Summary: Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to require the attorney for the government, in a criminal prosecution, to provide to the defendant any information or evidence that may reasonably appear to be favorable to the defendant regarding the determination of guilt, any preliminary matter before the cour, or the sentence to be imposed (covered information): (1) that is within the possession, custody, or control of the prosecution team; or (2) the existence of which is known, or through due diligence would become known, to that attorney. Directs the government attorney to provide to the defendant any covered information: (1) without delay after arraignment and before the entry of any guilty plea; and (2) as soon as is reasonably practicable upon its becoming known, without regard to whether the defendant has entered or agreed to enter a guilty plea. Authorizes the court, upon motion of the United States which the court may permit to be filed under seal to protect a witness's identity, to issue an order to protect against immediate disclosure if: (1) the covered information is favorable to the defendant solely because it would provide a basis to impeach the credibility of a potential witness, and (2) the United States establishes a reasonable basis to believe that the identity of the potential witness is not already known to any defendant and disclosure would present a threat to anyone's safety. Permits the court, under specified circumstances, to accept a waiver of this Act by a defendant. Prohibits a defendant from waiving a provision of this Act except in open court. Requires the court to order an appropriate remedy upon determining that the United States has violated the requirement to disclose or to disclose in a timely manner and provides for payment of the defendant's costs.

fairness disclosure evidence act amends federal criminal code require attorney government criminal prosecution provide defendant information evidence reasonably appear favorable defendant determination preliminary matter sentence imposed covered information possession custody control prosecution team existence known diligence known attorney directs government attorney provide defendant covered information delay entry guilty plea soon reasonably practicable known regard defendant entered agreed enter guilty plea authorizes court motion united_states court permit filed seal protect witness identity issue order protect immediate disclosure covered information favorable defendant solely provide basis credibility potential witness united_states establishes reasonable basis believe identity potential witness known defendant disclosure present threat safety permits court specified circumstances accept waiver act defendant prohibits defendant waiving provision act open court requires court order appropriate remedy determining united_states violated requirement disclose disclose timely manner provides payment defendant costs


Summary: Officer Safety Act of 2012 - Amends the federal judicial code to deem a law enforcement officer who is the defendant in a criminal prosecution to have been acting under the color of his office (solely for purposes of determining the propriety of removal of the case to U.S. district court) if the officer: (1) protected an individual in the officer's presence from a crime of violence; (2) provided immediate assistance to an individual who suffered, or who was threatened with, bodily harm; or (3) prevented the escape of any individual whom the officer reasonably believed to have committed, or was about to commit, in the officer's presence, a crime of violence that resulted in, or that was likely to result in, death or serious bodily injury.

officer safety act amends federal judicial code deem law enforcement officer defendant criminal prosecution acting color office solely purposes determining removal case district court officer protected individual officer presence crime violence provided immediate assistance individual suffered threatened bodily harm prevented escape individual officer reasonably believed committed commit officer presence crime violence resulted likely result death bodily injury


Summary: Divisional Realignment Act of 2012 - Amends the federal judicial code to realign counties comprising judicial divisions within the Eastern District of Missouri and the Northern District of Mississippi.

realignment act amends federal judicial code realign counties comprising judicial divisions eastern_district missouri mississippi


Summary: State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act of 2012 - Directs the Administrator of the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to state courts to develop and implement programs to assist individuals with limited English proficiency to access and understand state court proceedings in which they are a party. Authorizes the use of grant awards by state courts to: (1) develop or enhance a court interpreter program; (2) develop, institute, and administer language certification examinations; (3) recruit, train, and certify qualified court interpreters; (4) pay for salaries, transportation, and technology necessary to implement the court interpreter program; (5) provide for remote interpretation services to facilitate certified court interpretations when costs prohibit in-person interpretation; or (6) engage in other activities prescribed by the Attorney General.

directs administrator office_of_justice_programs_of_the_department_of_justice doj grants state courts develop implement programs assist individuals limited english proficiency access understand state court proceedings party authorizes use grant awards state courts develop enhance court interpreter program develop institute administer language certification examinations recruit train certify qualified court interpreters pay salaries transportation technology necessary implement court interpreter program provide remote interpretation services facilitate certified court interpretations costs prohibit person interpretation engage activities prescribed attorney general


Summary: Government Transparency and Recordkeeping Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to Congress and the public all records of individual payments made since January 1, 2003, from a permanent appropriation of funds (commonly referred to as the Judgment Fund) available to the federal government to pay certain final judgments, awards, and compromise settlements (including appropriate attorney's fees, interest, and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act [EAJA]) resulting from claims against the United States. Requires the publicly available records to be updated annually to include payments made during the previous year. Requires such records, including a payment breakdowns showing the specific amount of the damages, interest, and attorneys' fees, to be maintained on a publicly accessible Internet website. Prohibits records from being made available under this Act if: (1) the payment was not the result of any executive branch, federal agency, or instrumentality statutory or regulatory approval or permit related case, court order, consent decree, or settlement; or (2) the disclosure of the information is otherwise prohibited by law or court order, or is not in the best interest of national security.

government transparency recordkeeping act directs secretary treasury available congress public records individual payments january permanent appropriation funds commonly referred available federal government pay certain final judgments awards compromise settlements including appropriate attorney fees interest costs equal access justice act eaja resulting claims united_states requires publicly available records updated annually include payments previous year requires records including payment showing specific damages interest attorneys fees maintained publicly accessible internet website prohibits records available act payment result executive branch federal agency instrumentality statutory regulatory approval permit related case court order consent decree settlement disclosure information prohibited law court order best interest national security


Summary: Innovative Design Protection Act of 2012 - Extends copyright protection to fashion designs. Revises the definition of "useful article" to include an article of apparel (clothing, handbags, purses, wallets, tote bags, belts, and eyeglass frames). Excludes from protection designs embodied in a useful article made public by the designer or owner: (1) more than two years before the date of the application for registration in the case of a vessel hull design, and (2) more than three years before the date upon which protection of the design is asserted in the case of a fashion design. Prohibits considering the presence or absence of a particular color or of a pictorial or graphic work imprinted on fabric when determining the protection of a fashion design. Sets the term of protection at 3 years for a fashion design and 10 years for a design of a vessel hull. Requires the owner of a fashion design to provide written notice of the design protection to any person the design owner has reason to believe has violated or will violate such protections. Prohibits an action for infringement of a fashion design from commencing until 21 days after such written notice is provided to the defendant. Modifies infringement criteria with respect to retailers, sellers, importers, or distributors of an infringing article who did not make the article. Revises provisions concerning acting without knowledge to state that it is not infringement to make, have made, import, sell, offer for sale, or distribute any article embodying a design which was created without knowledge, either actual or reasonably inferred from the totality of the circumstances, that a design was protected and was copied from such protected design. Declares that it shall not be infringement (under specified federal protections of original designs) to be engaged in: (1) the provision of a telecommunications service, or of an Internet access service or Internet information location tool; or (2) the transmission, storage, retrieval, hosting, formatting, or translation of a communication, without selection or alteration of the content of the communication, except that deletion of a particular communication or material made by another person in a manner consistent with the Communications Act of 1934. Prohibits deeming a vessel hull design to have been copied from a protected design if it is original and not substantially similar in appearance to a protected design. Prohibits deeming a fashion design to have been copied from a protected design if it: (1) is not substantially identical in overall visual appearance to and as to the original elements of a protected design, or (2) is the result of independent creation. Rewrites the remedy for infringement to state, in general, that: (1) in the case of a vessel hull, the owner of a design is entitled, after issuance of a certificate of registration of the design, to institute an action for any infringement of the design; and (2) in the case of a fashion design, the owner of a design is entitled to institute an action for any infringement of the design after the design is made public and the 21-day notice period provided in this Act. Increases the penalty for false representation. Excludes protected fashion designs from: (1) importation enforcement regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and (2) seizure and forfeiture provisions. Limits the applicability of such regulations and provisions to specified vessel hulls.

