Summary:
Mental Health Reform Act of 2016

TITLE I--STRENGTHENING LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY

(Sec. 101) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation must ensure efficient and effective planning and evaluation of mental and substance use disorders programs and related activities.

(Sec. 102) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the authorities of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including to expand SAMHSA's authority to develop educational materials and intervention strategies to reduce the risks of communicable diseases among individuals with mental or substance use disorders.

The bill establishes new requirements for SAMHSA, including that SAMHSA must: (1) improve mental and substance use disorder services provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and (2) develop and support activities to recruit and retain a workforce addressing mental and substance use disorders.

(Sec. 103) The bill creates the position of Chief Medical Officer within SAMHSA.

(Sec. 104) Every four years, SAMHSA must develop, publish, and carry out a strategic plan.

(Sec. 105) The bill revises requirements regarding SAMHSA's biennial report on its activities.

(Sec. 106) The bill revises provisions regarding SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, including to require the centers to ensure consistent documentation of the application of grant criteria.

(Sec. 107) The bill revises membership requirements for SAMHSA advisory councils.

(Sec. 108) The bill revises membership requirements for SAMHSA peer review groups.

(Sec. 109) HHS must establish the Inter-departmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee to report on research, evaluate the effect of federal programs, and recommend agency actions to better coordinate administration of mental health services.

(Sec. 110) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on protection and advocacy systems for individuals with mental illness.

TITLE II--ENSURING MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS KEEP PACE WITH SCIENCE

(Sec. 201) SAMHSA's Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation must: (1) facilitate the implementation of policy changes likely to have a significant effect on mental health; (2) collect information from SAMHSA grantees to evaluate and disseminate information on evidence-based practices; and (3) identify SAMHSA activities that are duplicative or that are not evidence-based, effective, or efficient.

SAMHSA may award grants for the development of evidence-based interventions for mental illness, serious emotional disturbances, substance use disorders, and co-occurring illness or disorders.

(Sec. 202) SAMHSA may review and publish information on evidence-based programs and practices.

(Sec. 203) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 SAMHSA support for addressing regionally and nationally significant needs regarding mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and substance use disorder prevention.

TITLE III--SUPPORTING STATE RESPONSES TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER NEEDS

(Sec. 301) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 block grants for community mental health services. States must use at least a specified amount of a block grant to support evidence-based programs for individuals with early serious mental illness. The bill revises the block grant requirement that a state maintain spending on community mental health services.

(Sec. 302) The bill revises block grants for prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The bill eliminates the block grant requirements for states to: (1) maintain spending on services for individuals with tuberculosis or HIV, and (2) submit an assessment of need for a block grant. The bill revises the block grant requirement for a state to maintain spending on prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

(Sec. 303) In the case of a public health emergency, HHS may grant extensions or waive requirements for block grants for transition from homelessness, community mental health services, and prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

SAMHSA must permit states to apply jointly for block grants.

(Sec. 304) SAMHSA must report on the funding formulas for block grants for community mental health services and prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

(Sec. 305) SAMHSA must award grants to address emerging drug abuse issues, including opioid abuse, through drug treatment and recovery services.

TITLE IV--PROMOTING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CARE

(Sec. 401) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 grants for mental health and substance abuse services for homeless individuals.

(Sec. 402) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 grants to divert individuals with a mental illness from the criminal justice system to community-based services. Grant funding may be used to develop programs to divert individuals prior to booking or arrest.

(Sec. 403) SAMHSA may provide support for improvement of integrated primary care and behavioral health care.

(Sec. 404) The bill revises and makes permanent block grants for transition from homelessness. SAMHSA must report on the funding formula for these block grants.

(Sec. 405) SAMHSA must maintain the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program.

(Sec. 406) SAMHSA must maintain the existing National Treatment Referral Routing Service to assist individuals and families in locating treatment providers for mental and substance use disorders.

(Sec. 407) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 mental and behavioral health education and training grants. Grantees must be able to place students in areas with a high need and high demand population.

(Sec. 408) The HHS Office on Women's Health may: (1) update published information on eating disorders, (2) incorporate public resources into its obesity prevention programs, and (3) advance public awareness of eating disorders.

(Sec. 409) HHS may facilitate the identification of programs and materials to educate and train health professionals regarding eating disorders.

(Sec. 410) SAMHSA must award grants to enhance community-based crisis response systems or for a database of available beds at inpatient psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, and residential community mental health and residential substance use disorder treatment facilities.

(Sec. 411) HHS must establish a training demonstration program for mental and substance use disorders to award grants for: (1) training medical residents and fellows to practice psychiatry and addiction medicine in underserved, community-based settings with integrated care; (2) training other providers to provide services in such settings; and (3) academic units or programs that train students or faculty or develop practices or recommendations for the design of such units or programs.

(Sec. 412) SAMHSA must publish a report on the mental health and substance use disorder workforce.

(Sec. 413) The bill repeals various expired SAMHSA programs.

(Sec. 414) HHS must maintain a Minority Fellowship Program for mental and substance use disorder treatment professionals to improve services for racial and ethnic minority populations.

TITLE V--STRENGTHENING MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

(Sec. 501) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 a grant program to provide comprehensive community mental health services to children with a serious emotional disturbances.

(Sec. 502) HRSA may award grants to promote integration of behavioral health with pediatric primary care.

(Sec. 503) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 SAMHSA support for substance use disorder treatment services for children. The program is expanded to include support for early identification and services for children at risk of substance use disorders and assistance to pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders.

(Sec. 504) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 Center for Substance Abuse Treatment support for residential substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women. Services must include therapeutic child care and family reunification.

(Sec. 505) HHS must award grants to states for screening, assessment, and treatment services for maternal depression.

(Sec. 506) HHS must award grants for infant and early childhood mental health programs.

TITLE VI--IMPROVING PATIENT CARE AND ACCESS TO MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS

(Sec. 601) The HHS Office for Civil Rights must ensure that entities involved in mental or substance use disorder treatment, including patients and their families, have adequate, accessible, and easily comprehensible resources regarding use and disclosure of protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

(Sec. 602) HHS must identify, or recognize entities to develop, model programs and materials for training: (1) health care providers regarding the use and disclosure of the protected health information of patients seeking or undergoing mental or substance use disorder treatment, and (2) patients and their families regarding their rights to protect and obtain such information.

(Sec. 603) After finalizing regulations on the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records, HHS must convene stakeholders to determine the effect of the regulations on patient care, health outcomes, and patient privacy.

(Sec. 605) HHS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury must: (1) issue guidance to improve the compliance of group health plans and health insurance coverage with requirements for parity between mental health and substance use disorder benefits and medical and surgical benefits, and (2) audit the plan documents of group health plans and health insurers that repeatedly violate parity requirements.

(Sec. 606) HHS must convene stakeholders to produce an action plan for improved federal and state coordination regarding enforcement of parity requirements.

(Sec. 607) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must report on closed federal investigations that found serious violations of parity requirements.

(Sec. 608) The GAO must report on the extent to which group health plans, health insurers, Medicaid managed care organizations, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) health plans comply with parity requirements.

TITLE VII--MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND IMPROVEMENT

Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 702) The bill revises and extends through FY2020 a technical assistance resource center to prevent suicides. The center's focus is expanded from youth suicides to suicides among all ages, particularly among groups that are at high risk for suicide.

A program to provide support for youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies is revised and extended through FY2021.

The bill revises and extends through FY2021 SAMHSA grants for mental and behavioral health services at institutions of higher education.

