
                    ``(A) a health care delivery system or health care
                training entity, such as an academic health center, a
                federally qualified health center, a hospital, and a
                community health center; or
                    ``(B) an entity not described in subparagraph (A)
                that enters into a collaborative relationship with an
                entity described in such subparagraph for purposes of
                this section, such as a national or local non-profit
                entity with expertise in family violence, a State
                coalition for domestic violence, a State coalition for
                sexual assault, and a State public health agency;
            ``(2) demonstrate an ability to maintain the training
        systems established with amounts received under the grant after
        the expiration of the grant funding and provide an assurance
        that such systems will be maintained if determined to be
        effective; and
            ``(3) prepare and submit to the Director at such time, in
        such manner, and containing such agreements, assurances, and
        information as the Director determines to be necessary to carry
        out the purposes for which the grant is to be made.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--An entity shall use amounts received under a
grant under this section to--
            ``(1) conduct evaluations of existing family violence
        identification and treatment training programs; and
            ``(2) develop and implement innovative training models or
        programs to identify and appropriately treat and refer victims
        of family violence.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, $25,000,000 for fiscal year
2003, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2004
through 2007.''.

Output: Family Violence Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of Family Violence within the Department of Health and Human Services. Directs the Office to coordinate intra-departmental family violence programs and develop a Federal family violence prevention Internet website.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the establishment of five family violence research and education centers through grants or contracts with public and nonprofit private entities. Requires such centers to: (1) include both professional and public education; and (2) be linked to national, State, and local resources. Requires one center to be linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and another to the National Institute of Mental Health.Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory board to make recommendations concerning the centers' research agenda.Requires the Director to award grants to eligible entities, including healthcare delivery systems or training entities, to develop and disseminate family violence education and training curricula, programs, and strategies.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Renew America's Schools Act of
2017''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
              IMPROVEMENTS AT PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
        consortium of--
                    (A) one local educational agency; and
                    (B) one or more--
                            (i) schools;
                            (ii) nonprofit organizations;
                            (iii) for-profit organizations; or
                            (iv) community partners that have the
                        knowledge and capacity to partner and assist
                        with energy improvements.
            (2) Energy improvements.--The term ``energy improvements''
        means--
                    (A) any improvement, repair, or renovation, to a
                school that will result in a direct reduction in school
                energy costs including but not limited to improvements
                to building envelope, air conditioning, ventilation,
                heating system, domestic hot water heating, compressed
                air systems, distribution systems, lighting, power
                systems and controls;
                    (B) any improvement, repair, renovation, or
                installation that leads to an improvement in teacher
                and student health including but not limited to indoor
                air quality, daylighting, ventilation, electrical
                lighting, and acoustics; and
                    (C) the installation of renewable energy
                technologies (such as wind power, photovoltaics, solar
                thermal systems, geothermal energy, hydrogen-fueled
                systems, biomass-based systems, biofuels, anaerobic
                digesters, and hydropower) involved in the improvement,
                repair, or renovation to a school.
    (b) Authority.--From amounts made available for grants under this
section, the Secretary of Energy shall provide competitive grants to
eligible entities to make energy improvements authorized by this
section.
    (c) Priority.--In making grants under this subsection, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that have
renovation, repair, and improvement funding needs and are--
            (1) a high-need local educational agency, as defined in
        section 2102 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6602); or
            (2) a local educational agency designated with a
        metrocentric locale code of 41, 42, or 43 as determined by the
        National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in conjunction
        with the Bureau of the Census, using the NCES system for
        classifying local educational agencies.
    (d) Competitive Criteria.--The competitive criteria used by the
Secretary shall include the following:
            (1) The fiscal capacity of the eligible entity to meet the
        needs for improvements of school facilities without assistance
        under this section, including the ability of the eligible
        entity to raise funds through the use of local bonding capacity
        and otherwise.
            (2) The likelihood that the local educational agency or
        eligible entity will maintain, in good condition, any facility
        whose improvement is assisted.
            (3) The potential energy efficiency and safety benefits
        from the proposed energy improvements.
    (e) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an applicant must submit to the Secretary an application that
includes each of the following:
            (1) A needs assessment of the current condition of the
        school and facilities that are to receive the energy
        improvements.
            (2) A draft work plan of what the applicant hopes to
        achieve at the school and a description of the energy
        improvements to be carried out.
            (3) A description of the applicant's capacity to provide
        services and comprehensive support to make the energy
        improvements.
            (4) An assessment of the applicant's expected needs for
        operation and maintenance training funds, and a plan for use of
        those funds, if any.
            (5) An assessment of the expected energy efficiency and
        safety benefits of the energy improvements.
            (6) A cost estimate of the proposed energy improvements.
            (7) An identification of other resources that are available
        to carry out the activities for which funds are requested under
        this section, including the availability of utility programs
        and public benefit funds.
    (f) Use of Grant Amounts.--
            (1) In general.--The recipient of a grant under this
        section shall use the grant amounts only to make the energy
        improvements contemplated in the application, subject to the
        other provisions of this subsection.
            (2) Operation and maintenance training.--The recipient may
        use up to 5 percent for operation and maintenance training for
        energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements (such as
        maintenance staff and teacher training, education, and
        preventative maintenance training).
            (3) Audit.--The recipient may use funds for a third-party
        investigation and analysis for energy improvements (such as
        energy audits and existing building commissioning).
            (4) Continuing education.--The recipient may use up to 1
        percent of the grant amounts to develop a continuing education
        curriculum relating to energy improvements.
    (g) Contracting Requirements.--
            (1) Davis-bacon.--Any laborer or mechanic employed by any
        contractor or subcontractor in the performance of work on any
        energy improvements funded by a grant under this section shall
        be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on
        similar construction in the locality as determined by the
        Secretary of Labor under subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title
        40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon
        Act).
            (2) Competition.--Each applicant that receives funds shall
        ensure that, if the applicant carries out repair or renovation
        through a contract, any such contract process--
                    (A) ensures the maximum number of qualified
                bidders, including small, minority, and women-owned
                businesses, through full and open competition; and
                    (B) gives priority to businesses located in, or
                resources common to, the State or the geographical area
                in which the project is carried out.
    (h) Reporting.--Each recipient of a grant under this section shall
submit to the Secretary, at such time as the Secretary may require, a
report describing the use of such funds for energy improvements, the
estimated cost savings realized by those energy improvements, the
results of any audit, the use of any utility programs and public
benefit funds and the use of performance tracking for energy
improvements (such as the Department of Energy: Energy Star program or
LEED for Existing Buildings).
    (i) Best Practices.--The Secretary shall develop and publish
guidelines and best practices for activities carried out under this
section.
    (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2018 through 2023.

Output: Renew America's Schools Act of 2017  This bill requires the Department of Energy to provide competitive grants for making energy improvements in schools. Specifically, grants may be awarded for:  any improvement, repair, or renovation to a school that will result in a direct reduction in school energy costs;   any improvement, repair, renovation, or installation that leads to an improvement in teacher and student health, such as indoor air quality; and  the installation of renewable energy technologies (e.g., wind power) involved in the improvement, repair, or renovation to a school.