[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 126 (Wednesday, October 11, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H9723-H9765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2415, BANKRUPTCY REFORM ACT OF 2000

  Mr. GEKAS (during the Special Order of Mr. Schaffer) submitted the 
following conference report and statement on the bill (H.R. 2415) to 
enhance security of United States missions and personnel overseas, to 
authorize appropriations for the Department of State for fiscal year 
2000, and for other purposes:

                  Conference Report (H. Rept. 106-970)

       The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 
     two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 
     2415), an Act to enhance security of United States missions 
     and personnel overseas, to authorize appropriations for the 
     Department of State for fiscal year 2000, and for other 
     purposes, having met, after full and free conference, have 
     agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective 
     Houses as follows:
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate and agree to the same with an 
     amendment as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate 
     amendment, insert the following:

     SECTION 1. ENACTMENT OF BANKRUPTCY REFORM ACT OF 2000.

       The provisions of S. 3186 of the 106th Congress, as 
     introduced on October 11, 2000, are hereby enacted into law.

     SEC. 2. PUBLICATION OF ACT.

       In publishing this Act in slip form and in the United 
     States Statutes at Large pursuant to section 112 of title 1, 
     United States Code, the Archivist of the United States shall 
     include after the date of approval an appendix setting forth 
     the provisions referred to in section 1.

       And the Senate agree to the same.

     Henry Hyde,
     George W. Gekas,
     Dick Armey,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Jesse Helms,
     Richard G. Lugar,
     Rod Grams,
     Joe Biden,
                               Managers on the Part of the Senate.

       JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE

       The managers on the part of the House and the Senate at the 
     conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the 
     amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2415) an Act to 
     enhance security of United States missions and personnel 
     overseas, to authorize appropriations for the Department of 
     State for fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes, submit 
     the following joint statement to the House and the Senate in 
     explanation of the effect of the action agreed upon by the 
     managers and recommended in the accompanying conference 
     report:
       The Senate amendment struck out all of the House bill after 
     the enacting clause and inserted a substitute text.
       The House recedes from its disagreement to the amendment of 
     the Senate with an amendment which is a substitute for the 
     House bill and the Senate amendment.
       The conference agreement would enact the provision of S. 
     3186 of the 106th Congress, as introduced on October 11, 
     2000. The text of that bill follows:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Bankruptcy 
     Reform Act of 2000''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 100. Short title; references; table of contents.

                    TITLE I--NEEDS-BASED BANKRUPTCY

Sec. 101. Conversion.
Sec. 102. Dismissal or conversion.
Sec. 103. Sense of Congress and study.
Sec. 104. Notice of alternatives.
Sec. 105. Debtor financial management training test program.
Sec. 106. Credit counseling.
Sec. 107. Schedules of reasonable and necessary expenses.

                 TITLE II--ENHANCED CONSUMER PROTECTION

          Subtitle A--Penalties for Abusive Creditor Practices

Sec. 201. Promotion of alternative dispute resolution.
Sec. 202. Effect of discharge.
Sec. 203. Discouraging abuse of reaffirmation practices.

                   Subtitle B--Priority Child Support

Sec. 211. Definition of domestic support obligation.
Sec. 212. Priorities for claims for domestic support obligations.
Sec. 213. Requirements to obtain confirmation and discharge in cases 
              involving domestic support obligations.
Sec. 214. Exceptions to automatic stay in domestic support obligation 
              proceedings.
Sec. 215. Nondischargeability of certain debts for alimony, 
              maintenance, and support.
Sec. 216. Continued liability of property.
Sec. 217. Protection of domestic support claims against preferential 
              transfer motions.
Sec. 218. Disposable income defined.
Sec. 219. Collection of child support.
Sec. 220. Nondischargeability of certain educational benefits and 
              loans.

                 Subtitle C--Other Consumer Protections

Sec. 221. Amendments to discourage abusive bankruptcy filings.
Sec. 222. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 223. Additional amendments to title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 224. Protection of retirement savings in bankruptcy.
Sec. 225. Protection of education savings in bankruptcy.
Sec. 226. Definitions.
Sec. 227. Restrictions on debt relief agencies.
Sec. 228. Disclosures.
Sec. 229. Requirements for debt relief agencies.
Sec. 230. GAO study.

[[Page H9724]]

                TITLE III--DISCOURAGING BANKRUPTCY ABUSE

Sec. 301. Reinforcement of the fresh start.
Sec. 302. Discouraging bad faith repeat filings.
Sec. 303. Curbing abusive filings.
Sec. 304. Debtor retention of personal property security.
Sec. 305. Relief from the automatic stay when the debtor does not 
              complete intended surrender of consumer debt collateral.
Sec. 306. Giving secured creditors fair treatment in chapter 13.
Sec. 307. Domiciliary requirements for exemptions.
Sec. 308. Residency requirement for homestead exemption.
Sec. 309. Protecting secured creditors in chapter 13 cases.
Sec. 310. Limitation on luxury goods.
Sec. 311. Automatic stay.
Sec. 312. Extension of period between bankruptcy discharges.
Sec. 313. Definition of household goods and antiques.
Sec. 314. Debt incurred to pay nondischargeable debts.
Sec. 315. Giving creditors fair notice in chapters 7 and 13 cases.
Sec. 316. Dismissal for failure to timely file schedules or provide 
              required information.
Sec. 317. Adequate time to prepare for hearing on confirmation of the 
              plan.
Sec. 318. Chapter 13 plans to have a 5-year duration in certain cases.
Sec. 319. Sense of Congress regarding expansion of rule 9011 of the 
              Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Sec. 320. Prompt relief from stay in individual cases.
Sec. 321. Chapter 11 cases filed by individuals.
Sec. 322. Limitation.
Sec. 323. Excluding employee benefit plan participant contributions and 
              other property from the estate.
Sec. 324. Exclusive jurisdiction in matters involving bankruptcy 
              professionals.
Sec. 325. United States trustee program filing fee increase.
Sec. 326. Sharing of compensation.
Sec. 327. Fair valuation of collateral.
Sec. 328. Defaults based on nonmonetary obligations.

       TITLE IV--GENERAL AND SMALL BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS

           Subtitle A--General Business Bankruptcy Provisions

Sec. 401. Adequate protection for investors.
Sec. 402. Meetings of creditors and equity security holders.
Sec. 403. Protection of refinance of security interest.
Sec. 404. Executory contracts and unexpired leases.
Sec. 405. Creditors and equity security holders committees.
Sec. 406. Amendment to section 546 of title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 407. Amendments to section 330(a) of title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 408. Postpetition disclosure and solicitation.
Sec. 409. Preferences.
Sec. 410. Venue of certain proceedings.
Sec. 411. Period for filing plan under chapter 11.
Sec. 412. Fees arising from certain ownership interests.
Sec. 413. Creditor representation at first meeting of creditors.
Sec. 414. Definition of disinterested person.
Sec. 415. Factors for compensation of professional persons.
Sec. 416. Appointment of elected trustee.
Sec. 417. Utility service.
Sec. 418. Bankruptcy fees.
Sec. 419. More complete information regarding assets of the estate.

            Subtitle B--Small Business Bankruptcy Provisions

Sec. 431. Flexible rules for disclosure statement and plan.
Sec. 432. Definitions.
Sec. 433. Standard form disclosure statement and plan.
Sec. 434. Uniform national reporting requirements.
Sec. 435. Uniform reporting rules and forms for small business cases.
Sec. 436. Duties in small business cases.
Sec. 437. Plan filing and confirmation deadlines.
Sec. 438. Plan confirmation deadline.
Sec. 439. Duties of the United States trustee.
Sec. 440. Scheduling conferences.
Sec. 441. Serial filer provisions.
Sec. 442. Expanded grounds for dismissal or conversion and appointment 
              of trustee.
Sec. 443. Study of operation of title 11, United States Code, with 
              respect to small businesses.
Sec. 444. Payment of interest.
Sec. 445. Priority for administrative expenses.

                TITLE V--MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Petition and proceedings related to petition.
Sec. 502. Applicability of other sections to chapter 9.

                       TITLE VI--BANKRUPTCY DATA

Sec. 601. Improved bankruptcy statistics.
Sec. 602. Uniform rules for the collection of bankruptcy data.
Sec. 603. Audit procedures.
Sec. 604. Sense of Congress regarding availability of bankruptcy data.

                  TITLE VII--BANKRUPTCY TAX PROVISIONS

Sec. 701. Treatment of certain liens.
Sec. 702. Treatment of fuel tax claims.
Sec. 703. Notice of request for a determination of taxes.
Sec. 704. Rate of interest on tax claims.
Sec. 705. Priority of tax claims.
Sec. 706. Priority property taxes incurred.
Sec. 707. No discharge of fraudulent taxes in chapter 13.
Sec. 708. No discharge of fraudulent taxes in chapter 11.
Sec. 709. Stay of tax proceedings limited to prepetition taxes.
Sec. 710. Periodic payment of taxes in chapter 11 cases.
Sec. 711. Avoidance of statutory tax liens prohibited.
Sec. 712. Payment of taxes in the conduct of business.
Sec. 713. Tardily filed priority tax claims.
Sec. 714. Income tax returns prepared by tax authorities.
Sec. 715. Discharge of the estate's liability for unpaid taxes.
Sec. 716. Requirement to file tax returns to confirm chapter 13 plans.
Sec. 717. Standards for tax disclosure.
Sec. 718. Setoff of tax refunds.
Sec. 719. Special provisions related to the treatment of State and 
              local taxes.
Sec. 720. Dismissal for failure to timely file tax returns.

           TITLE VIII--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES

Sec. 801. Amendment to add chapter 15 to title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 802. Other amendments to titles 11 and 28, United States Code.

                TITLE IX--FINANCIAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS

Sec. 901. Treatment of certain agreements by conservators or receivers 
              of insured depository institutions.
Sec. 902. Authority of the corporation with respect to failed and 
              failing institutions.
Sec. 903. Amendments relating to transfers of qualified financial 
              contracts.
Sec. 904. Amendments relating to disaffirmance or repudiation of 
              qualified financial contracts.
Sec. 905. Clarifying amendment relating to master agreements.
Sec. 906. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 
              1991.
Sec. 907. Bankruptcy Code amendments.
Sec. 908. Recordkeeping requirements.
Sec. 909. Exemptions from contemporaneous execution requirement.
Sec. 910. Damage measure.
Sec. 911. SIPC stay.
Sec. 912. Asset-backed securitizations.
Sec. 913. Effective date; application of amendments.

                 TITLE X--PROTECTION OF FAMILY FARMERS

Sec. 1001. Permanent reenactment of chapter 12.
Sec. 1002. Debt limit increase.
Sec. 1003. Certain claims owed to governmental units.

              TITLE XI--HEALTH CARE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Sec. 1101. Definitions.
Sec. 1102. Disposal of patient records.
Sec. 1103. Administrative expense claim for costs of closing a health 
              care business and other administrative expenses.
Sec. 1104. Appointment of ombudsman to act as patient advocate.
Sec. 1105. Debtor in possession; duty of trustee to transfer patients.
Sec. 1106. Exclusion from program participation not subject to 
              automatic stay.

                    TITLE XII--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1201. Definitions.
Sec. 1202. Adjustment of dollar amounts.
Sec. 1203. Extension of time.
Sec. 1204. Technical amendments.
Sec. 1205. Penalty for persons who negligently or fraudulently prepare 
              bankruptcy petitions.
Sec. 1206. Limitation on compensation of professional persons.
Sec. 1207. Effect of conversion.
Sec. 1208. Allowance of administrative expenses.
Sec. 1209. Exceptions to discharge.
Sec. 1210. Effect of discharge.
Sec. 1211. Protection against discriminatory treatment.
Sec. 1212. Property of the estate.
Sec. 1213. Preferences.
Sec. 1214. Postpetition transactions.
Sec. 1215. Disposition of property of the estate.
Sec. 1216. General provisions.
Sec. 1217. Abandonment of railroad line.
Sec. 1218. Contents of plan.
Sec. 1219. Discharge under chapter 12.
Sec. 1220. Bankruptcy cases and proceedings.
Sec. 1221. Knowing disregard of bankruptcy law or rule.
Sec. 1222. Transfers made by nonprofit charitable corporations.
Sec. 1223. Protection of valid purchase money security interests.
Sec. 1224. Extensions.
Sec. 1225. Bankruptcy judgeships.
Sec. 1226. Compensating trustees.
Sec. 1227. Amendment to section 362 of title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 1228. Judicial education.
Sec. 1229. Reclamation.
Sec. 1230. Providing requested tax documents to the court.
Sec. 1231. Encouraging creditworthiness.
Sec. 1232. Property no longer subject to redemption.
Sec. 1233. Trustees.

[[Page H9725]]

Sec. 1234. Bankruptcy forms.
Sec. 1235. Expedited appeals of bankruptcy cases to courts of appeals.
Sec. 1236. Exemptions.

                 TITLE XIII--CONSUMER CREDIT DISCLOSURE

Sec. 1301. Enhanced disclosures under an open end credit plan.
Sec. 1302. Enhanced disclosure for credit extensions secured by a 
              dwelling.
Sec. 1303. Disclosures related to ``introductory rates''.
Sec. 1304. Internet-based credit card solicitations.
Sec. 1305. Disclosures related to late payment deadlines and penalties.
Sec. 1306. Prohibition on certain actions for failure to incur finance 
              charges.
Sec. 1307. Dual use debit card.
Sec. 1308. Study of bankruptcy impact of credit extended to dependent 
              students.
Sec. 1309. Clarification of clear and conspicuous.
Sec. 1310. Enforcement of certain foreign judgments barred.

      TITLE XIV--GENERAL EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1401. Effective date; application of amendments.
                    TITLE I--NEEDS--BASED BANKRUPTCY

     SEC. 101. CONVERSION.

       Section 706(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting ``or consents to'' after ``requests''.

     SEC. 102. DISMISSAL OR CONVERSION.

       (a) In General.--Section 707 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking the section heading and inserting the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 707. Dismissal of a case or conversion to a case under 
       chapter 11 or 13'';

     and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by subparagraph (A) 
     of this paragraph--
       (i) in the first sentence--

       (I) by striking ``but not at the request or suggestion of'' 
     and inserting ``trustee, bankruptcy administrator, or'';
       (II) by inserting ``, or, with the debtor's consent, 
     convert such a case to a case under chapter 11 or 13 of this 
     title,'' after ``consumer debts''; and
       (III) by striking ``a substantial abuse'' and inserting 
     ``an abuse''; and

       (ii) by striking the next to last sentence; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2)(A)(i) In considering under paragraph (1) whether the 
     granting of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of 
     this chapter, the court shall presume abuse exists if the 
     debtor's current monthly income reduced by the amounts 
     determined under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), and 
     multiplied by 60 is not less than the lesser of--
       ``(I) 25 percent of the debtor's nonpriority unsecured 
     claims in the case, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or
       ``(II) $10,000.
       ``(ii)(I) The debtor's monthly expenses shall be the 
     debtor's applicable monthly expense amounts specified under 
     the National Standards and Local Standards, and the debtor's 
     actual monthly expenses for the categories specified as Other 
     Necessary Expenses issued by the Internal Revenue Service for 
     the area in which the debtor resides, as in effect on the 
     date of the entry of the order for relief, for the debtor, 
     the dependents of the debtor, and the spouse of the debtor in 
     a joint case, if the spouse is not otherwise a dependent. 
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this clause, the 
     monthly expenses of the debtor shall not include any payments 
     for debts. In addition, the debtor's monthly expenses shall 
     include the debtor's reasonably necessary expenses incurred 
     to maintain the safety of the debtor and the family of the 
     debtor from family violence as identified under section 309 
     of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 
     10408), or other applicable Federal law. The expenses 
     included in the debtor's monthly expenses described in the 
     preceding sentence shall be kept confidential by the court. 
     In addition, if it is demonstrated that it is reasonable and 
     necessary, the debtor's monthly expenses may also include an 
     additional allowance for food and clothing of up to 5 percent 
     of the food and clothing categories as specified by the 
     National Standards issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
       ``(II) In addition, the debtor's monthly expenses may 
     include, if applicable, the continuation of actual expenses 
     paid by the debtor that are reasonable and necessary for care 
     and support of an elderly, chronically ill, or disabled 
     household member or member of the debtor's immediate family 
     (including parents, grandparents, and siblings of the debtor, 
     the dependents of the debtor, and the spouse of the debtor in 
     a joint case) who is not a dependent and who is unable to pay 
     for such reasonable and necessary expenses.
       ``(III) In addition, for a debtor eligible for chapter 13, 
     the debtor's monthly expenses may include the actual 
     administrative expenses of administering a chapter 13 plan 
     for the district in which the debtor resides, up to an amount 
     of 10 percent of the projected plan payments, as determined 
     under schedules issued by the Executive Office for United 
     States Trustees.
       ``(IV) In addition, the debtor's monthly expenses may 
     include the actual expenses for each dependent child under 
     the age of 18 years up to $1,500 per year per child to attend 
     a private elementary or secondary school, if the debtor 
     provides documentation of such expenses and a detailed 
     explanation of why such expenses are reasonable and 
     necessary.
       ``(iii) The debtor's average monthly payments on account of 
     secured debts shall be calculated as--
       ``(I) the sum of--
       ``(aa) the total of all amounts scheduled as contractually 
     due to secured creditors in each month of the 60 months 
     following the date of the petition; and
       ``(bb) any additional payments to secured creditors 
     necessary for the debtor, in filing a plan under chapter 13 
     of this title, to maintain possession of the debtor's primary 
     residence, motor vehicle, or other property necessary for the 
     support of the debtor and the debtor's dependents, that 
     serves as collateral for secured debts; divided by
       ``(II) 60.
       ``(iv) The debtor's expenses for payment of all priority 
     claims (including priority child support and alimony claims) 
     shall be calculated as--
       ``(I) the total amount of debts entitled to priority; 
     divided by
       ``(II) 60.
       ``(B)(i) In any proceeding brought under this subsection, 
     the presumption of abuse may only be rebutted by 
     demonstrating special circumstances that justify additional 
     expenses or adjustments of current monthly income for which 
     there is no reasonable alternative.
       ``(ii) In order to establish special circumstances, the 
     debtor shall be required to--
       ``(I) itemize each additional expense or adjustment of 
     income; and
       ``(II) provide--
       ``(aa) documentation for such expense or adjustment to 
     income; and
       ``(bb) a detailed explanation of the special circumstances 
     that make such expenses or adjustment to income necessary and 
     reasonable.
       ``(iii) The debtor shall attest under oath to the accuracy 
     of any information provided to demonstrate that additional 
     expenses or adjustments to income are required.
       ``(iv) The presumption of abuse may only be rebutted if the 
     additional expenses or adjustments to income referred to in 
     clause (i) cause the product of the debtor's current monthly 
     income reduced by the amounts determined under clauses (ii), 
     (iii), and (iv) of subparagraph (A) when multiplied by 60 to 
     be less than the lesser of--
       ``(I) 25 percent of the debtor's nonpriority unsecured 
     claims, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or
       ``(II) $10,000.
       ``(C) As part of the schedule of current income and 
     expenditures required under section 521, the debtor shall 
     include a statement of the debtor's current monthly income, 
     and the calculations that determine whether a presumption 
     arises under subparagraph (A)(i), that shows how each such 
     amount is calculated.
       ``(3) In considering under paragraph (1) whether the 
     granting of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of 
     this chapter in a case in which the presumption in 
     subparagraph (A)(i) of such paragraph does not apply or has 
     been rebutted, the court shall consider--
       ``(A) whether the debtor filed the petition in bad faith; 
     or
       ``(B) the totality of the circumstances (including whether 
     the debtor seeks to reject a personal services contract and 
     the financial need for such rejection as sought by the 
     debtor) of the debtor's financial situation demonstrates 
     abuse.
       ``(4)(A) The court shall order the counsel for the debtor 
     to reimburse the trustee for all reasonable costs in 
     prosecuting a motion brought under section 707(b), including 
     reasonable attorneys' fees, if--
       ``(i) a trustee appointed under section 586(a)(1) of title 
     28 or from a panel of private trustees maintained by the 
     bankruptcy administrator brings a motion for dismissal or 
     conversion under this subsection; and
       ``(ii) the court--
       ``(I) grants that motion; and
       ``(II) finds that the action of the counsel for the debtor 
     in filing under this chapter violated rule 9011 of the 
     Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
       ``(B) If the court finds that the attorney for the debtor 
     violated rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy 
     Procedure, at a minimum, the court shall order--
       ``(i) the assessment of an appropriate civil penalty 
     against the counsel for the debtor; and
       ``(ii) the payment of the civil penalty to the trustee, the 
     United States trustee, or the bankruptcy administrator.
       ``(C) In the case of a petition, pleading, or written 
     motion, the signature of an attorney shall constitute a 
     certification that the attorney has--
       ``(i) performed a reasonable investigation into the 
     circumstances that gave rise to the petition, pleading, or 
     written motion; and
       ``(ii) determined that the petition, pleading, or written 
     motion--
       ``(I) is well grounded in fact; and
       ``(II) is warranted by existing law or a good faith 
     argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of 
     existing law and does not constitute an abuse under paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(D) The signature of an attorney on the petition shall 
     constitute a certification that the attorney has no knowledge 
     after an inquiry that the information in the schedules filed 
     with such petition is incorrect.
       ``(5)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and subject 
     to paragraph (6), the court may award a debtor all reasonable 
     costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) in contesting a 
     motion brought by a party in interest (other than a trustee, 
     United States trustee, or bankruptcy administrator) under 
     this subsection if--
       ``(i) the court does not grant the motion; and
       ``(ii) the court finds that--
       ``(I) the position of the party that brought the motion 
     violated rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy 
     Procedure; or
       ``(II) the party brought the motion solely for the purpose 
     of coercing a debtor into waiving a right guaranteed to the 
     debtor under this title.

[[Page H9726]]

       ``(B) A small business that has a claim of an aggregate 
     amount less than $1,000 shall not be subject to subparagraph 
     (A)(ii)(I).
       ``(C) For purposes of this paragraph--
       ``(i) the term `small business' means an unincorporated 
     business, partnership, corporation, association, or 
     organization that--
       ``(I) has less than 25 full-time employees as determined on 
     the date the motion is filed; and
       ``(II) is engaged in commercial or business activity; and
       ``(ii) the number of employees of a wholly owned subsidiary 
     of a corporation includes the employees of--
       ``(I) a parent corporation; and
       ``(II) any other subsidiary corporation of the parent 
     corporation.
       ``(6) Only the judge, United States trustee, or bankruptcy 
     administrator may bring a motion under section 707(b), if the 
     current monthly income of the debtor, or in a joint case, the 
     debtor and the debtor's spouse, as of the date of the order 
     for relief, when multiplied by 12, is equal to or less than--
       ``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, 
     the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner 
     last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
       ``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last 
     reported by the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for 
     each individual in excess of 4.
       ``(7) No judge, United States trustee, panel trustee, 
     bankruptcy administrator or other party in interest may bring 
     a motion under paragraph (2), if the current monthly income 
     of the debtor and the debtor's spouse combined, as of the 
     date of the order for relief when multiplied by 12, is equal 
     to or less than--
       ``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, 
     the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner 
     last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
       ``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last 
     reported by the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for 
     each individual in excess of 4.''.
       (b) Definition.--Section 101 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (10) the 
     following:
       ``(10A) `current monthly income'--
       ``(A) means the average monthly income from all sources 
     which the debtor, or in a joint case, the debtor and the 
     debtor's spouse, receive without regard to whether the income 
     is taxable income, derived during the 6-month period 
     preceding the date of determination; and
       ``(B) includes any amount paid by any entity other than the 
     debtor (or, in a joint case, the debtor and the debtor's 
     spouse), on a regular basis to the household expenses of the 
     debtor or the debtor's dependents (and, in a joint case, the 
     debtor's spouse if not otherwise a dependent), but excludes 
     benefits received under the Social Security Act and payments 
     to victims of war crimes or crimes against humanity on 
     account of their status as victims of such crimes;''.
       (c) United States Trustee and Bankruptcy Administrator 
     Duties.--Section 704 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The trustee shall--''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b)(1) With respect to an individual debtor under this 
     chapter--
       ``(A) the United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator 
     shall review all materials filed by the debtor and, not later 
     than 10 days after the date of the first meeting of 
     creditors, file with the court a statement as to whether the 
     debtor's case would be presumed to be an abuse under section 
     707(b); and
       ``(B) not later than 5 days after receiving a statement 
     under subparagraph (A), the court shall provide a copy of the 
     statement to all creditors.
       ``(2) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator 
     shall, not later than 30 days after the date of filing a 
     statement under paragraph (1), either file a motion to 
     dismiss or convert under section 707(b) or file a statement 
     setting forth the reasons the United States trustee or 
     bankruptcy administrator does not believe that such a motion 
     would be appropriate, if the United States trustee or 
     bankruptcy administrator determines that the debtor's case 
     should be presumed to be an abuse under section 707(b) and 
     the product of the debtor's current monthly income, 
     multiplied by 12 is not less than--
       ``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, 
     the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner 
     last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2 or more 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census.
       ``(3) In any case in which a motion to dismiss or convert, 
     or a statement is required to be filed by this subsection, 
     the United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator may 
     decline to file a motion to dismiss or convert pursuant to 
     section 704(b)(2) if the product of the debtor's current 
     monthly income multiplied by 12 exceeds 100 percent, but does 
     not exceed 150 percent of--
       ``(A)(i) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 
     person, the median family income of the applicable State for 
     1 earner last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(ii) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2 or more 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census; and
       ``(B) the product of the debtor's current monthly income, 
     reduced by the amounts determined under section 
     707(b)(2)(A)(ii) (except for the amount calculated under the 
     other necessary expenses standard issued by the Internal 
     Revenue Service) and clauses (iii) and (iv) of section 
     707(b)(2)(A), multiplied by 60 is less than the lesser of--
       ``(i) 25 percent of the debtor's nonpriority unsecured 
     claims in the case or $6,000, whichever is greater; or
       ``(ii) $10,000.''.
       (d) Notice.--Section 342 of title 11, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) In an individual case under chapter 7 in which the 
     presumption of abuse is triggered under section 707(b), the 
     clerk shall give written notice to all creditors not later 
     than 10 days after the date of the filing of the petition 
     that the presumption of abuse has been triggered.''.
       (e) Nonlimitation of Information.--Nothing in this title 
     shall limit the ability of a creditor to provide information 
     to a judge (except for information communicated ex parte, 
     unless otherwise permitted by applicable law), United States 
     trustee, bankruptcy administrator or trustee.
       (f) Dismissal for Certain Crimes.--Section 707 of title 11, 
     United States Code, as amended by this section, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(c)(1) In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `crime of violence' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 16 of title 18; and
       ``(B) the term `drug trafficking crime' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 924(c)(2) of title 18.
       ``(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), after notice and 
     a hearing, the court, on a motion by the victim of a crime of 
     violence or a drug trafficking crime, may when it is in the 
     best interest of the victims dismiss a voluntary case filed 
     by an individual debtor under this chapter if that individual 
     was convicted of that crime.
       ``(3) The court may not dismiss a case under paragraph (2) 
     if the debtor establishes by a preponderance of the evidence 
     that the filing of a case under this chapter is necessary to 
     satisfy a claim for a domestic support obligation.''.
       (g) Confirmation of Plan.--Section 1325(a) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) the action of the debtor in filing the petition was 
     in good faith;''.
       (h) Applicability of Means Test to Chapter 13.--Section 
     1325(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``to unsecured 
     creditors'' after ``to make payments''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term `disposable 
     income' means current monthly income received by the debtor 
     (other than child support payments, foster care payments, or 
     disability payments for a dependent child made in accordance 
     with applicable nonbankruptcy law to the extent reasonably 
     necessary to be expended for such child) less amounts 
     reasonably necessary to be expended--
       ``(A) for the maintenance or support of the debtor or a 
     dependent of the debtor or for a domestic support obligation 
     that first becomes payable after the date the petition is 
     filed and for charitable contributions (that meet the 
     definition of `charitable contribution' under section 
     548(d)(3) to a qualified religious or charitable entity or 
     organization (as that term is defined in section 548(d)(4)) 
     in an amount not to exceed 15 percent of gross income of the 
     debtor for the year in which the contributions are made; and
       ``(B) if the debtor is engaged in business, for the payment 
     of expenditures necessary for the continuation, preservation, 
     and operation of such business.
       ``(3) Amounts reasonably necessary to be expended under 
     paragraph (2) shall be determined in accordance with 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 707(b)(2), if the debtor 
     has current monthly income, when multiplied by 12, greater 
     than--
       ``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, 
     the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner 
     last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
       ``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last 
     reported by the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for 
     each individual in excess of 4.''.
       (i) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     7 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking the 
     item relating to section 707 and inserting the following:

``707. Dismissal of a case or conversion to a case under chapter 11 or 
              13.''.

     SEC. 103. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND STUDY.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of the Treasury has the authority to alter the 
     Internal Revenue Service standards established to set 
     guidelines for repayment plans as needed to accommodate their 
     use under section 707(b) of title 11, United States Code.

[[Page H9727]]

       (b) Study.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Executive Office 
     for United States Trustees shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on 
     the Judiciary of the House of Representatives containing the 
     findings of the Director regarding the utilization of 
     Internal Revenue Service standards for determining--
       (A) the current monthly expenses of a debtor under section 
     707(b) of title 11, United States Code; and
       (B) the impact that the application of such standards has 
     had on debtors and on the bankruptcy courts.
       (2) Recommendation.--The report under paragraph (1) may 
     include recommendations for amendments to title 11, United 
     States Code, that are consistent with the findings of the 
     Director under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 104. NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVES.

       Section 342(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(b) Before the commencement of a case under this title by 
     an individual whose debts are primarily consumer debts, the 
     clerk shall give to such individual written notice 
     containing--
       ``(1) a brief description of--
       ``(A) chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 and the general purpose, 
     benefits, and costs of proceeding under each of those 
     chapters; and
       ``(B) the types of services available from credit 
     counseling agencies; and
       ``(2) statements specifying that--
       ``(A) a person who knowingly and fraudulently conceals 
     assets or makes a false oath or statement under penalty of 
     perjury in connection with a bankruptcy case shall be subject 
     to fine, imprisonment, or both; and
       ``(B) all information supplied by a debtor in connection 
     with a bankruptcy case is subject to examination by the 
     Attorney General.''.

     SEC. 105. DEBTOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING TEST PROGRAM.

       (a) Development of Financial Management and Training 
     Curriculum and Materials.--The Director of the Executive 
     Office for United States Trustees (in this section referred 
     to as the ``Director'') shall consult with a wide range of 
     individuals who are experts in the field of debtor education, 
     including trustees who are appointed under chapter 13 of 
     title 11, United States Code, and who operate financial 
     management education programs for debtors, and shall develop 
     a financial management training curriculum and materials that 
     can be used to educate individual debtors on how to better 
     manage their finances.
       (b) Test.--
       (1) Selection of districts.--The Director shall select 6 
     judicial districts of the United States in which to test the 
     effectiveness of the financial management training curriculum 
     and materials developed under subsection (a).
       (2) Use.--For an 18-month period beginning not later than 
     270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, such 
     curriculum and materials shall be, for the 6 judicial 
     districts selected under paragraph (1), used as the 
     instructional course concerning personal financial management 
     for purposes of section 111 of title 11, United States Code.
       (c) Evaluation.--
       (1) In general.--During the 18-month period referred to in 
     subsection (b), the Director shall evaluate the effectiveness 
     of--
       (A) the financial management training curriculum and 
     materials developed under subsection (a); and
       (B) a sample of existing consumer education programs such 
     as those described in the Report of the National Bankruptcy 
     Review Commission (October 20, 1997) that are representative 
     of consumer education programs carried out by the credit 
     industry, by trustees serving under chapter 13 of title 11, 
     United States Code, and by consumer counseling groups.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 3 months after concluding such 
     evaluation, the Director shall submit a report to the Speaker 
     of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore 
     of the Senate, for referral to the appropriate committees of 
     the Congress, containing the findings of the Director 
     regarding the effectiveness of such curriculum, such 
     materials, and such programs and their costs.

     SEC. 106. CREDIT COUNSELING.

       (a) Who May Be a Debtor.--Section 109 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h)(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), and 
     notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an 
     individual may not be a debtor under this title unless that 
     individual has, during the 180-day period preceding the date 
     of filing of the petition of that individual, received from 
     an approved nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency 
     described in section 111(a) an individual or group briefing 
     (including a briefing conducted by telephone or on the 
     Internet) that outlined the opportunities for available 
     credit counseling and assisted that individual in performing 
     a related budget analysis.
       ``(2)(A) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a 
     debtor who resides in a district for which the United States 
     trustee or bankruptcy administrator of the bankruptcy court 
     of that district determines that the approved nonprofit 
     budget and credit counseling agencies for that district are 
     not reasonably able to provide adequate services to the 
     additional individuals who would otherwise seek credit 
     counseling from that agency by reason of the requirements of 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Each United States trustee or bankruptcy 
     administrator that makes a determination described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall review that determination not later 
     than 1 year after the date of that determination, and not 
     less frequently than every year thereafter. Notwithstanding 
     the preceding sentence, a nonprofit budget and credit 
     counseling service may be disapproved by the United States 
     trustee or bankruptcy administrator at any time.
       ``(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the requirements of 
     paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a debtor who 
     submits to the court a certification that--
       ``(i) describes exigent circumstances that merit a waiver 
     of the requirements of paragraph (1);
       ``(ii) states that the debtor requested credit counseling 
     services from an approved nonprofit budget and credit 
     counseling agency, but was unable to obtain the services 
     referred to in paragraph (1) during the 5-day period 
     beginning on the date on which the debtor made that request; 
     and
       ``(iii) is satisfactory to the court.
       ``(B) With respect to a debtor, an exemption under 
     subparagraph (A) shall cease to apply to that debtor on the 
     date on which the debtor meets the requirements of paragraph 
     (1), but in no case may the exemption apply to that debtor 
     after the date that is 30 days after the debtor files a 
     petition, except that the court, for cause, may order an 
     additional 15 days.''.
       (b) Chapter 7 Discharge.--Section 727(a) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(11) after the filing of the petition, the debtor failed 
     to complete an instructional course concerning personal 
     financial management described in section 111.
       ``(12)(A) Paragraph (11) shall not apply with respect to a 
     debtor who resides in a district for which the United States 
     trustee or bankruptcy administrator of that district 
     determines that the approved instructional courses are not 
     adequate to service the additional individuals required to 
     complete such instructional courses under this section.
       ``(B) Each United States trustee or bankruptcy 
     administrator that makes a determination described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall review that determination not later 
     than 1 year after the date of that determination, and not 
     less frequently than every year thereafter.''.
       (c) Chapter 13 Discharge.--Section 1328 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) The court shall not grant a discharge under this 
     section to a debtor, unless after filing a petition the 
     debtor has completed an instructional course concerning 
     personal financial management described in section 111.
       ``(h) Subsection (g) shall not apply with respect to a 
     debtor who resides in a district for which the United States 
     trustee or bankruptcy administrator of the bankruptcy court 
     of that district determines that the approved instructional 
     courses are not adequate to service the additional 
     individuals who would be required to complete the 
     instructional course by reason of the requirements of this 
     section.
       ``(i) Each United States trustee or bankruptcy 
     administrator that makes a determination described in 
     subsection (h) shall review that determination not later than 
     1 year after the date of that determination, and not less 
     frequently than every year thereafter.''.
       (d) Debtor's Duties.--Section 521 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The debtor shall--''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) In addition to the requirements under subsection (a), 
     an individual debtor shall file with the court--
       ``(1) a certificate from the approved nonprofit budget and 
     credit counseling agency that provided the debtor services 
     under section 109(h) describing the services provided to the 
     debtor; and
       ``(2) a copy of the debt repayment plan, if any, developed 
     under section 109(h) through the approved nonprofit budget 
     and credit counseling agency referred to in paragraph (1).''.
       (e) General Provisions.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 1 of title 11, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 111. Credit counseling services; financial management 
       instructional courses

       ``(a) The clerk of each district shall maintain a publicly 
     available list of--
       ``(1) credit counseling agencies that provide 1 or more 
     programs described in section 109(h) currently approved by 
     the United States trustee or the bankruptcy administrator for 
     the district, as applicable; and
       ``(2) instructional courses concerning personal financial 
     management currently approved by the United States trustee or 
     the bankruptcy administrator for the district, as applicable.
       ``(b) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator 
     shall only approve a credit counseling agency or 
     instructional course concerning personal financial management 
     as follows:
       ``(1) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator 
     shall have thoroughly reviewed the qualifications of the 
     credit counseling agency or of the provider of the 
     instructional course under the standards set forth in this 
     section, and the programs or instructional courses which will 
     be offered by such agency or provider, and may require an 
     agency or provider of an instructional course which has 
     sought approval to provide information with respect to such 
     review.
       ``(2) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator 
     shall have determined that the credit counseling agency or 
     course of instruction fully satisfies the applicable 
     standards set forth in this section.
       ``(3) When an agency or course of instruction is initially 
     approved, such approval shall be for a probationary period 
     not to exceed 6 months. An agency or course of instruction is 
     initially approved if it did not appear on the approved

[[Page H9728]]

     list for the district under subsection (a) immediately prior 
     to approval.
       ``(4) At the conclusion of the probationary period under 
     paragraph (3), the United States trustee or bankruptcy 
     administrator may only approve for an additional 1-year 
     period, and for successive 1-year periods thereafter, any 
     agency or course of instruction which has demonstrated during 
     the probationary or subsequent period that such agency or 
     course of instruction--
       ``(A) has met the standards set forth under this section 
     during such period; and
       ``(B) can satisfy such standards in the future.
       ``(5) Not later than 30 days after any final decision under 
     paragraph (4), that occurs either after the expiration of the 
     initial probationary period, or after any 2-year period 
     thereafter, an interested person may seek judicial review of 
     such decision in the appropriate United States District 
     Court.
       ``(c)(1) The United States trustee or bankruptcy 
     administrator shall only approve a credit counseling agency 
     that demonstrates that it will provide qualified counselors, 
     maintain adequate provision for safekeeping and payment of 
     client funds, provide adequate counseling with respect to 
     client credit problems, and deal responsibly and effectively 
     with other matters as relate to the quality, effectiveness, 
     and financial security of such programs.
       ``(2) To be approved by the United States trustee or 
     bankruptcy administrator, a credit counseling agency shall, 
     at a minimum--
       ``(A) be a nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency, 
     the majority of the board of directors of which--
       ``(i) are not employed by the agency; and
       ``(ii) will not directly or indirectly benefit financially 
     from the outcome of a credit counseling session;
       ``(B) if a fee is charged for counseling services, charge a 
     reasonable fee, and provide services without regard to 
     ability to pay the fee;
       ``(C) provide for safekeeping and payment of client funds, 
     including an annual audit of the trust accounts and 
     appropriate employee bonding;
       ``(D) provide full disclosures to clients, including 
     funding sources, counselor qualifications, possible impact on 
     credit reports, and any costs of such program that will be 
     paid by the debtor and how such costs will be paid;
       ``(E) provide adequate counseling with respect to client 
     credit problems that includes an analysis of their current 
     situation, what brought them to that financial status, and 
     how they can develop a plan to handle the problem without 
     incurring negative amortization of their debts;
       ``(F) provide trained counselors who receive no commissions 
     or bonuses based on the counseling session outcome, and who 
     have adequate experience, and have been adequately trained to 
     provide counseling services to individuals in financial 
     difficulty, including the matters described in subparagraph 
     (E);
       ``(G) demonstrate adequate experience and background in 
     providing credit counseling; and
       ``(H) have adequate financial resources to provide 
     continuing support services for budgeting plans over the life 
     of any repayment plan.
       ``(d) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator 
     shall only approve an instructional course concerning 
     personal financial management--
       ``(1) for an initial probationary period under subsection 
     (b)(3) if the course will provide at a minimum--
       ``(A) trained personnel with adequate experience and 
     training in providing effective instruction and services;
       ``(B) learning materials and teaching methodologies 
     designed to assist debtors in understanding personal 
     financial management and that are consistent with stated 
     objectives directly related to the goals of such course of 
     instruction;
       ``(C) adequate facilities situated in reasonably convenient 
     locations at which such course of instruction is offered, 
     except that such facilities may include the provision of such 
     course of instruction or program by telephone or through the 
     Internet, if the course of instruction or program is 
     effective; and
       ``(D) the preparation and retention of reasonable records 
     (which shall include the debtor's bankruptcy case number) to 
     permit evaluation of the effectiveness of such course of 
     instruction or program, including any evaluation of 
     satisfaction of course of instruction or program requirements 
     for each debtor attending such course of instruction or 
     program, which shall be available for inspection and 
     evaluation by the Executive Office for United States 
     Trustees, the United States trustee, bankruptcy 
     administrator, or chief bankruptcy judge for the district in 
     which such course of instruction or program is offered; and
       ``(2) for any 1-year period if the provider thereof has 
     demonstrated that the course meets the standards of paragraph 
     (1) and, in addition--
       ``(A) has been effective in assisting a substantial number 
     of debtors to understand personal financial management; and
       ``(B) is otherwise likely to increase substantially debtor 
     understanding of personal financial management.
       ``(e) The District Court may, at any time, investigate the 
     qualifications of a credit counseling agency referred to in 
     subsection (a), and request production of documents to ensure 
     the integrity and effectiveness of such credit counseling 
     agencies. The District Court may, at any time, remove from 
     the approved list under subsection (a) a credit counseling 
     agency upon finding such agency does not meet the 
     qualifications of subsection (b).
       ``(f) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator 
     shall notify the clerk that a credit counseling agency or an 
     instructional course is no longer approved, in which case the 
     clerk shall remove it from the list maintained under 
     subsection (a).
       ``(g)(1) No credit counseling service may provide to a 
     credit reporting agency information concerning whether an 
     individual debtor has received or sought instruction 
     concerning personal financial management from the credit 
     counseling service.
       ``(2) A credit counseling service that willfully or 
     negligently fails to comply with any requirement under this 
     title with respect to a debtor shall be liable for damages in 
     an amount equal to the sum of--
       ``(A) any actual damages sustained by the debtor as a 
     result of the violation; and
       ``(B) any court costs or reasonable attorneys' fees (as 
     determined by the court) incurred in an action to recover 
     those damages.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     1 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

``111. Credit counseling services; financial management instructional 
              courses.''.

       (f) Limitation.--Section 362 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) If a case commenced under chapter 7, 11, or 13 is 
     dismissed due to the creation of a debt repayment plan, for 
     purposes of subsection (c)(3), any subsequent case commenced 
     by the debtor under any such chapter shall not be presumed to 
     be filed not in good faith.
       ``(j) On request of a party in interest, the court shall 
     issue an order under subsection (c) confirming that the 
     automatic stay has been terminated.''.

     SEC. 107. SCHEDULES OF REASONABLE AND NECESSARY EXPENSES.

       For purposes of section 707(b) of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, the Director of the Executive 
     Office for United States Trustees shall, not later than 180 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue schedules 
     of reasonable and necessary administrative expenses of 
     administering a chapter 13 plan for each judicial district of 
     the United States.
                 TITLE II--ENHANCED CONSUMER PROTECTION
          Subtitle A--Penalties for Abusive Creditor Practices

     SEC. 201. PROMOTION OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

       (a) Reduction of Claim.--Section 502 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(k)(1) The court, on the motion of the debtor and after a 
     hearing, may reduce a claim filed under this section based in 
     whole on unsecured consumer debts by not more than 20 percent 
     of the claim, if--
       ``(A) the claim was filed by a creditor who unreasonably 
     refused to negotiate a reasonable alternative repayment 
     schedule proposed by an approved credit counseling agency 
     described in section 111 acting on behalf of the debtor;
       ``(B) the offer of the debtor under subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) was made at least 60 days before the filing of the 
     petition; and
       ``(ii) provided for payment of at least 60 percent of the 
     amount of the debt over a period not to exceed the repayment 
     period of the loan, or a reasonable extension thereof; and
       ``(C) no part of the debt under the alternative repayment 
     schedule is nondischargeable.
       ``(2) The debtor shall have the burden of proving, by clear 
     and convincing evidence, that--
       ``(A) the creditor unreasonably refused to consider the 
     debtor's proposal; and
       ``(B) the proposed alternative repayment schedule was made 
     prior to expiration of the 60-day period specified in 
     paragraph (1)(B)(i).''.
       (b) Limitation on Avoidability.--Section 547 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(h) The trustee may not avoid a transfer if such transfer 
     was made as a part of an alternative repayment plan between 
     the debtor and any creditor of the debtor created by an 
     approved credit counseling agency.''.

     SEC. 202. EFFECT OF DISCHARGE.