(Sec. 703) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 SAMHSA's training grant program. The program is expanded to include additional categories of trainees.

(Sec. 704) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 a grant program to address violence-related stress. The program must support the continued operation of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI). The NCTSI coordinating center must report on child treatment and outcomes and facilitate training in evidence-based and trauma-informed treatments, interventions, and practices.

(Sec. 705) The GAO must report on certain federal requirements that affect access to treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.

(Sec. 706) SAMHSA may advance the education and awareness of providers, patients, and others regarding products approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid use disorders.

(Sec. 707) The GAO must report on the utilization of mental health services for children, including the usage of psychotropic medications.

(Sec. 708) SAMHSA must provide technical assistance and disseminate information regarding mental health and substance use disorders among geriatric populations.

(Sec. 709) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraged to improve the National Violent Death Reporting System.

(Sec. 710) The GAO must evaluate the utilization of mental health services for children and the implementation of recommendations made in "On Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy."

(Sec. 711) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation must evaluate the effect of SAMHSA activities and recommend performance metrics for SAMHSA programs. SAMHSA must advance the use of performance metrics to improve programs.

TITLE VIII--PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OPIOID USE DISORDER

(Sec. 801) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must refer new drug applications for opioids to an advisory committee before approval, unless the FDA finds that such a referral is not in the interest of protecting and promoting public health and the FDA notifies Congress of its rationale.

The FDA must convene an advisory committee on labeling opioids for pediatric use before approving any such labeling.

As part of its evaluation of the Extended-Release/Long-Acting Opioid Analgesics Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, the FDA must develop recommendations regarding education programs for prescribers of opioids.

The FDA must issue guidance on labeling generic opioids with statements regarding abuse deterrence.

(Sec. 802) The bill makes mandatory the disclosure by the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain information to a state prescription drug monitoring program in order to prevent misuse of prescription medicines by a veteran or dependent of a veteran.

(Sec. 803) The GAO must report on variations across federally funded state prescription drug monitoring programs and recommend best practices and strategies for the programs.

(Sec. 804) The National Institutes of Health may intensify and coordinate its research into the understanding of pain, therapies for chronic pain, and alternatives to opioids for pain treatments. The prioritization and direction of federally funded pain research must consider recommendations made by the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee.

(Sec. 805) The CDC must issue and disseminate best practices for prescribing opioids for the treatment of acute pain.

(Sec. 806) Pharmacists may partially fill a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance (such as an opioid) if: (1) such partial fills are not prohibited by state law, (2) a partial fill is requested by the patient or prescribing practitioner, and (3) the total quantity dispensed in partial fillings does not exceed the quantity prescribed.

TITLE IX--MENTAL HEALTH ON CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT

Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act

(Sec. 903) SAMHSA must: (1) award grants to institutions of higher education to improve mental and behavioral health services and outreach on campuses, and (2) convene a working group regarding a public education campaign focused on mental and behavioral health at institutions of higher education.

(Sec. 904) HHS must establish a College Campus Task Force to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns at institutions of higher education.

mental health reform act title strengthening leadership accountability sec office assistant secretary ensure efficient effective planning evaluation mental substance use disorders programs related activities sec bill amends public_health_service_act revise authorities substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa including expand samhsa authority develop educational materials intervention strategies reduce risks communicable diseases individuals mental substance use disorders bill establishes new requirements samhsa including samhsa improve mental substance use disorder services provided department_of_defense department_of_veterans_affairs develop support activities recruit retain workforce addressing mental substance use disorders sec bill creates position chief medical officer samhsa sec years samhsa develop publish carry strategic plan sec bill revises requirements samhsa biennial report activities sec bill revises provisions samhsa center_for_mental_health_services center substance abuse prevention center substance abuse treatment including require centers ensure consistent documentation application grant criteria sec bill revises membership requirements samhsa advisory councils sec bill revises membership requirements samhsa peer review groups sec hhs establish inter departmental report research evaluate effect federal programs recommend agency actions better coordinate administration mental health services sec government_accountability_office gao report protection advocacy systems individuals mental illness title ensuring mental substance use disorders prevention treatment recovery programs pace science sec innovation facilitate implementation policy changes likely significant effect mental health collect information samhsa grantees evaluate disseminate information evidence based practices identify samhsa activities duplicative evidence based effective efficient samhsa award grants development evidence based interventions mental illness emotional disturbances substance use disorders occurring illness disorders sec samhsa review publish information evidence based programs practices sec bill revises extends fy2021 samhsa support addressing regionally nationally significant needs mental health substance use disorder treatment substance use disorder prevention title iii supporting state responses mental health substance use disorder needs sec bill revises extends fy2021 block grants community mental health services states use specified block grant support evidence based programs individuals early mental illness bill revises block grant requirement state maintain spending community mental health services sec bill revises block grants prevention treatment substance abuse bill eliminates block grant requirements states maintain spending services individuals tuberculosis hiv submit assessment need block grant bill revises block grant requirement state maintain spending prevention treatment substance abuse sec case public health emergency hhs grant extensions waive requirements block grants transition homelessness community mental health services prevention treatment substance abuse samhsa permit states apply jointly block grants sec samhsa report funding formulas block grants community mental health services prevention treatment substance abuse sec samhsa award grants address emerging drug abuse issues including opioid abuse drug treatment recovery services title promoting access mental health substance use disorder care sec bill revises extends fy2021 grants mental health substance abuse services homeless individuals sec bill revises extends fy2021 grants divert individuals mental illness criminal justice system community based services grant funding develop programs divert individuals prior booking arrest sec samhsa provide support improvement integrated primary care behavioral health care sec bill revises makes permanent block grants transition homelessness samhsa report funding formula block grants sec samhsa maintain existing program sec samhsa maintain existing assist individuals families locating treatment providers mental substance use disorders sec bill revises extends fy2021 mental behavioral health education training grants grantees able place students areas high need high demand population sec update published information eating disorders incorporate public resources obesity prevention programs advance public awareness eating disorders sec hhs facilitate identification programs materials educate train health professionals eating disorders sec samhsa award grants enhance community based crisis response systems database available beds inpatient psychiatric facilities crisis stabilization units residential community mental health residential substance use disorder treatment facilities sec hhs establish training demonstration program mental substance use disorders award grants training medical residents fellows practice psychiatry addiction medicine underserved community based settings integrated care training providers provide services settings academic units programs train students faculty develop practices recommendations design units programs sec samhsa publish report mental health substance use disorder workforce sec bill repeals expired samhsa programs sec hhs maintain minority fellowship program mental substance use disorder treatment professionals improve services racial ethnic minority populations title strengthening mental substance use disorder care children adolescents sec bill revises extends fy2021 grant program provide comprehensive community mental health services children emotional disturbances sec hrsa award grants promote integration behavioral health pediatric primary care sec bill revises extends fy2021 samhsa support substance use disorder treatment services children program expanded include support early identification services children risk substance use disorders assistance pregnant parenting women substance use disorders sec bill revises extends support residential substance use disorder treatment programs pregnant parenting women services include therapeutic child care family reunification sec hhs award grants states screening assessment treatment services maternal depression sec hhs award grants infant early childhood mental health programs title improving patient care access mental substance use disorder benefits sec ensure entities involved mental substance use disorder treatment including patients families adequate accessible easily resources use disclosure protected health information health_insurance_portability_and_accountability_act sec hhs identify recognize entities develop model programs materials training health care providers use disclosure protected health information patients seeking undergoing mental substance use disorder treatment patients families rights protect obtain information sec finalizing regulations confidentiality alcohol drug abuse patient records hhs convene stakeholders determine effect regulations patient care health outcomes patient privacy sec hhs department_of_labor department_of_the_treasury issue guidance improve compliance group health plans health insurance coverage requirements parity mental health substance use disorder benefits medical surgical benefits audit plan documents group health plans health insurers repeatedly violate parity requirements sec hhs convene stakeholders produce action plan improved federal state coordination enforcement parity requirements sec centers medicare medicaid_services report closed federal investigations found violations parity requirements sec gao report extent group health plans health insurers medicaid managed care organizations health plans comply parity requirements title vii mental health awareness improvement mental health awareness improvement act sec bill revises extends fy2020 technical assistance resource center prevent suicides center focus expanded youth suicides suicides ages particularly groups high risk suicide program provide support youth suicide early intervention prevention strategies revised extended fy2021 bill revises extends fy2021 samhsa grants mental behavioral health services institutions higher education sec bill revises extends fy2021 samhsa training grant program program expanded include additional categories trainees sec bill revises extends fy2021 grant program address violence related stress program support continued operation national child traumatic stress initiative nctsi nctsi coordinating center report child treatment outcomes facilitate training evidence based trauma informed treatments interventions practices sec gao report certain federal requirements affect access treatment mental health substance use disorders sec samhsa advance education awareness providers patients products approved food_and_drug_administration treat opioid use disorders sec gao report utilization mental health services children including usage psychotropic medications sec samhsa provide technical assistance disseminate information mental health substance use disorders geriatric populations sec centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc encouraged improve national_violent_death_reporting_system sec gao evaluate utilization mental health services children implementation recommendations issues raised virginia tech sec office assistant secretary evaluate effect samhsa activities recommend performance metrics samhsa programs samhsa advance use performance metrics improve programs title viii prevention treatment opioid use disorder sec food_and_drug_administration fda refer new drug applications opioids advisory committee approval fda finds referral interest protecting promoting public health fda notifies congress rationale fda convene advisory committee labeling opioids pediatric use approving labeling evaluation fda develop recommendations education programs prescribers opioids fda issue guidance labeling generic opioids statements abuse deterrence sec bill makes mandatory disclosure department_of_veterans_affairs certain information state prescription drug monitoring program order prevent misuse prescription medicines veteran dependent veteran sec gao report variations federally funded state prescription drug monitoring programs recommend best practices strategies programs sec national_institutes_of_health intensify coordinate research understanding pain therapies chronic pain alternatives opioids pain treatments prioritization direction federally funded pain research consider recommendations sec cdc issue disseminate best practices prescribing opioids treatment acute pain sec pharmacists partially fill prescription schedule controlled substance opioid partial fills prohibited state law partial fill requested patient prescribing practitioner total quantity dispensed partial fillings exceed quantity prescribed title mental health campus improvement mental health campus improvement act sec samhsa award grants institutions higher education improve mental behavioral health services outreach campuses convene working group public education campaign focused mental behavioral health institutions higher education sec hhs establish college campus task force discuss mental behavioral health concerns institutions higher education


