Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States Mint Bicentennial Coin
Act''.

SEC. 2. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

    (a) Five Dollar Gold Coins.--The Secretary of the Treasury
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and
issue not more than 350,000 five dollar coins each of which shall weigh
8.359 grams, have a diameter of .0850 inches, and shall contain 90
percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
    (b) One Dollar Silver Coins.--The Secretary shall issue not more
than 1,000,000 one dollar coins each of which shall weigh 26.73 grams,
have a diameter of 1.5 inches, and be composed of 90 percent silver and
10 percent copper.
    (c) Half Dollar Silver Coins.--The Secretary shall issue not more
than 1,750,000 half dollar coins each of which shall weigh 12.50 grams,
have a diameter of 1.205 inches, and be composed of 90 percent silver
and 10 percent copper.

SEC. 3. SOURCES OF BULLION.

    (a) Gold.--The Secretary shall obtain gold for the coins minted
under this Act pursuant to the authority of the Secretary under
existing law.
    (b) Silver.--The Secretary shall obtain silver for the coins minted
under this Act from stockpiles established under the Strategic and
Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.).

SEC. 4. DESIGN.

    (a) Design of Five Dollar Gold Coins.--The design of the five
dollar coins shall portray Alexander Hamilton on the obverse. The
reverse shall display the scene of the inspection of the first United
States coins. On each coin authorized hereunder there shall be a
designation of the value of the coin, and inscriptions of the words
``United States of America'', ``E Pluribus Unum'', ``In God We Trust''
and ``Liberty''.
    (b) Design of One Dollar Silver Coins.--The obverse of the one
dollar coins shall portray Thomas Jefferson, the first Secretary of
State, and shall honor his 250th birthday. The reverse shall display
the first coining press--United States Mint. On each coin authorized
hereunder there shall be a designation of the value of the coin and
inscriptions of the words ``United States of America'', ``E Pluribus
Unum'', ``In God We Trust'' and ``Liberty''.
    (c) Design of the Half Dollar Silver Coins.--The design of the half
dollar silver coins shall depict on the obverse David Rittenhouse, the
first Director of the United States Mint. The reverse shall show the
first mint building. On each coin authorized hereunder there shall be a
designation of the value of the coin and inscriptions of the words
``United States of America'', ``E Pluribus Unum'', ``In God We Trust''
and ``Liberty''.

SEC. 5. SALE OF COINS.

    (a) Sale Price.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the Secretary at a price
equal to the face value, plus the cost of designing and issuing such
coins (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead
expenses, marketing and shipping).
    (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales at a
reasonable discount.
    (c) Surcharge Required.--All sales shall include a surcharge of $30
per coin for the five dollar coins, $7 per coin for the one dollar
coins and $2 per coin for the half dollar coins.
    (d) Reports to Congress.--
            (1) Not later than 15 days after the last day of each
        month, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on
        Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of the House of
        Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
        Urban Affairs of the Senate.
            (2) Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall
        include a review of all marketing activities under this section
        and a financial statement which details sources of funds,
        surcharges generated, and expenses incurred for manufacturing,
        materials, overhead, packaging, marketing and shipping.

SEC. 6. ISSUANCE OF THE COINS.

    (a) Period of Issuance.--The coins authorized under this Act shall
be minted and available for issue no later than July 15, 1993, but
shall be issued only during 1993.
    (b) Proof of Uncirculated Coins.--The coins authorized under this
Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
    (c) Bureau of the Mint.--Not more than one facility of the Bureau
of the Mint may be used to strike any particular combination of
denomination and quality.

SEC. 7. GENERAL WAIVER OF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), no provision
of law governing procurement or public contracts shall be applicable to
the procurement of goods or services necessary for carrying out the
provisions of this Act.
    (b) Equal Employment Opportunity.--Subsection (a) shall not relieve
any person entering into a contract under the authority of this Act
from complying with any law relating to equal employment opportunity.

SEC. 8. DISTRIBUTION OF SURCHARGES.

    (a) In General.--All surcharges which are received by the Secretary
from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by
the Secretary to the Smithsonian Institution for the National
Numismatic Collection.
    (b) Use of Proceeds.--Amounts received under subsection (a) shall
be used by the Executive Director of the National Numismatic Collection
to establish--
            (1) an endowment fund for the purpose of purchasing needed
        reference materials and numismatic items for the National
        Numismatic Collection; and
            (2) an endowment fund to promote numismatic study, finance
        symposia and travel and publicize the results of any
        advancements; and
            (3) establish a fund to renovate the permanent and
        temporary exhibit facilities of the National Numismatic
        Collection.

SEC. 9. AUDITS.

    The Comptroller General of the United States shall have the right
to examine such books, records, documents and other data of the
organizing committee as may be related to the expenditure of amounts
paid under section 208.

SEC. 10. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

    (a) No Net Cost.--The Secretary shall take such actions as may be
necessary to ensure that the minting and issuance of the coins referred
to in section 202 shall not result in any net cost to the Federal
Government.
    (b) Payment Assurances.--No coin shall be issued under this Act
unless the Secretary has received--
            (1) full payment for such coin;
            (2) security satisfactory to the Secretary to indemnify the
        United States for full payment; or
            (3) a guarantee of full payment satisfactory to the
        Secretary from a depository institution, the deposits are
        insured by the 20 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations or the
        National Credit Union Administration.

Output:
United States Mint Bicentennial Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration  of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Mint.  Prescribes the designs for the ensuing five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar silver coins.
Restricts issuance of such coins to 1993.
Mandates that all surcharges received from the sale of such coins be paid to the Smithsonian Institution for the National Numismatic Collection.  Requires the Executive Director of the National Numismatic Collection to establish specified funds with the surcharge proceeds.  Prescribes financial assurances.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Janey Ensminger Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. REVIEW OF ILLNESSES AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO VETERANS
              STATIONED AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, AND THEIR
              FAMILY MEMBERS.

    (a) Review and Publication of Illness or Condition.--Part P of
title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 399V-6. REVIEW AND PUBLICATION OF ILLNESSES AND CONDITIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--Consistent with section 104(i) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section, and not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter,
the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry, shall--
            ``(1)(A) review the scientific literature relevant to the
        relationship between the employment or residence of individuals
        at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for not fewer than 30 days
        during the period beginning on August 1, 1953, and ending on
        December 21, 1987, and specific illnesses or conditions
        incurred by those individuals;
            ``(B) determine each illness or condition for which there
        is evidence that exposure to a toxic substance at Camp Lejeune,
        North Carolina, during the period specified in subparagraph (A)
        may be a cause of the illness or condition; and
            ``(C) with respect to each illness or condition for which a
        determination has been made under subparagraph (B), categorize
        the evidence of the connection of the illness or condition to
        exposure described in that subparagraph as--
                    ``(i) sufficient to conclude with reasonable
                confidence that the exposure is a cause of the illness
                or condition;
                    ``(ii) modest supporting causation, but not
                sufficient to conclude with reasonable confidence that
                exposure is a cause of the illness or condition; or
                    ``(iii) no more than limited supporting causation;
            ``(2) publish in the Federal Register and on the Internet
        website of the Department of Health and Human Services--
                    ``(A) a list of each illness or condition for which
                a determination has been made under paragraph (1)(B),
                including the categorization of the evidence of causal
                connection relating to the illness or condition under
                paragraph (1)(C); and
                    ``(B) the bibliographic citations for all
                literature reviewed under paragraph (1) for each
                illness or condition listed under such paragraph; and
            ``(3) update the list under paragraph (2), as applicable,
        to add an illness or condition for which a determination has
        been made under paragraph (1)(B), including the categorization
        of the evidence of causal connection relating to the illness or
        condition under paragraph (1)(C), since such list was last
        updated consistent with the requirements of this subsection.''.
    (b) Eligibility for Health Care From Department of Veterans
Affairs.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1710(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating clauses (i) through (xv) as
                subclauses (I) through (XV), respectively;
                    (B) by striking ``(F) Subject to'' and inserting
                ``(F)(i) Subject to'';
                    (C) by striking ``any of the following'' and
                inserting ``any of the illnesses or conditions for
                which the evidence of connection of the illness or
                condition to exposure to a toxic substance at Camp
                Lejeune, North Carolina, during such period is
                categorized as sufficient or modest in the most recent
                list published under section 399V-6(a)(2) of the Public
                Health Service Act, which may include any of the
                following''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following new clause:
    ``(ii) For the purposes of ensuring continuation of care, any
veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services under
this subparagraph for an illness or condition shall remain eligible for
hospital care or medical services for such illness or condition
notwithstanding that the evidence of connection of such illness or
condition to exposure to a toxic substance at Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina, during the period described in clause (i) is not categorized
as sufficient or modest in the most recent list published under section
399V-6(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act.''.
            (2) Family members.--Section 1787 of such title is amended
        by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Continuation of Care.--For the purposes of ensuring
continuation of care, any individual who has been furnished hospital
care or medical services under this section for an illness or condition
shall remain eligible for hospital care or medical services for such
illness or condition notwithstanding that the illness or condition is
no longer described in section 1710(e)(1)(F) of this title.''.
            (3) Transfer of amounts for program.--Notwithstanding any
        other provision of law, for each of fiscal years 2017 and 2018,
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall transfer $2,000,000
        from amounts made available to the Department of Veterans
        Affairs for medical support and compliance to the Chief
        Business Office and Financial Services Center of the Department
        to be used to continue building and enhancing the claims
        processing system, eligibility system, and web portal for the
        Camp Lejeune Family Member Program of the Department.