       Section 524 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) The willful failure of a creditor to credit payments 
     received under a plan confirmed under this title (including a 
     plan of reorganization confirmed under chapter 11 of this 
     title), unless the plan is dismissed, in default, or the 
     creditor has not received payments required to be made under 
     the plan in the manner required by the plan (including 
     crediting the amounts required under the plan), shall 
     constitute a violation of an injunction under subsection 
     (a)(2) if the act of the creditor to collect and failure to 
     credit payments in the manner required by the plan caused 
     material injury to the debtor.
       ``(j) Subsection (a)(2) does not operate as an injunction 
     against an act by a creditor that is the holder of a secured 
     claim, if--
       ``(1) such creditor retains a security interest in real 
     property that is the principal residence of the debtor;
       ``(2) such act is in the ordinary course of business 
     between the creditor and the debtor; and
       ``(3) such act is limited to seeking or obtaining periodic 
     payments associated with a valid security interest in lieu of 
     pursuit of in rem relief to enforce the lien.''.

     SEC. 203. DISCOURAGING ABUSE OF REAFFIRMATION PRACTICES.

       (a) In General.--Section 524 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) the debtor received the disclosures described in 
     subsection (k) at or before the time at which the debtor 
     signed the agreement;'';
       (2) by adding at the end the following:

[[Page H9729]]

       ``(k)(1) The disclosures required under subsection (c)(2) 
     shall consist of the disclosure statement described in 
     paragraph (3), completed as required in that paragraph, 
     together with the agreement, statement, declaration, motion 
     and order described, respectively, in paragraphs (4) through 
     (8), and shall be the only disclosures required in connection 
     with the reaffirmation.
       ``(2) Disclosures made under paragraph (1) shall be made 
     clearly and conspicuously and in writing. The terms `Amount 
     Reaffirmed' and `Annual Percentage Rate' shall be disclosed 
     more conspicuously than other terms, data or information 
     provided in connection with this disclosure, except that the 
     phrases `Before agreeing to reaffirm a debt, review these 
     important disclosures' and `Summary of Reaffirmation 
     Agreement' may be equally conspicuous. Disclosures may be 
     made in a different order and may use terminology different 
     from that set forth in paragraphs (2) through (8), except 
     that the terms `Amount Reaffirmed' and `Annual Percentage 
     Rate' must be used where indicated.
       ``(3) The disclosure statement required under this 
     paragraph shall consist of the following:
       ``(A) The statement: `Part A: Before agreeing to reaffirm a 
     debt, review these important disclosures:';
       ``(B) Under the heading `Summary of Reaffirmation 
     Agreement', the statement: `This Summary is made pursuant to 
     the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code';
       ``(C) The `Amount Reaffirmed', using that term, which shall 
     be--
       ``(i) the total amount which the debtor agrees to reaffirm, 
     and
       ``(ii) the total of any other fees or cost accrued as of 
     the date of the disclosure statement.
       ``(D) In conjunction with the disclosure of the `Amount 
     Reaffirmed', the statements--
       ``(i) `The amount of debt you have agreed to reaffirm'; and
       ``(ii) `Your credit agreement may obligate you to pay 
     additional amounts which may come due after the date of this 
     disclosure. Consult your credit agreement.'.
       ``(E) The `Annual Percentage Rate', using that term, which 
     shall be disclosed as--
       ``(i) if, at the time the petition is filed, the debt is 
     open end credit as defined under the Truth in Lending Act (15 
     U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), then--
       ``(I) the annual percentage rate determined under 
     paragraphs (5) and (6) of section 127(b) of the Truth in 
     Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(b)(5) and (6)), as applicable, as 
     disclosed to the debtor in the most recent periodic statement 
     prior to the agreement or, if no such periodic statement has 
     been provided the debtor during the prior 6 months, the 
     annual percentage rate as it would have been so disclosed at 
     the time the disclosure statement is given the debtor, or to 
     the extent this annual percentage rate is not readily 
     available or not applicable, then
       ``(II) the simple interest rate applicable to the amount 
     reaffirmed as of the date the disclosure statement is given 
     to the debtor, or if different simple interest rates apply to 
     different balances, the simple interest rate applicable to 
     each such balance, identifying the amount of each such 
     balance included in the amount reaffirmed, or
       ``(III) if the entity making the disclosure elects, to 
     disclose the annual percentage rate under subclause (I) and 
     the simple interest rate under subclause (II);
       ``(ii) if, at the time the petition is filed, the debt is 
     closed end credit as defined under the Truth in Lending Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), then--
       ``(I) the annual percentage rate under section 128(a)(4) of 
     the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(a)(4)), as disclosed 
     to the debtor in the most recent disclosure statement given 
     the debtor prior to the reaffirmation agreement with respect 
     to the debt, or, if no such disclosure statement was provided 
     the debtor, the annual percentage rate as it would have been 
     so disclosed at the time the disclosure statement is given 
     the debtor, or to the extent this annual percentage rate is 
     not readily available or not applicable, then
       ``(II) the simple interest rate applicable to the amount 
     reaffirmed as of the date the disclosure statement is given 
     the debtor, or if different simple interest rates apply to 
     different balances, the simple interest rate applicable to 
     each such balance, identifying the amount of such balance 
     included in the amount reaffirmed, or
       ``(III) if the entity making the disclosure elects, to 
     disclose the annual percentage rate under (I) and the simple 
     interest rate under (II).
       ``(F) If the underlying debt transaction was disclosed as a 
     variable rate transaction on the most recent disclosure given 
     under the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), by 
     stating `The interest rate on your loan may be a variable 
     interest rate which changes from time to time, so that the 
     annual percentage rate disclosed here may be higher or 
     lower.'.
       ``(G) If the debt is secured by a security interest which 
     has not been waived in whole or in part or determined to be 
     void by a final order of the court at the time of the 
     disclosure, by disclosing that a security interest or lien in 
     goods or property is asserted over some or all of the 
     obligations you are reaffirming and listing the items and 
     their original purchase price that are subject to the 
     asserted security interest, or if not a purchase-money 
     security interest then listing by items or types and the 
     original amount of the loan.
       ``(H) At the election of the creditor, a statement of the 
     repayment schedule using 1 or a combination of the 
     following--
       ``(i) by making the statement: `Your first payment in the 
     amount of $______ is due on ______ but the future payment 
     amount may be different. Consult your reaffirmation or credit 
     agreement, as applicable.', and stating the amount of the 
     first payment and the due date of that payment in the places 
     provided;
       ``(ii) by making the statement: `Your payment schedule will 
     be:', and describing the repayment schedule with the number, 
     amount and due dates or period of payments scheduled to repay 
     the obligations reaffirmed to the extent then known by the 
     disclosing party; or
       ``(iii) by describing the debtor's repayment obligations 
     with reasonable specificity to the extent then known by the 
     disclosing party.
       ``(I) The following statement: `Note: When this disclosure 
     refers to what a creditor `may' do, it does not use the word 
     `may' to give the creditor specific permission. The word 
     `may' is used to tell you what might occur if the law permits 
     the creditor to take the action. If you have questions about 
     your reaffirmation or what the law requires, talk to the 
     attorney who helped you negotiate this agreement. If you 
     don't have an attorney helping you, the judge will explain 
     the effect of your reaffirmation when the reaffirmation 
     hearing is held.'.
       ``(J)(i) The following additional statements:
       `` `Reaffirming a debt is a serious financial decision. The 
     law requires you to take certain steps to make sure the 
     decision is in your best interest. If these steps are not 
     completed, the reaffirmation agreement is not effective, even 
     though you have signed it.
       `` `1. Read the disclosures in this Part A carefully. 
     Consider the decision to reaffirm carefully. Then, if you 
     want to reaffirm, sign the reaffirmation agreement in Part B 
     (or you may use a separate agreement you and your creditor 
     agree on).
       `` `2. Complete and sign Part D and be sure you can afford 
     to make the payments you are agreeing to make and have 
     received a copy of the disclosure statement and a completed 
     and signed reaffirmation agreement.
       `` `3. If you were represented by an attorney during the 
     negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, the attorney must 
     have signed the certification in Part C.
       `` `4. If you were not represented by an attorney during 
     the negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, you must have 
     completed and signed Part E.
       `` `5. The original of this disclosure must be filed with 
     the court by you or your creditor. If a separate 
     reaffirmation agreement (other than the one in Part B) has 
     been signed, it must be attached.
       `` `6. If you were represented by an attorney during the 
     negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, your 
     reaffirmation agreement becomes effective upon filing with 
     the court unless the reaffirmation is presumed to be an undue 
     hardship as explained in Part D.
       `` `7. If you were not represented by an attorney during 
     the negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, it will not 
     be effective unless the court approves it. The court will 
     notify you of the hearing on your reaffirmation agreement. 
     You must attend this hearing in bankruptcy court where the 
     judge will review your agreement. The bankruptcy court must 
     approve the agreement as consistent with your best interests, 
     except that no court approval is required if the agreement is 
     for a consumer debt secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, 
     security deed or other lien on your real property, like your 
     home.
       `` `Your right to rescind a reaffirmation. You may rescind 
     (cancel) your reaffirmation at any time before the bankruptcy 
     court enters a discharge order or within 60 days after the 
     agreement is filed with the court, whichever is longer. To 
     rescind or cancel, you must notify the creditor that the 
     agreement is canceled.
       `` `What are your obligations if you reaffirm the debt? A 
     reaffirmed debt remains your personal legal obligation. It is 
     not discharged in your bankruptcy. That means that if you 
     default on your reaffirmed debt after your bankruptcy is 
     over, your creditor may be able to take your property or your 
     wages. Otherwise, your obligations will be determined by the 
     reaffirmation agreement which may have changed the terms of 
     the original agreement. For example, if you are reaffirming 
     an open end credit agreement, the creditor may be permitted 
     by that agreement or applicable law to change the terms of 
     the agreement in the future under certain conditions.
       `` `Are you required to enter into a reaffirmation 
     agreement by any law? No, you are not required to reaffirm a 
     debt by any law. Only agree to reaffirm a debt if it is in 
     your best interest. Be sure you can afford the payments you 
     agree to make.
       `` `What if your creditor has a security interest or lien? 
     Your bankruptcy discharge does not eliminate any lien on your 
     property. A ``lien'' is often referred to as a security 
     interest, deed of trust, mortgage or security deed. Even if 
     you do not reaffirm and your personal liability on the debt 
     is discharged, because of the lien your creditor may still 
     have the right to take the security property if you do not 
     pay the debt or default on it. If the lien is on an item of 
     personal property that is exempt under your State's law or 
     that the trustee has abandoned, you may be able to redeem the 
     item rather than reaffirm the debt. To redeem, you make a 
     single payment to the creditor equal to the current value of 
     the security property, as agreed by the parties or determined 
     by the court.'.
       ``(ii) In the case of a reaffirmation under subsection 
     (m)(2), numbered paragraph 6 in the disclosures required by 
     clause (i) of this subparagraph shall read as follows:
       `` `6. If you were represented by an attorney during the 
     negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, your 
     reaffirmation agreement becomes effective upon filing with 
     the court.'.
       ``(4) The form of reaffirmation agreement required under 
     this paragraph shall consist of the following:
       `` `Part B: Reaffirmation Agreement. I/we agree to reaffirm 
     the obligations arising under the credit agreement described 
     below.
       `` `Brief description of credit agreement:
       `` `Description of any changes to the credit agreement made 
     as part of this reaffirmation agreement:

[[Page H9730]]

       `` `Signature:          Date:
       `` `Borrower:
       `` `Co-borrower, if also reaffirming:
       `` `Accepted by creditor:
       `` `Date of creditor acceptance:'.
       ``(5)(A) The declaration shall consist of the following:
       `` `Part C: Certification by Debtor's Attorney (If Any).
       `` `I hereby certify that (1) this agreement represents a 
     fully informed and voluntary agreement by the debtor(s); (2) 
     this agreement does not impose an undue hardship on the 
     debtor or any dependent of the debtor; and (3) I have fully 
     advised the debtor of the legal effect and consequences of 
     this agreement and any default under this agreement.
       `` `Signature of Debtor's Attorney:    Date:'.
       ``(B) In the case of reaffirmations in which a presumption 
     of undue hardship has been established, the certification 
     shall state that in the opinion of the attorney, the debtor 
     is able to make the payment.
       ``(C) In the case of a reaffirmation agreement under 
     subsection (m)(2), subparagraph (B) is not applicable.
       ``(6)(A) The statement in support of reaffirmation 
     agreement, which the debtor shall sign and date prior to 
     filing with the court, shall consist of the following:
       `` `Part D: Debtor's Statement in Support of Reaffirmation 
     Agreement.
       `` `1. I believe this agreement will not impose an undue 
     hardship on my dependents or me. I can afford to make the 
     payments on the reaffirmed debt because my monthly income 
     (take home pay plus any other income received) is $______, 
     and my actual current monthly expenses including monthly 
     payments on post-bankruptcy debt and other reaffirmation 
     agreements total $______, leaving $______ to make the 
     required payments on this reaffirmed debt. I understand that 
     if my income less my monthly expenses does not leave enough 
     to make the payments, this reaffirmation agreement is 
     presumed to be an undue hardship on me and must be reviewed 
     by the court. However, this presumption may be overcome if I 
     explain to the satisfaction of the court how I can afford to 
     make the payments here: ______.
       `` `2. I received a copy of the Reaffirmation Disclosure 
     Statement in Part A and a completed and signed reaffirmation 
     agreement.'.
       ``(B) Where the debtor is represented by counsel and is 
     reaffirming a debt owed to a creditor defined in section 
     19(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 
     461(b)(1)(A)(iv)), the statement of support of the 
     reaffirmation agreement, which the debtor shall sign and date 
     prior to filing with the court, shall consist of the 
     following:
       `` `I believe this agreement is in my financial interest. I 
     can afford to make the payments on the reaffirmed debt. I 
     received a copy of the Reaffirmation Disclosure Statement in 
     Part A and a completed and signed reaffirmation agreement.'
       ``(7) The motion, which may be used if approval of the 
     agreement by the court is required in order for it to be 
     effective and shall be signed and dated by the moving party, 
     shall consist of the following:
       `` `Part E: Motion for Court Approval (To be completed only 
     where debtor is not represented by an attorney.). I (we), the 
     debtor, affirm the following to be true and correct:
       `` `I am not represented by an attorney in connection with 
     this reaffirmation agreement.
       `` `I believe this agreement is in my best interest based 
     on the income and expenses I have disclosed in my Statement 
     in Support of this reaffirmation agreement above, and because 
     (provide any additional relevant reasons the court should 
     consider):
       `` `Therefore, I ask the court for an order approving this 
     reaffirmation agreement.'.
       ``(8) The court order, which may be used to approve a 
     reaffirmation, shall consist of the following:
       `` `Court Order: The court grants the debtor's motion and 
     approves the reaffirmation agreement described above.'.
       ``(9) Subsection (a)(2) does not operate as an injunction 
     against an act by a creditor that is the holder of a secured 
     claim, if--
       ``(A) such creditor retains a security interest in real 
     property that is the debtor's principal residence;
       ``(B) such act is in the ordinary course of business 
     between the creditor and the debtor; and
       ``(C) such act is limited to seeking or obtaining periodic 
     payments associated with a valid security interest in lieu of 
     pursuit of in rem relief to enforce the lien.
       ``(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title:
       ``(1) A creditor may accept payments from a debtor before 
     and after the filing of a reaffirmation agreement with the 
     court.
       ``(2) A creditor may accept payments from a debtor under a 
     reaffirmation agreement which the creditor believes in good 
     faith to be effective.
       ``(3) The requirements of subsections (c)(2) and (k) shall 
     be satisfied if disclosures required under those subsections 
     are given in good faith.
       ``(m)(1) Until 60 days after a reaffirmation agreement is 
     filed with the court (or such additional period as the court, 
     after notice and hearing and for cause, orders before the 
     expiration of such period), it shall be presumed that the 
     reaffirmation agreement is an undue hardship on the debtor if 
     the debtor's monthly income less the debtor's monthly 
     expenses as shown on the debtor's completed and signed 
     statement in support of the reaffirmation agreement required 
     under subsection (k)(6)(A) is less than the scheduled 
     payments on the reaffirmed debt. This presumption shall be 
     reviewed by the court. The presumption may be rebutted in 
     writing by the debtor if the statement includes an 
     explanation which identifies additional sources of funds to 
     make the payments as agreed upon under the terms of the 
     reaffirmation agreement. If the presumption is not rebutted 
     to the satisfaction of the court, the court may disapprove 
     the agreement. No agreement shall be disapproved without 
     notice and hearing to the debtor and creditor and such 
     hearing shall be concluded before the entry of the debtor's 
     discharge.
       ``(2) This subsection does not apply to reaffirmation 
     agreements where the creditor is a credit union, as defined 
     in section 19(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 
     U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(A)(iv)).''.
       (b) Law Enforcement.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 9 of title 18, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 158. Designation of United States attorneys and agents 
       of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to address abusive 
       reaffirmations of debt and materially fraudulent statements 
       in bankruptcy schedules

       ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General of the United 
     States shall designate the individuals described in 
     subsection (b) to have primary responsibility in carrying out 
     enforcement activities in addressing violations of section 
     152 or 157 relating to abusive reaffirmations of debt. In 
     addition to addressing the violations referred to in the 
     preceding sentence, the individuals described under 
     subsection (b) shall address violations of section 152 or 157 
     relating to materially fraudulent statements in bankruptcy 
     schedules that are intentionally false or intentionally 
     misleading.
       ``(b) United States District Attorneys and Agents of the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation--The individuals referred to 
     in subsection (a) are--
       ``(1) a United States attorney for each judicial district 
     of the United States; and
       ``(2) an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
     (within the meaning of section 3107) for each field office of 
     the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
       ``(c) Bankruptcy Investigations.--Each United States 
     attorney designated under this section shall, in addition to 
     any other responsibilities, have primary responsibility for 
     carrying out the duties of a United States attorney under 
     section 3057.
       ``(d) Bankruptcy Procedures.--The bankruptcy courts shall 
     establish procedures for referring any case which may contain 
     a materially fraudulent statement in a bankruptcy schedule to 
     the individuals designated under this section.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 9 of 
     title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

``158. Designation of United States attorneys and agents of the Federal 
              Bureau of Investigation to address abusive reaffirmations 
              of debt and materially fraudulent statements in 
              bankruptcy schedules.''.
                   Subtitle B--Priority Child Support

     SEC. 211. DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATION.

       Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (12A); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
       ``(14A) `domestic support obligation' means a debt that 
     accrues before or after the entry of an order for relief 
     under this title, including interest that accrues on that 
     debt as provided under applicable nonbankruptcy law 
     notwithstanding any other provision of this title, that is--
       ``(A) owed to or recoverable by--
       ``(i) a spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor or 
     such child's parent, legal guardian, or responsible relative; 
     or
       ``(ii) a governmental unit;
       ``(B) in the nature of alimony, maintenance, or support 
     (including assistance provided by a governmental unit) of 
     such spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor or such 
     child's parent, without regard to whether such debt is 
     expressly so designated;
       ``(C) established or subject to establishment before or 
     after entry of an order for relief under this title, by 
     reason of applicable provisions of--
       ``(i) a separation agreement, divorce decree, or property 
     settlement agreement;
       ``(ii) an order of a court of record; or
       ``(iii) a determination made in accordance with applicable 
     nonbankruptcy law by a governmental unit; and
       ``(D) not assigned to a nongovernmental entity, unless that 
     obligation is assigned voluntarily by the spouse, former 
     spouse, child, or parent, legal guardian, or responsible 
     relative of the child for the purpose of collecting the 
     debt;''.

     SEC. 212. PRIORITIES FOR CLAIMS FOR DOMESTIC SUPPORT 
                   OBLIGATIONS.

       Section 507(a) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (7);
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (7), respectively;
       (3) in paragraph (2), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``First'' and inserting ``Second'';
       (4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``Second'' and inserting ``Third'';
       (5) in paragraph (4), as redesignated--
       (A) by striking ``Third'' and inserting ``Fourth''; and
       (B) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a 
     period;
       (6) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``Fourth'' and inserting ``Fifth'';
       (7) in paragraph (6), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``Fifth'' and inserting ``Sixth'';
       (8) in paragraph (7), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``Sixth'' and inserting ``Seventh''; and
       (9) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the 
     following:
       ``(1) First:
       ``(A) Allowed unsecured claims for domestic support 
     obligations that, as of the date of the

[[Page H9731]]

     filing of the petition, are owed to or recoverable by a 
     spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor, or the parent, 
     legal guardian, or responsible relative of such child, 
     without regard to whether the claim is filed by such person 
     or is filed by a governmental unit on behalf of that person, 
     on the condition that funds received under this paragraph by 
     a governmental unit under this title after the date of filing 
     of the petition shall be applied and distributed in 
     accordance with applicable nonbankruptcy law.
       ``(B) Subject to claims under subparagraph (A), allowed 
     unsecured claims for domestic support obligations that, as of 
     the date the petition was filed are assigned by a spouse, 
     former spouse, child of the debtor, or such child's parent, 
     legal guardian, or responsible relative to a governmental 
     unit (unless such obligation is assigned voluntarily by the 
     spouse, former spouse, child, parent, legal guardian, or 
     responsible relative of the child for the purpose of 
     collecting the debt) or are owed directly to or recoverable 
     by a government unit under applicable nonbankruptcy law, on 
     the condition that funds received under this paragraph by a 
     governmental unit under this title after the date of filing 
     of the petition be applied and distributed in accordance with 
     applicable nonbankruptcy law.''.

     SEC. 213. REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN CONFIRMATION AND DISCHARGE 
                   IN CASES INVOLVING DOMESTIC SUPPORT 
                   OBLIGATIONS.

       Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 1129(a), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(14) If the debtor is required by a judicial or 
     administrative order or statute to pay a domestic support 
     obligation, the debtor has paid all amounts payable under 
     such order or statute for such obligation that first become 
     payable after the date on which the petition is filed.'';
       (2) in section 1208(c)--
       (A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) failure of the debtor to pay any domestic support 
     obligation that first becomes payable after the date on which 
     the petition is filed.'';
       (3) in section 1222(a)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
     a plan may provide for less than full payment of all amounts 
     owed for a claim entitled to priority under section 
     507(a)(1)(B) only if the plan provides that all of the 
     debtor's projected disposable income for a 5-year period, 
     beginning on the date that the first payment is due under the 
     plan, will be applied to make payments under the plan.'';
       (4) in section 1222(b)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (12); and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:
       ``(11) provide for the payment of interest accruing after 
     the date of the filing of the petition on unsecured claims 
     that are nondischargeable under section 1328(a), except that 
     such interest may be paid only to the extent that the debtor 
     has disposable income available to pay such interest after 
     making provision for full payment of all allowed claims;'';
       (5) in section 1225(a)--
       (A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) if the debtor is required by a judicial or 
     administrative order or statute to pay a domestic support 
     obligation, the debtor has paid all amounts payable under 
     such order for such obligation that first become payable 
     after the date on which the petition is filed.'';
       (6) in section 1228(a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by inserting ``, and in the case of a debtor who is 
     required by a judicial or administrative order to pay a 
     domestic support obligation, after such debtor certifies that 
     all amounts payable under such order or statute that are due 
     on or before the date of the certification (including amounts 
     due before the petition was filed, but only to the extent 
     provided for in the plan) have been paid'' after ``completion 
     by the debtor of all payments under the plan'';
       (7) in section 1307(c)--
       (A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(11) failure of the debtor to pay any domestic support 
     obligation that first becomes payable after the date on which 
     the petition is filed.'';
       (8) in section 1322(a)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding in the end the following:
       ``(4) notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
     a plan may provide for less than full payment of all amounts 
     owed for a claim entitled to priority under section 
     507(a)(1)(B) only if the plan provides that all of the 
     debtor's projected disposable income for a 5-year period 
     beginning on the date that the first payment is due under the 
     plan will be applied to make payments under the plan.'';
       (9) in section 1322(b)--
       (A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and
       (C) inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
       ``(10) provide for the payment of interest accruing after 
     the date of the filing of the petition on unsecured claims 
     that are nondischargeable under section 1328(a), except that 
     such interest may be paid only to the extent that the debtor 
     has disposable income available to pay such interest after 
     making provision for full payment of all allowed claims; 
     and'';
       (10) in section 1325(a) (as amended by this Act), by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(8) the debtor is required by a judicial or 
     administrative order or statute to pay a domestic support 
     obligation, the debtor has paid all amounts payable under 
     such order or statute for such obligation that first becomes 
     payable after the date on which the petition is filed; and'';
       (11) in section 1328(a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by inserting ``, and in the case of a debtor who is 
     required by a judicial or administrative order to pay a 
     domestic support obligation, after such debtor certifies that 
     all amounts payable under such order or statute that are due 
     on or before the date of the certification (including amounts 
     due before the petition was filed, but only to the extent 
     provided for in the plan) have been paid'' after ``completion 
     by the debtor of all payments under the plan''.

     SEC. 214. EXCEPTIONS TO AUTOMATIC STAY IN DOMESTIC SUPPORT 
                   OBLIGATION PROCEEDINGS.

       Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) under subsection (a)--
       ``(A) of the commencement or continuation of a civil action 
     or proceeding--
       ``(i) for the establishment of paternity;
       ``(ii) for the establishment or modification of an order 
     for domestic support obligations;
       ``(iii) concerning child custody or visitation;
       ``(iv) for the dissolution of a marriage, except to the 
     extent that such proceeding seeks to determine the division 
     of property that is property of the estate; or
       ``(v) regarding domestic violence;
       ``(B) the collection of a domestic support obligation from 
     property that is not property of the estate;
       ``(C) with respect to the withholding of income that is 
     property of the estate or property of the debtor for payment 
     of a domestic support obligation under a judicial or 
     administrative order;
       ``(D) the withholding, suspension, or restriction of 
     drivers' licenses, professional and occupational licenses, 
     and recreational licenses under State law, as specified in 
     section 466(a)(16) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     666(a)(16));
       ``(E) the reporting of overdue support owed by a parent to 
     any consumer reporting agency as specified in section 
     466(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 666(a)(7));
       ``(F) the interception of tax refunds, as specified in 
     sections 464 and 466(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 664 and 666(a)(3)) or under an analogous State law; or
       ``(G) the enforcement of medical obligations as specified 
     under title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et 
     seq.);''.

     SEC. 215. NONDISCHARGEABILITY OF CERTAIN DEBTS FOR ALIMONY, 
                   MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT.

       Section 523 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
       ``(5) for a domestic support obligation;'';
       (B) in paragraph (15)--
       (i) by inserting ``to a spouse, former spouse, or child of 
     the debtor and'' before ``not of the kind'';
       (ii) by inserting ``or'' after ``court of record,''; and
       (iii) by striking ``unless--'' and all that follows through 
     the end of the paragraph and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (18); and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``(6), or (15)'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``or (6)''.

     SEC. 216. CONTINUED LIABILITY OF PROPERTY.

       Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (1) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) a debt of a kind specified in paragraph (1) or (5) of 
     section 523(a) (in which case, notwithstanding any provision 
     of applicable nonbankruptcy law to the contrary, such 
     property shall be liable for a debt of a kind specified in 
     section 523(a)(5));'';
       (2) in subsection (f)(1)(A), by striking the dash and all 
     that follows through the end of the subparagraph and 
     inserting ``of a kind that is specified in section 523(a)(5); 
     or''; and
       (3) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ``subsection (f)(2)'' 
     and inserting ``subsection (f)(1)(B)''.

     SEC. 217. PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC SUPPORT CLAIMS AGAINST 
                   PREFERENTIAL TRANSFER MOTIONS.

       Section 547(c)(7) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(7) to the extent such transfer was a bona fide payment 
     of a debt for a domestic support obligation;''.

     SEC. 218. DISPOSABLE INCOME DEFINED.

       (a) Confirmation of Plan Under Chapter 12.--Section 
     1225(b)(2)(A) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting ``or for a domestic support obligation that first 
     becomes payable after the date on which the petition is 
     filed'' after ``dependent of the debtor''.
       (b) Confirmation of Plan Under Chapter 13.--Section 
     1325(b)(2)(A) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting ``or for a domestic support obligation that first 
     becomes payable after the date on which the petition is 
     filed'' after ``dependent of the debtor''.

     SEC. 219. COLLECTION OF CHILD SUPPORT.

       (a) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 7.--Section 704 of 
     title 11, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is 
     amended--

[[Page H9732]]

       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a 
     claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the 
     applicable notification specified in subsection (c); and''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c)(1) In any case described in subsection (a)(10), the 
     trustee shall--
       ``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the 
     right of that holder to use the services of a State child 
     support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and 
     466 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 664, 666) for the 
     State in which the holder resides for assistance in 
     collecting child support during and after the bankruptcy 
     procedures;
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the 
     address and telephone number of the child support enforcement 
     agency; and
       ``(iii) include in the notice an explanation of the rights 
     of the holder of the claim to payment of the claim under this 
     chapter; and
       ``(B)(i) notify in writing the State child support agency 
     of the State in which the holder of the claim resides of the 
     claim;
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name, 
     address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
       ``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge 
     under section 727, notify the holder of that claim and the 
     State child support agency of the State in which that holder 
     resides of--
       ``(I) the granting of the discharge;
       ``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
       ``(III) the last recent known name and address of the 
     debtor's employer; and
       ``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name of each 
     creditor that holds a claim that--
       ``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph (2), (4), or (14A) 
     of section 523(a); or
       ``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under section 524(c).
       ``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support 
     agency may request from a creditor described in paragraph 
     (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last known address of the debtor.
       ``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
     creditor that makes a disclosure of a last known address of a 
     debtor in connection with a request made under subparagraph 
     (A) shall not be liable to the debtor or any other person by 
     reason of making that disclosure.''.
       (b) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 11.--Section 1106 of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a 
     claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the 
     applicable notification specified in subsection (c).''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c)(1) In any case described in subsection (a)(7), the 
     trustee shall--
       ``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the 
     right of that holder to use the services of a State child 
     support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and 
     466 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 664, 666) for the 
     State in which the holder resides; and
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the 
     address and telephone number of the child support enforcement 
     agency; and
       ``(B)(i) notify, in writing, the State child support agency 
     (of the State in which the holder of the claim resides) of 
     the claim;
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name, 
     address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
       ``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge 
     under section 1141, notify the holder of the claim and the 
     State child support agency of the State in which that holder 
     resides of--
       ``(I) the granting of the discharge;
       ``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
       ``(III) the last recent known name and address of the 
     debtor's employer; and
       ``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name of each 
     creditor that holds a claim that--
       ``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph (2), (3), or (14) 
     of section 523(a); or
       ``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under section 524(c).
       ``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support 
     agency may request from a creditor described in paragraph 
     (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last known address of the debtor.
       ``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
     creditor that makes a disclosure of a last known address of a 
     debtor in connection with a request made under subparagraph 
     (A) shall not be liable to the debtor or any other person by 
     reason of making that disclosure.''.
       (c) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 12.--Section 1202 of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a 
     claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the 
     applicable notification specified in subsection (c).''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c)(1) In any case described in subsection (b)(6), the 
     trustee shall--
       ``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the 
     right of that holder to use the services of a State child 
     support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and 
     466 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 664, 666) for the 
     State in which the holder resides; and
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the 
     address and telephone number of the child support enforcement 
     agency; and
       ``(B)(i) notify, in writing, the State child support agency 
     (of the State in which the holder of the claim resides) of 
     the claim;
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name, 
     address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
       ``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge 
     under section 1228, notify the holder of the claim and the 
     State child support agency of the State in which that holder 
     resides of--
       ``(I) the granting of the discharge;
       ``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
       ``(III) the last recent known name and address of the 
     debtor's employer; and
       ``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name of each 
     creditor that holds a claim that--
       ``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph (2), (4), or (14) 
     of section 523(a); or
       ``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under section 524(c).
       ``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support 
     agency may request from a creditor described in paragraph 
     (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last known address of the debtor.
       ``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
     creditor that makes a disclosure of a last known address of a 
     debtor in connection with a request made under subparagraph 
     (A) shall not be liable to the debtor or any other person by 
     reason of making that disclosure.''.
       (d) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 13.--Section 1302 of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a 
     claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the 
     applicable notification specified in subsection (d).''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d)(1) In any case described in subsection (b)(6), the 
     trustee shall--
       ``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the 
     right of that holder to use the services of a State child 
     support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and 
     466 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 664, 666) for the 
     State in which the holder resides; and
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the 
     address and telephone number of the child support enforcement 
     agency; and
       ``(B)(i) notify in writing the State child support agency 
     of the State in which the holder of the claim resides of the 
     claim;
       ``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name, 
     address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
       ``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge 
     under section 1328, notify the holder of the claim and the 
     State child support agency of the State in which that holder 
     resides of--
       ``(I) the granting of the discharge;
       ``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
       ``(III) the last recent known name and address of the 
     debtor's employer; and
       ``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name of each 
     creditor that holds a claim that--
       ``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph (2), (4), or (14) 
     of section 523(a); or
       ``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under section 524(c).
       ``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support 
     agency may request from a creditor described in paragraph 
     (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last known address of the debtor.
       ``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
     creditor that makes a disclosure of a last known address of a 
     debtor in connection with a request made under subparagraph 
     (A) shall not be liable to the debtor or any other person by 
     reason of making that disclosure.''.

     SEC. 220. NONDISCHARGEABILITY OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS 
                   AND LOANS.

       Section 523(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
       ``(8) unless excepting such debt from discharge under this 
     paragraph would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and 
     the debtor's dependents, for--
       ``(A)(i) an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, 
     insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit, or made under 
     any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit 
     or nonprofit institution; or
       ``(ii) an obligation to repay funds received as an 
     educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend; or
       ``(B) any other educational loan that is a qualified 
     education loan, as that term is defined in section 221(e)(1) 
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, incurred by an 
     individual debtor;''.
                 Subtitle C--Other Consumer Protections

     SEC. 221. AMENDMENTS TO DISCOURAGE ABUSIVE BANKRUPTCY 
                   FILINGS.

       Section 110 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``a person, other 
     than an attorney or an employee of an attorney'' and 
     inserting ``the attorney for the debtor or an employee of 
     such attorney under the direct supervision of such 
     attorney'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following: 
     ``If a bankruptcy petition preparer is not an individual, 
     then an officer, principal, responsible person, or partner of 
     the preparer shall be required to--
       ``(A) sign the document for filing; and

[[Page H9733]]

       ``(B) print on the document the name and address of that 
     officer, principal, responsible person or partner.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2)(A) Before preparing any document for filing or 
     accepting any fees from a debtor, the bankruptcy petition 
     preparer shall provide to the debtor a written notice to 
     debtors concerning bankruptcy petition preparers, which shall 
     be on an official form issued by the Judicial Conference of 
     the United States.
       ``(B) The notice under subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) shall inform the debtor in simple language that a 
     bankruptcy petition preparer is not an attorney and may not 
     practice law or give legal advice;
       ``(ii) may contain a description of examples of legal 
     advice that a bankruptcy petition preparer is not authorized 
     to give, in addition to any advice that the preparer may not 
     give by reason of subsection (e)(2); and
       ``(iii) shall--
       ``(I) be signed by--
       ``(aa) the debtor; and
       ``(bb) the bankruptcy petition preparer, under penalty of 
     perjury; and
       ``(II) be filed with any document for filing.'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``(2) For purposes'' and inserting ``(2)(A) 
     Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) If a bankruptcy petition preparer is not an 
     individual, the identifying number of the bankruptcy petition 
     preparer shall be the Social Security account number of the 
     officer, principal, responsible person, or partner of the 
     preparer.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (3);
       (4) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking ``(d)(1)'' and inserting ``(d)''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (2);
       (5) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2)(A) A bankruptcy petition preparer may not offer a 
     potential bankruptcy debtor any legal advice, including any 
     legal advice described in subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) The legal advice referred to in subparagraph (A) 
     includes advising the debtor--
       ``(i) whether--
       ``(I) to file a petition under this title; or
       ``(II) commencing a case under chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 is 
     appropriate;
       ``(ii) whether the debtor's debts will be eliminated or 
     discharged in a case under this title;
       ``(iii) whether the debtor will be able to retain the 
     debtor's home, car, or other property after commencing a case 
     under this title;
       ``(iv) concerning--
       ``(I) the tax consequences of a case brought under this 
     title; or
       ``(II) the dischargeability of tax claims;
       ``(v) whether the debtor may or should promise to repay 
     debts to a creditor or enter into a reaffirmation agreement 
     with a creditor to reaffirm a debt;
       ``(vi) concerning how to characterize the nature of the 
     debtor's interests in property or the debtor's debts; or
       ``(vii) concerning bankruptcy procedures and rights.'';
       (6) in subsection (f)--
       (A) by striking ``(f)(1)'' and inserting ``(f)''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (2);
       (7) in subsection (g)--
       (A) by striking ``(g)(1)'' and inserting ``(g)''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (2);
       (8) in subsection (h)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
     paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively;
       (B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the 
     following:
       ``(1) The Supreme Court may promulgate rules under section 
     2075 of title 28, or the Judicial Conference of the United 
     States may prescribe guidelines, for setting a maximum 
     allowable fee chargeable by a bankruptcy petition preparer. A 
     bankruptcy petition preparer shall notify the debtor of any 
     such maximum amount before preparing any document for filing 
     for a debtor or accepting any fee from the debtor.'';
       (C) in paragraph (2), as redesignated--
       (i) by striking ``Within 10 days after the date of filing a 
     petition, a bankruptcy petition preparer shall file a'' and 
     inserting ``A'';
       (ii) by inserting ``by the bankruptcy petition preparer 
     shall be filed together with the petition,'' after 
     ``perjury''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following: ``If rules or 
     guidelines setting a maximum fee for services have been 
     promulgated or prescribed under paragraph (1), the 
     declaration under this paragraph shall include a 
     certification that the bankruptcy petition preparer complied 
     with the notification requirement under paragraph (1).'';
       (D) by striking paragraph (3), as redesignated, and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(3)(A) The court shall disallow and order the immediate 
     turnover to the bankruptcy trustee any fee referred to in 
     paragraph (2) found to be in excess of the value of any 
     services--
       ``(i) rendered by the preparer during the 12-month period 
     immediately preceding the date of filing of the petition; or
       ``(ii) found to be in violation of any rule or guideline 
     promulgated or prescribed under paragraph (1).
       ``(B) All fees charged by a bankruptcy petition preparer 
     may be forfeited in any case in which the bankruptcy petition 
     preparer fails to comply with this subsection or subsection 
     (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g).
       ``(C) An individual may exempt any funds recovered under 
     this paragraph under section 522(b).''; and
       (E) in paragraph (4), as redesignated, by striking ``or the 
     United States trustee'' and inserting ``the United States 
     trustee, the bankruptcy administrator, or the court, on the 
     initiative of the court,'';
       (9) in subsection (i)(1), by striking the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
       ``(i)(1) If a bankruptcy petition preparer violates this 
     section or commits any act that the court finds to be 
     fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive, on motion of the debtor, 
     trustee, United States trustee, or bankruptcy administrator, 
     and after the court holds a hearing with respect to that 
     violation or act, the court shall order the bankruptcy 
     petition preparer to pay to the debtor--'';
       (10) in subsection (j)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by striking ``a violation of 
     which subjects a person to criminal penalty'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) by striking ``or has not paid a penalty'' and inserting 
     ``has not paid a penalty''; and
       (II) by inserting ``or failed to disgorge all fees ordered 
     by the court'' after ``a penalty imposed under this 
     section,'';

       (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) The court, as part of its contempt power, may enjoin 
     a bankruptcy petition preparer that has failed to comply with 
     a previous order issued under this section. The injunction 
     under this paragraph may be issued upon motion of the court, 
     the trustee, the United States trustee, or the bankruptcy 
     administrator.''; and
       (11) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l)(1) A bankruptcy petition preparer who fails to comply 
     with any provision of subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), 
     (g), or (h) may be fined not more than $500 for each such 
     failure.
       ``(2) The court shall triple the amount of a fine assessed 
     under paragraph (1) in any case in which the court finds that 
     a bankruptcy petition preparer--
       ``(A) advised the debtor to exclude assets or income that 
     should have been included on applicable schedules;
       ``(B) advised the debtor to use a false Social Security 
     account number;
       ``(C) failed to inform the debtor that the debtor was 
     filing for relief under this title; or
       ``(D) prepared a document for filing in a manner that 
     failed to disclose the identity of the preparer.
       ``(3) The debtor, the trustee, a creditor, the United 
     States trustee, or the bankruptcy administrator may file a 
     motion for an order imposing a fine on the bankruptcy 
     petition preparer for each violation of this section.
       ``(4)(A) Fines imposed under this subsection in judicial 
     districts served by United States trustees shall be paid to 
     the United States trustee, who shall deposit an amount equal 
     to such fines in a special account of the United States 
     Trustee System Fund referred to in section 586(e)(2) of title 
     28. Amounts deposited under this subparagraph shall be 
     available to fund the enforcement of this section on a 
     national basis.
       ``(B) Fines imposed under this subsection in judicial 
     districts served by bankruptcy administrators shall be 
     deposited as offsetting receipts to the fund established 
     under section 1931 of title 28, and shall remain available 
     until expended to reimburse any appropriation for the amount 
     paid out of such appropriation for expenses of the operation 
     and maintenance of the courts of the United States.''.

     SEC. 222. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that States should develop 
     curricula relating to the subject of personal finance, 
     designed for use in elementary and secondary schools.

     SEC. 223. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 11, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Section 507(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
       ``(10) Tenth, allowed claims for death or personal injuries 
     resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel if 
     such operation was unlawful because the debtor was 
     intoxicated from using alcohol, a drug, or another 
     substance.''.

     SEC. 224. PROTECTION OF RETIREMENT SAVINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.

       (a) In General.--Section 522 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and'';
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) retirement funds to the extent that those funds are 
     in a fund or account that is exempt from taxation under 
     section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''; and
       (iv) by striking ``(2)(A) any property'' and inserting:
       ``(3) Property listed in this paragraph is--
       ``(A) any property'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting:
       ``(2) Property listed in this paragraph is property that is 
     specified under subsection (d), unless the State law that is 
     applicable to the debtor under paragraph (3)(A) specifically 
     does not so authorize.'';
       (C) by striking ``(b) Notwithstanding'' and inserting 
     ``(b)(1) Notwithstanding'';
       (D) by striking ``paragraph (2)'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``paragraph (3)'';
       (E) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``paragraph (2)'';
       (F) by striking ``Such property is--''; and
       (G) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) For purposes of paragraph (3)(C) and subsection 
     (d)(12), the following shall apply:
       ``(A) If the retirement funds are in a retirement fund that 
     has received a favorable determination under section 7805 of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and that determination is 
     in

[[Page H9734]]

     effect as of the date of the commencement of the case under 
     section 301, 302, or 303 of this title, those funds shall be 
     presumed to be exempt from the estate.
       ``(B) If the retirement funds are in a retirement fund that 
     has not received a favorable determination under such section 
     7805, those funds are exempt from the estate if the debtor 
     demonstrates that--
       ``(i) no prior determination to the contrary has been made 
     by a court or the Internal Revenue Service; and
       ``(ii)(I) the retirement fund is in substantial compliance 
     with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986; or
       ``(II) the retirement fund fails to be in substantial 
     compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and the debtor is not materially 
     responsible for that failure.
       ``(C) A direct transfer of retirement funds from 1 fund or 
     account that is exempt from taxation under section 401, 403, 
     408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986, under section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986, or otherwise, shall not cease to qualify for 
     exemption under paragraph (3)(C) or subsection (d)(12) by 
     reason of that direct transfer.
       ``(D)(i) Any distribution that qualifies as an eligible 
     rollover distribution within the meaning of section 402(c) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or that is described in 
     clause (ii) shall not cease to qualify for exemption under 
     paragraph (3)(C) or subsection (d)(12) by reason of that 
     distribution.
       ``(ii) A distribution described in this clause is an amount 
     that--
       ``(I) has been distributed from a fund or account that is 
     exempt from taxation under section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 
     457, or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
       ``(II) to the extent allowed by law, is deposited in such a 
     fund or account not later than 60 days after the distribution 
     of that amount.''; and
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``subsection (b)(1)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)(2)''; 
     and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(12) Retirement funds to the extent that those funds are 
     in a fund or account that is exempt from taxation under 
     section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
       (b) Automatic Stay.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (17), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (18), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following:
       ``(19) under subsection (a), of withholding of income from 
     a debtor's wages and collection of amounts withheld, under 
     the debtor's agreement authorizing that withholding and 
     collection for the benefit of a pension, profit-sharing, 
     stock bonus, or other plan established under section 401, 
     403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986, that is sponsored by the employer of the 
     debtor, or an affiliate, successor, or predecessor of such 
     employer--
       ``(A) to the extent that the amounts withheld and collected 
     are used solely for payments relating to a loan from a plan 
     that satisfies the requirements of section 408(b)(1) of the 
     Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or is subject 
     to section 72(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
       ``(B) in the case of a loan from a thrift savings plan 
     described in subchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5, that 
     satisfies the requirements of section 8433(g) of such 
     title;''; and
       (4) by adding at the end of the flush material at the end 
     of the subsection, the following: ``Nothing in paragraph (19) 
     may be construed to provide that any loan made under a 
     governmental plan under section 414(d), or a contract or 
     account under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 constitutes a claim or a debt under this title.''.
       (c) Exceptions To Discharge.--Section 523(a) of title 11, 
     United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(18) owed to a pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or 
     other plan established under section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 
     414, 457, or 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 
     under--
       ``(A) a loan permitted under section 408(b)(1) of the 
     Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or subject 
     to section 72(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
       ``(B) a loan from the thrift savings plan described in 
     subchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5, that satisfies the 
     requirements of section 8433(g) of such title.