Summary:
Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to award grants to institutions of higher education to provide and improve mental and behavioral health services, conduct research regarding improving the mental health of students, and expand outreach and training at institutions of higher education.

SAMHSA must give special consideration to programs that: (1) demonstrate the greatest need, (2) propose effective approaches for initiating or expanding campus services, (3) target underserved and at-risk populations, (4) coordinate with a community mental health center or other community mental health resources, (5) identify how the institution of higher education will address psychiatric emergencies, (6) propose innovative practices to improve care or prevention programs, and (7) demonstrate the greatest potential for replication and dissemination.

SAMHSA must convene an interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health at institutions of higher education.

The Department of Health and Human Services must establish the College Campus Task Force to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns at institutions of higher education.

mental health campus improvement act bill amends public_health_service_act require substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa award grants institutions higher education provide improve mental behavioral health services conduct research improving mental health students expand outreach training institutions higher education samhsa special consideration programs demonstrate greatest need propose effective approaches initiating expanding campus services target underserved risk populations coordinate community mental health center community mental health resources identify institution higher education address psychiatric emergencies propose innovative practices improve care prevention programs demonstrate greatest potential replication dissemination samhsa convene interagency public private sector working group plan establish begin coordinating evaluating targeted public education campaign designed focus mental behavioral health institutions higher education department_of_health_and_human_services establish college_campus_task_force discuss mental behavioral health concerns institutions higher education


Summary:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Medication Prescribing Improvement Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Defense to: (1) review the prescribing practices at military treatment facilities of pharmaceutical agents for post-traumatic stress treatment, (2) implement a process or processes to monitor the prescribing practices at military treatment facilities of pharmaceutical agents that are discouraged from use under the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Post-Traumatic Stress, and (3) implement a plan to address deviations from such guideline.

bill directs department_of_defense review prescribing practices military treatment facilities pharmaceutical agents post traumatic stress treatment implement process processes monitor prescribing practices military treatment facilities pharmaceutical agents discouraged use implement plan address deviations guideline


Summary:
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, to carry out a five-year pilot program under which the VA shall provide a service dog and veterinary health insurance to a veteran who:

 is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder rated at a severity level of 3 or 4 on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), has completed an evidence-based treatment and remains significantly symptomatic, served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, has not experienced satisfactory improvement in symptoms after being treated with evidence-based therapies. The VA shall enter into contracts with appropriate providers that are certified by Assistance Dogs International or a similar organization for the procurement of service dogs and training of such dogs and their recipients.

The provision of a service dog shall be done in addition to other types of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and shall not replace established treatment modalities.

act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs carry year pilot program shall provide service dog veterinary health insurance veteran diagnosed post traumatic stress disorder rated severity level ptsd scale completed evidence based treatment remains significantly served active duty september experienced satisfactory improvement symptoms treated evidence based therapies shall enter contracts appropriate providers certified similar organization procurement service dogs training dogs recipients provision service dog shall addition types treatment post traumatic stress disorder shall replace established treatment modalities


Summary:
Protection and Advocacy for Veterans Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year grant program to improve the monitoring of VA mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.

The VA shall award grants to four protection and advocacy systems under which each recipient shall investigate and monitor VA facilities care and treatment of veterans with mental illness or substance abuse issues. Criteria for selecting recipients shall include whether the state in which the protection and advocacy system operates has low mental health, performance, and access scores.

During each year in which a protection and advocacy system carries out a demonstration project, the VA shall award a joint grant to a national organization with extensive knowledge of the protection and advocacy system and a veterans service organization to: (1) coordinate training and technical assistance, and (2) provide for related data collection, reporting, and analysis.