Output: Janey Ensminger Act of 2016 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, at least every three years, to:   review the scientific literature relevant to the relationship between the employment or residence of individuals at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for at least 30 days during the period of August 1, 1953, to December 21, 1987, and specific illnesses or conditions incurred by those individuals and determine whether and to what extent the evidence shows that toxic substance exposure is a cause of an illness or condition; and  publish and update a list of each illness and the categorization of evidence for which a determination of cause has been made.  A veteran who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during such period is eligible for hospital care and medical services for any of the illnesses or conditions for which the evidentiary connection between toxic exposure and the illness or condition is categorized in such list as sufficient or modest. Such a veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for such care or services for such illness or condition even if the evidentiary connection is not categorized as sufficient or modest. A family member of such veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for hospital care or medical services for such illness or condition.  The Department of Veterans Affairs shall transfer for each of FY2017 and FY2018 specified finds to enhance the claims processing system, eligibility system, and web portal for the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Equal Treatment Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA)
        formula, established by the Department of Veterans Affairs
        pursuant to section 429 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs
        and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
        Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2929),
        has proved to be an ineffective means of allocating veterans
        medical care dollars fairly across the 22 national service
        regions, known as Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs),
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) The VERA formula has resulted in a system of
        inequitable care at veterans hospitals in different regions of
        the country.
            (3) The VERA formula has resulted in a system in which
        veterans in some regions of the country are forced to compete
        with veterans in other regions for critical medical care
        funding, when the system should be providing funding for
        medical care for all veterans, regardless of where they live,
        to ensure that all veterans have access to the level and
        quality of medical care that they have all earned and deserve.
            (4) The VERA formula should be replaced with a new funding
        formula that puts the funds provided to the Department of
        Veterans Affairs for medical care into the Department of
        Veterans Affairs Medical Centers that are treating patients.

SEC. 3. REVISION TO MEDICAL CARE FUNDING ALLOCATION FORMULA FOR
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Termination of Vera Formula.--The funding allocation formula
for the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system known as the
Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system, established pursuant to
section 429 of the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section
429 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public
Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2929), shall be discontinued by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs effective at the end of the fiscal year during which
this Act is enacted.
    (b) Development of Replacement Formula.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall develop a new formula for the allocation of funds
appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical Care to
the national service regions, known as Veterans Integrated Service
Networks (VISNs), of the Department. In developing such formula, the
Secretary shall take the following requirements into account:
            (1) For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated
        for Medical Care is an increase from the preceding year, the
        funding level provided under the new formula to any VISN may
        not be less than the amount provided for the preceding year.
            (2) The new formula shall take into account additional
        costs incurred by a VISN due to any of the following factors at
        that VISN being in excess of the median for all VISNs:
                    (A) The number of veterans moving into the
                geographic area of that VISN.
                    (B) The median age of veterans in that VISN.
                    (C) The number of veterans in that VISN requiring
                complex care or nursing home care.
                    (D) The age of Department health care facilities in
                that VISN.
    (c) Transition Formula.--If as of the date specified in subsection
(a) for the termination of the funding allocation formula referred to
in that subsection the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has not
implemented a replacement funding allocation formula in accordance with
subsection (b), then effective as of that date and until such
replacement funding allocation formula is implemented, the funding
allocation formula to be applied to amounts appropriated for veterans
medical care shall be the formula in effect before the formula referred
to in subsection (a).

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Replacement Allocation
Formula.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2004, $10,000,000 for development and
implementation of a replacement funding allocation formula in
accordance with section 3(b).
    (b) Additional Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Care.--
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2004, $100,000,000 for ``Medical Care'' for the
Department of Veterans Affairs. Such amount is in addition to any other
amount authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2004 and shall be allocated by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to the national service regions, known as Veterans
Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), of the Department of Veterans
Affairs on the basis of need, as follows:
            (1) First, to the VISN that has experienced the greatest
        reduction in funding from the funding levels for fiscal year
        1997.
            (2) Second, to any other VISN that has experienced an
        overall funding decrease during the six-fiscal-year period
        beginning with fiscal year 1997.
            (3) Third, if any amount appropriated pursuant to such
        authorization remains after allocations pursuant to paragraphs
        (1) and (2), such amount shall be allocated equally among the
        remaining 22 VISNs before implementation of the new formula.

Output: Veterans Equal Treatment Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) discontinue the funding allocation formula for the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system known as the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system at the end of the fiscal year in which this Act is enacted; and (2) develop a new formula for the allocation of funds to the national service regions, known as Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), that takes into account specified requirements, including additional costs incurred by a VISN because the age of veterans, or the number of veterans requiring complex care, in that VISN exceeds the median for all VISNs.Authorizes additional appropriations to be allocated to VISNs that have experienced funding reductions.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
Commemorative Coin Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor's mission is--
                    (A) to commemorate the extraordinary sacrifice of
                America's servicemen and servicewomen who were killed
                or wounded in combat; and
                    (B) to collect and preserve the stories of National
                Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service
                and across generations to ensure that all recipients
                are represented.
            (2) The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor first opened
        its doors on November 10, 2006, in New Windsor, NY.
            (3) The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located at
        the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, where General
        George Washington's Army camped during the Revolutionary War
        and where he first awarded the Badge of Military Merit, a piece
        of purple cloth that became the model for the Purple Heart.
            (4) The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is the first to
        recognize the more than 1.7 million U.S. servicemembers wounded
        or killed in action ranging from the American Revolutionary War
        to the present day, serving as a living memorial to their
        sacrifice by sharing their stories through interviews, exhibits
        and the Roll of Honor, an interactive computer database of each
        recipient.

SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

    (a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in
this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the
following coins:
            (1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which
        shall--
                    (A) weigh 8.359 grams;
                    (B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
                    (C) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
            (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, which
        shall--
                    (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
                    (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
                    (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent
                copper.
            (3) Half-dollar clad coins.--Not more than 750,000 half-
        dollar coins which shall--
                    (A) weigh 11.34 grams;
                    (B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
                    (C) be minted to the specifications for half-dollar
                coins contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United
                States Code.
    (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be legal
tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
    (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of title 31,
United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered
to be numismatic items.

SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

    (a) Design Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this
        Act shall be emblematic of the National Purple Heart Hall of
        Honor.
            (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted
        under this Act there shall be--
                    (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
                    (B) an inscription of the year ``2017''; and
                    (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God
                We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E
                Pluribus Unum''.
    (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this Act
shall be--
            (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the
        Commission of Fine Arts and the National Purple Heart Hall of
        Honor, Inc.; and
            (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

    (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be issued
in uncirculated and proof qualities.
    (b) Mint Facility.--Only the West Point Mint may be used to strike
any particular quality of the coins minted under this Act.
    (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted
under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning on January 1,
2017.

SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

    (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by
the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
            (1) the face value of the coins;
            (2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to
        such coins; and
            (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including
        labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses,
        marketing, and shipping).
    (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins
issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
    (c) Prepaid Orders.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders
        for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of such
        coins.
            (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders
        under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

    (a) In General.--All sales of coins issued under this Act shall
include a surcharge of--
            (1) $35 per coin for the $5 coin;
            (2) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
            (3) $5 per coin for the half-dollar coin.
    (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f)(1) of title 31,
United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the
sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the
Secretary to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc., to help
finance the construction of a new building and renovation of existing
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor facilities.
    (c) Audits.--The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc., shall
be subject to the audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31,
United States Code, with regard to the amounts received under
subsection (b).
    (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no surcharge may
be included with respect to the issuance under this Act of any coin
during a calendar year if, as of the time of such issuance, the
issuance of such coin would result in the number of commemorative coin
programs issued during such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative
coin program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31,
United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue guidance to carry out
this subsection.

Output: National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act  Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Limits the minting of such coins to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2017. Prescribes surcharges for coin sales, which shall be paid to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc., to help finance the construction of a new building and renovation of existing National Purple Heart Hall of Honor facilities.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Safe and Affordable Drugs from
Canada Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. SAFE AND AFFORDABLE DRUGS FROM CANADA.

    Chapter VIII of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.
381 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 810. IMPORTATION BY INDIVIDUALS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM
              CANADA.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section,
the Secretary shall promulgate regulations permitting individuals to
safely import into the United States a prescription drug described in
subsection (b).
    ``(b) Prescription Drug.--A prescription drug described in this
subsection--
            ``(1) is a prescription drug that--
                    ``(A) is purchased from an approved Canadian
                pharmacy;
                    ``(B) is dispensed by a pharmacist licensed to
                practice pharmacy and dispense prescription drugs in
                Canada;
                    ``(C) is purchased for personal use by the
                individual, not for resale, in quantities that do not
                exceed a 90-day supply;
                    ``(D) is filled using a valid prescription issued
                by a physician licensed to practice in a State in the
                United States; and
                    ``(E) has the same active ingredient or
                ingredients, route of administration, dosage form, and
                strength as a prescription drug approved by the
                Secretary under chapter V; and
            ``(2) does not include--
                    ``(A) a controlled substance (as defined in section
                102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802));
                    ``(B) a biological product (as defined in section
                351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262));
                    ``(C) an infused drug (including a peritoneal
                dialysis solution);
                    ``(D) an intravenously injected drug;
                    ``(E) a drug that is inhaled during surgery;
                    ``(F) a parenteral drug;
                    ``(G) a drug manufactured through 1 or more
                biotechnology processes, including--
                            ``(i) a therapeutic DNA plasmid product;
                            ``(ii) a therapeutic synthetic peptide
                        product of not more than 40 amino acids;
                            ``(iii) a monoclonal antibody product for
                        in vivo use; and
                            ``(iv) a therapeutic recombinant DNA-
                        derived product;
                    ``(H) a drug required to be refrigerated at any
                time during manufacturing, packing, processing, or
                holding; or
                    ``(I) a photoreactive drug.
    ``(c) Approved Canadian Pharmacy.--
            ``(1) In general.--In this section, an approved Canadian
        pharmacy is a pharmacy that--
                    ``(A) is located in Canada; and
                    ``(B) that the Secretary certifies--
                            ``(i) is licensed to operate and dispense
                        prescription drugs to individuals in Canada;
                        and
                            ``(ii) meets the criteria under paragraph
                        (3).
            ``(2) Publication of approved canadian pharmacies.--The
        Secretary shall publish on the Internet Web site of the Food
        and Drug Administration a list of approved Canadian pharmacies,
        including the Internet Web site address of each such approved
        Canadian pharmacy, from which individuals may purchase
        prescription drugs in accordance with subsection (a).
            ``(3) Additional criteria.--To be an approved Canadian
        pharmacy, the Secretary shall certify that the pharmacy--
                    ``(A) has been in existence for a period of at
                least 5 years preceding the date of such certification
                and has a purpose other than to participate in the
                program established under this section;
                    ``(B) operates in accordance with pharmacy
                standards set forth by the provincial pharmacy rules
                and regulations enacted in Canada;
                    ``(C) has processes established by the pharmacy, or
                participates in another established process, to certify
                that the physical premises and data reporting
                procedures and licenses are in compliance with all
                applicable laws and regulations, and has implemented
                policies designed to monitor ongoing compliance with
                such laws and regulations;
                    ``(D) conducts or commits to participate in ongoing
                and comprehensive quality assurance programs and
                implements such quality assurance measures, including
                blind testing, to ensure the veracity and reliability
                of the findings of the quality assurance program;
                    ``(E) agrees that laboratories approved by the
                Secretary shall be used to conduct product testing to
                determine the safety and efficacy of sample
                pharmaceutical products;
                    ``(F) has established, or will establish or
                participate in, a process for resolving grievances and
                will be held accountable for violations of established
                guidelines and rules;
                    ``(G) does not resell products from online
                pharmacies located outside Canada to customers in the
                United States; and
                    ``(H) meets any other criteria established by the
                Secretary.''.

Output: Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2015 Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promulgate regulations within 180 days permitting individuals to import a prescription drug purchased from an approved Canadian pharmacy that:   is dispensed by a pharmacist licensed in Canada;  is purchased for personal use in quantities not greater than a 90-day supply; is filled using a valid prescription issued by a physician licensed to practice in the United States; and has the same active ingredient or ingredients, route of administration, dosage form, and strength as a prescription drug approved under the FFDCA.   Sets forth exceptions, including for controlled substances and biological products.  Establishes a certification process for approving Canadian pharmacies. Requires HHS to publish a list of approved Canadian pharmacies.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Michelle's Law''.

SEC. 2. COVERAGE OF DEPENDENT STUDENTS ON MEDICALLY NECESSARY LEAVE OF
              ABSENCE.

    (a) Amendments of ERISA.--Subpart A of part 7 of title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1181 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 704. COVERAGE OF DEPENDENT STUDENTS ON MEDICALLY NECESSARY LEAVE
              OF ABSENCE.

    ``(a) Medically Necessary Leave of Absence.--In this section, the
term `medically necessary leave of absence' means a leave of absence
from a postsecondary educational institution (including an institution
of higher education as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965) that--
            ``(1) is due to a severe illness or injury, as certified by
        the attending physician of the dependent child involved; and
            ``(2) causes the dependent child involved to lose full-time
        student status.
    ``(b) Requirement To Continue Coverage.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of a dependent child
        described under paragraph (2), a group health plan (or health
        insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan)
        shall not terminate coverage of such child due to a medically
        necessary leave of absence before the date that is the earlier
        of--
                    ``(A) the date that is 1 year after the first day
                of the medically necessary leave of absence; or
                    ``(B) the date on which such coverage would
                otherwise terminate under the terms of the plan.
            ``(2) Child described.--A dependent child described in this
        paragraph is a child who--
                    ``(A) is a dependent of a participant or
                beneficiary of the plan or coverage;
                    ``(B) is 18 years of age or older;
                    ``(C) was enrolled in the plan or coverage as of
                the first day of the medically necessary leave of
                absence involved; and
                    ``(D) was enrolled as a full-time student at a
                postsecondary educational institution (as described in
                subsection (a)) until the first day of the medically
                necessary leave of absence involved.
            ``(3) Certification by physician.--Paragraph (1) shall not
        apply to a group health plan (or health insurance coverage
        offered in connection with such a plan) unless the dependent
        child submits to the plan or issuer and the postsecondary
        educational institution involved, documentation and
        certification by the child's attending physician stating that
        the leave of absence involved is a medically necessary leave of
        absence.
    ``(c) No Loss of Full-Time Status Due to Break in Semester.--Any
breaks in the school semester shall not disqualify a dependent child
described under subsection (b) from coverage under this section.
    ``(d) No Additional Coverage.--A dependent child described under
subsection (b) shall be entitled to an extension under this section of
only those benefits to which the child was entitled under the terms of
the plan or coverage as of the first day of the medically necessary
leave of absence involved.
    ``(e) Coverage Under Successor Plan.--If an employer or health
insurance issuer changes group health plans after the first day of a
medically necessary leave of absence of dependent child described in
subsection (b) but before the date described under subsection (b)(1),
and such new group health plan offers coverage of dependent children,
such new group health plan shall be subject to this section in the same
manner as the group health plan coverage in effect on the first day of
the medically necessary leave of absence of such dependent child.
    ``(f) Presumption.--For purposes of administrative or judicial
proceedings, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the
documentation and certification under subsection (b)(3) entitles the
dependent child involved to coverage as described under this
section.''.
    (b) Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code.--Subchapter B of
chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 9811 et
seq.) is amended--
            (1) in the table of sections, by inserting after the item
        relating to section 9812 the following new item:

``Sec. 9813. Coverage of dependent students on medically necessary
                            leave of absence.'';
    and
            (2) by inserting after section 9813 the following:

``SEC. 9813. COVERAGE OF DEPENDENT STUDENTS ON MEDICALLY NECESSARY
              LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

    ``(a) Medically Necessary Leave of Absence.--The term `medically
necessary leave of absence' means a leave of absence from a
postsecondary educational institution (including an institution of
higher education as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965) that--
            ``(1) is due to a severe illness or injury, as certified by
        the attending physician of the dependent child involved; and
            ``(2) causes the dependent child involved to lose full-time
        student status.
    ``(b) Requirement To Continue Coverage.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of a dependent child
        described under paragraph (2), a group health plan (or health
        insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan)
        shall not terminate coverage of such child due to a medically
        necessary leave of absence before the date that is the earlier
        of--
                    ``(A) the date that is 1 year after the first day
                of the medically necessary leave of absence; or
                    ``(B) the date on which such coverage would
                otherwise terminate under the terms of the plan.
            ``(2) Child described.--A dependent child described in this
        paragraph is a child who--
                    ``(A) is a dependent of a participant or
                beneficiary of the plan or coverage;
                    ``(B) is 18 years of age or older;
                    ``(C) was enrolled in the plan or coverage as of
                the first day of the medically necessary leave of
                absence involved; and
                    ``(D) was enrolled as a full-time student at a
                postsecondary educational institution (as described in
                subsection (a)) until the first day of the medically
                necessary leave of absence involved.
            ``(3) Certification by physician.--Paragraph (1) shall not
        apply to a group health plan (or health insurance coverage
        offered in connection with such a plan) unless the dependent
        child submits to the plan or issuer and the postsecondary
        educational institution involved, documentation and
        certification by the child's attending physician stating that
        the leave of absence involved is a medically necessary leave of
        absence.
    ``(c) No Loss of Full-Time Status Due to Break in Semester.--Any
breaks in the school semester shall not disqualify a dependent child
described under subsection (b) from coverage under this section.
    ``(d) No Additional Coverage.--A dependent child described under
subsection (b) shall be entitled to an extension under this section of
only those benefits to which the child was entitled under the terms of
the plan or coverage as of the first day of the medically necessary
leave of absence involved.
    ``(e) Coverage Under Successor Plan.--If an employer or health
insurance issuer changes group health plans after the first day of a
medically necessary leave of absence of dependent child described in
subsection (b) but before the date described under subsection (b)(1),
and such new group health plan offers coverage of dependent children,
such new group health plan shall be subject to this section in the same
manner as the group health plan coverage in effect on the first day of
the medically necessary leave of absence of such dependent child.
    ``(f) Presumption.--For purposes of administrative or judicial
proceedings, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the
documentation and certification under subsection (b)(3) entitles the
dependent child involved to coverage as described under this
section.''.

Output: Michelle's Law - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan from terminating the coverage of a dependent child due to a medically necessary leave of absence from a postsecondary educational institution that causes the child to lose full-time status before the date that is the earlier of: (1) one year after the first day of the leave of absence; or (2) the date on which such coverage would otherwise terminate under the terms of the plan. Requires documentation and a certification by a physician.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Sudden Oak Death Syndrome Control
Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) tan oak, coast live oak, Shreve's oak, and black oak
        trees are among the most beloved features of the topography of
        California and the Pacific Northwest and efforts should be made
        to protect those trees from disease;
            (2) the die-off of those trees, as a result of the exotic
        fungal pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, is approaching epidemic
        proportions;
            (3) native plants and forests must be protected from
        Phytophthora ramorum;
            (4) more information is needed on--
                    (A) Phytophthora ramorum, including the existence
                of Phytophthora ramorum throughout the United States;
                and
                    (B) sudden oak death syndrome, including--
                            (i) the causes;
                            (ii) the methods of transmittal; and
                            (iii) the best methods of treatment;
            (5) the host list for Phytophthora ramorum includes 60
        plant species in 32 genera, including--
                    (A) some of the most popular and economically
                important landscape and garden plants in the United
                States; and
                    (B) wild huckleberry plants, potentially
                endangering the commercial blueberry and cranberry
                industries;
            (6) sudden oak death syndrome threatens to create major
        economic and environmental problems in California, the Pacific
        Northwest, and other regions, including--
                    (A) the increased threat of fire and fallen trees;
                    (B) the cost of tree removal and a reduction in
                property values; and
                    (C) loss of revenue due to--
                            (i) restrictions on the movement of forest
                        products and nursery stock; and
                            (ii) the impact on the commercial nursery
                        and small fruit industries;
            (7) in 2002, the Secretary of Agriculture imposed a
        quarantine on the exportation from 10 counties in northern
        California and Curry County, Oregon, of oak trees and nursery
        plants that serve as hosts for Phytophthora ramorum;
            (8) on April 9, 2004, after the discovery of Phytophthora
        ramorum in 2 nurseries in southern California--
                    (A) restrictions were placed on the interstate
                movement of species that could potentially serve as
                hosts to Phytophthora ramorum; and
                    (B) new restrictions were implemented on the
                interstate movement of host plants and potential host
                plants from all commercial nurseries in the State of
                California that are outside the 10 quarantined
                counties;
            (9) on April 22, 2004, the restrictions referred to in
        paragraph (8)(B) were expanded to include--
                    (A) all plants in the same genus as host and
                potential host plants; and
                    (B) plants growing within 10 meters of a host or
                potential host plant; and
            (10) several States and Canada have placed restrictions on
        the importation of nursery plants from California.

SEC. 3. RESEARCH, MONITORING, AND REGULATION OF SUDDEN OAK DEATH
              SYNDROME.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this
Act as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a sudden oak death syndrome
research, monitoring, and regulation program to develop methods to
control, manage, or eradicate sudden oak death syndrome from--
            (1) trees and shrubs on both public and private land; and
            (2) host plants and potential host plants from commercial
        nurseries.
    (b) Research, Monitoring, and Regulation Activities.--In carrying
out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary may--
            (1) conduct open space, roadside, and aerial surveys;
            (2) provide monitoring technique workshops with respect
        to--
                    (A) Phytophthora ramorum in wildland and urban
                areas; and
                    (B) Phytophthora ramorum infestations in nurseries;
            (3) conduct a comprehensive and biologically sound national
        survey of forests, plant nurseries, and landscapes that may
        have been exposed to Phytophthora ramorum, with priority given
        to surveying and inspecting plants at commercial nurseries and
        adjacent wildlands throughout the United States;
            (4) develop a comprehensive risk assessment of the threat
        posed by Phytophthora ramorum to natural and managed plant
        resources in the United States, including modes of transmission
        and the risk of infestation;
            (5) conduct a study of a representative sample of nursery
        plants imported into the United States from Europe, where
        Phytophthora ramorum is known to be found;
            (6) develop baseline information on the distribution,
        condition, and mortality rates of oaks with Phytophthora
        ramorum infestation;
            (7) maintain a geographic information system database of
        Phytophthora ramorum occurrences;
            (8) conduct research on Phytophthora ramorum ecology,
        pathology, and management in wildland, urban, and nursery
        settings;
            (9) evaluate the susceptibility of oak and other vulnerable
        species in the United States, with priority given to evaluating
        the susceptibility of commercially important nursery species;
            (10) conduct assessments of trees that could pose a hazard
        due to infestation of Phytophthora ramorum; and
            (11) provide diagnostic services.