     Nothing in paragraph (18) may be construed to provide that 
     any loan made under a governmental plan under section 414(d), 
     or a contract or account under section 403(b), of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 constitutes a claim or a debt 
     under this title.''.
       (d) Plan Contents.--Section 1322 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) A plan may not materially alter the terms of a loan 
     described in section 362(b)(19) and any amounts required to 
     repay such loan shall not constitute `disposable income' 
     under section 1325.''.
       (e) Asset Limitation.--Section 522 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(n) For assets in individual retirement accounts 
     described in section 408 or 408A of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986, other than a simplified employee pension under 
     section 408(k) of that Code or a simple retirement account 
     under section 408(p) of that Code, the aggregate value of 
     such assets exempted under this section, without regard to 
     amounts attributable to rollover contributions under section 
     402(c), 402(e)(6), 403(a)(4), 403(a)(5), and 403(b)(8) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and earnings thereon, shall 
     not exceed $1,000,000 (which amount shall be adjusted as 
     provided in section 104 of this title) in a case filed by an 
     individual debtor, except that such amount may be increased 
     if the interests of justice so require.''.

     SEC. 225. PROTECTION OF EDUCATION SAVINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.

       (a) Exclusions.--Section 541 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (10); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) funds placed in an education individual retirement 
     account (as defined in section 530(b)(1) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986) not later than 365 days before the date 
     of filing of the petition, but--
       ``(A) only if the designated beneficiary of such account 
     was a son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandchild, or 
     step-grandchild of the debtor for the taxable year for which 
     funds were placed in such account;
       ``(B) only to the extent that such funds--
       ``(i) are not pledged or promised to any entity in 
     connection with any extension of credit; and
       ``(ii) are not excess contributions (as described in 
     section 4973(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); and
       ``(C) in the case of funds placed in all such accounts 
     having the same designated beneficiary not earlier than 720 
     days nor later than 365 days before such date, only so much 
     of such funds as does not exceed $5,000;
       ``(6) funds used to purchase a tuition credit or 
     certificate or contributed to an account in accordance with 
     section 529(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     under a qualified State tuition program (as defined in 
     section 529(b)(1) of such Code) not later than 365 days 
     before the date of filing of the petition, but--
       ``(A) only if the designated beneficiary of the amounts 
     paid or contributed to such tuition program was a son, 
     daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandchild, or step-
     grandchild of the debtor for the taxable year for which funds 
     were paid or contributed;
       ``(B) with respect to the aggregate amount paid or 
     contributed to such program having the same designated 
     beneficiary, only so much of such amount as does not exceed 
     the total contributions permitted under section 529(b)(7) of 
     such Code with respect to such beneficiary, as adjusted 
     beginning on the date of the filing of the petition by the 
     annual increase or decrease (rounded to the nearest tenth of 
     1 percent) in the education expenditure category of the 
     Consumer Price Index prepared by the Department of Labor; and
       ``(C) in the case of funds paid or contributed to such 
     program having the same designated beneficiary not earlier 
     than 720 days nor later than 365 days before such date, only 
     so much of such funds as does not exceed $5,000;''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) In determining whether any of the relationships 
     specified in paragraph (5)(A) or (6)(A) of subsection (b) 
     exists, a legally adopted child of an individual (and a child 
     who is a member of an individual's household, if placed with 
     such individual by an authorized placement agency for legal 
     adoption by such individual), or a foster child of an 
     individual (if such child has as the child's principal place 
     of abode the home of the debtor and is a member of the 
     debtor's household) shall be treated as a child of such 
     individual by blood.''.
       (b) Debtor's Duties.--Section 521 of title 11, United 
     States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(c) In addition to meeting the requirements under 
     subsection (a), a debtor shall file with the court a record 
     of any interest that a debtor has in an education individual 
     retirement account (as defined in section 530(b)(1) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or under a qualified State 
     tuition program (as defined in section 529(b)(1) of such 
     Code).''.

     SEC. 226. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) `assisted person' means any person whose debts 
     consist primarily of consumer debts and whose non-exempt 
     assets are less than $150,000;'';
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(4A) `bankruptcy assistance' means any goods or services 
     sold or otherwise provided to an assisted person with the 
     express or implied purpose of providing information, advice, 
     counsel, document preparation, or filing, or attendance at a 
     creditors' meeting or appearing in a proceeding on behalf of 
     another or providing legal representation with respect to a 
     case or proceeding under this title;''; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:
       ``(12A) `debt relief agency' means any person who provides 
     any bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person in return for 
     the payment of money or other valuable consideration, or who 
     is a bankruptcy petition preparer under section 110, but does 
     not include--
       ``(A) any person that is an officer, director, employee or 
     agent of that person;
       ``(B) a nonprofit organization which is exempt from 
     taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986;
       ``(C) a creditor of the person, to the extent that the 
     creditor is assisting the person to restructure any debt owed 
     by the person to the creditor;

[[Page H9735]]

       ``(D) a depository institution (as defined in section 3 of 
     the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) or any Federal credit 
     union or State credit union (as those terms are defined in 
     section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act), or any 
     affiliate or subsidiary of such a depository institution or 
     credit union; or
       ``(E) an author, publisher, distributor, or seller of works 
     subject to copyright protection under title 17, when acting 
     in such capacity.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 104(b)(1) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting ``101(3),'' after 
     ``sections''.

     SEC. 227. RESTRICTIONS ON DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.

       (a) Enforcement.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 526. Restrictions on debt relief agencies

       ``(a) A debt relief agency shall not--
       ``(1) fail to perform any service that such agency informed 
     an assisted person or prospective assisted person it would 
     provide in connection with a case or proceeding under this 
     title;
       ``(2) make any statement, or counsel or advise any assisted 
     person or prospective assisted person to make a statement in 
     a document filed in a case or proceeding under this title, 
     that is untrue and misleading, or that upon the exercise of 
     reasonable care, should have been known by such agency to be 
     untrue or misleading;
       ``(3) misrepresent to any assisted person or prospective 
     assisted person, directly or indirectly, affirmatively or by 
     material omission, with respect to--
       ``(i) the services that such agency will provide to such 
     person; or
       ``(ii) the benefits and risks that may result if such 
     person becomes a debtor in a case under this title; or
       ``(4) advise an assisted person or prospective assisted 
     person to incur more debt in contemplation of such person 
     filing a case under this title or to pay an attorney or 
     bankruptcy petition preparer fee or charge for services 
     performed as part of preparing for or representing a debtor 
     in a case under this title.
       ``(b) Any waiver by any assisted person of any protection 
     or right provided under this section shall not be enforceable 
     against the debtor by any Federal or State court or any other 
     person, but may be enforced against a debt relief agency.
       ``(c)(1) Any contract for bankruptcy assistance between a 
     debt relief agency and an assisted person that does not 
     comply with the material requirements of this section, 
     section 527, or section 528 shall be void and may not be 
     enforced by any Federal or State court or by any other 
     person, other than such assisted person.
       ``(2) Any debt relief agency shall be liable to an assisted 
     person in the amount of any fees or charges in connection 
     with providing bankruptcy assistance to such person that such 
     debt relief agency has received, for actual damages, and for 
     reasonable attorneys' fees and costs if such agency is found, 
     after notice and hearing, to have--
       ``(A) intentionally or negligently failed to comply with 
     any provision of this section, section 527, or section 528 
     with respect to a case or proceeding under this title for 
     such assisted person;
       ``(B) provided bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person 
     in a case or proceeding under this title that is dismissed or 
     converted to a case under another chapter of this title 
     because of such agency's intentional or negligent failure to 
     file any required document including those specified in 
     section 521; or
       ``(C) intentionally or negligently disregarded the material 
     requirements of this title or the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy 
     Procedure applicable to such agency.
       ``(3) In addition to such other remedies as are provided 
     under State law, whenever the chief law enforcement officer 
     of a State, or an official or agency designated by a State, 
     has reason to believe that any person has violated or is 
     violating this section, the State--
       ``(A) may bring an action to enjoin such violation;
       ``(B) may bring an action on behalf of its residents to 
     recover the actual damages of assisted persons arising from 
     such violation, including any liability under paragraph (2); 
     and
       ``(C) in the case of any successful action under 
     subparagraph (A) or (B), shall be awarded the costs of the 
     action and reasonable attorney fees as determined by the 
     court.
       ``(4) The United States District Court for any district 
     located in the State shall have concurrent jurisdiction of 
     any action under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3).
       ``(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law 
     and in addition to any other remedy provided under Federal or 
     State law, if the court, on its own motion or on motion of 
     the United States trustee or the debtor, finds that a person 
     intentionally violated this section, or engaged in a clear 
     and consistent pattern or practice of violating this section, 
     the court may--
       ``(A) enjoin the violation of such section; or
       ``(B) impose an appropriate civil penalty against such 
     person.''.
       ``(d) No provision of this section, section 527, or section 
     528 shall--
       ``(1) annul, alter, affect, or exempt any person subject to 
     such sections from complying with any law of any State except 
     to the extent that such law is inconsistent with those 
     sections, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency; 
     or
       ``(2) be deemed to limit or curtail the authority or 
     ability--
       ``(A) of a State or subdivision or instrumentality thereof, 
     to determine and enforce qualifications for the practice of 
     law under the laws of that State; or
       ``(B) of a Federal court to determine and enforce the 
     qualifications for the practice of law before that court.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for 
     chapter 5 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting before the item relating to section 527, the 
     following:

``526. Debt relief enforcement.''.

     SEC. 228. DISCLOSURES.

       (a) Disclosures.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, 
     United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 527. Disclosures

       ``(a) A debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance 
     to an assisted person shall provide--
       ``(1) the written notice required under section 342(b)(1) 
     of this title; and
       ``(2) to the extent not covered in the written notice 
     described in paragraph (1), and not later than 3 business 
     days after the first date on which a debt relief agency first 
     offers to provide any bankruptcy assistance services to an 
     assisted person, a clear and conspicuous written notice 
     advising assisted persons that--
       ``(A) all information that the assisted person is required 
     to provide with a petition and thereafter during a case under 
     this title is required to be complete, accurate, and 
     truthful;
       ``(B) all assets and all liabilities are required to be 
     completely and accurately disclosed in the documents filed to 
     commence the case, and the replacement value of each asset as 
     defined in section 506 of this title must be stated in those 
     documents where requested after reasonable inquiry to 
     establish such value;
       ``(C) current monthly income, the amounts specified in 
     section 707(b)(2), and, in a case under chapter 13, 
     disposable income (determined in accordance with section 
     707(b)(2)), are required to be stated after reasonable 
     inquiry; and
       ``(D) information that an assisted person provides during 
     their case may be audited pursuant to this title, and that 
     failure to provide such information may result in dismissal 
     of the proceeding under this title or other sanction 
     including, in some instances, criminal sanctions.
       ``(b) A debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance 
     to an assisted person shall provide each assisted person at 
     the same time as the notices required under subsection (a)(1) 
     with the following statement, to the extent applicable, or 
     one substantially similar. The statement shall be clear and 
     conspicuous and shall be in a single document separate from 
     other documents or notices provided to the assisted person:
       `` `IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE 
     SERVICES FROM AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER.
       `` `If you decide to seek bankruptcy relief, you can 
     represent yourself, you can hire an attorney to represent 
     you, or you can get help in some localities from a bankruptcy 
     petition preparer who is not an attorney. THE LAW REQUIRES AN 
     ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER TO GIVE YOU A 
     WRITTEN CONTRACT SPECIFYING WHAT THE ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY 
     PETITION PREPARER WILL DO FOR YOU AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. 
     Ask to see the contract before you hire anyone.
       `` `The following information helps you understand what 
     must be done in a routine bankruptcy case to help you 
     evaluate how much service you need. Although bankruptcy can 
     be complex, many cases are routine.
       `` `Before filing a bankruptcy case, either you or your 
     attorney should analyze your eligibility for different forms 
     of debt relief made available by the Bankruptcy Code and 
     which form of relief is most likely to be beneficial for you. 
     Be sure you understand the relief you can obtain and its 
     limitations. To file a bankruptcy case, documents called a 
     Petition, Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs, as 
     well as in some cases a Statement of Intention need to be 
     prepared correctly and filed with the bankruptcy court. You 
     will have to pay a filing fee to the bankruptcy court. Once 
     your case starts, you will have to attend the required first 
     meeting of creditors where you may be questioned by a court 
     official called a `trustee' and by creditors.
       `` `If you choose to file a chapter 7 case, you may be 
     asked by a creditor to reaffirm a debt. You may want help 
     deciding whether to do so and a creditor is not permitted to 
     coerce you into reaffirming your debts.
       `` `If you choose to file a chapter 13 case in which you 
     repay your creditors what you can afford over 3 to 5 years, 
     you may also want help with preparing your chapter 13 plan 
     and with the confirmation hearing on your plan which will be 
     before a bankruptcy judge.
       `` `If you select another type of relief under the 
     Bankruptcy Code other than chapter 7 or chapter 13, you will 
     want to find out what needs to be done from someone familiar 
     with that type of relief.
       `` `Your bankruptcy case may also involve litigation. You 
     are generally permitted to represent yourself in litigation 
     in bankruptcy court, but only attorneys, not bankruptcy 
     petition preparers, can give you legal advice.'.
       ``(c) Except to the extent the debt relief agency provides 
     the required information itself after reasonably diligent 
     inquiry of the assisted person or others so as to obtain such 
     information reasonably accurately for inclusion on the 
     petition, schedules or statement of financial affairs, a debt 
     relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to an assisted 
     person, to the extent permitted by nonbankruptcy law, shall 
     provide each assisted person at the time required for the 
     notice required under subsection (a)(1) reasonably sufficient 
     information (which shall be provided in a clear and 
     conspicuous writing) to the assisted person on how to provide 
     all the information the assisted person is required to 
     provide under this title pursuant to section 521, including--
       ``(1) how to value assets at replacement value, determine 
     current monthly income, the amounts

[[Page H9736]]

     specified in section 707(b)(2)) and, in a chapter 13 case, 
     how to determine disposable income in accordance with section 
     707(b)(2) and related calculations;
       ``(2) how to complete the list of creditors, including how 
     to determine what amount is owed and what address for the 
     creditor should be shown; and
       ``(3) how to determine what property is exempt and how to 
     value exempt property at replacement value as defined in 
     section 506 of this title.
       ``(d) A debt relief agency shall maintain a copy of the 
     notices required under subsection (a) of this section for 2 
     years after the date on which the notice is given the 
     assisted person.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for 
     chapter 5 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this 
     Act, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
     section 526 the following:

``527. Disclosures.''.

     SEC. 229. REQUIREMENTS FOR DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.

       (a) Enforcement.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, 
     United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 528. Requirements for debt relief agencies

       ``(a) A debt relief agency shall--
       ``(1) not later than 5 business days after the first date 
     such agency provides any bankruptcy assistance services to an 
     assisted person, but prior to such assisted person's petition 
     under this title being filed, execute a written contract with 
     such assisted person that explains clearly and 
     conspicuously--
       ``(A) the services such agency will provide to such 
     assisted person; and
       ``(B) the fees or charges for such services for such 
     services, and the terms of payment;
       ``(2) provide the assisted person with a copy of the fully 
     executed and completed contract;
       ``(3) clearly and conspicuously disclose in any 
     advertisement of bankruptcy assistance services or of the 
     benefits of bankruptcy directed to the general public 
     (whether in general media, seminars or specific mailings, 
     telephonic or electronic messages, or otherwise) that the 
     services or benefits are with respect to bankruptcy relief 
     under this title; and
       ``(4) clearly and conspicuously using the following 
     statement: `We are a debt relief agency. We help people file 
     for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.' or a 
     substantially similar statement.
       ``(b)(1) An advertisement of bankruptcy assistance services 
     or of the benefits of bankruptcy directed to the general 
     public includes--
       ``(A) descriptions of bankruptcy assistance in connection 
     with a chapter 13 plan whether or not chapter 13 is 
     specifically mentioned in such advertisement; and
       ``(B) statements such as `federally supervised repayment 
     plan' or `Federal debt restructuring help' or other similar 
     statements that could lead a reasonable consumer to believe 
     that debt counseling was being offered when in fact the 
     services were directed to providing bankruptcy assistance 
     with a chapter 13 plan or other form of bankruptcy relief 
     under this title.
       ``(2) An advertisement, directed to the general public, 
     indicating that the debt relief agency provides assistance 
     with respect to credit defaults, mortgage foreclosures, 
     eviction proceedings, excessive debt, debt collection 
     pressure, or inability to pay any consumer debt shall--
       ``(A) disclose clearly and conspicuously in such 
     advertisement that the assistance may involve bankruptcy 
     relief under this title; and
       ``(B) include the following statement: `We are a debt 
     relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief 
     under the Bankruptcy Code,' or a substantially similar 
     statement.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for 
     chapter 5 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this 
     Act, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
     section 527, the following:

``528. Debtor's bill of rights.''.

     SEC. 230. GAO STUDY.

       (a) Study.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study of the feasibility, 
     effectiveness, and cost of requiring trustees appointed under 
     title 11, United States Code, or the bankruptcy courts, to 
     provide to the Office of Child Support Enforcement promptly 
     after the commencement of cases by individual debtors under 
     such title, the names and social security numbers of such 
     debtors for the purposes of allowing such Office to determine 
     whether such debtors have outstanding obligations for child 
     support (as determined on the basis of information in the 
     Federal Case Registry or other national database).
       (b) Report.--Not later than 300 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives a report containing the results 
     of the study required by subsection (a).
                TITLE III--DISCOURAGING BANKRUPTCY ABUSE

     SEC. 301. REINFORCEMENT OF THE FRESH START.

       Section 523(a)(17) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``by a court'' and inserting ``on a 
     prisoner by any court'',
       (2) by striking ``section 1915(b) or (f)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (b) or (f)(2) of section 1915'', and
       (3) by inserting ``(or a similar non-Federal law)'' after 
     ``title 28'' each place it appears.

     SEC. 302. DISCOURAGING BAD FAITH REPEAT FILINGS.

       Section 362(c) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) if a single or joint case is filed by or against an 
     individual debtor under chapter 7, 11, or 13, and if a single 
     or joint case of the debtor was pending within the preceding 
     1-year period but was dismissed, other than a case refiled 
     under a chapter other than chapter 7 after dismissal under 
     section 707(b)--
       ``(A) the stay under subsection (a) with respect to any 
     action taken with respect to a debt or property securing such 
     debt or with respect to any lease shall terminate with 
     respect to the debtor on the 30th day after the filing of the 
     later case;
       ``(B) upon motion by a party in interest for continuation 
     of the automatic stay and upon notice and a hearing, the 
     court may extend the stay in particular cases as to any or 
     all creditors (subject to such conditions or limitations as 
     the court may then impose) after notice and a hearing 
     completed before the expiration of the 30-day period only if 
     the party in interest demonstrates that the filing of the 
     later case is in good faith as to the creditors to be stayed; 
     and
       ``(C) for purposes of subparagraph (B), a case is 
     presumptively filed not in good faith (but such presumption 
     may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the 
     contrary)--
       ``(i) as to all creditors, if--

       ``(I) more than 1 previous case under any of chapter 7, 11, 
     or 13 in which the individual was a debtor was pending within 
     the preceding 1-year period;
       ``(II) a previous case under any of chapter 7, 11, or 13 in 
     which the individual was a debtor was dismissed within such 
     1-year period, after the debtor failed to--

       ``(aa) file or amend the petition or other documents as 
     required by this title or the court without substantial 
     excuse (but mere inadvertence or negligence shall not be a 
     substantial excuse unless the dismissal was caused by the 
     negligence of the debtor's attorney);
       ``(bb) provide adequate protection as ordered by the court; 
     or
       ``(cc) perform the terms of a plan confirmed by the court; 
     or

       ``(III) there has not been a substantial change in the 
     financial or personal affairs of the debtor since the 
     dismissal of the next most previous case under chapter 7, 11, 
     or 13 or any other reason to conclude that the later case 
     will be concluded--

       ``(aa) if a case under chapter 7, with a discharge; or
       ``(bb) if a case under chapter 11 or 13, with a confirmed 
     plan which will be fully performed; and
       ``(ii) as to any creditor that commenced an action under 
     subsection (d) in a previous case in which the individual was 
     a debtor if, as of the date of dismissal of such case, that 
     action was still pending or had been resolved by terminating, 
     conditioning, or limiting the stay as to actions of such 
     creditor; and
       ``(4)(A)(i) if a single or joint case is filed by or 
     against an individual debtor under this title, and if 2 or 
     more single or joint cases of the debtor were pending within 
     the previous year but were dismissed, other than a case 
     refiled under section 707(b), the stay under subsection (a) 
     shall not go into effect upon the filing of the later case; 
     and
       ``(ii) on request of a party in interest, the court shall 
     promptly enter an order confirming that no stay is in effect;
       ``(B) if, within 30 days after the filing of the later 
     case, a party in interest requests the court may order the 
     stay to take effect in the case as to any or all creditors 
     (subject to such conditions or limitations as the court may 
     impose), after notice and hearing, only if the party in 
     interest demonstrates that the filing of the later case is in 
     good faith as to the creditors to be stayed;
       ``(C) a stay imposed under subparagraph (B) shall be 
     effective on the date of entry of the order allowing the stay 
     to go into effect; and
       ``(D) for purposes of subparagraph (B), a case is 
     presumptively not filed in good faith (but such presumption 
     may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the 
     contrary)--
       ``(i) as to all creditors if--
       ``(I) 2 or more previous cases under this title in which 
     the individual was a debtor were pending within the 1-year 
     period;
       ``(II) a previous case under this title in which the 
     individual was a debtor was dismissed within the time period 
     stated in this paragraph after the debtor failed to file or 
     amend the petition or other documents as required by this 
     title or the court without substantial excuse (but mere 
     inadvertence or negligence shall not be substantial excuse 
     unless the dismissal was caused by the negligence of the 
     debtor's attorney), failed to pay adequate protection as 
     ordered by the court, or failed to perform the terms of a 
     plan confirmed by the court; or
       ``(III) there has not been a substantial change in the 
     financial or personal affairs of the debtor since the 
     dismissal of the next most previous case under this title, or 
     any other reason to conclude that the later case will not be 
     concluded, if a case under chapter 7, with a discharge, and 
     if a case under chapter 11 or 13, with a confirmed plan that 
     will be fully performed; or
       ``(ii) as to any creditor that commenced an action under 
     subsection (d) in a previous case in which the individual was 
     a debtor if, as of the date of dismissal of such case, such 
     action was still pending or had been resolved by terminating, 
     conditioning, or limiting the stay as to action of such 
     creditor.''.

     SEC. 303. CURBING ABUSIVE FILINGS.

       (a) In General.--Section 362(d) of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the end;

[[Page H9737]]

       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) with respect to a stay of an act against real 
     property under subsection (a), by a creditor whose claim is 
     secured by an interest in such real estate, if the court 
     finds that the filing of the bankruptcy petition was part of 
     a scheme to delay, hinder, and defraud creditors that 
     involved either--
       ``(A) transfer of all or part ownership of, or other 
     interest in, the real property without the consent of the 
     secured creditor or court approval; or
       ``(B) multiple bankruptcy filings affecting the real 
     property.

     If recorded in compliance with applicable State laws 
     governing notices of interests or liens in real property, an 
     order entered under this subsection shall be binding in any 
     other case under this title purporting to affect the real 
     property filed not later than 2 years after the date of entry 
     of such order by the court, except that a debtor in a 
     subsequent case may move for relief from such order based 
     upon changed circumstances or for good cause shown, after 
     notice and a hearing. Any Federal, State, or local 
     governmental unit that accepts notices of interests or liens 
     in real property shall accept any certified copy of an order 
     described in this subsection for indexing and recording.''.
       (b) Automatic Stay.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (19), as 
     added by this Act, the following:
       ``(20) under subsection (a), of any act to enforce any lien 
     against or security interest in real property following the 
     entry of an order under section 362(d)(4) as to that property 
     in any prior bankruptcy case for a period of 2 years after 
     entry of such an order, except that the debtor, in a 
     subsequent case, may move the court for relief from such 
     order based upon changed circumstances or for other good 
     cause shown, after notice and a hearing;
       ``(21) under subsection (a), of any act to enforce any lien 
     against or security interest in real property--
       ``(A) if the debtor is ineligible under section 109(g) to 
     be a debtor in a bankruptcy case; or
       ``(B) if the bankruptcy case was filed in violation of a 
     bankruptcy court order in a prior bankruptcy case prohibiting 
     the debtor from being a debtor in another bankruptcy case;''.

     SEC. 304. DEBTOR RETENTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITY.

       Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 521(a) (as so designated by this Act)--
       (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``, and'' at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) in an individual case under chapter 7 of this title, 
     not retain possession of personal property as to which a 
     creditor has an allowed claim for the purchase price secured 
     in whole or in part by an interest in that personal property 
     unless, in the case of an individual debtor, the debtor, not 
     later than 45 days after the first meeting of creditors under 
     section 341(a), either--
       ``(A) enters into an agreement with the creditor pursuant 
     to section 524(c) of this title with respect to the claim 
     secured by such property; or
       ``(B) redeems such property from the security interest 
     pursuant to section 722 of this title.

     If the debtor fails to so act within the 45-day period 
     referred to in paragraph (6), the stay under section 362(a) 
     of this title is terminated with respect to the personal 
     property of the estate or of the debtor which is affected, 
     such property shall no longer be property of the estate, and 
     the creditor may take whatever action as to such property as 
     is permitted by applicable nonbankruptcy law, unless the 
     court determines on the motion of the trustee brought before 
     the expiration of such 45-day period, and after notice and a 
     hearing, that such property is of consequential value or 
     benefit to the estate, orders appropriate adequate protection 
     of the creditor's interest, and orders the debtor to deliver 
     any collateral in the debtor's possession to the trustee.''; 
     and
       (2) in section 722, by inserting ``in full at the time of 
     redemption'' before the period at the end.

     SEC. 305. RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY WHEN THE DEBTOR DOES 
                   NOT COMPLETE INTENDED SURRENDER OF CONSUMER 
                   DEBT COLLATERAL.

       Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 362--
       (A) in subsection (c), by striking ``(e), and (f)'' 
     inserting ``(e), (f), and (h)'';
       (B) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (k); and
       (C) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
       ``(h)(1) In an individual case under chapter 7, 11, or 13, 
     the stay provided by subsection (a) is terminated with 
     respect to personal property of the estate or of the debtor 
     securing in whole or in part a claim, or subject to an 
     unexpired lease, and such personal property shall no longer 
     be property of the estate if the debtor fails within the 
     applicable time set by section 521(a)(2) of this title--
       ``(A) to file timely any statement of intention required 
     under section 521(a)(2) of this title with respect to that 
     property or to indicate in that statement that the debtor 
     will either surrender the property or retain it and, if 
     retaining it, either redeem the property pursuant to section 
     722 of this title, reaffirm the debt it secures pursuant to 
     section 524(c) of this title, or assume the unexpired lease 
     pursuant to section 365(p) of this title if the trustee does 
     not do so, as applicable; and
       ``(B) to take timely the action specified in that statement 
     of intention, as it may be amended before expiration of the 
     period for taking action, unless the statement of intention 
     specifies reaffirmation and the creditor refuses to reaffirm 
     on the original contract terms.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if the court determines, 
     on the motion of the trustee filed before the expiration of 
     the applicable time set by section 521(a)(2), after notice 
     and a hearing, that such property is of consequential value 
     or benefit to the estate, and orders appropriate adequate 
     protection of the creditor's interest, and orders the debtor 
     to deliver any collateral in the debtor's possession to the 
     trustee. If the court does not so determine, the stay 
     provided by subsection (a) shall terminate upon the 
     conclusion of the proceeding on the motion.''; and
       (2) in section 521--
       (A) in subsection (a)(2), as so designated by this Act, by 
     striking ``consumer'';
       (B) in subsection (a)(2)(B), as so designated by this Act--
       (i) by striking ``forty-five days after the filing of a 
     notice of intent under this section'' and inserting ``30 days 
     after the first date set for the meeting of creditors under 
     section 341(a) of this title''; and
       (ii) by striking ``forty-five day'' and inserting ``30-
     day'';
       (C) in subsection (a)(2)(C), as so designated by this Act, 
     by inserting ``, except as provided in section 362(h) of this 
     title'' before the semicolon; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) If the debtor fails timely to take the action 
     specified in subsection (a)(6) of this section, or in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 362(h) of this title, with 
     respect to property which a lessor or bailor owns and has 
     leased, rented, or bailed to the debtor or as to which a 
     creditor holds a security interest not otherwise voidable 
     under section 522(f), 544, 545, 547, 548, or 549 of this 
     title, nothing in this title shall prevent or limit the 
     operation of a provision in the underlying lease or agreement 
     which has the effect of placing the debtor in default under 
     such lease or agreement by reason of the occurrence, 
     pendency, or existence of a proceeding under this title or 
     the insolvency of the debtor. Nothing in this subsection 
     shall be deemed to justify limiting such a provision in any 
     other circumstance.''.

     SEC. 306. GIVING SECURED CREDITORS FAIR TREATMENT IN CHAPTER 
                   13.

       (a) In General.--Section 1325(a)(5)(B)(i) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) the plan provides that--
       ``(I) the holder of such claim retain the lien securing 
     such claim until the earlier of--

       ``(aa) the payment of the underlying debt determined under 
     nonbankruptcy law; or
       ``(bb) discharge under section 1328; and

       ``(II) if the case under this chapter is dismissed or 
     converted without completion of the plan, such lien shall 
     also be retained by such holder to the extent recognized by 
     applicable nonbankruptcy law; and''.
       (b) Restoring the Foundation for Secured Credit.--Section 
     1325(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding 
     at the end the following flush sentence:
     ``For purposes of paragraph (5), section 506 shall not apply 
     to a claim described in that paragraph if the creditor has a 
     purchase money security interest securing the debt that is 
     the subject of the claim, the debt was incurred within the 5-
     year period preceding the filing of the petition, and the 
     collateral for that debt consists of a motor vehicle (as 
     defined in section 30102 of title 49) acquired for the 
     personal use of the debtor, or if collateral for that debt 
     consists of any other thing of value, if the debt was 
     incurred during the 1-year period preceding that filing.''.
       (c) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following:
       ``(13A) `debtor's principal residence'--
       ``(A) means a residential structure, including incidental 
     property, without regard to whether that structure is 
     attached to real property; and
       ``(B) includes an individual condominium or cooperative 
     unit, a mobile or manufactured home, or trailer;''; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (27), the following:
       ``(27A) `incidental property' means, with respect to a 
     debtor's principal residence--
       ``(A) property commonly conveyed with a principal residence 
     in the area where the real estate is located;
       ``(B) all easements, rights, appurtenances, fixtures, 
     rents, royalties, mineral rights, oil or gas rights or 
     profits, water rights, escrow funds, or insurance proceeds; 
     and
       ``(C) all replacements or additions;''.

     SEC. 307. DOMICILIARY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPTIONS.

       Section 522(b)(3)(A) of title 11, United States Code, as so 
     designated by this Act, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``180 days'' and inserting ``730 days''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``, or for a longer portion of such 180-day 
     period than in any other place'' and inserting ``or if the 
     debtor's domicile has not been located at a single State for 
     such 730-day period, the place in which the debtor's domicile 
     was located for 180 days immediately preceding the 730-day 
     period or for a longer portion of such 180-day period than in 
     any other place''.

     SEC. 308. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

       Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(3)(A), as so designated by this Act, 
     by inserting ``subject to subsections (o) and (p),'' before 
     ``any property''; and

[[Page H9738]]

       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(o) For purposes of subsection (b)(3)(A), and 
     notwithstanding subsection (a), the value of an interest in--
       ``(1) real or personal property that the debtor or a 
     dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
       ``(2) a cooperative that owns property that the debtor or a 
     dependent of the debtor uses as a residence; or
       ``(3) a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent of the 
     debtor;
     shall be reduced to the extent that such value is 
     attributable to any portion of any property that the debtor 
     disposed of in the 7-year period ending on the date of the 
     filing of the petition with the intent to hinder, delay, or 
     defraud a creditor and that the debtor could not exempt, or 
     that portion that the debtor could not exempt, under 
     subsection (b), if on such date the debtor had held the 
     property so disposed of.''.

     SEC. 309. PROTECTING SECURED CREDITORS IN CHAPTER 13 CASES.

       (a) Stopping Abusive Conversions From Chapter 13.--Section 
     348(f)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking ``in the converted case, with allowed 
     secured claims'' and inserting ``only in a case converted to 
     a case under chapter 11 or 12, but not in a case converted to 
     a case under chapter 7, with allowed secured claims in cases 
     under chapters 11 and 12''; and
       (B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) with respect to cases converted from chapter 13--
       ``(i) the claim of any creditor holding security as of the 
     date of the petition shall continue to be secured by that 
     security unless the full amount of such claim determined 
     under applicable nonbankruptcy law has been paid in full as 
     of the date of conversion, notwithstanding any valuation or 
     determination of the amount of an allowed secured claim made 
     for the purposes of the chapter 13 proceeding; and
       ``(ii) unless a prebankruptcy default has been fully cured 
     under the plan at the time of conversion, in any proceeding 
     under this title or otherwise, the default shall have the 
     effect given under applicable nonbankruptcy law.''.
       (b) Giving Debtors the Ability To Keep Leased Personal 
     Property by Assumption.--Section 365 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(p)(1) If a lease of personal property is rejected or not 
     timely assumed by the trustee under subsection (d), the 
     leased property is no longer property of the estate and the 
     stay under section 362(a) is automatically terminated.
       ``(2)(A) In the case of an individual under chapter 7, the 
     debtor may notify the creditor in writing that the debtor 
     desires to assume the lease. Upon being so notified, the 
     creditor may, at its option, notify the debtor that it is 
     willing to have the lease assumed by the debtor and may 
     condition such assumption on cure of any outstanding default 
     on terms set by the contract.
       ``(B) If, not later than 30 days after notice is provided 
     under subparagraph (A), the debtor notifies the lessor in 
     writing that the lease is assumed, the liability under the 
     lease will be assumed by the debtor and not by the estate.
       ``(C) The stay under section 362 and the injunction under 
     section 524(a)(2) shall not be violated by notification of 
     the debtor and negotiation of cure under this subsection.
       ``(3) In a case under chapter 11 in which the debtor is an 
     individual and in a case under chapter 13, if the debtor is 
     the lessee with respect to personal property and the lease is 
     not assumed in the plan confirmed by the court, the lease is 
     deemed rejected as of the conclusion of the hearing on 
     confirmation. If the lease is rejected, the stay under 
     section 362 and any stay under section 1301 is automatically 
     terminated with respect to the property subject to the 
     lease.''.
       (c) Adequate Protection of Lessors and Purchase Money 
     Secured Creditors.--
       (1) Confirmation of plan.--Section 1325(a)(5)(B) of title 
     11, United States Code, is amended--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'' at the end and 
     inserting ``and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(iii) if--

       ``(I) property to be distributed pursuant to this 
     subsection is in the form of periodic payments, such payments 
     shall be in equal monthly amounts; and
       ``(II) the holder of the claim is secured by personal 
     property, the amount of such payments shall not be less than 
     an amount sufficient to provide to the holder of such claim 
     adequate protection during the period of the plan; or''.

       (2) Payments.--Section 1326(a) of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a)(1) Unless the court orders otherwise, the debtor 
     shall commence making payments not later than 30 days after 
     the date of the filing of the plan or the order for relief, 
     whichever is earlier, in the amount--
       ``(A) proposed by the plan to the trustee;
       ``(B) scheduled in a lease of personal property directly to 
     the lessor for that portion of the obligation that becomes 
     due after the order for relief, reducing the payments under 
     subparagraph (A) by the amount so paid and providing the 
     trustee with evidence of such payment, including the amount 
     and date of payment; and
       ``(C) that provides adequate protection directly to a 
     creditor holding an allowed claim secured by personal 
     property to the extent the claim is attributable to the 
     purchase of such property by the debtor for that portion of 
     the obligation that becomes due after the order for relief, 
     reducing the payments under subparagraph (A) by the amount so 
     paid and providing the trustee with evidence of such payment, 
     including the amount and date of payment.
       ``(2) A payment made under paragraph (1)(A) shall be 
     retained by the trustee until confirmation or denial of 
     confirmation. If a plan is confirmed, the trustee shall 
     distribute any such payment in accordance with the plan as 
     soon as is practicable. If a plan is not confirmed, the 
     trustee shall return any such payments not previously paid 
     and not yet due and owing to creditors pursuant to paragraph 
     (3) to the debtor, after deducting any unpaid claim allowed 
     under section 503(b).
       ``(3) Subject to section 363, the court may, upon notice 
     and a hearing, modify, increase, or reduce the payments 
     required under this subsection pending confirmation of a 
     plan.
       ``(4) Not later than 60 days after the date of filing of a 
     case under this chapter, a debtor retaining possession of 
     personal property subject to a lease or securing a claim 
     attributable in whole or in part to the purchase price of 
     such property shall provide the lessor or secured creditor 
     reasonable evidence of the maintenance of any required 
     insurance coverage with respect to the use or ownership of 
     such property and continue to do so for so long as the debtor 
     retains possession of such property.''.

     SEC. 310. LIMITATION ON LUXURY GOODS.

       Section 523(a)(2)(C) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(C)(i) for purposes of subparagraph (A)--
       ``(I) consumer debts owed to a single creditor and 
     aggregating more than $250 for luxury goods or services 
     incurred by an individual debtor on or within 90 days before 
     the order for relief under this title are presumed to be 
     nondischargeable; and
       ``(II) cash advances aggregating more than $750 that are 
     extensions of consumer credit under an open end credit plan 
     obtained by an individual debtor on or within 70 days before 
     the order for relief under this title, are presumed to be 
     nondischargeable; and
       ``(ii) for purposes of this subparagraph--
       ``(I) the term `extension of credit under an open end 
     credit plan' means an extension of credit under an open end 
     credit plan, within the meaning of the Consumer Credit 
     Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.);
       ``(II) the term `open end credit plan' has the meaning 
     given that term under section 103 of Consumer Credit 
     Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1602); and
       ``(III) the term `luxury goods or services' does not 
     include goods or services reasonably necessary for the 
     support or maintenance of the debtor or a dependent of the 
     debtor.''.

     SEC. 311. AUTOMATIC STAY.

       Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after paragraph (21), as added by this Act, the 
     following:
       ``(22) under subsection (a)(3), of the continuation of any 
     eviction, unlawful detainer action, or similar proceeding by 
     a lessor against a debtor involving residential real property 
     in which the debtor resides as a tenant under a rental 
     agreement;
       ``(23) under subsection (a)(3), of the commencement of any 
     eviction, unlawful detainer action, or similar proceeding by 
     a lessor against a debtor involving residential real property 
     in which the debtor resides as a tenant under a rental 
     agreement that has terminated under the lease agreement or 
     applicable State law;
       ``(24) under subsection (a)(3), of eviction actions based 
     on endangerment to property or person or the use of illegal 
     drugs;
       ``(25) under subsection (a) of any transfer that is not 
     avoidable under section 544 and that is not avoidable under 
     section 549;''.

     SEC. 312. EXTENSION OF PERIOD BETWEEN BANKRUPTCY DISCHARGES.

       Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 727(a)(8), by striking ``six'' and inserting 
     ``8''; and
       (2) in section 1328, by inserting after subsection (e) the 
     following:
       ``(f) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the court 
     shall not grant a discharge of all debts provided for by the 
     plan or disallowed under section 502 if the debtor has 
     received a discharge in any case filed under this title 
     within 5 years before the order for relief under this 
     chapter.''.

     SEC. 313. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND ANTIQUES.

       (a) Definition.--Section 522(f) of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes of 
     paragraph (1)(B), the term `household goods' means--
       ``(i) clothing;
       ``(ii) furniture;
       ``(iii) appliances;
       ``(iv) 1 radio;
       ``(v) 1 television;
       ``(vi) 1 VCR;
       ``(vii) linens;
       ``(viii) china;
       ``(ix) crockery;
       ``(x) kitchenware;
       ``(xi) educational materials and educational equipment 
     primarily for the use of minor dependent children of the 
     debtor, but only 1 personal computer only if used primarily 
     for the education or entertainment of such minor children;
       ``(xii) medical equipment and supplies;
       ``(xiii) furniture exclusively for the use of minor 
     children, or elderly or disabled dependents of the debtor; 
     and
       ``(xiv) personal effects (including the toys and hobby 
     equipment of minor dependent children and wedding rings) of 
     the debtor and the dependents of the debtor.
       ``(B) The term `household goods' does not include--

[[Page H9739]]

       ``(i) works of art (unless by or of the debtor or the 
     dependents of the debtor);
       ``(ii) electronic entertainment equipment (except 1 
     television, 1 radio, and 1 VCR);
       ``(iii) items acquired as antiques;
       ``(iv) jewelry (except wedding rings); and
       ``(v) a computer (except as otherwise provided for in this 
     section), motor vehicle (including a tractor or lawn 
     tractor), boat, or a motorized recreational device, 
     conveyance, vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft.''.
       (b) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Executive Office 
     for United States Trustees shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on 
     the Judiciary of the House of Representatives containing its 
     findings regarding utilization of the definition of household 
     goods, as defined in section 522(f)(4) of title 11, United 
     States Code, as added by this section, with respect to the 
     avoidance of nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security 
     interests in household goods under section 522(f)(1)(B) of 
     title 11, United States Code, and the impact that section 
     522(f)(4) of that title, as added by this section, has had on 
     debtors and on the bankruptcy courts. Such report may include 
     recommendations for amendments to section 522(f)(4) of title 
     11, United States Code, consistent with the Director's 
     findings.

     SEC. 314. DEBT INCURRED TO PAY NONDISCHARGEABLE DEBTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 523(a) of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (14) the 
     following:
       ``(14A) incurred to pay a tax to a governmental unit, other 
     than the United States, that would be nondischargeable under 
     paragraph (1);''.
       (b) Discharge Under Chapter 13.--Section 1328(a) of title 
     11, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (1) 
     through (3) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) provided for under section 1322(b)(5);
       ``(2) of the kind specified in paragraph (2), (3), (4), 
     (5), (8), or (9) of section 523(a);
       ``(3) for restitution, or a criminal fine, included in a 
     sentence on the debtor's conviction of a crime; or
       ``(4) for restitution, or damages, awarded in a civil 
     action against the debtor as a result of willful or malicious 
     injury by the debtor that caused personal injury to an 
     individual or the death of an individual.''.

     SEC. 315. GIVING CREDITORS FAIR NOTICE IN CHAPTERS 7 AND 13 
                   CASES.