 "Protection and advocacy system" means the state-established system to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.

protection advocacy veterans act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish year grant program improve monitoring mental health substance abuse treatment programs shall award grants protection advocacy systems recipient shall investigate monitor facilities care treatment veterans mental illness substance abuse issues criteria selecting recipients shall include state protection advocacy system operates low mental health performance access scores year protection advocacy system carries demonstration project shall award joint grant national organization extensive knowledge protection advocacy system veterans service organization coordinate training technical assistance provide related data collection reporting analysis protection advocacy system means state established system protect advocate rights persons developmental disabilities


Summary:
No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop:

 a quality assurance document for carrying out the toll-free Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), including at backup call centers; and a plan to ensure that each telephone call, text message, and other communication received by the VCL, including at backup call centers, is answered in a timely manner by a person, consistent with the guidance established by the American Association of Suicidology.

veterans crisis line act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs develop quality assurance document carrying toll free veterans crisis line including backup centers plan ensure telephone text message communication received including backup centers timely manner person consistent guidance established


Summary:
Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, and other laws to:

 establish the Interagency Task Force on Trauma-Informed Care; support the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative; establish the National Law Enforcement Child and Youth Trauma Coordinating Center; authorize the Department of Education to award grants for the improvement of trauma support services and mental health care for children in educational settings; establish Medicaid demonstration projects to test innovative, trauma-informed approaches for delivering early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services to eligible children; modify and extend the Performance Partnership Pilots; and revise or establish provisions related to best practices, data collection, health professional shortage areas, licensing guidelines for certain community figures, health care workforce training, trauma-related coordinating bodies, and trauma-informed teaching.

families act bill amends public_health_service_act elementary secondary education act title xix medicaid social security act laws establish interagency_task_force support national child traumatic stress initiative establish youth trauma coordinating center authorize department_of_education award grants improvement trauma support services mental health care children educational settings establish medicaid demonstration projects test innovative trauma informed approaches delivering early periodic screening diagnostic treatment services eligible children modify extend revise establish provisions related best practices data collection health professional shortage areas licensing guidelines certain community figures health care workforce training trauma related coordinating bodies trauma informed teaching


Summary: This bill: (1) continues the Medicaid emergency psychiatric demonstration project; (2) authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to replace with another state, on a competitive basis, any originally selected state that elects not to resume its participation in the project; and (3) modifies other requirements related to the project.

bill continues medicaid emergency psychiatric demonstration project authorizes replace state competitive basis originally selected state elects resume participation project modifies requirements related project


Summary: Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act - Establishes a national policy to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems and requires that federal agencies administer U.S. policies and laws accordingly. Allows more stringent federal and state requirements. States that there shall be an agency known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), declares that Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (concerning NOAA) shall have no further force or effect, and sets forth NOAA's mission and functions. (Reestablishes NOAA and requires a reorganization plan.) Creates an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and makes that person the Administrator of NOAA. Requires maintenance within NOAA of: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) programs to protect, maintain, and restore the health and sustainability of coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes resources; (3) the Office of Education; and (4) a Science Advisory Board. Establishes: (1) a National Oceans Advisor; (2) a Committee on Ocean Policy; and (3) the Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy. Designates certain ocean regions for ecosystem-based management and establishes a Regional Ocean Partnership for each region. Requires the Administrator to establish a network of regional ocean ecosystem resource information systems for each ocean region and other specified bodies of water. Authorizes related contracts. Establishes in the Treasury the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund. Requires payments to coastal states for development and implementation of Regional Ocean Strategic Plans. Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide for a special postage stamp to afford the public a convenient way to support efforts to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystems.

education 21st century act establishes national policy protect maintain restore health marine ecosystems requires federal agencies administer policies laws accordingly allows stringent federal state requirements states shall agency known national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa declares reorganization plan concerning noaa shall force effect sets forth noaa mission functions requires reorganization plan creates secretary commerce oceans atmosphere makes person administrator noaa requires maintenance noaa national_weather_service programs protect maintain restore health sustainability coastal ocean great_lakes resources science advisory board establishes committee ocean policy designates certain ocean regions ecosystem based management establishes region requires administrator establish network regional ocean ecosystem resource information systems ocean region specified bodies water authorizes related contracts establishes treasury ocean requires payments coastal states development implementation plans requires provide special postage stamp afford public convenient way support efforts protect maintain restore marine ecosystems


Summary: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act - Reestablishes in the Department of Commerce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, who shall serve as the Administrator of NOAA. Maintains within NOAA: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) programs to support efforts, on a continuing basis, to collect data and provide information and products regarding satellites, observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information; and (3) programs to conduct and support research and education and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. Establishes a Science Advisory Board within NOAA. Terminates the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (the executive order that established NOAA). Requires the Administrator to develop and submit to Congress a NOAA reorganization plan. Prohibits the Administrator from closing, consolidating, relocating, subdividing, or establishing a facility of NOAA unless there has been specified prior public and congressional notification, and an assessment, of any proposed changes. Prohibits, except as provided, a NOAA activity or function that is converted to contractor performance under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 from being performed by the contractor or any subcontractor at a location outside of the United States.

national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration act reestablishes department_of_commerce national oceanic atmospheric administration noaa headed secretary commerce oceans atmosphere shall serve administrator noaa maintains noaa national_weather_service programs support efforts continuing basis collect data provide information products satellites observations coastal ocean great_lakes information programs conduct support research education development technologies relating weather climate coasts oceans great_lakes establishes science_advisory_board noaa terminates reorganization plan executive order established noaa requires administrator develop submit congress noaa reorganization plan prohibits administrator closing consolidating relocating establishing facility noaa specified prior public congressional notification assessment proposed changes prohibits provided noaa activity function converted contractor performance office_of_management_and_budget circular a-76 performed contractor subcontractor location outside united_states


Summary: Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program in NOAA that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. (Sec. 103) Sets forth program authorities, including authorizing the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans. (Sec. 104) Requires the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. (Sec. 105) Declares that nothing in this Act supersedes or limits the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Undersea Research Program - National Undersea Research Program Act of 2007 - (Sec. 202) Requires the Administrator to conduct an undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development program to increase scientific knowledge regarding management, use, and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. Requires the program's director to cooperate with institutions of higher education and other educational marine and ocean science organizations and to make available undersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, information, and expertise to support those organizations' undersea research. Authorizes the director to enter into partnerships with the private sector to achieve program goals and to promote marine industry technological advancement. (Sec. 204) Requires that the program be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers representing all NOAA regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. (Sec. 205) Specifies the research, exploration, education, and technology programs to be conducted through the network of extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. (Sec. 206) Allows not more than ten percent of the program's budget to be used for administration and for priority undersea research projects not covered by funding available from centers. Requires a competition every five years to select the regional centers that will participate in the program. Requires projects supported by the regional centers to be awarded using an open and competitive process. (Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Interagency Planning and Coordination - (Sec. 301) Requires the NOAA Administrator, and relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, industry, and other experts, to convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force. Requires that the task force coordinate the development of agency budgets.

title national ocean exploration program national ocean exploration program act sec requires administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa conduct coordinated national ocean exploration program noaa promotes collaboration federal ocean undersea research exploration programs sec sets forth program authorities including authorizing administrator accept donations property data equipment applied exploring oceans increasing knowledge oceans sec requires noaa administrator appoint sec declares act supersedes limits authority secretary interior outer_continental_shelf_lands_act sec authorizes appropriations title act sec requires administrator conduct undersea research exploration education technology development program increase scientific knowledge management use preservation oceanic coastal great_lakes resources requires program director cooperate institutions higher education educational marine ocean science organizations available undersea research facilities equipment technologies information expertise support organizations undersea research authorizes director enter partnerships private sector achieve program goals promote marine industry technological advancement sec requires program conducted national headquarters network extramural regional undersea research centers representing noaa regions sec specifies research exploration education technology programs conducted network extramural regional centers sec allows percent program budget administration priority undersea research projects covered funding available centers requires competition years select regional centers participate program requires projects supported regional centers awarded open competitive process sec authorizes appropriations title iii interagency planning coordination sec requires noaa administrator relevant governmental non governmental academic industry experts convene ocean exploration undersea research technology infrastructure task force requires task force coordinate development agency budgets