extends copyright protection fashion designs revises definition useful article include article apparel clothing bags belts frames excludes protection designs embodied useful article public designer owner years date application registration case vessel hull design years date protection design asserted case fashion design prohibits considering presence absence particular color work fabric determining protection fashion design sets term protection years fashion design years design vessel hull requires owner fashion design provide written notice design protection person design owner reason believe violated violate protections prohibits action infringement fashion design commencing days written notice provided defendant modifies infringement criteria respect retailers sellers importers distributors infringing article article revises provisions concerning acting knowledge state infringement import sell offer sale distribute article design created knowledge actual reasonably totality circumstances design protected copied protected design declares shall infringement specified federal protections original designs engaged provision telecommunications service internet access service internet information location tool transmission storage retrieval hosting formatting translation communication selection alteration content communication deletion particular communication material person manner consistent communications act prohibits deeming vessel hull design copied protected design original substantially similar appearance protected design prohibits deeming fashion design copied protected design substantially identical overall visual appearance original elements protected design result independent creation rewrites remedy infringement state general case vessel hull owner design entitled issuance certificate registration design institute action infringement design case fashion design owner design entitled institute action infringement design design public day notice period provided act increases penalty false representation excludes protected fashion designs importation enforcement regulations issued secretary treasury usps seizure forfeiture provisions limits applicability regulations provisions specified vessel


Summary:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2013 - Divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) the Ninth Circuit, composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) the Twelfth Circuit, composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Directs the President to appoint two additional judges for the former Ninth Circuit, three judges for the new Ninth Circuit, and two additional temporary judges for the former Ninth Circuit.

Specifies the locations where new circuits are to hold regular sessions.

Distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Allows senior circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to elect assignment.

Provides for the disposition of cases pending in the former Ninth Circuit before the effective date of this Act as follows: (1) proceedings in matters that have been submitted for decision shall continue without regard to this Act, (2) matters not yet submitted for decision must be transferred to the court to which they would have been submitted under this Act, and (3) proceedings on petitions for rehearing or rehearing en banc in matters submitted or decided shall continue without regard to this Act.

Authorizes the temporary assignment of circuit and district judges of the former Ninth Circuit between the new circuits. Authorizes administrative coordination between any two contiguous new circuits.

Directs that the former Ninth Circuit shall cease to exist for administrative purposes two years after enactment of this Act.

reorganization act divides ninth_circuit ninth_circuit composed california guam hawaii northern_mariana islands twelfth_circuit composed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada oregon washington directs president appoint additional judges ninth_circuit judges new ninth_circuit additional temporary judges ninth_circuit specifies locations new circuits hold regular sessions distributes active circuit judges ninth_circuit new circuits allows senior circuit judges ninth_circuit elect assignment provides disposition cases pending ninth_circuit effective date act follows proceedings matters submitted decision shall continue regard act matters submitted decision transferred court submitted act proceedings petitions rehearing rehearing banc matters submitted decided shall continue regard act authorizes temporary assignment circuit district judges ninth_circuit new circuits authorizes administrative coordination contiguous new circuits directs ninth_circuit shall cease exist administrative purposes years enactment act


Summary:
Strengthening Background Checks Act of 2013 - Amends the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to require each state, for each fiscal year after a two-year period after this Act's enactment, to have in effect laws and policies that require it to: (1) provide to the Attorney General not less than 90% of the records relevant to a determination of whether a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm that are required to be provided under such Act for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and (2) provide such records to the Attorney General in the same manner, or in a manner substantially similar to, that in which such records are required to be provided by the state under such Act.

 Directs the Attorney General to withhold 10% of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds that would otherwise be allocated to the state if the state fails to comply with such requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General to waive such withholding for a state: (1) for one year if the state provides substantial evidence that it is making a reasonable effort to comply; and (2) for additional one-year periods if the state provides substantial evidence that it is making a reasonable effort to comply and if the Attorney General withholds 5% of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a state for each one-year period.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2015 for grants under such Act to states and Indian tribal governments to establish or upgrade information and identification technologies for firearms eligibility determinations. Appropriates such authorized amount for the first fiscal year beginning after enactment of this Act and cancels a corresponding amount of the unobligated balances available under the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund.

strengthening background checks act amends nics improvement amendments act require state fiscal year year period act enactment effect laws policies require provide attorney general records relevant determination person disqualified possessing receiving firearm required provided act national_instant_criminal_background_check_system provide records attorney general manner manner substantially similar records required provided state act directs attorney general withhold edward byrne memorial justice assistance grant funds allocated state state fails comply requirements authorizes attorney general waive withholding state year state provides substantial evidence making reasonable effort comply additional year periods state provides substantial evidence making reasonable effort comply attorney general withholds allocated state year period authorizes appropriations fy2012 fy2015 grants act states indian tribal governments establish upgrade information identification technologies firearms eligibility determinations appropriates authorized fiscal year beginning enactment act cancels corresponding unobligated balances available


Summary: Repeals the Legal Services Corporation Act (established a federally funded nonprofit corporation to provide financial support for legal assistance in noncriminal matters to persons financially unable to afford such assistance).

repeals established federally funded nonprofit corporation provide financial support legal assistance noncriminal matters persons financially unable afford assistance


Summary: Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), considering any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

case arising administration laws benefits secretary veterans_affairs considering person mentally incapacitated deemed mentally incompetent experiencing extended loss consciousness considered adjudicated mental defective purposes right receive transport firearms order finding judicial authority competent jurisdiction person danger


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

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated veterans 2nd amendment protection act prohibits case arising administration laws benefits secretary veterans_affairs person mentally incapacitated deemed mentally incompetent experiencing extended loss consciousness considered adjudicated mental defective purposes right receive transport firearms order finding judicial authority competent jurisdiction person danger


Summary:
Justice for the American Diplomats Held Hostage in Tehran Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a common fund to be administered by the class representatives and agents for the former American hostages in Iran and their survivors (case number 1:08-CV-00487 (EGS) of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia) in order to pay claims to the American hostages and to family members identified as class members.

Finances the fund from: (1) fines and penalties for violations of activities with respect to any government or person by reason of a connection with Iran, and (2) seized or frozen Iranian assets or assets from persons or entities subject to Iran-related sanctions.

Sets forth payment priority and amount provisions.

States that the United States shall be fully subrogated with respect to payments to all rights of each individual paid under this Act against the government of Iran or the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

justice tehran act directs secretary treasury establish common fund administered class representatives agents american hostages iran survivors case number district_of_columbia order pay claims american hostages family members identified class members finances fund fines penalties violations activities respect government person reason connection iran seized frozen iranian assets assets persons entities subject iran related sanctions sets forth payment priority provisions states united_states shall fully respect payments rights individual paid act government iran irgc


Summary:
Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2013 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court (including the Supreme Court) or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides, except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party.

Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable for purposes of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising the witness; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request.

Authorizes the Judicial Conference to promulgate mandatory guidelines with respect to the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising described in this Act.

Terminates a district court's authority under this Act three years after enactment of this Act.

sunshine courtroom act authorizes presiding judge appellate court including supreme_court district court permit photographing electronic recording broadcasting televising public court proceedings judge presides action constitute violation process rights party directs district court request witness trial proceeding party order face voice witness disguised obscured render witness unrecognizable purposes photographing recording broadcasting televising witness presiding judge trial proceeding inform witness party right request authorizes judicial conference promulgate mandatory guidelines respect management administration photographing recording broadcasting televising described act terminates district court authority act years enactment act


Summary:
Enhancing the Quality of Parental Legal Representation Act of 2013 - Amends title IV (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to the highest state courts to enable them to provide legal representation for parents and legal guardians with respect to child welfare cases.