       (a) Notice.--Section 342 of title 11, United States Code, 
     as amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(c)'';
       (B) by striking ``, but the failure of such notice to 
     contain such information shall not invalidate the legal 
     effect of such notice''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) If, within the 90 days prior to the date of the 
     filing of a petition in a voluntary case, the creditor 
     supplied the debtor in at least 2 communications sent to the 
     debtor with the current account number of the debtor and the 
     address at which the creditor wishes to receive 
     correspondence, then the debtor shall send any notice 
     required under this title to the address provided by the 
     creditor and such notice shall include the account number. In 
     the event the creditor would be in violation of applicable 
     nonbankruptcy law by sending any such communication within 
     such 90-day period and if the creditor supplied the debtor in 
     the last 2 communications with the current account number of 
     the debtor and the address at which the creditor wishes to 
     receive correspondence, then the debtor shall send any notice 
     required under this title to the address provided by the 
     creditor and such notice shall include the account number.''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) At any time, a creditor, in a case of an individual 
     debtor under chapter 7 or 13, may file with the court and 
     serve on the debtor a notice of the address to be used to 
     notify the creditor in that case. Five days after receipt of 
     such notice, if the court or the debtor is required to give 
     the creditor notice, such notice shall be given at that 
     address.
       ``(f) An entity may file with the court a notice stating 
     its address for notice in cases under chapters 7 and 13. 
     After 30 days following the filing of such notice, any notice 
     in any case filed under chapter 7 or 13 given by the court 
     shall be to that address unless specific notice is given 
     under subsection (e) with respect to a particular case.
       ``(g)(1) Notice given to a creditor other than as provided 
     in this section shall not be effective notice until that 
     notice has been brought to the attention of the creditor. If 
     the creditor designates a person or department to be 
     responsible for receiving notices concerning bankruptcy cases 
     and establishes reasonable procedures so that bankruptcy 
     notices received by the creditor are to be delivered to such 
     department or person, notice shall not be considered to have 
     been brought to the attention of the creditor until received 
     by such person or department.
       ``(2) No sanction under section 362(k) or any other 
     sanction that a court may impose on account of violations of 
     the stay under section 362(a) or failure to comply with 
     section 542 or 543 may be imposed on any action of the 
     creditor unless the action takes place after the creditor has 
     received notice of the commencement of the case effective 
     under this section.''.
       (b) Debtor's Duties.--Section 521 of title 11, United 
     States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), as so designated by this Act, by 
     striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) file--
       ``(A) a list of creditors; and
       ``(B) unless the court orders otherwise--
       ``(i) a schedule of assets and liabilities;
       ``(ii) a schedule of current income and current 
     expenditures;
       ``(iii) a statement of the debtor's financial affairs and, 
     if applicable, a certificate--

       ``(I) of an attorney whose name is on the petition as the 
     attorney for the debtor or any bankruptcy petition preparer 
     signing the petition under section 110(b)(1) indicating that 
     such attorney or bankruptcy petition preparer delivered to 
     the debtor any notice required by section 342(b); or
       ``(II) if no attorney for the debtor is indicated and no 
     bankruptcy petition preparer signed the petition, of the 
     debtor that such notice was obtained and read by the debtor;

       ``(iv) copies of all payment advices or other evidence of 
     payment, if any, received by the debtor from any employer of 
     the debtor in the period 60 days before the filing of the 
     petition;
       ``(v) a statement of the amount of monthly net income, 
     itemized to show how the amount is calculated; and
       ``(vi) a statement disclosing any reasonably anticipated 
     increase in income or expenditures over the 12-month period 
     following the date of filing;''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e)(1) At any time, a creditor, in the case of an 
     individual under chapter 7 or 13, may file with the court 
     notice that the creditor requests the petition, schedules, 
     and a statement of affairs filed by the debtor in the case, 
     and the court shall make those documents available to the 
     creditor who requests those documents.
       ``(2)(A) The debtor shall provide either a tax return or 
     transcript at the election of the debtor, for the latest 
     taxable period prior to filing for which a tax return has 
     been or should have been filed, to the trustee, not later 
     than 7 days before the date first set for the first meeting 
     of creditors, or the case shall be dismissed, unless the 
     debtor demonstrates that the failure to file a return as 
     required is due to circumstances beyond the control of the 
     debtor.
       ``(B) If a creditor has requested a tax return or 
     transcript referred to in subparagraph (A), the debtor shall 
     provide such tax return or transcript to the requesting 
     creditor at the time the debtor provides the tax return or 
     transcript to the trustee, or the case shall be dismissed, 
     unless the debtor demonstrates that the debtor is unable to 
     provide such information due to circumstances beyond the 
     control of the debtor.
       ``(3)(A) At any time, a creditor in a case under chapter 13 
     may file with the court notice that the creditor requests the 
     plan filed by the debtor in the case.
       ``(B) The court shall make such plan available to the 
     creditor who request such plan--
       ``(i) at a reasonable cost; and
       ``(ii) not later than 5 days after such request.
       ``(f) An individual debtor in a case under chapter 7, 11, 
     or 13 shall file with the court at the request of any party 
     in interest--
       ``(1) at the time filed with the taxing authority, all tax 
     returns required under applicable law, including any 
     schedules or attachments, with respect to the period from the 
     commencement of the case until such time as the case is 
     closed;
       ``(2) at the time filed with the taxing authority, all tax 
     returns required under applicable law, including any 
     schedules or attachments, that were not filed with the taxing 
     authority when the schedules under subsection (a)(1) were 
     filed with respect to the period that is 3 years before the 
     order of relief;
       ``(3) any amendments to any of the tax returns, including 
     schedules or attachments, described in paragraph (1) or (2); 
     and
       ``(4) in a case under chapter 13, a statement subject to 
     the penalties of perjury by the debtor of the debtor's income 
     and expenditures in the preceding tax year and monthly 
     income, that shows how the amounts are calculated--
       ``(A) beginning on the date that is the later of 90 days 
     after the close of the debtor's tax year or 1 year after the 
     order for relief, unless a plan has been confirmed; and
       ``(B) thereafter, on or before the date that is 45 days 
     before each anniversary of the confirmation of the plan until 
     the case is closed.
       ``(g)(1) A statement referred to in subsection (f)(4) shall 
     disclose--
       ``(A) the amount and sources of income of the debtor;
       ``(B) the identity of any person responsible with the 
     debtor for the support of any dependent of the debtor; and
       ``(C) the identity of any person who contributed, and the 
     amount contributed, to the household in which the debtor 
     resides.
       ``(2) The tax returns, amendments, and statement of income 
     and expenditures described in subsection (e)(2)(A) and 
     subsection (f) shall be available to the United States 
     trustee, any bankruptcy administrator, any trustee, and any 
     party in interest for inspection and copying, subject to the 
     requirements of subsection (h).
       ``(h)(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2000, the Director 
     of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts 
     shall establish procedures for safeguarding the 
     confidentiality of any tax information required to be 
     provided under this section.
       ``(2) The procedures under paragraph (1) shall include 
     restrictions on creditor access to tax information that is 
     required to be provided under this section.
       ``(3) Not later than 1 year and 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2000, the Director 
     of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts 
     shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that--
       ``(A) assesses the effectiveness of the procedures under 
     paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) if appropriate, includes proposed legislation to--
       ``(i) further protect the confidentiality of tax 
     information; and

[[Page H9740]]

       ``(ii) provide penalties for the improper use by any person 
     of the tax information required to be provided under this 
     section.
       ``(i) If requested by the United States trustee or a 
     trustee serving in the case, the debtor shall provide--
       ``(1) a document that establishes the identity of the 
     debtor, including a driver's license, passport, or other 
     document that contains a photograph of the debtor; and
       ``(2) such other personal identifying information relating 
     to the debtor that establishes the identity of the debtor.''.

     SEC. 316. DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE SCHEDULES OR 
                   PROVIDE REQUIRED INFORMATION.

       Section 521 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by 
     this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j)(1) Notwithstanding section 707(a), and subject to 
     paragraph (2), if an individual debtor in a voluntary case 
     under chapter 7 or 13 fails to file all of the information 
     required under subsection (a)(1) within 45 days after the 
     filing of the petition commencing the case, the case shall be 
     automatically dismissed effective on the 46th day after the 
     filing of the petition.
       ``(2) With respect to a case described in paragraph (1), 
     any party in interest may request the court to enter an order 
     dismissing the case. If requested, the court shall enter an 
     order of dismissal not later than 5 days after such request.
       ``(3) Upon request of the debtor made within 45 days after 
     the filing of the petition commencing a case described in 
     paragraph (1), the court may allow the debtor an additional 
     period of not to exceed 45 days to file the information 
     required under subsection (a)(1) if the court finds 
     justification for extending the period for the filing.''.

     SEC. 317. ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE FOR HEARING ON 
                   CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN.

       Section 1324 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``After'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and after''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) The hearing on confirmation of the plan may be held 
     not earlier than 20 days and not later than 45 days after the 
     date of the meeting of creditors under section 341(a).''.

     SEC. 318. CHAPTER 13 PLANS TO HAVE A 5-YEAR DURATION IN 
                   CERTAIN CASES.

       Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by amending section 1322(d) to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1) If the current monthly income of the debtor and 
     the debtor's spouse combined, when multiplied by 12, is not 
     less than--
       ``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, 
     the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner 
     last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
       ``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last 
     reported by the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for 
     each individual in excess of 4,
     the plan may not provide for payments over a period that is 
     longer than 5 years.
       ``(2) If the current monthly income of the debtor and the 
     debtor's spouse combined, when multiplied by 12, is less 
     than--
       ``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, 
     the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner 
     last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
       ``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last 
     reported by the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for 
     each individual in excess of 4,

     the plan may not provide for payments over a period that is 
     longer than 3 years, unless the court, for cause, approves a 
     longer period, but the court may not approve a period that is 
     longer than 5 years.'';
       (2) in section 1325(b)(1)(B), by striking ``three-year 
     period'' and inserting ``applicable commitment period''; and
       (3) in section 1325(b), as amended by this Act, by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the `applicable 
     commitment period'--
       ``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), shall be--
       ``(i) 3 years; or
       ``(ii) not less than 5 years, if the current monthly income 
     of the debtor and the debtor's spouse combined, when 
     multiplied by 12, is not less than--
       ``(I) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, 
     the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner 
     last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
       ``(II) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer 
     individuals last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
       ``(III) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 
     individuals, the highest median family income of the 
     applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last 
     reported by the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for 
     each individual in excess of 4; and
       ``(B) may be less than 3 or 5 years, whichever is 
     applicable under subparagraph (A), but only if the plan 
     provides for payment in full of all allowed unsecured claims 
     over a shorter period.''; and
       (4) in section 1329(c), by striking ``three years'' and 
     inserting ``the applicable commitment period under section 
     1325(b)(1)(B)''.

     SEC. 319. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EXPANSION OF RULE 9011 
                   OF THE FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE.

       It is the sense of Congress that rule 9011 of the Federal 
     Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (11 U.S.C. App.) should be 
     modified to include a requirement that all documents 
     (including schedules), signed and unsigned, submitted to the 
     court or to a trustee by debtors who represent themselves and 
     debtors who are represented by an attorney be submitted only 
     after the debtor or the debtor's attorney has made reasonable 
     inquiry to verify that the information contained in such 
     documents is--
       (1) well grounded in fact; and
       (2) warranted by existing law or a good-faith argument for 
     the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law.

     SEC. 320. PROMPT RELIEF FROM STAY IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.

       Section 362(e) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(e)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of an 
     individual filing under chapter 7, 11, or 13, the stay under 
     subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 60 days 
     after a request is made by a party in interest under 
     subsection (d), unless--
       ``(A) a final decision is rendered by the court during the 
     60-day period beginning on the date of the request; or
       ``(B) that 60-day period is extended--
       ``(i) by agreement of all parties in interest; or
       ``(ii) by the court for such specific period of time as the 
     court finds is required for good cause, as described in 
     findings made by the court.''.

     SEC. 321. CHAPTER 11 CASES FILED BY INDIVIDUALS.

       (a) Property of the Estate.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 11 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 1115. Property of the estate

       ``(a) In a case concerning an individual debtor, property 
     of the estate includes, in addition to the property specified 
     in section 541--
       ``(1) all property of the kind specified in section 541 
     that the debtor acquires after the commencement of the case 
     but before the case is closed, dismissed, or converted to a 
     case under chapter 7, 12, or 13, whichever occurs first; and
       ``(2) earnings from services performed by the debtor after 
     the commencement of the case but before the case is closed, 
     dismissed, or converted to a case under chapter 7, 12, or 13, 
     whichever occurs first.''.
       ``(b) Except as provided in section 1104 or a confirmed 
     plan or order confirming a plan, the debtor shall remain in 
     possession of all property of the estate.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     11 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end of the matter relating to subchapter I the following:

``1115. Property of the estate.''.

       (b) Contents of Plan.--Section 1123(a) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) in a case concerning an individual, provide for the 
     payment to creditors through the plan of all or such portion 
     of earnings from personal services performed by the debtor 
     after the commencement of the case or other future income of 
     the debtor as is necessary for the execution of the plan.''.
       (c) Confirmation of Plan.--
       (1) Requirements relating to value of property.--Section 
     1129(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(15) In a case concerning an individual in which the 
     holder of an allowed unsecured claim objects to the 
     confirmation of the plan--
       ``(A) the value of the property to be distributed under the 
     plan on account of such claim is, as of the effective date of 
     the plan, not less than the amount of such claim; or
       ``(B) the value of the property to be distributed under the 
     plan is not less than the debtor's projected disposable 
     income (as that term is defined in section 1325(b)(2)) to be 
     received during the 5-year period beginning on the date that 
     the first payment is due under the plan, or during the term 
     of the plan, whichever is longer.''.
       (2) Requirement relating to interests in property.--Section 
     1129(b)(2)(B)(ii) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, 
     except that in a case concerning an individual, the debtor 
     may retain property included in the estate under section 
     1115, subject to the requirements of subsection (a)(14)''.
       (d) Effect of Confirmation--Section 1141(d) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``The confirmation of a 
     plan does not discharge an individual debtor'' and inserting 
     ``A discharge under this chapter does not discharge a 
     debtor''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) In a case concerning an individual--
       ``(A) except as otherwise ordered for cause shown, the 
     discharge is not effective until completion of all payments 
     under the plan; and
       ``(B) at any time after the confirmation of the plan and 
     after notice and a hearing, the court

[[Page H9741]]

     may grant a discharge to a debtor that has not completed 
     payments under the plan only if--
       ``(i) for each allowed unsecured claim, the value, as of 
     the effective date of the plan, of property actually 
     distributed under the plan on account of that claim is not 
     less than the amount that would have been paid on such claim 
     if the estate of the debtor had been liquidated under chapter 
     7 of this title on such date; and
       ``(ii) modification of the plan under 1127 of this title is 
     not practicable.''.
       (e) Modification of Plan.--Section 1127 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) In a case concerning an individual, the plan may be 
     modified at any time after confirmation of the plan but 
     before the completion of payments under the plan, whether or 
     not the plan has been substantially consummated, upon request 
     of the debtor, the trustee, the United States trustee, or the 
     holder of an allowed unsecured claim, to--
       ``(1) increase or reduce the amount of payments on claims 
     of a particular class provided for by the plan;
       ``(2) extend or reduce the time period for such payments; 
     or
       ``(3) alter the amount of the distribution to a creditor 
     whose claim is provided for by the plan to the extent 
     necessary to take account of any payment of such claim made 
     other than under the plan.
       ``(f)(1) Sections 1121 through 1128 of this title and the 
     requirements of section 1129 of this title apply to any 
     modification under subsection (a).
       ``(2) The plan, as modified, shall become the plan only 
     after there has been disclosure under section 1125, as the 
     court may direct, notice and a hearing, and such modification 
     is approved.''.

     SEC. 322. LIMITATION.

       (a) Exemptions.--Section 522 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(p)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this 
     subsection and sections 544 and 548 of this title, as a 
     result of electing under subsection (b)(3)(A) to exempt 
     property under State or local law, a debtor may not exempt 
     any amount of interest that was acquired by the debtor during 
     the 2-year period preceding the filing of the petition which 
     exceeds in the aggregate $100,000 in value in--
       ``(A) real or personal property that the debtor or a 
     dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
       ``(B) a cooperative that owns property that the debtor or a 
     dependent of the debtor uses as a residence; or
       ``(C) a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent of the 
     debtor.
       ``(2)(A) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not apply 
     to an exemption claimed under subsection (b)(3)(A) by a 
     family farmer for the principal residence of that farmer.
       ``(B) For purposes of paragraph (1), any amount of such 
     interest does not include any interest transferred from a 
     debtor's previous principal residence (which was acquired 
     prior to the beginning of the 2-year period) into the 
     debtor's current principal residence, where the debtor's 
     previous and current residences are located in the same 
     State.''.
       (b) Adjustment of Dollar Amounts.--Section 104(b) of title 
     11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``522(d),'' and inserting 
     ``522(d), 522(n), 522(p),''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``522(d),'' and inserting 
     ``522(d), 522(n), 522(p),''.

     SEC. 323. EXCLUDING EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN PARTICIPANT 
                   CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER PROPERTY FROM THE 
                   ESTATE.

       (a) In General.--Section 541(b) of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (6), as added 
     by this Act, the following:
       ``(7) any amount--
       ``(A) withheld by an employer from the wages of employees 
     for payment as contributions to--
       ``(i) an employee benefit plan subject to title I of the 
     Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 
     1001 et seq.) or under an employee benefit plan which is a 
     governmental plan under section 414(d) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986, a deferred compensation plan under 
     section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a tax-
     deferred annuity under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986, except that amount shall not constitute 
     disposable income, as defined in section 1325(b)(2) of this 
     title; or
       ``(ii) a health insurance plan regulated by State law 
     whether or not subject to such title; or
       ``(B) received by the employer from employees for payment 
     as contributions to--
       ``(i) an employee benefit plan subject to title I of the 
     Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 
     1001 et seq.) or under an employee benefit plan which is a 
     governmental plan under section 414(d) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986, a deferred compensation plan under 
     section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a tax-
     deferred annuity under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986, except that amount shall not constitute 
     disposable income, as defined in section 1325(b)(2) of this 
     title; or
       ``(ii) a health insurance plan regulated by State law 
     whether or not subject to such title;''.
       (b) Application of Amendment.--The amendments made by this 
     section shall not apply to cases commenced under title 11, 
     United States Code, before the expiration of the 180-day 
     period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 324. EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION IN MATTERS INVOLVING 
                   BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1334 of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (e)(2), and 
     notwithstanding''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
       ``(e) The district court in which a case under title 11 is 
     commenced or is pending shall have exclusive jurisdiction--
       ``(1) of all the property, wherever located, of the debtor 
     as of the date of commencement of such case, and of property 
     of the estate; and
       ``(2) over all claims or causes of action that involve 
     construction of section 327 of title 11, United States Code, 
     or rules relating to disclosure requirements under section 
     327.''.
       (b) Applicability.--This section shall only apply to cases 
     filed after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 325. UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM FILING FEE INCREASE.

       (a) Actions Under Chapter 7 or 13 of Title 11, United 
     States Code.--Section 1930(a) of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) For a case commenced--
       ``(A) under chapter 7 of title 11, $160; or
       ``(B) under chapter 13 of title 11, $150.''.
       (b) United States Trustee System Fund.--Section 589a(b) of 
     title 28, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1)(A) 40.63 percent of the fees collected under section 
     1930(a)(1)(A) of this title in cases commenced under chapter 
     7 of title 11; and
       ``(B) 70.00 percent of the fees collected under section 
     1930(a)(1)(B) of this title in cases commenced under chapter 
     13 of title 11;'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``one-half'' and 
     inserting ``three-fourths''; and
       (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``one-half'' and 
     inserting ``100 percent''.
       (c) Collection and Deposit of Miscellaneous Bankruptcy 
     Fees.--Section 406(b) of the Judiciary Appropriations Act, 
     1990 (28 U.S.C. 1931 note) is amended by striking ``pursuant 
     to 28 U.S.C. section 1930(b) and 30.76 per centum of the fees 
     hereafter collected under 28 U.S.C. section 1930(a)(1) and 25 
     percent of the fees hereafter collected under 28 U.S.C. 
     section 1930(a)(3) shall be deposited as offsetting receipts 
     to the fund established under 28 U.S.C. section 1931'' and 
     inserting ``under section 1930(b) of title 28, United States 
     Code, and 31.25 percent of the fees collected under section 
     1930(a)(1)(A) of that title, 30.00 percent of the fees 
     collected under section 1930(a)(1)(B) of that title, and 25 
     percent of the fees collected under section 1930(a)(3) of 
     that title shall be deposited as offsetting receipts to the 
     fund established under section 1931 of that title''.

     SEC. 326. SHARING OF COMPENSATION.

       Section 504 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) This section shall not apply with respect to sharing, 
     or agreeing to share, compensation with a bona fide public 
     service attorney referral program that operates in accordance 
     with non-Federal law regulating attorney referral services 
     and with rules of professional responsibility applicable to 
     attorney acceptance of referrals.''.

     SEC. 327. FAIR VALUATION OF COLLATERAL.

       Section 506(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by--
       (1) inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) In the case of an individual debtor under chapters 7 
     and 13, such value with respect to personal property securing 
     an allowed claim shall be determined based on the replacement 
     value of such property as of the date of filing the petition 
     without deduction for costs of sale or marketing. With 
     respect to property acquired for personal, family, or 
     household purpose, replacement value shall mean the price a 
     retail merchant would charge for property of that kind 
     considering the age and condition of the property at the time 
     value is determined.''.

     SEC. 328. DEFAULTS BASED ON NONMONETARY OBLIGATIONS.

       (a) Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.--Section 365 
     of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking the semicolon at the 
     end and inserting the following: ``other than a default that 
     is a breach of a provision relating to the satisfaction of 
     any provision (other than a penalty rate or penalty 
     provision) relating to a default arising from any failure to 
     perform nonmonetary obligations under an unexpired lease of 
     real property, if it is impossible for the trustee to cure 
     such default by performing nonmonetary acts at and after the 
     time of assumption, except that if such default arises from a 
     failure to operate in accordance with a nonresidential real 
     property lease, then such default shall be cured by 
     performance at and after the time of assumption in accordance 
     with such lease, and pecuniary losses resulting from such 
     default shall be compensated in accordance with the 
     provisions of paragraph (b)(l);''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking ``penalty rate or 
     provision'' and inserting ``penalty rate or penalty 
     provision'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; or'' at the end and 
     inserting a period; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (4);
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking paragraphs (5) through (9); and
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (5); and
       (4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``; except that'' and 
     all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
     inserting a period.
       (b) Impairment of Claims or Interests.--Section 1124(2) of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended--

[[Page H9742]]

       (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or of a kind that 
     section 365(b)(2) of this title expressly does not require to 
     be cured'' before the semicolon at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (3) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); 
     and
       (4) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
       ``(D) if such claim or such interest arises from any 
     failure to perform a nonmonetary obligation, other than a 
     default arising from failure to operate a non-residential 
     real property lease subject to section 365(b)(1)(A), 
     compensates the holder of such claim or such interest (other 
     than the debtor or an insider) for any actual pecuniary loss 
     incurred by such holder as a result of such failure; and''.
       TITLE IV--GENERAL AND SMALL BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS
           Subtitle A--General Business Bankruptcy Provisions

     SEC. 401. ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR INVESTORS.

       (a) Definition.--Section 101 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting after 
     paragraph (48) the following:
       ``(48A) `securities self regulatory organization' means 
     either a securities association registered with the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission under section 15A of the 
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o-3) or a 
     national securities exchange registered with the Securities 
     and Exchange Commission under section 6 of the Securities 
     Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f);''.
       (b) Automatic Stay.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (25), as 
     added by this Act, the following:
       ``(26) under subsection (a), of--
       ``(A) the commencement or continuation of an investigation 
     or action by a securities self regulatory organization to 
     enforce such organization's regulatory power;
       ``(B) the enforcement of an order or decision, other than 
     for monetary sanctions, obtained in an action by the 
     securities self regulatory organization to enforce such 
     organization's regulatory power; or
       ``(C) any act taken by the securities self regulatory 
     organization to delist, delete, or refuse to permit quotation 
     of any stock that does not meet applicable regulatory 
     requirements;''.

     SEC. 402. MEETINGS OF CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS.

       Section 341 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the court, 
     on the request of a party in interest and after notice and a 
     hearing, for cause may order that the United States trustee 
     not convene a meeting of creditors or equity security holders 
     if the debtor has filed a plan as to which the debtor 
     solicited acceptances prior to the commencement of the 
     case.''.

     SEC. 403. PROTECTION OF REFINANCE OF SECURITY INTEREST.

       Subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 547(e)(2) of 
     title 11, United States Code, are each amended by striking 
     ``10'' each place it appears and inserting ``30''.

     SEC. 404. EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES.

       (a) In General.--Section 365(d)(4) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), in any case under any 
     chapter of this title, an unexpired lease of nonresidential 
     real property under which the debtor is the lessee shall be 
     deemed rejected, and the trustee shall immediately surrender 
     that nonresidential real property to the lessor, if the 
     trustee does not assume or reject the unexpired lease by the 
     earlier of--
       ``(i) the date that is 120 days after the date of the order 
     for relief; or
       ``(ii) the date of the entry of an order confirming a plan.
       ``(B)(i) The court may extend the period determined under 
     subparagraph (A), prior to the expiration of the 120-day 
     period, for 90 days upon motion of the trustee or lessor for 
     cause.
       ``(ii) If the court grants an extension under clause (i), 
     the court may grant a subsequent extension only upon prior 
     written consent of the lessor in each instance.''.
       (b) Exception.--Section 365(f)(1) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``subsection'' the first 
     place it appears and inserting ``subsections (b) and''.

     SEC. 405. CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS COMMITTEES.

       (a) Appointment.--Section 1102(a) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) On request of a party in interest and after notice 
     and a hearing, the court may order the United States trustee 
     to change the membership of a committee appointed under this 
     subsection, if the court determines that the change is 
     necessary to ensure adequate representation of creditors or 
     equity security holders. The court may order the United 
     States trustee to increase the number of members of a 
     committee to include a creditor that is a small business 
     concern (as described in section 3(a)(1) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(1))), if the court determines 
     that the creditor holds claims (of the kind represented by 
     the committee) the aggregate amount of which, in comparison 
     to the annual gross revenue of that creditor, is 
     disproportionately large.''.
       (b) Information.--Section 1102(b) of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) A committee appointed under subsection (a) shall--
       ``(A) provide access to information for creditors who--
       ``(i) hold claims of the kind represented by that 
     committee; and
       ``(ii) are not appointed to the committee;
       ``(B) solicit and receive comments from the creditors 
     described in subparagraph (A); and
       ``(C) be subject to a court order that compels any 
     additional report or disclosure to be made to the creditors 
     described in subparagraph (A).''.

     SEC. 406. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 546 OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Section 546 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the second subsection designated as 
     subsection (g) (as added by section 222(a) of Public Law 103-
     394) as subsection (i); and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j)(1) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 
     545, the trustee may not avoid a warehouseman's lien for 
     storage, transportation, or other costs incidental to the 
     storage and handling of goods.
       ``(2) The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall be applied 
     in a manner consistent with any applicable State statute that 
     is similar to section 7-209 of the Uniform Commercial Code, 
     as in effect on the date of enactment of the Bankruptcy 
     Reform Act of 2000, or any successor thereto.''.

     SEC. 407. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 330(A) OF TITLE 11, UNITED 
                   STATES CODE.

       Section 330(a) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``(A) In'' and inserting ``In''; and
       (B) by inserting ``to an examiner, trustee under chapter 
     11, or professional person'' after ``awarded''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) In determining the amount of reasonable compensation 
     to be awarded to a trustee, the court shall treat such 
     compensation as a commission, based on section 326 of this 
     title.''.

     SEC. 408. POSTPETITION DISCLOSURE AND SOLICITATION.

       Section 1125 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Notwithstanding subsection (b), an acceptance or 
     rejection of the plan may be solicited from a holder of a 
     claim or interest if such solicitation complies with 
     applicable nonbankruptcy law and if such holder was solicited 
     before the commencement of the case in a manner complying 
     with applicable nonbankruptcy law.''.

     SEC. 409. PREFERENCES.

       Section 547(c) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) to the extent that such transfer was in payment of a 
     debt incurred by the debtor in the ordinary course of 
     business or financial affairs of the debtor and the 
     transferee, and such transfer was--
       ``(A) made in the ordinary course of business or financial 
     affairs of the debtor and the transferee; or
       ``(B) made according to ordinary business terms;'';
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) if, in a case filed by a debtor whose debts are not 
     primarily consumer debts, the aggregate value of all property 
     that constitutes or is affected by such transfer is less than 
     $5,000.''.

     SEC. 410. VENUE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.

       Section 1409(b) of title 28, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting ``, or a nonconsumer debt against a noninsider 
     of less than $10,000,'' after ``$5,000''.

     SEC. 411. PERIOD FOR FILING PLAN UNDER CHAPTER 11.

       Section 1121(d) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``On'' and inserting ``(1) Subject to 
     paragraph (2), on''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2)(A) The 120-day period specified in paragraph (1) may 
     not be extended beyond a date that is 18 months after the 
     date of the order for relief under this chapter.
       ``(B) The 180-day period specified in paragraph (1) may not 
     be extended beyond a date that is 20 months after the date of 
     the order for relief under this chapter.''.

     SEC. 412. FEES ARISING FROM CERTAIN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS.

       Section 523(a)(16) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``dwelling'' the first place it appears;
       (2) by striking ``ownership or'' and inserting 
     ``ownership,'';
       (3) by striking ``housing'' the first place it appears; and
       (4) by striking ``but only'' and all that follows through 
     ``such period'' and inserting ``or a lot in a homeowners 
     association, for as long as the debtor or the trustee has a 
     legal, equitable, or possessory ownership interest in such 
     unit, such corporation, or such lot,''.

     SEC. 413. CREDITOR REPRESENTATION AT FIRST MEETING OF 
                   CREDITORS.

       Section 341(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting at the end the following: ``Notwithstanding any 
     local court rule, provision of a State constitution, any 
     other Federal or State law that is not a bankruptcy law, or 
     other requirement that representation at the meeting of 
     creditors under subsection (a) be by an attorney, a creditor 
     holding a consumer debt or any representative of the creditor 
     (which may include an entity or an employee of an entity and 
     may be a representative for more than 1 creditor) shall be 
     permitted to appear at and participate in the meeting of 
     creditors in a case under chapter 7 or 13, either alone or in 
     conjunction with an attorney for the creditor.

[[Page H9743]]

     Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any 
     creditor to be represented by an attorney at any meeting of 
     creditors.''.

     SEC. 414. DEFINITION OF DISINTERESTED PERSON.

       Section 101(14) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(14) `disinterested person' means a person that--
       ``(A) is not a creditor, an equity security holder, or an 
     insider;
       ``(B) is not and was not, within 2 years before the date of 
     the filing of the petition, a director, officer, or employee 
     of the debtor; and
       ``(C) does not have an interest materially adverse to the 
     interest of the estate or of any class of creditors or equity 
     security holders, by reason of any direct or indirect 
     relationship to, connection with, or interest in, the debtor, 
     or for any other reason;''.

     SEC. 415. FACTORS FOR COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONS.

       Section 330(a)(3) of title 11, United States Code, as 
     amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
       ``(E) with respect to a professional person, whether the 
     person is board certified or otherwise has demonstrated skill 
     and experience in the bankruptcy field; and''.

     SEC. 416. APPOINTMENT OF ELECTED TRUSTEE.

       Section 1104(b) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2)(A) If an eligible, disinterested trustee is elected 
     at a meeting of creditors under paragraph (1), the United 
     States trustee shall file a report certifying that election.
       ``(B) Upon the filing of a report under subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) the trustee elected under paragraph (1) shall be 
     considered to have been selected and appointed for purposes 
     of this section; and
       ``(ii) the service of any trustee appointed under 
     subsection (d) shall terminate.
       ``(C) In the case of any dispute arising out of an election 
     described in subparagraph (A), the court shall resolve the 
     dispute.''.

     SEC. 417. UTILITY SERVICE.

       Section 366 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (b)'' and 
     inserting ``subsections (b) and (c)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c)(1)(A) For purposes of this subsection, the term 
     `assurance of payment' means--
       ``(i) a cash deposit;
       ``(ii) a letter of credit;
       ``(iii) a certificate of deposit;
       ``(iv) a surety bond;
       ``(v) a prepayment of utility consumption; or
       ``(vi) another form of security that is mutually agreed on 
     between the utility and the debtor or the trustee.
       ``(B) For purposes of this subsection an administrative 
     expense priority shall not constitute an assurance of 
     payment.
       ``(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), with respect 
     to a case filed under chapter 11, a utility referred to in 
     subsection (a) may alter, refuse, or discontinue utility 
     service, if during the 30-day period beginning on the date of 
     filing of the petition, the utility does not receive from the 
     debtor or the trustee adequate assurance of payment for 
     utility service that is satisfactory to the utility.
       ``(3)(A) On request of a party in interest and after notice 
     and a hearing, the court may order modification of the amount 
     of an assurance of payment under paragraph (2).
       ``(B) In making a determination under this paragraph 
     whether an assurance of payment is adequate, the court may 
     not consider--
       ``(i) the absence of security before the date of filing of 
     the petition;
       ``(ii) the payment by the debtor of charges for utility 
     service in a timely manner before the date of filing of the 
     petition; or
       ``(iii) the availability of an administrative expense 
     priority.
       ``(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with 
     respect to a case subject to this subsection, a utility may 
     recover or set off against a security deposit provided to the 
     utility by the debtor before the date of filing of the 
     petition without notice or order of the court.''.

     SEC. 418. BANKRUPTCY FEES.

       Section 1930 of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Notwithstanding 
     section 1915 of this title, the'' and inserting ``The''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f)(1) Under the procedures prescribed by the Judicial 
     Conference of the United States, the district court or the 
     bankruptcy court may waive the filing fee in a case under 
     chapter 7 of title 11 for an individual if the court 
     determines that such debtor has income less than 150 percent 
     of the income official poverty line (as defined by the Office 
     of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance 
     with section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
     of 1981) applicable to a family of the size involved and is 
     unable to pay that fee in installments. For purposes of this 
     paragraph, the term ``filing fee'' means the filing required 
     by subsection (a), or any other fee prescribed by the 
     Judicial Conference under subsections (b) and (c) that is 
     payable to the clerk upon the commencement of a case under 
     chapter 7.
       ``(2) The district court or the bankruptcy court may waive 
     for such debtors other fees prescribed under subsections (b) 
     and (c).
       ``(3) This subsection does not restrict the district court 
     or the bankruptcy court from waiving, in accordance with 
     Judicial Conference policy, fees prescribed under this 
     section for other debtors and creditors.''.

     SEC. 419. MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING ASSETS OF THE 
                   ESTATE.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Disclosure.--The Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules 
     of the Judicial Conference of the United States, after 
     consideration of the views of the Director of the Executive 
     Office for United States Trustees, shall propose for adoption 
     amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Official 
     Bankruptcy Forms directing debtors under chapter 11 of title 
     11, United States Code, to disclose the information described 
     in paragraph (2) by filing and serving periodic financial and 
     other reports designed to provide such information.
       (2) Information.--The information referred to in paragraph 
     (1) is the value, operations, and profitability of any 
     closely held corporation, partnership, or of any other entity 
     in which the debtor holds a substantial or controlling 
     interest.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the rules and reports under 
     subsection (a) shall be to assist parties in interest taking 
     steps to ensure that the debtor's interest in any entity 
     referred to in subsection (a)(2) is used for the payment of 
     allowed claims against debtor.
            Subtitle B--Small Business Bankruptcy Provisions

     SEC. 431. FLEXIBLE RULES FOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN.

       Section 1125 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting before the semicolon 
     ``and in determining whether a disclosure statement provides 
     adequate information, the court shall consider the complexity 
     of the case, the benefit of additional information to 
     creditors and other parties in interest, and the cost of 
     providing additional information''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (f), and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(f) Notwithstanding subsection (b), in a small business 
     case--
       ``(1) the court may determine that the plan itself provides 
     adequate information and that a separate disclosure statement 
     is not necessary;
       ``(2) the court may approve a disclosure statement 
     submitted on standard forms approved by the court or adopted 
     under section 2075 of title 28; and
       ``(3)(A) the court may conditionally approve a disclosure 
     statement subject to final approval after notice and a 
     hearing;
       ``(B) acceptances and rejections of a plan may be solicited 
     based on a conditionally approved disclosure statement if the 
     debtor provides adequate information to each holder of a 
     claim or interest that is solicited, but a conditionally 
     approved disclosure statement shall be mailed not later than 
     20 days before the date of the hearing on confirmation of the 
     plan; and
       ``(C) the hearing on the disclosure statement may be 
     combined with the hearing on confirmation of a plan.''.

     SEC. 432. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by striking 
     paragraph (51C) and inserting the following:
       ``(51C) `small business case' means a case filed under 
     chapter 11 of this title in which the debtor is a small 
     business debtor;
       ``(51D) `small business debtor'--
       ``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), means a person engaged 
     in commercial or business activities (including any affiliate 
     of such person that is also a debtor under this title and 
     excluding a person whose primary activity is the business of 
     owning or operating real property or activities incidental 
     thereto) that has aggregate noncontingent, liquidated secured 
     and unsecured debts as of the date of the petition or the 
     order for relief in an amount not more than $3,000,000 
     (excluding debts owed to 1 or more affiliates or insiders) 
     for a case in which the United States trustee has not 
     appointed under section 1102(a)(1) a committee of unsecured 
     creditors or where the court has determined that the 
     committee of unsecured creditors is not sufficiently active 
     and representative to provide effective oversight of the 
     debtor; and
       ``(B) does not include any member of a group of affiliated 
     debtors that has aggregate noncontingent liquidated secured 
     and unsecured debts in an amount greater than $3,000,000 
     (excluding debt owed to 1 or more affiliates or insiders);''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1102(a)(3) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting ``debtor'' after 
     ``small business''.

     SEC. 433. STANDARD FORM DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN.

       Within a reasonable period of time after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy 
     Rules of the Judicial Conference of the United States shall 
     propose for adoption standard form disclosure statements and 
     plans of reorganization for small business debtors (as 
     defined in section 101 of title 11, United States Code, as 
     amended by this Act), designed to achieve a practical balance 
     between--
       (1) the reasonable needs of the courts, the United States 
     trustee, creditors, and other parties in interest for 
     reasonably complete information; and
       (2) economy and simplicity for debtors.

     SEC. 434. UNIFORM NATIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Reporting Required.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title 11, United States Code, 
     is amended by inserting after section 307 the following:

     ``Sec. 308. Debtor reporting requirements

       ``(a) For purposes of this section, the term 
     `profitability' means, with respect to a debtor, the amount 
     of money that the debtor has earned or lost during current 
     and recent fiscal periods.

[[Page H9744]]

       ``(b) A small business debtor shall file periodic financial 
     and other reports containing information including--
       ``(1) the debtor's profitability;
       ``(2) reasonable approximations of the debtor's projected 
     cash receipts and cash disbursements over a reasonable 
     period;
       ``(3) comparisons of actual cash receipts and disbursements 
     with projections in prior reports;
       ``(4)(A) whether the debtor is--
       ``(i) in compliance in all material respects with 
     postpetition requirements imposed by this title and the 
     Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure; and
       ``(ii) timely filing tax returns and other required 
     government filings and paying taxes and other administrative 
     claims when due;
       ``(B) if the debtor is not in compliance with the 
     requirements referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) or filing tax 
     returns and other required government filings and making the 
     payments referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii), what the 
     failures are and how, at what cost, and when the debtor 
     intends to remedy such failures; and
       ``(C) such other matters as are in the best interests of 
     the debtor and creditors, and in the public interest in fair 
     and efficient procedures under chapter 11 of this title.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     3 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 307 the following:
``308. Debtor reporting requirements.''.

       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect 60 days after the date on which rules are 
     prescribed under section 2075 of title 28, United States 
     Code, to establish forms to be used to comply with section 
     308 of title 11, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (a).

     SEC. 435. UNIFORM REPORTING RULES AND FORMS FOR SMALL 
                   BUSINESS CASES.

       (a) Proposal of Rules and Forms.--The Advisory Committee on 
     Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference of the United 
     States shall propose for adoption amended Federal Rules of 
     Bankruptcy Procedure and Official Bankruptcy Forms to be used 
     by small business debtors to file periodic financial and 
     other reports containing information, including information 
     relating to--
       (1) the debtor's profitability;
       (2) the debtor's cash receipts and disbursements; and
       (3) whether the debtor is timely filing tax returns and 
     paying taxes and other administrative claims when due.
       (b) Purpose.--The rules and forms proposed under subsection 
     (a) shall be designed to achieve a practical balance among--
       (1) the reasonable needs of the bankruptcy court, the 
     United States trustee, creditors, and other parties in 
     interest for reasonably complete information;
       (2) the small business debtor's interest that required 
     reports be easy and inexpensive to complete; and
       (3) the interest of all parties that the required reports 
     help the small business debtor to understand the small 
     business debtor's financial condition and plan the small 
     business debtor's future.

     SEC. 436. DUTIES IN SMALL BUSINESS CASES.

       (a) Duties in Chapter 11 Cases.--Subchapter I of title 11, 
     United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 1116. Duties of trustee or debtor in possession in 
       small business cases

       ``In a small business case, a trustee or the debtor in 
     possession, in addition to the duties provided in this title 
     and as otherwise required by law, shall--
       ``(1) append to the voluntary petition or, in an 
     involuntary case, file not later than 7 days after the date 
     of the order for relief--
       ``(A) its most recent balance sheet, statement of 
     operations, cash-flow statement, Federal income tax return; 
     or
       ``(B) a statement made under penalty of perjury that no 
     balance sheet, statement of operations, or cash-flow 
     statement has been prepared and no Federal tax return has 
     been filed;
       ``(2) attend, through its senior management personnel and 
     counsel, meetings scheduled by the court or the United States 
     trustee, including initial debtor interviews, scheduling 
     conferences, and meetings of creditors convened under section 
     341 unless the court waives that requirement after notice and 
     hearing, upon a finding of extraordinary and compelling 
     circumstances;
       ``(3) timely file all schedules and statements of financial 
     affairs, unless the court, after notice and a hearing, grants 
     an extension, which shall not extend such time period to a 
     date later than 30 days after the date of the order for 
     relief, absent extraordinary and compelling circumstances;
       ``(4) file all postpetition financial and other reports 
     required by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure or by 
     local rule of the district court;
       ``(5) subject to section 363(c)(2), maintain insurance 
     customary and appropriate to the industry;
       ``(6)(A) timely file tax returns and other required 
     government filings; and
       ``(B) subject to section 363(c)(2), timely pay all 
     administrative expense tax claims, except those being 
     contested by appropriate proceedings being diligently 
     prosecuted; and
       ``(7) allow the United States trustee, or a designated 
     representative of the United States trustee, to inspect the 
     debtor's business premises, books, and records at reasonable 
     times, after reasonable prior written notice, unless notice 
     is waived by the debtor.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     11 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end of the matter relating to subchapter I the following:

``1116. Duties of trustee or debtor in possession in small business 
              cases.''.

     SEC. 437. PLAN FILING AND CONFIRMATION DEADLINES.

       Section 1121 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
       ``(e) In a small business case--
       ``(1) only the debtor may file a plan until after 180 days 
     after the date of the order for relief, unless that period 
     is--
       ``(A) extended as provided by this subsection, after notice 
     and hearing; or
       ``(B) the court, for cause, orders otherwise;
       ``(2) the plan, and any necessary disclosure statement, 
     shall be filed not later than 300 days after the date of the 
     order for relief; and
       ``(3) the time periods specified in paragraphs (1) and (2), 
     and the time fixed in section 1129(e), within which the plan 
     shall be confirmed, may be extended only if--
       ``(A) the debtor, after providing notice to parties in 
     interest (including the United States trustee), demonstrates 
     by a preponderance of the evidence that it is more likely 
     than not that the court will confirm a plan within a 
     reasonable period of time;
       ``(B) a new deadline is imposed at the time the extension 
     is granted; and
       ``(C) the order extending time is signed before the 
     existing deadline has expired.''.

     SEC. 438. PLAN CONFIRMATION DEADLINE.

       Section 1129 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) In a small business case, the plan shall be confirmed 
     not later than 175 days after the date of the order for 
     relief, unless such 175-day period is extended as provided in 
     section 1121(e)(3).''.

     SEC. 439. DUTIES OF THE UNITED STATES TRUSTEE.

       Section 586(a) of title 28, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subparagraph (I); 
     and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:
       ``(H) in small business cases (as defined in section 101 of 
     title 11), performing the additional duties specified in 
     title 11 pertaining to such cases; and'';
       (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (3) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) in each of such small business cases--
       ``(A) conduct an initial debtor interview as soon as 
     practicable after the entry of order for relief but before 
     the first meeting scheduled under section 341(a) of title 11, 
     at which time the United States trustee shall--
       ``(i) begin to investigate the debtor's viability;
       ``(ii) inquire about the debtor's business plan;
       ``(iii) explain the debtor's obligations to file monthly 
     operating reports and other required reports;
       ``(iv) attempt to develop an agreed scheduling order; and
       ``(v) inform the debtor of other obligations;
       ``(B) if determined to be appropriate and advisable, visit 
     the appropriate business premises of the debtor and ascertain 
     the state of the debtor's books and records and verify that 
     the debtor has filed its tax returns; and
       ``(C) review and monitor diligently the debtor's 
     activities, to identify as promptly as possible whether the 
     debtor will be unable to confirm a plan; and
       ``(8) in any case in which the United States trustee finds 
     material grounds for any relief under section 1112 of title 
     11, the United States trustee shall apply promptly after 
     making that finding to the court for relief.''.

     SEC. 440. SCHEDULING CONFERENCES.

       Section 105(d) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``, 
     may''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) shall hold such status conferences as are necessary 
     to further the expeditious and economical resolution of the 
     case; and''.

     SEC. 441. SERIAL FILER PROVISIONS.

       Section 362 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by 
     this Act is amended--
       (1) in subsection (k), as redesignated by this Act--
       (A) by striking ``An'' and inserting ``(1) Except as 
     provided in paragraph (2), an''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) If such violation is based on an action taken by an 
     entity in the good faith belief that subsection (h) applies 
     to the debtor, the recovery under paragraph (1) of this 
     subsection against such entity shall be limited to actual 
     damages.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this 
     subsection, the provisions of subsection (a) do not apply in 
     a case in which the debtor--
       ``(A) is a debtor in a small business case pending at the 
     time the petition is filed;
       ``(B) was a debtor in a small business case that was 
     dismissed for any reason by an order that became final in the 
     2-year period ending on the date of the order for relief 
     entered with respect to the petition;
       ``(C) was a debtor in a small business case in which a plan 
     was confirmed in the 2-year period ending on the date of the 
     order for relief entered with respect to the petition; or
       ``(D) is an entity that has succeeded to substantially all 
     of the assets or business of a small business debtor 
     described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
       ``(2) This subsection does not apply--

[[Page H9745]]

       ``(A) to an involuntary case involving no collusion by the 
     debtor with creditors; or
       ``(B) to the filing of a petition if--
       ``(i) the debtor proves by a preponderance of the evidence 
     that the filing of that petition resulted from circumstances 
     beyond the control of the debtor not foreseeable at the time 
     the case then pending was filed; and
       ``(ii) it is more likely than not that the court will 
     confirm a feasible plan, but not a liquidating plan, within a 
     reasonable period of time.''.