Summary: Improved Hurricane Tracking and Forecasting Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out a program for an improved ocean surface winds vector satellite for purposes including: (1) to address science and application questions related to air-sea interaction and coastal circulation; (2) to improve forecasting for hurricanes, coastal winds and storm surge, and other weather-related disasters; (3) to ensure continuity of quality for satellite ocean surface vector wind measurements so that existing weather forecasting and warning capabilities are not degraded; and (4) to advance satellite ocean surface vector wind data capabilities.

directs administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa carry program improved ocean surface satellite purposes including address science application questions related air sea interaction coastal circulation improve forecasting hurricanes coastal storm surge weather related disasters ensure continuity quality satellite ocean surface wind measurements existing weather forecasting warning capabilities degraded advance satellite ocean surface wind data capabilities


Summary: Weather Mitigation Research and Technology Transfer Authorization Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Department of Commerce the Weather Mitigation Advisory and Research Board to promote and fund research and development (R&D), studies, and investigations with respect to: (1) improved forecast and decisionmaking technologies for weather mitigation operations, including tailored computer workstations and software and new observation systems with remote sensors; and (2) assessments and evaluations of the efficacy of weather mitigation, both purposeful (including cloud-seeding operations) and inadvertent (including downwind effects and anthropogenic effects). Establishes within the U.S. Treasury the Weather Mitigation Research and Development Fund. Directs the Board, unless the use of the money is restricted or subject to any limitations provided by law, to use amounts in the Fund to: (1) pay its expenses in the administration of this Act; and (2) provide for R&D with respect to weather mitigations by grants to, or contracts or cooperative arrangements with, public or private agencies.

establishes department_of_commerce weather mitigation advisory promote fund research development studies investigations respect improved forecast decisionmaking technologies weather mitigation operations including tailored computer software new observation systems remote sensors assessments evaluations efficacy weather mitigation including cloud operations inadvertent including effects anthropogenic effects establishes weather mitigation research development fund directs board use money restricted subject limitations provided law use amounts fund pay expenses administration act provide respect weather grants contracts cooperative arrangements public private agencies


Summary: AmericaView Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to: (1) maintain a nationwide AmericaView Program to advance the availability, distribution, and use of remote sensing data (information acquired from above the surface of the Earth by satellite or airplane) and technology in each state; (2) maintain AmericaView (the national nonprofit collaboration of StateView participants cooperating with the EROS Data Center to achieve the purposes of the AmericaView Program) in each state to develop publicly accessible remote sensing data archive and distribution infrastructure and expand remote sensing education, research, and knowledge; (3) award annual grants to sustain and develop StateView programs (the AmericaView programs of an individual states, comprised of educational institutions and state and local governments); and (4) maintain an advisory committee to advise the USGS Director about the AmericaView Program.

authorization act directs secretary interior acting director united_states_geological_survey usgs maintain nationwide advance availability distribution use remote sensing data information acquired surface earth satellite airplane technology state maintain national nonprofit collaboration participants cooperating achieve purposes state develop publicly accessible remote sensing data archive distribution infrastructure expand remote sensing education research knowledge award annual grants sustain develop programs programs individual states comprised educational institutions state local governments maintain advisory committee advise usgs director


Summary: Hurricane Satellite Modernization Act - Authorizes the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to procure and launch the next-generation Extended Ocean Vector Winds Mission, or XOVWM, constellation of satellites. Requires the Administrator to coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure that the capabilities of the XOVWM constellation of satellites will meet the operational data needs of NOAA. Requires development of a plan and schedule for the procurement and launch of the XOVWM constellation of satellites. Authorizes the Administrator of NOAA to operate the constellation of satellites procured and developed under this Act.

hurricane satellite modernization act authorizes administrator national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa procure launch generation constellation satellites requires administrator coordinate national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa ensure capabilities constellation satellites meet operational data needs noaa requires development plan schedule procurement launch constellation satellites authorizes administrator noaa operate constellation satellites procured developed act


Summary: Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act (OCEAN Act) - Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in consultation with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other appropriate federal agencies, to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration among NOAA programs. Specifies program authorities. (Sec. 104) Requires NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a specified strategy. (Sec. 105) Authorizes NOAA, NSF, and other agencies involved in the program to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds appropriated to any federal participant in the program. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations for the program for FY2008-FY2017. Title II: Undersea Research Program - NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2007 - (Sec. 202) Requires NOAA to establish an undersea research program to be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of regional undersea research centers, and the National Technology Institute. (Sec. 205) Specifies the research, exploration, education, and technology programs to be conducted through the network of regional centers and the National Technology Institute. (Sec. 206) Sets forth competitiveness requirements. (Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations for the centers and the Institute for FY2008-FY2017. Title III: Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration - Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act - (Sec. 302) Requires NOAA to establish a program to develop a coordinated and comprehensive federal ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the U.S. continental shelf that: (1) enhances ecosystem approaches in decision-making for conservation and management of marine resources and habitats; (2) establishes research priorities; (3) supports the siting of research and other platforms; and (4) advances ocean and coastal science. Sets forth program parameters. (Sec. 303) Establishes an Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping. (Sec. 304) Requires the NOAA Administrator to submit to Congress a plan for an integrated ocean and coastal mapping initiative within NOAA. Sets forth plan requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to maintain and operate up to three joint ocean and coastal mapping centers, including a joint hydrographic center, to be co-located with an institution of higher education to serve as hydrographic centers of excellence and that are authorized to conduct activities necessary to carry out the purposes of this title. Requires the Administrator to continue developing a strategy for expanding contracting with private entities to minimize duplication and take maximum advantage of private sector capabilities in fulfilling the Administration's mapping and charting responsibilities. (Sec. 305) Sets forth reporting requirements. (Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY2008-FY2015.

ocean noaa act ocean act title national ocean exploration program national ocean exploration program act sec requires national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa consultation national_science_foundation nsf appropriate federal agencies establish coordinated national ocean exploration program promotes collaboration noaa programs specifies program authorities sec requires noaa convene ocean technology infrastructure task force develop implement specified strategy sec authorizes noaa nsf agencies involved program participate interagency financing share transfer receive spend funds appropriated federal participant program sec authorizes appropriations program fy2008 fy2017 title undersea research program noaa undersea research program act sec requires noaa establish undersea research program conducted national headquarters network regional undersea research centers sec specifies research exploration education technology programs conducted network regional centers sec sets forth competitiveness requirements sec authorizes appropriations centers title iii ocean coastal mapping integration ocean coastal mapping integration act sec requires noaa establish program develop coordinated comprehensive federal ocean coastal mapping plan great lakes coastal state waters territorial sea exclusive economic zone continental shelf enhances ecosystem approaches decision making conservation management marine resources habitats establishes research priorities supports siting research platforms advances ocean coastal science sets forth program parameters sec ocean coastal mapping sec requires noaa administrator submit congress plan integrated ocean coastal mapping initiative noaa sets forth plan requirements authorizes administrator maintain operate joint ocean coastal mapping centers including joint hydrographic center located institution higher education serve hydrographic centers excellence authorized conduct activities necessary carry purposes title requires administrator continue developing strategy expanding contracting private entities minimize duplication maximum advantage private sector capabilities fulfilling administration mapping charting responsibilities sec sets forth reporting requirements sec authorizes appropriations carry title fy2008 fy2015


Summary: Interoperable Emergency Communications Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to revise provisions concerning the grant program to assist public agencies in establishing the interoperability of public safety emergency communications to specify five (currently, one) specific grant activities. Requires the awarding of at least $1 billion by September 30, 2007, pursuant to provisions of the Call Home Act of 2006. Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to prohibit construing such Act or any amendments made by it as limiting the authority of the Department of Commerce or the Federal Communications Commission.