Increases funding for discretionary and targeted grants.

enhancing quality parental legal representation act amends title needy families tanf social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants highest state courts enable provide legal representation parents legal guardians respect child welfare cases increases funding discretionary targeted grants


Summary:
Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2013 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government, to be headed by an Inspector General appointed by the Chief Justice. Sets a term of four years, which may be extended by additional reappointments. Authorizes the Chief Justice to remove an Inspector General from office.

Requires the Office, except with respect to the Supreme Court, to: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct in the Judicial Branch; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; and (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse.

Provides for whistleblower protection.

judicial_transparency_and_ethics_enhancement_act amends federal judicial code establish office_of_inspector_general judicial_branch government headed inspector general appointed chief justice sets term years extended additional reappointments authorizes chief justice remove inspector general office requires office respect supreme_court conduct investigations alleged misconduct judicial branch conduct supervise audits investigations prevent detect waste fraud abuse provides whistleblower protection


Summary:
McLelland-Hasse Line of Duty Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) require the use of grant funds under the community-oriented policing services program to train and provide security details for prosecutors and judges, including their immediate families, involved in cases that raise substantial concerns of retaliation or intimidation through violent acts; and (2) allow grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to fund prosecutorial and judicial security details and programs.

Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful to: (1) kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, a U.S. judge, a federal law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer engaged in official duties or a former U.S. judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federal funded public safety officer on account of past performance of official duties; or (2) travel in interstate commerce to avoid prosecution for such crimes. Expands criminal penalties for assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers and employees.

Permits judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to carry firearms in federal facilities where such possession is otherwise authorized by law.

Limits damages and costs in legal actions against a judicial officer by an individual injured during the commission of a felony or a crime of violence.

 Requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that each federal penal or correctional institution provides a secure firearms storage area for use by all employees who are authorized to carry a firearm.

omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act require use grant funds community oriented policing services program train provide security details prosecutors judges including immediate families involved cases raise substantial concerns retaliation intimidation violent acts allow grants edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program fund prosecutorial judicial security details programs amends federal criminal code unlawful kill attempt conspire kill judge federal law enforcement officer federally funded public safety officer engaged official duties judge federal law enforcement officer federal funded public safety officer account past performance official duties travel interstate commerce avoid prosecution crimes expands criminal penalties assaulting interfering law enforcement officers employees permits judges prosecutors law enforcement officials carry firearms federal facilities possession authorized law limits damages costs legal actions judicial officer individual injured commission felony crime violence requires director bureau_of_prisons ensure federal penal correctional institution provides secure firearms storage area use employees authorized carry firearm


Summary: Preventing Victims of Stalking Act of 2013 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the sale or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such person: (1) is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening any individual (currently, an intimate partner of such person or child of such partner or person), or engaging in other conduct that would place any individual in reasonable fear of bodily injury; or (2) has been convicted in any court of stalking. Prohibits any such person from shipping or transporting any firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce, possessing any firearm or ammunition in or affecting commerce, or receiving any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

preventing victims stalking act amends brady handgun violence prevention act prohibit sale disposition firearm ammunition person knowing having reasonable cause believe person subject court order restrains person harassing stalking threatening individual currently intimate partner person child partner person engaging conduct place individual reasonable fear bodily injury convicted court stalking prohibits person shipping transporting firearm ammunition interstate commerce possessing firearm ammunition affecting commerce receiving firearm ammunition shipped transported interstate foreign commerce


Summary:
No Detention without Charge Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit an authorization for the use of military force, a declaration of war, or any similar Act pertaining to the authority of the President over the use of the U.S. Armed Forces from: (1) authorizing the apprehension or detention of any person except to the extent that the Constitution, the law of war, and otherwise applicable human rights law permits such apprehension or detention; or (2) authorizing the detention without charge of any person apprehended or detained in the United States or a U.S. territory or possession, except as expressly provided by an Act of Congress. Declares that the Authorization for Use of Military Force (P.L. 107-40) shall not constitute such an Act of Congress.

Allows a person to assert a violation of this Act as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and to obtain appropriate relief against a government. Provides that standing to assert a claim or defense shall be governed by the general rules of standing under Article III of the Constitution.

Repeals provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 that require U.S. Armed Forces to hold in military custody pending disposition under the law of war a person who is: (1) captured in the course of hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force, and (2) determined to be a member or part of al Qaeda or an associated force who participated in planning or carrying out an attack against the United States or its coalition partners.

detention charge act amends federal criminal code prohibit authorization use military force declaration war similar act pertaining authority president use authorizing apprehension detention person extent constitution law war applicable human rights law permits apprehension detention authorizing detention charge person apprehended detained united_states territory possession expressly provided act congress declares authorization use military force shall constitute act congress allows person assert violation act claim defense judicial proceeding obtain appropriate relief government provides standing assert claim defense shall governed general rules standing article iii constitution repeals provisions national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year require hold military custody pending disposition law war person captured course hostilities authorized authorization use military force determined member al_qaeda associated force participated planning carrying attack united_states coalition partners


Summary:
Presidential Appointment of FISA Court Judges Act - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to require the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to publicly designate: (1) the 11 district court judges constituting the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court with jurisdiction over applications for electronic surveillance, (2) the 3 judges of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, and (3) the presiding judges of such Courts. (Currently, such judges are designated by the Chief Justice.)

Permits existing FISA judges to complete their terms.

presidential appointment fisa_court judges act_-_amends foreign intelligence surveillance act fisa require president advice consent senate publicly designate district court judges constituting foreign_intelligence_surveillance_court jurisdiction applications electronic surveillance judges foreign_intelligence_surveillance_court_of_review presiding judges courts currently judges designated chief justice permits existing fisa judges complete terms


Summary: Supreme Court Ethics Act of 2013 - Requires the Supreme Court to promulgate a code of ethics for the Justices of the Supreme Court that shall include the five canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States, with any amendments or modifications that the Supreme Court determines appropriate.

supreme_court ethics act requires supreme_court promulgate code ethics justices supreme_court shall include code conduct adopted judicial_conference_of_the_united_states amendments modifications supreme_court determines appropriate


Summary: Protect Children from Sex Tourism Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) eliminate as a defense to a criminal prosecution of transportation or travel in interstate commerce to engage in commercial sex act, proof by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant reasonably believed that the person with whom the defendant engaged in such act had attained the age of 18; and (2) declare that the government need not prove that the defendant knew the minor engaging in such act had not attained age 18.

protect children sex tourism act amends federal criminal code eliminate defense criminal prosecution transportation travel interstate commerce engage commercial sex act proof preponderance evidence defendant reasonably believed person defendant engaged act attained age declare government need prove defendant knew minor engaging act attained age


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

Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act - Amends the Equal Access to Justice Act and the federal judicial code to require the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to report to Congress annually on the amount of fees and other expenses awarded to prevailing parties other than the United States in certain administrative proceedings and civil action court cases (excluding tort cases) to which the United States is a party, including settlement agreements.

Requires that such reports: (1) describe the number, nature, and amount of the awards, the claims involved in the controversy, and any other relevant information that may aid Congress in evaluating the scope and impact of such awards; and (2) be made available to the public online.

Directs the Chairman to create and maintain online a searchable database containing specified information with respect to each award including the name of the agency involved, the name of each party to whom the award was made, the amount of the award, and the basis for finding that the position of the agency concerned was not substantially justified.