     SEC. 442. EXPANDED GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR CONVERSION AND 
                   APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE.

       (a) Expanded Grounds for Dismissal or Conversion.--Section 
     1112 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this 
     subsection, subsection (c) of this section, and section 
     1104(a)(3), on request of a party in interest, and after 
     notice and a hearing, the court shall convert a case under 
     this chapter to a case under chapter 7 or dismiss a case 
     under this chapter, whichever is in the best interest of 
     creditors and the estate, if the movant establishes cause.
       ``(2) The relief provided in paragraph (1) shall not be 
     granted if the debtor or another party in interest objects 
     and establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that--
       ``(A) a plan with a reasonable possibility of being 
     confirmed will be filed within a reasonable period of time; 
     and
       ``(B) the grounds include an act or omission of the 
     debtor--
       ``(i) for which there exists a reasonable justification for 
     the act or omission; and
       ``(ii) that will be cured within a reasonable period of 
     time fixed by the court.
       ``(3) The court shall commence the hearing on any motion 
     under this subsection not later than 30 days after filing of 
     the motion, and shall decide the motion not later than 15 
     days after commencement of the hearing, unless the movant 
     expressly consents to a continuance for a specific period of 
     time or compelling circumstances prevent the court from 
     meeting the time limits established by this paragraph.
       ``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term `cause' 
     includes--
       ``(A) substantial or continuing loss to or diminution of 
     the estate;
       ``(B) gross mismanagement of the estate;
       ``(C) failure to maintain appropriate insurance that poses 
     a risk to the estate or to the public;
       ``(D) unauthorized use of cash collateral harmful to 1 or 
     more creditors;
       ``(E) failure to comply with an order of the court;
       ``(F) repeated failure timely to satisfy any filing or 
     reporting requirement established by this title or by any 
     rule applicable to a case under this chapter;
       ``(G) failure to attend the meeting of creditors convened 
     under section 341(a) or an examination ordered under rule 
     2004 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure;
       ``(H) failure timely to provide information or attend 
     meetings reasonably requested by the United States trustee or 
     the bankruptcy administrator;
       ``(I) failure timely to pay taxes due after the date of the 
     order for relief or to file tax returns due after the order 
     for relief;
       ``(J) failure to file a disclosure statement, or to file or 
     confirm a plan, within the time fixed by this title or by 
     order of the court;
       ``(K) failure to pay any fees or charges required under 
     chapter 123 of title 28;
       ``(L) revocation of an order of confirmation under section 
     1144;
       ``(M) inability to effectuate substantial consummation of a 
     confirmed plan;
       ``(N) material default by the debtor with respect to a 
     confirmed plan;
       ``(O) termination of a confirmed plan by reason of the 
     occurrence of a condition specified in the plan; and
       ``(P) failure of the debtor to pay any domestic support 
     obligation that first becomes payable after the date on which 
     the petition is filed.
       ``(5) The court shall commence the hearing on any motion 
     under this subsection not later than 30 days after filing of 
     the motion, and shall decide the motion not later than 15 
     days after commencement of the hearing, unless the movant 
     expressly consents to a continuance for a specific period of 
     time or compelling circumstances prevent the court from 
     meeting the time limits established by this paragraph.''.
       (b) Additional Grounds for Appointment of Trustee.--Section 
     1104(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) if grounds exist to convert or dismiss the case under 
     section 1112, but the court determines that the appointment 
     of a trustee or an examiner is in the best interests of 
     creditors and the estate.''.

     SEC. 443. STUDY OF OPERATION OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE, 
                   WITH RESPECT TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

       Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, 
     in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of 
     the Administrative Office of United States Trustees, and the 
     Director of the Administrative Office of the United States 
     Courts, shall--
       (1) conduct a study to determine--
       (A) the internal and external factors that cause small 
     businesses, especially sole proprietorships, to become 
     debtors in cases under title 11, United States Code, and that 
     cause certain small businesses to successfully complete cases 
     under chapter 11 of such title; and
       (B) how Federal laws relating to bankruptcy may be made 
     more effective and efficient in assisting small businesses to 
     remain viable; and
       (2) submit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and 
     the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report 
     summarizing that study.

     SEC. 444. PAYMENT OF INTEREST.

       Section 362(d)(3) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``or 30 days after the court determines 
     that the debtor is subject to this paragraph, whichever is 
     later'' after ``90-day period)''; and
       (2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) the debtor has commenced monthly payments that--
       ``(i) may, in the debtor's sole discretion, notwithstanding 
     section 363(c)(2), be made from rents or other income 
     generated before or after the commencement of the case by or 
     from the property to each creditor whose claim is secured by 
     such real estate (other than a claim secured by a judgment 
     lien or by an unmatured statutory lien); and
       ``(ii) are in an amount equal to interest at the then 
     applicable nondefault contract rate of interest on the value 
     of the creditor's interest in the real estate; or''.

     SEC. 445. PRIORITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       Section 503(b) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) with respect to a nonresidential real property lease 
     previously assumed under section 365, and subsequently 
     rejected, a sum equal to all monetary obligations due, 
     excluding those arising from or relating to a failure to 
     operate or penalty provisions, for the period of 2 years 
     following the later of the rejection date or the date of 
     actual turnover of the premises, without reduction or setoff 
     for any reason whatsoever except for sums actually received 
     or to be received from a nondebtor, and the claim for 
     remaining sums due for the balance of the term of the lease 
     shall be a claim under section 502(b)(6);''.
                TITLE V--MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS

     SEC. 501. PETITION AND PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO PETITION.

       (a) Technical Amendment Relating to Municipalities.--
     Section 921(d) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting ``notwithstanding section 301(b)'' before the 
     period at the end.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 301 of title 11, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``A voluntary''; and
       (2) by striking the last sentence and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(b) The commencement of a voluntary case under a chapter 
     of this title constitutes an order for relief under such 
     chapter.''.

     SEC. 502. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER SECTIONS TO CHAPTER 9.

       Section 901(a) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``555, 556,'' after ``553,''; and
       (2) by inserting ``559, 560, 561, 562'' after ``557,''.
                       TITLE VI--BANKRUPTCY DATA

     SEC. 601. IMPROVED BANKRUPTCY STATISTICS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 6 of title 28, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 159. Bankruptcy statistics

       ``(a) The clerk of each district shall collect statistics 
     regarding individual debtors with primarily consumer debts 
     seeking relief under chapters 7, 11, and 13 of title 11. 
     Those statistics shall be on a standardized form prescribed 
     by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United 
     States Courts (referred to in this section as the 
     `Director').
       ``(b) The Director shall--
       ``(1) compile the statistics referred to in subsection (a);
       ``(2) make the statistics available to the public; and
       ``(3) not later than October 31, 2002, and annually 
     thereafter, prepare, and submit to Congress a report 
     concerning the information collected under subsection (a) 
     that contains an analysis of the information.
       ``(c) The compilation required under subsection (b) shall--
       ``(1) be itemized, by chapter, with respect to title 11;
       ``(2) be presented in the aggregate and for each district; 
     and
       ``(3) include information concerning--
       ``(A) the total assets and total liabilities of the debtors 
     described in subsection (a), and in each category of assets 
     and liabilities, as reported in the schedules prescribed 
     pursuant to section 2075 of this title and filed by those 
     debtors;
       ``(B) the current monthly income, average income, and 
     average expenses of those debtors as reported on the 
     schedules and statements that each such debtor files under 
     sections 521 and 1322 of title 11;
       ``(C) the aggregate amount of debt discharged in the 
     reporting period, determined as the difference between the 
     total amount of debt and obligations of a debtor reported on 
     the schedules and the amount of such debt reported in 
     categories which are predominantly nondischargeable;
       ``(D) the average period of time between the filing of the 
     petition and the closing of the case;
       ``(E) for the reporting period--
       ``(i) the number of cases in which a reaffirmation was 
     filed; and

[[Page H9746]]

       ``(ii)(I) the total number of reaffirmations filed;
       ``(II) of those cases in which a reaffirmation was filed, 
     the number of cases in which the debtor was not represented 
     by an attorney; and
       ``(III) of those cases in which a reaffirmation was filed, 
     the number of cases in which the reaffirmation was approved 
     by the court;
       ``(F) with respect to cases filed under chapter 13 of title 
     11, for the reporting period--
       ``(i)(I) the number of cases in which a final order was 
     entered determining the value of property securing a claim in 
     an amount less than the amount of the claim; and
       ``(II) the number of final orders determining the value of 
     property securing a claim issued;
       ``(ii) the number of cases dismissed, the number of cases 
     dismissed for failure to make payments under the plan, the 
     number of cases refiled after dismissal, and the number of 
     cases in which the plan was completed, separately itemized 
     with respect to the number of modifications made before 
     completion of the plan, if any; and
       ``(iii) the number of cases in which the debtor filed 
     another case during the 6-year period preceding the filing;
       ``(G) the number of cases in which creditors were fined for 
     misconduct and any amount of punitive damages awarded by the 
     court for creditor misconduct; and
       ``(H) the number of cases in which sanctions under rule 
     9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure were 
     imposed against debtor's counsel or damages awarded under 
     such Rule.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     6 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

``159. Bankruptcy statistics.''.

       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect 18 months after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 602. UNIFORM RULES FOR THE COLLECTION OF BANKRUPTCY 
                   DATA.

       (a) Amendment.--Chapter 39 of title 28, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 589b. Bankruptcy data

       ``(a) Rules.--The Attorney General shall, within a 
     reasonable time after the effective date of this section, 
     issue rules requiring uniform forms for (and from time to 
     time thereafter to appropriately modify and approve)--
       ``(1) final reports by trustees in cases under chapters 7, 
     12, and 13 of title 11; and
       ``(2) periodic reports by debtors in possession or 
     trustees, as the case may be, in cases under chapter 11 of 
     title 11.
       ``(b) Reports.--Each report referred to in subsection (a) 
     shall be designed (and the requirements as to place and 
     manner of filing shall be established) so as to facilitate 
     compilation of data and maximum possible access of the 
     public, both by physical inspection at one or more central 
     filing locations, and by electronic access through the 
     Internet or other appropriate media.
       ``(c) Required Information.--The information required to be 
     filed in the reports referred to in subsection (b) shall be 
     that which is in the best interests of debtors and creditors, 
     and in the public interest in reasonable and adequate 
     information to evaluate the efficiency and practicality of 
     the Federal bankruptcy system. In issuing rules proposing the 
     forms referred to in subsection (a), the Attorney General 
     shall strike the best achievable practical balance between--
       ``(1) the reasonable needs of the public for information 
     about the operational results of the Federal bankruptcy 
     system;
       ``(2) economy, simplicity, and lack of undue burden on 
     persons with a duty to file reports; and
       ``(3) appropriate privacy concerns and safeguards.
       ``(d) Final Reports.--Final reports proposed for adoption 
     by trustees under chapters 7, 12, and 13 of title 11 shall, 
     in addition to such other matters as are required by law or 
     as the Attorney General in the discretion of the Attorney 
     General, shall propose, include with respect to a case under 
     such title--
       ``(1) information about the length of time the case was 
     pending;
       ``(2) assets abandoned;
       ``(3) assets exempted;
       ``(4) receipts and disbursements of the estate;
       ``(5) expenses of administration, including for use under 
     section 707(b), actual costs of administering cases under 
     chapter 13 of title 11;
       ``(6) claims asserted;
       ``(7) claims allowed; and
       ``(8) distributions to claimants and claims discharged 
     without payment,

     in each case by appropriate category and, in cases under 
     chapters 12 and 13 of title 11, date of confirmation of the 
     plan, each modification thereto, and defaults by the debtor 
     in performance under the plan.
       ``(e) Periodic Reports.--Periodic reports proposed for 
     adoption by trustees or debtors in possession under chapter 
     11 of title 11 shall, in addition to such other matters as 
     are required by law or as the Attorney General, in the 
     discretion of the Attorney General, shall propose, include--
       ``(1) information about the standard industry 
     classification, published by the Department of Commerce, for 
     the businesses conducted by the debtor;
       ``(2) length of time the case has been pending;
       ``(3) number of full-time employees as of the date of the 
     order for relief and at the end of each reporting period 
     since the case was filed;
       ``(4) cash receipts, cash disbursements and profitability 
     of the debtor for the most recent period and cumulatively 
     since the date of the order for relief;
       ``(5) compliance with title 11, whether or not tax returns 
     and tax payments since the date of the order for relief have 
     been timely filed and made;
       ``(6) all professional fees approved by the court in the 
     case for the most recent period and cumulatively since the 
     date of the order for relief (separately reported, for the 
     professional fees incurred by or on behalf of the debtor, 
     between those that would have been incurred absent a 
     bankruptcy case and those not); and
       ``(7) plans of reorganization filed and confirmed and, with 
     respect thereto, by class, the recoveries of the holders, 
     expressed in aggregate dollar values and, in the case of 
     claims, as a percentage of total claims of the class 
     allowed.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 39 of title 28, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

``589b. Bankruptcy data.''.

     SEC. 603. AUDIT PROCEDURES.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Establishment of procedures.--The Attorney General (in 
     judicial districts served by United States trustees) and the 
     Judicial Conference of the United States (in judicial 
     districts served by bankruptcy administrators) shall 
     establish procedures to determine the accuracy, veracity, and 
     completeness of petitions, schedules, and other information 
     which the debtor is required to provide under sections 521 
     and 1322 of title 11, and, if applicable, section 111 of 
     title 11, in individual cases filed under chapter 7 or 13 of 
     such title. Such audits shall be in accordance with generally 
     accepted auditing standards and performed by independent 
     certified public accountants or independent licensed 
     public accountants, provided that the Attorney General and 
     the Judicial Conference, as appropriate, may develop 
     alternative auditing standards not later than 2 years 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (2) Procedures.--Those procedures required by paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) establish a method of selecting appropriate qualified 
     persons to contract to perform those audits;
       (B) establish a method of randomly selecting cases to be 
     audited, except that not less than 1 out of every 250 cases 
     in each Federal judicial district shall be selected for 
     audit;
       (C) require audits for schedules of income and expenses 
     which reflect greater than average variances from the 
     statistical norm of the district in which the schedules were 
     filed if those variances occur by reason of higher income or 
     higher expenses than the statistical norm of the district in 
     which the schedules were filed; and
       (D) establish procedures for providing, not less frequently 
     than annually, public information concerning the aggregate 
     results of such audits including the percentage of cases, by 
     district, in which a material misstatement of income or 
     expenditures is reported.
       (b) Amendments.--Section 586 of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (6) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(6) make such reports as the Attorney General directs, 
     including the results of audits performed under section 
     603(a) of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2000; and''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f)(1) The United States trustee for each district is 
     authorized to contract with auditors to perform audits in 
     cases designated by the United States trustee, in accordance 
     with the procedures established under section 603(a) of the 
     Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2000.
       ``(2)(A) The report of each audit referred to in paragraph 
     (1) shall be filed with the court and transmitted to the 
     United States trustee. Each report shall clearly and 
     conspicuously specify any material misstatement of income or 
     expenditures or of assets identified by the person performing 
     the audit. In any case in which a material misstatement of 
     income or expenditures or of assets has been reported, the 
     clerk of the bankruptcy court shall give notice of the 
     misstatement to the creditors in the case.
       ``(B) If a material misstatement of income or expenditures 
     or of assets is reported, the United States trustee shall--
       ``(i) report the material misstatement, if appropriate, to 
     the United States Attorney pursuant to section 3057 of title 
     18; and
       ``(ii) if advisable, take appropriate action, including but 
     not limited to commencing an adversary proceeding to revoke 
     the debtor's discharge pursuant to section 727(d) of title 
     11.''.
       (c) Amendments to Section 521 of Title 11, U.S.C.--Section 
     521(a) of title 11, United States Code, as so designated by 
     this Act, is amended in each of paragraphs (3) and (4) by 
     inserting ``or an auditor appointed under section 586(f) of 
     title 28'' after ``serving in the case''.
       (d) Amendments to Section 727 of Title 11, U.S.C.--Section 
     727(d) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) the debtor has failed to explain satisfactorily--
       ``(A) a material misstatement in an audit referred to in 
     section 586(f) of title 28; or
       ``(B) a failure to make available for inspection all 
     necessary accounts, papers, documents, financial records, 
     files, and all other papers, things, or property belonging to 
     the debtor that are requested for an audit referred to in 
     section 586(f) of title 28.''.
       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect 18 months after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 604. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF 
                   BANKRUPTCY DATA.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the national policy of the United States should be that 
     all data held by bankruptcy clerks in electronic form, to the 
     extent such data reflects only public records (as defined in 
     section 107 of title 11, United States Code), should

[[Page H9747]]

     be released in a usable electronic form in bulk to the 
     public, subject to such appropriate privacy concerns and 
     safeguards as Congress and the Judicial Conference of the 
     United States may determine; and
       (2) there should be established a bankruptcy data system in 
     which--
       (A) a single set of data definitions and forms are used to 
     collect data nationwide; and
       (B) data for any particular bankruptcy case are aggregated 
     in the same electronic record.
                  TITLE VII--BANKRUPTCY TAX PROVISIONS

     SEC. 701. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN LIENS.

       (a) Treatment of Certain Liens.--Section 724 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by inserting ``(other than to the extent that there is a 
     properly perfected unavoidable tax lien arising in connection 
     with an ad valorem tax on real or personal property of the 
     estate)'' after ``under this title'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``(except that such 
     expenses, other than claims for wages, salaries, or 
     commissions which arise after the filing of a petition, shall 
     be limited to expenses incurred under chapter 7 of this title 
     and shall not include expenses incurred under chapter 11 of 
     this title)'' after ``507(a)(1)''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Before subordinating a tax lien on real or personal 
     property of the estate, the trustee shall--
       ``(1) exhaust the unencumbered assets of the estate; and
       ``(2) in a manner consistent with section 506(c), recover 
     from property securing an allowed secured claim the 
     reasonable, necessary costs and expenses of preserving or 
     disposing of that property.
       ``(f) Notwithstanding the exclusion of ad valorem tax liens 
     under this section and subject to the requirements of 
     subsection (e), the following may be paid from property of 
     the estate which secures a tax lien, or the proceeds of such 
     property:
       ``(1) Claims for wages, salaries, and commissions that are 
     entitled to priority under section 507(a)(4).
       ``(2) Claims for contributions to an employee benefit plan 
     entitled to priority under section 507(a)(5).''.
       (b) Determination of Tax Liability.--Section 505(a)(2) of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) the amount or legality of any amount arising in 
     connection with an ad valorem tax on real or personal 
     property of the estate, if the applicable period for 
     contesting or redetermining that amount under any law (other 
     than a bankruptcy law) has expired.''.

     SEC. 702. TREATMENT OF FUEL TAX CLAIMS.

       Section 501 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) A claim arising from the liability of a debtor for 
     fuel use tax assessed consistent with the requirements of 
     section 31705 of title 49 may be filed by the base 
     jurisdiction designated pursuant to the International Fuel 
     Tax Agreement and, if so filed, shall be allowed as a single 
     claim.''.

     SEC. 703. NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR A DETERMINATION OF TAXES.

       Section 505(b) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by inserting ``at the address 
     and in the manner designated in paragraph (1)'' after 
     ``determination of such tax'';
       (2) by striking ``(1) upon payment'' and inserting ``(A) 
     upon payment'';
       (3) by striking ``(A) such governmental unit'' and 
     inserting ``(i) such governmental unit'';
       (4) by striking ``(B) such governmental unit'' and 
     inserting ``(ii) such governmental unit'';
       (5) by striking ``(2) upon payment'' and inserting ``(B) 
     upon payment'';
       (6) by striking ``(3) upon payment'' and inserting ``(C) 
     upon payment'';
       (7) by striking ``(b)'' and inserting ``(2)''; and
       (8) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so designated, 
     the following:
       ``(b)(1)(A) The clerk of each district shall maintain a 
     listing under which a Federal, State, or local governmental 
     unit responsible for the collection of taxes within the 
     district may--
       ``(i) designate an address for service of requests under 
     this subsection; and
       ``(ii) describe where further information concerning 
     additional requirements for filing such requests may be 
     found.
       ``(B) If a governmental unit referred to in subparagraph 
     (A) does not designate an address and provide that address to 
     the clerk under that subparagraph, any request made under 
     this subsection may be served at the address for the filing 
     of a tax return or protest with the appropriate taxing 
     authority of that governmental unit.''.

     SEC. 704. RATE OF INTEREST ON TAX CLAIMS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 5 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 511. Rate of interest on tax claims

       ``(a) If any provision of this title requires the payment 
     of interest on a tax claim or on an administrative expense 
     tax, or the payment of interest to enable a creditor to 
     receive the present value of the allowed amount of a tax 
     claim, the rate of interest shall be the rate determined 
     under applicable nonbankruptcy law.
       ``(b) In the case of taxes paid under a confirmed plan 
     under this title, the rate of interest shall be determined as 
     of the calendar month in which the plan is confirmed.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     5 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 510 the following:

``511. Rate of interest on tax claims.''.

     SEC. 705. PRIORITY OF TAX CLAIMS.

       Section 507(a)(8) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``for 
     a taxable year ending on or before the date of filing of the 
     petition'' after ``gross receipts'';
       (B) in clause (i), by striking ``for a taxable year ending 
     on or before the date of filing of the petition''; and
       (C) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
       ``(ii) assessed within 240 days before the date of the 
     filing of the petition, exclusive of--

       ``(I) any time during which an offer in compromise with 
     respect to that tax was pending or in effect during that 240-
     day period, plus 30 days; and
       ``(II) any time during which a stay of proceedings against 
     collections was in effect in a prior case under this title 
     during that 240-day period; plus 90 days.''; and

       (2) by adding at the end the following:
     ``An otherwise applicable time period specified in this 
     paragraph shall be suspended for (i) any period during which 
     a governmental unit is prohibited under applicable 
     nonbankruptcy law from collecting a tax as a result of a 
     request by the debtor for a hearing and an appeal of any 
     collection action taken or proposed against the debtor, plus 
     90 days; plus (ii) any time during which the stay of 
     proceedings was in effect in a prior case under this title or 
     during which collection was precluded by the existence of 1 
     or more confirmed plans under this title, plus 90 days.''.

     SEC. 706. PRIORITY PROPERTY TAXES INCURRED.

       Section 507(a)(8)(B) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``assessed'' and inserting ``incurred''.

     SEC. 707. NO DISCHARGE OF FRAUDULENT TAXES IN CHAPTER 13.

       Section 1328(a)(2) of title 11, United States Code, as 
     amended by section 314 of this Act, is amended by striking 
     ``paragraph'' and inserting ``section 507(a)(8)(C) or in 
     paragraph (1)(B), (1)(C),''.

     SEC. 708. NO DISCHARGE OF FRAUDULENT TAXES IN CHAPTER 11.

       Section 1141(d) of title 11, United States Code, as amended 
     by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the confirmation of a 
     plan does not discharge a debtor that is a corporation from 
     any debt described in section 523(a)(2) or for a tax or 
     customs duty with respect to which the debtor--
       ``(A) made a fraudulent return; or
       ``(B) willfully attempted in any manner to evade or defeat 
     that tax or duty.''.

     SEC. 709. STAY OF TAX PROCEEDINGS LIMITED TO PREPETITION 
                   TAXES.

       Section 362(a)(8) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``the debtor'' and inserting ``a 
     corporate debtor's tax liability for a taxable period the 
     bankruptcy court may determine or concerning an individual 
     debtor's tax liability for a taxable period ending before the 
     order for relief under this title''.

     SEC. 710. PERIODIC PAYMENT OF TAXES IN CHAPTER 11 CASES.

       Section 1129(a)(9) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``deferred cash 
     payments,'' and all that follows through the end of the 
     subparagraph, and inserting ``regular installment payments in 
     cash--
       ``(i) of a total value, as of the effective date of the 
     plan, equal to the allowed amount of such claim;
       ``(ii) over a period ending not later than 5 years after 
     the date of the entry of the order for relief under section 
     301, 302, or 303; and
       ``(iii) in a manner not less favorable than the most 
     favored nonpriority unsecured claim provided for in the plan 
     (other than cash payments made to a class of creditors under 
     section 1122(b)); and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) with respect to a secured claim which would otherwise 
     meet the description of an unsecured claim of a governmental 
     unit under section 507(a)(8), but for the secured status of 
     that claim, the holder of that claim will receive on account 
     of that claim, cash payments, in the same manner and over the 
     same period, as prescribed in subparagraph (C).''.

     SEC. 711. AVOIDANCE OF STATUTORY TAX LIENS PROHIBITED.

       Section 545(2) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: 
     ``, except in any case in which a purchaser is a purchaser 
     described in section 6323 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986, or in any other similar provision of State or local 
     law''.

     SEC. 712. PAYMENT OF TAXES IN THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

       (a) Payment of Taxes Required.--Section 960 of title 28, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``Any''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) A tax under subsection (a) shall be paid on or before 
     the due date of the tax under applicable nonbankruptcy law, 
     unless--
       ``(1) the tax is a property tax secured by a lien against 
     property that is abandoned within a reasonable period of time 
     after the lien attaches by the trustee of a bankruptcy estate 
     under section 554 of title 11; or
       ``(2) payment of the tax is excused under a specific 
     provision of title 11.
       ``(c) In a case pending under chapter 7 of title 11, 
     payment of a tax may be deferred until final distribution is 
     made under section 726 of title 11, if--

[[Page H9748]]

       ``(1) the tax was not incurred by a trustee duly appointed 
     under chapter 7 of title 11; or
       ``(2) before the due date of the tax, an order of the court 
     makes a finding of probable insufficiency of funds of the 
     estate to pay in full the administrative expenses allowed 
     under section 503(b) of title 11 that have the same priority 
     in distribution under section 726(b) of title 11 as the 
     priority of that tax.''.
       (b) Payment of Ad Valorem Taxes Required.--Section 
     503(b)(1)(B)(i) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting ``whether secured or unsecured, including 
     property taxes for which liability is in rem, in personam, or 
     both,'' before ``except''.
       (c) Request for Payment of Administrative Expense Taxes 
     Eliminated.--Section 503(b)(1) of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (a), a 
     governmental unit shall not be required to file a request for 
     the payment of an expense described in subparagraph (B) or 
     (C), as a condition of its being an allowed administrative 
     expense;''.
       (d) Payment of Taxes and Fees as Secured Claims.--Section 
     506 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or State statute'' 
     after ``agreement''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by inserting ``, including the 
     payment of all ad valorem property taxes with respect to the 
     property'' before the period at the end.

     SEC. 713. TARDILY FILED PRIORITY TAX CLAIMS.

       Section 726(a)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``before the date on which the trustee 
     commences distribution under this section;'' and inserting 
     the following: ``on or before the earlier of--
       ``(A) the date that is 10 days after the mailing to 
     creditors of the summary of the trustee's final report; or
       ``(B) the date on which the trustee commences final 
     distribution under this section;''.

     SEC. 714. INCOME TAX RETURNS PREPARED BY TAX AUTHORITIES.

       Section 523(a) of title 11, United States Code, as amended 
     by this Act, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``or 
     equivalent report or notice,'' after ``a return,'';
       (B) in clause (i), by inserting ``or given'' after 
     ``filed''; and
       (C) in clause (ii)--
       (i) by inserting ``or given'' after ``filed''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``, report, or notice'' after ``return''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
     ``For purposes of this subsection, the term `return' means a 
     return that satisfies the requirements of applicable 
     nonbankruptcy law (including applicable filing requirements). 
     Such term includes a return prepared pursuant to section 
     6020(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or similar 
     State or local law, or a written stipulation to a judgment or 
     a final order entered by a nonbankruptcy tribunal, but does 
     not include a return made pursuant to section 6020(b) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a similar State or local 
     law.''.

     SEC. 715. DISCHARGE OF THE ESTATE'S LIABILITY FOR UNPAID 
                   TAXES.

       Section 505(b)(2) of title 11, United States Code, as 
     amended by this Act, is amended by inserting ``the estate,'' 
     after ``misrepresentation,''.

     SEC. 716. REQUIREMENT TO FILE TAX RETURNS TO CONFIRM CHAPTER 
                   13 PLANS.

       (a) Filing of Prepetition Tax Returns Required for Plan 
     Confirmation.--Section 1325(a) of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(9) the debtor has filed all applicable Federal, State, 
     and local tax returns as required by section 1308.''.
       (b) Additional Time Permitted for Filing Tax Returns.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 13 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 1308. Filing of prepetition tax returns

       ``(a) Not later than the day before the date on which the 
     meeting of the creditors is first scheduled to be held under 
     section 341(a), if the debtor was required to file a tax 
     return under applicable nonbankruptcy law, the debtor shall 
     file with appropriate tax authorities all tax returns for all 
     taxable periods ending during the 4-year period ending on the 
     date of the filing of the petition.
       ``(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if the tax returns 
     required by subsection (a) have not been filed by the date on 
     which the meeting of creditors is first scheduled to be held 
     under section 341(a), the trustee may hold open that meeting 
     for a reasonable period of time to allow the debtor an 
     additional period of time to file any unfiled returns, but 
     such additional period of time shall not extend beyond--
       ``(A) for any return that is past due as of the date of the 
     filing of the petition, the date that is 120 days after the 
     date of that meeting; or
       ``(B) for any return that is not past due as of the date of 
     the filing of the petition, the later of--
       ``(i) the date that is 120 days after the date of that 
     meeting; or
       ``(ii) the date on which the return is due under the last 
     automatic extension of time for filing that return to which 
     the debtor is entitled, and for which request is timely made, 
     in accordance with applicable nonbankruptcy law.
       ``(2) Upon notice and hearing, and order entered before the 
     tolling of any applicable filing period determined under this 
     subsection, if the debtor demonstrates by a preponderance of 
     the evidence that the failure to file a return as required 
     under this subsection is attributable to circumstances beyond 
     the control of the debtor, the court may extend the filing 
     period established by the trustee under this subsection for--
       ``(A) a period of not more than 30 days for returns 
     described in paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) a period not to extend after the applicable extended 
     due date for a return described in paragraph (2).
       ``(c) For purposes of this section, the term `return' 
     includes a return prepared pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) 
     of section 6020 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a 
     similar State or local law, or a written stipulation to a 
     judgment or a final order entered by a nonbankruptcy 
     tribunal.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 13 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1307 
     the following:

``1308. Filing of prepetition tax returns.''.
       (c) Dismissal or Conversion on Failure To Comply.--Section 
     1307 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections 
     (f) and (g), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e) Upon the failure of the debtor to file a tax return 
     under section 1308, on request of a party in interest or the 
     United States trustee and after notice and a hearing, the 
     court shall dismiss a case or convert a case under this 
     chapter to a case under chapter 7 of this title, whichever is 
     in the best interest of the creditors and the estate.''.
       (d) Timely Filed Claims.--Section 502(b)(9) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting before the period 
     at the end the following ``, and except that in a case under 
     chapter 13, a claim of a governmental unit for a tax with 
     respect to a return filed under section 1308 shall be timely 
     if the claim is filed on or before the date that is 60 days 
     after the date on which such return was filed as required''.
       (e) Rules for Objections to Claims and to Confirmation.--It 
     is the sense of Congress that the Advisory Committee on 
     Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference of the United 
     States should, as soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, propose for adoption amended Federal 
     Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure which provide that--
       (1) notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 3015(f), in 
     cases under chapter 13 of title 11, United States Code, an 
     objection to the confirmation of a plan filed by a 
     governmental unit on or before the date that is 60 days after 
     the date on which the debtor files all tax returns required 
     under sections 1308 and 1325(a)(7) of title 11, United States 
     Code, shall be treated for all purposes as if such objection 
     had been timely filed before such confirmation; and
       (2) in addition to the provisions of Rule 3007, in a case 
     under chapter 13 of title 11, United States Code, no 
     objection to a tax with respect to which a return is required 
     to be filed under section 1308 of title 11, United States 
     Code, shall be filed until such return has been filed as 
     required.

     SEC. 717. STANDARDS FOR TAX DISCLOSURE.

       Section 1125(a)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``including a discussion of the potential 
     material Federal tax consequences of the plan to the debtor, 
     any successor to the debtor, and a hypothetical investor 
     typical of the holders of claims or interests in the case,'' 
     after ``records''; and
       (2) by striking ``a hypothetical reasonable investor 
     typical of holders of claims or interests'' and inserting 
     ``such a hypothetical investor''.

     SEC. 718. SETOFF OF TAX REFUNDS.

       Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after paragraph (26), as added by this Act, the 
     following:
       ``(27) under subsection (a), of the setoff under applicable 
     nonbankruptcy law of an income tax refund, by a governmental 
     unit, with respect to a taxable period that ended before the 
     order for relief against an income tax liability for a 
     taxable period that also ended before the order for relief, 
     except that in any case in which the setoff of an income tax 
     refund is not permitted under applicable nonbankruptcy law 
     because of a pending action to determine the amount or 
     legality of a tax liability, the governmental unit may hold 
     the refund pending the resolution of the action, unless the 
     court, upon motion of the trustee and after notice and 
     hearing, grants the taxing authority adequate protection 
     (within the meaning of section 361) for the secured claim of 
     that authority in the setoff under section 506(a);''.

     SEC. 719. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE TREATMENT OF 
                   STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.

       (a) In General.--Section 346 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 346. Special provisions related to the treatment of 
       state and local taxes

       ``(a) Whenever the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provides 
     that a separate taxable estate or entity is created in a case 
     concerning a debtor under this title, and the income, gain, 
     loss, deductions, and credits of such estate shall be taxed 
     to or claimed by the estate, a separate taxable estate is 
     also created for purposes of any State and local law imposing 
     a tax on or measured by income and such income, gain, loss, 
     deductions, and credits shall be taxed to or claimed by the 
     estate and may not be taxed to or claimed by the debtor. The 
     preceding sentence shall not apply if the case is dismissed. 
     The trustee shall make tax returns of income required under 
     any such State or local law.

[[Page H9749]]

       ``(b) Whenever the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provides 
     that no separate taxable estate shall be created in a case 
     concerning a debtor under this title, and the income, gain, 
     loss, deductions, and credits of an estate shall be taxed to 
     or claimed by the debtor, such income, gain, loss, 
     deductions, and credits shall be taxed to or claimed by the 
     debtor under a State or local law imposing a tax on or 
     measured by income and may not be taxed to or claimed by the 
     estate. The trustee shall make such tax returns of income of 
     corporations and of partnerships as are required under any 
     State or local law, but with respect to partnerships, shall 
     make said returns only to the extent such returns are also 
     required to be made under such Code. The estate shall be 
     liable for any tax imposed on such corporation or 
     partnership, but not for any tax imposed on partners or 
     members.
       ``(c) With respect to a partnership or any entity treated 
     as a partnership under a State or local law imposing a tax on 
     or measured by income that is a debtor in a case under this 
     title, any gain or loss resulting from a distribution of 
     property from such partnership, or any distributive share of 
     any income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partner or 
     member that is distributed, or considered distributed, from 
     such partnership, after the commencement of the case, is 
     gain, loss, income, deduction, or credit, as the case may be, 
     of the partner or member, and if such partner or member is a 
     debtor in a case under this title, shall be subject to tax in 
     accordance with subsection (a) or (b).
       ``(d) For purposes of any State or local law imposing a tax 
     on or measured by income, the taxable period of a debtor in a 
     case under this title shall terminate only if and to the 
     extent that the taxable period of such debtor terminates 
     under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(e) The estate in any case described in subsection (a) 
     shall use the same accounting method as the debtor used 
     immediately before the commencement of the case, if such 
     method of accounting complies with applicable nonbankruptcy 
     tax law.
       ``(f) For purposes of any State or local law imposing a tax 
     on or measured by income, a transfer of property from the 
     debtor to the estate or from the estate to the debtor shall 
     not be treated as a disposition for purposes of any provision 
     assigning tax consequences to a disposition, except to the 
     extent that such transfer is treated as a disposition under 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(g) Whenever a tax is imposed pursuant to a State or 
     local law imposing a tax on or measured by income pursuant to 
     subsection (a) or (b), such tax shall be imposed at rates 
     generally applicable to the same types of entities under such 
     State or local law.
       ``(h) The trustee shall withhold from any payment of claims 
     for wages, salaries, commissions, dividends, interest, or 
     other payments, or collect, any amount required to be 
     withheld or collected under applicable State or local tax 
     law, and shall pay such withheld or collected amount to the 
     appropriate governmental unit at the time and in the manner 
     required by such tax law, and with the same priority as the 
     claim from which such amount was withheld or collected was 
     paid.
       ``(i)(1) To the extent that any State or local law imposing 
     a tax on or measured by income provides for the carryover of 
     any tax attribute from one taxable period to a subsequent 
     taxable period, the estate shall succeed to such tax 
     attribute in any case in which such estate is subject to tax 
     under subsection (a).
       ``(2) After such a case is closed or dismissed, the debtor 
     shall succeed to any tax attribute to which the estate 
     succeeded under paragraph (1) to the extent consistent with 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(3) The estate may carry back any loss or tax attribute 
     to a taxable period of the debtor that ended before the order 
     for relief under this title to the extent that--
       ``(A) applicable State or local tax law provides for a 
     carryback in the case of the debtor; and
       ``(B) the same or a similar tax attribute may be carried 
     back by the estate to such a taxable period of the debtor 
     under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(j)(1) For purposes of any State or local law imposing a 
     tax on or measured by income, income is not realized by the 
     estate, the debtor, or a successor to the debtor by reason of 
     discharge of indebtedness in a case under this title, except 
     to the extent, if any, that such income is subject to tax 
     under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(2) Whenever the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provides 
     that the amount excluded from gross income in respect of the 
     discharge of indebtedness in a case under this title shall be 
     applied to reduce the tax attributes of the debtor or the 
     estate, a similar reduction shall be made under any State or 
     local law imposing a tax on or measured by income to the 
     extent such State or local law recognizes such attributes. 
     Such State or local law may also provide for the reduction of 
     other attributes to the extent that the full amount of income 
     from the discharge of indebtedness has not been applied.
       ``(k)(1) Except as provided in this section and section 
     505, the time and manner of filing tax returns and the items 
     of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit of any taxpayer 
     shall be determined under applicable nonbankruptcy law.
       ``(2) For Federal tax purposes, the provisions of this 
     section are subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 
     other applicable Federal nonbankruptcy law.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 728 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     repealed.
       (2) Section 1146 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and
       (B) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
     (a) and (b), respectively.
       (3) Section 1231 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and
       (B) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
     (a) and (b), respectively.

     SEC. 720. DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE TAX RETURNS.

       Section 521 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by 
     this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(k)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, 
     if the debtor fails to file a tax return that becomes due 
     after the commencement of the case or to properly obtain an 
     extension of the due date for filing such return, the taxing 
     authority may request that the court enter an order 
     converting or dismissing the case.
       ``(2) If the debtor does not file the required return or 
     obtain the extension referred to in paragraph (1) within 90 
     days after a request is filed by the taxing authority under 
     that paragraph, the court shall convert or dismiss the case, 
     whichever is in the best interests of creditors and the 
     estate.''.
           TITLE VIII--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES

     SEC. 801. AMENDMENT TO ADD CHAPTER 15 TO TITLE 11, UNITED 
                   STATES CODE.

       (a) In General.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after chapter 13 the following:

          ``CHAPTER 15--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES

``Sec.
``1501. Purpose and scope of application.

                   ``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

``1502. Definitions.
``1503. International obligations of the United States.
``1504. Commencement of ancillary case.
``1505. Authorization to act in a foreign country.
``1506. Public policy exception.
``1507. Additional assistance.
``1508. Interpretation.

``SUBCHAPTER II--ACCESS OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES AND CREDITORS TO THE 
                                 COURT

``1509. Right of direct access.
``1510. Limited jurisdiction.
``1511. Commencement of case under section 301 or 303.
``1512. Participation of a foreign representative in a case under this 
              title.
``1513. Access of foreign creditors to a case under this title.
``1514. Notification to foreign creditors concerning a case under this 
              title.

    ``SUBCHAPTER III--RECOGNITION OF A FOREIGN PROCEEDING AND RELIEF

``1515. Application for recognition.
``1516. Presumptions concerning recognition.
``1517. Order granting recognition.
``1518. Subsequent information.
``1519. Relief that may be granted upon filing petition for 
              recognition.
``1520. Effects of recognition of a foreign main proceeding.
``1521. Relief that may be granted upon recognition.
``1522. Protection of creditors and other interested persons.
``1523. Actions to avoid acts detrimental to creditors.
``1524. Intervention by a foreign representative.

     ``SUBCHAPTER IV--COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN COURTS AND FOREIGN 
                            REPRESENTATIVES

``1525. Cooperation and direct communication between the court and 
              foreign courts or foreign representatives.
``1526. Cooperation and direct communication between the trustee and 
              foreign courts or foreign representatives.
``1527. Forms of cooperation.

                 ``SUBCHAPTER V--CONCURRENT PROCEEDINGS

``1528. Commencement of a case under this title after recognition of a 
              foreign main proceeding.
``1529. Coordination of a case under this title and a foreign 
              proceeding.
``1530. Coordination of more than 1 foreign proceeding.
``1531. Presumption of insolvency based on recognition of a foreign 
              main proceeding.
``1532. Rule of payment in concurrent proceedings.

     ``Sec. 1501. Purpose and scope of application

       ``(a) The purpose of this chapter is to incorporate the 
     Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency so as to provide 
     effective mechanisms for dealing with cases of cross-border 
     insolvency with the objectives of--
       ``(1) cooperation between--
       ``(A) United States courts, United States trustees, 
     trustees, examiners, debtors, and debtors in possession; and
       ``(B) the courts and other competent authorities of foreign 
     countries involved in cross-border insolvency cases;
       ``(2) greater legal certainty for trade and investment;
       ``(3) fair and efficient administration of cross-border 
     insolvencies that protects the interests of all creditors, 
     and other interested entities, including the debtor;
       ``(4) protection and maximization of the value of the 
     debtor's assets; and
       ``(5) facilitation of the rescue of financially troubled 
     businesses, thereby protecting investment and preserving 
     employment.
       ``(b) This chapter applies where--
       ``(1) assistance is sought in the United States by a 
     foreign court or a foreign representative in connection with 
     a foreign proceeding;
       ``(2) assistance is sought in a foreign country in 
     connection with a case under this title;

[[Page H9750]]

       ``(3) a foreign proceeding and a case under this title with 
     respect to the same debtor are taking place concurrently; or
       ``(4) creditors or other interested persons in a foreign 
     country have an interest in requesting the commencement of, 
     or participating in, a case or proceeding under this title.
       ``(c) This chapter does not apply to--
       ``(1) a proceeding concerning an entity, other than a 
     foreign insurance company, identified by exclusion in section 
     109(b);
       ``(2) an individual, or to an individual and such 
     individual's spouse, who have debts within the limits 
     specified in section 109(e) and who are citizens of the 
     United States or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent 
     residence in the United States; or
       ``(3) an entity subject to a proceeding under the 
     Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, a stockbroker 
     subject to subchapter III of chapter 7 of this title, or a 
     commodity broker subject to subchapter IV of chapter 7 of 
     this title.
       ``(d) The court may not grant relief under this chapter 
     with respect to any deposit, escrow, trust fund, or other 
     security required or permitted under any applicable State 
     insurance law or regulation for the benefit of claim holders 
     in the United States.

                   ``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

     ``Sec. 1502. Definitions

       ``For the purposes of this chapter, the term--
       ``(1) `debtor' means an entity that is the subject of a 
     foreign proceeding;
       ``(2) `establishment' means any place of operations where 
     the debtor carries out a nontransitory economic activity;
       ``(3) `foreign court' means a judicial or other authority 
     competent to control or supervise a foreign proceeding;
       ``(4) `foreign main proceeding' means a foreign proceeding 
     taking place in the country where the debtor has the center 
     of its main interests;
       ``(5) `foreign nonmain proceeding' means a foreign 
     proceeding, other than a foreign main proceeding, taking 
     place in a country where the debtor has an establishment;
       ``(6) `trustee' includes a trustee, a debtor in possession 
     in a case under any chapter of this title, or a debtor under 
     chapter 9 of this title;
       ``(7) `recognition' means the entry of an order granting 
     recognition of a foreign main proceeding or foreign nonmain 
     proceeding under this chapter; and
       ``(8) `within the territorial jurisdiction of the United 
     States', when used with reference to property of a debtor, 
     refers to tangible property located within the territory of 
     the United States and intangible property deemed under 
     applicable nonbankruptcy law to be located within that 
     territory, including any property subject to attachment or 
     garnishment that may properly be seized or garnished by an 
     action in a Federal or State court in the United States.