interoperable emergency communications act amends digital television transition public safety act revise provisions concerning grant program assist public agencies establishing interoperability public safety emergency communications specify currently specific grant activities requires awarding billion september pursuant provisions amends post-katrina_emergency_management_reform_act prohibit construing act amendments limiting authority department_of_commerce federal_communications_commission


Summary: Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to revise the definitions of: (1) "hydrographic data" to include lidar, radar, remote sensing, shoreline and other ocean- and coastal-related surveying, and water level observations; and (2) "hydrographic services" to include references to shoreline and water level information. (Sec. 3) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promote safe, efficient, and environmentally sound marine transportation and to acquire and disseminate hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services. Revises the Administrator's authorities concerning the acquisition of hydrographic data and provision of hydrographic servicesincluding to permit: (1) support for the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources; (2) saving and protecting life and property and supporting the resumption of commerce in response to emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and homeland security and maritime domain awareness needs; and (3) the creation and maintenance of joint centers with other federal agencies. (Sec. 4) Modifies membership provisions regarding the Hydrographic Services Review Panel. (Sec. 5) Authorizations appropriations: (1) through FY2012 for specified hydrographic services; and (2) to acquire a replacement hydrographic survey vessel capable of staying at sea continuously for at least 30 days. (Sec. 6) Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 to increase by 58 the number authorized commissioned officers on the NOAA lineal list if: (1) the Secretary of Commerce has submitted to Congress plans for ship recapitalization, aircraft remodernization, and supporting workforce management plans; (2) appropriated funding is available; and (3) the Secretary has justified organizational needs.

hydrographic services improvement act amendments sec amends hydrographic services improvement act revise definitions hydrographic data include radar remote sensing shoreline ocean- coastal related surveying water level observations hydrographic services include references shoreline water level information sec requires administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa promote safe efficient environmentally sound marine transportation acquire disseminate hydrographic data provide hydrographic services revises administrator authorities concerning acquisition hydrographic data provision hydrographic permit support conservation management coastal ocean resources saving protecting life property supporting resumption commerce response emergencies natural man disasters homeland security maritime domain awareness needs creation maintenance joint centers federal agencies sec modifies membership provisions sec authorizations appropriations fy2012 specified hydrographic services acquire replacement hydrographic survey vessel capable staying sea continuously days sec amends officer corps act increase number authorized commissioned officers noaa lineal list secretary commerce submitted congress plans ship recapitalization aircraft supporting workforce management plans appropriated funding available secretary justified organizational needs


Summary: Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to set forth findings and purposes for the Act. Revises the definitions of "hydrographic data" and "hydrographic services" to include shoreline surveying and water level observations. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promote safe, efficient, and environmentally sound marine transportation and to provide hydrographic services. Revises the Administrator's authorities, including providing hydrographic services to save and protect life and property and support the resumption of commerce in response to emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and homeland security and maritime domain awareness needs. Modifies membership and compensation provisions regarding the Hydrographic Services Review Panel.

hydrographic services improvement act amendments amends hydrographic services improvement act set forth findings purposes act revises definitions hydrographic data hydrographic services include shoreline surveying water level observations requires administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa promote safe efficient environmentally sound marine transportation provide hydrographic services revises administrator authorities including providing hydrographic services save protect life property support resumption commerce response emergencies natural man disasters homeland security maritime domain awareness needs modifies membership compensation provisions


Summary: Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) establish an Institute for Ocean and Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change at an institution of higher education in each of four separate regions of the United States; and (2) award grants to such educational institutions for research, planning, and related activities to assess and prepare for the impacts of climate change on ocean and coastal areas, including the Great Lakes.

directs administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa administrator environmental_protection_agency epa establish coastal adaptation climate change institution higher education separate regions united_states award grants educational institutions research planning related activities assess prepare impacts climate change ocean coastal areas including great lakes


Summary: National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Designates the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the lead agency for Program planning, management, and coordination. (Repeals provisions regarding the existing Interagency Working Group responsible for Program planning, management, and coordination.)Establishes the Interagency Working Group on Wind Impact Reduction (IWG) to coordinate activities and facilitate communication among Program agencies in reducing the impacts of windstorms. Requires the Director of NIST to: (1) establish a Program Office to ensure coordination and synergy across Program agencies; (2) prepare the Program's annual budget; (3) facilitate preparation of the IWG's biennial report to Congress and the National Science and Technology Council; (4) support research and development for building codes and standards; (5) promote implementation of research results; (6) support deployment of interagency teams to investigate major windstorm events and data collection and analysis; and (7) participate in, coordinate, or support other Program mitigation activities.Sets forth: (1) the duties of the Program Office and of the IWG (including preparation of an interim working plan for Program operations and a strategic plan for achieving Program objectives); and (2) supportive roles of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes appropriations for the Program for FY2009-FY2013.

amends national windstorm impact reduction act revise provisions governing national_windstorm_impact_reduction_program designates national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist lead agency program planning management coordination repeals provisions existing interagency working_group responsible program planning management interagency_working_group wind impact reduction coordinate activities facilitate communication program agencies reducing impacts requires director nist establish program office ensure coordination program agencies prepare program annual budget facilitate preparation biennial report congress national_science_and_technology_council support research development building codes standards promote implementation research results support deployment interagency teams investigate major windstorm events data collection analysis participate coordinate support program mitigation activities sets forth duties program_office including preparation interim working plan program operations strategic plan achieving program objectives supportive roles national_science_foundation nsf national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa federal_emergency_management_agency fema department_of_transportation dot national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa army_corps_of_engineers authorizes appropriations program fy2009 fy2013


Summary: Ocean Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to secure for future U.S. generations the full range of benefits of healthy marine ecosystems. Specifies a national ocean policy and related principles. Requires each federal agency to act in accordance with that policy. Reestablishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its leadership. (NOAA was created by the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970.) Includes in NOAA the National Weather Service and the Science Advisory Board. Establishes a National Ocean Advisor in the Executive Office of the President. Reestablishes in the Executive Office of the President the Committee on Ocean Policy, which was originally established by executive order. Establishes a Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy to advise the President. Designates nine ocean regions to promote coordinated regional efforts to implement the national ocean policy. Requires the NOAA Administrator to establish or designate a Regional Ocean Partnership for each region and requires each Partnership to prepare a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan. Establishes the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund. Requires payments to coastal states for Regional Ocean Strategic Plan activities.Requires the United States Postal Service (USPS) to print a special postage stamp to enable the public to help protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystems.