SEC. 4. MANAGEMENT, TREATMENT, AND FIRE PREVENTION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct sudden oak death
syndrome management, treatment, and fire prevention activities.
    (b) Management, Treatment, and Fire Prevention Activities.--In
carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) carry out activities to reduce the threat of fire and
        fallen trees killed by sudden oak death syndrome;
            (2) increase and improve firefighting and emergency
        response capabilities in areas where fire hazard has increased
        due to tree die-off;
            (3) treat vegetation to prevent fire in areas heavily
        infected with sudden oak death syndrome; and
            (4) provide grants to local units of government for hazard
        tree removal, disposal and recycling, assessment and management
        of restoration and mitigation projects, green waste treatment
        facilities, reforestation, and resistant tree breeding.

SEC. 5. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct education and outreach
activities to make information available to the public on sudden death
oak syndrome.
    (b) Education and Outreach Activities.--In carrying out subsection
(a), the Secretary may--
            (1) develop and distribute educational materials for
        homeowners, arborists, urban foresters, park managers, public
        works personnel, recreationists, nursery workers, landscapers,
        naturists, firefighting personnel, and other individuals, as
        the Secretary determines appropriate;
            (2) design and maintain a website to provide information on
        sudden oak death syndrome; and
            (3) provide financial and technical support to States,
        local governments, and nonprofit organizations providing
        information on sudden oak death syndrome.

SEC. 6. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMUNICATION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that close
communication between the affected agencies at all levels of government
is required for the programs authorized under this Act to be effective.
    (b) Regular Meetings or Consultations.--
            (1) In general.--In accordance with section 204(a) of the
        Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1534(a)), the
        Secretary shall convene regular meetings of, or conduct regular
        consultations with, Federal, State, tribal, and local
        government officials for the purpose of providing a means of
        exchanging information and recommendations on how to carry out
        this Act effectively.
            (2) Requirements.--Meetings or consultations conducted
        under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) be conducted in a manner that ensures that the
                various regions of the United States are represented;
                and
                    (B) include--
                            (i) representatives from the Animal and
                        Plant Health Inspection Service;
                            (ii) representatives from the Agriculture
                        Research Service;
                            (iii) representatives from the Cooperative
                        State Research, Education, and Extension
                        Service;
                            (iv) representatives from the Forest
                        Service;
                            (v) representatives from State forester
                        offices; and
                            (vi) State representatives from the
                        National Plant Board.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years
2005 through 2009--
            (1) to carry out section 3, $25,000,000;
            (2) to carry out section 4, $18,500,000; and
            (3) to carry out section 5, $700,000.

            Passed the Senate December 8, 2004.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
108th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2575

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research, monitoring,
 management, treatment, and outreach activities relating to sudden oak
 death syndrome and to convene regular meetings of, or conduct regular
   consultations with, Federal, State, tribal, and local government
    officials to provide recommendations on how to carry out those
                              activities.

Output:
Sudden Oak Death Syndrome Control Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a sudden oak death syndrome (Phytophthora ramorum) research, monitoring, and regulation program to control or eradicate sudden oak death syndrome from: (1) trees and shrubs on public and private land; and (2) host and potential host plants from commercial nurseries.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct open space, roadside, and aerial surveys; (2) provide monitoring workshops; (3) conduct a national survey of forests, plant nurseries, and landscapes that may have been exposed to Phytophthora ramorum, and develop a related risk assessment; (4) develop baseline information on infected oaks and maintain a geographic information system database of Phytophthora ramorum occurrences; (5) conduct Phytophthora ramorum research; (6) evaluate tree species susceptibility; and (7) provide diagnostic services.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to conduct sudden oak death syndrome management, treatment, and fire prevention activities, including: (1) firefighting and emergency response improvements; and (2) local government grants for tree removal, disposal, and recycling, restoration and mitigation projects, green waste treatment facilities, reforestation, and resistant tree breeding.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach and education activities, including: (1) educational materials development and distribution, including a website; and (2) financial and technical support to States, local governments, and nonprofit organizations providing information on sudden oak death syndrome.

(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that agency communication at all governmental levels is required for program effectiveness.

Directs the Secretary to meet and consult regularly with Federal, State, tribal, and local government officials to exchange program information.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2009.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Financial Security Credit Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) United States households are experiencing significant
        levels of financial vulnerability, characterized by a lack of
        personal savings. The personal savings rate reached historic
        lows in the past decade, and a lack of personal savings was a
        major contributor to the recession of 2007-2009, and to the
        slow recovery of ensuing years.
            (2) Households continue to lack the savings or structures
        to meet short-term and long-term needs, as evidenced by the
        following:
                    (A) According to the Employee Benefit Research
                Institute, among full-time, full-year wage and salary
                workers ages 21-64, only 54.5 percent participated in a
                retirement plan in 2013.
                    (B) According to the Federal Deposit Insurance
                Corporation 2013 Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked
                Households, an estimated 7.7 percent of United States
                households are unbanked. These households do not have a
                checking or savings account. In total, 31.2 percent of
                households do not have a savings account.
                    (C) According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, the
                majority of American households (55 percent) are
                savings-limited, meaning they can replace less than one
                month of their income through liquid savings.
            (3) Financial shocks are common and savings make households
        more resilient to financial shocks and more upwardly mobile, as
        evidenced by the following:
                    (A) Substantial fluctuations in family income are
                the norm. In any given 2-year period, nearly half of
                households experience an income gain or drop of more
                than 25 percent, a rate of volatility that has been
                relatively constant since 1979.
                    (B) Even small sums of savings, $2,000 or less,
                have been shown to significantly reduce the incidence
                of negative financial or material outcomes, such as
                foregoing adequate nutrition.
                    (C) Children born to low-income, high-saving
                parents are much more likely (71 percent) to move up
                the economic ladder than children born to low-income,
                low-saving parents (50 percent) over a generation.
            (4) Emergency savings are necessary to protect retirement
        savings from early, penalized withdrawals and to support long-
        term retirement security.
            (5) Successful pilot programs administered through local
        Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in cities as diverse as
        Houston, Texas; Newark, New Jersey; New York City, New York;
        San Antonio, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, have shown that tax
        filers with low incomes can and will save when presented with
        the right incentive at the right moment and access to an
        account. The potential of increasing savings at tax time among
        low- and moderate-income households has been further validated
        by the low-touch, large-scale pilot Refund to Savings.
            (6) It is in the economic interests of the United States to
        promote savings among all members of society, regardless of
        income.