     ``Sec. 1503. International obligations of the United States

       ``To the extent that this chapter conflicts with an 
     obligation of the United States arising out of any treaty or 
     other form of agreement to which it is a party with one or 
     more other countries, the requirements of the treaty or 
     agreement prevail.

     ``Sec. 1504. Commencement of ancillary case

       ``A case under this chapter is commenced by the filing of a 
     petition for recognition of a foreign proceeding under 
     section 1515.

     ``Sec. 1505. Authorization to act in a foreign country

       ``A trustee or another entity (including an examiner) may 
     be authorized by the court to act in a foreign country on 
     behalf of an estate created under section 541. An entity 
     authorized to act under this section may act in any way 
     permitted by the applicable foreign law.

     ``Sec. 1506. Public policy exception

       ``Nothing in this chapter prevents the court from refusing 
     to take an action governed by this chapter if the action 
     would be manifestly contrary to the public policy of the 
     United States.

     ``Sec. 1507. Additional assistance

       ``(a) Subject to the specific limitations stated elsewhere 
     in this chapter the court, if recognition is granted, may 
     provide additional assistance to a foreign representative 
     under this title or under other laws of the United States.
       ``(b) In determining whether to provide additional 
     assistance under this title or under other laws of the United 
     States, the court shall consider whether such additional 
     assistance, consistent with the principles of comity, will 
     reasonably assure--
       ``(1) just treatment of all holders of claims against or 
     interests in the debtor's property;
       ``(2) protection of claim holders in the United States 
     against prejudice and inconvenience in the processing of 
     claims in such foreign proceeding;
       ``(3) prevention of preferential or fraudulent dispositions 
     of property of the debtor;
       ``(4) distribution of proceeds of the debtor's property 
     substantially in accordance with the order prescribed by this 
     title; and
       ``(5) if appropriate, the provision of an opportunity for a 
     fresh start for the individual that such foreign proceeding 
     concerns.

     ``Sec. 1508. Interpretation

       ``In interpreting this chapter, the court shall consider 
     its international origin, and the need to promote an 
     application of this chapter that is consistent with the 
     application of similar statutes adopted by foreign 
     jurisdictions.

``SUBCHAPTER II--ACCESS OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES AND CREDITORS TO THE 
                                 COURT

     ``Sec. 1509. Right of direct access

       ``(a) A foreign representative may commence a case under 
     section 1504 by filing directly with the court a petition for 
     recognition of a foreign proceeding under section 1515.
       ``(b) If the court grants recognition under section 1515, 
     and subject to any limitations that the court may impose 
     consistent with the policy of this chapter--
       ``(1) the foreign representative has the capacity to sue 
     and be sued in a court in the United States;
       ``(2) the foreign representative may apply directly to a 
     court in the United States for appropriate relief in that 
     court; and
       ``(3) a court in the United States shall grant comity or 
     cooperation to the foreign representative.
       ``(c) A request for comity or cooperation by a foreign 
     representative in a court in the United States other than the 
     court which granted recognition shall be accompanied by a 
     certified copy of an order granting recognition under section 
     1517.
       ``(d) If the court denies recognition under this chapter, 
     the court may issue any appropriate order necessary to 
     prevent the foreign representative from obtaining comity or 
     cooperation from courts in the United States.
       ``(e) Whether or not the court grants recognition, and 
     subject to sections 306 and 1510, a foreign representative is 
     subject to applicable nonbankruptcy law.
       ``(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
     the failure of a foreign representative to commence a case or 
     to obtain recognition under this chapter does not affect any 
     right the foreign representative may have to sue in a court 
     in the United States to collect or recover a claim which is 
     the property of the debtor.

     ``Sec. 1510. Limited jurisdiction

       ``The sole fact that a foreign representative files a 
     petition under section 1515 does not subject the foreign 
     representative to the jurisdiction of any court in the United 
     States for any other purpose.

     ``Sec. 1511. Commencement of case under section 301 or 303

       ``(a) Upon recognition, a foreign representative may 
     commence--
       ``(1) an involuntary case under section 303; or
       ``(2) a voluntary case under section 301 or 302, if the 
     foreign proceeding is a foreign main proceeding.
       ``(b) The petition commencing a case under subsection (a) 
     must be accompanied by a certified copy of an order granting 
     recognition. The court where the petition for recognition has 
     been filed must be advised of the foreign representative's 
     intent to commence a case under subsection (a) prior to such 
     commencement.

     ``Sec. 1512. Participation of a foreign representative in a 
       case under this title

       ``Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, the foreign 
     representative in the recognized proceeding is entitled to 
     participate as a party in interest in a case regarding the 
     debtor under this title.

     ``Sec. 1513. Access of foreign creditors to a case under this 
       title

       ``(a) Foreign creditors have the same rights regarding the 
     commencement of, and participation in, a case under this 
     title as domestic creditors.
       ``(b)(1) Subsection (a) does not change or codify present 
     law as to the priority of claims under section 507 or 726 of 
     this title, except that the claim of a foreign creditor under 
     those sections shall not be given a lower priority than that 
     of general unsecured claims without priority solely because 
     the holder of such claim is a foreign creditor.
       ``(2)(A) Subsection (a) and paragraph (1) do not change or 
     codify present law as to the allowability of foreign revenue 
     claims or other foreign public law claims in a proceeding 
     under this title.
       ``(B) Allowance and priority as to a foreign tax claim or 
     other foreign public law claim shall be governed by any 
     applicable tax treaty of the United States, under the 
     conditions and circumstances specified therein.

     ``Sec. 1514. Notification to foreign creditors concerning a 
       case under this title

       ``(a) Whenever in a case under this title notice is to be 
     given to creditors generally or to any class or category of 
     creditors, such notice shall also be given to the known 
     creditors generally, or to creditors in the notified class or 
     category, that do not have addresses in the United States. 
     The court may order that appropriate steps be taken with a 
     view to notifying any creditor whose address is not yet 
     known.
       ``(b) Such notification to creditors with foreign addresses 
     described in subsection (a) shall be given individually, 
     unless the court considers that, under the circumstances, 
     some other form of notification would be more appropriate. No 
     letter or other formality is required.
       ``(c) When a notification of commencement of a case is to 
     be given to foreign creditors, the notification shall--
       ``(1) indicate the time period for filing proofs of claim 
     and specify the place for their filing;
       ``(2) indicate whether secured creditors need to file their 
     proofs of claim; and
       ``(3) contain any other information required to be included 
     in such a notification to creditors under this title and the 
     orders of the court.
       ``(d) Any rule of procedure or order of the court as to 
     notice or the filing of a claim shall provide such additional 
     time to creditors with foreign addresses as is reasonable 
     under the circumstances.

    ``SUBCHAPTER III--RECOGNITION OF A FOREIGN PROCEEDING AND RELIEF

     ``Sec. 1515. Application for recognition

       ``(a) A foreign representative applies to the court for 
     recognition of the foreign proceeding in which the foreign 
     representative has been appointed by filing a petition for 
     recognition.
       ``(b) A petition for recognition shall be accompanied by--
       ``(1) a certified copy of the decision commencing the 
     foreign proceeding and appointing the foreign representative;

[[Page H9751]]

       ``(2) a certificate from the foreign court affirming the 
     existence of the foreign proceeding and of the appointment of 
     the foreign representative; or
       ``(3) in the absence of evidence referred to in paragraphs 
     (1) and (2), any other evidence acceptable to the court of 
     the existence of the foreign proceeding and of the 
     appointment of the foreign representative.
       ``(c) A petition for recognition shall also be accompanied 
     by a statement identifying all foreign proceedings with 
     respect to the debtor that are known to the foreign 
     representative.
       ``(d) The documents referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) 
     of subsection (b) shall be translated into English. The court 
     may require a translation into English of additional 
     documents.

     ``Sec. 1516. Presumptions concerning recognition

       ``(a) If the decision or certificate referred to in section 
     1515(b) indicates that the foreign proceeding is a foreign 
     proceeding (as defined in section 101) and that the person or 
     body is a foreign representative (as defined in section 101), 
     the court is entitled to so presume.
       ``(b) The court is entitled to presume that documents 
     submitted in support of the petition for recognition are 
     authentic, whether or not they have been legalized.
       ``(c) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the 
     debtor's registered office, or habitual residence in the case 
     of an individual, is presumed to be the center of the 
     debtor's main interests.

     ``Sec. 1517. Order granting recognition

       ``(a) Subject to section 1506, after notice and a hearing, 
     an order recognizing a foreign proceeding shall be entered 
     if--
       ``(1) the foreign proceeding for which recognition is 
     sought is a foreign main proceeding or foreign nonmain 
     proceeding within the meaning of section 1502;
       ``(2) the foreign representative applying for recognition 
     is a person or body as defined in section 101; and
       ``(3) the petition meets the requirements of section 1515.
       ``(b) The foreign proceeding shall be recognized--
       ``(1) as a foreign main proceeding if it is taking place in 
     the country where the debtor has the center of its main 
     interests; or
       ``(2) as a foreign nonmain proceeding if the debtor has an 
     establishment within the meaning of section 1502 in the 
     foreign country where the proceeding is pending.
       ``(c) A petition for recognition of a foreign proceeding 
     shall be decided upon at the earliest possible time. Entry of 
     an order recognizing a foreign proceeding constitutes 
     recognition under this chapter.
       ``(d) The provisions of this subchapter do not prevent 
     modification or termination of recognition if it is shown 
     that the grounds for granting it were fully or partially 
     lacking or have ceased to exist, but in considering such 
     action the court shall give due weight to possible prejudice 
     to parties that have relied upon the order granting 
     recognition. The case under this chapter may be closed in the 
     manner prescribed under section 350.

     ``Sec. 1518. Subsequent information

       ``From the time of filing the petition for recognition of 
     the foreign proceeding, the foreign representative shall file 
     with the court promptly a notice of change of status 
     concerning--
       ``(1) any substantial change in the status of the foreign 
     proceeding or the status of the foreign representative's 
     appointment; and
       ``(2) any other foreign proceeding regarding the debtor 
     that becomes known to the foreign representative.

     ``Sec. 1519. Relief that may be granted upon filing petition 
       for recognition

       ``(a) From the time of filing a petition for recognition 
     until the court rules on the petition, the court may, at the 
     request of the foreign representative, where relief is 
     urgently needed to protect the assets of the debtor or the 
     interests of the creditors, grant relief of a provisional 
     nature, including--
       ``(1) staying execution against the debtor's assets;
       ``(2) entrusting the administration or realization of all 
     or part of the debtor's assets located in the United States 
     to the foreign representative or another person authorized by 
     the court, including an examiner, in order to protect and 
     preserve the value of assets that, by their nature or because 
     of other circumstances, are perishable, susceptible to 
     devaluation or otherwise in jeopardy; and
       ``(3) any relief referred to in paragraph (3), (4), or (7) 
     of section 1521(a).
       ``(b) Unless extended under section 1521(a)(6), the relief 
     granted under this section terminates when the petition for 
     recognition is granted.
       ``(c) It is a ground for denial of relief under this 
     section that such relief would interfere with the 
     administration of a foreign main proceeding.
       ``(d) The court may not enjoin a police or regulatory act 
     of a governmental unit, including a criminal action or 
     proceeding, under this section.
       ``(e) The standards, procedures, and limitations applicable 
     to an injunction shall apply to relief under this section.
       ``(f) The exercise of rights not subject to the stay 
     arising under section 362(a) pursuant to paragraph (6), (7), 
     (17), or (28) of section 362(b) or pursuant to section 362(l) 
     shall not be stayed by any order of a court or administrative 
     agency in any proceeding under this chapter.

     ``Sec. 1520. Effects of recognition of a foreign main 
       proceeding

       ``(a) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding that is a 
     foreign main proceeding--
       ``(1) sections 361 and 362 apply with respect to the debtor 
     and that property of the debtor that is within the 
     territorial jurisdiction of the United States;
       ``(2) sections 363, 549, and 552 of this title apply to a 
     transfer of an interest of the debtor in property that is 
     within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States to 
     the same extent that the sections would apply to property of 
     an estate;
       ``(3) unless the court orders otherwise, the foreign 
     representative may operate the debtor's business and may 
     exercise the rights and powers of a trustee under and to the 
     extent provided by sections 363 and 552; and
       ``(4) section 552 applies to property of the debtor that is 
     within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
       ``(b) Subsection (a) does not affect the right to commence 
     an individual action or proceeding in a foreign country to 
     the extent necessary to preserve a claim against the debtor.
       ``(c) Subsection (a) does not affect the right of a foreign 
     representative or an entity to file a petition commencing a 
     case under this title or the right of any party to file 
     claims or take other proper actions in such a case.

     ``Sec. 1521. Relief that may be granted upon recognition

       ``(a) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, whether 
     main or nonmain, where necessary to effectuate the purpose of 
     this chapter and to protect the assets of the debtor or the 
     interests of the creditors, the court may, at the request 
     of the foreign representative, grant any appropriate 
     relief, including--
       ``(1) staying the commencement or continuation of an 
     individual action or proceeding concerning the debtor's 
     assets, rights, obligations or liabilities to the extent they 
     have not been stayed under section 1520(a);
       ``(2) staying execution against the debtor's assets to the 
     extent it has not been stayed under section 1520(a);
       ``(3) suspending the right to transfer, encumber or 
     otherwise dispose of any assets of the debtor to the extent 
     this right has not been suspended under section 1520(a);
       ``(4) providing for the examination of witnesses, the 
     taking of evidence or the delivery of information concerning 
     the debtor's assets, affairs, rights, obligations or 
     liabilities;
       ``(5) entrusting the administration or realization of all 
     or part of the debtor's assets within the territorial 
     jurisdiction of the United States to the foreign 
     representative or another person, including an examiner, 
     authorized by the court;
       ``(6) extending relief granted under section 1519(a); and
       ``(7) granting any additional relief that may be available 
     to a trustee, except for relief available under sections 522, 
     544, 545, 547, 548, 550, and 724(a).
       ``(b) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, whether 
     main or nonmain, the court may, at the request of the foreign 
     representative, entrust the distribution of all or part of 
     the debtor's assets located in the United States to the 
     foreign representative or another person, including an 
     examiner, authorized by the court, provided that the court is 
     satisfied that the interests of creditors in the United 
     States are sufficiently protected.
       ``(c) In granting relief under this section to a 
     representative of a foreign nonmain proceeding, the court 
     must be satisfied that the relief relates to assets that, 
     under the law of the United States, should be administered in 
     the foreign nonmain proceeding or concerns information 
     required in that proceeding.
       ``(d) The court may not enjoin a police or regulatory act 
     of a governmental unit, including a criminal action or 
     proceeding, under this section.
       ``(e) The standards, procedures, and limitations applicable 
     to an injunction shall apply to relief under paragraphs (1), 
     (2), (3), and (6) of subsection (a).
       ``(f) The exercise of rights not subject to the stay 
     arising under section 362(a) pursuant to paragraph (6), (7), 
     (17), or (28) of section 362(b) or pursuant to section 362(l) 
     shall not be stayed by any order of a court or administrative 
     agency in any proceeding under this chapter.

     ``Sec. 1522. Protection of creditors and other interested 
       persons

       ``(a) The court may grant relief under section 1519 or 
     1521, or may modify or terminate relief under subsection (c), 
     only if the interests of the creditors and other interested 
     entities, including the debtor, are sufficiently protected.
       ``(b) The court may subject relief granted under section 
     1519 or 1521, or the operation of the debtor's business under 
     section 1520(a)(3) of this title, to conditions it considers 
     appropriate, including the giving of security or the filing 
     of a bond.
       ``(c) The court may, at the request of the foreign 
     representative or an entity affected by relief granted under 
     section 1519 or 1521, or at its own motion, modify or 
     terminate such relief.
       ``(d) Section 1104(d) shall apply to the appointment of an 
     examiner under this chapter. Any examiner shall comply with 
     the qualification requirements imposed on a trustee by 
     section 322.

     ``Sec. 1523. Actions to avoid acts detrimental to creditors

       ``(a) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, the foreign 
     representative has standing in a case concerning the debtor 
     pending under another chapter of this title to initiate 
     actions under sections 522, 544, 545, 547, 548, 550, 553, and 
     724(a).
       ``(b) When the foreign proceeding is a foreign nonmain 
     proceeding, the court must be satisfied that an action under 
     subsection (a) relates to assets that, under United States 
     law, should be administered in the foreign nonmain 
     proceeding.

     ``Sec. 1524. Intervention by a foreign representative

       ``Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, the foreign 
     representative may intervene in any proceedings in a State or 
     Federal court in the United States in which the debtor is a 
     party.

[[Page H9752]]

     ``SUBCHAPTER IV--COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN COURTS AND FOREIGN 
                            REPRESENTATIVES

     ``Sec. 1525. Cooperation and direct communication between the 
       court and foreign courts or foreign representatives

       ``(a) Consistent with section 1501, the court shall 
     cooperate to the maximum extent possible with foreign courts 
     or foreign representatives, either directly or through the 
     trustee.
       ``(b) The court is entitled to communicate directly with, 
     or to request information or assistance directly from, 
     foreign courts or foreign representatives, subject to the 
     rights of parties in interest to notice and participation.

     ``Sec. 1526. Cooperation and direct communication between the 
       trustee and foreign courts or foreign representatives

       ``(a) Consistent with section 1501, the trustee or other 
     person, including an examiner, authorized by the court, 
     shall, subject to the supervision of the court, cooperate to 
     the maximum extent possible with foreign courts or foreign 
     representatives.
       ``(b) The trustee or other person, including an examiner, 
     authorized by the court is entitled, subject to the 
     supervision of the court, to communicate directly with 
     foreign courts or foreign representatives.

     ``Sec. 1527. Forms of cooperation

       ``Cooperation referred to in sections 1525 and 1526 may be 
     implemented by any appropriate means, including--
       ``(1) appointment of a person or body, including an 
     examiner, to act at the direction of the court;
       ``(2) communication of information by any means considered 
     appropriate by the court;
       ``(3) coordination of the administration and supervision of 
     the debtor's assets and affairs;
       ``(4) approval or implementation of agreements concerning 
     the coordination of proceedings; and
       ``(5) coordination of concurrent proceedings regarding the 
     same debtor.

                 ``SUBCHAPTER V--CONCURRENT PROCEEDINGS

     ``Sec. 1528. Commencement of a case under this title after 
       recognition of a foreign main proceeding

       ``After recognition of a foreign main proceeding, a case 
     under another chapter of this title may be commenced only if 
     the debtor has assets in the United States. The effects of 
     such case shall be restricted to the assets of the debtor 
     that are within the territorial jurisdiction of the United 
     States and, to the extent necessary to implement cooperation 
     and coordination under sections 1525, 1526, and 1527, to 
     other assets of the debtor that are within the jurisdiction 
     of the court under sections 541(a) of this title, and 1334(e) 
     of title 28, to the extent that such other assets are not 
     subject to the jurisdiction and control of a foreign 
     proceeding that has been recognized under this chapter.

     ``Sec. 1529. Coordination of a case under this title and a 
       foreign proceeding

       ``If a foreign proceeding and a case under another chapter 
     of this title are taking place concurrently regarding the 
     same debtor, the court shall seek cooperation and 
     coordination under sections 1525, 1526, and 1527, and the 
     following shall apply:
       ``(1) If the case in the United States is taking place at 
     the time the petition for recognition of the foreign 
     proceeding is filed--
       ``(A) any relief granted under sections 1519 or 1521 must 
     be consistent with the relief granted in the case in the 
     United States; and
       ``(B) even if the foreign proceeding is recognized as a 
     foreign main proceeding, section 1520 does not apply.
       ``(2) If a case in the United States under this title 
     commences after recognition, or after the filing of the 
     petition for recognition, of the foreign proceeding--
       ``(A) any relief in effect under sections 1519 or 1521 
     shall be reviewed by the court and shall be modified or 
     terminated if inconsistent with the case in the United 
     States; and
       ``(B) if the foreign proceeding is a foreign main 
     proceeding, the stay and suspension referred to in section 
     1520(a) shall be modified or terminated if inconsistent with 
     the relief granted in the case in the United States.
       ``(3) In granting, extending, or modifying relief granted 
     to a representative of a foreign nonmain proceeding, the 
     court must be satisfied that the relief relates to assets 
     that, under the laws of the United States, should be 
     administered in the foreign nonmain proceeding or concerns 
     information required in that proceeding.
       ``(4) In achieving cooperation and coordination under 
     sections 1528 and 1529, the court may grant any of the relief 
     authorized under section 305.

     ``Sec. 1530. Coordination of more than 1 foreign proceeding

       ``In matters referred to in section 1501, with respect to 
     more than 1 foreign proceeding regarding the debtor, the 
     court shall seek cooperation and coordination under sections 
     1525, 1526, and 1527, and the following shall apply:
       ``(1) Any relief granted under section 1519 or 1521 to a 
     representative of a foreign nonmain proceeding after 
     recognition of a foreign main proceeding must be consistent 
     with the foreign main proceeding.
       ``(2) If a foreign main proceeding is recognized after 
     recognition, or after the filing of a petition for 
     recognition, of a foreign nonmain proceeding, any relief in 
     effect under section 1519 or 1521 shall be reviewed by the 
     court and shall be modified or terminated if inconsistent 
     with the foreign main proceeding.
       ``(3) If, after recognition of a foreign nonmain 
     proceeding, another foreign nonmain proceeding is recognized, 
     the court shall grant, modify, or terminate relief for the 
     purpose of facilitating coordination of the proceedings.

     ``Sec. 1531. Presumption of insolvency based on recognition 
       of a foreign main proceeding

       ``In the absence of evidence to the contrary, recognition 
     of a foreign main proceeding is, for the purpose of 
     commencing a proceeding under section 303, proof that the 
     debtor is generally not paying its debts as such debts become 
     due.

     ``Sec. 1532. Rule of payment in concurrent proceedings

       ``Without prejudice to secured claims or rights in rem, a 
     creditor who has received payment with respect to its claim 
     in a foreign proceeding pursuant to a law relating to 
     insolvency may not receive a payment for the same claim in a 
     case under any other chapter of this title regarding the 
     debtor, so long as the payment to other creditors of the same 
     class is proportionately less than the payment the creditor 
     has already received.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 
     11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to chapter 13 the following:

``15. Ancillary and Other Cross-Border Cases................1501''.....

     SEC. 802. OTHER AMENDMENTS TO TITLES 11 AND 28, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       (a) Applicability of Chapters.--Section 103 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting before the period the 
     following: ``, and this chapter, sections 307, 362(l), 555 
     through 557, and 559 through 562 apply in a case under 
     chapter 15''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Chapter 15 applies only in a case under such chapter, 
     except that--
       ``(1) sections 1505, 1513, and 1514 apply in all cases 
     under this title; and
       ``(2) section 1509 applies whether or not a case under this 
     title is pending.''.
       (b) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (23) and (24) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(23) `foreign proceeding' means a collective judicial or 
     administrative proceeding in a foreign country, including an 
     interim proceeding, under a law relating to insolvency or 
     adjustment of debt in which proceeding the assets and affairs 
     of the debtor are subject to control or supervision by a 
     foreign court, for the purpose of reorganization or 
     liquidation;
       ``(24) `foreign representative' means a person or body, 
     including a person or body appointed on an interim basis, 
     authorized in a foreign proceeding to administer the 
     reorganization or the liquidation of the debtor's assets or 
     affairs or to act as a representative of the foreign 
     proceeding;''.
       (c) Amendments to Title 28, United States Code.--
       (1) Procedures.--Section 157(b)(2) of title 28, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (N), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (O), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(P) recognition of foreign proceedings and other matters 
     under chapter 15 of title 11.''.
       (2) Bankruptcy cases and proceedings.--Section 1334(c) of 
     title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``Nothing in'' and inserting ``Except with respect to a case 
     under chapter 15 of title 11, nothing in''.
       (3) Duties of trustees.--Section 586(a)(3) of title 28, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``or 13'' and 
     inserting ``13, or 15,''.
       (4) Venue of cases ancillary to foreign proceedings.--
     Section 1410 of title 28, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``Sec. 1410. Venue of cases ancillary to foreign proceedings

       ``A case under chapter 15 of title 11 may be commenced in 
     the district court for the district--
       ``(1) in which the debtor has its principal place of 
     business or principal assets in the United States;
       ``(2) if the debtor does not have a place of business or 
     assets in the United States, in which there is pending 
     against the debtor an action or proceeding in a Federal or 
     State court; or
       ``(3) in a case other than those specified in paragraph (1) 
     or (2), in which venue will be consistent with the interests 
     of justice and the convenience of the parties, having regard 
     to the relief sought by the foreign representative.''.
       (d) Other Sections of Title 11.--
       (1) Section 109(b)(3) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(3)(A) a foreign insurance company, engaged in such 
     business in the United States; or
       ``(B) a foreign bank, savings bank, cooperative bank, 
     savings and loan association, building and loan association, 
     or credit union, that has a branch or agency (as defined in 
     section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 
     U.S.C. 3101) in the United States.''.
       (2) Section 303(k) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     repealed.
       (3)(A) Section 304 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     repealed.
       (B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 3 of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 304.
       (C) Section 306 of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``, 304,'' each place it appears.
       (4) Section 305(a)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(2)(A) a petition under section 1515 of this title for 
     recognition of a foreign proceeding has been granted; and
       ``(B) the purposes of chapter 15 of this title would be 
     best served by such dismissal or suspension.''.
       (5) Section 508 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--

[[Page H9753]]

       (A) by striking subsection (a); and
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``(b)''.
                TITLE IX--FINANCIAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS

     SEC. 901. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BY CONSERVATORS OR 
                   RECEIVERS OF INSURED DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) Definition of Qualified Financial Contract.--Section 
     11(e)(8)(D)(i) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(i)) is amended by inserting ``, 
     resolution, or order'' after ``any similar agreement that the 
     Corporation determines by regulation''.
       (b) Definition of Securities Contract.--Section 
     11(e)(8)(D)(ii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(ii)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(ii) Securities contract.--The term `securities 
     contract'--

       ``(I) means a contract for the purchase, sale, or loan of a 
     security, a certificate of deposit, a mortgage loan, or any 
     interest in a mortgage loan, a group or index of securities, 
     certificates of deposit, or mortgage loans or interests 
     therein (including any interest therein or based on the value 
     thereof) or any option on any of the foregoing, including any 
     option to purchase or sell any such security, certificate of 
     deposit, loan, interest, group or index, or option;
       ``(II) does not include any purchase, sale, or repurchase 
     obligation under a participation in a commercial mortgage 
     loan unless the Corporation determines by regulation, 
     resolution, or order to include any such agreement within the 
     meaning of such term;
       ``(III) means any option entered into on a national 
     securities exchange relating to foreign currencies;
       ``(IV) means the guarantee by or to any securities clearing 
     agency of any settlement of cash, securities, certificates of 
     deposit, mortgage loans or interests therein, group or index 
     of securities, certificates of deposit, or mortgage loans or 
     interests therein (including any interest therein or based on 
     the value thereof) or option on any of the foregoing, 
     including any option to purchase or sell any such security, 
     certificate of deposit, loan, interest, group or index or 
     option;
       ``(V) means any margin loan;
       ``(VI) means any other agreement or transaction that is 
     similar to any agreement or transaction referred to in this 
     clause;
       ``(VII) means any combination of the agreements or 
     transactions referred to in this clause;
       ``(VIII) means any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this clause;
       ``(IX) means a master agreement that provides for an 
     agreement or transaction referred to in subclause (I), (III), 
     (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), or (VIII), together with all 
     supplements to any such master agreement, without regard to 
     whether the master agreement provides for an agreement or 
     transaction that is not a securities contract under this 
     clause, except that the master agreement shall be considered 
     to be a securities contract under this clause only with 
     respect to each agreement or transaction under the master 
     agreement that is referred to in subclause (I), (III), (IV), 
     (V), (VI), (VII), or (VIII); and
       ``(X) means any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreement or transaction 
     referred to in this clause.''.

       (c) Definition of Commodity Contract.--Section 
     11(e)(8)(D)(iii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(iii)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(iii) Commodity contract.--The term `commodity contract' 
     means--

       ``(I) with respect to a futures commission merchant, a 
     contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future 
     delivery on, or subject to the rules of, a contract market or 
     board of trade;
       ``(II) with respect to a foreign futures commission 
     merchant, a foreign future;
       ``(III) with respect to a leverage transaction merchant, a 
     leverage transaction;
       ``(IV) with respect to a clearing organization, a contract 
     for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery 
     on, or subject to the rules of, a contract market or board of 
     trade that is cleared by such clearing organization, or 
     commodity option traded on, or subject to the rules of, a 
     contract market or board of trade that is cleared by such 
     clearing organization;
       ``(V) with respect to a commodity options dealer, a 
     commodity option;
       ``(VI) any other agreement or transaction that is similar 
     to any agreement or transaction referred to in this clause;
       ``(VII) any combination of the agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this clause;
       ``(VIII) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this clause;
       ``(IX) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subclause (I), (II), (III), (IV), 
     (V), (VI), (VII), or (VIII), together with all supplements to 
     any such master agreement, without regard to whether the 
     master agreement provides for an agreement or transaction 
     that is not a commodity contract under this clause, except 
     that the master agreement shall be considered to be a 
     commodity contract under this clause only with respect to 
     each agreement or transaction under the master agreement that 
     is referred to in subclause (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), 
     (VI), (VII), or (VIII); or
       ``(X) any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to any agreement or transaction referred 
     to in this clause.''.

       (d) Definition of Forward Contract.--Section 
     11(e)(8)(D)(iv) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(iv)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(iv) Forward contract.--The term `forward contract' 
     means--

       ``(I) a contract (other than a commodity contract) for the 
     purchase, sale, or transfer of a commodity or any similar 
     good, article, service, right, or interest which is presently 
     or in the future becomes the subject of dealing in the 
     forward contract trade, or product or byproduct thereof, with 
     a maturity date more than 2 days after the date the contract 
     is entered into, including, a repurchase transaction, reverse 
     repurchase transaction, consignment, lease, swap, hedge 
     transaction, deposit, loan, option, allocated transaction, 
     unallocated transaction, or any other similar agreement;
       ``(II) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in subclauses (I) and (III);
       ``(III) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subclause (I) or (II);
       ``(IV) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subclauses (I), (II), or (III), 
     together with all supplements to any such master agreement, 
     without regard to whether the master agreement provides for 
     an agreement or transaction that is not a forward contract 
     under this clause, except that the master agreement shall be 
     considered to be a forward contract under this clause only 
     with respect to each agreement or transaction under the 
     master agreement that is referred to in subclause (I), (II), 
     or (III); or
       ``(V) any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to any agreement or transaction referred 
     to in subclause (I), (II), (III), or (IV).''.

       (e) Definition of Repurchase Agreement.--Section 
     11(e)(8)(D)(v) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(v)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(v) Repurchase agreement.--The term `repurchase 
     agreement' (which definition also applies to a reverse 
     repurchase agreement)--

       ``(I) means an agreement, including related terms, which 
     provides for the transfer of one or more certificates of 
     deposit, mortgage-related securities (as such term is defined 
     in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), mortgage loans, 
     interests in mortgage-related securities or mortgage loans, 
     eligible bankers' acceptances, qualified foreign government 
     securities or securities that are direct obligations of, or 
     that are fully guaranteed by, the United States or any agency 
     of the United States against the transfer of funds by the 
     transferee of such certificates of deposit, eligible bankers' 
     acceptances, securities, loans, or interests with a 
     simultaneous agreement by such transferee to transfer to the 
     transferor thereof certificates of deposit, eligible bankers' 
     acceptances, securities, loans, or interests as described 
     above, at a date certain not later than 1 year after such 
     transfers or on demand, against the transfer of funds, or any 
     other similar agreement;
       ``(II) does not include any repurchase obligation under a 
     participation in a commercial mortgage loan unless the 
     Corporation determines by regulation, resolution, or order to 
     include any such participation within the meaning of such 
     term;

       ``(III) means any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in subclauses (I) and (IV);
       ``(IV) means any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subclause (I) or (III);
       ``(V) means a master agreement that provides for an 
     agreement or transaction referred to in subclause (I), (III), 
     or (IV), together with all supplements to any such master 
     agreement, without regard to whether the master agreement 
     provides for an agreement or transaction that is not a 
     repurchase agreement under this clause, except that the 
     master agreement shall be considered to be a repurchase 
     agreement under this subclause only with respect to each 
     agreement or transaction under the master agreement that is 
     referred to in subclause (I), (III), or (IV); and
       ``(VI) means any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreement or transaction 
     referred to in subclause (I), (III), (IV), or (V).

     For purposes of this clause, the term `qualified foreign 
     government security' means a security that is a direct 
     obligation of, or that is fully guaranteed by, the central 
     government of a member of the Organization for Economic 
     Cooperation and Development (as determined by regulation or 
     order adopted by the appropriate Federal banking 
     authority).''.
       (f) Definition of Swap Agreement.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(vi) 
     of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1821(e)(8)(D)(vi)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(vi) Swap agreement.--The term `swap agreement' means--

       ``(I) any agreement, including the terms and conditions 
     incorporated by reference in any such agreement, which is an 
     interest rate swap, option, future, or forward agreement, 
     including a rate floor, rate cap, rate collar, cross-currency 
     rate swap, and basis swap; a spot, same day-tomorrow, 
     tomorrow-next, forward, or other foreign exchange or precious 
     metals agreement; a currency swap, option, future, or forward 
     agreement; an equity index or equity swap, option, future, or 
     forward agreement; a debt index or debt swap, option, future, 
     or forward agreement; a credit spread or credit swap, option, 
     future, or forward agreement; a commodity index or commodity 
     swap, option, future, or forward agreement; or a weather 
     swap, weather derivative, or weather option;
       ``(II) any agreement or transaction similar to any other 
     agreement or transaction referred to in this clause that is 
     presently, or in the future becomes, regularly entered into 
     in the swap market (including terms and conditions 
     incorporated by reference in such agreement) and that is a 
     forward, swap, future, or option on one or more rates, 
     currencies, commodities, equity securities or other equity 
     instruments, debt securities or other debt instruments, or 
     economic indices or measures of economic risk or value;

[[Page H9754]]

       ``(III) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this clause;
       ``(IV) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this clause;
       ``(V) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subclause (I), (II), (III), or 
     (IV), together with all supplements to any such master 
     agreement, without regard to whether the master agreement 
     contains an agreement or transaction that is not a swap 
     agreement under this clause, except that the master agreement 
     shall be considered to be a swap agreement under this clause 
     only with respect to each agreement or transaction under the 
     master agreement that is referred to in subclause (I), (II), 
     (III), or (IV); and

       ``(VI) any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreements or transactions 
     referred to in subparagraph (I), (II), (III), (IV), or (V).

     Such term is applicable for purposes of this title only and 
     shall not be construed or applied so as to challenge or 
     affect the characterization, definition, or treatment of any 
     swap agreement under any other statute, regulation, or rule, 
     including the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange 
     Act of 1934, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, 
     the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Investment Company Act 
     of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities 
     Investor Protection Act of 1970, the Commodity Exchange Act, 
     and the regulations promulgated by the Securities and 
     Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading 
     Commission.''.
       (g) Definition of Transfer.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(viii) of 
     the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1821(e)(8)(D)(viii)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(viii) Transfer.--The term `transfer' means every mode, 
     direct or indirect, absolute or conditional, voluntary or 
     involuntary, of disposing of or parting with property or with 
     an interest in property, including retention of title as a 
     security interest and foreclosure of the depository 
     institutions's equity of redemption.''.
       (h) Treatment of Qualified Financial Contracts.--Section 
     11(e)(8) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1821(e)(8)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) by striking ``paragraph (10)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraphs (9) and (10)'';
       (B) in clause (i), by striking ``to cause the termination 
     or liquidation'' and inserting ``such person has to cause the 
     termination, liquidation, or acceleration''; and
       (C) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
       ``(ii) any right under any security agreement or 
     arrangement or other credit enhancement related to one or 
     more qualified financial contracts described in clause 
     (i);''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking clause (ii) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(ii) any right under any security agreement or 
     arrangement or other credit enhancement related to one or 
     more qualified financial contracts described in clause 
     (i);''.
       (i) Avoidance of Transfers.--Section 11(e)(8)(C)(i) of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(C)(i)) is 
     amended by inserting ``section 5242 of the Revised Statutes 
     of the United States (12 U.S.C. 91) or any other Federal or 
     State law relating to the avoidance of preferential or 
     fraudulent transfers,'' before ``the Corporation''.

     SEC. 902. AUTHORITY OF THE CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO FAILED 
                   AND FAILING INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 11(e)(8) of the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``other than paragraph 
     (12) of this subsection, subsection (d)(9)'' and inserting 
     ``other than subsections (d)(9) and (e)(10)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(F) Clarification.--No provision of law shall be 
     construed as limiting the right or power of the Corporation, 
     or authorizing any court or agency to limit or delay, in any 
     manner, the right or power of the Corporation to transfer any 
     qualified financial contract in accordance with paragraphs 
     (9) and (10) of this subsection or to disaffirm or repudiate 
     any such contract in accordance with subsection (e)(1) of 
     this section.
       ``(G) Walkaway clauses not effective.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 
     subparagraphs (A) and (E), and sections 403 and 404 of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 
     1991, no walkaway clause shall be enforceable in a qualified 
     financial contract of an insured depository institution in 
     default.
       ``(ii) Walkaway clause defined.--For purposes of this 
     subparagraph, the term `walkaway clause' means a provision in 
     a qualified financial contract that, after calculation of a 
     value of a party's position or an amount due to or from 1 of 
     the parties in accordance with its terms upon termination, 
     liquidation, or acceleration of the qualified financial 
     contract, either does not create a payment obligation of a 
     party or extinguishes a payment obligation of a party in 
     whole or in part solely because of such party's status as a 
     nondefaulting party.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 
     11(e)(12)(A) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1821(e)(12)(A)) is amended by inserting ``or the exercise of 
     rights or powers by'' after ``the appointment of''.

     SEC. 903. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TRANSFERS OF QUALIFIED 
                   FINANCIAL CONTRACTS.

       (a) Transfers of Qualified Financial Contracts to Financial 
     Institutions.--Section 11(e)(9) of the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(9)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(9) Transfer of qualified financial contracts.--
       ``(A) In general.--In making any transfer of assets or 
     liabilities of a depository institution in default which 
     includes any qualified financial contract, the conservator or 
     receiver for such depository institution shall either--
       ``(i) transfer to one financial institution, other than a 
     financial institution for which a conservator, receiver, 
     trustee in bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has been 
     appointed or which is otherwise the subject of a bankruptcy 
     or insolvency proceeding--

       ``(I) all qualified financial contracts between any person 
     or any affiliate of such person and the depository 
     institution in default;
       ``(II) all claims of such person or any affiliate of such 
     person against such depository institution under any such 
     contract (other than any claim which, under the terms of any 
     such contract, is subordinated to the claims of general 
     unsecured creditors of such institution);
       ``(III) all claims of such depository institution against 
     such person or any affiliate of such person under any such 
     contract; and
       ``(IV) all property securing or any other credit 
     enhancement for any contract described in subclause (I) or 
     any claim described in subclause (II) or (III) under any such 
     contract; or

       ``(ii) transfer none of the qualified financial contracts, 
     claims, property or other credit enhancement referred to in 
     clause (i) (with respect to such person and any affiliate of 
     such person).
       ``(B) Transfer to foreign bank, foreign financial 
     institution, or branch or agency of a foreign bank or 
     financial institution.--In transferring any qualified 
     financial contract and related claims and property under 
     subparagraph (A)(i), the conservator or receiver for the 
     depository institution shall not make such transfer to a 
     foreign bank, financial institution organized under the laws 
     of a foreign country, or a branch or agency of a foreign bank 
     or financial institution unless, under the law applicable to 
     such bank, financial institution, branch or agency, to the 
     qualified financial contracts, and to any netting contract, 
     any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to one or more qualified financial 
     contracts, the contractual rights of the parties to such 
     qualified financial contracts, netting contracts, security 
     agreements or arrangements, or other credit enhancements are 
     enforceable substantially to the same extent as permitted 
     under this section.
       ``(C) Transfer of contracts subject to the rules of a 
     clearing organization.--In the event that a conservator or 
     receiver transfers any qualified financial contract and 
     related claims, property, and credit enhancements pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A)(i) and such contract is subject to the rules 
     of a clearing organization, the clearing organization shall 
     not be required to accept the transferee as a member by 
     virtue of the transfer.
       ``(D) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term 
     `financial institution' means a broker or dealer, a 
     depository institution, a futures commission merchant, or any 
     other institution, as determined by the Corporation by 
     regulation to be a financial institution.''.
       (b) Notice to Qualified Financial Contract 
     Counterparties.--Section 11(e)(10)(A) of the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(10)(A)) is amended in the 
     material immediately following clause (ii) by striking ``the 
     conservator'' and all that follows through the period and 
     inserting the following: ``the conservator or receiver shall 
     notify any person who is a party to any such contract of such 
     transfer by 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the business day 
     following the date of the appointment of the receiver in the 
     case of a receivership, or the business day following such 
     transfer in the case of a conservatorship.''.
       (c) Rights Against Receiver and Treatment of Bridge 
     Banks.--Section 11(e)(10) of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(10)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(B) Certain rights not enforceable.--
       ``(i) Receivership.--A person who is a party to a qualified 
     financial contract with an insured depository institution may 
     not exercise any right that such person has to terminate, 
     liquidate, or net such contract under paragraph (8)(A) of 
     this subsection or section 403 or 404 of the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, solely by 
     reason of or incidental to the appointment of a receiver for 
     the depository institution (or the insolvency or financial 
     condition of the depository institution for which the 
     receiver has been appointed)--

       ``(I) until 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the business day 
     following the date of the appointment of the receiver; or
       ``(II) after the person has received notice that the 
     contract has been transferred pursuant to paragraph (9)(A).

       ``(ii) Conservatorship.--A person who is a party to a 
     qualified financial contract with an insured depository 
     institution may not exercise any right that such person has 
     to terminate, liquidate, or net such contract under paragraph 
     (8)(E) of this subsection or sections 403 or 404 of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 
     1991, solely by reason of or incidental to the appointment of 
     a conservator for the depository institution (or the 
     insolvency or financial condition of the depository 
     institution for which the conservator has been appointed).
       ``(iii) Notice.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     Corporation as receiver or conservator of an insured 
     depository institution shall be deemed to have notified a 
     person who is a party to a qualified financial contract with 
     such depository institution if the Corporation has taken 
     steps reasonably calculated to provide notice to such person 
     by the time specified in subparagraph (A).

[[Page H9755]]

       ``(C) Treatment of bridge banks.--The following 
     institutions shall not be considered to be a financial 
     institution for which a conservator, receiver, trustee in 
     bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has been appointed or 
     which is otherwise the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency 
     proceeding for purposes of paragraph (9):
       ``(i) A bridge bank.
       ``(ii) A depository institution organized by the 
     Corporation, for which a conservator is appointed either--

       ``(I) immediately upon the organization of the institution; 
     or
       ``(II) at the time of a purchase and assumption transaction 
     between the depository institution and the Corporation as 
     receiver for a depository institution in default.''.

     SEC. 904. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DISAFFIRMANCE OR REPUDIATION 
                   OF QUALIFIED FINANCIAL CONTRACTS.

       Section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1821(e)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (15) as 
     paragraphs (12) through (16), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(11) Disaffirmance or repudiation of qualified financial 
     contracts.--In exercising the rights of disaffirmance or 
     repudiation of a conservator or receiver with respect to any 
     qualified financial contract to which an insured depository 
     institution is a party, the conservator or receiver for such 
     institution shall either--
       ``(A) disaffirm or repudiate all qualified financial 
     contracts between--
       ``(i) any person or any affiliate of such person; and
       ``(ii) the depository institution in default; or
       ``(B) disaffirm or repudiate none of the qualified 
     financial contracts referred to in subparagraph (A) (with 
     respect to such person or any affiliate of such person).''.

     SEC. 905. CLARIFYING AMENDMENT RELATING TO MASTER AGREEMENTS.

       Section 11(e)(8)(D)(vii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(vii)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(vii) Treatment of master agreement as one agreement.--
     Any master agreement for any contract or agreement described 
     in any preceding clause of this subparagraph (or any master 
     agreement for such master agreement or agreements), together 
     with all supplements to such master agreement, shall be 
     treated as a single agreement and a single qualified 
     financial contract. If a master agreement contains provisions 
     relating to agreements or transactions that are not 
     themselves qualified financial contracts, the master 
     agreement shall be deemed to be a qualified financial 
     contract only with respect to those transactions that are 
     themselves qualified financial contracts.''.