Directs the head of each agency (including, with respect to court cases, the Attorney General [DOJ] and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts) to provide the Chairman all information requested to produce such reports.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated open book equal access justice act amends equal access justice act federal judicial code require chairman administrative_conference_of_the_united_states report congress annually fees expenses awarded prevailing parties united_states certain administrative proceedings civil action court cases excluding tort cases united_states party including settlement agreements requires reports describe number nature awards claims involved controversy relevant information aid congress evaluating scope impact awards available public online directs chairman create maintain online searchable database containing specified information respect award including agency involved party award award basis finding position agency concerned substantially justified directs head agency including respect court cases attorney general doj director administrative_office_of_the_united_states_courts provide chairman information requested produce reports


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

Extends through December 29, 2019, the authority of the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Police to protect, in any state, the Justices of the Supreme Court, any official guest of the Supreme Court, and any officer or employee of the Supreme Court performing official duties.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated extends december authority marshal supreme_court protect state justices supreme_court official guest supreme_court officer employee supreme_court performing official duties


Summary:
Fresh Start Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense to file a petition for expungement of the record of such conviction. Allows expungement if such individual: (1) has never been convicted of any criminal offense other than the nonviolent offenses committed in a single criminal episode that includes the offense for which expungement is sought; (2) has fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court, including payment of all fines, restitution, or assessments and completion of terms of imprisonment and probation; and (3) has remained free (if required by the court's sentence) from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for at least one year.

Requires the Attorney General to maintain an unaltered nonpublic copy of expunged criminal records, to be disclosed for limited purposes to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase by 5% grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states that implement expungement procedures substantially similar to the procedures enacted by this Act. Decreases such grant funding by 5% for states that fail to adopt expungement procedures.

fresh start act amends federal criminal code allow individual convicted nonviolent criminal offense file petition expungement record conviction allows expungement individual convicted criminal offense nonviolent offenses committed single criminal episode includes offense expungement sought fulfilled requirements sentence court including payment fines restitution assessments completion terms imprisonment probation remained free required court sentence dependency abuse alcohol controlled substance year requires attorney general maintain nonpublic copy expunged criminal records disclosed limited purposes federal state local law enforcement agencies amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act increase grant funding edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program states implement expungement procedures substantially similar procedures enacted act decreases grant funding states fail adopt expungement procedures


Summary:
Central Valley Judicial Relief Act of 2013 - Directs the President to appoint, with advice and consent of the Senate, six additional district judges for the eastern district of California and one temporary judgeship for such district.

Makes Bakersfield an additional place of holding court for the eastern district.

central valley judicial relief act directs president appoint advice consent senate additional district judges eastern district california temporary judgeship district makes bakersfield additional place holding court eastern district


Summary: Prohibits an individual, or a survivor or beneficiary of an individual, who is convicted of a crime relating to theft of public money, perjury, or subornation of perjury, or who leaves the United States to avoid prosecution for a crime, from receiving federal retirement benefits. Denies such individuals interest on refunds of amounts contributed and deposits made to provide for such benefits.

prohibits individual survivor beneficiary individual convicted crime relating theft public money perjury perjury leaves united_states avoid prosecution crime receiving federal retirement benefits denies individuals interest refunds amounts contributed deposits provide benefits


Summary:
FISA Court Reform Act of 2013 - Establishes within the judicial branch an Office of the Constitutional Advocate to protect individual rights by advocating before courts and judges of the petition review pool established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) in support of legal interpretations that minimize the scope of surveillance and the extent of data collection and retention.

Directs the Chief Justice to appoint a Constitutional Advocate to serve as the head of such Office from a list of candidates submitted by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

Requires the Advocate to: (1) review each application to the FISA Court by the Attorney General (DOJ) and each decision of the FISA Court, the petition review pool (FISA Court judges designated to review petitions challenging certain FISA production orders, nondisclosure orders, and targeting directives delivered to electronic communication service providers), or the FISA Court of Review; and (2) participate in proceedings before the FISA Court when appointed to participate by such Court.

Requires the Advocate to consider requests for assistance from electronic communication service providers served with an order, certification, or directive compelling the provider to assist the government or release customer information.

Authorizes the Advocate to participate in petition review proceedings when participation is requested by a party to the proceeding or the petition review pool.

Permits the Advocate to request to participate in such proceedings, request reconsideration of FISA Court decisions, and appeal or seek review of FISA Court, petition review pool, or FISA Court of Review decisions.

Directs such Courts and the petition review pool to promulgate rules to provide the public with information sufficient to allow interested parties to participate as amicus curiae.

Authorizes the Advocate to seek a writ of certiorari from the Supreme Court for review of any decision of the FISA Court of Review.

Requires the Attorney General to publicly disclose: (1) all decisions issued by the FISA Court, the petition review pool, or the FISA Court of Review after July 10, 2003, that include a significant construction or interpretation of law; (2) any decision of the FISA Court or petition review pool appealed by the Advocate; and (3) any FISA Court of Review decision issued after an appeal by the Advocate. Provides for the release of as much information regarding the facts and analysis in such decisions as is consistent with legitimate national security concerns.

Permits the Advocate to petition the FISA Court, petition review pool, or FISA Court of Review for the public disclosure of decisions and related documents previously designated as classified or for the release of an unclassified summary of such materials.

fisa_court reform act establishes judicial branch protect individual rights advocating courts judges petition review pool established foreign_intelligence_surveillance_act fisa support legal interpretations minimize scope surveillance extent data collection retention directs chief justice appoint constitutional advocate serve head office list candidates submitted privacy_and_civil_liberties_oversight_board requires advocate review application fisa_court attorney general doj decision fisa_court petition review pool fisa_court judges designated review petitions challenging certain fisa production orders nondisclosure orders targeting directives delivered electronic communication service providers participate proceedings fisa_court appointed participate court requires advocate consider requests assistance electronic communication service providers served order certification directive compelling provider assist government release customer information authorizes advocate participate petition review proceedings participation requested party proceeding petition review pool permits advocate request participate proceedings request reconsideration fisa_court decisions appeal seek review fisa_court petition review pool decisions directs courts petition review pool promulgate rules provide public information sufficient allow interested parties participate amicus curiae authorizes advocate seek writ certiorari supreme_court review decision requires attorney general publicly disclose decisions issued fisa_court petition review pool july include significant construction interpretation law decision fisa_court petition review pool appealed advocate decision issued appeal advocate provides release information facts analysis decisions consistent legitimate national security concerns permits advocate petition fisa_court petition review pool public disclosure decisions related documents previously designated classified release unclassified summary materials


Summary: Accuracy for Adoptees Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that a certificate of citizenship or other federal document issued, or requested to be amended, reflect the child's name and date of birth as indicated on a state court order, birth certificate, certificate of foreign birth, certificate of birth abroad, or similar state vital records document issued by the child's U.S. state of residence after the child has been adopted or readopted in that state.

accuracy act amends immigration nationality act require certificate citizenship federal document issued requested amended reflect child date birth indicated state court order birth certificate certificate foreign birth certificate birth abroad similar state vital records document issued child state residence child adopted state


Summary: Requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional district judge for the district of Idaho.

requires president appoint advice consent senate additional district judge district idaho


Summary:
Court Efficiency Act of 2013 - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional circuit judge for the second circuit court of appeals and one additional circuit judge for the eleventh circuit court of appeals.

Reduces from 11 to 8 the number of circuit judges appointed to the District of Columbia circuit court of appeals.

court efficiency act directs president appoint advice consent senate additional circuit judge second circuit court appeals additional circuit judge eleventh circuit court appeals reduces number circuit judges appointed district_of_columbia circuit court appeals


Summary:
Structured Settlement Claimants Rights Act of 2013 - Amends the federal judicial code to declare that a claimant in any civil action before a federal court shall have the right to retain a structured settlement broker to act on behalf of that claimant for purposes of negotiating a schedule of payments or other terms of payment previously agreed to be paid by or on behalf of the defendant in satisfaction of a judgment against that defendant or in accordance with the terms of a settlement.