21st century act declares purpose act secure future generations range benefits healthy marine ecosystems specifies national ocean policy related principles requires federal agency act accordance policy reestablishes national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa leadership noaa created reorganization plan includes noaa national_weather_service science_advisory_board establishes executive_office president reestablishes executive_office president committee ocean policy originally established executive order establishes advise president designates ocean regions promote coordinated regional efforts implement national ocean policy requires noaa administrator establish designate region requires partnership prepare establishes ocean requires payments coastal states activities requires united_states_postal_service usps print special postage stamp enable public help protect maintain restore marine ecosystems


Summary: Ocean Research and Exploration Enhancement Act of 2009 - Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) establish within NOAA a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs; (2) convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force; and (3) appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2009 - Requires the Administrator to establish and maintain an undersea research program to increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, and coastal areas and the Great Lakes. Requires that the program be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers that represent all relevant NOAA regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. Requires that funding for projects conducted through the regional centers be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process.

requires administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa establish noaa coordinated national ocean exploration program promotes collaboration federal ocean undersea research exploration programs convene ocean exploration undersea research technology infrastructure task force appoint requires administrator establish maintain undersea research program increase scientific knowledge essential informed management use preservation oceanic marine coastal areas great lakes requires program conducted national headquarters network extramural regional undersea research centers represent relevant noaa regions requires funding projects conducted regional centers awarded competitive merit reviewed process


Summary: Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 - Directs the President to establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System to: (1) support national defense, marine commerce, navigation safety, weather, climate, and marine forecasting, energy siting and production, economic development, ecosystem-based marine, coastal, and Great Lakes resource management, public safety and public outreach training and education; (2) promote awareness of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources; (3) promote basic and applied scientific research; and (4) improve the ability to measure, track, explain, and predict weather and climate change and natural climate variability. Requires the National Ocean Research Leadership Council to serve as the System's policy and coordination oversight body. Requires the Council to establish or designate an Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to prepare annual and long-term plans and to take other actions. Makes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the System's lead federal agency. Sets forth the requirements for a regional information coordination entity to be certified or established. Requires the Administrator to establish or designate a System Advisory Committee. Requires the Council to develop a policy that defines processes for making decisions about the roles of the federal government, states, regional information coordination entities, the academic community, and the private sector in providing to end-user communities environmental information, products, technologies, and services related to the System.

ocean observation system act directs president establish ocean observation system support national defense marine commerce navigation safety weather climate marine forecasting energy siting production economic development ecosystem based marine coastal great_lakes resource management public safety public outreach training education promote awareness ocean coastal great_lakes resources promote basic applied scientific research improve ability measure track explain predict weather climate change natural climate variability requires national_ocean_research_leadership_council serve system policy coordination oversight body requires council establish designate prepare annual long term plans actions makes national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa system lead federal agency sets forth requirements regional information coordination entity certified established requires administrator establish designate requires council develop policy defines processes making decisions roles federal government states regional information coordination entities academic community private sector providing end user communities environmental information products technologies services related system


Summary: Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 to revise research, management, and program provisions of the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). States that the Director of the Office shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the Office and implementation of such Act. Requires the Director to: (1) implement the program activities of the Chesapeake Executive Council; (2) ensure that projects have scientific and technical merit and have undergone appropriate peer review; (3) consult with the Council; and (4) report biennially to Congress and to the Secretary of Commerce regarding activities to protect the Chesapeake Bay. Authorizes the Director to: (1) collaborate with scientific and academic institutions, state and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other constituents to support an integrated observations system for the Chesapeake Bay; (2) support the establishment and implementation of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail; (3) incorporate the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System into the Integrated Ocean Observing System regional network of observatories; (4) establish a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program (authorizes related grants); (5) establish a Chesapeake Bay coastal living resources management and habitat program to support management of priority Chesapeake Bay habitats and living resources, including oysters, blue crabs, and submerged aquatic vegetation; and (6) accept donations of funds, property, and services. Authorizes FY2011- FY2014 appropriations for the Office and related activities.

education ecosystem enhancement act amends national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration authorization act revise research management program provisions national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa states director office shall responsible administration operation office implementation act requires director implement program activities chesapeake_executive_council ensure projects scientific technical merit undergone appropriate peer review consult council report biennially congress secretary commerce activities protect chesapeake_bay authorizes director collaborate scientific academic institutions state federal agencies nongovernmental organizations constituents support integrated observations system chesapeake_bay support establishment implementation captain chesapeake national historic trail incorporate regional network establish chesapeake_bay watershed education training program authorizes related grants establish chesapeake_bay coastal living resources management habitat program support management priority chesapeake_bay habitats living resources including oysters blue submerged aquatic vegetation accept donations funds property services authorizes fy2014 appropriations office related activities


Summary: Authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD), including combatant commands and Regional Centers, to: (1) provide material and personnel support to assist in the planning and execution of the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and (2) pay all or a portion of the costs for citizens of the United States and foreign nationals to participate in the Program. Allows amounts available to the Regional Centers from the DOD "Voice" programs to be used to make those payments.

authorizes department_of_defense dod including combatant commands provide material personnel support assist planning execution national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa pay portion costs citizens united_states foreign nationals participate program allows amounts available dod voice programs payments


Summary: Hurricane Satellite Modernization Act - Authorizes the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to procure and launch the next-generation Extended Ocean Vector Winds Mission, or XOVWM, constellation of satellites. Requires the Administrator to coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure that the capabilities of the XOVWM constellation of satellites will meet the operational data needs of NOAA. Requires development of a plan and schedule for the procurement and launch of the XOVWM constellation of satellites. Authorizes the Administrator of NOAA to operate the constellation of satellites procured under this Act.

hurricane satellite modernization act authorizes administrator national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa procure launch generation constellation satellites requires administrator coordinate national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa ensure capabilities constellation satellites meet operational data needs noaa requires development plan schedule procurement launch constellation satellites authorizes administrator noaa operate constellation satellites procured act


Summary: Securing Health for Ocean Resources and Environment Act or the SHORE Act - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to: (1) review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) capacity to respond to oil spills; (2) be responsible for developing and maintaining oil spill trajectory modeling capabilities; (3) create and update NOAA's environmental sensitivity index products for each coastal area of the United States and for each offshore area that is leased or under consideration for leasing for offshore energy production; (4) review the current state of NOAA's capacity to monitor, map, and track subsea hydrocarbons; (5) establish a national information center on oil spills; (6) establish an initiative concerning the effects of oil spills resulting from aging and abandoned oil infrastructure; (7) develop an inventory of offshore abandoned or sunken vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone and identify priorities for potential preemptive removal of oil or other actions that may be effective to mitigate the risk of oil spills from such vessels; and (8) develop standard national protocols for oil spill response and clean up assessments and develop guidance and tools for oil spill responders. Amends the Oil Pollution Act to: (1) revise provisions concerning the uses of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund; (2) establish a Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens' Advisory Council to oversee and monitor facilities and tank vessels and establish offices in Gulf States; and (3) revise limits on liability and removal costs of responsible parties with respect to discharge of oil into or upon the navigable waters or adjoining shorelines or the exclusive economic zone from single-hull and double-hull tank ships and barges. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to eligible coastal states to implement and revise specified policies and procedures for responding to oil spills. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary, to: (1) establish a long-term marine environmental monitoring and research program for the marine and coastal environment of the Gulf of Mexico to assess impacts of the oil spill caused by Deepwater Horizon on trust resources (defined as natural resources belonging to, managed by, held in trust by, appertaining to, or otherwise controlled by the United States, any state, an Indian Tribe, or a local government); and (2) direct research and take action to improve the ability of the United States to conduct oil spill prevention, response, and recovery in Arctic waters. Requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) assess and take action to reduce the risk of, and improve the capability of the United States to respond to, a maritime disaster in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas; (2) identify areas in waters in which routing or other navigational measures are warranted to reduce the risk of oil spills and potential damage to natural resources; and (3) analyze data on oil transported as cargo on vessels in U.S. navigable waters. Requires the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to: (1) require response plans approved by the Coast Guard under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to be updated at least once every five years and to utilize the best commercially available technology and methods to contain and remove a worst case discharge and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such discharge; and (2) establish a program to evaluate and validate oil pollution containment and removal methods and technologies. Amends the Clean Water Act to revise provisions concerning the national response system to discharges of oil and hazardous substances, including requiring the President to issue guidance for Area Committees to use with respect to the closing and reopening of fishing grounds following an oil spill. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) safety inspections of tank vessels that enter a U.S. port or place; (2) notices to states of transferring oil in bulk as cargo to, from, or within vessels; (3) notices to states and Indian tribes of marine casualties; and (4) publishing Incident Action Plans prepared and approved as a part of the response to an oil spill. Establishes the Federal Oil Spill Research Committee to coordinate a program of oil pollution research, technology development, and demonstration.