     SEC. 906. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION IMPROVEMENT 
                   ACT OF 1991.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 402 of the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 
     4402) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting before the 
     semicolon ``, or is exempt from such registration by order of 
     the Securities and Exchange Commission''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the period 
     ``or that has been granted an exemption under section 4(c)(1) 
     of the Commodity Exchange Act'';
       (2) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as 
     subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(B) an uninsured national bank or an uninsured State bank 
     that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, if the 
     national bank or State member bank is not eligible to make 
     application to become an insured bank under section 5 of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Act;''; and
       (C) by amending subparagraph (C) (as redesignated) to read 
     as follows:
       ``(C) a branch or agency of a foreign bank, a foreign bank 
     and any branch or agency of the foreign bank, or the foreign 
     bank that established the branch or agency, as those terms 
     are defined in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act 
     of 1978;'';
       (3) in paragraph (11), by inserting before the period ``and 
     any other clearing organization with which such clearing 
     organization has a netting contract'';
       (4) by amending paragraph (14)(A)(i) to read as follows:
       ``(i) means a contract or agreement between 2 or more 
     financial institutions, clearing organizations, or members 
     that provides for netting present or future payment 
     obligations or payment entitlements (including liquidation or 
     closeout values relating to such obligations or entitlements) 
     among the parties to the agreement; and''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(15) Payment.--The term `payment' means a payment of 
     United States dollars, another currency, or a composite 
     currency, and a noncash delivery, including a payment or 
     delivery to liquidate an unmatured obligation.''.
       (b) Enforceability of Bilateral Netting Contracts.--Section 
     403 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement 
     Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 4403) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) General Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     State or Federal law (other than paragraphs (8)(E), (8)(F), 
     and (10)(B) of section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Act or any order authorized under section 5(b)(2) of the 
     Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970), the covered 
     contractual payment obligations and the covered contractual 
     payment entitlements between any 2 financial institutions 
     shall be netted in accordance with, and subject to the 
     conditions of, the terms of any applicable netting contract 
     (except as provided in section 561(b)(2) of title 11, United 
     States Code).''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f) Enforceability of Security Agreements.--The 
     provisions of any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to one or more netting contracts 
     between any 2 financial institutions shall be enforceable in 
     accordance with their terms (except as provided in section 
     561(b)(2) of title 11, United States Code), and shall not be 
     stayed, avoided, or otherwise limited by any State or Federal 
     law (other than paragraphs (8)(E), (8)(F), and (10)(B) of 
     section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and 
     section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 
     1970).''.
       (c) Enforceability of Clearing Organization Netting 
     Contracts.--Section 404 of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 4404) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) General Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     State or Federal law (other than paragraphs (8)(E), (8)(F), 
     and (10)(B) of section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Act and any order authorized under section 5(b)(2) of the 
     Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970), the covered 
     contractual payment obligations and the covered contractual 
     payment entitlements of a member of a clearing organization 
     to and from all other members of a clearing organization 
     shall be netted in accordance with and subject to the 
     conditions of any applicable netting contract (except as 
     provided in section 561(b)(2) of title 11, United States 
     Code).''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(h) Enforceability of Security Agreements.--The 
     provisions of any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to one or more netting contracts 
     between any 2 members of a clearing organization shall be 
     enforceable in accordance with their terms (except as 
     provided in section 561(b)(2) of title 11, United States 
     Code), and shall not be stayed, avoided, or otherwise limited 
     by any State or Federal law (other than paragraphs (8)(E), 
     (8)(F), and (10)(B) of section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Act and section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Investor 
     Protection Act of 1970).''.
       (d) Enforceability of Contracts With Uninsured National 
     Banks and Uninsured Federal Branches and Agencies.--The 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 
     (12 U.S.C. 4401 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 407 as section 408; and
       (2) by inserting after section 406 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 407. TREATMENT OF CONTRACTS WITH UNINSURED NATIONAL 
                   BANKS AND UNINSURED FEDERAL BRANCHES AND 
                   AGENCIES.

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, paragraphs (8), (9), (10), and (11) of section 11(e) of 
     the Federal Deposit Insurance Act shall apply to an uninsured 
     national bank or uninsured Federal branch or Federal agency, 
     except that for such purpose--
       ``(1) any reference to the `Corporation as receiver' or 
     `the receiver or the Corporation' shall refer to the receiver 
     of an uninsured national bank or uninsured Federal branch or 
     Federal agency appointed by the Comptroller of the Currency;
       ``(2) any reference to the `Corporation' (other than in 
     section 11(e)(8)(D) of such Act), the `Corporation, whether 
     acting as such or as conservator or receiver', a `receiver', 
     or a `conservator' shall refer to the receiver or conservator 
     of an uninsured national bank or uninsured Federal branch or 
     Federal agency appointed by the Comptroller of the Currency; 
     and
       ``(3) any reference to an `insured depository institution' 
     or `depository institution' shall refer to an uninsured 
     national bank or an uninsured Federal branch or Federal 
     agency.
       ``(b) Liability.--The liability of a receiver or 
     conservator of an uninsured national bank or uninsured 
     Federal branch or agency shall be determined in the same 
     manner and subject to the same limitations that apply to 
     receivers and conservators of insured depository institutions 
     under section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
       ``(c) Regulatory Authority.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Comptroller of the Currency, in 
     consultation with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 
     may promulgate regulations to implement this section.
       ``(2) Specific requirement.--In promulgating regulations to 
     implement this section, the Comptroller of the Currency shall 
     ensure that the regulations generally are consistent with the 
     regulations and policies of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Corporation adopted pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Act.
       ``(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms 
     `Federal branch', `Federal agency', and `foreign bank' have 
     the same meanings as in section 1(b) of the International 
     Banking Act of 1978.''.

     SEC. 907. BANKRUPTCY CODE AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Definitions of Forward Contract, Repurchase Agreement, 
     Securities Clearing Agency, Swap Agreement, Commodity 
     Contract, and Securities Contract.--Title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 101--
       (A) in paragraph (25)--
       (i) by striking ``means a contract'' and inserting 
     ``means--

[[Page H9756]]

       ``(A) a contract'';
       (ii) by striking ``, or any combination thereof or option 
     thereon;'' and inserting ``, or any other similar 
     agreement;''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (C);
       ``(C) any option to enter into an agreement or transaction 
     referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B);
       ``(D) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), 
     together with all supplements to any such master agreement, 
     without regard to whether such master agreement provides for 
     an agreement or transaction that is not a forward contract 
     under this paragraph, except that such master agreement shall 
     be considered to be a forward contract under this paragraph 
     only with respect to each agreement or transaction under such 
     master agreement that is referred to in subparagraph (A), 
     (B), or (C); or
       ``(E) any security agreement or arrangement, or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreement or transaction 
     referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D), but not to 
     exceed the actual value of such contract on the date of the 
     filing of the petition;'';
       (B) in paragraph (46), by striking ``on any day during the 
     period beginning 90 days before the date of'' and inserting 
     ``at any time before'';
       (C) by amending paragraph (47) to read as follows:
       ``(47) `repurchase agreement' (which definition also 
     applies to a reverse repurchase agreement)--
       ``(A) means--
       ``(i) an agreement, including related terms, which provides 
     for the transfer of one or more certificates of deposit, 
     mortgage related securities (as defined in section 3 of the 
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934), mortgage loans, interests 
     in mortgage related securities or mortgage loans, eligible 
     bankers' acceptances, qualified foreign government securities 
     (defined as a security that is a direct obligation of, or 
     that is fully guaranteed by, the central government of a 
     member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
     Development), or securities that are direct obligations of, 
     or that are fully guaranteed by, the United States or any 
     agency of the United States against the transfer of funds by 
     the transferee of such certificates of deposit, eligible 
     bankers' acceptances, securities, loans, or interests, with a 
     simultaneous agreement by such transferee to transfer to the 
     transferor thereof certificates of deposit, eligible bankers' 
     acceptance, securities, loans, or interests of the kind 
     described in this clause, at a date certain not later than 1 
     year after such transfer or on demand, against the transfer 
     of funds;
       ``(ii) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in clauses (i) and (iii);
       ``(iii) an option to enter into an agreement or transaction 
     referred to in clause (i) or (ii);
       ``(iv) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in clause (i), (ii), or (iii), 
     together with all supplements to any such master agreement, 
     without regard to whether such master agreement provides for 
     an agreement or transaction that is not a repurchase 
     agreement under this paragraph, except that such master 
     agreement shall be considered to be a repurchase agreement 
     under this paragraph only with respect to each agreement or 
     transaction under the master agreement that is referred to in 
     clause (i), (ii), or (iii); or
       ``(v) any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to any agreement or transaction referred 
     to in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv), but not to exceed the 
     actual value of such contract on the date of the filing of 
     the petition; and
       ``(B) does not include a repurchase obligation under a 
     participation in a commercial mortgage loan;'';
       (D) in paragraph (48), by inserting ``, or exempt from such 
     registration under such section pursuant to an order of the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission,'' after ``1934''; and
       (E) by amending paragraph (53B) to read as follows:
       ``(53B) `swap agreement'--
       ``(A) means--
       ``(i) any agreement, including the terms and conditions 
     incorporated by reference in such agreement, which is an 
     interest rate swap, option, future, or forward agreement, 
     including--

       ``(I) a rate floor, rate cap, rate collar, cross-currency 
     rate swap, and basis swap;
       ``(II) a spot, same day-tomorrow, tomorrow-next, forward, 
     or other foreign exchange or precious metals agreement;
       ``(III) a currency swap, option, future, or forward 
     agreement;
       ``(IV) an equity index or an equity swap, option, future, 
     or forward agreement;
       ``(V) a debt index or a debt swap, option, future, or 
     forward agreement;
       ``(VI) a credit spread or a credit swap, option, future, or 
     forward agreement;
       ``(VII) a commodity index or a commodity swap, option, 
     future, or forward agreement; or
       ``(VIII) a weather swap, weather derivative, or weather 
     option;

       ``(ii) any agreement or transaction similar to any other 
     agreement or transaction referred to in this paragraph that--

       ``(I) is presently, or in the future becomes, regularly 
     entered into in the swap market (including terms and 
     conditions incorporated by reference therein); and
       ``(II) is a forward, swap, future, or option on one or more 
     rates, currencies, commodities, equity securities, or other 
     equity instruments, debt securities or other debt 
     instruments, or economic indices or measures of economic risk 
     or value;

       ``(iii) any combination of agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this subparagraph;
       ``(iv) any option to enter into an agreement or transaction 
     referred to in this subparagraph;
       ``(v) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv), 
     together with all supplements to any such master agreement, 
     and without regard to whether the master agreement contains 
     an agreement or transaction that is not a swap agreement 
     under this paragraph, except that the master agreement shall 
     be considered to be a swap agreement under this paragraph 
     only with respect to each agreement or transaction under the 
     master agreement that is referred to in clause (i), (ii), 
     (iii), or (iv); or
       ``(vi) any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to any agreements or transactions 
     referred to in clause (i) through (v), but do not to exceed 
     the actual value of such contract on the date of the filing 
     of the petition; and
       ``(B) is applicable for purposes of this title only, and 
     shall not be construed or applied so as to challenge or 
     affect the characterization, definition, or treatment of any 
     swap agreement under any other statute, regulation, or rule, 
     including the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange 
     Act of 1934, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, 
     the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Investment Company Act 
     of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities 
     Investor Protection Act of 1970, the Commodity Exchange Act, 
     and the regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.'';
       (2) in section 741(7), by striking paragraph (7) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(7) `securities contract'--
       ``(A) means--
       ``(i) a contract for the purchase, sale, or loan of a 
     security, a certificate of deposit, a mortgage loan or any 
     interest in a mortgage loan, a group or index of securities, 
     certificates of deposit, or mortgage loans or interests 
     therein (including an interest therein or based on the value 
     thereof), or option on any of the foregoing, including an 
     option to purchase or sell any such security, certificate of 
     deposit, loan, interest, group or index, or option;
       ``(ii) any option entered into on a national securities 
     exchange relating to foreign currencies;
       ``(iii) the guarantee by or to any securities clearing 
     agency of a settlement of cash, securities, certificates of 
     deposit, mortgage loans or interests therein, group or index 
     of securities, or mortgage loans or interests therein 
     (including any interest therein or based on the value 
     thereof), or option on any of the foregoing, including an 
     option to purchase or sell any such security, certificate of 
     deposit, loan, interest, group or index, or option;
       ``(iv) any margin loan;
       ``(v) any other agreement or transaction that is similar to 
     an agreement or transaction referred to in this subparagraph;
       ``(vi) any combination of the agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this subparagraph;
       ``(vii) any option to enter into any agreement or 
     transaction referred to in this subparagraph;
       ``(viii) a master agreement that provides for an agreement 
     or transaction referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), 
     (v), (vi), or (vii), together with all supplements to any 
     such master agreement, without regard to whether the master 
     agreement provides for an agreement or transaction that is 
     not a securities contract under this subparagraph, except 
     that such master agreement shall be considered to be a 
     securities contract under this subparagraph only with respect 
     to each agreement or transaction under such master agreement 
     that is referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), 
     (vi), or (vii); or
       ``(ix) any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement, related to any agreement or transaction 
     referred to in this subparagraph, but not to exceed the 
     actual value of such contract on the date of the filing of 
     the petition; and
       ``(B) does not include any purchase, sale, or repurchase 
     obligation under a participation in a commercial mortgage 
     loan.''; and
       (3) in section 761(4)--
       (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (D); and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) any other agreement or transaction that is similar to 
     an agreement or transaction referred to in this paragraph;
       ``(G) any combination of the agreements or transactions 
     referred to in this paragraph;
       ``(H) any option to enter into an agreement or transaction 
     referred to in this paragraph;
       ``(I) a master agreement that provides for an agreement or 
     transaction referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), 
     (E), (F), (G), or (H), together with all supplements to such 
     master agreement, without regard to whether the master 
     agreement provides for an agreement or transaction that is 
     not a commodity contract under this paragraph, except that 
     the master agreement shall be considered to be a commodity 
     contract under this paragraph only with respect to each 
     agreement or transaction under the master agreement that is 
     referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), 
     (G), or (H); or
       ``(J) any security agreement or arrangement or other credit 
     enhancement related to any agreement or transaction referred 
     to in this paragraph, but not to exceed the actual value of 
     such contract on the date of the filing of the petition;''.
       (b) Definitions of Financial Institution, Financial 
     Participant, and Forward Contract Merchant.--Section 101 of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (22) and inserting the following:
       ``(22) `financial institution' means--
       ``(A) a Federal reserve bank, or an entity (domestic or 
     foreign) that is a commercial or savings bank, industrial 
     savings bank, savings and loan association, trust company, or 
     receiver or conservator for such entity and, when any such 
     Federal reserve bank, receiver, conservator or entity is 
     acting as agent or custodian for a customer in connection 
     with a securities contract, as defined in section 741, such 
     customer; or

[[Page H9757]]

       ``(B) in connection with a securities contract, as defined 
     in section 741, an investment company registered under the 
     Investment Company Act of 1940;'';
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (22) the following:
       ``(22A) `financial participant' means an entity that, at 
     the time it enters into a securities contract, commodity 
     contract, or forward contract, or at the time of the filing 
     of the petition, has one or more agreements or transactions 
     described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of 
     section 561(a) with the debtor or any other entity (other 
     than an affiliate) of a total gross dollar value of not less 
     than $1,000,000,000 in notional or actual principal amount 
     outstanding on any day during the previous 15-month period, 
     or has gross mark-to-market positions of not less than 
     $100,000,000 (aggregated across counterparties) in one or 
     more such agreements or transactions with the debtor or any 
     other entity (other than an affiliate) on any day during the 
     previous 15-month period;''; and
       (3) by striking paragraph (26) and inserting the following:
       ``(26) `forward contract merchant' means a Federal reserve 
     bank, or an entity, the business of which consists in whole 
     or in part of entering into forward contracts as or with 
     merchants or in a commodity, as defined or in section 761 or 
     any similar good, article, service, right, or interest which 
     is presently or in the future becomes the subject of dealing 
     in the forward contract trade;''.
       (c) Definition of Master Netting Agreement and Master 
     Netting Agreement Participant.--Section 101 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph 
     (38) the following new paragraphs:
       ``(38A) `master netting agreement'--
       ``(A) means an agreement providing for the exercise of 
     rights, including rights of netting, setoff, liquidation, 
     termination, acceleration, or closeout, under or in 
     connection with one or more contracts that are described in 
     any one or more of paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 
     561(a), or any security agreement or arrangement or other 
     credit enhancement related to one or more of the foregoing; 
     and
       ``(B) if the agreement contains provisions relating to 
     agreements or transactions that are not contracts described 
     in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 561(a), shall be 
     deemed to be a master netting agreement only with respect to 
     those agreements or transactions that are described in any 
     one or more of paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 561(a);
       ``(38B) `master netting agreement participant' means an 
     entity that, at any time before the filing of the petition, 
     is a party to an outstanding master netting agreement with 
     the debtor;''.
       (d) Swap Agreements, Securities Contracts, Commodity 
     Contracts, Forward Contracts, Repurchase Agreements, and 
     Master Netting Agreements Under the Automatic-Stay.--
       (1) In general.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``, pledged to, and 
     under the control of,'' after ``held by'';
       (B) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``, pledged to, and 
     under the control of,'' after ``held by'';
       (C) by striking paragraph (17) and inserting the following:
       ``(17) under subsection (a), of the setoff by a swap 
     participant of a mutual debt and claim under or in connection 
     with one or more swap agreements that constitutes the setoff 
     of a claim against the debtor for any payment or other 
     transfer of property due from the debtor under or in 
     connection with any swap agreement against any payment due to 
     the debtor from the swap participant under or in connection 
     with any swap agreement or against cash, securities, or other 
     property held by, pledged to, and under the control of, or 
     due from such swap participant to margin, guarantee, secure, 
     or settle any swap agreement;''; and
       (D) by inserting after paragraph (27), as added by this 
     Act, the following new paragraph:
       ``(28) under subsection (a), of the setoff by a master 
     netting agreement participant of a mutual debt and claim 
     under or in connection with one or more master netting 
     agreements or any contract or agreement subject to such 
     agreements that constitutes the setoff of a claim against the 
     debtor for any payment or other transfer of property due from 
     the debtor under or in connection with such agreements or any 
     contract or agreement subject to such agreements against any 
     payment due to the debtor from such master netting agreement 
     participant under or in connection with such agreements or 
     any contract or agreement subject to such agreements or 
     against cash, securities, or other property held by, pledged 
     to, and under the control of, or due from such master netting 
     agreement participant to margin, guarantee, secure, or settle 
     such agreements or any contract or agreement subject to such 
     agreements, to the extent that such participant is eligible 
     to exercise such offset rights under paragraph (6), (7), or 
     (17) for each individual contract covered by the master 
     netting agreement in issue; or''.
       (2) Limitation.--Section 362 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(l) Limitation.--The exercise of rights not subject to 
     the stay arising under subsection (a) pursuant to paragraph 
     (6), (7), (17), or (28) of subsection (b) shall not be stayed 
     by any order of a court or administrative agency in any 
     proceeding under this title.''.
       (e) Limitation of Avoidance Powers Under Master Netting 
     Agreement.--Section 546 of title 11, United States Code, as 
     amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (g) (as added by section 103 of Public 
     Law 101-311)--
       (A) by striking ``under a swap agreement''; and
       (B) by striking ``in connection with a swap agreement'' and 
     inserting ``under or in connection with any swap agreement''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(k) Notwithstanding sections 544, 545, 547, 548(a)(1)(B), 
     and 548(b) the trustee may not avoid a transfer made by or to 
     a master netting agreement participant under or in connection 
     with any master netting agreement or any individual contract 
     covered thereby that is made before the commencement of the 
     case, except under section 548(a)(1)(A) and except to the 
     extent that the trustee could otherwise avoid such a transfer 
     made under an individual contract covered by such master 
     netting agreement.''.
       (f) Fraudulent Transfers of Master Netting Agreements.--
     Section 548(d)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(E) a master netting agreement participant that receives 
     a transfer in connection with a master netting agreement or 
     any individual contract covered thereby takes for value to 
     the extent of such transfer, except that, with respect to a 
     transfer under any individual contract covered thereby, to 
     the extent that such master netting agreement participant 
     otherwise did not take (or is otherwise not deemed to have 
     taken) such transfer for value.''.
       (g) Termination or Acceleration of Securities Contracts.--
     Section 555 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 555. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or 
       accelerate a securities contract'';

     and
       (2) in the first sentence, by striking ``liquidation'' and 
     inserting ``liquidation, termination, or acceleration''.
       (h) Termination or Acceleration of Commodities or Forward 
     Contracts.--Section 556 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 556. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or 
       accelerate a commodities contract or forward contract'';

     and
       (2) in the first sentence, by striking ``liquidation'' and 
     inserting ``liquidation, termination, or acceleration''.
       (i) Termination or Acceleration of Repurchase Agreements.--
     Section 559 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 559. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or 
       accelerate a repurchase agreement'';

     and
       (2) in the first sentence, by striking ``liquidation'' and 
     inserting ``liquidation, termination, or acceleration''.
       (j) Liquidation, Termination, or Acceleration of Swap 
     Agreements.--Section 560 of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 560. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or 
       accelerate a swap agreement'';

       (2) in the first sentence, by striking ``termination of a 
     swap agreement'' and inserting ``liquidation, termination, or 
     acceleration of one or more swap agreements''; and
       (3) by striking ``in connection with any swap agreement'' 
     and inserting ``in connection with the termination, 
     liquidation, or acceleration of one or more swap 
     agreements''.
       (k) Liquidation, Termination, Acceleration, or Offset Under 
     a Master Netting Agreement and Across Contracts.--
       (1) In general.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after section 560 the following:

     ``Sec. 561. Contractual right to terminate, liquidate, 
       accelerate, or offset under a master netting agreement and 
       across contracts

       ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the exercise 
     of any contractual right, because of a condition of the kind 
     specified in section 365(e)(1), to cause the termination, 
     liquidation, or acceleration of or to offset or net 
     termination values, payment amounts, or other transfer 
     obligations arising under or in connection with one or more 
     (or the termination, liquidation, or acceleration of one or 
     more)--
       ``(1) securities contracts, as defined in section 741(7);
       ``(2) commodity contracts, as defined in section 761(4);
       ``(3) forward contracts;
       ``(4) repurchase agreements;
       ``(5) swap agreements; or
       ``(6) master netting agreements,
     shall not be stayed, avoided, or otherwise limited by 
     operation of any provision of this title or by any order of a 
     court or administrative agency in any proceeding under this 
     title.
       ``(b) Exception.--
       ``(1) In general.--A party may exercise a contractual right 
     described in subsection (a) to terminate, liquidate, or 
     accelerate only to the extent that such party could exercise 
     such a right under section 555, 556, 559, or 560 for each 
     individual contract covered by the master netting agreement 
     in issue.
       ``(2) Commodity brokers.--If a debtor is a commodity broker 
     subject to subchapter IV of chapter 7--
       ``(A) a party may not net or offset an obligation to the 
     debtor arising under, or in connection with, a commodity 
     contract against any claim arising under, or in connection 
     with, other instruments, contracts, or agreements listed in 
     subsection (a) except to the extent that the

[[Page H9758]]

     party has positive net equity in the commodity accounts at 
     the debtor, as calculated under that subchapter IV; and
       ``(B) another commodity broker may not net or offset an 
     obligation to the debtor arising under, or in connection 
     with, a commodity contract entered into or held on behalf of 
     a customer of the debtor against any claim arising under, or 
     in connection with, other instruments, contracts, or 
     agreements listed in subsection (a).
       ``(3) Construction.--No provision of subparagraph (A) or 
     (B) of paragraph (2) shall prohibit the offset of claims and 
     obligations that arise under--
       ``(A) a cross-margining agreement that has been approved by 
     the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or submitted to the 
     Commodity Futures Trading Commission under section 
     5(a)(12)(A) of the Commodity Exchange Act and has been 
     approved; or
       ``(B) any other netting agreement between a clearing 
     organization, as defined in section 761, and another entity 
     that has been approved by the Commodity Futures Trading 
     Commission.
       ``(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term 
     `contractual right' includes a right set forth in a rule or 
     bylaw of a national securities exchange, a national 
     securities association, or a securities clearing agency, a 
     right set forth in a bylaw of a clearing organization or 
     contract market or in a resolution of the governing board 
     thereof, and a right, whether or not evidenced in writing, 
     arising under common law, under law merchant, or by reason of 
     normal business practice.
       ``(d) Cases Ancillary to Foreign Proceedings.--Any 
     provisions of this title relating to securities contracts, 
     commodity contracts, forward contracts, repurchase 
     agreements, swap agreements, or master netting agreements 
     shall apply in a case under chapter 15 of this title, so that 
     enforcement of contractual provisions of such contracts and 
     agreements in accordance with their terms will not be stayed 
     or otherwise limited by operation of any provision of this 
     title or by order of a court in any case under this title, 
     and to limit avoidance powers to the same extent as in a 
     proceeding under chapter 7 or 11 of this title (such 
     enforcement not to be limited based on the presence or 
     absence of assets of the debtor in the United States).''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections for 
     chapter 5 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 560 the 
     following:

``561. Contractual right to terminate, liquidate, accelerate, or offset 
              under a master netting agreement and across contracts.
       (l) Commodity Broker Liquidations.--Title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 766 the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 767. Commodity broker liquidation and forward contract 
       merchants, commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial 
       institutions, financial participants, securities clearing 
       agencies, swap participants, repo participants, and master 
       netting agreement participants

       ``Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the 
     exercise of rights by a forward contract merchant, commodity 
     broker, stockbroker, financial institution, financial 
     participant, securities clearing agency, swap participant, 
     repo participant, or master netting agreement participant 
     under this title shall not affect the priority of any 
     unsecured claim it may have after the exercise of such 
     rights.''.
       (m) Stockbroker Liquidations.--Title 11, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 752 the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 753. Stockbroker liquidation and forward contract 
       merchants, commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial 
       institutions, securities clearing agencies, swap 
       participants, repo participants, and master netting 
       agreement participants

       ``Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the 
     exercise of rights by a forward contract merchant, commodity 
     broker, stockbroker, financial institution, securities 
     clearing agency, swap participant, repo participant, 
     financial participant, or master netting agreement 
     participant under this title shall not affect the priority of 
     any unsecured claim it may have after the exercise of such 
     rights.''.
       (n) Setoff.--Section 553 of title 11, United States Code, 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(3)(C), by inserting before the period 
     the following: ``(except for a setoff of a kind described in 
     section 362(b)(6), 362(b)(7), 362(b)(17), 362(b)(28), 555, 
     556, 559, 560, or 561 of this title)''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``362(b)(14),'' and 
     inserting ``362(b)(17), 362(b)(28), 555, 556, 559, 560, 
     561''.
       (o) Securities Contracts, Commodity Contracts, and Forward 
     Contracts.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 362(b)(6), by striking ``financial 
     institutions,'' each place such term appears and inserting 
     ``financial institution, financial participant,'';
       (2) in section 546(e), by inserting ``financial 
     participant,'' after ``financial institution,'';
       (3) in section 548(d)(2)(B), by inserting ``financial 
     participant,'' after ``financial institution,'';
       (4) in section 555--
       (A) by inserting ``financial participant,'' after 
     ``financial institution,''; and
       (B) by inserting before the period at the end ``, a right 
     set forth in a bylaw of a clearing organization or contract 
     market or in a resolution of the governing board thereof, and 
     a right, whether or not in writing, arising under common law, 
     under law merchant, or by reason of normal business 
     practice''; and
       (5) in section 556, by inserting ``, financial 
     participant,'' after ``commodity broker''.
       (p) Conforming Amendments.--Title 11, United States Code, 
     is amended--
       (1) in the table of sections for chapter 5--
       (A) by amending the items relating to sections 555 and 556 
     to read as follows:

``555. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a 
              securities contract.
``556. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a 
              commodities contract or forward contract.'';
     and
       (B) by amending the items relating to sections 559 and 560 
     to read as follows:

``559. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a 
              repurchase agreement.
``560. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a swap 
              agreement.'';
     and
       (2) in the table of sections for chapter 7--
       (A) by inserting after the item relating to section 766 the 
     following:

``767. Commodity broker liquidation and forward contract merchants, 
              commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial institutions, 
              securities clearing agencies, swap participants, repo 
              participants, and master netting agreement 
              participants.'';
     and
       (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 752 the 
     following:

``753. Stockbroker liquidation and forward contract merchants, 
              commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial institutions, 
              securities clearing agencies, swap participants, repo 
              participants, and master netting agreement 
              participants.''.

     SEC. 908. RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 11(e)(8) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(H) Recordkeeping requirements.--The Corporation, in 
     consultation with the appropriate Federal banking agencies, 
     may prescribe regulations requiring more detailed 
     recordkeeping with respect to qualified financial contracts 
     (including market valuations) by insured depository 
     institutions.''.

     SEC. 909. EXEMPTIONS FROM CONTEMPORANEOUS EXECUTION 
                   REQUIREMENT.

       Section 13(e)(2) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1823(e)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) Exemptions from contemporaneous execution 
     requirement.--An agreement to provide for the lawful 
     collateralization of--
       ``(A) deposits of, or other credit extension by, a Federal, 
     State, or local governmental entity, or of any depositor 
     referred to in section 11(a)(2), including an agreement to 
     provide collateral in lieu of a surety bond;
       ``(B) bankruptcy estate funds pursuant to section 345(b)(2) 
     of title 11, United States Code;
       ``(C) extensions of credit, including any overdraft, from a 
     Federal reserve bank or Federal home loan bank; or
       ``(D) one or more qualified financial contracts, as defined 
     in section 11(e)(8)(D),
     shall not be deemed invalid pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) 
     solely because such agreement was not executed 
     contemporaneously with the acquisition of the collateral or 
     because of pledges, delivery, or substitution of the 
     collateral made in accordance with such agreement.''.

     SEC. 910. DAMAGE MEASURE.

       (a) In General.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting after section 561, as added by this Act, 
     the following:

     ``Sec. 562. Damage measure in connection with swap 
       agreements, securities contracts, forward contracts, 
       commodity contracts, repurchase agreements, or master 
       netting agreements

       ``If the trustee rejects a swap agreement, securities 
     contract (as defined in section 741), forward contract, 
     commodity contract (as defined in section 761), repurchase 
     agreement, or master netting agreement pursuant to section 
     365(a), or if a forward contract merchant, stockbroker, 
     financial institution, securities clearing agency, repo 
     participant, financial participant, master netting agreement 
     participant, or swap participant liquidates, terminates, or 
     accelerates such contract or agreement, damages shall be 
     measured as of the earlier of--
       ``(1) the date of such rejection; or
       ``(2) the date of such liquidation, termination, or 
     acceleration.''; and
       (2) in the table of sections for chapter 5, by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 561 (as added by this Act) 
     the following:

``562. Damage measure in connection with swap agreements, securities 
              contracts, forward contracts, commodity contracts, 
              repurchase agreements, or master netting agreements.''.
       (b) Claims Arising From Rejection.--Section 502(g) of title 
     11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(g)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) A claim for damages calculated in accordance with 
     section 562 of this title shall be allowed under subsection 
     (a), (b), or (c), or disallowed under subsection (d) or (e), 
     as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of 
     the petition.''.

     SEC. 911. SIPC STAY.

       Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Investor Protection Act 
     of 1970 (15 U.S.C. 78eee(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subparagraph:

[[Page H9759]]

       ``(C) Exception from stay.--
       ``(i) Notwithstanding section 362 of title 11, United 
     States Code, neither the filing of an application under 
     subsection (a)(3) nor any order or decree obtained by SIPC 
     from the court shall operate as a stay of any contractual 
     rights of a creditor to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a 
     securities contract, commodity contract, forward contract, 
     repurchase agreement, swap agreement, or master netting 
     agreement, as those terms are defined in sections 101 and 741 
     of title 11, United States Code, to offset or net 
     termination values, payment amounts, or other transfer 
     obligations arising under or in connection with one or 
     more of such contracts or agreements, or to foreclose on 
     any cash collateral pledged by the debtor, whether or not 
     with respect to one or more of such contracts or 
     agreements.
       ``(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), such application, order, 
     or decree may operate as a stay of the foreclosure on, or 
     disposition of, securities collateral pledged by the debtor, 
     whether or not with respect to one or more of such contracts 
     or agreements, securities sold by the debtor under a 
     repurchase agreement, or securities lent under a securities 
     lending agreement.
       ``(iii) As used in this subparagraph, the term `contractual 
     right' includes a right set forth in a rule or bylaw of a 
     national securities exchange, a national securities 
     association, or a securities clearing agency, a right set 
     forth in a bylaw of a clearing organization or contract 
     market or in a resolution of the governing board thereof, and 
     a right, whether or not in writing, arising under common law, 
     under law merchant, or by reason of normal business 
     practice.''.

     SEC. 912. ASSET-BACKED SECURITIZATIONS.

       Section 541 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by inserting after paragraph (7), as 
     added by this Act, the following:
       ``(8) any eligible asset (or proceeds thereof), to the 
     extent that such eligible asset was transferred by the 
     debtor, before the date of commencement of the case, to an 
     eligible entity in connection with an asset-backed 
     securitization, except to the extent such asset (or proceeds 
     or value thereof) may be recovered by the trustee under 
     section 550 by virtue of avoidance under section 548(a);''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f) For purposes of this section--
       ``(1) the term `asset-backed securitization' means a 
     transaction in which eligible assets transferred to an 
     eligible entity are used as the source of payment on 
     securities, including, without limitation, all securities 
     issued by governmental units, at least one class or tranche 
     of which was rated investment grade by one or more nationally 
     recognized securities rating organizations, when the 
     securities were initially issued by an issuer;
       ``(2) the term `eligible asset' means--
       ``(A) financial assets (including interests therein and 
     proceeds thereof), either fixed or revolving, whether or not 
     the same are in existence as of the date of the transfer, 
     including residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer 
     receivables, trade receivables, assets of governmental units, 
     including payment obligations relating to taxes, receipts, 
     fines, tickets, and other sources of revenue, and lease 
     receivables, that, by their terms, convert into cash within a 
     finite time period, plus any residual interest in property 
     subject to receivables included in such financial assets plus 
     any rights or other assets designed to assure the servicing 
     or timely distribution of proceeds to security holders;
       ``(B) cash; and
       ``(C) securities, including without limitation, all 
     securities issued by governmental units;
       ``(3) the term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(A) an issuer; or
       ``(B) a trust, corporation, partnership, governmental unit, 
     limited liability company (including a single member limited 
     liability company), or other entity engaged exclusively in 
     the business of acquiring and transferring eligible assets 
     directly or indirectly to an issuer and taking actions 
     ancillary thereto;
       ``(4) the term `issuer' means a trust, corporation, 
     partnership, or other entity engaged exclusively in the 
     business of acquiring and holding eligible assets, issuing 
     securities backed by eligible assets, and taking actions 
     ancillary thereto; and
       ``(5) the term `transferred' means the debtor, under a 
     written agreement, represented and warranted that eligible 
     assets were sold, contributed, or otherwise conveyed with the 
     intention of removing them from the estate of the debtor 
     pursuant to subsection (b)(8) (whether or not reference is 
     made to this title or any section hereof), irrespective and 
     without limitation of--
       ``(A) whether the debtor directly or indirectly obtained or 
     held an interest in the issuer or in any securities issued by 
     the issuer;
       ``(B) whether the debtor had an obligation to repurchase or 
     to service or supervise the servicing of all or any portion 
     of such eligible assets; or
       ``(C) the characterization of such sale, contribution, or 
     other conveyance for tax, accounting, regulatory reporting, 
     or other purposes.''.

     SEC. 913. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Effective Date.--This title shall take effect on the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Application of Amendments.--The amendments made by this 
     title shall apply with respect to cases commenced or 
     appointments made under any Federal or State law after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, but shall not apply with 
     respect to cases commenced or appointments made under any 
     Federal or State law before the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
                 TITLE X--PROTECTION OF FAMILY FARMERS

     SEC. 1001. PERMANENT REENACTMENT OF CHAPTER 12.

       (a) Reenactment.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 12 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as reenacted by section 149 of division C of the 
     Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277), and amended by 
     this Act, is reenacted.
       (2) Effective date.--Subsection (a) shall take effect on 
     July 1, 2000.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302 of the Bankruptcy, 
     Judges, United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy 
     Act of 1986 (28 U.S.C. 581 note) is amended by striking 
     subsection (f).

     SEC. 1002. DEBT LIMIT INCREASE.

       Section 104(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) The dollar amount in section 101(18) shall be 
     adjusted at the same times and in the same manner as the 
     dollar amounts in paragraph (1) of this subsection, beginning 
     with the adjustment to be made on April 1, 2001.''.

     SEC. 1003. CERTAIN CLAIMS OWED TO GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.

       (a) Contents of Plan.--Section 1222(a)(2) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) provide for the full payment, in deferred cash 
     payments, of all claims entitled to priority under section 
     507, unless--
       ``(A) the claim is a claim owed to a governmental unit that 
     arises as a result of the sale, transfer, exchange, or other 
     disposition of any farm asset used in the debtor's farming 
     operation, in which case the claim shall be treated as an 
     unsecured claim that is not entitled to priority under 
     section 507, but the debt shall be treated in such manner 
     only if the debtor receives a discharge; or
       ``(B) the holder of a particular claim agrees to a 
     different treatment of that claim;''.
       (b) Special Notice Provisions.--Section 1231(b) of title 
     11, United States Code, as so designated by this Act, is 
     amended by striking ``a State or local governmental unit'' 
     and inserting ``any governmental unit''.
              TITLE XI--HEALTH CARE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

     SEC. 1101. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Health Care Business Defined.--Section 101 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (27A), as added by this Act, 
     as paragraph (27B); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (27) the following:
       ``(27A) `health care business'--
       ``(A) means any public or private entity (without regard to 
     whether that entity is organized for profit or not for 
     profit) that is primarily engaged in offering to the general 
     public facilities and services for--
       ``(i) the diagnosis or treatment of injury, deformity, or 
     disease; and
       ``(ii) surgical, drug treatment, psychiatric, or obstetric 
     care; and
       ``(B) includes--
       ``(i) any--

       ``(I) general or specialized hospital;
       ``(II) ancillary ambulatory, emergency, or surgical 
     treatment facility;
       ``(III) hospice;
       ``(IV) home health agency; and
       ``(V) other health care institution that is similar to an 
     entity referred to in subclause (I), (II), (III), or (IV); 
     and

       ``(ii) any long-term care facility, including any--

       ``(I) skilled nursing facility;
       ``(II) intermediate care facility;
       ``(III) assisted living facility;
       ``(IV) home for the aged;
       ``(V) domiciliary care facility; and
       ``(VI) health care institution that is related to a 
     facility referred to in subclause (I), (II), (III), (IV), or 
     (V), if that institution is primarily engaged in offering 
     room, board, laundry, or personal assistance with activities 
     of daily living and incidentals to activities of daily 
     living;''.

       (b) Patient and Patient Records Defined.--Section 101 of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
     paragraph (40) the following:
       ``(40A) `patient' means any person who obtains or receives 
     services from a health care business;
       ``(40B) `patient records' means any written document 
     relating to a patient or a record recorded in a magnetic, 
     optical, or other form of electronic medium;''.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--The amendments made by 
     subsection (a) of this section shall not affect the 
     interpretation of section 109(b) of title 11, United States 
     Code.

     SEC. 1102. DISPOSAL OF PATIENT RECORDS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 3 of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 351. Disposal of patient records

       ``If a health care business commences a case under chapter 
     7, 9, or 11, and the trustee does not have a sufficient 
     amount of funds to pay for the storage of patient records in 
     the manner required under applicable Federal or State law, 
     the following requirements shall apply:
       ``(1) The trustee shall--
       ``(A) promptly publish notice, in 1 or more appropriate 
     newspapers, that if patient records are not claimed by the 
     patient or an insurance provider (if applicable law permits 
     the insurance provider to make that claim) by the date that 
     is 365 days after the date of that notification, the trustee 
     will destroy the patient records; and
       ``(B) during the first 180 days of the 365-day period 
     described in subparagraph (A), promptly attempt to notify 
     directly each patient that is the subject of the patient 
     records and appropriate insurance carrier concerning the 
     patient records by mailing to the last known address of that 
     patient, or a family member or contact person for that 
     patient, and to the appropriate insurance carrier an 
     appropriate notice regarding the claiming or disposing of 
     patient records.

[[Page H9760]]

       ``(2) If, after providing the notification under paragraph 
     (1), patient records are not claimed during the 365-day 
     period described under that paragraph, the trustee shall 
     mail, by certified mail, at the end of such 365-day period a 
     written request to each appropriate Federal agency to request 
     permission from that agency to deposit the patient records 
     with that agency, except that no Federal agency is required 
     to accept patient records under this paragraph.
       ``(3) If, following the 365-day period described in 
     paragraph (2) and after providing the notification under 
     paragraph (1), patient records are not claimed by a patient 
     or insurance provider, or request is not granted by a Federal 
     agency to deposit such records with that agency, the trustee 
     shall destroy those records by--
       ``(A) if the records are written, shredding or burning the 
     records; or
       ``(B) if the records are magnetic, optical, or other 
     electronic records, by otherwise destroying those records so 
     that those records cannot be retrieved.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     3 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 350 the following:

``351. Disposal of patient records.''.

     SEC. 1103. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CLAIM FOR COSTS OF CLOSING 
                   A HEALTH CARE BUSINESS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE 
                   EXPENSES.

       Section 503(b) of title 11, United States Code, as amended 
     by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) the actual, necessary costs and expenses of closing a 
     health care business incurred by a trustee or by a Federal 
     agency (as that term is defined in section 551(1) of title 5) 
     or a department or agency of a State or political subdivision 
     thereof, including any cost or expense incurred--
       ``(A) in disposing of patient records in accordance with 
     section 351; or
       ``(B) in connection with transferring patients from the 
     health care business that is in the process of being closed 
     to another health care business;
       ``(9) with respect to a nonresidential real property lease 
     previously assumed under section 365, and subsequently 
     rejected, a sum equal to all monetary obligations due, 
     excluding those arising from or related to a failure to 
     operate or penalty provisions, for the period of 2 years 
     following the later of the rejection date or date of actual 
     turnover of the premises, without reduction or setoff for any 
     reason whatsoever except for sums actually received or to be 
     received from a nondebtor, and the claim for remaining sums 
     due for the balance of the term of the lease shall be a claim 
     under section 502(b)(6); and''.

     SEC. 1104. APPOINTMENT OF OMBUDSMAN TO ACT AS PATIENT 
                   ADVOCATE.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Appointment of ombudsman.--Subchapter II of chapter 3 
     of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after section 331 the following:

     ``Sec. 332. Appointment of ombudsman

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Authority to appoint.--Not later than 30 days after a 
     case is commenced by a health care business under chapter 7, 
     9, or 11, the court shall order the appointment of an 
     ombudsman to monitor the quality of patient care to represent 
     the interests of the patients of the health care business, 
     unless the court finds that the appointment of the ombudsman 
     is not necessary for the protection of patients under the 
     specific facts of the case.
       ``(2) Qualifications.--If the court orders the appointment 
     of an ombudsman, the United States trustee shall appoint 1 
     disinterested person, other than the United States trustee, 
     to serve as an ombudsman, including a person who is serving 
     as a State Long-Term Care Ombudsman appointed under title III 
     or VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3021 et 
     seq., 3058 et seq.).
       ``(b) Duties.--An ombudsman appointed under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       ``(1) monitor the quality of patient care, to the extent 
     necessary under the circumstances, including interviewing 
     patients and physicians;
       ``(2) not later than 60 days after the date of appointment, 
     and not less frequently than every 60 days thereafter, report 
     to the court, at a hearing or in writing, regarding the 
     quality of patient care at the health care business involved; 
     and
       ``(3) if the ombudsman determines that the quality of 
     patient care is declining significantly or is otherwise being 
     materially compromised, notify the court by motion or written 
     report, with notice to appropriate parties in interest, 
     immediately upon making that determination.
       ``(c) Confidentiality.--An ombudsman shall maintain any 
     information obtained by the ombudsman under this section that 
     relates to patients (including information relating to 
     patient records) as confidential information. The ombudsman 
     may not review confidential patient records, unless the court 
     provides prior approval, with restrictions on the ombudsman 
     to protect the confidentiality of patient records.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     3 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 331 the following:

``332. Appointment of ombudsman.''.

       (b) Compensation of Ombudsman.--Section 330(a)(1) of title 
     11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the matter proceeding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``an ombudsman appointed under section 331, or'' before ``a 
     professional person''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``ombudsman,'' before 
     ``professional person''.

     SEC. 1105. DEBTOR IN POSSESSION; DUTY OF TRUSTEE TO TRANSFER 
                   PATIENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 704(a) of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(11) use all reasonable and best efforts to transfer 
     patients from a health care business that is in the process 
     of being closed to an appropriate health care business that--
       ``(A) is in the vicinity of the health care business that 
     is closing;
       ``(B) provides the patient with services that are 
     substantially similar to those provided by the health care 
     business that is in the process of being closed; and
       ``(C) maintains a reasonable quality of care.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1106(a)(1) of title 11, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``sections 704(2), 
     704(5), 704(7), 704(8), and 704(9)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraphs (2), (5), (7), (8), (9), and (11) of section 
     704(a)''.

     SEC. 1106. EXCLUSION FROM PROGRAM PARTICIPATION NOT SUBJECT 
                   TO AUTOMATIC STAY.

       Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after paragraph (28), as added by this Act, the 
     following:
       ``(29) under subsection (a), of the exclusion by the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services of the debtor from 
     participation in the medicare program or any other Federal 
     health care program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f)) pursuant to title 
     XI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) or title XVIII of 
     such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).''.
                    TITLE XII--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS

     SEC. 1201. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by 
     this Act, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``In this title--'' and inserting ``In this 
     title the following definitions shall apply:'';
       (2) in each paragraph, by inserting ``The term'' after the 
     paragraph designation;
       (3) in paragraph (35)(B), by striking ``paragraphs (21B) 
     and (33)(A)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (23) and (35)'';
       (4) in each of paragraphs (35A) and (38), by striking ``; 
     and'' at the end and inserting a period;
       (5) in paragraph (51B)--
       (A) by inserting ``who is not a family farmer'' after 
     ``debtor'' the first place it appears; and
       (B) by striking ``thereto having aggregate'' and all that 
     follows through the end of the paragraph;
       (6) by striking paragraph (54) and inserting the following:
       ``(54) The term `transfer' means--
       ``(A) the creation of a lien;
       ``(B) the retention of title as a security interest;
       ``(C) the foreclosure of a debtor's equity of redemption; 
     or
       ``(D) each mode, direct or indirect, absolute or 
     conditional, voluntary or involuntary, of disposing of or 
     parting with--
       ``(i) property; or
       ``(ii) an interest in property.''; and
       (7) in each of paragraphs (1) through (35), in each of 
     paragraphs (36) and (37), and in each of paragraphs (40) 
     through (55), by striking the semicolon at the end and 
     inserting a period.

     SEC. 1202. ADJUSTMENT OF DOLLAR AMOUNTS.

       Section 104 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by 
     section 322 of this Act, is amended by inserting 
     ``522(f)(3),'' after ``522(d),'' each place it appears.

     SEC. 1203. EXTENSION OF TIME.

       Section 108(c)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``922'' and all that follows through 
     ``or'', and inserting ``922, 1201, or''.

     SEC. 1204. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

       Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 109(b)(2), by striking ``subsection (c) or 
     (d) of''; and
       (2) in section 552(b)(1), by striking ``product'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``products''.

     SEC. 1205. PENALTY FOR PERSONS WHO NEGLIGENTLY OR 
                   FRAUDULENTLY PREPARE BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS.

       Section 110(j)(4) of title 11, United States Code, as so 
     designated by this Act, is amended by striking ``attorney's'' 
     and inserting ``attorneys' ''.

     SEC. 1206. LIMITATION ON COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONAL 
                   PERSONS.

       Section 328(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting ``on a fixed or percentage fee basis,'' after 
     ``hourly basis,''.

     SEC. 1207. EFFECT OF CONVERSION.

       Section 348(f)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting ``of the estate'' after ``property'' the 
     first place it appears.

     SEC. 1208. ALLOWANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       Section 503(b)(4) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting ``subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or 
     (E) of'' before ``paragraph (3)''.

     SEC. 1209. EXCEPTIONS TO DISCHARGE.

       Section 523 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by 
     this Act, is amended--
       (1) by transferring paragraph (15), as added by section 
     304(e) of Public Law 103-394 (108 Stat. 4133), so as to 
     insert such paragraph after subsection (a)(14);
       (2) in subsection (a)(9), by striking ``motor vehicle'' and 
     inserting ``motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft''; and
       (3) in subsection (e), by striking ``a insured'' and 
     inserting ``an insured''.

     SEC. 1210. EFFECT OF DISCHARGE.

       Section 524(a)(3) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 523'' and all that follows 
     through ``or that'' and inserting ``section 523, 1228(a)(1), 
     or 1328(a)(1), or that''.

[[Page H9761]]

     SEC. 1211. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT.

       Section 525(c) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``student'' before 
     ``grant'' the second place it appears; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the program operated 
     under part B, D, or E of'' and inserting ``any program 
     operated under''.

     SEC. 1212. PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE.

       Section 541(b)(4)(B)(ii) of title 11, United States Code, 
     is amended by inserting ``365 or'' before ``542''.

     SEC. 1213. PREFERENCES.

       (a) In General.--Section 547 of title 11, United States 
     Code, as amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (c)'' and 
     inserting ``subsections (c) and (i)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) If the trustee avoids under subsection (b) a transfer 
     made between 90 days and 1 year before the date of the filing 
     of the petition, by the debtor to an entity that is not an 
     insider for the benefit of a creditor that is an insider, 
     such transfer shall be considered to be avoided under this 
     section only with respect to the creditor that is an 
     insider.''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to any case that is pending or commenced on or 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 1214. POSTPETITION TRANSACTIONS.

       Section 549(c) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``an interest in'' after ``transfer of'' 
     each place it appears;
       (2) by striking ``such property'' and inserting ``such real 
     property''; and
       (3) by striking ``the interest'' and inserting ``such 
     interest''.

     SEC. 1215. DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE.

       Section 726(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``1009,''.

     SEC. 1216. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

       Section 901(a) of title 11, United States Code, as amended 
     by this Act, is amended by inserting ``1123(d),'' after 
     ``1123(b),''.

     SEC. 1217. ABANDONMENT OF RAILROAD LINE.

       Section 1170(e)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 11347'' and inserting ``section 
     11326(a)''.

     SEC. 1218. CONTENTS OF PLAN.

       Section 1172(c)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 11347'' and inserting ``section 
     11326(a)''.

     SEC. 1219. DISCHARGE UNDER CHAPTER 12.

       Subsections (a) and (c) of section 1228 of title 11, United 
     States Code, are amended by striking ``1222(b)(10)'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``1222(b)(9)''.

     SEC. 1220. BANKRUPTCY CASES AND PROCEEDINGS.

       Section 1334(d) of title 28, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``made under this subsection'' and 
     inserting ``made under subsection (c)''; and
       (2) by striking ``This subsection'' and inserting 
     ``Subsection (c) and this subsection''.

     SEC. 1221. KNOWING DISREGARD OF BANKRUPTCY LAW OR RULE.

       Section 156(a) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first undesignated paragraph--
       (A) by inserting ``(1) the term'' before `` `bankruptcy''; 
     and
       (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
     and''; and
       (2) in the second undesignated paragraph--
       (A) by inserting ``(2) the term'' before `` `document''; 
     and
       (B) by striking ``this title'' and inserting ``title 11''.

     SEC. 1222. TRANSFERS MADE BY NONPROFIT CHARITABLE 
                   CORPORATIONS.

       (a) Sale of Property of Estate.--Section 363(d) of title 
     11, United States Code, is amended by striking ``only'' and 
     all that follows through the end of the subsection and 
     inserting ``only--
       ``(1) in accordance with applicable nonbankruptcy law that 
     governs the transfer of property by a corporation or trust 
     that is not a moneyed, business, or commercial corporation or 
     trust; and
       ``(2) to the extent not inconsistent with any relief 
     granted under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section 
     362.''.
       (b) Confirmation of Plan for Reorganization.--Section 
     1129(a) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this 
     Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(16) All transfers of property of the plan shall be made 
     in accordance with any applicable provisions of nonbankruptcy 
     law that govern the transfer of property by a corporation or 
     trust that is not a moneyed, business, or commercial 
     corporation or trust.''.
       (c) Transfer of Property.--Section 541 of title 11, United 
     States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, 
     property that is held by a debtor that is a corporation 
     described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code 
     may be transferred to an entity that is not such a 
     corporation, but only under the same conditions as would 
     apply if the debtor had not filed a case under this title.''.
       (d) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to a case pending under title 11, United States 
     Code, on the date of enactment of this Act, or filed under 
     that title on or after that date of enactment, except that 
     the court shall not confirm a plan under chapter 11 of title 
     11, United States Code, without considering whether this 
     section would substantially affect the rights of a party in 
     interest who first acquired rights with respect to the debtor 
     after the date of the petition. The parties who may appear 
     and be heard in a proceeding under this section include the 
     attorney general of the State in which the debtor is 
     incorporated, was formed, or does business.
       (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to require the court in which a case under chapter 
     11 of title 11, United States Code, is pending to remand or 
     refer any proceeding, issue, or controversy to any other 
     court or to require the approval of any other court for the 
     transfer of property.

     SEC. 1223. PROTECTION OF VALID PURCHASE MONEY SECURITY 
                   INTERESTS.

       Section 547(c)(3)(B) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``20'' and inserting ``30''.

     SEC. 1224. EXTENSIONS.

       Section 302(d)(3) of the Bankruptcy, Judges, United States 
     Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986 (28 U.S.C. 
     581 note) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), in the matter following clause 
     (ii), by striking ``or October 1, 2002, whichever occurs 
     first''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (F)--
       (A) in clause (i)--
       (i) in subclause (II), by striking ``or October 1, 2002, 
     whichever occurs first''; and
       (ii) in the matter following subclause (II), by striking 
     ``October 1, 2003, or''; and
       (B) in clause (ii), in the matter following subclause 
     (II)--
       (i) by striking ``before October 1, 2003, or''; and
       (ii) by striking ``, whichever occurs first''.

     SEC. 1225. BANKRUPTCY JUDGESHIPS.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2000''.
       (b) Temporary Judgeships.--
       (1) Appointments.--The following judgeship positions shall 
     be filled in the manner prescribed in section 152(a)(1) of 
     title 28, United States Code, for the appointment of 
     bankruptcy judges provided for in section 152(a)(2) of such 
     title:
       (A) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the eastern 
     district of California.
       (B) Four additional bankruptcy judgeships for the central 
     district of California.
       (C) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the district of 
     Delaware.
       (D) Two additional bankruptcy judgeships for the southern 
     district of Florida.
       (E) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the southern 
     district of Georgia.
       (F) Two additional bankruptcy judgeships for the district 
     of Maryland.
       (G) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the eastern 
     district of Michigan.
       (H) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the southern 
     district of Mississippi.
       (I) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the district of 
     New Jersey.
       (J) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the eastern 
     district of New York.
       (K) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the northern 
     district of New York.
       (L) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the southern 
     district of New York.
       (M) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the eastern 
     district of North Carolina.
       (N) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the eastern 
     district of Pennsylvania.
       (O) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the middle 
     district of Pennsylvania.
       (P) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the district of 
     Puerto Rico.
       (Q) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the western 
     district of Tennessee.
       (R) One additional bankruptcy judgeship for the eastern 
     district of Virginia.
       (2) Vacancies.--The first vacancy occurring in the office 
     of a bankruptcy judge in each of the judicial districts set 
     forth in paragraph (1) shall not be filled if the vacancy--
       (A) results from the death, retirement, resignation, or 
     removal of a bankruptcy judge; and
       (B) occurs 5 years or more after the appointment date of a 
     bankruptcy judge appointed under paragraph (1).
       (c) Extensions.--
       (1) In general.--The temporary bankruptcy judgeship 
     positions authorized for the northern district of Alabama, 
     the district of Delaware, the district of Puerto Rico, the 
     district of South Carolina, and the eastern district of 
     Tennessee under paragraphs (1), (3), (7), (8), and (9) of 
     section 3(a) of the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992 (28 
     U.S.C. 152 note) are extended until the first vacancy 
     occurring in the office of a bankruptcy judge in the 
     applicable district resulting from the death, retirement, 
     resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy judge and occurring--
       (A) 8 years or more after November 8, 1993, with respect to 
     the northern district of Alabama;
       (B) 10 years or more after October 28, 1993, with respect 
     to the district of Delaware;
       (C) 8 years or more after August 29, 1994, with respect to 
     the district of Puerto Rico;
       (D) 8 years or more after June 27, 1994, with respect to 
     the district of South Carolina; and
       (E) 8 years or more after November 23, 1993, with respect 
     to the eastern district of Tennessee.
       (2) Applicability of other provisions.--All other 
     provisions of section 3 of the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 
     1992 (28 U.S.C. 152 note) remain applicable to temporary 
     judgeship positions referred to in this subsection.
       (d) Technical Amendments.--Section 152(a) of title 28, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking the first sentence and 
     inserting the following: ``Each bankruptcy judge to be 
     appointed for a judicial district, as provided in paragraph 
     (2), shall be appointed by the United States court of appeals 
     for the circuit in which such district is located.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the item relating to the middle district of Georgia, 
     by striking ``2'' and inserting ``3''; and
       (B) in the collective item relating to the middle and 
     southern districts of Georgia, by striking ``Middle and 
     Southern . . . . . . 1''.

[[Page H9762]]

       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 1226. COMPENSATING TRUSTEES.

       Section 1326 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) if a chapter 7 trustee has been allowed compensation 
     due to the conversion or dismissal of the debtor's prior case 
     pursuant to section 707(b), and some portion of that 
     compensation remains unpaid in a case converted to this 
     chapter or in the case dismissed under section 707(b) and 
     refiled under this chapter, the amount of any such unpaid 
     compensation, which shall be paid monthly--
       ``(A) by prorating such amount over the remaining duration 
     of the plan; and
       ``(B) by monthly payments not to exceed the greater of--
       ``(i) $25; or
       ``(ii) the amount payable to unsecured nonpriority 
     creditors, as provided by the plan, multiplied by 5 percent, 
     and the result divided by the number of months in the 
     plan.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title--
       ``(1) compensation referred to in subsection (b)(3) is 
     payable and may be collected by the trustee under that 
     paragraph, even if such amount has been discharged in a prior 
     proceeding under this title; and
       ``(2) such compensation is payable in a case under this 
     chapter only to the extent permitted by subsection (b)(3).''.

     SEC. 1227. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 362 OF TITLE 11, UNITED 
                   STATES CODE.

       Section 362(b)(18) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(18) under subsection (a) of the creation or perfection 
     of a statutory lien for an ad valorem property tax, or a 
     special tax or special assessment on real property whether or 
     not ad valorem, imposed by a governmental unit, if such tax 
     or assessment comes due after the filing of the petition;''.

     SEC. 1228. JUDICIAL EDUCATION.

       The Director of the Federal Judicial Center, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Executive Office for 
     United States Trustees, shall develop materials and conduct 
     such training as may be useful to courts in implementing this 
     Act and the amendments made by this Act, including the 
     requirements relating to the means test and reaffirmations 
     under section 707(b) of title 11, United States Code, as 
     amended by this Act.

     SEC. 1229. RECLAMATION.

       (a) Rights and Powers of the Trustee.--Section 546(c) of 
     title 11, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(c)(1) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this 
     section and subsection (c) of section 507, and subject to the 
     prior rights of holders of security interests in such goods 
     or the proceeds thereof, the rights and powers of the trustee 
     under sections 544(a), 545, 547, and 549 are subject to the 
     right of a seller of goods that has sold goods to the debtor, 
     in the ordinary course of such seller's business, to reclaim 
     such goods if the debtor has received such goods while 
     insolvent, not later than 45 days after the date of the 
     commencement of a case under this title, but such seller may 
     not reclaim such goods unless such seller demands in writing 
     reclamation of such goods--
       ``(A) not later than 45 days after the date of receipt of 
     such goods by the debtor; or
       ``(B) not later than 20 days after the date of commencement 
     of the case, if the 45-day period expires after the 
     commencement of the case.
       ``(2) If a seller of goods fails to provide notice in the 
     manner described in paragraph (1), the seller still may 
     assert the rights contained in section 503(b)(7).''.
       (b) Administrative Expenses.--Section 503(b) of title 11, 
     United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) the value of any goods received by the debtor not 
     later than 20 days after the date of commencement of a case 
     under this title in which the goods have been sold to the 
     debtor in the ordinary course of such debtor's business.''.

     SEC. 1230. PROVIDING REQUESTED TAX DOCUMENTS TO THE COURT.

       (a) Chapter 7 Cases.--The court shall not grant a discharge 
     in the case of an individual seeking bankruptcy under chapter 
     7 of title 11, United States Code, unless requested tax 
     documents have been provided to the court.
       (b) Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 Cases.--The court shall not 
     confirm a plan of reorganization in the case of an individual 
     under chapter 11 or 13 of title 11, United States Code, 
     unless requested tax documents have been filed with the 
     court.
       (c) Document Retention.--The court shall destroy documents 
     submitted in support of a bankruptcy claim not sooner than 3 
     years after the date of the conclusion of a bankruptcy case 
     filed by an individual under chapter 7, 11, or 13 of title 
     11, United States Code. In the event of a pending audit or 
     enforcement action, the court may extend the time for 
     destruction of such requested tax documents.

     SEC. 1231. ENCOURAGING CREDITWORTHINESS.

       (a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
     that--
       (1) certain lenders may sometimes offer credit to consumers 
     indiscriminately, without taking steps to ensure that 
     consumers are capable of repaying the resulting debt, and in 
     a manner which may encourage certain consumers to accumulate 
     additional debt; and
       (2) resulting consumer debt may increasingly be a major 
     contributing factor to consumer insolvency.
       (b) Study Required.--The Board of Governors of the Federal 
     Reserve System (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
     ``Board'') shall conduct a study of--
       (1) consumer credit industry practices of soliciting and 
     extending credit--
       (A) indiscriminately;
       (B) without taking steps to ensure that consumers are 
     capable of repaying the resulting debt; and
       (C) in a manner that encourages consumers to accumulate 
     additional debt; and
       (2) the effects of such practices on consumer debt and 
     insolvency.
       (c) Report and Regulations.--Not later than 12 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Board--
       (1) shall make public a report on its findings with respect 
     to the indiscriminate solicitation and extension of credit by 
     the credit industry;
       (2) may issue regulations that would require additional 
     disclosures to consumers; and
       (3) may take any other actions, consistent with its 
     existing statutory authority, that the Board finds necessary 
     to ensure responsible industrywide practices and to prevent 
     resulting consumer debt and insolvency.

     SEC. 1232. PROPERTY NO LONGER SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION.

       Section 541(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after paragraph (8), as added by this Act, the 
     following:
       ``(9) subject to subchapter III of chapter 5, any interest 
     of the debtor in property where the debtor pledged or sold 
     tangible personal property (other than securities or written 
     or printed evidences of indebtedness or title) as collateral 
     for a loan or advance of money given by a person licensed 
     under law to make such loans or advances, where--
       ``(A) the tangible personal property is in the possession 
     of the pledgee or transferee;
       ``(B) the debtor has no obligation to repay the money, 
     redeem the collateral, or buy back the property at a 
     stipulated price; and
       ``(C) neither the debtor nor the trustee have exercised any 
     right to redeem provided under the contract or State law, in 
     a timely manner as provided under State law and section 
     108(b) of this title; or''.

     SEC. 1233. TRUSTEES.

       (a) Suspension and Termination of Panel Trustees and 
     Standing Trustees.--Section 586(d) of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(d)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) A trustee whose appointment under subsection (a)(1) 
     or under subsection (b) is terminated or who ceases to be 
     assigned to cases filed under title 11, United States Code, 
     may obtain judicial review of the final agency decision by 
     commencing an action in the United States district court for 
     the district for which the panel to which the trustee is 
     appointed under subsection (a)(1), or in the United States 
     district court for the district in which the trustee is 
     appointed under subsection (b) resides, after first 
     exhausting all available administrative remedies, which if 
     the trustee so elects, shall also include an administrative 
     hearing on the record. Unless the trustee elects to have an 
     administrative hearing on the record, the trustee shall be 
     deemed to have exhausted all administrative remedies for 
     purposes of this paragraph if the agency fails to make a 
     final agency decision within 90 days after the trustee 
     requests administrative remedies. The Attorney General shall 
     prescribe procedures to implement this paragraph. The 
     decision of the agency shall be affirmed by the district 
     court unless it is unreasonable and without cause based on 
     the administrative record before the agency.''.
       (b) Expenses of Standing Trustees.--Section 586(e) of title 
     28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(3) After first exhausting all available administrative 
     remedies, an individual appointed under subsection (b) may 
     obtain judicial review of final agency action to deny a claim 
     of actual, necessary expenses under this subsection by 
     commencing an action in the United States district court in 
     the district where the individual resides. The decision of 
     the agency shall be affirmed by the district court unless it 
     is unreasonable and without cause based upon the 
     administrative record before the agency.
       ``(4) The Attorney General shall prescribe procedures to 
     implement this subsection.''.

     SEC. 1234. BANKRUPTCY FORMS.

       Section 2075 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
     ``The bankruptcy rules promulgated under this section shall 
     prescribe a form for the statement required under section 
     707(b)(2)(C) of title 11 and may provide general rules on the 
     content of such statement.''.

     SEC. 1235. EXPEDITED APPEALS OF BANKRUPTCY CASES TO COURTS OF 
                   APPEALS.

       (a) In General.--Section 158 of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d)(1) In a case in which the appeal is heard by the 
     district court, the judgment, decision, order, or decree of 
     the bankruptcy judge shall be deemed a judgment, decision, 
     order, or decree of the district court entered 31 days after 
     such appeal is filed with the district court, unless not 
     later than 30 days after such appeal is filed with the 
     district court--
       ``(A) the district court--
       ``(i) files a decision on the appeal from the judgment, 
     decision, order, or decree of the bankruptcy judge; or
       ``(ii) enters an order extending such 30-day period for 
     cause upon motion of a party or upon the court's own motion; 
     or
       ``(B) all parties to the appeal file written consent that 
     the district court may retain such appeal until it enters a 
     decision.

[[Page H9763]]

       ``(2) For the purpose of this subsection, an appeal shall 
     be considered filed with the district court on the date on 
     which the notice of appeal is filed, except that in a case in 
     which the appeal is heard by the district court because a 
     party has made an election under subsection (c)(1)(B), the 
     appeal shall be considered filed with the district court on 
     the date on which such election is made.
       ``(e) The courts of appeals shall have jurisdiction of 
     appeals from--
       ``(1) all final judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees 
     of district courts entered under subsection (a);
       ``(2) all final judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees 
     of bankruptcy appellate panels entered under subsection (b); 
     and
       ``(3) all judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees of 
     district courts entered under subsection (d) to the extent 
     that such judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees would be 
     reviewable by a district court under subsection (a).
       ``(f) In accordance with rules prescribed by the Supreme 
     Court of the United States under sections 2072 through 2077, 
     the court of appeals may, in its discretion, exercise 
     jurisdiction over an appeal from an interlocutory judgment, 
     decision, order, or decree under subsection (e)(3).''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 305(c) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 158(d)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (e) or (f) of section 158''.
       (2) Section 1334(d) of title 28, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 158(d)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (e) or (f) of section 158''.
       (3) Section 1452(b) of title 28, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 158(d)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (e) or (f) of section 158''.

     SEC. 1236. EXEMPTIONS.

       Section 522(g)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``subsection (f)(2)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (f)(1)(B)''.
                 TITLE XIII--CONSUMER CREDIT DISCLOSURE

     SEC. 1301. ENHANCED DISCLOSURES UNDER AN OPEN END CREDIT 
                   PLAN.

       (a) Minimum Payment Disclosures.--Section 127(b) of the 
     Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(b)) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(11)(A) In the case of an open end credit plan that 
     requires a minimum monthly payment of not more than 4 percent 
     of the balance on which finance charges are accruing, the 
     following statement, located on the front of the billing 
     statement, disclosed clearly and conspicuously: `Minimum 
     Payment Warning: Making only the minimum payment will 
     increase the interest you pay and the time it takes to repay 
     your balance. For example, making only the typical 2% minimum 
     monthly payment on a balance of $1,000 at an interest rate of 
     17% would take 88 months to repay the balance in full. For an 
     estimate of the time it would take to repay your balance, 
     making only minimum payments, call this toll-free number: 
     ____________.' (the blank space to be filled in by the 
     creditor).
       ``(B) In the case of an open end credit plan that requires 
     a minimum monthly payment of more than 4 percent of the 
     balance on which finance charges are accruing, the following 
     statement, in a prominent location on the front of the 
     billing statement, disclosed clearly and conspicuously: 
     `Minimum Payment Warning: Making only the required minimum 
     payment will increase the interest you pay and the time it 
     takes to repay your balance. Making a typical 5% minimum 
     monthly payment on a balance of $300 at an interest rate 
     of 17% would take 24 months to repay the balance in full. 
     For an estimate of the time it would take to repay your 
     balance, making only minimum monthly payments, call this 
     toll-free number: ____________.' (the blank space to be 
     filled in by the creditor).
       ``(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), in the 
     case of a creditor with respect to which compliance with this 
     title is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the 
     following statement, in a prominent location on the front of 
     the billing statement, disclosed clearly and conspicuously: 
     `Minimum Payment Warning: Making only the required minimum 
     payment will increase the interest you pay and the time it 
     takes to repay your balance. For example, making only the 
     typical 5% minimum monthly payment on a balance of $300 at an 
     interest rate of 17% would take 24 months to repay the 
     balance in full. For an estimate of the time it would take to 
     repay your balance, making only minimum monthly payments, 
     call the Federal Trade Commission at this toll-free number: 
     ____________.' (the blank space to be filled in by the 
     creditor). A creditor who is subject to this subparagraph 
     shall not be subject to subparagraph (A) or (B).
       ``(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), in 
     complying with any such subparagraph, a creditor may 
     substitute an example based on an interest rate that is 
     greater than 17 percent. Any creditor that is subject to 
     subparagraph (B) may elect to provide the disclosure required 
     under subparagraph (A) in lieu of the disclosure required 
     under subparagraph (B).
       ``(E) The Board shall, by rule, periodically recalculate, 
     as necessary, the interest rate and repayment period under 
     subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
       ``(F)(i) The toll-free telephone number disclosed by a 
     creditor or the Federal Trade Commission under subparagraph 
     (A), (B), or (G), as appropriate, may be a toll-free 
     telephone number established and maintained by the creditor 
     or the Federal Trade Commission, as appropriate, or may be a 
     toll-free telephone number established and maintained by a 
     third party for use by the creditor or multiple creditors or 
     the Federal Trade Commission, as appropriate. The toll-free 
     telephone number may connect consumers to an automated device 
     through which consumers may obtain information described in 
     subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), by inputting information using 
     a touch-tone telephone or similar device, if consumers whose 
     telephones are not equipped to use such automated device are 
     provided the opportunity to be connected to an individual 
     from whom the information described in subparagraph (A), (B), 
     or (C), as applicable, may be obtained. A person that 
     receives a request for information described in subparagraph 
     (A), (B), or (C) from an obligor through the toll-free 
     telephone number disclosed under subparagraph (A), (B), or 
     (C), as applicable, shall disclose in response to such 
     request only the information set forth in the table 
     promulgated by the Board under subparagraph (H)(i).
       ``(ii)(I) The Board shall establish and maintain for a 
     period not to exceed 24 months following the effective date 
     of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2000, a toll-free telephone 
     number, or provide a toll-free telephone number established 
     and maintained by a third party, for use by creditors that 
     are depository institutions (as defined in section 3 of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Act), including a Federal credit 
     union or State credit union (as defined in section 101 of the 
     Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)), with total assets 
     not exceeding $250,000,000. The toll-free telephone number 
     may connect consumers to an automated device through which 
     consumers may obtain information described in subparagraph 
     (A) or (B), as applicable, by inputting information using a 
     touch-tone telephone or similar device, if consumers whose 
     telephones are not equipped to use such automated device are 
     provided the opportunity to be connected to an individual 
     from whom the information described in subparagraph (A) or 
     (B), as applicable, may be obtained. A person that receives a 
     request for information described in subparagraph (A) or (B) 
     from an obligor through the toll-free telephone number 
     disclosed under subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable, shall 
     disclose in response to such request only the information set 
     forth in the table promulgated by the Board under 
     subparagraph (H)(i). The dollar amount contained in this 
     subclause shall be adjusted according to an indexing 
     mechanism established by the Board.
       ``(II) Not later than 6 months prior to the expiration of 
     the 24-month period referenced in subclause (I), the Board 
     shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Banking and 
     Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report 
     on the program described in subclause (I).
       ``(G) The Federal Trade Commission shall establish and 
     maintain a toll-free number for the purpose of providing to 
     consumers the information required to be disclosed under 
     subparagraph (C).
       ``(H) The Board shall--
       ``(i) establish a detailed table illustrating the 
     approximate number of months that it would take to repay an 
     outstanding balance if a consumer pays only the required 
     minimum monthly payments and if no other advances are made, 
     which table shall clearly present standardized information to 
     be used to disclose the information required to be disclosed 
     under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), as applicable;
       ``(ii) establish the table required under clause (i) by 
     assuming--
       ``(I) a significant number of different annual percentage 
     rates;
       ``(II) a significant number of different account balances;
       ``(III) a significant number of different minimum payment 
     amounts; and
       ``(IV) that only minimum monthly payments are made and no 
     additional extensions of credit are obtained; and
       ``(iii) promulgate regulations that provide instructional 
     guidance regarding the manner in which the information 
     contained in the table established under clause (i) should be 
     used in responding to the request of an obligor for any 
     information required to be disclosed under subparagraph (A), 
     (B), or (C).
       ``(I) The disclosure requirements of this paragraph do not 
     apply to any charge card account, the primary purpose of 
     which is to require payment of charges in full each month.
       ``(J) A creditor that maintains a toll-free telephone 
     number for the purpose of providing customers with the actual 
     number of months that it will take to repay the customer's 
     outstanding balance is not subject to the requirements of 
     subparagraph (A) or (B).
       ``(K) A creditor that maintains a toll-free telephone 
     number for the purpose of providing customers with the actual 
     number of months that it will take to repay an outstanding 
     balance shall include the following statement on each billing 
     statement: `Making only the minimum payment will increase the 
     interest you pay and the time it takes to repay your balance. 
     For more information, call this toll-free number: ________.' 
     (the blank space to be filled in by the creditor).''.
       (b) Regulatory Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--The Board of Governors of the Federal 
     Reserve System (hereafter in this title referred to as the 
     ``Board'') shall promulgate regulations implementing the 
     requirements of section 127(b)(11) of the Truth in Lending 
     Act, as added by subsection (a) of this section.
       (2) Effective date.--Section 127(b)(11) of the Truth in 
     Lending Act, as added by subsection (a) of this section, and 
     the regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection 
     shall not take effect until the later of--
       (A) 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act; or
       (B) 12 months after the publication of such final 
     regulations by the Board.
       (c) Study of Financial Disclosures.--
       (1) In general.--The Board may conduct a study to determine 
     the types of information available to potential borrowers 
     from consumer

[[Page H9764]]

     credit lending institutions regarding factors qualifying 
     potential borrowers for credit, repayment requirements, and 
     the consequences of default.
       (2) Factors for consideration.--In conducting a study under 
     paragraph (1), the Board should, in consultation with the 
     other Federal banking agencies (as defined in section 3 of 
     the Federal Deposit Insurance Act), the National Credit Union 
     Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission, consider 
     the extent to which--
       (A) consumers, in establishing new credit arrangements, are 
     aware of their existing payment obligations, the need to 
     consider those obligations in deciding to take on new credit, 
     and how taking on excessive credit can result in financial 
     difficulty;
       (B) minimum periodic payment features offered in connection 
     with open end credit plans impact consumer default rates;
       (C) consumers make only the required minimum payment under 
     open end credit plans;
       (D) consumers are aware that making only required minimum 
     payments will increase the cost and repayment period of an 
     open end credit obligation; and
       (E) the availability of low minimum payment options is a 
     cause of consumers experiencing financial difficulty.
       (3) Report to congress.--Findings of the Board in 
     connection with any study conducted under this subsection 
     shall be submitted to Congress. Such report shall also 
     include recommendations for legislative initiatives, if any, 
     of the Board, based on its findings.

     SEC. 1302. ENHANCED DISCLOSURE FOR CREDIT EXTENSIONS SECURED 
                   BY A DWELLING.

       (a) Open End Credit Extensions.--
       (1) Credit applications.--Section 127A(a)(13) of the Truth 
     in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637a(a)(13)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``consultation of tax adviser.--A statement 
     that the'' and inserting the following: ``tax 
     deductibility.--A statement that--
       ``(A) the''; and
       (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting the 
     following: ``; and
       ``(B) in any case in which the extension of credit exceeds 
     the fair market value (as defined under the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986) of the dwelling, the interest on the portion of 
     the credit extension that is greater than the fair market 
     value of the dwelling is not tax deductible for Federal 
     income tax purposes.''.
       (2) Credit advertisements.--Section 147(b) of the Truth in 
     Lending Act (15   U.S.C. 1665b(b)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``If any'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--If any''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Credit in excess of fair market value.--Each 
     advertisement described in subsection (a) that relates to an 
     extension of credit that may exceed the fair market value of 
     the dwelling, and which advertisement is disseminated in 
     paper form to the public or through the Internet, as opposed 
     to by radio or television, shall include a clear and 
     conspicuous statement that--
       ``(A) the interest on the portion of the credit extension 
     that is greater than the fair market value of the dwelling is 
     not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes; and
       ``(B) the consumer should consult a tax adviser for further 
     information regarding the deductibility of interest and 
     charges.''.
       (b) Non-Open End Credit Extensions.--
       (1) Credit applications.--Section 128 of the Truth in 
     Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(15) In the case of a consumer credit transaction that is 
     secured by the principal dwelling of the consumer, in which 
     the extension of credit may exceed the fair market value of 
     the dwelling, a clear and conspicuous statement that--
       ``(A) the interest on the portion of the credit extension 
     that is greater than the fair market value of the dwelling is 
     not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes; and
       ``(B) the consumer should consult a tax adviser for further 
     information regarding the deductibility of interest and 
     charges.''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) In the case of a credit transaction described in 
     paragraph (15) of subsection (a), disclosures required by 
     that paragraph shall be made to the consumer at the time of 
     application for such extension of credit.''.
       (2) Credit advertisements.--Section 144 of the Truth in 
     Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1664) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(e) Each advertisement to which this section applies that 
     relates to a consumer credit transaction that is secured by 
     the principal dwelling of a consumer in which the extension 
     of credit may exceed the fair market value of the dwelling, 
     and which advertisement is disseminated in paper form to the 
     public or through the Internet, as opposed to by radio or 
     television, shall clearly and conspicuously state that--
       ``(1) the interest on the portion of the credit extension 
     that is greater than the fair market value of the dwelling is 
     not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes; and
       ``(2) the consumer should consult a tax adviser for further 
     information regarding the deductibility of interest and 
     charges.''.
       (c) Regulatory Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations 
     implementing the amendments made by this section.
       (2) Effective date.--Regulations issued under paragraph (1) 
     shall not take effect until the later of--
       (A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act; or
       (B) 12 months after the date of publication of such final 
     regulations by the Board.

     SEC. 1303. DISCLOSURES RELATED TO ``INTRODUCTORY RATES''.

       (a) Introductory Rate Disclosures.--Section 127(c) of the 
     Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(c)) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(6) Additional notice concerning `introductory rates'.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     an application or solicitation to open a credit card account 
     and all promotional materials accompanying such application 
     or solicitation for which a disclosure is required under 
     paragraph (1), and that offers a temporary annual percentage 
     rate of interest, shall--
       ``(i) use the term `introductory' in immediate proximity to 
     each listing of the temporary annual percentage rate 
     applicable to such account, which term shall appear clearly 
     and conspicuously;
       ``(ii) if the annual percentage rate of interest that will 
     apply after the end of the temporary rate period will be a 
     fixed rate, state in a clear and conspicuous manner in a 
     prominent location closely proximate to the first listing of 
     the temporary annual percentage rate (other than a listing of 
     the temporary annual percentage rate in the tabular format 
     described in section 122(c)), the time period in which the 
     introductory period will end and the annual percentage rate 
     that will apply after the end of the introductory period; and
       ``(iii) if the annual percentage rate that will apply after 
     the end of the temporary rate period will vary in accordance 
     with an index, state in a clear and conspicuous manner in a 
     prominent location closely proximate to the first listing of 
     the temporary annual percentage rate (other than a listing in 
     the tabular format prescribed by section 122(c)), the time 
     period in which the introductory period will end and the rate 
     that will apply after that, based on an annual percentage 
     rate that was in effect within 60 days before the date of 
     mailing the application or solicitation.
       ``(B) Exception.--Clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph 
     (A) do not apply with respect to any listing of a temporary 
     annual percentage rate on an envelope or other enclosure in 
     which an application or solicitation to open a credit card 
     account is mailed.
       ``(C) Conditions for introductory rates.--An application or 
     solicitation to open a credit card account for which a 
     disclosure is required under paragraph (1), and that offers a 
     temporary annual percentage rate of interest shall, if that 
     rate of interest is revocable under any circumstance or upon 
     any event, clearly and conspicuously disclose, in a prominent 
     manner on or with such application or solicitation--
       ``(i) a general description of the circumstances that may 
     result in the revocation of the temporary annual percentage 
     rate; and
       ``(ii) if the annual percentage rate that will apply upon 
     the revocation of the temporary annual percentage rate--

       ``(I) will be a fixed rate, the annual percentage rate that 
     will apply upon the revocation of the temporary annual 
     percentage rate; or
       ``(II) will vary in accordance with an index, the rate that 
     will apply after the temporary rate, based on an annual 
     percentage rate that was in effect within 60 days before the 
     date of mailing the application or solicitation.

       ``(D) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
       ``(i) the terms `temporary annual percentage rate of 
     interest' and `temporary annual percentage rate' mean any 
     rate of interest applicable to a credit card account for an 
     introductory period of less than 1 year, if that rate is less 
     than an annual percentage rate that was in effect within 60 
     days before the date of mailing the application or 
     solicitation; and
       ``(ii) the term `introductory period' means the maximum 
     time period for which the temporary annual percentage rate 
     may be applicable.
       ``(E) Relation to other disclosure requirements.--Nothing 
     in this paragraph may be construed to supersede subsection 
     (a) of section 122, or any disclosure required by paragraph 
     (1) or any other provision of this subsection.''.
       (b) Regulatory Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations 
     implementing the requirements of section 127(c)(6) of the 
     Truth in Lending Act, as added by this section.
       (2) Effective date.--Section 127(c)(6) of the Truth in 
     Lending Act, as added by this section, and regulations issued 
     under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not take effect 
     until the later of--
       (A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act; or
       (B) 12 months after the date of publication of such final 
     regulations by the Board.

     SEC. 1304. INTERNET-BASED CREDIT CARD SOLICITATIONS.

       (a) Internet-Based Applications and Solicitations.--Section 
     127(c) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(c)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) Internet-based applications and solicitations.--
       ``(A) In general.--In any solicitation to open a credit 
     card account for any person under an open end consumer credit 
     plan using the Internet or other interactive computer 
     service, the person making the solicitation shall clearly and 
     conspicuously disclose--
       ``(i) the information described in subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) of paragraph (1); and
       ``(ii) the information described in paragraph (6).
       ``(B) Form of disclosure.--The disclosures required by 
     subparagraph (A) shall be--
       ``(i) readily accessible to consumers in close proximity to 
     the solicitation to open a credit card account; and

[[Page H9765]]

       ``(ii) updated regularly to reflect the current policies, 
     terms, and fee amounts applicable to the credit card account.
       ``(C) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph--
       ``(i) the term `Internet' means the international computer 
     network of both Federal and non-Federal interoperable packet 
     switched data networks; and
       ``(ii) the term `interactive computer service' means any 
     information service, system, or access software provider that 
     provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a 
     computer server, including specifically a service or system 
     that provides access to the Internet and such systems 
     operated or services offered by libraries or educational 
     institutions.''.
       (b) Regulatory Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations 
     implementing the requirements of section 127(c)(7) of the 
     Truth in Lending Act, as added by this section.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     and the regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this 
     subsection shall not take effect until the later of--
       (A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act; or
       (B) 12 months after the date of publication of such final 
     regulations by the Board.

     SEC. 1305. DISCLOSURES RELATED TO LATE PAYMENT DEADLINES AND 
                   PENALTIES.

       (a) Disclosures Related to Late Payment Deadlines and 
     Penalties.--Section 127(b) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 
     U.S.C. 1637(b)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(12) If a late payment fee is to be imposed due to the 
     failure of the obligor to make payment on or before a 
     required payment due date, the following shall be stated 
     clearly and conspicuously on the billing statement:
       ``(A) The date on which that payment is due or, if 
     different, the earliest date on which a late payment fee may 
     be charged.
       ``(B) The amount of the late payment fee to be imposed if 
     payment is made after such date.''.
       (b) Regulatory Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations 
     implementing the requirements of section 127(b)(12) of the 
     Truth in Lending Act, as added by this section.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     and regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection 
     shall not take effect until the later of--
       (A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act; or
       (B) 12 months after the date of publication of such final 
     regulations by the Board.

     SEC. 1306. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR FAILURE TO 
                   INCUR FINANCE CHARGES.

       (a) Prohibition on Certain Actions for Failure To Incur 
     Finance Charges.--Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 
     U.S.C. 1637) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Prohibition on Certain Actions for Failure To Incur 
     Finance Charges.--A creditor of an account under an open end 
     consumer credit plan may not terminate an account prior to 
     its expiration date solely because the consumer has not 
     incurred finance charges on the account. Nothing in this 
     subsection shall prohibit a creditor from terminating an 
     account for inactivity in 3 or more consecutive months.''.
       (b) Regulatory Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations 
     implementing the requirements of section 127(h) of the Truth 
     in Lending Act, as added by this section.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     and regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection 
     shall not take effect until the later of--
       (A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act; or
       (B) 12 months after the date of publication of such final 
     regulations by the Board.

     SEC. 1307. DUAL USE DEBIT CARD.

       (a) Report.--The Board may conduct a study of, and present 
     to Congress a report containing its analysis of, consumer 
     protections under existing law to limit the liability of 
     consumers for unauthorized use of a debit card or similar 
     access device. Such report, if submitted, shall include 
     recommendations for legislative initiatives, if any, of the 
     Board, based on its findings.
       (b) Considerations.--In preparing a report under subsection 
     (a), the Board may include--
       (1) the extent to which section 909 of the Electronic Fund 
     Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693g), as in effect at the time of 
     the report, and the implementing regulations promulgated by 
     the Board to carry out that section provide adequate 
     unauthorized use liability protection for consumers;
       (2) the extent to which any voluntary industry rules have 
     enhanced or may enhance the level of protection afforded 
     consumers in connection with such unauthorized use liability; 
     and
       (3) whether amendments to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.), or revisions to regulations 
     promulgated by the Board to carry out that Act, are necessary 
     to further address adequate protection for consumers 
     concerning unauthorized use liability.

     SEC. 1308. STUDY OF BANKRUPTCY IMPACT OF CREDIT EXTENDED TO 
                   DEPENDENT STUDENTS.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall conduct a study regarding 
     the impact that the extension of credit described in 
     paragraph (2) has on the rate of bankruptcy cases filed under 
     title 11, United States Code.
       (2) Extension of credit.--The extension of credit described 
     in this paragraph is the extension of credit to individuals 
     who are--
       (A) claimed as dependents for purposes of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986; and
       (B) enrolled within 1 year of successfully completing all 
     required secondary education requirements and on a full-time 
     basis, in postsecondary educational institutions.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Board shall submit to the Senate 
     and the House of Representatives a report summarizing the 
     results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

     SEC. 1309. CLARIFICATION OF CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS.

       (a) Regulations.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the 
     other Federal banking agencies (as defined in section 3 of 
     the Federal Deposit Insurance Act), the National Credit Union 
     Administration Board, and the Federal Trade Commission, shall 
     promulgate regulations to provide guidance regarding the 
     meaning of the term ``clear and conspicuous'', as used in 
     subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 127(b)(11) and 
     clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 127(c)(6)(A) of the Truth 
     in Lending Act.
       (b) Examples.--Regulations promulgated under subsection (a) 
     shall include examples of clear and conspicuous model 
     disclosures for the purposes of disclosures required by the 
     provisions of the Truth in Lending Act referred to in 
     subsection (a).
       (c) Standards.--In promulgating regulations under this 
     section, the Board shall ensure that the clear and 
     conspicuous standard required for disclosures made under the 
     provisions of the Truth in Lending Act referred to in 
     subsection (a) can be implemented in a manner which results 
     in disclosures which are reasonably understandable and 
     designed to call attention to the nature and significance of 
     the information in the notice.

     SEC. 1310. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN FOREIGN JUDGMENTS BARRED.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     or contract, a court within the United States shall not 
     recognize or enforce any judgment rendered in a foreign court 
     if, by clear and convincing evidence, the court in which 
     recognition or enforcement of the judgment is sought 
     determines that the judgment gives effect to any purported 
     right or interest derived, directly or indirectly, from any 
     fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent omission that 
     occurred in the United States during the period beginning on 
     January 1, 1975, and ending on December 31, 1993.
       (b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not prevent 
     recognition or enforcement of a judgment rendered in a 
     foreign court if the foreign tribunal rendering judgment 
     giving effect to the right or interest concerned determines 
     that no fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent omission 
     described in subsection (a) occurred.
      TITLE XIV--GENERAL EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS

     SEC. 1401. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Effective Date.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take 
     effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Application of Amendments.--Except as otherwise 
     provided in this Act, the amendments made by this Act shall 
     not apply with respect to cases commenced under title 11, 
     United States Code, before the effective date of this Act.

     Henry Hyde,
     George W. Gekas,
     Dick Armey,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Jesse Helms,
     Richard G. Lugar,
     Rod Grams,
     Joe Biden,
     Managers on the Part of the Senate.

                          ____________________