Requires that a party to an administrative proceeding have the same right to retain such a structured settlement broker for negotiations with other parties.

Directs: (1) the court or the agency in an administrative proceeding to inform the claimant of this right at the appropriate time, and (2) the defendant to provide timely notice of any current or previous professional relationship between the defendant and the broker.

structured settlement claimants rights act amends federal judicial code declare claimant civil action federal court shall right retain structured settlement broker act behalf claimant purposes negotiating schedule payments terms payment previously agreed paid behalf defendant satisfaction judgment defendant accordance terms settlement requires party administrative proceeding right retain structured settlement broker negotiations parties directs court agency administrative proceeding inform claimant right appropriate time defendant provide timely notice current previous professional relationship defendant broker


Summary: State Marriage Defense Act of 2014 - Prohibits, in determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of U.S. administrative bureaus and agencies, as applied with respect to individuals domiciled in a state or in any other territory or possession of the United States: (1) the term "marriage" from including any relationship that the state, territory, or possession does not recognize as a marriage; and (2) the term "spouse" from including an individual who is a party to a relationship that is not recognized as a marriage by that state, territory, or possession.

state marriage defense act prohibits determining meaning act congress ruling regulation interpretation administrative bureaus agencies applied respect individuals domiciled state territory possession united_states term marriage including relationship state territory possession recognize marriage term spouse including individual party relationship recognized marriage state territory possession


Summary:
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2014 - Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a court, in any civil action in which the pleadings state facts relevant to the protection of public health or safety, from entering an order restricting the disclosure of information obtained through discovery, approving a settlement agreement that would restrict such disclosure, or restricting access to court records, unless in connection with such order the court has first made independent findings of fact that: (1) the order would not restrict the disclosure of information relevant to the protection of public health or safety; or (2) the public interest in the disclosure of past, present, or potential health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the confidentiality interest asserted.

Prohibits a court from: (1) enforcing any provision of an agreement between or among parties to the civil action, or an order entered under this Act, that restricts a party from disclosing information to any federal or state agency with authority to enforce laws regulating an activity relating to such information; or (2) enforcing any provision of a settlement agreement between or among parties to such civil action that prohibits a party from disclosing that a settlement was reached or the terms of the settlement (excluding any money paid) that involve matters relevant to the protection of public health or safety, or from discussing matters relevant to the protection of public health or safety involved in such civil action. Excepts from this enforcement prohibition (thus allowing enforcement of) a settlement agreement provision about which the court finds that the public interest in the disclosure of past, present, or potential public health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information in question, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the confidentiality interest asserted.

Creates a rebuttable presumption that the interest in protecting personally identifiable information of an individual outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit, require, or authorize the disclosure of classified information, as defined under the Classified Information Procedures Act.

sunshine litigation act amends federal judicial code prohibit court civil action pleadings state facts relevant protection public health safety entering order restricting disclosure information obtained discovery approving settlement agreement restrict disclosure restricting access court records connection order court independent findings fact order restrict disclosure information relevant protection public health safety public interest disclosure past present potential health safety hazards outweighed specific substantial interest maintaining confidentiality information requested protective order broader necessary protect confidentiality interest asserted prohibits court enforcing provision agreement parties civil action order entered act restricts party disclosing information federal state agency authority enforce laws regulating activity relating information enforcing provision settlement agreement parties civil action prohibits party disclosing settlement reached terms settlement excluding money paid involve matters relevant protection public health safety discussing matters relevant protection public health safety involved civil action excepts enforcement prohibition allowing enforcement settlement agreement provision court finds public interest disclosure past present potential public health safety hazards outweighed specific substantial interest maintaining confidentiality information question requested protective order broader necessary protect confidentiality interest asserted creates rebuttable presumption interest protecting personally identifiable information individual outweighs public interest disclosure declares act shall construed permit require authorize disclosure classified information defined classified_information_procedures_act


Summary:
Crime Victim Restitution and Court Fee Intercept Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the chief justice of the highest court of any state that wishes to collect past-due, legally enforceable state judicial debts to designate a single state entity to communicate judicial debt information to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Directs the Secretary, upon receiving notice from such an entity that a named person owes a past-due, legally enforceable state judicial debt, to pay such debt from any tax refund due to such person.

Defines "state judicial debt" to include court costs, fees, fines, assessments, restitution to victims of crime, and other monies resulting from a judgment or sentence rendered by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction handling criminal or traffic cases in the state.

crime victim restitution court fee intercept act amends internal revenue code require chief justice highest court state wishes collect past legally enforceable state judicial debts designate single state entity communicate judicial debt information secretary treasury directs secretary receiving notice entity named person owes past legally enforceable state judicial debt pay debt tax refund person defines state judicial debt include court costs fees fines assessments restitution victims crime monies resulting judgment sentence rendered court tribunal competent jurisdiction handling criminal traffic cases state


Summary:
Catalyst Theory Restoration Act of 2014 - Defines "prevailing party" for any Act of Congress, any agency ruling, regulation, or interpretation, or any judicial or administrative rule that provides for the recovery of attorney's fees, to include a party whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought.

Prohibits this Act from altering any: (1) special eligibility criteria established for prevailing defendants, or (2) specific eligibility criteria contained in any statute that expressly limits or qualifies who may be considered a prevailing party for purposes of that statute.

catalyst theory restoration act defines prevailing party act congress agency ruling regulation interpretation judicial administrative rule provides recovery attorney fees include party pursuit non frivolous claim defense catalyst voluntary unilateral change position opposing party provides significant relief sought prohibits act altering special eligibility criteria established prevailing defendants specific eligibility criteria contained statute expressly limits qualifies considered prevailing party purposes statute


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

Ensuring Access to Justice for Claims Against the United States Act - Amends the federal judicial code with respect to the jurisdiction of federal courts over civil actions pending in, or on appeal from, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (USCFC) when the plaintiff also has pending in another federal court a civil action that includes a claim against the United States (or an agency or officer of the United States) arising from the same set of operative facts.

 Requires the court presiding over the action that was filed later to stay the later action until the action that was filed first is no longer pending. (Currently, the USCFC is prohibited from having jurisdiction of any claim in which the plaintiff has pending in any other court any suit or process against the United States or any person who was acting or professing to act under the authority of the United States.)

Provides an exception to the requirement to stay the later action if: (1) the parties in each of the actions agree, or (2) the required stay is not in the interests of justice.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated ensuring access justice claims united states act amends federal judicial code respect jurisdiction federal courts civil actions pending appeal plaintiff pending federal court civil action includes claim united_states agency officer united_states arising set operative facts requires court presiding action filed later stay later action action filed longer pending currently prohibited having jurisdiction claim plaintiff pending court suit process united_states person acting act authority united_states provides exception requirement stay later action parties actions agree required stay interests justice


Summary:
Fines in Need of Extensive Reform Act of 2014 or the FINER Act of 2014 - Prohibits federal agency rules that provide for an assessment of an administrative fine from taking effect until 90 days after the rule and relevant rule guidance is made available on the agency's website.

Establishes procedures for enforcement of, and challenges to, administrative fines to: (1) prohibit fine assessments unless a particular officer or employee of the agency is responsible for assessing the fine, (2) allow persons to challenge the imposition of a fine in federal court or through alternative dispute resolution by a neutral third party, and (3) require rule violations to be dismissed if the agency officer or employee who assessed the fine is not present in court for any proceedings contesting the fine.

 Requires agencies to publish annually in the Federal Register guidance for any rules for which they may assess an administrative fine.

Allows a person who prevails in contesting a fine to recover reasonable court costs and attorney's fees.

Provides for fine amounts to be deposited into the Treasury. Prohibits fines from being used to supplement or offset the appropriations of the agency that assessed the fine.