SEC. 3. FINANCIAL SECURITY CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after
section 36B the following new section:

``SEC. 36C. FINANCIAL SECURITY CREDIT.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this subtitle for a taxable year an amount
equal to the lesser of--
            ``(1) $500, or
            ``(2) 50 percent of the total amount deposited or
        contributed by the taxpayer in accordance with subsection
        (b)(1) into designated savings products during such taxable
        year.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Credit must be deposited in or contributed to
        designated savings product.--No amount shall be allowed as a
        credit under subsection (a) for a taxable year unless the
        taxpayer designates on the taxpayer's return of tax for the
        taxable year that the amount of the credit for such taxable
        year be deposited in or contributed to one or more designated
        savings products of the taxpayer and the Secretary makes such
        deposits or contributions to the designated savings products.
            ``(2) Limitation based on adjusted gross income.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The amount of the credit
                allowable under subsection (a) shall be reduced (but
                not below zero) by an amount which bears the same ratio
                to the amount of such credit (determined without regard
                to this paragraph) as--
                            ``(i) the amount by which the taxpayer's
                        adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold
                        amount, bears to
                            ``(ii) $15,000.
                    ``(B) Threshold amount.--For purposes of
                subparagraph (A), the term `threshold amount' means--
                            ``(i) $55,500 in the case of a joint
                        return,
                            ``(ii) $41,625 in the case of an individual
                        who is not married, and
                            ``(iii) 50 percent of the dollar amount in
                        effect under clause (i) in the case of a
                        married individual filing a separate return.
                For purposes of this subparagraph, marital status shall
                be determined under section 7703.
    ``(c) Designated Savings Product.--For purposes of this section,
the term `designated savings product' means any of the following:
            ``(1) A qualified retirement plan (as defined in section
        4974(c)).
            ``(2) A qualified tuition program (as defined in section
        529).
            ``(3) A Coverdell education savings account (as defined in
        section 530).
            ``(4) A United States savings bond.
            ``(5) A certificate of deposit (or similar class of
        deposit) with a duration of at least 8 months.
            ``(6) A savings account.
            ``(7) Any other type of savings product considered to be
        appropriate by the Secretary for the purposes of this section.
    ``(d) Special Rules.--
            ``(1) Tax refunds treated as deposited or contributed in
        current taxable year.--For purposes of subsection (a)(2), the
        amount of any overpayment of taxes refunded to the taxpayer
        (reduced by any amount attributable to the credit allowed under
        this section by reason of being considered as an overpayment by
        section 6401(b)) and designated for deposit in or contribution
        to a designated savings product of the taxpayer shall be
        treated as an amount deposited or contributed in the taxable
        year in which so deposited or contributed.
            ``(2) Maintenance of deposit.--No contribution or deposit
        shall be taken into account under subsection (a) unless such
        contribution or deposit remains in the designated savings
        product for not less than 8 continuous months.
            ``(3) Reduction in deposits in designated savings
        products.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The amount of deposits or
                contributions taken into account under subsection (a)
                shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate
                amount of distributions (other than interest from
                designated savings products specified in paragraphs
                (4), (5), (6), and (7) of subsection (c)) from all
                designated savings products of the taxpayer during the
                testing period. The preceding sentence shall not apply
                to the portion of any distribution which is not
                includible in gross income by reason of a trustee-to-
                trustee transfer or a rollover distribution.
                    ``(B) Testing period.--For purposes of subparagraph
                (A), the testing period, with respect to a taxable
                year, is the period which includes--
                            ``(i) such taxable year,
                            ``(ii) the 2 preceding taxable years, and
                            ``(iii) the period after such taxable year
                        and before the due date (including extensions)
                        for filing the return of tax for such taxable
                        year.
                    ``(C) Other rules.--Rules similar to subparagraphs
                (C) and (D) of section 25B(d)(2) shall apply for
                purposes of this paragraph.
            ``(4) Denial of double benefit.--No credit shall be allowed
        under section 25B with respect to any deposit for which a
        credit is allowed under this section.
            ``(5) Coordination with other refundable credits.--The
        credit allowed by subsection (a) shall be taken into account
        after taking into account the credits allowed by (or treated as
        allowed by) this subpart (other than this section).
    ``(e) Inflation Adjustments.--
            ``(1) Credit limit.--In the case of any taxable year
        beginning in a calendar year after 2016, the dollar amount in
        subsection (a)(1) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
                under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
                the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
                `calendar year 2015' for `calendar year 1992' in
                subparagraph (B) thereof.
            ``(2) AGI thresholds.--In the case of any taxable year
        beginning in a calendar year after 2016, each of the dollar
        amounts in clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (b)(2)(B) shall
        be increased by an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
                under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
                the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
                `calendar year 2015' for `calendar year 1992' in
                subparagraph (B) thereof.
            ``(3) Rounding.--
                    ``(A) Credit limit.--If any increase under
                paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $10, such increase
                shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10.
                    ``(B) AGI thresholds.--If any increase under
                paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $100, such increase
                shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $100.
    ``(f) Regulations.--Not later than 12 months from date of enactment
of this section, the Secretary shall issue such regulations or other
guidance as the Secretary determines necessary or appropriate to carry
out this section, including regulations or guidance--
            ``(1) to ensure that designated savings products are
        subject to appropriate reporting requirements, including the
        reporting of contributions and other deposits during the
        calendar year, end of calendar year account balances, and
        earnings from designated savings products specified in
        paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) of subsection (c),
            ``(2) to carry out the maintenance of deposit provisions
        under subsection (d)(2), and
            ``(3) to prevent avoidance of the purposes of this
        subsection.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is
        amended by inserting ``36C,'' after ``36B,''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
        is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36C
        the following new item:

``Sec. 36C. Financial security credit.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.

SEC. 4. OPENING OF ACCOUNTS ON FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS TO FACILITATE
              SAVINGS.

    (a) Notification of Option.--
            (1) In general.--The Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall
        notify individuals who may qualify for a credit under section
        36C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 but fail to provide
        sufficient information to allow the Secretary to deposit or
        contribute the credit amount to a designated savings product
        that they have the option of an electronic direct deposit and
        that they may be eligible for the financial security credit
        under section 36C of such Code if they deposit a refund or a
        portion of their refund in any designated savings product.
            (2) Method of notification.--The notification under
        paragraph (1) shall be made through--
                    (A) a public awareness program undertaken by the
                Secretary of the Treasury, in concert with the
                Commissioner of Internal Revenue and others as
                necessary, beginning not later than 6 months after the
                date of the enactment of this Act;
                    (B) tax return preparers and low-income taxpayer
                clinics; and
                    (C) the inclusion of such a notice in the
                instruction material for any Federal income tax return.
    (b) Establishment of Designated Account Program.--The Secretary of
the Treasury shall develop, in consultation with the Federal Management
System, a program to minimize the delivery of non-electronic Federal
income tax refunds by depositing refunds electronically to a safe, low-
cost account held by a depository institution. This program shall
include--
            (1) provisions for such tax refunds to be deposited into a
        designated account;
            (2) establishment of account parameters with respect to
        minimum balance requirements, limitations on overdrafts,
        overdraft fees, other fees, and additional requirements;
            (3) establishment of means for the taxpayer to access the
        account electronically and to have timely, direct access to the
        funds in the account; and
            (4) provisions to allow taxpayers to open an account with
        their Federal income tax refunds through financial service
        providers, so long such account is held at a depository
        institution insured under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or
        a credit union insured under the Federal Credit Union Act.
    (c) Effective Date.--The notification under subsection (a) and the
program under subsection (b) shall be effective with respect to Federal
income tax returns for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.

