CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION.

Privacy. A bill (H.R. 2036) introduced by Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL) would restrict government use of Social Security numbers (SSNs) for identification purposes. For example, the bill would prohibit the use of Social Security numbers on checks issued by the government or on employee identification cards or tags. The bill would also prohibit the use of SSNs by prisoners employed by the government. Under the bill, states would be required to obtain independent verification of birth records before issuing replacement SSNs.

H.R. 2036 has 36 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Financial Services Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee.

School security. A bill (H.R. 1812) introduced by Rep. Robert Menendez would offer grants to school districts to implement safety and security programs. Under the bill, the Secretary of Education would award grants to establish crisis intervention programs and school safety programs for students and staff. The bill would also extend the authorization for federal funding of after-school programs and skills programs for at-risk students. The measure also requires that the Department of Education develop a model violence-prevention program for school districts. The department is also charged with establishing and maintaining a national clearinghouse to provide schools with information on violence alternative programs and technical assistance in setting up such programs.

The bill has 20 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.

Campus safety. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) has introduced a bill (H.R. 2145) designed to decrease fire emergencies at colleges and universities. Under the bill, the Secretary of Education would award grants for sprinkler systems or other fire suppression or prevention techniques. The grants would be available to states, public and private colleges or universities, fraternities, and sororities for use in student housing and dormitories. However, to receive the grants, the recipient would have to provide matching funds for the fire safety project. The bill would provide $100 million in grant money each year from 2002 to 2006.

H.R. 2145 has 45 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Terrorism. Rep. George Nethercutt (RWA) bas introduced a bill (H.R. 2060) designed to prevent terrorist attacks on companies that use plant or animal material for research or commercial purposes--called animal and plant enterprises in the legislation. The bill would direct the FBI to establish and maintain a national clearinghouse for information on crime and terrorism against animal and plant enterprises and for acts of terrorism committed against any commercial activity because of a perceived impact of such activity on the environment. The clearinghouse would be used by law enforcement officers for research into such crimes.

Under the provision, the FBI would award grants to colleges and universities for conducting risk assessments and improving security at research facilities. The FBI would also prepare a report detailing appropriate security procedures for colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations. The report would include strategies for reducing the threat of terrorism, educating the work force, hardening targets, and working with law enforcement.

The bill also strengthens penalties for those who use explosives or arson in a terrorist attack on a plant or animal enterprise. Such crimes would be punishable by five to 20 years in prison.

H.R. 2060 has no cosponsors and has been referred to the House judiciary and science committees.

Medical privacy. A bill (H.R 1215) introduced by Rep. James Greenwood (RPA) would require that healthcare facilities and insurance companies allow individuals to view their own records. The bill prohibits the disclosure of patient health information to third parties. Exceptions are made for certain types of information in certain circumstances. For example, a healthcare facility is allowed to share records that include payment information if a dispute arises. Similarly, law enforcement can see certain records, and healthcare workers are allowed to disclose information to the patient's next of kin.

H.R. 1215 has three cosponsors and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. Discrimination. A bill (S. 1107) introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) would make it illegal for companies to discriminate against an employee because of that person's participation in a labor dispute. For example, under the measure, it would be illegal to offer or grant an individual a raise or promotion based on the fact that the person was employed or indicated a willingness to be employed during a labor dispute.

S. 1107 has 15 cosponsors and has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.