Excludes user fees, criminal fines or penalties, or court-imposed fines from the requirements applicable to administrative fines.

fines need extensive reform act act prohibits federal agency rules provide assessment administrative fine taking effect days rule relevant rule guidance available agency website establishes procedures enforcement challenges administrative fines prohibit fine assessments particular officer employee agency responsible assessing fine allow persons challenge imposition fine federal court alternative dispute resolution neutral party require rule violations dismissed agency officer employee assessed fine present court proceedings contesting fine requires agencies publish annually federal_register guidance rules assess administrative fine allows person prevails contesting fine recover reasonable court costs attorney fees provides fine amounts deposited treasury prohibits fines supplement offset appropriations agency assessed fine excludes user fees criminal fines penalties court imposed fines requirements applicable administrative fines


Summary: No Firearms for Foreign Felons Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to prevent any individual convicted of a felony or crime of domestic violence in a foreign court from possessing a firearm in the United States.

firearms foreign felons act amends federal criminal code prevent individual convicted felony crime domestic violence foreign court possessing firearm united_states


Summary:
Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2013 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides, except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party.

Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request. Allows a presiding judge to obscure the face and voice of an individual if good cause is shown that photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising such features would threaten the individual's safety, the court's security, the integrity of future or ongoing law enforcement operations, or the interest of justice.

Prohibits a presiding judge from permitting the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising of any juror in a trial proceeding, or of the jury selection process.

Terminates a district court's authority under this Act three years after enactment of this Act.

Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate mandatory guidelines which a presiding judge must follow for obscuring certain vulnerable witnesses.

Prohibits any audio pickup or broadcast of conferences which occur in a court proceeding between attorneys and their clients, co-counsel of a client, adverse counsel, or counsel and the presiding judge, if the conferences are not part of the official record of the proceedings.

sunshine courtroom act authorizes presiding judge appellate court district court permit photographing electronic recording broadcasting televising public court proceedings judge presides action constitute violation process rights party directs district court request witness trial proceeding party order face voice witness disguised obscured render witness unrecognizable broadcast audience trial proceeding presiding judge trial proceeding inform witness party right request allows presiding judge face voice individual good cause shown photographing electronic recording broadcasting televising features threaten individual safety court security integrity future ongoing law enforcement operations interest justice prohibits presiding judge permitting photographing electronic recording broadcasting televising juror trial proceeding jury selection process terminates district court authority act years enactment act requires judicial conference united_states promulgate mandatory guidelines presiding judge follow certain vulnerable witnesses prohibits audio broadcast conferences occur court proceeding attorneys clients counsel client adverse counsel counsel presiding judge conferences official record proceedings


Summary:
NICS Reporting Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends federal firearms provisions to define a person who has been adjudicated mentally incompetent or who has been committed to a psychiatric hospital as a person who is the subject of an order or finding issued by a court, board, commission, or other adjudicative body (after a hearing of which the person received actual notice and at which the person had an opportunity to participate with counsel) that found that the person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, mental impairment, or mental illness: (1) was an imminent danger to himself or others, (2) was guilty but mentally ill in a criminal case, (3) was not guilty in a criminal case by reason of insanity or mental disease or defect, (4) was incompetent to stand trial in a criminal case, (5) was not guilty only by reason of lack of mental responsibility under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, (6) required involuntary inpatient treatment by a psychiatric hospital, (7) required involuntary outpatient treatment by a psychiatric hospital based on a finding that the person was an imminent danger to himself or others, or (8) required involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital for any reason, including drug use. Excludes: (1) a person who is in a psychiatric hospital for observation or due to a voluntary admission, and (2) an order or finding that has expired, that has been set aside or expunged, or that is no longer applicable.

Defines "psychiatric hospital" to include a mental health facility, mental hospital, sanitarium, psychiatric facility, and any other facility that provides diagnoses by licensed professionals of mental retardation or mental illness, including a psychiatric ward in a general hospital.

Prohibits: (1) the sale or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such person has been adjudicated mentally incompetent (currently, mental defective) or has been committed to a psychiatric hospital (currently, to any mental institution); and (2) the shipment, transport, or possession in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition by, or the receipt of a firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in such commerce by, any such person.

Makes conforming amendments to the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.

amends federal firearms provisions define person adjudicated mentally incompetent committed psychiatric hospital person subject order finding issued court board commission adjudicative body hearing person received actual notice person opportunity participate counsel found person result marked intelligence mental impairment mental illness imminent danger guilty mentally ill criminal case guilty criminal case reason mental disease defect incompetent stand trial criminal case guilty reason lack mental responsibility uniform code military justice required involuntary inpatient treatment psychiatric hospital required involuntary outpatient treatment psychiatric hospital based finding person imminent danger required involuntary commitment psychiatric hospital reason including drug use excludes person psychiatric hospital observation voluntary admission order finding expired set aside expunged longer applicable defines psychiatric hospital include mental health facility mental hospital psychiatric facility facility provides diagnoses licensed professionals mental retardation mental illness including psychiatric ward general hospital prohibits sale disposition firearm ammunition person knowing having reasonable cause believe person adjudicated mentally incompetent currently mental defective committed psychiatric hospital currently mental institution shipment transport possession interstate foreign commerce firearm ammunition receipt firearm ammunition shipped transported commerce person makes conforming amendments


Summary:
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that, whereas the right to vote in public elections belongs only to natural persons as U.S. citizens, so shall the ability to make contributions and expenditures to influence the outcome of public elections belong only to natural persons.

Declares that nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to restrict the power of Congress and the states to protect the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, limit the corrupting influence of private wealth in public elections, and guarantee the dependence of elected officials on the people alone by taking certainactions.

Includes among such actions: (1) the establishment of systems of public financing for elections; (2) the imposition of requirements to ensure the disclosure of contributions and expenditures made to influence the outcome of a public election by candidates, individuals, and associations of individuals; and (3) the imposition of content neutral limitations on all such contributions and expenditures.

Declares that nothing in this Article shall be construed to alter freedom of the press.

Grants Congress and the states power to enforce this Amendment through appropriate legislation.

right vote public elections belongs natural persons citizens shall ability contributions expenditures influence outcome public elections belong natural persons declares constitution shall construed restrict power congress states protect integrity fairness electoral process limit influence private wealth public elections guarantee dependence elected officials people taking includes actions establishment systems public financing elections imposition requirements ensure disclosure contributions expenditures influence outcome public election candidates individuals associations individuals imposition content neutral limitations contributions expenditures declares article shall construed alter freedom press grants congress states power enforce amendment appropriate legislation


Summary:
Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2013 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government, to be headed by an Inspector General appointed by the Chief Justice. Sets a term of four years, which may be extended by additional reappointments. Authorizes the Chief Justice to remove an Inspector General from office.

Requires the OIG to: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct in the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; and (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse.

Provides for whistleblower protection.

judicial_transparency_and_ethics_enhancement_act amends federal judicial code establish office_of_inspector_general judicial_branch government headed inspector general appointed chief justice sets term years extended additional reappointments authorizes chief justice remove inspector general office requires conduct investigations alleged misconduct judicial branch including supreme_court conduct supervise audits investigations prevent detect waste fraud abuse provides whistleblower protection


Summary:
Line of Duty Act of 2013 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) require the use of grant funds under the community-oriented policing services program to train and provide security details for prosecutors and judges, including their immediate families, involved in cases that raise substantial concerns of retaliation or intimidation through violent acts; and (2) allow grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to fund prosecutorial and judicial security details and programs.

Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful to: (1) kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, a U.S. judge, a federal law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer engaged in official duties or a former U.S. judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federal funded public safety officer on account of past performance of official duties; or (2) travel in interstate commerce to avoid prosecution for such crimes. Expands criminal penalties for assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers and employees.

Permits judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to carry firearms in federal facilities where such possession is otherwise authorized by law.