Output: Financial Security Credit Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based tax credit equal to the lesser of $500 or 50% of the total amount deposited or contributed into designated savings products in a taxable year (financial security credit). A "designated savings product" is a qualified retirement plan, a qualified tuition plan, a Coverdell education savings account, a U.S. savings bond, a certificate of deposit with a duration of at least eight months, a savings account, or other savings product considered appropriate by the Department of the Treasury.  The Internal Revenue Service must notify individual taxpayers who may qualify for a financial security credit that they have the option of an electronic direct deposit if they deposit any portion of their tax refund into a designated savings product.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Maternal Motor Vehicle Crash Safety
Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety
        Administration.
            (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on
        Appropriations and Committee on Commerce, Science, and
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
        Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
        House of Representatives.
            (3) Biofidelic.--The term ``biofidelic'' means having the
        property of responding to and being impacted by crash and other
        external forces in a manner directly consistent with the way in
        which a live human being would respond to and be impacted by
        such forces.
            (4) Data linkage system.--The term ``data linkage system''
        means an information system that is capable of accurately
        tracking adverse health effects and birth outcomes for pregnant
        women who are occupants of a motor vehicle that is involved in
        a crash and the unborn children of such women, through the
        connection and analysis of multiple data sources.
            (5) Unborn child.--The term ``unborn child'' means a member
        of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who
        is carried in the womb.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Injuries are the leading cause of pregnancy-associated
        deaths in the United States.
            (2) Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury
        deaths in women of reproductive age and the leading cause of
        injury hospitalizations among pregnant women.
            (3) Studies have indicated that motor vehicles are
        estimated to account for up to 80 percent of injury related
        deaths among unborn children.
            (4) Transportation Research Board publications indicate
        that deaths among unborn children due to motor vehicle crashes
        are more frequent than several notable fatal childhood
        injuries, including bicycle related deaths in children aged 0
        through 15, firearm related deaths in children aged 0 through
        9, and motor vehicle crash related deaths in children aged 0
        through 1.
            (5) Studies suggest that approximately 3 percent of all
        babies born in the United States are involved in a motor
        vehicle crash while in utero.
            (6) Studies have shown that elevated risks of birth-related
        threats and obstetric complications following crashes involving
        pregnant women include--
                    (A) premature childbirth;
                    (B) low birth weight;
                    (C) placental injury;
                    (D) uterine rupture; and
                    (E) amniotic rupture.
            (7) Despite advances in vehicle safety, pregnant women have
        not received the special attention and consideration needed to
        understand, reduce, and prevent the risks of adverse pregnancy
        outcomes related to crashes.
            (8) There is a need for more research and application using
        anthropometric test devices and computerized modeling systems
        that represent pregnant women during all stages of pregnancy.
            (9) During pregnancy, the risks of traumatic injury to a
        woman is shared by the woman's unborn child. Assessing the
        magnitude and characteristics of those risks through data
        linkage systems, comparing the risks to other injuries and
        diseases, and reducing them, are important unmet challenges for
        improving maternal and child health.
            (10) A better understanding is needed about what can happen
        during, and after, a pregnant woman is involved in a motor
        vehicle crash. This includes the effects of a crash on the
        mother, the unborn child, and the delicate physiological
        balance between the mother and child that separates healthy
        from unhealthy pregnancies, including the effects of maternal
        physiologic adaptations to trauma, fluid loss and shock,
        effects from maternal stress, effects from diagnostic regimens,
        medical or surgical procedures, or the wide variety of
        prescription medicines, and other medication taken by the
        mother.
            (11) Despite the importance of the health of mothers and
        unborn children involved in motor vehicle crashes, agencies and
        data linkage systems responsible for tracking motor vehicle
        injuries, deaths, and other measures of adverse outcome rarely
        capture pregnancy status.
            (12) Existing data collection and analysis systems
        generally do not count unborn children involved in motor
        vehicle crashes and do not follow them after their birth to
        ascertain the effects of the crash on long-term neuro-
        developmental and functional outcomes.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE
              SAMPLING SYSTEM CRASHWORTHINESS DATA SYSTEM.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator--
            (1) should continue to include in the National Automotive
        Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System maintained by the
        Administrator data related to motor vehicle crashes that
        involved a pregnant women; and
            (2) should identify other means to advance the current
        level of understanding regarding the number, nature, and impact
        of motor vehicle crashes involving pregnant women and their
        unborn children through data collection, data linkage systems,
        and analysis systems.

SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR DATA LINKAGE SYSTEMS PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall, in consultation with
appropriate officials of State agencies or public health organizations,
carry out a program to provide grants and other incentives, including
technical assistance to eligible entities for the purpose described in
subsection (b).
    (b) Purpose.--A grant or other incentive provided under this
section shall be used to promote the development of data linkage
systems described in subsection (e).
    (c) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term ``eligible entity''
means an academic, public health, or transportation safety organization
or a State or local government agency that the Administrator determines
is appropriate to receive a grant or incentive under this section.
    (d) Application and Award Process.--
            (1) Applications.--Each eligible entity seeking a grant
        under this section shall submit an application to the
        Administrator at such time and in such manner as the
        Administrator may require.
            (2) Awards.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish--
                    (A) the criteria for awarding a grant or incentive
                under this section; and
                    (B) a competitive, merit-based process to select
                applications to receive a grant or incentive under this
                section.
            (3) Publication.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish in
        the Federal Register the criteria and process described in
        paragraph (2).
    (e) Program Structure.--The data linkage systems eligible to
receive assistance under this section are systems that use the
following sources:
            (1) State and local vital statistics databases, including
        birth, infant, and death records.
            (2) State and local crash and driver's license records.
            (3) Other computerized health records as available,
        including emergency medical services reports and hospital and
        emergency room admission and discharge records.
    (f) Existing Data Systems.--To the maximum extent possible, the
Administrator shall integrate the grant and incentive program carried
out under this section with the existing State specific Crash Outcome
Data Evaluation Systems carried out by the Administrator to utilize the
capabilities, linkage expertise, and organizational relationships of
such Systems to provide a foundation for improving the tracking of
adverse health effects and birth outcomes for pregnant women who are
occupants of a motor vehicle at the time of a crash and their unborn
children.
    (g) Data Security and Privacy.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator and any eligible entity selected to receive a grant or
incentive under this section for a data linkage system shall ensure
that personal identifiers and other information utilized in that data
linkage system related to a specific individual is handled in a manner
consistent with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and
regulations and to ensure the confidentiality of such information, and
in the manner necessary to prevent the theft, manipulation, or other
unlawful or unauthorized use of personal information contained in data
sources used for linkage studies.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
        $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009, and
        2010 to carry out this section.
            (2) Availability of funds.--Funds appropriated pursuant to
        the authorization of appropriations in paragraph (1) shall
        remain available until expended.

SEC. 6. SAFETY RESEARCH PROGRAM AND NATIONAL CONFERENCE.

    (a) Safety Research Program.--
            (1) Requirement to conduct.--The Administrator shall
        conduct a research program as described in this section to
        promote the health and safety of pregnant women who are
        involved in motor vehicle crashes and of their unborn children.
            (2) High priority research areas.--In carrying out the
        research program under this section, the Administrator shall
        place a high priority on conducting research to--
                    (A) investigate methods to maximize the injury
                prevention performance of standard 3-point safety belts
                for pregnant women during all stages of pregnancy;
                    (B) analyze the effectiveness of technologies
                designed to modify or extend the safety performance of
                3-point safety belts for pregnant women across a range
                of pregnancy phases, including technologies currently
                available in the marketplace;
                    (C) develop biofidelic, anthropometric test devices
                that are representative of pregnant women during all
                stages of pregnancy; and
                    (D) develop biofidelic, computer models that are
                representative of pregnant women during all stages of
                pregnancy to aid in understanding crash forces relevant
                to the safety of pregnant women and unborn children
                that may include the utilization of existing modeling
                systems developed by private and academic institutions,
                if appropriate.
    (b) National Conference.--
            (1) Requirement to convene.--Not later than 18 months after
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in
        consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal
        agencies, shall convene a national research conference for the
        purpose of identifying critical scientific issues for research
        on the safety of pregnant women involved in motor vehicle
        crashes and their unborn children.
            (2) Purpose of the conference.--The purpose of the
        conference required by paragraph (1) shall be to establish and
        prioritize a list of research questions to guide future
        research related to the safety of pregnant women involved in
        motor vehicle crashes and their unborn children.
            (3) Authority to partner with other organizations.--The
        Administrator is authorized to carry out the conference
        required by paragraph (1) in a partnership with organizations
        recognized for expertise related to the research described in
        paragraph (2).
    (c) Report Required.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that describes--
            (1) the research program carried out by the Administration
        pursuant to subsection (a), including any findings or
        conclusions associated with such research program; and
            (2) the priorities established at the national conference
        required by subsection (b), plans for regulations or future
        programs, or factors limiting the effectiveness of such
        research.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--For each of the fiscal years 2007, 2008,
        and 2009, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
        necessary to carry out this section.
            (2) Availability of funds.--Funds appropriated pursuant to
        the authorization of appropriations in paragraph (1) shall
        remain available until expended.

SEC. 7. PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall conduct a public outreach
and education program to increase awareness of the unique safety risks
associated with motor vehicle crashes for pregnant women and the unborn
children of such women and of the methods available to reduce such
risks. Such program shall include making information regarding the
injury-prevention value of proper safety belt and airbag use available
to the public.
    (b) Targeted Outreach.--The Administrator shall carry out the
program described in subsection (a) in a manner that utilizes media and
organizational partners to effectively educate pregnant women, ensure
an overall educational impact, and efficiently utilize the program's
resources.
    (c) Program Initiation and Duration.--The Administrator shall
initiate the program described in subsection (a) not later than 12
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall maintain
such program for not less than 24 months, subject to the availability
of funds.

