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Public Law105th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 4309Became Law

Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Oct 8, 1998)

Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance in the form of grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that are carrying out projects or activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture for the physical and psychological effects of such torture.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000.

Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to U.S. programs to cover the costs of services for: (1) the rehabilitation of victims of torture, including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture; (2) social and legal services for victims of torture; and (3) research and training for health care providers outside of treatment centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000.

Authorizes appropriations to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) request the Fund to find new ways to support and protect treatment centers and programs (including the development of new centers and programs) that are carrying out rehabilitative services for victims of torture; (2) use the U.S. vote to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Committee Against Torture established under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and (3) use the U.S. vote to establish a country rapporteur or similar procedural mechanism to investigate human rights violations in a country if either the Special Rapporteur or the Committee Against Torture indicates that a systematic practice of torture is prevalent in such country.

Directs the Secretary of State to provide training for foreign service officers with respect to torture victims, including gender-specific training on the subject of interacting with women and men who are victims of torture by rape or any other form of sexual violence.

What just happenedOct 30, 1998

Became Public Law No: 105-320.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4](R-NJ)Sponsor
30 cosponsors22 D7 R1 I
Read on Congress.gov
30cosponsors2committees41actions1amendments43subjects
  1. Oct 30, 1998PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 105-320.

  2. Oct 30, 1998BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 105-320.

  3. Oct 30, 1998PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Oct 30, 1998BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Oct 20, 1998FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Oct 20, 1998President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Oct 10, 1998ResolvingDifferencesH41931

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Oct 10, 1998ResolvingDifferencesH41610

    On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H10447-10450)

  9. Oct 10, 1998NotUsed19500

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H10447-10450)

  10. Oct 10, 1998FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  11. Oct 10, 1998ResolvingDifferencesH40140

    Mr. Gilman moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

  12. Oct 8, 1998Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  13. Oct 8, 1998Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  14. Oct 8, 1998Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  15. Oct 8, 1998Floor

    Amendment SP 3792 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

  16. Oct 8, 1998Floor

    Amendment SP 3792 proposed by Senator Jeffords for Senator Grams.

  17. Oct 8, 1998Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12044))

  18. Sep 15, 1998IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  19. Sep 14, 1998FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  20. Sep 14, 1998FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  21. Sep 14, 1998Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  22. Sep 14, 1998FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  23. Sep 14, 1998FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7661-7664)

  24. Sep 14, 1998FloorH30300

    Mr. Gilman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  25. Sep 14, 1998CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 406.

  26. Sep 14, 1998DischargeH12300

    Committee on Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  27. Sep 14, 1998Committee5500

    Committee on Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  28. Sep 14, 1998IntroReferralH11210

    House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 14, 1998.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  29. Sep 14, 1998CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 105-709, Part I.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  30. Sep 14, 1998Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 105-709, Part I.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  31. Aug 17, 1998CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

    Health and Environment Subcommittee
  32. Aug 6, 1998CommitteeH19000

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  33. Aug 6, 1998CommitteeH15000-B

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  34. Jul 24, 1998CommitteeH23000

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee
  35. Jul 24, 1998CommitteeH22000

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee
  36. Jul 24, 1998CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

    International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee
  37. Jul 22, 1998IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Commerce

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  38. Jul 22, 1998IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  39. Jul 22, 1998IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House International Relations

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  40. Jul 22, 1998IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  41. Jul 22, 1998IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed Senate amendedOct 8, 199835

Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance in the form of grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that are carrying out projects or activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture for the physical and psychological effects of such torture.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000.

Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to U.S. programs to cover the costs of services for: (1) the rehabilitation of victims of torture, including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture; (2) social and legal services for victims of torture; and (3) research and training for health care providers outside of treatment centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000.

Authorizes appropriations to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) request the Fund to find new ways to support and protect treatment centers and programs (including the development of new centers and programs) that are carrying out rehabilitative services for victims of torture; (2) use the U.S. vote to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Committee Against Torture established under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and (3) use the U.S. vote to establish a country rapporteur or similar procedural mechanism to investigate human rights violations in a country if either the Special Rapporteur or the Committee Against Torture indicates that a systematic practice of torture is prevalent in such country.

Directs the Secretary of State to provide training for foreign service officers with respect to torture victims, including gender-specific training on the subject of interacting with women and men who are victims of torture by rape or any other form of sexual violence.

Introduced in HouseJul 22, 199800

Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance in the form of grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that are carrying out projects or activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture for the physical and psychological effects of such torture.

Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to U.S. programs to cover the costs of services for: (1) the rehabilitation of victims of torture, including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture; (2) social and legal services for victims of torture; and (3) research and training for health care providers outside of treatment centers. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes appropriations to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) request the Fund to find new ways to support and protect treatment centers and programs (including the development of new centers and programs) that are carrying out rehabilitative services for victims of torture; (2) use the U.S. vote to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Committee Against Torture established under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and (3) use the U.S. vote to establish a country rapporteur or similar procedural mechanism to investigate human rights violations in a country if either the Special Rapporteur or the Committee Against Torture indicates that a systematic practice of torture is prevalent in such country.

Directs the Secretary of State to provide training for consular officers with respect to torture victims, including gender-specific training on the subject of interacting with women and men who are victims of torture by rape or any other form of sexual violence.