Limits damages and costs in legal actions against a judicial officer by an individual injured during the commission of a felony or a crime of violence.

 Requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that each federal penal or correctional institution provides a secure firearms storage area for use by all employees who are authorized to carry a firearm.

line duty act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act require use grant funds community oriented policing services program train provide security details prosecutors judges including immediate families involved cases raise substantial concerns retaliation intimidation violent acts allow grants edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program fund prosecutorial judicial security details programs amends federal criminal code unlawful kill attempt conspire kill judge federal law enforcement officer federally funded public safety officer engaged official duties judge federal law enforcement officer federal funded public safety officer account past performance official duties travel interstate commerce avoid prosecution crimes expands criminal penalties assaulting interfering law enforcement officers employees permits judges prosecutors law enforcement officials carry firearms federal facilities possession authorized law limits damages costs legal actions judicial officer individual injured commission felony crime violence requires director bureau_of_prisons ensure federal penal correctional institution provides secure firearms storage area use employees authorized carry firearm


Summary:
State Witness Protection Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties on any person who kills, or attempts to kill, a witness in a state or local judicial proceeding, who uses physical force or the threat of force against such a witness, or who offers such witness anything of value with the intent to: (1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony or attendance of such witness at a state or local judicial proceeding; (2) prevent the production of a record or document in a state or local judicial proceeding; (3) cause or induce any person to withhold testimony or evidence, destroy evidence, evade legal process, or be absent from a state or local judicial proceeding; (4) hinder, delay, or prevent any person from providing information to a state or local law enforcement officer or judge; or (5) retaliate against any person for attending a state or local judicial proceeding or providing information to a law enforcement officer.

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend guidelines to increase the sentencing range for obstruction of justice if such crime involved threatening, harming, or bribing a witness or the destruction of evidence.

Directs the Attorney General to make competitive grants to eligible state, tribal, and local governments to establish or maintain programs that provide: (1) protection or assistance to witnesses in court proceedings involving homicide, a serious violent felony or drug offense, gangs, or organized crime; and (2) information and outreach to the public about witness intimidation. Sets forth criteria by which the Attorney General shall evaluate applicants, including the extent to which: (1) an applicant has a lack of infrastructure to support a witness assistance program, and (2) witness intimidation is present with respect to the applicant.

state witness protection act amends federal criminal code impose criminal penalties person kills attempts kill witness state local judicial proceeding uses physical force threat force witness offers witness value intent influence delay prevent testimony attendance witness state local judicial proceeding prevent production record document state local judicial proceeding cause induce person withhold testimony evidence destroy evidence evade legal process absent state local judicial proceeding hinder delay prevent person providing information state local law enforcement officer judge retaliate person attending state local judicial proceeding providing information law enforcement officer directs amend guidelines increase sentencing range obstruction justice crime involved threatening harming witness destruction evidence directs attorney general competitive grants eligible state tribal local governments establish maintain programs provide protection assistance witnesses court proceedings involving homicide violent felony drug offense gangs organized crime information outreach public witness intimidation sets forth criteria attorney general shall evaluate applicants including extent applicant lack infrastructure support witness assistance program witness intimidation present respect applicant


Summary: Federal Judgeship Act of 2013 - Directs the President, with advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint specified additional: (1) permanent circuit judges for the sixth and ninth circuit courts of appeals and a temporary judge for the ninth circuit; and (2) permanent district judges for various judicial districts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin and temporary district judges for Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

federal judgeship act directs president advice consent senate appoint specified additional permanent circuit judges sixth ninth circuit courts appeals temporary judge ninth circuit permanent district judges judicial districts arizona california colorado delaware florida georgia idaho indiana minnesota nevada new_jersey new_mexico new_york texas washington wisconsin temporary district judges arizona california florida georgia minnesota missouri nevada new_jersey new_york oregon tennessee texas virginia


Summary: Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2013 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) make competitive grants to state, tribal, and local governments to establish or maintain programs that provide protection or assistance to witnesses in court proceedings involving a homicide, a serious violent felony, a serious drug offense, gangs, or organized crime; (2) evaluate grant applicants based on specified criteria, including the prevalence of witness intimidation and the number of such crimes per capita in the applicant's jurisdiction; (3) provide technical assistance to applicants for establishing or maintaining such programs; and (4) develop and disseminate best practice models to assist such governments in addressing witness safety, short-term and permanent witness relocation, financial and housing assistance, and other necessary witness protection or assistance services. Urges such governments to use such models to evaluate, improve, and develop witness protection or witness assistance programs.

witness security protection grant program act directs attorney general competitive grants state tribal local governments establish maintain programs provide protection assistance witnesses court proceedings involving homicide violent felony drug offense gangs organized crime evaluate grant applicants based specified criteria including prevalence witness intimidation number crimes capita applicant jurisdiction provide technical assistance applicants establishing maintaining programs develop disseminate best practice models assist governments addressing witness safety short term permanent witness relocation financial housing assistance necessary witness protection assistance services urges governments use models evaluate improve develop witness protection witness assistance programs


Summary: Supreme Court Ethics Act of 2013 - Requires the Supreme Court to promulgate a code of ethics for the Justices of the Supreme Court that shall include the five canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States, with any amendments or modifications that the Supreme Court determines appropriate.

supreme_court ethics act requires supreme_court promulgate code ethics justices supreme_court shall include code conduct adopted judicial_conference_of_the_united_states amendments modifications supreme_court determines appropriate


Summary: FISA Judge Selection Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, with respect to the appointment of judges to the court established by such Act (FISA Court), to: (1) increase from 11 to 13 the number of FISA Court judges, with one judge designated from each judicial circuit; (2) authorize a chief judge of a judicial circuit to submit to the Chief Justice of the United States the name of a district judge within such circuit to fill a FISA Court vacancy; (3) allow the Chief Justice to accept the proposed replacement judge or reject such replacement and request two additional names; (4) require the Chief Justice to fill the vacancy with one of the two additional named judges; and (5) require any judge appointed to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review by the Chief Justice to be confirmed by five Associate Justices. Directs the Committee on Intercircuit Assignments of the Judicial Conference of the United States to study and report on how to ensure that judges appointed to the FISA Court and the FISA Court of Review are diverse and representative.

fisa judge selection reform act amends foreign intelligence surveillance act respect appointment judges court established act fisa_court increase number fisa_court judges judge designated judicial circuit authorize chief judge judicial circuit submit chief justice united_states district judge circuit fill fisa_court vacancy allow chief justice accept proposed replacement judge reject replacement request additional names require chief justice fill vacancy additional named judges require judge appointed foreign_intelligence_surveillance_court_of_review chief justice confirmed associate justices directs study report ensure judges appointed fisa_court diverse representative


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

Accuracy for Adoptees Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that a certificate of citizenship or other federal document issued, or requested to be amended, reflect the child's name and date of birth as indicated on a state court order, birth certificate, certificate of foreign birth, certificate of birth abroad, or similar state vital records document issued by the child's U.S. state of residence after the child has been adopted or readopted in that state.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated accuracy act amends immigration nationality act require certificate citizenship federal document issued requested amended reflect child date birth indicated state court order birth certificate certificate foreign birth certificate birth abroad similar state vital records document issued child state residence child adopted state


Summary:
Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to direct the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Homeland Security (DHS) to require the Secretaries of the military departments to modify the process for determining whether to try by court-martial a member accused of: (1) certain UCMJ offenses for which the maximum punishment includes confinement for more than one year; or (2) a conspiracy, solicitation, or attempt to commit such offenses.

Requires courts-martial determinations for such offenses to be made by a commissioned officer available for detail as trial counsel who is outside the chain of command of the member subject to the charges. (Currently, courts-martial decisions are made by commanding officers of accused members.)