SEC. 8. INCLUSION OF SAFETY DATA IN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Administrator shall
include a discussion of data regarding the safety of pregnant women who
are involved in motor vehicle crashes and of their unborn children,
including any relevant trends in such data, in each of the Annual
Assessment of Motor Vehicle Crashes published by the National Center
for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration or an equivalent publication of such Center.
    (b) Report to Congress.--If the Administrator determines that
including the information described in subsection (a) in the Annual
Assessment of Motor Vehicle Crashes or an equivalent publication is not
feasible, the Administrator shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees not later than 60 days after the date of the
release of such Annual Assessment or equivalent publication that states
the reasons that it was not feasible to include such information and an
analysis of the steps necessary to make such information available in
the future.

Output:
Maternal Motor Vehicle Crash Safety Act of 2006 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System.

Directs the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to: (1) provide grants and other incentives to eligible entities to promote the development of data linkage systems that improve the tracking of adverse health effects and birth outcomes for pregnant women involved in motor vehicle crashes; (2) conduct a research program to promote the health and safety of such women and their unborn children; and (3) conduct a public outreach and education program to increase awareness of safety risks associated with motor vehicle crashes for such women and children and methods to reduce such risks.

Directs the Administrator to include data regarding the safety of pregnant women and their unborn children who are involved in motor vehicle crashes in the NHTSA's Annual Assessment of Motor Vehicle Crashes.


Input:
SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
               TITLE I--VETERANS HEALTH-CARE IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 101. Care for newborn children of enrolled women veterans.
Sec. 102. Outpatient dental care for all former prisoners of war.
Sec. 103. Pay comparability for Director, Nursing Service.
                  TITLE II--VETERANS' BENEFIT PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Limitation on provision of certain benefits.
Sec. 202. Clarification of procedures regarding disqualification of
                            certain individuals for memorialization in
                            veterans cemeteries.
Sec. 203. Clarification of the period for appealing rulings of the
                            Board of Veterans' Appeals.
           TITLE III--VA PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 301. Repeal of cap on number of non-career members of senior
                            executive service serving in VA.
Sec. 302. Repeal of preceding-service requirement for VA Deputy
                            Assistant Secretaries.
Sec. 303. Revolving supply fund amendments.
Sec. 304. Redefinition of ``minority group member'' in 38 U.S.C.
                            Sec. 544(d).

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or other
provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of title 38, United States Code.

               TITLE I--VETERANS HEALTH-CARE IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 101. CARE FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN OF ENROLLED WOMEN VETERANS.

    Section 1701 is amended:
            (1) in subsection (6),
                    (A) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                (A);
                    (B) by adding ``and'' at the end of paragraph (B);
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
                    ``(C) care for newborn children.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
                    ``(11) The term ``care for newborn children'' means
                care provided to an infant of a woman veteran enrolled
                in the VA health care system. Such care may be provided
                until the mother is discharged from the hospital after
                delivery of the child or for 14 days after the date of
                birth of the child, whichever period is shorter, and
                only if the Department contracted for the delivery of
                the child.''.

SEC. 102. OUTPATIENT DENTAL CARE FOR ALL FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.

    Section 1712(a)(1)(F) is amended by striking out ``for a period of
not less than 90 days''.

SEC. 103. PAY COMPARABILITY FOR DIRECTOR, NURSING SERVICE.

    (a) Section 7306(a)(5) is amended by adding at the end thereof,
``The position shall be exempt from the provisions of section 7451 of
this title and shall be paid at the maximum rate payable to a Senior
Executive Service employee under 5 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 5304(g) and
5382.''.
    (b) Section 7404 (d) is amended by deleting ``section'' the first
time it appears and inserting in its place ``sections 7306(a)(5) and''.

                  TITLE II--VETERANS' BENEFIT PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. LIMITATION ON PROVISION OF CERTAIN BENEFITS.

    (a) Prohibitions.--(1) Section 112 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
    ``(c) A certificate shall not be furnished under this program on
behalf of a deceased veteran described in section 2411(b) of this
title.''.
    (2) Section 2301 is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
    ``(f) A flag shall not be furnished under this section on behalf of
a deceased veteran described in section 2411(b) of this title.''.
    (3) Section 2306 is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
    ``(f)(1) A headstone or marker shall not be furnished under
subsection (a) for the unmarked grave of an individual described in
section 2411(b) of this title.
    ``(2) A memorial headstone or marker shall not be furnished under
subsection (b) for the purpose of commemorating an individual described
in section 2411(b) of this title.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to deaths occurring on or after the date of its enactment.

SEC. 202. CLARIFICATION OF PROCEDURES REGARDING DISQUALIFICATION OF
              CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS FOR MEMORIALIZATION IN VETERANS
              CEMETERIES.

    Section 2411(a)(2) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The prohibition'' and inserting ``In the
        case of a person described in subsection (b)(1) or (b)(2), the
        prohibition''; and
            (2) by striking ``or finding under subsection (b)'' and
        inserting ``referred to in subsection (b)(1) or (b)(2),
        respectively''.

SEC. 203. CLARIFICATION OF THE PERIOD FOR APPEALING ULINGS OF THE BOARD
              OF VETERANS APPEALS.

    (a) Clarification.--Paragraph (1) of section 7266(a) is amended by
striking ``notice of the decision is mailed pursuant to section 7104(e)
of this title'' and inserting ``a copy of the decision, pursuant to
section 7104(e) of this title, is mailed or sent to the claimant's
representative or, if the claimant is not represented, mailed to the
claimant''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) apply to
Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions made on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.

           TITLE III--VA PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 301. REPEAL OF CAP ON NUMBER OF NON-CAREER MEMBERS OF SENIOR
              EXECUTIVE SERVICE SERVING IN VA.

    (a) Section 709(a) is repealed.
    (b) Section 709 is amended by re-designating subsections (b) and
(c) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively.

SEC. 302. REPEAL OF PRECEDING-SERVICE REQUIREMENT FOR VA DEPUTY
              ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.

    (a) Section 308(d)(2) is repealed.
    (b) Section 308 is amended by deleting ``(1)'' from subsection (d).

SEC. 303. REVOLVING SUPPLY FUND AMENDMENTS.

    Section 8121(a) is amended--
            (1) by adding ``and for medical supplies, equipment, and
        services for the Department of Defense'' after ``Department'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by adding ``of the Department and the
        Department of Defense'' after ``appropriations''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3), by adding ``of the Department and the
        Department of Defense'' after ``appropriations''.

SEC. 304. REDEFINITION OF ``MINORITY GROUP MEMBER'' IN 38 U.S.C.
              Sec. 544(D).

    Section 544(d) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) In this section, the term `minority group member' means an
individual who is--
            ``(1) American Indian or Alaska Native;
            ``(2) Asian;
            ``(3) African American;
            ``(4) Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; or
            ``(5) Hispanic, Spanish, or Latino.''.

Output: Revises Federal veterans' programs to: (1) include care for newborn children among medical services provided under the Department of Veterans Affairs health care program for an enrolled woman veteran; (2) require outpatient dental care for all former prisoners of war (currently, only those interned for at least 90 days); (3) set the pay for the Director of Nursing Service at the maximum rate payable to a Senior Executive Service member; (4) prohibit a veteran's honorable service certificate from being awarded on behalf of a veteran convicted of a Federal or State crime; (5) repeal a limitation on the number of non-career members serving in the Department; (6) repeal a requirement for at least five years of continuous Federal service prior to appointment as a Department Deputy Assistant Secretary; (7) allow the Department's operation and maintenance revolving supply fund to be used for medical supplies, equipment, and services for the Department of Defense; and (8) include Spanish or Latino individuals under the definition of a "minority group member" for purposes of the Department's Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.