securing health ocean resources environment act shore act requires secretary oceans atmosphere review national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa capacity respond oil spills responsible developing maintaining oil spill trajectory modeling capabilities create update noaa environmental sensitivity index products coastal area united_states offshore area leased consideration leasing offshore energy production review current state noaa capacity monitor map track hydrocarbons establish national information center oil spills establish initiative concerning effects oil spills resulting aging abandoned oil infrastructure develop inventory offshore abandoned vessels exclusive economic zone identify priorities potential removal oil actions effective mitigate risk oil spills vessels develop standard national protocols oil spill response clean assessments develop guidance tools oil spill responders amends oil pollution act revise provisions concerning uses oil_spill_liability_trust_fund establish gulf mexico regional citizens advisory council oversee monitor facilities tank vessels establish offices revise limits liability removal costs responsible parties respect discharge oil navigable waters adjoining shorelines exclusive economic zone single hull double hull tank ships amends coastal_zone_management_act authorize secretary commerce grants eligible coastal states implement revise specified policies procedures responding oil spills requires secretary commerce acting secretary establish long term marine environmental monitoring research program marine coastal environment gulf_of_mexico assess impacts oil spill caused deepwater_horizon trust resources defined natural resources belonging managed held trust controlled united_states state indian tribe local government direct research action improve ability united_states conduct oil spill prevention response recovery arctic waters requires commandant coast guard assess action reduce risk improve capability united_states respond maritime disaster chukchi_seas identify areas waters routing navigational measures warranted reduce risk oil spills potential damage natural resources analyze data oil transported cargo vessels navigable waters requires secretary department coast_guard operating require response plans approved coast_guard federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act updated years utilize best commercially available technology methods contain remove worst case discharge mitigate prevent substantial threat discharge establish program evaluate validate oil pollution containment removal methods technologies amends clean water act revise provisions concerning national response system discharges oil hazardous substances including requiring president issue guidance area committees use respect closing reopening fishing grounds following oil spill sets forth provisions concerning safety inspections tank vessels enter port place notices states transferring oil bulk cargo vessels notices states indian tribes marine casualties publishing incident action plans prepared approved response oil spill establishes federal_oil_spill_research_committee coordinate program oil pollution research technology development demonstration


Summary: Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 - Directs the President, acting through the National Ocean Research Leadership Council, to establish and maintain an integrated system of coastal and ocean observations, data communication and management, analysis, modeling, research, education, and outreach for the timely detection and prediction of changes occurring in the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environments that impact the nation's social, economic, and ecological systems. Includes in the system a national program, a network of regional associations, data management, communication, and modeling systems, a research and development program, and a coordinated outreach, education, and training program. Makes the Council the oversight body for all aspects of the observing system. Requires the Council to establish an Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to plan and coordinate system implementation. Establishes the Interagency Program Coordinating Office located in, but not an office of, the Department of Commerce, to facilitate the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee's responsibilities for system implementation, budgeting, and administration. Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide leadership for system implementation and administration, requiring it to establish an Integrated Ocean Observing Program Office. Requires establishment of a process for the certification of regional associations to be responsible for the development and operation of regional coastal and ocean observing systems. Requires NOAA to formulate a process by which funding is made available for intramural and extramural research on new technologies for collecting data on U.S. coastal and ocean waters.

coastal ocean observation system act directs president acting national_ocean_research_leadership_council establish maintain integrated system coastal ocean observations data communication management analysis modeling research education outreach timely detection prediction changes occurring ocean coastal great_lakes environments impact nation social economic ecological systems includes system national program network regional associations data management communication modeling systems research development program coordinated outreach education training program makes council oversight body aspects observing system requires council establish plan coordinate system implementation establishes located office department_of_commerce facilitate responsibilities system implementation budgeting administration requires national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa provide leadership system implementation administration requiring establish requires establishment process certification regional associations responsible development operation regional coastal ocean observing systems requires noaa formulate process funding available intramural extramural research new technologies collecting data coastal ocean waters


Summary: NOAA Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Program Act of 2009 - Requires the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) establish within NOAA a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs; (2) convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force; and (3) appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. Requires the administrator to establish and maintain an undersea research program to increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, and coastal areas and the Great Lakes. Requires that the program be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers that represent all relevant NOAA regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. Requires that funding for projects conducted through the regional centers be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process.


Summary: Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act - Directs the President to establish a a program to develop a coordinated and comprehensive federal ocean and coastal mapping program for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the U.S. continental shelf that enhances ecosystem approaches in decision-making for conservation and management of marine resources and habitats, establishes research and mapping priorities, supports the siting of research and other platforms, and advances ocean and coastal science. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to convene or use an existing interagency committee on ocean and coastal mapping to implement such program and to coordinate federal ocean and coastal mapping and surveying activities with other federal efforts (including the Digital Coast, Geospatial One-Stop, and the Federal Geographic Data Committee), international mapping activities, coastal states, user groups, and nongovernmental entities. Authorizes the Administrator to convene an ocean and coastal mapping advisory panel consisting of representatives from nongovernmental entities to provide input regarding activities of the committee. Directs the Administrator to develop a plan for an integrated ocean and coastal mapping initiative within NOAA that: (1) identifies all ocean and coastal mapping programs within NOAA, establishing priorities; (2) encourages the development of innovative ocean and coastal mapping technologies and applications; and (3) documents available and developing technologies, best practices in data processing and distribution, and leveraging opportunities with other federal agencies, coastal states, and nongovernmental entities. Authorizes the Administrator to establish joint ocean and coastal mapping centers of excellence (including a joint hydrographic center) in institutions of higher education to conduct specified activities, including: (1) research and development of innovative ocean and coastal mapping technologies, equipment, and data products; and (2) mapping of the U.S. outer continental shelf. Requires the Administrator to continue developing a strategy for expanding contracting with nongovernmental entities.

ocean coastal mapping integration act directs president establish program develop coordinated comprehensive federal ocean coastal mapping program great lakes coastal state waters territorial sea exclusive economic zone continental shelf enhances ecosystem approaches decision making conservation management marine resources habitats establishes research mapping priorities supports siting research platforms advances ocean coastal science directs administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa convene use existing interagency committee ocean coastal mapping implement program coordinate federal ocean coastal mapping surveying activities federal efforts including digital_coast geospatial stop international mapping activities coastal states user groups nongovernmental entities authorizes administrator convene ocean coastal mapping advisory panel consisting representatives nongovernmental entities provide input activities committee directs administrator develop plan integrated ocean coastal mapping initiative noaa identifies ocean coastal mapping programs noaa establishing priorities encourages development innovative ocean coastal mapping technologies applications documents available developing technologies best practices data processing distribution leveraging opportunities federal agencies coastal states nongovernmental entities authorizes administrator establish joint ocean coastal mapping centers excellence including joint hydrographic center institutions higher education conduct specified activities including research development innovative ocean coastal mapping technologies equipment data products mapping outer continental shelf requires administrator continue developing strategy expanding contracting nongovernmental entities