Excludes from the revised procedures that require counsel outside the chain of command to make such courts-martial determinations certain UCMJ offenses relating specifically to military service, including absence without leave, insubordination, and aiding the enemy.

Prohibits an outside counsel's determination not to proceed to trial by general or special court-martial from altering the authority of commanding officers to: (1) refer noncapital offenses to summary courts-martial with limits on the punishments that may be imposed; or (2) impose non-judicial admonitions, reprimands, or disciplinary punishment for minor offenses.

Requires military chiefs of staff to establish offices to convene general and special courts-martial. Prohibits officers in the chain of command of an accused or a victim from detailing members to serve on a resulting trial by court-martial.

military justice improvement act amends uniform code military justice ucmj direct secretaries defense dod homeland_security dhs require secretaries military departments modify process determining try court martial member accused certain ucmj offenses maximum punishment includes confinement year conspiracy solicitation attempt commit offenses requires courts martial determinations offenses commissioned officer available detail trial counsel outside chain command member subject charges currently courts martial decisions commanding officers accused members excludes revised procedures require counsel outside chain command courts martial determinations certain ucmj offenses relating specifically military service including absence leave aiding enemy prohibits outside counsel determination proceed trial general special court martial altering authority commanding officers refer noncapital offenses summary courts martial limits imposed impose non judicial disciplinary punishment minor offenses requires military chiefs staff establish offices convene general special courts martial prohibits officers chain command accused victim detailing members serve resulting trial court martial


Summary: Converts to permanent judgeships an existing temporary judgeship for the district of Hawaii and an existing temporary judgeship for the district of Kansas.

converts permanent judgeships existing temporary judgeship district hawaii existing temporary judgeship district kansas


Summary: Requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional district judge for the district of Idaho.

requires president appoint advice consent senate additional district judge district idaho


Summary:
Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act - Establishes an Office of Forensic Science within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice (DOJ). Requires the Director of the Office to: (1) establish with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure collaboration and coordination in the implementation of this Act; (2) establish, lead, and oversee implementation of standards for forensic science laboratory accreditation and forensic science personnel certification; (3) establish a comprehensive strategy for scientific research in the forensic sciences; (4) establish standards and best practices for forensic science disciplines; (5) define "forensic science discipline" and "forensic science laboratory" for purposes of this Act and establish and maintain a list of forensic science disciplines; (6) establish committees to examine research needs, standards, best practices, and certification standards for the forensic science disciplines; and (7) establish a code of ethics for the forensic science disciplines.

Establishes a Forensic Science Board to strengthen and promote confidence in the criminal justice system by promoting standards and best practices and ensuring scientific validity, reliability, and accuracy of forensic testing, analysis, identification, and comparisons, the results of which may be used during the course of a criminal investigation or criminal court proceeding.

Prohibits a forensic science laboratory or covered entity (an entity that is not a forensic science laboratory and that conducts forensic testing) from receiving federal funds unless: (1) the Director has verified that the laboratory has been accredited in accordance with the standards and procedures established under this Act, and (2) all relevant personnel (individuals who conduct forensic testing or testify about evidence prepared by such individuals) of the laboratory or covered entity are certified under this Act. Requires the Director to establish standards for the certification of personnel and determine whether a laboratory or entity is eligible for federal funds. Directs the Director of the National Institute of Justice to develop a plan for assisting and supporting forensic science laboratories and covered entities in obtaining accreditation and certifications for relevant personnel.

Requires the Board to recommend and the Director to establish: (1) a comprehensive strategy for fostering and improving peer-reviewed scientific research relating to the forensic science disciplines, and (2) a list of priorities for forensic science research funding. Directs: (1) the Board to submit to the Director a plan for encouraging collaboration among universities, nonprofit research institutions, state and local forensic science laboratories, private forensic science laboratories, private corporations, and the federal government to develop and perform cost-effective and reliable research in the forensic sciences; and (2) the Director to establish and disseminate uniform standards and best practices for the forensic science disciplines.

Authorizes the Director of NIST to make grants to eligible entities to conduct peer-reviewed scientific research in areas consistent with the Director's research priorities.

Requires the Board to submit and the Director to implement plans: (1) for supporting, and a standardized curriculum for, the education and training of judges, attorneys, and law enforcement personnel in the forensic sciences and fundamental scientific principles; (2) for supporting the development of undergraduate and graduate educational programs in the forensic science disciplines and related fields; and (3) for encouraging governments to implement systems to ensure that qualified individuals perform medical-legal death examinations and for encouraging qualified individuals to enter the field.

Directs the Board and the Director to regularly coordinate with: (1) relevant federal agencies to make efficient and appropriate use of research expertise and funding; (2) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other relevant federal agencies to determine ways in which the forensic science disciplines may assist in homeland security and emergency preparedness; and (3) the intelligence community to make use of research and new technologies suitable for forensic science.

Requires the Director to develop a system for any individual to anonymously provide information regarding lack of compliance with standards established by this Act.

Requires the Board to submit and the Director to implement: (1) a plan to require interoperability among databases and technologies in each of the forensic science disciplines among all levels of government, in all states, and with the private sector; and (2) a recommended code of ethics for the forensic science disciplines.

Requires the Director to: (1) conduct a needs assessment of state and local forensic service providers to evaluate their capacity and resource needs, (2) develop a national strategy for developing the capacity and resources of state and local forensic science providers, and (3) update such assessment and strategy at least once every five years.

forensic science reform act establishes office forensic science attorney general department_of_justice doj requires director office establish director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist memorandum understanding ensure collaboration coordination implementation act establish lead oversee implementation standards forensic science laboratory accreditation forensic science personnel certification establish comprehensive strategy scientific research forensic sciences establish standards best practices forensic science disciplines define forensic science discipline forensic science laboratory purposes act establish maintain list forensic science disciplines establish committees examine research needs standards best practices certification standards forensic science disciplines establish code ethics forensic science disciplines establishes forensic science board strengthen promote confidence criminal justice system promoting standards best practices ensuring scientific validity reliability accuracy forensic testing analysis identification comparisons results course criminal investigation criminal court proceeding prohibits forensic science laboratory covered entity entity forensic science laboratory conducts forensic testing receiving federal funds director verified laboratory accredited accordance standards procedures established act relevant personnel individuals conduct forensic testing testify evidence prepared individuals laboratory covered entity certified act requires director establish standards certification personnel determine laboratory entity eligible federal funds directs director national_institute_of_justice develop plan assisting supporting forensic science laboratories covered entities obtaining accreditation certifications relevant personnel requires board recommend director establish comprehensive strategy fostering improving peer reviewed scientific research relating forensic science disciplines list priorities forensic science research funding directs board submit director plan encouraging collaboration universities nonprofit research institutions state local forensic science laboratories private forensic science laboratories private corporations federal government develop perform cost effective reliable research forensic sciences director establish disseminate uniform standards best practices forensic science disciplines authorizes director nist grants eligible entities conduct peer reviewed scientific research areas consistent director research priorities requires board submit director implement plans supporting standardized curriculum education training judges attorneys law enforcement personnel forensic sciences fundamental scientific principles supporting development undergraduate graduate educational programs forensic science disciplines related fields encouraging governments implement systems ensure qualified individuals perform medical legal death examinations encouraging qualified individuals enter field directs board director regularly coordinate relevant federal agencies efficient appropriate use research expertise funding department_of_homeland_security dhs relevant federal agencies determine ways forensic science disciplines assist homeland security emergency preparedness intelligence community use research new technologies suitable forensic science requires director develop system individual anonymously provide information lack compliance standards established act requires board submit director implement plan require interoperability databases technologies forensic science disciplines levels government states private sector recommended code ethics forensic science disciplines requires director conduct needs assessment state local forensic service providers evaluate capacity resource needs develop national strategy developing capacity resources state local forensic science providers update assessment strategy years